Flow Battery Leak Containment Groove Design

A groove is introduced as an intermediary structure between the gasket and the cell separator. This groove acts as a mediator that captures electrolyte leaks before they can cause harmful corrosion, redirecting the leaked electrolyte back to the tank through a drainage hole. The groove serves as a buffer zone that prevents direct contact between leaked electrolyte and critical battery components.

The invention converts the harmful effect of electrolyte leaks into a beneficial outcome by designing a drainage system. Instead of allowing leaked electrolyte to cause corrosion and capacity loss, the groove and drainage hole work together to redirect the leaked electrolyte back to the tank, transforming what was previously a harmful leak into a recoverable fluid that maintains battery performance.

The leak containment function is segmented into two distinct components: the groove structure for collection and the drainage hole for discharge. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall design simple. The groove handles the collection of leaks, while the drainage hole manages the redirection, dividing the complex task of leak management into manageable parts.

The drainage system operates autonomously without requiring external intervention or complex control mechanisms. The groove passively collects leaked electrolyte through its geometric design, and the drainage hole automatically redirects the fluid back to the tank based on gravity and pressure differential. This self-service mechanism reduces maintenance frequency without adding complex active components.

Each cell in the series connection is equipped with its own independent groove and drainage hole, segmenting the leak containment function at the cellular level. This ensures that leaks in one cell do not affect adjacent cells, isolating the harmful effects and preventing cumulative damage across the entire battery stack. Each cell manages its own leaks independently, maintaining overall system reliability.

The groove structure serves as a preventive cushioning mechanism that is in place before leaks occur. By having the groove and drainage system pre-installed in each cell, the design proactively prevents potential corrosion and damage before they can accumulate across multiple cells. This beforehand protection mechanism ensures that even in series connections, leaks are contained at their source rather than propagating through the stack.