Batteries and battery systems
View Patent ↗A battery includes a cathode having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and defining a cavity and two open ends; a separator disposed adjacent to the interior surface of the cathode; an anode disposed adjacent to the separator and inside the cavity; an air-permeable, liquid-impermeable barrier layer disposed adjacent to the exterior surface of the cathode, and defining an exterior surface of the battery; two end members connected to the open ends of the cathode; and an anode current collector extending through the two end members. Methods designed such a battery is also disclosed.
1. A battery, comprising:
a cathode comprising an active cathode mixture coated on a cathode current collector arranged as a tube having two longitudinally-extending ends that have been connected together to form a seam, the cathode having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the cathode defining a cavity and two open ends;
a longitudinally-extending positive tab connected to the cathode current collector;
a separator disposed adjacent to the interior surface of the cathode;
an anode disposed adjacent to the separator and inside the cavity;
an air-permeable, liquid-impermeable barrier layer disposed adjacent to the exterior surface of the cathode, the barrier layer defining an exterior surface of the battery;
two end members connected to the open ends of the cathode; and
an anode current collector extending through the two end members wherein the positive tab is connected to the current collector along the seam; and further comprising a longitudinally-extending strip of sealant disposed over the positive tab.
2. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the barrier layer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.
3. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the end members are configured to mate with the cathode and align with the cathode along a longitudinal axis of the battery.
4. The battery of claim 1 , further comprising a conductive tab connected to the anode current collector.
5. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the end members and the cathode are connected by a sealant.
6. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the end members comprise an electrically-insulating material.
7. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the cathode has a substantially rectangular cross section.
8. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the cathode has a substantially square cross section.
9. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the cathode has a substantially triangular cross section.
10. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the cathode has a substantially circular cross section.
11. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the battery is a metal-air battery.
12. An article, comprising:
a housing; and
the battery of claim 1 inside the housing;
wherein the housing is adapted to manage air flow into and out of the housing.