KR20190017259A - Liquid-metal battery structure and method for operating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A liquid metal battery structure is provided. The liquid metal battery structure comprises: a chamber; and a plurality of liquid metal battery units arranged in a second internal space provided by the inside of the chamber and electrically connected in series. The liquid metal battery unit comprises: a first housing and a second housing coupled to each other; a single cell provided in a first internal space provided by the coupling of the first housing and the second housing and operating in a liquid metal state; and a gasket provided at the coupling interface between the first housing and the second housing and including a flow path portion providing a flow path for communicating the first internal space and the outer space of the first and second housings combined.

Description

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to a liquid metal battery structure and a method of operating the same,

The present invention relates to a liquid metal cell structure and a method of operating a liquid metal cell structure.

A cell is a device that converts the energy released by these changes into electrical energy by using the chemical or physical reaction of the material. A cell using a chemical reaction is called a chemical cell, and a cell using a physical reaction is called a physical transfer. Generally, a chemical cell is more common. A chemical cell can be divided into a primary cell and a secondary cell. The primary cell pre-charges the working material near the electrode and uses the electrical energy generated by the chemical change of the material. After the chemical change of the agonist is over, it can not be regenerated because of its lifetime, and it is widely used as a battery.

The secondary battery discharges electric energy to supply the electric energy to the battery again after the change of the active material, so that the active material can be regenerated and recycled. In recent years, a high output secondary battery using a non-aqueous electrolyte having a high energy density has been developed. In the case of a low-capacity battery in which one battery cell is packed, a portable battery such as a mobile phone, a notebook computer, In the case of a power source for driving a motor, such as an electric automobile, which is used for a small electronic apparatus, which is required to have a large electric power, dozens of the battery cells are connected in series or in parallel to constitute a large-capacity secondary battery package.

Particularly, in relation to a large-capacity secondary battery, a lot of research and development on a method of storing a larger amount of energy and emitting a large amount of electric power are proceeding. For example, Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2012-0025097 (Application No.: 10-2010-0087270, filed by LG Chemical Co., Ltd.) has electrode terminals formed at both ends of a unit cell, At least two unit cells arranged side-by-side to be oriented in a first direction; A first plate-shaped connecting portion which is connected to the electrode terminals of the unit cells in a welding manner, and a through-hole which is coupled to an outer surface of the first plate-like connecting portion and into which a welding rod for welding the battery cell and the first plate- The connection members comprising a second plate-shaped connection portion formed with a second plate-shaped connection portion; And a pack case surrounding the outer surfaces of the unit cells and the connecting member.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2012-0025097

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of operating a liquid metal battery structure and a liquid metal battery structure with improved driving voltage.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of operating a liquid metal cell structure and a liquid metal cell structure with improved energy density.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a liquid metal battery structure and a method of operating the liquid metal battery structure that are easy to control the capacity.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of operating a liquid metal battery structure and a liquid metal battery structure in which the reaction with external air is cut off and the risk of explosion is reduced.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the above.

In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a liquid metal battery structure.

According to one embodiment, the liquid metal battery structure includes a first housing, a second housing coupled to the first housing, and a second housing coupled to the first housing and the second housing, And a second housing which is provided at an interface between the first housing and the second housing and which provides a flow path for communicating the first internal space and the external space of the first housing and the second housing, And may include a gasket having a portion.

According to one embodiment, the liquid metal cell structure is defined as a chamber that receives the combined first and second housings, and a space between the interior of the chamber and the exterior of the combined first and second housings And a gas line for introducing or discharging a gas into or out of the second internal space, wherein the gas line is connected to the second internal space through a second internal space provided by the chamber and a passage portion of the gasket by the engagement of the first and second housings And can communicate with the first internal space provided.

According to one embodiment, the liquid metal battery structure includes a first current collector passing through a second internal space provided by the chamber outside the chamber, an insulator surrounding an outer circumferential surface of the first current collector provided outside the chamber, And a sealing portion sealing a gap between the first current collector provided outside the chamber and the insulator, wherein the second internal space provided by the chamber and the gas line are connected to the outer circumferential surface of the insulator and the first current Can communicate through the gap between the collectors.

According to one embodiment, the gas line may operate as a second current collector, which is electrically connected to one side of the chamber electrically connected to the unit cell, thereby collecting current of a different potential than the first current collector .

According to one embodiment, the gas introduced through the gas line is an inert gas, and the gas flowing out through the gas line may be air.

According to one embodiment, the liquid metal cell structure includes a chamber, and a plurality of liquid metal cell units arranged in a second internal space provided by the chamber interior and electrically connected in series, The unit includes a first housing and a second housing that are coupled to each other, a unit cell provided in a first internal space provided by the engagement of the first housing and the second housing to operate in a liquid metal state, A gasket having a flow path portion provided in a coupling interface of the second housing and providing a flow path for communicating the first internal space and the second internal space defined by the first and second housings and the chamber, and a gasket.

According to one embodiment, the flow paths of the gaskets included in the plurality of liquid metal battery units may provide flow paths in different directions.

According to an embodiment, the flow path portions of the respective gaskets included in the plurality of liquid metal battery units may provide flow paths in different directions.

According to one embodiment, the second housing of the liquid metal battery unit is electrically connected to the unit cell, and the bottom surface of the second housing included in the liquid metal battery unit located at one end of the plurality of liquid metal battery units And the side surface can be in electrical contact with the bottom surface and the side surface of the chamber, respectively.

According to one embodiment, the second housing of the liquid metal battery unit is electrically connected to the unit cell, and the second housings of the plurality of liquid metal battery units are electrically connected in series And may be electrically connected at different points to the chamber.

According to one embodiment, the second housing of the liquid metal battery unit may be electrically connected to the unit cell, and the second housings of the liquid metal battery unit adjacent to each other may be electrically connected to the different side walls of the chamber, respectively .

According to an embodiment, the flow path portions of the gaskets included in the plurality of liquid metal battery units may be provided in different directions in a direction in which the plurality of liquid metal battery units are electrically connected in series.

According to an embodiment, the direction of the flow path provided by the flow path portions of the respective gaskets included in the plurality of liquid metal battery units may be such that the respective second housings of the plurality of liquid metal battery units are connected to the chamber And a direction opposite to that of the first direction.

According to one embodiment, the plurality of liquid metal cell units are connected by a coupling rod passing through the first and second housings of each of the plurality of liquid metal battery units, wherein the coupling rod is provided with a pressure nut And the pressure nut may be configured to apply pressure to the plurality of liquid metal battery units to be stacked.

According to one embodiment, the second housing of the first liquid metal cell unit and the first housing of the second liquid metal cell unit adjacent to each other of the plurality of liquid metal battery units may be screwed by a conductive screw .

According to one embodiment, the unit cell includes an anode, an electrolyte and a cathode in the order of low density, and the electrolyte may impregnate at least a part of the anode side.

According to one embodiment, the electrolyte may impregnate not only the side of the anode but also the top surface of the anode.

In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a method of operating a liquid metal battery structure.

According to one embodiment, the method of operating the liquid metal cell structure further includes removing an air inside the chamber in which at least one liquid metal permitting unit is disposed, And providing an inert gas inside the liquid metal battery unit after the air removing step, wherein in the air removing step, air is introduced into the liquid metal battery unit in a first internal Wherein the inert gas is removed from the first internal space through a second internal space defined by the outside of the liquid metal battery unit and the interior of the chamber, and in the inert gas providing step, Wherein the liquid metal battery unit is provided with a flow path for communicating the first inner space and the second inner space with each other, Gt; gasket < / RTI >

According to one embodiment, the flow paths of the gaskets included in the plurality of liquid metal battery units may provide flow paths in different directions.

The liquid metal cell structure according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a liquid metal battery unit, a chamber in which the liquid metal battery unit is accommodated, and a gas line for introducing or discharging gas into the chamber. Wherein the flow path portion included in the gasket of the liquid metal battery unit includes a first internal space provided by the engagement of the first housing and the second housing and a second internal space provided between the inside of the chamber and the outside of the combined first and second housings. The second internal space defined by the space can be communicated.

Accordingly, the air is removed from the second internal space and the first internal space through the gas line, but an inert gas is injected. As a result, the liquid metal cell structure according to the embodiment reduces the risk of explosion .

Also, in the liquid metal battery structure according to the above embodiment, a plurality of liquid metal battery units may be electrically connected in series. Accordingly, the driving voltage of the liquid metal battery structure can be improved.

Also, in the liquid metal cell structure according to the above embodiment, the flow paths of the gaskets of the plurality of liquid metal battery units may have different directions. Accordingly, when the gas flows in or out between the first inner spaces and the second inner spaces, the bottleneck is reduced, so that the gas can flow in or out more easily.

The liquid metal cell structure according to the above embodiment is characterized in that the second housings are electrically connected to the unit cells, and along the direction in which the plurality of liquid metal battery units are electrically connected in series, Lt; / RTI > Accordingly, the resistance of the liquid metal battery structure can be reduced.

1 is a view showing a unit liquid metal battery unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a view showing a gasket included in a liquid metal battery unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view for explaining a unit cell included in a liquid metal battery unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view showing a liquid metal battery structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a view showing a liquid metal battery structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a view showing gaskets and flow paths included in a liquid metal battery structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a view showing an electrical connection of a liquid metal battery structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a view illustrating a method for lowering the resistance of a liquid metal battery structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
9A to 9C are views showing flow paths of the liquid metal battery structure shown in FIG.
10 to 12 are flowcharts illustrating a method of operating a liquid metal battery structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein but may be embodied in other forms. Rather, the embodiments disclosed herein are provided so that the disclosure can be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

In this specification, when an element is referred to as being on another element, it may be directly formed on another element, or a third element may be interposed therebetween. Also, in the drawings, the shape and size are exaggerated for an effective description of the technical content.

Also, while the terms first, second, third, etc. in the various embodiments of the present disclosure are used to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms have only been used to distinguish one component from another. Thus, what is referred to as a first component in any one embodiment may be referred to as a second component in another embodiment. Each embodiment described and exemplified herein also includes its complementary embodiment. Also, in this specification, 'and / or' are used to include at least one of the front and rear components.

The singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is also to be understood that the terms such as " comprises "or" having "are intended to specify the presence of stated features, integers, Should not be understood to exclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements, elements, or combinations thereof. Also, in this specification, the term "connection " is used to include both indirectly connecting and directly connecting a plurality of components.

In the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.

The liquid metal cell structure according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at least one liquid metal battery unit, for example, a plurality of liquid metal battery units may be connected in series. Prior to describing the liquid metal cell structure according to the above embodiment, the liquid metal battery unit will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. Fig.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a unit liquid metal battery unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view showing a gasket included in a liquid metal battery unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. Fig. 7 is a view for explaining a unit cell included in the liquid metal battery unit according to the example;

1 and 2, the liquid metal battery unit 100 according to the embodiment includes a first housing 102, a second housing 104, a unit cell 110, a gasket 120, A first current collector 130, a coupling rod 150, and a pressure nut 160.

The first housing 102 and the second housing 104 may be engaged. According to one embodiment, the first housing 102 may be in the form of a circular plate. According to one embodiment, the second housing 104 may be in the form of a container having a space formed therein and an open top. Accordingly, the first housing 102 and the second housing 104 can be coupled to each other to provide a first internal space S ₁ . That is, the first internal space S ₁ can be understood as a space formed inside the second housing 104, which is sealed by the first housing 102.

The unit cell 110 may be provided in the first internal space S ₁ . The unit cell 110 may include an anode 112, a cathode 114, and an electrolyte 116.

According to one embodiment, the anode 112 may be a liquid metal. For example, the anode 112 may be liquid lithium (Li). Alternatively, the anode 112 may be liquid sodium (Na), liquid calcium (Ca), or the like.

According to one embodiment, the cathode 114 may be a liquid metal. For example, the cathode 114 may be liquid bismuth (Bi). Alternatively, the cathode 114 may be liquid antimony (Sb), liquid lead (Pb), liquid tin (Sn), or the like.

According to one embodiment, the electrolyte 116 may be a liquid. For example, the electrolyte 116 may be a solution in which LiCl and LiF are mixed in a ratio of 70 mol%: 30 mol%.

The anode 112, the cathode 114, and the electrolyte 116 may have different densities from each other. According to one embodiment, the density of the anode 112, the electrolyte 116, and the cathode 114 may be increased in that order. Accordingly, the cathode 114, the electrolyte 116, and the anode 112 may be sequentially stacked in the first internal space S ₁ .

The first current collector 130 is electrically connected to the first housing 102, the second housing 104, and the first internal space S (S), outside the first and second housings 102, ₁ ) can be sequentially penetrated. The first current collector 130 may include a conductive screw 130t. According to one embodiment, the conductive screw 130t may be formed to protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the first current collector 130. [ The conductive screw 130t may be screwed to the first housing 102. [ Accordingly, the first current collector 130 may be fixed to the first housing 102.

According to one embodiment, the end of the first current collector 130 may be impregnated into the impregnation unit 132 including the anode 112. For example, the impregnation unit may be formed of a conductive material containing at least one of carbon, graphite, and nickel (Ni). For example, the impregnating unit may be in the form of a foam, a mesh, a felt, a plate, or a sheet.

3 (a) and 3 (b), the impregnation unit 132 may be impregnated with the electrolyte 116. Accordingly, the anode 112 may be impregnated with the electrolyte 116.

Referring to FIG. 3 (a), the electrolyte 116 may impregnate at least a part of the side surface of the anode 112. Specifically, a height h ₁ from the interface between the cathode 114 and the electrolyte 116 to the top surface of the electrolyte 116, and a height h ₁ from the interface between the cathode 114 and the electrolyte 116 The electrolyte 116 can impregnate the anode 112 such that the height h ₂ to the top surface of the electrolyte 112 is equal to each other.

Referring to FIG. 3 (b), the electrolyte 116 may be impregnated not only on the side of the anode 112 but also on the top surface of the anode 112. The height h ₁ from the interface between the cathode 114 and the electrolyte 116 to the top surface of the electrolyte 116 is greater than the height h ₁ from the interface between the cathode 114 and the electrolyte 116, The electrolyte 116 can impregnate the anode 112 such that the height of the electrolyte 112 is greater than the height h ₂ to the top surface of the anode 112.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the gasket 120 may be provided at a joint interface between the first housing 102 and the second housing 104. That is, the first housing 102 and the second housing 104 can be coupled with each other with the gasket 120 interposed therebetween.

The gasket 120 may have a gasket hole 120h and a flow path portion 122 formed thereon. For example, the gasket 120 may be a THERMICULITE 866.

The gasket hole 120h may be an inner space of the gasket 120. The gasket hole 120h may be a space through which the first current collector 130 penetrates. The diameter of the gasket hole 120h may be smaller than the diameter of the first internal space S ₁ .

The flow path portion 122 may communicate the first internal space S ₁ with the external spaces of the first and second housings 102 and 104. In other words, the flow path portion 122 can communicate the inner space separated by the first and second housings 102 and 104 with the outer space.

The coupling rod 150 may be connected through the first housing 102 and the second housing 104. [ The coupling rod 150 may include a pressing nut 160 provided at both ends thereof. The pressing nut 160 may apply pressure to the first housing 102 and the second housing 104 to couple the first housing 102 and the second housing 104 together.

The liquid metal battery unit according to the above-described embodiment may be in danger of explosion in contact with air as the electrode and the electrolyte are both made of liquid. Accordingly, in order to reduce the risk of explosion, the liquid metal battery structure according to the embodiment of the present invention is disposed in the chamber in which the air is removed and the environment of the inert gas is maintained. Hereinafter, a liquid metal battery structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

4 is a view showing a liquid metal battery structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the liquid metal battery structure according to the first embodiment may have a structure in which the liquid metal battery unit 100 according to the above embodiment is accommodated in the chamber 200. The chamber 200 may include a gas line 210, an insulator 220, and a seal 230.

The chamber 200 may be electrically connected to the unit cell 110. Specifically, the first current collector 130 may be connected to the second internal space S ₂ outside the chamber 200 to collect the first current. According to one embodiment, the first current may be negative (-) current. The gas line 210 may be connected to one surface of the chamber 200 to collect the second current. The second current may be a current of a potential different from the first current. According to one embodiment, the second current may be a positive current. In other words, the gas line 210 may be operated as a second current collector.

The gas line 210 not only operates as the second current collector but also can introduce or discharge gas into the second internal space S ₂ provided by the chamber 200. The second internal space S ₂ may be defined as a space between the interior of the chamber 200 and the outside of the first and second housings 102 and 104 that are coupled to each other. According to one embodiment, the incoming gas may be an inert gas. For example, the inert gas may be argon (Ar). According to one embodiment, the outgoing gas may be air.

The gas line 210 may further include a switching valve 212. Accordingly, the gas line 210 can introduce or discharge different gases in one line.

The gas line 210 may communicate with the first inner space S ₁ through the second inner space S ₂ and the flow path 122 of the gasket 210. Accordingly, the gas in the first internal space S ₁ can flow out into the second internal space S ₂ through the flow path portion 122. The gas introduced into the second inner space S ₂ may be introduced into the first inner space S ₁ through the channel portion 122.

More specifically, when a pump is connected to the gas line 210 to remove the air inside the chamber 200, air in the second internal space S ₂ is removed through the gas line 210 . At this time, as the second inner space S ₂ and the first inner space S ₁ are communicated with each other by the flow path portion 122, the air in the first inner space S ₁ can be also removed .

When the inert gas is injected into the chamber 200 by connecting the gas injection device to the gas line 210, the inert gas may be injected into the second internal space S ₂ through the gas line 210. Can be injected. At this time, as the second inner space S ₂ and the first inner space S ₁ are communicated by the flow path portion 122, the first inner space S ₁ and the inert gas are injected .

The insulator 220 and the sealing portion 230 may be provided outside the chamber. According to one embodiment, the insulator 220 may be aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ). According to one embodiment, the seal 230 may be an epoxy resin.

The insulator 220 may surround the outer circumferential surface of the first current collector 130. The sealing portion 230 may seal a gap between the first current collector 130 and the insulator 220. The insulator 220 may prevent the first current collector 130 from contacting the gas line 130 and the sealing portion 230 may prevent the inert gas injected into the chamber 200 It is possible to prevent the gas from escaping to the outside.

According to one embodiment, the gas line 210 may be disposed on the side of the insulator 220. In this case, the second inner space S ₂ and the gas line 210 may communicate with each other through a gap between the outer circumferential surface of the insulator 220 and the first current collector 130.

The liquid metal cell structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes the liquid metal battery unit 100, the chamber 200 in which the liquid metal battery unit is accommodated, And may include the gas line 210 for draining. The flow path portion 122 included in the gasket 120 of the liquid metal battery unit 100 is connected to the first inner portion 102 provided by the first housing 102 and the second housing 104, (S ₁ ) and the second internal space (S ₂ ) defined as the space between the interior of the chamber (200) and the outside of the combined first and second housings (102, 104) have.

Accordingly, the air is removed from the second internal space S ₂ and the first internal space S ₁ through the gas line 210, but an inert gas is injected. As a result, The liquid metal cell structure may reduce the risk of explosion.

In order to improve the driving voltage of the liquid metal cell structure according to the first embodiment described above, the liquid metal battery units according to the above embodiment may be electrically connected in series and disposed in the chamber. Hereinafter, a liquid metal battery structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9. FIG.

5 is a view showing a liquid metal battery structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

5, the liquid metal battery structure according to the second embodiment includes a plurality of liquid metal battery units 100a, 100b, and 100c according to the above embodiment, . Specifically, a first liquid metal battery unit 100a, a second liquid metal battery unit 100b, and a third liquid metal battery unit 100c can be accommodated in the chamber 200. The liquid metal cell structure according to the second embodiment described with reference to FIG. 5 has three liquid metal battery units. However, this is for convenience of explanation only, Is not limited to the technical idea of.

As described above, the chamber 200 may be provided with a gas line 210, an insulator 220, and a sealing portion 230.

According to one embodiment, the plurality of liquid metal cell units 100a, 100b, and 100c may be electrically connected in series. The plurality of liquid metal battery units 100a, 100b and 100c are connected to the first and second housings 102a, 102b, 102c, 104a, and 104b of the plurality of liquid metal battery units 100a, 100b, 104b, 104c, respectively.

Specifically, the coupling rod 150 is connected to the first and second housings 102a and 104a of the first liquid metal battery unit 100a, the first and second housings 102a and 104b of the second liquid metal battery unit 100b, The first to third liquid metal battery units 100a, 100b, and 100c through the first and second housings 102b and 104b and the first and second housings 102c and 104c of the third liquid metal battery unit 100c, Lt; / RTI >

The coupling rod 150 may include a pressing nut 160 provided at both ends thereof. The pressure nuts 160 may be stacked by applying pressure to the first to third liquid metal cell units 100a, 100b, and 100c. Specifically, the pressure nut 160 is disposed on the upper portion of the first housing 102a of the first liquid metal battery and the lower portion of the second housing 104c of the third liquid metal battery, The metal battery units 100a, 100b, and 100c can be pressed.

In addition, as the plurality of liquid metal battery units 100a, 100b, and 100c are electrically connected in series, adjacent ones of the plurality of liquid metal battery units 100a, 100b, and 100c may be screwed have. For example, the second housing 104a of the first liquid metal battery unit 100a and the first housing 102b of the second liquid metal battery unit 100b may be screwed together. Specifically, the second housing 104a of the first liquid metal battery unit 100a and the first housing 102b of the second liquid metal battery unit 100b are connected to the second liquid metal battery unit 100b, May be coupled by a conductive screw 130tb formed in the first current collector 130b of FIG.

In the same manner, the second housing 104b of the second liquid metal battery unit 100b and the first housing 102c of the third liquid metal battery 100c can be screwed together. Specifically, the second housing 104b of the second liquid metal battery unit 100b and the first housing 102c of the third liquid metal battery unit 100c are connected to the third liquid metal battery unit 100c, May be coupled by a conductive screw 130tc formed in the first current collector 130c of the first current collector 130c.

On the other hand, unlike the first current collectors 130b and 130c of the second and third liquid metal cell units 100b and 100c described above, the first current collector 130a of the first liquid metal battery unit 100a May pass through the second internal space and the first housing 102a of the first liquid metal battery unit 100a from the outside of the chamber 200. [ At this time, the conductive screw 130ta formed in the first current collector 130a of the first liquid metal battery unit 100a is screwed to the first housing 102a of the first liquid metal battery unit 100a, .

Like the liquid metal cell structure according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4, the gas line 210 is disposed outside the chamber 200 to supply gas into the second internal space S2 In or out. The insulator 220 may surround the outer circumferential surface of the first current collector 130a of the first liquid metal battery unit 100a. The sealing portion 230 may seal a gap between the first current collector 130a of the first liquid metal battery unit 100a and the insulator 220. [

The liquid metal cell structure according to the second embodiment described above can be applied to each of the first to third liquid metal cell units 100a, 100b, and 100c as in the liquid metal cell structure according to the first embodiment. The second inner space S ₂ and the first inner spaces S _1a , S _1b , and S _1c can communicate with each other by the gaskets 120a, 120b, and 120c. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, description will be made of each of the gaskets included in the liquid metal battery structure according to the second embodiment.

6 is a view showing gaskets and flow paths included in a liquid metal battery structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

6, the flow paths 122a, 122b, and 122c of the gaskets 120a, 120b, and 120c included in the first to third liquid metal battery units 100a, 100b, The Euro can be provided. In other respects, the flow paths 122a, 122b, and 122c may provide flow paths in different directions in the direction seen from the plane of the chamber 200. [

The flow path portions 122a, 122b, and 122c of the gaskets 120a, 120b, and 120c included in the first to third liquid metal battery units 100a, 100b, As shown in FIG. For example, the flow path portion 122a of the gasket 120a included in the first liquid metal battery unit 100a and the flow path portion 122b of the gasket 120b included in the second liquid metal battery unit 100b May provide a flow path at an angle of 120 [deg.]. For example, the flow path portion 122b of the gasket 120b included in the second liquid metal battery unit 100b and the flow path portion 122b of the gasket 120c included in the third liquid metal battery unit 100c 122c may provide a flow path at an angle of 120 [deg.].

Portions of the flow paths 122a, 122b and 122c of the gaskets 120a, 120b and 120c included in the first to third liquid metal battery units 100a, 100b and 100c are arranged in the same direction As shown in FIG. For example, the flow path portion 122a of the gasket 120a included in the first liquid metal battery unit 100a and the flow path portion 122b of the gasket 120b included in the second liquid metal battery unit 100b Can provide a flow path in the same direction. For example, the flow path portion 122c of the gasket 120c included in the third liquid metal battery unit 100c is connected to the gasket 120a, 120b included in the first and second liquid metal battery units 100a, 100b, 120b with the flow paths 120a, 120b of the first and second flow paths 120a, 120b.

Thereby, a gas is introduced between the first inner spaces S _1a , S _1b and S _{1c of} the first to third liquid metal cell units 100a, 100b and 100c and the second inner space S ₂ When the flow path portions 122a, 122b, and 122c are different from each other, the bottleneck phenomenon of the gas flow path is reduced, so that the gas can flow in or out more easily.

More specifically, when the directions of the flow paths 122a, 122b, and 122c are all the same, the gas flowing into or out of the first inner spaces S _1a , S _1b , and S _1c flows in the same direction The first inner spaces S _1a , S _1b , and S _1c may not easily flow in or out. However, when the directions of the flow paths 122a, 122b, and 122c are different from each other, as the gas flowing into or out of the first internal spaces S _1a , S _1b , and S _1c flows in or out of different directions , And can easily flow in or out into the respective first internal spaces (S _1a , S _1b , S _1c ). Therefore, the time for gas inflow or outflow can be reduced.

Hereinafter, the electrical connection of the liquid metal cell structure according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7, and a method for lowering the resistance of the liquid metal cell structure according to the second embodiment, Will be described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9. Fig.

7 is a view showing an electrical connection of a liquid metal battery structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the first current collectors 130a, 130b, and 130c and the second housings 104a, 104b, and 104c of the first to third liquid metal battery units 100a, 100b, 110b, and 110c of the first to third liquid metal cell units 100a, 100b, and 100c, respectively.

Specifically, the anodes 112a, 112b and 112c of the unit cells 110a, 110b and 110c may be electrically connected to the first current collectors 130a, 130b and 130c. The cathodes 114a, 114b and 114c of the unit cells 110a, 110b and 110c may be electrically connected to the second housings 104a, 104b and 104c. The second housings 104a, 104b and 104c may be electrically connected to the gas line 210. [

Accordingly, the first current generated in the unit cells 110a, 110b, and 110c can be collected through the first current collectors 130a, 130b, and 130c, and the unit cells 110a, 110b, 110c may be collected through the second housings 104a, 104b, 104c and the gas line 210. The second housing 104a, 104b,

The bottom surface and the side surface of the second housing 104c included in the third liquid metal battery unit 100c are connected to the bottom surface P ₂ and the side surface P ₁ of the chamber 200, So that the second currents generated in the cathode 114c can be collected into the gas line 210 through the second housing 104c.

Although not shown in FIG. 7, the side surfaces of the second housings 104a and 104b included in the first and second liquid metal battery units 100c are in electrical contact with the side surfaces of the chamber 200, respectively, The second currents generated in the respective cathodes 114a and 114b can be collected into the gas line 210 through the second housings 104a and 104b. This will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

8 is a view illustrating a method for lowering the resistance of a liquid metal battery structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the second housings 104a, 104b, and 104c may be electrically connected to the chamber 200 at different points, respectively, in order to lower the resistance of the liquid metal cell structure. More specifically, the second housings 104a, 104b, and 104c may be connected to the first to third points L ₁ , L ₂ , and L ₃ of the chamber 200, respectively. The first to third points L ₁ , L ₂ and L ₃ are formed along a direction D _{1 in} which the first to third liquid metal cell units 100a, 100b and 100c are electrically connected in series, The second housings 104a, 104b, and 104c may be in contact with the side surfaces of the chamber 200 in electrical contact with each other.

According to one embodiment, the second housings of the liquid metal cell units adjacent to each other may be electrically connected to the different side walls 200a, 200b of the chamber 200, respectively.

Specifically, the first and second housings 104a and 104b of the first liquid metal battery unit 100a and the second liquid metal battery unit 100b are electrically connected to different side walls of the chamber 200, respectively . For example, the second housing 104a of the first liquid metal battery unit 100a is connected to the second side wall 200b of the chamber 200, 2 housing 104b may be connected to the first side wall 200a of the chamber 200. [

The second liquid metal battery unit 100b and the second housings 104b and 104c of the third liquid metal battery unit 100c may be electrically connected to different side walls of the chamber 200, have. For example, the second housing 104b of the second liquid metal battery unit 100b is connected to the first side wall 200a of the chamber 200, 2 housing 104b may be connected to the second side wall 200b of the chamber.

Thus, the overlap of the flows of the second currents generated in the cathodes 114a, 114b, and 114c is minimized, and consequently the resistance of the liquid metal battery structure can be lowered.

9A to 9C are views showing flow paths of the liquid metal battery structure shown in FIG.

9A to 9C, when the second housings 104a, 104b and 104c are respectively electrically connected to the chamber 200 at different points, the first to third liquid metal battery units The direction of the flow path provided by the flow path portions 122a, 122b and 122c of the respective gaskets 120a, 120b and 120c included in the first and second housings 104a, 104b and 104c, May be opposite to the points L ₁ , L ₂ , and L ₃ connected to the chamber 200, respectively.

Accordingly, the directions of the flow paths provided by the flow paths 122a, 122b, and 122c are different from each other. As described above with reference to FIG. 6, the first to third liquid metal cell units 100a, 100b, and 100c When the gas flows in or out between the first inner spaces S _1a , S _1b and S _1c of the first inner space S ₁ and the second inner space S _{2 of} the first inner space S ₂ , the bottleneck phenomenon is reduced, . That is, by separating the gas and the electric passage, the deterioration phenomenon of the electric passage due to the flow of the gas can be minimized, so that the life can be improved.

The liquid metal cell structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above includes the chamber 200, the first and second spaces S2 and S3 arranged in the second space S2 provided inside the chamber, And third liquid metal battery units 100a, 100b, and 100c. Accordingly, the driving voltage of the liquid metal battery structure can be improved.

In the liquid metal battery structure according to the second embodiment, the directions of the flow paths 122a, 122b, and 122c of the gaskets 120a, 120b, and 120c may be different from each other. Accordingly, when the gas flows in or out between the first inner spaces S _1a , S _1b , and S _1c and the second inner space S ₂ , the bottleneck phenomenon is reduced, Can be leaked.

In the liquid metal battery structure according to the second embodiment, the second housings 104a, 104b, and 104c are electrically connected to the unit cells 110a, 110b, and 110c, 3 Liquid metal battery units 100a, 100b, and 100c may be connected to the chamber 200 at different points L ₁ , L ₂ , and L ₃ along the direction in which they are electrically connected in series. Accordingly, the resistance of the liquid metal battery structure can be reduced.

Hereinafter, a method of operating the liquid metal battery structure according to the above-described embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. FIG.

10 to 12 are flowcharts illustrating a method of operating a liquid metal battery structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, the method of operating the liquid metal cell structure according to the embodiment may include an air removing step (S100) and an inert gas providing step (S200).

The air removing step (S100) may remove air inside the chamber in which at least one liquid metal battery unit is disposed, and remove air inside the liquid metal battery unit.

11, the air removing step S100 includes a step S110 of operating the air removing pump, a step S120 of removing air in the second inner space, and a step S120 of removing air in the first inner space, (Step S130). The first internal space may be defined as the interior of the liquid metal battery unit. The second internal space may be defined outside the liquid metal battery unit and inside the chamber. The first inner space and the second inner space may communicate with a flow path portion of a gasket included in the liquid metal battery unit.

In other words, the air in the first internal space can be removed by sequentially passing through the flow path portion and the second internal space when the air removing pump is operated.

The inert gas providing step (S200) may provide an inert gas inside the chamber in which the at least one liquid metal battery unit is disposed, and may also provide an inert gas inside the liquid metal battery unit.

Referring to FIG. 12, the inert gas providing step S200 includes the steps of operating the inert gas injection pump S210, providing inert gas to the second internal space S220, 1) < / RTI > in which an inert gas is provided in the inner space. In other words, when the inert gas injection pump is operated, the inert gas can be sequentially supplied to the first inner space through the second inner space and the flow path portion.

When the plurality of liquid metal battery units are provided in the chamber, the air removing step (S100) and the inert gas providing step (S200) are performed such that the flow path portions of the gaskets included in the plurality of liquid metal battery units As shown in FIG. Thus, as described above with reference to Fig. 6, the bottleneck phenomenon is reduced, so that the gas can flow in or out more easily.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. It will also be appreciated that many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

100: liquid metal battery unit
100a, 100b, 100c: first, second and third liquid metal battery units
102: first housing
104: second housing
110: Single cell
112: anode
114: cathode
116: electrolyte
120: Gasket
120h: gasket hole
122:
130: first current collector
130t: Conductive screws
150: coupling rod
160: Pressurizing nut
210: gas line
212: Switching valve
220: Insulator
230: Seal
S ₁ : the first inner space
S ₂ : the second inner space

Claims (19)

A first housing;
A second housing coupled to the first housing;
A single cell provided in a first internal space provided by the engagement of the first housing and the second housing and operating in a liquid metal state; And
And a gasket provided at a connection interface between the first housing and the second housing and having a flow path portion for providing a flow path for communicating the first inner space and the outer spaces of the first and second housings / RTI >
The method according to claim 1,
A chamber receiving the combined first and second housings; And
Further comprising a gas line for introducing or discharging gas into or out of the chamber and into a second internal space defined as a space between the interior of the chamber and the exterior of the coupled first and second housings,
Wherein the gas line communicates with a first internal space provided by the engagement of the first and second housings through a second internal space provided by the chamber and a flow path portion of the gasket.
3. The method of claim 2,
A first current collector through the second internal space provided by the chamber outside the chamber;
An insulator surrounding the outer circumferential surface of the first current collector provided outside the chamber; And
And a sealing portion sealing a gap between the first current collector and the insulator provided outside the chamber,
The second internal space provided by the chamber and the gas line communicate through a gap between the outer circumferential surface of the insulator and the first current collector.
The method of claim 3,
The gas line,
The second current collector being electrically connected to one side of the chamber electrically connected to the unit cell, thereby operating as a second current collector for collecting a current of a potential different from that of the first current collector.
The method according to claim 1,
The gas introduced through the gas line is an inert gas,
Wherein the gas exiting through the gas line is air.
chamber; And
A plurality of liquid metal cell units arranged in a second internal space provided by the inside of the chamber and electrically connected in series,
The liquid metal battery unit includes:
A first housing and a second housing coupled to each other;
A single cell provided in a first internal space provided by the engagement of the first housing and the second housing and operating in a liquid metal state; And
And a flow passage provided at a coupling interface between the first housing and the second housing for communicating the first inner space and the second inner space defined as a space between the first and second housings and the combined chamber And a gasket having a flow path for flowing the gas.
The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the flow path portions of the gaskets included in the plurality of liquid metal cell units provide flow paths in different directions.
The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the flow path portions of the respective gaskets included in the plurality of liquid metal cell units provide flow paths in different directions.
The method according to claim 6,
A second housing of the liquid metal battery unit is electrically connected to the unit cell,
Wherein a bottom surface and a side surface of a second housing included in a liquid metal battery unit located at one end of the plurality of liquid metal cell units are in electrical contact with a bottom surface and a side surface of the chamber, respectively.
The method according to claim 6,
A second housing of the liquid metal battery unit is electrically connected to the unit cell,
Wherein the second housings of the plurality of liquid metal cell units are electrically connected at different points to the chamber along a direction in which the plurality of liquid metal cell units are electrically connected in series.
11. The method of claim 10,
A second housing of the liquid metal battery unit is electrically connected to the unit cell,
And the second housings of the liquid metal cell units adjacent to each other are each electrically connected to the different side walls of the chamber.
11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the flow path portions of the gaskets included in the plurality of liquid metal battery units are different in the direction in which the flow paths are provided along the direction in which the plurality of liquid metal battery units are electrically connected in series.
13. The method of claim 12,
The direction of the flow path provided by the flow path portions of the respective gaskets included in the plurality of liquid metal cell units is a direction opposite to a point where the respective second housings of the plurality of liquid metal battery units are connected to the chamber ≪ / RTI >
The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the plurality of liquid metal cell units are connected by a coupling rod passing through the first and second housings of each of the plurality of liquid metal battery units,
Wherein the coupling rod includes a pressing nut provided at both ends,
Wherein the pressure nuts apply pressure to stack the plurality of liquid metal cell units.
The method according to claim 6,
Wherein a second housing of the first liquid metal cell unit and a first housing of the second liquid metal cell unit adjacent to each other of the plurality of liquid metal cell units are threaded by a conductive screw.
The method according to claim 6,
The unit cell includes an anode, an electrolyte, and a cathode in a descending order of density,
Wherein the electrolyte impregnates at least a portion of the anode side.
17. The method of claim 16,
Wherein the electrolyte impregnates not only the side of the anode but also the top surface of the anode.
Removing air inside the chamber in which at least one liquid metal cell unit is disposed, removing air inside the liquid metal cell unit;
And providing an inert gas inside the liquid metal battery unit after the air removing step,
In the air removing step, air is removed through a second internal space defined as the inside of the chamber and the outside of the liquid metal battery unit, in a first internal space defined as the inside of the liquid metal battery unit,
In the inert gas providing step, the inert gas is supplied to the first inner space in the second inner space,
Wherein the liquid metal battery unit includes a gasket having a flow path communicating the first inner space and the second inner space.
19. The method of claim 18,
Wherein the flow paths of the gaskets included in the plurality of liquid metal battery units provide flow paths in different directions.

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