Metal-air battery rolling contact connector galvanic cell disk drive

Abstract

A metal-air battery having an anode is disclosed. As the diameter and / or thickness of the anode changes during use, a rotating wheel or a spring-loaded brush moves to compensate. This configuration enables the efficient utilization of a very thin anode.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] Cross-reference of related applications

[0002] This application is a regular application claiming priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 602,479 (filed November 24, 2023), the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] Metal-air batteries provide a power source that demonstrates promising applications for mobile and stationary distributed power. Because their energy density and conversion efficiency approach those of hydrocarbon fuels, they have the potential to replace internal combustion engines used in hybrid vehicles, locomotives, ships, and aircraft.

[0004] Metal-air batteries have several issues that have limited their use in the aforementioned fields to date. The power output of metal-air batteries is limited by their relatively large footprint. It is desirable to produce metal-air batteries with a compact profile to enable dense packaging, thereby providing high power density. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide a method to physically support large anodes. Unfortunately, the weight of large anodes often complicates battery design.

[0005] Various attempts have been made to address the aforementioned problems. While there has been extensive research on the chemical composition of electrolyte additives capable of suppressing hydrogen gas generation during operation and in open-circuit conditions, significant success has not been achieved. Some detachable electrode designs, including those protecting the anode edges from corrosion and gas generation, have been tested but have achieved limited success. Other designs have attempted to mount the anode on a moving device to reduce the increase in resistance caused by a larger gap between the electrode and the cathode. These methods have been shown to be mechanically complex, relatively large in size, and limit the ability to rapidly load a new metal anode into the battery. None of these solutions have been successfully combined and applied, and as a result, metal-air batteries remain disposable products and difficult to use in intermittent power applications.

[0006] The above discussion is provided merely for general background information and is not intended to help determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0007] The present disclosure provides a metal-air battery having an anode. If the shape of the anode (e.g., diameter and / or thickness) changes during use, a rotating wheel or a spring-loaded brush moves to compensate. This configuration allows for the efficient utilization of very thin anodes.

[0008] In a first embodiment, a metal-air battery is provided. The metal-air battery comprises: an outer stator; an anode disposed within the outer stator—the anode has a first side and a second side—; a cathode having a third side parallel and adjacent to the first side; and means for adjusting a change in the shape of the anode—the means for adjusting a change in the shape of the anode comprises at least one of: (1) means for compressing the anode to compensate for a change in the diameter of the anode as the diameter of the anode changes during operation of the metal-air battery—the compressing means maintains an electrical connection between the anode and the outer stator throughout operation—; or (2) means for pinching the anode to compensate for a change in the thickness of the anode as the thickness of the anode changes during operation of the metal-air battery—the pinching means maintains an electrical connection between the anode and the outer stator throughout operation.

[0009] In a second embodiment, a metal-air battery is provided. The metal-air battery comprises: an outer stator; an inner raceway ring disposed within the outer stator—the inner raceway ring is rotatable—; a plurality of rolling contact wheels mounted on the inner raceway ring—the rolling contact wheels are electrically conductive—; an anode disposed within the outer stator—the anode has a first side and a second side—; a cathode having a third side parallel and adjacent to the first side; means for rotating the anode—the rolling contact wheel is adjacent to both the anode and the outer stator to form an electrical connection—; pinching means for maintaining physical contact between each of the plurality of wheels and both (1) the outer stator and (2) the anode while the thickness of the anode changes during the operation of the metal-air battery; and means for compressing the anode to compensate for the change in the diameter of the anode as the diameter of the anode changes during the operation of the metal-air battery.

[0010] In a third embodiment, a metal-air battery is provided. The metal-air battery comprises: an outer stator; an inner raceway ring disposed within the outer stator—the inner raceway ring is rotatable—; a plurality of rolling contact wheels mounted on the inner raceway ring—the rolling contact wheels are electrically conductive—; an anode having a first surface and a second surface—the rolling contact wheels are adjacent to both the anode and the outer stator and form an electrical connection; each of the plurality of rolling contact wheels includes a first spline and groove forming wheel and a second spline and groove forming wheel that are mated to each other—; pinching means for maintaining physical contact between each of the plurality of wheels and both (1) the outer stator and (2) the anode while the shape of the anode changes during operation of the metal-air battery; and a cathode having a third surface parallel to and adjacent to the first surface.

[0011] This brief description of the invention is intended only to provide a brief overview of the subject matter disclosed herein according to one or more exemplary embodiments and is not intended to serve as a guide for interpreting the claims or to define or limit the scope of the invention as defined solely by the appended claims. This brief description is provided to introduce, in a brief form, an exemplary selection of concepts further described below in the detailed description. This brief description is not intended to identify the principal or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to an implementation that addresses any or all disadvantages mentioned in the background section. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0012] In a manner that allows the features of the present invention to be understood, the detailed description of the present invention may be made by reference to specific embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that the drawings illustrate only specific embodiments of the present invention and are therefore not to be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention, as the scope of the present invention includes other equally effective embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and generally focus on illustrating the features of specific embodiments of the present invention. In the drawings, similar numbers are used to indicate similar parts throughout the various drawings. Accordingly, for further understanding of the present invention, the following detailed description, which can be read in conjunction with the drawings, may be referenced. Figures 1a and 1b are two drawings of a metal-air battery. Figure 2 is an exploded view of a metal-air battery. FIGS. 3A, FIGS. 3B, FIGS. 3C, and FIGS. 3D illustrate two spline and groove-forming wheels that collectively form a rolling contact wheel. FIGS. 4a and FIGS. 4b illustrate a pinching means applied by a rolling contact wheel. FIG. 4c illustrates other pinching means applied by a rolling contact wheel. FIGS. 5A and FIGS. 5B illustrate a rolling contact wheel connected to an anode and an external stator. Figure 6 illustrates the rolling contact wheel engaging with the edge of the anode. Figure 7 is an exploded view of a raceway for maintaining rolling contact wheels. Figure 8 is another drawing of a raceway for maintaining rolling contact wheels. FIGS. 9a and 9b illustrate other embodiments of a metal-air battery using gear teeth to rotate an anode. FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of a metal-air battery that uses a magnet to rotate the anode. Figure 11 is a bisection of a metal-air battery illustrating the fluid path of the liquid electrolyte. FIG. 12a is a perspective view of an array of multiple metal-air batteries. FIGS. 12b and FIGS. 12c illustrate an anode having a hole with a keyway and a drive shaft for rotating it. FIGS. 13a and FIGS. 13b illustrate a cleaning wheel placed on a raceway. FIGS. 14a, FIGS. 14b, and FIGS. 14c illustrate a cleaning brush placed on a raceway. FIG. 15 illustrates a cross anode scraper (1500) for cleaning an anode. Figures 16a and 16b show an anode connected to an external stator by a coil spring. Figures 17a and 17b show an anode connected to an external stator by a leaf spring. FIG. 17c illustrates various anodes and stators that can be used with the disclosed metal-air battery. FIG. 18 is a drawing showing another embodiment of the raceway. FIG. 19 illustrates an anode having a hole with a keyway and a drive shaft for rotating it using the raceway of FIG. 18. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1a, the present disclosure provides a metal-air battery (100) comprising an external stator (102) that provides an electrically conductive track. The metal-air battery (100) also has a raceway (104) having a plurality of rolling contact wheels (106). The raceway (104) is a ring configured to rotate around an anode (108) and provides a means for rotating the anode (108). The raceway (104) is rotated by a rotary drive such as a turbine, a gear drive, an integral electric motor, a hydraulic turbine, a direct electric drive in which a magnet is embedded in the raceway (104), and other suitable means for rotation. By reading this specification, other rotary drives will become apparent to those skilled in the art, and such drives may be considered for use with the present invention. Power is drawn from the anode (108) through the radial edge of the anode (108).

[0014] The anode (108) may be, for example, an aluminum anode. In some embodiments, the anode (108) is an anode disk. In other embodiments, the anode (108) is a non-disk shape such as a square, a rectangle, or other shape. In one embodiment, both sides of the anode (108) are exposed, so that both sides are consumed to supply power. On each side of the anode (108), there is an air-breathing cathode (200) to supply oxygen to the electrochemical reaction that generates power (see FIG. 2). FIG. 1b shows a perspective view of a metal-air battery (100). This configuration enables a very thin cell design and allows multiple metal-air batteries to be stacked at high density to approach the power-to-volume ratio of an internal combustion engine.

[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a metal-air battery (100). The external stator (102) is supported by a housing (202, 204) that is divided into two pieces so that the anode (108) can be easily reloaded in the embodiment of the drawing. The two segments of the housing (202, 204) can be detachably connected to each other by a fastener (206), such as an elongated screw. An air-breathing cathode (200) is positioned so that its side is parallel and close to the side of the anode (108). FIG. 2 shows a single air-breathing cathode (200). In another embodiment, a second air-breathing cathode is positioned in front of the anode (108). As the electrochemical reaction proceeds, the anode (108) is consumed and begins to gradually thin out. As discussed in detail elsewhere in this specification, the rolling contact wheel (106) is configured to accommodate this thin thickness reduction while maintaining physical and electrical connections between the anode (108) and the outer stator (102). The outer stator (102) may be formed of a metal such as brass, steel, or copper. The cover (208) forms a plenum (1204) that allows ambient air to reach the cathode (200) (see FIG. 12).

[0016] Each of the rolling contact wheels (106) is fixed to the raceway (104), so that when the raceway (104) is rotated, the anode (108) rotates in a manner similar to a planetary gear, and the anode (108) rotates at a maximum ratio of 3 to 1 as determined by the diameter of the rolling contact wheel (106). The rolling contact wheel (106) rotates in a first rotational direction, and the anode (108) and the raceway (104) rotate in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. For example, the first rotational direction may be clockwise, and the second rotational direction may be counterclockwise. The raceway (104) and the outer stator (102) can be separated so that a new anode (108) can be loaded into the metal-air battery (100).

[0017] The rolling contact wheel (106) is in forced contact with the radial surface of the anode (108) and the outer stator (102). The shape (e.g., thickness and diameter) of the anode (108) changes during operation, and each of the rolling contact wheels (106) is designed to accommodate this change. Each rolling contact wheel (106) can be manufactured in various shapes depending on the radial edge shape of the anode (108). Each rolling contact wheel (106) can be formed from a metal such as brass or steel. The rolling contact wheel (106) can be gold-plated to reduce corrosion and increase electrical conductivity.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 3a through 3d, in one embodiment, the rolling contact wheel (106) comprises a first spline and groove forming wheel (300) having a male ring (302) (see FIG. 3b). The rolling contact wheel (106) also comprises a second spline and groove forming wheel (304) having a female receptacle (306). Additionally, a free-floating shaft (308) is provided having a first shaft piece (308A) and a second shaft piece (308B) that are fixedly engaged with each other. Referring to FIG. 3c, the spine of one wheel engages with the groove of another wheel. In some embodiments, the groove extends through the thickness of the wheel so that the spline of the other wheel can pass through the thickness of the wheel. For example, referring to FIG. 3d, the spline of the first spline and groove forming wheel (300) extends through the groove of the second spline and groove forming wheel (304).

[0019] The shaft (308) includes a flange on each of the pieces (308a, 308b). One of the two pieces (e.g., the second piece (308b)) has an upper male projection that fits into a corresponding female receptacle of the other piece (e.g., the first piece (308a)). Additionally, each of the two pieces has an elevated protective device that fits into an elongated slot (see elongated slot (800) in FIG. 8).

[0020] Referring to FIG. 4a, the anode (108) is positioned between the first spline and groove forming wheel (300) and the second spline and groove forming wheel (304). Means for adjusting a change in the anode shape are provided. In the embodiment of FIG. 4a, the adjusting means includes pinching means (400) applied between the first spline and groove forming wheel (300) and the second spline and groove forming wheel (304), which provides a physical and electrical connection to the anode (108). The pinching means (400) compensates for a change in the thickness of the anode (108) so that an electrical connection between the anode (108) and the outer stator (102) is maintained. The pinching means (400) applies a force directed perpendicularly to the side of the anode (108). Both the first spline and groove forming wheel (300) and the second spline and groove forming wheel (304) are electrically conductive. The pinching means (400) can be applied by magnetic force. The shaft (308) is free-floating so that each wheel can move freely along the length of the shaft. Magnetic force can be applied by forming each of the first spline and groove forming wheel (300) and the second spline and groove forming wheel (304) with a magnetic material so that the wheels are magnetically attached to each other. The magnetic material may be, for example, a ferromagnetic material. The magnetic material may be plated with a corrosion-resistant material such as gold to reduce corrosion.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 4b, as the anode (108) is consumed, the pinching means (400) pulls the first spline and groove forming wheel (300) and the second spline and groove forming wheel (304) toward each other to maintain contact with the anode (108). In the embodiments of FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b, the radial edge of the anode (108) is pointed, and the splines of the wheels are angled to form a bevel and matched with each other.

[0022] In the embodiments of FIG. 4a and 4b, the means for adjusting the change in anode shape also includes a compressing means (401) applied by the angled spline of the wheel (300, 304). The compressing means (401) applies force in a direction parallel to the side toward the center of the anode (108). The compressing means (401) compensates for the change in diameter of the anode (108) so that an electrical connection between the anode (108) and the outer stator (102) is maintained. The compressing means (401) maintains electrical contact with both the outer stator (102) and the anode (108) while the diameter of the anode changes during the operation of the metal-air battery.

[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 4c, the pinching means may be applied by a spring (402) that provides an expansion force between the flange (404) on the shaft (308) and the rolling contact wheel (106). In this embodiment, the shaft (308) is not free-floating, but instead maintains a constant distance between each flange (404).

[0024] In one embodiment, there are at least three rolling contact wheels (106). In another embodiment, there are three to six rolling contact wheels (106).

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 5a and 5b, the pinching means (400) also maintains contact between the rolling contact wheel (106) and the outer stator (102). The inner radial edge of the outer stator (102) is also pointed so that angled splines likewise engage with the corresponding radial edge.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 6, the spline of the wheel (300, 304) is at an angle ( It has ). Angle( ) can be, for example, 10° to 55°, 30° to 50°, or 40° to 50°.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a bisected exploded view of a raceway (104). The raceway (104) includes a first support ring (700) and a second support ring (702), with a support member (704) fitted between them. The support member (704) functions to separate the first support ring (700) and the second support ring (702) by a distance that allows free rotation of the rolling contact wheel (106) (not shown). In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the support member (704) has a plurality of segments, and the rolling contact wheel (106) (not shown) is rotatably mounted between the segments. The support member (704) includes a hole (706) that allows liquid electrolyte and oxygen to access the internal components of the metal-air battery (100).

[0028] When the anode (108) is consumed, the shape of the anode changes. The first support ring (700) and the second support ring (702) have an elongated slot (800) that allows the rolling contact wheel (106) to be adjusted to this change (see FIG. 8). Since the terminal portion of the shaft (308) extends through the elongated slot (800), the shaft (308) can float within the elongated slot (800) as the shape of the anode (108) changes. A pinching means (400) combined with an angled spline moves the rolling contact wheel (106) in the direction of the arrow (802) to accommodate the anode (108) when the diameter is reduced. The arrow (802) extends along the longitudinal axis of the elongated slot (800).

[0029] In one embodiment, the rotary drive that rotates the raceway (104) includes turbine blades (804) on the circumference so as not to interfere with the rolling contact wheel (106). In this embodiment, the stator (102) has a jet outlet (not shown) on the inner radial edge so that a high-pressure electrolyte jet contacts the turbine blades (804) and, through an impulse design, can rotate the raceway (104). Alternatively, compressed air is used instead of electrolyte for high-speed spin drying of the anode (108). In this way, the metal-air battery (100) can completely and rapidly cut off power without parasitic corrosion and dangerous hydrogen gas generation.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 9a and 9b, another rotary drive uses a gear tooth (900) that protrudes through the center of the stator (102) and engages with a drive gear (902) that rotates the raceway (104) by engaging with the gear tooth. In this way, a means for rotating the anode (108) is provided.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 10, another rotary drive uses one or more magnets (1000) embedded in a raceway (104) distributed in a manner similar to a pancake-type electric motor. The raceway (104) is rotated by an electric coil (1002) mounted on a stator (102) in the same way that a brushless motor drives a shaft. In this way, a means of rotating an anode (108) is provided. However, in this case, the raceway is functionally identical to the shaft.

[0032] Since debris and contamination coatings may form inside the electrochemical cell, the edges of the stator (102) and anode (108) may be insulated by contamination. This is because, in some embodiments of the disclosed design, a rolling contact wheel (106) with surface etching roughness (e.g., 1 mm) is applied to rub the surfaces of the stator (102) and anode (108). This can be mitigated by having a groove (with a depth of 0.1 mm). This helps keep the electrically conductive surfaces of all parts clean. In one embodiment, one of the two rolling contact wheels (106) is a dielectric groove forming wheel, and the cleaning action is enhanced while the system rotates.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 11, a new electrolyte is introduced into the bottom (1100) of the metal-air battery (100) and exits through the top (1102) above the upper diameter of the anode (108). Then, the electrolyte flows along a path including a gas knockout (1004) to remove hydrogen bubbles and moves the electrolyte to a sump (not shown) below the cell.

[0034] FIG. 12a illustrates an arrangement of multiple metal-air batteries (100). Each metal-air battery may be connected in series or in parallel. Ambient air is guided along the arrow (1200) within the cover (208). If a divider (1202) is present, it helps to circulate the ambient air along the circulator trajectory. One of these covers (208) is located between each metal-air battery in the arrangement.

[0035] In the embodiment of FIG. 12b, each anode (108) includes a keyway hole (1206). For clarity of illustration, the cathode is omitted. Since the keyway hole (1206) is non-circular, when the corresponding drive shaft rotates, it engages with the anode (108) and rotates. Various non-circular keyway holes, such as a cross hole (1206a) or a notched semicircle (1206b), may be used. Referring to FIG. 12c, in the corresponding embodiment having an arrangement of multiple anodes (108), each anode (108) is mounted free-floating along a common drive shaft (1208) (longitudinally). A rolling contact connector (not shown) is connected to the drive shaft (1208) to complete the electrical circuit and allow power to be drawn from the metal-air battery. In FIG. 12c, the drive shaft (1208) has a single drive gear (1210) at the end of the drive shaft (1208), and this single drive gear is connected to a motor (1212) via a sealed shaft (1214). The gear teeth on the sealed shaft (1214) and the drive gear (1210) allow for geared rotation. The external stator (102) may be fixedly connected to the housing to prevent rotation. Various other means for driving the drive shaft (1208) will be apparent to those skilled in the art reading this specification, and such means are considered for use with the disclosed configuration. The anode (108) is rotated by the drive shaft (1208) so that the rolling contact wheel (106) rotates around the anode (108) and contacts both the anode edge and the stator (102). In this way, means for rotating the anode (108) are provided.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 13a and 13b, additionally or alternatively, a rotating cleaning wheel (1300) is mounted on the raceway (104) to clean both the anode (108) and the stator (102). The rotating cleaning wheel (1300) cleans the surface etching roughness (e.g., 1 mm It has grooves (with a depth of 0.1 mm) and provides cleaning by friction on each surface to maintain excellent electrical conductivity.

[0037] FIGS. 14a, FIGS. 14b and FIGS. 14c illustrate a stationary (e.g., non-rotating) cleaning brush (1400) for cleaning a stator (02) and an anode (108). The stationary cleaning brush (1400) comprises two segments having a spring (1402) that presses each of the segments against the stator (102) and the anode (108), respectively.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 15, in one embodiment, a cross anode scraper (1500) mounted on a raceway (104) is presented. The cross anode scraper (1500) extends inward toward the center of the anode (108), and while the anode (108) rotates, the cross anode scraper (1500) contacts the side of the anode (108) to clean it.

[0039] Referring to the embodiments of FIGS. 16a and 16b, the rolling contact wheel (106) and the raceway (104) are omitted, and a brush (1600) (e.g., a conductive slipper) is provided, which is in physical and electrical contact with the anode (108) but allows the anode (108) to rotate between the gripping edges of the brush (1600). Each brush (1600) is fixedly connected to an external stator (102) by a coil spring (1602). The spring (1602) is electrically conductive to complete the electrical circuit and to draw power from the metal-air battery. In this embodiment, the anode (108) can be rotated by a common drive shaft (1208) shown in FIG. 12c. In the embodiments of FIG. 16a and FIG. 16b, the means for adjusting the change in the anode shape includes a compressing means comprising a brush (1600) and a coil spring (1602).

[0040] FIGS. 17a and 17b illustrate an embodiment similar to FIGS. 16a and 16b, except that a leaf spring (1604) is used instead of a coil spring (1602).

[0041] FIG. 17c illustrates an embodiment in which the anode (108) is a stationary anode that does not rotate during operation. In some embodiments, a vibrating device (1700) is present to vibrate the anode (108) to facilitate material transfer around the anode (108). The vibrating device (1700) may be, for example, a vibrating motor. The vibrating device (1700) vibrates the stator (102), springs (1602, 1604), and / or the anode (108) during the operation of the metal-air battery. This configuration may be used with a disc-shaped anode (top drawing) or a non-disk anode (bottom drawing), such as a square anode, a rectangular anode, etc. Additionally, this configuration may also provide for the use of a ring-shaped stator (top drawing) and a non-ring-shaped stator (bottom drawing), such as a square stator, a rectangular stator, etc. The shapes of the stator (102) and the anode (108) may be the same (e.g., both ring-shaped, both square, etc.) or different (e.g., a square stator (102) and a ring-shaped anode (102)).

[0042] FIG. 18 illustrates another embodiment of a raceway (1810) positioned on only one side of an anode (108). A rolling contact wheel (1802) is illustrated as comprising a first magnet (1800a) and a second magnet (1800b), which are separated by a gap (1800c). A free-floating shaft (308) is present, which is fixedly connected to the raceway (1810), but allows the first magnet (1800a) to float along the length of the shaft (308) while the second magnet (1800b) remains fixedly connected to the race (1810). The first magnet (1800a) is connected to a first brim (1802a), and the second magnet (1800b) is connected to a second brim (1802b). The first magnet (1800a) is connected to the shaft (308) through a hole having a beveled edge (1800d). The anode (108) is sandwiched between the first brim (1802a) and the second brim (1802b). As the anode (108) is consumed, its thickness changes. The magnetic attraction between the first magnet (1800a) and the second magnet (1800b) provides a pinching means to reduce the gap (1800c), thus keeping the first brim (1802a) and the second brim (1802b) in physical contact with the anode (108) as the thickness of the anode (108) changes. The beveled edge (1800d) allows the first brim (1802a) to adopt a certain angle with respect to the second brim (1802b), and in this way, pinches the anode (108) as the thickness changes. A cathode (1808) is also present in the embodiment of FIG. 18.

[0043] FIG. 19 illustrates an embodiment of a metal-air battery utilizing a raceway (1810) having multiple anodes (108). Each anode (108) has a keyway hole (1206). A typical drive shaft (1208) extends through the keyway hole. As with the embodiment of FIG. 12c, the drive shaft (1208) has a single drive gear (1210) connected to a motor (1212) through a sealed shaft (1214).

[0044] As will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reading this specification, various edge treatments and shapes of both the stator (102) and the raceway (104) can provide various designs for mechanical convenience depending on the anode diameter and thickness. Thicker anode discs may utilize a number of rolling contact wheels (106) mounted side-by-side on a number of laminated raceways.

[0045] This detailed description discloses the invention, including in its best form, and uses examples to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, including the manufacture and use of any device or system and the performance of any combination method. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims and may include other embodiments that arise to those skilled in the art. Such other embodiments are also intended to fall within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the wording of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that differ only in non-substantially from the wording of the claims.

Claims

Claim 1 A metal-air battery comprising: an external stator; an anode disposed within the external stator—the anode having a first side and a second side—; a cathode having a third side parallel and adjacent to the first side; and means for adjusting a change in the shape of the anode—the means for adjusting a change in the shape of the anode comprises: (1) Means for compressing the anode to compensate for the change in the diameter of the anode as the diameter of the anode changes during the operation of the metal-air battery - the compressing means maintains an electrical connection between the anode and the external stator throughout the operation -; or (2) a metal-air battery comprising at least one of means for pinching the anode to compensate for a change in the thickness of the anode as the thickness of the anode changes during operation of the metal-air battery, wherein the pinching means maintains an electrical connection between the anode and the external stator throughout the entire operation. Claim 2 A metal-air battery according to claim 1, wherein the compressing means is a spring connecting the radial edge of the anode to the outer stator. Claim 3 In paragraph 2, the above spring is a coil spring, a metal-air battery. Claim 4 In paragraph 2, the above spring is a leaf spring, a metal-air battery. Claim 5 A metal-air battery according to paragraph 2, further comprising means for rotating the anode, wherein the anode comprises a keyed hole, and the means for rotating the anode comprises a keyed drive shaft operably connected to a motor. Claim 6 A metal-air battery according to claim 1, wherein the means for compressing the anode applies a compressive force toward the center of the anode parallel to the side of the anode. Claim 7 In claim 1, the metal-air battery further comprises means for rotating the anode, which includes a raceway rotated by a rotary drive, wherein the anode is in direct contact with a plurality of rolling contact wheels rotatably mounted on the raceway, and the rotation of the raceway rotates the rolling contact wheels and the anode. Claim 8 In paragraph 7, the raceway comprises at least one of a turbine blade, a magnet, or a gear, in a metal-air battery. Claim 9 In claim 7, a metal-air battery wherein each of the plurality of rolling contact wheels comprises a first spline and groove forming wheel and a second spline and groove forming wheel. Claim 10 A metal-air battery comprising: an outer stator; an inner raceway ring disposed within the outer stator, wherein the inner raceway ring is rotatable; a plurality of rolling contact wheels mounted on the inner raceway ring, wherein the rolling contact wheels are electrically conductive; an anode disposed within the outer stator, wherein the anode has a first side and a second side; a cathode having a third side parallel to and adjacent to the first side; means for rotating the anode, wherein the rolling contact wheels are adjacent to both the anode and the outer stator to form an electrical connection; pinching means for maintaining physical contact between each of the plurality of wheels and both (1) the outer stator and (2) the anode while the thickness of the anode changes during the operation of the metal-air battery; and means for compressing the anode to compensate for the change in the diameter of the anode as the diameter of the anode changes during the operation of the metal-air battery. Claim 11 A metal-air battery according to claim 10, further comprising a second cathode having a fourth side parallel and adjacent to the second side. Claim 12 A metal-air battery according to claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of rolling contact wheels comprises a first spline and groove forming wheel and a second spline and groove forming wheel that are mated with each other. Claim 13 In paragraph 12, the first spline and groove forming wheel and the second spline and groove forming wheel are each at an angle with respect to a plane parallel to the first side of the anode ( Includes an angled spline having ), A metal-air battery with an angle of 10° to 55°. Claim 14 In paragraph 12, the first spline and groove forming wheel and the second spline and groove forming wheel are each at an angle with respect to a plane parallel to the first side of the anode ( Includes an angled spline having ), A metal-air battery with a temperature of 30° to 50°. Claim 15 In paragraph 12, the rolling contact wheel comprises a metal-air battery including a magnet. Claim 16 In paragraph 12, the above-mentioned rolling contact wheel is a metal-air battery comprising a spring. Claim 17 In paragraph 10, the means for compressing the anode applies a compressive force toward the center of the anode parallel to the first side of the anode, in a metal-air battery. Claim 18 In paragraph 10, the pinching means applies a force directed perpendicularly to the first side of the anode, a metal-air battery. Claim 19 A metal-air battery according to claim 10, wherein the means for compressing the anode applies a compressive force toward the center of the anode parallel to the first side of the anode, and the pinching means applies a force toward the first side of the anode perpendicular to the first side of the anode. Claim 20 A metal-air battery comprising: an outer stator; an inner raceway ring disposed within the outer stator, wherein the inner raceway ring is rotatable; a plurality of rolling contact wheels mounted on the inner raceway ring, wherein the rolling contact wheels are electrically conductive; an anode having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the rolling contact wheels are adjacent to both the anode and the outer stator and form an electrical connection; wherein each of the plurality of rolling contact wheels comprises a first spline and groove forming wheel and a second spline and groove forming wheel that are mated to each other; a pinching means for maintaining physical contact between each of the plurality of wheels and both (1) the outer stator and (2) the anode while the shape of the anode changes during operation of the metal-air battery; and a cathode having a third surface parallel to and adjacent to the first surface.

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