BATTERY INCLUDING A FLUID MANAGER
First Claim
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1. A battery comprising:
- a cell housing having at least one fluid entry port;
a first electrode disposed within the cell housing;
a second electrode disposed within the cell housing; and
a fluid regulating system disposed so as to selectively allow fluid to enter into the at least one fluid entry port, the fluid regulating system comprising;
a valve for controlling the rate of passage of the fluid to one or both of the first and second electrodes, andan actuator for operating the valve, the actuator comprising at least one conducting polymer, at least one ionic polymer-metal composite, or combinations of two or more thereof.
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Abstract
An electrochemical cell having a fluid consuming electrode and a fluid regulating system for controlling the rate of entry of fluids into the cell. The fluid regulating system may include a valve for controlling the rate of entry of fluids into the cell and an actuator for operating the valve. The actuator comprises an ionic polymer that responds to changes in a potential applied across the actuator to open or close the valve. In one embodiment, the actuator comprises at least one conducting polymer. In one embodiment, the actuator comprises polypyrrole, at least one polypyrrole derivative, or mixtures of two of more thereof.
78 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A battery comprising:
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a cell housing having at least one fluid entry port; a first electrode disposed within the cell housing; a second electrode disposed within the cell housing; and a fluid regulating system disposed so as to selectively allow fluid to enter into the at least one fluid entry port, the fluid regulating system comprising; a valve for controlling the rate of passage of the fluid to one or both of the first and second electrodes, and an actuator for operating the valve, the actuator comprising at least one conducting polymer, at least one ionic polymer-metal composite, or combinations of two or more thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A battery comprising:
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a cell housing having at least one fluid entry port for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing; a first fluid consuming electrode disposed within the cell housing; a second electrode disposed within said cell housing; and a fluid regulating system disposed so as to selectively allow fluid to enter into the at least one fluid entry port so as to reach the first fluid consuming electrode, the fluid regulating system comprising; a valve for adjusting the rate of passage of the fluid into the fluid consuming electrode, the valve comprising an actuator overlying the at least one entry port, the actuator comprising (i) a first actuator layer comprising at least one conducting polymer, (ii) a second actuator layer comprising at least one conducting polymer, and (iii) a separator disposed between the first and second actuator layers. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A battery cell comprising:
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a housing comprising a plurality of entry ports arranged substantially in a first row; a first fluid consuming electrode disposed within the cell housing; a second electrode disposed within the cell housing; and a fluid regulating system, the fluid regulating system comprising a valve for adjusting the rate of passage of the fluid into the fluid consuming electrode, the valve comprising an actuator sheet comprising at least one conducting polymer, at least one ionic polymer-metal composite, or mixtures of two or more thereof; wherein the actuator sheet is dimensioned to cover the first row of entry ports when the valve is in a closed position, and the valve is moveable to an open position by applying a voltage across the actuator so as to cause at least a portion of the actuator sheet to be displaced away from at least one entry port. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A battery comprising:
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at least one fluid consuming cell comprising; a cell housing comprising at least one fluid entry port for the passage of fluid into the cell, a first fluid consuming electrode disposed within the cell housing, and a second electrode within the cell housing; and a fluid regulating system comprising; a valve for adjusting the rate of passage of the fluid to the fluid consuming electrode, the valve comprising (i) a first plate having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first plate being stationary relative to the at least one fluid consuming electrode, and (ii) a second plate, the second plate being moveable relative to the first plate so as to open and close the valve, and an actuator system for operating the valve, the actuator system comprising (i) a first actuator for opening the valve, the first actuator having opposing ends, one end being attached to the second plate, and the other end being attached to the first plate adjacent the first end of the first plate, and (ii) a second actuator for closing the valve, the second actuator having opposing ends, one end of the second actuator being attached to the second plate, and the other end of the second actuator being attached to the first plate adjacent the second end of the first plate, wherein the first and second actuators each comprise at least one conducting polymer component.
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Specification