US3931840A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acid filling apparatus for storage batteries
Assignee: Globe Union Inc
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Filing: 1974-11-14
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Granted: 1976-01-13
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Expires: 1994-11-14
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for filling lead-acid storage batteries with acid by immersion of a plurality of batteries into a tank of acid. A framework is provided over an acid tank for supporting a pivotable linkage carrying a support cradle for a number of batteries. The front and back portions of the linkage are supported by separate pairs of chains attached to a counterweight through a number of sprockets. The front support chains are driven by a motor to raise or lower the front portion of the linkage, and the back pair of chains are delayed during lowering of the linkage so that the linkage pivots to immerse and withdraw the batteries at an inclined angle into and out of the acid tank. The angle of incline of the cradle and batteries determines the level of acid which remains in the batteries after filling. The active lengths of the chain pairs are adjustable for selectively varying the angle of incline of the batteries during immersion.
Inventors
- 👤 Helmut Kurt Rinnert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:23
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M50/00; H01M50/60; H01M50/609; H01M50/627; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
Apparatus for filling a plurality of storage batteries with acid, comprising: an open topped tank for containing battery acid; frame means mounted over said tank for supporting a receptacle for receiving a plurality of storage batteries; immersion means for sequentially inclining said receptacle to a preselected angle of incline to determine the level of acid which remains in the batteries after filling while lowering said receptacle into said tank and raising said receptacle out of said tank after a predetermined filling time, and returning the receptacle to a substantially level position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus for filling a plurality of storage batteries with acid, comprising: an open topped tank for containing battery acid; frame means mounted over said tank for supporting a receptacle for receiving a plurality of storage batteries; immersion means for sequentially inclining said receptacle to a preselected angle of incline to determine the level of acid which remains in the batteries after filling while lowering said receptacle into said tank and raising said receptacle out of said tank after a predetermined filling time, and returning the receptacle to a substantially level position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 including: pivotable linkage means coupled to said receptacle for articulatingly supporting said receptacle; and wherein said immersion means includes extensible chain means coupled at one end to said pivotable linkage means, a portion of said chain means extending between said frame means and said pivotable linkage means for raising and lowering said receptacle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
135 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein: said pivotable linkage means comprises first link means pivotally coupled to one side of said receptacle, and second link means pivotally coupled to the other side of said receptacle; said extensible chain means comprises first chain means coupled at one end to said first link means and second chain means coupled at one end to said second link means, said first and second chain means being extensible between a first position supporting said receptacle in a level condition above said tank and a second position supporting said receptacle in an inclined condition within said tank, said first chain means being extensible independently of said second chain means over a portion of the travel of said chains between said first and second positions whereby said receptacle may be inclined.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 3 including: first shaft means rotatably journaled in said frame means and extending generally horizontally over said tank; second shaft means having weights affixed thereto, said second shaft means being vertically movable between an upper and a lower position; third shaft means mounted on said frame means intermediate said first and second shaft means; and said first and second chain means extending over said first and third shaft means and having their other ends attached to said second shaft means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 4 including: first sprocket means affixed to said first shaft means for drivably engaging said first chain means, said first chain means having a slack portion between said first and third shaft means when said first chain means is in said first position; second sprocket means rotatably journaled on said first shaft means and engaging said second chain means whereby the weight of said receptacle applies a tensile force to said second chain between said first receptacle and said second shaft means; and a reversible prime mover for driving said first shaft in a first direction to advance said first chain means and a second direction to retract said first chain means relative to said tank, whereby when said first chain is advanced sufficiently to take up said slack portion, said second shaft will be raised thereby simultaneously advancing said first and second chain means relative to said tank to lower said receptacle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 5 including: first means for detecting when said receptacle is in its upper-most position over said tank; and second means for detecting when said receptacle is lowered into said tank.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 6 including: support means for receiving said third shaft in said lower position; and means for adjusting the working lengths of said first and second chain means between said pivotable linkage means and said second shaft means for varying the inclination of said receptacle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 7 including: at least two idler sprockets independently rotatably mounted on said third shaft means and separately engaging said first and second chain means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein: said first chain means comprises a first pair of parallel chains; and said second chain means comprises a second pair of parallel chains.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein: said receptacle having an open top and at least one open end, said end being on a side perpendicular to said first shaft means; and roller means coupled to said receptacle for rollably supporting said batteries.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 4 including: support means for receiving said third shaft in said lower position; and means for adjusting the working lengths of said first and second chain means between said pivotable linkage means and said second shaft means for varying the inclination of said receptacle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein: said first chain means comprises a first pair of parallel chains; and said second chain means comprises a second pair of parallel chains.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 2 including: first shaft means rotatably journaled in said frame means and extending generally horizontally over said tank; second shaft means having weights affixed thereto, said second shaft means being vertically movable between an upper and a lower position; third shaft means mounted on said frame means intermediate said first and second shaft means; and said extensible chain means extending over said first and third shaft means and having their other ends attached to said second shaft means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 including: first means for detecting when said receptacle is in its upper-most position over said tank; and second means for detecting when said receptacle is lowered into said tank.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein: said receptacle having an open top and at least one open end, said end being on a side perpendicular to said first shaft means; and roller means coupled to said receptacle for rollably supporting said batteries.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said immersion means includes: control means for controlling the sequence of operation of said immersion means; and timer means for selectively varying the amount of time said receptacle is maintained in said tank after lowering.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of simultaneously filling a plurality of storage batteries having filling ports with acid, comprising: positioning said batteries over an open topped tank of acid with said filling ports facing upwardly; inclining said batteries at a predetermined angle of inclination to determine the level of acid which remains in the batteries after filling; immersing batteries into said tank for a preselected amount of time to fill said batteries with acid; raising said batteries out of said tank while maintaining said batteries in an inclined position.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of simultaneously filling a plurality of storage batteries having filling ports with acid, comprising: positioning said batteries over an open topped tank of acid with said filling ports facing upwardly; inclining said batteries at a predetermined angle of inclination to determine the level of acid which remains in the batteries after filling; immersing batteries into said tank for a preselected amount of time to fill said batteries with acid; raising said batteries out of said tank while maintaining said batteries in an inclined position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as recited in claim 17 including: varying the amount of time said batteries are immersed to vary the specific gravity of acid in said batteries.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3786842A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-01-12 | 1979-07-14 | 1980-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-01-12 | 1983-07-14 | 1984-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-01-12 | 1987-07-14 | 1988-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |