Ecologically clean mechanically rechargeable air-metal current source

• US 6,372,371 B1
• Filed: 03/10/2000
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aluminum-Power, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Eontech Group, Inc.
• Inventors: Sevruk, Stanislavs D., Krakhin, Oleg I., Kulakov, Evgeny B., Iarochenko, Alexander M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Hoa Van
• Application Number:
  US09/522,927
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 429/27, 429/229, 429/232
• US Class Current: 429/406
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 12/02 Details of electrodes H01M4/00; of non-active parts H01M50/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 12/065 with plate-like electrodes or stacks of plate-like electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2004/024 Insertable electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2300/0085 Immobilising or gelification of electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/00 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/42 Alloys based on zinc
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/46 Alloys based on magnesium or aluminium
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/463 Aluminium based
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/46 Separators, membranes or diaphragms characterised by their combination with electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/50 Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/045 characterised by aqueous electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/30 Deferred-action cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/38 by mechanical means
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/50 Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance, e.g. for maintaining operating temperature constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 429/90 Fuel cell including means for power conditioning, e.g. Conversion to ac

Abstract

A mechanically rechargeable air-metal source of current having one or more non-consumable gas diffusion positive electrode(s), one or more consumable negative metal electrode(s), an electrolyte based on water solutions of salts and/or bases and a housing enclosing the positive electrode(s) and the negative electrode(s), to create an inter-electrode gap, together with the electrolyte. The negative electrode(s) comprise(s) a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, zinc, magnesium, and alloys thereof, and further comprise(s) an effective amount of one or more additives selected from the group consisting of Ga, In, TI, Sn, Cd, Pb, Mn, and Fe. The effective amount of the additives improves the electrochemical characteristics of the negative electrode, reducing corrosion, and preserves the negative electrode(s) while being stored. The electrolyte is a salt solution, an alkali solution or a mixture of a salt solution and an alkali solution. The electrolyte may further have an addition of Sn⁺⁴, Pb⁺⁴, Ga⁺³, In⁺³, poly-saccharide-based on D-glucose, polyesters incl. amides, 2-3 C alcohols and halogenides/hydroxides of alkaline metals, to provide a decrease in anode corrosion during discharge, an increase in electric capacity of said electrolyte, a decrease of freezing temperature of said electrolyte, a change of chemical reaction results into microcrystalline form and stabilization of said electrolyte during storage.

Claims

1. A battery comprising:

at least one non-consumable gas diffusion positive electrode;

at least one consumable negative metal electrode;

an electrolyte based on water solutions of salts and/or bases; and

a housing enclosing said electrolyte, said at least one positive electrode and said at least one negative electrode, to create an inter-electrode gap, wherein said at least one negative electrode comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, zinc, magnesium, and alloys thereof, and further comprises an effective amount of one or more additives selected from the group consisting of Ga, In, TI, Sn, Cd, Pb, Mn, and Fe, said effective amount of said additives improving the electrochemical characteristics of said at least one negative electrode, reducing corrosion, and preserves said at least one negative electrode while being stored.

2. A battery according to claim 1, wherein said additives are present in the following concentrations:

Ga 0-5 mass %, In 0-5 mass %, TI 0-5 mass %, Sn 0-5 mass %, Cd 0-5 mass %, Pb 0-5 mass %, Mn 0-5 mass % and Fe 0-5 mass %.

3. A battery according to claim 2, wherein said additives are present in the following concentrations:

Ga 0.01 mass %, In 0.5 mass %, TI 0.015 mass %, Sn 0.15 mass %, Cd 0.01 mass %, Pb 0.02 mass %, Mn 0.03 mass % and Fe 0.01 mass %.

4. A battery according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of said at least one negative electrode is in the range of 0.05 mm to 10 mm, and a volume of said electrolyte is selected to achieve balanced consumption during the discharge of said battery.

5. A battery according to claim 1, wherein said electrolyte is a salt solution, an alkali solution or a mixture of a salt solution and an alkali solution, said electrolyte further having an addition of Sn⁺⁴, Pb⁺⁴, Ga⁺³, In⁺³, poly-saccharide based on D-glucose, polyesters including amides, 2-3 C alcohols and halogenides/hydroxides of alkaline metals, to provide a decrease in anode corrosion during discharge, an increase in electric capacity of said electrolyte, a decrease of freezing temperature of said electrolyte, a change of chemical reaction results into microcrystalline form and stabilization of said electrolyte during storage.

6. A battery according to claim 5, wherein said electrolyte comprises 0-30% KOH, 0-0.1 mol/l Sn, 0-0.1 mol/l Pb, 0-0.1 mol/l Ga, 0-0.1 mol/l In, 0-10 mass % D-glucose, 0-5 mass % alcohols, 0-5 mass % polyester and 0-20 mass % NaCl.

7. A battery according to claim 6, wherein said electrolyte comprises 20% KOH, 0.06 mol/l Sn, 0.02 mol/l Pb, 0.01 mol/l Ga, 0.02 mol/l In, 5 mass % D-glucose, 2 mass % alcohols and 15 mass % NaCl.

8. A battery according to claim 6, wherein said electrolyte comprises 0.02 mol/l Pb, 0.06 mol/l Sn, 0.01 mol/l Ga, 0.02 mol/l In, 5 mass % D-glucose, 2 mass % alcohols, 2 mass % polyester and 15 mass % NaCl.

9. A battery according to claim 1, wherein said first unit further comprises a porous matrix—

electro-carrier, soaked in a composition based on a salt solution, an alkali solution or a mixture of a salt solution and an alkali solution, said porous matrix

electro-carrier further having an addition of Sn⁺⁴, Pb⁺⁴, Ga⁺³, In⁺³, poly-saccharide based on D-glucose, polyesters including amides, 2-3 C alcohols and halogenides/hydroxides of alkaline metals, to provide a decrease in negative electrode corrosion during discharge, an increase in electric capacity of electrolyte, a decrease of freezing temperature of said electrolyte, a change of chemical reaction results into microcrystalline form and stabilization of said electrolyte during storage.

10. A battery according to claim 1, wherein said at least one positive electrode comprises additives selected from the group consisting of lead oxides and silver-indium alloys, to provide stabilization of properties during extended storage of said positive electrode and increase in electrochemical activity while the battery is in use.

11. A battery according to claim 10, wherein at least one of said additives is incorporated into said at least one positive electrode comprising less than about 200 mg/cm3 of a total surface area of said at least one positive electrode.

12. A battery according to claim 1, wherein said first unit comprises at least one membrane, said membrane being permeable to hydrogen and impermeable to liquids.

13. A battery according to claim 1, wherein said at least one positive electrode is provided with at least one fourth cavity, which is fillable with said electrolyte.

14. A battery according to claim 1, wherein said inter-electrode gap is chosen to be the minimal possible based on construction consideration, and wherein a necessary reserve of said electrolyte is contained in at least one fifth cavity arranged in said first unit and in at least one sixth cavity arranged in said second unit.

15. A battery according to claim 1, wherein said at least one negative electrode covers said at least one positive electrode in the shape of a pocket, said pocket being connected to surrounding atmosphere.

16. A battery according to claim 1, wherein said at least one negative electrode is substantially U-shaped and covers said electrolyte impermeable container.

17. A battery according to claim 1, wherein said first unit further comprises a current converter, said current converter providing conversion of a direct current of said battery into an alternating current and stabilization of a voltage output by said battery.

18. A battery according to claim 1, wherein said first unit further comprises a current converter, said current converter providing conversion of a direct voltage of said battery into a different level of voltage and stabilization of said voltage output by said battery.

19. A battery according to claim 1, wherein said at least one negative electrode comprises a hydrate metal oxide.

20. A battery according to claim 1, wherein said at least one negative electrode comprises aluminum.

21. A battery according to claim 20, wherein said at least one negative electrode comprises aluminium obtained following the Bayra process.

22. A battery according to claim 1, wherein said at least one negative electrode has a thickness of between 0.04 to 0.5 of a positive electrode spacing inside a volume of an active part of said second unit.

23. A battery according to claim 1, wherein said battery further comprises:

a first unit, comprising said housing with said at least one positive electrode and said electrolyte, said electrolyte being held in an electrolyte impermeable container, and

a second unit, comprising said at least one negative metal electrode and said electrolyte,

said second unit being replaceably and sealingly arranged in said first unit, so that when said at least one negative electrode and said electrolyte are consumed, the spent second unit is removed and a fresh second unit is inserted instead of the spent second unit, and said electrolyte impermeable container is penetrated by a puncture means after said second unit has been fully inserted into said first unit, to allow said electrolyte to flow between said at least one positive electrode and said at least one negative electrode.

24. A battery according to claim 23, wherein said battery further comprises at least one first conduit for connecting to and distributing ambient air, at least one second conduit for distributing said electrolyte, and at least one third conduit for collecting reaction products in cooperation with said at least one first conduit and said at least one second conduit.

25. A battery according to claim 23, wherein said puncture element comprises a substantially U-shaped element having sharp ends, said puncture element being arranged inside said electrolyte impermeable container, and said battery further comprises a biasing means for pressing said electrolyte impermeable container against said sharp ends, to cause said electrolyte impermeable container to break.

26. A battery according to claim 25, wherein said biasing means comprises a thread, which is attached to said electrolyte impermeable container.

27. A battery according to claim 25, wherein said biasing means comprises a push bar having a foot end, which contacts said electrolyte impermeable container.

28. A battery according to claim 23, wherein said at least one positive electrode and said at least one negative electrode form pairs of one positive electrode and one negative electrode, and said pairs are connected in series to produce a desired output voltage.

29. A battery according to claim 23, wherein said at least one positive electrode and said at least one negative electrode form pairs of one positive electrode and one negative electrode, and said pairs are connected in parallel to produce a desired output current.

30. A battery according to claim 23, wherein said first unit further comprises at least one first sealing means, forming a hermetic seal between said first unit and said second unit when said first unit and said second unit are engaged.

31. A battery according to claim 23, wherein said second unit further comprises at least one second sealing means, forming a hermetic seal between said first unit and said second unit when said first unit and said second unit are engaged.

32. A battery according to claim 23, wherein said first unit further comprises at least one first sealing means and said second unit further comprises at least one second sealing means, said first sealing means and said second sealing means cooperating to form a hermetic seal between said first unit and said second unit when said first unit and said second unit are engaged.

33. A battery according to claim 23, wherein said at least one positive electrode is removably arranged in said first unit, to provide a possibility to replace said at least one positive electrode.

34. A battery according to claim 23, wherein said battery further comprises a cap portion, said cap portion comprising a third sealing means and a releasable locking means, said third sealing means providing a hermetic seal between said first unit and said second unit, when said first unit and said second unit are engaged, and said releasable locking means is configured to maintain said body and said second unit in an engaged configuration until released.