Abstract: A repairable waterproof connector assembly (200) provides an access port (212) within the connector housing (201) to support wire management required for removal and reinstallation of the electrical insert (202) which can be achieved without removing the connector assembly (200) from its cable. Adding this access capability greatly reduces the time required to repair a damaged connector assembly (200). Wire management within the connector assembly (200) includes manipulating a wiring service loop (207) via access provided by the access port (212). Wire management supports access to reposition, remove, test and repair the electrical insert (202) having electrical pins and contacts (211). In applications requiring waterproof connectors, having the ability to test and repair the connector assembly without removing or cutting it from its cable is a significant timesaver and reduces cost.

Abstract: A battery electrode design and a flat stack battery cell design preferably include structure and/or manufacturing steps whereby a battery electrode plate has a frame, and a grid-array of elements disposed interiorly of the frame. A first collector pole access channel is disposed interiorly of the frame and orthogonal with respect to the grid-array of elements, and a second collector pole access channel is also disposed interiorly of the frame and orthogonal with respect to the grid-array of elements. Preferably, the collector pole access channels are made by hole-punching lead slugs integrally disposed in the grid-array. Preferably, the electrode plates are a standard size, and may be disposed in a common jar; thus, the battery capacity is determined by the number of electrode plates in the jar, the jar being trimmed per the number of electrode plates.

Abstract: Disclosed are energy storage cells and battery systems made therefrom which can provide a regulated, constant voltage to a load independent of the charge state of the cells and other factors, such as cell polarization, which may cause the battery's output voltage to vary. In an illustrative embodiment, the battery system includes a dc-dc converter and a reference voltage circuit. The converter draws power from one or more energy storage cells and upconverts or downcoverts to provide an output voltage that matches the reference voltage.

Abstract: In combination with an electric storage battery having a container and a cover, and having a plurality of walls for enclosing the electrolyte and other electrochemical components of the battery, a state of charge indicating device for monitoring the concentration of the electrolyte during the charge and discharge cycles of the battery. The indicating device is made of a porous solid support and an acid concentration sensitive dye which exhibits a change in color in accordance with the acid concentration of the electrolyte. The indicating device also includes a viewport located in one of the walls of the battery for viewing the color of the dye. The color may then be correlated to a reference scale to determine the state of charge of the battery.

Abstract: A maintenance-free, lead-acid cell that is capable of achieving long cycle life in deep discharge rapid recharge applications is sealed, has positive grids formed from antimony-lead alloys containing no more than about 2 wt. % of antimony, has negative grids formed from alloys that are essentially antimony-free, has highly porous, easily wetted separator material interposed between the plates which is capable of wicking the electrolyte, and provides a sufficient void volume to facilitate gaseous oxygen transport, and has the electrolyte required for operation of the cell substantially completely absorbed in the plates and separators, with the separators not being completely saturated.

Abstract: A battery vent plug providing repeated relief of a pressure condition within a battery at relatively low internal pressures. The vent plug is arranged to prevent dropping of the internal pressure to zero upon venting while yet having a small relief-reseal pressure range. The vent plug includes a relief valve within a housing defined by a rubber cylinder releasably engaging an annular seat on the housing about an inlet to a vent chamber within the housing. The rubber cylinder is maintained under a preselected compression assuring sealing thereof to the seat at pressures below a preselected venting pressure. Upon removal of the sealing portion of the cylinder from the seat, the pressurized gas escapes around the cylinder and through a hole in the housing to atmosphere.