Abstract: A rechargeable metal oxide-hydrogen battery including an outer pressure vessel and a plurality of cell modules are disposed within the vessel. Each module is formed of a pair of back-to-back positive electrodes spaced apart by a separating layer, and a negative electrode having a hydrophilic surface is disposed adjacent each positive electrode and separated therefrom by a separator layer. An electrolyte, such as potassium hydroxide, is impregnated in the separator layers and is in contact with the positive and negative electrodes. Each module is semi-circular in planar configuration and is contained in an open-ended semi-cylindrical container formed of a polymeric material. A plurality of containers are stacked in side-by-side relation. The curved peripheral edges of the stacked containers are disposed adjacent the inner surface of the vessel, while the straight open ends of the containers are sealed and disposed in opposed relation to the sealed open ends of a second stack of module-containing containers.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates electrical transmission from a flow battery to a load along a path of minimal electrical resistance. The terminal electrode comprises a metal screen encapsulated in plastic sheets, with a non-conductive plastic frame injection molded around the periphery thereof. One or more studs are soldered to the outward facing surface of the screen.

Abstract: A battery component for use in a flow battery is provided with a weld rib pattern on a planar surface thereof. The weld rib pattern includes respective weld ribs defining a sealable flow region therebetween and further includes respective flash traps disposed adjacent each of the weld ribs opposite the sealable flow region. The battery components are stacked one on top of the other and friction welded together to form a flow path within the sealable flow path region. During the welding process, the weld rib material is melted and deposited in the adjacent flash traps.

Abstract: A method of establishing a hermetic seal about a terminal post of a battery comprises the step of forming a plurality of concentric ridges around the terminal post, positioning a tubular protrusion integral to the cover about the surface region of the terminal post containing the concentric ridges, and applying a radially directed force against the collar of such magnitude to cause the tubular protrusion to flow into intimate contact with the post and the concentric ridges.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying paste to a battery grid. An endless conveyor belt pulls a grid through a pasting zone where paste is impressed into the grid. The grid is further passed through a fixed orifice, after being impressed with paste to impart a predetermined thickness to the grid. The orifice may be defined by two plates.

Abstract: A removable electrode protective assembly for use in a bipolar battery having common aqueous electrolyte-carrying manifolds. The protective assembly is in electrical communication with the electrolyte contained in a plurality of shunt tunnels extending through the battery and is easily removable from the battery to provide easy access to the various components of the assembly.

Abstract: A pressure vessel construction for a rechargeable metal oxide hydrogen battery. The pressure vessel includes a generally cylindrical shell, the ends of which are enclosed by dome shaped heads. A metal fitting is mounted within an opening in at least one head and the electrical leads connected to the battery cell are sealed within an opening in the fitting. The vessel includes a flexible inner liner of material which is impervious to the passage of hydrogen gas and an outer layer of fiber reinforced resin which is capable of withstanding the internal pressure generated by the hydrogen. The inner liner can consist of a plurality of wrappings of thin plastic film, such as polyvinylidene chloride, or alternately the inner liner can consist of thin metal sections having overlapping edge portions sealed by resilient elastomeric sealing strips which permit expansion and contraction of the metal liner under varying internal pressure conditions, without causing major tensile stress in the metal.

Abstract: A removable strip adapted to be placed in a gas tight relationship with the top of a battery enclosure housing a plurality of channels and providing gaseous communication from a plurality of battery cells to a flame arrester located internally in the battery.

Abstract: A plate for a bipolar battery includes a planar substrate of plastic conductive material, with a mesh of metallic wire disposed therein, the surfaces of the wires exposed above the substrate surface. This divides the substrate surface into discrete areas.

Abstract: A crimp terminal seal for a battery comprising a terminal post suitably given a plurality of ridges and recesses in one region circumscribing the post suitably positioned within a protrusion extending up from the cover of the battery. The protrusion is compressed and maintained in intimate contact against the post along the aforementioned region by a collar.

Abstract: A dynamic state-of-charge indicator for a storage battery characterized by a discharge curve relating available energy of the battery to a contemporaneous voltage over a range of voltage boundaries having predetermined end points corresponding to fully charged and effectively discharged for one charge cycle. The indicator includes a microprocessor for storing predetermined relationships between the contemporaneous voltage and the state-of-charge of the battery. A voltage sensor and a current sensor are connected to monitor battery voltage and current flow, respectively, and to provide corresponding voltage and current signals to the microprocessor. The microprocessor periodically computes the internal resistance of the battery, the average voltage and current for a predetermined discharge time period and a corrected voltage as a total of internal resistance voltage loss and average voltage with the state-of-charge being determined as a function of the corrected battery voltage.

Abstract: Battery electrodes, such as those having nickel hydroxide as electrochemically active material, may be produced according to the invention by reducing the electrodes after normal impregnation processing is completed to remove residual nitrate in the impregnated electrode. The alkali metal hydroxide electrolyte utilized in this reduction may be reused up to 7 to 10 times. The reduced electrodes can be used directly to assemble batteries or may be processed further by a formation and characterization electrolytic cycling of charge and discharge. The alkali metal hydroxide electrolyte utilized in this characterization may be reused up to 22 times.

Abstract: A porous compressible plastic material is inserted into the head space above the cells in a storage battery to attenuate the explosion of combustible gases accumulating therein. The attenuation material is distributed to create a unique bimodal por distribution, including a major proportion of small pores effective in attenuation and a minor proportion of large pores effective in gas and electrolyte management. Both open cell and fibrous materials may be utilized.

Abstract: A 24/12 volt battery power supply for a vehicle includes two 12 volt batteries connected in series, and having first and second 24 volt terminals to the opposite ends of the batteries and a 12 volt terminal to the center common connection of the batteries. The 12 volt loads are divided into equal right and left side vehicle loads and the right side is connected across one battery and the left side is connected across the second battery. A three phase wye-connected alternator has the winding connected to a full wave three phase rectifier, the D.C. output of which is connected to the 24 volt terminals. The center common connection of the winding is connected directly to the 12 volt terminal. The system operates with balanced currents and charges on the two 12 volt batteries so long as the 12 volt loads remain balanced.

Abstract: The interface between the plastic cover of a battery container and the lead or other metal terminal post which extends therethrough is sealed with a rubber bushing which is compressed and extruded along the terminal post during installation and locked tightly in its compressed and extruded state. The bushing preferably has a pair of oppositely angled intersecting frustoconical surfaces on its exterior surface which are adapted to cooperate with mating surfaces surrounding the opening in the cover and on a locking retainer. The assembly provides a flexible seal which will accommodate the inevitable vertical movement of the terminal post as a result of battery element expansion. Most importantly, the assembly provides an extremely effective barrier to the migration of electrolyte along the terminal post to prevent outer terminal corrosion.

Abstract: A porous compressible plastic material is inserted into the head space above the cells in a storage battery to attenuate the explosion of combustible gases accumulating therein. The attenuation material has a unique bimodal pore distribution, including a major proportion of small pores effective in attenuation and a minor proportion of large pores effective in gas and electrolyte management. Both open cell and fibrous materials may be utilized.

Abstract: Porous compressible plastic material, effective in attenuating the explosion of combustible gases which accumulate in the head space of a storage battery, is prepared for installation by compressing the material and maintaining the compression with a releasable binding means. The compressed attenuation material is inserted into the head space of the battery and, upon release of the binding means, the material reexpands to fill the head space. Various embodiments of the general method are disclosed and each may be used with a variety of open cell and fibrous plastic materials. The releasable binder may be either a physical enclosure or a chemical adhesive, each of which is preferably releasable by dissolution in the battery electrolyte.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter includes a vacuum system having a vacuum nozzle which spans the inlet face of the filter and a nozzle inlet lying closely adjacent the filter face. The nozzle inlet is dimensioned to effectively cover one or more two-cell filter modules formed by the filter media separators. A vacuum or induced draft is applied to the nozzle to provide a cleaning air flow counter to the flow of particulate air through the filter. The nozzle temporarily blocks or retards the flow of particulate air through the module or modules being cleaned while the flow and filtering of particulate air continues through the remaining major portion of the filter. Means and their corresponding method of operation for maintaining the nozzle in contact with the filter inlet face and for moving the same across the filter face for sequential cleaning of the filter modules are also disclosed.

Abstract: The formation efficiency of pasted positive plates of a lead-acid battery is greatly enhanced by providing in situ a layer of lead dioxide (PbO.sub.2) on the pasted plate surfaces prior to formation. The PbO.sub.2 layer is preferably formed by treating the surfaces of the plates with an ozone-enriched gas to convert a portion of the poorly conductive positive active precursor material (nPbO.PbSO.sub.4) to electrically conductive PbO.sub.2. In subsequent electrochemical formation of the plates, the total formation charge can be reduced significantly while obtaining more complete conversion of the paste to positive active material. The method also provides an effective substitute for conventional curing of pasted positive plates.