Redox flow battery and battery system

Abstract

A redox flow battery and battery system are provided. In one example, the redox flow battery includes a set of pressure plates having a first pressure plate at a first terminal end and a second pressure plate at a second terminal end, the second terminal end and the first terminal end positioned on opposing longitudinal sides of the redox flow battery. The redox flow battery further includes a first cell stack positioned longitudinally between the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate, each of the first and second pressure plates includes a plurality stacking detents on a first flange and a plurality of stacking protrusions on a second flange, and the first flange and the second flange arranged on opposing vertical sides of the redox flow battery.

1 . A flow battery comprising:
 a set of pressure plates including a first pressure plate and a second pressure plate that are positioned on opposing sides of a first cell stack; and   a plurality of tie rods extending through the first pressure plate, the second pressure plate, and the first cell stack and compressing the first cell stack.   
     
     
         2 . The flow battery of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second pressure plates includes a plurality stacking detents on a first flange and a plurality of stacking protrusions on a second flange. 
     
     
         3 . The flow battery of  claim 1 , further comprising a first spring and a second spring coupled to the first and second pressure plates, respectively. 
     
     
         4 . The flow battery of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second springs are leaf springs. 
     
     
         5 . The flow battery of  claim 3 , wherein one or more of the plurality of tie rods extend through the first spring and the second spring. 
     
     
         6 . The flow battery of  claim 1 , further comprising a side bolt cam assembly that includes a side bolt which extends through a first slot in the first pressure plate and a second slot in the second pressure plate, wherein the side bolt extends across a lateral side of the flow battery external to the first cell stack. 
     
     
         7 . The flow battery of  claim 6 , wherein the side bolt cam assembly is configured with lateral compliance. 
     
     
         8 . The flow battery of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second cell stack positioned between the set of pressure plates; and   a separator plate positioned between the first and second cell stacks.   
     
     
         9 . The flow battery of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second pressure plates include inlet and/or outlet ports that extend therethrough. 
     
     
         10 . The flow battery of  claim 1 , wherein the set of pressure plates extend in a vertical direction. 
     
     
         11 . The flow battery of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second pressure plates are constructed out of aluminum. 
     
     
         12 . The flow battery of  claim 1 , wherein the flow battery is a redox flow battery. 
     
     
         13 . A redox flow battery comprising:
 a set of pressure plates including a first pressure plate and a second pressure plate that are positioned on opposing sides of a cell stack;   a plurality of tie rods extending through the first pressure plate, the second pressure plate, and the cell stack and compressing the cell stack; and   a first spring and a second spring coupled to the first and second pressure plates, respectively, and exerting an inward force on the cell stack;   wherein each of the first and second pressure plates includes a plurality stacking detents on a first flange and a plurality of stacking protrusions on a second flange.   
     
     
         14 . The redox flow battery of  claim 13 , wherein the first spring and the second spring are leaf springs. 
     
     
         15 . The redox flow battery of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second springs are constructed out of steel and the first and second pressure plates are constructed out of aluminum. 
     
     
         16 . The redox flow battery of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of stacking detents are positioned above and below the first and second springs. 
     
     
         17 . The redox flow battery of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second pressure plates include a plurality of reinforcing ribs. 
     
     
         18 . The redox flow battery of  claim 13 , wherein the first spring and the second spring are tube leaf springs. 
     
     
         19 . The redox flow battery of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of stacking detents and protrusions are tapered. 
     
     
         20 . The redox flow battery of  claim 13 , further comprising a side bolt cam assembly coupled to the first and second pressure plates and configured with lateral compliance.