Metal fuel cell structure suitable for microgravity environment

Abstract

A metal fuel cell structure suitable for a microgravity environment comprises: a rotating shaft in transmission connection with a driving device; the battery shell is connected with the rotating shaft to form a centrifugal rotation structure; the alkaline ion solution is sealed in the battery shell; the battery cathode is arranged in the battery shell, one end of the battery cathode is used as a cathode output end of the battery, and the battery cathode and the rotating radius of the rotating shaft are arranged in the same direction; the battery positive electrode is arranged in the battery shell, one end of the battery positive electrode is used as a positive electrode output end of the battery, and the battery positive electrode and the rotating radius of the rotating shaft are arranged in the same direction. A centrifugal rotation structure is formed by the rotating shaft and the battery shell, stable centrifugal force can be formed in a rotating state, a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the metal fuel battery can be ensured to be in full contact with a solution in a microgravity state, and generated precipitates are directionally deposited and cannot wrap the surface of the metal negative electrode; and the metal fuel cell can stably work for a long time in a microgravity state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of batteries for aerospace use, and in particular relates to a metal fuel cell structure suitable for use in a microgravity environment. Background Art

[0002] Existing metal fuel cells are only applicable to ground environments. The structure used is that alkaline active metals (magnesium, aluminum, zinc, etc.) are used as negative electrodes, inert metals or materials (carbon, platinum, silver, copper, etc.) are used as positive electrodes, and wires connect the positive and negative electrodes. The positive and negative electrodes are simultaneously in contact with alkaline ion solutions (sodium hydroxide solutions, potassium hydroxide solutions, etc.) and exposed to the air environment. The effective reaction of metal fuel cells is the reaction between alkaline active metals and oxygen dissolved in the solution. Taking zinc as the negative electrode and carbon as the positive electrode as an example, zinc loses electrons to generate zinc ions, and the electrons move along the wires, through the electrical appliances, to the carbon positive electrode. The oxygen dissolved in the solution gains electrons at the carbon negative electrode and combines with water to generate hydroxide. The zinc ions generated at the zinc negative electrode combine with the hydroxide in the solution to generate zinc hydroxide. The zinc hydroxide is directionally deposited at the bottom of the solution under the action of gravity, which does not affect the continuation of the reaction.

[0003] However, existing fuel cells have the following problems in microgravity environments:

[0004] 1. In a microgravity environment, the alkaline solution in existing metal fuel cells is freely suspended and dispersed, making it difficult to ensure full contact with the metal electrodes in the metal fuel cell, resulting in slow reaction speed and low metal utilization;

[0005] 2. In a microgravity environment, the precipitate generated by the negative electrode metal of existing metal fuel cells after losing electrons and reacting with the solution cannot be deposited in a directional manner, but is wrapped around the surface of the negative electrode metal, causing the reaction speed to gradually slow down and the metal to be unable to react completely. Summary of the invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the problem that the existing metal fuel cells cannot be used normally in a microgravity environment.

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to adopt the following technical solutions to achieve:

[0008] A metal fuel cell structure suitable for use in a microgravity environment, the battery structure comprising:

[0009] A rotating shaft drivingly connected to a driving device;

[0010] A battery housing connected to the rotating shaft and forming a centrifugal rotating structure;

[0011] an alkaline ion solution, sealed in the battery housing;

[0012] The battery negative electrode is disposed within the battery housing and one end is used for the negative output terminal of the battery, and is arranged in the same direction as the rotation radius of the rotating shaft;

[0013] The battery positive electrode is disposed within the battery housing and one end is used for the positive output terminal of the battery, and is arranged in the same direction as the rotation radius of the rotating shaft.

[0014] Preferably, the battery negative electrode includes an alkaline active metal.

[0015] Preferably, the battery positive electrode includes an inert conductive material.

[0016] Preferably, the shape of the battery housing includes a cube or a solid of revolution.

[0017] Preferably, the alkaline ion solution includes a sodium hydroxide solution or a potassium hydroxide solution.

[0018] Preferably, the alkaline active metal includes magnesium, aluminum, and zinc.

[0019] Preferably, the inert conductive material includes carbon, platinum, silver, and copper.

[0020] Preferably, in the direction of the rotation radius of the rotating shaft, both the battery negative electrode and the battery positive electrode penetrate the internal space of the battery housing.

[0021] Preferably, the battery includes a plurality of battery housings and is arranged in a circular array centered on the rotating shaft.

[0022] Preferably, the battery further includes sliding contact conductive components respectively connected to the battery negative electrode and the battery positive electrode.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0024] A metal fuel cell structure applicable to a microgravity environment, the cell structure comprising: a rotating shaft, drivingly connected to a driving device; a cell housing, connected to the rotating shaft and forming a centrifugal rotary structure; an alkaline ionic solution, sealed within the cell housing; a cell negative electrode, disposed within the cell housing and having one end for the negative output terminal of the cell, arranged in the same direction as the radius of rotation of the rotating shaft; a cell positive electrode, disposed within the cell housing and having one end for the positive output terminal of the cell, arranged in the same direction as the radius of rotation of the rotating shaft. By forming a centrifugal rotary structure with the rotating shaft and the cell housing, the present invention can form a stable centrifugal force in the rotating state, thereby simulating the gravity on the ground in a microgravity environment. The solution inside the cell is fixed in distribution by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the metal fuel cell to achieve stable contact with the positive and negative electrodes of the cell; at the same time, the precipitate generated at the cell negative electrode is deposited directionally to achieve the purpose of maintaining contact between the metal negative electrode and the solution and full reaction. The present invention can ensure that the positive and negative electrodes of the metal fuel cell are in full contact with the solution in a microgravity state, and the generated precipitate moves directionally and will not wrap on the surface of the metal negative electrode, enabling the metal fuel cell to work stably for a long time in a microgravity state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an existing metal fuel cell;

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a metal fuel cell structure applicable to a microgravity environment according to the present invention;

[0027] Wherein: 1 - oxygen environment, 2 - rotating shaft, 3 - cell housing, 4 - liquid level, 5 - cell negative electrode, 6 - alkaline ionic solution, 7 - cell positive electrode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0028] The following further illustrates the technical solution with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments to facilitate understanding of the content of the present invention.

[0029] As Figure 1 shown, the effective reaction of an existing metal fuel cell is the reaction between an alkaline active metal and oxygen dissolved in the solution. Taking zinc as the negative electrode and carbon as the positive electrode as an example, zinc loses electrons to form zinc ions, and the electrons move along the wire, through the electrical appliance, to the carbon positive electrode. Oxygen dissolved in the solution gains electrons at the carbon negative electrode and combines with water to form hydroxide ions. The zinc ions generated at the zinc negative electrode combine with the hydroxide ions in the solution to form zinc hydroxide. Zinc hydroxide is deposited directionally at the bottom of the solution under the action of gravity, without affecting the continuation of this reaction.

[0030] Negative electrode reaction: Zn - 2e - + 2OH - = Zn(OH) 2

[0031] Positive electrode reaction: O 2 + 4e - + 2H 2 O = 4OH -

[0032] If a metal fuel cell on the ground is directly used in a microgravity environment, the solution will be in a suspended state, which cannot ensure sufficient contact between the solution and the positive and negative electrodes of the battery, resulting in uncontrolled reactions and abnormal stops. On the other hand, in a microgravity environment, the precipitate formed at the metal negative electrode cannot be deposited directionally and will wrap around the surface of the metal negative electrode, affecting the continuation of the reaction.

[0033] As Figure 2 shown, the present invention provides a metal fuel cell structure suitable for a microgravity environment. The battery structure includes:

[0034] A rotating shaft 2, which is in transmission connection with a driving device;

[0035] A battery housing 3, which is connected to the rotating shaft 2 and forms a centrifugal rotary structure;

[0036] An alkaline ionic solution 6, which is sealed in the battery housing 3;

[0037] A battery negative electrode 5, which is arranged in the battery housing 3 and one end is used for the negative electrode output terminal of the battery, and is arranged in the same direction as the rotation radius of the rotating shaft 2;

[0038] A battery positive electrode 7, which is arranged in the battery housing 3 and one end is used for the positive electrode output terminal of the battery, and is arranged in the same direction as the rotation radius of the rotating shaft 2.

[0039] The battery negative electrode 5 includes an alkaline active metal, and the alkaline active metal includes magnesium, aluminum, and zinc.

[0040] The battery positive electrode 7 includes an inert conductive material, and the inert conductive material includes carbon, platinum, silver, and copper.

[0041] The shape of the battery housing 3 includes a cube or a rotary body.

[0042] The alkaline ionic solution 6 includes a sodium hydroxide solution or a potassium hydroxide solution. When the battery housing is in a rotating state, the alkaline ionic solution 6 accumulates on the side of the battery housing 3 away from the rotating shaft under the action of centrifugal force to form a stable liquid surface 4, and the alkaline ionic solution 6 submerges the battery positive electrode 7 and the battery negative electrode 5; the centrifugal force generated by rotation fixes the distribution of the solution inside the battery to achieve the purpose of stable contact with the positive and negative electrodes of the battery; at the same time, the centrifugal force makes the precipitate formed at the battery negative electrode deposit directionally to achieve the purpose of keeping the metal negative electrode in contact with the solution and in sufficient contact.

[0043] In the radial direction of the rotation radius of the rotation axis, both the battery negative electrode and the battery positive electrode penetrate the internal space of the battery housing. In an oxygen environment 1, the battery further includes sliding contact conductive components (not shown in the figure) respectively connected to the battery negative electrode and the battery positive electrode.

[0044] In another embodiment, the battery includes a plurality of battery housings, which are arranged in a circular array centered on the rotation axis.

[0045] The battery negative electrode 5 made of an alkaline active metal (such as magnesium, aluminum, zinc, etc.) and the battery positive electrode 7 made of an inert metal or material (such as carbon, platinum, silver, copper, etc.) are fixedly installed on the left side of the battery housing 3. The inside of the battery housing 3 is filled with an alkaline ion solution (such as sodium hydroxide solution, potassium hydroxide solution, etc.) 6. A wire is connected between the positive and negative electrodes to an electrical appliance. A self-rotating component (such as a motor rotor, etc.) 2 is fixedly connected to the right side of the battery housing 3. When this metal fuel cell works, the self-rotating component (such as a motor rotor, etc.) 2 drives this metal fuel cell to rotate. Under the action of centrifugal force, the solution will be fixedly distributed on the left side of the battery housing, making full contact with the positive and negative electrodes of the battery. And the precipitate generated by the metal negative electrode is under the action of centrifugal force and will be directionally deposited on the left side of the battery housing, keeping the alkaline metal negative electrode in contact with the solution.

[0046] The present invention solves the problems that in a microgravity environment, the alkaline solution in the existing metal fuel cell is freely suspended and dispersed, and cannot make full contact with the metal in the metal fuel cell, resulting in a slow reaction rate and low metal utilization rate; it also solves the problem that in a microgravity environment, the precipitate generated after the metal at the negative electrode of the existing metal fuel cell loses electrons and reacts with the solution cannot be directionally deposited, wrapping the surface of the negative electrode metal, resulting in a gradually slower reaction rate and incomplete reaction of the metal.

[0047] The present invention uses the centrifugal force generated by rotation to control the distribution of the alkaline solution in the metal fuel cell, making the metal negative electrode make full contact with the solution, improving the reaction rate and metal utilization rate; the present invention uses the centrifugal force generated by rotation to control the directional deposition of the insoluble substances generated by the metal negative electrode in the metal fuel cell, so as to keep the metal negative electrode in continuous contact with the solution and make the reaction continue until the metal completely reacts.

[0048] The above are only embodiments of the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention are all included within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A metal fuel cell structure suitable for use in a microgravity environment, characterized in that: The battery structure comprises: A rotating shaft drivingly connected to a driving device; A battery housing connected to the rotating shaft and forming a centrifugal rotating structure; an alkaline ion solution, sealed in the battery housing; A negative electrode of the battery, which is disposed in the battery housing and has one end used as a negative electrode output end of the battery, and is disposed in the same direction as the rotation radius of the rotation axis; The positive electrode of the battery is arranged in the battery shell and one end of which is used as the positive electrode output end of the battery and is arranged in the same direction as the rotation radius of the rotation axis.

2. A metal fuel cell structure suitable for use in a microgravity environment as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The negative electrode of the battery includes an alkaline active metal.

3. The metal fuel cell structure suitable for use in a microgravity environment as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The positive electrode of the battery includes an inert conductive material.

4. The metal fuel cell structure suitable for use in a microgravity environment as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The battery housing may be in a shape of a cube or a solid of revolution.

5. The metal fuel cell structure suitable for use in a microgravity environment as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The alkaline ion solution includes a sodium hydroxide solution or a potassium hydroxide solution.

6. The metal fuel cell structure suitable for use in a microgravity environment as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The alkaline active metals include magnesium, aluminum and zinc.

7. The metal fuel cell structure suitable for use in a microgravity environment as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: The inert conductive material includes carbon, platinum, silver, and copper.

8. The metal fuel cell structure suitable for use in a microgravity environment as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: In the rotation radius direction of the rotation axis, the battery negative electrode and the battery positive electrode both penetrate the inner space of the battery shell.

9. The metal fuel cell structure suitable for use in a microgravity environment as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The battery includes a plurality of battery housings, which are arranged in a circular array with the rotation axis as the center.

10. The metal fuel cell structure suitable for use in a microgravity environment as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The battery further comprises a sliding contact conductive component connected to the negative electrode and the positive electrode of the battery respectively.

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