US3390016A - Primary cell with plural u-shaped magnesium anode assemblies - Google Patents

Primary cell with plural u-shaped magnesium anode assemblies Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3390016A
US3390016A US476020A US47602065A US3390016A US 3390016 A US3390016 A US 3390016A US 476020 A US476020 A US 476020A US 47602065 A US47602065 A US 47602065A US 3390016 A US3390016 A US 3390016A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
anode
primary cell
anode assemblies
magnesium
cell
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US476020A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Charles E Nelson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Dow Chemical Co
Original Assignee
Dow Chemical Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dow Chemical Co filed Critical Dow Chemical Co
Priority to US476020A priority Critical patent/US3390016A/en
Priority to GB23538/66A priority patent/GB1130976A/en
Priority to JP3459266A priority patent/JPS4424172B1/ja
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3390016A publication Critical patent/US3390016A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M6/00—Primary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M6/42—Grouping of primary cells into batteries
    • H01M6/46—Grouping of primary cells into batteries of flat cells

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a fiat pack primary cell comprising, within a suitable generally enclosed casing having opposed ends, a plurality of anode assemblies of magnesium alloy, each of said anode assemblies being sheetlike in form and folded to form a two faced structure having a generally U-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration, said anode assemblies being spaced apart in side-by-side relationship with a sheet of compressible material disposed between the inner faces thereof.
  • An electrically insulating ionically conductive element is disposed between and covering adjacent outer faces of adjacent anode assemblies.
  • At least one cathode electrode is disposed between and spaced from the adjacent outer faces of adjacent anode assemblies with cathode mix, being disposed between said adjacent outer faces of adjacent anode assemblies, the mix surrounding said cathode electrodes and separated from said outer faces by said ionically conductive elements.
  • the invention relates to improved ilat primary cells and especially to such cells which employ magnesium or magnesium alloy anodes.
  • magnesium and magnesium base alloys containing at least 70 percent of magnesium are hereinafter referred to as magnesium metal.
  • 'Dry cell batteries which employ magnesium as the anode metal are desirable because such dry cells having equivalent capacity to dry cells containing zinc provide a higher voltage potential, are lighter in weight and smaller in size.
  • a principal object of this invention is to provide an improved primary cell.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide an improved primary cell utilizing a magnesium anode.
  • Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved magnesium anode primary cell having large current delivering capacity in relation to its size.
  • An ancillary object of this invention is to provide an improved primary cell which has means therein for compensating for expansion within the cell assembly as anode decomposition product is formed.
  • FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a cell in accordance with this invention
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
  • a primary cell indicated generally by the numeral 10, enclosed in a suitable outer casing 12.
  • a terminal such as the terrninal 14, for example, is disposed at each end of the cell and is accessible, for example, through the aperture 16 in the casing 12.
  • the cell 10 has a plurality of anodes 18, 20, 22.
  • Each of the anodes is made of a substantially rectangular sheet of magnesium alloy bent to have a generally U-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration and in which the folds of the anode are substantially parallel with each other.
  • a sheet 24, 26 or 2 3 of compressible material is disposed between the adjacent folds of each U-shaped anode, the sheets 24, 26 or 28 being substantially as thick as the spacing between the anode folds.
  • a separator sheet 56, 5'8 or 60 which is ionically conductive but electronically nonconductive is disposed against the facing surfaces of adjacent pairs of anodes.
  • Pairs of rod-like cathode electrodes 30, 32, 34 usually carbon rods, are disposed between the facing surfaces of adjacent pairs of anodes, e.g., the rods 30 being disposed between the facing surfaces of anodes 20 and 22.
  • the space between the cathode electrodes 34, 32, 30 and the separators 56, SS, 60, respectively is substantially filled with a suitable cathode mix which is tampcd into place.
  • the cathode terminal 14 is a metal plate-like element which is separated from the separator 46 by a sheet of fluid impervious electrically insulating material 62.
  • the cathode electrodes 30, 32, and 34 and the terminal 14 are electrically connected together by means of the leads 36, 33, 40. j
  • the anodes 18, 20, 22 are connected together at their base ends by leads 42, 44.
  • the face 54- of the anode 22, which may be contacted through the aperture 52 in the casing 12, serves as the positive electrode of the cell.
  • cells in accordance with this invention may be connected in series or in parallel with other cells in any suitable manner.
  • Cells made in accordance with this invention are compact in relation to their current output capabilities, and will retain their configuration, because of the compressible material 24, 26, 28 without bulging as anode decomposition product is formed.
  • moisture in the cathode mix may be replenished by malting the compressible sheets 24, 26 or 28 of an open pored material such as open pored expanded polystyrene, for example, which will store water and release it on compression as the anode decomposition product is formed.
  • an open pored material such as open pored expanded polystyrene
  • the surface of the anode adjacent to the water laden material have a corrosion inhibiting coating thereon on that the sides of the sheet 24, 26, 28 which are adjacent to the anodes be fluid impervious and thus release water into the cell only through their edges.
  • the magnesium metal anodes 18, 20, 22 may be formed of any suitable magnesium alloy, for example, the quick acting alloy containing aluminum and minor amounts of indium. Suitable alloys are described in US. patents 2,934,583 and 3,038,019.
  • the cushioning means or compressible material 24, 26, 28 is formed of any compressible non-conductive material which exhibits substantial compression strength, but is yieldingly compressible. While a pad formed of jute or sisal fibers or horsehair or shredded rubber or latex impregnated natural fibers may be used, it is preferred to use a material which exhibits a relatively high threshold resistance to compression, yet a relatively constant progression in resistance to compression, once threshold pressure is exceded, until the material has undergone a very substantial reduction in thickness, e.g., 75 to 90 percent reduction. Therefore, the ratio of total void space to volume occupied by solid matter in the material is preferably quite high, e.g., at least 4:1. Preferably the material exhibits a resilient resistance to compression such that it is not compressed more than one-third under a load of to 50 pounds per square inch.
  • the materials which appear to best exhibit the foregoing desired properties are the resilient expanded, or foamed, synthetic plastics, e.g., Pelaspan expanded polystyrene, or expanded plasticized polyvinyl chloride.
  • Such expanded plastics are cellular, generally having closed or substantially closed cells. Brittle materials are generally to be avoided as they tend to compress irreversibly or to simply break down into particulate material.
  • those expanded plastics which will not break or crack when bent over a mandrel having a radius ten times the thickness of the layer are usable for batteries in normal or heavy service involving moderate to rough handling, or jarring.
  • a layer of compressible material at least one-sixteenth inch thick must be used with each anode assembly.
  • a layer of about one-eighth to one-quarter inch thick for each anode assembly is suitable for most batteries.
  • a layer thicker than about one-quarter inch may be used where space requirements permit, but the additional thickness is of no marked advantage.
  • the cathode mix 46, 48, 50 may be made up of any suitable composition normally employed for primary dry cells having magnesium anodes. Such mix cake is also known as a depolarizing mass.
  • the mix cake is made up from a mixture of manganese dioxide and carbon black which is readily compressed or molded into cake form after being moistened with the electrolyte.
  • a suitable mixture contains from 75 to 95 percent by weight manganese dioxide and the balance carbon black.
  • a desirable mixture consists of 90 percent by weight MnO (gold coast ore) and 10 percent acetylene black.
  • the electrolyte is prepared by dissolving an alkali metal bromide, alkaline earth metal bromide or ammonium bromide in water in a concentnation between about grams per liter and that producing a nearly saturated solution at ordinary temperatures.
  • concentrations are from about 150 to 500 grams of the salt per liter of solution.
  • lithium bromide produces the most desirable results, particularly in concentrations of about 300 grams per liter.
  • concentrations may be used with the alkaline earth metal bromides, which include the bromides of magnesium, calcium, barium and strontium. Of these, magnesium bromide is to be preferred. Its most effective concentration is about 300 grams per liter of solution.
  • bromide While a single bromide may be used as the electrolyte, better results are had with combinations of the aforesaid bromides, particularly combinations of an alkali metal bromide with an alkaline earth metal bromide, such better results being manifested in greater shelf life and higher capacity.
  • an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or ammonium, salt of chromic acid in corrosion inhibiting amounts, such as from 0.01 gram per liter of solution to concentrations producing saturation in the presence of the bromide therein.
  • a preferred concentration of the chromic acid salt is 0.05 to 2 grams per liter of solution.
  • the porous separators 56, 58, 60 may be formed, for example, of a layer of blotterike material, such as a Kraft paper about 6 to 12 mills thick which is highly porous and of .a type normally used in such battery construction. A thicker layer of separator material may be used if desired.
  • the porous separator is thoroughly wetted with electrolyte and serves to hold the electrolyte in place between the immediately adjacent metal anode and the mix cake.
  • a flat pack primary cell comprising, within a suitable generally enclosed casing having opposed ends, a plurality of anode assemblies of magnesium alloy, each of said anode assemblies being sheet-like in form and folded to form a two faced structure having a generally U-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration, said anode assemblies being spaced apart in side-by-side relationship, each anode assembly having a sheet of compressible material disposed between the inner faces thereof, a plurality of electrically insulating ionically conductive elements, one of said ionically conductive elements being disposed between and covering adjacent outer faces of adjacent anode assemblies, a plurality of cathode electrodes, at least one of said cathode electrodes being disposed between and spaced from the adjacent outer faces of adjacent anode assemblies, cathode mix, said cathode mix being disposed between said adjacent outer faces of adjacent anode assemblies, surrounding said cathode electrodes and separated from said outer faces by said ionically conductive elements, means electrically connecting together each of said ca

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Battery Electrode And Active Subsutance (AREA)
  • Primary Cells (AREA)
US476020A 1965-07-30 1965-07-30 Primary cell with plural u-shaped magnesium anode assemblies Expired - Lifetime US3390016A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US476020A US3390016A (en) 1965-07-30 1965-07-30 Primary cell with plural u-shaped magnesium anode assemblies
GB23538/66A GB1130976A (en) 1965-07-30 1966-05-26 Improved primary cell
JP3459266A JPS4424172B1 (ar) 1965-07-30 1966-05-31

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US476020A US3390016A (en) 1965-07-30 1965-07-30 Primary cell with plural u-shaped magnesium anode assemblies

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3390016A true US3390016A (en) 1968-06-25

Family

ID=23890168

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US476020A Expired - Lifetime US3390016A (en) 1965-07-30 1965-07-30 Primary cell with plural u-shaped magnesium anode assemblies

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US3390016A (ar)
JP (1) JPS4424172B1 (ar)
GB (1) GB1130976A (ar)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3634142A (en) * 1970-02-24 1972-01-11 Clevite Corp Magnesium dry battery with anode contact protection
US4224385A (en) * 1979-01-02 1980-09-23 P. R. Mallory & Co. Inc. Expandable battery case

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US522127A (en) * 1894-06-26 Voltaic battery
GB759584A (en) * 1951-03-23 1956-10-24 La Pile Leclanche Soc D Improvements in or relating to electric batteries of inert or dry cells
US2859265A (en) * 1956-03-15 1958-11-04 Dow Chemical Co Primary cell

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US522127A (en) * 1894-06-26 Voltaic battery
GB759584A (en) * 1951-03-23 1956-10-24 La Pile Leclanche Soc D Improvements in or relating to electric batteries of inert or dry cells
US2859265A (en) * 1956-03-15 1958-11-04 Dow Chemical Co Primary cell

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3634142A (en) * 1970-02-24 1972-01-11 Clevite Corp Magnesium dry battery with anode contact protection
US4224385A (en) * 1979-01-02 1980-09-23 P. R. Mallory & Co. Inc. Expandable battery case

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS4424172B1 (ar) 1969-10-14
GB1130976A (en) 1968-10-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5482798A (en) Alkaline manganese battery
US4539268A (en) Sealed bipolar multi-cell battery
US5075184A (en) Sealed type lead acid storage battery
US4184007A (en) Nonaqueous battery construction
GB1569745A (en) Maintenance-free lead-acid cell
US3536537A (en) Method of making electrode having improved gas-recombination properties
US20080107958A1 (en) Chargeable Electrochemical Cell
US3447968A (en) Electrical energy storage device and method of storing electrical energy
US2606941A (en) Primary cell and battery
US5576116A (en) Sealed storage cell operating at low pressure
US5460899A (en) Sealed zinc secondary battery and zinc electrode therefor
US3364077A (en) Battery separator and battery
JPS61500242A (ja) 電池
US3446669A (en) Sintered metal oxide battery separator and battery
US3390016A (en) Primary cell with plural u-shaped magnesium anode assemblies
US3306777A (en) Flat cell pack battery having a cushioning means
US3954504A (en) Fused electrolyte cell and method of making the same
JPS58186162A (ja) 二次電池用補助亜鉛電極及びその製造方法
US3393097A (en) Primary cell having a folded magnesium anode
US3484295A (en) Battery having a positive electrode in which the principal active material is isolated from the electrolyte by a secondary active material
US2697736A (en) Rechargeable lead dry cell
US3247023A (en) Lead-acid storage battery plate
US2586426A (en) Galvanic primary cell
US3485677A (en) Dry cell battery
CA1179013A (en) Sealed, maintenance-free, lead-acid batteries for float applications