Lithium Oxyhalide Cell Cathode Composite for End-of-Life Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium oxyhalide electrochemical cells lack a reliable end-of-life indicator, leading to potential device failure and data loss due to their stable discharge voltage, and existing solutions like secondary cathodes or anodes reduce energy density and are unreliable.

Innovation Solution

A lithium oxyhalide electrochemical cell with a cathode composed of a mixture of electrochemically active fluorinated carbon material, such as carbon monofluoride (CFx), and non-active carbonaceous material, which increases discharge capacity and provides a discernible end-of-life indicator through a secondary discharge plateau.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional lithium oxyhalide cell uses a non-active carbon cathode material, then the cell achieves high energy density and stable discharge voltage, but the cell lacks a reliable end-of-life indicator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveend-of-life indicationVSAvoiddischarge voltage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The cathode is constructed as a composite material combining electrochemically active fluorinated carbon (CFx) with electrochemically non-active carbonaceous material. This composite structure enables the cell to maintain high energy density while producing a discernible secondary discharge plateau that serves as a reliable end-of-life indicator, resolving the contradiction between reliability and information loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If existing solutions use secondary cathodes or anodes to indicate end-of-life, then an end-of-life indicator is provided, but energy density is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveend-of-life indicationVSAvoidenergy density

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the end-of-life indication function with the primary cathode material by incorporating electrochemically active fluorinated carbon into the cathode composite. This eliminates the need for separate secondary cathodes or anodes, maintaining high energy density while providing a reliable secondary discharge plateau for end-of-life detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameter of the cathode by introducing fluorinated carbon (CFx) with specific electrochemical properties. This parameter change enables the cathode to exhibit a secondary discharge plateau at a lower voltage, providing end-of-life indication without requiring additional cell components that would reduce energy density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of stationary object

If the cathode uses only non-active carbon material, then the cell volume is efficiently utilized, but no end-of-life indicator is provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell volume efficiencyVSAvoidend-of-life detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The cell exhibits increased discharge capacity and energy density, with a stable secondary discharge voltage plateau near end-of-life, allowing for timely replacement and minimizing downtime.

Implementation Method 1

During discharge of a traditional lithium oxyhalide electrochemical cell, the active cathode material within the catholyte undergoes an electrochemical reduction reaction with lithium supplied by the anode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reduction reaction: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 2

The term 'catholyte' means an ionically conductive solution that is operatively associated with the anode and the cathode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11283076B1Lithium oxyhalide electrochemical cell with carbon monofluoride

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 ELECTROCHEM SOLUTIONS

AI summary

The present invention relates to an oxyhalide electrochemical cell comprising an anode of a Group IA metal and a cathode of a composite material prepared from a first electrochemically active carbonaceous material and a second electrochemically non-active carbonaceous material. The cathode material of the present invention provides increased discharge capacity compared to traditional lithium oxyhalide cells. In addition, the cathode material of the present invention is chemically stable which makes it particularly useful for applications that require increased rate capability in extreme environmental conditions such as those found in oil and gas exploration.