US 5,415,949 A · Metal-air cell and power system using metal-air cells

Abstract

A metal air cell comprising a flexible, recloseable, pouch made of a gas-permeable, electrolyte-impermeable, material forming the cathode of the cell, a metal plate anode in the pouch, and spacers physically isolating the anode from the interior of the flexible pouch cathode, the spacers separating the anode and the cathode by a predetermined spacing. A plurality of such cells are preferably stacked into a multicell battery, and compressed in a harness to maintain proper anode-cathode spacing as the anode is consumed. The stack can be incorporated as a replaceable part of a larger power system including a circulatory system for circulating an electrolyte solution through the cells in the stack. A controller controls the circulatory system, particularly during start-up and shut-down, to achieve a fast start up, and an efficient shut down.

Claims46

Dependent claims

A power system comprising a metal-air cell, the metal-air cell including:

a flexible, collapsible pouch having first and second opposed walls, at least one of which includes an air-permeable and electrolyte-impermeable air cathode;
a metal anode within the pouch and surrounded thereby and having a first reaction face opposing the cathode;
and
a spacer between the cathode and the reaction face of the anode for preventing the anode from contacting the cathode, the spacer separating the anode and the cathode for maintaining a substantially constant spacing between the anode and cathode as the anode is consumed during operation.

1 more element

A power system having a first portion including an electrolyte pump and electronic control means for controlling operation of the pump and a separable second portion, said second portion comprising:

a row of metal-air cells electrically inter-connected together, each cell including a casing, a metal anode within the casing and having a reaction face, an air cathode having an outer face and an inner face with the inner face opposing the reaction face, a spacer between the inner face of the cathode and the reaction face of the anode for preventing the anode from contacting the cathode, an electrolyte intake port and an electrolyte discharge port in the casing for passage of electrolyte through the casing and between the anode and cathode;
a manifold having an intake port and a plurality of discharge ports in fluid communication with the electrolyte intake ports of the cells so that electrolyte flowing through the manifold is directed through the intake ports of the cells;
an electrolyte reservoir, said electrolyte reservoir and intake port of the manifold being operatively connectable with the electrolyte pump for fluid communication therewith so that the pump is able to draw electrolyte from the reservoir and force it into the manifold;
means for operatively connecting the discharge ports of the cells with the reservoir so that electrolyte discharged from the cells flows to the reservoir;
and
said second portion being releasably attachable to the first portion so that the second portion can be quickly attached to and detached from the first portion.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Metal-air cell and power system using metal-air cells

Life of this patent

Metal-air cell and power system using metal-air cells

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims46