Inverse Hybrid Cell

Abstract

A general problem with all batteries of the primary, secondary, and “reserve” kind is the fact that they lose charge and “idle” away their useful life. The need to monitor primaries and to recharge and watch over secondaries has, as of yet, not been obviated by electrochemical or metallurgical breakthroughs. This invention provides for the use of a long-lived cell, for example, of modern lithium design, which is encapsulated within, or without, any battery case or system and connected by means of a resistor to “polarize” the primary, activated reserve, or secondary cells whose life one wishes to extend. Experimental tests sufficiently determine, for various cells, that the amount of current required to polarize the primary and secondary electrodes prevents dissolution of the anode (oxidation) and reduction of the cathode. A reserve cell can be activated by providing electrolyte, electrode proximity, etc., and yet be prevented from running down by applying the aforesaid polarizing (keeping) potential. This will further the progress of applying hybrid cells and hybrid systems (Pat App no. 848224) to a wide sphere of activity because of the ability to hold, then activate the reserve cells by switching the hybrid front cell potential. This invention may also eliminate cumbersome methods of activating and efficiently using reserve cells, especially those of the active light metal kind. By monitoring the polarization of activated cells, applying a “keeping” potential to selected cells, one may increase efficiency, life, and practicability of hybrid cell systems. With the pervasiveness of secondary (lithium) batteries in electronics, cars, emergency power banks, etc.; this method will allow for integrated or non-integrated improvements to such systems. For example, one can now integrate a “disposable”, reactive light metal reserve component into an electric vehicle (thus eliminating the need of traditional recharging); as such systems already contain adequate computing & secondary battery components to enable the practicability of such inverse hybrid system designs.