Fuel Cell With Simultaneous Charging And Discharging Function

Various embodiments of fuel cells and cell assemblies and methods of using the same are provided. Each fuel cell or cell assembly can simultaneously perform a charging function and a discharging function, the former by receiving electric currents from external charging devices, the latter by outputting an electric current to an electrical load. The fuel cell includes a metal layer serving as a positive electrode for the charging function, at least one air electrode layer serving as a positive electrode for the discharging function, as well as a zinc material serving as a negative electrode for both the charging and discharging functions. The fuel cell also includes a plurality of gas chambers via which an electrolyte is disposed into the fuel cell. The electrolyte is disposed up to a level located lower than the gas chambers.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally related to a fuel cell. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to an air fuel cell with multiple electric connectors and each electric connector serves as an electrode of the air fuel cell which includes zinc negative electrodes, air positive electrodes, a positive electrode for charging and an electrolyte which regulates an activated mode and a deactivated mode of the air fuel cell.

BACKGROUND

In the present disclosure, “battery cell”, “battery”, “cell”, “fuel cell” are interchangeably used to refer to an electrochemical device that is capable of holding energy stored in a form of electric charges at a certain electric potential. Moreover, the electrochemical device is capable, through a discharging process, of draining or otherwise releasing the stored energy in a form of an electric current, which often passes through an electrical load that receives or otherwise consumes the stored energy. The electric current provided by the battery to the load through the discharging process may be referred as an output current of the battery. The output current may be provided at a certain output voltage that may or may not be varying. After the energy stored in a battery drains low due to the discharging process, a charging or recharging process may be applied to the battery to restore or otherwise bring up the energy level therewithin. The charging process generally involves imposing an electric current (referred as a charging current) to the drained battery at a certain electric potential (referred as a charging voltage) from an external source. After the charging process, the battery is again holding energy that can be released through another round of discharging process.

Fuel cell energy dominates a scientific field which is directed to directly converting chemical energy into electrical energy. A fuel cell has high-density energy in the process of energy generation, and the electrical energy comes from the potential difference between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and results in little pollution to the environment at the same time. Therefore, a fuel cell is widely researched by academia and the industry to lead to revolutionary improvement to the global carbon (petrochemical) emission phenomenon, energy shortage and environmental pollution.

The internal configuration of a conventional zinc-air fuel cell (ZAFC) is mostly composed of an air electrode, a zinc anode, a liquid storage space, and an electrolyte. A conventional zinc-air fuel cell (ZAFC) is usually a manually replaceable cell. In other words, the electrodes or the electrolyte of such cell is only manually replaceable to regenerate its electric capacity. A zinc-air fuel cell may discharge or be charged. The discharge reaction may involve the following half-reactions:

The negative electrode:

The positive electrode:

The overall reaction is:

On the other hand, the charge reaction may involve the following half-reactions:

The cathode:

The anode:

The overall reaction is:

Zinc oxide is reduced to nano-scale zinc in the presence of an alkaline electrolyte in electrolysis.

When left unused or after used for a long time, the polarization, the passivation and the dendrite growth of the zinc anode led to rapid corrosion of the zinc anode, worse performance of the zinc-air fuel cell, the acidification of the electrolyte and reduced battery life due to continuous soaking of the air electrode and of the zinc anode in the electrolyte. Although the presence of a zinc-air fuel cell structure with three electrodes is available, it fails to solve the problems such as high current recharging and discharging and redox efficiency, and the problem of leakage of a zinc air fuel cell still remains unsolved. Further, conventional fuel cells cannot effectively deal with the cycle blocking problem of single battery and multiple series and parallel batteries.

SUMMARY

The primary object of the present disclosure resides in the partial or complete removal of the electrolytic solution in the cell when the zinc-air fuel cell with multiple electric connectors of the present disclosure is kept in an unused state, to further avoid the contact of the anode structures with the electrolytic solution to stop the electrochemical reaction and to avoid the corruption or surface peeling of the anode structures or cathode structures as well as to extend the storage life or the service life of the air fuel cell.

The secondary object of the present disclosure resides in the design of a zinc-air fuel cell with multiple electric connectors which have positive electrodes and negative electrodes so that a single cell itself may undergo a chemical reaction of charge or a chemical reaction of discharge at the same time without the need of manual replacement of the electrodes or electrolyte.

Another object of the present disclosure enables the input or output of at least one of the zinc material and the electrolytic solution through a transport device into or out of the zinc-air fuel cell with multiple electric connectors of the present disclosure so as to promote the replacement or the renewal operation process of the zinc material or of the electrolytic solution to double the efficiency of the operation process. The design of the zinc-air fuel cell may provide multiple gas chambers to reduce the cycle blocking problem of a single battery.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a fuel cell assembly that is capable of simultaneously performing a charging function and a discharging function. The fuel cell assembly may include a plurality of fuel cells arranged in a stacking structure. The plurality of fuel cells may be wired in various wiring configurations to provide respective advantages in performing the charging and discharging functions, as each configuration may fit for different applications.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, a zinc-air fuel cell with multiple electric connectors is provided. The zinc-air fuel cell with multiple electric connectors according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a case forming a space that is internal to the zinc-air fuel cell; a metal layer disposed in the space and serving as a positive electrode for the charging function; a first air electrode layer and a second air electrode layer disposed in the space and serving as positive electrodes for the discharging function, the first and second air electrode layers each disposed on two opposite sides of the metal layer; a zinc material disposed in the space and serving as a negative electrode for the charging function and the discharging function; a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer each disposed between the metal layer and one of the first air electrode layer and the second air electrode layer, each of the first and second conductive layer having a central recessed region for accommodating the zinc material; a plurality of separators respectively disposed between the first and second air electrode layers, the first and second conductive layers and the metal layer so that the first and second air electrode layers, the first and second conductive layers and the metal layer are separately arranged; an electrolyte disposed in the space, the electrolyte capable of flowing to pass through the separators and in contact with the air electrode layers, with the metal layer and with the zinc material so that the air electrode layers, the zinc material and the metal layer are respectively electrically connected; and a plurality of gas chambers disposed in the space. Moreover, the electrolyte is disposed in the space via at least one of the plurality of gas chambers that are configured to pass but not to hold the electrolyte. Also, the electrolyte is disposed in the space up to a level that is located lower than the plurality of gas chambers.

The zinc material is selected from a group consisting of flowable zinc slurry, zinc particles and a zinc plate. The embodiments of the conductive layers may be different to correspond to the selection of the zinc material. The flowable zinc slurry may be in a form of “mortar-like”, such as a mixture of zinc particles, a liquid and some optional additives. The viscosity of the flowable zinc slurry is related to its circulation speed. The faster the circulation speed is, the lower the viscosity, and the slower the circulation speed is, the higher the viscosity.

Furthermore, when a flat surface for supporting the cell is used as a horizontal reference, the air electrode layers, the metal layer and the zinc material are configured to be vertically arranged with respect to the flat surface. This configuration is different from the conventional upright position of lateral arrangement. The zinc material may include a flowable zinc slurry, a zinc particle or a zinc plate.

The zinc-air fuel cell with multiple electric connectors may further include a transport device. The transport device is connected to the space and capable of outputting or inputting the electrolyte, thereby changing the height position of the electrolyte in the space. By changing the total amount of the electrolyte in the space and the internal structure which the height of a liquid may contact, the contact of the structure at a specific height with the liquid and the contact of the position in the space with the liquid may be avoided and the corruption of a specific structure or surface peeling may be prevented.

The present disclosure is characterized in that the zinc material of the present disclosure is used as a negative electrode, and the air electrode layers and the metal layer are respectively used as positive electrodes. The positive electrodes and the negative electrodes may collectively or individually form the multiple electric connectors in a zinc-air fuel cell.

In addition, the transport device connecting the space may change the total amount of the electrolyte and the liquid height of the electrolyte by removing most of the electrolyte out of the space to avoid the contact of the electrolyte with the internal structure in the space when the zinc-air fuel cell with multiple electric connectors of the present disclosure is in storage or not in use, to avoid the undesirable self-discharging or charging reaction of the zinc-air fuel cell with multiple electric connectors of the present disclosure and to avoid the corruption or surface peeling of the internal structure in the space so as to extend the storage life or the service life of the zinc-air fuel cell with multiple electric connectors of the present disclosure.

In addition to the zinc-air fuel cell, the present disclosure also provides various embodiments of a cell assembly comprising a plurality of fuel cells, as described above, that are arranged in a stacking structure. Different configurations of the cell assembly may be achieved by various inter-cell and/or intra-cell connections. Each configuration may perform a corresponding charging function and a corresponding discharging function, whereas the cell assembly is capable of performing the charging function and discharging function simultaneously.

Besides various embodiments of the fuel cell and the cell assembly, still another object of the present disclosure is to provide the present disclosure further provides methods of using the fuel cell and/or the cell assembly to perform a charging function which involves receiving one or more electric currents from one or more charging devices, as well as a discharging function which involves sending one or more electric currents to one or more electrical loads. The charging function and the discharging function can be performed or otherwise operated by the fuel cell or the cell assembly simultaneously. That is, the fuel cell or the cell assembly can perform the charging function while it performs the discharging, and vice versa.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Various exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure are described in detail hereafter and shown in the drawings. In the description with reference to the drawings, the same reference numbers in the drawings denote elements having a same or similar function, unless otherwise stated. Not all of the possible embodiments consistent with the present disclosure are disclosed herein. Instead, only several non-limiting exemplary embodiments are described hereinafter referring to the system examples according to an aspect of the present disclosure or according to the details described in the attached claims.

The drawings herein, as an integral part of the present disclosure, is intended to illustrate or otherwise demonstrate inventive principles of the present disclosure as applied to the various embodiments disclosed herein. Unless stated otherwise, any mentioning of a physical direction or orientation regarding an embodiment herein is for the convenience of explaining the inventive ideas of the present disclosure in view of the embodiment, rather than limiting the inventive ideas only to the specific direction or orientation mentioned. For example, terms describing a relative physical relationship, such as “upward”, “downward”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “on top of”, “underneath”, “above”, “below”, “top”, “bottom”, as well as other derivative adjectives, adverbs, or terms, are used with a sole intention to describe features of an embodiment, which may be as shown in the drawings, but not to limit the features to being only so structured or operated in the specific direction or orientation, unless such a limitation is specifically stated in the description.

As one skilled in the art will understand, electronic equipment manufacturers may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. In the following description and in the claims, the terms “include”, “comprise” and “have” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “include, but not limited to”. Although terms such as first, second, third, etc., may be used to describe diverse constituent elements, such constituent elements are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only to discriminate a constituent element from other constituent elements in the specification. The claims may not use the same terms, but instead may use the terms first, second, third, etc. with respect to the order in which an element is claimed. Accordingly, in the following description, a first constituent element may be a second constituent element in a claim.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “connected to”, “attached to”, “coupled with” or “interlinked with” another element or layer, it may be directly on or directly connected to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be presented. Unless stated otherwise, a connection may be a fixed connection wherein the two connected parts do not have a relative movement, or a flexible connection wherein the two connected parts may have a relative movement.

The various embodiments disclosed herein are for the purpose of serving as examples for demonstrating inventive features and benefits of the present disclosure. That is, the inventive principles of the present disclosure are not limited to the applications of the exemplary embodiments. Any application utilizing one of the inventive features described herein, or a combination of a few inventive features thereof, is within the scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the claims presented herein.

In the present disclosure, the terms “cell structure” and “fuel cell” are interchangeably utilized throughout.FIG. 1illustrates an embodiment of an explosive diagram of a cell structure with respect to the zinc-air fuel cell with five electric connectors of the present disclosure. For example, a cell structure100may have five electric connectors and include elements such as a case set110, air electrode layers, a metal layer130, a zinc material140, conductive layers and a plurality of separators. The cell structure100may structurally have multiple portions to assemble, for example a left portion, a right portion and a central portion, but the present disclosure is not limited to these.

The case set110may include a plurality of case elements. A plurality of the case elements together may collectively form the case set110to serve as the cell case of the cell structure100. For example, the case set110may include a first housing in the form of a frame, a second housing in the form of a frame, a third housing in the form of a frame and a fourth housing in the form of a frame, but the present disclosure is not limited to these. The first housing, the second housing, the third housing and the fourth housing may collectively form space to accommodate other elements of the cell structure100, define gas chambers to buffer the input circulation or the output circulation of a fluid for use in the zinc-air fuel cell with five electric connectors and provide solid support for the cell structure100.

For example, the first housing may be a left housing111in the left portion. The second housing may be a right housing112in the right portion. The central housing113may be a central housing113in the central portion. The case set110may further include a lid114to be connected to central housing113to form channels for the circulation of fluids. The fourth housing may be a case housing115to accommodate the left housing111, the right housing112, the central housing113and the lid114. Each housing or lid may have a complementary structure with respect to one another, such as one or more holes for fastening two pieces of housing or of lid or for snapping up two pieces of housing or of lid, to facilitate the mutual engagement to obtain a cell structure100to improve the air tightness and/or the leak-proof property of the cell structure100.

In some embodiments, the right housing112may have one or more holes112H for the engagement with the case housing115. For example, the holes112H may help an adhesive (not shown) to temporally hold the right housing112and the case housing115together by fastening the frames of the right housing112and of the case housing115. The right housing112and the case housing115may be subjected to a subsequent insert molding method to form a permanent sealed structure, such as an air-tight and/or a leak-proof cell structure, in the presence of the holes112H and the adhesive (not shown). The left housing111, the central housing113, the lid114and the case housing115may have similar hole(s) for similar use, but the present disclosure is not limited to these. In some embodiments, two adjacent elements may have complementary components for mutual engagement. For example, the central housing113may have a central housing region113C to correspond to a central lid piece114C of the lid114. The central housing region113C may have a complementary recess with respect to the central lid piece114C to facilitate the mutual engagement of the two specific parts for fastening the two elements or for snapping up the two elements, but the present disclosure is not limited to these.

The case set110may include a polyarylsulfone material to enhance the mechanical strength of the cell structure100. For example, at least one of the left housing111, the right housing112, the central housing113, the lid114and the case housing115may include the polyarylsulfone material. The polyarylsulfone material may improve the adherence of the interface between two materially different substances, for example an organic polymer and a metallic material. Further, the polyarylsulfone material may be subjected to an insert molding method to obtain one of the housings or the lid to improve the air tightness and/or the leak-proof property of the cell structure100. The present disclosure may use a polyarylsulfone material-based resin as the substrate for the insert molding method to encapsulate the elements in the zinc-air fuel cell to eliminate the problem of liquid leakage in the prior art. For example, a better air tightness property may decrease the possibility of a gas leak and a better leak-proof property may decrease the possibility of an electrolyte leak. The air tightness property and/or the leak-proof property may increase a fluid sealing property or the reliability of the cell structure100.

The polyarylsulfone material may be thermoplastics with sulfonyl groups. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the polyarylsulfone material may be polysulfones (PSF, PSU), polyethersulfones (PES, PESU), polyarylethersulfones (PAES) and polyphenylene sulfones (PPSU, PPSF), but the present disclosure is not limited to these.

The left housing111along with the central housing113together may form a first space, for example a left space101in the left portion. The left space101may accommodate and fasten one air electrode layer, a metal layer, a zinc material, one conductive layer, multiple separators and the electrolyte170. Similarly, the right housing112along with the central housing113together may form a second space, for example a right space102in the right portion. The right space102may accommodate and fasten one air electrode layer, a metal layer, a zinc material, one conductive layer, multiple separators and the electrolyte170.

The central housing113may have a plurality of gas chambers, such as two gas chambers, for example a first gas chamber103A and a second gas chamber103B. The gas chambers may be disposed in the space, for example the first gas chamber103A and the second gas chamber103B may be disposed in the left space101and in the right space102. In other words, the first gas chamber103A, the second gas chamber103B, the left space101and the right space102may be mutually connected in terms of accommodation to facilitate the continuous circulation of fluids for use in the air fuel cell. The first gas chamber103A or the second gas chamber1038may independently help buffer the fluid circulation of the zinc metal fuel.

The central housing113may further have a guide column113A, disposed between the first gas chamber103A and the second gas chamber103B, or between the left space101and the right space102for example, to help buffer or guide the fluid circulation of the zinc metal fuel. The fluid circulation may include at least one of a gas circulation and an electrolyte circulation.

The lid114and the central housing113together may define the first gas chamber103A or the second gas chamber103B. The lid114may further have holes. For example, the lid114may have a first hole114A and a second hole114B. The first hole114A and the second hole114B may respectively correspond to the first gas chamber103A and the second gas chamber1038. The holes may allow a fluid entering or leaving the first gas chamber103A or the second gas chamber1038.

The case housing115may further have openings. For example, the case housing115may have a first opening115A and a second opening115B. The first opening115A and the second opening115B may respectively correspond to the first hole114A and the second hole114B. The openings may allow a fluid entering or leaving the cell structure100by passing through the first gas chamber103A or through the second gas chamber103B.

An air electrode set120may include two air electrode layers. For example the air electrode set120may include a left air electrode layer121disposed and fastened in the left space101and a right air electrode layer122disposed and fastened in the right space102. The left air electrode layer121or the right air electrode layer122may collectively or individually serve as a positive electrode for discharge in a predetermined chemical reaction. An air electrode may serve as an anode of an air cell. An air electrode layer may include a metal mesh, a waterproof and breathable layer and a catalytic layer which are pressed together. The air electrode layer may accommodate the oxygen gas serving as a positive electrode in the air to react with the fuel (Al, Mg, Zn . . . etc.) in the negative electrode along with an electrolyte in the presence of active carbon and of a catalyst to generate electric energy.

The left air electrode layer121or the right air electrode layer122may respectively include a metallic material, such as Ni, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. Each air electrode layer may further have an extending strip to serve as an electric connector for the electric current. For example, the left air electrode layer121may have a left discharging positive electric connector121E, and the right air electrode layer122may have a right discharging positive electric connector122E.

A metal layer130may be disposed in one of the spaces, for example in the left space101or in the right space102.FIG. 1illustrates an embodiment of the metal layer130disposed in the left space101and between the left air electrode layer121and the central housing113, but the present disclosure is not limited to these. The metal layer130may include a metallic material, such as Ni, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The metal layer130may further include a stainless steel layer, such as a 316 stainless steel mesh. The metal layer130may serve as a positive electrode for charge in the chemical reaction. The metal layer130may further have an extending strip to serve as an electric connector for the electric current. For example, the metal layer130may have a charging positive electric connector130E.

A zinc material140may be disposed in the spaces to serve as a chemically active negative electrode for the charge/discharge reaction. For example, the zinc material140may be a negative electrode to go with the air electrode layers (positive electrodes) for discharge in the chemical reaction. Or, the zinc material140may be a negative electrode to go with the metal layer130(a positive electrode) for charge in the chemical reaction. The zinc material140may include at least one of a flowable zinc slurry, zinc particles and a zinc plate to serve as a fuel of the zinc-air fuel cell with five electric connectors of the present disclosure. The flowable zinc slurry may be in a form of mortar-like, such as a mixture of zinc particles, liquids and some optional additives. The viscosity of the flowable zinc slurry is related to its circulation speed. The faster the circulation speed is, the lower the viscosity is. The liquid may include an electrolyte solution.

A conductive set may include two conductive layers disposed on two sides of the spaces, but the present disclosure is not limited to these. For example the conductive set may include a left conductive layer151disposed and fastened on the left side, i.e. in the left space101and a right conductive layer155disposed and fastened on the right side, i.e. in the right space102. The conductive set may be disposed adjacent to the zinc material140or further, in contact with the zinc material140.

In some embodiments, at least one of the left conductive layer151and the right conductive layer155may be in direct contact with the zinc material140to accommodate the zinc material140. A conductive layer may have a recess to accommodate the zinc material140. For example, the left conductive layer151may have a central region152and a peripheral region153. The central region152may be lower than the peripheral region153to form a left recess154. The left recess154may accommodate the zinc material140to undergo the chemical reaction. Similarly, the right conductive layer155may have a central region156and a peripheral region157. The central region156may be lower than the peripheral region157to form a right recess158. The right recess158may accommodate the zinc material140to undergo the chemical reaction.

One conductive layer may serve as a structural electrode to accommodate the chemically active zinc material140so one of the conductive layers may support the zinc material140to undergo the chemical reaction. Further, one of the conductive layers may serve as an electric current channel to transfer the electrons involved in the chemical reaction. The materials of the conductive layers may be electrically conductive, chemically inactive and not involved in the chemical reaction. The left conductive layer151or the right conductive layer155may respectively include a metallic material, such as Ni or Cu, but the present disclosure is not limited to these. Each conductive layer may have an extending strip to serve as an electric connector for the electric current. For example, the left conductive layer151may have a left negative electric connector151E; the right conductive layer155may have a right negative electric connector155E.

The zinc-air fuel cell with multiple electric connectors of the present disclosure may have multiple gas chambers, for example, the first gas chamber103A and the second gas chamber1036. The zinc-air fuel cell with multiple electric connectors of the present disclosure may have advantageous multiple gas chambers for buffering purpose. In addition to the improvement of the cycling efficiency of the fuel, they may also facilitate the achievement of the function of the relative balance of the internal pressure. A conventional cell structure with three electric connectors only has the fuel cycling channel, and fails to achieve the efficiency of the balanced cycling of fuel and gas in terms of space. Such structure tends to cause excessive pressure inside the cell and results in poor circulation and in low circulation efficiency.

In the case of a zinc-air fuel cell with six electric connectors of the present disclosure, the gas chamber set may be divided into four gas chambers or maintain the configuration of two gas chambers. In terms of electric connectors, the configuration may be equivalent to the series or parallel connection of two zinc-air fuel cells with three electric connectors, and the design of the configuration is optional.

In terms of multiple buffering gas chambers, for example in the case of four buffering gas chambers, they come from two divided buffering gas chambers. In addition to the purpose of the adjustment of efficiency, another purpose may reside in the separate circulation of the fuel from the gas to achieve the effect of non-synchronous circulation. For example, the non-synchronous circulation may only enable the circulation of the gas to improve the discharge efficiency, or alternatively, only enable the circulation of the fuel to improve the charging or the discharging efficiency. Six or more gas chambers function similarly.

As shown inFIG. 1, a plurality of separators may be provided in the spaces. For example, a separator161, a separator162and a separator163may be provided in the left space101. Another separator164may be provided in the right space102. In some embodiments, the separator161, the separator162, the separator163and the separator164may respectively include a hydrophilic separator. A separator may be disposed between two adjacent elements to segregate the two adjacent elements and an element may be disposed between two adjacent separators. For example, the separator161may be disposed between the left air electrode layer121and the left conductive layer151, the separator162may be disposed between the left conductive layer151and the metal layer130, the separator163may be disposed between the metal layer130and the central housing113, and the separator164may be disposed between the right conductive layer155and the right air electrode layer122so that the left air electrode layer121, the left conductive layer151(accommodating the zinc material140), the metal layer130, the central housing113, the right conductive layer155(accommodating the zinc material140) and the right air electrode layer122are separately arranged. The separators may allow the electrolyte170to pass through.

FIG. 1Aillustrates a schematic diagram of an explosive view of a variant embodiment corresponding toFIG. 1of a cell structure of the present disclosure.FIG. 1Aillustrates a simplified cell structure with three electric connectors of the present disclosure. The cell structure with five electric connectors100and the simplified cell structure with three electric connectors100A may share a common feature of multiple gas chambers for buffering the circulation of a fluid. The main difference between the cell structure with five electric connectors100and the simplified cell structure with three electric connectors100A resides in the optional right air electrode layer122and in the optional right conductive layer155. In addition, the separator164may also be optional in the simplified cell structure with three electric connectors100A.

The simplified cell structure with three electric connectors100A may be useful for the application of one-sided ventilation. For example, the simplified cell structure may be useful when one side of the cell is attached to a circuit board to limit the possibility of gas exchange. The configuration of one side air electrode may result in a thinner structure and simplify the manufacture process and the molding process. The cell structure with five electric connectors100of double side air electrodes is better for more gas exchange to yield higher discharge efficiency.

FIG. 2illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the zinc-air fuel cell with five electric connectors of the present disclosure. Accordingly, each one of the left discharging positive electric connector121E, the right discharging positive electric connector122E, the charging positive electric connector130E, the left negative electric connector151E or the right negative electric connector155E may serve as one electric connector in the five electric connectors of the zinc-air fuel cell of the present disclosure. Structurally speaking, the left negative electric connector151E may be disposed between the left discharging positive electric connector121E and the charging positive electric connector130E; the right negative electric connector155E may be disposed between the charging positive electric connector130E and the right discharging positive electric connector122E.

FIG. 3illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the zinc-air fuel cell with five electric connectors of the present disclosure.FIG. 4illustrates a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the zinc-air fuel cell with five electric connectors of the present disclosure. The first opening115A or the second opening115B may allow a fluid to enter or leave the cell structure100. The fluid may be selected form a group consisting of a gas, an electrolyte and a fuel. There may be some holes on some housing, for example holes112H on the right housing112, to help the alignment of molding, for example for use in the insert molding method.

An electrolyte170may optionally fill up to the full level170F or circulate within the first gas chamber103A, the second gas chamber1036, the left space101and the right space102, and flow to pass through the separators, such as the separator161, the separator162, the separator163and the separator164. The electrolyte170may be a liquid electrolyte, such as an electrolytic solution including an aqueous alkaline solution. The aqueous alkaline solution may include an electrolytic solute and a solvent. In some embodiments, the electrolytic solute may include a hydroxide such as potassium hydroxide, and a solvent such as water. The hydrophilic separators, such as those commercially available from Du Pont, may selectively allow polar molecules, such as water molecules, potassium ions and hydroxide ions to pass through, and zinc is not allowed to pass through, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The electrolyte170may be in contact with at least one of the air electrode layers, of the metal layer130and of the zinc material140so that the air electrode layers, the zinc material140and the metal layer130are respectively electrically connected to undergo a discharge reaction or a charge reaction.

FIG. 5illustrates a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of an embodiment along line A-A′ inFIG. 4of the zinc-air fuel cell with five electric connectors of the present disclosure in a horizontal position.FIG. 5Aillustrates a schematic diagram of a perspective view corresponding toFIG. 5of an embodiment of the zinc-air fuel cell with five electric connectors of the present disclosure in a horizontal position. As shown inFIG. 5, the air electrode set120including a left air electrode layer121and a right air electrode layer122, the metal layer130, the zinc material140accommodated in the conductive set may be configured to be vertically arranged with respect to a flat surface, i.e., a stacking structure if the flat surface (not shown) for supporting the cell is used as a horizontal reference. For example, the left air electrode layer121may be the topmost layer, the zinc material140may be the bottommost layer, and the metal layer130may be disposed between the left air electrode layer121and the zinc material140. This novel configuration is different from the conventional upright position of lateral arrangement.

The present disclosure relates to a fuel cell with a zinc material and air to undergo a redox reaction, and in particular the present disclosure is directed to a zinc-air fuel cell which has an electrolyte and a zinc material at the same time to serve as reactant materials and is electrically connected to other external electronic products through the five electric connectors. The fuel cell may use a polysulfone resin to be packaged by an insert molding/injection molding method to diminish the leakage problem of the prior art. The five-electric-connectors structure may further facilitate the special use of performing two separate electrodes or single charging and charging and discharging at the same time.

The zinc-air fuel cell with five electric connectors of the present disclosure has the design of three positive electrodes and two negative electrodes so that a single cell itself may undergo a chemical reaction of charge and/or a chemical reaction of discharge at the same time.

FIG. 6illustrates a schematic diagram of a perspective view of an embodiment of a cell assembly composed of multiple cell structures which correspond to multiple zinc-air fuel cells with five electric connectors of the present disclosure.FIG. 6Aillustrates a schematic diagram of a side view corresponding toFIG. 6of the present disclosure.FIG. 6Billustrates a schematic diagram of a top view corresponding toFIG. 6of the present disclosure. A cell assembly may include two or more cell structures of the present disclosure. For example, the cell assembly200may include twelve cell structures, such as a cell structure201, a cell structure202, a cell structure203, a cell structure204, a cell structure205, a cell structure206, a cell structure207, a cell structure208, a cell structure209, a cell structure210, a cell structure211, a cell structure212, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. At least one cell structure in the cell assembly200may correspond to the zinc-air fuel cell with five electric connectors of the present disclosure.

One cell structure, taking the cell structure201for example, may include a case housing115to accommodate a first opening115A, a second opening115B, a right air electrode layer122of an air electrode set120, a left discharging positive electric connector121E, a right discharging positive electric connector122E, a charging positive electric connector130E, a left negative electric connector151E and a right negative electric connector155E, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. Similar numeral references in other cell structures are omitted for simplicity. Please refer to the above descriptions for the details of the cell structures.

The cell structures in the cell assembly200may be mutually connected. In some embodiments, one cell structure may be electrically connected to another cell structure in parallel. In some embodiments, one cell structure may be electrically connected to another cell structure in series. Further, the openings in adjacent cell structures may be mutually connected. The adjacent openings may be connected by connecting pipes. For example, two adjacent openings may be connected by a connecting pipe.FIG. 6illustrates the cell assembly200may include a connecting pipe210A, a connecting pipe210B, a connecting pipe210C, a connecting pipe210D, a connecting pipe210E, a connecting pipe210F, a connecting pipe210G, a connecting pipe210H, a connecting pipe210I, a connecting pipe210J, and a connecting pipe210K, but the present disclosure is not limited to these. For example, the second opening115B of the cell structure201and the second opening115B′ of the cell structure202are connected by the connecting pipe210E. Similarly, the first opening115A of the cell structure201and the first opening115A′ of the cell structure202are connected by the connecting pipe210F. Other adjacent openings in the cell structures may be connected in a similar way.

Further, the cell assembly200may include a circulation tube set220to allow a fluid to be distributed to at least one of the cell structures through the connecting pipes. The fluid may be selected form a group consisting of a gas, an electrolyte and a fuel. For example, the circulation tube set220may include a source circulation tube and a drain circulation tube. The source circulation tube may allow a fluid to enter the cell assembly200and the drain circulation tube may allow the fluid to leave the cell assembly200.

FIG. 6illustrates the cell assembly200may include a first circulation tube221and a second circulation tube222. If the first circulation tube221is the source circulation tube, the second tube may be the corresponding drain circulation tube. Alternatively, if the first circulation tube221is the drain circulation tube, the second tube may be the corresponding source circulation tube. For example, if a fluid enters the cell structure201of the cell assembly200through the second circulation tube222, the fluid may first pass through the first gas chamber (not shown), the second gas chamber (not shown), the left space (not shown) and the right space (not shown) of the cell structure201, then enter the cell structure202, the cell structure203, the cell structure204, the cell structure205, the cell structure206, the cell structure207, the cell structure208, the cell structure209, the cell structure210, the cell structure211, and the first gas chamber (not shown), the second gas chamber (not shown), the left space (not shown) and the right space (not shown) of the cell structure212, then leave the cell assembly200through the first circulation tube221of the cell structure212, but the present disclosure is not limited to these.

Additionally, the cell assembly200may be equipped with one or more regulating devices to facilitate the regulation and/or circulation of the fluid in least one of the cell structures and/or between at least one of the cell structures through the connecting pipes. For example, the regulating device may include a fuel tank230and a circulating pump233, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The circulating pump233may serve as a transport device to facilitate the circulation of the fluid, or the regulation of the volume of the fluid to be distributed in the cell assembly200, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The fuel tank230may provide the cell assembly200with chemicals, for example the electrolyte, the zinc material and the combination thereof to buffer the chemical reactions.

In some embodiments, the cell structure100of the present disclosure may further include an optional transport device such as the circulating pump233. The optional circulating pump233may help regulate the presence or the absence of the electrolyte170in the cell structure100, or further assist to activate the predetermined chemical reaction or to deactivate the predetermined chemical reaction. In the absence of sufficient electrolyte170in the cell structure100, the predetermined chemical reaction may be optionally ceased or significantly deactivated as much as possible to overcome the problems in the conventional cells or in the conventional batteries. The input or the output of a fluid which may be regulated by circulating pump233may change the height of the electrolyte170in at least one of the spaces, so that the electrolyte170may contact different elements in at least one of the spaces to accordingly change the status of the cell structure100of the present disclosure. This is one of the features of the cell structure100of the present disclosure.

The transport device may be connected to the spaces or to the gas chambers to regulate the entry or the departure of fluids, for example to regulate the entry or the departure of the gas and/or the electrolyte170. Further, the transport device may regulate a height of the electrolyte170in the spaces. The height may enable the contact of the electrolyte170with the air electrode set120such as the left air electrode layer121or the right air electrode layer122, with the metal layer130or with the zinc material140to determine the activation or the deactivation of the pre-determined chemical reaction. This approach may avoid the undesirable self-discharging or charging reaction of the zinc-air fuel cell with five electric connectors of the present disclosure when the cell structure100is in storage or not in use, and further avoid the corruption or surface peeling of the internal structure in the spaces so as to extend the storage life or the service life of the zinc-air fuel cell with five electric connectors of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the transport device may regulate the input of the electrolyte170into the left space101and into the right space102through the first gas chamber103A and/or the second gas chamber103B if the first gas chamber103A, the second gas chamber1038, the left space101and the right space102are mutually connected. For example, the transport device may provide the cell structure100with at least one of the zinc material140and the electrolyte170in a controlled condition to increase the volume of the electrolyte170in the cell structure100, optionally may be up to the full level170F (shown inFIG. 4). The increase of the volume of the electrolyte170results in the increase of the height of the electrolyte170in the left space101and in the right space102.

In some embodiments, the transport device may regulate the output of at least one of the zinc material140and the electrolyte170from the left space101and the right space102through the first gas chamber103A and/or the second gas chamber103B if the first gas chamber103A, the second gas chamber103B, the left space101and the right space102are mutually connected. For example, the transport device may drain at least one of the zinc material140and the electrolyte170out of the cell structure100in a controlled condition to decrease the volume of at least one of the zinc material140and the electrolyte170in the cell structure100. The decrease of the volume of the electrolyte170may result in the decrease of the height of the electrolyte170in the left space101and in the right space102.

In some embodiments, the transport device may regulate the input of the gas into the left space101and into the right space102through the first gas chamber103A and/or the second gas chamber103B if the first gas chamber103A, the second gas chamber103B, the left space101and the right space102are mutually connected. The gas may include at least one of oxygen and air. For example, the transport device may provide the cell structure100with the gas in a controlled condition to facilitate the activation or the continuation of the pre-determined chemical reaction.

In some embodiments, the transport device may regulate the output of the gas from the left space101and from the right space102through the first gas chamber103A and/or the second gas chamber103B if the first gas chamber103A, the second gas chamber1038, the left space101and the right space102are mutually connected. The gas may include at least one of oxygen, air, oxygen-poor air and oxygen-depleted air. For example, the transport device may expel the gas from the cell structure100in a controlled condition to facilitate the continuation, the deactivation or the suppression of the pre-determined chemical reaction.

In some embodiments, the height of the electrolyte170may regulate the status of the cell structure100of the present disclosure. The status may include the activation of a charge reaction, the activation of a discharge reaction, the deactivation of the discharge reaction and the deactivation of a pre-determined chemical reaction.

For example, the cell structure100may be activated for a discharge reaction when the height of the electrolyte170enables the electrolyte140in contact with the air electrode set120such as the left air electrode layer121or the right air electrode layer122, with the metal layer130and with the zinc material140simultaneously.

For example, the cell structure100may be activated fora charge reaction when the height of the electrolyte170enables the electrolyte170in contact with the air electrode set120such as the left air electrode layer121or the right air electrode layer122, with the metal layer130and with the zinc material140simultaneously.

For example, the cell structure100may be activated for a discharge reaction when the height of the electrolyte170enables the electrolyte170in contact with the air electrode set120such as the left air electrode layer121or the right air electrode layer122, and with the zinc material140simultaneously.

For example, the cell structure100may be activated fora charge reaction when the height of the electrolyte170makes the electrolyte170in contact with the metal layer130and with the zinc material140simultaneously.

For example, the cell structure100may be deactivated for a chemical reaction when the electrolyte170is in exclusive contact with only one of the air electrode set120such as the left air electrode layer121or the right air electrode layer122, the metal layer130and the zinc material140.

The present disclosure may enable the input or the output of at least one of the zinc material140and the electrolytic solution170through a transport device into or out of the zinc-air fuel cell with multiple electric connectors of the present disclosure so as to promote the replacement or the renewal operation process of the zinc material140or of the electrolytic solution170to double the efficiency of the operation process.

The zinc-air fuel cell with multiple electric connectors of the present disclosure may improve the reaction efficiency and charge and discharge performance of the fuel cell.

In some embodiments, the fuel tank230may have a gas hole230G, a fuel outlet2310, and a fuel inlet2321. The gas hole230G may facilitate to balance the gas pressure in the fuel tank230. For example, excess gas in the fuel tank230may be discharged through the gas hole230G. The fuel outlet2310may be connected to a fuel pipe231which is connected to the first circulation tube221. The fuel inlet2321may be connected to another fuel pipe232which is connected to the circulating pump233.

In some embodiments, the circulating pump233may have a fuel outlet2320, and a fuel inlet2221. The fuel outlet2320may be connected to the fuel pipe232which is connected to the fuel inlet2321. The fuel inlet2221may be connected to the second circulation tube222. The electrolyte and/or the zinc material may enter the first circulation tube221of the cell assembly200from the fuel outlet2310of the fuel tank230along the circulation direction233D through the fuel pipe231. The electrolyte and/or the zinc material may enter the fuel inlet2221of the circulating pump233from the second opening115B of the cell assembly200along the circulation direction233D through the second circulation tube222. The electrolyte and/or the zinc material may return to the fuel inlet2321of the fuel tank230from the fuel outlet2320of the circulating pump233through the fuel pipe232to complete the overall circulation.

As mentioned above, the multiple electric connectors of the zinc-air fuel cell according to the present disclosure enables the fuel cell to perform the charging and discharging functions at the same time. That is, the zinc-air fuel cell according to the present disclosure is capable of sending, through the discharging function, the electrical energy stored in the fuel cell to a load that dissipates or otherwise consumes the electrical energy, while simultaneously being charged, through the charging function, by an external power source to restore or otherwise replenish the electrical energy stored in the fuel cell. The unique feature of performing both the charging and discharging functions at the same time makes the fuel cell according to the present disclosure a versatile and advantageous choice of power source in many practical applications over existing alternative technologies, which normally require a fuel cell to stop servicing a load before being charged and inevitably interrupt the service. For example, when the battery's electricity level is low and the battery does not support simultaneous charging and discharging, a transportation vehicle employing such a battery as its main power source, e.g., an electric moped or scooter, would need to interrupt its travel and stop by a charging station or a battery swapping station in order for the battery to be charged or swapped out. In contrast, the fuel cell according to the present disclosure would enable the electric moped to continue traveling while the fuel cell is being charged by an external power source, such as solar panels installed on the moped and electrically coupled to the fuel cell. In this way, the moped is able to attain a longer travel distance than otherwise without a need to interrupt its travel for battery charging or swapping.

Another advantageous example that may take advantage of the unique feature of the simultaneous charging/discharging function of the fuel cell of the present disclosure is flying drones. Flying drones have been adopted to an ever-wider range of applications including surveillance, delivery, agriculture, entertainment, etc., and a longer flight time of a flying drone (i.e., the time duration for which the drone is able to remain airborne) is almost always preferred in various applications. A tradeoff is obvious when a drone tries to extend the flight time by employing a high-capacity battery, as a high-capacity battery is inevitably heavier, which is unfavorable to having a long flight time. However, with the fuel cell of the present disclosure, external power sources can be used to charge the fuel cell while the fuel cell provides the power to the propellers of a flying drone. For example, the flying drone may be equipped with one or more electrical generators, e.g., wind turbine generators, that are able to generate electricity from winds or air currents flowing through the wind turbine generators while the drone is airborne. The electricity generated by the turbine generators can charge the fuel cell through a charging operation while the fuel cell drives, through a discharging operation, the propellers of the drone that make the drone fly. Various methods of simultaneous charging and discharging fuel cells of the present disclosure are detailed further below.

As shown inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the fuel cell100(i.e., the cell structure100) has five electric connectors, namely,130E,151E,155E,121E and122E. The electric connector130E is electrically coupled to the metal layer130, which is the positive electrode of the fuel cell100as the fuel cell100performs the charging function. The electric connector121E is electrically coupled to the left air electrode layer121, whereas the electric connector122E is electrically coupled to the right air electrode layer122. Both the left air electrode layer121and the right air electrode layer122serve as the positive electrode of the fuel cell100as the fuel cell100performs the discharging function. Specifically, the left air electrode layer121serves as the positive electrode of the discharging operation when the fuel cell100discharges the electrolyte170within the left space101, whereas the right air electrode layer122serves as the positive electrode of the discharging operation when the fuel cell100discharges the electrolyte170within the right space102. Moreover, each of the electric connectors151E and155E is electrically coupled to the zinc material140, which is the negative electrode of the fuel cell100as the fuel cell100performs either or both the charging function and the discharging function. Specifically, the electric connector151E is electrically coupled to the zinc material140that is in contact with, or within a proximity of, the left conductive layer151, which serves as the negative electrode when the fuel cell100discharges the electrolyte170within the left space101. Similarly, the electric connector155E is electrically coupled to the zinc material140that is in contact with, or within a proximity of, the right conductive layer155, which serves as the negative electrode when the fuel cell100discharges the electrolyte170within the right space102.

It follows that the fuel cell100may be modeled by, or conceptually viewed as, two electric batteries illustrated inFIG. 7, with each of the two batteries corresponding to electrochemical reactions happening within each of the left space101and the right space102, respectively. Specifically,FIG. 7illustrates a two-battery circuit model700of the fuel cell100, with a battery701corresponding to electrochemical (i.e., charging and discharging) reactions happening within the left space101, and a battery702corresponding to electrochemical reactions happening within the right space102. Each of the batteries701and702has two distinctive positive nodes or terminals, one for the charging operation and the other for the discharging operation. The positive charging node of the battery701and the positive charging node of the battery702are coupled together to electrode130E of the fuel cell100, as the left space101and the right space102share a common metal layer, i.e., the metal layer130. The positive discharging node of the battery701is coupled to the electrode121E of the fuel cell100, whereas the positive discharging node of the battery702is coupled to the electrode122E of the fuel cell100. Moreover, each of the batteries701and702has a negative node or terminal for both the charging and discharging functions of the respective battery. The negative node of the battery701is coupled to the electrode151E of the fuel cell100, whereas the negative node of the battery702is coupled to the electrode155E of the fuel cell100.

When the fuel cell100performs the charging function (i.e., the charging operation) and the discharging function (i.e., the discharging operation) at the same time, the fuel cell100can be placed in one of two different configurations. Specifically, the fuel cell100can be configured such that the batteries701and702are either in parallel connection or in serial connection when performing the discharging function, as explained below.

FIG. 8Aillustrates a configuration800of the fuel cell100wherein the batteries701and702are connected in parallel as the fuel cell100simultaneously performs the discharging function and the charging function. Specifically, the fuel cell100, when placed in the configuration800, is driving an electrical load820(e.g., an electric motor) through the discharging operation, while the fuel cell100is being charged via the charging operation at the same time, i.e., receiving electricity generated by an external power source810(e.g., solar panels). As shown inFIG. 8A, the batteries701and702are connected in parallel as they drive the load820with an electric current825(i.e., the fuel cell100is performing the discharging function), because the electrodes121E and122E are electrically coupled at a same electric potential while the electrodes151E and155E are also electrically coupled at a same electric potential. Meanwhile, the batteries701and702are connected in parallel as they receive an electric current815from the external power source810(i.e., the fuel cell100is performing the charging function). Since the batteries701and702are connected in parallel as they drive the load820, the electric potential across the positive and negative terminals of the load820is substantially equal to the terminal voltage of the battery701(i.e., the voltage difference between the electrodes121E and151E), as well as to the terminal voltage of the battery702(i.e., the voltage difference between the electrodes122E and155E). For instance, each of the terminal voltage of the battery701and the terminal voltage of the battery702may be approximately 12 volts (V), which is also the voltage applied across the load820by the fuel cell100.

FIG. 8Billustrates a configuration805of the fuel cell100wherein the batteries701and702are connected in series as the fuel cell100performs the discharging function, while the fuel cell100also simultaneously performs the charging function. Specifically, the fuel cell100, when placed in the configuration805, is driving an electrical load820(e.g., an electric motor) through the discharging operation, while the fuel cell100is being charged via the charging operation at the same time, i.e., receiving electricity generated by external power sources830and840(e.g., solar panels). As shown inFIG. 8B, batteries701and702are connected in series as they drive the load820with an electric current826(i.e., the fuel cell100is performing the discharging function), because the electrodes151E and122E are electrically coupled together at a same electric potential, while the electrodes121E and155E are electrically coupled to the positive and negative terminals of the load820, respectively. Meanwhile, the batteries701and702are connected in a pseudo-parallel connection as the fuel cell100simultaneously performs the charging function. That is, while the batteries701and702have their respective positive charging terminals coupled together (i.e., the electrode130E), their negative charging terminals (i.e., the electrode151E and the electrode155E) are not electrically coupled together. Specifically in the configuration805, while the positive charging terminals of the batteries701and702are electrically coupled together, through the electrode130E, to the positive terminals of both a first external power source (i.e., the external power source830) and a second external power source (i.e., the external power source840), the negative charging terminals of the batteries701and702(i.e., the electrodes151E and155E) are not electrically coupled together. As shown inFIG. 8B, the electrode151E is electrically coupled to the negative terminal of the external power source830, whereas the electrode155E is electrically coupled to the negative terminal of the external power source840. Therefore, as the fuel cell100performs the charging operation, the battery701is charged by a current835generated by the external power source830, whereas the battery702is charged by a current845generated by the external power source840. Meanwhile, the fuel cell100performs the discharging operation by driving the load820with a current826that is generated by the batteries701and702. As the batteries701and702are connected in series, the electric potential across the positive and negative terminals of the load820is substantially equal a sum of the terminal voltage of the battery701(i.e., the voltage difference between the electrodes121E and151E) and the terminal voltage of the battery702(i.e., the voltage difference between the electrodes122E and155E). For instance, each of the terminal voltage of the battery701and the terminal voltage of the battery702may be approximately 12 volts (V), and thus the voltage applied across the load820by the fuel cell100may be approximately 12V+12V=24V.

FIG. 9illustrates a schematic diagram of a perspective view of the fuel cell100.FIG. 9is essentially identical to the perspective view of the fuel cell100shown inFIG. 3only with a different orientation, that is, an upright orientation. The upright orientation of the fuel cell100is consistent with the orientation of the cell assembly200shown inFIG. 6, wherein a plurality of the fuel cells100may be employed to embody one, more, or all of the cell structures201-212. It is worth noting that the upright position of the fuel cell100as shown inFIG. 6allows the gas chambers103A and103B, shown inFIG. 4, to stay above the full level170F of the electrolyte170, so that the gas chambers103A and1036can function to adjust, guide or otherwise buffer the gas circulation and the electrolyte circulation inside the fuel cell100such that the internal pressure of the fuel cell100can be adjusted and balanced accordingly to facilitate the electrolyte circulation within each of the plurality of the fuel cells100of the cell assembly200, as described elsewhere in the disclosure.

FIG. 10Aillustrates a schematic diagram of a wiring configuration1091that shows how the fuel cell100may be wired or otherwise electrically coupled with one or more charging devices as well as one or more electrical loads to realize the configuration800ofFIG. 8A, wherein the batteries701and702are configured in a parallel connection for both the charging operation and the discharging operation of the fuel cell100. Compared with the perspective view of the fuel cell100inFIG. 3, the electrode122E shown inFIG. 10Ais folded toward the electrode121E by approximately 90 degrees so that the electrode122E is shorted with the electrode121E. Similarly, the electrode155E is folded toward the electrode151E by approximately 90 degrees so that the electrode155E is shorted with the electrode151E. Additionally, the external power source810is electrically coupled to the fuel cell100via a pair of wires1011and1012, whereas the load820is electrically coupled to the fuel cell100via a pair of wires1021and1022. Specifically, the wire1011couples the positive terminal of the external power source810to the electrode130E of the fuel cell100, whereas the wire1012couples the negative terminal of the external power source810to the electrode151E (and thus also electrically to the electrode155E) of the fuel cell100. Also, the wire1021couples the positive terminal of the load820to the electrode121E (and thus also electrically to the electrode122E) of the fuel cell100, whereas the wire1022couples the negative terminal of the load820to the electrode151E (and thus also electrically to the electrode155E) of the fuel cell100.

The shorting of the electrodes121E and122E, as well as the shoring of the electrodes151E and155E, are required to place the fuel cell100in the configuration800. Instead of folding down electrodes122E and155E to respectively short with the electrodes121E and151E, other shoring mechanisms may be employed. For example, the electrodes121E and122E may be shorted by an electrical conductor such as a wire, and the electrodes151E and155E may also be shorted likewise. As another example, a metal (e.g., nickel) or other electrically conductive sheet may be made into an L-shaped piece and used as a common electrode to replace the electrodes121E and122E, thereby shorting the left air electrode layer121and the right air electrode layer122of the fuel cell100. Likewise, an L-shaped sheet metal piece or conductor may be used as a common electrode to replace the electrodes151E and155E, thereby shorting the left conductive layer151and the right conductive layer155of the fuel cell100.

FIG. 10Billustrates a schematic diagram of a wiring configuration1092that shows how the fuel cell100may be wired or otherwise electrically coupled with one or more charging devices as well as one or more electrical loads to realize the configuration805ofFIG. 8B, wherein the batteries701and702are configured in a serial connection for the discharging operation of the fuel cell100, and in a pseudo-parallel connection for the charging operation of the fuel cell100. As shown inFIG. 10B, a wire1051is used to electrically couple the electrode151E with the electrode122E. The external power source830is electrically coupled to the fuel cell100via a pair of wires1031and1032, whereas the external power source840is electrically coupled to the fuel cell100via a pair of wires1041and1042. Specifically, the wire1031couples the positive terminal of the external power source830to the electrode130E of the fuel cell100, whereas the wire1032couples the negative terminal of the external power source830to the electrode151E of the fuel cell100. Likewise, the wire1041couples the positive terminal of the external power source840to the electrode130E of the fuel cell100, whereas the wire1042couples the negative terminal of the external power source840to the electrode155E of the fuel cell100. Besides, the load820is electrically coupled to the fuel cell100via a pair of wires1021and1023. Specifically, the wire1021couples the positive terminal of the load820to the electrode121E of the fuel cell100, whereas the wire1023couples the negative terminal of the load820to the electrode155E of the fuel cell100.

An equivalent configuration to the one shown inFIG. 8BandFIG. 10Bis easily obtained by swapping the batteries701and702in the configuration. The equivalent configuration is shown inFIG. 100as a wiring configuration1093, wherein the batteries701and702are configured in a serial connection for the discharging operation of the fuel cell100, and in a pseudo-parallel connection for the charging operation of the fuel cell100. As shown inFIG. 100, a wire1052is used to electrically couple the electrode121E with the electrode155E. The connections between the fuel cell100and the external power sources830and840remain the same as those inFIG. 10B. The load820is electrically coupled to the fuel cell100via a pair of wires1024and1022. Specifically, the wire1024couples the positive terminal of the load820to the electrode122E of the fuel cell100, whereas the wire1022couples the negative terminal of the load820to the electrode151E of the fuel cell100.

FIG. 11illustrates a flow diagram of an example process1100for simultaneously performing a charging function and a discharging function with a fuel cell. Process1100may be employed by the fuel cell100to realize the charging-discharging configuration800ofFIG. 8A, wherein the fuel cell100is sending the electric current825to the load820by performing the discharging function while simultaneously receiving the electric current815from the external power source810by performing the charging function. Process1100may wire the fuel cell100with one or more charging devices as well as one or more electrical loads, such as how the fuel cell100is wired as shown inFIG. 10A. Process1100may include blocks1110,1120,1130,1140,1150and1160. Process1100may begin at block1110.

At block1110, the process1100involves providing a fuel cell that is capable of performing a charging function and a discharging function simultaneously. For example, the fuel cell100may be provided at block1110. The fuel cell may include a case that forms a space internal to the fuel cell, as well as a plurality of gas chambers (e.g., the gas chambers103A and103B) that are disposed in the space. The fuel cell may further include a first air electrode layer and a second air electrode layer (e.g., the left air electrode layer121and the right air electrode layer122) that are disposed in the space. Each of the first and second air electrode layers may serve as a positive electrode for the discharging function of the fuel cell. The fuel cell may also include a metal layer (e.g., the metal layer130) disposed in the space. The metal layer may serve as a positive electrode for the charging function of the fuel cell. The fuel cell may also include a zinc material (e.g., the zinc material140) disposed in the space. The zinc material may serve as a negative electrode for both the charging function and the discharging function of the fuel cell. In some embodiments, the fuel cell may further include a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer (e.g., the left conductive layer151and the right conductive layer155) that are respectively arranged on two opposite sides of the metal layer130, wherein the zinc material is disposed at a central recessed region (e.g., the left recess154or the right recess158) of each of the first and second conductive layers. The fuel cell may also include a plurality of separators (e.g., separators161,162,163and164) disposed in the space. The plurality of separators are respectively disposed between the air electrode layers, the zinc material and the metal layer so that the first and second air electrode layers, the first and second conductive layers and the metal layer are separately arranged. Finally, the fuel cell may also include an electrolyte (e.g., the electrolyte170) disposed in the space. The electrolyte is capable of flowing to pass through the separators and in contact with the first and second air electrode layers, with the metal layer and with the zinc material so that the air electrode layers, the zinc material and the metal layer are respectively electrically connected. Moreover, the electrolyte is disposed in the space via at least one of the plurality of gas chambers that are configured to pass but not to hold the electrolyte. Also, the electrolyte is disposed in the space up to a level that is located lower than the plurality of gas chambers. Process1100may proceed from block1110to block1120.

At block1120, the process1100involves providing a charging device (e.g., the external power source810), wherein the charging device has a positive terminal and a negative terminal. Process1100may proceed from block1120to block1130.

At block1130, the process1100involves providing an electrical load (e.g., the load820), wherein the load has a positive terminal and a negative terminal. Process1100may proceed from block1130to block1140.

At block1140, the process1100involves electrically coupling the positive terminal of the charging device to the metal layer of the fuel cell. For example, as shown in the configuration800, the positive terminal of the external power source810is electrically coupled to the electrode130E, which is in turn electrically coupled to the metal layer130of the fuel cell100. Process1100may proceed from block1140to block1150.

At block1150, the process1100involves electrically coupling the positive terminal of the load to each of the first and second air electrode layers of the fuel cell. For example, as shown in the configuration800, the positive terminal of the load820is electrically coupled to the electrode121E, which is in turn electrically coupled to the left air electrode layer121. In addition, the positive terminal of the load820is also electrically coupled to the electrode122E, which is in turn electrically coupled to the right air electrode layer122. Process1100may proceed from block1150to block1160.

At block1160, the process1100involves electrically coupling the negative terminal of the charging device as well as the negative terminal of the load to the zinc material of the fuel cell. For example, as shown in the configuration800, the negative terminal of the external power source810is electrically coupled to both the electrode151E and the electrode155E, which are in turn electrically coupled to zinc material140of the fuel cell100via the left conductive layer151and the right conductive layer155, respectively. In addition, the negative terminal of the load820is also electrically coupled to both the electrode151E and the electrode155E.

Following the process1100, the fuel cell is configured to perform the charging function and the discharging function at the same time according to the configuration800ofFIG. 8A. Specifically, the fuel cell is configured to perform the charging function by receiving an electric current (e.g., the electric current815) from the charging device. Simultaneously, the fuel cell performs the discharging function by sending an electric current (e.g., the electric current825) to the load (e.g., the load820ofFIG. 8A).

FIG. 12illustrates a flow diagram of an example process1200for simultaneously performing a charging function and a discharging function with a fuel cell. Process1200may be employed by the fuel cell100to realize the charging-discharging configuration805ofFIG. 8B, wherein the fuel cell100is sending the electric current826to the load820by performing the discharging function while simultaneously receiving the electric currents835and845from the external power sources830and840, respectively, by performing the charging function. Process1200may wire the fuel cell100with one or more of charging devices as well as one or more electrical loads, such as how the fuel cell100is wired as shown inFIG. 10BorFIG. 100. Process1200may include blocks1210,1220,1230,1240,1250,1260,1270and1280. Process1200may begin at block1210.

At block1210, the process1200involves providing a fuel cell that is capable of performing a charging function and a discharging function simultaneously. For example, the fuel cell100may be provided at block1210. The fuel cell may include a case that forms a space internal to the fuel cell, as well as a plurality of gas chambers (e.g., the gas chambers103A and103B) that are disposed in the space. The fuel cell may also include a metal layer (e.g., the metal layer130) disposed in the space. The metal layer may serve as a positive electrode for the charging function of the fuel cell. The fuel cell may further include a first air electrode layer and a second air electrode layer (e.g., the left air electrode layer121and the right air electrode layer122) that are disposed in the space and on two opposite sides of the metal layer. Each of the first and second air electrode layers may serve as a positive electrode for the discharging function of the fuel cell. The fuel cell may also include a zinc material (e.g., the zinc material140) disposed in the space. The zinc material may serve as a negative electrode for both the charging function and the discharging function of the fuel cell. In some embodiments, the fuel cell may further include a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer (e.g., the left conductive layer151and the right conductive layer155) that are respectively arranged on two opposite sides of the metal layer130, wherein the zinc material is disposed at a central recessed region (e.g., the left recess154or the right recess158) of each of the first and second conductive layers. Specifically, the first conductive layer may be disposed between the metal layer and the first air electrode layer, whereas the second conductive layer may be disposed between the metal layer and the second air electrode layer. The fuel cell may also include a plurality of separators (e.g., separators161,162,163and164) disposed in the space. The plurality of separators are respectively disposed between the air electrode layers, the first and second conductive layers and the metal layer so that the first and second air electrode layers, the first and second conductive layers and the metal layer are separately arranged. Finally, the fuel cell may also include an electrolyte (e.g., the electrolyte170) disposed in the space. The electrolyte is capable of flowing to pass through the separators and in contact with the first and second air electrode layers, with the metal layer and with the zinc material so that the air electrode layers, the zinc material and the metal layer are respectively electrically connected. Moreover, the electrolyte is disposed in the space via at least one of the plurality of gas chambers that are configured to pass but not to hold the electrolyte. Also, the electrolyte is disposed in the space up to a level that is located lower than the plurality of gas chambers. Process1200may proceed from block1210to block1220.

At block1220, the process1200involves providing a first charging device (e.g., the external power source830) and a second charging device (e.g., the external power source840), wherein each of the first and second charging devices has a positive terminal and a negative terminal. Process1200may proceed from block1220to block1230.

At block1230, the process1200involves providing a load (e.g., the load820), wherein the load has a positive terminal and a negative terminal. Process1200may proceed from block1230to block1240.

At block1240, the process1200involves electrically coupling the positive terminal of each of the first and second charging devices to the metal layer of the fuel cell. For example, as shown in the configuration805, the positive terminal of the external power source830, as well as the positive terminal of the external power source840, are both electrically coupled to the electrode130E, which is in turn electrically coupled to the metal layer130of the fuel cell100. Process1200may proceed from block1240to block1250.

At block1250, the process1200involves electrically coupling the positive terminal of the load to the first air electrode layer of the fuel cell. For example, as shown in the configuration805, the positive terminal of the load820is electrically coupled to the electrode121E, which is in turn electrically coupled to the left air electrode layer121. Process1200may proceed from block1250to block1260.

At block1260, the process1200involves electrically coupling the negative terminal of the first charging device to the zinc material disposed at the central recessed region of the first conductive layer of the fuel cell. For example, as shown in the configuration805, the negative terminal of the external power source830is electrically coupled to the electrode151E, which is in turn electrically coupled to the zinc material140disposed at the left recess154of the left conductive layer151of the fuel cell100. Process1200may proceed from block1260to block1270.

At block1270, the process1200involves electrically coupling the negative terminal of the second charging device as well as the negative terminal of the load to the zinc material disposed at the central recessed region of the second conductive layer of the fuel cell. For example, as shown in the configuration805, the negative terminal of the external power source840is electrically coupled to the electrode155E, which are in turn electrically coupled to the zinc material140disposed at the right recess158of the right conductive layer155of the fuel cell100. In addition, the negative terminal of the load820is also electrically coupled to the electrode155E. Process1200may proceed from block1270to block1280.

At block1280, the process1200involves electrically coupling the second air electrode layer of the fuel cell to the zinc material disposed at the central recessed region of the first conductive layer of the fuel cell. For example, as shown in the configuration805, the electrode122E, which is electrically coupled to the right air electrode layer122, is electrically coupled to the electrode151E, which is electrically coupled to the zinc material140disposed at the left recess154of the left conductive layer151of the fuel cell100.

Following the process1200, the fuel cell is configured to perform the charging function and the discharging function at the same time according to the configuration805ofFIG. 8B. Specifically, the fuel cell is configured to perform the charging function by receiving a first electric current (e.g., the electric current835) from the first charging device (e.g., the external power source830) and by receiving a second electric current (e.g., the electric current845) from the second charging device (e.g., the external power source840). Simultaneously, the fuel cell performs the discharging function by sending an electric current (e.g., the electric current826) to the load (e.g., the load820ofFIG. 8B).

For some applications, two or more of the fuel cells described elsewhere herein may be combined as a cell assembly, similar to how the fuel cells201-212are combined or otherwise integrated in the cell assembly200, wherein the two or more fuel cells of the cell assembly collectively perform a charging function and a discharging function simultaneously.FIG. 13illustrates a charging-discharging wiring configuration which involves a cell assembly1300, a plurality of charging devices1310(01),1310(02), . . . ,1310(11),1310(12), and an electrical load1320. The cell assembly1300includes twelve fuel cells1301-1312that are arranged in a stacking structure, as shown inFIG. 13. Each of the twelve fuel cells1301-1312may be realized by the fuel cell100configured in the charging-discharging configuration800. Namely, each of the fuel cells1301-1312is wired according to the wiring configuration1091ofFIG. 10A, except that inFIG. 13the fuel cells1301-1312collectively charge one electrical load, i.e., the load1320. As shown inFIG. 13, each of the fuel cells1301-1312has its electrode122E folded towards the electrode121E and thus shorted with the electrode121E. Also, each of the fuel cells1301-1312has the respective electrode155E shorted with the electrode151E in a similar way. For example, the electrode155E of the fuel cell1301, labeled as155E(01) in the figure, is shorted with the electrode151E of the fuel cell1301, labeled as151E(01). Also, the electrode122E of the fuel cell1301, which is labeled as122E(01), is shorted with the electrode121E of the fuel cell1301, which is labeled as121E(01). Likewise, the electrode155E of the fuel cell1302, labeled as155E(02), is shorted with the electrode151E of the fuel cell1302, labeled as151E(02). The electrode122E of the fuel cell1302, labeled as122E(02), is shorted with the electrode121E of the fuel cell1302, labeled as121E(02). That is, the left conductive layer151of each of the fuel cells1301-1312is electrically coupled to the respective right conductive layer155, whereas the left air electrode layer121of each of the fuel cells1301-1312is electrically coupled to the respective right air electrode layer122.

Moreover, the cell assembly1300includes a plurality of wires that are employed to make a plurality of inter-cell connections, i.e., electrical connections between every adjacent two of the fuel cells1301-1312. Specifically, for each of the fuel cells1301-1311, the respective electrode155E is electrically coupled to the electrode122E of the following fuel cell in the stacking structure. For example, a wire1340(01) is used to electrically couple the electrode155E of the fuel cell1301, labeled as155E(01) in the figure, to the electrode122E of the fuel cell1302, labeled as122E(02). Likewise, a wire1340(02) is used to electrically couple the electrode155E of the fuel cell1302, labeled as155E(02), to the electrode122E of the fuel cell1303, labeled as122E(03). In this way, the inter-cell connections are carried out for every two adjacent fuel cells of the cell assembly1300, the last inter-cell connection being made by a wire1340(11) between the electrode155E of the fuel cell1311, labeled as155E(11), and the electrode122E of the fuel cell1312, labeled as122E(12). Accordingly, the cell assembly1300includes a total of eleven inter-cell connections across the fuel cells1301-1312. That is, the total number of the inter-cell connection wires, i.e., wires1340(01)-1340(11), is one (1) less than the total number of the fuel cells in the cell assembly1300, i.e., fuel cells1301-1312. The eleven inter-cell connections essentially place the fuel cells1301-1312in a serial connection with each other for the cell assembly1300to perform a discharging function.

The cell assembly1300performs a charging function by receiving charging currents from the plurality of charging devices1310(01)-1310(12). Specifically, each of the fuel cells1301-1312is electrically coupled to a respective one of the charging devices1310(01)-1310(12) through a pair of wires, same as how the fuel cell100is wired to the charging device810in the wiring configuration1091ofFIG. 10A. For example, the fuel cell1301is electrically coupled to the charging device1310(01) through a pair of wires1311(01) and1312(01), wherein the wire1311(01) electrically couples the electrode130E of the fuel cell1301, which is labeled as130E(01) inFIG. 13, to the positive terminal of the charging device1310(01), and wherein the wire1312(01) electrically couples the electrode151E of the fuel cell1301, labeled as151E(01), to the negative terminal of the charging device1310(01). The fuel cell1301thus receives a charging current1315(01) carried by the wire1311(01) from the charging device1310(01) to charge the fuel cell1301as part of the charging operation that the cell assembly1300performs. Likewise, the rest of the fuel cells1301-1312each receives a respective charging current from the charging device it is coupled to as part of the charging operation that the cell assembly1300performs, the last being the fuel cell1312which receives a charging current1315(12) from the charging device1310(12) via the wire1311(12).

Simultaneously while performing the charging function, the cell assembly1300also performs the discharging function at the same time. As mentioned above, the eleven inter-cell connections (e.g., the wires1340(01),1340(02), . . . , and1340(11) inFIG. 13) essentially connect the fuel cells1301-1312in series for the cell assembly1300to perform the discharging function. For example, the cell assembly1300may perform the discharging function by sending an electric current1325to the electrical load1320. As the fuel cells1301-1312are electrically connected in series while performing the discharging function, the electrical load1320is coupled to the cell assembly1300by a pair of wires1321and1322, wherein the wire1321electrically couples the electrode122E of the fuel cell1301, labeled as122E(01), to the positive terminal of the load1320, and wherein the wire1322electrically couples the electrode151E of the fuel cell1312, labeled as151E(12), to the negative terminal of the load1320. Namely, the electrical load1320is electrically coupled between the air electrode layers of the first fuel cell of the stacking structure of the cell assembly1300(i.e., the fuel cell1301) and the conductive layers of the last fuel cell of the stacking structure of the cell assembly1300(i.e., the fuel cell1312).

Accordingly, the cell assembly1300performs the charging function by receiving twelve charging currents1315(01)-1315(12) from the charging devices1310(01)-1310(12), while simultaneously performing the discharging function by sending the electric current1325via the wire1321to drive the load1320. It is worth noting that, while the fuel cells1301-1312are connected in series to perform the discharging function, each of the fuel cells1301-1312individually receives a charging current from the respective charging device it couples thereto.

FIG. 14illustrates another charging-discharging wiring configuration of the present disclosure, which involves a cell assembly1400, a plurality of charging devices1410(01),1410(02), . . . ,1410(11),1410(12), and an electrical load1420. Same as the cell assembly1300, the cell assembly1400also includes twelve fuel cells, i.e., fuel cells1401-1412, that are arranged in a stacking structure. Each of the twelve fuel cells1401-1412of the cell assembly1400may be realized by the fuel cell100configured in the charging-discharging configuration800. Namely, each of the fuel cells1401-1412is wired according to the wiring configuration1091ofFIG. 10A, except that inFIG. 14the fuel cells1401-1412collectively charge one electrical load, i.e., the load1420. As shown inFIG. 14, each of the fuel cells1401-1412has its electrode122E folded towards the electrode121E and thus shorted with the electrode121E. Also, each of the fuel cells1401-1412has the respective electrode155E shorted with the electrode151E in a similar way. That is, the left conductive layer151of each of the fuel cells1401-1412is electrically coupled to the respective right conductive layer155, whereas the left air electrode layer121of each of the fuel cells1401-1412is electrically coupled to the respective right air electrode layer122.

Similar to the fuel assembly1300, the cell assembly1400also includes a plurality of wires that are employed to make a plurality of inter-cell connections, i.e., electrical connections between every adjacent two of the fuel cells1401-1412. What is different from the inter-cell connections of the fuel assembly1300is that there are a total number of twenty-two inter-cell connections in the fuel assembly1400. The twenty-two inter-cell connections can be divided into two sets of intern-cell connections each having eleven individual connections. Specifically, the first set of the inter-cell connections collectively place the fuel cells1401-1412in a serial connection with each other for the cell assembly1400to perform a discharging function, whereas the second set of the inter-cell connections collectively place the fuel cells1401-1412in a serial connection with each other for the cell assembly1400to perform a charging function. The first set of the eleven inter-cell connections are made by wires1440(01),1440(02), . . . ,1440(11), which essentially make the same inter-cell connections across the fuel cells1401-1412as the wires1340(01)-1340(11) do in the fuel cell assembly1300. That is, through the wires1440(01)-1440(11), the electrode155E of each of the fuel cells1401-1412is electrically coupled to the electrode122E of the next fuel cell in the stacking structure.

The second set of the eleven inter-cell connections are realized by wires1470(01),1470(02), . . . ,1470(11) inFIG. 14. Specifically, the electrode130E of each of the fuel cells1401-1412is electrically coupled to the electrode155E of the next fuel cell in the stacking structure. For example, the wire1470(01) is used to electrically couple the electrode130E of the fuel cell1401, labeled as130E(01) in the figure, to the electrode155E of the fuel cell1402, labeled as155E(02). Likewise, a wire1470(02) is used to electrically couple the electrode130E of the fuel cell1402, labeled as130E(02), to the electrode155E of the fuel cell1403. In this way, the second set of the inter-cell connections are carried out for every two adjacent fuel cells of the cell assembly1400, the last connection in the second set being made by a wire1470(11) between the electrode130E of the fuel cell1411, labeled as130E(11), and the electrode155E of the fuel cell1412, labeled as155E(12). Accordingly, the cell assembly1400includes a total of twenty-two inter-cell connections across the fuel cells1401-1412. The first set of eleven inter-cell connections places the fuel cells1401-1412in a serial connection with each other for the cell assembly1400to perform the discharging function, while the second set of eleven inter-cell connections places the fuel cells1401-1412in a serial connection with each other for the cell assembly1400to perform the charging function. Notably, the total number of the first set of inter-cell connection wires, i.e., wires1440(01)-1440(11), is one (1) less than the total number of the fuel cells in the cell assembly1400. Similarly, the total number of the second set of inter-cell connection wires, i.e., wires1470(01)-1470(11), is also one (1) less than the total number of the fuel cells in the cell assembly1400.

The cell assembly1400performs the charging function by receiving a charging current from an external power source. In some embodiments, the external power source may be made of a plurality of charging devices connected in series. For example, as shown inFIG. 14, charging devices1410(01),1410(02), . . . ,1410(12) are electrically coupled in series by a plurality of wires1481,1482, . . . ,1490and1491. The cell assembly1400performs the charging function by receiving an electric current from the external power source. As shown inFIG. 14, the charging devices1410(01)-1410(12), connected in series as the external power source, are electrically coupled to the cell assembly1400by a pair of wires1411and1412, wherein the wire1411connects the positive terminal of the charging device1410(12) to the electrode130E of the fuel cell1412, labeled as130E(12) in the figure, and wherein the wire1412connects the negative terminal of the charging device1410(01) to the electrode151E of the fuel cell1401, labeled as151E(01). The cell assembly1400thus performs the charging function by receiving an electric current1415via the wire1411from the charging devices1410(01)-1410(12) that are connected in series. It is worth noting that the number of the charging devices connected in series is arbitrary. The number of the charging devices may be more than, equal to, or less than the number of fuel cells in the cell assembly1400. In general, the more the charging devices connected in series, the cell assembly1400may perform the charging function by receiving a larger current1415and/or a higher voltage across the electrodes130E(12) and151E(01), thus making the charging function more efficient.

Simultaneously while performing the charging function, the cell assembly1400also performs the discharging function at the same time. As mentioned above, the eleven inter-cell connections (e.g., the wires1440(01)-1440(11) inFIG. 14) essentially connect the fuel cells1401-1412in series for the cell assembly1400to perform the discharging function. For example, the cell assembly1400may perform the discharging function by sending an electric current1425to the electrical load1420, which is electrically coupled to the cell assembly1400via a pair of wires1421and1422. The wire1421is coupled between the positive terminal of the load1420and the electrode122E of the fuel cell1401, labeled as122E(01) in the figure. The wire1422is coupled between the negative terminal of the load1420and the electrode151E of the fuel cell1412, labeled as151E(12) in the figure. Namely, the electrical load1420is electrically coupled between the air electrode layers of the first fuel cell of the stacking structure of the cell assembly1400(i.e., the fuel cell1401) and the conductive layers of the last fuel cell of the stacking structure of the cell assembly1400(i.e., the fuel cell1412).

Accordingly, the cell assembly1400performs the charging function by a single charging current, i.e., the current1415, from the charging devices1410(01)-1410(12) that are connected in series, while simultaneously performing the discharging function by sending the electric current1425via the wire1421to drive the load1420. It is worth noting that, the fuel cells1401-1412are connected in series to perform both the charging function and the discharging function.

FIG. 15illustrates yet another charging-discharging wiring configuration of the present disclosure, which involves a cell assembly1500, a plurality of charging devices1530(01)-1530(12) and1540(01)-1540(12), as well as an electrical load1520. Same as the cell assembly1300and the cell assembly1400, the cell assembly1500also includes twelve fuel cells, i.e., fuel cells1501-1512, that are arranged in a stacking structure. Each of the twelve fuel cells1501-1512of the cell assembly1500may be realized by the fuel cell100configured in the charging-discharging configuration805. For instance, each of the fuel cells1501-1512inFIG. 15is wired according to the wiring configuration1093ofFIG. 100, except that inFIG. 15the fuel cells1501-1512collectively charge one electrical load, i.e., the load1520. It follows that, for each of the fuel cells1501-1512, an intra-cell connection is made by a wire (e.g., the wire1052inFIG. 100) that electrically shorts the electrode121E and the electrode155E of the respective fuel cell. For example, a wire1550(01) realizes the intra-cell connection for the fuel cell1501, and a wire1550(02) realizes the intra-cell connection for the fuel cell1502. The intra-cell connection is realized for each fuel cell in the stacking structure of the cell assembly1500, with the last intra-cell connection being made by a wire1550(12) that electrically shorts the electrode121E, labeled as121E(12) in FIG.15, and the electrode155E, labeled as155E(12), of the fuel cell1512. The cell assembly1500thus includes a total of twelve intra-cell connections, realized by the wires1550(01),1550(02), . . . ,1550(12). Notably, the total number of the intra-cell connection wires is equal to the total number of the fuel cells in the cell assembly1500. Also notably, the cell assembly1500is different from the cell assemblies1300and1400in that, for each of the fuel cells1501-1512, the left conductive layer151is not electrically shorted to the respective right conductive layer155. Likewise, the left air electrode layer121of each of the fuel cells1501-1512is not electrically shorted to the respective right air electrode layer122.

In addition to the intra-cell connections, the cell assembly1500also includes a plurality of wires that are employed to make inter-cell connections. Specifically, the cell assembly1500includes a total of eleven inter-cell connections, each of which electrically couples the electrode151E of a fuel cell to the electrode122E of the next fuel cell in the stacking structure of the cell assembly1500. For example, a wire1560(01) is used to electrically short the electrode151E of the fuel cell1501, labeled as151E(01) inFIG. 15, to the electrode122E of the fuel cell1502, labeled as122E(02) in the figure. An inter-cell connection is realized in a same way for each of the rest of the fuel cells of the cell assembly1500, i.e., between the electrode151E of the fuel cell1502and the electrode122E of the fuel cell1503, between the electrode151E of the fuel cell1503and the electrode122E of the fuel cell1504, and so forth, with the last inter-cell connection being the one between the electrode151E of the fuel cell1511, labeled as151E(11) in the figure, and the electrode122E of the fuel cell1512, labeled as122E(12) in the figure. Notably, the total number of the inter-cell connection wires is one (1) less than the total number of the fuel cells in the cell assembly1500.

The cell assembly1500performs the charging function by each of the fuel cells1501-1512respectively receiving two charging currents from two external power source. For example, the fuel cell1501receives two charging currents, one from the charging device1530(01) and the other from the charging device1540(01). The charging devices1530(01) and1540(01) are wired to the fuel cell1501according to the wiring configuration1093ofFIG. 10C. In fact, each of the fuel cells1501-1512is wired according to the wiring configuration1093, the last being the fuel cell1512, which is wired to the charging devices1530(12) and1540(12).

Simultaneously while performing the charging function, the cell assembly1500may also perform the discharging function at the same time. Specifically, the cell assembly1500may perform the discharging function by sending an electric current1525to the electrical load1520, which is electrically coupled to the cell assembly1500via a pair of wires1521and1522. The wire1521is coupled between the positive terminal of the load1520and the electrode122E of the fuel cell1501, labeled as122E(01) inFIG. 15. The wire1522is coupled between the negative terminal of the load1520and the electrode151E of the fuel cell1512, labeled as151E(12) in the figure. Namely, the electrical load1520is electrically coupled between the second air electrode layer of the first fuel cell of the stacking structure of the cell assembly1500(i.e., the fuel cell1501) and the first conductive layer of the last fuel cell of the stacking structure of the cell assembly1500(i.e., the fuel cell1512).

The twelve intra-cell connections and the eleven inter-cell connections of the cell assembly1500collectively place the fuel cells1501-1512in a serial connection such that the electrochemical reaction within the left space101and the electrochemical reaction within the right space102of each fuel cell therein are electrically connected in series across the fuel cells1501-1512. That is, the batteries701and702, as modeled in the circuit model700, of each of the fuel cells1501-1512are thus connected in series, resulting a total of twenty-four half spaces electrically connected in series, with each of the half space (i.e., the left space101or the right space102) charged by one of the charging devices1530(01)-1530(12) and1540(01)-1540(12). This wiring configuration essentially doubles the output voltage provided by the cell assembly to the load as compared to that provided by the configuration ofFIG. 13orFIG. 14, making the wiring configuration ofFIG. 15a proper choice when a higher output voltage is required to drive the load. For example, suppose the electrochemical reaction within each of the half space, modeled by the battery701or702, can generate a voltage of 1 volt (V), the cell assembly1500will this be able to provide a total of 24 V across the positive and negative terminals of the load1520. In comparison, each of the cell assembly1300and the cell assembly1400can only provide a total of 12 V across the load1320and1420, respectively.

It is worth noting that, while the fuel cells and cell assemblies according to the present disclosure are capable of performing a charging function and a discharging function simultaneously, it is not a requirement for using any of the fuel cell or cell assembly of the present disclosure. That is, each fuel cell or cell assembly described herein can be used to perform only one of the charging function and the discharging function, although the performing of both the charging function and the discharging function simultaneously is possible and in many applications desirable. Depending on specific requirement of usage, each fuel cell or cell assembly of the present disclosure can perform the charging function, the discharging function, or both at any time.

Characteristics and benefits of the present disclosure are described with reference to various embodiments detailed above. Accordingly, the present disclosure should not be limited to these exemplary embodiments illustrating combinations of some possible unlimiting features that may exist individually or in the form of other combinations of features.

The embodiments described above are merely demonstrate certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, which are used to illustrate the technical solution of the problem to be addressed, rather than to limit the present disclosure in any way. The protection scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the above-mentioned embodiments, a person skilled in the art should understand that any person familiar with the technical solution disclosed in the present disclosure is able to modify or change the technical solution recorded in the above-mentioned embodiments, and equally replace some technical features of the present disclosure. Nevertheless, these modifications, changes and substitutions do not separate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present disclosure, and are covered in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

ADDITIONAL NOTES