Sealed Energy Systems, Inc.

Alupower, Inc.

Michael V Rose

Daniel E Smith

Robert P Hamlen

Thomas J Zoltner

William Kobasz

Norman Bagshaw

A method of making a lead-acid battery includes providing continuous lengths of end separator stock (24) and intermediate separator stock (26) and stacks of positive (81,98) and negative plates (83,93) with optional use of end separators. The separators are individually severed from the continuous length of stock and sequentially formed into an assembly with the individual positive and negative plates. The assembly is introduced into a battery cell container (28). A plurality of assemblies may be established prior to introduction into the battery cell container (28). In a preferred embodiment, the assembly zone (38) moves linearly relative to the cutting stations for the respective continuous lengths of separator stock and the stacks of plates and facilitates sequential establishment of the assembly without intermediate storage of the individual separators and elements. Some or all of the separators may be supplied from stacks disposed in magazines. The magazines (84,84A,85,85A) may have more than one stack of plates of the same charge to facilitate supply by one while the other is replenished. The stacked plates (81,83,93,98) preferably have their lugs (81 a,83a,93a,98a) aligned. The apparatus includes equipment (98) for supplying continuous lengths of end separator stock (24) and intermediate separator stock (26) and positive and negative plate stacks (81,83,93,98). The separators may be provided from stacks, if desired. A movable assembly zone (38) is adapted to receive the individual separators and plates from which the assembly may be introduced into a battery cell container (28).

Method for the assembly of lead-acid batteries and associated apparatus

A method of making a lead-acid battery includes providing continuous lengths of end separator stock, positive plate stock, intermediate separator stock and negative plate stock with optional use of end separators. The separators, positive plates and negative plates are individually severed from the continuous length of stock and sequentially formed into an assembly. The assembly is introduced into a battery cell container. A plurality of assemblies may be established prior to introduction into the battery cell container. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly zone moves relative to the cutting stations for the respective continuous lengths of stock and facilitates sequential establishment of the assembly without intermediate storage of the individual separators and elements. The apparatus includes equipment for supplying continuous lengths of end separator stock, positive plate stock, intermediate separator stock and negative plate stock. An assembly zone is adapted to receive the individual separator end plates from which the assembly may be introduced into a battery cell container. In one embodiment, a separator and an associated positive or negative plate may be cut substantially simultaneously. In another embodiment, they are cut individually.

A method of electrochemically forming battery plate stock spaces are provided between portions of the battery stock which may be in coil form and have gaps between adjacent wraps. Forming is preferably accomplished in a forming tank with a forming element such as an electrode or coil of opposite polarity being positioned in spaced relationship with respect to the edge of the battery plate stock. The battery plate stock is subsequently severed into individual battery plates.

Method for electrochemically treating battery plate stock and related

A battery powered light source comprising an electric light bulb; a plurality of air cathodes; a plurality of metal anodes, one for each cathode; a plurality of electrically nonconductive housings disposed adjacent to each other, wherein each housing encloses a respective chamber containing one cathode and one anode which are spaced from each other and form an anode-cathode pair and also encloses a cavity which is below the anode-cathode pair and is in fluid flow communication with the chamber, each housing having a portion defining at least one air passage from its chamber to an adjacent housing, and an opening through which a surface of the contained cathode is exposed to air in the passage. The housings are secured to each other in such arrangement that their respective air-passage-defining portions cooperatively define at least one common air passage. Circuit elements are provided for electrically connecting the anode-cathode pairs to each other and to the electric light bulb.

Growing community of inventors

Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Michael V Rose