Patents Assigned to Water Gremlin Company
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Patent number: 11942664Abstract: Battery parts having retaining and sealing features and associated assemblies and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a battery part includes a base portion that is configured to be embedded in battery container material of a corresponding battery container. The battery part and base portion include several torque resisting features and gripping features that resist torsional or twist loads that are applied to the battery part after it has been joined to the battery container. For example, the base portion can include several internal and external torque resisting features and gripping features that are configured to resist twisting or loosening of the battery part with reference to the battery container material, as well as prevent or inhibit fluid leakage from the battery container.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Water Gremlin CompanyInventors: Michael A. Garin, Kurt T. Gifford
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Patent number: 11804640Abstract: Battery parts, such as battery terminals, and associated systems and methods for making the same are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a battery part includes a body having a base portion and a lug portion extending from the base portion. The battery part can further include a light-curable sealing material at least partially covering an exterior surface of the base portion. The sealing material is configured to seal an interface between the battery part and the material of a battery container when the base portion is embedded in the battery container material.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2022Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Water Gremlin CompanyInventors: Christophe Chandler, Carl Dubois, Kurt T. Gifford
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Patent number: 11283141Abstract: Battery parts, such as battery terminals, and associated systems and methods for making the same are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a battery part includes a body having a base portion and a lug portion extending from the base portion. The battery part can further include a light-curable sealing material at least partially covering an exterior surface of the base portion. The sealing material is configured to seal an interface between the battery part and the material of a battery container when the base portion is embedded in the battery container material.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Water Gremlin CompanyInventors: Christophe Chandler, Carl Dubois, Kurt T. Gifford
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Patent number: 11038156Abstract: Battery parts, such as battery terminals, and associated systems and methods for making the same are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a battery part includes a body having a base portion and a lug portion extending from the base portion. The battery part can further include a light-curable sealing material at least partially covering an exterior surface of the base portion. The sealing material is configured to seal an interface between the battery part and the material of a battery container when the base portion is embedded in the battery container material.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2020Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Water Gremlin CompanyInventors: Christophe Chandler, Carl Dubois, Kurt T. Gifford
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Patent number: 10910625Abstract: Battery parts having retaining and sealing features and associated assemblies and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a battery part includes a base portion that is configured to be embedded in battery container material of a corresponding battery container. The battery part and base portion include several torque resisting features and gripping features that resist torsional or twist loads that are applied to the battery part after it has been joined to the battery container. For example, the base portion can include several internal and external torque resisting features and gripping features that are configured to resist twisting or loosening of the battery part with reference to the battery container material, as well as prevent or inhibit fluid leakage from the battery container.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Water Gremlin CompanyInventors: Michael A. Garin, Kurt T. Gifford
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Patent number: 10283754Abstract: Battery parts, such as battery terminals, and associated systems and methods for making same. In one embodiment, a battery part has a sealing region or sealing bead located on a lateral face of an acid ring for increasing resistance to leakage therepast as the battery container shrinks. Another embodiment includes a forming assembly for use with, for example, a battery part having a bifurcated acid ring with spaced apart lips. The forming assembly can include movable forming members that can be driven together to peen, crimp, flare or otherwise form the lips on the bifurcated acid ring.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2015Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Water Gremlin CompanyInventors: Robert W. Ratte, Norman E. Peterson, Tracy L. Cain
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Patent number: 10217987Abstract: Systems and methods for producing battery parts, such as battery parts, are described herein. In one embodiment, a battery part machine is configured transform a profile of one or more acid rings on a battery part from a first cross-section to a second cross-section. The machine can include a rotatable spindle configured to receive the battery part, and a first tool and a second tool configured to engage the battery part. The orientation of the first tool and the second tool can be configured to engage the battery part at adjustable to polish, crimp, flare or otherwise transform the profile of the acid rings thereon to produce a finished battery part. An operator can input operating parameters to a machine controller to adjust the finished profile of the acid rings produced by the machine without requiring disassembly thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2018Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Water Gremlin CompanyInventor: Tracy L. Cain
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Patent number: 10181595Abstract: Battery parts, such as battery terminals, and associated systems and methods for making the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a battery part has a base portion that includes one or more undercut sealing portions, each having a root and a lip. The lip can flare outwardly from the root to define an undercut between the root and the lip of the sealing portion. In some embodiments, the battery terminal can include adjacent sealing portions having opposing undercuts defined by overlapping lips of the adjacent sealing portions. Another embodiment includes a forming assembly for use with, for example, a battery part having a bifurcated acid ring with spaced apart lips. The forming assembly can include movable forming members that can be driven together to peen, crimp, flare or otherwise form the lips on the bifurcated acid ring.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2017Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: Water Gremlin CompanyInventors: Tracy L. Cain, Michael Garin
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Patent number: 9954214Abstract: Systems and methods for producing battery parts, such as battery parts, are described herein. In one embodiment, a battery part machine is configured transform a profile of one or more acid rings on a battery part from a first cross-section to a second cross-section. The machine can include a rotatable spindle configured to receive the battery part, and a first tool and a second tool configured to engage the battery part. The orientation of the first tool and the second tool can be configured to engage the battery part at adjustable to polish, crimp, flare or otherwise transform the profile of the acid rings thereon to produce a finished battery part. An operator can input operating parameters to a machine controller to adjust the finished profile of the acid rings produced by the machine without requiring disassembly thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2014Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Water Gremlin CompanyInventor: Tracy L. Cain
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Patent number: 9935306Abstract: Battery parts having retaining and sealing features and associated assemblies and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a battery part includes a base portion that is configured to be embedded in battery container material of a corresponding battery container. The battery part and base portion include several torque resisting features and gripping features that resist torsional or twist loads that are applied to the battery part after it has been joined to the battery container. For example, the base portion can include several internal and external torque resisting features and gripping features that are configured to resist twisting or loosening of the battery part with reference to the battery container material, as well as prevent or inhibit fluid leakage from the battery container.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2014Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Water Gremlin CompanyInventors: Michael A. Garin, Kurt T. Gifford
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Patent number: 9917293Abstract: Battery parts having retaining and sealing features and associated assemblies and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a battery part includes a base portion that is configured to be embedded in battery container material of a corresponding battery container. The battery part and base portion include several torque resisting features and gripping features that resist torsional or twist loads that are applied to the battery part after it has been joined to the battery container. For example, the base portion can include several internal and external torque resisting features and gripping features that are configured to resist twisting or loosening of the battery part with reference to the battery container material, as well as prevent or inhibit fluid leakage from the battery container.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Water Gremlin CompanyInventors: Michael A. Garin, Kurt T. Gifford
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Patent number: 9748551Abstract: Battery parts, such as battery terminals, and associated systems and methods for making the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a battery part has a base portion that includes one or more undercut sealing portions, each having a root and a lip. The lip can flare outwardly from the root to define an undercut between the root and the lip of the sealing portion. In some embodiments, the battery terminal can include adjacent sealing portions having opposing undercuts defined by overlapping lips of the adjacent sealing portions. Another embodiment includes a forming assembly for use with, for example, a battery part having a bifurcated acid ring with spaced apart lips. The forming assembly can include movable forming members that can be driven together to peen, crimp, flare or otherwise form the lips on the bifurcated acid ring.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2012Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Water Gremlin CompanyInventors: Tracy L. Cain, Michael Garin
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Patent number: 9190654Abstract: Battery parts, such as battery terminals, and associated systems and methods for making same. In one embodiment, a battery part has a sealing region or sealing bead located on a lateral face of an acid ring for increasing resistance to leakage therepast as the battery container shrinks. Another embodiment includes a forming assembly for use with, for example, a battery part having a bifurcated acid ring with spaced apart lips. The forming assembly can include movable forming members that can be driven together to peen, crimp, flare or otherwise form the lips on the bifurcated acid ring.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2014Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Water Gremlin CompanyInventors: Robert W. Ratte, Norman E. Peterson, Tracy L. Cain
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Patent number: 9034508Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of forming battery parts are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of forming a battery part includes receiving a flowable material into a cavity, and reducing a volume of the cavity while a pin extending through at least a portion of the cavity remains at least generally stationary therein. The method further includes sealing the cavity by slidably engaging at least a portion of the pin with a recess in the piston proximate the end face of the piston.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2013Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Water Gremlin CompanyInventor: Robert W. Ratte
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Publication number: 20140259646Abstract: Systems and methods for producing battery parts, such as battery parts, are described herein. In one embodiment, a battery part machine is configured transform a profile of one or more acid rings on a battery part from a first cross-section to a second cross-section. The machine can include a rotatable spindle configured to receive the battery part, and a first tool and a second tool configured to engage the battery part. The orientation of the first tool and the second tool can be configured to engage the battery part at adjustable to polish, crimp, flare or otherwise transform the profile of the acid rings thereon to produce a finished battery part. An operator can input operating parameters to a machine controller to adjust the finished profile of the acid rings produced by the machine without requiring disassembly thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: WATER GREMLIN COMPANYInventor: Tracy L. Cain
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Patent number: 8802282Abstract: Battery parts having retaining and sealing features and associated assemblies and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a battery part includes a base portion that is configured to be embedded in battery container material of a corresponding battery container. The battery part and base portion include several torque resisting features and gripping features that resist torsional or twist loads that are applied to the battery part after it has been joined to the battery container. For example, the base portion can include several internal and external torque resisting features and gripping features that are configured to resist twisting or loosening of the battery part with reference to the battery container material, as well as prevent or inhibit fluid leakage from the battery container.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2013Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Water Gremlin CompanyInventors: Michael A. Garin, Kurt T. Gifford
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Publication number: 20140201981Abstract: Battery parts, such as battery terminals, and associated systems and methods for making same. In one embodiment, a battery part has a sealing region or sealing bead located on a lateral face of an acid ring for increasing resistance to leakage therepast as the battery container shrinks. Another embodiment includes a forming assembly for use with, for example, a battery part having a bifurcated acid ring with spaced apart lips. The forming assembly can include movable forming members that can be driven together to peen, crimp, flare or otherwise form the lips on the bifurcated acid ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: WATER GREMLIN COMPANYInventors: Robert W. Ratte, Norman E. Peterson, Tracy L. Cain
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Patent number: 8701743Abstract: Battery parts, such as battery terminals, and associated systems and methods for making same. In one embodiment, a battery part has a sealing region or sealing bead located on a lateral face of an acid ring for increasing resistance to leakage therepast as the battery container shrinks. Another embodiment includes a forming assembly for use with, for example, a battery part having a bifurcated acid ring with spaced apart lips. The forming assembly can include movable forming members that can be driven together to peen, crimp, flare or otherwise form the lips on the bifurcated acid ring.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2009Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Water Gremlin CompanyInventors: Robert W. Ratte, Norman E. Peterson, Tracy L. Cain
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Publication number: 20140083642Abstract: An apparatus and method for pressure casting a battery part wherein an extendible piston includes sidewalls for shutting off the supply of molten lead and an impact surface that extends in a side-to-side condition to form an end surface of a battery part cavity so that when the extendible piston is brought into an intensifying condition the extendible piston shuts off further supply of molten metal while a heat source maintains the lead in a molten state as the impact surface of the piston forms a side-to-side mold cavity surface to complete the mold cavity surface thereby eliminating unevenness in the surface of the finished battery part by generating a force with the extendible piston which is sufficient to form a battery part so that upon removal from the mold the batter part is substantially free of tears and cracks as well as surface irregularities.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: WATER GREMLIN COMPANYInventor: Robert W. Ratte
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Patent number: 8512891Abstract: An apparatus and method for pressure casting a battery part wherein an extendible piston includes sidewalls for shutting off the supply of molten lead and an impact surface that extends in a side-to-side condition to form an end surface of a battery part cavity so that when the extendible piston is brought into an intensifying condition the extendible piston shuts off further supply of molten metal while a heat source maintains the lead in a molten state as the impact surface of the piston forms a side-to-side mold cavity surface to complete the mold cavity surface thereby eliminating unevenness in the surface of the finished battery part by generating a force with the extendible piston which is sufficient to form a battery part so that upon removal from the mold the batter part is substantially free of tears and cracks as well as surface irregularities.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2009Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Water Gremlin CompanyInventor: Robert W. Ratte