Redox flow battery and battery system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021359328-A1
Application number	US-202117308862-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 5, 2021
Priority date	May 15, 2020
Publication date	Nov 18, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

A redox flow battery and battery system are provided. In one example, the redox flow battery includes a cell stack assembly interposed by two endplates and comprising a plurality of mated membrane frame plates and bipolar frame plates forming, at a mated interface, a plurality of negative and positive flow channels configured to distribute negative and positive electrolyte into a plurality of bipolar plates. In the battery a membrane is coupled to each of the plurality of membrane frame plates and positioned sequentially between two of the bipolar plates included in the plurality of bipolar plates.

First claim

1 . A redox flow battery comprising:
a cell stack assembly interposed by two endplates, the cell stack assembly comprising:
a plurality of mated membrane frame plates and bipolar frame plates forming, at a mated interface, a plurality of negative and positive flow channels configured to distribute negative and positive electrolyte into a plurality of bipolar plates;
where a membrane is coupled to each of the plurality of mated membrane frame plates and positioned sequentially between two bipolar plates included in the plurality of bipolar plates.

2 . The redox flow battery of claim 1 , where the cell stack assembly further comprises a reinforcing mesh positioned between sequential bipolar plates and membranes.

3 . The redox flow battery of claim 2 , where the reinforcing mesh includes a plurality of ribs distributing compressive forces through the plurality of bipolar plates and the plurality of membranes.

4 . The redox flow battery of claim 1 , where each of the plurality of bipolar frame plates and the mated membrane frame plates include at least two alignment bosses positioned on laterally opposing sides of the corresponding frame plate.

5 . The redox flow battery of claim 1 , where an adhesive interface is formed between mated tongues and grooves in the mated interface of each pair of membrane and bipolar frame plates and where the adhesive interface demarcates the negative and positive flow channels.

6 . The redox flow battery of claim 5 , where the adhesive interface includes adhesively filled gaps on opposing sides of the groove.

7 . The redox flow battery of claim 1 , where an aspect ratio of the plurality of membrane plates is greater than 1:3.

8 . The redox flow battery of claim 1 , where the membranes are heat welded to the plurality of mated membrane frame plates.

9 . The redox flow battery of claim 1 , where the plurality of mated membrane frame plates and bipolar frame plates each include openings in peripheral tabs configured to receive compression bolts.

10 . The redox flow battery of claim 1 , where the cell stack assembly includes at least one visible alphanumeric part indicator on an exterior surface of the cell stack assembly.

11 . A redox flow battery comprising:
a cell stack assembly interposed by two endplates, the cell stack assembly comprising:
a plurality of mated membrane frame plates and bipolar frame plates forming, at a mated interface, a plurality of negative and positive flow channels configured to distribute negative and positive electrolyte into a plurality of bipolar plates;
where a membrane is coupled to each of the plurality of mated membrane frame plates; where at least one bipolar plate is coupled to each of the plurality of bipolar frame plates; and where a reinforcing mesh is positioned between one or more sequential bipolar plates and membranes.

12 . The redox flow battery of claim 11 , where the reinforcing mesh includes a plurality of ribs interfacing with recesses in an adjacent bipolar plate.

13 . The redox flow battery of claim 11 , where the mated interface includes adhesive paths bonding the membrane frame plate to the bipolar frame plate.

14 . The redox flow battery of claim 13 , where the mated interface includes mated tongues and grooves.

15 . The redox flow battery of claim 11 , where an aspect ratio of the plurality of membrane plates is greater than 1:3.

16 . The redox flow battery of claim 11 , where the membranes are heat welded to the plurality of mated membrane frame plates.

17 . A redox flow battery comprising:
a cell stack assembly interposed by two endplates, the cell stack assembly comprising:
a plurality of mated membrane frame plates and bipolar frame plates forming, at a mated interface, a plurality of negative and positive flow channels distributing negative and positive electrolyte into a plurality of bipolar plates;
where a membrane is coupled to each of the plurality of mated membrane frame plates; where at least one bipolar plate is coupled to each of the plurality of bipolar frame plates; and where a reinforcing mesh is positioned between one or more sequential bipolar plates and membranes and configured to structurally reinforce an adjacent bipolar plate and membrane.

18 . The redox flow battery of claim 17 , where the plurality of negative and positive flow channels are bounded by mated tongues and grooves and adhesive paths.

19 . The redox flow battery of claim 17 , where an aspect ratio of the plurality of membrane plates is greater than 1:3.

20 . The redox flow battery of claim 17 , where the membranes are heat welded to the plurality of mated membrane frame plates.

Assignees

• Ess Technology Inc

Inventors

• Evans Craig E
• Casey Sean
• Groberg Thiago
• Song Yang

Classifications

• H01M8/0297

  Arrangements for joining electrodes, reservoir layers, heat exchange units or bipolar separators to each other (H01M8/0271 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H01M8/04186

  of liquid-charged or electrolyte-charged reactants · CPC title

• H01M8/0258

  characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant · CPC title

• H01M8/188 Primary

  by recharging of redox couples containing fluids; Redox flow type batteries · CPC title

• H01M8/0273

  with sealing or supporting means in the form of a frame · CPC title