US 12,480,840 B1 · Automatic high precision battery material assessment system

Abstract

Apparatus and associated methods relate to evaluating impurity content in battery materials. In an illustrative example, a battery material impurity assessment system (BMIAS) may include a slurry mixing system and an impurity extraction system (IES). The slurry mixing system, for example, may include a motor configured to rotate a vertical axis of a slurry container. For example, the motor may pause a movement of the slurry container when the vertical axis is rotated at a predetermined angle. For example, the IES may include a translatable magnetic mass (TMM) enclosed within a sheath. For example, by operating a position of the TMM, the IES may release non-target impurity and retain target substances. In some implementations, the target substance may be ionized by an acid treatment solution rapidly without direct heating. In some implementations, the target substances may be dispersed on a conductive filter to be directly used in subsequent analysis. Various embodiments may advantageously rapid high precision and rapid impurity testing for battery manufacturing.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A magnetic impurity sample collection device comprising:

a movement module comprises a motor unit;
and,
a rod extending in a longitudinal axis coupled to the movement module comprises:
a magnetic mass disposed at a distal end of the rod;
a position control bar coupled to the movement module and the magnetic mass;
and,
a magnetically permeable sheath encapsulating the magnetic mass and the position control bar, wherein:
the motor unit is configured to selectively translate the magnetic mass along a curvilinear path within the magnetically permeable sheath;
and,
the magnetically permeable sheath comprises a variable thickness along the longitudinal axis, such that, at the distal end of the rod corresponding to a first position of the magnetic mass, an effective magnetic field at an exterior surface of the magnetically permeable sheath varies from at least a first strength capable of attracting paramagnetic impurities to a second strength at a second position smaller than the first strength.

7 more elements

A targeted magnetic impurity extraction method comprising:

capture magnetic impurities from a battery slurry at an exterior surface of an elongated rod extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a magnetically permeable sheath and a magnetic mass disposed at a distal end of the elongated rod, wherein:
the magnetic mass selectively translates along a curvilinear path within the magnetically permeable sheath;
and,
the magnetically permeable sheath comprises a variable thickness along the longitudinal axis, such that, at a first position comprising the distal end of the elongated rod, an effective magnetic field at the exterior surface of the magnetically permeable sheath varies from at least a first strength capable of attracting paramagnetic impurities to a second strength smaller than the first strength;
in response to a signal indicating magnetic impurities are captured at the exterior surface of the magnetically permeable sheath, initiate a rinsing process by operating the elongated rod into a rinsing container comprising a rinsing liquid;
operate the magnetic mass and the elongated rod in at least one rinsing cycle, each comprising a release step and a recapture step, wherein, for an i-th cycle of the at least one cycle, the release step comprises:
translate the magnetic mass in an i-th release position, such that the effective magnetic field at an exterior surface of the magnetically permeable sheath is less than the first strength;
and,
shake the elongated rod simultaneously for an i-th predetermined first duration;
and, the recapture step comprises:
reposition the magnetic mass at the first position;
and,
move the elongated rod to an i-th predetermined recapture position and hold for an i-th predetermined second duration, such that a target magnetic material is recaptured.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automatic high precision battery material assessment system

Life of this patent

Automatic high precision battery material assessment system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28