Means Moves Electrode Patents (Class 429/68)
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Patent number: 11196092Abstract: A dendrite resistant battery may include a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrolyte interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The dendrite resistant battery may further include at least one acoustic wave device configured to generate a plurality of acoustic waves during a charging of the battery. The charging of the battery may trigger cations from the first electrode to travel through the electrolyte and deposit on the second electrode. The plurality of acoustic waves may agitate the electrolyte to at least homogenize a distribution of cations in the electrolyte. The homogenization of the distribution of cations may prevent a formation of dendrites on the second electrode by at least increasing a uniformity of the deposit of cations on the second electrode. Related methods and systems for battery management are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: James Friend, An Huang
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Patent number: 11139509Abstract: A method, and associated batteries and battery charging units, that involve inducing electric and/or magnetic fields (field-induced current) across an electrode of a electrochemical cell, such as an anode of a battery. The field and current across the electrode may be referred to herein as a transverse current as this current is typically transverse to the ionic charge current that may be applied when charging a battery. The field and current may be induced from connecting AC energy, e.g., AC current, across the electrode or at a discrete point or points of the electrode. The induced field and current may suppress dendrite growth, experienced in conventional batteries without AC energy, among other advantages.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Iontra LLCInventors: Daniel A. Konopka, Reuben Sarkar
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Publication number: 20130065098Abstract: Provided is a solid electrolyte secondary battery with a greater capacity than previous solid electrolyte secondary batteries. Furthermore, the disclosed solid electrolyte secondary battery can obtain a high power output and improve battery function while ensuring a large capacity. The solid electrolyte secondary battery is provided with a cathode chamber (18), a cathode active material container (30) that is provided independently and stores some cathode active material, and a channel medium (100) that is provided between the two and through which the active material passes. The cathode active material is transferred by the channel medium and heterogeneity, when the active material is discharged, can be curbed. By providing a transfer medium (120), which transfers the cathode active material, the cathode active material can be forcibly transferred.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2011Publication date: March 14, 2013Inventor: Hiroshi Ohkawa
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Publication number: 20120320492Abstract: An apparatus including first and second electrodes separated by an electrolyte, at least one of the first and second electrodes including an actuating substrate configured to undergo reversible deformation during actuation, wherein reversible deformation of the actuating substrate causes a decrease in the internal resistance of the apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Inventors: Zoran RADIVOJEVIC, Di WEI, Samiul HAQUE, Piers ANDREW
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Patent number: 8298694Abstract: A power supply device in which power storage bodies are disposed in a casing that houses a cooling medium is provided. The power supply device includes a moving portion that moves the power storage bodies in the cooling medium.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2008Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takashi Murata
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Patent number: 8187560Abstract: Steam, partial oxidation and pyrolytic fuel reformers (14 or 90) with rotating cylindrical surfaces (18, 24 or 92, 96) that generate Taylor Vortex Flows (28 or 98) and Circular Couette Flows (58, 99) for extracting hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuels such as methane (CH4), methanol (CH3OH), ethanol (C2H5OH), propane (C3H8), butane (C4H10), octane (C8H18), kerosene (C12H26) and gasoline and hydrogen-containing fuels such as ammonia (NH3) and sodium borohydride (NaBH4) are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2010Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Global Energy Science, LLCInventor: Halbert Fischel
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Patent number: 7964301Abstract: Dynamic accelerated reaction batteries (10, 100, 200) with rotating electrodes (14x, 20x, 104x, 106x,) or rotating membranes (208) or fuel cells (412C, 412D) that generate Taylor Vortex Flows (54, 122, 228, 454) and Circular Couette Flows (56, 124, 230) in electrolyte chambers (38x, 126x, 206, 438x) are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2010Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Global Energy Science, LLC (California)Inventors: Halbert Fischel, Philip Michael Lubin, Daniel Timothy Lubin
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Patent number: 6986964Abstract: Electrochemical cell systems are disclosed herein that are capable of selective ionic isolation, oxidant isolation, oxidant removal, moisture control, and combinations thereof. Selective ionic isolation is generally effectuated by selectively eliminating or minimizing ionic communication between an anode and a cathode of the electrochemical cell.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventor: Sadeg M. Faris
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Publication number: 20040265694Abstract: An extruded wire of sodium metal is cold rolled into a thin foil and passed through a misting chamber coating both surfaces with a depolarizing agent and subsequently encased in an aluminized polymer membrane forming a consumable electrode for second generation fuel cells. In an alternate method of construction a polymer bead chain is attached at one edge of the electrode to facilitate its travel through the chemically reacting electrolyte.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2003Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventor: Edward Milton McWhorter
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Publication number: 20040247969Abstract: Improved metal-air fuel cell battery systems having metal-fuel realized in the form of metal-fuel tape cartridges and metal-fuel cards, which can be either manually or automatically inserted within the power generation bay of the system. In order to produce a range of output voltages, the metal-fuel tape has a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel tracks and the metal-fuel cards have a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel strips. An output voltage configuration subsystem is provided for configuring the voltages produced by the individual cells to produce a desired output. A subsystem is provided for detecting oxide formation on the metal-fuel tracks and strips so that only metal-fuel that has been oxidized is reduced during recharging operations. A subsystem is also provided for controlling the flow of oxygen into the power generation head in order to control the power output from the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2003Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Yuen-Ming Chang, Tspin Tsai, Wenbin Yao
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Publication number: 20040202904Abstract: Representative embodiments provide for a fuel cartridge including a film strip supporting a fuel compound. An electric heater of the fuel cartridge is configured to heat a portion of the film strip, wherein the fuel compound is configured to liberate hydrogen gas from the heated usable portion of the film strip. The fuel cartridge is configured to provide the hydrogen gas to a fuel cell by way of a fluid coupling there between. The fuel cartridge is configured to support the film strip and the electric heater in a substantially self contained arrangement. A method includes supporting a film strip including a fuel compound within a fuel cartridge, heating a portion of the film strip within the fuel cartridge, and providing hydrogen gas liberated by the heating to a fuel cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2003Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: Makarand Gore, James Guo
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Patent number: 6800393Abstract: Electrochemical cell systems are disclosed herein that are capable of selective ionic isolation, oxidant isolation, oxidant removal, moisture control, and combinations thereof. Selective ionic isolation is generally effectuated by selectively eliminating or minimizing ionic communication between an anode and a cathode of the electrochemical cell.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2002Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventor: Sadeg M. Faris
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Patent number: 6699615Abstract: An electrical battery has a vessel accommodating an electrolyte, a positive electrode and a negative electrode arranged in the vessel at a distance from one another in contact with the electrolyte, and a partition arranged in the vessel between the electrodes so that positive ions formed by an electrolytic process from a material of the positive electrode in the electrolyte move toward one side of the partition, and negative ions formed by an electrolytic process from a material of the electrolyte move to an opposite side of the partition during charging of the battery, so that the positive ions and the negative ions at both sides of the partition are attracted to one another and accumulate at both sides of the partition in great quantities so as to provide a significant charge in the battery, one of the electrodes being movable toward the partition to be located in a zone of accumulation of the ions of corresponding charge so as to obtain the charge with high voltage, so that a discharge of the battery is peType: GrantFiled: June 18, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Inventor: Timofei Gutkin
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Patent number: 6649294Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for extending path-length of metal-fuel tape during discharging and/or recharging operations so that a supply of metal-fuel tape contained within a cassette device or on a supply reel can be rapidly discharged and/or recharged in an improved manner. During discharging operations, a plurality of discharging heads are selectively arranged about the extended path-length of metal-fuel tape so as increase the rate at which electrical power is powered from the system. During recharging operations, a plurality of recharging heads are selectively arranged about the extended path-length of metal-fuel tape to decrease the time required to recharge the metal-fuel tape transported through the system.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2001Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Revco, Inc.Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Tsepin Tsai
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Patent number: 6641943Abstract: Disclosed are various types of metal-air FCB-based systems comprising a Metal-Fuel Transport Subsystem, a Metal-Fuel Discharging Subsystem, and a Metal-Fuel Recharging Subsystem. The function of the Metal-Fuel Transport Subsystem is to transport metal-fuel material, in the form of tape, cards, sheets, cylinders and the like, to the Metal-Fuel Discharge Subsystem, or the Metal-Fuel Recharge Subsystem, depending on the mode of the system selected. When transported to or through the Metal-Fuel Discharge Subsystem, the metal-fuel is discharged by one or more discharging heads in order produce electrical power across an electrical load connected to the subsystem while H2O and O2 are consumed at the cathode-electrolyte interface during the electro-chemical reaction.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1998Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Tsepin Tsai
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Publication number: 20030143446Abstract: Disclosed are various types of metal-air FCB-based systems comprising a Metal-Fuel Transport Subsystem, a Metal-Fuel Discharging Subsystem, and a Metal-Fuel Recharging Subsystem. The function of the Metal-Fuel Transport Subsystem is to transport metal-fuel material, in the form of tape, cards, sheets, cylinders and the like, to the Metal-Fuel Discharge Subsystem, or the Metal-Fuel Recharge Subsystem, depending on the mode of the system selected. When transported to or through the Metal-Fuel Discharge Subsystem, the metal-fuel is discharged by (i.e. electro-chemically reaction with) one or more discharging heads in order produce electrical power across an electrical load connected to the subsystem while H2O and O2 are consumed at the cathode-electrolyte interface during the electrochemical reaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2002Publication date: July 31, 2003Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Tsepin Tsai
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Patent number: 6562504Abstract: A metal-air fuel cell battery (FCB) electrical power producing module for supplying electrical power to a host system that incorporates a module housing with a multi-element discharging head enclosed within the module housing and a recess formed therein into which a metal-fuel card can be slid for discharging. The module housing has a pair of electrical terminals for contacting the power terminals of a host system.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1999Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Tsepin Tsai
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Patent number: 6558830Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for extending path-length of metal-fuel tape during discharging and/or recharging operations so that a supply of metal-fuel tape contained within a cassette device or on a supply reel can be rapidly discharged and/or recharged in an improved manner. During discharging operations, a plurality of discharging heads are selectively arranged about the extended path-length of metal-fuel tape so as increase the rate at which electrical power is powered from the system. During recharging operations, a plurality of recharging heads are selectively arranged about the extended path-length of metal-fuel tape to decrease the time required to recharge the metal-fuel tape transported through the system.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Tsepin Tsai
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Patent number: 6544678Abstract: Improved metal-air fuel cell battery systems having metal-fuel realized in the form of metal-fuel tape cartridges and metal-fuel cards, which can be either manually or automatically inserted within the power generation bay of the system. In order to produce a range of output voltages, the metal-fuel tape has a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel tracks and the metal-fuel cards have a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel strips. An output voltage configuration subsystem is provided for configuring the voltages produced by the individual cells to produce a desired output. A subsystem is provided for detecting oxide formation on the metal-fuel tracks and strips so that only metal-fuel that has been oxidized is reduced during recharging operations. A subsystem is also provided for controlling the flow of oxygen into the power generation head in order to control the power output from the system.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Yuen-Ming Chang, Tsepin Tsai, Wayne Yao
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Publication number: 20030054217Abstract: Disclosed is a metal-air fuel cell battery system, wherein metal-fuel tape can be transported through its discharging head assembly as well as its recharging head assembly in a bi-directional manner while the availability of metal-fuel therealong is automatically managed in order to improve the performance of the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2002Publication date: March 20, 2003Inventor: Sadeg M. Faris
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Publication number: 20030044675Abstract: A storage battery is constructed for extended periods non use and still maintain a charge and have a long operational life by allowing for the separation of the electrolyte from electrodes within the battery in rapid, and safe manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2002Publication date: March 6, 2003Inventor: Thomas G. Packard
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Publication number: 20020192541Abstract: An electrical battery has a vessel accommodating an electrolyte, a positive electrode and a negative electrode arranged in the vessel at a distance from one another in contact with the electrolyte, and a partition arranged in the vessel between the electrodes so that positive ions formed by an electrolytic process from a material of the positive electrode in the electrolyte move toward one side of the partition, and negative ions formed by an electrolytic process from a material of the electrolyte move to an opposite side of the partition during charging of the battery, so that the positive ions and the negative ions at both sides of the partition are attracted to one another and accumulate at both sides of the partition in great quantities so as to provide a significant charge in the battery, one of the electrodes being movable toward the partition to be located in a zone of accumulation of the ions of corresponding charge so as to obtain the charge with high voltage, so that a discharge of the battery is peType: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2001Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventor: Timofei Gutkin
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Publication number: 20020177024Abstract: Herein disclosed is a metal air electrochemical cell, which generally includes an anode metal fuel material that may be infused into a container. The container may comprise a metering device, such as a toothpaste-like container, a syringe-like container, a caulking tube type container, a disposable condiment-like container, etc. These metering devices facilitate dispensing of a quantity of the metal fuel paste into a suitable structure generally including a cathode, a separator, and current collectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Ian Shaw, Sadeg M. Faris
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Publication number: 20020168559Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for extending path-length of metal-fuel tape during discharging and/or recharging operations so that a supply of metal-fuel tape contained within a cassette device or on a supply reel can be rapidly discharged and/or recharged in an improved manner. During discharging operations, a plurality of discharging heads are selectively arranged about the extended path-length of metal-fuel tape so as increase the rate at which electrical power is powered from the system. During recharging operations, a plurality of recharging heads are selectively arranged about the extended path-length of metal-fuel tape to decrease the time required to recharge the metal-fuel tape transported through the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2001Publication date: November 14, 2002Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Tsepin Tsai
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Patent number: 6472093Abstract: Disclosed are various types of metal-air FCB-based systems comprising a housing having an insertion port; a discharging subsystem disposed within the housing for generating electrical power from at least one metal-fuel card in a discharging mode of operation; and a tray-shaped cartridge, insertable within said insertion port, containing a supply of substantially planar discrete metal-fuel cards. When the tray-shaped cartridge is inserted within the insertion port, one or more of the metal-fuel cards are loadable into the discharging subsystem for generating and discharging electrical power during the discharging mode of operation. The system may include a recharging subsystem disposed within the housing for recharging at least one metal-fuel card in a recharging mode of operation. These inventive features allow automatic management of the supply (and recharge) of metal-fuel in a metal-air fuel cell battery system so as to obtain improvements in both operating efficiency and system performance.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1998Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Tsepin Tsai
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Patent number: 6458480Abstract: A metal-air fuel cell battery (FCB) system includes an electrolyte, air electrodes, and a movable anode having anode material deposited on two sides of an electrically conductive substrate. The anode can be, for example, either a rotating anode disk, or a linearly-movable anode, sandwiched between the two air electrodes. The air electrodes each have at least one recharging portion and at least one discharging portion. The anode movement, which can be, for example, rotational or linear, is relative to the recharging air electrode portion for recharging the anode material and relative to the discharging air electrode portion for discharging the anode material.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2000Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventors: William F. Morris, Tsepin Tsai
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Patent number: 6403244Abstract: In an air-metal fuel cell battery (FCB) system, wherein a movable cathode structure is mounted within a housing through which metal-fuel tape is transported along a predetermined path while an ionically-conductive medium is disposed between the metal-fuel tape and the movable cathode structure. In illustrative embodiments, the movable cathode structure is realized as a rotatable cathode cylinder, and a transportable cathode belt. The ionically-conductive medium is realized as a solid-state ionically-conductive film applied to the cathode structures and/or metal-fuel tape, as well as ionically-conductive belt structures.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1998Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Tsepin Tsai, Thomas J. Legbandt, Wayne Yao, Muguo Chen
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Patent number: 6383673Abstract: Improved electro-chemical power generation devices (e.g., metal-air fuel cell battery devices) having metal-fuel realized in the form of a metal-fuel card including a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel elements (e.g., strips) disposed on the surface of substantially rigid and planar non-electrically-conductive substrate. The metal-fuel elements are in electrical contact with the anode contacting elements of the power generation device when the metal-fuel card is spatially registered to anode contacting elements of the electro-chemical power generation device. In another aspect of the present invention, an aperture formed in the substrate provides electrical contact between the metal-fuel element disposed on the first side of the substrate and the anode contacting element disposed on the second side of the substrate when the metal-fuel card is spatially registered to the anode contacting element.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1998Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Yuen-Ming Chang, Tsepin Tsai, Wayne Yao
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Patent number: 6376115Abstract: An air depolarized cell with at least one movable cathode element disposed in an active anode metal material which is in a fluid or paste state. The cathode element(s) continuously moves to maintain electrochemical proximity with active anode material as the active anode material is converted into electrochemical cell reaction product. In one embodiment, formation of cell reaction products of increased volume relative to initial anode volume serves to propel the movable cathode through the anode material. Viscosity of the fluid or anode paste is adjusted to ensure cathode movement relative to active anode for maximized utilization.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventors: Tsepin Tsai, Sadeg M. Faris
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Publication number: 20020022168Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for extending path-length of metal-fuel tape during discharging and/or recharging operations so that a supply of metal-fuel tape contained within a cassette device or on a supply reel can be rapidly discharged and/or recharged in an improved manner. During discharging operations, a plurality of discharging heads are selectively arranged about the extended path-length of metal-fuel tape so as increase the rate at which electrical power is powered from the system. During recharging operations, a plurality of recharging heads are selectively arranged about the extended path-length of metal-fuel tape to decrease the time required to recharge the metal-fuel tape transported through the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2001Publication date: February 21, 2002Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Tsepin Tsai
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Patent number: 6348277Abstract: An improved metal-air fuel cell battery (FCB) system and a method of producing and supplying electrical power to an electrical power consuming device. The method involves packaging and distributing together (i) a metal-air FCB module for producing electrical power using a metal-fuel card insertable within the metal-air FCB module, and (ii) a supply of metal-fuel cards, available as metal-fuel consumable within the metal-air FCB module. The metal-air FCB module includes a cathode structure and an anode contacting structure wherebetween a metal-fuel card can be inserted during a metal-fuel card loading operation, when electrical power is required from the metal-air FCB module. By virtue of the present invention, consumers can now quickly and easily refuel a metal-air FCB module used to power electrical power consuming devices, without wasting or otherwise replacing the typically massive, expensive, and non-consumed components of the metal-air FCB module.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1998Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Tsepin Tsai
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Patent number: 6335111Abstract: In an air-metal fuel cell battery (FCB) system, wherein a plurality of movable cathode structures are mounted within a compact housing through which metal-fuel tape is transported along a predetermined path while an ionically-conductive medium is disposed between the metal-fuel tape and each movable cathode structure at points of contact. In illustrative embodiments, the movable cathode structures are realized as rotatable cathode cylinders, and transportable cathode belts. The ionically-conductive medium is realized as a solid-state ionically-conductive film applied to the cathode structures and/or metal-fuel tape, as well as ionically-conductive belt structures transported at the same velocity as corresponding cathode structures (e.g. cathode cylinders or belts) at the locus of points at which the ionically-conductive medium contacts the moving cathode structure and the moving metal-fuel tape.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1998Date of Patent: January 1, 2002Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Tsepin Tsai, Thomas J. Legbandt, Wayne Yao, Muguo Chen
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Patent number: 6312844Abstract: Disclosed are metal-air fuel-cell battery (FCB) systems adapted to discharge a supply of (re)charged metal-fuel cards supplied from a cassette-type storage device, wherein each (re)charged metal-fuel card is physically disconnected from each other (re)charged metal-fuel card. Each (re)charged metal-fuel card is automatically loaded from the cassette-type cartridge into the discharging bay of the system, and after discharged, transported back into the cassette-type storage device. In the illustrative embodiments, a metal-air FCB system is disclosed, wherein the system is adapted to one or more discharged metal-fuel cards supplied from the cassette-type storage device. In such a system, each discharged metal-fuel card is automatically loaded from the cassette-type cartridge into the (re)charging bay of the system, and after (re)charging, transported back into the cassette-type storage device.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1998Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventor: Sadeg M. Faris
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Patent number: 6309771Abstract: Improved metal-air fuel cell battery systems having metal-fuel realized in the form of substantially planar metal-fuel cards of rigid construction, which can be either manually or automatically inserted within the power generation bay of the system. The power generation bay includes at least one electrically-conductive cathode element supported by a cathode support structure in a stationary position with respect to the cathode support structure, and at least one electrically-conductive anode-contacting element supported by an anode contacting structure in a stationary position with respect to the anode contacting structure. In order to produce a range of output voltages, the power generation bay includes a plurality of cells comprising cathode elements spatially arranged with anode contacting elements, and each metal-fuel card has a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel strips that are spatially arranged with these cells when the metal-fuel card is inserted to the power generation bay.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1998Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: Reveo, IncInventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Yuen-Ming Chang, Tsepin Tsai, Wayne Yao
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Patent number: 6306534Abstract: Disclosed are various types of metal-air FCB-based systems comprising a Metal-Fuel Transport Subsystem, a Metal-Fuel Discharging Subsystem, and a Metal-Fuel Recharging Subsystem. The function of the Metal-Fuel Transport Subsystem is to transport metal-fuel cards or sheets to the Metal-Fuel Discharge Subsystem, or the Metal-Fuel Recharge Subsystem, depending on the mode of the system selected. When transported to or through the Metal-Fuel Discharge Subsystem, each metal-fuel card is discharged by (i.e. electro-chemically reaction with) one or more discharging heads in order produce electrical power across an electrical load connected to the subsystem while H2O and O2 are consumed at the cathode-electrolyte interface during the electro-chemical reaction.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1998Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Tsepin Tsai
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Patent number: 6299997Abstract: In an air-metal fuel cell battery (FCB) system, wherein metal-fuel tape, the ionically-conductive medium and the cathode structures are transported at substantially the same velocity at the locus of points at which the ionically-conductive medium contacts the moving cathode structure and the moving metal-fuel tape during discharging and recharging modes of operation. In a first generalized embodiment of the present invention, the ionically-conductive medium is realized as an ionically-conductive belt, and the metal-fuel tape, ionically-conductive belt, and movable cathode structure are transported at substantially the same velocity at the locus of points which the ionically-conducing belt contacts the metal-fuel tape and the cathode structure during system operation. In a second generalized embodiment of the present invention, the ionically-conductive medium is realized as a solid-state film layer integrated with the metal-fuel tape.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1998Date of Patent: October 9, 2001Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Tsepin Tsai, Thomas J. Legbandt, Wayne Yao, Muguo Chen
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Patent number: 6299998Abstract: A fuel cell battery having an electrolyte, and a moving anode having anode material deposited on two sides of an electrically conductive substrate, which can be either a rotating anode disk, or a linearly moving anode, sandwiched between two air electrodes wherein the air electrodes each have at least one recharging portion and at least one discharging portion. The recharging portion of the air electrode is designed for optimum recharging and the discharging portion of the air electrode is designed for optimum discharging such that the fuel cell battery performs to its maximum ability. The recharging air electrode area can be larger than the discharging air electrode area for faster recharge times. The recharging air electrode can be operated at lower current densities to prevent anode densification, anode shape change and dendrite growth. Discharging the anode material on both sides of the anode increases the depth of the discharge and increases the battery's capacity.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1999Date of Patent: October 9, 2001Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventors: William F. Morris, Tsepin Tsai
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Patent number: 6296960Abstract: Improved metal-air fuel cell battery systems having metal-fuel realized in the form of metal-fuel tape cartridges and metal-fuel cards, which can be either manually or automatically inserted within the power generation bay of the system. In order to produce a range of output voltages, the metal-fuel tape has a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel tracks and the metal-fuel cards have a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel strips. An output voltage configuration subsystem is provided for configuring the voltages produced by the individual cells to produce a desired output. A subsystem is provided for detecting oxide formation on the metal-fuel tracks and strips so that only metal-fuel that has been oxidized is reduced during recharging operations. A subsystem is also provided for controlling the flow of oxygen into the power generation head in order to control the power output from the system.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1997Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Yuen-Ming Chang, Tsepin Tsai, Wenbin Yao
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Publication number: 20010023036Abstract: Improved metal-air fuel cell battery systems having metal-fuel realized in the form of metal-fuel tape cartridges and metal-fuel cards, which can be either manually or automatically inserted within the power generation bay of the system. In order to produce a range of output voltages, the metal-fuel tape has a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel tracks and the metal-fuel cards have a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel strips. An output voltage configuration subsystem is provided for configuring the voltages produced by the individual cells to produce a desired output. A subsystem is provided for detecting oxide formation on the metal-fuel tracks and strips so that only metal-fuel that has been oxidized is reduced during recharging operations. A subsystem is also provided for controlling the flow of oxygen into the power generation head in order to control the power output from the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2001Publication date: September 20, 2001Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Yuen-Ming Chang, Tsepin Tsai, Wayne Yao
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Patent number: 6287715Abstract: Disclosed are various types of metal-air FCB-based systems comprising a Metal-Fuel Transport Subsystem, a Metal-Fuel Discharging Subsystem, and a Metal-Fuel Recharging Subsystem. The function of the Metal-Fuel Transport Subsystem is to transport metal-fuel material, in the form of tape, cards, sheets, cylinders and the like, to the Metal-Fuel Discharge Subsystem, or the Metal-Fuel Recharge Subsystem, depending on the mode of the system selected. When transported to or through the Metal-Fuel Discharge Subsystem, the metal-fuel is discharged by (i.e. electro-chemically reaction with) one or more discharging heads in order produce electrical power across an electrical load connected to the subsystem while H2O and O2 are consumed at the cathode-electrolyte interface during the electrochemical reaction.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1998Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Tsepin Tsai
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Publication number: 20010014416Abstract: Disclosed are various types of metal-air FCB-based systems comprising a Metal-Fuel Transport Subsystem, a Metal-Fuel Discharging Subsystem, and a Metal-Fuel Recharging Subsystem. The function of the Metal-Fuel Transport Subsystem is to transport metal-fuel material, in the form of tape, cards, sheets, cylinders and the like, to the Metal-Fuel Discharge Subsystem, or the Metal-Fuel Recharge Subsystem, depending on the mode of the system selected. When transported to or through the Metal-Fuel Discharge Subsystem, the metal-fuel is discharged by (i.e. electro-chemically reaction with) one or more discharging heads in order produce electrical power across an electrical load connected to the subsystem while H2O and O2 are consumed at the cathode-electrolyte interface during the electro-chemical reaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 1998Publication date: August 16, 2001Inventors: SADEG M. FARIS, TSEPIN TSAI
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Publication number: 20010007725Abstract: In an air-metal fuel cell battery (FCB) system, wherein a plurality of movable cathode structures are mounted within a compact housing through which metal-fuel tape is transported along a predetermined path while an ionically-conductive medium is disposed between the metal-fuel tape and each movable cathode structure at points of contact. In illustrative embodiments, the movable cathode structures are realized as rotatable cathode cylinders, and transportable cathode belts. The ionically-conductive medium is realized as a solid-state ionically-conductive film applied to the cathode structures and/or metal-fuel tape, as well as ionically-conductive belt structures transported at the same velocity as corresponding cathode structures (e.g. cathode cylinders or belts) at the locus of points at which the ionically-conductive medium contacts the moving cathode structure and the moving metal-fuel tape.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 1998Publication date: July 12, 2001Inventors: SADEG M. FARIS, TSEPIN TSAI, THOMAS J. LEGBANDT, WAYNE YAO, MUGUO CHEN
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Patent number: 6228519Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for extending path-length of metal-fuel tape during discharging and/or recharging operations so that a supply of metal-fuel tape contained within a cassette device or on a supply reel can be rapidly discharged and/or recharged in an improved manner. During discharging operations, a plurality of discharging heads are selectively arranged about the extended path-length of metal-fuel tape so as increase the rate at which electrical power is powered from the system. During recharging operations, a plurality of recharging heads are selectively arranged about the extended path-length of metal-fuel tape to decrease the time required to recharge the metal-fuel tape transported through the system.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1998Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Tsepin Tsai
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Patent number: 6203939Abstract: A high temperature battery of one or more cells is disclosed in which each cell is made by holding an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, of different metallic substances, together through a fused flux wetted to an electrode, which fused flux is an electrolyte, to make an anode-to-cathode contact, and the anode-to-cathode contact is heated, by a heat source, to a high temperature above a threshold temperature to generate voltaic voltage, in excess of any thermoelectric voltage; such batteries with electrodes of various configurations are disclosed. The heat-activated flux and electrolyte, such as borax, may have, vegetable-growth ashes or chemical constituents of ashes, such as lithium carbonate, added to the heat-activated flux and electrolyte to catalyze or improve the current-generating capability of the battery. The preferred anode substance is aluminum, and the preferred cathode substance is copper.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1999Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Inventor: John T. R. Wilson
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Patent number: 6190792Abstract: In an air-metal fuel cell battery (FCB) system, wherein metal-fuel tape, the ionically-conductive medium and the cathode structures are transported at substantially the same velocity at the locus of points at which the ionically-conductive medium contacts the moving cathode structure and the moving metal-fuel tape during discharging and recharging modes of operation. In a first generalized embodiment of the present invention, the ionically-conductive medium is realized as an ionically-conductive belt, and the metal-fuel tape, ionically-conductive belt, and movable cathode structure are transported at substantially the same velocity at the locus of points which the ionically-conducing belt contacts the metal-fuel tape and the cathode structure during system operation. In a second generalized embodiment of the present invention, the ionically-conductive medium is realized as a solid-state (e.g. gelatinous) film layer integrated with the metal-fuel tape.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1998Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Reveo, Inc.Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Tsepin Tsai, Thomas J. Legbandt, Wayne Yao, Muguo Chen
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Patent number: 6162555Abstract: A novel fuel particle feeding mechanism that significantly improves operation of a refuelable electrochemical power source is provided. One embodiment of the mechanism provides an input of electrolyte and electrochemically active particles into one or more electrochemical cells through a feed tube. The feed tube has several embodiments that improve the flow of electrolyte and particles, and the even and complete settling of particles into individual cell cavities. Each cell cavity is completely filled, evenly and without clogging when open, and fluid communication between cell cavities is completely cut off when closed, to prevent short-circuiting of the power source during discharge or standby. Means are provided to prevent clogging of the feed tube with fuel particles, to promote complete filling of the cell cavities with fuel, and to prevent fuel particles from prematurely flowing out of the cell cavities. A method of operation is also described.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1999Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Metallic Power, Inc.Inventors: Bernardo A. Gutierrez, Jeffrey A. Colborn, Stuart I. Smedley, Kent I. Smedley
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Patent number: 6022637Abstract: A high temperature battery of one or more cells is disclosed in which each cell is made by holding an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, of different metallic substances, together through a fused flux wetted to an electrode, which fused flux is an electrolyte, to make an anode-to-cathode contact, and the anode-to-cathode contact is heated, by a heat source, to a high temperature range above a threshold temperature to generate voltaic voltage, in excess of any thermoelectric voltage; such batteries with electrodes of various mechanical configurations are disclosed. The flux, such as borax, may have powdered, vegetable-growth ashes or powdered chemical constituents of ashes, such as lithium carbonate, added to the flux or to the electrolyte to catalyze or improve the current-generating capability of the battery. The preferred anode substance is aluminum, and the preferred cathode substance is copper.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1996Date of Patent: February 8, 2000Inventor: John T. R. Wilson
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Patent number: 5958619Abstract: The tape cell battery system comprises an elongated strip of flexible tape divided into segmented sections of anode, cathode and fluid electrolyte. The electrolyte is stored in a separated segment sealed from the segment containing the anode and cathode. The tape is advanced through nip rolls to individually break open each sealed segment containing electrolyte such that the electrolyte is caused to flow into a single adjacent segment containing said anode and cathode such that only one battery cell at a time becomes electrochemically active while the other battery cells remain electrochemically dormant.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1997Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Inventors: Salvatore A. Celeste, Guy A. Rossi
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Patent number: 5756228Abstract: The electro-chemical apparatus for generating direct current comprises two flat and thin stainless steel tapes (30,30') representing anode and cathode respectively owing to the anode strip being covered with an anode material such as lithium. The tapes are wound of a first pair of spaced apart reels (31,31') at identical linear velocity and their inside surfaces are brought into a close relationship while the tapes are moved through the gap between two graphite block collectors (12.12') which are urged onto the tape outsides. After having passed the collectors the tapes are separated again and wound up on a second pair of spaced apart reels (32,32'). Before entering the gap between the collectors an electrolyte (22), such as thionyl chloride in a paste condition is evenly applied to the inside surface of one of the tapes.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1996Date of Patent: May 26, 1998Inventor: Lou Roseanou
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Patent number: 5712061Abstract: An anode immersed in liquid electrolyte of a battery is threadily engaged with a plastic holder impervious to the corrosive action of the electrolyte. Electrical connection is made to the underside of the anode through a liquid-tight fitting which passes up through the underside of the holder. A sealing gasket is placed at the lower interface between the anode and its holder and the threads are provided with a sealing tape. Additional anode capacity may be provide with the provision of a threaded aperture on the surface of the anode for receiving a supplemental anode having a threaded projection which engages the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1995Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventors: Daniel J. Spak, Nicholas Shuster, David E. Harney