Patent Publication Number: US-2022216541-A1

Title: Metal-oxygen primary reserve batteries with integrated oxygen generator for munitions and the like applications

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/133,643, filed on Jan. 4, 2021, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The present disclosure relates generally to reserve power sources for munitions and other similar applications; and more particularly to novel metal-oxygen reserve batteries with integrated oxygen generators and methods of their activation for use in gun-fired munitions, sub-munitions, mortars, and the like. The metal-oxygen batteries may be activated and deactivated several times as required to satisfy the system power requirement and to maximize the power source run time. 
     Prior Art 
     Reserve batteries of the electrochemical type are well known in the art for a variety of uses where storage time before use is extremely long. Reserve batteries are in use in applications such as batteries for gun-fired munitions including guided and smart, mortars, fusing mines, missiles, and many other military and commercial applications. The electrochemical reserve-type batteries can in general be divided into two different basic types. 
     The first type includes the so-called thermal batteries, which are to operate at high temperatures. Unlike liquid reserve batteries, in thermal batteries the electrolyte is already in the cells and therefore does not require a release and distribution mechanism such as spinning. The electrolyte is dry, solid and non-conductive, thereby leaving the battery in a non-operational and inert condition. These batteries incorporate pyrotechnic heat sources to melt the electrolyte just prior to use in order to make them electrically conductive and thereby making the battery active. The most common internal pyrotechnic is a blend of Fe and KClO 4 . Thermal batteries utilize a molten salt to serve as the electrolyte upon activation. The electrolytes can be mixtures of alkali-halide salts and are used with the Li(Si)/FeS 2  or Li(Si)/CoS 2  couples. Some batteries also employ anodes of Li(Al) in place of the Li(Si) anodes. Insulation and internal heat sinks are used to maintain the electrolyte in its molten and conductive condition during the time of use. 
     The second type includes the so-called liquid reserve batteries in which the electrodes are fully assembled for cooperation, but the liquid electrolyte is held in reserve in a separate container until the batteries are desired to be activated. In these types of batteries, since there is no degradation of the electrodes under these circumstances, the shelf life of the batteries is essentially unlimited. The battery is activated by transferring the electrolyte from its container to the battery electrode compartment (hereinafter referred to as the “battery cell”). 
     A typical liquid reserve battery is kept inert during storage by keeping the organic electrolyte separated in a glass or metal ampoule or in a separate compartment inside the battery case. The electrolyte compartment may also be separated from the electrode compartment by a membrane or the like. Prior to use, the battery is activated by breaking the ampoule or puncturing the membrane allowing the electrolyte to flood the electrodes. The breaking of the ampoule or the puncturing of the membrane is achieved either mechanically using certain mechanisms or by the high-G firing setback shock. In these batteries, the projectile spin or a wicking action of the separator is generally used to transport the electrolyte into the battery cells. 
     In recent years, there have been several advancements in reserve battery technologies. Among these advances are superhydrophobic nanostructured materials, bimodal lithium reserve batteries, and ceramic fiber separator for thermal batteries. In one liquid reserve battery technology under development, “superhydrophobic nanostructured material” is used in a honeycomb structure to keep the electrolyte separated from the battery cell. “Electrowetting” is achieved by the application of a trigger voltage pulse. The electrolyte can then penetrate the honeycomb structure and meet the electrodes, thereby making the cell electrochemically active. 
     The currently available liquid reserve and thermal batteries of all types and configurations and those that are known to be under development suffer from several basic shortcomings for many current and future munitions applications, including the following:
         1. The main shortcoming of currently available liquid reserve batteries of all types and configurations is their very poor performance at low temperatures, such as below −25 deg. F. and for becoming almost non-functional at lower temperatures. In most munition applications, however, the batteries are required to be operational at significantly lower temperatures of −40 deg. F. and sometimes lower, and sometimes after storage at temperatures as low as −65 deg. F.   2. Another shortcoming of all currently available liquid reserve batteries is activation at very low temperatures.   3. Another shortcoming of all currently available liquid reserve batteries is their relatively slow rise time, such as at low temperatures. Researchers have, however, attempted to minimize this shortcoming by, for example, by injecting pressurized electrolyte into the battery cells; using wicks to increase the electrolyte diffusion rate; utilize spin and/or setback to move electrolyte into the battery cell to increase; etc. These methods have improved the liquid reserve battery rise time to but not significantly enough to address all applications and in many applications such solutions are not even practical.   4. Thermal reserve batteries do not have low temperature issues and can be activated and produce power at even below −100 deg. F. However, thermal batteries have very short run time, such as for smaller sizes that are required in gun-fired munitions in which the run time might become even less than one minute.   5. Currently available liquid reserve and thermal reserve batteries have both the shortcoming of not being able to be reverted to their reserve state once they have been activated. This capability is highly desirable for many munitions and other emergency powering applications in which different amounts of electrical power may be needed at different times with periods in between, which might be very long, during which no power is needed.   6. Currently available liquid reserve batteries do not have the capability of being partially activated to generate certain amount of electrical energy and similarly be reactivated several times to generate electrical energy on demand.       

     In current metal-based liquid reserve batteries, such as lithium thionyl chloride and lithium graphite fluoride, rely on the supply of a liquid electrolyte to the cathode electrode at the time of activation. This requires the storage of the liquid electrolyte separately from the rest of the battery mostly inside glass ampoules, which are broken in the process of activation. The liquid electrolytes have also been stored in metal bellows with provided membranes or have been separated from the battery core by certain membranes, which in either case is ruptured during the activation process. In general, the activation process is relatively slow, resulting in relatively slow power rise time, and face distribution issues inside the battery core, such as at low temperatures. 
     There are only a few battery chemistries that have the potential chance of achieving significantly higher energy density than is currently available for reserve batteries. The main candidates for achieving significantly higher energy density for reserve batteries are metal-air based battery systems,  FIG. 1 . The most common type of commercial metal-air battery utilizes zinc-air chemistry and has a practical specific energy of ˜370 Wh/kg, while this battery chemistry has a theoretical specific energy of 1350 Wh/kg. In addition to zinc-air batteries, aluminum-air batteries are also available in the commercial market, although only in a limited fashion. Aluminum-air batteries have a much greater theoretical specific energy (8140 Wh/kg) and although they currently have a practical specific energy of ˜350 Wh/kg but have the potential for significant specific energy improvement. The highest theoretical specific energy for a metal-air battery chemistry is lithium-air at 11,500 Wh/kg giving it and aluminum-air batteries the best potential to realize significantly higher specific energy values for reserve batteries as compare to the currently available reserve batteries. 
     In the disclosed novel primary Metal-Oxygen battery, oxygen gas reacts with the metal ions on the porous carbon substrate cathode. There is a clear advantage of Metal-Oxygen batteries over traditional liquid primary reserve batteries in that the activation mechanism of the former does not require the injection of a liquid electrolyte but of oxygen gas. While Metal-Oxygen batteries do still require of a liquid electrolyte to transport the metal ions from the metal anode to the cathode electrode during battery discharge, the liquid electrolyte on its own does not activate the battery and hence it can then be added to the battery during the assembly process. Since the activation of the battery relies on the transport of a gas, and not of a liquid, into the porous cathode material, the rate of activation for Metal-Oxygen batteries is much faster and more efficient than that of the traditional liquid reserve batteries. If the metal used in the battery is lithium, and since the theoretical energy density of Li-Oxygen batteries is the highest of all lithium metal batteries (11,500 Wh/kg of lithium, excluding the oxygen mass), therefore primary reserve Li-Oxygen batteries have the potential to be significantly more energy dense than the traditional liquid reserve batteries. 
     A primary reserve battery based on Metal-Oxygen chemistry is activated by allowing oxygen gas to enter the porous cathode material. The metal in the battery can be one of those indicated in  FIG. 1  and more, i.e., lithium, sodium, potassium, zinc, magnesium, calcium, aluminum, iron, silicon, germanium, and tin. 
     It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that since Lithium-Oxygen batteries have the potential of providing reserve batteries with the highest energy density, hereinafter the different embodiments are described in terms of Lithium-Oxygen reserve batteries without any intention of limiting the disclosed embodiments to Lithium metal and in general, any of the above metals may be used to replace the Lithium metal instead,  FIG. 2 . 
     A lithium-air battery has four main components: an anode, a separator, the liquid electrolyte, and a cathode,  FIG. 2 . The anode is the source of lithium-ions and is typically lithium metal. The electrolytes can be aqueous, aprotic (organic), mixed aqueous/aprotic, or solid state. Each of these types of electrolyte systems is being researched today and each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The final component of a lithium-air battery is the cathode, which as is stated in the name of this technology, is air—or more accurately stated, the oxygen in the air. Being that the cathode materials is supplied by the oxygen in the air the mass of the cathode is very small, thus imparting a significant savings in the mass of the overall system and the theoretical specific energy. However, the oxygen still needs a platform for the electrochemical reactions of the battery to take place. These reactions are supported by the use of porous carbon materials that are in some cases coated with a catalytic metal oxide, such as MnO 2  or CoO 2 . 
     Lithium-air batteries are primary batteries. In general, the lithium air battery includes a lithium metal anode electrode capable of generating lithium ions during discharge and a cathode containing oxygen in the air as a cathode active material, and a lithium-ion conductive medium (electrolyte) is provided between the cathode and anode. The lithium air battery has a theoretical energy density of 10,000 Wh/kg based on the weight of lithium metal or more, which corresponds to about 10 times energy density of the lithium ion battery. In addition, the lithium air battery may be eco-friendly and provide improved stability as compared to the lithium ion battery. 
     Currently available metal-air batteries, including Lithium-air batteries, due to their air intake from the environment, a portion of which is the useful oxygen, and due to the presence of contaminants, such as moisture, and nitrogen, which significantly degrades the performance of the battery, are also not suitable for applications such as in munitions and emergency equipment in which the battery must have a shelf life of over 20 years. To address this shortcoming, embodiments of a novel Metal-Oxygen reserve battery were disclosed (see U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/397,877), the content of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In the disclosed embodiments of this patent application the source of battery oxygen is not air from the environment, but it is relatively pure oxygen that is stored in a pressurized vessel that can be integral to the battery. 
     In certain applications, however, the presence of a pressurized oxygen vessel may not be desirable, for example, due to accidental rupturing of the vessel due to impact or due to the volume of the space that it occupies in the battery. For these reasons, it is highly desirable to develop novel methods and devices to provide the required oxygen gas to the battery cell without requiring it to be stored under pressure in a separate vessel. 
     Therefore, reserve batteries developed based on Lithium-air battery operation mechanism would provide significantly higher energy density than is available from all current liquid reserve batteries. Such reserve batteries must, however, be suitable for use in gun-fired and other munitions, for example, should be capable of withstanding high firing shock loadings and have shelf life of over 20 years. 
     Currently available liquid reserve batteries do not have the capability of being partially activated to generate certain amount of electrical energy and similarly be reactivated several times to generate electrical energy on demand. 
     It is also highly desirable that such higher density reserve batteries be capable of being partially activated to generate certain amount of electrical energy and similarly be reactivated several times to generate electrical energy on demand. As a result, the run time of the battery can be significantly increased, such as when the battery power may be needed at different periods of time with considerable amount of time between these time periods during which very small amounts or no power may be needed. 
     The typical construction of a Li-Oxygen reserve battery in which the oxygen gas is provided in a pressurized compartment of the battery is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/397,877, using the basic Li-Oxygen reserve battery embodiment  10  shown in the cross-sectional schematic of  FIG. 3 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the reserve battery embodiment  10  comprises a lithium metal electrode that is separated from the battery non-aqueous electrolyte by a Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) layer. A porous carbon-based O 2  cathode is the next component of the battery core into which oxygen gas can be allowed to enter to activate the reserve battery. The above components of the Li-Oxygen reserve battery are packaged inside the sealed housing  11 . To achieve a hermetically sealed reserve battery with a shelf life of over 20 years, the battery terminals  12  can be provided with glass or other similar electrical insulation as they pass through the sealed housing  11 . 
     In another sealed compartment  18 , oxygen gas is provided under pressure as shown in  FIG. 3 . The sealed compartment  18  and the battery core housing  11  can share a common wall  19 . The common wall  19  is provided with a relatively small opening  14  into the battery core, which is normally sealed by a metallic diaphragm  13 . In general, the housings  11  and  18  are made with stainless steel and the diaphragm  13  is also a thin stainless sheet that is welded to the wall  19 . 
     Also provided inside the oxygen gas container  18  is a mass member  15 , which is normally held firmly against the surface  21  of the container  18  by the preloaded compressive spring  16 . The mass member  15  is provided with a sharp cutting member  17 , which is positioned above the hole  14 . 
     The Li-Oxygen reserve battery embodiment  10  operates as follows. In normal conditions, the diaphragm  13  prevents oxygen gas from entering the porous carbon-based O 2  cathode of the battery core. If the device to which the reserve battery  10  is attached is accelerated in the direction of the arrow  22 , the acceleration would act on the mass member  15 , generating a downward dynamic force. The compressive spring  16  is preloaded such that when the acceleration in the direction of the arrow  22  has reached a prescribed threshold, then the generated dynamic force would overcome the spring preload and the mass member  15  would begin to move downward towards the diaphragm  13 . If the said acceleration in the direction of the arrow  22  is long enough in duration, the mass member  15  would gain enough speed for the cutting member  17  to reach the diaphragm  13  and rupture it, thereby allowing the oxygen gas to begin to flow into the porous carbon-based O 2  cathode section of the battery core and activate the reserve battery. If the duration of the applied acceleration in the direction of the arrow  22  is very short, for example due to accidental drop of the object to which the reserve battery  10  is attached, the mass member  15  and spring  16  system is configured such that the cutting member  17  is not displaced down enough to rupture that diaphragm  13 . 
     In the schematic of  FIG. 3  only one inertia-based activation mechanism is shown to be provided. However, when larger amount of gas flow is desired, more than one activation mechanism of this or other types may also be provided. 
     It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that gases present in air, such as nitrogen, water vapor, and carbon dioxide can react with the metal anode, liquid electrolyte, and cathode electrode and negatively impact the discharge performance of currently available Lithium-Air batteries. In addition, it has been extensively reported (for example, J. Read, K. Mutolo, M. Ervin, W. Behl, J. Wolfenstine, A. Driedger and D. Foster, “Oxygen Transport Properties of Organic Electrolytes and Performance of Lithium/Oxygen Battery,”  Journal of Electrochemical Society , vol. 150, no. 10, pp. A1351-A1356, 2003) that a higher oxygen partial pressure improves battery capacity, especially at high discharge rates, by increasing the oxygen saturation concentration in the liquid electrolyte and by enhancing the oxygen diffusion rates in the porous cathode active sites. Therefore, it is advantageous to feed pure oxygen to the battery from an internal pressurized oxygen storage compartment to activate and discharge the battery as is the case in the reserve battery embodiment  10  of  FIG. 3 . 
     The reserve battery embodiment  10  of  FIG. 3  is assembled in the inactive state with the pressurized oxygen in the adjacent compartment  18 . As a result, as long as oxygen gas is not allowed to enter the battery core through the provided hole  14  by the diaphragm  13 , the battery stays in its inactive state, thus serving as a reserve battery. Once the diaphragm  13  has been ruptured as was previously described, the presence of oxygen immediately starts the reduction/oxidation reactions inside the battery core and, as a result, a voltage differential is established across the anode and cathode sides of the cell. In the porous carbon cathode electrode, oxygen is reduced to lithium peroxide that accumulates in the pores of the electrode. At the same time, lithium metal from the anode electrode is oxidized to lithium ions, which transport to the cathode electrode through the liquid electrolyte and polymeric separator to the porous carbon cathode electrode. The battery discharge reactions will continue until all the stored oxygen or the available Li metal is consumed. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates the cross-sectional view of another prior art Lithium-oxygen reserve battery embodiment with pressurized oxygen compartment that may be initially activated inertially when subjected to a prescribed acceleration profile or by external power with activation/deactivation on command capability. 
     In the prior art Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery embodiment  70  of  FIG. 3A , the battery activation mechanism comprises the normally closed valve  71  and the linear solenoid (or piezoelectric-based actuation) mechanism. All other components of the Lithium-oxygen reserve battery embodiment  70  are similar to that of the embodiment  10  of  FIG. 3 . 
     The actuation mechanism of the Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery embodiment  70  of  FIG. 3A  comprises a metallic bellow  72 , such as being formed form the same metal with which the battery core housing  73  is constructed, such as stainless steel. The bellow  72  is fixedly attached to the side surface  74  of the battery core housing  73 , such as by welding of brazing, and the attachment is tested to ensure that is fully sealed. The bellow  72  is provided with a sealed cap  75 , which may be integral to the bellow  72 . A linear solenoid actuator  76  (or a piezoelectric or the like electrically actuated device) is positioned inside the bellow and fixed to the cap  75  as can be seen in  FIG. 3A . In  FIG. 3A , the terminals  77  indicate the powering terminals of the solenoid  76 , which are passed through the electrical insulations (not shown) provided in the cap  75 . The actuating core  78  of the solenoid  76  is then attached to a conical section shaped mass member  79 . The mass member  79  is fixedly attached and sealed to the bellow  72 . The conical section of the mass member  79  is positioned close or in contact with the sloped surface  80  of the member  81  of the normally closed valve  71  as can be seen in  FIG. 3A . The solenoid  76  is provided with a proper return spring so that while it is not energized, the mass member  79  is at the position shown in  FIG. 3A  and does not force the valve  71  to open. The cap  75  may be provided with a small hole to prevent the air (gas) trapped inside the below  72  from resisting its extension. 
     The Li-Oxygen reserve battery with pressurized oxygen compartment embodiment  70  of  FIG. 3A  operates as follows. In normal conditions, the valve  71  is in its closed state and prevents oxygen gas from entering the porous carbon-based O 2  cathode of the battery core. In this state, the biasing forces of the compressively preloaded spring  82  and the pressure of the oxygen gas ensures that the valve  71  stays closed. The Li-Oxygen reserve battery  70  is therefore in its inactive state and provides a long shelf life that can significantly exceed the military required 20 years. If the device to which the reserve battery  70  is attached is accelerated in the direction of the arrow  83 , the acceleration would act on the inertia of the mass member  79  and the solenoid core  78 , generating a downward dynamic force as seen in the view of  FIG. 3A . The biasing spring in the solenoid  76  (not shown) is preloaded such that when the acceleration in the direction of the arrow  83  has reached a prescribed threshold, then the generated dynamic force would overcome the spring preload and the assembly of the mass member  79  and the solenoid core  78  would begin to move down as viewed in  FIG. 3A . If the magnitude of the acceleration in the direction of the arrow  83  and its duration are at or above the prescribed levels for battery activation, then the bellow  72  begins to deform, allowing the mass member  79  to move down, thereby engaging the sloped surface  80  of the member  79  and forcing it to begin to move to the right as seen in the view of  FIG. 3 . As a result, the cap  84  is lifted from over the elastomeric gasket  85 , thereby allowing the oxygen gas to begin to flow into the porous carbon-based O 2  cathode section of the battery core and activate the reserve battery. Then once the acceleration in the direction of the arrow  83  has ceased, the mass member  79  is forced to return to its pre-acceleration position shown in  FIG. 3A  by the preloaded biasing spring of the solenoid  76 , the extended bellow  72 , preloaded compressive spring  82  and the oxygen gas pressure, thereby closing the valve  71  and stopping the flow of oxygen gas into the battery core. 
     If the applied acceleration in the direction of the arrow  83  is below the prescribed threshold, for example due to accidental drop of the object to which the reserve battery  70  is attached, the preloading level of the aforementioned biasing tensile springs are not overcome, and the mass member  79  assembly dose not engage the sloped surface  80  of the member  79  and the valve  71  stays closed. 
     The linear solenoid actuator  76  (or other similar linear or rotary actuators) may be of latching type. In which case, following initial inertial activation and once the battery is activated, the solenoid actuator may be activated and held in its activated position without requiring continuous power. The solenoid may also be actuated less than the distance that activates the latching mechanism, thereby providing the capability to reactivate the reserve battery several times until it is desired to stay permanently activated, at which time the solenoid is actuated to the point of activating its latching mechanism. 
     The reserve battery  70  is generally provided with proper electronic and drive components and can have a capacitor (all shown schematically as the member  86  in  FIG. 3A ), for sensing the reserve battery  70  power level and keep the battery operational as needed by supplying the battery core with oxygen as described above via the solenoid  76  actuation. It is appreciated that all components of the member  86  may be integrated inside the reserve battery housing. Such self-contained Li-Oxygen reserve batteries would greatly simplify their integration into various devices such as gun-fired munitions. 
     In the Li-Oxygen reserve battery embodiment  70 , the inertial activation in response to the prescribed acceleration profile is configured to allow enough oxygen gas into the battery core to power the device electronics and power control system and to operate the solenoid  76  to open and close the valve  71  when needed to supply the required electrical energy. The reserve battery embodiment  70  may also be provided with a capacitor or super-capacitor (not shown) to form a “Lithium-Oxygen hybrid reserve battery”, in which part of the electrical energy generated by the battery may be stored and used to provide high power pulse to certain loads or used to power low power electronics for a considerable lengths of time, such as for hours or days. 
     In the prior art Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery embodiment  70  of  FIG. 3A , the inertial activation in response to a prescribed acceleration profile is configured to allow enough oxygen gas into the battery core to power the device electronics and power control system and to operate the on/off activation actuation device, in this case the solenoid  76 . Alternatively, the Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery embodiment  70  may be paired with a capacitor (or supercapacitor) provided in the member  86 , which is charged by the electrical energy generated by the initial activation of the reserve battery. The electrical energy stored in the said capacitor can then be used by the object to which the reserve battery is attached (e.g., a gun fired munition), and to re-activate the reserve battery as needed by the actuator  76 . Such a combined Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery and capacitor (super-capacitor) reserve power source forms the aforementioned “Lithium-Oxygen hybrid reserve battery”. 
     It is appreciated that such “Lithium-Oxygen hybrid reserve batteries” can be advantageous for use in applications in which they are required to provide low power for long periods of times and only occasionally they have to provide high power, such as for relatively short periods of time. In such applications, the reserve battery only needs to be activated for very short periods of times to charge the capacitor and have the capacitor supply the low power, such as, to low power electronics for hours and sometimes for days until either high power is required to be provided or when the capacitor power is low and it needs to be recharged, at which time the capacitor supplies power to the activation actuator, in this case the solenoid  76 . 
     The “Lithium-Oxygen hybrid reserve batteries” may be provided with an electronic control circuit and microprocessor with enough memory (shown schematically in the member  86 ) to detect the voltage level of the hybrid reserve battery, and an electrical energy storage capacitor or super-capacitor (e.g., in the member  86 ),  FIG. 3A . The reserve battery may then be activated, for example inertially as was described above, to allow enough oxygen gas to flow into the battery core to charge the provided capacitor or super-capacitor to a prescribed level. The electronic control circuit and microprocessor can then be powered and memory and be programmed to provide a prescribed power level based on some sensory input and/or planned profile. 
     It is also appreciated by those skilled in the art that the Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery embodiment  70  may also be activated directly by energizing the solenoid  76  by a provided power source in non-shock loading activation applications. 
     SUMMARY 
     A need therefore exists for reserve batteries that can provide electrical energy to munitions for relatively long run time that is currently possible with thermal batteries and liquid reserve batteries. 
     A need also exists for reserve batteries that can be partially activated to generate certain amount of electrical energy and similarly be reactivated several times on demand to generate electrical. This capability would significantly increase the battery run time for continuous use, such as when the required battery power may be extremely low or zero for a relatively long periods of times. This capability would also allow the battery to provide power to devices that may need to be powered at different time periods following relatively long elapsed times in between. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for reserve batteries that are to be used in munitions and many emergency equipment to have shelf life of over 20 years. It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that to achieve such long shelf life, the battery components must be hermetically sealed inside the reserve battery housing. 
     A need also exists for reserve batteries that can provide power to low power electronics over long periods of times that could extend for days, weeks and even months. 
     A need also exists for reserve batteries with significantly higher energy density that the currently available reserve batteries. 
     A need also exists for reserve batteries that can be activated very rapidly to provide electrical energy. 
     Such reserve batteries can be initiated as a result of the munitions firing using inertial igniters such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,437,995; 7,587,979; 7,587,980; 7,832,335 and 8,061,271 and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/774,324; 12/794,763; 12/835,709; 13/180,469; 13/207,280 and 61/551,405 (the full disclosure of each of which being incorporated herein by reference) or piezoelectric-based inertial igniters such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,024,469 and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/186,456 and 13/207,355 the full disclosure of each of which being incorporated herein by reference) or other electrical initiators. The piezoelectric-based inertial igniters, such as those that can provide relatively long initiation delay, are highly advantageous since by delaying the initiation, the time period in which the battery is subjected to high acceleration/deceleration levels is reduced or can even be eliminated. The reserve battery may also be activated following launch when its power is needed, which may in certain cases be long after launch and even landing. The initiation devices to be used must also be capable to operate safely by differentiating all-fire and various no-fire events such as accidental drops and vibration and impact during transportation and loading and even nearby explosions. The task of differentiating all-fire conditions from no-fire conditions can be performed without the use of external acceleration sensors and the like, and/or the use of external power sources. 
     An objective is to provide new types of reserve batteries (power sources) that can operate efficiently at low temperatures and that can be activated and brought to operational power levels rapidly. Such reserve batteries can also be fabricated in small sizes suitable for use in small and medium caliber munitions, sub-munitions and the like. 
     Another objective is to provide new types of reserve batteries and methods of their configuration and construction such that they could be activated several times to produce electrical energy for a certain amount of time and then stay deactivated for a period of time and be activated again on demand. 
     Another objective is to provide novel reserve batteries and methods of their configuration and construction such that they can produce electrical energy either continuously or intermittently on demand. 
     Another objective is to provide novel reserve batteries and methods of their configuration and construction such that they can produce electrical energy either continuously or intermittently to satisfy high power requirements that and short in duration and/or power requirements that are low power but relatively long duration, which may be hours, days or weeks or even months. 
     Another objective is to provide new types of reserve batteries and methods of providing smart and programmable power systems that can maximize the overall efficiency of the power system and thereby minimize the total volume of the power system, such as for munitions applications. 
     Another objective is to provide new types of reserve batteries and methods of their configuration and construction such that they could be rapidly activated with electrical or inertial activation devices and provide electrical energy as needed to provide the required electrical energy/power for certain periods of times and then be reactivated when it is required to generate electrical energy/power again, thereby significantly increasing the length of time that the battery can power a device or system. 
     In munitions applications, to ensure safety and reliability, the reserve batteries must withstand and not initiate during acceleration events which may occur during manufacture, assembly, handling, transport, accidental drops, etc. Additionally, once under the influence of an acceleration profile such as to the firing of the ordinance, i.e., an all-fire condition (with or without a programmed delay period), the reserve battery must initiate with high reliability. 
     The disclosed reserve power sources can be provided with hermetically sealed packaging. The disclosed reserve power sources would therefore be capable of readily satisfying most munitions requirement of 20-year shelf life requirement and operation over the military temperature range of −65 to 165 degrees F., while withstanding high G firing accelerations. 
     In many applications, the reserve battery is required to provide full or close to full power short time after initiation. This capability can be challenging when the reserve battery is at extremely low temperatures such as the aforementioned −65 degrees F. 
     There is a clear advantage for the development of reserve batteries that can use Lithium-air primary battery technologies over liquid reserve batteries and thermal batteries as was previously described. For the case of liquid reserve batteries, the main advantages include the elimination of separate liquid electrolyte storage and a significant increase in the amount of electrical energy that can become available per unit volume, which can be important in applications such as munitions. While Li-oxygen batteries do still require a liquid electrolyte to transport the lithium ions from the lithium metal anode to the cathode electrode during battery discharge, the liquid electrolyte on its own does not activate the battery and hence it can then be added to the battery during the battery assembly process. 
     In addition, since activation of the battery relies on the transport of a gas and not of a liquid into the porous cathode material, the rate of activation for metal-oxygen, such as Li-oxygen batteries, is much faster and efficient than that of the traditional liquid reserve batteries. Moreover, since the theoretical energy density of Li-oxygen batteries is the highest of all lithium metal batteries, Li-oxygen based reserve batteries have the potential to be capable of providing significantly more electrical energy than the currently available liquid reserve batteries. 
     Accordingly, methods are provided for the configuration and construction of novel reserve batteries that are based on Lithium-oxygen technology and have long shelf life of over 20 years due to their hermetically sealed components inside the battery housing. 
     Furthermore, methods and apparatus are provided for the configuration and construction of novel reserve batteries that can be activated intermittently, i.e., to be activated to generate certain amount of electrical energy for certain amount of time and then be activated again after a certain amount of time to resume generating electrical energy on demand. 
     Furthermore, methods and apparatus are provided for activation of the disclosed novel reserve batteries when subjected to a prescribed gun or the like firing accelerations as described by a shock loading level and its duration and that it does not activate under prescribed accidental shock loadings such as drop over hard surfaces or due to transportation vibration and other similar (non-activation) events. 
     Furthermore, methods and apparatus are provided for activation of the disclosed novel reserve batteries based on external commands, which might be initiated based on a pre-programmed plan or a sensory or certain event detection or the like. 
     Furthermore, methods and apparatus are provided for activation of the disclosed novel reserve batteries to achieve continuous or certain intermittent re-programmed plan to maximize the battery run time. 
     Furthermore, methods and apparatus are provided for integration of electrical energy storage devices such as capacitors and/or super-capacitors with the disclosed reserve batteries to provide a “hybrid” power source solution to maximize the run time of the resulting power source, such as when the reserve battery is to provide occasional high power “pulses” between long periods of low power demands. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
         FIG. 1  presents the theoretical specific energies of various metals which can be used in metal-air battery technology. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the basic components of a Lithium-Air battery of the currently available technology. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the cross-sectional view of the basic prior art Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery embodiment with pressurized oxygen compartment. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates the cross-sectional view of a prior art Lithium-oxygen reserve battery embodiment with pressurized oxygen compartment that may be initially activated inertially when subjected to a prescribed acceleration profile or by external power with activation/deactivation on command capability. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a list of possible chemical sources of oxygen generation and their available oxygen per weight. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the cross-sectional view of a modified Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment of  FIG. 5  configured to be initially activated by an inertial igniter. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a blow-up view of a one-way valve to allow generated oxygen from the generation compartment(s) into the battery core. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a blow-up view of a bi-metal or shape memory valve to close/slow the flow of generated oxygen from the generation compartment (sections) into the battery core. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates the cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates the cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates the cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery with externally positioned oxygen gas tank and internally or externally positioned activation valves. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates the configuration of a Chemical Oxygen Generator (COG) candle unit with an electrical initiator. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates another configuration of a Chemical Oxygen Generator (COG) candle unit that is configured for relatively slow burn rate. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In addition to being able to provide Li-Oxygen batteries with oxygen gas that is stored in a pressurized container as was described for the prior art embodiment of  FIG. 3 , oxygen may be generated through certain chemical reactions. For emergency situations and for needs of relatively short durations, the chemically combined oxygen sources have been of considerable utility. Such developed methods are characterized by prolonged storage life with consequent ease of logistics, the need for relatively simple regulatory equipment, and the ability to function with little or no auxiliary power. 
     Classically, the alkali metal halates (chlorates and per-chlorates) have been used to prepare oxygen gas by thermal decomposition reactions. These materials are known to pyrolyze for the most part according to the overall reactions: MClO 3 =MCl+3/2 O 2  and MClO 4 =MCl+2O 2 . The oxygen availability for some of these compounds is presented in the Table I of  FIG. 4  (M. M. Markowitz, D. A. Boryta, and Harvey Stewart, Jr., “Lithium Perchlorate Oxygen Candle. Pyrochemical Source of Pure Oxygen”.  Ind. Eng. Chem. Prod. Res. Dev.  3 (4): 321-330, 1964). Of the materials tabulated, lithium per-chlorate shows the highest potential oxygen content on both a weight (60.1%) and volume basis (1.45 grams of 02 per cc.) and actually contains about 27%, more oxygen per cc. than liquid oxygen itself. Lithium superoxide (LiO 2 ) and lithium ozonide (LiO 3 ) are included in Table I for the sake of completeness. 
     An oxygen generator that uses halates as an oxygen source is commonly called as a “chlorate candle”, where the oxidation of a small amount of iron by sodium chlorate provides sufficient heat to decompose a considerable excess of sodium chlorate and yield substantially pure oxygen gas. Early attempts at the exploitation of this concept led to disastrous explosions and cast serious doubts on the inherent safety of these pyrochemically self-sustaining oxygen sources. However, later developments of this type of oxygen system resulted in a linearly burning composite of 92% NaClCO 3 , 4% steel wool, and 4% BaO 2 , which yields about 40% available oxygen. 
     In an oxygen candle, such as one using lithium perchlorate as the oxygen source, a more energetic reducing agent may be used as the fuel component. Some data pertaining to readily available fuel elements are provided in the published literature (e.g., in M. M. Markowitz, D. A. Boryta, and Harvey Stewart, Jr., “Lithium Perchlorate Oxygen Candle. Pyrochemical Source of Pure Oxygen”.  Ind. Eng. Chem. Prod. Res. Dev.  3 (4): 321-330, 1964). On the basis of heat release, boron appears to be the most efficient fuel. However, the fuel ultimately to be used in conjunction with the oxygen source such as lithium perchlorate, must be capable of producing linearly propagating, smooth combustion with no serious side reactions interfering with the release of substantially pure oxygen. On these accounts the use of boron as a fuel in this application is not ideal and manganese metal powder, despite its lower heat of combustion, appears to provide the best compromise fuel component. 
     Sodium chlorate candles are a very efficient means of storing and generating oxygen with a mass of oxygen per unit of volume greater than compressed oxygen unless the pressure is above 4,000 psig (S. H. Smith, “NRP Report 5465, Chlorate Oxygen Candles. The Present Status of Chemical Research in Atmosphere Purification and Control on Nuclear-Power Submarines,” Miller, R. R, Piatt, V. R., 1960). The volume efficiency of candles is almost equal to that of liquid oxygen without the dangers and equipment issues of cryogenic storage (e.g., J. C. White, “Atmospheric control in the true submarine. NRL Progress 5465, PB-161518,” December 1958, and J. W. Mausteller, “Oxygen Generating Systems,”  Kirk - Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology,  1996). 
     The use of chlorates or perchlorates as sources of oxygen dates from at least 1930 when emergency oxygen supplies manufactured in Berlin for miners were described (S. H. Smith, “NRP Report 5465, Chlorate Oxygen Candles. The Present Status of Chemical Research in Atmosphere Purification and Control on Nuclear-Power Submarines,” Miller, R. R, Piatt, V. R., 1960, and W. H. Schechter, et al., “Chlorate candles as a source of oxygen,” Ind. Eng. Chem., vol. 32, 1950). During World War II, the Japanese introduced a chemical oxygen generator for aircraft pilot use. By 1945, sodium chlorate oxygen candles had been improved and tested by the US Navy. The candles were developed in part at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and the Oldbury Electro-Chemical Corporation (S. H. Smith, “NRP Report 5465, Chlorate Oxygen Candles. The Present Status of Chemical Research in Atmosphere Purification and Control on Nuclear-Power Submarines,” Miller, R. R, Piatt, V. R., 1960, and W. H. Schechter, et al., “Chlorate candles as a source of oxygen,” Ind. Eng. Chem., vol. 32, 1950). 
     The most common commercial and military chemical oxygen generating candles are primarily composed of (by % weight): sodium chlorate (˜74%), iron powder (˜10%), barium peroxide (˜4%) and a glass fiber binder (˜12%). Iron acts as a fuel consuming some of the oxygen produced but it helps to maintain high temperatures in the ignition zone. Additional iron beyond 10% wt. is not oxidized and hence it does not aid the candle burning process. There is a low limit to the amount of iron needed to ensure a continued candle burn. This amount strongly depends on the geometry of the candle and the resulting heat loss to the surroundings relative to the heat generation rate. Generally, the smaller the candle diameter, the less the amount of iron that permits continued combustion. Chlorine gas is formed by an undesirable decomposition reaction of the chlorates and perchlorates. Barium peroxide (BaO 2 ) is used as an effective chlorine scavenger (W. H. Schechter, et al., “Chlorate candles as a source of oxygen,” Ind. Eng. Chem., vol. 32, 1950) that produces barium chloride (BaCl 2 ) and oxygen. Cobalt hydroxide (Co(OH) 2 ) has shown to be effective as a possible replacement to barium peroxide (Y. Zhang, et al., “Chemical oxygen generator”. U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,516, 10 Dec. 1992). Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide can also be formed because of the presence of some carbon in the iron. However, the generation of these gases is greatly reduced by careful use of purified carbon free iron as the fuel (S. H. Smith, “NRP Report 5465, Chlorate Oxygen Candles. The Present Status of Chemical Research in Atmosphere Purification and Control on Nuclear-Power Submarines,” Miller, R. R, Piatt, V. R., 1960). Since the chlorate material melts during the reaction, some inert material must be added to the candle to preserve its shape during use and as the clinker cools. The presence of glass fibers as a binder helps the cooling clinker to maintain its shape and avoid cracking (W. H. Schechter, et al., “Chlorate candles as a source of oxygen,” Ind. Eng. Chem., vol. 32, 1950). 
     Sodium chlorate, NaClO 3  melts at approximately 248° C. and decomposes at 478° C. (J. W. Mausteller, “Oxygen Generating Systems,”  Kirk - Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology,  1996). Other chemicals occasionally used or mixed together are alkaline chlorate and perchlorates such as sodium perchlorate (NaClO 4 ), potassium chlorate (KClO 3 ), potassium perchlorate (KClO 4 ), lithium chlorate (LiClO 3 ), and lithium perchlorate (LiClO 4 ). Table 1 lists the most common materials that have been or could be used as a source of chemically generated oxygen along with their melting and decomposition temperatures. Table 2 summarizes the decomposition reactions of the chlorates and perchlorates and their corresponding standard enthalpies of reaction. The release of oxygen from either chlorates or perchlorates requires raising the material to substantial temperatures. The reactions are exothermic, but an additional energy source is generally required to form a sustained reaction. Increasing the reaction temperature increases the rate of oxygen production. In general, it can be assumed that approximately 200 calories of energy are released per gram of candle mixture (W. H. Schechter, et al., “Chlorate candles as a source of oxygen,” Ind. Eng. Chem., vol. 32, 1950). The temperatures of the reaction zone lie within 500-600° C. and they are a function of the actual candle composition. The higher values sometimes for higher percentages of iron in the ignition zone. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Melting and decomposition temperatures of alkaline chlorate and  
               
               
                 perchlorates used in oxygen chemical generation (J. W. Mausteller,  
               
               
                 “Oxygen Generating Systems,”  Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of    
               
               
                   Chemical Technology , 1996). 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Name 
                 Formula 
                 Weight 
                 % oxygen* 
                 T melt** 
                 T decomp ** 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Sodium 
                 NaClO 3   
                 106.4 
                 45% 
                 248° C. 
                 478° C. 
               
               
                 chlorate 
                   
                   
                   
                 261° C. 
                   
               
               
                 Sodium 
                 NaClO 4   
                 122.4 
                 52% 
                 266° C. 
                 480° C. 
               
               
                 perchlorale 
                   
                   
                   
                 471° C. 
                 482° C. 
               
               
                 Potassium 
                 KClO 3   
                 122.5 
                 39% 
                 368° C. 
                 400° C. 
               
               
                 chlorate 
                   
                   
                   
                 357° C. 
                   
               
               
                 Potassium 
                 KClO 4   
                 138.5 
                 46% 
                 525° C. 
                 400° C. *** 
               
               
                 perchlorate 
                   
                   
                   
                 588° C. 
                   
               
               
                 Lithium 
                 LiClO 3    
                 90.4 
                 53% 
                 129° C. 
                 270° C. 
               
               
                 chlorate 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Lithiium 
                 LiClO 4   
                 106.4 
                 60% 
                 236° C. 
                 430° C. 
               
               
                 perchlorate 
                   
                   
                   
                 247° C. 
                 410° C. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Decomposition reactions and corresponding standard enthalpies of  
               
               
                 reaction of alkaline chlorate and perchlorates used in oxygen chemical  
               
               
                 generation (J. W. Mausteller, “OxygenGenerating Systems,”  
               
               
                   Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology , 1996). 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ΔHr ° 
               
               
                   
                 Reaction  
                 ΔHf ° 
                 ΔHf ° 
                 kJ/ 
               
               
                 Name 
                 (one mole reactant) 
                 (reactant)* 
                 (chloride) 
                 mole)** 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Sodium  
                 NaClO 3  → NaCl + 3/2 O 2   
                   −366*** 
                 −411 
                 −45 
               
               
                 chlorate 
                   
                 [−358] 
                 [−409] 
                 [−51]  
               
               
                 Sodium 
                 NaClO 4  → NaCl + 2 O 2   
                 −383 
                 −411 
                 −28 
               
               
                 perchlorate 
                   
                 [−384] 
                 [−409] 
                 [−25]  
               
               
                 Potassium 
                 KClO 3  → KCl + 3/2 O 2   
                 −398 
                 −436 
                 −38 
               
               
                 chlorate 
                   
                   
                 [−435] 
                 [−37]  
               
               
                 Potassium 
                 KClO 4  → KCl + 2 O 2   
                 −433 
                 −436 
                 −3 
               
               
                 perchlorate 
                   
                 [−430] 
                 [−435] 
                 [−5]  
               
               
                 Lithium  
                 LiClO 3  → LiCl + 3/2 O 2   
                 —**** 
                 −409 
                 —**** 
               
               
                 chlorate 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Lithium 
                 LiClO 4  → LiCl + 2 O 2   
                 −381 
                 −409 
                 −28 
               
               
                 perchlorate 
                   
                 [−380] 
                   
                 [−29] 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Measurement of actual oxygen production for a candle indicate that approximately 94% of the potential theoretical oxygen bound in the chlorate is released by the candle (W. H. Schechter, et al., “Chlorate candles as a source of oxygen,” Ind. Eng. Chem., vol. 32, 1950). However, this amount is slightly reduced to 88% by the oxidation of the iron fuel to iron oxides (FeO, Fe 2 O 3 , and Fe 3 O 4 ). 
     It has been long known that the presence of various metal oxides function as catalysts for the decomposition reaction (W. H. Schechter, et al., “Chlorate candles as a source of oxygen,” Ind. Eng. Chem., vol. 32, 1950). A catalyst would lower the reaction temperature for releasing oxygen and could lower the amount of iron fuel needed. Lower iron amounts would permit additional oxygen to be produced by the candle. A lower temperature candle would be inherently safer and most likely generate lower amounts of chlorine contaminant (J. W. Mausteller, “Oxygen Generating Systems,”  Kirk - Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology,  1996). A goal has long been to develop a no-fuel candle that uses the small exothermic heat from the decomposition reaction and careful management of heat loss to eliminate the need for metal fuel. The metal compounds (oxides, sulfates, chlorides in various cases) identified include manganese, copper, cobalt, nickel, chromium, and tin. Some of these metals, especially tin, nickel and cobalt, can serve as a fuel (starting in the pure state) and catalyst removing the need for the iron. Iron itself is known to act as a catalyst decreasing the decomposition temperature compared with heated pure sodium chlorate. The presence of these catalytic metal compounds caused the chlorate mixture to give off its oxygen at lower temperatures. Cobalt compounds produced the most significant decrease in temperature. As an example, 3.0% wt. Co 3 O 4  and sodium chlorate decomposed in the temperature range 240° C. to 260° C., while a similar mixture with iron oxide decomposed in the range 300° C. to 380° C. and pure sodium chlorate 520° C. to 580° C. (Y. Zhan, et al., “Catalytic decomposition of alkali metal chlorates and perchlorates,”  Recent Research and Development in Material Science , vol. 1, 1998). 
     The preferred candle manufacturing process involves thoroughly mixing the dry ingredients, moistening with water (˜1.5%-5% wt.), and pressing with a high-pressure ram (e.g., J. C. White, “Atmospheric control in the true submarine. NRL Progress 5465, PB-161518,” December 1958, and J. K. Musick and P. R. Gustafson, “Chlorate candles. The present status of chemical research in atmosphere purification and control on nuclear-powered submarines,” 1961). The higher the ram pressure, the higher the final candle density. From 5,000 to 12,000 psig the density of the candle rises from 2.1 to 2.27 g/ml. Increasing to 24,000 psig yields a density of 2.4 g/ml (a further 6% increase). The theoretical density of the sodium chlorate is approximately 2.7 g/ml. To remove water, the candles had to be heated throughout, without raising the exterior temperature too high. 
     A Li-Oxygen reserve batteries with integrated oxygen generators is herein described using the basic Li-Oxygen reserve battery embodiment  30  shown in the cross-sectional schematic of  FIG. 5 . All components of the Li-Oxygen reserve battery of the embodiment  30  of  FIG. 5 , i.e., its Lithium Metal Electrode compartment, SEI layer, Non-Aqueous Electrolyte compartment and the Porous Carbon-Based O 2  Cathode compartment, are similar to those of the embodiment  10  of  FIG. 3  except for its Pressurized Oxygen compartment  18 , which is replaced by the compartment  31  as described below. The porous carbon-based O 2  cathode is still a component of the battery core into which oxygen gas can be allowed to enter through the opening(s)  32  to activate the reserve battery. 
     All core components and the oxygen providing compartment  31  of the Li-Oxygen reserve battery are packaged, such as seamlessly, with the sealed housing  33 . To achieve a hermetically sealed reserve battery with a shelf life of over 20 years, the battery terminals  34  and the electrical initiator terminals  35  described below can be provided with glass or other similar electrical insulation as they pass through the sealed housing  33 . 
     In the oxygen generator integrated Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery embodiment  30  of  FIG. 5 , the oxygen generation process occurs in the compartment  31 . The compartment  31  can have its own housing  36  with provided openings  32  to generate oxygen to enter the porous carbon-based O 2  cathode compartment of the battery. Within the compartment  31 , at least one oxygen generating unit  37  is then provided. It is appreciated that for the sake of demonstrating the construction of the present oxygen generator integrated Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery embodiment  30 , only two oxygen generating units are shown in the schematic of  FIG. 5 . However, a maximum amount of the interior volume of the compartment  31  can be utilized to be filled with oxygen generating units and other required components that are described later in this disclosure, thereby leaving minimal or a negligible amount of unfilled volume to maximize the amount of oxygen that can be generated per unit volume of the compartment  31 . In general, any remaining volume in the compartment  31  may either be filled with an inert gas such as Argon or be vacuumed as part of the assembly process. The compartment  31  and the battery core housing  38  can share a common wall as shown in  FIG. 5 , in which the openings  32  are provided. In general, the housings  38  and compartment  31  housing are made with stainless steel with welded seams to ensure hermitic sealing of the battery. 
     The at least one oxygen generating unit  37  comprises an oxygen candle  39 , which in the schematic of  FIG. 5  is provided with an electrical pyrotechnic based initiation device  40 . The electrical initiator  40  is initiated on demand by electrical energy supplied via the terminals  35 , which can be used to heat a bridge wire to ignite the initiator pyrotechnic material. The ignited pyrotechnic material of the initiator  40  would activate the oxygen candle to begin to generate oxygen. The housing  41  of the oxygen candle is provided with opening(s) to allow the generated oxygen to escape into the compartment  31 , and thereby through the openings  32  into the porous carbon based O 2  cathode compartment of the reserve battery core. 
     The Li-Oxygen reserve battery embodiment  30  operates as follows. In normal conditions, the battery has no oxygen to generate electrical energy and is therefore inactive. Then when at least one oxygen generating unit  37  is activated on command (by initiating the initiator  40  in the embodiment  30  of  FIG. 30  or by an inertial igniter as is described for the following embodiment), the generated oxygen gas would begin to flow into the porous carbon-based O 2  cathode section of the battery core through the openings  32  and activate the reserve battery. In addition, it has been extensively reported (for example, J. Read, K. Mutolo, M. Ervin, W. Behl, J. Wolfenstine, A. Driedger and D. Foster, “Oxygen Transport Properties of Organic Electrolytes and Performance of Lithium/Oxygen Battery,”  Journal of Electrochemical Society , vol. 150, no. 10, pp. A1351-A1356, 2003) that a higher oxygen partial pressure improves battery capacity, especially at high discharge rates, by increasing the oxygen saturation concentration in the liquid electrolyte and by enhancing the oxygen diffusion rates in the porous cathode active sites. Therefore, it is advantageous to feed essential pure generated oxygen gas into the battery core and allow the generated gas to be pressurized by proper sizing of the oxygen generating units  37  and the compartment  31  volume for a given battery core size and construction. 
     The Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment  30  of  FIG. 5  is assembled in an inactive state with at least one integrated oxygen generating units  37  as described above. As a result, as long as any of the provided oxygen generating units  37  is not initiated, the battery stays in its inactive state, thus serving as a reserve battery. Then once an oxygen generating unit  37  is initiated, the generated oxygen would quickly enter the porous carbon based O 2  cathode compartment of the battery and would immediately starts the reduction/oxidation reactions inside the battery core and, as a result, a voltage differential is established across the anode and cathode sides of the cell. In the porous carbon cathode electrode, oxygen is reduced to lithium peroxide that accumulates in the pores of the electrode. At the same time, lithium metal from the anode electrode is oxidized to lithium ions, which transport to the cathode electrode through the liquid electrolyte and polymeric separator to the porous carbon cathode electrode. The battery discharge reactions will continue until available oxygen or the available Li metal is consumed. 
     A modified Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment  30  of  FIG. 5  with integrated inertial type igniters for initiating the first oxygen generating unit of the reserve battery is shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 6  and indicated and indicated generally with reference character  45 . All components of the Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery embodiment  45  are similar with those of the embodiment of  FIG. 5  except for the oxygen generators ( 37  in  FIG. 5 ) used in the oxygen generation compartment  31  and methods of their initiation as described below. 
     The modified Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment  45  can be used for gun fired munitions, mortars and rockets applications since inertial igniters, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,437,995; 7,587,979; 7,587,980; 7,832,335 and 8,061,271 and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/774,324; 12/794,763; 12/835,709; 13/180,469; 13/207,280 and 61/551,405 (the full disclosure of each of which being incorporated herein by reference) or piezoelectric-based inertial igniters such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,024,469 and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/186,456 and 13/207,355 the full disclosure of each of which being incorporated herein by reference), can be used to initiate the first oxygen generating unit of the battery from the firing setback acceleration as described later in this disclosure without the need of external power sources such as batteries for initiating an electrical initiator as was described for the embodiment  30  of  FIG. 5 . 
     In the modified oxygen generator integrated Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery embodiment  45  of  FIG. 6 , the oxygen generation process still occurs in the compartment  31 . The compartment housing  36  also similarly provided with the openings  32  ( FIG. 5 ). Within the compartment  31 , at least one aforementioned oxygen generating units  42  ( 37  in  FIG. 5 , but as equipped with an inertial igniter  43 ) is provided. Similar to the oxygen generating units  37  of the embodiment  30  of  FIG. 5 , the oxygen generating units  42  comprises oxygen candles  50  that are assembled inside a housing  50  that allows the generated oxygen to exit into the compartment  31 . Although a single oxygen generating unit  42  having an inertial igniter  43  is shown, a plurality of the same can be used. In addition to the oxygen generating unit  42 , one or more similar oxygen generating units  44  are provided, which are equipped with electrical initiation units  46 . In  FIG. 6 , the terminals  47  indicate those for powering the initiation process of the electrical initiator  46 . 
     The Li-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment  45  of  FIG. 6  operates as follows. In normal conditions, the battery has no oxygen to generate electrical energy and is therefore inactive. If the device to which the reserve battery  45  is attached is accelerated (for example due to the setback acceleration in the case of gun fired munitions) in the direction of the arrow  48 , the acceleration would act on the inertial igniter as described in the aforementioned inertial igniter patents and if the acceleration in the direction of the arrow  48  is high enough in magnitude and long enough in duration as prescribed for the detection of the desired event upon which the battery is to be activated (corresponding to the all-fire condition for the case of munitions), the pyrotechnic element of the inertial igniter (for example a percussion primer) is ignited, thereby initiating the oxygen candle  49  of the oxygen generating unit  42 . The generated oxygen gas would then begin to flow into the porous carbon-based O 2  cathode section of the battery core through the provided openings  51  and activate the reserve battery. If amplitude of the applied acceleration in the direction of the arrow  48  is lower than the prescribed magnitude or if the duration of the applied acceleration in the direction of the arrow  48  is shorter than prescribed duration, for example due to accidental drop of the object to which the reserve battery  45  is attached, the inertial igniter  43  would not initiate and the reserve battery stays inactive. 
     Within the compartment  31 , at least one other oxygen generating unit  44  may then be provided. It is appreciated that for the sake of demonstrating the construction of the present oxygen generator integrated Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery embodiment  45 , only one added oxygen generating unit  44  is shown in the schematic of  FIG. 6 . However, in practice, the maximum amount of interior volume of the compartment  31  is desired to be filled with oxygen generating units and other required components that are described later in this disclosure, thereby leaving minimal or a negligible amount of unfilled volume to maximize the amount of oxygen that can be generated per unit volume of the compartment  31 . In general, any remaining volume in the compartment  31  may either be filled with an inert gas such as Argon or be vacuumed as part of the assembly process. Similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the compartment  31  and the battery core housing  38  can share a common wall as shown in the embodiments of  FIG. 6 , in which the openings  51  are provided. In general, the housings  38  and compartment  31  housing are made with stainless steel with welded seams to ensure hermitic sealing of the battery. 
     The at least one another oxygen generating unit  44  is provided with an electrical initiator  46  with initiation powering terminals  47  similar to the electrical initiators  40  of the Li-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment of  FIG. 5 . The electrical initiator  46  may be initiated using one of the following processes:
         1—The electrical initiator  46  may be connected directly to the reserve battery terminals, such as via internal wirings, and is provided with an electronic switch that detects the battery voltage and/or current that it can generate and when the battery is detected to lose power, then the electrical initiator  46  is automatically initiated. Drop in oxygen pressure below a prescribed threshold may also be used to initiate oxygen generating unit(s)  44 .   2—The electrical initiator  46  may be positioned as the electrical initiator  40  of the embodiment  30  of  FIG. 5 , i.e., the terminals  47  being brought out of the compartment  31  are the terminals  35  in  FIG. 5 . Then an external electronics circuit, can be operated by a programmable microprocessor, would detect the powering condition of the reserve battery, and would initiate the electrical initiator  46  by a command.       

     The Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment  45  of  FIG. 6  is assembled in an inactive state. As a result, as long as none of the provided oxygen generating units  42  or  44  is initiated, the battery stays in its inactive state, thus serving as a reserve battery. Then once the initial oxygen generating unit  42  is initiated due to the detection of the prescribed acceleration profile in the direction of the arrow  48  by the inertial igniter  43 , the generated oxygen would quickly enter the porous carbon based O 2  cathode compartment of the battery and would immediately start the reduction/oxidation reactions inside the battery core and, as a result, a voltage differential is established across the anode and cathode sides of the cell. In the porous carbon cathode electrode, oxygen is reduced to lithium peroxide that accumulates in the pores of the electrode. At the same time, lithium metal from the anode electrode is oxidized to lithium ions, which transport to the cathode electrode through the liquid electrolyte and polymeric separator to the porous carbon cathode electrode and thereby power the battery load. The battery discharge reactions will continue until available oxygen or the available Li metal is consumed. 
     All core components and the oxygen providing compartment  31  of the Li-Oxygen reserve battery  45  are packaged, such as seamlessly, with the housing  33 . To achieve a hermetically sealed reserve battery with a shelf life of over 20 years, the battery terminals  34  and the electrical initiator terminals (if any) can be provided with glass or other similar electrical insulation as they pass through the sealed housing  33 . 
     It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that the compartment  31  of the embodiment of at least  FIGS. 5 and 6  may be divided into otherwise sealed sections and each section be provided with at least one oxygen generating unit. In some applications, this construction of the compartment  31  can be used, such as when the oxygen generation rate has to be high at a certain point of reserve battery operation, which can lead to high oxygen generating unit temperatures. 
     In the Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator type embodiments like those of embodiments  30  and  45  of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , respectively, the oxygen generation compartment  31 , whether constructed as a single unit or divided into individual sections with their individual oxygen generating units, the openings to allow oxygen into the battery core ( 32  in  FIGS. 5 and 51  in  FIG. 6 ) may be provided with one-way valves to serve several possible functions that may be necessary for certain applications. The one-way valves are intended to prevent flow of gas or other material from the battery core into the compartment  31  but allow the generated oxygen to flow into the battery core. Such one-way valves are well known in the art and almost any type compatible with the battery chemistry and operating temperature may be used. For this reason, a spring loaded one-way valve is used to describe the function and operation of the battery with the provided one-way valves without limiting the embodiments to the use of the described one-way valve only. The indicated spring-loaded one-way valve is shown in the blow-up view “A”,  FIG. 5 , shown in the schematic of  FIG. 7 . 
     As can be seen in the blow-up view of  FIG. 7 , the presented one-way valve comprises a rotary flap  54  (shown in the closed configuration of the valve as solid lines), which is attached to the inside surface of the bottom wall  53  of the compartment  31  by the rotary joint  55 , which may be a living joint. The rotary flap  54  is provided with a slightly preloaded compressive spring  56  (which can be integral with the living joint), which in normal conditions would force the flap  54  against the outside surface of the bottom wall  53  via the sealing gasket  57 , to close and seal the inlet  32  ( 51  in  FIG. 6 ). Then when the corresponding section of the compartment  31  begins to generate oxygen gas, the oxygen gas pressure would act of the surface of the flap  54  through the opening  32 , and force the flap  54  to rotate as shown in dashed line and indicated by the numeral  58 , allowing the oxygen gas to enter into the battery core. 
     It is also appreciated that by dividing the volume of the compartment  31  into several sections with their own at least one oxygen generating units ( 42  and  44  in  FIG. 6 ), then when oxygen is generated in one section, the generated oxygen is forced into the battery core through the section on-way valve(s),  FIG. 7 , and does not have to fill the volume of other oxygen generating sections. As a result, maximum oxygen pressure is achieved inside the battery core with a significantly less generated oxygen gas. When one section has exhausted its oxygen generation capability, then its one-way valve(s) are closed and the oxygen generated by the oxygen generating unit(s) of the next section can be activated to begin to similarly supply oxygen gas to the battery core. 
     It is also appreciated by those skilled in the art that the oxygen candle, such as  49  in  FIG. 6 , once activated, for example by ignition of an inertial igniter  43  or electrical initiator  46 ,  FIG. 6 , would begin to generate oxygen in an exothermic process. For this reason, the generated oxygen gas entering the battery core through the provided openings  51 ,  FIG. 6 , which may or may not be provided with one-way valves, such as the one shown in  FIG. 7 , may be at temperatures that are higher than those that are desired to enter the battery core. This can be concerning when the battery must operate in relatively high temperature environments. High oxygen temperature generally can negatively affect the performance of the metal-oxygen batteries. The maximum oxygen temperature that a battery can tolerate with negligible performance reduction is dependent on the battery chemistry, geometry, and the packaging of its components. 
     To limit the temperature of the generated oxygen gas that enters the battery core, the oxygen generating units ( 42  and  44  in  FIG. 6 ) can be configured to limit the rate of oxygen generation to the required level and to provide the means of dissipating the generated heat during its exothermic process as described later in this disclosure. In addition, when the battery has to operate in relatively high temperature environments, bi-metal or shape memory type valves may be provided at the openings ( 51  in  FIG. 6 ) to prevent or limit the rate of oxygen flow into the battery core, thereby allowing enough time for the oxygen gas to drop to or below the desired high temperature limit. A valve such as a bi-metal or shape memory alloy type valve is shown in the schematic of  FIG. 8 . 
     As can be seen in the blow-up view schematic of  FIG. 8 , the valve comprises the bi-metal or shape memory alloy leaf  50 , which is fixedly attached to the inside surface of the bottom wall  53  of the compartment  31  over the openings  32 ,  FIG. 5  ( 51  in  FIG. 6 ). In normal conditions (shown in solid lines), and as can be seen in  FIG. 8 , the leaf  59  is formed to allow the oxygen gas that is generated in the compartment  31  or its provided sections to freely flow into the battery core as was previously described. However, if the oxygen gas temperature begins to increase above a predetermined level, then the leaf  59  would begin to deform towards its configuration  60  shown in dashed line in  FIG. 8 , and begin to restrict the flow of the generated oxygen gas into the battery core. As a result, the oxygen gas is provided with the required time to cool down below the indicated high level before entering the battery core. In general, such valves can be configured to almost completely close the flow of the generated oxygen into the battery core when the oxygen gas temperature reaches a threshold (“high”) level. 
     It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present bi-metal based valves can be generally configured to close continuously as the passing oxygen gas temperature is increased,  FIG. 8 . On the other hand, the shape memory alloy based valves can be configured to close rapidly when a prescribed temperature threshold has been reached. It is also appreciated that the present valves can be configured with a combination of bi-metal section (such as for the frontal portion of the leaf  59 ,  FIG. 8 , and a shape memory alloy section (such as for attaching the frontal bi-metal section to the inside surface of the bottom wall  53  of the compartment  31  over the openings  32 . As a result, if the temperature of the passing generated oxygen gas is higher than the prescribed temperature threshold, the oxygen flow is rapidly reduced or diminished by the actuation of the shape memory alloy section of the leaf  59 . The bi-metal section of the leaf  59  would otherwise reduce the oxygen flow as its temperature rises but before reaching the prescribed shape memory alloy activation threshold. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the cross-sectional view of another Lithium-oxygen (Metal-Oxygen) reserve battery with integrated oxygen gas generator(s) embodiment with integrated oxygen generator unit(s), indicated as the embodiment  90 . In this embodiment, the reserve battery is initially activated either inertially when subjected to a prescribed acceleration profile or by external power with activation/deactivation on command capability or by an electrical initiator as described below. 
     To illustrate the embodiment  90  type of Lithium-oxygen reserve batteries of  FIG. 9 , the prior art Lithium-oxygen reserve battery of  FIG. 3A  is used as the basis and provided with the required changes and functional modifications. In the schematic of  FIG. 9 , all components of the battery are similar to those of the embodiment of  FIG. 3A  except that no pressurized gas is provided in the container  95 ,  FIG. 9 , and for the addition of at least one oxygen generating unit  91 . In the embodiment  90 , the container  95  is initially in vacuum or filled with as low a pressure as possible inert gas such as argon and is used to store oxygen gas that is generated by the at least one oxygen generator unit  91 . 
     The Li-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator units(s) type of embodiment  90  of  FIG. 9  can be configured and operated as follows. The oxygen gas storage compartment  95  is in vacuum or close to vacuum state with an inert gas such as argon. At least one inertially activated oxygen generator unit  91  (similar to the unit  42  of the embodiment of  FIG. 6 ) or at least one electrically initiated oxygen generator unit (similar to the units  37  of the embodiment of  FIG. 30 ) is provided in the oxygen gas storage compartment  95 . Thus, since there is no oxygen available to the battery core, the Li-Oxygen reserve battery  70  is therefore in its inactive state and provides a long shelf life that can significantly exceed the military required 20 years. 
     Then in pre-activation conditions, as was described for the embodiment of  FIG. 3A , the valve  71  is in its closed state and prevents oxygen gas from entering the porous carbon-based O 2  cathode of the battery core. In this state, the biasing force of the compressively preloaded spring  82  ensures that the valve  71  stays closed. 
     Now if the device to which the reserve battery  90  is attached is accelerated in the direction of the arrow  94 , the acceleration would act on the inertial igniter  92  and if the magnitude of the acceleration in the direction of the arrow  94  and its duration are at or above the prescribed levels for battery activation, then the inertial igniter would be configured to initiate the oxygen candle  93 . Such acceleration would also act on the inertia of the mass member  79  and the solenoid core  78 , generating a downward dynamic force as seen in the view of  FIG. 9 . The biasing spring in the solenoid  76  (not shown) is preloaded such that when the acceleration in the direction of the arrow  94  has reached a prescribed threshold, then the generated dynamic force would overcome the spring preload and the assembly of the mass member  79  and the solenoid core  78  would begin to move down as viewed in  FIG. 9 . If the magnitude of the acceleration in the direction of the arrow  94  and its duration are at or above the prescribed levels for battery activation, then the bellow  72  begins to deform, allowing the mass member  79  to move down, thereby engaging the sloped surface  80  of the member  79  and forcing it to begin to move to the right in the view of  FIG. 9 . As a result, the cap  84  is lifted from over the elastomeric gasket  85 , thereby allowing the generated oxygen gas to begin to flow into the porous carbon-based O 2  cathode section of the battery core and activate the reserve battery. Then once the acceleration in the direction of the arrow  83  has ceased, the mass member  79  is forced to return to its pre-acceleration position shown in  FIG. 9  by the preloaded biasing spring of the solenoid  76 , the extended bellow  72 , preloaded compressive spring  82  and the oxygen gas pressure, thereby closing the valve  71  and stopping the flow of oxygen gas into the battery core. 
     If the applied acceleration in the direction of the arrow  94  is below the prescribed threshold, for example due to accidental drop of the object to which the reserve battery  90  is attached, the preloading level of the aforementioned biasing tensile springs are not overcome, and the mass member  79  assembly dose not engage the sloped surface  80  of the member  79  and the valve  71  stays closed and the inertial igniter  92  is also not activated and therefore no oxygen gas is generated. 
     The reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator  90  is generally provided with proper electronic and drive components and a capacitor or other energy storage device (as shown collectively as the member  86  in  FIG. 9 ), for sensing the reserve battery  90  power level and keep the battery operational as needed by supplying the battery core with oxygen via the solenoid  76  actuation. When no external power is available, the capacitor or super-capacitor is charged by the initial activation of the battery following the inertial igniter activation as described above and initiation of the oxygen candle and generation of oxygen gas. The valve  71  and its inertial and solenoid  76  based actuation mechanism are configured to allow enough oxygen into the battery core to generate enough electrical energy to charge the capacitor or super-capacitors for continuous operation of the reserve battery  90 . It is appreciated that all components of the member  86  may be integrated inside the reserve battery housing. Such self-contained Li-Oxygen reserve batteries would greatly simplify their integration into various devices such as gun-fired munitions. 
     The actuation mechanism of the Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment  90  of  FIG. 9  comprises a metallic bellow  72 , such as being formed from the same metal with which the battery core housing  73  is constructed, such as stainless steel. The bellow  72  is fixedly attached to the side surface  74  of the battery core housing  73 , such as by welding of brazing, and the attachment is tested to ensure that is fully sealed. The bellow  72  is provided with a sealed cap  75 , which may be integral to the bellow  72 . A linear solenoid actuator  76  (or a piezoelectric or the like electrically actuated device) is positioned inside the bellow and fixed to the cap  75  as can be seen in  FIG. 9 . In  FIG. 9 , the terminals  77  indicate the powering terminals of the solenoid  76 , which are passed through the electrical insulations (not shown) provided in the cap  75 . The actuating core  78  of the solenoid  76  is then attached to a conical section shaped mass member  79 . The mass member  79  is fixedly attached and sealed to the bellow  72 . The conical section of the mass member  79  is positioned close or in contact with the sloped surface  80  of the member  81  of the normally closed valve  71  as can be seen in  FIG. 9 . The solenoid  76  is provided with a proper return spring so that while it is not energized, the mass member  79  is at the position shown in  FIG. 9  and does not force the valve  71  to open. The cap  75  may be provided with a small hole to prevent the air (gas) trapped inside the below  72  from resisting its extension. 
     The linear solenoid actuator  76  (or other similar linear or rotary actuators) may be of latching type. In which case, following initial inertial activation and once the battery is activated, the solenoid actuator may be activated and held in its activated position without requiring continuous power. The solenoid may also be actuated less than the distance that activates the latching mechanism, thereby providing the capability to reactivate the reserve battery several times until it is desired to stay permanently activated, at which time the solenoid is actuated to the point of activating its latching mechanism. 
     In the Li-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment  90  of  FIG. 9 , the inertial activation in response to the prescribed acceleration profile as was previously described is configured to allow enough oxygen gas into the battery core to power the device electronics and power control system and to operate the solenoid  76  to open and close the valve  71  when needed to supply the required electrical energy. The reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment  90  may also be provided with a capacitor or super-capacitor (not shown) to form a “Lithium-Oxygen hybrid reserve battery”, in which part of the electrical energy generated by the battery may be stored and used to provide high power pulse to certain loads or used to power low power electronics for a considerable lengths of time, such as for hours or days. 
     In the prior art Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment  90  of  FIG. 9 , the inertial activation in response to a prescribed acceleration profile is configured to allow enough oxygen gas into the battery core to power the device electronics and power control system and to operate the on/off activation actuation device, in this case the solenoid  76 . Alternatively, the Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery embodiment  90  may be paired as was previously described with a capacitor (or supercapacitor) provided in the member  86 , which is charged by the electrical energy generated by the initial activation of the reserve battery. The electrical energy stored in the capacitor can then be used by the object to which the reserve battery is attached (e.g., a gun fired munition), and to re-activate the reserve battery as needed by the actuator  76 . Such a combined Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery and capacitor (super-capacitor) reserve power source forms the aforementioned “Lithium-Oxygen hybrid reserve battery”. 
     It is appreciated that such “Lithium-Oxygen hybrid reserve batteries” can be advantageous for use in applications in which they are required to provide low power for long periods of times and that only occasionally they have to provide high power, such as for relatively short periods of time. In such applications, the reserve battery only needs to be activated for very short periods of times to charge the capacitor (or supercapacitor) and have the capacitor supply the low power to low power electronics for hours and sometimes for days until either high power is required to be provided or when the capacitor (or supercapacitor) power is low and it needs to be recharged, at which time the capacitor (or supercapacitor) supplies power to the activation actuator, in this case the solenoid  76 . 
     The above “Lithium-Oxygen hybrid reserve batteries” may be provided with an electronic control circuit and microprocessor with enough memory (shown schematically in the member  86 ) to detect the voltage level of the hybrid reserve battery, and an electrical energy storage capacitor or super-capacitor (e.g., in the member  86 ),  FIG. 9 . The reserve battery may then be activated, for example inertially as was described above, to allow enough oxygen gas to flow into the battery core to charge the provided capacitor or super-capacitor to a prescribed level. The electronic control circuit and microprocessor can then be powered and memory and be programmed to provide a prescribed power level based on some sensory input and/or planned profile. 
     It is also appreciated by those skilled in the art that the Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment  90  may be provided with an oxygen generating unit with an electrical igniters, such as the oxygen generating unit  37  of  FIG. 5 , the oxygen candle  39  of which may then be initiated by an external power source on demand. The linear solenoid actuator  76  (or other similar linear or rotary actuators) may then be at least initially be powered to activate the battery on demand by allowing oxygen gas to enter the battery core as was previously described. 
     It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that the oxygen gas storage compartment of the Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment  90  may be provided with at least one oxygen generating unit with inertial initiation, such as the unit  42  in  FIG. 6 , and at least one oxygen generating unit with electrical initiation, such as the unit  44  in  FIG. 6 , to provide oxygen gas to the battery core on demand as it was described for the embodiment  45  of  FIG. 6 . 
     It is also appreciated by those skilled in the art that the oxygen gas storage compartment of the Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment  90  may divided into several separate compartments with their own oxygen generating units, such as it was described for the previous embodiments. As a result, oxygen gas pressure can be kept higher in each section of the oxygen gas storage compartment when its oxygen candle is ignited and released with higher pressure into the battery core. In which case, the inlet valves, such as valves similar to the valve  71  of  FIG. 9 , of all other compartment sections are closed to prevent the generated oxygen gas from entering those sections and causing the pressure of the oxygen gas entering the battery core to drop. 
     In another Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment  100  is shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 10 . To illustrate the embodiment  100  of Lithium-oxygen reserve batteries of  FIG. 10 , the prior art Lithium-oxygen reserve battery of  FIG. 3A  is used as the basis and is provided with the required changes and functional modifications. In the schematic of  FIG. 10 , all components of the battery are similar to those of the embodiment of  FIG. 3A  except that no pressurized gas is provided in the oxygen gas storage compartment,  FIG. 10 , and no valve  71  and bellow  72  and its solenoid actuation mechanism are provided. The Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment  100  is, however, provided with at least one oxygen generating unit  101 ,  104 . In the embodiment  90 , the container  95  is initially in vacuum or filled with as low a pressure as possible inert gas such as argon and is used to store oxygen gas that is generated by the at least one oxygen generator unit  101 , which is inertially activated, and/or with at least one electrically activated oxygen generator unit  104 . 
     When provided, the at least one oxygen generating unit  104  comprises an oxygen candle  105 , which in the schematic of  FIG. 10  is provided with an electrical pyrotechnic based initiation device  106 . The electrical initiator  106  is initiated on demand by electrical energy supplied via the terminals  107 , which can be used to heat a bridge wire to ignite the initiator pyrotechnic material. The ignited pyrotechnic material of the initiator  106  would activate the oxygen candle to begin to generate oxygen as described later in this disclosure. The housing  108  of the oxygen candle  105  is provided with opening(s) to allow the generated oxygen to escape into the oxygen gas storage compartment. The electrical initiator  106  is initiated by external powering on demand. The electrical initiators following battery activation may be initiated from the battery power as was described for the electrical initiator  46  of the oxygen generator unit  44  of the embodiment  45  of  FIG. 6 . 
     When provided, the at least one inertial igniter initiated oxygen generating unit  101  would similarly comprise an oxygen candle  103  inside a housing  109  that allows the generated oxygen to exit into the oxygen gas storage compartment. The inertial igniter is initiated as was described for the embodiment  45  and  90  of  FIGS. 6 and 9  when the device to which the Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment  100  is attached is accelerated with a prescribed profile, such as firing of a munition. 
     The Li-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator units(s) type of embodiment  100  of  FIG. 10  is configured and operated as follows. The oxygen gas storage compartment is in vacuum or close to vacuum state (essentially only with oxygen gas) as the inside of the battery core. The membrane  13  is intact and since there is no oxygen available to the battery core, the Li-Oxygen reserve battery  100  is therefore in its inactive state and provides a long shelf life that can significantly exceed the military required 20 years. 
     Then in pre-activation conditions, as was described for the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the membrane  13  is intact and since there is no oxygen available to the battery core, the Li-Oxygen reserve battery  100  is therefore in its inactive state. 
     Now if the device to which the reserve battery  100  is attached is accelerated in the direction of the arrow  96  (or any prescribed direction, such as the direction of a munition firing), the acceleration would act on the inertial igniter  102 , which is configured to react as described below to acceleration in the said prescribed direction. Now if the magnitude of the acceleration in the prescribed direction and its duration are at or above the prescribed levels for battery activation, then the inertial igniter would initiate the oxygen candle  103  as is described later in this disclosure. As a result, the oxygen gas storage compartment is filled with pressurized oxygen gas. Li-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment  100  of  FIG. 10  is thereby ready to be activated at any time. 
     The Li-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator of the type shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 10  has several advantages over the prior art type metal-oxygen reserve batteries, such as the ones shown in  FIGS. 3 and 3A , including the following:
         1—The reserve batteries are not stored (sometimes up to 20 years) with pressurized oxygen gas, which may leak out and may pose safety issues.   2—At least one of the provided oxygen generating units of the reserve battery may be initiated to fill the oxygen gas storage compartment of the reserve battery during one event (for example during munitions firing by the provided inertial igniter or electrical or other types of initiators). The reserve battery can then be activated at any time on demand, using any one of the methods and devices described later in this disclosure.   3—The use of solid oxygen candle chemicals for producing oxygen gas allows the generation of a significantly larger amount of oxygen gas than can be stored in the same amount of volume. As a result, for the required amount of oxygen gas for a metal-oxygen reserve battery, the oxygen candle-based oxygen gas generators would occupy a smaller volume than a similar capacity pressurized oxygen gas container.       

     The Li-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment  100  of  FIG. 10  is configured to allow for battery activation manually or using an external positioned actuation device. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 10 , the Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment  100  is provided with an activation mechanism that comprises a metallic bellow  97 , such as being formed from the same metal with which the container  18  is constructed, such as stainless steel. The bellow  97  is fixedly attached to the top surface of the oxygen gas container  18 , such as by welding of brazing, and the attachment is tested to ensure that is fully sealed. The bellow is configured to have the required flexibility so that when pressed to activate the battery as described below, it would essentially act as a spring element and return to its normal state. The bellow is provided with a sealed cap  98 , which may be integral to the bellow  97 . A pin  99  is fixedly attached to the cap  98  of the bellow  97 , which can be provided with a guide  111  inside the oxygen gas storage compartment as can be seen in  FIG. 10 . The pin  99  is provided with a sharp tip  110 , which is over the hole  112  and close to the membrane  13 . 
     Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment  100  of  FIG. 10  operates as follows. In normal conditions, none of the oxygen candles have been activated and the oxygen gas storage compartment is empty or filled with a negligible amount of an inert gas such as Argon. Then following activation of at least one of the oxygen candles with an inertial or electrical igniters or other possible means as was previously described, pressurized oxygen gas becomes available in the oxygen gas storage compartment,  FIG. 10 . It is appreciated that since the diaphragm  13  is intact, it prevents the oxygen gas from entering the porous carbon-based O 2  cathode of the battery core from the oxygen gas storage compartment. The reserve battery can then stay in its un-activated state almost indefinitely when the oxygen gas storage compartment is hermetically sealed as it is the common practice in reserve batteries used in munitions and other applications in which they are required to have a very long storage (shelf) life of sometimes over 20 years. 
     In the case of the Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment  100  of  FIG. 10 , the user may then manually press the cap  98  of the bellow  97  down in the direction of the arrow  113 . As a result, the bellow  97  begins to deform, allowing the pin  99  to slide down the guide  111 , causing the sharp tip  110  of the pin  99  to rupture the diaphragm  13 , thereby allowing the oxygen gas to begin to flow into the porous carbon-based O 2  cathode section of the battery core and activate the reserve battery. 
     It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that the cap  98  of the bellow  97  may also be displaced down by an externally positioned linear or rotary electrical, piezoelectric-based or pneumatic or the like actuation device on command, for example provided by a system control system, such as the solenoid linear actuation mechanism of the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , as is well known in the art. 
     The reserve battery with integrated oxygen generator embodiment  100  of  FIG. 10  may then be provided with the proper electronic and drive components and a capacitor (as shown collectively as the member  86  in  FIG. 9 —not shown in  FIG. 10 ), for sensing the reserve battery power level and keep the battery operational as needed by supplying the battery core with oxygen by initiating the remaining electrically initiated oxygen candle units, such as the oxygen candle unit  104  shown in the schematic of  FIG. 10 . 
     It is appreciated that to initiate an oxygen candle, an initiation device such as a percussion primer or an electrical initiation device such as a so-called electric match may be used. Such mechanical inertial and other percussion primer or other directly applied pyrotechnic based igniters are well known in the art and were referenced previously. Electrical initiators are also well known in the art and are commonly used in thermal reserve and liquid reserve batteries and for initiating various initiation trains in munitions. 
     As was previously indicated, the release of oxygen from either chlorates or perchlorates requires raising the material to substantial temperatures. The reactions are exothermic, but an additional energy source is generally required to form a sustained reaction. Increasing the reaction temperature increases the rate of oxygen production. The temperatures of the reaction zone may lie within 500-600° C. and they are a function of the actual candle composition, but oxygen candles operating at lower temperatures have also been developed. 
     In general, the temperature of the oxygen gas entering the battery core needs to be limited to prevent damage to the liquid electrolyte. Also, it is required to keep the temperature of the lithium anode below its melting temperature (180° C.) so that it stays as a solid metal. For this reason, depending on the size of the battery and the candle units, such as the candle units  105  and  109  in the embodiment  100  of  FIG. 10 , it may desirable to configure the candle units such that they “burn” at relatively slow rates. It is also desirable to ensure that the generated hot oxygen gas is cooled down before entering the battery core. 
     It is, however, important for the Li-oxygen reserve batteries to operate at peak performance even at very low environmental temperatures. For this reason, when relatively large oxygen candles are use, it is important to control the temperature of the oxygen gas that enters into the battery core by providing temperature control valves such as bi-metal or shape memory based valves described for the embodiment of  FIG. 8 . Such valves would have the advantage of allowing warm oxygen gas into the battery core at low environmental temperatures while ensuring that the entering oxygen gas is below a certain prescribed battery safe temperature. 
     Another Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery embodiment  120  is shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 11 . The battery core of this reserve battery, i.e., its Lithium metal electrode, SEI layer, non-aqueous electrolyte and porous carbon-based O 2  cathode are similar to those of the embodiment  100  of  FIG. 10 , except for the oxygen gas flow channels section shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     In the Lithium-Oxygen reserve battery embodiment  120 , oxygen gas is stored in a separate pressurized container  121 . The oxygen gas container may be provided with a commonly used pressure regular and a manually operated open-close valve  122 . An intermediate control valve  124  is also provided either along the path of the tubing  123  as shown in  FIG. 11  or as mounted on the surface  127  of the battery core. 
     The Li-Oxygen reserve battery embodiment  120  is configured to operate in several following modes:
         1—In the first mode, the reserve battery does require the control valve  124  to operate but may still be provided with this valve. In normal not-activated conditions, the valve in the pressure regulator and valve unit  122  (hereinafter referred to as only valve) of the oxygen capsule  121  is closed and no oxygen gas can flow into the oxygen gas flow channels and thereby into the battery core porous carbon-based O 2  cathode section and the battery. The battery can then be activated by the opening of the valve  122  and allowing the oxygen gas to begin to flow into the battery core. Electrical current can then be provided to the device to be powered via the battery terminals  126 . The electrical energy is provided by the battery  120  until the oxygen gas supply is exhausted or the valve  122  is closed and the oxygen remaining inside the battery core is exhausted. The valve  122  may be opened manually or using a commonly used electrically powered or pneumatic actuation device, which may be remotely controlled.   2—The valve of the regulator and valve unit  122  is open (or not even provided) and the flow of oxygen gas into the battery oxygen gas flow channel section is controlled by the valve  124 . In normal not-activated conditions, the valve control  124  is closed and no oxygen gas can flow into the oxygen gas flow channels and thereby into the battery core porous carbon-based O 2  cathode section and the battery. The battery can then be activated by the opening of the control valve  124  and allowing the oxygen gas to begin to flow into the battery core. The various configurations and operation of the control valve  124  are described below.       

     The Li-oxygen reserve battery embodiment  120  of  FIG. 11  is most useful for use in emergency situations in which certain events, such as certain accidental events such as the start of fire, flooding due to rupture of certain water or steam or natural gas or the like, such as in remote locations or in certain hazardous conditions the prevent rapid human intervention. In such applications, the Li-oxygen reserve battery embodiment  120  can be provided and would stay inactive for even years until it is required to be activated to power certain emergency equipment, such as closing or opening a valve or an outlet to intervene and prevent or minimize further damage. It is therefore appreciated that for such applications, it is highly desirable that the control valve  124  of the Li-oxygen reserve battery embodiment  120  be passive and activate upon detection of the intended hazardous event. 
     It is noted that control valves  124  that are activated by fire (heat) using bi-metals and shape memory alloys are well known in the art and may be used in the Li-oxygen reserve battery embodiment  120  of  FIG. 11 . Similar control valves that use float actuated levers to actuate (switch) a control valve that are known in the art may also be used to detect flooding. Other types of sensory devices, for example powered by solar cells, may also be used to power solenoid actuated control valves  124 . 
     There are a lot of details and variables that need to be considered in the configuration of an effective oxygen generator unit (hereinafter referred to as Chemical Oxygen Generation (COG) candle). The shape and arrangement of the COG candle and ignition pellet, the type of ignition system, thermal management, oxygen filtration and delivery are all essential parameters. A goal is a COG system configuration that can be quickly ignited, that enable a stable and isothermal combustion with a relatively low combustion temperature, and that have the highest possible chlorate to oxygen conversion yield. At the same time, the configuration must address adequate thermal management to ensure that the outer candle enclosure and the oxygen stream temperatures do not exceed the allowable values. 
     Although  FIG. 11  shows the external oxygen source and  FIGS. 5, 6, 9 and 10  illustrate an internal oxygen candle, the configuration of  FIG. 11  can use an external oxygen candle in place of the external oxygen source that provides generated oxygen to the tubing  123  with our without the control valve  122  and actuated upon demand by providing power to the oxygen candle, such as a power source via a switch. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates the cross-sectional view of a configuration of a COG candle unit. In this configuration, the COG candle  130  with its integrated electrical initiator  131  is enclosed inside the metal container  132 . The electrical initiator terminals  135  are also shown in the schematic of  FIG. 12 . The oxygen candle unit of  FIG. 12  may be cylindrical in shape or may be constructed in a shape that best fits the reserve battery configuration that it is intended for. The unit is shown to be provided with an exterior thermal insulation layer  133 . 
     The COG candle  130  may be provided with a conically shaped ignition pellet  134  to facilitate the ignition of the candle. Like the COG candle, an ignition pellet may also be composed of an alkali chlorate (˜60% wt.), but contains a much larger amount of fuel (e.g. ˜20% iron powder) so that it can be easily lighted and burn vigorously, thus ensuring that the COG candle will start to burn properly. 
     Oxygen gas is produced by thermal decomposition of the chlorates at the burning front of the candle, which moves along the length of the candle as the chlorate and fuel components are consumed. The rate of oxygen evolution is mainly determined by the temperature of the reactants, immediately located ahead of the burning front. Therefore, good heat transfer from the burned to the unburned sections of the candle is required to accomplish a stable oxygen production rate. Long and narrow candles, where the hot oxygen is allowed to flow over the colder unreacted chemicals, may be used for efficient heat transfer. 
     In the COG configuration shown in  FIG. 12 , the generated oxygen flows radially, through a first filter  136 , into the outer O 2  collection channel  137 , where it is directed downwards through a second filter  138  at bottom of the candle. The filters remove a fine suspension of alkali metal chloride particles, and any gaseous chemical contaminants that could affect battery performance. The oxygen stream then enters the collection chamber  139  and leaves the COG candle enclosure through the outlet port  140 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates the cross-sectional view of another COG candle unit configuration. In this configuration, the COG candle material  141  is packed inside a tube of  142 , which is provided with outlets on its walls for the generated oxygen to exit. The COG candle material containing tubing  142  may be formed, such as shown in  FIG. 13  or in a helical or any other appropriate form to fit the provided space in the oxygen generating unit compartment of the battery,  FIGS. 5-6 and 9-10 . Similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 12 , the candle material is shown to be ignited using an electrical initiator  144 , which is attached to one end  145  of the COG candle unit housing tubing  142 . The other end  147  of the COG candle unit housing tubing  142  is shown to be closed. The terminals  146  of the electrical initiator  144  are also shown in the schematic of  FIG. 13 . The COG candle unit housing tubing  142  would also be provided with the filtering units  136  and  138  shown in the COG candle unit embodiment of  FIG. 12  and may also be fully or partially covered by an exterior thermal insulation layer (not shown). 
     Once the COG candle unit embodiment of  FIG. 13  (for example as the unit  44  in the embodiment  45  and located in the compartment  36  as shown in  FIG. 6 ) is initiated, the generated oxygen gas can then be provided to the battery core through the provided openings ( 51  in  FIG. 6 ) as was described for the above Li-Oxygen reserve battery embodiments. The primary advantage of the COG candle unit configuration of the type shown in  FIG. 13  is that due to the relatively small cross-sectional area of the burning front, the burn rate of the candle material can be configured to be slow, thereby allowing time for the generated oxygen gas to drop before entering the battery core. 
     It is appreciated that the COG candle tubing housing may have any cross-sectional shape and have varying cross-sectional areas along the length of the tubing to vary the burn rate over time. In fact, the “tubing” may in fact be a helical of other shaped open channel(s) that are provided over the surface of the oxygen gas compartment (for example, the compartment  36  of the embodiment  45  of  FIG. 6 ) and covered with the filtering elements shown in the COG candle unit embodiment of  FIG. 12 . 
     Oxygen gas is produced by thermal decomposition of the chlorates at the burning front of the candle, which moves along the length of the candle as the chlorate and fuel components are consumed. The rate of oxygen evolution is mainly determined by the temperature of the reactants, immediately located ahead of the burning front. Therefore, good heat transfer from the burned to the unburned sections of the candle is required to accomplish a stable oxygen production rate. Long and narrow candles, where the hot oxygen is allowed to flow over the colder unreacted chemicals, may be used for efficient heat transfer. 
     In the COG configuration shown in  FIG. 12 , the generated oxygen flows radially, through a first filter  136 , into the outer O 2  collection channel  137 , where it is directed downwards through a second filter  138  at bottom of the candle. The filters remove a fine suspension of alkali metal chloride particles, and any gaseous chemical contaminants that could affect battery performance. The oxygen stream then enters the collection chamber  139  and leaves the COG candle enclosure through the outlet port  140 . 
     In the COG candle units of  FIGS. 12 and 13 , electrical initiators we shown to be used to initiate (ignite) the candle material. It is, however, appreciated that in munitions applications, inertial igniters are also commonly used to activate reserve batteries and as was previously described for the disclosed Li-oxygen reserve battery embodiments, such inertial igniters may also be used to initiate the COG candles (the first COG candle unit when more than one candle unit is provided) in response to an all-fire acceleration profile as previously described. 
     While there has been shown and described what is considered to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will, of course, be understood that various modifications and changes in form or detail could readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be not limited to the exact forms described and illustrated, but should be constructed to cover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.