End-reacting electrochemical battery

• US 4,053,685 A
• Filed: 05/15/1974
• Issued: 10/11/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Space Operations Company (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Space Operations Company (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Rowley, Leroy S., Halberstadt, Harry J.
• Primary Examiner(s): LeFevour, C. F.
• Application Number:
  US05/470,132
• Time in Patent Office: 1,245 Days
• Field of Search: 136/6 R, 136/100 R, 136/100 M, 136/86 A, 136/83, 136/20, 429/67-70, 429/72, 429/206
• US Class Current: 429/68
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 12/04 composed of a half-cell of the fuel-cell type and of a half-cell of the primary-cell type
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/26 Cells without oxidising active material, e.g. Volta cells

Abstract

In a reactive metal-water electrochemical battery, means for minimizing the destructive erosion of the reactive metal anode material on those anode surfaces not being actively employed in the operation of the battery. More particularly, in one embodiment, the non-working anode surfaces are maintained in intimate relationship with the battery casing to prevent the eroding electrolyte from contacting the non-working surfaces. In another embodiment, the electrolyte is confined to the working surface of the anode by means of flexible seals which protect the non-working surfaces.

Claims

1. In a reactive metal anode-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical battery wherein said anode is mounted in a battery casing and naturally forms on its surface a protective insulating film in the presence of water, the improvement wherein:

a. said protective insulating film includes at least a portion thereof comprising a reactive surface,

b. a cathode in direct contact with substantially the entire reactive surface,

c. means preventing said electrolyte from contacting any portion of said anode other than said reactive surface, thereby minimizing destructive erosion of said anode by said electrolyte in a non-power producing area of said electrolyte wherein said preventing means comprises said battery casing said battery case being in intimate and fixed direct contact with all surface portions of said anode other than said reactive surface, and

d. means for maintaining said cathode in direct contact with said anode as said anode is consumed, said cathode being freely movable with and following the receding anode reactive surface for maintaining direct contact between said reactive surface and said cathode.