Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Electrical device making
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-23
2001-12-25
Huff, Mark F. (Department: 1756)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Electrical device making
C029S623100, C429S006000, C429S006000, C429S006000, C429S010000, C429S010000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332899
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a metal-air battery, more particularly, to a modularized metal-air battery that is easy to manufacture and expand to provide the desired output voltage and energy capacity.
2. Description of Related Art
Typically, metal-air batteries are used to provide power for a long period of time.
FIG. 16
schematically illustrates the structure of a conventional Zinc-air battery which has Zinc anode (
161
) positioned in a container (
162
). The container (
162
) has two substantially hollow faces (
163
), each being covered by an air cathode (
164
). Liquid electrolyte fills the container (
162
) such that the Zinc anode (
161
) is immersed therein. The air cathode (
164
) is formed by a piece of metal screen coated with air cathode material such as activated carbon. The inner side of the air cathode (
164
) is attached to a separator (
165
) that is made of non-woven cloth. Therefore, only air is allowed to flow through the air cathode (
164
) while the liquid electrolyte is kept in the container (
162
). With such an arrangement, a chemical reaction can be generated in the container (
162
) and electrical energy is accessed at the positive and negative electrical leads (
166
,
167
). This conventional metal-air battery is not easy to manufacture because forming air cathodes (
164
) on a rectangular container (
162
) is difficult. Furthermore, to have an energy capacity and output voltage different from those of a single battery, multiple batteries have to be wired connected and a large space is required to hold these multiple batteries, resulting in inconvenience in using the metal-air batteries. Therefore, there is a need for the above metal-air battery to be improved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One objective of the present invention is to provide a modularized metal-air battery that is comprised of multiple battery modules such that the metal-air battery is easy to expand to provide the desired output voltage and energy capacity.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a modularized metal-air battery that is comprised of multiple battery modules, wherein each module is easy to be produced.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the modularized metal-air battery includes at least one metal-plate module, a first air-plate module and a second air-plate module. The metal-plate module has a metal anode enclosed in a frame that is thicker than the metal anode. Each of the first and second air-plate modules has an air cathode enclosed in a frame that is thicker than the air cathode. The first air-plate module, the at least one metal-plate module and the second air-plate module are combined to constitute the metal-air battery in such a manner that the frames thereof are securely attached together one by one thereby defining at least two chambers which are selectively filled with liquid electrolyte.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing the modularized metal-air battery is provided. The method comprises processes for producing the air-plate module and the metal-plate module.
Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4693946 (1987-09-01), Niksa et al.
patent: 4842963 (1989-06-01), Ross, Jr.
patent: 4885217 (1989-12-01), Hoge
patent: 5318861 (1994-06-01), Harats et al.
Bacon & Thomas
Chacko-Davis Daborah
Huff Mark F.
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