Redox Flow Battery Multi-Terminal Switching Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional redox flow batteries with only opposite conductive terminals suffer from decreased charging and discharging efficiency due to decreasing energy density over time, limiting their ability to vary charge and discharge voltages effectively.
Innovation Solution
A redox flow battery design featuring a stack of cells with three or more conductive collector plates and a switching circuit that allows for series, parallel, or series-and-parallel combined connections, enabling independent control of charging and discharging circuits through a controller to adjust the electrical connections between cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional redox flow batteries use only opposite conductive terminals, then the structure is simple, but charging and discharging efficiency decrease due to decreasing energy density over time
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is divided into multiple cells (first cell, second cell, third cell) with independent conductive terminals. Each cell can be electrically connected or disconnected independently through switching elements, allowing selective charging and discharging of specific cells to maintain optimal energy density and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connection configuration between cells is made dynamic through switching elements that can change the circuit topology. The system can switch between series connection (for higher voltage), parallel connection (for higher current), or disconnected states based on operational requirements, enabling adaptive control of charging and discharging efficiency.
2Productivity
If multiple conductive terminals and switching circuits are added to vary charge and discharge voltages, then charging efficiency and energy management improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching elements serve multiple functions: they can connect cells in series for voltage regulation, connect cells in parallel for current regulation, disconnect cells for rest or protection, and enable independent charging/discharging of specific cells. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms for each operation mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes electrical parameters (voltage, current, connection topology) by reconfiguring the circuit through switching elements. By changing the connection configuration between cells, the system can adjust charge voltage and discharge voltage to optimize charging efficiency and adapt to different operational conditions without adding complex external regulation equipment.
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
This design enhances charging efficiency, allows simultaneous charging and discharging, and enables independent control of charge and discharge voltages, improving overall energy management and user-settable output levels.
Implementation Method 1
ion exchange occurs through a membrane while a positive-pole electrolyte and a negative-pole electrolyte are circulating on both sides of the membrane. Ion exchange drives electrons to migrate, whereby charging and discharging are provided.
Implementation Method 2
chemical energy is converted into electrical energy in response to the electrolyte solutions flowing through an electrochemical reactor
Implementation Method 3
The redox flow battery is a type of secondary battery able to circulate reactants therein to increase the capacity of the battery
Data Source
AI summary
A redox flow battery. The redox flow battery has a plurality of cells stacked on each other and three or more conductive terminals. The redox flow battery is able to vary a charge voltage and a discharge voltage by switching control.