Multifunctional battery and method of making the same
First Claim
1. A multifunctional battery for supplying power to an electrical circuit having a first terminal and a second terminal, said battery comprising:
- an open cell interconnected structure comprised of a plurality of open cells, wherein said structure comprises a structural electrode, said structure being configured to be a load bearing member and connected to the first terminal;
at least one interstitial electrode, said interstitial electrodes being a counter electrode to said structural electrode, said interstitial electrode being at least partially received within said plurality of open cells of said structure and connected to the second terminal;
wherein said structural electrode and said interstitial electrode are counter electrodes with respect to one another, wherein;
if said structural electrode is a cathode then said interstitial electrode is an anode;
oralternatively, if said structural electrode is an anode then said interstitial electrode is a cathode;
said cathode comprises;
a cathode nickel layer, anda cathode active metal disposed on said cathode nickel layer;
said anode comprises;
an anode nickel layer, andan anode active metal disposed on said anode nickel layer; and
a separator portion disposed between said structural electrode and said interstitial electrodes to serve as an electrical insulator between said structural electrode and interstitial electrodes.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a multifunctional battery for supplying power to an electrical circuit, and the related method of making the same. Use of the multifunctional battery permits structural integrity and versatility, while maximizing power output of the cells and minimizing the overall weight of the structure. The multifunctional battery includes an open cell interconnected structure comprised of a plurality of open cells so as to provide a structural electrode. The structural electrode is configured to be a load bearing member. The battery also includes interstitial electrodes that are counter electrodes to the structural electrode. The interstitial electrodes are at least partially received within a predetermined number of the cells of the interconnected structure. Additionally, a separator portion is disposed between the structural electrode and interstitial electrodes to serve as an electrical insulator.
43 Citations
38 Claims
-
1. A multifunctional battery for supplying power to an electrical circuit having a first terminal and a second terminal, said battery comprising:
-
an open cell interconnected structure comprised of a plurality of open cells, wherein said structure comprises a structural electrode, said structure being configured to be a load bearing member and connected to the first terminal; at least one interstitial electrode, said interstitial electrodes being a counter electrode to said structural electrode, said interstitial electrode being at least partially received within said plurality of open cells of said structure and connected to the second terminal; wherein said structural electrode and said interstitial electrode are counter electrodes with respect to one another, wherein; if said structural electrode is a cathode then said interstitial electrode is an anode;
oralternatively, if said structural electrode is an anode then said interstitial electrode is a cathode; said cathode comprises; a cathode nickel layer, and a cathode active metal disposed on said cathode nickel layer; said anode comprises; an anode nickel layer, and an anode active metal disposed on said anode nickel layer; and a separator portion disposed between said structural electrode and said interstitial electrodes to serve as an electrical insulator between said structural electrode and interstitial electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method of producing a multifunctional battery for supplying power to an electrical circuit having a first terminal and a second terminal, said battery comprising:
-
providing an open cell interconnected structure comprised of a plurality of open cells, wherein said structure comprises a structural electrode, said structure being configured to be a load bearing member and being connectable to the first terminal; receiving at least one or a plurality of interstitial electrodes within a number of cells of said structure, said interstitial electrodes being a counter electrode to said structural electrode layer and being connectable to the second terminal; providing a separator disposed between said structural electrode and said interstitial electrodes to serve as an insulator between said structural electrode layer and said interstitial electrodes, wherein; if said structural electrode is a cathode and said interstitial electrodes are anodes;
then;said cathode is produced by a method comprising; depositing a cathode nickel layer on said structure; providing a cathode active metal on said cathode nickel layer; said anodes are produced by a method comprising; providing a member configured for said interstitial electrode having an anode nickel layer disposed thereon, and depositing an anode active metal on said anode nickel layer, and alternatively, if said structural electrode is an anode and said interstitial electrodes are cathodes;
thensaid cathodes are produced by a method comprising; depositing a cathode nickel layer on a member configured for said interstitial electrode; providing a cathode active metal on said cathode nickel layer; said anode is produced by a method comprising; providing said structure having an anode nickel layer disposed thereon, and depositing an anode active metal on said anode nickel layer. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
-
Specification