US5169735A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automotive battery and electrical system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-03-02
•
Granted: 1992-12-08
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Expires: 2010-03-02
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to batteries and battery systems. In particular, a battery is described which comprises a container which houses a plurality of cells. Each of the cells share a common negative terminal. Two or more positive terminal cells are provided. The specification also describes the use of such batteries to power the cranking and auxiliary circuits according to a cell discharge management scheme. Methods of forming such batteries are disclosed in which alternate positive and negative electrode plates are provided and methods of forming layered electrode plates are disclosed in which layered grids are provided and by varying the number of layers, thick and thin plates can be provided with different discharge characteristics.
Inventors
- 👤 Pita Witehira
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:57
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R16/00; B60R16/02; B60R16/03; B60R16/04; H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/06; H01M10/12; H01M10/122; H01M10/42; H01M10/44; H01M4/00; H01M4/02; H01M4/14; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A battery comprising a single housing having a plurality of electrochemical cells therein, said plurality of cells including a first set of cells electrically connected in series to a first positive terminal cell and associated first positive terminal, a second set of cells electrically connected in series to a second positive terminal cell and associated second positive terminal, and a common negative terminal cell and associated terminal to which both the first and second set of cells are connected in parallel, each said cell having a plurality of positive and negative electrode plates therein and an electrolyte in contact with said plates, wherein said first set of cells has different discharge characteristics than said second set of cells.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A battery comprising a single housing having a plurality of electrochemical cells therein, said plurality of cells including a first set of cells electrically connected in series to a first positive terminal cell and associated first positive terminal, a second set of cells electrically connected in series to a second positive terminal cell and associated second positive terminal, and a common negative terminal cell and associated terminal to which both the first and second set of cells are connected in parallel, each said cell having a plurality of positive and negative electrode plates therein and an electrolyte in contact with said plates, wherein said first set of cells has different discharge characteristics than said second set of cells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein some of the plates in said first set of cells are thicker than the plates in said second set of cells.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plates contain active material, and the density of said active material in the plates of said first set of cells is greater than that in the second series of cells.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least some said plates comprise two or more layers of active material that are not separated from adjacent layers by plates of opposite polarity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A battery as claimed in claim 4, wherein said lay plates comprise layers of grids holding layers of active material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cells are divided by partitions and intercell connections are made through said partitions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cells are divided by partitions and intercell connections are made over said partitions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said battery has a lid and intercell connections are made in said lid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein one set of cells has electrode plates that produce less gas during discharge than the other set of cells.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
A battery comprising a first series of cells and a second series of cells, said first and second series of cells sharing a common negative terminal but having separate positive terminals, wherein the construction of the cells in said first series is different from that of said second series, and wherein the cells in said first series and lead/calcium cells and the cells in said second series are lead/antimony cells.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
A battery comprising a first series of cells and a second series of cells, said first and second series of cells sharing a common negative terminal but having separate positive terminals, wherein the construction of the cells in said first series is different from that of said second series, and wherein the cells in said first series and lead/calcium cells and the cells in said second series are lead/antimony cells.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
86 words
A battery comprising first series of cells and a second series of cells, said first and second series of cells sharing a common negative terminal but having separate positive terminals, wherein the construction of the cells in said first series is different from that of said second series, and wherein the cells in said battery comprise multiple electrode plates of alternating polarity separated by porous separators, and wherein the separators in said first series are of greater permeability to electrolyte than those of said second series.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
86 words
A battery comprising first series of cells and a second series of cells, said first and second series of cells sharing a common negative terminal but having separate positive terminals, wherein the construction of the cells in said first series is different from that of said second series, and wherein the cells in said battery comprise multiple electrode plates of alternating polarity separated by porous separators, and wherein the separators in said first series are of greater permeability to electrolyte than those of said second series.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
83 words
A battery comprising a first series of cells and a second series of cells, said first and second series of cells sharing a common negative terminal but having separate positive terminals, wherein the construction of the cells in said first series is different from that of said second series, and wherein said cells are connected to adjacent cells in the series by means of intercell connectors, and wherein the intercell connectors in said first series are heavier than those in said second series.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
83 words
A battery comprising a first series of cells and a second series of cells, said first and second series of cells sharing a common negative terminal but having separate positive terminals, wherein the construction of the cells in said first series is different from that of said second series, and wherein said cells are connected to adjacent cells in the series by means of intercell connectors, and wherein the intercell connectors in said first series are heavier than those in said second series.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
68 words
A battery comprising a first series of cells and a second series of cells, said first and second series of cells sharing a common negative terminal but having separate positive terminals, wherein the construction of the cells in said first series is different from that of said second series, and wherein said first series of cells has a different electrical discharge characteristic than said second series of cells.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
68 words
A battery comprising a first series of cells and a second series of cells, said first and second series of cells sharing a common negative terminal but having separate positive terminals, wherein the construction of the cells in said first series is different from that of said second series, and wherein said first series of cells has a different electrical discharge characteristic than said second series of cells.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The battery of claim 13, wherein said first series of cells has a higher current capability than said second series of cells.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The battery of claim 13, wherein said cells each include battery plates and wherein at least some of the plates in said first series are thinner than corresponding plates in said second series.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
96 words
A vehicle electrical system comprising a battery according to any of the preceding claims in a vehicle having a cranking circuit and an auxiliary circuit, wherein the negative terminal of said battery is electrically connected to the chassis of said vehicle as ground, the first positive terminal is electrically connected to said cranking circuit, and the second positive terminal is electrically connected to said auxiliary circuit, so that for at least one mode of operation of said auxiliary circuit, said second positive terminal is connected only to said auxiliary circuit and not to said cranking circuit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A vehicle electrical system as claimed in claim 15, comprising a switch for electrically connecting said first positive terminal to said auxiliary circuit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vehicle electrical system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said switch is operable in response to depression of the accelerator of the vehicle.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vehicle electrical system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said switch is actuated in response to opening and closing of the driver's door.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
A vehicle electrical system as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a current overload circuit breaking switch between said positive terminals.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
A vehicle electrical system as claimed in claim 15, including a starter relay for energizing said cranking circuit, said system adapted to supply said relay with current from both said first and second positive terminals
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electrical system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said electrical system includes an ignition switch, and said ignition switch includes a switch position that is adapted to provide a connection between said first and
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrical circuit as claimed in claim 20, wherein said current overload circuit breaking switch is a thermal current overload circuit breaking switch.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
145 words
A vehicle electrical system, comprising: a battery system having at least first and second positive terminal cells and at least one negative terminal cell, said first positive terminal cell connected through a first series of cells to said negative terminal cell and said second positive terminal cell connected through a second series of cells to said negative terminal cell, wherein said first series of cells has a higher rapid discharge current than said second series of cells, said cells containing electrode plates, wherein the plates in said second series are thicker than those in said first series; a first electrical conductor grounding said negative terminal cell to said vehicle; a second electrical conductor operatively connecting said first positive terminal cell to the starter motor of the vehicle; and a third electrical conductor operatively connecting said second positive terminal cell to the auxiliary circuits of said
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
145 words
A vehicle electrical system, comprising: a battery system having at least first and second positive terminal cells and at least one negative terminal cell, said first positive terminal cell connected through a first series of cells to said negative terminal cell and said second positive terminal cell connected through a second series of cells to said negative terminal cell, wherein said first series of cells has a higher rapid discharge current than said second series of cells, said cells containing electrode plates, wherein the plates in said second series are thicker than those in said first series; a first electrical conductor grounding said negative terminal cell to said vehicle; a second electrical conductor operatively connecting said first positive terminal cell to the starter motor of the vehicle; and a third electrical conductor operatively connecting said second positive terminal cell to the auxiliary circuits of said
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 24, further comprising a first for connecting said second conductor to said battery, and a second switch for connecting said first positive terminal cell to said second positive terminal cell.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
124 words
A vehicle electrical system, comprising: a battery system having at least first and second positive terminal cells and at least one negative terminal cell, said first positive terminal cell connected through a first series of cells to said negative terminal cell and said second positive terminal cell connected through a second series of cells to said negative terminal cell; a first electrical conductor grounding said negative terminal cell to said vehicle; a second electrical conductor operatively connecting said first positive terminal cell to the starter motor of the vehicle; a third electrical conductor operatively connecting said second positive terminal cell to the auxiliary circuits of said vehicle; and a switch for selectively connecting said first positive terminal cell to said second positive terminal cell.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
124 words
A vehicle electrical system, comprising: a battery system having at least first and second positive terminal cells and at least one negative terminal cell, said first positive terminal cell connected through a first series of cells to said negative terminal cell and said second positive terminal cell connected through a second series of cells to said negative terminal cell; a first electrical conductor grounding said negative terminal cell to said vehicle; a second electrical conductor operatively connecting said first positive terminal cell to the starter motor of the vehicle; a third electrical conductor operatively connecting said second positive terminal cell to the auxiliary circuits of said vehicle; and a switch for selectively connecting said first positive terminal cell to said second positive terminal cell.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vehicle electrical system as described in claim 26, wherein said first and series of cells contain electrode plates and have different discharge characteristics.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
42 words
A vehicle electrical system as described in claim 27, wherein the plates in said second series are thicker than those in said first series, whereby said first series of cells has a higher rapid discharge current than said second series of cells.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
64 words
A battery including a container, at least two cells said container, each cell having therein at least one positive plate and at least one negative plate, at least some plates in each cell having a plurality of layers, at least some plates in one said cell having a greater number of layers than the plates in at least one of the other said cells.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
64 words
A battery including a container, at least two cells said container, each cell having therein at least one positive plate and at least one negative plate, at least some plates in each cell having a plurality of layers, at least some plates in one said cell having a greater number of layers than the plates in at least one of the other 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) | 1995-12-08 | 1996-06-08 | 1996-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-08 | 2000-06-08 | 2000-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-12-08 | 2004-06-08 | 2004-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |