Method and apparatus for increasing charging and discharging efficiency in batteries

• US 5,614,332 A
• Filed: 08/05/1996
• Issued: 03/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paul Burstein, Richard Pavelle, Ronald M. Latanision
• Original Assignee: Paul Burstein, Richard Pavelle, Ronald M. Latanision
• Inventors: Burstein, Paul, Latanision, Ronald M., Pavelle, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorgos, Kathryn L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mayekar, Kishor
• Application Number:
  US08/692,322
• Time in Patent Office: 232 Days
• Field of Search: 429/68, 429/69, 429/66, 429/94, 429/50, 429/51
• US Class Current: 429/68
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/42 Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells H01M10/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4214 Arrangements for moving electrodes or electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/10 with wound or folded electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A method and apparatus for increasing charging and discharging efficiency of a battery. A battery is provided having electrodes and an electrolyte. The electrodes are connected to a charging or discharging circuit and at least one electrode is mechanically manipulated during the charging or discharging.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a chargeable and dischargeable battery including electrodes and an electrolyte and means for mechanically manipulating at least one of the electrodes to plastically deform same to increase the charging and discharging efficiency thereof.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for manipulating comprises means for applying a static force.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for manipulating comprises means for applying a dynamic time-varying force.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for manipulating comprises means for applying a compressing force on at least one of the electrodes.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for manipulating comprises means for applying a torquing force on at least one of the electrodes.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for manipulating comprises means for applying a tension force to at least one of the electrodes.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for manipulating comprises means for applying an acoustic wave to at least one of the electrodes.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for manipulating comprises means for applying a shock wave to at least one of the electrodes.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises a sheet with a spiral cross-section.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises a sheet with a sinusoidal cross-section.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrodes comprise a plurality of parallel tubular members.

12. A method for increasing charging and discharging efficiency of a battery, comprising the steps of:

providing a battery having electrodes and an electrolyte;

connecting the electrodes to a charging or discharging circuit; and

mechanically manipulating at least one of the electrodes to plastically deform same during charging or discharging.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of manipulating comprises applying a static force.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of manipulating comprises applying a dynamic time-varying force.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of manipulating comprises applying a force by compressing the at least one of the electrodes.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of manipulating comprises applying a force by torquing the at least one of the electrodes.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of manipulating comprises applying a force by applying tension to the at least one of the electrodes.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of manipulating comprises applying a force to the at least one of the electrodes with an acoustic wave.

19. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of manipulating comprises applying a force to the at least one of the electrodes with a shock wave.

20. The method according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises a sheet with a spiral cross-section.

21. The method according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises a sheet with a sinusoidal cross-section.

22. The method according to claim 12, wherein the electrodes comprise a plurality of parallel tubular members.