US3839093A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lead sealed-through connection
Assignee: Gates Rubber Co
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Filing: 1972-09-25
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Granted: 1974-10-01
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Expires: 1992-09-25
Abstract
Abstract An electrochemical device having a resilient, electrolyte resistant inner lining and top (e.g., of plastic) and connections between the electrodes of the device through the inner top to the device terminals which are sealed by a compression fit between the terminal connecting post and resilient inner top. A hole or port in the resilient member at the point of connection carries the terminal connecting post which consists of a deformable electrical conductor of relatively soft lead. This deformable lead post is made to yield and expand against the plastic lining to form a liquid seal compression fit. The expansion is provided by the engagement of a threaded male member, e.g., a bolt, with a threaded female member, e.g., a lock nut, one of the members being embedded in the lead post and reacting against and deforming the lead upon engagement of the threaded members. This seal has particularly utility in a sealed or resealably safety valved battery and other electrolytic cells.
Inventors
- 👤 C Twogood
- 👤 Clelland D Mc
- 👤 T Uba
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:18
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D17/00; C25D17/004; H; H01; H01B; H01B17/00; H01B17/26; H01B17/30; H01M; H01M50/00; H01M50/10; H01M50/172; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A SEAL FOR CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE ELECTRODES AND TERMINALS OF AN ELECTROLYTIC DEVICE COMPRISING: A RESILIENT SEAT MEMBER CONTAINING APERTURES FOR TERMINAL CONNECTIONS THERETHROUGH; A SOFT DEFORMABLE LEAD OR LEAD ALLOY CONNECTOR SEATED IN THE APERTURES OF SAID RESILIENT MATERIAL, SAID LEAD CONNECTOR HAVING A BRINELL HARDNESS OF LESS THAN ABOUT 10 KG/MM2, A MALE THREADED MEMBER; AND A FEMALE THREADED MEMBER RECEIVABLY ENGAGING SAID MALE MEMBER, ONE OF SAID THREADED MEMBERS HAVING A BRINELL HARDNESS GREATER THAN THAT OF THE LEAD CONNECTOR AND HAVING A LATERAL SHOULDER OR SHOULDER PROJECTIONS OTHER THAN THE THREADS EMBEDDED IN THE LEAD CONNECTOR, THE SHOULDER PROJECTION(S) EXERTING A POSITIVE FORCE AGAINST THE SOFT LEAD WHICH IN TURN IS MADE TO BE IN TIGHT CONFROMITY WITH THE APERTURE WALL OF THE RESILIENT MEMBER TO FORM THE LIQUID TIGHT SEAL.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A SEAL FOR CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE ELECTRODES AND TERMINALS OF AN ELECTROLYTIC DEVICE COMPRISING: A RESILIENT SEAT MEMBER CONTAINING APERTURES FOR TERMINAL CONNECTIONS THERETHROUGH; A SOFT DEFORMABLE LEAD OR LEAD ALLOY CONNECTOR SEATED IN THE APERTURES OF SAID RESILIENT MATERIAL, SAID LEAD CONNECTOR HAVING A BRINELL HARDNESS OF LESS THAN ABOUT 10 KG/MM2, A MALE THREADED MEMBER; AND A FEMALE THREADED MEMBER RECEIVABLY ENGAGING SAID MALE MEMBER, ONE OF SAID THREADED MEMBERS HAVING A BRINELL HARDNESS GREATER THAN THAT OF THE LEAD CONNECTOR AND HAVING A LATERAL SHOULDER OR SHOULDER PROJECTIONS OTHER THAN THE THREADS EMBEDDED IN THE LEAD CONNECTOR, THE SHOULDER PROJECTION(S) EXERTING A POSITIVE FORCE AGAINST THE SOFT LEAD WHICH IN TURN IS MADE TO BE IN TIGHT CONFROMITY WITH THE APERTURE WALL OF THE RESILIENT MEMBER TO FORM THE LIQUID TIGHT SEAL.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The seal arrangement of claim 1 wherein the resilient seat member is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polystyrene, polycarbonate, chlorinated polyethers, copolymers of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyvinyl chloride, polysulfones, and polyphenylene oxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The seal arrangement of claim 1 wherein the male threaded member is a bolt, the head of the bolt forming said shoulder and embedded in the lead connector, while the threaded end of the bolt extends upwardly and exteriorly of the lead connector for current collection and engagement with the female threaded member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The seal arrangement of claim 3 wherein the head of the bolt forms a tapered surface, the normal to the surface having axial upward and radial components.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The seal arrangement of claim 1 wherein the female threaded member is embedded in the lead connector and the male threaded member is axially engaged therewith and includes a head portion which bears against the resilient seat exterior of the lead connector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The seal arrangement of claim 5 wherein the female member consists of an internally and externally threaded bushing tapped into the lead connector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The seal arrangement of claim 5 wherein the female member has an exterior carrying shoulder projections other than threads.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
The seal arrangement of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the male or female threaded member which is embedded in the soft connector bears a coating compatible with the threaded member(s) and connector, said coating forming a bond between the embedded threaded member(s) and the connector to facilitate the use of higher torque when mutually tightening the threaded members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The seal arrangement of claim 8 wherein the coating comprises tin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The seal arrangement of claim 1 as sealed through terminal connections in combination with a lead-acid electrochemical cell.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
166 words
A sealed-through intra-cell connection between the electrodes and outer terminals of a sealed lead-acid electrochemical cell comprising: a resilient plastic seat containing apertures for terminal connections therethrough, said apertures having side and overhang portions; a deformable lead or lead alloy connector seated in the apertures of said resilient plastic material, the deformable connector having a Brinell hardness of less than about 10 kg/mm2; a male member axially disposed in the connector and having embedded in the connector a lateral shoulder portion with a surface inclined with respect to the axis of the connector, the normal to such surface having axial upward and radial components with respect to the upright orientation of the cell; and a female member receivably engaging the male member in a manner urging the shoulder portion of the male member toward the female member, exerting a positive force against the deformable connector which in turn tightly conforms to the side and overhang portions of the plastic seat apertures to form the electrolyte-tight seal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
166 words
A sealed-through intra-cell connection between the electrodes and outer terminals of a sealed lead-acid electrochemical cell comprising: a resilient plastic seat containing apertures for terminal connections therethrough, said apertures having side and overhang portions; a deformable lead or lead alloy connector seated in the apertures of said resilient plastic material, the deformable connector having a Brinell hardness of less than about 10 kg/mm2; a male member axially disposed in the connector and having embedded in the connector a lateral shoulder portion with a surface inclined with respect to the axis of the connector, the normal to such surface having axial upward and radial components with respect to the upright orientation of the cell; and a female member receivably engaging the male member in a manner urging the shoulder portion of the male member toward the female member, exerting a positive force against the deformable connector which in turn tightly conforms to the side and overhang portions of the plastic seat apertures to form the electrolyte-tight seal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The connection of claim 11 wherein the male member carries a coating of a conductive material which diffuses into and is mutually miscible with the male member and deformable connector to form an adherent joining therebetween.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for obtaining a liquid tight seal between a resilient container and a deformable soft lead or lead alloy electrical connector extending through and supported by said container, comprising: embedding a first threaded member having at least one shoulder projection within said lead connector; axially engaging from above the connector a second threaded member with said first threaded member and tightening until the soft lead has deformed radially and axially upwardly against the resilient seat to form the seal.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for obtaining a liquid tight seal between a resilient container and a deformable soft lead or lead alloy electrical connector extending through and supported by said container, comprising: embedding a first threaded member having at least one shoulder projection within said lead connector; axially engaging from above the connector a second threaded member with said first threaded member and tightening until the soft lead has deformed radially and axially upwardly against the resilient seat to form the seal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the soft lead connector has a Brinell hardness of less than about 10 kg/mm2, and less than the Brinell hardness of the embedded threaded member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the resilient container is made of a polymeric material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said embedded threaded member is coated with a material which diffuses into and is mutually miscible with the connector and embedded threaded member.
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) | 1977-09-30 | 1978-04-01 | 1978-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-30 | 1982-04-01 | 1982-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-30 | 1986-04-01 | 1986-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |