Aer Energy Resources, Inc.

The Gillette Company

Air Energy Resources Inc.

Gary Edward Gray

Christopher Pedicini

John D Witzigreuter

Dennis P Sieminski

Wayne Kurle

The present invention relates to a synthetic air jet for a metal-air battery. A synthetic air jet can be housed within, incorporated into, or attached to a battery casing to generate a convective air flow for an air cathode of a metal-air cell contained within the casing. A means for activating the synthetic air jet controls the air flow through the battery casing. When the synthetic air jet is activated, the internal volume of the synthetic air jet changes. The expansion and contraction of the synthetic air jet creates an air flow through the battery, thus providing reactant air for the air cathode of the metal-air cell.

Synthetic jet for admitting and expelling reactant air

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 having a micromachine air mover for a metal-air battery. The metal-air battery has a housing for enclosing at least one metal-air cell. The housing isolates the metal-air cell from the ambient atmosphere except for a pair of diffusion tubes. The micromachine air mover is an air pump that generates air flow by actuating a diaphragm which causes the diaphragm to vibrate. As a result of the vibration of the diaphragm, the pressure within the micromachine air mover's pump chamber varies and directional air flow is created through the housing and across the metal-air cell. When the micromachine air mover is not operating, the diffusion tubes provide a barrier to prevent diffusion of air through the housing.

Ventilation system for an enclosure

A metal-air battery with an air moving device controller to determine when a load is present on the battery and the extent of that load is described. The air moving device controller allows the operation of the air moving device for the battery to be responsive to the load. Advantageously, the controller allows the metal-air battery to limit the intake of oxygen and other gases to that amount needed to drive the load.

Air manager control using cell load characteristics as auto-reference

A primary metal-air power source containing one or more metal-air cells incorporating an air manager in a power source housing of the power source. The power source provides intermittent use at high power levels over a long lifetime while demonstrating a high utilization of the metal, such as zinc, making up the metal-air cell's metal anode. The power source provides 80% of its amp hour capacity for at least 30 days after the initial partial discharge at a power level of at least 50 milliwatts. The cumulative run time may comprise any number of intermittent connections to a load having varying duration. The ventilation system of the power source draws ambient airflow through an isolating passageway by operating an air mover which distributes the airflow to the metal-air cells. A portion of the airflow is recirculated by the air mover and returned to the metal-air cells and the remaining portion of the airflow is moved through a second isolating passageway to the exterior of the power source's power source housing. The movement of airflow into and out of the power source is minimized during in-service storage.

Primary metal-power source and ventilation system for the same

An air manager system for a metal-air battery. The system includes a housing for enclosing at least one metal-air cell with an air electrode. The housing also has at least one air inlet opening, at least one air outlet opening, and a fan positioned to force air through the openings when the fan is turned on. These openings are unobstructed and sized to eliminate substantially the air flow through the openings when the fan is turned off. The system also includes fan control means having voltage sensing means to monitor the voltage across the air electrode and to operate the fan when the voltage reaches predetermined levels.

Growing community of inventors

Marietta, GA, United States of America

Gary Edward Gray