US5399445A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Battery case leakage detector
Assignee: AER Energy Resources Inc
•
Filing: 1994-04-18
•
Granted: 1995-03-21
•
Expires: 2014-04-18
Abstract
Abstract A metal-air battery leakage detector is disclosed which uses a wicking material to absorb and propagate leaking electrolyte to a leak detection means so that the detection means is activated regardless of whether the leak is occurring in the vicinity of the detection means. In a first embodiment a substance that chemically reacts with electrolyte to change color is impregnated into the wicking material as the leak detection means. In the second embodiment electrodes are embedded in the wicking material and wired to an electrical circuit that is responsive to the presence of electrolyte as the leak detection means. In either case, a user has immediate knowledge of an electrolyte leak occurring inside a battery casing so that the battery can be removed from service before the leaking electrolyte can cause harm.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence A. Tinker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:53
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01G; H01G9/00; H01G9/004; H01G9/08; H01M; H01M6/00; H01M6/50; H01M6/5044; H01M10/00; H01M10/42; H01M10/4228; H01M12/00; H01M12/04; H01M12/06; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A battery leakage detector comprising: an electrochemical cell contained within a housing, said cell including an electrically conductive liquid; an absorbent material disposed within said housing and being essentially electrically non-conductive when dry and electrically conductive when wet with the conductive liquid; electrical contacts in contact with said absorbent material, said contacts spaced apart from one another; and an electrical circuit connected to said contacts, said electrical circuit being responsive to the electrical conductivity of said conductive liquid in said absorbent material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A battery leakage detector comprising: an electrochemical cell contained within a housing, said cell including an electrically conductive liquid; an absorbent material disposed within said housing and being essentially electrically non-conductive when dry and electrically conductive when wet with the conductive liquid; electrical contacts in contact with said absorbent material, said contacts spaced apart from one another; and an electrical circuit connected to said contacts, said electrical circuit being responsive to the electrical conductivity of said conductive liquid in said absorbent material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A battery leakage detector as recited in claim 1, wherein said absorbent material propagates the conductive liquid within its volume.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A battery leakage detector as recited in claim 1 or 2, wherein said electrochemical cell is a metal-air battery.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A battery leakage detector as-recited in claim 3, wherein said metal-air battery is a zinc-air battery.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A battery leakage detector as recited in claim 1 or 2, wherein said conductive liquid is an electrolyte.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A battery leakage detector as recited in claim 5, wherein said electrolyte is a solution of potassium hydroxide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A battery leakage detector as recited in claim 1 or 2, wherein said absorbent material is formed of cellulosic fibers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A battery leakage detector as recited in claim 7, wherein said absorbent material is paper toweling.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A battery leakage detector as recited in claim 1 or 2, wherein said absorbent material is formed of polymeric fibers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A battery leakage detector as recited in claim 9, wherein said polymeric fibers are nylon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A battery leakage detector as recited in claim 9, wherein said polymeric fibers are rayon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US684697A
Cited
US675708A
Cited
SU388320A1
Cited
JPS5468673A
Cited
US4222745A
Cited
JPS5951546A
Cited
GB2164200A
Cited
US4702563A
Cited
US4702564A
Cited
US4727006A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-03-20 | 1998-09-19 | 1999-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-03-20 | 2002-09-19 | 2003-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-03-20 | 2006-09-19 | 2007-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |