Manifold system for electrical energy storage systems

Claim 1

In an electrical energy storage system, the combination comprising a plurality of cells each comprising a member formed to define a chamber containing a positive electrode for reducing a halogen disposed in electrical contact therewith and a negative electrode for oxidizing an oxidizable metal disposed in electrical contact therewith during an electrical discharge of said cell, each said member formed with an inlet section including a first bore extending between opposed faces of said member and an inlet port intersecting said first bore and disposed in communication with said chamber and with an outlet section spaced from said inlet section and including a second bore extending between opposed faces of said member and an outlet port intersecting said second bore and disposed in communication with said chamber, an inlet conduit extending through said first bore of each said cell and an outlet conduit extending through said second bore of each said cell, said inlet and said outlet conduit formed with apertures at spaced intervals along the length thereof and disposed in communicative alignment with said inlet ports and said outlet ports, respectively; and flange means encircling the inlet and outlet conduits and overlying each of said opposed spaces of said inlet section and said outlet section, sealing means interposed between said flange means and said opposed faces, means for removably securing said flange means to said members, and means for circulating an aqueous electrolyte containing ions of said metal and said halogen through said inlet conduit through said cell and back through said outlet conduit.