Shunt current elimination and device employing tunneled protective current
US4277317A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 26, 1979 |
| Grant date | Jul 7, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 26, 1999 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a method of minimizing shunt currents in electrochemical devices which have a plurality of cells connected, at least in part, in series and which have a common electrolyte which is fed to at least two of the cells as a shared electrolyte from a common manifold via individual inlet channels, whereby an electrical electrolytic conductive bypass path is created around such cells and through said shared electrolyte, resulting in undesirable shunt currents. This method involves providing electrolyte tunnels which connect the individual inlet channels and applying a protective current through said electrolyte tunnels and thus through said shared electrolyte, the protective current being of a magnitude which effectively at least reduces said shunt currents. Thus, a single protective current may be applied such that shunt currents are minimized, and preferably are totally eliminated. The present invention is also directed to an electrochemical device having means adapted for applying the protective current thereto.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.