Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a valve regulated lead-acid battery cell including forming a flooded electrolyte lead-acid cell having an interior head space, positive and negative plates and fibrous plate separators positioned between the plates. The plates and the separators are housed in a container having flexible side walls. A vacuum is then drawn in the cell interior sufficient to create a flexure force on the cell side walls sufficient to push excess electrolyte from the fibrous mat separators leaving an amount of residual and absorbed electrolyte in the cell corresponding to proper saturation of the fibrous plate separators. The vacuum is then released thereby permitting any residual electrolyte to be absorbed into the fibrous separator material. Desirably the vacuum drawn in the cell interior is up to about 28 inches of mercury.

Abstract: The container or casing of a storage battery for automobiles and the like is so constructed as to be universally compatible for use with various types of securing mechanisms. Positive and negative terminals are provided on both the top and on one of the side walls. The battery may be secured by a peripheral frame which engages the periphery of the top wall, a central bail which overlies the medial portion of the top wall, or lower opposed clips which engage and clamp onto ledges on opposed side walls or opposed end walls. The top wall and bottom wall are so constructed as to nest to the adjacent housing in a stack when stored or displayed, and a space between adjacent housings allows visual inspection of a color coded handle. In addition, a unique vent cover construction elevates the wells surrounding the vent openings to maximize the vertical dimension of the plates therebeneath.

Abstract: A retaining cap having an open top and a plurality of openings in the bottom wall thereof corresponding in size, shape and spacing to the poles of the battery cells which protrude to the upper ends of the cells is assembled between selected poles of adjacent cells. After the conventional connecting link is then assembled to the adjacent terminals, a sealing compound, preferably a room temperature curing, silicon rubber compound in the polysiloxane family with a curing agent or solution from the dimethyl polysiloxane family is poured into the open top of the cap to encapsulate the intercell connecting link and the protruding poles of the cells. The sealing mixture is characterized by its flowability in the uncured state, its propensity to reseal itself after being ruptured, its usefulness throughout a broad range of operating temperatures, its non-adherence to styrenes and lead, and its resistence to sulfuric acid.