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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

System and method for operation of a metal--air secondary battery

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7296502
The present invention comprises a system for and method of operation of a metal--air secondary battery of an electrolyte circulation type. It comprises a charging circulation system including an electrolyte tank with a large capacity, detachably connectable by a pair of pipe connectors to the apparatus, and a discharging circulation system with a small capacity, these two circulation systems being alternatively changed over by means of a two-circuit, three-way cock. In a charging mode, the body of a metal--air secondary battery is connected to said tank, which is usually installed in a charging station, so that an active metal may be efficiently electrodeposited by using an ordinary circulation method. In a discharging mode, the tank is detached and the battery is connected to the discharging circulation system so that a minimum quantity of electrolyte, necessary for discharging, may be circulated. The system of the present invention is advantageous, therefore, in that the weight and capacity size of a power supply are reduced by half as compared with those of conventional systems, with the result of an improved ratio of energy to weight and size, and is extremely useful when used in a vehicle-borne metal--air battery, for example, an air--zinc battery for an electric automobile. 9 figures (auth)
Assignee:
Agency of Industrial Science and Technology
Patent Number(s):
US 3915745
OSTI ID:
7296502
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English