Metal-air cells comprising collapsible foam members and means for minimizing internal pressure buildup
Patent 5328778 Issued on July 12, 1994. Estimated Expiration Date: 
August 10, 2013. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
August 10, 2013. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesInventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 105354 filed on 08/10/1993US Classes:429/27, Active material electrode-type cell or subcombination thereof429/53, MEANS EXTERNALLY RELEASING INTERNAL GAS PRESSURE FROM CLOSED CELL, I.E., VALVE ETC.429/66HAVING MEANS TO ACCOMMODATE ELECTRODE EXPANSIONExaminersPrimary: Skapars, AnthonyAttorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassesH01M 002/12H01M 012/06 AbstractThis invention provides a prismatic zinc-air cell including, in general, a prismatic container having therein an air cathode, a separator and a zinc anode. The container has one or more oxygen access openings, and the air cathode is disposed in the container in gaseous communication with the oxygen access openings so as to allow access of oxygen to the cathode. The separator has a first side in electrolytic communication with the air cathode and a second side in electrolytic communication with the zinc anode. The separator isolates the cathode and the zinc anode from direct electrical contact and allows passage of electrolyte therebetween. An expansion chamber adjacent to the zinc anode is provided which accommodates expansion of the zinc anode during discharge of the cell. A suitable collapsible foam member generally occupies the expansion space, providing sufficient resistance tending to oppose movement of the zinc anode away from the separator while collapsing upon expansion of the zinc anode during discharge of the cell. One or more vent openings disposed in the container are in gaseous communication with the expansion space, functioning to satisfactorily minimize the pressure buildup within the container by venting gasses expelled as the foam collapses during cell discharge.Other References
Field of SearchActive material electrode-type cell or subcombination thereofMEANS EXTERNALLY RELEASING INTERNAL GAS PRESSURE FROM CLOSED CELL, I.E., VALVE ETC. Elastic, resilient or spring biasing valve means Elastic band or O-ring valve member HAVING MEANS TO ACCOMMODATE ELECTRODE EXPANSION HAVING SPECIFIED VENTING, FEEDING OR CIRCULATION STRUCTURE (OTHER THAN FEEDING OR FILLING FOR ACTIVATING DEFERRED ACTION-TYPE BATTERY) Venting structure Reactive, absorbable or diffusive type |
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