DIFFUSION CONTROLLED AIR MANAGER FOR METAL-AIR BATTERY

摘要

An air manager system is disclosed which maintains a more stable water vapor and carbon dioxide equilibrium across the air cathode of a metal-air cell while still providing new oxygen needed for operation of the cell at desired power levels. Oxygen is preferentially drawn in through one or more ventilation openings (17) in a housing (15), so that the concentrations of water vapor and carbon dioxyde in the battery housing remain more stable, resulting in less transfer across the cathode (30). A fan (20) circulates the gases within the battery housing, keeping the oxygen needed for operation of the cell in contact with the air cathode even though the oxygen concentration within the housing is reduced compared to the ambient air outside the housing. Therefore, the cell is less susceptible to drying out or flooding, and less carbon dioxyde intrudes into the cell.