Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible connector for attaching electrical accessories to an industrial battery electrical cable. The connector includes a housing and an electrically conductive pin that is positioned within the housing and protrudes through a cable mating surface of the housing. The connector also includes a fuse positioned within the housing and electrically connected to the portion of the pin within the housing, and a conductive wire, wherein at least a portion of the wire is positioned within the housing and electrically connected to the fuse. At least the cable mating surface of the housing is suitably flexible to conform to the contours of an electrical cable insulation surface when the pin pierces through the insulation surface of the electrical cable to which the connector is attached.

Abstract: A system for coupling a conduit to a valve is disclosed. The valve includes at least one coupling, wherein the coupling includes an inlet leading to an internal chamber of the valve, a collar positioned within the inlet, a gripper positioned partially within the inlet and in contact with at least a portion of the collar, and a wiper seal positioned within the internal chamber. The system further includes a conduit, wherein the conduit is insertable through the gripper via a first force, and wherein the conduit is subsequently insertable through the wiper seal via a second force that is less than the value of the first force. The conduit may optionally be labeled with a set of visual markings to provide proper cutting angles and to indication proper positioning of the conduit into the valve to effectuate a tight seal.

Abstract: A system for the management of a fleet of battery powered vehicles using a paradigm of a reserve pool of vehicles as opposed to a reserve fleet of batteries. In this system, a reserve pool of vehicles is always maintained in a ready state such that vehicles being returned with depleted batteries may be replaced with a vehicle having a fully-charged battery. The system maintains a balance between reserve fleet size and charging time (and therefore the life of the batteries) to provide optimal performance and cost savings. The system has the added advantages of capital efficiency in that that the time and labor required to change batteries, and the need to maintain extra batteries is eliminated.

Abstract: A float actuated valve assembly for battery electrolyte replenishment is disclosed. A housing engages an opening in a battery cell. An inlet in the housing is connectable to a water source. A valve in the housing controls the water flow to the cell. The valve is connected by a link to a four bar mechanism that is attached to a float. The float is buoyantly supported and rises and falls in response to the electrolyte level within the cell opening and closing the valve to admit or halt the flow of water to the cell. A baffle prevents fouling of the mechanism by splashing electrolyte. A flash arrester is positioned between the valve and the inlet to quench hydrogen-oxygen explosions between cells. The float is adjustable for different sized cells. A side viewable electrolyte level indicator is provided in the housing. Flash arresters for venting gas are also mounted.

Abstract: A measuring device is used in conjunction with a programmable controller for monitoring electrolyte levels in the battery. According to one implementation, the measuring device is located in a battery and is configured to detect when the electrolyte level in the battery falls below a particular level. The controller is in electrical communication with the electrolyte detection device. The controller is configured to: (i) receive a signal from the electrolyte level detection device indicating when the electrolyte level in the battery has fallen below the particular level; (ii) introduce a wait-period after the signal is received; and (iii) enable an indicator to indicate that the electrolyte level in the battery should be refilled when the wait-period expires.

Abstract: A measuring device is used in conjunction with a programmable controller for monitoring electrolyte levels in the battery. According to one implementation, the measuring device is located in a battery and is configured to detect when the electrolyte level in the battery falls below a particular level. The controller is in electrical communication with the electrolyte detection device. The controller is configured to: (i) receive a signal from the electrolyte level detection device indicating when the electrolyte level in the battery has fallen below the particular level; (ii) introduce a wait-period after the signal is received; and (iii) enable an indicator to indicate that the electrolyte level in the battery should be refilled when the wait-period expires.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for coupling a conduit to a valve. The valve includes at least one coupling, wherein the coupling includes inlet leading to an internal chamber of the valve, a collar positioned within the inlet, a gripper positioned partially within the inlet and in contact with at least a portion of the collar, and a wiper seal positioned within the internal chamber. The system further includes a conduit, wherein the conduit is insertable through the gripper via a first force, and wherein the conduit is subsequently insertable through the wiper seal via a second force that is less than the value of the first force. The conduit may optionally be labeled with a set of visual markings to provide proper cutting angles and to indication proper positioning of the conduit into the valve to effectuate a tight seal.

Abstract: Improvements to industrial battery monitoring devices include improved circuitry to make the device polarity insensitive and to allow it to operate over a wide range of battery voltages.

Abstract: A measuring device is used in conjunction with a programmable controller for monitoring electrolyte levels in the battery. According to one implementation, the measuring device is located in a battery and is configured to detect when the electrolyte level in the battery falls below a particular level. The controller is in electrical communication with the electrolyte detection device. The controller is configured to: (i) receive a signal from the electrolyte level detection device indicating when the electrolyte level in the battery has fallen below the particular level; (ii) introduce a wait-period after the signal is received; and (iii) enable an indicator to indicate that the electrolyte level in the battery should be refilled when the wait-period expires.

Abstract: A measuring device is used in conjunction with a programmable controller for monitoring electrolyte levels in the battery. According to one implementation, the measuring device is located in a battery and is configured to detect when the electrolyte level in the battery falls below a particular level. The controller is in electrical communication with the electrolyte detection device. The controller is configured to: (i) receive a signal from the electrolyte level detection device indicating when the electrolyte level in the battery has fallen below the particular level; (ii) introduce a wait-period after the signal is received; and (iii) enable an indicator to indicate that the electrolyte level in the battery should be refilled when the wait-period expires.

Abstract: This invention is a method and device for monitoring and storing data regarding the “life history” of a battery with which it is associated and interpreting the data to create an accurate record of use and abuse patterns. A manufacturer's specified life expectancy, measured in battery cycles, is established for the battery under normal use, and then the actual use of the battery is monitored and stored. Complete cycles, partial cycles, and operation of the battery outside of acceptable specifications are automatically derived into a value in units equivalent to a number of battery cycles, and this derivation is compared with the manufacturers life expectancy, and adjustments to the manufacturers life expectancy are made so that a more accurate and up-to-date estimation of battery life can be evolved over the life of the battery.

Abstract: A measuring device is used in conjunction with a programmable controller for monitoring electrolyte levels in the battery. According to one implementation, the measuring device is located in a battery and is configured to detect when the electrolyte level in the battery falls below a particular level. The controller is in electrical communication with the electrolyte detection device. The controller is configured to: (i) receive a signal from the electrolyte level detection device indicating when the electrolyte level in the battery has fallen below the particular level; (ii) introduce a wait-period after the signal is received; and (iii) enable an indicator to indicate that the electrolyte level in the battery should be refilled when the wait-period expires.

Abstract: A measuring device is used in conjunction with a programmable controller for monitoring electrolyte levels in the battery. According to one implementation, the measuring device is located in a battery and is configured to detect when the electrolyte level in the battery falls below a particular level. The controller is in electrical communication with the electrolyte detection device. The controller is configured to: (i) receive a signal from the electrolyte level detection device indicating when the electrolyte level in the battery has fallen below the particular level; (ii) introduce a wait-period after the signal is received; and (iii) enable an indicator to indicate that the electrolyte level in the battery should be refilled when the wait-period expires.

Abstract: A measuring device is used in conjunction with a programmable controller for monitoring electrolyte levels in the battery. According to one implementation, the measuring device is located in a battery and is configured to detect when the electrolyte level in the battery falls below a particular level. The controller is in electrical communication with the electrolyte detection device. The controller is configured to: (i) receive a signal from the electrolyte level detection device indicating when the electrolyte level in the battery has fallen below the particular level; (ii) introduce a wait-period after the signal is received; and (iii) enable an indicator to indicate that the electrolyte level in the battery should be refilled when the wait-period expires.

Abstract: This invention is a method and device for monitoring and storing data regarding the “life history” of a battery with which it is associated and interpreting the data to create an accurate record of use and abuse patterns. A manufacturer's specified life expectancy, measured in battery cycles, is established for the battery under normal use, and then the actual use of the battery is monitored and stored. Complete cycles, partial cycles, and operation of the battery outside of acceptable specifications are automatically derived into a value in units equivalent to a number of battery cycles, and this derivation is compared with the manufacturers life expectancy, and adjustments to the manufacturers life expectancy are made so that a more accurate and up-to-date estimation of battery life can be evolved over the life of the battery.

Abstract: A catalyst device for use with battery cells to recombine oxygen and hydrogen gas and thereby improve the performance and life of such cells. The catalyst device has the ability to filter out catalyst poisons and control the temperature of the recombination reactions. A container houses the catalyst within a chamber. A catalyst poison filter is provided in the chamber with the catalyst. The movement of gas and vapor to and from the chamber is controlled by a microporous section of the device. The pore size is chosen to allow gas and vapor to pass, but not liquids, and to also prevent a flame from passing through. Within these parameters the pore size can also be chosen to control and or limit the amount of gas that can pass through to the catalyst in a given time period. Preferably, the microporous section is formed as a disc that seals an opening in the chamber.

Abstract: A measuring device is used in conjunction with a programmable controller for monitoring electrolyte levels in the battery. According to one implementation, the measuring device is located in a battery and is configured to detect when the electrolyte level in the battery falls below a particular level. The controller is in electrical communication with the electrolyte detection device. The controller is configured to: (i) receive a signal from the electrolyte level detection device indicating when the electrolyte level in the battery has fallen below the particular level; (ii) introduce a wait-period after the signal is received; and (iii) enable an indicator to indicate that the electrolyte level in the battery should be refilled when the wait-period expires.