Abstract: A multi-cell, lead-acid electric storage battery of the wet or absorbed electrolyte type is provided. The battery comprises one or more manifolding apertures in one or more partition walls, which apertures are of a size which allows passage of gases and in wet batteries minimizes passage of electrolyte and which define one or more sets of manifolded cells; a single trapping chamber associated with each set of manifolded cells; one or more vent apertures for wet battery applications or a pressure release valve for absorbed electrolyte battery applications is disposed between each set of manifolded cells and its respective trapping chamber, which vent apertures are of a size which allows passage of gases and in wet batteries minimizes passage of electrolyte.

Abstract: A cover assembly for a multicell, lead-acid electric storage battery, which is capable of having each cell independently pressure checked for leaks by using pressure testing equipment having a pressure head tip is provided, which cover assembly comprises a primary cover member and one or more cover piece members sealed to the primary cover member and substantially defines a venting system comprising process holes for communicating with each cell, a trapping chamber communicating with each process hole, the trapping chambers being manifolded into one or more sets, and an exhaust port communicating with each set of manifolded trapping chambers and the ambient; wherein the process holes comprise a cap, an outer opening receiving the cap, an annular step and a first and second barrel in substantially coaxial alignment with the outer opening, and apertures, the annular step providing a surface upon which may be placed the pressure head tip of said pressure testing equipment for independently pressure checking the

Abstract: A process for the treatment of an aqueous stream containing an acid or base and typically a precipitatable material such as a metal ion comprises:(a) subjecting the aqueous stream to (i) a treatment to produce a relatively pure stream of water and a concentrated aqueous stream, and (ii) water splitting to produce a stream of base, a stream of acid and a dilute aqueous stream of a concentration lower than the concentrated aqueous stream, the treatments (i) and (ii) being effected in either order,(b) recycling at least part of the pure water stream produced in (a) (i) to an earlier stream either in the production leading to said aqueous stream or to step (i) or (ii),(c) recycling at least part of the acid and/or base streams produced in (a) (ii) to an earlier stream either in the production leading to said aqueous stream or to an earlier step in the process, and(d) recycling at least part of the lower concentration stream produced in (a) (ii) to either (a) (i) or to another step in the process, whereby, when pr

Abstract: A battery structure arranged to avoid the inefficiency problems which normally accompany container bulging in conventional absorbed electrolyte batteries such as sealed lead-acid batteries. The battery container is separated by partition walls into a plurality of working cells into which are closely fitted conventional stacks of plates and separators. The partition walls hold the plates and separators in intimate contact necessary for proper operation of the battery. Bulge compensating end cells are provided at either end of the battery between the working cells and the container end walls to accommodate pressure variations during battery operation. Compression means associated with the bulge compensating end cells maintains the plates and separators in intimate contact to maintain battery efficiency while permitting the container end walls to bulge.

Abstract: A method for preparing lead-acid battery positive and negative plates for use in lead-acid batteries, comprising (a) providing battery grids, (b) applying wet leady oxide paste to the grids to form plates, (c) optionally wrapping the freshly pasted plates with an absorbent material, and (d) initiating formation of the lead-acid battery plates while the plates contain more than about 5 wt. % free lead in the paste and are generally damp from moisture existing in the paste from the time of plate pasting. Although conventional curing and drying of the plates is obviated and the plate formation is initiated merely hours after plate pasting, instead of a day or more after plate pasting as is the case with conventional battery plate processing, the cells and batteries containing plates prepared in accordance with the present invention exhibit a mechanical strength and deliver an overall electrical performance equivalent or superior to cells and batteries containing conventionally prepared plates.

Abstract: A dual terminal, electric storage battery is provided.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of an aqueous stream containing an acid or base and typically a precipitatable material such as a metal ion comprises:(a) subjecting the aqueous stream to (i) a treatment to produce a relatively pure stream of water and a concentrated aqueous stream, and (ii) water splitting to produce a stream of base, a stream of acid and a dilute aqueous stream of a concentration lower than the concentrated aqueous stream, the treatments (i) and (ii) being effected in either order,(b) recycling at least part of the pure water stream produced in (a)(i) to an earlier stream either in the production leading to said aqueous stream or to step (i) or (ii),(c) recycling at least part of the acid and/or base streams produced in (a)(ii) to an earlier stream either in the production leading to said aqueous stream or to an earlier step in the process, and(d) recycling at least part of the lower concentration stream produced in (a)(ii) to either (a)(i) or to another step in the process, whereby, when presen

Abstract: A dual terminal, electric storage battery is provided.

Abstract: An assembly for a recessible carrying handle is provided for a battery having a container and cover.

Abstract: A multi-cell, lead-acid electric storage battery of the wet or absorbed electrolyte type is provided. The battery comprises one or more manifolding apertures in one or more partition walls, which apertures are of a size which allows passage of gases and in wet batteries minimizes passage of electrolyte and which define one or more sets of manifolded cells; a single trapping chamber associated with each set of manifolded cells; one or more vent apertures for wet battery applications or a pressure release valve for absorbed electrolyte battery applications is disposed between each set of manifolded cells and its respective trapping chamber, which vent apertures are of a size which allows passage of gases and in wet batteries minimizes passage of electrolyte.

Abstract: A system for assembling, processing and transferring battery cell elements including a plurality of element assemblers and an exit conveyor having a plurality of element conveying lanes. Each element assembler includes element transfer and processing apparatus comprising an endless chain conveyor having a plurality of longitudinally spaced element carriers adapted to successively engage an element at a loading station, carry the engaged element through a plurality of process stations, and release the element at a discharge station. In the illustrated apparatus, the carriers each engage a loosely assembled element at the loading station, compress the element to final size, and carry the element through an inspection and manual unload station, a plate alignment station, a plate lug brushing station, a plate alignment after brushing station, and a series of tape applicator stations which bind the element in assembled and processed condition.

Abstract: A method of casting metal straps on lugs of battery cell elements utilizes an electrically heatable mold having a strap cavity section and comprises introducing strap metal into the cavity section, conducting electrical current through the mold for heating the mold to a predetermined temperature in excess of the melting temperature of the strap metal, immersing the element lugs into the cavity, cooling the mold to a temperature below the solidification temperature of the strap metal and removing the element lugs from the cavity with straps cast thereon.

Abstract: An improved battery structure permitting facilitated replacement of an air supply tube through an air lift pump. The air lift pump includes, as guide means, a funnel portion receiving the inserted distal end of the replacement air supply tube for automatically guiding the distal end downwardly therethrough and into the passage of a depending barrel in which percolation of the electrolyte of the battery is effected by the bubbling of air downwardly through the air supply tube into the barrel. The upper end of the barrel is provided with an outlet tube extending downwardly into the electrolyte, thereby avoiding splashing of the electrolyte, such as against the flash arrester vent of the battery, thereby reducing maintenance and permitting long, troublefree life of the battery. The air supply tube and outlet tube may be formed of a transparent synthetic resin, permitting observation of the air flow during operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for casting straps onto the plate lugs of battery cell elements. The apparatus includes a rotatably indexable table having a plurality of mold and element carrying stations which each are successively indexed through a plurality of operating stations, including an element loading station, an element lug alignment station, a molten-metal pouring station, a lug fluxing station, a casting station, a plurality of mold cooling stations, and an element unloading station. The mold of each table station is adapted for efficient and precisely controlled electrical resistance heating and forced-air cooling during each cycle of operation. In the illustrated embodiment, each table-station mold is successively heated from electrical sources at a plurality of operating stations upon indexing of the respective table station to such operating stations and is cooled by directing air through air-direction tubes mounted on each table station in close proximity to the respective mold.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fusing the ends of battery cell terminal posts and the ends of hollow bushings fixed in the plastic cover of a battery being assembled and within which the terminal posts are concentrically disposed. The apparatus includes a pair of induction heating coils which each concentrically support a mold cavity insert adapted to receive the ends of the terminal posts and bushings to be fused and a ferrite insert adapted to concentrate induced current in the ends of the terminal post and bushings upon energization of the coils. An electrical control is provided for selectively generating a radio-frequency oscillating current in the coils to effect heating, melting, and fusion of the ends of the terminal posts and bushings to consistent fusion depths while the plastic battery case remains substantially uneffected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a compound (22) in each of the cell spaces of a multicell battery case (10). The compound comprises a bituminous material delivered to a plurality of the cell spaces concurrently through a plurality of nozzles (25) of a dispensing head (24). The battery case (10) is accurately positioned against a back stop (45) and a forward stop (36). A sensor (49) determines the accurate alignment of the battery case (10) in the fill position and cooperates with a controller (81) for controlling operation of the automatic dispenser (23). In the dispensing operation, the nozzles (25) are moved along a first plurality of cells. The nozzles are then retracted and moved lengthwise of the case to be aligned with a second group of cells. The nozzles are then moved along the case cells while dispensing compound to the second group of cells.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling battery cell elements having a plurality of electrode plates of alternating polarity separated by a continuous interleaved insulating sheet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling battery components including a battery case (10) having a plurality of divider walls (32) defining a plurality of side-by-side cell spaces (26,27,28,29,30,31) opening through a top portion of the case. A plurality of intermediate cell elements (34,35,36,37) are provided in the cell spaces intermediate the end cell spaces (26,31) and end cell elements (38,39) having terminal post portions (101) are inserted in the end cell spaces (26,31). The apparatus effects an automatic pickup of the cell elements at one or more insert stations from delivery conveyors (19,20) suitably positions the picked-up cell elements for proper polarity relationship in the inserted disposition within the battery case, and after moving the picked-up cell elements to overlying relationship with the battery case, inserts the cell elements automatically into the proper cell spaces.