Control systems and designs for dynamically adaptive intelligent multi-cell air batteries

Abstract

A control system is described for improving all dynamic multi-cell metal-air batteries to ensure load requirements are met while optimizing battery performance according to a set of performance criteria. This control system can be enhanced with machine learning to further improve both the effectiveness and efficiency of the battery system over time. Dynamic multi-cell metal-air battery system designs are disclosed for achieving continuous or intermittent high power output, expanding the applicability of metal-air batteries combined with electric motors to applications traditionally designated for internal combustion engines.

Claims

1. A method for operating a metal-air battery, wherein the method is A step of monitoring the output voltage in the electrical output of a metal-air battery, wherein the metal-air battery is An array of cells, each cell comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are selected from an anode and a cathode, An electrolyte controller configured to provide electrolyte to each cell in the array of cells, with a flow rate and electrolyte level individually controlled for each cell, A disk drive motor controller configured to rotate each first electrode in the array of cells at a rotational speed that is individually controlled for each cell, steps: A method comprising the step of changing at least one operating parameter of at least one cell, fewer than all cells in the array of cells, based on the monitoring, wherein the operating parameter is selected from a group consisting of a flow rate individually controlled for each cell, a rotational speed individually controlled for each cell, an electrolyte level individually controlled for each cell, and combinations thereof.

2. A method for operating a metal-air battery, wherein the method is A step of monitoring the output voltage in the electrical output of a metal-air battery, wherein the metal-air battery is An array of cells, each cell comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are selected from an anode and a cathode, An electrolyte controller configured to provide electrolyte to each cell in the array of cells, with a flow rate and electrolyte level individually controlled for each cell, A disk drive motor controller configured to rotate each first electrode in the cell array at a rotational speed individually controlled for each cell, A cell load module (CLM) is positioned between the array of cells and the electrical output, and is configured to vary the resistive load applied to each cell in the array of cells by a resistive load that is individually controlled for each cell, wherein an efficiency of 90% or more can be obtained from the array of cells. A method comprising the step of changing at least one operating parameter of at least one cell, fewer than all cells in the array of cells, based on the monitoring, wherein the operating parameter is selected from a group consisting of a flow rate individually controlled for each cell, a rotational speed individually controlled for each cell, an electrolyte level individually controlled for each cell, a resistive load individually controlled for each cell, and combinations thereof.

3. A method for operating a metal-air battery, wherein the method is A step of monitoring the output voltage in the electrical output of a metal-air battery, wherein the metal-air battery is An array of cells, each cell comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are selected from an anode and a cathode, An electrolyte controller configured to provide electrolyte to each cell in the array of cells, with a flow rate and electrolyte level specific to each cell, A disk drive motor controller configured to rotate each first electrode in the cell array at a specific rotational speed, A cell load module (CLM) is positioned between the array of cells and the electrical output, and is configured to change the resistive load applied to each cell in the array of cells by a specific resistive load. Steps include: a boost control module (BCM) positioned between the array of cells and the electrical output, configured to boost the voltage of each cell in the array of cells at a specific boost control level; A method comprising the step of modifying at least one operating parameter of at least one cell, fewer than all cells in the array of cells, based on the monitoring, wherein the operating parameter is selected from the group consisting of the specific flow rate, the specific rotational speed, the specific electrolyte level, the specific resistive load, the specific boost control level, and combinations thereof.

4. The metal-air battery further comprises a computer processor and a data storage unit that run machine learning software, wherein the machine learning software uses machine learning to optimize the at least one operating parameter of at least one cell to achieve a predetermined electrical output, according to claim 1.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the metal-air battery further comprises a computer processor and a data storage unit for storing and providing the stored parameters of at least one operating parameter of each cell in the array of cells.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of transmitting the stored parameters to a remote data processing center.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the array of cells comprises a first cell, and the method further comprises the steps of (1) changing the individually controlled flow rate to the first cell to remove the electrolyte from the first cell, and (2) turning off the first cell by spinning the electrodes of the first cell at a speed of at least 10 revolutions per minute.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the speed is at least 1,000 revolutions per minute.

9. It is a metal-air battery, An array of cells, each cell comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, one of which rotates relative to the other, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are selected from an anode and a cathode, An electrolyte controller configured to provide electrolyte to each cell in the array of cells, with a flow rate and electrolyte level individually controlled for each cell, The array of cells includes a disk drive motor controller configured to rotate each first electrode within the array of cells at a rotational speed that is individually controlled for each cell. The metal-air battery further comprises a cell load module (CLM) positioned between the array of cells and an electrical output, configured to vary the resistive load applied to each cell in the array of cells by a resistive load individually controlled for each cell, thereby achieving an efficiency of 90% or more from the array of cells.

10. It is a metal-air battery, An array of cells, each cell comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, one of which rotates relative to the other, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are selected from an anode and a cathode, An electrolyte controller configured to provide electrolyte to each cell in the array of cells, with a flow rate and electrolyte level specific to each cell, The system comprises a disk drive motor controller configured to rotate each first electrode in the array of cells at a specific rotational speed, The metal-air battery further includes a boost control module (BCM) positioned between the array of cells and the electrical output, configured to boost the voltage of each cell in the array of cells at each cell's specific boost control level. A metal-air battery comprising: a cell load module (CLM) positioned between the array of cells and the boost control module (BCM), configured to change the resistive load applied to each cell in the array of cells by the specific resistive load of each cell.

11. It is a metal-air battery, An array of cells, each cell comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, one of which rotates relative to the other, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are selected from an anode and a cathode, An electrolyte controller configured to provide electrolyte to each cell in the array of cells, with a flow rate and electrolyte level individually controlled for each cell, The array of cells includes a disk drive motor controller configured to rotate each first electrode within the array of cells at a rotational speed that is individually controlled for each cell. The metal-air battery further includes a data storage unit for storing operating parameters in order to optimize future operating performance.

12. The metal-air battery according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein each first electrode in the array of cells is connected to a common shaft.

13. The metal-air battery according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein each first electrode has a surface spaced 0.5 mm to 4 mm away from each second electrode.

14. The metal-air battery according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein each first electrode is double-sided, and galvanic corrosion occurs on both sides of the first electrodes during operation of the metal-air battery.

15. The metal-air battery according to claim 10, further comprising at least one thermoelectric power generation device that converts heat from the metal-air battery into electrical energy to improve the efficiency of the metal-air battery.

16. The metal-air battery according to claim 10, further comprising a supercapacitor for managing short-term load spikes to the metal-air battery.

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