Method of and system for flushing one or more cells in a particle-based electrochemical power source in standby mode

• US 6,764,588 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2002
• Issued: 07/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zinc8 Energy Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Metallic Power, Inc.
• Inventors: Smedley, Kent I., Novkov, Donald James, Grochulski, Frederick R., Alstadt, Raymond H., Smedley, Stuart I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Valentine, Donald R.
• Application Number:
  US10/150,655
• Publication Number:
  US 20030213690A1
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 205/343, 205/50, 205/64, 205/57, 205/348, 204/275.1, 204/263-266, 204/269, 429/27, 429/70, 429/51, 429/80, 429/118
• US Class Current: 205/343
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 12/065 with plate-like electrodes or stacks of plate-like electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2004/024 Insertable electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/02 Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0258 characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04186 of liquid-charged or electrolyte-charged reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04225 during start-up
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04753 of fuel cell reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/225 Fuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising particulate active material in the form of a suspension, a dispersion, a fluidised bed or a paste
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/241 with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A method of and system for flushing one or more cells or components thereof in a particle-based electrochemical power source is provided. Reaction solution is delivered to and withdrawn from the one or more cells when the electrochemical power source is in a standby mode of operation.

Claims

1. A method of flushing one or more cells or components thereof in a particle-based electrochemical power source comprising:

delivering reaction solution to the one or more cells when the electrochemical power source is in a standby mode of operation;

withdrawing reaction solution from the one or more cells when the electrochemical power source is in a standby mode of operation; and

ensuring that the reaction solution delivered to the one or more cells in the standby mode of operation is essentially free of fuel particles by placing a rotatable sleeve valve engaged with a sleeve in a position which blocks particles of fuel from being introduced through one or more holes in the sleeve to the reaction solution delivered to the one or more cells.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the ensuring step comprises:

moving a movable spout tube for spouting the reaction solution withdrawn from the one or more cells to a position which blocks particles of fuel from being spouted by the spout tube to one or more areas of a container from which reaction solution is pumped to the one or more cells.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the ensuring step comprises:

maintaining a spout tube in a dormant state.

4. A method of flushing one or more cells or components thereof in a particle-based electrochemical power source comprising:

delivering reaction solution to the one or more cells when the electrochemical power source is in a standby mode of operation; and

withdrawing reaction solution from the one or more cells when the electrochemical power source is in a standby mode of operation such that the reaction solution carries small fuel particles prone to clogging from the one or more cells.

5. A method of flushing one or more cells or components thereof in a particle-based electrochemical power source comprising:

delivering, from a container, reaction solution to the one or more cells when the electrochemical power source is in a standby mode of operation; and

withdrawing reaction solution from the one or more cells to the container when the electrochemical power source is in a standby mode of operation, whereby the reaction solution carries dissolved reaction product from the one or more cells and the dissolved reaction product is diluted when combined with the reaction solution in the container, such that the reaction solution delivered to the one or more cells has a diluted concentration of dissolved reaction product compared to the reaction solution withdrawn from the one or more cells.

6. A method of flushing one or more cells or components thereof in a particle-based electrochemical power source comprising:

delivering reaction solution bearing fuel particles to the one or more cells when the electrochemical power source is in a standby mode of operation; and

withdrawing reaction solution from the one or more cells when the electrochemical power source is in a standby mode of operation.

7. A system for flushing one or more cells or components thereof in a particle-based electrochemical power source comprising:

a delivery and withdrawal subsystem for delivering reaction solution to the one or more cells and withdrawing reaction solution from the one or more cells;

an actuator for actuating the delivery and withdrawal subsystem when the electrochemical power source is in a standby mode of operation; and

an ensuring means for ensuring that the reaction solution delivered to the one or more cells during the standby mode of operation is essentially free of fuel particles, the ensuring means comprising;

a rotatable sleeve valve engaging a sleeve having a first position in which particles of fuel are blocked from being introduced through one or more holes in the sleeve to the reaction solution delivered to the one or more cells, and a second position in which particles of fuel situated in one or more areas of a container may be introduced through one or more holes in the sleeve to the reaction solution delivered to the one or more cells; and

a second actuator for placing the rotatable sleeve valve in the first position when the electrochemical power system is in the standby mode of operation.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the ensuring means comprises:

a movable spout tube for spouting the reaction solution withdrawn from the one or more cells, the spout tube having a first position in which particles of fuel are blocked from being spouted by the spout tube to one or more areas of a container from which reaction solution is delivered to the one or more cells, and a second position in which particles of fuel may be spouted by the spout tube to the one or more areas of the container; and

a second actuator for placing the spout tube in the first position when the electrochemical power source is in the standby mode of operation.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the ensuring means comprises:

a spout tube, pump and related conduits which, when actuated, are configured to spout particles of fuel to one or more areas of a container from which reaction solution is delivered to the one or more cells; and

a second actuator configured to avoid activating the spout tube, pump and related conduits when the electrochemical power source is in the standby mode of operation.

10. A system for flushing one or more cells or components thereof in a particle-based electrochemical power source comprising:

a delivery and withdrawal subsystem for delivering reaction solution to the one or more cells and withdrawing reaction solution from the one or more cells, wherein the reaction solution from the one or more cells carries small fuel particles prone to clogging from the one or more cells; and

an actuator for actuating the delivery and withdrawal subs stem when the electrochemical power source is in a standby mode of operation.

11. A system for flushing one or more cells or components thereof in a particle-based electrochemical power source comprising:

a delivery and withdrawal subsystem for delivering reaction solution to the one or more cells and withdrawing reaction solution from the one or more cells, wherein the reaction solution delivered to the one or more cells is essentially free of fuel particles; and

an actuator for actuating the delivery and withdrawal subsystem when the electrochemical power source is in a standby mode of operation.

12. A system for flushing one or more cells or components thereof in a particle-based electrochemical power source comprising:

a delivery and withdrawal subsystem for delivering reaction solution to the one or more cells and withdrawing reaction solution from the one or more cells, wherein the reaction solution delivered to the one or more cells bears fuel particles; and

an actuator for actuating the delivery and withdrawal subsystem when the electrochemical power source is in a standby mode of operation.

13. A system for flushing one or more cells or components thereof in a particle-based electrochemical power source comprising:

a delivery and withdrawal subsystem for delivering reaction solution from a container to the one or more cells and withdrawing reaction solution from the one or more cells to the container, wherein the reaction solution from the one or more cells carries dissolved reaction product from the one or more cells, and wherein the dissolved reaction product is diluted when combined in the container, whereby the reaction solution delivered to the one or more cells has a diluted concentration of dissolved reaction product compared to the reaction solution withdrawn from the one or more cells; and

an actuator for actuating the delivery and withdrawal subsystem when the electrochemical power source is in a standby mode of operation.