US 5,449,569 AGranted

Fluid depolarized battery with improved automatic valve

OwnerBrooke Schumm, Jr.inventor

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Abstract

This invention contemplates using semiconductor microactuators as small valves in combination with electric appliances powered by fluid depolarized electrochemical batteries, especially zinc-air cells, or in combination with fluid depolarized electrochemical batteries themselves, all to regulate fluid flow into the batteries. The purpose is to prevent degradation of the batteries when idle, yet permit fluid flow when operating and only when operating. The valves are proposed to be modified to use them as movement devices and valves, using the traditional moving part of the semiconduictor microactuator to move a slide. To increase the area available for fluid flow, the invention proposes to use grids of aperatures for structural integrity, which when the grids are aligned, allows for fluid flow, and when "unaligned" in the normally closed position, block fluid flow. Pressure relief characteristics, corrosion protection, control circuitry, circulation means, and other advantages and methods are also claimed.

Claims34

Dependent claims

A fluid depolarized electrochemical battery having at least one cell comprising:

at least one semiconductor microactuator valve means for being the sole means for admitting depolarizing fluid into said battery, said valve means having a case, two terminals, a closed position, an interior, inlet means for admitting depolarizing gas to said interior, an outlet from said valve means to said battery, slide means for occluding fluid flow disposed to cover said inlet means, and means for flexing upon application of heat to said means for flexing;
said slide means having at least two parallel, juxtaposed grids of apertures and having an open position wherein said grids of apertures are aligned to admit depolarizing fluid and a closed position wherein said grids of apertures are aligned to occlude fluid flow;
means for disposing said at least one valve means on said battery;
said case having one of said grids of apertures of said slide means disposed across and affixed to said inlet means on said case adjacent to said interior;
electrical resistance means for heating said means for flexing;
means for coupling said means for flexing to said other at least one grid of apertures to admit depolarizing fluid in said open position;
means for electrically connecting said electrical resistance means to said two terminals in series with said battery for heating said electrical resistance means, so that upon operation of said battery, said electrical resistance means is heated, causing said means for flexing to flex, causing said other at least one grid of apertures to align with said one of said grids of apertures across said inlet means in said open position, thus admitting depolarizing fluid into said battery.

4 more elements

A fluid depolarized electrochemical battery having at least one cell comprising:

at least one semiconductor microactuator valve means, said valve means having a closed position, having two terminals, and containing means for occluding fluid flow, said means for occluding fluid flow being made of two juxtaposed parallel grids of apertures;
means for disposing said at least one valve means on said battery as the sole means for admitting depolarizing fluid into said battery;
electrical resistance means on one of said at least two means for occluding fluid flow;
means for electrically connecting said electrical resistance means to said two terminals in series with said at least one battery for heating said electrical resistance means, so that operation of said battery causes said one of said at least two means for occluding fluid flow to flex so that said grids of apertures are no longer juxtaposed which unseals said valve means allowing depolarizing fluid to be admitted into said case through at least one of said grids of apertures.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/183,651Filed 19 Jan 1994 · continuation in part
Priority: 20 May 1992
Granted: 12 Sep 1995
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification16 codes

H01M 50/317
Arrangements for facilitating escape of gases: re-sealable arrangements
F15C 5/00
Manufacture of fluid circuit elements
H01M 6/103
With wound or folded electrodes: cells with electrode of only one polarity being folded or wound
H01M 6/50
Primary cells; Manufacture thereof: methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance, e.g. for maintaining operating temperature