CA1126807A - Power module assembly - Google Patents

Power module assembly

Info

Publication number
CA1126807A
CA1126807A CA338,230A CA338230A CA1126807A CA 1126807 A CA1126807 A CA 1126807A CA 338230 A CA338230 A CA 338230A CA 1126807 A CA1126807 A CA 1126807A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
assembly
pressure
housing
expandable member
secured
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA338,230A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ronald I. Klootwyk
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Continental Group Inc
Original Assignee
Continental Group Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Continental Group Inc filed Critical Continental Group Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1126807A publication Critical patent/CA1126807A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/04Construction or manufacture in general
    • H01M10/0468Compression means for stacks of electrodes and separators
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/04Construction or manufacture in general
    • H01M10/0413Large-sized flat cells or batteries for motive or stationary systems with plate-like electrodes
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/70Arrangements for stirring or circulating the electrolyte
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M6/00Primary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M6/30Deferred-action cells
    • H01M6/32Deferred-action cells activated through external addition of electrolyte or of electrolyte components
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10Energy storage using batteries
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02PCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P70/00Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
    • Y02P70/50Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Hybrid Cells (AREA)
  • Secondary Cells (AREA)
  • Battery Mounting, Suspending (AREA)
  • Primary Cells (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)

Abstract

POWER MODULE ASSEMBLY
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A power module assembly in the form of an electrochemical battery which is composed of a plurality of anode-cathode units arranged in stacked relation within a housing. It is necessary that the anodes and cathodes be tightly pressed together at all times so that as an electrolyte flows therebetween there will be the desired electrochemical reaction. This is accomplished by a pres-sure device. Since the anodes are consumable, as the anodes are consumed it is necessary that the stack be compressed to that the same pressure may be maintained between the anodes and cathodes. Accordingly, the pres-sure device is capable of expanding and at the same time transmitting constant pressure on the stack.

Description

POWER I`lODULE ASSEMBLY
This invention relates to certain improvements in power modules of the electrochemical batter~ type, and most particularly relates to a power module of the type wherein anodes and cathodes are arranyed in stacked rela-tion and a pressure is exerted on the stack to maintain a uniform pressure contact between the anodes and cathodes in all operating stages of the power module.
This invention particularly relates to a power module wherein one of the anode-cathode elements thereof is consumed in the operation of the power module. It is normally the anode which is consumed. Accordingly, it is not only necessary to provide an initial pressure on the anode-cathode stack, but also to maintain that pressure as the anodes are consumed and the thickness of the stack gradually decreases.
In the past, pressure devices such as spring bellows and the like have been utili2ed. However, as the thickness of the stack decreases the pressure exerted on the s-tack has varied because of the resistance of the bellows to deformation. Further, such bellows must be formed of non-corrosive metals which are extremely expen-sive.
Usual fluid pressure devices are not functional in the environment because of the question of electrolyte leakage.
The invention includes, in an assembly of the type including an elongated housing, a plurality of expendable members arranged in stacked relation longitudinally within .
.
.

the housing; a pressure applying device Eor maintaining the stacked mem~ers in constant pressure contact with each other, the pressure applying device comprising a pressure member for applying a constant pressure to the stack, an expandable member secured to the pressure member at one end and to the housing at the opposite end thereof and in combination therewith defining a sealed expansible chamber, the pressure member having a peripheral housing extending therefrom re~ote from the expendable members, the expand-able member having an intermediate portion gathered withinthe peripheral housing, and means for introducing a fluid under pressure into the chamber With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims, and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings of which:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the power module with parts broken away and shown in section.
Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to Figure 1, but with the anode-cathode stack of a reduced thickness due to the anodes having been partially consumed.
Figure 3 is a bottom view of the power module
2~ with parts broken away and shown in section.
Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the power module is generally identified by the numeral 10 and includes an elongated case or housing 12 having a bottom wall 14, a top wall 16, and side walls 18.
One end of the case 12 is closed by an end wall 20 while an end wall 22 closes the opposite end of the case. Gener-ally speaking, the end wall 20 will be fixed and the end wall 22 removable.
A perforated plate 23 is mounted within the case 12 in spaced relation above the bottom wall 14 to define an inlet manifold 24. A similar perforated plate i8~

26 is mounted within the case 12 in spaced relation below the top wall 16 to define an outlet manifold 28, A supply manifold 30 is mo~nted on the exterior of the end plate 20 and is in communication with the inlet manifold 24. A suitab].e supply pipe 32 is connected to the supply manifold 30.
In a like manner, a discharge manifold 34 is carried by ,he end plate 20 and is placed in communieation with the outlet manifold 28 by means of outlet passages 36 A diseharge pipe 38 is suitably eonnected to the diseharge manifold 34.
Positioned inside of the end wall 20 is a con-tact plate 40 to which there is electrieally connected an electroæe 42 which extends through the end wall 20 and also serves to clamp the contact plate 40 against the end wall 20.
A plurality of anode-cathode units 44 are stac~ed within the ease 12 and extend generally vertieally between the plates 23, 26. Each anode-cathode unit 44 2Q ineludes a eathode plate 46 and a eonsumable anode 48. It is to be understood that the eathode plate 48 may simul-taneously serve as a support for an assoeiated anode and also on the opposite faee thereof funetion as the eathode.
The eathode plate 46 remote from its anode 48 may have a sereen faeing to provide for an intimate eontact with the next adjacent anode.
It is to be understood that a suitable electro-lyte is to flow between adjacent anodes and eathodes.
With reference to Figure 3, it is to be noted that the case 12 may have diselosed therein in generally faee-to-faee relation with the side walls 18 a pair of liner plates 50. The eathode plate 46 is supported by the perforated plates 23, 26 while the liner plates 50 form a seal against the staek of anode-eathode units to eliminate eleetrolyte bypass flow from inlet to outlet of the module In order to obtain the most beneficial eleetro-ehemieal reaetion between each anode and its adjacent . ~
:

.:
' cath~de, it is necessary that the anode ar~d catho~e be tightly pressed together at a predetermined pressure.
Accordingly, it is necessary that the stack of anode-cathode units be pressurized at a uniform pressure and forced to~ard the contact plate ~0. It is also necessary that this pressure be maintained as the thickness o~ the stack decreases due to the anodes 48 being consumed. For this purpose there is provided a pressure assembly, gen-erally identified by the numeral 52, which is mounted within the case 12 adjacent the end plate 22. The pres-sure assembly includes a slipper box 54 which is defined by a plate 56 in the form of a pressure member and a peripheral flange 58. A support box 60 is telescoped within the slipper box 54. The support box 60 includes a plate 62 having secured thereto a peripheral flange 64.
The flange 58 forms an outer wall and the flange 64 forms an inner wall of a sleeve-like space 66 which retains the bag in the desired configuration.
The pressure device includes an extendable mem-ber in the form of an elongated bag, generally identifiedby the numeral 68~ The bag 68 includes a body 70 of a cross section corresponding substantially to the internal cross section of the case 12 between the plates 23, 26 and 50. The pressure bag 68 also includes an end wall 72 which is clamped between the pressure member 56 and the plate 62.
Initially the body 70 is gathered within the space 66 such as by folding or pleating.
The bag 68 also includes a mounting flange 74 which is clamped between the end plate 22 and the adjacent end portion of the case 12 so as to restrain the upper end of the bag 68 against movement. The bag is sealed relative to the end wall 22 by a suitable sealing member 76.
Preferably a contact plate 76 is disposed between the pressure member 56 and the adjacent anode-cathode unit '14. The contact plate 78 is provided with anelectrode 80 which extends through the slipper box 24 and --5~

the support bo~ 60 as well as through the bottom 72 of the b~g. The electrode 80 is coupled to a fixed electrode 82 carried by the end wall 22 by means of eJongated cables 84. This permits the contact plate 78 to move longitudi-nally wi-thin the case 12 as the thickness of the stack decreases while remaining ill electrically conducting contact with the electrode 82.
A suitable fitting 86 is carried by the end wall 22 for the purpose of internally pressurizing the bag 68. While the fluid may be of any type, it is prefer-ably in the form of an inert gas.
It is also pointed out at this time that the inner surface of the flange 58 adjacent the free end there-of is provided with a slide member 88 which controls the lS paying out of the gathered body 70 of the bag 68.

OPERATION
When it is desired to activate the power module assembly 10, the bag 68 is internally pressurized, thus forcing the contact plate 78 at the left end of the stack to the right and utilizing the same to compress the stack between it and the contact plate 40 under a predetermined load. Electrolyte is then permitted to flow between adja-cent anodes and cathodes with the result that the power module through an electrochemical reaction will function to generate electrical energy. As the electrical energy is generated, the anodes 48 are consumed with the result that the thickness of the stack decreases. As the thickness of the stack decreases, the assembly of the contact plate 78, the slipper box 54, the support box 60 and the bag bottom 72 move to the right to maintain a constant pressure or load on the stack. Inasmuch as the free or left end of the bag 68 is anchored, as the bag bottom 72 moves to the left the bag body 70 is gradually payed out of the space 66 without any resistance. The bag body adjacent its anchored end is forced into pressure contact with the plates 23, 26 , `

~.~i~7 and 50 but in ~lO way resists the movement of the bag bot-tom 72 to the right. Thus, a constant pressure may be exerted on the stac~ of anode-catho~e units 44 even thouc~h the total thickness of the stclck is reducecl as much as 9~%.
It is also to be noted that as the bag 68 is expanded and the body 70 thereof moves into engagement with the plates 23, 26 and 50, it functions as a seallng liner, particularly with respect to the perforated plates 23, 26 so as to eliminate the flow of electrolyte through the space previously occupied by the stac~. Thus the resistance to electrolyte flow between the inlet manifold 24 and the outlet manifold 28 remains constant in that there remains available for electrolyte flow only that space through the inner faces between adjacent anodes and cathodes.
It is to be understood that the bag 68 is to be formed of a material which will readily straighten out from its gathered or pleated condition with subs-tantially no force being required so that the pressure exerted by the contact plate 78 may remain constant. At the same time, since the bag 68 will come into contact with the electro-lyte, it is necessary that the bag be formed of a suitable material which will not be chemically affected by the electrolyte and the anode byproducts carried thereby.
Preferably, the bag should be formed of a suitable plastics material.
Although only a preferred embodiment of the power module assembly and the pressure device thereo~ have been specifically illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that minor variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the inven-tion as defined by the appended claims.

' ~ .

Claims (12)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. In an assembly of the type including an elongated housing, a plurality of expendable members arranged in stacked relation longitudinally within said housing; a pressure applying device for maintaining said stacked members in constant pressure contact with each other, said pressure applying device comprising a pressure member for applying a constant pressure to the stack, an expandable member secured to said pressure member at one end and to said housing at the opposite end thereof and in combination therewith defining a sealed expansible chamber, said pressure member having a peripheral housing extending therefrom remote from said expendable members, said expandable member having an intermediate portion gathered within said peripheral housing, and means for introducing a fluid under pressure into said chamber.
2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said peri-pheral housing has inner and outer walls defining a peri-pheral sleeve-like space opening remote from said expend-able members, and said expandable member intermediate portion being within said sleeve-like space.
3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said expandable member is generally in the form of a tube and said opposite end thereof is secured between an end por-tion of said elongated housing and an end plate of said elongated housing.
4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein said expandable member is in the form of a bag having an end wall, and said end wall is secured to said pressure member.
5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said expandable member is in the form of a bag having an end wall, and said end wall is secured to said pressure member.
6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said expandable member is in the form of a bag having an end wall, and said end wall is secured to said pressure member by a clamp plate, said peripheral housing has an outer wall carried by said pressure member and an inner wall - B -carried by said clamp plate, said inner and outer walls defining a peripheral sleeve-like space opening remote from said expendable members, and said expandable member intermediate portion being within said sleeve-like space.
7. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said outer wall carries a slide member for facilitating the movement of said expandable member out of said sleeve-like space in response to movement of said pressure member away from said expandable member other end.
~ . The assembly of claim 6 wherein said expandable member opposite end is secured between an end portion of said elongated housing and an end plate of said elongated housing.
9. The assembly of claim l wherein said as-sembly is a power module and said expendable member is an anode.
10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein there is a cable within said chamber, said cable extending between said pressure member and a fixed electrode carried by said elongated housing.
11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said as-sembly is an electrochemical battery and includes contact-ing anodes and cathodes, said elongated housing having means for flowing electrolyte between adjacent anodes and cathodes, and said expandable member forming an inner sealing liner for said housing as the effective thickness of said stacked members decreases.
12. The assembly of claim ll wherein said expandable member is generally in the form of a tube and said opposite end thereof is secured between an end por-tion of said elongated housing and an end plate of said elongated housing.
CA338,230A 1978-10-30 1979-10-23 Power module assembly Expired CA1126807A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US05/955,565 US4189528A (en) 1978-10-30 1978-10-30 Power module assembly
US955,565 1978-10-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1126807A true CA1126807A (en) 1982-06-29

Family

ID=25497006

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA338,230A Expired CA1126807A (en) 1978-10-30 1979-10-23 Power module assembly

Country Status (17)

Country Link
US (1) US4189528A (en)
JP (1) JPS55166868A (en)
AR (1) AR224749A1 (en)
AU (1) AU536723B2 (en)
BE (1) BE879700A (en)
BR (1) BR7906995A (en)
CA (1) CA1126807A (en)
DE (1) DE2942745A1 (en)
ES (1) ES8100556A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2440620A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2035668B (en)
IT (1) IT1124648B (en)
MX (1) MX148059A (en)
NL (1) NL7907966A (en)
NO (1) NO151174C (en)
SE (1) SE7908393L (en)
ZA (1) ZA795359B (en)

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US4317863A (en) * 1980-06-03 1982-03-02 Universal Fuel Systems, Inc. Fuel cell
US4734342A (en) * 1986-01-29 1988-03-29 Gould, Inc. Terminal means for electrochemical cells
US4714662A (en) * 1986-05-12 1987-12-22 Gould Inc. Power module assembly of electrochemical cells
US4729933A (en) * 1987-02-11 1988-03-08 Gnb Incorporated Sealed absorbed electrolyte battery with bulge compensating end cells
US5427873A (en) * 1990-09-14 1995-06-27 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Lithium-water battery
CA2069687A1 (en) * 1991-06-28 1992-12-29 Chandra Kumar Banerjee Tobacco smoking article with electrochemical heat source
US5285798A (en) * 1991-06-28 1994-02-15 R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Tobacco smoking article with electrochemical heat source
US5851695A (en) * 1992-02-10 1998-12-22 C & D Technologies, Inc. Recombinant lead-acid cell and long life battery
GB0124589D0 (en) * 2001-10-12 2001-12-05 Flight Refueling Ltd Operating electrolyte based components
US8343642B2 (en) * 2009-12-31 2013-01-01 Lightening Energy High voltage modular battery with compression bladder
WO2015103548A1 (en) 2014-01-03 2015-07-09 Quantumscape Corporation Thermal management system for vehicles with an electric powertrain
WO2015061443A1 (en) 2013-10-25 2015-04-30 Quantumscape Corporation Thermal and electrical management of battery packs
US9834114B2 (en) 2014-08-27 2017-12-05 Quantumscape Corporation Battery thermal management system and methods of use
DE102019007363B4 (en) * 2019-10-23 2024-03-14 Mercedes-Benz Group AG Electrical energy storage and method for operating an electrical energy storage

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2001978A (en) * 1933-08-31 1935-05-21 Ruben Samuel Voltaic couple
US2043898A (en) * 1935-05-04 1936-06-09 James A Malcolm Tooth brush
US2899635A (en) * 1952-03-07 1959-08-11 Electric battery with charge testing means
US3551208A (en) * 1966-12-12 1970-12-29 Yardney International Corp Cell with displaceable electrode
US3841914A (en) * 1972-05-19 1974-10-15 Mallory & Co Inc P R Solid state battery structure
US3920476A (en) * 1974-09-19 1975-11-18 Us Navy Electrode gap control for electro chemical batteries and heat generation systems
GB1578335A (en) * 1976-05-08 1980-11-05 Lucas Industries Ltd Battery packs

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR7906995A (en) 1980-09-16
FR2440620A1 (en) 1980-05-30
AU5164779A (en) 1980-05-08
NO151174C (en) 1985-02-20
IT1124648B (en) 1986-05-07
ZA795359B (en) 1980-09-24
AU536723B2 (en) 1984-05-24
SE7908393L (en) 1980-05-01
DE2942745C2 (en) 1988-10-20
AR224749A1 (en) 1982-01-15
GB2035668A (en) 1980-06-18
NO151174B (en) 1984-11-12
MX148059A (en) 1983-03-09
BE879700A (en) 1980-02-15
IT7926790A0 (en) 1979-10-25
NL7907966A (en) 1980-05-02
DE2942745A1 (en) 1980-05-14
FR2440620B1 (en) 1983-05-27
US4189528A (en) 1980-02-19
ES485546A0 (en) 1980-11-01
ES8100556A1 (en) 1980-11-01
NO793453L (en) 1980-05-02
GB2035668B (en) 1982-08-18
JPS55166868A (en) 1980-12-26

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