Method and apparatus for refueling an electrochemical power source

A transportable container for refueling a refuelable battery having an electrochemical cell employing a particulate electrode, comprising:

• (a) a case;
• (b) an electrolyte reservoir, within the case, capable of holding a volume of electrolyte solution;
• (c) a first valve, comprised of a first flexible channel, in fluid connection with the electrolyte reservoir, which passes through the case and is capable of connecting to a refuelable battery;
• (d) a fuel compartment, within the case, capable of holding electrochemically active fuel particles and electrolyte solution;
• (e) a second valve, comprised of a second flexible channel, in fluid connection with the fuel compartment, which passes through the case and is capable of connecting to a refuelable battery;
• (f) a conduit, in fluid connection with the electrolyte reservoir and the fuel compartment, such that the transportable container and a refuelable battery define a closed flow circuit for the circulation of electrolyte solution through the transportable container and the refuelable battery while the transportable container is connected to a refuelable battery during operation of the refuelable battery;
• (g) a sealing member, movably attached to the transportable container and capable of pinching closed the first and second flexible channels;
• and
• (h) a cover capable of sealing the first valve and the second valve when the transportable container is not connected to a refuelable battery.

A transportable container for refueling a refuelable battery having multiple electrochemical cells employing particulate electrodes, comprising:

• (a) a case;
• (b) one or more fuel compartments, within the case, capable of holding electrochemically active fuel particles and electrolyte solution;
• (c) a plurality of valves, in fluid connection with the one or more fuel compartments, which pass through the case and are capable of connecting to a refuelable battery;
• and
• (d) one or more conduits connecting the one or more fuel compartments to each other, such that the transportable container and a refuelable battery define a closed flow circuit for the circulation of electrolyte solution through the transportable container and the refuelable battery while the transportable container is connected to a refuelable battery during operation of the refuelable battery.

A refuelable electrochemical power source comprising:

• (a) a refuelable battery having one or more electrochemical cells which employ particulate electrodes, and one or more conduits connecting the one or more electrochemical cells to each other;
• and
• (b) a transportable container, removably attached to the refuelable battery, having:
• a case;
• a compartment within the case capable of holding a volume of electrolyte solution, and
• a first valve and a second valve in fluid connection with the compartment and which pass through the case and are removably connected to the refuelable battery, such that the transportable container and the refuelable battery define a closed flow circuit for the circulation of electrolyte solution through the transportable container and the electrochemical cells of the refuelable battery while the transportable container is connected to the refuelable battery during operation of the refuelable battery.

A refuelable electrochemical power source comprising:

• (a) a refuelable battery having one or more electrochemical cells which employ particulate electrodes, and one or more first conduits connecting the one or more electrochemical cells to each other;
• and
• (b) a transportable container, removably attached to the refuelable battery, having:
• a case,
• one or more fuel compartments within the case, capable of holding a volume of electrochemically active fuel particles and electrolyte solution,
• a plurality of valves in fluid connection with the one or more fuel compartments and which pass through the case and are removably connected to the refuelable battery, and
• one or more second conduits, connecting the one or more fuel compartments to each other, such that the transportable container and the refuelable battery define a closed flow circuit for the circulation of electrolyte solution through the transportable container and the electrochemical cells of the refuelable battery while the transportable container is connected to the refuelable battery during operation of the refuelable battery.

A method of operating a refuelable electrochemical power source, comprising the steps of:

• (a) attaching a transportable container containing fuel particles and electrolyte to a refuelable battery, and allowing the fuel particles and electrolyte to dispense into the refuelable battery;
• (b) circulating electrolyte solution through the refuelable battery and the attached transportable container for a period of time and thereby discharging the refuelable battery and dissolving some of the fuel particles into reaction products in spent electrolyte;
• (c) detaching the transportable container with the reaction products and spent electrolyte from the refuelable battery;
• and
• (d) attaching a transportable container containing fresh fuel particles and electrolyte to the refuelable battery.