Conductive Interconnect Ribs for Porous Ceramic Oxygen Purifiers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods for purifying oxygen gas are energy and resource-intensive, and existing on-site oxygen generation technologies are costly and inefficient, particularly for producing high-purity oxygen, posing challenges for industries and medical facilities.

Innovation Solution

A ceramic-based electrochemical stack system that includes a terminal plumbing assembly to mitigate thermal expansion mismatch between metal and ceramic components, enabling efficient oxygen concentration and pressurization with reduced energy consumption, producing high-purity oxygen gas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If traditional oxygen purification methods are used, then oxygen can be purified, but energy consumption and resource usage increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidoxygen purification capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating parameters by using electrochemical reactions at controlled temperatures (typically 500-900°C) instead of traditional high-energy methods like cryogenic distillation. This parameter change enables oxygen purification with significantly reduced energy consumption while maintaining high purity output

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/physical separation methods (such as cryogenic distillation or pressure swing adsorption) with electrochemical membrane technology. The electrochemical membrane uses electrical potential to drive oxygen ion transport, substituting mechanical energy-intensive processes with electrically-driven chemical reactions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If on-site oxygen generation systems are implemented, then oxygen supply reliability improves, but system cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen supply availabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the oxygen generation system into modular electrochemical cells stacked together. Each cell contains simplified components (electrodes, electrolyte membrane, interconnects), and multiple cells are stacked to achieve desired oxygen production capacity. This segmentation reduces individual component complexity while enabling scalable on-site generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrochemical membrane stack serves multiple functions simultaneously: it separates oxygen from air, generates electrical current through the electrochemical reaction, and operates at temperatures suitable for various industrial applications. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems, thereby reducing overall complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If high-purity oxygen production is achieved, then oxygen quality improves, but energy consumption and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen purityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an electrochemical membrane as an intermediary that selectively transports oxygen ions from air to produce high-purity oxygen. The membrane acts as a selective barrier that allows only oxygen ions to pass through when electrical potential is applied, achieving high purity without the energy-intensive multi-stage separation processes required by traditional methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system generates high-purity oxygen gas efficiently and cost-effectively, reducing the need for oxygen cylinders and cryogenic containers, and is suitable for on-demand use in various industries and medical applications.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 2

A ceramic-based electrochemical stack system that includes a terminal plumbing assembly to mitigate thermal expansion mismatch between metal and ceramic components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS20260077304A1Electrically conductive interconnect ribs for a ceramic oxygen purifier

Publication Date: 2026.03.19 AMERICAN OXYGEN LLC

AI summary

Systems for oxygen concentration and pressurization. An assembly includes a first ceramic wafer comprising a porous cathode and a second ceramic wafer comprising an anode cap. The assembly includes an interconnect disposed in between the first ceramic wafer and the second ceramic wafer. The assembly is such that the interconnect is attached to the porous cathode of the first ceramic wafer and is further attached to the anode cap of the second ceramic wafer. The assembly is such that the interconnect comprises a through-porosity that enables an oxygen-containing gas to pass through the interconnect or diffuse into the interconnect.