US4076901A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High-temperature method of operating a lead-acid cell
Assignee: RWE AG
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Filing: 1976-10-19
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Granted: 1978-02-28
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Expires: 1996-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A lead-acid storage cell is operated at a temperature of about 70° C and comprises a positive electrode which, in the charged state, carries an active mass consisting predominantly of lead dioxide, a negative electrode consisting predominantly of lead in the charged condition, and a sulfuric acid electrolyte. To permit the storage cell to operate at the elevated temperature without deterioration, the negative electrode is provided with a sheath permeable to the electrolyte but impermeable to particles released from the negative electrode. The sheath, which may constitute the interelectrode separator, can consist of a nonwoven or woven fabric of glass fiber or a nonwoven or woven fabric of unsubstituted or perhalogenated polyolefin or a layer of ceramic. The electrolyte in the cell is covered by a vaporization-resistant layer consisting of floating solid particles or a liquid which is unaffected by the high operating temperature. The battery or cell can be heated so as to permit its discharge, for example, at the aforementioned optimum temperature of about 70° C.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinz Peter Fritz
- 👤 Jurgen Besenhardt
- 👤 Gerhard Rauschenbach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:15
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/06; H01M50/00; H01M50/30; H01M50/383; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
In a method of operating a lead-acid cell comprising a housing, at least one positive electrode having a lead dioxide active mass in the charged state of the positive electrode and disposed within said housing, a negative electrode consisting predominantly of lead disposed in said housing, and a sulfuric acid electrolyte in said housing in contact with said electrodes, the improvement which comprises: enveloping said negative electrode in a sheath of a material inert to said electrolyte but permeably thereby and capable of retaining particles of the negative electrode, said sheath being selected from the group which consists of a woven fabric or nonwoven mat of glass fiber, a woven fabric or nonwoven mat of perhalogenated polyolefin, a woven fabric or nonwoven mat of unsubstituted polyolefin, or a ceramic material; cycling said cell through alternate charge and discharge periods with at least the discharging thereof being effected at a temperature above 55° C; and maintaining a layer of a vaporization-resistant low-volatility material having a specific gravity less than that of said electrolyte and insoluble therein above the electrolyte in said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
In a method of operating a lead-acid cell comprising a housing, at least one positive electrode having a lead dioxide active mass in the charged state of the positive electrode and disposed within said housing, a negative electrode consisting predominantly of lead disposed in said housing, and a sulfuric acid electrolyte in said housing in contact with said electrodes, the improvement which comprises: enveloping said negative electrode in a sheath of a material inert to said electrolyte but permeably thereby and capable of retaining particles of the negative electrode, said sheath being selected from the group which consists of a woven fabric or nonwoven mat of glass fiber, a woven fabric or nonwoven mat of perhalogenated polyolefin, a woven fabric or nonwoven mat of unsubstituted polyolefin, or a ceramic material; cycling said cell through alternate charge and discharge periods with at least the discharging thereof being effected at a temperature above 55° C; and maintaining a layer of a vaporization-resistant low-volatility material having a specific gravity less than that of said electrolyte and insoluble therein above the electrolyte in said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement defined in claim 1 wherein said cell is discharged at a temperature between 65° and 75° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement defined in claim 2 wherein said cell is discharged at a temperature of about 70° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement defined in claim 1 wherein said layer consists of solid particles nonwettable by said electrolyte.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improvement defined in claim 1 wherein said layer consists of a hydrophobic organic substance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement defined in claim 5 wherein said hydrophobic organic substance is paraffin oil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
168 words
A lead-acid storage cell comprising: a housing forming a receptacle; a sulfuric acid electrolyte in said receptacle; at least one positive electrode immersed in said electrolyte and having as an active mass lead dioxide in a charged state of said positive electrode; a negative electrode in said electrolyte juxtaposed with said positive electrode and having in a charged state of said negative electrode an active mass consisting predominantly of lead; a sheath of a material permeable to said electrolyte but substantially impenetrable to particles of said negative electrode, said sheath enveloping said negative electrode, said sheath being selected from the group which consists of a woven fabric or nonwoven mat of glass fiber, a woven fabric or nonwoven mat of perhalogenated polyolefin, a woven fabric or nonwoven mat of unsubstituted polyolefin, or a ceramic material; a layer of low-volatility material overlying said electrolyte in said receptacle and means for automatically operating said cell at least during the discharge thereof at a temperature between substantially 65° and 75° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
168 words
A lead-acid storage cell comprising: a housing forming a receptacle; a sulfuric acid electrolyte in said receptacle; at least one positive electrode immersed in said electrolyte and having as an active mass lead dioxide in a charged state of said positive electrode; a negative electrode in said electrolyte juxtaposed with said positive electrode and having in a charged state of said negative electrode an active mass consisting predominantly of lead; a sheath of a material permeable to said electrolyte but substantially impenetrable to particles of said negative electrode, said sheath enveloping said negative electrode, said sheath being selected from the group which consists of a woven fabric or nonwoven mat of glass fiber, a woven fabric or nonwoven mat of perhalogenated polyolefin, a woven fabric or nonwoven mat of unsubstituted polyolefin, or a ceramic material; a layer of low-volatility material overlying said electrolyte in said receptacle and means for automatically operating said cell at least during the discharge thereof at a temperature between substantially 65° and 75° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The lead-acid cell defined in claim 7 wherein said layer is composed of solid particles having a specific gravity less than that of the electrolyte and nonwettable thereby.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The lead-acid cell defined in claim 7 wherein said layer consists of a liquid having a specific gravity less than that of the electrolyte.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lead-acid cell defined in claim 9 wherein said liquid is paraffin oil.
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) | 1981-02-27 | 1981-08-29 | 1982-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-27 | 1985-08-29 | 1986-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-27 | 1989-08-29 | 1990-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |