摘要 |
<p>A primary electrochemical cell (1) having a carbon current collector cathode structure of improved design. The electrochemical cell includes an elongated housing (2) containing an electrolyte solution (5) and a battery stack (3) in contact with the electrolyte solution. The battery stack includes a concentric arrangement of an anode (7), a porous separator (8), and a carbon current collector cathode structure (9). The carbon current collector cathode structure in accordance with the invention includes a vertical stacked array of annular-shaped porous carbon elements having coaxially aligned openings therein. An elongated, hollow, metal current collector tube (14) having a large number of small openings (20) formed therein for its entire length is disposed within and along the openings in the array of carbon elements and in direct physical contact with the carbon elements. The electrolyte solution in the cell is supplied directly to the array of carbon elements and also by way of the openings in the current collector tube. The carbon elements have a network of electrolyte-conducting channels therein and respond to the electrolyte solution received thereby to swell or expand outwardly against the porous separator and anode. As a result, constituent particles of the carbon elements fill the openings in the current collector tube, thereby permanently locking the array of carbon elements to the tube. </p> |