Flow Battery Monitoring Cell for Load-Free Open-Circuit Voltage Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an accurate method to measure the battery capacity of flow batteries, as existing technologies lack precision in monitoring and controlling charge and discharge processes, which affects the utilization and service life of flow batteries.
Innovation Solution
A battery monitoring device is developed, comprising a positive end plate, positive and negative electrode elements, electrolyte supply and discharge channels, a separator, and a voltage measurement unit. The device includes electrode elements with signal transmission portions and insulation tubes to measure open circuit voltage accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a flow battery system operates under load conditions, then power delivery and energy storage are achieved, but voltage measurements are interfered with by load effects, reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery system into two functional parts: a monitoring battery unit for voltage measurement and a power battery unit for load operation. This segmentation allows the monitoring unit to measure open circuit voltage without load interference while the power unit handles energy storage and delivery, thereby resolving the contradiction between power delivery and measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary monitoring battery unit that acts as a mediator between the power battery unit and the measurement system. This intermediary unit provides a clean measurement interface unaffected by load conditions, enabling accurate battery capacity measurement while the main power unit continues to operate under load
2Measurement precision
If the battery monitoring device includes complete electrode elements with signal transmission portions, then open circuit voltage can be measured accurately, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode element is segmented into functional components: an electrode rod for voltage sensing and a signal transmission portion for electrical connection. This segmentation allows the electrode rod to be isolated from load interference while maintaining measurement capability, achieving accurate open circuit voltage measurement without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring battery unit uses the same basic structure as the power battery unit (electrode elements, electrolyte, separator), allowing it to serve dual purposes: power storage when connected to the system and voltage measurement when isolated. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a flow battery system, a battery monitoring device for the flow battery system, and an electrode element for the battery monitoring device and a manufacturing method thereof. The battery monitoring device includes a positive end plate, a positive electrode element, a negative end plate, a negative electrode element, electrolyte supply channels, electrolyte discharge channels, a separator, and a voltage measurement unit. The positive electrode element penetrates through the positive end plate and includes an electrode rod and a signal transmission portion that protrudes from an outer surface of the positive end plate. The negative electrode element penetrates through the negative end plate and includes an electrode rod and a signal transmission portion that is projected on an outer surface of the negative end plate. The separator is between the positive end plate and the negative end plate.