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US 6,284,400 B1Granted
Metal-air cathode can, and electrochemical cell made therewith
AssigneeRayovac Corporation
InventorsRobert Adey, Robert Brian Dopp, John Edward Oltman
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AssigneeRayovac Corporation
InventorsRobert Adey, Robert Brian Dopp, John Edward Oltman
Estimating the term…
This invention pertains to metal-air electrochemical cells wherein one or more air entry ports is located in the bottom of the cathode can, to provide for entry of oxygen-rich air into the cathode can, where the oxygen participates in the electrochemical reaction whereby the cell produces electrical energy. In this invention, extremely small air ports are provided, along with methods of reliably fabricating such small air ports, where a tool impression extends around the port. Generally, the use of an increased number of small air ports distributed over the bottom of the cathode can, opposite the reaction surface of the cathode assembly, wherein the overall open area of the ports is not increased, results in less moisture traversing the air ports, into or out of the cell. Accordingly, moisture loss, or gain, as a function of electrical energy produced, is thereby reduced.
A cathode can, said cathode can comprising a bottom, said bottom having an inner surface, an outer surface, and at least one air port extending through said bottom, between said inner surface and said outer surface, said at least one air port defining an open area thereacross corresponding to an effective diameter of greater than zero, up to less than 0.001 inch, said cathode can further comprising a tool impression in said bottom of said cathode can, from a tool used to move material toward said at least one air port to thereby reduce the size of said air port, the tool impression extending about, and being spaced from, said at least one air port.
A cathode can, said cathode can comprising a bottom, said bottom having an inner surface, an outer surface, and at least two air ports extending through said bottom, between said inner surface and said outer surface, each of said at least two air ports defining an open area thereacross corresponding to an effective diameter, the effective diameters being greater than zero up to less than 0.001 inch, said cathode can further comprising a tool impression in said bottom of said cathode can, from a tool used to move material toward said at least one air port to thereby reduce the size of said air port, the tool impression extending about, and being spaced from, said at least two air ports.
A cathode can, said cathode can comprising a bottom, said bottom having an inner surface, an outer surface, and at least three air ports extending through said bottom, between said inner surface and said outer surface, each of said at least three air ports defining an open area thereacross corresponding to an effective diameter, the effective diameters being greater than zero up to less than 0.001 inch, said cathode can further comprising a tool impression in said bottom of said cathode can, from a tool used to move material toward said at least one air port to thereby reduce the size of said air port, the tool impression extending about, and being spaced from, said at least three air ports.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.