Air cell air flow control system and method
First Claim
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1. A battery comprising:
- an air cell having an anode, a cathode, a substance reactive to air, and an opening allowing for introduction of air to react with the substance; and
a flow control device coupled to the opening and having an adjustable flow impedance for controlling air flow into the air cell, the flow control device comprising;
an opening;
a first electrode;
a flexible member; and
a second electrode disposed on the flexible member;
wherein;
the flexible member is configured to have a first position and a second position, the first position being a default position;
the electrodes are placed such that a voltage applied between the electrodes can cause the flexible member to assume the second position due to an electrostatic force; and
the first position and the second position create different flow impedances through the opening.
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Abstract
Devices and methods for air flow impedance modulation or control. A flow impedance modification device may include a wall defining an opening and a flexible membrane for opening, closing, or impeding the opening. Electrodes disposed on the flexible membrane and near the flexible membrane are used to control the positioning and shape of the flexible membrane to change the flow impedance through the opening. Certain embodiments include methods of using such devices. Some embodiments include air cell batteries incorporating such control devices and methods.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A battery comprising:
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an air cell having an anode, a cathode, a substance reactive to air, and an opening allowing for introduction of air to react with the substance; and
a flow control device coupled to the opening and having an adjustable flow impedance for controlling air flow into the air cell, the flow control device comprising;
an opening;
a first electrode;
a flexible member; and
a second electrode disposed on the flexible member;
wherein;
the flexible member is configured to have a first position and a second position, the first position being a default position;
the electrodes are placed such that a voltage applied between the electrodes can cause the flexible member to assume the second position due to an electrostatic force; and
the first position and the second position create different flow impedances through the opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An air flow modification device comprising:
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an outer casing having a plurality of outer openings therethrough;
flexible membranes corresponding to each of the outer openings, each flexible membrane including a first electrode; and
a plurality of second electrodes each corresponding to a first electrode;
wherein the flexible membranes and second electrodes are disposed with respect to one another such that, for a given flexible membrane having a first electrode and a corresponding second electrode, the flexible membrane is moveable with respect to a corresponding outer opening to change the flow impedance through the corresponding outer opening in response to a voltage applied between the corresponding first and second electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of controlling an air cell battery, the air cell battery having an inlet allowing for infusion of air, the method comprising:
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providing an air flow modification device coupled to the inlet; and
modulating air flow through the inlet by adjusting air flow impedance through the air flow modification device;
wherein the air flow modification device comprises;
a first wall defining a flow opening;
a second wall opposite the first wall;
a flexible membrane secured to the first wall and disposed relative the flow opening, the flexible membrane being moveable to modify flow impedance through the flow opening, the flexible membrane including a first electrode; and
a second electrode disposed relative the second wall;
wherein the second electrode is disposed relative the flexible membrane such that application of a voltage between the first and second electrodes creates an electrostatic force modifying the flow impedance through the flow opening; and
wherein the step of modulating air flow includes selectively applying a voltage between the first and second electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method of controlling an air cell battery, the air cell battery having an inlet allowing for infusion of air, the method comprising:
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providing an air flow modification device coupled to the inlet; and
modulating air flow through the inlet by adjusting air flow impedance through the air flow modification device;
wherein the air flow modification device comprises;
an outer casing having a plurality of outer openings therethrough;
flexible membranes corresponding to each of the outer openings, each flexible membrane including a first electrode; and
a plurality of second electrodes each corresponding to a first electrode;
wherein the flexible membranes and second electrodes are disposed with respect to one another such that, for a given flexible membrane having a first electrode and a corresponding second electrode, the flexible membrane is moveable with respect to a corresponding outer opening to change the flow impedance through the corresponding outer opening in response to a voltage applied between the corresponding first and second electrodes.
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- 19. A method of operating an air cell battery having an air entry structure comprising modifying the air flow impedance into and through the air entry structure by electrostatic actuation of a moveable membrane.
Specification