# US 7,611,790 B2 · Zinc/air battery with improved lifetime

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- Number: US 7,611,790 B2
- Document ID: US7611790B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/137,084
- Filed: 2005-05-24
- Published: 2006-11-30
- Granted: 2009-11-03
- Earliest claimed: 2005-05-24
- Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH
- Inventors: Dirk Lange; Wilhelm Frey; Bhaskar Srinivasan
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611790B2

## CPC

- H01M 6/5044: {Cells or batteries structurally combined with cell condition indicating means}
- H01M 6/425: {Multimode batteries, batteries with "reserve cells"}
- H01M 6/44: of tubular or cup-shaped cells
- H01M 6/5011: {for several cells simultaneously or successively}
- H01M 12/06: with one metallic and one gaseous electrode
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

## Abstract

A zinc/air battery includes a plurality zinc/air battery cells and an arrangement for exposing the plurality of zinc/air battery cells to air wherein the exposing arrangement opens the plurality of zinc/air battery cells in a serial manner such that only one cell is operative at a time.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A zinc/air battery, comprising:
a plurality of zinc/air battery cells; and
an arrangement configured to expose the plurality of zinc/air battery cells to air by opening the plurality of zinc/air battery cells in a serial manner such that the plurality of cells are serially activated;
wherein the exposing arrangement includes a heating mechanism for heating a material coupled to a sealant, the heated material thereby opening pores in the sealant, the sealant thereby being removed.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The zinc/air battery of claim 1, wherein the opening of the plurality of zinc/air battery cells includes permanently opening the plurality of zinc/air battery cells.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The zinc/air battery of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of cells has a volume of approximately 200 μl.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The zinc/air battery of claim 3, wherein the plurality of cells includes at least 80 cells.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The zinc/air battery of claim 4, wherein the exposing arrangement is configured such that the battery has a lifetime of at least 12 years.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The zinc/air battery of claim 1, further comprising:
a control unit coupled to each of the plurality of cells for monitoring a depletion of the cells and to trigger an opening of one of the plurality of cells at a time by operating the exposing arrangement.

### Claim 7

A method for extending the lifetime of a zinc/air battery including a plurality of zinc/air battery cells, the method comprising:
providing each of the plurality of cells with an air sealant; and
exposing the plurality of cells to air by opening the plurality of zinc/air battery cells in a serial manner such that the plurality of cells are serially activated, wherein the exposing includes heating a material coupled to the air sealant, the heated material thereby opening pores in the sealant, the sealant thereby being removed.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, further comprising:
monitoring a depletion of the cells.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the zinc/air battery includes at least 80 cells.