KR100859957B1 - Metal air fuel stack cell - Google Patents

Abstract

A metal air fuel cell stack is provided to realize easy coupling and decoupling of electrodes by forming electrode assemblies, to easily remove a used fuel metal anode, and to reutilize an expensive air cathode many times. A metal air fuel cell stack comprises: a plurality of independent cathode assemblies(100), each including an air cathode(101) and a metal plate(103) opposite to the cathode, and a corrugated metal plate(105) for maintaining the distance between the air cathode and the metal plate; a plurality of independent anode assemblies containing a gelling agent and metal fuel; a cell casing in which the cathode assemblies and the anode assemblies can receive alternately; and a tightening member provided on one side of the casing for closely contacting the cathode assemblies and the anode assemblies with each other.

Description

Stacked Metal Fuel Cells {Metal air fuel stack cell}

1 is an external configuration diagram of a metal fuel cell of the present invention;

2 is a configuration diagram of a state in which the lid is opened in the state of FIG.

3 is an internal configuration diagram of the present invention,

4 is an explanatory diagram of air flow of the metal fuel cell of the present invention;

5 is a side cross-sectional view of the present invention;

6 is a configuration diagram of an electrolyte injection hole and a cooling exhaust port of the present invention;

7 is a state diagram of the assembly of the positive electrode and the negative electrode assembly of the present invention,

8 is a configuration diagram of the anode assembly of the present invention;

9 is a configuration diagram of a negative electrode assembly of the present invention.

<Code Description of Main Parts of Drawing>

100: anode assembly

101: air anode

101a: metal plating layer

101b: hydrophilic nonwoven

102: metal frame

103: metal plate

104: fluid tube

105: metal corrugated board

106: conductive rubber coating layer

107: fluid hole

200: cathode assembly

210: fuel metal cathode

202: rubber border

202a: corner hole

203: cathode metal film

204: hydrophilic sponge

205: hydrophilic membrane

206: rubber adhesive border

207: conductive rubber adhesive

300: battery case

301: outer box

301a: female thread

302: tightening wheels

303: pressing plate

304: anode end frame

305: cathode end frame

306: electrolyte container

307: lid

308: fan

309: electrolyte inlet

310: electrolyte injection tube

311: electrolyte supply chamber

312: electrolyte inlet plug

313: push valve

314: cooling vent

315 container front

316: container back plate

317: tightening wheel screw shaft

330: tightening means

The present invention relates to a structure and its components of a stacked metal fuel cell which is easy to exchange metal fuel.

In general, a metal fuel cell is a device that generates electricity by using metal as an electrochemical fuel, magnesium, aluminum, zinc are commonly used.

In order to oxidize these metals, electrodes using various names such as air anodes or oxygen electrodes, and some gas diffusion electrodes, are used. In particular, when air is used, the oxidant is infinitely present around us. It can produce electricity continuously.

In addition, various types of rechargeable metal fuel cells have been developed due to mechanical charging, and since the charging time is shorter than that of electric charging, the portable power source is very suitable as an outdoor or military battery.

Metal fuel cells or metal air cells are used for emergency, hearing aid, and military because of their high specific energy and safety.

Among these, the class that can exchange fuel electrodes in the open air has been studied a lot because of the extremely short charging time.

Normal rechargeable batteries, which typically take 1-10 hours, are disadvantageous for military, emergency, and outdoor applications, requiring users to require metal fuel cells that require less than one minute of charging time.

However, for several important reasons, marketability is limited, and the user must also be inconvenienced, such as the problem of removing internal metal oxide residues during fuel exchange, and the inconvenience of connecting terminals connecting many metal fuels. The problems of corrosion and loss of contact resistance between terminals are encountered. This is due to various problems caused by the oxidation of the metal electrode, problems of contact terminals, high self discharge rate, difficult material properties encountered in production, and thus high defects.

The structures of the metal fuel cells developed so far are introduced as follows.

U.S. Patent No. 6,057,052 (Cell for metal-air battery, Yaron Shrim et al) shows the structure of a typical metal fuel cell with an air anode enclosed on both sides and a metal fuel pocket in it. Complex structures of the site are presented.

In addition, US Patent Application No. 2002/0160247 (Metal air cell system, George Tzong-Chyi Tzeng et al) has devised a structure in which air is injected into the flexible anode assembly, the outside is surrounded by a fuel electrode. Compared to the hard conventional one, the anode assembly can be easily removed when removed from the cell, but still has a problem of inconvenience.

In addition, international applications PCT / US2002 / 030585 and WO 2003/041211 (Rechargeable and refuelable metal air electrochemical cells, Tsai Tsepin et al) have a cathode filled with zinc fuel in an air anode assembly to discharge and produce electricity and take it out. It has been reported that electric charging can be performed in a cell including a charging anode.

In addition, international applications PCT / US2003 / 005295 and WO 2003/071620 (Metal air cell system, Tsai Tsepin et al) are designed to easily separate the gelated cathode structure contained in the anode structure from the anode structure.

Also, pulling out vertically is not easy and the gel may collapse or damage the inside of the cell during the extraction process.

The shortcomings of the metal fuel cell developed so far are all due to the situation that it is difficult to pull out the spent fuel electrode, which requires a fundamental structural change. The problems are listed below.

[Metal Oxide]

This problem is one of the biggest obstacles to the commercialization of metal fuel cells. It is difficult to exchange metal fuels due to the accumulation of metal oxides and metal hydroxides formed as the metal fuel of the cathode is oxidized and consumed.

The metal oxide debris formed is very difficult to remove from the cell by forming cement inside the cell and can damage the cell even when removed, and sometimes a large amount of water is required for cleaning.

[Contact terminals]

Another problem is the terminals for connecting solid fuels.

Hydrogen or alcohol fuel cells that use liquids or gases do not need to be replaced or demounted, but metal fuel cells are exchanged by removing the terminals attached to the metal anodes used as fuel.

Therefore, the corrosion of terminals and the loss of contact resistance are severe, resulting in poor performance, inconvenient operator, and time-consuming fuel electrode replacement when the cells are connected in series to obtain a high voltage.

Therefore, if there is a way to overcome these disadvantages, metal fuel cells will be much more convenient.

[Low productivity]

The production of metal fuel cells is a problem due to the low productivity experienced by the complex and demanding structure.

That is, when producing in consideration of the problem of bonding or bonding the air anode, structures for protecting it, assembling methods for preventing leakage, there are disadvantages of high defect rate and low production speed.

Most defects and low productivity occur during assembly, which occurs when joining electrode terminals or when bonding structures.

[Replacement and Repair of Parts]

Since the lifetime of the negative electrode assembly is disposable, it must be replaced after use. However, since the lifetime of the positive electrode assembly is about 1,000 hours, the user should be able to replace the old parts. Existing technologies have to be provided with a large number of electrical terminals, which is cumbersome and inconvenient.

[High self discharge rate]

A problem found in other metal air cells and metal fuel cells is a high self discharge rate when stored together with the electrolyte.

If the product is not frozen, it is usually difficult to store for more than one year, and the problem is that the alkali electrolyte changes to alkali carbonate due to reaction with carbon dioxide in the air so that the output becomes extremely low. In the case of a battery using magnesium and aluminum, the storage period is not more than one year due to the high self discharge rate in contact with the electrolyte.

[Structural problems]

A common problem with fuel recharging is to move the fuel cathode vertically in the narrow interior of the structure when recharging the fuel.

Doing so causes internal wear and tear to damage the fragile fuel structure and makes working inconvenient.

In particular, most conventional products, which have a structure in which several fuel electrodes are suspended in a bundle, require great care and are more likely to be damaged.

In other words. Summarizing the existing problems of metal fuel cells or metal air cells,

Difficulties in fuel exchange due to the formation of metal oxide cement,

Reduced output due to corrosion and contact resistance of the terminal, cumbersome when changing fuel,

High self discharge rate,

This is a reduction in battery output due to the reaction of the alkaline electrolyte with carbon dioxide.

Therefore, the present invention is to achieve the object by devising a method that can easily remove the consumed fuel metal cathode by making the electrode assembly in the form of a plate to combine with each other and easily separated to solve the conventional problems as described above. In addition, it is necessary to separately store the metal fuel, that is, the cathode, so that the electrolyte is separated from the electrolyte and does not come into contact with air.

In addition, if only the fuel electrode is sealed and stored in a dry state, the remaining amount of electricity can be maintained for nearly 100% for a long time in an emergency.

Unlike the use of air anodes for single use in ordinary metal air cells, this method not only allows expensive air anodes to be used many times, but also economically because it allows selection and replacement of only damaged ones. Do.

A characteristic configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object is a stacked metal fuel cell, a plurality of independent anode assembly having a space for air flow, a plurality of independent cathode assembly containing a gelling agent and a metal fuel, It is configured to include a battery case that can be put into one of the positive electrode assembly and the negative electrode assembly, and a fastening means for being provided on one side of the battery case, the positive electrode assemblies and the negative electrode assembly in close contact with each other.

At this time, the anode assembly is provided with a metal corrugated plate for maintaining the gap between the air anode and the metal plate, both of them.

In addition, the air cathode is provided with a metal plating layer made of nickel or silver for the purpose of making one side of the plate easy to solder or adhere and excellent in electrical conductivity.

In addition, the air cathode is prepared by adhering a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric (cellulose-based nonwoven fabric) to the opposite side.

In addition, the air anode of the anode assembly is a metal frame attached to the edge.

In addition, the air anode assembly is formed by forming the corner holes through which fluids flow in all four corners of the components constituting the air anode, the metal anode and the metal plate.

In addition, the four fluid tubes through which the fluid can flow are arranged in the fluid hole of the air anode and the metal plate of the anode assembly, respectively, so that the fluid can be smoothly moved.

In addition, the metal corrugated sheet is made of brass, copper, tin, nickel, nickel, silver, aluminum alloy or copper alloy plated with a corrosion-resistant metal such as silver, in a range of 0.1 -0.3 mm thickness, a certain interval (about 3-10 mm interval) It is made by bending in zigzag form. This metal corrugated plate provides elasticity in the thickness direction of the plate when pressed to reduce contact resistance with adjacent cathode assemblies.

In addition, the metal plate is provided with a conductive rubber coating layer 106 having a predetermined thickness (about 0.1 -0.3 mm) at an edge surrounding a fluid hole of an outer surface to be in contact with the cathode assembly. Since the gas and liquid pass through the fluid hole, it is sealed with this rubber coating to prevent it from flowing out.

In addition, the conductive rubber coating layer is any one of a conductive material containing one of silver, nickel, activated carbon, graphite, polyurethane resin, urethane rubber, EPDM, PVDF, silicon rubber, fluororubber, fluorocarbon resin or Teflon It is mixed with an insulating binder containing one.

In addition, the cathode assembly includes a fuel cathode, a cathode metal film to be in electrical contact therewith, a rubber rim to compress and seal the contents so that the contents do not leak out, a hydrophilic sponge to fix the metal oxide and absorb the electrolyte, and a metal oxide. It is composed of a hydrophilic separator that will contain the electrolyte solution, and an adhesive rubber adhesive frame that will bond the edges to be pressed and sealed while preventing the metal powder from contacting the anode.

In addition, the fuel metal cathode is one of zinc, aluminum, magnesium, or an alloy thereof.

The cathode metal film is a copper, a copper alloy, or an aluminum alloy having a predetermined thickness (about 0.05-0.5 mm), and is provided with a metal coating layer having corrosion resistance and conductivity such as aluminum, tin, silver, nickel, and the like on the surface thereof. .

In addition, the upper cathode metal film and the fuel cathode adhere a conductive rubber adhesive, the conductive rubber adhesive having a conductive material including one of silver, nickel, activated carbon, and graphite, and a polyurethane resin, urethane rubber, and EPDM. , PVDF, silicone rubber, fluororubber, fluorocarbon resin or teflon with an insulating binder containing either.

In addition, the hydrophilic sponge is one of the porous hydrophilic sponge made of melamine formaldehyde resin, polyvinyl alcohol resin, phenol resin, cellulose-based compound, cotton with an internal space ratio of 90% or more.

In addition, the hydrophilic sponge is a polyacrylic acid, acrylamide, starch, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), gelatin, or the like when the gelling agent is used. A commercially available product was added a substance called Carbopol ™ from BF Goodrich.

In addition, the rubber rim has a corner hole cut inward to cut out the inside of the thick rubber plate and to spread the flow of the fluid into the cell in order to secure the space to be filled with the electrolyte.

In addition, the rubber rim is a rubber that is easy to seal due to the adhesive, it is foamed to reduce the weight while using any one of silicon rubber, EPDM, urethane rubber, EVA (ethylene vinyl alcohol), polystyrene material .

In addition, the negative electrode assembly is provided with a hydrophilic separator that acts as a filter to prevent powder from escaping on one surface having a hydrophilic sponge.

In addition, the negative electrode metal film, which is one side of the negative electrode assembly, is provided with a conductive rubber coating layer having a thickness of 0.3 mm or less in order to reduce contact resistance with the metal plate of the positive electrode assembly and to ensure hermeticity, and the rubber coating layer has a composition of silver, It is mixed with a conductive material including one of nickel, activated carbon, and graphite, and an insulating binder including any one of polyurethane resin, urethane rubber, EPDM, PVDF, silicon rubber, fluororubber, fluorocarbon resin or teflon.

In addition, the outer box of the battery case is that one side of the upper or side is open so that the electrode assembly can be freely put out.

In addition, the electric case is provided with a female threaded hole so that the screw grooves connected to the tightening wheels on the front of the container can be fitted to the shaft that is outside.

In addition, the electrical case is provided with a pressing plate that can press the stack of electrodes overlapping by turning the shaft connected to the tightening wheels at once.

In addition, the positive electrode assembly and the negative electrode assembly are alternately inserted into the battery case, and when the whole is pressed using the pressing plate, the corner holes are connected to the fluid passage and electrical contact is made at the same time.

In addition, the battery case is composed of an outer box and a lid covering the same, the lid is provided with a cooling fan driven by its own power source and an electrolyte inlet for injecting liquid from the outside.

In addition, the electrolyte injection port is provided with an electrolyte injection tube protruding sharply therein, so that the injection film of the electrolyte container to be raised from above can be opened, so that the electrolyte can flow.

In addition, the electrolyte injection port is provided with a tubular cooling exhaust port in which a plurality of metal cooling fins are radially attached to prevent the water loss due to the gas and water vapor discharged to the outside and to prevent contamination of the outside of the battery.

The battery case is provided with an electrolyte supply chamber under the electrolyte injection port.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is an external configuration diagram of a metal fuel cell of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a state in which a lid is opened in the state of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the battery of the present invention includes a battery case 300, a positive electrode assembly 100 and a negative electrode assembly 200 to be built therein.

First, the structure of the anode assembly 100 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 8, the anode assembly 100 is formed by adhering an air anode 101, a metal frame 102, a metal plate 103 to be in contact with the cathode, and a passage through which fluid flows, that is, a fluid tube 104. to be.

As shown in FIG. 8, the air anode 101 is attached to the metal plate 103 with the central portion cut out. And between the two metal plate was inserted and welded by a thin metal plate bent in a zigzag shape, that is, a metal corrugated sheet 105 so as to allow air to pass through and mechanically hold.

The anode assembly 100 is electrically coupled with the air anode 101 and the neighboring fuel metal cathode 201 to press the cathode assembly 200 that is mechanically rigid while minimizing contact resistance loss.

Four corners of the anode assembly 100 are connected by a fluid tube 104, which is a passage between the electrolyte and the generated gas.

Metal plate 103 used here is made of brass, bronze, steel or aluminum alloy and the surface is nickel or silver plated to prevent corrosion and minimize the loss of contact resistance.

The air anode 101 is a well known material in which activated carbon powder and PTFE powder are coated on a metal mesh. The air tube well and water is made not to pass through, and a hydroxyl ion (OH ^-) to accept the oxygen in the air serves to create.

Here, the metal plating layer 101a and the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric (cellulose-based nonwoven fabric) 101b are bonded and prepared.

The air anode 101 is attached to the metal frame 102 to complete the entire anode assembly 100.

When the metal plate 103 of the positive electrode assembly is assembled and brought into close contact with an adjacent negative electrode assembly, the metal plate 103 of the positive electrode assembly is brought into contact with the negative electrode metal film 203 of the negative electrode assembly, which will be described later, and the electrolyte leaks through the interface while lowering the contact resistance. It is necessary to form an electrically conductive rubber coating 106 around the fluid aperture so as not to exit.

This electrically conductive rubber coating 106 is mixed with a rubber, that is, a binder such as silicone rubber, Teflon, fluorine rubber, EPDM, polyurethane, PVDF and one of the powders of conductive particles, silver, activated carbon, graphite, nickel and It is cured after coating.

When the carbon black, that is, the ketchup black 600JD was formed by adding 20% to a urethane rubber resin, the volume resistivity was 2.0 to 3.0 μm.

In the case of bonding or coating with a thin thickness, the resistance acting in the direction perpendicular to the surface is negligibly small.

The positive electrode assembly 100 has a function of securing an air flow space by itself and preventing leakage of liquid flowing therein while making good electrical contact with the adjacent negative electrode assembly 200.

Repeated, standardized production will result in inexpensive and low defect parts.

Next, the structure of the cathode assembly 200 will be described.

The negative electrode assembly 200 of the present invention has a thin metal plate 203, as shown in Figure 9, the fuel metal negative electrode 201 is adhered thereto, the rubber rim made of an impermeable sponge around the edge ( 202, and a rectangular hydrophilic sponge 204, and the upper portion is made of a hydrophilic separation membrane 205.

The four corners of the rubber rim 202 have corner holes 202a formed therein and cut inwards so that water flows in to wet the hydrophilic sponge.

In addition, the hydrophilic sponge 204 described above should have an internal space ratio of 90% or more and may contain water and be capable of storing the formed metal oxide.

Suitable here are melamine formaldehyde resin, polyvinyl alcohol resin, phenol resin, cellulose-based compound, porous hydrophilic sponge made of cotton, and the like.

The most suitable of these is a sponge made of melamine resin called Basotect ™ from BASF.

The rubber rim 202 is a rubber that is easily sealed due to adhesiveness, and is made of foamed to reduce weight by using silicon rubber, EPDM, urethane rubber, EVA (ethylene vinyl alcohol), polystyrene material, and the like.

It is a material having elasticity and airtightness because it is foamed and there are bubbles inside.

The thin metal film 203 is a copper, copper alloy, or aluminum alloy with a thickness in the range of 0.05 -0.5 mm, and has a coating having corrosion resistance and conductivity such as tin, silver, and nickel on the surface thereof. The other side of the metal cathode 201 of the (200) is to be in contact with the metal plate 103 of the anode assembly, so the contact resistance should be less.

In order to prevent the possibility of the electrolyte flowing through the hole 107 through which the fluid flows at the same time, the leakage through the metal plate 203 and the fuel metal 201 is performed. There is a need.

This adhesive 207 is basically the same material as the electrically conductive rubber coating 106, but uses cheaper materials in view of being a consumable electrode. Preferably, a mixture of activated carbon, ie, ketjen black, as the conductive raw material and urethane rubber or silicon rubber as the binder is suitable.

Next, as the metal plate 203 supporting the consumed metal cathode 201, aluminum may be used if a magnesium cathode is used. However, if zinc or aluminum is used, copper or a copper alloy foil is preferably used.

The metal plate 203 and the metal fuel electrode 201 are also bored in the corners to allow water to pass therethrough.

The negative electrode assembly is a disposable part that contains metal fuel consumed therein.

As the metal fuel 201 is consumed, magnesium turns into magnesium hydroxide, zinc turns into zinc oxide, aluminum turns into aluminum hydroxide, and becomes a sticky paste so that the paste is not discharged out and contaminates. 205).

Then the paste does not come out from the inside and is trapped in it, so it is easy to remove the negative electrode assembly 200 from the cell without contaminating it.

The hydrophilic separator is made of porous cellulose nonwoven or fabric.

In addition, in order to prevent the metal oxide particles from escaping from the negative electrode assembly, it is necessary to form a gel with a high viscosity by using a gelling agent or a flocculant.

Commonly used gelling agents are polyarcylic acid, acrylamide, starch, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), gelatin, and commercially available Carbopol ™ from BF Goodrich. There are products called.

Such gelling agent may be added in small amounts as a dry powder, but 10 g or less per liter of solution is added.

In the case of a metal negative electrode using zinc powder, it is preferable to use a zinc powder compact instead of the metal negative electrode. In this case, the fuel metal plate 201 and the hydrophilic sponge 204 are removed, and the zinc powder or powder What is necessary is just to put a molded object.

Next, the structure of the battery case 300 will be described.

3 or 5 shows a cross-sectional structure when the negative electrode assemblies 200 and the positive electrode assemblies 100 are alternately compressed and connected to each other.

Electrolyte or gas moves through the passage 107 through which the solution inside does not leak out by the rubber rim 202.

The positive electrode assembly 100 and the negative electrode assembly 200 are alternately arranged so that the surface with the hydrophilic film 205 of the negative electrode assembly contacts the air positive electrode 101 surface of the positive electrode assembly.

The voltage generated by the cell depends on the number of pairs in the assembly. For a zinc or magnesium fuel cell, approximately 10 or 12 pairs are needed to produce 12V.

7 is a cross-sectional view of the electrode assembly is filled in the battery case.

The battery case 300 mechanically presses the positive electrode assembly 100 and the negative electrode assembly 200 and serves to contain the solution after the solution is supplied therein.

Inside the battery case, these assembly plates are inserted and sized appropriately for positioning.

In addition, the user rotates the tightening wheel 302 and rotates the shaft 317 attached thereto so that the pressing plate 303 can be moved forward to compress the plates at once.

At this time, the shaft 317 connected with the tightening wheel is bolted so that the front plate of the box has a hole and a female screw 301a is formed therein.

Then, the wheel 302 and the shaft 317 move along the turning direction and at the same time serves to press or release the stack while moving the pressing plate 303.

The end of the shaft in contact with the pressing plate should have a bearing-like structure that can rotate well with low friction, and can evenly apply a uniform force to the stack by pushing the center of the pressing plate accurately.

Here, the tightening wheel 302, the female screw 301a of the outer box 301, the tightening wheel screw shaft 317, and the pressing plate 303 can be viewed as components of the tightening means 330.

This is very different from configuring a stacked cell by tightening the whole using several bolts and nuts as in the case of a conventional polymer electrolyte fuel cell, that is, a hydrogen or alcohol fuel cell.

Once assembled, these cells are not loosened until the end of their lifetime, but the metal fuel cell of the present invention is capable of being tightened and loosened at one time each time the negative electrode assembly, which is a fuel, is removed and charged.

As a tightening action, a seal is made so that the solution does not flow out from the inside but flows out, and when released, the inner space is secured so that the cells can expand easily and remove the attached cells.

This method can solve the shortcomings of existing development products that do not effectively remove the metal oxide cement formed therein.

It also eliminates the need to connect terminals, allowing for quick fuel changes. In addition, gelling agents, sponges and other means that act as filters, such as hydrophilic nonwoven membranes, allow metal oxide debris to be generated to be removed from the system cleanly without contaminating the cell itself.

Since the air uses oxygen in the air as an oxidant, air flow and supply are very important, and a fan must be provided to cool the heat generated when a large amount of current is used.

Cooling fan 308 is generally available form is located on the side or top of the battery serves to accelerate the flow of air.

The cooling fan 308 is driven by using the power of the battery itself, and carries some power loss, but when the output is high, the voltage drop is rather small, resulting in more efficient use of power.

Since the positive electrode assembly 100 or the negative electrode assembly 200 is stored in a dry state, the solution is injected separately, but an electrolyte container 306 as shown in FIG. 5 is required.

The electrolyte container 306 is made of a flexible plastic having excellent chemical resistance, such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

The electrolyte container is inserted into the solution injection port 309 of the battery and injected. In the electrolyte solution inlet 309, there is an electrolyte injection tube 310 that can burst the membrane of the electrolyte container as shown in FIG. 6.

Thus, when the electrolyte container 306 is inserted down, the membrane is burst by the electrolyte injection tube 310 so that the solution is injected into the electrolyte container 306.

Therefore, the anode assemblies 100 and the cathode assemblies 200 are alternately inserted into the container, the compression wheel 302 is rotated to compress the electrolyte, and then the electrolyte is poured into the electrolyte container. Flows into each electrode assembly through the two holes 107.

The electrolyte supply chamber 311 is a small slot, when the battery is usually placed on the floor, the electrolyte flows through the lower two holes and the gas inside the upper two holes.

In addition, in order for the electrolyte to be injected, there must be at least one passage, that is, at least one hole.

In addition, when all the discharge is finished, it is preferable to rotate the tightening wheel 302 to remove the negative electrode assembly, and to connect the push valve 313 which is opened only when pressed so that no excess electrolyte contained in the electrolyte supply chamber 311 is spilled. .

It is made of a flexible material such as rubber that is closed by the internal pressure so that the liquid inside is not discharged outwards and is pressed open with a stronger force from the outside, causing the solution to be discharged outwards (here in the stack).

These valves are generalized products and will not be discussed in detail.

2 shows the lid 307 of the battery case 300 being opened, and some of the electrode assemblies are pulled out. That is, when the lid 307 of the battery case is opened, the cross-sectional structure of the negative electrode assembly 200 and the positive electrode assembly 100 as shown in FIG. 7 is compressed and connected.

In addition to the fully formulated electrolyte solution, the electrolyte may be used only by using water. The salt powder constituting the electrolyte may be previously placed in the negative electrode assembly or the electrolyte supply chamber.

This will be used to suit your needs and environment.

Although the manual operation of the tightening wheel 302 is illustrated in the present invention, if the force can be applied using an electric or other pneumatic and hydraulic mechanism or system, the same effect can be obtained.

It may be desirable to use mechanisms that are automatically adjusted, especially for systems with large cross-sectional areas, since doing it manually can be inconvenient.

The present invention configured as described above has the following advantages.

In the present invention, since the cathode assemblies and the anode assemblies are alternately arranged, they are configured to be in close contact with each other, and thus a separate terminal does not need to be used. Since the contact surface of each electrode assembly has a surface with an extremely low electrical contact resistance, the resistance is increased. The advantage is that the losses are minimized.

In addition, since the contact surface is large, the loss of resistance is small and the weight is reduced since no separate terminals are used.

In addition, it is made in a stack form, but the electrolyte is sealed and the electrodes are easily connected at the same time, so that the contact means is simple, and by tightening one or two wheels, it can be tightened with equal force to achieve a desirable adhesion state. It has the advantage of being able to maintain.

In addition, there is an advantage that the metal oxide produced by assembling the metal cathode together with the filter and the gelling agent is not discharged out, and sometimes it is possible to put the dried electrolyte components in advance if necessary.

LiOH, NaOH, KOH, etc. can be put in advance to make an alkaline solution, and salts such as LiCl, NaCl, KCl, MgCl ₂ , Mg (ClO ₄ ) ₂ and CaCl ₂ are put in a dry state to make a salt solution. It is possible to create an electrolyte that is mixed with water when water is injected.

In addition, the metal negative electrode assembly with the filter is made of independent parts to be stored in a dry and sealed state, and the user can open the stack to facilitate fuel or metal negative electrode exchange and take out the consumed metal negative electrode one by one. The advantage is that only the fuel assembly can be taken and recharged.

In addition, the anode assembly is made of a separate and easily replaceable part, and a space in which air and electrolyte can flow separately is secured in the anode assembly, and a metal plate that can be in contact with an adjacent cathode is easy to manufacture and performance. This is improved.

In addition, since a plurality of holes are formed in the electrode assembly that enters the stack, the inflow of the electrolyte and the generated gas (here, hydrogen) and the air filled therein can be easily discharged.

In addition, since the container containing the electrolyte solution is provided separately, there is an advantage that can be detached even during use.

In addition, since the surface where the cathode assemblies and the anode assemblies contact each other is coated with conductive rubber for electrical conduction and sealing, the contactability is good and the conductivity is good.

Claims (29)

A stacked metal fuel cell, A plurality of independent anode assemblies (100) composed of both air anodes (101) and metal plates (103), and metal corrugated plates (105) for maintaining a gap therebetween to ensure a space for air to flow therethrough; A plurality of independent cathode assemblies 200 containing a gelling agent and a metal fuel, A battery case 300 into which the positive electrode assemblies 100 and the negative electrode assemblies 200 may be alternately inserted; Stacked metal fuel cell provided on one side of the battery case, comprising a fastening means (330) for closely contacting the positive electrode assemblies and the negative electrode assemblies. delete The method of claim 1, The air anode 101 is a stacked metal fuel cell, characterized in that the metal plated layer (101a) consisting of nickel or silver for the purpose of making one side of the plate material is easy to solder or adhere, but excellent in electrical conductivity. The method of claim 1, The air cathode 101 is a stack type metal fuel cell, characterized in that prepared by adhering a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric (cellulose-based nonwoven fabric) (101b). The method of claim 1, Stacked metal fuel cell, characterized in that the air anode (101) of the anode assembly (100) is attached to the metal frame 102 on the edge. The method of claim 1, The air anode assembly 100 includes the small holes 107 through which fluids flow in all four corners of the elements constituting the air anode assembly 100, the metal anode 102, the metal frame 102, and the metal plate 103. Stacked metal fuel cell, characterized in that formed. The method of claim 6, Four fluid pipes 104 through which fluid can flow are arranged in the fluid hole 107 of the air anode 101 and the metal plate 103 of the anode assembly 100 so that the fluid can be smoothly moved. Stacked metal fuel cell, characterized in that configured to. The method of claim 1, The metal corrugated sheet 105 is made of brass having a thickness in the range of 0.1 -0.3 mm, a metal of copper, tin, nickel, or silver, or an aluminum alloy or a copper alloy plated with nickel or silver, and at a predetermined interval (about Stacked metal fuel cell, characterized in that bent in a zigzag form (3-10 mm intervals). The method of claim 1, The metal plate 103 is provided with a conductive rubber coating layer 106 having a predetermined thickness (about 0.1 -0.3 mm) at the edge of the fluid hole on the outer surface to be in contact with the cathode assembly 200. Stacked metal fuel cells. The method of claim 9, The conductive rubber coating layer 106 is composed of a conductive material containing one of silver, nickel, activated carbon and graphite, and a polyurethane resin, urethane rubber, EPDM, PVDF, silicon rubber, fluororubber, fluorocarbon resin, or teflon. Stacked metal fuel cell, characterized in that mixed with an insulating binder comprising any one. The method of claim 1, The negative electrode assembly 200 fixes the fuel negative electrode 201, the negative electrode metal film 203 to be in electrical contact therewith, the rubber rim 202 and the metal oxide, which are compressed and sealed to prevent the contents from leaking out. A hydrophilic sponge 204 to absorb the electrolyte, a hydrophilic separator 205 to contain the electrolyte while preventing the metal oxide and the metal powder from contacting the anode, and an adhesive rubber adhesive edge 206 to bond the edges to be crimped and sealed. Stacked metal fuel cell, characterized in that consisting of). The method of claim 11, The fuel metal cathode 201 is one of zinc, aluminum, magnesium, or an alloy thereof stackable metal fuel cell, characterized in that. The method of claim 11, The cathode metal film 203 is formed of copper, a copper alloy, or an aluminum alloy, having a predetermined thickness (about 0.05 -0.5 mm), and having a metal coating layer 203a having corrosion resistance and conductivity such as aluminum, tin, silver, and nickel on its surface. Stacked metal fuel cell, characterized in that. The method of claim 11, The upper cathode metal film 203 and the fuel cathode 201 bond a conductive rubber adhesive, the conductive rubber adhesive having a composition containing one of silver, nickel, activated carbon, and graphite, a polyurethane resin, A stackable metal fuel cell, characterized in that it is mixed with an insulating binder comprising any one of urethane rubber, EPDM, PVDF, silicon rubber, fluororubber, fluorocarbon resin or teflon. The method of claim 11, The hydrophilic sponge 204 has an internal space ratio of 90% or more, and is any one of a porous hydrophilic sponge made of melamine formaldehyde resin, polyvinyl alcohol resin, phenol resin, cellulose-based compound, and cotton. Stacked metal fuel cells. The method of claim 11, The hydrophilic sponge 204 is a polyarcylic acid, acrylamide, starch, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), gelatin, Or a commercially available product comprising a material called Carbopol ™ (BF Goodrich). The method of claim 11, The rubber rim 202 is a stack type characterized in that it has a corner hole 202a cut inwardly to cut out the inside of the thick rubber plate and to spread the flow of fluid into the cell to secure a space for the electrolyte to be filled therein. Metal fuel cell. The method according to claim 11 or 17, The rubber rim 202 is a tacky rubber that is easily sealed and is made of foamed to reduce weight while using any one of silicon rubber, EPDM, urethane rubber, EVA (ethylene vinyl alcohol), and polystyrene. Stacked metal fuel cell, characterized in that. The method of claim 11, The negative electrode assembly (200) is a stack type metal fuel cell, characterized in that the adhesive is provided with a hydrophilic separator (205) acting as a filter so that the powder does not escape on one side with a hydrophilic sponge (204). The method according to claim 11 or 13, The negative electrode metal film 203, which is one side of the negative electrode assembly, has a conductive rubber coating layer 203b having a thickness of 0.3 mm or less in order to reduce contact resistance with the metal plate 103 of the positive electrode assembly and to ensure hermeticity. The rubber coating layer includes a conductive material containing one of silver, nickel, activated carbon, and graphite, and a polyurethane resin, urethane rubber, EPDM, PVDF, silicon rubber, fluororubber, fluorocarbon resin, or teflon. Stackable metal fuel cell, characterized in that it is mixed with an insulating binder. delete delete delete delete The method of claim 1, The battery case 300 is composed of an outer box 301 and a lid 307 covering the lid. The lid includes a cooling fan 308 driven by its own power supply and an electrolyte injection hole 309 capable of injecting liquid from the outside. Stacked metal fuel cell characterized in that it comprises a). The method of claim 1 or 25, The electrolyte injection hole 309 is provided with an electrolyte injection tube 310 protruding sharply therein, bursting the injection film of the electrolyte container 306 to be raised from above, so that the electrolyte can flow Metal fuel cell. The method of claim 1, The electrolyte inlet 309 is provided with a tubular cooling exhaust port 314 in which a plurality of metal cooling fins are radially attached to a plurality of metal cooling fins in order to prevent water loss due to gas and water vapor discharged to the outside and to prevent contamination of the outside of the battery. Stacked metal fuel cell, characterized in that. The method of claim 1, The battery case 300 is a stack-type metal fuel cell, characterized in that provided with an electrolyte supply chamber 311 under the electrolyte injection opening (309). The method of claim 1, Stacked metal fuel cell, characterized in that the electrolyte supply chamber 311 of the battery case 300 is provided with a push valve 313 which is opened when pressed in a position corresponding to the hole 107 of the electrode assemblies. .

Images