US5208526A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrical power storage apparatus
Assignee: LUZ ELECTRIC FUEL Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1990-12-31
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Granted: 1993-05-04
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Expires: 2010-12-31
Abstract
Abstract A rechargeable, electrical power storage system employing an electrical power storage medium in the form of a slurry containing active metal particles and an electrolyte solution, which system includes one or more metal-air cells, each including outer electrode apparatus including air electrode apparatus and being configured to define a liquid permeable housing; a volume of the active metal particles arranged within the housing so as to define a static bed which is saturated with the electrolyte solution; inner electrode apparatus arranged within the housing so as to be surrounded by the static bed. The system also includes apparatus for circulating an electrolyte solution through the static bed so as to dissolve discharge products that form therein as the slurry becomes electrically discharged, and apparatus for removing the dissolved discharge products from the circulating electrolyte. The electrical power storage system may be used for powering an electric vehicle. An electrical energy system includes an electric utility having electricity generation apparatus and distribution lines, and rechargeable electrical power storage apparatus which provides energy to the electric utility, when required. The rechargeable electrical power storage apparatus may optionally also be used for the regeneration of slurry for replacement of electrically discharged slurry in the electrical power storage system of an electric vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Arnold J. Goldman
- 👤 Jonathan Goldstein
- 👤 Menachem J. Korall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:51
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M12/00; H01M12/04; H01M12/06; H01M4/00; H01M4/02; H01M2004/024; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y10; Y10S; Y10S320/00; Y10S320/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 73
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A rechargeable electrical power storage system employing an electrical power storage medium in the form of a slurry containing active metal particles and an electrolyte solution, the system comprising: at least one metal-air cell, each cell including: outer electrode means including air electrode means and being configured to define a liquid permeable housing; a volume of said active metal particles arranged within said housing so as to define a liquid permeable static bed, which is saturated with the electrolyte solution; and inner electrode means arranged within said housing so as to be surrounded by said static bed; and means for causing flow of the electrolyte solution through said housing and said static bed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A rechargeable electrical power storage system employing an electrical power storage medium in the form of a slurry containing active metal particles and an electrolyte solution, the system comprising: at least one metal-air cell, each cell including: outer electrode means including air electrode means and being configured to define a liquid permeable housing; a volume of said active metal particles arranged within said housing so as to define a liquid permeable static bed, which is saturated with the electrolyte solution; and inner electrode means arranged within said housing so as to be surrounded by said static bed; and means for causing flow of the electrolyte solution through said housing and said static bed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 1, and wherein said means for causing flow comprises means for pumping.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system according to claim 1, and also including means for replacing said volume of said active metal particles and said electrolyte solution with a fresh volume of said active metal particles and fresh electrolyte solution, respectively, thereby recharging said at least one cell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system according to claim 1, and wherein said means for causing flow of the electrolyte solution is operative to cause flow of the electrolyte solution at a volumetric flow rate in the range 0.01-0.2 ml per minute per Ampere hour.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system according to claim 1, and wherein a solid discharge product forms within the slurry upon electrical discharge thereof, and the electrolyte solution is selected to react with the solid discharge product so as to cause dissolution thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
96 words
A system according to claim 1, and wherein said means for causing flow comprises means for circulating the electrolyte solution which includes: means for removing electrolyte solution from said at least one cell; electrolyte solution storage means located externally of said at least one cell; means for providing electrolyte solution to said at least one cell from said electrolyte solution storage means; and means for providing the electrolyte solution removed from said at least one cell to said electrolyte solution storage means, including means for resupplying the removed electrolyte solution to said at least one cell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
A system according to claim 6, and wherein excess heat is generated in said at least one cell as the slurry becomes electrically discharged, and wherein said electrolyte storage means is operative to store the electrolyte solution at a temperature below the temperature of said at least one cell, said means for providing electrolyte solution to said at least one cell from said electrolyte solution storage means thus being operative to cool said at least one cell.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system according to claim 1, and wherein the electrolyte solution is an aqueous solution which tends to become dried out as the slurry becomes electrically discharged, and said means for causing flow is operative to prevent the occurrence of said drying out.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 1, and wherein said cell is a zinc-air cell in which zinc oxide is produced during the electrical discharge of the slurry.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 5, and also including means for removing the dissolved discharge product from the electrolyte solution downstream of said electrical cell.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system according to claim 10, and wherein said means for removing comprises: means for receiving electrolyte solution containing the dissolved discharge product; and means, associated with said means for receiving, for causing precipitation of the dissolved discharge product into a solid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system according to claim 11, and wherein said means for removing further comprises: means for resupplying electrolyte solution from which dissolved discharge product has been removed to said means for causing flow; and means for preventing the reentry of the precipitated solid into the resupplied electrolyte solution.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 11, and wherein said means for causing precipitation comprises means for reacting with the dissolved discharge product.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 13, and wherein said metal-air cell is a zinc-air cell, said active metal particles comprise zinc, and the discharge product is zinc oxide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 13, and wherein said metal-air cell is an aluminum-air cell, said active metal particles comprise aluminum, and the discharge product is aluminum oxide.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system according to claim 11, and wherein said metal-air cell is a zinc-air cell, said active metal particles comprise zinc, the discharge product is zinc oxide, and said means for causing precipitation comprises nucleation site material on which dissolved zinc oxide is operative to precipitate into a solid form.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
83 words
A system according to claim 11, and wherein said metal-air cell is a zinc-air cell, said active metal particles comprise zinc, the discharge product is zinc oxide, and said means for causing precipitation comprises: means for directing droplets of the electrolyte solution containing dissolved zinc oxide along a first line of sight; and means for directing droplets of de-ionized water along a second line of sight intersecting with said first line of sight, thereby causing the formation of zinc oxide in solid form.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
135 words
Electrically powered transport apparatus comprising: an electrically powered vehicle having vehicle drive means; and rechargeable electrical power storage means, coupled to said vehicle drive means, and employing an electrical power storage medium in the form of a slurry containing active metal particles and an electrolyte solution, said power storage means comprising: at least one metal-air cell, each cell including: outer electrode means including air electrode means and being configured to define a liquid permeable housing; a volume of said active metal particles arranged within said housing so as to define a liquid permeable static bed which is saturated with the electrolyte solution; and inner electrode means arranged within said housing so as to be surrounded by said static bed; and means for causing flow of the electrolyte solution through said housing and said static bed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
135 words
Electrically powered transport apparatus comprising: an electrically powered vehicle having vehicle drive means; and rechargeable electrical power storage means, coupled to said vehicle drive means, and employing an electrical power storage medium in the form of a slurry containing active metal particles and an electrolyte solution, said power storage means comprising: at least one metal-air cell, each cell including: outer electrode means including air electrode means and being configured to define a liquid permeable housing; a volume of said active metal particles arranged within said housing so as to define a liquid permeable static bed which is saturated with the electrolyte solution; and inner electrode means arranged within said housing so as to be surrounded by said static bed; and means for causing flow of the electrolyte solution through said housing and said static bed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 18, and wherein said means for causing flow comprises means for pumping.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 18, and also including means for replacing said volume of said active metal particles and the electrolyte solution with a fresh volume of said active metal particles and fresh electrolyte solution, respectively, thereby recharging said at least one cell.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 18, and wherein said means for causing flow of electrolyte solution is operative to cause flow of the electrolyte solution at a volumetric flow rate in the range 0.01-0.2 ml per minute per Ampere hour.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 18, and wherein a solid discharge product forms within the slurry upon electrical discharge thereof, and the electrolyte solution is selected to react with the solid discharge product so as to cause dissolution thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus according to claim 18, and wherein said means for causing flow includes: means for removing electrolyte solution from said at least one cell; electrolyte solution storage means located externally of said at least one cell; means for providing electrolyte solution to said at least one cell from said electrolyte solution storage means; and means for providing the electrolyte solution removed from said at least one cell to said electrolyte solution storage means, including means for resupplying the removed electrolyte solution to said at least one cell.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus according to claim 23, and wherein excess heat is generated in said at least one cell as the slurry becomes electrically discharged, and wherein said electrolyte storage means is operative to store the electrolyte solution at a temperature below the temperature of said at least one cell, said means for providing electrolyte solution to said at least one cell from said electrolyte solution storage means thus being operative to cool said at least one cell.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 18, and wherein the electrolyte solution is an aqueous solution which tends to become dried out as the slurry becomes electrically discharged, and said means for causing flow is operative to prevent the occurrence of said drying out.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 22, and also including means for removing the dissolved discharge product from the electrolyte solution downstream of said electrical cell.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 26, and wherein said means for removing comprises: means for receiving electrolyte solution containing the dissolved discharge product; and means, associated with said means for receiving, for causing precipitation of the dissolved discharge product into a solid.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus according to claim 27, and wherein said means for removing further comprises: means for resupplying electrolyte solution from which dissolved discharge product has been removed to said means for causing flow; and means for preventing the reentry of the precipitated solid into the resupplied electrolyte solution.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 27, and wherein said means for causing precipitation comprises means for reacting with the dissolved discharge product.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 29, and wherein said power storage means is zinc-air power storage means, said active metal particles comprise zinc, and the discharge product is zinc oxide.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 29, and wherein said power storage means is aluminum-air power storage means, said active metal particles comprise aluminum, and the discharge product is aluminum oxide.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 27, and wherein said metal-air cell is a zinc-air cell, said active metal particles comprise zinc, the discharge product is zinc oxide, and said means for causing precipitation comprises nucleation site material on which dissolved zinc oxide is operative to precipitate into a solid.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus according to claim 27, and wherein said metal-air cell is a zinc-air cell, said active metal particles comprise zinc, the discharge product is zinc oxide, and said means for causing precipitation comprises: means for directing droplets of electrolyte solution containing dissolved zinc oxide along a first line of sight; and means for directing droplets of de-ionized water along a second line of sight intersecting with said first line of sight, thereby causing the formation of zinc oxide in solid form.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of extending the useful life of a rechargeable, electrical, metal-air, power storage system employing an electrical power storage medium in the form of a slurry containing active metal particles and an electrolyte solution, said method comprising the following steps: enclosing a volume of the active metal particles in operative association with at least one air electrode associated with a first current collector, thereby providing a static bed of the active metal particles; saturating the static bed of active metal particles with electrolyte solution; arranging a second current collector in operative association with the saturated static bed; and causing a flow of the electrolyte solution through the static bed, thereby prolonging the useful life of the power storage system.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of extending the useful life of a rechargeable, electrical, metal-air, power storage system employing an electrical power storage medium in the form of a slurry containing active metal particles and an electrolyte solution, said method comprising the following steps: enclosing a volume of the active metal particles in operative association with at least one air electrode associated with a first current collector, thereby providing a static bed of the active metal particles; saturating the static bed of active metal particles with electrolyte solution; arranging a second current collector in operative association with the saturated static bed; and causing a flow of the electrolyte solution through the static bed, thereby prolonging the useful life of the power storage system.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 34, and wherein said step of causing a flow comprises pumping the electrolyte solution through the static bed.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 34, and wherein said step of causing flow of the electrolyte solution comprises the step of causing flow of the electrolyte solution at a volumetric flow rate in the range 0.01-0.2 ml per minute per Ampere hour.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 34, and wherein a solid discharge product forms within the slurry upon electrical discharge thereof, and said step of causing flow comprises the step of causing the flow of an electrolyte solution selected to react with the solid discharge product so as to cause dissolution thereof.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method according to claim 34, and wherein said step of causing flow includes the following steps: removing electrolyte solution from the static bed; providing electrolyte solution to the static bed from electrolyte solution storage means; and providing the electrolyte solution removed from the static bed to said electrolyte solution storage means, so as to resupply the removed electrolyte solution to the static bed.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method according to claim 38, and wherein excess heat is generated in said at least one cell as the slurry becomes electrically discharged, and wherein the electrolyte storage means is operative to store the electrolyte solution at a temperature below the temperature of the static bed, said step of providing electrolyte solution to the static bed from said electrolyte solution storage means thus including the step of cooling the static bed.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 34, and wherein the electrolyte solution is an aqueous solution which tends to become dried out as the slurry becomes electrically discharged, and said step of causing flow comprises the step of preventing the occurrence of said drying out.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 37, and also including the step of removing the dissolved discharge product from the electrolyte solution downstream of said static bed.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 41, and wherein said step of removing comprises the following steps: receiving electrolyte solution containing the dissolved discharge product; and precipitating the dissolved discharge product into a solid.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 42, and wherein said step of removing further comprises the steps of: resupplying electrolyte solution from which dissolved discharge product has been removed to the static bed; and preventing the reentry of the precipitated solid into the resupplied electrolyte solution.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 42, and wherein said step of precipitating comprises the step of bringing a selected reagent into reactive contact with dissolved discharge product.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method according to claim 42, and wherein said metal-air cell is a zinc-air cell, said active metal particles comprise zinc, the discharge product is zinc oxide, and said step of precipitating comprises passing the electrolyte solution containing the dissolved zinc oxide through a selected nucleation site material, thereby causing precipitation of the dissolved zinc oxide into a solid.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
79 words
A method according to claim 42, and wherein said metal-air cell is a zinc-air cell, said active metal particles comprise zinc, the discharge product is zinc oxide, and said step of precipitating comprises the steps of: directing droplets of electrolyte containing dissolved zinc oxide along a first line of sight; and directing droplets of de-ionized water along a second line of sight intersecting with said first line of sight, thereby causing the formation of zinc oxide in solid form.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
189 words
An electrical energy system comprising: an electric utility having electricity generation apparatus and distribution lines; a plurality of electric vehicles, each having vehicle drive means; a plurality of rechargeable electrical power storage units, each coupled to said vehicle drive means of one of said plurality of electric vehicles, and employing an electrical power storage medium in the form of a slurry containing active metal particles and an electrolyte solution, said power storage means having at least one metal-air cell comprising: outer electrode means including air electrode means and being configured to define a liquid permeable housing; a volume of said active metal particles arranged within said housing so as to define a liquid permeable static bed which is saturated with the electrolyte solution; and inner electrode means arranged within said housing so as to be surrounded by said static bed; means for causing flow of the electrolyte solution through said housing and said static bed; and electrical power storage means receiving electrical power from the electric utility and supplying electrical power to each of said plurality of rechargeable electrical power storage units and to the electric utility, when required.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
189 words
An electrical energy system comprising: an electric utility having electricity generation apparatus and distribution lines; a plurality of electric vehicles, each having vehicle drive means; a plurality of rechargeable electrical power storage units, each coupled to said vehicle drive means of one of said plurality of electric vehicles, and employing an electrical power storage medium in the form of a slurry containing active metal particles and an electrolyte solution, said power storage means having at least one metal-air cell comprising: outer electrode means including air electrode means and being configured to define a liquid permeable housing; a volume of said active metal particles arranged within said housing so as to define a liquid permeable static bed which is saturated with the electrolyte solution; and inner electrode means arranged within said housing so as to be surrounded by said static bed; means for causing flow of the electrolyte solution through said housing and said static bed; and electrical power storage means receiving electrical power from the electric utility and supplying electrical power to each of said plurality of rechargeable electrical power storage units and to the electric utility, when required.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 47, and wherein said means for causing flow comprises means for pumping.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system according to claim 47, and also including means for replacing said volume of said active metal particles and the electrolyte solution with a fresh volume of said active metal particles and fresh electrolyte solution, respectively, thereby recharging said at least one cell.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system according to claim 47, and wherein said means for causing flow of electrolyte solution is operative to cause flow of the electrolyte solution at a volumetric flow rate in the range 0.01-0.2 ml per minute per Ampere hour.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system accoding to claim 47, and wherein a solid discharge product forms within the slurry upon electrical discharge thereof, and the electrolyte solution is selected to react with the solid discharge product so as to cause dissolution thereof.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
88 words
A system according to claim 47, and wherein said means for causing flow includes: means for removing electrolyte solution from said at least one cell; electrolyte solution storage means located externally of said at least one cell; means for providing electrolyte solution to said at least one cell from said electrolyte solution storage means; and means for providing the electrolyte solution removed from said at least one cell to said electrolyte solution storage means, including means for resupplying the removed electrolyte solution to said at least one cell.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
78 words
A system according to claim 52, and wherein excess heat is generated in said at least one cell as the slurry becomes electrically discharged, and wherein said electrolyte storage means is opertive to store the electrolyte solution at a PG,49 temperature below the temperature of said at least one cell, said means for providing electrolyte solution to said at least one cell from said electrolyte solution storage means thus being operative to cool said at least one cell.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system according to claim 47, and wherein the electrolyte solution is an aqueous solution which tends to become dried out as the slurry becomes electrically discharged, and said means for causing flow is operative to prevent the occurrence of said drying out.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 51, and also including means for removing the dissolved discharge product from the electrolyte solution downstream of said electrical cell.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system according to claim 55, and wherein said means for removing comprises: means for receiving electrolyte solution containing the dissolved discharge product; and means, associated with said means for receiving, for causing precipitation of the dissolved discharge product into a solid.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system according to claim 56, and wherein said means for removing further comprises: means for resupplying electrolyte solution from which dissolved discharge product has been removed to said means for causing flow; and means for preventing the re-entry of the precipitated solid into the resupplied electrolyte solution.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 56, and wherein said means for causing precipitation comprises means for reacting with the dissolved discharge product.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 58, and wherein said cell is a zinc-air cell, said active metal particles comprise zinc, and the discharge product is zinc oxide.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 58, and wherein said cell is an aluminum-air cell, said active metal particles comprise aluminum, and the discharge product is aluminum oxide.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system according to claim 56, and wherein said metal-air cell is a zinc-air cell, said active metal particles comprise zinc, the discharge product is zinc oxide, and said means for causing precipitation comprises nucleation site material on which dissolved zinc oxide is operative to precipitate into a solid.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
82 words
A system according to claim 56, and wherein said metal-air cell is a zinc-air cell, said active metal particles comprise zinc, the discharge product is zinc oxide, and said means for causing precipitation comprises: means for directing droplets of electrolyte solution containing dissolved zinc oxide along a first line of sight; and means for directing droplets of de-ionized water along a second line of sight intersecting with said first line of sight, thereby causing the formation of zinc oxide in solid form.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system according to claim 47, and wherein said electric power storage means is operative to receive electrical power from the electrical utility at off-peak times and to provide electrical power to the electrical utility at peak demand times.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system according to claim 47, and wherein said electric power storage means includes surge switching means for enabling the electric power storage means to absorb undesired power surges from the electrical utility in real time or near real time.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 47, and wherein said electric power storage means is operative to provide electrical power to the electrical utility at peak and super peak demand.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 47, and wherein said electric power storage means is operative to provide electrical power to the electrical utility at real or near real time to serve as a spinning reserve.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 47, and wherein said electric power storage means includes electrical power storage units employing a slurry containing active metal particles and an electrolyte solution as a rechargeable electrical energy storage medium.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system according to claim 67, and wherein said plurality of rechargeable electrical power storage units coupled to said vehicle drive means are employed for relatively more frequent charging and discharging, while said electrical power storage units of said electric power storage means are employed for less frequent charging and discharging.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system according to claim 47, and also comprising an electric vehicle recharging depot including apparatus for removing electrically discharged slurry from vehicles and supplying it to a storage facility to await off-peak recharging and means for supplying recharged slurry to vehicles from the electric power storage means.
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