Abstract:
An electrochemical cell is described, including an anodic chamber and a cathodic chamber separated by an electrolyte separator tube, all contained within a cell case. The cell also includes an electrically insulating ceramic collar positioned at an opening of the cathodic chamber, and defining an aperture in communication with the opening; along with a cathode current collector assembly; and at least one metallic ring that has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) in the range of about 3 to about 7.5 ppm/° C., contacting at least a portion of a metallic component within the cell, and an adjacent ceramic component. An active braze alloy composition attaches and hermetically seals the ring to the metallic component and the collar. Sodium metal halide batteries that contain this type of cell are also described, along with methods for sealing structures within the cell.
Abstract:
A braze alloy composition is disclosed, containing nickel, about 5% to about 40% of at least one refractory metal selected from niobium, tantalum, or molybdenum; about 2% to about 32% chromium; and about 0.5% to about 10% of at least one active metal element. An electrochemical cell that includes two components joined to each other by such a braze composition is also described. A method for joining components such as those within an electrochemical cell is also described. The method includes the step of introducing a braze alloy composition between a first component and a second component to be joined, to form a brazing structure. In many instances, one component is formed of a ceramic, while the other is formed of a metal or metal alloy.
Abstract:
The present application provides for ceramic collars and metal rings for active brazing in sodium-based thermal batteries. The ceramic collar may be an alpha-alumina collar configured for active brazing, and thereby sealing, to outer and inner Ni rings for use in NaMx cells. The portions of the alpha-alumina collar active brazed to the outer and inner Ni rings may be outwardly facing and include inwardly extending recesses. The portions of the outer and inner Ni rings active brazed to the outwardly facing portions of the collar may be inwardly facing. The alpha-alumina collar may include a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than each of the outer and inner Ni rings, and the alpha-alumina collar and outer and inner Ni rings may be configured such that a portion of the outer and inner Ni rings is deformed into the inwardly extending recesses of the alpha-alumina collar after active brazing thereof.
Abstract:
An electrochemical cell is presented. The cell includes a housing having an interior surface defining a volume, and an elongated, ion-conducting separator disposed in the volume. The separator usually extends in a vertical direction relative to a base of the housing, so as to define a height dimension of the cell. The separator has a first circumferential surface defining a portion of a first compartment. The cell further includes a shim structure disposed generally parallel to the first circumferential surface of the separator between the interior surface and the first circumferential surface of the separator. The structure includes at least two shims, a first shim and a second shim, that substantially overlap each other. An energy storage device including such an electrochemical cell is also provided.
Abstract:
A component formed using an additive manufacturing system, the component includes an exterior surface, an interior cavity, at least one powder removal device disposed within the interior cavity and adjacent to the exterior surface, wherein the at least one powder removal device is configured to remove un-sintered and partially sintered powder from the component; and at least one exit port defined in the exterior surface to facilitate egress of the un-sintered and partially sintered powder out of the component.
Abstract:
A combustor for a gas turbine system includes a combustor casing having an interior-establishing wall, and a chamber extending to the interior-establishing wall. In addition, the combustor includes an igniter assembly disposed within the chamber such that a tip of the igniter assembly is positioned radially outwardly from the interior-establishing wall. The igniter assembly includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an insulator. In addition, the first electrode, the second electrode, and the insulator form a cavity, the second electrode forms an outlet passage extending from the cavity, a maximum cross-sectional area of the cavity is greater than a minimum cross-sectional area of the outlet passage, and the first electrode and the second electrode are configured to ionize gas within the cavity in response to an electrical current applied to the first electrode or to the second electrode.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a spark gap device that includes a first electrode having a first surface and a second electrode having a second surface offset from and facing the first surface. The spark gap device also includes a light source configured to emit light toward at least the first surface such that photons emitted by the light source when the spark gap is operated are incident on the first surface and cause electron emission from the first surface. The light source includes a discharge probe having a third electrode sealed in a tube filled with an inert gas. The spark gap device may not include a radioactive component.
Abstract:
A braze alloy composition for sealing a ceramic component to a metal component in an electrochemical cell is presented. The braze alloy composition includes copper, nickel, and an active metal element. The braze alloy includes nickel in an amount less than about 30 weight percent, and the active metal element in an amount less than about 10 weight percent. An electrochemical cell using the braze alloy for sealing a ceramic component to a metal component in the cell is also provided.
Abstract:
A method for joining a metal component to a ceramic component is presented. The method includes disposing a metallic barrier layer on a metallized portion of the ceramic component, and joining the metal component to the metallized portion of the ceramic component through the metallic barrier layer. The metallic barrier layer comprises nickel and a melting point depressant. The metallic barrier layer is disposed by a screen printing process, followed by sintering the layer at a temperature less than about 1000 degrees Celsius. A sealing structure including a joint between a ceramic component and a metal component is also presented.
Abstract:
A method for joining a ceramic component to a metallic component is described. At least one initial layer of an active metal is applied to one of the joining surfaces, by a cold spray technique. At least one second layer of a nickel-based braze composition is then applied over the initial layer by cold-spraying. The braze composition and components are then heated, so as to form an active braze joint between them. A method of sealing an open region of a sodium metal halide-based battery is also disclosed, using the brazing technique described herein to form braze joints that seal various components in the battery cells, such as metallic rings and ceramic collar structures.