Patent ID: 6074775
Filing Date: 2000-06-13
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A multiple-cell battery comprising:(a) a housing having an output positive terminal, an output negative terminal and a periphery;(b) at least one microvalve disposed in a portion of said periphery of said housing;(c) a first oxygen pervious container contained within said housing, said first container having a first container positive terminal and a first container negative terminal, said first container being electrically connected to said output positive terminal and said output negative terminal of said housing;(d) a first metal-air electrochemical cell disposed within said first container, said first cell having a first positive electrode electrically connected to said first container positive terminal, a first negative electrode electrically connected to said first container negative terminal, and a first cell voltage measured across said first positive electrode and said first negative electrode of said first cell;(e) a second container at least substantially contained within said housing, said second container having a second container positive terminal and a second container negative terminal, said second container being electrically connected to said output positive terminal and said output negative terminal of said housing;(f) a second electrochemical cell disposed within said second container, said second cell having a second positive electrode electrically connected to said second container positive terminal, a second negative electrode electrically connected to said second container negative terminal, and a second cell voltage measured across said second positive electrode and said second negative electrode; and(g) a controller electrically connected to said first positive electrode and said first negative electrode of said first cell, said controller controlling said microvalve.