Refueling system
First Claim
1. A refueling system for automated recharging of zinc-air batteries of the type having a plurality of active zinc anode elements each formed of active zinc material compactly pressed to a support frame immersed in an aqueous alkaline electrolyte in a battery casing, each anode element being in alternate array with an air cathode, said system comprising:
- a) automated means for simultaneously separating a plurality of spent zinc anode elements from said battery casing;
the zinc in said spent zinc anode elements comprising zinc which has been at least partially oxidized;
b) means for removing used electrolyte from said casing;
c) transport means for conveying spent anodes to an anode processing station;
d) said anode processing station, at which said zinc, which has been at least partly oxidized, is removed from said support frame;
e) means for attaching new or reconstituted active zinc material to a cleaned support frame, comprising a press provided with a container configured to hold said frame immersed in a preweighed zinc slurry, said press being provided with means for applying a pressure of at least 20 kg/cm2 over the surface of said slurry, to form an active zinc anode, having active zinc material compactly pressed to support frame;
f) automated means for simultaneously introducing a plurality of active zinc anodes into said casing; and
g) means for introducing fresh electrolyte into said casing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a refueling system for automated recharging of zinc-air batteries of the type having a plurality of active zinc anode elements formed of active zinc material attached to a support frame immersed in an aqueous alkaline electrolyte in a battery casing, each anode element being in alternate array with an air cathode, the system comprising automated means for simultaneously separating a plurality of spent anodes from the casing, means for removing used electrolyte from the casing, transport means for conveying spent anodes to an anode processing station, the anode processing station, at which zinc which has been at least partly oxidized is removed from the support frame, means for attaching new or reconstituted active zinc material to a cleaned support frame to form an active zinc anode, automated means for simultaneously introducing a plurality of active zinc anodes into the casing, and means for introducing fresh electrolyte into the casing.
66 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A refueling system for automated recharging of zinc-air batteries of the type having a plurality of active zinc anode elements each formed of active zinc material compactly pressed to a support frame immersed in an aqueous alkaline electrolyte in a battery casing, each anode element being in alternate array with an air cathode, said system comprising:
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a) automated means for simultaneously separating a plurality of spent zinc anode elements from said battery casing;
the zinc in said spent zinc anode elements comprising zinc which has been at least partially oxidized;b) means for removing used electrolyte from said casing; c) transport means for conveying spent anodes to an anode processing station; d) said anode processing station, at which said zinc, which has been at least partly oxidized, is removed from said support frame; e) means for attaching new or reconstituted active zinc material to a cleaned support frame, comprising a press provided with a container configured to hold said frame immersed in a preweighed zinc slurry, said press being provided with means for applying a pressure of at least 20 kg/cm2 over the surface of said slurry, to form an active zinc anode, having active zinc material compactly pressed to support frame; f) automated means for simultaneously introducing a plurality of active zinc anodes into said casing; and g) means for introducing fresh electrolyte into said casing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification