Globe-Union Inc.

Kenneth R Jones

Paul J Kaprelian

Jeffrey P Zagrodnik

John F Sindorf

James T Daley

Brian M Page

James M Wilson

An improved pressure vessel for a rechargeable metal oxide-hydrogen battery. The pressure vessel, which contains a plurality of cell modules, is composed of an inner liner of a material which is impervious to the passage of hydrogen gas and an outer layer of fiber reinforced thermosetting resin. The fibrous reinforcement is preferably in the form of substantially continuous, helically wound filaments. Dispersed within the resin matrix of the outer layer are a plurality of finely divided particles of a material having a high coefficient of thermal conductivity. The finely divided material can be in the form of powder or fibers, and can be composed of a metal or graphite. By incorporating the finely divided heat conductive particles in the resin, the heat dissipation through the pressure vessel is increased to thereby improve the performance of the battery.

Pressure vessel construction for a metal oxide-hydrogen battery

A lead-acid battery having an improved side terminal construction. The battery includes a case formed of dielectric material and a plurality of positive and negative plates are located within the case. Each group of plates is electrically connected to a strap. One end of an elongated conductor bar projects through the side wall of the case and is welded to each strap, while the opposite end of the bar projects outwardly of the case and is provided with a recess which receives a metal nut. A cable clamping ring is attached to the opposite end of the conductor bar by a bolt which is threaded in the nut. If a longer than required bolt is inadvertently threaded into the nut, the opposite end of the bar will be deflected or bent as the bolt is threaded down, but the welded connection between the conductor bar and the strap will not be adversely effected.

Terminal construction for a battery

A metal oxide-hydrogen battery having an outer metal pressure vessel that contains a plurality of cell modules. The vessel is composed of a cylindrical shell and the open ends of the shell are enclosed by dome-shaped heads. In producing the vessel, a weld ring is positioned between each end of the shell and the respective head and each weld ring includes a base which is engaged with the inner surfaces of the shell and head and a radial fin which extends outwardly from the base and is located between the opposed ends of the shell and head. A weld is made interconnecting the weld ring with the head and shell. The weld ring is free of internal spokes and the radial thickness of the weld ring is from one to six times the thickness of the vessel wall. With this construction, the weld ring will flex with the shell during cycling of the battery to prevent undue stress at the welded joint.

Welded pressure vessel for a metal oxide-hydrogen battery utilizing a

A system and method for starting an internal combustion engine having multiple cylinders, each cylinder including an activating and deactivating system for independently activating and deactivating, each cylinder, one cylinder being initially activated to start the engine and the remaining cylinders being deactivated until ignition is sensed in the activated cylinder.

Reduced starting load system for an automobile engine

A metal oxide-hydrogen battery having an outer safety shell. The battery to be used in a confined area such as in an aircraft or manned spacecraft, and includes a pressure vessel that contains at least one cell module. Hydrogen gas under pressure is confined within the pressure vessel and is impregnated in the cell modules. An outer shell, preferably formed of molded plastic, is disposed around the pressure vessel and a vent conduit connects the space between the vessel and the shell with the exterior. Any hydrogen that accidentally leaks from the vessel is captured in the space and vented to the exterior.

Metal oxide-hydrogen battery having an outer safety shell

A metal oxygen-hydrogen battery having sealed cell modules with electrolyte containment and hydrogen venting. The battery includes an outer pressure vessel containing a plurality of cell modules, each having a positive and negative terminal and containing a liquid electrolyte such as potassium hydroxide. Each cell module is enclosed in a flexible sealed bag which is impervious to the flow of the electrolyte. The bag is a multi layer structure preferably composed of thermoplastic film. Each bag is provided with a vent which is permeable to the flow of hydrogen gas but impermeable to the flow of the electrolyte. Electrical leads are connected to the terminals of each cell module and extend in sealed relation through the bag.

Metal oxide hydrogen battery having sealed cell modules with electrolyte

An improved metal oxide hydrogen battery including an outer pressure vessel and a plurality of cell modules are stacked in side-by-side relation in the vessel. Each cell module is generally rectangular in configuration and includes positive and negative terminals which are located centrally of the cell module. Each cell module is sealed within a rigid plastic casing and the casing is provided with a vent which permits the flow of gas but is impermeable to the flow of the liquid electrolyte contained within the cell module. A heat transfer member is disposed between adjacent cell modules and includes an outer cylindrical flange which is disposed in heat transfer relation with the inner wall of the pressure vessel. The peripheral edge of each casing is engaged with the inner surface of the respective flange to position the cell module within the vessel. Electrical conductors extend in sealed relation through the wall of the casing and connect the terminals of the cell modules in an electrical circuit.

Metal oxide-hydrogen battery having rectangular modules in a cylindrical

A metal oxide-hydrogen battery having an outer sealed pressure vessel including a generally cylindrical shell. A plurality of generally rectangular cell modules are disposed in the shell and extend longitudinally of the shell. Each cell module has at least one positive electrode and a negative electrode. Separating the cell modules are heat transfer fins composed of a material having a high coefficient of thermal conductivity. The opposed edges of each fin are provided with flexible flanges that engage and complement the inner surface of the cylindrical pressure vessel shell and serve to transfer heat from the cell modules to the vessel shell.

Metal oxide-hydrogen battery having modules extending longitudinally of

A coaxial terminal construction for a sealed pressurized battery. The battery includes a sealed vessel containing a series of battery cells and positive and negative poles are connected to the cells. A pre-assembled terminal unit extends through an annular mounting flange that is secured within an opening in the vessel wall and the pre-assembled unit includes an inner electode, an outer electrode, which is disposed concentrically outward of the inner electrode and insulated therefrom, and an annular mounting member which is located concentrically outward of the outer electrode and insulated therefrom. All three concentric members have external threads of the same pitch. The terminal unit is installed by threading the mounting member in the mounting flange of the vessel and simultaneously threading the outer electrode with a nut connected to one of the poles and threading the inner electrode with a second nut connected to the other of the poles. The mounting member can be crimped inwardly to provide a seal between the three concentric members.

Coaxial terminal construction for a sealed pressurized battery

A control system for starting an internal combustion engine including a control module for controlling the operation of a multi-cylinder multiple cycle engine, a storage battery, a manually operable switch for connecting said battery to said control module, a starter motor for cranking said engine when energized, an electronically actuated set of inlet and exhaust valves, a fuel injector and a spark plug connected to each cylinder of said engine and to said control module, said control module being programmed to monitor the rotary speed of the engine for activating the valves, injector and spark plug for one cylinder when said control module determines the presence of a sufficient inertia build up in the flywheel to start the engine.

A method of fabricating a metal pressure vessel for a metal oxide-hydrogen battery. A straight length of metal having a generally T-shape cross section is formed into circular configuration and the abutting ends of the strip are welded together to form a ring that includes a generally circular body portion and a flange or fin which projects radially outward from the body portion. The welded ring is expnded radially outward to precisely fit the open end of the shell of the vessel and the ring is then assembled with the open ends of the shell and head with the ends of the shell and head abutting the outwardly extending fin of the ring. The ends of the shell and head are then welded to the ring to complete the assembly.

Method of fabricating a pressure vessel for a metal oxide-hydrogen

An improved pressure vessel for a metal oxide-hydrogen battery which comprises an outer cylindrical shell and a battery cell is disposed centrally within the shell. A pair of sealed containers or tanks are located in the ends of the shell on either side of the cell and each container contains pressurized hydrogen. In a preferred form of the invention, a portion of each container constitutes a head of the vessel. Each container is provided with an opening which provides communication with the interior of the vessel, and a remotely controlled valve acts to open and close the opening. Opening of the valve permits hydrogen gas to contact the cell to generate an electron current in an exterior circuit. During recharging of the cell, hydrogen generated in the cell passes into the containers and is captured therein by closing of the valves, thereby minimizing self-discharge of the battery cell during standby periods.

A metal oxide-hydrogen battery including an outer pressure vessel that contains a plurality of cell modules disposed in side-by-side relations. Adjacent cell modules are separated by heat transfer members that transfer heat from the cell modules to the outer vessel. Each heat transfer member includes a generally flat body or fin which is disposed between adjacent cell modules and a peripheral flange which is located in contact with the inner surface of the pressure vessel. The width of each cell module is greater than the length of the flange so that the flange of each heat transfer member is out of contact with the adjacent heat transfer member. The flanges are constructed and arranged to exert an outward radial force against the pressure vessel. Tie bars serve to clamp the cell modules and heat transfer members together in the form of a stack which is inserted into the pressure vessel.

Metal oxide hydrogen battery having improved heat transfer properties

A rechargeable metal oxide-hydrogen battery including an outer pressure vessel and a plurality of cell modules are disposed within the vessel. Each module is formed of a pair of back-to-back positive electrodes spaced apart by a separating layer, and a negative electrode having a hydrophilic surface is disposed adjacent each positive electrode and separated therefrom by a separator layer. An electrolyte, such as potassium hydroxide, is impregnated in the separator layers and is in contact with the positive and negative electrodes. Each module is semi-circular in planar configuration and is contained in an open-ended semi-cylindrical container formed of a polymeric material. A plurality of containers are stacked in side-by-side relation. The curved peripheral edges of the stacked containers are disposed adjacent the inner surface of the vessel, while the straight open ends of the containers are sealed and disposed in opposed relation to the sealed open ends of a second stack of module-containing containers. A plurality of metal tabs are connected to the straight edges of the positive and negative electrodes of each module and the tabs are connected by bus bars in a manner to obtain the desired voltage output for the battery. Electrical leads are connected to terminals on the battery and extend in sealed relation through a fitting in a head of the vessel to the exterior.

Rechargeable metal oxide-hydrogen battery

A pressure vessel construction for a rechargeable metal oxide hydrogen battery. The pressure vessel includes a generally cylindrical shell, the ends of which are enclosed by dome shaped heads. A metal fitting is mounted within an opening in at least one head and the electrical leads connected to the battery cell are sealed within an opening in the fitting. The vessel includes a flexible inner liner of material which is impervious to the passage of hydrogen gas and an outer layer of fiber reinforced resin which is capable of withstanding the internal pressure generated by the hydrogen. The inner liner can consist of a plurality of wrappings of thin plastic film, such as polyvinylidene chloride, or alternately the inner liner can consist of thin metal sections having overlapping edge portions sealed by resilient elastomeric sealing strips which permit expansion and contraction of the metal liner under varying internal pressure conditions, without causing major tensile stress in the metal.

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Oconomowoc, WI, United States of America

Kenneth R Jones