Patent ID: 8329357

Claim:
A battery comprising: at least one fluid consuming cell comprising; a cell housing comprising one or more fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell; a first fluid consuming electrode disposed within said cell housing; a second electrode disposed within said cell housing; and a fluid regulating system comprising: a first plate disposed in fluid communication with the one or more fluid entry ports, said first plate having at least one plate aperture; a second plate disposed adjacent to the first plate and having at least one plate aperture, said first and second plates forming a valve; an actuator for moving the first plate relative to the second plate to open and close the valve to regulate the passage of fluid into the cell; and a friction reduction medium disposed between the first plate and the second plate, wherein the friction reduction medium comprises a plurality of round members, wherein the plurality of round members maintain a minimum separation distance between the first plate and the second plate and rotate during movement of the first plate relative to the second plate, and wherein the plurality of round members comprises spherical members each having a diameter in the range of 1 to 200 microns.