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Patent US3904436A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3904436A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and means for activating a closed battery
Assignee: Electrochem Inc
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Filing: 1973-10-11
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Granted: 1975-09-09
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Expires: 1993-10-11
Abstract
Abstract A method of activating a closed battery containing solid hygroscopic electrolyte is provided which comprises reducing the pressure within the battery to below atmospheric, releasing water vapor within the battery while pressure in the battery is in a reduced state and maintaining the water vapor in the battery until a battery-activating portion of the electrolyte is dissolved and activated. The reduction of pressure in the battery to below atmospheric removes fluid from voids in the electrolyte, thus assuring uniform activation of the electrolyte and optimum performance of the battery. The method has particular application to batteries containing a large number of cells. After the pressure reduction, water can be introduced in the closed battery and water vapor can be generated in situ, with or without the aid of heat. Fluid circulation and cooling means may be provided to stabilize the battery temperature, particularly since dissolving of the electrolyte generates heat. The invention includes an improved battery containing batteryactivating means in the form of a water reservoir, means for adding water to the reservoir and, in a preferred embodiment, means for heating the water while in the battery to help vaporize the same.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald Cercone
- 👤 Edward S Dennison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:10
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M6/00; H01M6/30; H01M6/32; H01M12/00; H01M12/04; H01M12/06; H01M12/065; H01M50/00; H01M50/60; H01M50/609; H01M50/627; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
45 words
A METHOD OF ACTIVATING CLOSED BATTERIES, WHICH METHOD COMPRISES REDUCING THE PRESSURE TO BELOW ATMOSPHERIC IN A CLOSED INACTIVE BATTERY CPNTAINING SOLID HYGROSCOPIC ELECTROLYTE, AND RELEASING WAER VAPOR IN SAID BATTERY WHILE SAID PRESSURE IS IN A REDUCED STATE AND MAINTAINING SAID WATER VAPOR IN
Claim 2
Independent Claim
45 words
A METHOD OF ACTIVATING CLOSED BATTERIES, WHICH METHOD COMPRISES REDUCING THE PRESSURE TO BELOW ATMOSPHERIC IN A CLOSED INACTIVE BATTERY CPNTAINING SOLID HYGROSCOPIC ELECTROLYTE, AND RELEASING WAER VAPOR IN SAID BATTERY WHILE SAID PRESSURE IS IN A REDUCED STATE AND MAINTAINING SAID WATER VAPOR IN
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said battery is evacuated to reduce said pressure, thereby removing fluid from voids in said electrolyte prior to said release of water vapor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein water is introduced into said closed battery after said pressure reduction and said water vapor is generated in situ in said battery from said water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said battery includes a plurality of cells and wherein said water is mechanically heated while in said battery to facilitate formation of said water vapor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said battery includes a plurality of cells, each containing said electrolyte, and wherein said electrolyte comprises solid potassium hydroxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 5 wherein electrode material comprising zinc is present in discrete particulate form admixed with said electrolyte in each of said cells.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of activating closed batteries, which method comprises reducing by evacuation the pressure to below atmospheric in a closed inactive battery containing solid hygroscopic electrolyte, thereby removing fluid from voids in the electrolyte, then releasing water vapor in said battery while said pressure is in a reduced state, maintaining said water vapor in said battery until at least a battery-activating portion of said electrolyte is dissolved by said vapor, and cooling and circulating said water vapor in said battery by an internal fluid circulation system and cooling means in said battery to stabilize and control the temperature of said battery during said dissolving of said electrolyte.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of activating closed batteries, which method comprises reducing by evacuation the pressure to below atmospheric in a closed inactive battery containing solid hygroscopic electrolyte, thereby removing fluid from voids in the electrolyte, then releasing water vapor in said battery while said pressure is in a reduced state, maintaining said water vapor in said battery until at least a battery-activating portion of said electrolyte is dissolved by said vapor, and cooling and circulating said water vapor in said battery by an internal fluid circulation system and cooling means in said battery to stabilize and control the temperature of said battery during said dissolving of said electrolyte.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said battery includes a water reservoir into which said water is introduced and wherein said water in said battery is heated by heating means external of said battery to facilitate said water vapor generation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
An improved closed activatable battery, said battery comprising: a. at least one cell including a pair of electrodes and solid hygroscopic electrolyte; b. a solid housing enclosing said cell; c. a water reservoir within said housing; d. means for adding water to said reservoir; e. means for reducing the atmospheric pressure in said battery; f. fluid circulating means within said housing; and, g. fluid cooling means within said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
An improved closed activatable battery, said battery comprising: a. at least one cell including a pair of electrodes and solid hygroscopic electrolyte; b. a solid housing enclosing said cell; c. a water reservoir within said housing; d. means for adding water to said reservoir; e. means for reducing the atmospheric pressure in said battery; f. fluid circulating means within said housing; and, g. fluid cooling means within said housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improved battery of claim 9 wherein said battery includes means for heating water mechanically when in said reservoir.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improved battery of claim 9 wherein said battery includes a plurality of cells, each of said cells including said solid electrolyte and a pair of electrodes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improved battery of claim 9 wherein said electrolyte comprises solid potassium hydroxide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improved battery of claim 11 wherein electrode material comprising zinc is present in discrete particulate form admixed with said electrolyte in each of said cells.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-08 | 1979-03-10 | 1979-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-08 | 1983-03-10 | 1983-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-08 | 1987-03-10 | 1987-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |