METHOD FOR TIGHTNESS CHECKUP OF METAL-HYDROGEN STORAGE BATTERIES Russian patent published in 2005 - IPC

FIELD: electrical engineering; in-service tightness checkup of metal-hydrogen storage batteries.

SUBSTANCE: proposed method includes measurement of battery case internal pressure and external temperature, comparison of measurement data with permissible values, and evaluation of battery tightness by compliance of measured parameters with specified range; novelty is measurement of gas density within battery space, evaluation of coefficients of thermal expansion of battery case for mentioned measured temperatures and pressures, evaluation of battery degree of charge within which hydrogen is liberated during battery charge so as to check battery for leakage, primary charging of battery in the range of its degree of charge within which only hydrogen is liberated, and measurement of rated charging current; in the process check leakage of hydrogen from battery gas space is made and additional calibrating value of charging current compensating for absolute statistical error in above-given measured parameters of battery and its charging current is determined by amount of leaks; check leakage is ceased upon exit from its tightness check range, whereupon battery is discharged; then, in the course of battery charges with rated current within degree of battery charge in which only hydrogen is liberated during its charging period, battery is given thermostatic control similar to its primary charge, mean volumetric temperature of hydrogen within battery is evaluated for given range, and electrochemical hydrogen flow within battery (Q_ech) is determined by charge currents measured during each recharge and by charge current variation value correction, as well as by definite values of mean volumetric hydrogen temperatures; at the same time, barometric hydrogen flow (Q_bar) within battery is evaluated in same range, for same measured temperatures and pressures as during primary charge, as well as for definite coefficients of thermal expansion of battery case at mentioned measured temperatures and pressures within battery degree of charge in which only hydrogen is liberated during battery charge, and battery tightness is considered adequate provided condition Q_ech - Q_bar < Q_ad is satisfied, where Q_ad is admissible leakage from battery.

EFFECT: provision for in-service tightness check of battery by hydrogen leakage within battery admissible sensitivity level.

2 cl, 5 dwg