Lilliwyte Societe Anonyme

Other

Derrick J Baker

Roger J Bones

Johan Coetzer

Walter G Bugden

Peter R Smith

The invention provides a method of joining together a ceramic component and a metal component. According to the invention a surface of the ceramic component is metallized with a metallizing metal to form a metallized layer thereon. The metal component is then thermocompression bonded to the metallized layer, optionally after the metallized layer is plated with a continuous metal layer. For electrochemical cell applications, the ceramic component is typically alpha-alumina, the metal of the metallized layer is typically selected from tantalum, titanium, vanadium, tungsten and molybdenum, and the metal component typically comprises, in metallic or alloy form, at least one of iron, nickel, cobalt, chromium, manganese or copper.

Joining of ceramic components to metal components

The invention provides a rechargeable electrochemical cell comprising a cell housing 10 divided by a separator 20 into a pair of electrode compartments, one of which contains an anode substance and the other of which contains an active cathode substance and an electrolyte. The anode and electrolyte are liquid at the operating temperature of the cell and the electrode compartments are each divided into a gas chamber communicating with an electrode chamber. The gas chamber contains an inert gas under pressure and the electrode chamber contains a liquid, namely the anode material or the liquid electrolyte. A wall of each electrode chamber is provided by the separator and each electrode chamber has a closeable bleed outlet 74, 80. The cell has an operative attitude in which said bleed outlets can be used to bleed gas from the associated electrode chambers, and each electrode chamber is in communication with the associated gas chamber, such that the cell in its operative attitude has each electrode chamber completely full of liquid, and each gas chamber containing inert gas under pressure and liquid.

Electrochemical cell

The invention provides an electric cell having a compartment containing liquid anode, a compartment containing liquid cathode, a solid electrolyte which partially bounds each of the compartments, a ceramic support member which supports the solid electrolyte, and metallic closure members closing the compartments. The closure member closing the liquid anode compartment is joined to the support member by a brazed joint resistant to the liquid anode, and the closure member closing the liquid cathode compartment is joined to the support member or the solid electrolyte by a glass seal.

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Chieveley, United Kingdom

Derrick J Baker