US3861965A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lead-acid battery with resealable vent valve
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1972-09-07
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Granted: 1975-01-21
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Expires: 1992-09-07
Abstract
Abstract A lead-acid battery used primarily in float service is described, in which a resealable vent valve is employed. The vent valve relieves excessive build-up of pressure while substantially reducing evaporative water loss. Consequently, topping up need only be performed at relatively long intervals.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Denis O'sullivan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:24
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M50/00; H01M50/30; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7738
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
419 words
Apparatus comprising at least one lead acid storage cell, each cell comprising: a. a receptacle, b. a pair of spaced electrodes so arranged as to be partially immersed when an electrolyte is introduced into the receptacle, c. the receptacle being provided with an orifice containing a valve, which is normally closed but is designed to open upon attainment of a first differential positive pressure within the cell relative to external pressure and is designed to close at a second differential pressure, with the first pressure being greater than the second pressure, characterized in that the valve comprises: (a) a tubular member comprising: 1 a first hollow sleeve portion having an inner vertical surface of substantially constant diameter, 2 a second hollow sleeve portion, one end of which is joined to the lower end of the first sleeve portion, the second sleeve portion (a) having an inner vertical surface of smaller diameter than the first sleeve portion to thereby form a shoulder at the juncture of the first and second sleeve portions and (b) extending through the orifice into the cell, and 3 at least one channel extending from interior the juncture region of the lower end of the first sleeve portion to exterior the valve for providing release of pressure from the cell when the valve is open; and (b) a slug capable of moving in response to pressure generated in the cell by formation of gases, the slug comprising: 1 a first cylindrical portion of approximately the same constant diameter as the first sleeve portion and slidably mounted in the first sleeve portion, 2 a second cylindrical portion, (a) a first end of which is joined to the lower end of the first cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion having a smaller diameter than the first cylindrical portion so as to define an annular shoulder at the juncture of the first and second cylindrical portions, which annular shoulder mates with the shoulder of the tubular member so as to seal the cell when the valve is closed, and (b) a second end of which terminates within the second sleeve portion, such that when the valve is closed, the pressure in the cell acts only on the second end of the second cylindrical portion extending into the second sleeve portion and such that when the valve is open, the pressure in the cell acts on the combined cross-sectional areas of the second end of the second cylindrical portion extending into the second sleeve portion and of the annular shoulder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
419 words
Apparatus comprising at least one lead acid storage cell, each cell comprising: a. a receptacle, b. a pair of spaced electrodes so arranged as to be partially immersed when an electrolyte is introduced into the receptacle, c. the receptacle being provided with an orifice containing a valve, which is normally closed but is designed to open upon attainment of a first differential positive pressure within the cell relative to external pressure and is designed to close at a second differential pressure, with the first pressure being greater than the second pressure, characterized in that the valve comprises: (a) a tubular member comprising: 1 a first hollow sleeve portion having an inner vertical surface of substantially constant diameter, 2 a second hollow sleeve portion, one end of which is joined to the lower end of the first sleeve portion, the second sleeve portion (a) having an inner vertical surface of smaller diameter than the first sleeve portion to thereby form a shoulder at the juncture of the first and second sleeve portions and (b) extending through the orifice into the cell, and 3 at least one channel extending from interior the juncture region of the lower end of the first sleeve portion to exterior the valve for providing release of pressure from the cell when the valve is open; and (b) a slug capable of moving in response to pressure generated in the cell by formation of gases, the slug comprising: 1 a first cylindrical portion of approximately the same constant diameter as the first sleeve portion and slidably mounted in the first sleeve portion, 2 a second cylindrical portion, (a) a first end of which is joined to the lower end of the first cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion having a smaller diameter than the first cylindrical portion so as to define an annular shoulder at the juncture of the first and second cylindrical portions, which annular shoulder mates with the shoulder of the tubular member so as to seal the cell when the valve is closed, and (b) a second end of which terminates within the second sleeve portion, such that when the valve is closed, the pressure in the cell acts only on the second end of the second cylindrical portion extending into the second sleeve portion and such that when the valve is open, the pressure in the cell acts on the combined cross-sectional areas of the second end of the second cylindrical portion extending into the second sleeve portion and of the annular shoulder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the receptacle is at least partially filled with electrolyte in contact with the electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the second end of the second cylindrical portion to the combined cross-sectional areas of the second end of the second cylindrical portion and of the annular shoulder ranges from about 1:1.5 to about 1:25 and in which the slug is designed so as to move in response to a positive pressure differential ranging from about 0.01 atmospheres to about 1 atmosphere.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the ratio varies from about 1:5 to 1:15 and in which the slug moves in response to a pressure differential ranging from about 0.05 atmospheres to about 0.5 atmospheres.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the tubular member includes at least one channel within its wall.
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) | 1978-01-20 | 1978-07-22 | 1979-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-20 | 1982-07-22 | 1983-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-20 | 1986-07-22 | 1987-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |