Selectively activated electrochemical cell system

• US 6,933,703 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2004
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Evionyx Incorporated (Reveo, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Evionyx Incorporated (Reveo, Inc.)
• Inventors: Glover, Michael, Dubac, Donald, Kamath, Haresh P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US10/763,946
• Publication Number:
  US 20040209161A1
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 320/120, 320/121, 320/122, 320/124, 307/43, 307/48, 307/80
• US Class Current: 320/121
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0025 Sequential battery discharge in systems with a plurality of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00712 the cycle being controlled or terminated in response to electric parameters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A power generating system is described including a plurality of electrochemical cells. The cells are generally arranged in sections that are selectively activated individually or in combination to produce power from selected cell sections. A method of generating power is also described. A first group of one or more electrochemical cells of an array of cells are selectively activated based on requirement of an associated load. The system switches to a second group of one or more electrochemical cells of the array when the first group is discharged.

Claims

1. A power generating system comprising:

a plurality of electrochemical cells that are selectively activated individually or in combination to produce power from selected cells, wherein the plurality of cells includes a plurality of strings of primary cells and at least one rechargeable cell, wherein upon activation of one of said plurality of strings of primary cells, said activated string of cells is drained until an output voltage of said activated string of cells is below a predetermined voltage level prior to switching to another of said plurality of strings of primary cells.

2. The power generating system as in claim 1, further comprising a controller to selectively activate one or more cells.

3. An electrochemical power system for connection to a load comprising:

a plurality of arrays of primary electrochemical cells in a parallel configuration, each array including a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged in series; and

a controller system for controlling which one or more arrays of the plurality of arrays is to be in connection with the load upon demand of the load,

wherein upon activation of one of said plurality of arrays of primary electrochemical cells, said activated arrays of primary electrochemical cells is drained until an output voltage of said activated string of cells is below a predetermined voltage level required by the load prior to switching to another of said plurality of strings of primary electrochemical cells.

4. The system as in claim 3, the controller system includes a switch associated with each of the arrays and a logic system.

5. An electrochemical cell system comprising:

a plurality of sections of primary electrochemical cells, wherein individual sections are controlled for activation of one section or for activation in successions,

wherein upon activation of one of said plurality of sections of primary electrochemical cells, said activated sections of primary electrochemical cells is drained until an output voltage of said activated section of cells is below a predetermined voltage level prior to switching to another of said plurality of sections of primary electrochemical cells.

6. The electrochemical cell system as in claim 5, wherein at least one section comprises metal air electrochemical cells.

7. The electrochemical cell system as in claim 6, further wherein at least one section comprises secondary electrochemical cells.

8. The electrochemical cell system as in claim 7, wherein the secondary electrochemical cells have a higher power output and lower capacity than the metal air electrochemical cells, and further wherein activation control provided for activation of the metal air electrochemical cells at a load below a predetermined level value or range and activation of the secondary electrochemical cells at a load above a predetermined level value or range.

9. The electrochemical cell system as in claim 7, wherein upon activation of section of metal air electrochemical cells in response to a load current, the activated section discharges to a preselected depth of discharge or until completely discharged.

10. The electrochemical cell system as in claim 6, wherein the metal air electrochemical cells comprise reserve cells wherein cell components selected from the group of electrolyte, oxidant, anode, cathode, and any combination comprising at least one of the foregoing components are incorporated into the cells upon activation or at a controlled time prior to activation.

11. A method of generating power comprising:

selectively activating a first group of one or more groups of primary electrochemical cells of an array of such groups of cells based on requirement of an associated load, wherein the at least one group is allows to self discharge after connection with a load if the load demand halts; and

switching to a second group of one or more electrochemical cells of the array when the first group is discharged, or removing the connection to the load if the load demand halts.

12. The method as in claim 11, further comprising switching to a third group of one or more electrochemical cells of the array when the second group is discharged.

13. The method as in claim 11, wherein the first group comprises rechargeable cells and the second group comprises primary cells.