Leak sensor for flowing electrolyte batteries

• US 20030008204A1
• Filed: 11/30/2001
• Published: 01/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Premium Power Acquisition Corporation
• Original Assignee: Premium Power Acquisition Corporation
• Inventors: Winter, Richard, Tomazic, Gerd
• Application Number:
  US09/997,724
• Publication Number:
  US 20030008204A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/81
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/186 for containers, e.g. radiators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/365 Zinc-halogen accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4207 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4214 Arrangements for moving electrodes or electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4228 Leak testing of cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/70 Arrangements for stirring or circulating the electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/188 by recharging of redox couples containing fluids; Redox flow type batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/20 Indirect fuel cells, e.g. fuel cells with redox couple being irreversible H01M8/18 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49108 Electric battery cell making

Abstract

A leak detection system for a flowing electrolyte battery comprises a manifold leak containment member associated with at least one manifold which provides flowing electrolyte to at least one stack of a flowing electrolyte battery and a provision for sensing a fluid leak within the at least one manifold leak containment member.

Claims

1. A leak detection system for a flowing electrolyte battery comprising:

at least one manifold leak containment member associated with at least one manifold which provides flowing electrolyte to at least one stack of a flowing electrolyte battery; and

means for sensing a fluid leak within the at least one manifold leak containment member.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensing means comprises:

at least one switch comprising a first plate and a second plate, wherein fluid within the containment member serves to electrically couple the first plate to the second plate, to, in turn, close the switch;

a controller associated with the switch, the controller capable of sensing the condition of the switch; and

a connector electrically associating the switch and the controller.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the sensing means further comprises:

a resistor positioned in parallel to the switch.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the at least one switch comprises a plurality of switches positioned in parallel.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one manifold leak containment member comprises a manifold leak containment member associated with each manifold of the flowing electrolyte battery.

6. A leak detection system for a flowing electrolyte battery comprising:

at least one containment member associated with at least one manifold of a flowing electrolyte battery;

at least one containment member associated with at least one stack of a flowing electrolyte battery;

at least one containment member associated with an electrolyte reservoir of a flowing electrolyte battery; and

means for sensing a fluid leak within one of the containment members, wherein the sensing means comprises;

at least one sensor having at least one switch positioned within one of the containment members such that a leak collecting in the respective containment member triggers the switch;

at least one controller associated with the sensor; and

a connector associated with each of the sensor and controller.

7. The leak detection system of claim 6 wherein the sensor includes a plurality of switches.

8. The leak detection system of claim 7 wherein the plurality of switches are positioned substantially in parallel.

9. The leak detection system of claim 6 wherein the sensor includes at least one resistor positioned in parallel with the at least one switch.

10. The leak detection system of claim 6 wherein the controller includes a means for signaling the condition of the sensor to a user.