Steven P Sumner

US Patent:

48937568, Jan 16, 1990

Filed:

Sep 22, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/247569

Inventors:

Michael A. Fetcenko - Royal Oak MI
Thomas Kaatz - Drayton Plains MI
Steven P. Sumner - Warren MI
Joseph LaRocca - Warren MI

Assignee:

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B02C 1912

US Classification:

241 33

Abstract:

Apparatus for the hydride-dehydride cycling comminution of metal hydride, hydrogen storage alloy materials, which comminuted hydrogen storage alloy material is adapted for use in the negative electrode of hydrogen storage, electrochemical cells.

US Patent:

49158988, Apr 10, 1990

Filed:

Feb 9, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/308289

Inventors:

Merle Wolff - Rochester MI
Mark A. Nuss - Rochester Hills MI
Andrea L. Lijoi - Utica MI
Steven P. Sumner - Warren MI
Joseph LaRocca - Warren MI
Thomas Kaatz - Drayton Plains MI

Assignee:

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B22F 500

US Classification:

419 3

Abstract:

An improved method for the continuous fabrication of metal-hydride, electrochemical, hydrogen storage alloy, negative electrodes for use in rechargeable nickel metal hydride cells. The improved method comprises the steps of reducing the size of a high hardness, metal hydride, hydrogen storage alloy by shattering it along natural fracture line thereof. The process next includes providing measured amounts of powered metal hydride electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy material and disposing said material upon a continuous wire mesh screen substrate. Thereafter, the powdered metal hydride electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy and wire mesh screen are subjected to a compaction process wherein they are rolled and pressed so as to form a single integral electrode web which is subsequently exposed to a high temperature sintering process in a chemically inert environment. The sintering process is designed to drive off excess moisture in the material while discouraging oxidation of the electrode web and set the electrode web state of charge.

US Patent:

49484230, Aug 14, 1990

Filed:

Jul 21, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/382599

Inventors:

Michael A. Fetcenko - Royal Oak MI
Steven P. Sumner - Warren MI
Joseph LaRocca - Warren MI

Assignee:

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

C21C 710

US Classification:

75 1014

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.