US3786842A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for emptying and filling batteries and apparatus therefor
Assignee: Globe Union Inc
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Filing: 1972-02-25
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Granted: 1974-01-22
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Expires: 1992-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for simultaneously filling and emptying acid from batteries of the lead acid storage type wherein rows of batteries are oppositely disposed with one row directed upwardly and another downwardly and the batteries immersed into the electrolyte acid with the ports of the batteries positioned substantially normal to the acid liquid level. While immersed, the batteries are rotated so that they assume a position somewhat opposite to that initially and the batteries are then raised above the liquid level while tilted approximately 45* from horizontal so that the upwardly disposed batteries will allow acid to flow from them to achieve proper acid filling volumes. The method and apparatus permits a double fill operation wherein rows of oppositely disposed batteries are immersed with the upwardly disposed rows filled with acid, raised from the acid and drained and subsequently immersed and filled to the desired level by the previously indicated tilting procedure.
Inventors
- 👤 H Rinnert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:22
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M50/00; H01M50/60; H01M50/609; H01M50/627; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for simultaneously filling and emptying acid from a battery having the usual filling ports comprising: positioning at least two said batteries with their filling ports in opposing directions and with one said battery directed substantially upwardly and another substantially downwardly, immersing said batteries into said acid with the ports of said batteries below the liquid level of said acid, rotating the batteries while immersed in said acid so that said batteries assume a position substantially opposite to that initially and raising said batteries above said liquid level.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for simultaneously filling and emptying acid from a battery having the usual filling ports comprising: positioning at least two said batteries with their filling ports in opposing directions and with one said battery directed substantially upwardly and another substantially downwardly, immersing said batteries into said acid with the ports of said batteries below the liquid level of said acid, rotating the batteries while immersed in said acid so that said batteries assume a position substantially opposite to that initially and raising said batteries above said liquid level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein a multiplicity of said batteries are aligned in opposing rows while being immersed, rotated and raised.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as defined in claim 2 wherein at least two pairs of opposing rows of said batteries are aligned, immersed, rotated, and raised.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said batteries are rotated approximately 135* while below the level of said acid to result in one of said rows being placed at approximately 45* with respect to the acid level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as defined in claim 4 wherein said batteries are subsequently raised while being positioned at said 45* angle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said batteries which ultimately attain an upright position are removed and replaced with additional batteries while those in an inverted position are subsequently immersed, rotated and filled.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein certain of said batteries are immersed, filled, emptied, and again immersed, and filled without being emptied.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said immersing, rotating, raising and tilting takes place over a period of approximately 2 minutes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said inverted batteries at the completion of said raizing step are drained of substantially all of said acid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said batteries are rotatably supported in an acid bath during said immersing, rotating, and raising.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said batteries are first filled with forming acid, formed and emptied of said forming acid.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for filling a plurality of storage batteries having the usual filling ports with acid comprising: positioning at least two said batteries with their filling ports in opposing directions and with onE said battery directed substantially upwardly and the other substantially downwardly, immersing said batteries into said acid with the ports of said batteries below the liquid level of said acid, rotating the batteries so that said batteries assume a position substantially opposite to that initially, immersing said batteries in said acid while in said opposite position to permit the upwardly positioned battery to fill with acid and raising said batteries above said liquid level.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for filling a plurality of storage batteries having the usual filling ports with acid comprising: positioning at least two said batteries with their filling ports in opposing directions and with onE said battery directed substantially upwardly and the other substantially downwardly, immersing said batteries into said acid with the ports of said batteries below the liquid level of said acid, rotating the batteries so that said batteries assume a position substantially opposite to that initially, immersing said batteries in said acid while in said opposite position to permit the upwardly positioned battery to fill with acid and raising said batteries above said liquid level.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as defined in claim 12 wherein said batteries are disposed at an angle of about 45* when removed from said acid.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for filling and emptying a plurality of storage batteries having filling ports with acid electrolyte comprising: a container for said acid with a determined level of acid, means to hold a plurality of some of said batteries in an upright position and other said batteries in an inverted position with said filling ports in open communication with said acid, means to lower and raise said holding means into and out of said container and means to rotate said holding means while said holding means is maintained in said container and below said acid level.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for filling and emptying a plurality of storage batteries having filling ports with acid electrolyte comprising: a container for said acid with a determined level of acid, means to hold a plurality of some of said batteries in an upright position and other said batteries in an inverted position with said filling ports in open communication with said acid, means to lower and raise said holding means into and out of said container and means to rotate said holding means while said holding means is maintained in said container and below said acid level.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said holding means comprises a double elongated rack with a central conveyor disposed between each rack.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 13 with said rack and said conveyor constructed and arranged to receive two double rows of batteries.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said means to raise and lower said holding means comprises a pair of chain and sprocket mechanisms wherein said chain are fixed at both ends and in a looped manner, a main support shaft rotatably supported by said chains and sprocket drives disposed in supporting engagement with said chains to move determined lengths of chains between the fixed ends and means to drive said sprocket drives.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said main support shaft is guided in its upward and downward movement by a slotted bar extending above said acid container.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said rotation means includes a pair of pulley members encircling said holding means and an additional pair of pulleys disposed on said main support shaft and a pair of belts disposed on both said pairs of pulleys.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 16 further including a first motor drive to rotate said sprocket drives and a second motor to drive said main support shaft with said pulleys.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 13 further including timing means to operate said raising and lowering means and said rotating means in a sequential and predetermined manner.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 13 further including an additional holding means rotatably disposed over an additional container for emptying and receiving sulfuric acid and means to convey lengths of rows of batteries from said receiving container to said holding means operatively associated with said raising and lowering means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-21 | 1977-07-23 | 1978-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-21 | 1981-07-23 | 1982-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-07-23 | 1986-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |