An apparatus and method for non-destructive leak detection of sodium batteries

Abstract

This invention discloses an apparatus and method for non-destructive leak detection of sodium batteries in the field of sodium battery leak detection technology. The apparatus includes a leak detection box with a sealing cover rotatably connected to its top. The inner side of the leak detection box has several leak detection chambers that are interconnected. The bottom of the leak detection box is fixedly equipped with several electric push rods corresponding to the leak detection chambers. A piston plate is fixedly installed at the top of each electric push rod, and the piston plate is located inside the leak detection chamber and tightly fitted to its interior. An opening and closing mechanism is provided in the middle of the sealing cover, which opens the sealing cover to the corresponding position when the piston plate moves to the bottom of the sealing cover. A discharge mechanism is provided at the top of the piston plate. This invention solves the problem that existing non-destructive leak detection devices for sodium batteries cannot promptly remove leaking sodium batteries during the voltage reduction process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of sodium battery leak detection technology, specifically to an apparatus and method for non-destructive leak detection of sodium batteries. Background Technology

[0002] Sodium-ion batteries are a type of rechargeable battery that primarily functions by the movement of sodium ions between the positive and negative electrodes. Sodium batteries are highly similar to lithium batteries in terms of architecture and packaging technology, leading to a rapid increase in their application. The production process of sodium batteries involves assembly, welding, and sealing. Finally, a leak test is performed on the finished product. This test involves placing the sodium battery in a sealed space under a certain negative pressure and observing for leaks using sensors or by personnel to ensure the battery's airtightness.

[0003] In existing technologies, sodium battery leak detection equipment is complex to operate, often requiring simultaneous leak detection of multiple sodium batteries. During the leak detection process, the pressure in the confined space gradually decreases, causing some defective batteries to begin leaking material during the depressurization process. This continues until the leak detection equipment reduces the pressure to the specified value. The defective batteries that have leaked must complete the entire leak detection test along with the remaining sodium batteries before they can be removed, increasing the amount of leakage within the leak detection equipment. This results in significant contamination of the equipment's interior, requiring staff to clean the equipment after each leak detection to prevent impact on subsequent sensor operation or staff observation. This also increases the workload for staff and causes inconvenience in using the leak detection equipment. Furthermore, existing non-destructive leak detection devices for sodium batteries cannot promptly remove leaking sodium batteries during the depressurization process.

[0004] Based on this, the present invention designs an apparatus and method for non-destructive leak detection of sodium batteries to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a non-destructive leak detection device and method for sodium batteries that can promptly remove leaking sodium batteries during the voltage reduction process, so as to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a device for non-destructive leak detection of sodium batteries, comprising a leak detection box, a sealing cover plate rotatably connected to the top of the leak detection box, a plurality of leak detection chambers arranged inside the leak detection box, the plurality of leak detection chambers being interconnected, a plurality of electric push rods corresponding one-to-one with the leak detection chambers being fixedly installed at the bottom of the leak detection box, a piston plate being fixedly installed at the top of each electric push rod, the piston plate being located inside the leak detection chamber and tightly fitted to its interior, an opening and closing mechanism being provided in the middle of the sealing cover plate, the opening and closing mechanism being used to open the sealing cover plate at the corresponding position when the piston plate moves to the bottom of the sealing cover plate, a discharge mechanism being provided at the top of the piston plate, the discharge mechanism being used to discharge the sodium batteries at the top of the piston plate from the top of the leak detection chamber when the piston plate moves to the bottom of the sealing cover plate, and a waste bin being provided at the front end of the leak detection box;

[0007] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the opening and closing mechanism includes a plurality of through slots in the middle of the sealing cover plate corresponding to the leak detection chambers one by one. The inner side of each through slot is rotatably connected to an opening and closing cover by a torsion spring. An installation block is fixedly installed at the bottom rear end of each opening and closing cover. A wedge rod is slidably connected to the middle of each installation block by a tension spring. A locking groove is provided on the inner side of the rear end of each through slot. The rear end of the wedge rod passes through the locking groove and is slidably connected thereto. An unlocking mechanism is provided at the top rear end of the piston plate. The unlocking mechanism is used to drive the wedge rod to move forward when the piston plate moves upward and passes the position connecting the leak detection chambers.

[0008] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the unlocking mechanism includes a tapered rod slidably connected to the rear end top of the piston plate by a tension spring. The rear end of the tapered rod is tightly fitted with the rear end inner wall of the leak detection chamber. The rear end inner wall of the leak detection chamber is provided with a sliding groove. A sliding rod is slidably connected to the inner side of the sliding groove. The top end of the sliding rod corresponds to the rear end of the wedge rod.

[0009] As a further embodiment of the present invention, a pressure relief groove is provided in the middle of the rear end of each of the opening and closing covers, a support plate is fixedly installed on the inner side of each pressure relief groove, a pressure relief rod is slidably connected to the middle of each support plate, a valve body is fixedly installed at the top of each pressure relief rod, the bottom end of the valve body is connected to the support plate through a tension spring, a wedge block is fixedly installed at the front end of each wedge rod, and the bottom end of the pressure relief rod is in contact with the inclined surface of the wedge block;

[0010] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the discharge mechanism includes a discharge plate provided at the top of the piston plate, a flip plate fixedly installed at the front end of the discharge plate, the bottom of the front end of the flip plate being hinged to the top of the piston plate, a first baffle fixedly installed at the front end of the flip plate, and a second baffle fixedly installed on the inner side of the front end of the through groove.

[0011] As a further embodiment of the present invention, an electric lifting frame is installed at the rear end of the leak detection box, and a feeding platform is installed at the top of the electric lifting frame. The feeding platform has a plurality of material troughs corresponding to the leak detection chambers in the middle. A first unloading plate and a second unloading plate are rotatably connected to the left and right sides of the bottom of the material trough, respectively. The first unloading plate and the second unloading plate both cover the bottom of the material trough through an unloading mechanism. The unloading mechanism is used to drive the first unloading plate and the second unloading plate to slowly flip downward when the feeding platform gradually approaches the top of the leak detection box.

[0012] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the unloading mechanism includes gears fixedly installed at the rear end shafts of the first unloading plate and the second unloading plate, with adjacent gears meshing with each other. The rear left side of the loading platform is slidably connected to an unloading rack via a tension spring, and the unloading rack meshes with the gear at the left end. A stop bar is fixedly installed at the top left end of the leak detection box, with the top end of the stop bar corresponding to the bottom end of the unloading rack. A synchronization mechanism is provided at the front ends of the first unloading plate and the second unloading plate, which is used to make several first unloading plates rotate synchronously and several second unloading plates rotate synchronously.

[0013] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the synchronization mechanism includes a first synchronization rod fixedly mounted at the pivot of the front end of the first unloading plate, and several first synchronization rods are connected to each other by a first transmission belt. Second synchronization rods are fixedly mounted at the pivot of the front end of the two second unloading plates on the right end, and several second synchronization rods are connected to each other by a second transmission belt.

[0014] As a further embodiment of the present invention, a gear ring is rotatably connected to the left end of the sealing cover via a one-way bearing, and a drive rack is fixedly installed on the rear left side of the loading platform, the drive rack corresponding to the rear end of the gear ring.

[0015] A method for non-destructive leak detection of sodium batteries includes the following steps:

[0016] Step 1: Place several sodium batteries in multiple material tanks. When feeding is required, the feeding platform moves downward to place several sodium batteries in multiple leak detection chambers.

[0017] Step 2: After the sodium battery is placed, the sealing cover is closed, and the leak detection box is run to reduce the pressure in the leak detection chamber;

[0018] Step 3: When the sensor or staff observes a leak in one of the sodium batteries, the opening and closing mechanism will open the channel corresponding to the leaking sodium battery;

[0019] Step 4: The discharge mechanism drives the leaking sodium battery through the channel and discharges it into the waste bin, while the remaining sodium batteries continue to undergo leak detection testing.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0021] 1. This invention, by setting up an opening and closing mechanism, when the sensor detects a leak in one of the sodium batteries in the leak detection chamber, the corresponding electric push rod pushes the leaking sodium battery upward. When the piston plate passes the position connecting several leak detection chambers, the remaining leak detection chambers and the area at the bottom of the piston plate form a sealed space again. At this time, when the sodium battery is removed, it will not affect the voltage reduction operation in the remaining leak detection chambers, thus not affecting the leak detection operation of the remaining sodium batteries.

[0022] 2. This invention, by setting up a discharge mechanism, throws the sodium battery into the waste bin when the piston plate moves to the bottom of the sealing cover. This ensures that the sodium battery is discharged from the leak detection box as soon as it leaks, preventing excessive leakage of material from the sodium battery into the leak detection box. During each leak test, only a small amount of material remains in the leak detection box. The leak detection box can be used multiple times without cleaning, reducing the number of cleaning cycles and improving the efficiency of leak testing. This solves the problem that existing devices for non-destructive leak detection of sodium batteries cannot remove leaking sodium batteries in time during the voltage reduction process.

[0023] 3. By setting up a feeding platform, when the previous group of sodium batteries has been leak-tested and removed, the electric lifting frame drives the feeding platform and moves several sodium batteries downward. At this time, the first unloading plate and the second unloading plate move downward and slowly place the sodium batteries on the top of the discharge plate, thereby realizing the unified feeding of sodium batteries. This eliminates the need for workers to manually put the next group of sodium batteries into the leak detection chamber one by one after the previous group has been leak-tested, further improving the efficiency of the leak detection operation. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the method of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the present invention from a side view.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the first unloading plate and the second unloading plate in this invention;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the gear and the unloading rack in this invention;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the leak detection box and the sealing cover plate in this invention;

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the present invention from a frontal perspective.

[0031] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the opening / closing cover and the sealing cover plate in this invention;

[0032] Figure 9 For the present invention Figure 8 Enlarged structural diagram at point A in the middle;

[0033] Figure 10 For the present invention Figure 8 Enlarged structural diagram at point B;

[0034] Figure 11 For the present invention Figure 8 Enlarged structural diagram at point C.

[0035] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows:

[0036] 1. Leak detection box; 2. Sealing cover; 3. Leak detection chamber; 4. Electric push rod; 5. Piston plate; 6. Waste bin; 7. Through groove; 8. Opening and closing cover; 9. Mounting block; 10. Wedge rod; 11. Locking groove; 12. Conical rod; 13. Slide groove; 14. Slide rod; 15. Pressure relief groove; 16. Support plate; 17. Pressure relief rod; 18. Valve body; 19. Wedge block; 20. Discharge plate; 21. Tilting plate; 22. First baffle; 23. Second baffle; 24. Electric lifting frame; 25. Feeding platform; 26. Material trough; 27. First discharge plate; 28. Second discharge plate; 29. ​​Gear; 30. Discharge rack; 31. Stop rod; 32. First synchronizing rod; 33. First transmission belt; 34. Second synchronizing rod; 35. Second transmission belt; 36. Gear ring; 37. Drive rack. Implementation

[0037] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figures 7-11 This invention provides a technical solution: a device for non-destructive leak detection of sodium batteries, including a leak detection box 1, a sealing cover plate 2 rotatably connected to the top of the leak detection box 1, a plurality of leak detection chambers 3 arranged inside the leak detection box 1, the plurality of leak detection chambers 3 being interconnected, a plurality of electric push rods 4 corresponding one-to-one with the leak detection chambers 3 being fixedly installed at the bottom of the leak detection box 1, a piston plate 5 being fixedly installed at the top of each electric push rod 4, the piston plate 5 being located inside the leak detection chamber 3 and tightly fitting inside it, an opening and closing mechanism being provided in the middle of the sealing cover plate 2, the opening and closing mechanism being used to open the sealing cover plate 2 at the corresponding position when the piston plate 5 moves to the bottom of the sealing cover plate 2, a discharge mechanism being provided at the top of the piston plate 5, the discharge mechanism being used to discharge the sodium batteries at the top of the piston plate 5 from the top of the leak detection chamber 3 when the piston plate 5 moves to the bottom of the sealing cover plate 2, and a waste box 6 being provided at the front end of the leak detection box 1;

[0038] The opening and closing mechanism includes several through slots 7 in the middle of the sealing cover plate 2 that correspond one-to-one with the leak detection chambers 3. The inner side of each through slot 7 is rotatably connected to an opening and closing cover 8 by a torsion spring. An installation block 9 is fixedly installed at the bottom rear end of each opening and closing cover 8. A wedge rod 10 is slidably connected to the middle of each installation block 9 by a tension spring. A locking groove 11 is opened on the inner side of the rear end of each through slot 7. The rear end of the wedge rod 10 passes through the locking groove 11 and is slidably connected to it. An unlocking mechanism is provided at the top rear end of the piston plate 5. The unlocking mechanism is used to drive the wedge rod 10 to move forward when the piston plate 5 moves upward and passes the position connecting the leak detection chambers 3.

[0039] During operation, several sodium batteries are placed one by one on the top of the piston plate 5, and then the sealing cover 2 is closed. During the closing process, the sealing cover 2 drives several opening and closing covers 8 to move synchronously to the upper side of the leak detection chamber 3. Then the leak detection box 1 is activated to reduce the pressure in the leak detection chamber 3. Since the leak detection chambers 3 are all connected, the leak detection chambers 3 are depressurized synchronously. When the sensor or the operator observes that a sodium battery in one of the leak detection chambers 3 is leaking, the corresponding electric push rod 4 is activated, which drives the corresponding piston plate 5 to move upward. The upward movement of the piston plate 5 drives the leaking sodium battery to move upward. When the piston plate 5 passes the position where the leak detection chambers 3 are connected, the remaining leak detection chambers 3 and the area at the bottom of the piston plate 5 form a sealed space again, so that the subsequent opening and closing covers 8 will not affect the overall pressure reduction of the leak detection box 1.

[0040] The piston plate 5 continues to move upward, pushing the wedge rod 10 forward through the unlocking mechanism until the wedge rod 10 is completely removed from the inside of the locking groove 11. At this time, the opening and closing cover 8 is unlocked and flipped upward under the action of the torsion spring. The front end of the opening and closing cover 8 flips upward, making the through groove 7 open, which facilitates the subsequent removal of the leaked sodium battery from the leak detection chamber 3. By setting the opening and closing mechanism, when it is necessary to remove the sodium battery in one of the leak detection chambers 3, it will not affect the voltage reduction operation in the other leak detection chambers 3, thus not affecting the leak detection operation of the other sodium batteries.

[0041] Piston plate 5 continues to move upward until it reaches the bottom of sealing cover plate 2. At this time, the discharge mechanism drives the leaking sodium battery at the top of piston plate 5 to be thrown forward, so that the sodium battery is thrown into waste bin 6, thereby removing the leaking sodium battery. This device discharges the sodium battery from the leak detection box 1 as soon as it leaks, avoiding excessive leakage of material inside the sodium battery into the leak detection box 1, so that the leaked material will not interfere with the sensor's detection of other sodium batteries. By reducing the amount of sodium battery leakage in the leak detection box 1, only a small amount of material remains in the leak detection box 1 during each leak test. The leak detection box 1 can be used multiple times without cleaning, reducing the number of cleaning times, improving the efficiency of leak testing, saving labor, and bringing convenience to the use of the leak detection box 1. This solves the problem that existing devices for non-destructive leak detection of sodium batteries cannot remove the leaking sodium battery in time during the voltage reduction process.

[0042] When a set of sodium batteries has completed leak testing, the leak testing box 1 restores the leak testing chamber 3 to normal atmospheric pressure. Then, the staff pushes the sealing cover 2 to open. The rotation of the sealing cover 2 causes the open cover 8, which is in the open state, to rotate synchronously until the open cover 8 is blocked by the top of the rear end of the leak testing box 1. Continue to push the sealing cover 2. During the flipping process, the inclined surface of the wedge rod 10 is squeezed by the inner wall of the through groove 7 and makes room until the sealing cover 2 is in contact with the top of the rear end of the leak testing box 1. At this time, the wedge rod 10 is inserted into the locking groove 11 again under the action of elasticity, thus preparing for the next use. At the same time, the unified reset of the open cover 8 is realized, which brings convenience to the use of the open cover 8.

[0043] Please see Figure 9 , Figure 10 As a further embodiment of the present invention, the unlocking mechanism includes a tapered rod 12 that is slidably connected to the rear end top of the piston plate 5 by a tension spring. The rear end of the tapered rod 12 is tightly fitted to the rear end inner wall of the leak detection chamber 3. The rear end inner wall of the leak detection chamber 3 is provided with a sliding groove 13. A sliding rod 14 is slidably connected to the inner side of the sliding groove 13. The top end of the sliding rod 14 corresponds to the rear end of the wedge rod 10.

[0044] During operation, the piston plate 5 moves upward, causing the conical rod 12 to move upward. When the piston plate 5 passes the position connecting several leak detection chambers 3, the rear end of the conical rod 12 aligns with the slide groove 13. At this time, the conical rod 12 moves backward under the push of the tension spring and inserts into the slide groove 13. The piston plate 5 drives the conical rod 12 to continue moving upward, pushing the slide rod 14 to move upward synchronously. The slide rod 14 moves upward and presses the inclined surface of the wedge rod 10. The wedge rod 10 is pressed and moves forward. When the wedge rod 10 can no longer move forward, the slide rod 14 can no longer move upward. At this time, the inclined surface of the rear end of the conical rod 12 is pressed forward by the bottom end of the slide rod 14 to make way, so as not to affect the subsequent upward movement of the piston plate 5. This achieves the unlocking of the opening and closing cover 8 when the piston plate 5 passes the position connecting several leak detection chambers 3.

[0045] Please see Figure 9 As a further embodiment of the present invention, a pressure relief groove 15 is provided in the middle of the rear end of the opening and closing cover 8. A support plate 16 is fixedly installed on the inner side of the pressure relief groove 15. A pressure relief rod 17 is slidably connected in the middle of the support plate 16. A valve body 18 is fixedly installed at the top of the pressure relief rod 17. The bottom end of the valve body 18 is connected to the support plate 16 through a tension spring. A wedge block 19 is fixedly installed at the front end of the wedge rod 10. The bottom end of the pressure relief rod 17 is in contact with the inclined surface of the wedge block 19.

[0046] During operation, the forward movement of the wedge rod 10 drives the wedge block 19 to move forward. The forward movement of the wedge block 19 presses the bottom end of the pressure relief rod 17. The pressure relief rod 17 is pressed and pushes the valve body 18 to move upward, so that the valve body 18 moves out from the top opening of the pressure relief groove 15. At this time, the space on the upper side of the piston plate 5 is connected to the outside through the pressure relief groove 15, thereby realizing the pressure relief of the space on the upper side of the piston plate 5, so that the opening and closing cover 8 can be opened under the action of the torsion spring, which brings convenience to the use of the opening and closing cover 8.

[0047] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 8 , Figure 11 As a further embodiment of the present invention, the discharge mechanism includes a discharge plate 20 provided at the top of the piston plate 5, a flip plate 21 fixedly installed at the front end of the discharge plate 20, the bottom of the front end of the flip plate 21 being hinged to the top of the piston plate 5, a first baffle 22 fixedly installed at the front end of the flip plate 21, and a second baffle 23 fixedly installed on the inner side of the front end of the through groove 7.

[0048] During operation, the piston plate 5 moves upward, causing the leaking sodium battery to move upward synchronously via the discharge plate 20. As the discharge plate 20 moves upward, the first baffle 22 is blocked by the second baffle 23, causing the first baffle 22 to push the discharge plate 20 forward via the flip plate 21. The discharge plate 20 flips forward and throws the leaking sodium battery at its top forward. At this time, the sodium battery passes through the through groove 7 and falls into the waste bin 6, thus removing the leaking sodium battery from the leak detection box 1. The process does not require manual operation by staff, saving labor and making it more convenient to remove the leaking sodium battery.

[0049] Please see Figures 3-5 As a further embodiment of the present invention, an electric lifting frame 24 is installed at the rear end of the leak detection box 1, and a feeding platform 25 is installed at the top of the electric lifting frame 24. The feeding platform 25 has a plurality of material troughs 26 corresponding one-to-one with the leak detection chambers 3 in the middle. The bottom left and right sides of the material trough 26 are respectively rotatably connected to a first unloading plate 27 and a second unloading plate 28. The first unloading plate 27 and the second unloading plate 28 are both shielded by the unloading mechanism. The unloading mechanism is used to drive the first unloading plate 27 and the second unloading plate 28 to slowly flip downward when the feeding platform 25 gradually approaches the top of the leak detection box 1.

[0050] During operation, several sodium batteries are pre-placed in several material tanks 26. At this time, the first unloading plate 27 and the second unloading plate 28 support the sodium batteries. When the previous group of sodium batteries has been leak-tested and removed, the electric lifting frame 24 starts, driving the loading platform 25 downwards. The downward movement of the loading platform 25 causes several sodium batteries to move downwards. When the loading platform 25 approaches the top of the leak detection box 1, the unloading mechanism drives the first unloading plate 27 and the second unloading plate 28 to flip downwards during the downward movement of the loading platform 25. At this time, the first unloading plate 27 and the second unloading plate 28 flip downwards at the same angle. The sodium batteries slowly slide along the inclined surfaces of the first unloading plate 27 and the second unloading plate 28 towards their ends. Simultaneously, the loading platform... Platform 25 slowly inserts the bottom ends of the first unloading plate 27 and the second unloading plate 28 into the leak detection chamber 3 until the loading platform 25 can no longer move downwards. At this point, the bottom ends of the first unloading plate 27 and the second unloading plate 28 contact the discharge plate 20, and the two no longer support the sodium battery, so that the sodium battery is placed on the top of the discharge plate 20. This achieves unified loading of sodium batteries, so that the staff does not have to manually put the next set of sodium batteries into the leak detection chamber 3 one by one after the previous set of leak detection is completed, further improving the efficiency of the leak detection operation. Since the downward flipping angle of the first unloading plate 27 and the second unloading plate 28 increases simultaneously, the sodium battery can be placed in the middle position of the top of the discharge plate 20, which facilitates the subsequent detection by the sensor.

[0051] Please see Figure 5 , Figure 6As a further embodiment of the present invention, the unloading mechanism includes gears 29 fixedly installed at the rear end shafts of the first unloading plate 27 and the second unloading plate 28, with adjacent gears 29 meshing with each other. The rear left side of the loading platform 25 is slidably connected to an unloading rack 30 via a tension spring, and the unloading rack 30 meshes with the gear 29 at the left end. A stop bar 31 is fixedly installed at the top left end of the leak detection box 1, with the top end of the stop bar 31 corresponding to the bottom end of the unloading rack 30. A synchronization mechanism is provided at the front ends of the first unloading plate 27 and the second unloading plate 28, which is used to make several first unloading plates 27 rotate synchronously and several second unloading plates 28 rotate synchronously.

[0052] During operation, the loading platform 25 moves downward, causing the unloading rack 30 to move downward. When the loading platform 25 approaches the top of the leak detection box 1, the stop bar 31 blocks the unloading rack 30. The loading platform 25 continues to move downward, causing the unloading rack 30 to move upward relative to the gear 29, and driving the left gear 29 to rotate. The rotation of the left gear 29 drives the left first unloading plate 27 to rotate. At the same time, the synchronization mechanism drives several first unloading plates 27 to rotate synchronously. The rotation of the first unloading plate 27, under the action of the gear 29, drives the adjacent second unloading plate 28 to rotate in the opposite direction, thus realizing the rotation of the first unloading plate 27 and the second unloading plate 28 when the loading platform 25 approaches the top of the leak detection box 1.

[0053] Please see Figure 4 As a further embodiment of the present invention, the synchronization mechanism includes a first synchronization rod 32 fixedly mounted at the pivot of the front end of the first unloading plate 27, and several first synchronization rods 32 are connected to each other through a first transmission belt 33. Two second synchronization rods 34 are fixedly mounted at the pivot of the front end of the two second unloading plates 28 on the right end, and several second synchronization rods 34 are connected to each other through a second transmission belt 35.

[0054] During operation, the first unloading plate 27 on the left rotates, which drives several first synchronizing rods 32 to rotate synchronously via the first synchronizing rod 32 and the first transmission belt 33. The synchronous rotation of the first synchronizing rods 32 drives several first unloading plates 27 to rotate synchronously. At the same time, the second unloading plate 28 adjacent to the first unloading plate 27 rotates. The rotation of the second unloading plate 28 from right to left drives the second unloading plate 28 on the right to rotate synchronously via the second synchronizing rod 34 and the second transmission belt 35, thereby realizing the synchronous rotation of several second unloading plates 28.

[0055] Please see Figures 4-6 As a further embodiment of the present invention, a toothed ring 36 is rotatably connected to the left end of the sealing cover plate 2 via a one-way bearing, and a drive rack 37 is fixedly installed on the rear left side of the loading platform 25, with the drive rack 37 corresponding to the rear end of the toothed ring 36.

[0056] During operation, the feeding platform 25 moves downward, causing the drive rack 37 to move downward. As the drive rack 37 moves downward, it drives the gear ring 36 to rotate. At this time, the gear ring 36 does not drive the sealing cover 2 to rotate under the action of the one-way bearing. When the next set of sodium batteries is fed and the feeding platform 25 moves upward, the drive rack 37 moves upward, causing the gear ring 36 to rotate in the opposite direction. The rotation of the gear ring 36 in the opposite direction drives the sealing cover 2 to flip forward through the one-way bearing, thereby realizing the automatic closing of the sealing cover 2 when the sodium battery feeding is completed. This brings convenience to the use of the sealing cover 2 and further saves the workload of the staff.

[0057] A method for non-destructive leak detection of sodium batteries includes the following steps:

[0058] Step 1: Place several sodium batteries in multiple material tanks 26. When feeding is required, the feeding platform 25 moves downward to place several sodium batteries in multiple leak detection chambers 3.

[0059] Step 2: When the sodium battery is placed, the sealing cover 2 is closed, and the leak detection box 1 is run to reduce the pressure in the leak detection chamber 3;

[0060] Step 3: When the sensor or staff observes that one of the sodium batteries is leaking, the opening and closing mechanism will open the channel 7 corresponding to the leaking sodium battery;

[0061] Step 4: The discharge mechanism drives the leaking sodium battery through the channel 7 and discharges it into the waste bin 6, while the remaining sodium batteries continue to undergo leak detection testing.

Claims

1. A device for non-destructive leak detection of sodium batteries, comprising a leak detection box (1), characterized in that: The top of the leak detection box (1) is rotatably connected to a sealing cover plate (2). The inside of the leak detection box (1) is provided with several leak detection chambers (3), which are interconnected. The bottom of the leak detection box (1) is fixedly installed with several electric push rods (4) corresponding to the leak detection chambers (3). The top of each electric push rod (4) is fixedly installed with a piston plate (5). The piston plate (5) is located inside the leak detection chamber (3) and is tightly fitted to its interior. The middle of the sealing cover plate (2) is provided with an opening and closing mechanism. The opening and closing mechanism is used to open the sealing cover plate (2) at the corresponding position when the piston plate (5) moves to the bottom of the sealing cover plate (2). The top of the piston plate (5) is provided with a discharge mechanism. The discharge mechanism is used to discharge the sodium battery at the top of the piston plate (5) from the top of the leak detection chamber (3) when the piston plate (5) moves to the bottom of the sealing cover plate (2). The front end of the leak detection box (1) is provided with a waste box (6). The opening and closing mechanism includes several through slots (7) in the middle of the sealing cover plate (2) that correspond one-to-one with the leak detection chambers (3). The inner side of each through slot (7) is rotatably connected to an opening and closing cover (8) by a torsion spring. The bottom of the rear end of each opening and closing cover (8) is fixedly installed with an installation block (9). The middle of each installation block (9) is slidably connected to a wedge rod (10) by a tension spring. The inner side of the rear end of each through slot (7) is provided with a locking groove (11). The rear end of the wedge rod (10) passes through the locking groove (11) and is slidably connected to it. The top of the rear end of the piston plate (5) is provided with an unlocking mechanism. The unlocking mechanism is used to drive the wedge rod (10) to move forward when the piston plate (5) moves upward and passes the position where the leak detection chambers (3) are connected.

2. The device for non-destructive leak detection of sodium batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that: The unlocking mechanism includes a tapered rod (12) that is slidably connected to the rear end of the piston plate (5) by a tension spring. The rear end of the tapered rod (12) is tightly fitted to the inner wall of the rear end of the leak detection chamber (3). The inner wall of the rear end of the leak detection chamber (3) is provided with a sliding groove (13). A sliding rod (14) is slidably connected to the inner side of the sliding groove (13). The top end of the sliding rod (14) corresponds to the rear end of the wedge rod (10).

3. The device for non-destructive leak detection of sodium batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the opening and closing covers (8) has a pressure relief groove (15) in the middle of its rear end. Each of the pressure relief grooves (15) has a support plate (16) fixedly installed on its inner side. Each of the support plates (16) has a pressure relief rod (17) slidably connected to its middle part. Each of the pressure relief rods (17) has a valve body (18) fixedly installed at its top end. The bottom end of the valve body (18) is connected to the support plate (16) by a tension spring. Each of the wedge rods (10) has a wedge block (19) fixedly installed at its front end. The bottom end of the pressure relief rod (17) is in contact with the inclined surface of the wedge block (19).

4. The device for non-destructive leak detection of sodium batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that: The discharge mechanism includes a discharge plate (20) provided at the top of the piston plate (5), a flip plate (21) fixedly installed at the front end of the discharge plate (20), the bottom of the front end of the flip plate (21) is hinged to the top of the piston plate (5), a first baffle (22) is fixedly installed at the front end of the flip plate (21), and a second baffle (23) is fixedly installed on the inner side of the front end of the through groove (7).

5. The device for non-destructive leak detection of sodium batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that: An electric lifting frame (24) is installed at the rear end of the leak detection box (1). A feeding platform (25) is installed at the top of the electric lifting frame (24). Several material troughs (26) corresponding to the leak detection chambers (3) are opened in the middle of the feeding platform (25). A first unloading plate (27) and a second unloading plate (28) are rotatably connected to the left and right sides of the bottom end of the material trough (26). The first unloading plate (27) and the second unloading plate (28) both cover the bottom end of the material trough (26) through the unloading mechanism. The unloading mechanism is used to drive the first unloading plate (27) and the second unloading plate (28) to slowly flip downward when the feeding platform (25) gradually approaches the top of the leak detection box (1).

6. The device for non-destructive leak detection of sodium batteries according to claim 5, characterized in that: The unloading mechanism includes gears (29) fixedly installed at the rear shafts of the first unloading plate (27) and the second unloading plate (28). The adjacent gears (29) mesh with each other. The unloading rack (30) is slidably connected to the rear left side of the loading platform (25) by a tension spring. The unloading rack (30) meshes with the gear (29) at the left end. A stop bar (31) is fixedly installed at the top left end of the leak detection box (1). The top end of the stop bar (31) corresponds to the bottom end of the unloading rack (30). A synchronization mechanism is provided at the front end of the first unloading plate (27) and the second unloading plate (28). The synchronization mechanism is used to make several first unloading plates (27) rotate synchronously and make several second unloading plates (28) rotate synchronously.

7. The device for non-destructive leak detection of sodium batteries according to claim 6, characterized in that: The synchronization mechanism includes a first synchronization rod (32) fixedly installed at the pivot of the front end of the first unloading plate (27), and several first synchronization rods (32) are connected to each other by a first transmission belt (33). A second synchronization rod (34) is fixedly installed at the pivot of the front end of the two second unloading plates (28) on the right end, and several second synchronization rods (34) are connected to each other by a second transmission belt (35).

8. The device for non-destructive leak detection of sodium batteries according to claim 6, characterized in that: A toothed ring (36) is rotatably connected to the left end of the sealing cover plate (2) via a one-way bearing. A drive rack (37) is fixedly installed on the rear left side of the loading platform (25). The drive rack (37) corresponds to the rear end of the toothed ring (36).

9. A method for non-destructive leak detection of sodium batteries, applicable to the apparatus for non-destructive leak detection of sodium batteries as described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that: The specific steps of this method are as follows: Step 1: Place several sodium batteries in multiple material tanks (26). When feeding is required, the feeding platform (25) moves downward to place several sodium batteries in multiple leak detection chambers (3). Step 2: When the sodium battery is placed, the sealing cover (2) is closed, and the leak detection box (1) is run to depressurize the leak detection chamber (3); Step 3: When the sensor or staff observes that one of the sodium batteries is leaking, the opening and closing mechanism will open the channel (7) corresponding to the leaking sodium battery; Step 4: The discharge mechanism drives the leaking sodium battery through the channel (7) and discharges it into the waste bin (6), while the remaining sodium batteries continue to undergo leak detection testing.

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