Battery intercell connector manifold

Claim 1

A multicell electric storage battery (2) having an open-ended case (4) including a plurality of partitions (14) dividing said case into compartments (12) each containing a galvanic cell element (16) submerged in a liquid electrolyte, a terminal post (30, 32) on each element for conducting current to and from said element (16) and a cover (6) sealed to the open end of said case, characterised in that the storage battery includes: a recess (42) in said cover traversing said compartments, said recess being defined in part by a wall (36) separating the recess from said compartments (12); a plurality of apertures (54) in said wall (36), each of said apertures opening into a respective one of said compartments (12) and receiving a said terminal post (30, 32) projecting therethrough into said recess from the associated element (16) in said one compartment; an intercell connector manifold (46) in said recess (42) which traverses said compartments (12) and electrically joins said terminal posts (30, 32) together into a plurality of sets according to a desired interconnection pattern, said manifold comprising a non- conductive carrier plate (48) and a plurality of conductive links (50) integral with said plate; said links (50) each having at least two openings (60) therein, each link receiving a said projecting post (30, 32) from at least two different elements, said posts being secured to said links at said openings; seal means (56) associated with said apertures (54) for preventing passage of said electrolyte from said compartments into said recess; and means (8) for closing off said recess.