A variable-volume research battery clamp with air pressure monitoring function and an air battery

Abstract

This invention proposes a variable-volume research battery clamp and air battery with gas pressure monitoring function, belonging to the field of battery technology. It solves the problem that existing small-scale test battery clamps used in laboratories cannot provide data related to gas research. It includes a negative electrode current collector base, an annular insulator sealing device, a nut, a cylindrical positive electrode current collector, and a gas pressure transmitter. A cylinder is fixed to the top surface of the negative electrode current collector base, and an insulating film is provided on the inner wall. The annular insulator sealing device is sleeved around the cylindrical positive electrode current collector. The top surface of the nut has an annular boss, the bottom surface of which fits against the annular insulator sealing device. The lower end of the cylindrical positive electrode current collector passes through the nut and the annular insulator sealing device sequentially and is placed inside the cylinder. Multiple pipes are fixed to the top surface of the cylindrical positive electrode current collector, and the gas pressure transmitter is connected to one of these pipes. It is mainly used for experimental research on air batteries.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of battery technology, and in particular relates to a variable volume research battery clamp with air pressure monitoring function and an air battery. Background Technology

[0002] Existing metal-air batteries or lithium-air batteries can be mainly divided into two categories based on their application scenarios. One category consists of large-size batteries designed for industrial and commercial use; the other category consists of small-size batteries for laboratory research and development, most of which are composed of multiple components and can be disassembled and reused in stainless steel battery holders.

[0003] The small-scale test battery fixtures used in laboratories are mostly of a resealable structure. Their structural features include: a cavity to accommodate the electrode material, separator, and electrolyte; a top cover sealed with threads or bolts; and the top cover connected to an oxygen inlet and outlet pipe with valves. This structure can only obtain battery charge / discharge data, as well as data such as voltage, current, and discharge capacity. However, it cannot provide data related to gas research, which is one of the most important components of gas batteries. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, and to address the problem that existing small-scale test battery clamps used in laboratories cannot provide data related to gas research, this invention proposes a variable-volume research battery clamp and air battery with gas pressure monitoring function. The entire structure utilizes a Swagelok battery structure (a battery structure primarily composed of screws, nuts, various pipes, and plugs is called a Swagelok battery structure), and incorporates a gas pressure transmitter specifically designed for oxygen atmospheres, connected to the battery interior via a pipe to monitor changes in internal gas pressure in real time and acquire relevant data for gas research. This invention also includes stainless steel metal rings within the cavity housing the electrode material; by changing the size and number of these rings, the amount of oxygen added to the battery can be controlled.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a variable volume research battery clamp with air pressure monitoring function, comprising a negative electrode current collector base, an annular insulator sealing device, a nut, a cylindrical positive electrode current collector, and a gas pressure transmitter;

[0006] A cylinder is fixed to the top surface of the negative electrode current collector base. The outer wall of the cylinder is provided with threads that cooperate with a nut, and the inner wall is provided with an insulating film.

[0007] The annular insulator sealing device is located at the top of the cylinder, with its outer edge fitting against the inner wall of the cylinder. The annular insulator sealing device is sleeved around the cylindrical positive current collector.

[0008] The nut has an annular boss on its top surface. The inner diameter of the annular boss is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical positive current collector and smaller than the outer diameter of the annular insulator sealing device. The bottom surface of the annular boss fits into the annular insulator sealing device.

[0009] The lower end of the cylindrical positive current collector passes through a nut and an annular insulator sealing device in sequence and is placed inside the cylinder. Multiple fluid channels are axially arranged inside the cylindrical positive current collector, and multiple pipes are fixed on the top surface. The pipes are connected to the fluid channels one by one.

[0010] The gas pressure transmitter is connected to one of the pipelines.

[0011] Furthermore, the gas pressure transmitter is an oxygen pressure transmitter.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes a stainless steel ring that can be placed inside the cylinder, wherein the outer diameter of the stainless steel ring is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylinder and larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical positive current collector, and the inner diameter of the stainless steel ring is smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical positive current collector.

[0013] Furthermore, the annular insulator sealing device has a double-clamp structure, comprising an upper clamp and a lower clamp stacked on top of each other.

[0014] Furthermore, all the pipes are made of stainless steel.

[0015] Furthermore, there are four pipes, namely pipe one, pipe two, pipe three and pipe four. The top end of pipe one is connected to a gas pressure transmitter, the top end of pipe two is fitted with a plug, and pipe three and pipe four are respectively connected to an external gas charging and discharging device.

[0016] Furthermore, valves are installed on pipes two, three, and four.

[0017] Furthermore, both the negative electrode current collector base and the cylindrical positive electrode current collector are provided with banana-shaped plug holes.

[0018] An air battery includes a variable volume research battery clamp with air pressure monitoring function, and an anode material layer, a separator layer and a cathode material layer stacked from bottom to top inside a cylinder.

[0019] Furthermore, it also includes a stainless steel mesh stacked on top of the cathode material layer. The stainless steel mesh can reduce pressure, increase the contact area between the current collector and the electrode material, and its porous structure ensures gas flow.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the variable volume research battery clamp and air battery with air pressure monitoring function described in this utility model are:

[0021] 1. This utility model introduces a gas pressure transmitter specifically designed for oxygen atmospheres, which is connected to the inside of the battery through a pipeline to detect changes in gas pressure inside the battery in real time and obtain relevant data that can be used to calculate oxygen conversion rate, study electrolyte decomposition, and obtain accurate information such as the internal volume of the battery, thus assisting in experimental research on air battery technology.

[0022] 2. This utility model is also equipped with a stainless steel ring, which can be placed in the cavity containing the electrode material. By changing the size and number of the metal ring, the volume of the cavity can be changed, thereby controlling the total amount of oxygen in the battery, for experimental research under different conditions.

[0023] 3. This utility model includes a section of pipe with a plug and a valve. The pipe is used to create a vacuum environment of known volume. After the experiment is completed, the valve in the pipe is opened, and the gas volume in the battery cavity can be accurately calculated using the change in gas pressure in the battery cavity and the known vacuum volume.

[0024] 4. This utility model uses a Swagelok battery structure, which is easy to disassemble and assemble; the parts are simple, readily available, and easy to replace. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this utility model, are used to provide a further understanding of the utility model. The illustrative embodiments of the utility model and their descriptions are used to explain the utility model and do not constitute an undue limitation of the utility model. In the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of a variable volume battery clamp with air pressure monitoring function according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of a variable volume battery clamp with air pressure monitoring function according to the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 This utility model Figure 2 A sectional view;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a front view of a variable volume battery clamp with air pressure monitoring function according to the present invention.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a left view of a variable volume battery clamp with air pressure monitoring function according to the present invention.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of a metal-air battery according to the present invention.

[0032] Figure 7 This utility model Figure 6A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle;

[0033] In the diagram: 1-Negative electrode current collector base; 3-Nut; 4-Cylindrical positive electrode current collector; 5-Gas pressure transmitter; 6-Stainless steel ring;

[0034] 11-Cylinder; 12-Insulating film; 21-Upper ferrule; 22-Lower ferrule; 41-Pipe;

[0035] 411 - Pipeline 1; 412 - Pipeline 2; 413 - Pipeline 3; 414 - Pipeline 4;

[0036] 7-Anode material layer; 8-Diaphragm layer; 9-Cathode material layer; 10-Stainless steel mesh. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present utility model can be combined with each other, and the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, not all embodiments.

[0038] I. Detailed Implementation Method 1, see [link / reference] Figure 1-5 This embodiment describes a variable-volume research battery clamp with air pressure monitoring function, which includes a negative electrode current collector base 1, an annular insulator sealing device, a nut 3, a cylindrical positive electrode current collector 4, and a gas pressure transmitter 5.

[0039] A cylinder 11 is fixed on the top surface of the negative electrode current collector base 1. The outer wall of the cylinder 11 is provided with threads to cooperate with the nut 3, and the inner wall is provided with an insulating film 12. The negative electrode current collector base 1 is made of a metal conductor such as stainless steel. The insulating film 12 can be made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0040] The annular insulator sealing device is located at the top of the cylinder 11, with its outer edge fitting against the inner wall of the cylinder 11. The annular insulator sealing device is sleeved around the cylindrical positive current collector 4.

[0041] The top surface of the nut 3 is provided with an annular boss. The inner diameter of the annular boss is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical positive current collector 4, so that the cylindrical positive current collector 4 does not contact the nut to prevent short circuit of the battery. The inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the annular insulator sealing device. The bottom surface of the annular boss is in contact with the annular insulator sealing device.

[0042] The lower end of the cylindrical positive current collector 4 passes through the nut 3 and the annular insulator sealing device in sequence and is placed inside the cylinder 11. Multiple fluid channels are axially arranged inside the cylindrical positive current collector 4, and multiple pipes 41 are fixed on the top surface. The pipes 41 are connected to the fluid channels one by one. The pipes 41 can realize the function of changing diameter through the adapter and connect to external pipes or equipment of different sizes. The cylindrical positive current collector 4 can be a cylinder made of stainless steel, graphite, copper, gold or platinum.

[0043] The gas pressure transmitter 5 is connected to one of the pipes 41. The gas pressure transmitter 5 is fixed at the top of either pipe and is connected to the battery cavity through the pipe after the battery clamp is assembled, so as to monitor the gas condition in the battery cavity in real time.

[0044] The gas pressure transmitter 5 is an oxygen pressure transmitter.

[0045] It also includes a stainless steel ring 6 that can be placed inside the cylinder 11. The outer diameter of the stainless steel ring 6 is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylinder 11 but larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical positive electrode current collector 4, and the inner diameter of the stainless steel ring 6 is smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical positive electrode current collector 4. This ensures that the cylindrical positive electrode current collector 4 can be supported, and an oxygen space is formed by the stainless steel ring 6, the bottom surface of the cylindrical positive electrode current collector 4 it supports, and the top surface of the electrode material. By changing the size and number of the stainless steel rings 6, such as stacking multiple stainless steel rings 6, the volume of the oxygen space can be quickly adjusted for experimental research under different conditions.

[0046] The annular insulator sealing device has a double-clamp structure, comprising an upper clamp 21 and a lower clamp 22 stacked on top of each other. As the nut 3 is rotated and tightened, the annular boss on the top surface of the nut 3 gradually presses against the upper clamp 21, causing it to move and descend, thereby contacting the lower clamp 22. The outer edge of the lower clamp 22 gradually comes into close contact with the outer wall of the cylinder 11 to achieve a seal. The upper clamp 21 and the lower clamp 22 can be made of polytetrafluoroethylene. The upper clamp 21 and the lower clamp 22 also serve to support and fix the cylindrical positive current collector 4.

[0047] All pipes 41 are made of stainless steel.

[0048] There are four pipes 41, namely pipe one 411, pipe two 412, pipe three 413, and pipe four 414. The top end of pipe one 411 is connected to the gas pressure transmitter 5. The top end of pipe two 412 is fitted with a plug. Pipe three 413 and pipe four 414 are respectively connected to external gas charging and discharging devices. Pipe one 411 is used to connect the gas pressure transmitter 5 to the battery chamber. Pipe two 412 is used to calculate the gas volume of the battery chamber. Pipe three 413 and pipe four 414 are used to provide oxygen to exhaust waste gas.

[0049] Valves are installed on pipes 412, 413, and 414.

[0050] Both the negative electrode current collector base 1 and the cylindrical positive electrode current collector 4 are equipped with banana head sockets.

[0051] See Figure 6 and Figure 7 An air battery includes a variable volume research battery fixture with air pressure monitoring function, and an anode material layer 7, a separator layer 8 and a cathode material layer 9 stacked from bottom to top inside a cylinder 11.

[0052] It also includes a stainless steel mesh 10, which is stacked on the cathode material layer 9. The stainless steel mesh can reduce pressure, increase the contact area between the current collector and the electrode material, and its porous structure ensures gas flow.

[0053] The anode material layer 7 can be a lithium iron phosphate electrode (a lithium iron phosphate electrode in which uniformly mixed lithium iron phosphate powder and high specific surface area carbon powder are bonded together using an aqueous or organic binder) or a ternary lithium electrode NCM (a lithium-ion battery cathode material whose main components are nickel, cobalt and manganese), a metallic lithium electrode or other lithium electrodes.

[0054] The cathode material layer 9 can be a current collector material with a high specific surface area and abundant internal pores and well-developed channels, such as carbon paper, carbon felt, porous carbon electrode, porous silicon carbon electrode, gold foam, copper foam, and nickel foam, which facilitates gas diffusion.

[0055] Stainless steel mesh 10 can be replaced by materials such as pure gold, platinum, pure silver, nickel, and copper.

[0056] The assembly method of this utility model is as follows: First, a polytetrafluoroethylene film of a fixed size is placed in the negative electrode current collector base 1 to wrap the vertical inner wall of the cylinder 11 from the inside to achieve the effect of insulation. Then, the anode material layer 7, the diaphragm layer 8 and the cathode material layer 9 are stacked in the bottom of the cylinder 11 from bottom to top. Then, electrolyte is added. It is optional to put in the stainless steel mesh 10 and the stainless steel ring 6. Place the upper retaining sleeve 21 and the lower retaining sleeve 22 on the top of the cylinder 11, and then fasten the nut 3 onto the cylinder 11 without rotating it. Pass the lower end of the cylindrical positive current collector 4 through the nut 3 and the upper retaining sleeve 21 and the lower retaining sleeve 22 into the cylinder 11 until the lower end of the cylindrical positive current collector 4 is in close contact with the stainless steel ring 6 or the stainless steel mesh 10 or the cathode material layer 9. Rotate the nut 3 to fix it to the cylinder 11. At the same time, as the nut 3 is rotated and tightened, the upper retaining sleeve 21 and the lower retaining sleeve 22 gradually come into close contact with the outer wall of the cylindrical positive current collector 4 and the inner wall of the cylinder 11 to achieve a seal, thus completing the assembly of the metal-air battery.

[0057] After battery assembly, gas is pumped into the system through a pipeline, and the valve is then closed. The negative electrode current collector base 1 and the cylindrical positive electrode current collector 4 are connected to the negative and positive electrode leads of the battery cycle testing device, respectively. The data cable of the gas pressure transmitter is then connected to the computer. After setting the charge and discharge parameters, the test can begin. The system automatically records the changes in gas pressure within the battery clamp as the battery discharges and charges. By combining the discharge or charge capacity data, the oxygen conversion rate can be calculated, including both the main products of the charge and discharge reactions and the oxygen consumed in the side reactions. By combining data such as the yield of discharge products, the actual oxygen conversion rate to real discharge products and the conversion rate to side reaction products can be obtained.

[0058] A method for calculating the gas volume of the battery chamber according to this invention is provided: First, assemble the battery clamp, but do not add the anode material layer 7, separator layer 8, cathode material layer 9, stainless steel mesh 10, stainless steel ring 6, and insulating film 12. After assembly, first open the valve on pipe two 412. Open the valve on one of pipes three 413 and four 414 while closing the valve on the other. Here, it is proposed to close the valve on pipe three 413 and open pipe four 414. Connect pipe four 414 to a vacuum pump, start the vacuum pump to evacuate, and after evacuation, close all valves to form a sealed vacuum environment inside the battery clamp.

[0059] Transfer the battery clamp to the glove box, open the valves of pipes 3 (413) and 4 (414), at which point the vacuum environment inside the battery clamp is connected to the external gas environment, eliminating pressure resistance and allowing disassembly. However, the pipe between the valve and plug on pipe 2 (412) remains a vacuum-sealed environment, and the gas volume of this section of the pipe is a known value designed as needed. Disassemble the battery clamp, fill it with electrode materials and other components to form a metal-air battery. Introduce oxygen into the battery cavity through pipes 3 (413) and 4 (414), then close the valves on pipes 3 (413) and 4 (414). Conduct a metal-air battery experiment and record all data. After the experiment, record the pressure inside the battery cavity using a gas pressure transmitter. Then, open the valve on pipe 2 (412) to connect its vacuum environment with the inside of the battery cavity and record the pressure inside the battery cavity. Using the pressure change and the known vacuum volume, the gas volume of the sealed battery cavity can be calculated using the ideal gas equation.

[0060] The embodiments of the present invention disclosed above are merely illustrative of the present invention. The embodiments do not exhaustively describe all details, nor do they limit the present invention to the specific implementations described. Many modifications and variations can be made based on the content of this specification. This specification selects and specifically describes these embodiments to better explain the principles and practical applications of the present invention, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and utilize the present invention.

Claims

1. A variable-volume battery clamp for research with air pressure monitoring function, characterized in that: It includes a negative current collector base (1), an annular insulator sealing device, a nut (3), a cylindrical positive current collector (4), and a gas pressure transmitter (5); The negative electrode current collector base (1) has a cylinder (11) fixed on its top surface. The outer wall of the cylinder (11) is provided with threads that cooperate with the nut (3), and the inner wall is provided with an insulating film (12). The annular insulator sealing device is located at the top of the cylinder (11), with its outer edge fitting against the inner wall of the cylinder (11). The annular insulator sealing device is sleeved around the cylindrical positive current collector (4). The top surface of the nut (3) is provided with an annular boss. The inner diameter of the annular boss is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical positive current collector (4) and smaller than the outer diameter of the annular insulator sealing device. The bottom surface of the annular boss is in contact with the annular insulator sealing device. The lower end of the cylindrical positive current collector (4) passes through the nut (3) and the annular insulator sealing device in sequence and is placed inside the cylinder (11). Multiple fluid channels are axially arranged inside the cylindrical positive current collector (4), and multiple pipes (41) are fixed on the top surface. The pipes (41) are connected to the fluid channels one by one. The gas pressure transmitter (5) is connected to one of the pipes (41).

2. The variable volume battery clamp with air pressure monitoring function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gas pressure transmitter (5) is an oxygen pressure transmitter.

3. A variable-volume research battery clamp with air pressure monitoring function according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a stainless steel ring (6) that can be placed inside the cylinder (11), wherein the outer diameter of the stainless steel ring (6) is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylinder (11) and larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical positive current collector (4), and the inner diameter of the stainless steel ring (6) is smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical positive current collector (4).

4. A variable-volume research battery clamp with air pressure monitoring function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The annular insulator sealing device has a double ferrule structure, consisting of an upper ferrule (21) and a lower ferrule (22) stacked on top of each other.

5. A variable-volume research battery clamp with air pressure monitoring function according to claim 1, characterized in that: All pipes (41) are made of stainless steel.

6. A variable-volume research battery clamp with air pressure monitoring function according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are four pipes (41), namely pipe one (411), pipe two (412), pipe three (413) and pipe four (414). The top end of pipe one (411) is connected to the gas pressure transmitter (5), the top end of pipe two (412) is fitted with a plug, and pipe three (413) and pipe four (414) are respectively connected to the external gas charging and discharging device.

7. A variable-volume research battery clamp with air pressure monitoring function according to claim 6, characterized in that: Valves are provided on pipes two (412), three (413) and four (414).

8. A variable-volume research battery clamp with air pressure monitoring function according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the negative current collector base (1) and the cylindrical positive current collector (4) are provided with banana head sockets.

9. An air battery, characterized in that, It includes a variable volume research battery clamp with air pressure monitoring function as described in any one of claims 1-8, and an anode material layer (7), a separator layer (8) and a cathode material layer (9) stacked sequentially from bottom to top inside the cylinder (11).

10. An air battery according to claim 9, characterized in that, It also includes a stainless steel mesh (10) stacked on the cathode material layer (9).

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