Abstract: A process for making a porous dip tube for use in a pressurized container dispensing liquid material in which a mixture of polymers, one insoluble in the liquid material and a second soluble in a solvent, is extruded to form a tube and thereafter the second polymer is removed from the extruded tube to provide porosity in the wall of the tube. In use, the bulk of liquid material is forced from the bottom of the pressurized container through the tube longitudinally while gaseous matter passes through the wall of the tube to provide means to atomize the liquid material as it passes into the atmosphere.

Abstract: An improvement in the production of tube electrodes for lead storage batteries comprising mixing a small amount (0.1 to 3 weight percent) of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with lead powder, the mixture is heated and shear stresses are applied thereto sufficient to convert substantially all of the PTFE in the mixture to fibrous form and to form a non-powdery dough. The dough is then granulated and the doughy granules about 100.mu. to 500.mu. in major dimension are used for filling tube elctrodes of a lead-acid storage battery.

Abstract: A material useful as a separator in batteries and a process for making the material is provided. This material is a polyolefin having grafted to it side chains derived from an ethylenically unsaturated ionogenic monomer and cross-linked with sulfur.

Abstract: A line isolation monitor for detecting ground faults in isolated power systems by determining the potential personnel hazard current due to the complex ground fault impedances and a method for accomplishing the same. The total hazard current is determined by dividing the peak line voltage of the isolated power supply by the total impedance between ground and a common mode point, such as the center tap of the primary winding of the line isolation monitor transformer connected to the isolated power supply. This impedance is determined at line frequency by impressing a minute, phase-modulated, power line frequency test signal into the isolated power system and using an extremely selective, coherent filter to remove the signals in phase with the power line signal. The magnitude of the phase modulated test signal passed through the filter is related to the amount of fault impedance. Comparison of this test signal magnitude to the line voltage provides an indication of the total hazard current.

Abstract: An inverting circuit of the series resonant type and including a pair of SCR's operated at variable off-times for controlling the charging of a battery. A control circuit is provided for gating the SCR's at appropriate times in response to sensed circuit current, and battery voltage. Instantaneous resonant circuit current is monitored to derive timing information for firing the SCR's and for anticipating commutation failures.

Abstract: A circuit for a home safety unit having an emergency light system for providing light in the event of a power failure or when a fire is detected, and a fire detection system for providing an audible alarm indicating the existence of a fire. The circuit includes a battery which is constantly being charged and a low voltage responsive system for indicating a low voltage condition on the battery. A latching system causes the emergency light to be turned off when this low voltage condition is reached, and to remain off until the battery is recharged.

Abstract: A disc formed of a resilient plastic exhibiting a low creep characteristic and having a pressure vent is used to close the mouth of a tubular cell envelope of a primary cell. An elongated terminal is inserted through the disc and into the cell interior. The pressure vent is in the disc at a location between the terminal and the edge of the disc. The vent comprises a recess having a frangible diaphragm with at least one groove. At a predetermined pressure the diaphragm breaks at the groove, releasing pressure.

Abstract: A circuit for sensing the current applied to a load in power supplies, inverters, and other power conversion equipment and similar systems wherein the voltage between the center tap of the transformer secondary winding and the junction of two resistors connected across the secondary winding in series is sensed. The control circuit for the electronic system adjusts the overall system operation to obtain the desired volt-ampere output in response to this voltage level.

Abstract: A polarity indicating system using a light emitting diode is mounted on the clip for a battery charger to provide an indication that the battery charger is properly connected to the battery being charged. In the preferred embodiment, the LED is connected to a test probe mounted in one of the handles of the negative clip and connected in series between the test probe and the positive cable. An alternate embodiment uses the polarity indicating system on battery booster cables.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polymeric material grafted throughout its bulk is provided. A polymer having finely divided particles is blended with silica and maintained in a fluidized bed. The polymer is activated by passing ozone uniformly through the blend to initiate incipient labile sites in the molecular structure of the polymer. The polymer is then reacted with an ethylenically unsaturated ionogenic monomer to graft polymerize the monomer onto the polymer. The grafted polymer may then be converted to a salt form by reacting with alkaline compounds. The resultant powders can be fused into any desired shape by conventional polymer plastic processes.

Abstract: A process for improving leakage resistant in a galvanic cell is provided. This is done by making an improved grommet and metal cover. The process comprises swelling a grommet which has been placed tightly around the periphery of a metal cover until the grommet is loose upon the metal cover, forcing a sealant solution between the swollen grommet and metal cover and then shrinking the grommet to substantially its original size to trap the sealant compound between the grommet and metal cover.

Abstract: A material useful as a separator in batteries and a process for making the material is provided. This material is a polyolefin having grafted to it side chains derived from an ethylenically unsaturated ionogenic monomer and cross-linked with sulfur.

Abstract: A non-aqueous primary battery having an electrolytic solution consisting essentially of a non-aqueous solvent containing an electrolyte salt, a separator, a light metal anode and a pure silver chromate cathode is provided. The electrochemical system of this battery is particularly useful in small primary batteries commonly referred to as "button cells" due to its high volumetric energy density and retention of cell dimensions.

Abstract: A sealed primary galvanic cell has a barrier and barrier protecting separator. The barrier protecting separator contains the reaction product of an alkaline earth metal salt and unneutralized carboxypolymethylene. The barrier protecting separator is prepared by applying either of the treating materials in the wet state to a supporting sheet, drying and then applying the second treating material also in the wet state.

Abstract: A vent system for an electric storage battery having a flame arresting capability to minimize the possibility of battery explosion from ignition of explosive gases flowing from the vent plug. The vent system includes a vent plug design having an internal restricted passage and a flange extending around the top of the vent plug which cooperates with the upper surface of the battery cover to create an explosion chamber, so that in the event the explosive gases being vented are ignited, the resulting controlled explosion extinguishes the flame. One embodiment is provided wherein the top surface of the plug is flush with the top of the battery cover. A modified vent well is required for this embodiment, whereby the vent well in the battery cover has a recessed shoulder to receive the flange portion of the vent plug. A second embodiment is also provided wherein the vent plug can be used on conventional battery cover designs, but is not flush with the top of the battery cover.

Abstract: A vent system for an electric storage battery having a flame arresting capability to minimize the possibility of battery explosion from ignition of explosive gases flowing from the vent plug. The vent system includes a vent plug design having an internal restricted passage and a flange extending around the top of the vent plug which cooperates with the upper surface of the battery cover to create an explosion chamber, so that in the event the explosive gases being vented are ignited, the resulting controlled explosion extinguishes the flame. One embodiment is provided wherein the top surface of the plug is flush with the top of the battery cover. A modified vent well is required for this embodiment, whereby the vent well in the battery cover has a recessed shoulder to receive the flange portion of the vent plug. A second embodiment is also provided wherein the vent plug can be used on conventional battery cover designs, but is not flush with the top of the battery cover.

Abstract: A spring contact is compressed against and electrically connected to a terminal of a dry cell battery, and the spring-like compressive force between the contact and the terminal is maintained by an adhesive. The spring contact and adhesive may be used with both single cell and multicell batteries. The spring may be situated between two cells of a multicell battery, with the adhesive adhering the two cells together and maintaining the spring-like compressive force between the contact and the terminals of the adjacent two cells. The terminal which is electrically connected with the spring contact may be a thin foil of metal, and the inner surface of the foil may serve as the negative electrode of a cell; the foil may be a metal selected from the group consisting of a zinc, magnesium, lead, aluminum and alloys thereof. The spring contact may have a burr where it electrically connects with the terminal.

Abstract: A tape comprised of an atactic polypropylene and a non-conductive filler is described. This tape is useful in a process which enables a secondary battery having a defective seal to be repaired safely while remaining in operation.

Abstract: A system for rapidly substituting one source of AC power for another. A solid-state gated electronic valve is coupled in circuit with a principal power source or "line" and the current through the valve is monitored. Line voltage is also monitored and a timing signal produced to keep the system in synchronism with the principal power source. When the source voltage decreases or changes abruptly, or if its phase drifts unacceptably, the difference detected between the source and a reference effects the termination of valve gating signals, and allows the application of synchronous enabling signals to a standby power source. If the solid-state valve is non-conducting the standby source starts immediately in synchronism with the previously-supplied load voltage. If current is flowing in the valve, however, a commutating signal is produced which overrides the synchronous standby enabling signal to energize the standby power source with the proper polarity to extinguish current through the valve.