Air depolarized electrochemical cells

Abstract

An elongate, generally tubular, air depolarized electrochemical cell (10) comprising a cathode (14), including an air cathode assembly (26), extending about the tubular circumference, and along the tubular length, of the cell (10), an anode (12), a separator (16) between the anode (12) and the cathode (14), electrolyte, a top closure member (177, 200), and a bottom closure member (114, 202). The cathode assembly (26) is fixedly held, by a friction fit, in a slot (116) at the bottom of the cell. The slot can be developed, for example, by inner (110) and outer (114) walls of a cathode can (28), by inner (226) and outer (224) walls of a bottom closure member (202), or by an outer wall (114) of a cathode can (28) and an opposing outer wall of a plug (128) on the interior of the cell. Preferably, bottom closure structure of the cell (10) and receives a bottom edge portion (44) of the cathode current collector (32), and makes electrical contact with the bottom edge portion (44), preferably at an inner surface (60) of the cathode current collector. A diffusion member (36) of the cathode assembly (26) is preferably compressed as a seal, at the bottom of the cell (10), between an outer side wall (39) of the cell and the remainder of the cathode assembly (26). The diffusion member (36) is also used at least as an assist in sealing the cell (10) against electrolyte leakage from the anode cavity (137) and past the cathode assembly (26). Various embodiments comprehend crimping the outer side wall against the cathode assembly and thereby developing a crimping bias in the outer side wall which holds the cathode assembly in the slot, by friction, between the outer and inner side walls.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.