Metal/air battery with seeded recirculating electrolyte
First Claim
1. A method of operating a metal-air battery of the type comprising an air cathode having opposed surfaces supported for simultaneous exposure of a first of said surfaces to air and a second of said surfaces to liquid electrolyte and an aluminum or aluminum alloy anode positioned in spaced juxtaposed relation to said second cathode surface to define therewith an anode-cathode gap for receiving electrolyte to form an anode-cathode pair electrically coupled by electrolyte,said method characterized by providing in said anode-cathode gap an alkaline electrolyte containing seed particles adapted to decrease passivation of the anode during discharge of the battery, said seed being added to the electrolyte after the battery has been discharged until the electrolyte has approached saturation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A battery and a method for its operation are described. The battery comprises a metal-air battery with an air cathode having opposed surfaces supported for simultaneous exposure of a first surface to air and a second surface to liquid electrolyte and a metal anode positioned in spaced juxtaposed relation to the second cathode surface to define therewith an anode-cathode gap for receiving electrolyte to form an anode-cathode pair electrically coupled by electrolyte. The battery contains an alkaline electrolyte and seed particles adapted to decrease passivation of the anode during discharge of the battery.
67 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of operating a metal-air battery of the type comprising an air cathode having opposed surfaces supported for simultaneous exposure of a first of said surfaces to air and a second of said surfaces to liquid electrolyte and an aluminum or aluminum alloy anode positioned in spaced juxtaposed relation to said second cathode surface to define therewith an anode-cathode gap for receiving electrolyte to form an anode-cathode pair electrically coupled by electrolyte,
said method characterized by providing in said anode-cathode gap an alkaline electrolyte containing seed particles adapted to decrease passivation of the anode during discharge of the battery, said seed being added to the electrolyte after the battery has been discharged until the electrolyte has approached saturation.
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9. A metal-air battery comprising an air cathode having opposed surfaces supported for simultaneous exposure of a first of said surfaces to air and a second of said surfaces to liquid electrolyte and an aluminum or aluminum alloy anode positioned in spaced juxtaposed relation to said second cathode surface to define therewith an anode-cathode gap for receiving electrolyte to form an anode-cathode pair electrically coupled by electrolyte,
characterized in that the battery includes an automatic seed injector adapted to hold seed particles for decreasing passivation of the anode during discharge of the battery, said injector being adapted to discharge seed particles into an alkaline electrolyte in the battery at a predetermined time during the discharge of the battery.
Specification