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EP0265242A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Multi-cell metal/air battery
Assignee: Rio Tinto Alcan International Ltd
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Filing: 1987-10-21
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A multi-cell metal/air battery is described having series-connected cells, including a tank (10) for holding a body of liquid electrolyte, and an electrically non-conductive frame (17) carrying a plurality of air cathode assemblies (15), each cathode assembly having a common air pocket and a pair of cathodes (16), and a like plurality of anodes (35) respectively juxtaposed to the cathodes outside the air chamber, the air cathode assemblies being removably insertable in the tank and engaging the tank wall, when inserted, so as to divide the tank into a plurality of separate and substantially electrically isolated electrolyte-holding zones each containing one anode-cathode pair. The air cathode assembly may include an air circulation system comprising channels (20) and air intake slots (61) to keep the air in the pocket fresh. The tank may also include an electrolyte distribution system and a flushing system (46, 47) for flushing the battery without the need to remove the cathodes (16) and anodes (35) from the tank (10).
Inventors
- 👤 David S. Strong
- 👤 John A. Dawson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:29
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M12/00; H01M12/04; H01M12/06; H01M12/065; H01M50/00; H01M50/70; H01M4/00; H01M4/02; H01M2004/024; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A metal air battery comprising (a) a tank (10) defining a single continuous reservoir for liquid electrolyte; (b) a plurality of air cathode assemblies (15), each assembly comprising a pair of air cathodes (16) supported in an electrically non-conductive frame (17) in electrically isolated relation to each other and defining between first surfaces thereof a liquid-tight air chamber open to ambient atmosphere, and said assemblies being removably insertable in the reservoir to expose second cathode surfaces remote from the air chamber to electrolyte therein; (c) a plurality of metal anodes (35), one for each cathode (16), disposed for immersion in electrolyte in the reservoir (10) in spaced juxtaposed relation to the cathode second surfaces to constitute therewith a plurality of anode-cathode pairs each electrically coupled by electrolyte; (d) circuit means (67) for connecting said anode-cathode pairs in series to each other and to an external load; and (e) means (18, 25) for engaging the cathode assembly frames (17) with the tank (10), when the frames are inserted in the reservoir, to divide the reservoir into a plurality of separate and substantially electrically isolated electrolyte-holding zones each containing one anode (35) and the cathode second surface juxtaposed thereto, so as to inhibit anode-to-anode current flow through the electrolyte, and each electrolyte-holding zone including a refuse collecting zone located below the bottoms of the anode and cathode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
A metal air battery comprising (a) a tank (10) defining a single continuous reservoir for liquid electrolyte; (b) a plurality of air cathode assemblies (15), each assembly comprising a pair of air cathodes (16) supported in an electrically non-conductive frame (17) in electrically isolated relation to each other and defining between first surfaces thereof a liquid-tight air chamber open to ambient atmosphere, and said assemblies being removably insertable in the reservoir to expose second cathode surfaces remote from the air chamber to electrolyte therein; (c) a plurality of metal anodes (35), one for each cathode (16), disposed for immersion in electrolyte in the reservoir (10) in spaced juxtaposed relation to the cathode second surfaces to constitute therewith a plurality of anode-cathode pairs each electrically coupled by electrolyte; (d) circuit means (67) for connecting said anode-cathode pairs in series to each other and to an external load; and (e) means (18, 25) for engaging the cathode assembly frames (17) with the tank (10), when the frames are inserted in the reservoir, to divide the reservoir into a plurality of separate and substantially electrically isolated electrolyte-holding zones each containing one anode (35) and the cathode second surface juxtaposed thereto, so as to inhibit anode-to-anode current flow through the electrolyte, and each electrolyte-holding zone including a refuse collecting zone located below the bottoms of the anode and cathode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A battery as defined in claim 1, wherein said engaging means includes electrically non-conductive fins (25) projecting from each side of said frame and an electrically non-conductive fin (18) projecting from the bottom of said frame for engaging said tank when the assembly is inserted in the reservoir.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A battery as defined in claim 2, wherein said air cathode assemblies (15) are supported from a top support framework (68) for insertion into the reservoir.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A battery as defined in claim 3, wherein each air cathode assembly (15) is slidably mounted in a slideway (32) in said top support framework (68).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A battery as defined in claim 3, wherein each air cathode assembly (15) includes a pair of air channels (20) extending adjacent the sides of each cathode pair from the top of the assembly down to the bottom of the assembly air chamber, for drawing fresh air into the air chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A battery as defined in claim 1, wherein said cathode assembly air chamber includes electrically non-conductive spacers (22) for holding the cathodes (16) a uniform distance apart while permitting free flow of air.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A battery as defined in claim 1, wherein said anodes (35) are carried by bottom stops (24) on said cathode assemblies (15).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
A battery as defined in claim 7, wherein each air cathode assembly (15) includes vertical spacer strips (26), with spacer strips of adjacent pairs of assemblies engaging each other and grooves (27) in each engaging pair of spacer strips (26) forming therebetween a slot to receive an anode (35).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A battery as defined in claim 1, wherein bubbler tubes (37) extend horizontally within each electrolyte-holding zone below the anode (35) and cathode (16), said bubbler tubes serving to inject gas into the electrolyte.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A battery as defined in claim 9, wherein each bubbler tube (37) is connected to a gas connector tube (39) extending through the bottom of said tank and connecting to a manifold (40).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A battery as defined in claim 1, wherein a discharge outlet (45) is provided in the bottom of said tank (10) within each electrolyte-holding zone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A battery as defined in claim 11, wherein each discharge outlet (45) is connected to a separate discharge tube (46).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
68 words
A battery as defined in claim 1, which includes an opening in a side wall (11) of the tank (10) adjacent each electrolyte-holding zone, said opening being near the bottom end of the anode and cathode and being flow connected to the bottom end of a tube (42) extending upwardly outside the tank, the upper end of which tube (42) is flow connected to an electrolyte reservoir (43).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
A battery as defined in claim 13, wherein the bottom end of the tube (42) slopes inwardly toward the tank and the bottom end of the electrolyte reservoir (43) is at least as high as the top ends of the anodes (35) and cathodes (16).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
A battery according to claim 4, wherein the top support framework (68) includes slots (69) through which anodes (35) pass and a slide plate (52) for closing the slots (69) when the anodes (35) are in position between the cathode assemblies (15).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
72 words
A battery according to claim 15, wherein the slide plate (52) includes a chamber (54) with side walls and a top wall projecting upwardly from the top face thereof and extending along the length thereof and first openings (55) in the slide plate (52) beneath said chamber (54) communicating with said electrolyte-holding zones, whereby any gases produced or used in the process may be discharged through said openings (55) and chamber (54).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
A battery according to claim 16, wherein the slide plate (52) also includes second openings (53) in regions not covered by said chamber (54), said second openings (53) being located to communicate with the tops of said cathode assembly air chambers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
138 words
A battery according to claim 17, which includes a cover member (14) having outer side walls (60), end walls (70), a top wall (57) and a pair of intermediate side walls (62) spaced inwardly from the outer side walls (60) and extending between the end walls (70) to form a pair of edge compartments (63), said compartments (63) having air intake openings (61) in said outer side walls (60) and the bottoms of said compartments flow communicating with air intake channels (20) extending down the air cathode assemblies (15), openings (58) in said top wall (57) in the region between said edge compartments (63) flow communicating with said slide plate second openings (53) and an opening (59) in said top wall (57) in the region between said edge compartments (63) flow communicating with said slide plate chamber (54).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
159 words
An air cathode assembly for use in a metal air battery comprising: (a) a pair of air cathodes (16) supported in an electrically non-conductive frame (17) in electrically isolated relation to each other and defining between first surfaces thereof a liquid-tight air chamber; (b) a pair of spaced walls (19) extending between the top of the cathodes (15) and the top of the assembly forming an opening to ambient atmosphere; (c) a pair of narrow channels (20) extending down the assembly on each side of the air chamber from the top of the assembly to the region of the bottom of the air chamber for drawing fresh air into the chamber; (d) side fins (25) extending from said narrow channels to the side edges of the assembly; (e) a bottom fin (18) extending from the bottom of the air chamber to the bottom of the assembly; and (f) vertical spacer strips (26) on each side of the air chamber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
159 words
An air cathode assembly for use in a metal air battery comprising: (a) a pair of air cathodes (16) supported in an electrically non-conductive frame (17) in electrically isolated relation to each other and defining between first surfaces thereof a liquid-tight air chamber; (b) a pair of spaced walls (19) extending between the top of the cathodes (15) and the top of the assembly forming an opening to ambient atmosphere; (c) a pair of narrow channels (20) extending down the assembly on each side of the air chamber from the top of the assembly to the region of the bottom of the air chamber for drawing fresh air into the chamber; (d) side fins (25) extending from said narrow channels to the side edges of the assembly; (e) a bottom fin (18) extending from the bottom of the air chamber to the bottom of the assembly; and (f) vertical spacer strips (26) on each side of the air chamber.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
155 words
20 A tank for a metal air battery comprising a rectangular reservoir (10) for liquid electrolyte, said reservoir including a pair of side walls (11), a pair of end walls (12), a recessed bottom wall (13), a plurality of openings in one of said side walls (11) in a lower region of said reservoir, each said opening being flow connected to the bottom end of a side tube (42) extending up said side wall and said tube being flow connected at the top end thereof to a liquid electrolyte manifold (43) mounted on an upper region of said side wall (11), a plurality discharge opening (45) in said bottom wall (13) adjacent the side wall remote from said side tubes (42), each discharge opening (45) being flow connected to one end of a tube (46) the other end of which is flow connected to a discharge manifold (47) mounted beneath said recessed bottom wall (13).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
155 words
20 A tank for a metal air battery comprising a rectangular reservoir (10) for liquid electrolyte, said reservoir including a pair of side walls (11), a pair of end walls (12), a recessed bottom wall (13), a plurality of openings in one of said side walls (11) in a lower region of said reservoir, each said opening being flow connected to the bottom end of a side tube (42) extending up said side wall and said tube being flow connected at the top end thereof to a liquid electrolyte manifold (43) mounted on an upper region of said side wall (11), a plurality discharge opening (45) in said bottom wall (13) adjacent the side wall remote from said side tubes (42), each discharge opening (45) being flow connected to one end of a tube (46) the other end of which is flow connected to a discharge manifold (47) mounted beneath said recessed bottom wall (13).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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