Collapsible Storage Container for Liquid Reserve Batteries

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023231149-A1
Application number	US-202318123175-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 17, 2023
Priority date	Nov 11, 2019
Publication date	Jul 20, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A collapsible storage unit including: a plurality of triangular sidewalls at least partially defining a cavity for storing a liquid electrolyte therein; wherein the plurality of triangular sidewalls are configured to collapse in a longitudinal direction about a hinge disposed between adjacent sides of each of the plurality of triangular sidewalls.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A collapsible storage unit comprising:
a plurality of triangular sidewalls at least partially defining a cavity for storing a liquid electrolyte therein; wherein the plurality of triangular sidewalls are configured to collapse in a longitudinal direction about a hinge disposed between adjacent sides of each of the plurality of triangular sidewalls.

2 . The collapsible storage unit of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible storage unit having a top plate and a bottom plate between which the plurality of triangular sidewalls extend and upon collapse of the collapsible storage unit, the top plate and the bottom plate do not rotate relative to each other.

3 . The collapsible storage unit of claim 1 , further comprising a pyrotechnic material disposed adjacent the collapsible storage unit such that initiation of the pyrotechnic material provides pressure to collapse the collapsible storage unit to heat and force the liquid electrolyte through an outlet from the cavity and into the gaps.

4 . The collapsible storage unit of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible storage unit has a top plate and a bottom plate between which the plurality of triangular sidewalls extend.

5 . The collapsible storage unit of claim 1 , wherein one of the top plate and the bottom plate has an outlet for ejecting the liquid electrolyte into the battery cell.

6 . The collapsible storage unit of claim 5 , wherein the outlet is covered by a diaphragm.

7 . The collapsible storage unit of claim 6 , wherein the diaphragm has first portions weaker than second portions to facilitate breakage of the diaphragm along the first portions.

8 . The collapsible storage unit of claim 6 , further comprising a puncture member movable with collapse of the collapsible storage unit to puncture the diaphragm.

9 . The collapsible storage unit of claim 1 , further comprising an initiation device configured to initiate collapse of the collapsible storage unit.

10 . The collapsible storage unit of claim 9 , wherein the initiation device initiates the collapse of the collapsible storage unit upon an acceleration event having an acceleration greater than a predetermined magnitude and duration.

11 . The collapsible storage unit of claim 9 , wherein the initiation device initiates the collapse of the collapsible storage unit upon pulling of a lanyard attached to the initiation device.

12 . The collapsible storage unit of claim 5 , further comprising a base plate having an opening in fluid communication with the collapsible cavity, the plate having two or more channels in fluid communication with the opening, each of the channels having an outlet in fluid communication with the battery cell.

13 . The collapsible storage unit of claim 13 , wherein the base plate comprises the one of the top plate or the bottom plate having the outlet and the opening comprises the outlet.

14 . The collapsible storage unit of claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the pyrotechnic material is disposed adjacent to the two or more channels.

15 . The collapsible storage unit of claim 9 , further comprising one or more springs positioned such that, upon initiation, apply a force to collapse the collapsible storage unit.

16 . The collapsible storage unit of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of triangular sidewalls are integrally formed of a metal.

17 . The collapsible storage unit of claim 16 , wherein the hinges joining the adjacent sides of each of the plurality of triangular sidewalls are formed having a thickness thinner than other portions of the plurality of triangular sidewalls.

18 . A collapsible storage unit comprising:
a plurality of first triangular sidewalls at least partially defining a cavity for storing a liquid electrolyte therein; and a plurality of second triangular sidewalls at least partially defining the cavity; wherein the plurality of first triangular sidewalls are stacked on the plurality of second triangular sidewalls in a longitudinal direction and the plurality of first triangular sidewalls are configured to collapse in the longitudinal direction about a first hinge disposed between adjacent sides of each of the plurality of first triangular sidewalls and the plurality of second triangular sidewalls are configured to collapse in the longitudinal direction about a second hinge disposed between adjacent sides of each of the plurality of second triangular sidewalls.

Assignees

• Omnitek Partners Llc

Inventors

• Rastegar Jahangir S

Classifications

• H01M6/38 Primary

  by mechanical means · CPC title

• H01M50/463

  Separators, membranes or diaphragms characterised by their shape · CPC title

• H01M50/636

  Closing or sealing filling ports, e.g. using lids · CPC title

• H01M50/60

  Arrangements or processes for filling or topping-up with liquids; Arrangements or processes for draining liquids from casings · CPC title

• H01M50/70

  Arrangements for stirring or circulating the electrolyte · CPC title