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US 10,566,671 B2Granted
Zinc-air battery
AssigneePhinergy Ltd.
InventorJonathan R. Goldstein
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A zinc-air cell, a battery which is a low weight, low volume, or higher energy system, or a combination thereof and an apparatus for recharging the same are disclosed.
Claims23
An apparatus for charging a zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery, said apparatus comprising:
- a reservoir comprising a zinc-containing electrolyte fluid;
- an export feed operationally connected to said reservoir;
- a fluid drainer;
- whereby:
- said apparatus is operationally connectible to said zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery for which charging is desired;
- said reservoir of said apparatus is located externally to said zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery for which charging is desired and said export feed allows for the delivery of said zinc-containing electrolyte fluid from said reservoir to said zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery for which charging is desired;
- said fluid drainer is operationally connectible to said zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery and facilitates draining of at least a portion of an electrolyte fluid located in a discharged or not fully charged zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery;
- and
- said drained electrolyte fluid is conveyed to said external reservoir or to a discharge reservoir;
- wherein said zinc-air cell comprising:
- a casing;
- at least one porous structure capable of absorbing oxygen from the air as the cathode of said cell placed within said casing;
- a slurry consisting essentially of zinc and electrolyte solution placed within said casing;
- a separator positioned between said porous structure and said slurry;
- at least one current collecting electrode placed in said casing and in contact with said slurry;
- an inlet and outlet in said casing;
- whereby said inlet and outlet are constructed so as to permit exchange of said slurry, introduction and exchange of electrolyte fluid or a combination thereof in said cell with a slurry, an electrolyte fluid, or a combination thereof located in said reservoir;
- a) wherein said zinc-air cell further comprises at least one electro-conducting porous support for zinc incorporation there-within wherein said porous support comprises a metal or a metal alloy or graphite/carbon sponge;
- or
- b) wherein said zinc-air cell further comprises a porous polymer-based mat positioned proximally to said porous support wherein said porous polymer-based mat is comprised of polytetrafluoroethylene, nylon, polypropylene or polyethylene, and has a thickness of between 30-1000 μm;
- or
- c) wherein said zinc-air cell further comprises an agitator;
- or
- d) wherein said zinc-air cell further comprises at least one porous tube which is placed in said casing, in contact with said slurry, and spans said casing such that a portion of said porous tube protrudes from said casing;
- wherein said porous tube is so constructed so as to facilitate alkaline electrolyte passage there-through;
- or
- e) a combination of two or more of a) through d).
24 more elements
An apparatus for charging a zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery, said apparatus comprising:
- a reservoir, said reservoir comprising:
- i. an alkaline electrolyte fluid containing dissolved zinc oxide;
- and
- ii. solid phase zinc oxide;
- an export feed operationally connected to said reservoir;
- a fluid drainer;
- whereby:
- said apparatus further comprising and operationally connectible to said zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery for which charging is desired;
- said reservoir of said apparatus is located externally to said zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery for which charging is desired and said export feed allows for the delivery of said alkaline electrolyte fluid containing dissolved zinc oxide from said reservoir to said zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery for which charging is desired;
- said fluid drainer is operationally connectible to said zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery and facilitates draining of at least a portion of an electrolyte fluid located in a discharged or not fully charged zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery in said device;
- and
- said drained electrolyte fluid is conveyed to said reservoir or said drained electrolyte fluid is conveyed to a second discharge reservoir;
- wherein said zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery comprising:
- a casing;
- at least one porous structure capable of absorbing oxygen from the air as the cathode of said cell placed within said casing;
- an anode placed within said casing;
- an inlet and outlet in said casing;
- whereby said inlet and outlet are constructed so as to permit introduction and exchange of said electrolyte fluid in said cell with an electrolyte fluid, located in said reservoir,
- wherein:
- said apparatus further comprises a regeneration unit operationally connected to said reservoir, said regeneration unit comprising:
- a cathode for zinc deposition;
- and
- an anode for hydrogen oxidation;
- and/or wherein:
- said zinc-air cell further comprises an agitator.
22 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.