The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 05, 2001
Filed:
May. 04, 1999
Phillip A. Eidler, Muskego, WI (US);
Peter J. Lex, Wauwatosa, WI (US);
Robert R. Rixford, Sheboygan Falls, WI (US);
Bjorn Jonshagen, South Fremantle, AU;
ZBB Technologies, Inc., Wauwatosa, WI (US);
Abstract
A circulation system for a flowing-electrolyte battery having at least one electrochemical cell, an anolyte reservoir, and a catholyte reservoir. The circulation system includes an anolyte pump coupled in fluid flowing relationship to the anolyte reservoir which pumps anolyte from the anolyte reservoir to the at least one electrochemical cell. A catholyte pump is coupled in fluid flowing relationship to the catholyte reservoir and also pumps catholyte to the at least one electrochemical cell. A second phase pump is coupled in fluid flowing relationship to the catholyte reservoir and is used to introduce second phase electrolyte into the aqueous catholyte pumped by the catholyte pump. The second phase pump is controlled by a controller so that the second phase is introduced into the catholyte stream in a metered fashion. A controllable four-way valve is coupled in fluid flowing relationship to the catholyte pump and operable to direct the flow of catholyte through the electrochemical cell in a first direction, and periodically reverse the flow of the catholyte in a second direction. Metering the amount of second phase injected into the catholyte stream and reversing catholyte flow improve battery efficiency.