Abstract: There is disclosed an improved tubular battery plate comprising a porous envelope enclosing a current collector comprising an array of members extending perpendicularly from an end member which affords a current take off lug with active material disposed between the perpendicular current collector members and the inside face of the porous envelope the ratio of the length of the tubes in cms to the free cross sectional area in sq. cms being in the range 100.1 to 295.1 and the degree of stratification of the active material in the tubes being less than 5%.

Abstract: A sealed lead acid cell is disclosed which has electrodes comprising metallic supports which minimize the evolution of hydrogen and resist deformation under their own weight, and which are separated by at least one layer of separator material, the capacity of the negative electrodes is arranged to be at least as great as the capacity of the positive electrodes, the thickness of the electrodes is less than 3mm, the thickness of the separator is in the range of 10 to 200% of the thickness of the electrodes, and the volume, E, of electrolyte in the cell in relation to the sum of the pore volume of the separators, X, and the pore volume of the positive and negative active materials, Y, is not greater than 2X + Y.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for preparing enveloped plates for batteries by introducing an active material composition containing liquids into the porous envelope of the plate, when the envelope is assembled on the current conducting element of the plate, the active material composition being an alkaline active material composition with a liquid content such that active material is filtered out by the porous envelope, while liquids pass out through the walls of the porous envelope.There is also disclosed a novel alkaline electric storage battery electrode comprising a porous envelope enclosing within it particulate active material which is electrochemically active under alkaline conditions, the porous envelope being one which is capable of filtering out a bed of active material from an aqueous slurry of the active material containing 0.5 parts of the active material per part of water.

Abstract: A battery is disclosed in which each cell electrode structure comprises an assembly of a single first electrode of one polarity separated by a separator from a single second electrode of the other polarity, the assembly being arranged to provide an array of multiple layers of electrode of alternating polarity, an integral portion of the first electrode extending out to one side of the cell and integral portion of the second electrode extending out to the other side of the cell, one integral portion being connected to or integral with an electrode support structure in the adjacent cell, or a battery terminal, on its side of the cell, and the other integral portion being connected to or integral with an electrode support structure in the other adjacent cell on its side of the cell.

Abstract: A multicell electric battery has an intercell partition, the faces of which comprise two parallel conducting sheets connected together, as by spot welding, by means of one or more symmetrically positioned dimples, which constitute intercell connectors. Each conducting sheet is electrically connected to the adjacent electrode plate either directly or indirectly by means of a compressible conducting cushion which contacts the sheet and either the adjacent plate or a further sheet which is electrically connected to the adjacent plate.The invention also includes a method of assembling a multicell electric battery which includes sliding the plates of each cell as a unit incorporating contacts into a battery casing also incorporating contacts, the intercell and/or terminal connections being effected by sliding engagement between the contacts of the plate unit and those of the casing.

Abstract: A method of generating electrochemical activity in positive plates of Plante cells is disclosed. An agent corrosive to the unformed pure lead positive plate is incorporated in the electrolyte and the cell charged, the corrosive agent being selected to be destroyed by the anodic conditions at the negative plate at the end of the charging cycle. Nitrate ions are preferred.

Abstract: The plates of each polarity of an alkaline battery are connected by a sheet metal connector which passes through a slot in the bottom of a well formed in the battery lid, and which is supported by means of a pair of ears projecting from the connector which rest on the lid. Each connector is secured against vertical movement by abutment of the ears against the upper surface of the lid and by abutment of a respective plate strap to which each connector is welded against the lower surface of the lid. Horizontal movement in one plane is prevented by the provision of a shoulder on the lid on each side of each ear, and in the other plane by abutment of the connector, or the ears, against the edge of the well or a further shoulder respectively. The slots are sealed by means of a sealant which fills the wells. Upstanding ribs are provided on the upper surface of the lid so as to increase the length of the leakage path between neighboring cells.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for preparing enveloped plates for batteries by introducing an active material composition containing liquids into the porous envelope of the plate, when the envelope is assembled on the current conducting element of the plate using an active material composition with a liquid content such that active material is filtered out by the porous envelope, and a bed of active material is built up in the envelope, the bed building up from the end remote from that at which the composition is introduced back to the end at which the composition is introduced, liquid issuing through the walls of the envelope throughout the period that the bed is being built up.A variety of suitable active material compositions are described together with apparatus suitable for carrying out the method.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for preparing enveloped plates for batteries which comprises introducing an active material composition into the porous envelope of an enveloped plate when the envelope is assembled on the current conducting element of the plate, characterized in that the active material composition is introduced into the envelope as an aqueous slurry which has a rotating vane viscometer torque value (which is defined in the specification) in the range 0.006 to 0.06 lbs ft at 20.degree. C.A variety of suitable active material compositions are described together with apparatus suitable for carrying out the method.

Abstract: An automatic battery charger of taper type has means for comparing a reference signal with a control signal varying with battery voltage, and terminating the charge when the rate of rise of battery voltage falls below a predetermined value. To prevent spurious operation due to mains voltage variation, the control signal comprises the difference between a signal dependent on battery voltage and a signal dependent on a.c. supply voltage.The rate of rise of the control signal is monitored by comparing it with a staircase reference voltage which is increased by a step whenever the control signal exceeds it, and termination is initiated if the time interval between two steps exceeds a given period. This may be long enough, e.g. half an hour, to provide an equalizing charge without requiring additional equipment.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for filling tubular battery plates with active material paste by extruding the paste into the tubes via feed tubes passing from an inlet end of an extrusion head to an outlet end arranged in a row.The plates are supported during the extrusion and the feed tubes proportioned so as to equalize the amount of paste fed into each individual tube.