Electricity: battery or capacitor charging or discharging – Serially connected batteries or cells – Having variable number of cells or batteries in series
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-19
2004-03-30
Toatley, Jr., Gregory J. (Department: 2838)
Electricity: battery or capacitor charging or discharging
Serially connected batteries or cells
Having variable number of cells or batteries in series
C320S124000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06713988
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a selectively activated electrochemical cell system, and more particularly to such a system wherein individual cells or groups of cells may be activated in various successions depending on energy and power requirements.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A variety of systems use electrochemical cells such as batteries and fuel cells to meet power needs. For example, many portable devices, backup systems, vehicles, and other power consuming systems use electrochemical cells
A key requirement for an electrochemical cell system is to meet the power requirements. Another concern relates to the energy of the cell, which is the length of time that the required power may be provided to the load. Heretofore, it has been extremely difficult to combine high power and high energy
A further problem associated with electrochemical cell systems, particularly primary batteries, is that once a battery is activated, it remains active until it is discharged by utilization of the useful energy in the battery, self discharge, corrosion, or combinations thereof. Therefore, interruptibility of conventional batteries, in many circumstances, is limited.
It would be desirable to provide a system that can produce high power and high energy, while further allowing for interruptibility, and therefore extending the useful lifetime of the system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above-discussed and other problems and deficiencies of the prior art are overcome or alleviated by the several methods and apparatus of the present invention, wherein 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.
The above-discussed and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings.
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Dubac Donald
Glover Michael
Kameth Haresh P.
Crispino Ralph J.
eVionyx, Inc.
Toatley , Jr. Gregory J.
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