Fuel Cell Having Multiple Electrical Connectors

Abstract

An air-zinc fuel cell having multiple electrical connectors includes a case that forms a space, multiple gas chambers that are arranged in the space, two air electrode layers that are arranged in the space and function as positive electrodes for discharge, a metal layer that is arranged in the space and functions as a positive electrode for charge, a zinc material that is arranged in the space and functions as a negative electrode, multiple separators that are arranged in the space so that the air electrode layers, the zinc material, and the metal layer are separately arranged, and an electrolyte that is arranged in the space so that the air electrode layers, the zinc material, and the metal layer are electrically connected, can flow through the separators, and comes into contact with the air electrode layers, the metal layer, and the zinc material.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This patent application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 961,668, filed January 15, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to fuel cells, and more particularly to an air fuel cell having multiple electrical connectors, each of which serves as an electrode of the air fuel cell including a zinc anode, an air cathode, a cathode for charging, and an electrolyte that regulates the operating and shutdown modes of the air fuel cell. [Background technology]

[0003] Fuel cell energy dominates the scientific field that aims to directly convert chemical energy into electrical energy. Fuel cells have a high density of energy in the process of energy generation, and the electrical energy comes from the potential difference between the positive and negative electrodes, and at the same time brings little pollution to the environment. Therefore, fuel cells have been widely researched by academia and industry to lead to a revolutionary improvement of the global carbon (petrochemical) emission phenomenon, energy shortage and environmental pollution.

[0004] The internal structure of a conventional zinc-air fuel cell (ZAFC) often consists of an air electrode, a zinc anode, a liquid storage space, and an electrolyte. Conventional zinc-air fuel cells (ZAFCs) are usually manually replaceable cells. In other words, the electrodes or electrolyte of such cells can only be replaced manually to regenerate their electrical capacity. A zinc-air fuel cell can be discharged or charged. The discharge reaction can include the following half-reactions:

[0005] Negative electrode: I.Zn+4OH - →Zn(OH)4 2- +2e - II. Zn(OH)4 2-→ZnO+H2O+2OH -

[0006] Positive electrode: 1 / 2O2+H2O+2e - →2OH -

[0007] Overall reaction: Zn+1 / 2O2→ZnO

[0008] The charging reaction may include the following half-reactions:

[0009] Cathode: I.ZnO+H2O+2OH - →Zn(OH)4 2- II. Zn(OH)4 2- +2e - →Zn+4OH -

[0010] anode: 2OH - →1 / 2O2+H2O+2e -

[0011] Overall reaction: ZnO → Zn+1 / 2O2

[0012] Zinc oxide is reduced to nanoscale zinc in the presence of an alkaline electrolyte during electrolysis.

[0013] After being left unused or used for a long time, the polarization, passivation and dendrite growth of the zinc anode resulted in rapid corrosion of the zinc anode, deterioration of the performance of the air-zinc fuel cell, acidification of the electrolyte, and reduction of the battery life due to continuous immersion of the air electrode and zinc anode in the electrolyte. Although the existence of an air-zinc fuel cell structure with three electrodes is available, it cannot solve problems such as high current charge / discharge and redox efficiency, and the leakage problem of the air-zinc fuel cell remains unsolved. In addition, conventional fuel cells cannot effectively address the cycle blocking problem of single cells and multiple series and parallel cells. Summary of the Invention

[0014] The main objective of the present invention is to partially or completely remove the electrolyte in the cell when the zinc-air fuel cell with multiple electrical connectors of the present invention is maintained in an unused state, to avoid further contact between the anode structure and the electrolyte which may cause the electrochemical reaction to stop, to avoid damage or delamination of the anode structure or cathode structure, and to extend the storage life or service life of the zinc-air fuel cell.

[0015] A second objective of the present invention is to design an air-zinc fuel cell with multiple electrical connectors with positive and negative electrodes so that a single cell itself can simultaneously undergo charging or discharging chemical reactions without the need for manual replacement of electrodes or electrolyte.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to allow the inflow or outflow of zinc material and / or electrolyte to or from the zinc-air fuel cell with multiple electrical connectors of the present invention via a transport device to facilitate the replacement or renewal work process of zinc material or electrolyte, and double the efficiency of the work process. In the design of the zinc-air fuel cell, multiple gas chambers may be provided to reduce the cycle blocking problem of a single cell. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an air-zinc fuel cell having a plurality of electrical connectors, comprising: A case that forms a space, A plurality of gas chambers disposed within the space; Two air cathode layers are arranged in the space and serve as positive electrodes for discharge in a chemical reaction; a metal layer disposed within the space and serving as a positive electrode for charging in a chemical reaction; a zinc material disposed within the space and functioning as a negative electrode associated with the air cathode layer for discharging in a chemical reaction or as a negative electrode associated with the metal layer for charging in a chemical reaction; A plurality of separators are disposed in the space, and are disposed between the air cathode layer and the metal layer, respectively, such that the air cathode layer, the zinc material, and the metal layer are disposed separately; an electrolyte disposed within the space such that the cathode layer, the zinc material, and the metal layer are electrically connected to each other, the electrolyte being capable of flowing through the separator and in contact with the cathode layer, the metal layer, and the zinc material;

[0018] The zinc material is selected from the group consisting of a fluid zinc slurry, zinc particles, and zinc plate. The embodiment of the conductive layer may vary to accommodate the choice of zinc material. The fluid zinc slurry may be in a "mortar-like" form, such as a mixture of zinc particles, liquid, and some optional additives. The viscosity of the fluid zinc slurry is related to its circulation speed. A faster circulation speed results in a lower viscosity, and a slower circulation speed results in a higher viscosity.

[0019] Furthermore, when a flat surface supporting the cells is used as a horizontal reference, the cathode layer, metal layer and zinc material are configured to be disposed perpendicular to the flat surface, as opposed to the upright position of a conventional horizontal arrangement. The zinc material may include a flowable zinc slurry, zinc particles or zinc sheets.

[0020] The air-zinc fuel cell with multiple electrical connectors may further include a transfer device. The transfer device is connected to the space and can allow electrolyte to flow in or out, thereby changing the height position of the electrolyte in the space. By changing the total amount of electrolyte in the space and the internal structures that the height of the liquid can contact, contact between the structure at a certain height and the liquid and the position in the space can be avoided, and damage or surface peeling of the certain structure can be prevented.

[0021] The invention is characterized in that the zinc material of the invention is used as the anode, and the air cathode layer and the metal layer are used as the cathode, respectively. The cathodes and anodes can collectively or individually form a plurality of electrical connectors in the air-zinc fuel cell.

[0022] Furthermore, in order to avoid contact between the internal structure and the electrolyte in the space when the air-zinc fuel cell with multiple electrical connectors of the present invention is stored or not in use, to avoid undesirable self-discharge or charging reactions of the air-zinc fuel cell with multiple electrical connectors of the present invention, and to avoid damage or surface peeling of the internal structure in the space so as to extend the storage life or service life of the air-zinc fuel cell with multiple electrical connectors of the present invention, the transfer device connecting the space can change the total amount of electrolyte and the liquid height of the electrolyte by removing most of the electrolyte from the space.

[0023] These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exploded view embodiment of a cell structure of the present invention; [Figure 1A] FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of a variant embodiment of the cell structure according to the invention corresponding to FIG. 1; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a side view of an embodiment of an air-zinc fuel cell having five electrical connectors corresponding to FIG. 1 of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a perspective view of an embodiment of a zinc-air fuel cell having five electrical connectors of the present invention; [Figure 3A] FIG. 1B is another schematic diagram of a simplified perspective view of a cell structure of the invention in an upright position, corresponding to FIG. 1A; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a front view of an embodiment of an air-zinc fuel cell having five electrical connectors of the present invention; [Figure 4A] FIG. 1B is another schematic diagram of a simplified front view of the cell structure of the invention in an upright position, corresponding to FIG. 1A; [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view along line A-A' of FIG. 4 of an embodiment of an air-zinc fuel cell having five electrical connectors of the present invention in a horizontal position. [Figure 5A] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 5 of an embodiment of an air-zinc fuel cell having five electrical connectors of the invention in a horizontal position; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a perspective view of an embodiment of a cell assembly made up of multiple cell structures corresponding to multiple air-zinc fuel cells having five electrical connectors of the present invention; [Figure 6A] 6 according to the present invention. [Figure 6B] 6 of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] As one skilled in the art will appreciate, electronics manufacturers may refer to components by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components with different names but different functions. In the following description and claims, the terms "include," "comprise," and "have" are used in an open-ended manner and should therefore be interpreted to mean "include, but not limited to." When an element or layer is referred to as being "on" or "connected to" another element or layer, it may be directly on or connected to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. Terms such as first, second, third, etc. may be used to describe various components, but such components are not limited by the terms. These terms are used herein only to distinguish one component from another. A claim may not use the same terms, but may instead use terms such as first, second, third, etc. in relation to the order in which the elements are claimed. Therefore, in the following description, a first element may be a second element in a claim.

[0026] 1 shows an embodiment of an exploded view of a cell structure for an air-zinc fuel cell with five electrical connectors of the present invention. For example, the cell structure 100 may have five electrical connectors and may include elements such as a case set 110, an air cathode layer, a metal layer 130, a zinc material 140, a conductive layer, and multiple separators. The cell structure 100 may structurally have multiple parts for assembling, for example, a left part, a right part, and a center part, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0027] The case set 110 may include a plurality of case elements. The plurality of case elements may be combined together to collectively form the case set 110 that serves as the cell case of the cell structure 100. For example, the case set 110 may include a first housing in the form of a frame, a second housing in the form of a frame, a third housing in the form of a frame, and a fourth housing in the form of a frame, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The first housing, the second housing, the first housing, and the fourth housing collectively form a space for accommodating other elements of the cell structure 100, define a gas chamber for buffering the inflow or outflow circulation of fluid for use in an air-zinc fuel cell with five electrical connectors, and can firmly support the cell structure 100.

[0028] For example, the first housing may be the left housing 111 of the left part. The second housing may be the right housing 112 of the right part. The center housing 113 may be the center housing 113 of the center part. The case set 110 may further include a lid 114 connected to the center housing 113 to form a channel for circulation of fluid. The fourth housing may be a case housing 115 that houses the left housing 111, the right housing 112, the center housing 113 and the lid 114. Each housing or lid may have a complementary structure with respect to each other, such as one or more holes for fastening two pieces of housing or of lid or for snapping up two pieces of housing or of lid to facilitate mutual engagement to obtain the cell structure 100 to improve the airtightness and / or leakproofness of the cell structure 100.

[0029] In some embodiments, the right housing 112 can have one or more holes 112H for engagement with the case housing 115. For example, the holes 112H can help an adhesive (not shown) temporarily hold the right housing 112 and the case housing 115 together by fastening the frames of the right housing 112 and the case housing 115. The right housing 112 and the case housing 115 can be subjected to a subsequent insert molding process in the presence of the holes 112H and the adhesive (not shown) to form a permanent sealed structure, such as an airtight and / or leak-proof cell structure. The left housing 111, the center housing 113, the lid 114, and the case housing 115 can have similar holes for similar uses, but the invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, two adjacent elements can have complementary components for interengagement. For example, the center housing 113 can have a center housing area 113C corresponding to the center lid piece 114C of the lid 114. The central housing area 113C may have a complementary recess relative to the central cover piece 114C to facilitate mutual engagement of two particular parts for fastening or snapping the two elements together, although the invention is not limited thereto.

[0030] The case set 110 may include a polyarylsulfone material to enhance the mechanical strength of the cell structure 100. For example, at least one of the left housing 111, the right housing 112, the center housing 113, the lid 114, and the case housing 115 may include a polyarylsulfone material. The polyarylsulfone material may improve the adhesion of the interface between two substances, for example, an organic polymer and a metal material. In addition, the polyarylsulfone material may be subjected to an insert molding process to obtain one of the housing or the lid to improve the airtightness and / or leakproofness of the cell structure 100. The present invention may use a polyarylsulfone material-based resin as a substrate for the insert molding process to encapsulate elements in the air-zinc fuel cell to eliminate the problem of liquid leakage in the prior art. For example, the higher the airtightness, the lower the possibility of gas leakage, and the higher the leakproofness, the lower the possibility of electrolyte leakage. The airtightness and / or leakproofness may enhance the fluid-tightness or reliability of the cell structure 100.

[0031] The polyarylsulfone material can be a thermoplastic resin having a sulfonyl group. In some embodiments of the present invention, the polyarylsulfone material can be, but is not limited to, polysulfone (PSF, PSU), polyethersulfone (PES, PESU), polyarylethersulfone (PAES) and polyphenylenesulfone (PPSU, PPSF).

[0032] The left housing 111 may form a first space, e.g., the left space 101 of the left portion, together with the center housing 113. The left space 101 may house and fasten one cathode layer, a metal layer, a zinc material, one conductive layer, multiple separators, and an electrolyte 170. Similarly, the right housing 112 may form a second space, e.g., the right space 102 of the right portion, together with the center housing 113. The right space 102 may house and fasten one cathode layer, a metal layer, a zinc material, one conductive layer, multiple separators, and an electrolyte 170.

[0033] The central housing 113 may have multiple gas chambers, such as two gas chambers, for example, a first gas chamber 103A and a second gas chamber 103B. The gas chambers may be arranged in a space, for example, the first gas chamber 103A and the second gas chamber 103B may be arranged in the left space 101 and the right space 102. In other words, the first gas chamber 103A, the second gas chamber 103B, the left space 101 and the right space 102 may be interconnected in terms of accommodation to facilitate continuous circulation of fluids used in the air fuel cell. The first gas chamber 103A or the second gas chamber 103B may independently help to buffer the fluid circulation of the zinc metal fuel.

[0034] The central housing 113 may further include a guide column 113A disposed between the first gas chamber 103A and the second gas chamber 103B or between the left space 101 and the right space 102 to help buffer or guide fluid circulation of, for example, the zinc metal fuel. The fluid circulation may include at least one of a gas circulation and an electrolyte circulation.

[0035] The lid 114 and the central housing 113 together can define a first gas chamber 103A or a second gas chamber 103B. The lid 114 can further have holes. For example, the lid 114 can have a first hole 114A and a second hole 114B. The first hole 114A and the second hole 114B can correspond to the first gas chamber 103A and the second gas chamber 103B, respectively. The holes can allow fluid to enter or exit the first gas chamber 103A or the second gas chamber 103B.

[0036] The case housing 115 may further have openings. For example, the case housing 115 may have a first opening 115A and a second opening 115B. The first opening 115A and the second opening 115B may correspond to the first hole 114A and the second hole 114B, respectively. The openings may allow fluid to enter or exit the cell structure 100 by passing through the first gas chamber 103A or the second gas chamber 103B.

[0037] The cathode set 120 may include two cathode layers. For example, the cathode set 120 may include a left cathode layer 121 arranged and fastened in the left space 101, and a right cathode layer 122 arranged and fastened in the right space 102. The left cathode layer 121 or the right cathode layer 122 may function as a positive electrode for discharge in a predetermined chemical reaction, either collectively or individually. The cathode may function as an anode of the air cell. The cathode layer may include a metal mesh, a waterproof breathable layer, and a catalyst layer pressed together. The cathode layer may contain oxygen gas in the air, which functions as a positive electrode, and react with a fuel (such as Al, Mg, Zn...) in the negative electrode together with an electrolyte in the presence of activated carbon and a catalyst to generate electrical energy.

[0038] The left cathode layer 121 or the right cathode layer 122 may each include a metal material such as Ni, but the invention is not limited thereto. Each cathode layer may further include an extending strip that functions as an electrical connector for electrical current. For example, the left cathode layer 121 may include a left discharge positive electrical connector 121E, and the right cathode layer 122 may include a right discharge positive electrical connector 122E.

[0039] The metal layer 130 may be disposed in one of the spaces, for example, the left space 101 or the right space 102. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the metal layer 130 disposed between the left space 101 and the left cathode layer 121 and the central housing 113, but the invention is not limited thereto. The metal layer 130 may include a metal material such as Ni, but the invention is not limited thereto. The metal layer 130 may further include a stainless steel layer, such as a 316 stainless steel mesh. The metal layer 130 may function as a positive pole of the charge in the chemical reaction. The metal layer 130 may further have an extension strip that functions as an electrical connector for the current. For example, the metal layer 130 may have a charge positive pole electrical connector 130E.

[0040] The zinc material 140 may be disposed within the space to function as a chemically active negative electrode for charge / discharge reactions. For example, the zinc material 140 may be a negative electrode associated with the air cathode layer (positive electrode) for discharge in a chemical reaction. The zinc material 140 may also be a negative electrode associated with the metal layer 130 (positive electrode) for charge in a chemical reaction. The zinc material 140 may include at least one of a fluid zinc slurry, zinc particles, and zinc plates that function as fuel for the air-zinc fuel cell with five electrical connectors of the present invention. The fluid zinc slurry may be in a mortar-like form, such as a mixture of zinc particles, liquid, and some optional additives. The viscosity of the fluid zinc slurry is related to its circulation speed. The faster the circulation speed, the lower the viscosity. The liquid may include an electrolyte.

[0041] The conductive set may include two conductive layers disposed on opposite sides of a space, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the conductive set may include a left conductive layer 151 disposed and secured on the left side, i.e., the left space 101, and a right conductive layer 155 disposed and secured on the right side, i.e., the right space 102. The conductive set may be disposed adjacent to or even in contact with the zinc material 140.

[0042] In some embodiments, at least one of the left conductive layer 151 and the right conductive layer 155 may be in direct contact with the zinc material 140 to accommodate the zinc material 140. The conductive layers may have a recess to accommodate the zinc material 140. For example, the left conductive layer 151 may have a central region 152 and a peripheral region 153. The central region 152 may be lower than the peripheral region 153 to form a left recess 154. The left recess 154 may accommodate the zinc material 140 to undergo a chemical reaction. Similarly, the right conductive layer 155 may have a central region 156 and a peripheral region 157. The central region 156 may be lower than the peripheral region 157 to form a right recess 158. The right recess 158 may accommodate the zinc material 140 to undergo a chemical reaction.

[0043] One of the conductive layers may function as a structural electrode to accommodate the chemically active zinc material 140, so that one of the conductive layers may support the zinc material 140 to undergo a chemical reaction. Furthermore, one of the conductive layers may function as a current channel to transfer electrons involved in the chemical reaction. The material of the conductive layer may be electrically conductive and chemically inert and does not participate in the chemical reaction. The left conductive layer 151 or the right conductive layer 155 may include a metallic material such as Ni or Cu, respectively, but the invention is not limited thereto. Each conductive layer may have an extension strip that serves as an electrical connector for the current. For example, the left conductive layer 151 may have a left negative electrical connector 151E. The right conductive layer 155 may have a right negative electrical connector 155E.

[0044] The air-zinc fuel cell with multiple electrical connectors of the present invention can have multiple gas chambers, such as the first gas chamber 103A and the second gas chamber 103B. The air-zinc fuel cell with multiple electrical connectors of the present invention can have multiple gas chambers, which are advantageous for buffering purposes. In addition to improving the fuel cycle efficiency, they can also facilitate the achievement of the function of relative balance of internal pressure. The conventional cell structure with three electrical connectors only has a fuel cycle channel and cannot achieve the efficiency of balanced cycle of fuel and gas in terms of space. Such a structure is easy to generate excessive pressure in the cell, resulting in poor circulation and reduced circulation efficiency.

[0045] For the air-zinc fuel cell with six electrical connectors of the present invention, the gas chamber set may be divided into four gas chambers or may maintain the configuration of two gas chambers. With regard to the electrical connectors, the configuration may be equivalent to a series or parallel connection of two air-zinc fuel cells and three electrical connectors, and the design of the configuration is arbitrary.

[0046] With respect to multiple buffer gas chambers, for example in the case of four buffer gas chambers, they come from two separate buffer gas chambers. In addition to the purpose of efficiency adjustment, there may be another purpose in the separate circulation of fuel from the gas to achieve the effect of asynchronous circulation. For example, the asynchronous circulation may only allow the circulation of gas to improve discharge efficiency, or may only allow the circulation of fuel to improve charge or discharge efficiency. Six or more gas chambers work in the same way.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 1, multiple separators may be provided in the spaces. For example, the left space 101 may be provided with a separator 161, a separator 162, and a separator 163. The right space 102 may be provided with another separator 164. In some embodiments, the separator 161, the separator 162, the separator 163, and the separator 164 may each include a hydrophilic separator. A separator may be disposed between two adjacent elements to separate the two adjacent elements, and an element may be disposed between two adjacent separators. For example, a separator 161 may be disposed between the left cathode layer 121 and the left conductive layer 151, a separator 162 may be disposed between the left conductive layer 151 and the metal layer 130, a separator 163 may be disposed between the metal layer 130 and the central housing 113, and a separator 164 may be disposed between the right conductive layer 155 and the right cathode layer 122 such that the left cathode layer 121, the left conductive layer 151 (containing the zinc material 140), the metal layer 130, the central housing 113, the right conductive layer 155 (containing the zinc material 140), and the right cathode layer 122 are disposed separately. The separators allow the electrolyte 170 to pass through.

[0048] FIG. 1A shows a schematic diagram of an exploded view of a variant embodiment of the cell structure of the present invention corresponding to FIG. 1. FIG. 1A shows a simplified cell structure with three electrical connectors of the present invention. The cell structure with five electrical connectors 100 and the simplified cell structure with three electrical connectors 100A can share a common feature of having multiple gas chambers for buffering fluid circulation. The main difference between the cell structure with five electrical connectors 100 and the simplified cell structure with three electrical connectors 100A is in the optional right cathode layer 122 and the optional right conductive layer 155. In addition, the separator 164 may also be optional in the simplified cell structure with three electrical connectors 100A.

[0049] The simplified cell structure with three electrical connectors 100A may be useful for single-sided ventilation applications. For example, the simplified cell structure may be useful when one side of the cell is attached to a circuit board, limiting the possibility of gas exchange. The single-sided cathode configuration may result in a thinner structure and simplify the manufacturing and molding processes. The cell structure with five electrical connectors 100 on both sides of the cathode may result in higher discharge efficiency due to more gas exchange.

[0050] 2 shows a side view of an embodiment of an air-zinc fuel cell having five electrical connectors of the present invention. Thus, each of the left discharge positive electrical connector 121E, the right discharge positive electrical connector 122E, the charging positive electrical connector 130E, the left negative electrical connector 151E, or the right negative electrical connector 155E can function as one electrical connector of the five electrical connectors of the air-zinc fuel cell of the present invention. Structurally speaking, the left negative electrical connector 151E may be disposed between the left discharge positive electrical connector 121E and the charging positive electrical connector 130E. The right negative electrical connector 155E may be disposed between the charging positive electrical connector 130E and the right discharge positive electrical connector 122E.

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a zinc-air fuel cell with five electrical connectors of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a zinc-air fuel cell with five electrical connectors of the present invention. The first opening 115A or the second opening 115B allows fluid to enter or exit the cell structure 100. The fluid may be selected from the group consisting of gas, electrolyte, and fuel. Some housings may have some holes to aid in molding alignment, such as hole 112H in the right housing 112, for example, for use in an insert molding process.

[0052] The electrolyte 170 can be optionally filled to a full level 170F or circulated in the first gas chamber 103A, the second gas chamber 103B, the left space 101 and the right space 102 and flowing through separators such as separator 161, separator 162, separator 163 and separator 164. The electrolyte 170 can be a liquid electrolyte such as an electrolyte solution including an alkaline aqueous solution. The alkaline aqueous solution can include an electrolyte solute and a solvent. In some embodiments, the electrolyte solute can include a hydroxide such as potassium hydroxide, and a solvent such as water. A hydrophilic separator such as one commercially available from DuPont can selectively pass polar molecules such as water molecules, potassium ions and hydroxide ions, but not zinc, although the invention is not limited thereto. The electrolyte 170 may be in contact with at least one of the cathode layer, the metal layer 130, and the zinc material 140 to electrically connect the cathode layer, the zinc material 140, and the metal layer 130 to undergo a discharge or charge reaction, respectively.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an air-zinc fuel cell with five electrical connectors of the present invention along line A-A' in FIG. 4 in a horizontal position. FIG. 5A shows a schematic diagram of a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 5 of an embodiment of an air-zinc fuel cell with five electrical connectors of the present invention in a horizontal position. As shown in FIG. 5, the cathode set 120 including the left cathode layer 121 and the right cathode layer 122, the metal layer 130, and the zinc material 140 contained in the conductive set may be configured to be arranged vertically relative to a flat surface, i.e., a stacking structure, when a flat surface (not shown) for supporting the cell is used as a horizontal reference. For example, the left cathode layer 121 may be the top layer, the zinc material 140 may be the bottom layer, and the metal layer 130 may be arranged between the left cathode layer 121 and the zinc material 140. This novel configuration is different from the conventional upright position of the lateral arrangement.

[0054] The present invention relates to a fuel cell that uses zinc material and air to undergo oxidation-reduction reaction, in particular, the present invention relates to an air-zinc fuel cell that has electrolyte and zinc material as reactants at the same time and is electrically connected with other external electronic products through five electrical connectors. The fuel cell can use polysulfone resin packaged by insert molding / injection molding method to reduce the leakage problem of the prior art. The five electrical connector structure can further facilitate the special use of two separate electrodes or a single charging as well as charging and discharging at the same time.

[0055] The air zinc fuel cell with five electrical connectors of the present invention has a three positive and two negative electrode design so that the single cell itself can undergo charging or discharging chemical reactions simultaneously.

[0056] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a perspective view of an embodiment of a cell assembly composed of a plurality of cell structures corresponding to a plurality of air-zinc fuel cells having five electrical connectors of the present invention. FIG. 6A shows a schematic diagram of a side view corresponding to FIG. 6 of the present invention. FIG. 6B shows a schematic diagram of a top view corresponding to FIG. 6 of the present invention. A cell assembly can include two or more cell structures of the present invention. For example, cell assembly 200 can include 12 cell structures such as cell structure 201, cell structure 202, cell structure 203, cell structure 204, cell structure 205, cell structure 206, cell structure 207, cell structure 208, cell structure 209, cell structure 210, cell structure 211, and cell structure 212, but the present invention is not limited thereto. At least one cell structure in cell assembly 200 can correspond to an air-zinc fuel cell having five electrical connectors of the present invention.

[0057] Take the cell structure 201 for example, one cell structure may include a case housing 115 to accommodate the first opening 115A, the second opening 115B, the right cathode layer 122 of the cathode set 120, the left discharge positive electrical connector 121E, the right discharge positive electrical connector 122E, the charge positive electrical connector 130E, the left negative electrical connector 151E, and the right negative electrical connector 155E, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Similar reference numerals in other cell structures are omitted for simplicity. For details of the cell structure, please refer to the above description.

[0058] The cell structures in the cell assembly 200 may be connected to each other. In some embodiments, one cell structure may be electrically connected in parallel to another cell structure. In some embodiments, one cell structure may be electrically connected in series to another cell structure. Additionally, the openings of adjacent cell structures may be connected to each other. Adjacent openings may be connected by a connecting tube. For example, two adjacent openings may be connected by a connecting tube. FIG. 6 illustrates the cell assembly 200, which may include a connecting tube 210A, a connecting tube 210B, a connecting tube 210C, a connecting tube 210D, a connecting tube 210E, a connecting tube 210F, a connecting tube 210G, a connecting tube 210H, a connecting tube 210I, a connecting tube 210J, and a connecting tube 210K, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the second opening 115B of the cell structure 201 and the second opening 115B' of the cell structure 202 are connected by a connecting tube 210E. Similarly, the first opening 115A of the cell structure 201 and the first opening 115A' of the cell structure 202 are connected by a connecting tube 210F. Other adjacent openings in the cell structures may be connected in a similar manner.

[0059] Additionally, the cell assembly 200 may include a circulation tubing set 220 that allows a fluid to be distributed to at least one of the cell structures via a connecting tube. The fluid may be selected from the group consisting of a gas, an electrolyte, and a fuel. For example, the circulation tubing set 220 may include a source circulation tube and a drain circulation tube. The source circulation tube may allow fluid to enter the cell assembly 200, and the drain circulation tube may allow fluid to leave the cell assembly 200.

[0060] 6 shows a cell assembly 200 that can include a first circulation tube 221 and a second circulation tube 222. If the first circulation tube 221 is a source circulation tube, the second tube can be a corresponding drain circulation tube. Alternatively, if the first circulation tube 221 is a drain circulation tube, the second tube can be a corresponding source circulation tube. For example, when a fluid enters the cell structure 201 of the cell assembly 200 through the second circulation tube 222, the fluid may first pass through the first gas chamber (not shown), the second gas chamber (not shown), the left space (not shown) and the right space (not shown) of the cell structure 201, then enter the cell structure 202, the cell structure 203, the cell structure 204, the cell structure 205, the cell structure 206, the cell structure 207, the cell structure 208, the cell structure 209, the cell structure 210, the cell structure 211, and the first gas chamber (not shown), the second gas chamber (not shown), the left space (not shown) and the right space (not shown) of the cell structure 212, and then exit the cell assembly 200 through the first circulation tube 221 of the cell structure 212, although the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0061] Additionally, the cell assembly 200 may include one or more regulating devices to facilitate regulation and / or circulation of fluids between at least one of the cell structures and / or at least one of the cell structures through the connecting tubes. For example, the regulating devices may include a fuel tank 230 and a circulation pump 233, but the invention is not limited thereto. The circulation pump 233 may function as a transfer device to facilitate circulation of fluids or regulation of the volume of fluids distributed within the cell assembly 200, but the invention is not limited thereto. The fuel tank 230 may supply chemicals, such as electrolytes, zinc materials, and combinations thereof, to the cell assembly 200 to buffer chemical reactions.

[0062] In some embodiments, the cell structure 100 of the present invention may further include an optional transfer device such as a circulation pump 233. The optional circulation pump 233 may help regulate the presence or absence of electrolyte 170 in the cell structure 100, or may further assist in activating a predetermined chemical reaction or inactivating a predetermined chemical reaction. If there is not enough electrolyte 170 in the cell structure 100, the predetermined chemical reaction may be optionally stopped or significantly inactivated as far as possible to overcome problems in conventional cells or conventional batteries. The inflow or outflow of fluid, which can be regulated by the circulation pump 233, can change the height of the electrolyte 170 in at least one space, so that the electrolyte 170 can contact different elements in the at least one space and change the state of the cell structure 100 of the present invention accordingly. This is one of the features of the cell structure 100 of the present invention.

[0063] The transfer device may be connected to the space or gas chamber to regulate the inflow or outflow of fluid, for example, the inflow or outflow of gas and / or electrolyte 170. Furthermore, the transfer device can regulate the height of the electrolyte 170 in the space. The height can determine the activation or inactivation of a given chemical reaction by allowing contact between the electrolyte 170 and the cathode set 120, such as the left cathode layer 121 or the right cathode layer 122, the metal layer 130 or the zinc material 140. This approach can avoid undesirable self-discharge or charging reactions of the air-zinc fuel cell with five electrical connectors of the present invention when the cell structure 100 is stored or not in use, and can also avoid damage or surface peeling of the internal structure in the space, thereby extending the shelf life or service life of the air-zinc fuel cell with five electrical connectors of the present invention.

[0064] In some embodiments, when the first gas chamber 103A, the second gas chamber 103B, the left space 101 and the right space 102 are connected to each other, the transfer device can regulate the inflow of the electrolyte 170 through the first gas chamber 103A and / or the second gas chamber 103B to the left space 101 and the right space 102. For example, the transfer device can supply at least one of the zinc material 140 and the electrolyte 170 to the cell structure 100 in a controlled manner to increase the volume of the electrolyte 170 in the cell structure 100, optionally up to a full level 170F (shown in FIG. 4). As the volume of the electrolyte 170 increases, the height of the electrolyte 170 in the left space 101 and the right space 102 increases.

[0065] In some embodiments, when the first gas chamber 103A, the second gas chamber 103B, the left space 101 and the right space 102 are connected to each other, the transfer device can regulate the outflow of at least one of the zinc material 140 and the electrolyte 170 from the left space 101 and the right space 102 through the first gas chamber 103A and / or the second gas chamber 103B. For example, the transfer device may drain at least one of the zinc material 140 and the electrolyte 170 from the cell structure 100 in a controlled manner to reduce the volume of at least one of the zinc material 140 and the electrolyte 170 in the cell structure 100. The reduction in the volume of the electrolyte 170 may reduce the height of the electrolyte 170 in the left space 101 and the right space 102.

[0066] In some embodiments, when the first gas chamber 103A, the second gas chamber 103B, the left space 101 and the right space 102 are connected to each other, the transfer device can regulate the inflow of gas through the first gas chamber 103A and / or the second gas chamber 103B to the left space 101 and the right space 102. The gas may include at least one of oxygen and air. For example, the transfer device can supply gas in a controlled state to the cell structure 100 to facilitate the activation or continuation of a predetermined chemical reaction.

[0067] In some embodiments, when the first gas chamber 103A, the second gas chamber 103B, the left space 101 and the right space 102 are connected to each other, the transfer device can regulate the outflow of gas from the left space 101 and the right space 102 through the first gas chamber 103A and / or the second gas chamber 103B. The gas may include at least one of oxygen, air, hypoxic air and low oxygen air. For example, the transfer device may vent gas from the cell structure 100 in a controlled manner to facilitate the continuation, cessation, or inhibition of a given chemical reaction.

[0068] In some embodiments, the height of the electrolyte 170 can adjust the state of the cell structure 100 of the present invention. The state may include activation of a charge reaction, activation of a discharge reaction, deactivation of a discharge reaction, and deactivation of a given chemical reaction.

[0069] For example, the cell structure 100 may be activated for a discharge reaction if the height of the electrolyte 170 allows the electrolyte 140 to simultaneously contact the cathode set 120, such as the left cathode layer 121 or the right cathode layer 122, the metal layer 130, and the zinc material 140.

[0070] For example, the cell structure 100 may be activated for a charging reaction when the height of the electrolyte 170 allows the electrolyte 170 to simultaneously contact the cathode set 120, such as the left cathode layer 121 or the right cathode layer 122, the metal layer 130, and the zinc material 140.

[0071] For example, the cell structure 100 may be activated for a discharge reaction when the height of the electrolyte 170 allows the electrolyte 170 to contact a cathode set 120, such as the left cathode layer 121 or the right cathode layer 122, and simultaneously contact the zinc material 140.

[0072] For example, the cell structure 100 may be activated for a charging reaction when the height of the electrolyte 170 causes the electrolyte 170 to contact the metal layer 130 and the zinc material 140 simultaneously.

[0073] For example, the cell structure 100 may be deactivated for chemical reaction when the electrolyte 170 is in exclusive contact with only one of the cathode sets 120, such as the left cathode layer 121 or the right cathode layer 122, the metal layer 130, and the zinc material 140.

[0074] The present invention allows for the inflow or outflow of at least one of the zinc material 140 and the electrolyte 170 to or from the zinc-air fuel cell having multiple electrical connectors of the present invention via a transfer device, which can facilitate the replacement or renewal work process of the zinc material 140 or the electrolyte 170 and double the efficiency of the work process.

[0075] The zinc-air fuel cell with multiple electrical connectors of the present invention can improve the reaction efficiency and charge / discharge performance of the fuel cell.

[0076] In some embodiments, the fuel tank 230 may have a gas hole 230G, a fuel outlet 231O, and a fuel inlet 232I. The gas hole 230G can facilitate balancing the gas pressure in the fuel tank 230. For example, excess gas in the fuel tank 230 may be exhausted through the gas hole 230G. The fuel outlet 231O may be connected to a fuel pipe 231 connected to the first circulation tube 221. The fuel inlet 232I may be connected to another fuel pipe 232 connected to a circulation pump 233.

[0077] In some embodiments, the circulation pump 233 may have a fuel outlet 232O and a fuel inlet 222I. The fuel outlet 232O may be connected to a fuel tube 232 connected to the fuel inlet 232I. The fuel inlet 222I may be connected to a second circulation tube 222. The electrolyte and / or zinc material may enter the first circulation tube 221 of the cell assembly 200 from the fuel outlet 231O of the fuel tank 230 along the circulation direction 233D through the fuel tube 231. The electrolyte and / or zinc material may enter the fuel inlet 222I of the circulation pump 233 from the second opening 115B of the cell assembly 200 along the circulation direction 233D through the second circulation tube 222. The electrolyte and / or zinc material may return from the fuel outlet 232O of the circulation pump 233 through the fuel tube 232 to the fuel inlet 232I of the fuel tank 230 to complete the entire circulation.

[0078] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that numerous modifications and alterations of the apparatus and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A zinc-air fuel cell having a plurality of electrical connectors, comprising: a case that defines a space including a left space and a right space separated by a central housing; a plurality of gas chambers disposed within the volume; Two air electrode layers are disposed in the space and function as positive electrodes for discharge in a chemical reaction, the two air electrode layers including a first air electrode layer accommodated in the left space and a second air electrode layer accommodated in the right space; A metal layer disposed in at least one of the left space and the right space and functioning as a positive electrode for charging in the chemical reaction; a zinc material disposed in at least one of the left and right spaces, the zinc material functioning as a negative electrode associated with the air cathode layer for discharging in the chemical reaction or as a negative electrode associated with the metal layer for charging in the chemical reaction; A plurality of separators are disposed in at least one of the left space and the right space, and are disposed between at least one of the air electrode layer and the zinc material, between the zinc material and the metal layer, or between the metal layer and the central housing; an electrolyte disposed within the space such that the cathode layer, the zinc material, and the metal layer are electrically connected to each other, the electrolyte being capable of flowing through the separator and in contact with the cathode layer, the metal layer, and the zinc material; Equipped with Air-Zinc Fuel Cell.

2. the case includes a polyarylsulfone material and is formed by an insert molding method to prevent the electrolyte from leaking; 2. The zinc-air fuel cell of claim 1.

3. a transfer device connected to the space and adapted to adjust the height of the electrolyte within the space; 2. The zinc-air fuel cell of claim 1.

4. The transfer device regulates the inflow of the electrolyte into the space.

4. The zinc-air fuel cell of claim 3.

5. The transfer device regulates the outflow of the electrolyte from the space.

4. The zinc-air fuel cell of claim 3.

6. The transfer device regulates the flow of gas into the space.

4. The zinc-air fuel cell of claim 3.

7. The transfer device regulates the outflow of gas from the space.

4. The zinc-air fuel cell of claim 3.

8. the height allows the electrolyte to contact the air cathode layer, the metal layer, and the zinc material simultaneously, and the air-zinc fuel cell having the multiple electrical connectors operates for a charging reaction or a discharging reaction.

4. The zinc-air fuel cell of claim 3.

9. the air-zinc fuel cell having multiple electrical connectors operates for a discharge reaction when the height allows the electrolyte to contact the air cathode layer and the zinc material simultaneously; 4. The zinc-air fuel cell of claim 3.

10. and wherein the air-zinc fuel cell having multiple electrical connectors operates for a charging reaction when the height allows the electrolyte to contact the metal layer and the zinc material simultaneously.

4. The zinc-air fuel cell of claim 3.

11. a chemical reaction is stopped in the air-zinc fuel cell having a plurality of electrical connectors when the electrolyte is in exclusive contact with only one of the air cathode layer, the metal layer, and the zinc material; 2. The zinc-air fuel cell of claim 1.

12. The gas chamber buffers gas circulation.

2. The zinc-air fuel cell of claim 1.

13. The gas chamber buffers electrolyte circulation.

2. The zinc-air fuel cell of claim 1.

14. and further comprising two conductive layers disposed on opposite sides of the space adjacent and in contact with the zinc material to contain the zinc material.

2. The zinc-air fuel cell of claim 1.

15. at least one of the conductive layers has a central region that is lower than a peripheral region to form a recess for receiving the zinc material; 15. The zinc-air fuel cell of claim 14.

16. The zinc material is selected from the group consisting of a flowable zinc slurry, zinc particles, or zinc plates; 2. The zinc-air fuel cell of claim 1.

17. the cathode layer includes a first cathode layer and a second cathode layer; the first cathode layer, the metal layer, the zinc material and the second cathode layer are vertically arranged; 2. The zinc-air fuel cell of claim 1.

18. the first cathode layer is a top layer; the zinc material being the bottom layer; the metal layer is disposed between the first cathode layer and the zinc material; 18. The zinc-air fuel cell of claim 17.

19. the zinc material includes a first anode and a second anode; the air cathode layer includes a first positive electrode and a second positive electrode; The first negative electrode and the second negative electrode are disposed between the first positive electrode, the second positive electrode, and the charging positive electrode.

2. The zinc-air fuel cell of claim 1.

Images