US5260144A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metal/air battery with seeded recirculating electrolyte
Assignee: Yardney Technical Products Inc
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Filing: 1990-03-22
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Granted: 1993-11-09
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Expires: 2010-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A battery and a method for its operation are described. The battery comprises a metal-air battery with an air cathode having opposed surfaces supported for simultaneous exposure of a first surface to air and a second surface to liquid electrolyte and a metal anode positioned in spaced juxtaposed relation to the second cathode surface to define therewith an anode-cathode gap for receiving electrolyte to form an anode-cathode pair electrically coupled by electrolyte. The battery contains an alkaline electrolyte and seed particles adapted to decrease passivation of the anode during discharge of the battery.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilfrid B. O'Callaghan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:51
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M6/00; H01M6/50; H01M12/00; H01M12/04; H01M12/06; H01M12/065; H01M12/02; H01M4/00; H01M4/02; H01M4/64; H01M4/66; H01M4/661; H01M2004/026; H01M2004/028; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of operating a metal-air battery of the type comprising an air cathode having opposed surfaces supported for simultaneous exposure of a first of said surfaces to air and a second of said surfaces to liquid electrolyte and an aluminum or aluminum alloy anode positioned in spaced juxtaposed relation to said second cathode surface to define therewith an anode-cathode gap for receiving electrolyte to form an anode-cathode pair electrically coupled by electrolyte, said method characterized by providing in said anode-cathode gap an alkaline electrolyte containing seed particles adapted to decrease passivation of the anode during discharge of the battery, said seed being added to the electrolyte after the battery has been discharged until the electrolyte has approached saturation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of operating a metal-air battery of the type comprising an air cathode having opposed surfaces supported for simultaneous exposure of a first of said surfaces to air and a second of said surfaces to liquid electrolyte and an aluminum or aluminum alloy anode positioned in spaced juxtaposed relation to said second cathode surface to define therewith an anode-cathode gap for receiving electrolyte to form an anode-cathode pair electrically coupled by electrolyte, said method characterized by providing in said anode-cathode gap an alkaline electrolyte containing seed particles adapted to decrease passivation of the anode during discharge of the battery, said seed being added to the electrolyte after the battery has been discharged until the electrolyte has approached saturation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the seed is in the form of small particles of less than 1 micron.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the seeds comprise an aluminum oxide or salt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the seeds comprise the mineral gibbsite.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein the seeds comprise α-alumina.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the electrolyte is stirred to hold the α-alumina seeds in suspension.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the battery includes an electrolyte reservoir and the electrolyte is circulated from the reservoir through the anode-cathode gap.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the seed is added to the electrolyte by a time responsive automatic seed injector after a predetermined battery discharge time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
117 words
A metal-air battery comprising an air cathode having opposed surfaces supported for simultaneous exposure of a first of said surfaces to air and a second of said surfaces to liquid electrolyte and an aluminum or aluminum alloy anode positioned in spaced juxtaposed relation to said second cathode surface to define therewith an anode-cathode gap for receiving electrolyte to form an anode-cathode pair electrically coupled by electrolyte, characterized in that the battery includes an automatic seed injector adapted to hold seed particles for decreasing passivation of the anode during discharge of the battery, said injector being adapted to discharge seed particles into an alkaline electrolyte in the battery at a predetermined time during the discharge of the battery.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
117 words
A metal-air battery comprising an air cathode having opposed surfaces supported for simultaneous exposure of a first of said surfaces to air and a second of said surfaces to liquid electrolyte and an aluminum or aluminum alloy anode positioned in spaced juxtaposed relation to said second cathode surface to define therewith an anode-cathode gap for receiving electrolyte to form an anode-cathode pair electrically coupled by electrolyte, characterized in that the battery includes an automatic seed injector adapted to hold seed particles for decreasing passivation of the anode during discharge of the battery, said injector being adapted to discharge seed particles into an alkaline electrolyte in the battery at a predetermined time during the discharge of the battery.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A battery according to claim 9 wherein the seed particles are less than 1 micron.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A battery according to claim 10 wherein the seeds comprise an aluminum oxide or salt.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
A battery according to claim 11 wherein the seeds comprise the mineral gibbsite.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
A battery according to claim 10 wherein the seeds comprise α-alumina.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A battery according to claim 13 which includes a stirrer for stirring the electrolyte to hold the α-alumina seeds in suspension.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A battery according to claim 1 which includes an electrolyte reservoir and means for circulating electrolyte from the reservoir through the anode-cathode gap.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
109 words
A battery according to claim 15 which comprises (a) a tank defining a reservoir for liquid electrolyte, (b) a plurality of metal-air cells mounted in side-by-side relationship above said reservoir with air gaps therebetween, each cell comprising a pair of spaced-apart flat side walls joined by end faces and top and bottom faces, said side walls including air cathodes, an aluminum or aluminum alloy anode mounted between and spaced from said flat side walls, an electrolyte inlet connector below the lower edge of the anode and an electrolyte outlet connector adapted to return electrolyte to the reservoir, and (c) circuit means for connecting said cells to an external load.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A battery according to claim 16 which includes a stirrer for stirring the electrolyte to hold the α-alumina seeds in suspension.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A battery according to claim 9 which includes an electrolyte reservoir and means for circulating electrolyte from the reservoir through the anode-catholde gap.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
A battery according to claim 18 herein the seed is retained in a time responsive automatic seed injector adapted to discharge seed into the reservoir at a predetermined time during the discharge of the battery.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
106 words
A battery according to claim 18 which comprises (a) a tank defining a reservoir for liquid electrolyte, (b) a plurality of metal-air cells mounted in side-by-side relationship above said reservoir with air gaps therebetween, each cell comprising a pair of spaced-apart flat side walls joined by end faces and top and bottom faces, said side walls including air cathodes, a metal anode mounted between and spaced from said flat side walls, an electrolyte inlet connector below the lower edge of the anode and an electrolyte outlet connector adapted to return electrolyte to the reservoir, and (c) circuit means for connecting said cells to an external load.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-11-08 | 1997-05-10 | 1997-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-08 | 2001-05-10 | 2001-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-08 | 2005-05-10 | 2005-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |