Movable anode fuel cell battery

Abstract

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. The anode movement assures the anode is intermittently discharged to reduce passivation and further increase the depth of discharge. The motion of the anode helps to insure uniform replating during recharging. Further, the movement of the anode stirs the electrolyte assuring a uniform distribution of metal ions. As a result, the invention provides a metal/air Fuel Cell Battery with high energy density high power density and good rechargeability.