Tubular air depolarized cell

摘要

An elongate, generally tubular, air depolarized electrochemical cell (10) comprising a cathode (14), including an air cathode assembly (26), extending about the tubular circumference, and along the tubular length, of the cell (10), an anode (12), a separator (16) between the anode (12) and the cathode (14), electrolyte, a top closure member (177, 200), and a bottom closure member (114, 202). The cathode assembly (26) is fixedly held, by a friction fit, in a slot (116) at the bottom of the cell. The slot can be developed, for example, by inner (110) and outer (114) walls of a cathode can (28), by inner (226) and outer (224) walls of a bottom closure member (202), or by an outer wall (114) of a cathode can (28) and an opposing outer wall of a plug (128) on the interior of the cell. Preferably, bottom closure structure of the cell (10) and receives a bottom edge portion (44) of the cathode current collector (32), and makes electrical contact with the bottom edge portion (44), preferably at an inner surface (60) of the cathode current collector. A diffusion member (36) of the cathode assembly (26) is preferably compressed as a seal, at the bottom of the cell (10), between an outer side wall (39) of the cell and the remainder of the cathode assembly (26). The diffusion member (36) is also used at least as an assist in sealing the cell (10) against electrolyte leakage from the anode cavity (137) and past the cathode assembly (26). An embodiment may provide a stop ledge (106) in grommet (18j) facing a stop groove (102) in a cathode can (28). The cathode assembly (26) can extend into a slot (174) at an outer edge of the grommet (18). A top grommet 204 can have an upwardly extending leg (210A) overlain by a top closure member (206). The air diffusion member (36) may control the rate of entry of air to the reaction surface, depending on density of the air diffusion member (36), whereby the air diffusion member (36) controls the limiting current of the cell (10). The air cell (10) can be free from adhesive bonding the separator (16) to the cathode assembly (26). The bottom of the cathode current collector (32) may be in a bottom slot (116), in a path of flow of current between a reaction surface and a positive electrode terminal (30). A method of fabricating cells can include crimping a top washer (206) and an outer leg (210C) of a top grommet (18) at the same time, including closing a slot (211).