초록 ▼

This invention provides an actively controlled battery with a programmed-timing actuation capability. As a preferred embodiment, the battery comprises (a) a first metal-air cell assembly and at least a second metal-air cell assembly electronically connected in parallel and (b) electronic control dev

This invention provides an actively controlled battery with a programmed-timing actuation capability. As a preferred embodiment, the battery comprises (a) a first metal-air cell assembly and at least a second metal-air cell assembly electronically connected in parallel and (b) electronic control devices. The first cell assembly comprises at least a first metal-air cell comprising an active anode enclosed in an anode compartment, an air cathode, a first air access vent, a separator separating the anode from the cathode, an electrolyte fluid reservoir, and a first controllable fluid valve being in flow communication with the electrolyte fluid reservoir on one side and in control relation to the anode compartment on another side. The first air access vent and the first fluid valve are closed during a battery storage period and are opened, at the first use of the battery, to admit outside air into the cathode and to allow an electrolyte fluid to enter the anode compartment to come in contact with the anode therein for activating an operation of the first metal-air cell assembly. The second cell assembly is similarly configured with its corresponding air vent and fluid valve being closed during a battery storage period and being opened in response to programmed signals to admit outside air into the second cathode and to allow an electrolyte fluid to enter the anode compartment to come in contact with the anode therein for activating an operation of the second metal-air cell assembly. The control devices, preferably including a sampling unit, a power control unit and a logic control unit, are capable of sensing the battery output voltage, current, or power and sending programmed signals to open the electrolyte fluid valves and to open up or close down the air vents at the same time or at different moments of time in a programmed fashion. The battery has an exceptionally long operating life and is particularly useful for powering microelectronic or communication devices such as mobile phones, laptop computers, and palm computers.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. An actively controlled battery with a programmed-timing actuation capability, said battery comprising: (a) a first metal-air cell assembly and at least a second metal-air cell assembly electronically connected in parallel, wherein said first cell assembly comprises at l

The invention claimed is: 1. An actively controlled battery with a programmed-timing actuation capability, said battery comprising: (a) a first metal-air cell assembly and at least a second metal-air cell assembly electronically connected in parallel, wherein said first cell assembly comprises at least a first metal-air cell comprising a first active anode enclosed in a first anode compartment, an air cathode, a separator separating said anode from said cathode, a first reservoir containing an electrolyte fluid therein, and a first controllable fluid valve being in flow communication with said first electrolyte fluid reservoir on one side and in control relation to said first anode compartment on another side; said first fluid valve being closed during a battery storage period and being opened, at the first use of said battery, to allow said electrolyte fluid to enter said first anode compartment to come in contact with said anode therein for activating an operation of said first metal-air cell assembly; and said second cell assembly comprises at least a second metal-air cell comprising a second active anode enclosed in a second anode compartment, a second air cathode, a second separator separating said second anode from said second cathode, a second reservoir containing an electrolyte fluid therein, and a second controllable fluid valve being in flow communication with said second electrolyte fluid reservoir on one side and in control relation to said second anode compartment on another side; said second fluid valve being closed during a battery storage period and being opened in response to a programmed signal to allow an electrolyte fluid to enter said second anode compartment to come in contact with said second anode therein for activating an operation of said second metal-air cell assembly; and (b) control means in control relation to at least said second cell assembly for sending programmed signals to open up at least said second controllable valve in a programmed fashion. 2. The battery as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first cell assembly comprises at least another electrochemical cell which is electronically connected in series or in parallel to said first metal-air cell. 3. The battery as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second cell assembly comprises at least another electrochemical cell which is electronically connected in series or in parallel to said second metal-air cell. 4. The battery as set forth in claim 2, wherein said another electrochemical cell is a metal-air cell. 5. The battery as set forth in claim 3, wherein said another electrochemical cell is a metal-air cell. 6. The battery as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first controllable fluid valve or second controllable fluid valve is equipped with an actuator means operative to open said first valve or said second valve responsive to programmed signals from said control means. 7. The battery as set forth in claim 6, wherein said actuator means comprises an actuator element selected from the group consisting of a bi-metal device, a thermo-mechanical device, a piezo-electric device, a shape memory alloy, an electromagnetic element, or a combination thereof. 8. The battery as set forth in claim 1, wherein said control means comprises a sampling unit and a logic circuit to determine the timing at which a controllable valve is opened. 9. The battery as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a power-control unit to regulate a power input to said logic circuit and wherein said power input is switched off to conserve battery power after said control unit determines that no opening or closing of any of said fluid valves or said air vents is needed. 10. The battery as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least said second controllable fluid valve is opened when a voltage, current, or power output of said battery, when in use, drops to below a predetermined low threshold voltage, current, or power. 11. The battery as set forth in claim 6, further comprising an auxiliary power source to power an actuator means for opening said first controllable fluid valve. 12. The battery as set forth in claim 1, wherein said programmed fashion comprises a mode of sequential timing at which said controllable fluid valves are opened in a sequential fashion. 13. The battery as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a main casing to house said at least first and second cell assemblies. 14. The battery as set forth in claim 13, wherein said main casing comprises an air vent which is closed during an initial battery storage period and is opened manually to begin an operation of said battery. 15. The battery as set forth in claim 8, wherein said control means determines said timing based on a real time voltage, current or power requirement. 16. The battery as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first anode compartment and/or second anode compartment contains therein an electrolyte powder ingredient. 17. The battery as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first anode and/or second anode comprises a metal element selected from the group consisting of lithium, magnesium, aluminum, zinc, titanium, chromium, manganese, iron, and cadmium. 18. The battery as set forth in claim 1, further comprising at least an additional electrochemical cell assembly electronically connected in parallel with said first metal-air assembly, wherein said at least an additional electrochemical cell assembly contains no metal-air cell. 19. The battery as set forth in claim 1, wherein said control means are further in control relation to said first cell assembly for sending programmed signals to open up said first controllable fluid valve in a programmed fashion.