Patent · US Expired

Metal-air battery power supply

US4913983A · kind A · utility

91Cited by
4References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 13, 1988
Grant dateApr 3, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 13, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E60/50
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A metal-air battery power supply for powering a device includes an enclosed container having an air inlet, an air outlet, and an array of connected metal-air battery cells therein. The container is sealed during non-use. When a power switch is turned on, the air inlet and air outlet are opened. At the same time, the residual low power of the battery cells is used to start a fan positioned near the air inlet. The fan initiates an air flow across the battery cells to further increase the power supply output. The power supply output is limited to the use requirement of the device by varying the fan speed in response to instructions from the device. Precise control of the battery cells' exposure to air extends the lifetimes of the cells.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.