Convective air manager for metal-air battery
US6365296B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 1, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 2, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 1, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An orientation independent metal-air power source utilizing convective airflow for enhancing power output for powering a load. A battery housing for enclosing at least one metal-air cell has an air cavity at each end. Between the two cavities is an elongated central passageway. The cavities are preferably disk-shaped and include a circular resistance element in their outer periphery. A central gravity switch with a conductive ball and a plurality of contact pairs is coupled to the resistance elements. Each of the contact pairs is associated with a particular angular orientation of the metal-air battery. At least a portion of one of the resistance elements is heated when the ball comes into contact with one of the contact pairs. A plurality of isolating passageways pass sufficient airflow to the oxygen electrode, while the resistance element portion is heated, and restricts airflow to the oxygen electrode when the resistance element portion is not heated. The convective airflow is permitted to rise through the housing and across the oxygen electrode of the metal-air battery regardless of the angular orientation of the metal-air battery.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.