Gates Energy Products, Inc.

Optima Batteries, Inc.

The Gates Rubber Company

Aerovironment, Inc.

Gylling Optima Batteries Ab

Larry K Ching

Toshio Uba

Neil Puester

Charles E Coleman

Thomas J Casale

Neil H Puester

Donald H McClelland

David H Swan

Jose T Baer

Michael R Harrison

David W Adams

Disclosed herein is a venting mechanism for a battery. The venting mechanism includes a battery vent structure which is located on the battery cover and may be integrally formed therewith. The venting mechanism includes an opening extending through the battery cover such that the opening communicates with a plurality of battery cells located within the battery case. The venting mechanism also includes a vent manifold which attaches to the battery vent structure. The vent manifold includes a first opening which communicates with the battery vent structure opening and second and third openings which allow the vent manifold to be connected to two separate conduits. In this manner, a plurality of batteries may be interconnected for venting purposes, thus eliminating the need to provide separate vent lines for each battery. The vent manifold may be attached to the battery vent structure by a spin-welding technique. To facilitate this technique, the vent manifold may be provided with a flange portion which fits into a corresponding groove portion on the battery vent structure. The vent manifold includes an internal chamber which is large enough to completely house a conventional battery flame arrester and overpressure safety valve. In this manner, the vent manifold, when installed, lessens the likelihood of tampering with the flame arrester and safety valve.

Battery vent mechanism and method

Disclosed is a battery system in which a battery is provided with a pair of quick connect electrical contact mechanisms. A battery tray, for receiving the battery, is also provided with a pair of quick connect electrical contact mechanisms which are adapted to connect and establish electrical continuity with the battery quick connect mechanisms. The battery pin assemblies may be molded into the battery cover and may be welded to the existing positives and negative battery posts. In this manner, the provision of the pins requires no additional penetrations of the battery container, thus reducing the potential for leakage of electrolyte from the container. The pins may be nested within indentations provided in the container. In this manner, the provision of the pins adds only minimally to the overall dimensions of the battery, thus resulting in a compact design. In the case of a spirally wound cell battery, the pins may be nested within the indentation formed between two of the battery cells and may be located either on the ends or the sides of the battery. Alternatively, in a spirally wound cell battery, the pins may be located in openings formed between four cells in the interior of the battery.

Battery system electrical connection apparatus and method

Battery venting system and method

A terminal connector assembly provided for conducting electrical current from an electrolytic device through the wall of a case containing the device for preventing leakage of electrolyte from the case. The terminal connector includes a terminal insert mounted within the case wall. The insert contains a first end portion projecting through the wall forming an exterior connection member. A second end portion is laterally spaced from the first end portion and forms an interior connection member remote from the exterior connection member. A mechanism is provided for substantially reducing the transmittal of mechanical loads from the first end potion to the second end portion. A member is provided for electrically interconnecting the interior connection member with the electrolytic device within the case. Finally, a mechanism seals the connection between the electrically interconnecting member and the interior connection member to prevent leakage of electrolyte from the device.

Battery terminal and case structure

A device is disclosed both for covering a multi-cell rechargeable battery having upper terminal connections and for use as a mounting spacer for the battery. The device includes a cover sized and shaped to shield the top surface of the battery when attached thereto and has a plate with apertures disposed therein to provide limited access to the upper terminal connections. A mechanism is provided for spacing the lid from the top surface of the battery to recess the upper terminal connections relative to the upper surface of the plate for protection against surface contact and electrical shorting, the spacing mechanism being integral with the plate. An attachment device is also provided for selectively attaching the cover to the battery to protect the battery top surface and upper terminal connections from damage from objects placed on the plate. The attachment device is further adapted for selectively securing the cover to the bottom surface of the battery to function as a spacer for battery mounting. Finally, a mechanism is provided for testing of the electrical condition of the battery without removing the cover.

Cover assembly for rechargeable battery

Battery

A battery terminal post of the type for use in electrolytic devices contained by resilient electrolyte-resistant walls, wherein an opening in the electrolytic device wall is radially enlarged to form a bushing, into which is inserted a second T-shaped lead alloy bushing, into which in turn there is inserted a complementary third bushing of pure lead, which three bushings are then forced into intimate sealing contact by being radially expanded by the action of a punch and die in a swaging operation.

Battery terminal and method

A recombining lead-acid battery with absorbed electrolyte is disclosed having multiple cells positioned in a sealed monobloc container, and cell partitioning members constructed to define a gas space common to all the cells of the battery. When the battery is overcharged imbalance in electrolyte fill among the cells is reduced as the amount of water in each cell tends to equalize through redistribution via gas recombination preferentially in the drier cells.

Multicell recombining lead-acid battery

A multicell sealed rechargeable battery is disclosed including an open mouth monobloc container formed of a plurality of cup-shaped cell holders interconnected at mutual tangent zones, electrochemical cells of the rechargeable type fitting into the cell holders and interconnected to form the battery, and a closure member attached to the mouth of the monobloc container.

Multicell sealed rechargeable battery

Method and apparatus are disclosed for the pasting of foraminous battery plate substrates with viscous, thixotropic pastes using an extrusion type bifurcated nozzle.

Growing community of inventors

Littleton, CO, United States of America

Larry K Ching