Rapid battery replacement and recharging techniques (CellGel)

• US 9,461,336 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 10/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christopher V. Beckman
• Original Assignee: Christopher V. Beckman
• Inventors: Beckman, Christopher V.
• Primary Examiner(s): FRASER, STEWART A
• Application Number:
  US13/831,770
• Publication Number:
  US 20140272521A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,299 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/622 by satellite navigation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/35 Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/37 using optical position determination, e.g. using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/67 Controlling two or more charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/68 Off-site monitoring or control, e.g. remote control
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/049 Processes for forming or storing electrodes in the battery container
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/058 Construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/38 Construction or manufacture
• 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 10/4242 Regeneration of electrolyte or reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2004/021 Physical characteristics, e.g. porosity, surface area
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2004/025 with shapes other than plane or cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2010/4271 Battery management systems including electronic circuits, e.g. control of current or voltage to keep battery in healthy state, cell balancing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/107 having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/103, H01M50/109, H01M50/11 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/138 adapted for specific cells, e.g. electrochemical cells operating at high temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/51 : Connection only in series
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/70 : Arrangements for stirring or circulating the electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 : Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 : Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/167 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/12 : Remote or cooperative charging
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53022 : with means to test work or product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53265 : with work-holder for assembly

Abstract

New electrochemical battery recharging, refurbishment and replacement techniques are provided. In some aspects of the invention, small, fungible battery elements may be immersed in a fluid and delivered via a bifurcated pump interface that simultaneously unloads discharged cells and loads new, charged cells, to accomplish rapid cell replacement and recharging. The cells may be magnetically aligned to bring cathode and anode elements together, in series, and bridge contacts within a container (powering an appliance). Density differentials between charged and discharged elements may aid in placing them in series (with similar charge states and capacities) and in removing them during replacement.

In other aspects, electrode elements may be rapidly flushed to accomplish rapid recharging, in a staged process. Aspects of the invention also provide for rapid exchange of larger, streamlined battery elements, without the use of an immersive fluid, and systematic control of recharging balances accomplished by such exchanges.

Claims

1. A system for rapidly replacing at least one battery, comprising:

at least one container configured for holding, said at least one battery;

wherein said at least one container comprises contacts configured for electrically connecting with said at least one battery; and

wherein said at least one container is configured to receive said at least one battery;

wherein said at least one container is configured to hold and facilitate an exchange of at least one charged battery and at least one less charged battery;

a control system, wherein said control system is configured to assess a net charge gain and/or exchange results from the exchange of the at least one less charged battery and the at least one charged battery; and

wherein the system comprises a loading device comprising at least one contact configured to temporarily electrically connect with said at least one battery, and wherein a battery receiving bay is configured to be triggered to remove said at least one less charged battery and load said at least one charged battery.

2. The system for rapidly replacing at least one battery of claim 1, wherein said control system assesses a net charge gain from the exchange of said less charged battery for said charged battery.

3. The system for rapidly replacing at least one battery of claim 2, wherein said control system assesses a financial charge to a user initiating said exchange of said less charged battery for said charged battery.

4. The system for rapidly replacing at least one battery of claim 2, wherein said assessment is made prior to effectuating said exchange.

5. The system for rapidly replacing at least one battery of claim 1, wherein said at least one battery, or at least one battery of substantially the same design as said at least one battery, is comprised in the system and comprises an at least partially streamlined outer profile comprising at least two contacts, each of which at least two contacts is connected with either cathode(s) or anode(s) material;

wherein said at least one battery or said at least one battery of substantially the same design is configured to be placed into, and aligned with electrical contacts in, said at least one container, and said at least one container services an appliance; and

wherein said at least one battery or said battery of substantially the same design is configured to be placed into and held in said at least one container with a fluid in which it is immersed.

6. The system for rapidly replacing at least one battery of claim 5, wherein said at least one battery or said battery of substantially the same design, and other batteries of substantially the same design, are suspended together in said fluid, and wherein said fluid comprises an insulator, which prevents short-circuiting.

7. The system for rapidly replacing at least one battery of claim 6, wherein said at least one container comprises a liquid-tight holding tank with electrical contacts adapted for engaging at least one of an anode(s) and a cathode(s) of any of said at least one battery, said at least one battery of the same design, and said other batteries of substantially the same design.

8. The system for rapidly replacing at least one battery of claim 7, wherein said tank is configured to be serviced by tubes or other conduits configured for rapidly removing discharged batteries, and replacing them with charged batteries, via a pump that engages said fluid.

9. The system for rapidly replacing at least one battery of claim 8, wherein said pump brings said discharged batteries to a recharging device for returning them to a charged state, and brings charged batteries to an appliance, providing electrical power.

10. The system for rapidly replacing at least one battery of claim 9, wherein said pump comprises a bifurcated nozzle servicing two separate exchange tubes connected with said tank, comprising a first exchange tube for discharged battery removal from said tank, and a second exchange tube for charged battery delivery to said tank.

11. The system for rapidly replacing at least one battery of claim 5, wherein said at least one battery or said at least one battery of substantially the same design changes its density upon discharge from a charged state and upon charging from a discharged state and is thereby configured to be sorted according to a charged or discharged state.