Patent ID: 7314761

Claim:
A leak detection system for a flowing electrolyte battery having a housing and a plurality of stacked cells within the housing, and electrolytic fluid circulating through the interior of the stacked cells, the system comprising: a stack leak containment member within the housing, the stack leak containment member disposed underneath of and surrounding at least a portion of the plurality of stacked cells, the stack leak containment member collecting electrolytic fluid leaking from the plurality of stacked cells; and a sensor disposed in a space between the interior of the stack leak containment member and exterior to the stacked cells, the sensor detecting the presence of uncirculated electrolytic fluid in the space when the uncirculated electrolytic fluid contacts the sensor; the sensor having: at least one switch comprising a first plate and a second plate; wherein uncirculated fluid within the stack leak containment member forms an electric current path between the first and second plates; a controller associated with the switch, the controller capable of sensing presence or absence of the current path; and a resistor connected in parallel to the switch.