WO2005072383A2 - Precision micro-hole for extended life batteries - Google Patents
Precision micro-hole for extended life batteries Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2005072383A2 WO2005072383A2 PCT/US2005/002597 US2005002597W WO2005072383A2 WO 2005072383 A2 WO2005072383 A2 WO 2005072383A2 US 2005002597 W US2005002597 W US 2005002597W WO 2005072383 A2 WO2005072383 A2 WO 2005072383A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- enclosure
- hearing aid
- battery
- hole
- diffusion
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
- H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
- H04R25/652—Ear tips; Ear moulds
- H04R25/654—Ear wax retarders
Definitions
- Embodiments of the invention relate to components for extending the life of metal air batteries. More specifically, the invention provides a battery enclosure and method for improving the performance of metal air batteries used in extended wear hearing aids.
- the external acoustic meatus (ear canal) is generally narrow and contoured as shown in the coronal view in Fig. 1.
- the ear canal 10 is approximately 25 mm in length from the canal aperture 17 to the center of the tympanic membrane 18 (eardrum).
- the cartilaginous region 11 of the ear canal 10 deforms and moves in response to the mandibular (jaw) motions, which occur during talking, yawning, chewing, etc.
- the medial (towards the tympanic membrane) part, a bony region 13 proximal to the tympanic membrane, is rigid due to the underlying bony tissue.
- the skin 14 in the bony region 13 is thin (relative to the skin 16 in the cartilaginous region) and is more sensitive to touch or pressure.
- the ear canal 10 terminates medially with the tympanic membrane 18. Laterally and external to the ear canal is the concha cavity 2 and the auricle 3, both also cartilaginous.
- the junction between the concha cavity 2 and the cartilaginous part 11 of the ear canal at the aperture 17 is also defined by a characteristic bend 12 known as the first bend of the ear canal.
- Hair 5 and debris 4 in the ear canal are primarily present in the cartilaginous region 11.
- Physiologic debris includes cerumen (earwax), sweat, decayed hair, and oils produced by the various glands underneath the skin in the cartilaginous region.
- Non-physiologic debris consists primarily of environmental particles that enter the ear canal.
- Canal debris is naturally extruded to the outside of the ear by the process of lateral epithelial cell migration (see e.g., Ballachanda, The Human ear Canal, Singular Publishing, 1995, pp. 195). There is no cerumen production or hair in the bony part of the ear canal.
- a cross-sectional view of the typical ear canal 10 (Fig. 2) reveals generally an oval shape and pointed inferiorly (lower side).
- the long diameter (D ) is along the vertical axis and the short diameter (D s) is along the horizontal axis.
- First generation hearing devices were primarily of the Behind-The-Ear (BTE) type. However they have been largely replaced by In-The-Canal (ITC) hearing devices are of which there are three types. In-The-Ear (ITE) devices rest primarily in the concha of the ear and have the disadvantages of being fairly conspicuous to a bystander and relatively bulky to wear. Smaller ITC devices fit partially in the concha and partially in the ear canal and are less visible but still leave a substantial portion of the hearing device exposed.
- BTE Behind-The-Ear
- ITC In-The-Canal
- CIC hearing devices have come into greater use. These devices fit deep within the ear canal and can be essentially hidden from view from the outside. In addition to the obvious cosmetic advantages, CIC hearing devices provide, they also have several performance advantages that larger, externally mounted devices do not offer. Placing the hearing device deep within the ear canal and proximate to the tympanic membrane (ear drum) improves the frequency response of the device, reduces distortion due to jaw extrusion, reduces the occurrence of the occlusion effect and improves overall sound fidelity.
- One approach for limiting the oxygen and moisture flow into and out of batteries of the metal-air type includes the use of a diffusivity-limiting membrane (DLM) or a gas diffusion membrane (GDM).
- DLM diffusivity-limiting membrane
- GDM gas diffusion membrane
- Such gas-diffusion membranes are typically comprised of one or more layers of a compressed polymer material such as porous polytetrafluoroethylene, such as Teflon® available from the DuPont® Corporation. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,189,526 to Cretzmeyer, et al, which uses a sintered polytetrafluoroethylene.
- PTFE one problem with gas diffusion membranes such as PTFE is that the material is not dimensionally stable, that is it is easily stretched or otherwise deformed.
- Various embodiments of the invention provide systems, devices and methods for improving the performance and reliability of metal air batteries used for extended wear hearing aids including completely in the canal hearing aids.
- Many embodiments provide an enclosure including a diffusion control element for controlling oxygen and moisture diffusion into a battery assembly to improve one or more performance parameters of the battery such as long term operation life of the battery, operational capacity and the ability of the battery to maintain a minimum voltage when the hearing aid is in an operational mode and worn in the ear canal of a user over an extended period.
- the enclosure includes a diffusion control element having a dimensional property configured to control oxygen and moisture diffusion into the metal- air battery assembly to maintain a minimum battery voltage when the hearing aid is operating and worn in an ear canal of a user over an extended period.
- This minimum voltage is typically in the range from 1 to 1.3 volts for battery current drains in the range from about 40 to 175 ⁇ a with preferred ranges of about 40 to 90 ⁇ a, about 90 to 120 ⁇ a and about 120 to 175 ⁇ a.
- the enclosure can comprise a shell with a base end having an opening therein forming a cavity within the shell and a base cap for covering the opening of the base end with the diffusion element disposed on the base cap.
- the diffusion control element is also configured to improve the operational life of the battery by controlling the amount of moisture diffusion into the battery assembly within a range such that the battery electrolyte does not dry out nor does excessive moisture enter into the battery assembly leading to condensation and flooding of the battery assembly.
- various embodiments of the invention employing a diffusion control element allow for an in situ operation life of battery of up to several months or longer.
- the diffusion control element will comprise one or more precision micro though-holes which can be laser drilled.
- the shape of the through-hole is desirably straight but it can also be curved, angled or otherwise non-linear and can comprise a combination of linear and non linear portions including curved portions.
- the through-hole has a length to diameter ratio (i.e. an aspect ratio) such that the gas ingress into the battery assembly is substantially diffusion controlled.
- the aspect ratio will be about four or greater with the diameter of the through-hole being no greater than about 15 microns.
- the portion of the enclosure including the micro-hole is fabricated from a metallized polymer such as a metallized PEEK.
- this portion can be fabricated from a multilayer polymer material such that its bulk gas permeability is equal or less than a metallized polymer layer. That is, the imperfections in a single layer causing diffusion/permeability are blocked by the next overlying layer.
- An exemplary embodiment of a method of using a hearing aid having a battery assembly with a diffusion control element comprises positioning the hearing aid into the ear of a user and controlling air ingress into the battery assembly to maintain a minimum battery voltage when the hearing aid draws current from the battery.
- the minimum voltage will be in the range from about 1 to 1.3 volts and the drawn current will be in the range from about 40 to 90 ⁇ A, but can range from about 40 to 120 ⁇ A, about 40 to 175 ⁇ A or about 1 to 175 ⁇ A.
- the diffusion control element can comprise a non- compressed portion of a compressed gas porous membrane coupled to a portion of the enclosure.
- the compressed portion is sufficiently compressed to significantly reduce the gas permeability of the compressed portion relative to the un-compressed portion.
- the porous membrane can include PTFE or other porous membrane known in the art.
- the enclosure comprises a shell with a base cap
- the porous membrane can be disposed on the base cap.
- the diffusion control element can include a regulator configured to regulate oxygen and moisture diffusion into the metal-air battery assembly responsive to a hearing aid parameter such as a user selected hearing aid volume, hearing aid operational mode (e.g. sleep vs. active mode), hearing aid gain, hearing aid frequency response and the like.
- the regulator can include a valve or shutter, or a MEMS device which can have a valve, shutter or similar function
- An exemplary embodiment of a method of using a hearing aid having a battery assembly with a regulator comprises positioning the hearing aid into the ear of a user and regulating air ingress into the battery assembly responsive to a hearing aid parameter such as a hearing aid gain, a hearing aid volume, or a user selected hearing aid volume.
- Fig. 1 is a side coronal view of the external ear canal.
- Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ear canal in the cartilaginous region.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a hearing aid device positioned in the bony portion of the ear canal.
- Fig. 4A is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a metal-air hearing aid battery assembly.
- Fig. 4B is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of an enclosure for a hearing aid battery assembly.
- Fig. 4C is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a hearing aid battery enclosure having a multi-layer construction.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a hearing aid battery enclosure comprising a shell and a base cap, the base cap including a diffusion control element.
- Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the enclosure wall having a diffusion control element comprising a micro-hole.
- Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the enclosure wall having an array of micro-holes.
- Figs. 8A-8C are cross-sectional views illustrating an embodiments of the micro- hole having different shapes including curved portions, curved and straight portions, and curved and angled portions.
- Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a diffusion control element comprising a gas permeable membrane.
- Fig. 10A is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the battery enclosure including a regulator for regulating gas influx into the battery assembly
- Fig. 10B is block diagram illustrating use of the regulator for regulating gas influx into the battery enclosure responsive to one or more inputs.
- Fig. 11 A is a graph of load in volts versus time in minutes for a series of batteries at a drain of 120 ⁇ A that have metallized, laser-drilled micro holes according to an embodiment of the invention.
- Fig. 1 IB is a graph of load in volts versus time in hours for a series of batteries at a drain of 120 ⁇ A that have metallized, laser-drilled micro holes according to an embodiment of the invention.
- Fig. 12 is a graph of load in volts versus time in minutes for a series of batteries at a drain of 175 ⁇ A that have metallized, laser-drilled micro holes according to an embodiment of the invention.
- Fig. 13 is a graph of load in volts versus time in minutes for a series of batteries at a drain of 200 ⁇ A that have metallized, laser-drilled micro holes according to an embodiment of the invention.
- Fig. 14 is a graph indicating battery life for a series of batteries that have metallized, laser-drilled micro holes according to an embodiment of the invention.
- the graph shows load in volts versus operational life in days for batteries that were tested at three different levels of humidity.
- an embodiment of a CIC hearing aid device 20 can include a microphone assembly 30, a receiver or speaker assembly 35 and a battery assembly 40 including a battery 50 contained in battery cavity 60 by an enclosure 70.
- battery 50 can employ a variety of electrochemistry known in the art including, but not limited to, lithium, lithium polymer, lithium ion, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, or lead acid or combinations thereof.
- battery 50 is a zinc-air or other metal-air battery known in the art an embodiment of which is shown in Fig 4A.
- Metal air battery 50 includes an air cathode assembly 51 and anode assembly 52 and an enclosure 53.
- Air cathode assembly 50 represents several layers of active and passive materials known in the art of battery design.
- Anode assembly 52 includes anodic material 52m which is typically made of amalgamated zinc powder with organic and inorganic compounds including binders and corrosion inhibitors.
- Anodic material 52m also includes the electrolyte, typically an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Air (including oxygen) reaches the cathode assembly from an air hole or aperture 54 within the base of enclosure 53.
- KOH potassium hydroxide
- NaOH sodium hydroxide
- a battery enclosure 70 for controlling moisture and oxygen influx into battery assembly 40 is shown in Fig. 4B.
- Enclosure 70 can be an enclosure for and/or a shell (part) of the battery.
- the enclosure can include a diffusion control element 80 or other means of controlling air ingress into the battery assembly.
- all or a portion of enclosure 70 is fabricated from a gas impermeable material (including impermeability to oxygen and water vapor) such as a metal or gas impermeable polymer known in the art.
- a gas impermeable material including impermeability to oxygen and water vapor
- Such embodiments enhance the control of gas ingress into battery by limitin -. that ingress to the diffusion control element.
- the walls 70w of at least a portion of the enclosure 70 are fabricated from a metallized polymer 71 and thus include a metal layer 72 and underlying polymer layer 73.
- Suitable material for polymer layer 72 can include without limitation, polyamides, polystyrenes and butyl rubber.
- polymer layer 72 is PEEK (poly ether-ketone) or a co- polymer thereof.
- the polymer can be metallized using methods known in the art (e.g. vacuum deposition, sputtering, etc).
- the metallized polymer 71 including diffusion control element 80 can in various embodiments, be configured in one or more of the following fashions: i) form the base portion of enclosure 70; ii) be attached to an interior surface of enclosure 70, such as a base interior surface; iii) be incorporated as a patch under an existing battery aperture ; or iv) be integrated with the battery cathode assembly 51.
- At least a portion of the enclosure can be fabricated from a multiple polymer layer or laminate 74 that collectively has a gas permeability comparable to a metallized polymer layer.
- Laminate 74 can be fabricated from two or more polymer layers 72 that are adhered or otherwise joined together to cover over any pinholes or other imperfections 72i in a given layer which serve as channels of increased gas permeability through a given layer.
- Suitable polymers for laminate 74 include polyamides known in the art.
- the layers can be joined using various polymer processing methods known in the art (e.g. coating, co-extrusion ,calendaring, etc.).
- the enclosure can comprise a shell 75 (also known as anode shell 75), with a shell opening 76 to shell cavity 77 and a base cap 78 which covers the base opening and seals the contents of battery assembly therein.
- Anode shell 75 can have cylindrical or other shape and can substantially oval cross section to correspond to that of a typical ear canal.
- a battery vent or micro-hole 90 discussed herein or other diffusion control element 80, can be disposed on base cap 78, typically on a center portion of the base cap.
- only base cap 78 need be fabricated from a metallized polymer or other gas impermeable material and the remainder of the shell can be fabricated from metal.
- anode shell 75 is made of either a bi-clad or tri-clad material such as stainless-steel/copper or nickel/stainless-steel/copper.
- the stainless steel comprises most of the thickness of the shell and provides the structural support for the shell.
- the outermost layer is stainless-steel (bi-clad) or nickel (tri-clad), providing a high electrical conductivity surface.
- the inside of the shell is preferably made of oxygen free copper which forms a surface alloy inhibiting oxidation and reducing reactions with the zinc inside the shell.
- the anode shell has a thickness of less than 0.2 mm and preferably in the range of about 0.1 to 0.16 mm.
- enclosure 70 includes a diffusion control element 80 configured to control moisture and air influx into the battery assembly 40 so as to improve battery performance and extend battery operational life for hearing aid 20 worn completely in ear canal 10.
- diffusion control element 80 can comprise a hole, a porous or permeable membrane, valve, a shutter, or a MEMS device having a valve, shutter or other related function.
- diffusion control element 80 comprises one or micro through holes 90 ( herein after micro-hole 90, also known as channel 90). Micro-hole 90 has a diameter 90D and a length 90L.
- diameter 90D can be in the range of about 10 to 15 microns ( ⁇ m), more preferably in the range of about 11 to 14 ⁇ m. Also, preferably, diameter 90D is no greater than 15 ⁇ m.
- micro-hole 90 is a precision micro-hole 90p which can have, for example, a diameter within 10% of a desired nominal value and more preferably within 5%.
- Micro-holes 90 and 90p can be produced using a variety of machining methods known in the art such as micro drilling and other micro machining methods. In preferred embodiments, micro-holes 90p are laser drilled using laser drilling methods known in the art. Suitable lasers for drilling include excimer and YAG lasers.
- Various laser parameters such as laser fluency, pulse repetition rate, scanning speed and focal length can be controlled to obtain the desired specifications and characteristics of the micro-hole (e.g. diameter, precision, aspect ratio, diffusion rate, etc).
- Use of laser drilling allows for both precise hole diameter as well as production of less membrane debris.
- the holes can drilled individually or gang drilled.
- the aspect ratio 90 A of micro-hole 90 that is the ratio of length 90L to diameter 90D can be selected so as to control the mass transfer of air (including oxygen and water vapor) into and out of battery enclosure 70.
- the aspect ratio 90A is configured is such that essentially the only mode of mass transfer for air (including oxygen and water vapor) into and out of enclosure 70 is via diffusion (i.e. convective mass transfer is essentially eliminated).
- Such embodiments provide a diffusive channel 92 for precisely controlling gas influx into the battery enclosure.
- aspect ratio 90A is greater than about 4. In one embodiment, this can be achieved by a hole diameter 90D of less than about 15 ⁇ m and a hole length 90L of greater than about 45 ⁇ m.
- the micro-holecan have a diameter of about 10 to about 15 ⁇ m and an aspect ratio greater than about 6.00 and more preferably a diameter from about 11 to about 14 ⁇ m and an aspect ratio greater than about 6.25.
- a micro- hole of about 12 ⁇ m was drilled in a 76 ⁇ m thick metallized PEEK (polyethyletherketone) sheet, giving rise to an aspect ratio greater than 6.3. The 12 micron hole was drilled into the metallized polymer material using an excimer laser.
- aspect ratio 90A can be further increased through the use of multiple micro-holes 90 which can comprise a micro-hole array 91 as is shown in Fig 7.
- multiple micro-holes 90 can be employed each having a 5 ⁇ m diameter an 50 ⁇ m length.
- Use of multiple micro-holes with higher aspect ratios provides enhanced diffusion into the enclosure, increased uniformity of gas concentration within the enclosure, as well as hole redundancy while still maintaining control over water vapor and oxygen ingress into the enclosure.
- the shape of the micro-hole 90 is desirably straight but in various embodiments, can be angled, curved or otherwise non-linear and can comprise a combination of linear and non-linear portions including curved portions.
- micro-hole 90 can be curved, with a selectable radius of curvature.
- micro-hole 90 can include a curved portion 90C and straight portion 90S.
- hole 90 can include a combination of angled 90G and curved portions 90C in a-zig zag or other pattern.
- Use of combinations of linear and non linear portions for the micro-hole can provide enhanced diffusion control of gas ingress by providing a baffling effect as well as increasing the length of the hole without having to increase the thickness 70T of enclosure 70. Also it reduces the risk of liquid (e.g.
- micro-holes having non-linear portions can be produced using micro- drilling and other micromachining methods know in the art.
- non linear micro-holes can be produced by molding the battery enclosure (with the holes formed in the mold) using injection molding methods known in the art.
- portions of enclosure 70 can comprise a membrane 100 including gas impermeable portions 110 and permeable portions 120, wherein the gas permeable portions comprise diffusion control element 80.
- membrane 100 comprise a porous membrane, portions of which have been sufficiently compressed to form impermeable portion 110, while still leaving a selected uncompressed portion to form permeable portion 120.
- membrane 100 is sufficiently compressed so as to occlude or otherwise reduce membrane pore size so as to significantly reduce gas permeability through the compressed portion.
- One or more permeable portions 120 can be positioned on membrane 100.
- permeable portion(s) 120 is positioned in center portion of membrane 100.
- membrane 100 can be used to fabricate all or portion of cap 78, with permeable portion 120 centrally disposed on the cap.
- the diameter of portions 120 is preferably in the range of about 10 to 15 ⁇ m and more preferably in a range of about 11 to 14 ⁇ m.
- Permeable portion 120 can have variety of shapes including substantially circular, semicircular, or rectangular shaped.
- Suitable materials for membrane 100 can include polytetrafluoroethylene, such as Teflon® available from the DuPont®
- the permeability/diffusion rates through permeable and impermeable portions 110 and 120 can be measured using permeability /porosity measurement methods known in the art, for example, liquid extrusion porosimetry or bubble point methods. Further, such methods can be used to calibrate the amount of compression for a given type or even lot of membrane material. For example, lots having a higher initial permeability/average pore size can be compressed to a greater amount than those having lower initial permeability/ average pore sizes.
- diffusion control element 80 can include a regulator 130 which regulates diffusion into enclosure 70 in response to one or more inputs 135.
- Regulator 130 can be positioned within micro-hole 90 of can be disposed within or on enclosure wall 70W such that the regulator itself forms a channel 90 for the diffusion of gas into the enclosure.
- regulator 130 can also be positioned in the membrane including in permeable portions 120.
- regulator 130 can comprise a valve, a shutter or a MEMs device which has a shutter, valve or similar function. Further, the
- MEMs device can be a mechanical or electromechanical based device.
- the MEMs device can be fabricated using MEMs fabrication methods known in the art such as photolithographic methods.
- regulator 130 can be formed within wall 70W itself using MEMS, or other related processing methods.
- Example MEMs based valves and flow controllers include those described in U.S. Patent No. 6,149,123 which is fully incorporated by reference herein.
- inputs 135 can include various hearing aid parameters including without limitation, hearing aid gain, frequency response, volume, ambient noise levels and sound characteristics (e.g. voice vs. background sound ) the operational mode of the hearing aid (e.g. active or standby) and the like.
- input 135 is an output or pre-amplified output from microphone assembly 30, and or a pre- amplified input into receiver assembly 35.
- regulator 130 regulates oxygen and moisture diffusion into the metal-air battery assembly responsive to a hearing aid volume which can be a user selected hearing aid volume. In use, regulator 130 provides a means for improving one more battery performance parameters by regulating the influx of oxygen responsive to the electrical power requirements of the hearing aid.
- inputs 135 can be made: i) directly to regulator 130, ii) to a controller 140 which sends a control signal 145 regulator 130; or iii) to hearing aid 20.
- Controller 140 can be integral to or otherwise coupled to regulator 130.
- Controller 140 can also be integral to or otherwise coupled to hearing aid 20, can for example be coupled to the hearing aid microphone, receiver or battery assemblies.
- Controller 130 can be a microprocessor , a mechanical or electro-mechanical controller, or a mechanical or electro-mechanical MEMS device which is incorporated regulator 130 for embodiments where regulator is a MEMS.
- micro-hole 90 can be configured to control both oxygen and moisture (e.g., water vapor) influx into battery enclosure 70 so as to improve one or more battery performance parameters.
- Such parameters can include, but are not limited long term operational life of the battery when the hearing aid is operated in the ear canal and the ability of the battery to maintain a minimum voltage of a user over an extended period.
- embodiments of the enclosure can include a micro-hole with e an aspect ratio configured to supply sufficient oxygen influx to the battery assembly to maintain a desired minimum battery voltage for a given current drain.
- This minimum voltage will typically be in the range from 1 to 1.3 volts for battery current drains in the range from about 40 to 175 ⁇ A, with specific ranges of about 40 to 90 ⁇ A, about 42 to 85 ⁇ A, about 90 to 120 ⁇ A, about 120 to 175 ⁇ A and about 1 to 175 ⁇ A.
- the current drain is about 42 ⁇ A.
- the aspect ratio for maintaining such voltages can be between about 4 to 7 with a preferred embodiment of about 6.33. As shown in Figs 11-12 (See also, Examples), sample builds of battery enclosures with micro-holes fabricated in accordance with embodiments of the invention were more than capable of meeting these parameters over an extended time period.
- the operational life of metal air hearing aid batteries can be shortened by the presence of either too much or too little moisture which cause electrolyte materials in the battery cathode to either become flooded or dry out. Either condition can occur in the ear canal, particularly the latter due to sweat and exposure to water from showering and swimming. Accordingly, improvements in the battery operational life in the ear canal can be achieved by embodiments of the micro-hole that have an aspect ratio configured to control the influx of moisture (in the form of water vapor) into the battery assembly so as to maintain the moisture level within the enclosure within an operational range such that 1 ) the cathode electrolyte does not dry out; and 2) excessive moisture does not enter into the battery assembly causing condensation and flooding of the battery.
- the aspect ratio for controlling moisture influx to prevent these conditions can be between about 4 to 7 with a preferred embodiment of about 6.33.
- sample builds of battery enclosures with micro-holes built in accordance with embodiments of the invention were able to achieve battery lives in excessive of 210 days when tested at 38° C and relative humidity as high as 60%.
- a series of battery cells were fabricated that included enclosure having micro holes laser-drilled in a metallized PEEK (polyethyletherketone) sheet membrane.
- a micro-hole of about 12 microns was drilled in a 76 micron (about 3 mil) thick PEEK (polyethyletherketone) sheet, giving rise to an aspect ratio greater than 6.3.
- the 12 micron hole was drilled using an excimer laser.
- the batteries were tested for their ability to maintain a minimum voltage at current of 120 ⁇ A and 175 ⁇ A. Figs.
- a series of 194 battery cells were fabricated that included enclosure having micro holes laser-drilled in a metallized PEEK (polyethyletherketone) sheet membrane.
- a micro-hole of about 12 microns was drilled in a 76 micron (about 3 mil) thick PEEK (polyethyletherketone) sheet, giving rise to an aspect ratio greater than 6.3.
- the 12 micron hole was drilled using an excimer laser.
- the batteries were tested for battery life at 38 ° C and relative humidities of 15, 40 and 60 % at an current drains 33 ⁇ A (this represents an average current over a user day assuming 16 hours of on-time at 42 ⁇ A and 8 hours of standby at 15 ⁇ A). Battery life was assessed by the ability to maintain voltage above one volt. As Fig. 14 indicates, battery life of the samples ranged over 190 to over 210 days.
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- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Neurosurgery (AREA)
- Otolaryngology (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
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Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2006551472A JP2008503031A (en) | 2004-01-28 | 2005-01-27 | Precision micro holes for long-life batteries |
EP05706114A EP1785008A2 (en) | 2004-01-28 | 2005-01-27 | Precision micro-hole for extended life batteries |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US53994704P | 2004-01-28 | 2004-01-28 | |
US60/539,947 | 2004-01-28 |
Publications (2)
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WO2005072383A2 true WO2005072383A2 (en) | 2005-08-11 |
WO2005072383A3 WO2005072383A3 (en) | 2008-01-03 |
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PCT/US2005/002597 WO2005072383A2 (en) | 2004-01-28 | 2005-01-27 | Precision micro-hole for extended life batteries |
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EP (1) | EP1785008A2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2008503031A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2005072383A2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2013060366A1 (en) | 2011-10-26 | 2013-05-02 | Phonak Ag | A ventilation element for a metal-air battery, related devices and manufacturing methods |
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2005
- 2005-01-27 JP JP2006551472A patent/JP2008503031A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2005-01-27 EP EP05706114A patent/EP1785008A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2005-01-27 WO PCT/US2005/002597 patent/WO2005072383A2/en active Application Filing
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US4404266A (en) * | 1982-03-15 | 1983-09-13 | Union Carbide Corporation | Miniature air cells with seal |
US5587259A (en) * | 1994-03-09 | 1996-12-24 | Rayovac Corporation | Metal-air cathode and cell having a hardened current collecting substrate |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2013060366A1 (en) | 2011-10-26 | 2013-05-02 | Phonak Ag | A ventilation element for a metal-air battery, related devices and manufacturing methods |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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EP1785008A2 (en) | 2007-05-16 |
WO2005072383A3 (en) | 2008-01-03 |
JP2008503031A (en) | 2008-01-31 |
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