Rolling Diaphragm Battery Seal for Internal Volume Change
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage technologies face challenges in sealing internal components from the environment due to volume changes in charge-storing materials, particularly in long and ultra-long duration energy storage systems.
Innovation Solution
A battery system utilizing a rolling diaphragm seal that moves to accommodate internal volume changes, formed from an elastomer like silicone, and coupled to the outer housing by a band around a current collector, ensuring a flexible seal without moving interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a static seal interface is used to seal the battery housing, then the sealing structure is simple, but the seal fails when internal volume changes occur during charge-discharge cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the static seal interface with a rolling diaphragm seal that can dynamically adjust its position and shape. The diaphragm rolls along the inner surface of the battery housing, accommodating internal volume changes during charge-discharge cycles while maintaining continuous sealing. This dynamic mechanism ensures seal integrity throughout the operational range without requiring complex additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible diaphragm made of elastomeric material that can deform and roll to accommodate volume changes. The thin film structure of the diaphragm allows it to conform to the internal housing geometry while maintaining sealing effectiveness. The flexibility of this thin film enables it to handle the expanding and contracting internal volume without compromising seal integrity.
2Strength
If the battery housing is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then the housing strength is high, but it cannot accommodate internal volume changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the battery housing into a rigid outer housing and a flexible inner sealing system. The outer housing maintains structural integrity and strength, while the inner rolling diaphragm seal accommodates volume changes. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The rolling diaphragm seal acts as an intermediary between the rigid outer housing and the internally expanding/contracting components. It mediates the volume changes by rolling and deforming, preventing direct mechanical stress on the rigid housing while maintaining sealing. This intermediary protects the housing structure from damage during operational cycles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a rolling diaphragm seal is implemented to accommodate volume changes, then the battery can handle internal expansion and contraction, but the seal structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rolling diaphragm seal is designed to automatically respond to internal volume changes without external control. As the internal volume expands or contracts during charge-discharge cycles, the diaphragm self-adjusts by rolling along the housing inner surface, maintaining sealing through its own geometric transformation. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex control systems or additional actuating components.
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm utilizes changes in its geometric parameters (position, curvature, contact area) to accommodate volume changes. By allowing the diaphragm to roll and deform, its shape and position parameters dynamically adjust to match the internal volume variations, providing adaptability through simple geometric transformation rather than complex mechanical adjustments.
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 rolling diaphragm seal effectively prevents electrolyte leakage and exposure to static seal interfaces, maintaining the integrity of the battery over extended charge cycles, thus supporting long and ultra-long duration energy storage.
Implementation Method 1
The rolling diaphragm seal prevents battery electrolyte from passing between the outer housing and the inner housing to an air environment
Implementation Method 2
An electrode assembly including an air electrode may be supported on a buoyant porous or honeycomb platform in the middle of the rolling diaphragm such that the air electrode is above a surface of a volume of electrolyte when the buoyant platform is floating in the electrolyte
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of the various embodiments may provide a battery including a rolling diaphragm configured to move to accommodate an internal volume change of one or more components of the battery. Systems and methods of the various embodiments may provide a battery housing including a rolling diaphragm seal disposed between an interior volume of the battery and an electrode assembly within the battery. Various embodiments may provide an air electrode assembly including an air electrode supported on a buoyant platform such that the air electrode is above a surface of a volume of electrolyte when the buoyant platform is floating in the electrolyte.