Patent US4577452A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5227260A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sealed lead acid battery using modular frame construction
Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Co
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Filing: 1991-11-04
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Granted: 1993-07-13
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Expires: 2011-11-04
Abstract
Abstract The preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a sealed, oxygen recombinant lead-acid battery which includes a series of modules, e.g. 4-volt modules. The modules are prepared from frame and film assemblies which are easily stacked to the desired voltage or capacity. In the preferred embodiment, the assemblies include two 2.0 normal voltage cells, attached in series, three of which are then combined to form a 12-volt system. Modularity eliminates the need for expensive tooling and parts inventory and permits the creation of a wide variety of battery designs. Specially designed vents are employed to permit gas escape during overcharge or if recombination efficiencies are less than desired and to prevent entry of oxygen or moisture when the battery is in its recombinant mode.
Inventors
- 👤 Jennifer L. Rose
- 👤 John P. Dinkelman
- 👤 Gerald K. Bowen
- 👤 Michael G. Andrew
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 00:38
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/06; H01M10/12; H01M50/00; H01M50/10; H01M50/102; H01M50/105; H01M50/116; H01M50/121; H01M50/30; H01M50/317; H01M50/325; H01M50/50; H01M50/571; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A battery module comprising a frame having a front and back face and at least two openings therein for receiving cell packs, a cell pack in each opening and each cell pack including electrolyte, positive and negative electrode elements, separator material and a pouch for containing the elements, separator and electrolyte, the pouch having an open top but being otherwise sealed and a breathing hole in the frame for each cell pack, the breathing hole extending through the frame and arranged to communicate with the open top of the pouch to permit the venting of gases from within the pouch to a location outside the frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A battery module comprising a frame having a front and back face and at least two openings therein for receiving cell packs, a cell pack in each opening and each cell pack including electrolyte, positive and negative electrode elements, separator material and a pouch for containing the elements, separator and electrolyte, the pouch having an open top but being otherwise sealed and a breathing hole in the frame for each cell pack, the breathing hole extending through the frame and arranged to communicate with the open top of the pouch to permit the venting of gases from within the pouch to a location outside the frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The module of claim 1 wherein the cell pack is an oxygen recombinant lead-acid battery cell pack.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The module of claim i wherein a film layer is applied over each opening containing a cell pack.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The module of claim 1 wherein the frame is constructed from a polyolefin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The module of claim 3 wherein the frame is constructed from a polyolefin and wherein the film layer is heat sealed to the frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The module of claim 5 wherein the film layer is a laminate having a first outside layer made from a polyolefin which is heat sealed to the frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The module of claim 6 wherein the laminate includes an intermediate resin layer providing resistance to oxygen and moisture permeability and a second outside layer providing toughness.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The module of claim 1 wherein each cell pack includes positive and negative collector lugs extending from the top of the pouch and wherein openings are provided in the frame for receiving the collector lugs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The module of claim 8 wherein the collector lugs are sealed in the openings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The module of claim 9 wherein the collector lugs are sealed in the openings by providing an acid-resistant pliable material gasket about each lug, wherein the openings are etched with an acid etching agent and wherein a potting material completes the seal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The modules of claim 10 wherein-the frame is a polyolefin frame, the gasket material is Teflon®, and the potting material is a two-part epoxy resin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The module of claim 8 wherein the lugs are coated with a wood rosin extract.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
144 words
A battery module comprising a generally planar frame constructed of a polyolefin material, the frame having front and back faces and a pair of generally rectangular openings, adapted to receive a cell pack, each cell pack including a pouch containing a battery electrode assembly comprising positive and negative electrode elements, separator material and electrolyte, the pouch having an open top, the frame having a pair of breathing holes extending through an edge thereof and adapted to communicate with the open top of the cell packs when the cell packs are inserted in the frame, collector lugs on the positive and negative electrode elements extending outwardly from the top of the cell packs, openings in the frame for receiving the lugs, means for sealing the lugs within the openings and a film layer sealingly applied to the front and back faces and covering the openings.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
144 words
A battery module comprising a generally planar frame constructed of a polyolefin material, the frame having front and back faces and a pair of generally rectangular openings, adapted to receive a cell pack, each cell pack including a pouch containing a battery electrode assembly comprising positive and negative electrode elements, separator material and electrolyte, the pouch having an open top, the frame having a pair of breathing holes extending through an edge thereof and adapted to communicate with the open top of the cell packs when the cell packs are inserted in the frame, collector lugs on the positive and negative electrode elements extending outwardly from the top of the cell packs, openings in the frame for receiving the lugs, means for sealing the lugs within the openings and a film layer sealingly applied to the front and back faces and covering the openings.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The module of claim 13 wherein the electrode assembly is of the oxygen recombinant lead-acid type.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The module of claim 13 wherein the film layer includes an inner face of a polyolefin and the seal is a heat seal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The module of claim 13 wherein the collector lugs are sealed in the openings by providing an acid-resistant pliable material gasket about each lug, wherein the openings are etched with an acid etching agent and wherein a potting material completes the seal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The modules of claim 16 wherein the gasket material is Teflon®,the etching agent is K 2 Cr 2 O 7 /H 2 SO 4 and the potting material is a two-part epoxy resin.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The module of claim 13 wherein the lugs are coated with a wood rosin extract.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
53 words
A battery comprising a plurality of electrically coupled modules as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising vents for preventing ingress of oxygen or moisture into the cell packs through the breathing holes and for permitting the escape of gas from within the cell packs if the pressure thereof reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The battery of claim 19 wherein each cell pack is an oxygen recombinant lead-acid battery cell pack.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The battery of claim 19 wherein an acid-resistant film layer is applied to the front and back faces of each frame.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The battery of claim 21 wherein the frames are made from a polyolefin, and wherein the film layers are heat sealed to the frames.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The battery of claim 19 wherein a laminate of acid resistant and oxygen and moisture impermeable film is sealed to at least some of the outer surfaces of the battery.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The battery of claim 19 wherein each cell pack includes positive and negative collector lugs extending from the top of the pouches and wherein openings are provided in the frames for receiving the lugs, the lugs being sealed in the openings.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
63 words
The battery of claim 19 wherein the vent comprises at least one manifold housing sealed to the frames, the housing including openings mating with the breathing holes and an aperture containing a reciprocating device adapted to open when the pressure within the housing exceeds a first predetermined pressure and to close when the pressure within the housing falls below a second predetermined pressure.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The battery of claim 25 wherein the reciprocating device is an umbrella vent seal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
53 words
The battery of claim 25 wherein each frame includes two side-by-side openings for containing cell packs and wherein a recess is provided in the top of each frame above the cell packs and further providing that a vent manifold housing is provided in each area defined by the adjoining recesses of adjoining frames.
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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) | 1996-07-12 | 1997-01-11 | 1997-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-12 | 2001-01-11 | 2001-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-12 | 2005-01-11 | 2005-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |