Thermal cell non-deflagration design

• US 4,654,278 A
• Filed: 09/29/1983
• Issued: 03/31/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Fletcher, Aaron N., McManis, George E. III, Miles, Melvin H.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/537,216
• Time in Patent Office: 1,279 Days
• Field of Search: 429/112, 429/103, 429/199, 429/203
• US Class Current: 429/112
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/36 containing electrolyte and made operational by physical means, e.g. thermal cells

Abstract

A thermal battery cell with a fiberglass wrapping and facial pressure as aeans for wetting the calcium anode to prevent deflagration or flashing using either a homogeneous LiClO₄ and AgNO₃ electrolyte or a non-homogeneous electrolyte arrangement of LiCl, LiNO₃ and AgNO₃.

Claims

1. An electrochemical cell comprising:

a calcium anode;

a cathode;

an electrolyte mixture comprising LiClO₄ and AgNO₃ ; and

means for wetting the edges of said anode with said electrolyte.

2. The cell of claim 1 wherein the means for wetting the edges of said anode comprises:

a fiberglass wrapping; and

two spring washers, one positioned at the anode end of the cell and the other positioned at the cathode end of the cell, both exerting facial pressure.

3. A thermally activated electrochemical cell including:

a calcium anode;

a cathode;

an electrolyte which is disposed between said anode and cathode, is an electrically non-conductive solid but becomes an electrolyte in the molten state; and

means for holding said molten electrolyte in contact with said anode edges whereby said anode edges are wetted by said molten electrolyte.

4. A thermally activated electrochemical cell as set forth in claim 3 further comprising:

a separator disposed between said anode and cathode, said separator being impregnated with electrolyte;

LiNO₃ electrolyte impregnating said separator;

a LiCl and LiNO₃ layer disposed between said calcium anode and said separator; and

a AgNO₃ and LiNO₃ layer disposed between said cathode and said separator.

5. A thermally activated electrochemical cell as set forth in claim 3 wherein said electrolyte is LiClO₄ and AgNO₃.

6. A thermally activated electrochemical cell comprising:

a calcium anode;

a cathode;

a separator disposed between said anode and cathode, and impregnated with LiNO₃ electrolyte;

a LiCl and LiNO₃ layer disposed between said calcium anode and said separator;

a AgNO₃ and LiNO₃ layer disposed between said cathode and said separator; and

means for holding said molten electrolyte in contact with said anode edges in a manner to insure said anode edges are wetted by said molten electrolyte preventing gas from contacting said anode.

7. A thermally activated electrochemical cell as set forth in claim 6 wherein said separator is a fiberglass binder.

8. A thermally activated electrochemical cell as set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for holding said molten electrolyte in contact with said anode edges comprises:

a cell sleeve surrounding said anode, cathode, and electrolyte; and

resilient means within said sleeve, positioned on the anode side and cathode side of said cell for exerting facial pressure on said cell.

9. A thermally activated electrochemical cell as set forth in claim 8 wherein said cell sleeve comprises glass.

10. A thermally activated electrochemical cell as set forth in claim 8 wherein said cell sleeve comprises fiberglass.

11. A thermally activated electrochemical cell as set forth in claim 8 wherein said resilient means for exerting facial pressure on said cell comprises spring washers.