Method of operating metal-halogen battery

• US 5,302,472 A
• Filed: 12/11/1992
• Issued: 04/12/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Meidensha
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Meidensha
• Inventors: Hosono, Hiroshi, Ando, Yasuo, Hashiguchi, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): KALAFUT, STEPHEN J
• Application Number:
  US07/989,167
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 429/50, 429/105, 320/9, 320/23
• US Class Current: 429/50
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 12/085 Zinc-halogen cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A method of operating a metal-halogen battery such as a zinc-bromine battery, intended to prevent dendrite from formation on an electrode during charging the battery. The method comprises the step of carrying out an operation of discharging the battery at a predetermined constant current having a first current value throughout charging the battery; and the step of initiating an operation of charging the battery at a second current value of two times the first current value and maintaining the changing operation at a third current value which linearly decreases from the second current value to a zero value toward a termination of charging the battery.

Claims

1. A method of operating a metal-halogen battery, comprising the steps of:

carrying out an operation of discharging the battery at a constant current having a first current value throughout charging the battery; and

initiating an operation of charging the battery at a second current value higher than said first current value and continuing the charging operation at a third current value which linearly decreases from said second current value to a zero value toward a termination of charging the battery.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the charging operation initiating step includes initiating the battery charging operation at said second current value which is about two times said first current value.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said battery is of a type wherein a plurality of electrode plates and a plurality of separator plates are alternately arranged so as to define positive and negative electrode chambers through which electrolyte solutions are circulated.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said metal-halogen battery is a zinc-bromine battery.