Prismatic electrochemical cell
AssigneeDuracell Inc.
InventorRichard M. Mank
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sealed, prismatic electrochemical cell has an electrode plate comprising a porous structure with a maximum linear dimension of the porous structure in the principle direction of ion flow of at least 20 percent of the maximum linear dimension of the housing cavity in the principle direction of ion flow. The cell can produce good current density while having a high capacity. The electrode construction can result in a low diffusion polarization despite the thickness of the electrode. The overall cell can be economically manufactured, and has a low percentage of its internal volume occupied by inactive materials. Electrode plaque constructions and active material compounds are also disclosed.
Claims43
A sealed metal hydride electrochemical cell, comprising
- a prismatic housing defining a cavity therein;
- a negative electrode plate disposed within the housing cavity, adjacent to the housing, and in electrical communication with the housing;
- and
- a positive electrode plate comprising a porous structure disposed within the housing cavity, the porous structure electrically isolated from the housing and the negative electrode plate and defining a principle direction of ion flow;
- the maximum linear dimension of the porous structure in the principle direction of ion flow being at least 20 percent of the maximum linear dimension of the housing cavity in the principle direction of ion flow.
A sealed metal hydride electrochemical cell, comprising
- a prismatic housing defining a cavity therein;
- a negative electrode plate disposed within the housing cavity, adjacent to the housing, and in electrical communication with the housing;
- and
- only one positive electrode plate comprising only one, unitary, porous structure disposed within the housing cavity, the porous structure electrically isolated from the housing and the negative electrode plate and defining a principle direction of ion flow;
- the maximum linear dimension of the porous structure in the principle direction of ion flow being at least 15 percent of the maximum linear dimension of the housing cavity in the principle direction of ion flow.
A miniature metal hydride electrochemical cell for use in portable electronic equipment, the cell comprising
- a prismatic housing defining an internal cavity with a volume of less than about 20 cubic centimeters;
- an outer electrode disposed within the housing cavity;
- and
- an inner electrode adjacent the outer electrode, the inner and outer electrodes together defining a principle direction of ion flow;
- the inner electrode having a thickness of at least 1.0 millimeter in the principle direction of ion flow.
A sealed metal hydride electrochemical cell, comprising
- a prismatic housing defining a cavity therein the cavity having a volume of less than about 20 cubic centimeters;
- a negative electrode plate disposed within the housing cavity and in electrical communication with the housing;
- and
- a positive electrode plate comprising a porous structure disposed within the housing cavity, the porous structure electrically isolated from the housing and the negative electrode plate and defining a principle direction of ion flow;
- the maximum linear dimension of the porous structure in the principle direction of ion flow being at least 20 percent of the maximum linear dimension of the housing cavity in the principle direction of ion flow.
A sealed metal hydride electrochemical cell, comprising:
- a nickel electrode plaque comprising
- a porous metallic substrate defining cavities therein;
- and
- a metallic hydroxide compound disposed within the cavities of the substrate, the compound being of spherical powder form and comprising at least 50 percent nickel in the form of nickel hydroxide;
- the plaque having a thickness of between about 0.5 and 3 millimeters and a total volumetric capacity of at least 560 ampere-hours per liter.
A seal metal hydride electrochemical cell, comprising:
- a metal hydride electrode plaque comprising
- a porous metallic substrate defining cavities therein;
- and
- a nickel metal hydride compound disposed within the cavities of the substrate;
- the plaque having a thickness of between about 0.5 and 3 millimeters and a total theoretical volumetric capacity of at least 1000 ampere-hour per liter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.