The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 13, 2003
Filed:
Aug. 03, 2000
Tsepin Tsai, Peekskill, NY (US);
Sadeg M. Faris, Pleasantville, NY (US);
Reveo, Inc., Elmsford, NY (US);
Abstract
A novel fuel cell battery construction having arrays of different type metal-air fuel cells. The first type-cells are preferably formed by a cathode structure having a plurality of first-type cathode elements, and an anode structure having one or more anode-contacting elements on an anode-contacting element support plate. The second-type-cells are preferably formed by a cathode structure having a plurality of second-type cathode elements, and an anode structure having one or more anode-contacting elements on an anode-contacting element support plate. In one embodiment, the first-type cathode elements and corresponding cells are optimized for discharging operations, while the second type of cathode elements and corresponding cells are optimized for recharging operations. Alternatively, the first-type cathode elements and corresponding cells may be optimized for low-power discharging operations, while the second type of cathode elements and corresponding cells are optimized for high-power discharging operations. In addition, each cell is preferably independently activated (i.e. enabled) using a transistor-based power switching element operated under the control of a switching controller. The power switching device elements may be controlled to produce selectable output characteristics (voltage level, current level, etc.) during discharge operations, and control recharging cells during recharging operations. In addition, the power switching elements may be used to produce high-frequency electrical currents for generating stepped-up voltages, which are subsequently rectified and low-pass filtered.