US4948423A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alloy preparation of hydrogen storage materials
Assignee: Chevron Technology Ventures LLC
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Filing: 1989-07-21
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Granted: 1990-08-14
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Expires: 2009-07-21
Abstract
Abstract A method for the preparation of a highly alloyed metal hydride, hydrogen storage alloy material including titanium, zirconium, vanadium, nickel and chromium. The hydrogen storage alloy material is prepared by vacuum induction melting electrochemically operative amounts of the materials in a nigh density, high purity graphite crucible, under an inert gas atmosphere.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael A. Fetcenko
- 👤 Steven P. Sumner
- 👤 Joseph LaRocca
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:25
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22C; C22C1/00; H; H01; H01M; H01M4/00; H01M4/02; H01M4/36; H01M4/38; H01M4/383; C21; C21C; C21C7/00; C21C7/10; C22B; C22B9/00; C22B9/16; C22C1/02; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y10; Y10S; Y10S420/00; Y10S420/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for the vacuum induction melting preparation of a multi-component, highly alloyed hydrogen storage material comprising at least titanium, zirconium, vanadium, nickel, chromium and at least one modifier element selected from the group consisting of manganese, aluminum, molybdenum, copper, tungsten, iron, silicon, tin, zinc and combinations thereof, said alloy being adapted for use as the negative electrode material of rechargeable electrochemical, hydrogen storage cells, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a high density, high purity graphite crucible; (b) providing electrochemically operative amounts of zirconium and vanadium-nickel alloy in said high density, high purity graphite crucible; (c) vacuum induction melting said zirconium and said vanadium-nickel alloy in said graphite crucible; (d) adding electrochemically operative amounts of nickel, chromium, titanium and modifier element to the molten zirconium-vanadium-nickel alloy, while heating said molten zirconium-vanadium-nickel alloy to a temperature sufficient to melt said nickel, chromium, titanium and modifier to form a molten hydrogen storage alloy material; and (e) pouring said molten hydrogen storage alloy material from said high density, high purity graphite crucible into a water cooled graphite ingot mold.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for the vacuum induction melting preparation of a multi-component, highly alloyed hydrogen storage material comprising at least titanium, zirconium, vanadium, nickel, chromium and at least one modifier element selected from the group consisting of manganese, aluminum, molybdenum, copper, tungsten, iron, silicon, tin, zinc and combinations thereof, said alloy being adapted for use as the negative electrode material of rechargeable electrochemical, hydrogen storage cells, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a high density, high purity graphite crucible; (b) providing electrochemically operative amounts of zirconium and vanadium-nickel alloy in said high density, high purity graphite crucible; (c) vacuum induction melting said zirconium and said vanadium-nickel alloy in said graphite crucible; (d) adding electrochemically operative amounts of nickel, chromium, titanium and modifier element to the molten zirconium-vanadium-nickel alloy, while heating said molten zirconium-vanadium-nickel alloy to a temperature sufficient to melt said nickel, chromium, titanium and modifier to form a molten hydrogen storage alloy material; and (e) pouring said molten hydrogen storage alloy material from said high density, high purity graphite crucible into a water cooled graphite ingot mold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said graphite crucible is operatively positioned inside a vacuum induction furnace.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said high density, high purity graphite crucible has a bulk density of at least 1.77 Mg/m 3 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 3, wherein said high density, high purity graphite crucible has a total porosity of less than 17%.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said high density, high purity graphite crucible is at least 99.8% pure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of melting said precursor elements comprises the further steps of applying an induction melting process of at least 400 V, 3000 H z and 100 KW power, for a charge size of 65 Kg.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said induction melting is carried out in an inert atmosphere.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 7, wherein said inert atmosphere is provided by a gas selected from the group consisting of argon, neon, helium and combinations thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 8, wherein said inert atmosphere may contain operative amounts of a reducing agent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim 9, wherein said reducing agent is hydrogen.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of melting said precursor elements includes the further step of forming an alloy refining slag for removing contaminate from said precursor elements.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-08-13 | 1994-02-12 | 1994-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-13 | 1998-02-12 | 1998-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-13 | 2002-02-12 | 2002-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |