High temperature battery and system utilizing same

• US 5,047,301 A
• Filed: 12/03/1990
• Issued: 09/10/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: HERA USA Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ergenics Power Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Adlhart, Otto J., Meyer, Timothy D.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/622,216
• Time in Patent Office: 281 Days
• Field of Search: 429/101, 429/110, 429/152, 429/153, 429/154, 429/128, 429/206, 429/40
• US Class Current: 429/101
• 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 4/383 Hydrogen absorbing alloys
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/50 of manganese
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/30 Deferred-action cells

Abstract

A battery capable of extended operation at high temperature includes a cell of laminated construction utilizing a solid oxidant cathode, an electrolyte element, a catalyst and a gas impermeable separator sheet providing an anode for the cell, with each element in electrical connection with the next. The solid oxidant is a mixture including powdered manganese dioxide, carbon and caustic material, the electrolyte element is a mixture including powdered magnesium oxide, and a binder, pressed into a solid pellet and soaked with caustic material. The cell further has a porous carbon paper substrate in electrical contact with the gas impermeable separator sheet and the catalyst is platinum dispersed on and adhered to the substrate. A source of hydrogen gas is provided, and when the battery is exposed to the hydrogen gas, a voltage is generated.

Claims

1. An energizing system organizable in a cylindrical configuration, for use at a temperature in a range from 0°

to +200°

C. and under severe vibrational conditions, the system comprising in combination;

a first cylindrical vessel containing a battery which includes a cell of laminated construction comprising a solid oxidant cathode, an electrolyte element in electrical contact with said cathode, a catalyst in electrical contact with said electrolyte element, and an electrically conductive electrolyte impermeable separator sheet in electrical contact with said catalyst and providing an anode for said cell;

a second cylindrical vessel in the form of a metal container provided with a metal hydride bed in which hydrogen is reversible stored;

and piping means connecting said first vessel to said second vessel so that battery can be exposed to hydrogen gas to generate a voltage by consuming said hydrogen and solid oxidant thereof.

2. A high temperature battery system usable in a high-vibrational environment, comprising

a) a first chamber including a battery, said battery including at least one cell, each said at least one cell including a solid oxidant cathode, an electrolyte material in electrical contact with said cathode, a catalyst means in electrical contact with said electrolyte material and an anode having an electrically conductive separator element in electrical contact with said catalyst, said separator element being substantially impermeable to penetration by said electrolyte material;

b) a second chamber in fluid communication with said first chamber, said second chamber including a bed of a metal hydride material in which elemental hydrogen is reversible stored and from which hydrogen gas may be discharged; and

c) piping means attached to each of said first and second chambers providing fluid communication of hydrogen gas, which is discharged from said metal hydride material, to said first chamber, said piping means including a connection means to connect to each other the piping means attached to each chamber in fluid communication when a voltage is required, whereby selective connection of said connection means provides said hydrogen gas to said first chamber causing a desired voltage in said at least one cell due to the electrochemical reaction of said hydrogen gas with the elements of each cell.

3. A battery system according to claim 2 wherein said solid oxidant cathode comprises a pressed mixture including powdered manganese dioxide and powdered graphite and a caustic material.

4. A battery system according to claim 3 wherein said caustic material is potassium hydroxide.

5. A battery according to claim 2 wherein said electrolyte material comprises a pressed mixture including powdered magnesium oxide and a binder of tetrafluoroethylene soaked with a caustic material.

6. A battery system according to claim 5 wherein said caustic material is potassium hydroxide.

7. A battery system according to claim 2 further comprising a porous carbon paper substrate in electrical contact with said separator element, and wherein said catalyst is platinum dispersed on and adhered to said porous carbon paper substrate to present a high surface area, the electrical contact between said separator element and said catalyst being indirect, through a hydrophobic porous carbon plate.

8. A battery system according to claim 2 further comprising an assembly including a plurality of cells, said cells being stacked in series one on top of the other, and including a first endmost cell and a second endmost cell, each said cell being in engagement with at least one other of said cells, each said engagement being between said cathode of one said cell and said separator element of an adjacent said cell, said first endmost cell having its said cathode not in engagement with said separator sheet of an adjacent said cell and said second endmost cell having its said gas impermeable separator sheet not in engagement with said cathode of an adjacent said cell.

9. A battery system according to claim 8 wherein said assembly further comprises a negative end termination with a first nickel foil current collector in electrical contact with an electrically conductive separator sheet which is in electrical contact with said cathode of said first endmost cell, a first silicone rubber insulator and a first end plate, and a positive end terminating with a second nickel foil current collector in electrical contact with said separator sheet of said second endmost cell, a second silicone rubber insulator and a second end plate, said current collectors providing means for using power generated by said battery.

10. A battery system according to claim 9 wherein said assembly is provided with a hole therethrough and said battery further comprises an insulated bolt passing through said hole and a nut threadedly engaging said bolt, said bolt and said nut cooperating to clamp said assembly together.