US3972727A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rechargeable battery which combats shape change of the zinc anode
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1975-08-13
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Granted: 1976-08-03
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Expires: 1995-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A rechargeable cell or battery is provided in which shape change of the zinc anode is combatted by profiling the ionic conductivity of the paths between the electrodes so that ion flow is greatest at the edges of the electrodes and least at the centers thereof, thereby reducing migration of the zinc ions from edges to the center of the anode. A number of embodiments are disclosed, wherein the strength and/or amount of electrolyte, and/or the number and/or size of the paths provided by the separator between the electrodes, are varied to provide the desired ionic conductivity profile.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest M. Cohn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:31
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/04; H01M10/0413; H01M50/00; H01M50/40; H01M50/463; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
In a secondary power source, comprising at least one rechargeable electrochemical cell, comprising a housing, at least one cathode electrode located within the housing, at least one zinc anode electrode located within the housing, a separator between the electrodes, and an electrolyte for enabling ion transfer between said electrodes, the improvement wherein said separator profiles the ionic conductivity between the electrodes so that ion flow is greatest at the edges of the electrodes and least at the center of the electrodes, so as to combat migration of the zinc ions of the anode electrode from the edge thereof to the center thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a secondary power source, comprising at least one rechargeable electrochemical cell, comprising a housing, at least one cathode electrode located within the housing, at least one zinc anode electrode located within the housing, a separator between the electrodes, and an electrolyte for enabling ion transfer between said electrodes, the improvement wherein said separator profiles the ionic conductivity between the electrodes so that ion flow is greatest at the edges of the electrodes and least at the center of the electrodes, so as to combat migration of the zinc ions of the anode electrode from the edge thereof to the center thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A secondary power source as claimed in claim 1, wherein said separator is disposed between the electrodes and provides increased electrolyte in the region of the edges of the electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A secondary power source as claimed in claim 1, wherein said separator comprises a spacer arrangement disposed between the electrodes and defining a plurality of chambers containing electrolytes of different ionic conductivity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A secondary power source as claimed in claim 1, wherein said separator comprises a porous separator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A secondary power source as claimed in claim 2, wherein said separator comprises a plurality of separator discs of different sizes, said separator discs being compressed together and being arranged to provide a thicker portion at the center of the electrodes, and a thinner portion at the edges of the electrodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
A secondary power source as claimed in claim 3, wherein said spacer arrangement comprises a plurality of concentric rings defining annular chambers therebetween, the ionic conductivity of the electrolytes in the annular chambers increasing progressively, beginning at the center, so that the electrolyte in the innermost annular chamber has the relatively lowest ionic conductivity and the outermost chamber has the highest ionic conductivity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A secondary power source as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pores of said porous separator are of substantially the same size and said separator includes a substantially greater concentration of pores at the edges thereof than the center thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A secondary power source as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pores of said separator are of different sizes and the larger pores are concentrated in the region of the separator which lies adjacent to the edges of the electrodes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-03 | 1980-02-02 | 1980-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-03 | 1984-02-02 | 1984-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-03 | 1988-02-02 | 1988-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |