Self-limiting electrochemical cell
AssigneePower Conversion, Inc.
InventorMartin G. Rosansky
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A self-limiting electrochemical cell such as a lithium-sulfur dioxide cell having a non-porous, non-ion-permeable separator between the anode and cathode so as to control the passage of electrolyte and ion-transfer between the working electrodes thereby controlling the current drain based on the controlled amount of electrolyte. The invention provides a convenient method of controlling the drain rates of an electrochemical cell and permits utilization of conventional cells such as the lithium-sulfur dioxide, lithium-thionyl chloride, or lithium-sulfuryl chloride cells in applications not previously possible.
Claims13
An electrochemical cell comprising a housing, an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte between and in contact with each of said anode and cathode, a microporous separator containing electrolyte adjacent to each of said anode and cathode, and a stationary barrier positioned between said microporous separators, said barrier being non-electrolyte and non-ion-permeable and having preselected openings substantially uniformly distributed in from about 60% to 1% of the total surface area to permit electrolyte passage and ion-transfer throught said openings in said barrier in controlled amounts, thereby providing said cell with self-limiting current characteristics.
A lithium-sulfur dioxide cell comprising a housing and within said housing a lithium anode, a cathode, an electrolyte between and in contact with each of said anode and cathode, each of said anode and cathode is adjacent and in contact with a microporous separator containing electrolyte, and a stationary barrier material positioned between said microporous separators, said barrier being non-electrolyte and non-ion-permeable and having preselected openings substantially uniformly distributed in form about 60% to 1% of the total surface area to permit electrolyte passage and ipn-transfer through said openings in said barrier in controlled amounts, thereby providing said cell with self-limiting current characteristics.
A lithium-oxyhalide cell which may optionally contain a second depolarizer comprising a housing and within said housing a lithium anode, a cathode, and electrolyte between and in contact with each of said anode and cathode, each of said anode and cathode is adjacent and in contact with a microporous separator containing electrolyte, and a stationary barrier material positioned between said microporous separators, said barrier being non-electrolyte and non-ion-permeable and having preselected openings substantially uniformly distributed in from about 60% to 1% of the total surface area to permit electrolyte passage and ion-transfer through said openings in said barrier in controlled amounts, thereby providing said cell with self-limiting current characteristics.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.