Battery with an Internal Compressible Mechanism
In one aspect of the invention, a rechargeable battery has a cathode cavity formed in a cathode housing and a anode cavity in a anode housing. A moveable membrane is disposed between the cathode cavity and the anode cavity. The cathode cavities are filled with an electrolyte.
1 . A rechargeable battery, comprising:
a cathode cavity formed in a cathode housing and an anode cavity in an anode housing;
an immovable membrane rigidly fixed between the cathode cavity and the anode cavity; and
at least one compressible mechanism is disposed within either the anode or cathode cavities.
2 . The battery of claim 1 , wherein the compressible mechanism comprises a closed cell foam.
3 . The battery of claim 1 , wherein the compressible mechanism comprises a gas filled bladder.
4 . The battery of claim 1 , wherein the compressible mechanism comprises rubber.
5 . The battery of claim 1 , wherein the compressible mechanism comprises an elastic material.
6 . The battery of claim 1 , wherein the compressible mechanism is configured to fill gaps created by shifting chemicals between the anode and cathode cavities.
7 . The battery of claim 1 , wherein the chemicals comprise a mixture containing sodium, nickel, and chlorine.
8 . The battery of claim 1 , wherein a heating element is disposed in the cathode or anode housing.
9 . The battery of claim 1 , wherein a heating element is disposed within the anode or cathode cavity.
10 . The battery of claim 1 , wherein the membrane comprises NaSICON, β″-alumina, solid electrolyte material, or combinations thereof.
11 . The battery of claim 1 , wherein the compressible mechanism comprises up to 40% of the volume of the cathode cavity.
12 . The battery of claim 1 , wherein the cathode and anode cavities comprise substantially no direct contact between active materials and volume containing gas or vapor.
13 . The battery of claim 1 , wherein a cathode housing of the battery is in connection with the anode housing of a second rechargeable battery.
14 . The battery of claim 13 , further comprising an electrical insulator between the cathode housing of the first and second rechargeable battery.
15 . The battery of claim 13 , further comprising an electrical insulator between the anode housing of the first and second rechargeable battery.
16 . The battery of claim 1 , further comprising an electrical connection to a downhole generator.