US4377445A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shunt current elimination for series connected cells
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
•
Filing: 1980-11-07
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Granted: 1983-03-22
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Expires: 2000-11-07
Abstract
Abstract Electrochemical systems having a plurality of cells which are hydraulically and electrically connected in series develop shunt currents in the electrolyte of adjacent cells. The shunt currents are reduced or eliminated by the placing of an electrical bypass across two adjacent intercell conduits, and applying a protective current through the electrical bypass in a direction of the shunt currents and of a magnitude that can effectively reduce the shunt currents.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick G. Grimes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:00
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/04; H01M8/04276; C; C25; C25B; C25B15/00; C25B15/06; H01M50/00; H01M50/70; H01M50/77; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/10; Y02P20/133
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of minimizing shunt currents in an electrochemical device having a plurality of cells connected at least in part electrically and at least in part hydraulically in series, adjacent series cells of said device sharing electrolyte in respective hydraulically connected intercell conduits whereby electrical electrolytic conductive shunt current pathways are created in said electrolyte of said respective intercell conduits, said method comprising the steps of: (a) forming an electrical bypass across at least two adjacent intercell conduits; and (b) applying a protective current across said electrical bypass in a direction which is the same as the shunt currents through the intercell conduits and of a magnitude which can effectively reduce said shunt currents.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of minimizing shunt currents in an electrochemical device having a plurality of cells connected at least in part electrically and at least in part hydraulically in series, adjacent series cells of said device sharing electrolyte in respective hydraulically connected intercell conduits whereby electrical electrolytic conductive shunt current pathways are created in said electrolyte of said respective intercell conduits, said method comprising the steps of: (a) forming an electrical bypass across at least two adjacent intercell conduits; and (b) applying a protective current across said electrical bypass in a direction which is the same as the shunt currents through the intercell conduits and of a magnitude which can effectively reduce said shunt currents.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said protective current is applied through said electrical bypass to reduce shunt currents in a static electrolyte electrochemical device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said protective current is applied through said electrical bypass in a circulating electrolyte electrochemical device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electrochemical device has a plurality of cells all of which are electrically connected in series.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electrochemical device has a plurality of cells all of which are hydraulically connected in series.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said protective current is applied through said electrical bypass to reduce shunt currents in a static electrolyte electrochemical device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said protective current is applied through said electrical bypass in a circulating electrolyte electrochemical device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein all of said intercell conduits are electrically connected to form an electrical manifold across said cells.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electrochemical device is a photoelectrochemical device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electrochemical device is a battery or sets of batteries.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electrochemical device is a fuel cell device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electrochemical device is a chlor-alkali cell device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electochemical device is an electrowinning device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electrochemical device is an electrolyzer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electrochemical device is a magnetohydrodynamic generator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electrochemical device has a plurality of electrolytes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electrochemical device has bipolar cells.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electrochemical device has monopolar cells.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electrochemical device has a monopolar and bipolar configuration of cells.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
108 words
An electrochemical device comprising: (a) a plurality of cells connected electrically at least in part in series and hydraulically at least in part in series; (b) at least two adjacent intercell conduits, each of which is connected across two adjacent cells, and each of which contains electrolyte shared by the adjacent cells such that an electrical electrolytic conductive path is created between said adjacently connected cells, said path capable of resulting in undesirable shunt currents; (c) means forming an electrical bypass across at least two adjacent intercell conduits; and (d) means for applying protective current across said electrical bypass in order to at least reduce said shunt currents.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
108 words
An electrochemical device comprising: (a) a plurality of cells connected electrically at least in part in series and hydraulically at least in part in series; (b) at least two adjacent intercell conduits, each of which is connected across two adjacent cells, and each of which contains electrolyte shared by the adjacent cells such that an electrical electrolytic conductive path is created between said adjacently connected cells, said path capable of resulting in undesirable shunt currents; (c) means forming an electrical bypass across at least two adjacent intercell conduits; and (d) means for applying protective current across said electrical bypass in order to at least reduce said shunt currents.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said electrolyte is static within said intercell conduits.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said electrolyte is a circulating electrolyte within said intercell conduits.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said plurality of cells are all connected electrically in series.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said plurality of cells are all connected hydraulically in series.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 24 wherein said electrolyte is static.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 25 wherein said electrolyte is a circulating electrolyte.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 26 wherein each intercell conduit is electrically connected to form an electrical manifold across said cells.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said device is a photoelectrochemical device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said electrochemical device is a battery.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said electrochemical device is a fuel cell device.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said electrochemical device is a chlor-alkali cell device.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said electrochemical device is an electrowinning device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said electrochemical device has a plurality of electrolytes.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said electrochemical device is an electrolyzer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said electrochemical device is a magnetahydrodynamic generator.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said electrochemical device has bipolar cells.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said electrochemical device has monopolar cells.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said electrochemical device has a monopolar and bipolar configuration of cells.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said electrical bypass is an electrolyte-containing porous plug disposed between said intercell conduits.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said electrical bypass is an electrical conductor disposed between said intercell conduits.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 26 wherein said electrical bypass is a combination of electrical conductors and electrolyte-containing porous plugs disposed between said intercell conduits.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-03-21 | 1986-09-20 | 1987-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-03-21 | 1990-09-20 | 1991-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-03-21 | 1994-09-20 | 1995-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |