The Taylor-winfield Corporation

Gnb Batteries Inc.

William E Mullane

David Lund

David L Lund

Richard Challenger

Louis Krivanek

Senajit J Majumdar

Apparatus for simultaneously fusing both positive and negative side terminal posts of a lead acid storage battery having a pair of tombstones of L-shape. Each of the terminal posts has an inwardly extending projection extending into a substantially U-shaped opening at the top of the vertical legs of the tombstones. A pair of spaced induction coils are connected in series. A mold surrounds each coil for confining fused metal to fill the substantially U-shaped opening in the top of the tombstones for providing an integral connection between the terminal posts and the vertical portions of the tombstones when the terminal posts and tombstones are lifted into the molds and the induction coils are energized.

Side terminal connection by fusing

Intercell fusing apparatus for use in a battery having flat tombstone type connections, each tombstone having a pair of vertically and horizontally outwardly extending portions of fusible material closely surrounding a vertical partition of electrically insulating material having a hole extending horizontally therethrough. It comprises a mold closely surrounding each pair of vertical portions of the tombstones and surrounding a partition portion above the hole, and a pair of interconnected coils preferably having double windings on each side of the partition to effect fusion of the tombstones within the mold when energized by a source of high frequency alternating current.

Apparatus for intercell fusion of battery connections

In a storage battery having a plurality of electrically insulating vertical partitions, the method of the invention comprises sandwiching each partition, successively, between a pair of terminals of lead or other easily fusible material of the so-called 'tombstone' type, that is, of 'L' shape in which the vertical or riser portion of one terminal has a horizontal pin which extends through a hole in the partition and through a hole in the riser portion of the other terminal. An insulating sheet and induction coil are placed against the end of the pin by a fusing apparatus which is provided with a pair of arms which are pivotally operated by a fluid cylinder, one arm carrying the above-mentioned coil and insulating sheet and the other acting as a pusher. The terminal pairs and partition are squeezed together by said arms and thereafter induction current is applied to the coil to fuse the perimetrical portion of the pin and surrounding surface of the hole of the other terminal so as to fill the void therebetween and form a solid intercell connection.

Welding intercell connections by induction heating

A method of making intercell connections in a lead-acid storage battery. The battery has a plurality of pairs of vertical risers of lead or other readily feasible material, each pair sandwiching an electrically insulating vertical partition. The method comprises forming a horizontal hole in a partition, squeezing together such as by hydraulic cylinders, a pair of risers against its corresponding partition and applying coils energized by high frequency electrical current against the outer surfaces of the risers adjacent the hole and simultaneously squeezing together said pair of risers against its partition so as to fuse the riser material adjacent the hole and introduce it through and fill the hole. High quality readily reproducible intercell connections are thus formed successively throughout the battery.

Battery intercell connection by induction heating

Apparatus and method for induction heating 'over-the-partition' intercell connections in a lead/acid storage battery by melting both lead risers so as to form a connection over the top of the insulating partition. A mold is suspended on top of the partition and an induction coil is supported on the mold so as to surround the top portion of the intercell lead risers. High frequency alternating electrical current is applied to the coil so as to melt the top portion of the lead risers so that upon fusion thereof in the mold and cooling, the tops of the risers are interconnected. The interconnection bridges the top of the risers and rests on top of the partition. The invention lends itself to mass production in a very short time as compared to present methods. Excellent fusion quality is reliably obtained as compared to present methods.

Induction heated intercell fusion for lead/acid storage battery

An adhesive bonding press having a 'C' frame which mounts upper and lower platens, one of which supports an induction coil mounted in a non-metallic tube. Adhesive is applied to coat the top surface of a lower metallic plate supported on the lower platen, after which a second metallic plate is laid thereon. Thereafter, the plates are clamped together by an air cylinder through upper and lower platens and tooling holders of the press, one of which includes an induction coil. High frequency current is then applied to the induction coil which rapidly heats the adhesive for 2 to 3 seconds. An air blast is then induced in the upper and lower tooling to rapidly cool the parts to room temperature. Spot curing takes place in the area axially of the induction coil which very firmly bonds the two plates together so that further operations in a production or automation line will take place immediately. The spot curing may be done in a number of spots on larger pieces or, for small pieces, may cover the entire area of the adhesive when metallic pieces are to be adhered together.

Adhesive spot curing press and method for metallic parts

An apparatus and method for fusing the ends of battery cell terminal posts and the ends of hollow bushings fixed in the plastic cover of a battery being assembled and within which the terminal posts are concentrically disposed. The apparatus includes a pair of induction heating coils which each concentrically support a mold cavity insert adapted to receive the ends of the terminal posts and bushings to be fused and a ferrite insert adapted to concentrate induced current in the ends of the terminal post and bushings upon energization of the coils. An electrical control is provided for selectively generating a radio-frequency oscillating current in the coils to effect heating, melting, and fusion of the ends of the terminal posts and bushings to consistent fusion depths while the plastic battery case remains substantially uneffected. The control is adapted to substantially instantaneously energize the inductance heating coils to a first power level, maintain such power level for a first predetermined period for melting the ends of the terminal posts and bushings, and then gradually decrease the power level in a substantially uniform controlled manner for a second predetermined period to produce finished fused terminals with good surface appearance.

Growing community of inventors

Warren, OH, United States of America

William E Mullane