Shunt current elimination and device

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method of minimizing shunt currents in electrochemical devices which have a plurality of cells connected, at least in part, in series and which have an electrolyte which is a common electrolyte to at least two of the cells and which includes shared electrolyte, whereby an electrical electrolytic conductive bypass path is created around such cells and through said shared electrolyte, resulting in undesirable shunt currents. The method involves applying a protective current through at least a portion of said conductive bypass path through said shared electrolyte in a direction which is the same as the shunt current through said shared electrolyte and of a magnitude which effectively at least reduces said shunt currents. Thus, a single protective current is applied in series with at least a portion of the conductive bypass path such that shunt currents are minimized, and preferably are totally eliminated. The present invention is also directed to an electrochemical device having means adapted for applying the protective current thereto.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.