Redox flow battery and battery system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023282862-A1
Application number	US-202318316977-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 12, 2023
Priority date	May 15, 2020
Publication date	Sep 7, 2023
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 cell stack assembly, comprising:
a first endplate and a second endplate; a bipolar plate assembly arranged between the first endplate and the second endplate, wherein the bipolar plate assembly includes a bipolar frame assembly and a membrane frame assembly, and wherein the bipolar frame assembly is mated directly to the membrane frame assembly and spaces between the bipolar frame assembly and the membrane frame assembly form electrolyte flow paths.

2 . The cell stack assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bipolar plate assembly further includes a bipolar frame plate and a bipolar plate supported by the bipolar frame plate.

3 . The cell stack assembly of claim 2 , wherein the bipolar plate further includes inlet distribution channels configured to diverge in a direction extending toward the bipolar plate and outlet distribution channels configured to diverge in a direction away from the bipolar plate.

4 . The cell stack assembly of claim 2 , wherein the membrane frame assembly further includes a membrane frame plate, a membrane supported by the membrane frame plate and the cell stack assembly further includes reinforcing ribs positioned between the membrane and the bipolar plate.

5 . The cell stack assembly of claim 4 , wherein the bipolar plate includes a carbon sheet and/or a graphite foil stamped to form detents configured to mate with the reinforcing ribs.

6 . The cell stack assembly of claim 4 , wherein the bipolar frame plate and the membrane frame plate each include tabs configured to receive reinforcing bolts and enable force dispersion in the cell stack.

7 . The cell stack assembly of claim 2 , wherein the bipolar frame plate further includes inlet distribution channels and outlet distribution channels, the inlet distribution channels and outlet distribution channels offset from one another along an x-axis.

8 . A redox flow battery, comprising:
a cell stack assembly interposed by two endplates, the cell stack assembly comprising:
a plurality of bipolar frame plates;
a plurality of membrane frame plates interspersed between and mated to each of the plurality of bipolar frame plates; and
wherein a first side of each of the plurality of bipolar frame plates includes a tongue and a second side of each of the plurality of bipolar frame plates includes a groove, and wherein a first side of each of the plurality of membrane frame plates includes a tongue and a second side of each of the plurality of membrane frame plates includes a groove, the tongue of each of the plurality of membrane frame plates configured to mate with the groove of each of the plurality of bipolar frame plates, forming a mated interface.

9 . The redox flow battery of claim 8 , wherein the cell stack assembly is positioned between a first pressure plate and a second pressure plate positioned on either side of the cell stack assembly and a spring extending along outer sides of the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate.

10 . The redox flow battery of claim 9 , wherein the redox flow battery further includes a plurality of tie rods configured to extend through the spring the first pressure plate, the second pressure plate, and the cell stack assembly.

11 . The redox flow battery of claim 10 , wherein the spring is a leaf spring.

12 . The redox flow battery of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of tie rods include tie rods configured to extend through the first pressure plate, the second pressure plate and the cell stack assembly, and tie rods configured to extend through the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate and not through the cell stack assembly.

13 . The redox flow battery of claim 8 , wherein the mated interface includes gaps between vertical sides of the tongue of each of the plurality of bipolar frame plates and vertical sides of the groove of each of the plurality of membrane frame plates, and gaps between vertical sides of the tongue of each of the plurality of membrane frame plates and vertical sides of the groove of each of the plurality of bipolar frame plates.

14 . The redox flow battery of claim 13 , wherein the gaps are adhesive paths configured to receive beads of adhesive.

15 . The redox flow battery of claim 8 , wherein the mated interface demarcates electrolyte flow paths.

16 . A cell stack assembly, comprising:
a first endplate and a second endplate; and a bipolar frame plate directly mated to a membrane frame plate, the mated bipolar frame plate and membrane frame plate positioned between the first endplate and the second endplate, and wherein a groove in the bipolar frame plate aligns with a groove in the membrane frame plate and forms a shunt channel.

17 . The cell stack assembly of claim 16 , wherein the cell stack assembly further includes an electrolyte inlet formed between the mated bipolar frame plate and membrane frame plate.

18 . The cell stack assembly of claim 17 , wherein the electrolyte inlet is positioned below the shunt channel with respect to a gravitational axis.

19 . The cell stack assembly of claim 16 , wherein the shunt channel is a serpentine shape.

20 . The cell stack assembly of claim 16 , wherein the bipolar frame plate and the membrane frame plate are a monolithic structure and the shunt channel is formed during molding of the monolithic structure.

Assignees

• Ess Technology Inc

Inventors

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

Classifications

• H01M8/188 Primary

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

• H01M8/2455

  with liquid, solid or electrolyte-charged reactants · CPC title

• Y02E60/50

  Fuel cells · CPC title

• H01M8/0258

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

• H01M8/0273

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