Rechargeable and refuelable metal air electrochemical cell
First Claim
1. A rechargeable and refuelable metal air electrochemical cell comprising:
- a metal fuel anode;
an air cathode structure configured and dimensioned for receiving the metal fuel anode;
a third electrode; and
a separator disposed in ionic contact with at least one major surface of the anode.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, a refuelable and rechargeable metal air electrochemical cell includes a removable and rechargeable metal fuel anode, and air cathode, a third electrode, and a separator in ionic communication with at least a poriton of a major surface of the anode. In another embodiment, a refueable and rechargeable metal air electrochemical cell includes a discharging cell and a recharging cell. The discharging cell includes an air cathode structure adapted to receive a removable and rechargeable metal fuel anode that, when inserted in the air cathode structure, produces electrical energy during the process of electrochemical conversion of the metal fuel into a metal oxide. The recharging cell includes a charging electrode structure adapted to receive the removable and rechargeable metal fuel anode (generally after such anode has been discharged, or prior to initial usage of the anode for discharging), that, when inserted in the charging electrode structure, converts the metal oxide into metal fuel upon application of electrical energy. Furthermore, various structures are provided that facilitates reducing of the anode.
53 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A rechargeable and refuelable metal air electrochemical cell comprising:
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a metal fuel anode;
an air cathode structure configured and dimensioned for receiving the metal fuel anode;
a third electrode; and
a separator disposed in ionic contact with at least one major surface of the anode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 24, 27)
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8. A rechargeable and refuelable metal air electrochemical cell comprising:
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a metal fuel anode;
an air cathode structure including first and second air cathode on opposite sides of the anode configured and dimensioned for receiving the metal fuel anode;
a first and second third electrode; and
a first and second separator each disposed in ionic contact with a first and second major surface of the anode. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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20. A rechargeable and refuelable metal air electrochemical cell system comprising:
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a discharging cell system including an air cathode structure configured and dimensioned to receive a removable and rechargeable metal fuel anode having electrical capacity; and
a charging cell system includes a charging electrode structure adapted to receive a removable and rechargeable metal fuel anode requiring electrical conversion to create or replenish electrical capacity. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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21. A rechargeable and refuelable metal air electrochemical cell system comprising:
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a discharging cell system including an air cathode structure configured and dimensioned to receive a removable and rechargeable metal fuel anode having electrical capacity, the discharging cell system enclosed in a container having a lid, the lid including a cathode electrical contact in electrical connection with the air cathode, the lid configured and dimensioned to allow the cathode electrical contact to mate with an electrical contact on the anode; and
a charging cell system includes a charging electrode structure adapted to receive a removable and rechargeable metal fuel anode requiring electrical conversion to create or replenish electrical capacity. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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22. A rechargeable and refuelable metal air electrochemical cell system comprising:
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a discharging cell system including an air cathode structure configured and dimensioned to receive a removable and rechargeable metal fuel anode having electrical capacity; and
a charging cell system includes a charging electrode structure adapted to receive a removable and rechargeable metal fuel anode requiring electrical conversion to create or replenish electrical capacity, the charging cell system enclosed in a container having a lid, the lid including a charging electrode electrical contact in electrical connection with the charging electrode, the lid configured and dimensioned to allow the charging electrode electrical contact to mate with an electrical contact on the anode.
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23. A rechargeable and refuelable metal air electrochemical cell system comprising:
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a discharging cell system including an air cathode structure configured and dimensioned to receive a removable and rechargeable metal fuel anode having electrical capacity, the discharging cell system enclosed in a container having a lid, the lid including a cathode electrical contact in electrical connection with the air cathode, the lid configured and dimensioned to allow the cathode electrical contact to mate with an electrical contact on the anode; and
a charging cell system includes a charging electrode structure adapted to receive a removable and rechargeable metal fuel anode requiring electrical conversion to create or replenish electrical capacity, the charging cell system enclosed in a container having a lid, the lid including a charging electrode electrical contact in electrical connection with the charging electrode, the lid configured and dimensioned to allow the charging electrode electrical contact to mate with the electrical contact on the anode.
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28. A rechargeable and refuelable metal air electrochemical cell system as in claim as in 20, wherein liquid electrolyte is supplied to the discharging cell system through an inlet opening in the air cathode structure, further wherein the air cathode structure includes an overflow aperture in fluid communication with a channel integral with the air cathode structure, the channel in fluid communication with an outlet opening.
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37. A method of operating a metal air electrochemical cell comprising:
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discharging first removable and rechargeable metal fuel structure in a discharging cell including an air cathode structure until electrochemical capacity of the removable metal fuel structure is diminished, removing the first removable and rechargeable metal fuel structure;
inserting a second removable and rechargeable metal fuel structure in the discharging cell;
charging the first removable and rechargeable metal fuel structure in a charging cell. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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Specification