Abstract: An improved design for an intermediate bus bar for a comb-type cell for a metal-halogen battery system is disclosed. A plastic frame is formed around the periphery of a dense graphite bus bar and has a plurality of straps extending between the top and bottom section of the frame for reinforcing the structural integrity of the bus bar.

Abstract: A method of forming chlorine hydrate is described which generally comprises, combining liquid chlorine with an aqueous liquid, and removing the heat of hydrate formation. This method may also include the steps of mixing the liquid chlorine with the aqueous liquid, and cooling the chlorine hydrate to provide a pressure decrease. However, in accordance with the present invention, no refrigeration of the aqueous liquid is required, as the heat of formation may be released to a substantially room temperature environment.

Abstract: Temperature control mechanism takes the form of discrete electronic circuit or programmed digital computer for accurately regulating the temperature of a hydrate forming solution in a metal halogen battery during charge. The electronic circuit and/or digital computer senses the actual solution temperature, by measuring the temperature of coolant circuit in thermal communication therewith. The actual temperature is compared with a set point temperature based on curve fitting algorithm for approximating the hydrate formation temperature which changes during charge. For sufficiently large differences between actual and set point temperatures, an electrical impulse is applied to servo driven mixing value to selectively increase or decrease flow of chilled coolant to the coolant circuit.

Abstract: An electrochemical apparatus for analyzing the zinc concentration in an aqueous zinc-halogen electrolyte is disclosed. The electrochemical apparatus includes a working electrode and an auxiliary electrode both in contact with the electrolyte to be analyzed, a reference electrode in contact with an aqueous zinc-halogen electrolyte of a predetermined concentration, and means for permitting the electrolyte to be analyzed to contact the electrolyte of predetermined concentration. The apparatus also includes circuit means for applying electrical power to the working and auxiliary electrodes for a first predetermined time period sufficient to deposit zinc metal onto the working electrode, and for measuring a potential difference across the reference and working electrodes indicative of the concentration of the electrolyte to be analyzed during a second predetermined time period.

Abstract: A flow-through porous electrode structure for electrochemical systems having flowing electrolytes is disclosed. The flow-through porous electrode structure includes a single porous electrode having two planar opposing faces, each of which provides a reaction surface for electrochemical electron-transfer reactions of the same polarity. The porous electrode features spaced passage means which extends at least in part through the electrode between the opposing faces for distributing the circulating electrolyte through the electrode. The passage means comprises a plurality of vertically spaced, generally horizontally disposed passageways extending from a first side of the porous member. These passageways having a generally circular cross section and extend substantially across the width of the porous electrode member.

Abstract: An improved chlorine producing plant having at least one electrolytic cell adapted to generate chlorine in combination with a zinc-chloride battery stack and electrolyte circulation system is disclosed. Conduit means is provided for permitting the chlorine generated by the battery stack during the charging of the battery stack to supplement the amount of chlorine generated by the electrolytic cell, and for permitting the electrolytic cell to supply chlorine to the battery stack during the discharge of the battery stack. Additionally, power conditioning means may be interposed between the electrolytic cell and the zinc-chloride battery stack for permitting the zinc-chloride battery stack to supplement the supply of electrical power to the electrolytic cell during the discharging of the battery stack. In operation, the zinc-chloride battery stack is charged substantially during off-peak electrical energy consuming hours and discharged substantially during on-peak electrical energy consuming hours.

Abstract: An improved electrolyte circulation subsystem which reduces and minimizes the effect of parasitic currents in secondary batteries having a plurality of cells connected electrically in series and a common electrolyte in communication with the cells is described. The improved electrolyte circulation subsystem includes means for pumping an electrolyte, and manifold means for conveying electrolyte to a plurality of cells connected electrically in series. The manifold means generally comprises an outer tube formed with an outlet port at each end thereof, and an inner tube concentrically disposed within the outer tube generally along one-half of the outer tube length. The inner tube is in fluid communication with the pumping means at a first end thereof and is in fluid communication with the outer tube at a second end thereof. The inner tube also has means associated with the second end for generally equally diverting the flow of the electrolyte through the inner tube to each of the outlet ports of the outer tube.

Abstract: An electrode assembly is described which generally comprises a first electrode, a pair of second planar electrodes, a generally rectangular frame member for supporting each of the second electrodes substantially along three sides thereof, the rectangular frame member having a pair of spaced inwardly extending channels through which said second electrodes slide into and which mask the edges of said second electrodes along the three supported sides, and a laterally displaced integrally formed, inwardly facing elongate channel along an unsupported side of the second electrode which is adjacent to an external face of one of the second electrodes and shaped to receive one side of the first electrode while masking the adjacent second electrode along the unsupported side thereof, a generally elongated frame member coupled to the rectangular frame member between the second electrodes along the unsupported edge thereof, and conduit means associated with the elongated frame member for conveying fluid to the cavity betw

Abstract: An improved battery stack design for an electrochemical system having at least one cell from which a gas is generated and an electrolyte in communication with the cell is described. The improved battery stack design features means for defining a substantially closed compartment for containing the battery cells and at least a portion of the electrolyte for the system, and means in association with the compartment means for selectively venting gas from the interior of the compartment means in response to the level of the electrolyte within the compartment means. The venting means includes a relief valve having a float member which is actuated in response to the level of the electrolyte within the compartment means. This float member is adapted to close the relief valve when the level of the electrolyte is above a predetermined level and open the relief valve when the level of electrolyte is below this predetermined level.

Abstract: A battery plant is described which features magnetic circuit means in association with each of the battery strings in the battery plant for balancing the electrical current flow through the battery strings by equalizing the voltage across each of the battery strings. Each of the magnetic circuit means generally comprises means for sensing the electrical current flow through one of the battery strings, and a saturable reactor having a main winding connected electrically in series with the battery string, a bias winding connected to a source of alternating current and a control winding connected to a variable source of direct current controlled by the sensing means. Each of the battery strings is formed by a plurality of batteries connected electrically in series, and these battery strings are connected electrically in parallel across common bus conductors.

Abstract: A battery plant is described which features magnetic circuit means for balancing the electrical current flow through a pluraliircuitbattery strings which are connected electrically in parallel. The magnetic circuit means is associated with the battery strings such that the conductors carrying the electrical current flow through each of the battery strings pass through the magnetic circuit means in directions which cause the electromagnetic fields of at least one predetermined pair of the conductors to oppose each other. In an alternative embodiment, a low voltage converter is associated with each of the battery strings for balancing the electrical current flow through the battery strings.

Abstract: A self-draining decomposition heat exchanger arrangement for a metal-halogen battery system is disclosed. The arrangement has a decomposition heat exchanger positioned higher than the electrolyte collected in the sump of the electrode stack section of the battery system to allow electrolyte to drain out of the heat exchanger when electrolyte is not being circulated therethrough. The heat exchanger has an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a central portion that is preferably formed of helically coiled tubing and that preferably slopes continuously downward to promote complete drainage. The arrangement preferably also has vent means connected to the gas space above the sump in the stack section and attached to conduit means between the outlet of the electrolyte pump and inlet of the heat exchanger for improving drainage of the heat exchanger by allowing gas to enter the heat exchanger to replace the electrolyte as it drains therefrom.

Abstract: A metal halogen battery construction containing a special reactor means having a combustion arrester device and a reaction initiator device, whereby the reactor means permits controlled recombination of hydrogen gas and halogen gas in the system to form hydrogen halide, which is then dispersed into the store means of the battery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a cooling liquid to the heat exchanger in a storage battery mounted on a vehicle for driving the vehicle, wherein the liquid is to be supplied to the battery at an inlet temperature which varies in a time-based relationship. The liquid to be cooled is obtained from the battery itself in a recirculative system located generally outside the vehicle. In accordance with this method and apparatus, the liquid returned from the vehicle mounted storage battery is divided into first and second portions, the first of these portions is cooled at a preselected cooling rate, thereafter, the cooled first portion and the uncooled or bypassed second portion are recombined to provide the liquid supplied to the battery heat exchanger. The ratio of the first and second portions is adjusted in accordance with a time-based relationship wherein the temperature within the battery is intentionally changed during a charging cycle.

Abstract: A metal halogen battery construction, with the improved combination comprising, at least one cell having a positive electrode and a negative electrode for contact with aqueous electrolyte containing the material of said metal and halogen, sump means wherein the electrolyte is collected, store means wherein halogen hydrate is formed and stored as part of an aqueous material, circulation means for transmitting electrolyte through the battery, conduit means for transmitting halogen gas formed in the cell to hydrate forming means associated with the store means, fluid jet pump means operative to cause circulation of gases from the sump including hydrogen and halogen to contact a reactor means whereby hydrogen and halogen are combined and returned to the sump, and valve means sensitive to gas pressure in the sump means whereby when sump pressure drops below a desired setting of said valve means, the valve opens and permits halogen gas from the store to be transmitted to the electrolyte circulation means.

Abstract: A method of removing inert gases from a metal halogen electrolyte battery system in which hydrogen is generated along with other inerts such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and oxygen, said method comprising, pressurizing the gas space above the sump to a preset pressure above ambient, and subsequently venting the hydrogen and other inert gases from the gas space through an absorber means which removes trace quantities of chlorine from the gases.

Abstract: A metal halogen battery construction containing a novel reactor means having at least two reaction zones with a reaction initiator device in each zone, whereby the reactor permits controlled recombination of hydrogen gas and halogen gas in the system to form hydrogen halide, which is then dispersed into the aqueous electrolyte of the battery.

Abstract: In a control system for an electric powered vehicle of the type including a D.C. motor drivingly connected to roadway engaging drive wheels, there is provided an improvement. A control system for this type of vehicle has a controller for operating the D.C. drive motor with a voltage having a pre-selected magnitude, a first storage battery supported on the vehicle and having a charging mode and a discharging mode with a voltage rating during both of the modes being generally equal to the pre-selected magnitude, a circulation pump associated with the first storage battery for activating this battery, also driving the circulation pump during the discharge mode of the first storage battery. The improved control system in this type of an environment includes a second storage battery, a manually actuated starting switch for allowing the D.C. motor to be driven by the first storage battery, the second storage battery also driving the circulation pump for limited time after manual actuation of the starter.