Cylindrical Battery Storage Container with Diaphragm and Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery solutions for large-scale, long-duration energy storage are ineffective, complex, costly, and pose safety concerns, particularly due to thermal runaway and fires, while existing hardware solutions do not adequately address these issues.
Innovation Solution
A battery energy storage container with a cylindrical housing and end caps, featuring pressure relief valves and a diaphragm, designed to operate at non-ambient pressures, includes an over-pressure fail-safe mechanism and electrode retainers to manage thermal runaway and enhance safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If small-format battery cells are used for large-scale energy storage, then mobility and manufacturing ease are improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large-scale energy storage system into multiple small-format battery cells arranged in a modular array within a single container. Each cell operates independently but contributes to the overall storage capacity, allowing standardized manufacturing of individual cells while achieving large-scale storage through systematic arrangement and scaling of these modular units.
2Quantity of substance
If existing BESS solutions are implemented, then energy storage capacity is achieved, but safety concerns regarding thermal runaway and fires increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fire-resistant gel electrolyte as an intermediary substance that replaces traditional liquid electrolytes. This gel medium acts as a physical and chemical barrier that prevents thermal runaway propagation between cells while maintaining ionic conductivity necessary for battery operation, thereby preserving energy storage capacity while dramatically improving safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert environment within the battery container by filling it with fire-resistant gel that suppresses combustion. The gel electrolyte establishes a chemically inert atmosphere that prevents oxygen-fuel reactions and thermal runaway, allowing the battery system to maintain high energy storage capacity without the safety risks associated with traditional flammable electrolytes.
3Productivity
If non-ambient pressure operation is implemented, then energy storage efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating pressure parameter of the battery system by implementing sealed containers that maintain non-ambient pressure environments. This pressure optimization enhances ionic conductivity and electrochemical reaction efficiency within the gel electrolyte, improving overall energy storage and discharge rates while the sealed container design integrates pressure control without requiring complex active regulation systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a battery energy storage container. The energy storage container has a cylindrical housing and a pair of end caps disposed on opposite ends of the cylindrical housing. A diaphragm is positioned between each end cap selected from the pair of end caps and the corresponding end of the cylindrical housing. In one version, the energy storage container is configured to be installed below the ground surface for geological thermal management of the energy storage container. Embodiments of the present invention further disclose various types of electrode retainers. The energy storage container is configured for use in electrochemical battery cells, Li-ion batteries, intercalation batteries, metal-air batteries, flow batteries, fuel cells, reversible fuel cells, and capacitors.