RPI IP: 2016-059-401
Innovation Summary:
A safe, saltwater-electrolyte backup battery that remains dormant until a grid outage automatically opens a fluid pathway. Loss of mains power de-energizes a normally-closed valve, allowing electrolyte to flow through annular galvanic cells and begin power generation. The design can recycle electrolyte back to a reservoir for sustained operation and simple maintenance. Annular flow geometries improve mass transport and power density while using benign materials. The system switches household loads to battery output until utility power returns, then shuts flow to pause reactions. Architecture avoids combustible fuels, exhaust, and many safety issues of lithium systems, targeting low-cost resilience.
Challenges / Opportunities:
Sizing cell arrays and plumbing for household peak loads while minimizing footprint requires careful engineering. Valve reliability and fail-safe behavior are critical; components must handle temperature swings and long idle periods. Round-trip efficiency and self-discharge during operation must be characterized for various electrolytes. Opportunities include pairing with rooftop solar, modular scaling, and deployment in critical facilities where fuel storage is restricted.
Key Benefits:
✔ Automatic start on outage (no manual intervention) ✔ Non-flammable saltwater chemistry for improved safety ✔ Dormant, low-maintenance standby with long shelf life ✔ Modular annular-cell architecture for scalable capacity ✔ Eliminates fuel storage and exhaust emissions
Applications:
• Residential and small-business backup power • Telecom and IoT cabinet resilience • Remote sites with fuel logistics constraints • Supplementary storage with solar PV
Keywords: Backup power, saltwater battery, deferred action, valve-triggered electrolyte flow, annular galvanic cells, resilience
Intellectual Property: US Patent No. 10,964,955 B2