Cathode cover for metal-air cell
First Claim
1. A cathode cover for a metal-air cell of the type having an air cathode positioned along an external surface of a cell case, comprising:
- a mask member defining a plurality of openings therethrough; and
wall means extending from the mask member to the case for positioning the mask member at a distance spaced apart from the air cathode so as to form a plurality of discrete, unobstructed air chambers extending between the mask member and the air cathode and across substantially the entire air cathode;
the mask member including at least about 3 of the openings per square inch of the air cathode;
the openings providing between about 0.001 and about 0.01 square inches of total open area per square inch of the air cathode; and
the air chambers having at least about 0.033 cubic inches of unobstructed volume per square inch of the air cathode.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cathode cover for a metal-air cell of the type having an air cathode positioned along an external surface of a cell case provides for improved control over exposure of the air cathode to air. The cathode cover allows a sufficient amount of air to the air cathode for an adequate production of power from the cell but limits the amount of air to which the air cathode is exposed so as to prevent premature failure of the cell from flooding, drying out, or contamination. In addition, the cathode cover avoids the problems of point diffusion of oxygen through the air cathode and localized electrolytic reactions. The cathode cover includes a mask member defining a plurality of openings therethrough and forming at least one substantially unobstructed air chamber between the mask member and the air cathode. The mask member includes at least about three of the openings per square inch of the air cathode and the openings provide between about 0.001 and about 0.01 square inches of total open area per square inch of air cathode. In addition, the air chamber has at least about 0.033 cubic inches of unobstructed volume per square inch of the air cathode.
86 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A cathode cover for a metal-air cell of the type having an air cathode positioned along an external surface of a cell case, comprising:
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a mask member defining a plurality of openings therethrough; and wall means extending from the mask member to the case for positioning the mask member at a distance spaced apart from the air cathode so as to form a plurality of discrete, unobstructed air chambers extending between the mask member and the air cathode and across substantially the entire air cathode; the mask member including at least about 3 of the openings per square inch of the air cathode; the openings providing between about 0.001 and about 0.01 square inches of total open area per square inch of the air cathode; and the air chambers having at least about 0.033 cubic inches of unobstructed volume per square inch of the air cathode. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A cathode cover for a metal-air cell of the type having an air cathode positioned along an external surface of a cell case, comprising:
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a mask member defining a plurality of openings therethrough; and wall means extending from the mask member to the case for positioning the mask member at a distance spaced apart from the air cathode so as to form a plurality of discrete, unobstructed air chambers extending between the mask member and the air cathode and across substantially the entire air cathode; the mask member including at least about 8 of the openings per square inch of the air cathode; the openings providing between about 0.001 and about 0.01 square inches of total open area per square inch of the air cathode; and the air chambers having at least about 0.033 cubic inches of unobstructed volume per square inch of the air cathode. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. A cathode cover for a metal-air cell of the type having an air cathode positioned along an external surface of a cell case, comprising:
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a mask member defining a plurality of openings therethrough; and wall means extending from the mask member to the case for positioning the mask member at a distance spaced apart from the air cathode so as to form a plurality of discrete, unobstructed air chambers extending between the mask member and the air cathode and across substantially the entire air cathode; the mask member including from about 8 to about 15 of the openings per square inch of the air cathode; the openings providing between about 0.004 and about 0.008 square inches of total open area per square inch of the air cathode; and the air chambers having at least about 0.033 cubic inches of unobstructed volume per square inch of the air cathode. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A cathode cover for a metal-air cell of the type having an air cathode positioned along an external surface of a cell case, comprising:
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a plastic mask member defining a plurality of openings therethrough; and plastic wall means extending from the mask member to the case for positioning the mask member at a distance spaced apart from the air cathode so as to form at least one substantially unobstructed air chamber between the mask member and the air cathode; the mask member including at least about 3 of the openings per square inch of the air cathode; the openings providing between about 0.001 and about 0.01 square inches of total open area per square inch of the air cathode; and the air chamber having at least about 0.033 cubic inches of unobstructed volume per square inch of the air cathode. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A cathode cover for a metal-air cell of the type having an air cathode positioned along an external surface of a cell case, comprising:
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a plastic mask member defining a plurality of openings therethrough; and plastic wall means extending from the mask member to the case for positioning the mask member at a distance spaced apart from the air cathode so as to form at least one substantially unobstructed air chamber between the mask member and the air cathode; the mask member including at least about 8 of the openings per square inch of the air cathode; the openings providing between about 0.001 and about 0.01 square inches of total open area per square inch of the air cathode; and the air chamber having at least about 0.033 cubic inches of unobstructed volume per square inch of the air cathode. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A cathode cover for a metal-air cell of the type having an air cathode positioned along an external surface of a cell case, comprising:
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a plastic mask member defining a plurality of openings therethrough; and plastic wall means extending from the mask member to the case for positioning the mask member at a distance spaced apart from air cathode so as to form at least one substantially unobstructed air chamber between the mask member and the air cathode; the mask member including from about 8 to about 15 of the openings per square inch of the air cathode; the openings providing between about 0.004 and about 0.008 square inches of total open area per square inch of the air cathode; and the air chamber having from about 0.033 to about 0.06 cubic inches of unobstructed volume per square inch of the air cathode. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A cathode cover for a metal-air cell of the type having an air cathode positioned along an external surface of a cell case, comprising:
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a mask member defining a plurality of openings therethrough; and a grid extending from the mask member to the case for positioning the mask member at a distance spaced apart from the air cathode so as to form a plurality of discrete, unobstructed air chambers extending between the mask member and the air cathode and across substantially the entire air cathode.
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Specification