Metal-air fuel cell battery system employing metal-fuel cards
First Claim
1. A metal-air fuel cell battery (FCB) system, comprising:
- first and second output power supply terminals for supplying electrical power to an electrical load at a prespecified output voltage;
a cathode support structure for supporting an electrically-conductive cathode element pervious to oxygen and an ionic medium for providing a source of ions at said electrically-conductive cathode element;
a metal-fuel element, functioning as an electrically-conductive anode element, adjacent said electrically conductive cathode element;
an anode contacting structure for supporting an electrically conductive element in electrical contact with said metal-fuel element, with said ionic medium disposed between said electrically-conductive element and said electrically-conductive cathode element;
a first electrically-conductive pathway from said electrically conductive cathode element to said first output power supply terminal; and
a second electrically-conductive pathway from said electrically conductive anode element to said second output power supply terminal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Improved metal-air fuel cell battery systems having metal-fuel realized in the form of metal-fuel tape cartridges and metal-fuel cards, which can be either manually or automatically inserted within the power generation bay of the system. In order to produce a range of output voltages, the metal-fuel tape has a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel tracks and the metal-fuel cards have a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel strips. An output voltage configuration subsystem is provided for configuring the voltages produced by the individual cells to produce a desired output. A subsystem is provided for detecting oxide formation on the metal-fuel tracks and strips so that only metal-fuel that has been oxidized is reduced during recharging operations. A subsystem is also provided for controlling the flow of oxygen into the power generation head in order to control the power output from the system.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A metal-air fuel cell battery (FCB) system, comprising:
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first and second output power supply terminals for supplying electrical power to an electrical load at a prespecified output voltage;
a cathode support structure for supporting an electrically-conductive cathode element pervious to oxygen and an ionic medium for providing a source of ions at said electrically-conductive cathode element;
a metal-fuel element, functioning as an electrically-conductive anode element, adjacent said electrically conductive cathode element;
an anode contacting structure for supporting an electrically conductive element in electrical contact with said metal-fuel element, with said ionic medium disposed between said electrically-conductive element and said electrically-conductive cathode element;
a first electrically-conductive pathway from said electrically conductive cathode element to said first output power supply terminal; and
a second electrically-conductive pathway from said electrically conductive anode element to said second output power supply terminal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A cassette fuel cartridge for use in an air-metal fuel cell battery (FCB) power generation system having a power generation head including an electrically-conductive cathode element and an anode contacting structure, said cassette fuel cartridge comprising:
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a cassette housing for insertion within the power generation bay of said air-metal FCB power generation system, and having an interior volume and an aperture for transport of at least a portion of said power generation head within said interior volume;
a supply of metal-fuel tape wound on a pair of spindles rotatably mounted within the interior of said cassette housing, said metal fuel tape having a flexible substrate and a metal film disposed on said flexible substrate and functioning as an anode element, wherein, when said cassette housing is inserted within said power generation bay and said supply of metal-fuel tape is transported from one spindle to the other spindle, said metal fuel tape establishes electrical contact with said anode contacting structure and with said electrically-conductive cathode element by way of an ionic medium supplied at said power generation head. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 39)
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37. A fuel card for use in an air-metal fuel cell battery (FCB) power generation system having a power generation head including an electrically-conductive cathode element and an anode contacting structure, said fuel card comprising:
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a support plate for insertion within the power generation bay of said air-metal FCB power generation system, and supporting a metal-fuel sheet; and
a metal-fuel element supported within said support plate wherein, when said support plate is inserted within said power generation bay, said metal fuel sheet establishes electrical contact with said anode contacting structure and with said electrically-conductive cathode element by way of an ionic medium supplied at said power generation head. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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Specification