Aer Energy Resources, Inc.

Dennis P Sieminski

Christopher Pedicini

John D Witzigreuter

Suzy Stone

Gary Edward Gray

Ernest Chrispino Cherry

Jeffrey E Young

Roberto Fraquelli

Leonard T Skeggs

Edward R Champion, Jr

Daniel J Schmieder

David A Brammer

Chris Pedicini

Mark J Schimpf

Leonard J Hope

Richard Grant

Phillip Davies

Air managers for metal-air batteries are described, utilizing a diaphragm or bellows to move air in and out of one or more air openings or to move air from an inlet to an outlet. The diaphragm or bellows may be reciprocated by a linear actuator, such as an electromagnetic oscillator, or a shape memory alloy wire. Micromachines such as microrelays may be used as actuators. The battery may include one or more air passageways preferably including an isolating passageway such as a thin elongate tube shaped to impede air flow to the air electrode when the air moving device is not operative, even while the tube remains unsealed. The result is an improved air moving device for metal-air cells that occupies a minimal amount of the volume available for battery chemistry, is usable with advanced systems for isolating the air electrodes when power is not being drawn from the metal air cell, and is capable of developing high pressure for high velocity air movement at a relatively low rate of power consumption. Prismatic and cylindrical batteries incorporating the invention are described.

Air manager systems for batteries utilizing a diaphragm or bellows

A ventilation system for metal-air battery cells having collapsible isolation passageways for controlling ambient airflow to the oxygen electrode of the metal-air battery. The ventilation system has at least one inlet isolation passageway and at least one outlet isolation passageway. The isolation passageways normally remain in a collapsed position to restrict airflow when an air mover is turned off. The isolation passageways may be configured into an expanded position in response to airflow generated by the air mover. In the expanded position, the inlet isolation passageway permits ambient air to flow across the oxygen electrode and the outlet isolation passageway permits oxygen depleted air to be expelled.

Geometry change diffusion tube for metal-air batteries

The present invention provides a battery system, a device, and a method to allow multiple batteries with varying capacities and power capabilities to drive a common load. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for adjusting the output current of one or more of the batteries driving a common load to maximize the operational time of the load. The level of the current being supplied by the battery unit is monitored and compared to a desired current level. Upon detecting a change in the level of the current, the output voltage of one or more of the battery systems is modified to return the level of the battery current to the desired current level. This is accomplished by detecting the battery current (31) with a detector (66) and transforming the change in the battery current into an error signal (76) by comparing a voltage, representative of the battery current (31) with a reference value (72). The error signal (76) is then converted into an output adjust signal (62) by an adjuster (78). The output adjust signal (62) indicates whether the level of the battery current (31) needs to be adjusted and whether the adjustment should result in increasing or decreasing the battery current (31).

Device and a method allowing multiple batteries to share a common load

A metal-air battery pack is disclosed for external assembly to a portable electronic device with a battery compartment. The battery pack electrically connects to the electronic device through an existing connector of the device that is located in the battery compartment of the device. Another aspect of the present invention provides a palm rest as part of a battery for a portable computing device. Another aspect of the invention provides a network of barriers defining an air pathway through a cathode air plenum to efficiently direct air to the air cathodes of the cells of the battery.

Metal-air battery with a reactant air pathway

A metal-air battery pack is disclosed for external assembly to a portable electronic device with a battery compartment. The battery pack electrically connects to the electronic device through an existing connector of the device that is located in the battery compartment of the device. Another aspect of the present invention provides a palm rest as part of a battery for a portable computing device.

Portable battery with a retrofitting projection and wrist rest for use

An air manager is disclosed which recirculates reactant air in a battery and exchanges only a minimal amount of recirculated air for ambient air that is necessary to maintain a sufficient oxygen concentration in the battery. In the air manager, the reactant air is recirculated in a defined air pathway that provides reactant air to the entire area of all the air cathodes. A catalyst element is also provided in the air manager to convert the hydrogen gas that is generated during the recharge of a metal-air battery to water vapor. The air manager is nevertheless compact and lightweight so that the resulting battery is portable.

Air manager system for recirculating reactant air in a metal-air battery

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Atlanta, GA, United States of America

Dennis P Sieminski