Patent ID: 8222043
Filing Date: 2012-07-17
Classification: G01M,H01M,Y02E,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for detecting a leak in a flowing electrolyte battery, the flowing electrolyte battery including a plurality of stacked cells, a common electrolytic fluid circulating between respective interiors of the plurality of stacked cells, and a plurality of containment members, each containment member at least partially surrounding a respective one of the plurality of stacked cells and not others of the plurality of stacked cells, the method comprising the steps of: capturing a leaking fluid in at least one of the plurality of containment members; detecting a presence of the captured leaking fluid in the at least one of the plurality of containment members; and determining that the leak has occurred according to the detection of the presence of the captured leaking fluid in the at least one the plurality of containment members; wherein the step of capturing comprises capturing the leaking fluid in a first containment member at least partially surrounding a first of the plurality of stacked cells and directing the leaking fluid into a second containment member at least partially surrounding a second of the plurality of stacked cells, the second of the plurality of stacked cells being different from the first of the plurality of stacked cells.