Leak sensor for flowing electrolyte batteries

Abstract

A leak detection system for a flowing electrolyte battery comprises a manifold leak containment member associated with at least one manifold which provides flowing electrolyte to at least one stack of a flowing electrolyte battery and a provision for sensing a fluid leak within the at least one manifold leak containment member.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A leak detection system for a flowing electrolyte battery comprising: 
 at least one manifold leak containment member associated with at least one manifold which provides flowing electrolyte to at least one stack of a flowing electrolyte battery; and    means for sensing a fluid leak within the at least one manifold leak containment member.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the sensing means comprises: 
 at least one switch comprising a first plate and a second plate, wherein fluid within the containment member serves to electrically couple the first plate to the second plate, to, in turn, close the switch;  
 a controller associated with the switch, the controller capable of sensing the condition of the switch; and  
 a connector electrically associating the switch and the controller.  
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the sensing means further comprises: 
 a resistor positioned in parallel to the switch.  
 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the at least one switch comprises a plurality of switches positioned in parallel.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one manifold leak containment member comprises a manifold leak containment member associated with each manifold of the flowing electrolyte battery.  
     
     
         6 . A leak detection system for a flowing electrolyte battery comprising: 
 at least one containment member associated with at least one manifold of a flowing electrolyte battery;    at least one containment member associated with at least one stack of a flowing electrolyte battery;    at least one containment member associated with an electrolyte reservoir of a flowing electrolyte battery; and    means for sensing a fluid leak within one of the containment members, wherein the sensing means comprises: 
 at least one sensor having at least one switch positioned within one of the containment members such that a leak collecting in the respective containment member triggers the switch;  
 at least one controller associated with the sensor; and  
 a connector associated with each of the sensor and controller.  
   
     
     
         7 . The leak detection system of  claim 6  wherein the sensor includes a plurality of switches.  
     
     
         8 . The leak detection system of  claim 7  wherein the plurality of switches are positioned substantially in parallel.  
     
     
         9 . The leak detection system of  claim 6  wherein the sensor includes at least one resistor positioned in parallel with the at least one switch.  
     
     
         10 . The leak detection system of  claim 6  wherein the controller includes a means for signaling the condition of the sensor to a user.