Metal air cell incorporating ionic isolation systems

• US 6,800,393 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2002
• Issued: 10/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Reveo, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Reveo, Inc.
• Inventors: Faris, Sadeg M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cantelmo, Gregg
• Application Number:
  US10/145,278
• Publication Number:
  US 20020177036A1
• Time in Patent Office: 875 Days
• Field of Search: 429/27, 429/67-70, 429/110, 429/113, 429/129
• US Class Current: 429/129
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 12/06 with one metallic and one gaseous electrode
• 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 2300/0014 Alkaline electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2300/0085 Immobilising or gelification of electrolyte
• 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 50/414 Synthetic resins, e.g. thermoplastics or thermosetting resins
• 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: H01M 6/5022 Arrangements for moving electrodes or separating elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/5072 Preserving or storing cells

Abstract

Electrochemical cell systems are disclosed herein that are capable of selective ionic isolation, oxidant isolation, oxidant removal, moisture control, and combinations thereof. Selective ionic isolation is generally effectuated by selectively eliminating or minimizing ionic communication between an anode and a cathode of the electrochemical cell.

Claims

1. An electrochemical cell comprising:

an anode;

a cathode;

a separator between the anode and the cathode, the separator allowing ionic conduction between the anode and the cathode but not allowing electrical conduction between the anode in the cathode, and

a barrier configured, positioned, and dimensioned to be inserted between the anode and the cathode,

wherein the barrier provides selective ionic isolation between the anode and cathode, or selective reduction of ionic conductivity between the anode and the cathode.

2. The electrochemical cell as in claim 1, wherein the anode comprises a metal fuel.

3. The electrochemical cell as in claim 1, wherein the cathode comprises an air diffusion electrode.

4. The electrochemical cell as in claim 1, wherein the separator comprises a membrane having electrolyte incorporated therein.

5. An electrochemical cell comprising:

an anode;

a cathode;

a separator between the anode and the cathode, the separator allowing ionic conduction between the anode and the cathode but not allowing electrical conduction between the anode in the cathode, and

a barrier configured, positioned, and dimensioned to be movable between a first position and a second position, the first position allowing ionic communication between the anode and the cathode, and the second position ionically isolating the anode and the cathode.

6. The electrochemical cell as in claim 5, wherein the anode comprises a metal fuel.

7. The electrochemical cell as in claim 5, wherein the cathode comprises an air diffusion electrode.

8. The electrochemical cell as in claim 5, wherein the separator comprises a membrane having electrolyte incorporated therein.

9. An electrochemical cell comprising:

an anode;

a cathode;

a separator between the anode and the cathode, the separator allowing ionic conduction between the anode and the cathode but not allowing electrical conduction between the anode in the cathode, and

a barrier configured, positioned, and dimensioned to be movable between a first position and a second position, the first position allowing ionic communication between the anode and the cathode, and the second position reducing ionic conductivity between the anode and the cathode.

10. The electrochemical cell as in claim 9, wherein the anode comprises a metal fuel.

11. The electrochemical cell as in claim 9, wherein the cathode comprises an air diffusion electrode.

12. The electrochemical cell as in claim 9, wherein the separator comprises a membrane having electrolyte incorporated therein.

13. An electrochemical cell comprising:

an anode;

a cathode;

a separator between the anode and the cathode, the separator allowing ionic conduction between the anode and the cathode but not allowing electrical conduction between the anode in the cathode,

a hinge configured, positioned, and dimensioned to isolate ionic communication between the anode and the cathodes, and

a barrier configured, positioned, and dimensioned to be movable between a first position and a second position, the first position allowing ionic communication between the anode and the cathode, and the second position ionically isolating the anode and the cathode.

14. The electrochemical cell as in claim 13, wherein the anode comprises a metal fuel.

15. The electrochemical cell as in claim 13, wherein the cathode comprises an air diffusion electrode.

16. The electrochemical cell as in claim 13, wherein the separator comprises a membrane having electrolyte incorporated therein.

17. An electrochemical cell comprising:

an anode;

a cathode;

a separator between the anode and the cathode, the separator allowing ionic conduction between the anode and the cathode but not allowing electrical conduction between the anode in the cathode, and

a movable barrier configured, positioned, and dimensioned for insertion between the anode and the cathode, the movable barrier including a first end and a second end, the barrier movable between a first position and a second position, the first position including an ionic barrier positioned between a portion of the first end and the second end supported on at least one rail, and the second position including a portion exposing the rail but allowing ionic communication between the anode and the cathode.

18. The electrochemical cell as in claim 17, wherein the ionic barrier is flexible.

19. The electrochemical cell as in claim 17, wherein the portion of the rail having the ionic barrier attached thereto may be rolled in a storage region at the first end when the barrier is in the second position, and the portion of the rail not having the ionic barrier attached thereto may be rolled in a storage region at the second end when the barrier is in the first position.

20. The electrochemical cell as in claim 18, wherein the portion of the rail having the ionic barrier attached thereto may be rolled in a storage region at the first end when the barrier is in the second position, and the portion of the rail not having the ionic barrier attached thereto may be rolled in a storage region at the second end when the barrier is in the first position.

21. The electrochemical cell as in claim 17, wherein the rail comprises a shape memory alloy configured for movement between the first position and the second position.

22. The electrochemical cell as in claim 18, wherein the rail comprises a shape memory alloy configured for movement between the first position and the second position.

23. The electrochemical cell as in claim 19, wherein the rail comprises a shape memory alloy configured for movement between the first position and the second position.

24. The electrochemical cell as in claim 17, wherein the anode comprises a metal fuel.

25. The electrochemical cell as in claim 17, wherein the cathode comprises an air diffusion electrode.

26. The electrochemical cell as in claim 17, wherein the separator comprises a membrane having electrolyte incorporated therein.