Air manager control using cell voltage as auto-reference
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An air manager system for a metal-air battery, comprising:
- a housing for enclosing at least one metal-air cell;
said at least one metal-air cell comprising an air electrode;
said housing having at least one air inlet opening and at least one air outlet opening;
a fan positioned to force said air into said air inlet opening and out of said air outlet opening when said fan is turned on;
said openings being unobstructed and said size of said openings substantially eliminating said air flow into said at least one air inlet opening and out of said at least one air outlet opening when said fan is turned off; and
fan control means comprising voltage sensing means to monitor the voltage across said air electrode wherein the operation of said fan is responsive to said fan control means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An air manager system for a metal-air battery. The system includes a housing for enclosing at least one metal-air cell with an air electrode. The housing also has at least one air inlet opening, at least one air outlet opening, and a fan positioned to force air through the openings when the fan is turned on. These openings are unobstructed and sized to eliminate substantially the air flow through the openings when the fan is turned off. The system also includes fan control means having voltage sensing means to monitor the voltage across the air electrode and to operate the fan when the voltage reaches predetermined levels.
94 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An air manager system for a metal-air battery, comprising:
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a housing for enclosing at least one metal-air cell; said at least one metal-air cell comprising an air electrode; said housing having at least one air inlet opening and at least one air outlet opening; a fan positioned to force said air into said air inlet opening and out of said air outlet opening when said fan is turned on; said openings being unobstructed and said size of said openings substantially eliminating said air flow into said at least one air inlet opening and out of said at least one air outlet opening when said fan is turned off; and fan control means comprising voltage sensing means to monitor the voltage across said air electrode wherein the operation of said fan is responsive to said fan control means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A self-regulating air manager system for a metal-air battery, comprising:
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a battery housing; at least one metal-air cell within said housing; said metal-air cell comprising an air electrode; a fan positioned within said housing; said housing comprising at least one air inlet sized to permit the entry of oxygen when said fan is on and to prevent substantially the transfer of gasses when said fan is off; said housing comprising at least one air outlet sized to permit the exit of gasses when said fan is on and to prevent substantially the transfer of gasses when said fan is off; and a voltage sensor circuit comprising said fan, said at least one metal-air cell, and a voltage monitor to determine the voltage across said metal-air cell, such that said voltage monitor operates said fan in response to indications of the voltage across said metal-air cell. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for controlling air flow in a metal-air battery, comprising the steps of:
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confining at least one metal-air cell within a housing, said at least one metal-air cell comprising a air electrode, and said housing comprising a fan therein, at least one unobstructed air inlet opening, and at least one unobstructed air outlet opening; turning said fan on when the voltage across said air electrode is less than or equal to a predetermined voltage so as to circulate air through said housing; and turning said fan off when the voltage across said air electrode is greater than or equal to a second predetermined voltage. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A apparatus for controlling air flow in a metal-air battery, comprising:
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a housing; said housing comprising a fan therein, at least one unobstructed air inlet opening, and at least one unobstructed air outlet opening; at least one metal-air cell confined within said housing; said at least one metal-air cell comprising a air electrode; means for turning said fan on when the voltage across said air electrode is less than or equal to a predetermined voltage so as to circulate air through said housing; and means for turning said fan off when the voltage across said air electrode is greater than or equal to a second predetermined voltage.
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22. A apparatus for controlling air flow in a metal-air battery, comprising:
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a housing; said housing comprising a fan therein, at least one unobstructed air inlet opening, and at least one unobstructed air outlet opening; at least one metal-air cell confined within said housing; means for determining the current draw on said battery; and means for controlling the speed of said fan in response to said determination of said current draw.
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23. An air manager system for a metal-air battery, comprising:
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a housing for enclosing at least one metal-air cell; said at least one metal-air cell comprising an air electrode; said housing comprising at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet; an air movement device positioned to force air into said air inlet and out of said air outlet when said air movement device is active; said air inlet and said air outlet sized to restrict the flow of air therethrough when said air movement device is inactive; a voltage sensor connected to said air electrode to monitor the voltage across said air electrode; and control means for operating said air movement device responsive to said voltage sensor.
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24. A metal-air power supply, comprising:
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at least one air electrode isolated from ambient air except through at least one passageway; at least one air moving device operative to move air through said passageway to provide reactant air to said air electrode; said passageway being operative, while unsealed and while said air moving device is inactive, to restrict air flow through said passageway; and an air moving device controller comprising a voltage sensor to monitor the voltage across said air electrode wherein the operation of said air moving device is responsive to said air moving device controller.
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25. A method of maintaining a metal-air cell in operative condition without the presence of a load, said method comprising the steps of:
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confining at least one metal-air cell within a housing, said at least one metal-air cell comprising an air electrode and said housing comprising an air movement device and at least one air passageway; sensing the voltage across said air electrode; activating said air movement device when the voltage across said air electrode is less than or equal to a predetermined voltage so as to move air through passageway; and deactivating said air movement device when the voltage across said air electrode is greater than or equal to a second predetermined voltage.
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26. A system for maintaining a metal-air cell in a ready condition not under a load, comprising:
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at least one metal-air cell including an air electrode; an air chamber adjacent to said air electrode; at least one passageway entering said air chamber; an air moving device operative to move air through said passageway; a voltage sensor connected to monitor the voltage across said air electrode; and a controller configured to; activate said air moving device when the voltage across said air electrode is less than or equal to a predetermined voltage; and deactivate said air moving device when the voltage across said air electrode is greater than or equal to a second predetermined voltage.
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Specification