US4221847A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for storage battery electrolyte circulation
Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Co
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Filing: 1979-09-04
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Granted: 1980-09-09
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Expires: 1999-09-04
Abstract
Abstract An electrolyte reservoir in fluid communication with the cell of a storage battery is intermittently pressurized with a pulse of compressed gas to cause a flow of electrolyte from the reservoir to the upper region of less dense electrolyte in the cell. Upon termination of the pressure pulse, more dense electrolyte is forced into the reservoir from the lower region of the cell by the differential pressure head between the cell and reservoir electrolyte levels. The compressed gas pulse is controlled to prevent the entry of gas from the reservoir into the cell.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark S. Inkmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:31
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M50/00; H01M50/70; H01M50/73; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for circulating the liquid electrolyte within the cell of a storage battery, said apparatus comprising: (1) an electrolyte reservoir isolated from the cell and havine a first electrolyte level corresponding to the normal level of electrolyte in the cell; (2) inlet means for admitting electrolyte from the lower portion of the cell into the reservoir; (3) outlet means for directing a flow of electrolyte to the upper portion of the cell from the reservoir; (4) fluid communication means operatively connecting the inlet and outlet means to the reservoir below the first electrolyte level; (5) a gas port in the reservoir above the first electrolyte level; (6) a source of pressurized gas in communication with the gas port; and, (7) means for periodically applying the pressurized gas to the surface of the electrolyte in the reservoir at a volume sufficient to lower the surface to a second electrolyte level above the fluid communication means and to cause at least a part of the electrolyte in the reservoir to flow through the outlet means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for circulating the liquid electrolyte within the cell of a storage battery, said apparatus comprising: (1) an electrolyte reservoir isolated from the cell and havine a first electrolyte level corresponding to the normal level of electrolyte in the cell; (2) inlet means for admitting electrolyte from the lower portion of the cell into the reservoir; (3) outlet means for directing a flow of electrolyte to the upper portion of the cell from the reservoir; (4) fluid communication means operatively connecting the inlet and outlet means to the reservoir below the first electrolyte level; (5) a gas port in the reservoir above the first electrolyte level; (6) a source of pressurized gas in communication with the gas port; and, (7) means for periodically applying the pressurized gas to the surface of the electrolyte in the reservoir at a volume sufficient to lower the surface to a second electrolyte level above the fluid communication means and to cause at least a part of the electrolyte in the reservoir to flow through the outlet means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the differential pressure head between the electrolyte level in the cell and the second electrolyte level provides, alternately with the operation of the means for periodically applying the pressurized gas, a flow of electrolyte through the inlet means and fluid communication means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein: (1) the reservoir is disposed within the battery cell; and, (2) the fluid communication means comprises an opening in the reservoir near the bottom thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the bottom of the reservoir is disposed near the bottom of the cell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the outlet means comprises a generally vertically extending conduit having an outlet opening disposed near the surface of the electrolyte in the cell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the outlet opening of the outlet means is disposed above the level of electrolyte in the cell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the resistance to electrolyte flow through the inlet means is greater than that through the outlet means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the inlet means includes a check valve preventing the reserve flow of electrolyte therethrough.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for periodically applying the pressurized gas comprises: (1) an air pump; (2) an accumulator having: (a) an inlet for receiving the air flow from the pump to charge the accumulator; and, (b) an outlet in communication with the gas port in the reservoir; and, (3) control means for: (a) releasing a timed pulse of compressed air from the accumulator outlet to the gas port; and, (b) relieving the pressure of the compressed air in the reservoir.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
148 words
A method for circulating the liquid electrolyte within the cell of a storage battery comprising the steps of: (1) providing a separate electrolyte reservoir in communication with the cell and having a first electrolyte level corresponding to the level of electrolyte in the cell; (2) pressurizing the reservoir above the electrolyte with a pulse of pressurized gas to cause a flow of electrolyte from the reservoir; (3) directing at least a part of the flow of pressurized electrolyte from the reservoir to the upper portion of the cell; (4) controlling the duration of the pulse of pressurized gas to prevent the flow of gas from the reservoir to the cell; (5) relieving the gas pressure in the reservoir; and, (6) admitting electrolyte into the reservoir from the lower portion of the cell under the influence of the differential pressure head of the electrolyte in the cell and reservoir.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
148 words
A method for circulating the liquid electrolyte within the cell of a storage battery comprising the steps of: (1) providing a separate electrolyte reservoir in communication with the cell and having a first electrolyte level corresponding to the level of electrolyte in the cell; (2) pressurizing the reservoir above the electrolyte with a pulse of pressurized gas to cause a flow of electrolyte from the reservoir; (3) directing at least a part of the flow of pressurized electrolyte from the reservoir to the upper portion of the cell; (4) controlling the duration of the pulse of pressurized gas to prevent the flow of gas from the reservoir to the cell; (5) relieving the gas pressure in the reservoir; and, (6) admitting electrolyte into the reservoir from the lower portion of the cell under the influence of the differential pressure head of the electrolyte in the cell and reservoir.
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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) | 1983-09-09 | 1984-03-10 | 1984-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-09 | 1988-03-10 | 1988-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-09 | 1992-03-10 | 1992-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |