Thermally Activated Flow Battery Circulation Without Pumps

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flow batteries require mechanical or electrical pumps to circulate anolyte and catholyte, increasing complexity and weight, while thermal activation methods for flow control are not effectively utilized.

Innovation Solution

The use of thermally activated materials with varying thermal expansion coefficients in the anode and cathode circuits to drive the flow of anolyte and catholyte through thermal expansion and contraction, eliminating the need for mechanical or electrical pumps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical or electrical pumps are used to circulate anolyte and catholyte, then the flow control is reliable, but the device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow control reliabilityVSAvoidpump system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the pump component entirely from the flow battery system. Instead of using mechanical or electrical pumps to circulate electrolytes, the system relies on natural convection currents generated by temperature differences within the battery itself to drive electrolyte flow through the cells.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The flow battery system generates its own flow驱动力 through internal thermal convection. The electrochemical reactions and temperature variations within the battery create natural circulation patterns that move electrolytes without external pumping, making the system self-sufficient for flow control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If mechanical or electrical pumps are used to circulate anolyte and catholyte, then the flow control is reliable, but the weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow control reliabilityVSAvoidpump system weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the pump component entirely from the flow battery system. Instead of using mechanical or electrical pumps to circulate electrolytes, the system relies on natural convection currents generated by temperature differences within the battery itself to drive electrolyte flow through the cells.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The flow battery system generates its own flow驱动力 through internal thermal convection. The electrochemical reactions and temperature variations within the battery create natural circulation patterns that move electrolytes without external pumping, making the system self-sufficient for flow control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If thermal expansion materials are used to drive electrolyte flow, then the device complexity and weight are reduced, but the flow control mechanism becomes less conventional

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump system complexityVSAvoidflow control mechanism adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates materials with positive thermal expansion coefficients that expand when heated, creating volume changes that drive electrolyte circulation. This thermal expansion mechanism replaces conventional pumps and is integrated into the battery's thermal management system, converting waste heat into useful flow驱动力.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #37Thermal expansion

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses composite material structures combining materials with different thermal expansion coefficients. These composite structures are designed to expand and contract in specific patterns that optimize electrolyte flow paths through the battery cells while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 approach simplifies the battery design by reducing complexity and weight, enhancing reliability through pumpless operation and utilizing thermal energy for activation.

Implementation Method 1

The flow of anolyte is driven through the anode circuit by thermal expansion and/or thermal contraction of one or more components of the anode circuit. The flow of catholyte is driven through the cathode circuit by thermal expansion and/or thermal contraction of one or more components of the cathode circuit.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

The flow of anolyte is driven through the anode circuit by thermal expansion and/or thermal contraction of one or more components of the anode circuit. The flow of catholyte is driven through the cathode circuit by thermal expansion and/or thermal contraction of one or more components of the cathode circuit.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal contraction: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentEP4604223A1Flow battery with thermal activation

Publication Date: 2025.08.20 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

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AI summary

A battery system includes an anode circuit (12) configured to urge a flow of anolyte therethrough to an anode side of an electrode and a cathode circuit (16) configured to urge a flow of catholyte therethrough to a cathode side of the electrode. An electric circuit is operably connected to the electrode to utilize electrical energy generated via a chemical reaction between the flow of anolyte and the flow of catholyte at the electrode. The flow of anolyte is driven through the anode circuit (12) by thermal expansion and/or thermal contraction of one or more components of the anode circuit (12). The flow of catholyte is driven through the cathode circuit (16) by thermal expansion and/or thermal contraction of one or more components of the cathode circuit (16).