Angled Rib Frame Insert for Zinc-Halide Battery Stratification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Zinc-halide batteries experience performance loss due to stratification, where the dissolved salt in the electrolyte becomes non-uniform as a function of cell height, leading to separation into less and more dense layers, particularly severe in taller, narrower formats, which reduces battery capacity and performance.
Innovation Solution
A frame insert with angled ribs and voids is introduced to divide the electrolyte chamber into smaller, angled chambers, altering convection pathways and preventing stratification by allowing gas to escape, thereby maintaining uniform salt distribution and improving electrolyte mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the electrolyte chamber is made tall and narrow to increase battery capacity, then the battery capacity is improved, but stratification becomes more severe due to non-uniform salt distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The frame insert divides the single large electrolyte chamber into multiple smaller sub-chambers. This segmentation prevents the formation of large-scale density gradients that cause stratification in tall, narrow cells, while still maintaining the overall increased capacity through the use of multiple plates and chambers.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame insert introduces a horizontal dimension to convection pathways by creating angled ribs that extend laterally. This transforms the convection pattern from purely vertical to include horizontal components, enhancing mixing in the lateral direction and preventing stratification in taller cell formats.
2Quantity of substance
If the electrolyte chamber height is increased to improve capacity, then the battery capacity is improved, but convection pathways are insufficient for effective mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The angled ribs extend laterally from the central member toward the outer frame, creating convection pathways that operate in both vertical and horizontal dimensions. This multi-dimensional convection enhances mixing efficiency in taller cells where single-direction convection would be insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the chamber into smaller sub-chambers with the frame insert, the convection pathways are segmented into multiple shorter paths. This increases the surface area for convection and improves mixing efficiency throughout the electrolyte volume.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a frame insert with ribs is added to prevent stratification, then electrolyte uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame insert serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the electrodes, divides the electrolyte chamber into sub-chambers to prevent stratification, and creates convection pathways for enhanced mixing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame insert combines the structural support function with the stratification prevention function by integrating the rib structure into the existing battery frame. This merging of functions adds minimal complexity while achieving multiple objectives.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the ribs are oriented horizontally to divide chambers, then stratification is reduced, but gas escape pathways are blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The ribs are angled rather than purely horizontal, creating local variations in chamber geometry that facilitate both stratification prevention and gas escape. The angled orientation creates upward pathways that allow gas to rise and escape while still maintaining the chamber division for convection enhancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The angled ribs act as intermediaries that mediate between the conflicting requirements of chamber division and gas escape. By orienting the ribs at an angle, they create pathways that satisfy both functions: dividing the chamber for convection while allowing gas to travel along the angled surface and escape through designated voids.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The frame insert significantly enhances the performance of zinc-halide batteries by reducing stratification, improving discharge capacity and average cell discharge voltage over multiple cycles, especially at higher rates and capacities.
Implementation Method 1
By dividing an open primary electrolyte chamber into a plurality of chambers with smaller height, the frame insert changes convection pathways within the cell, improving resistance to stratification
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of voids are defined in the plurality of ribs that allow gas to travel between the plurality of chambers
Implementation Method 3
the inventor has surprisingly discovered that by implementing a frame insert according to the present invention, performance of zinc-halide batteries can be significantly improved
Data Source
AI summary
A chambered frame insert (2) for an electrolyte chamber of a battery (200) includes a plurality of ribs (4) laterally and defining a plurality of chambers (6), and a plurality of voids (8) each formed in a corresponding rib and configured to allow gas to travel between the plurality of chambers. The plurality of ribs are angled with respect to a horizontal lateral axis (H) of the frame insert.