Patents Assigned to Water Gremlin Company
  • Patent number: 11942664
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Garin, Kurt T. Gifford
  • Patent number: 11804640
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Christophe Chandler, Carl Dubois, Kurt T. Gifford
  • Patent number: 11283141
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Christophe Chandler, Carl Dubois, Kurt T. Gifford
  • Patent number: 11038156
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Christophe Chandler, Carl Dubois, Kurt T. Gifford
  • Patent number: 10910625
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Garin, Kurt T. Gifford
  • Patent number: 10283754
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Ratte, Norman E. Peterson, Tracy L. Cain
  • Patent number: 10217987
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventor: Tracy L. Cain
  • Patent number: 10181595
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Tracy L. Cain, Michael Garin
  • Patent number: 9954214
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventor: Tracy L. Cain
  • Patent number: 9935306
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Garin, Kurt T. Gifford
  • Patent number: 9917293
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Garin, Kurt T. Gifford
  • Patent number: 9748551
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Tracy L. Cain, Michael Garin
  • Patent number: 9190654
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Ratte, Norman E. Peterson, Tracy L. Cain
  • Patent number: 9034508
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventor: Robert W. Ratte
  • Publication number: 20140259646
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: WATER GREMLIN COMPANY
    Inventor: Tracy L. Cain
  • Patent number: 8802282
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Garin, Kurt T. Gifford
  • Publication number: 20140201981
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: WATER GREMLIN COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert W. Ratte, Norman E. Peterson, Tracy L. Cain
  • Patent number: 8701743
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Ratte, Norman E. Peterson, Tracy L. Cain
  • Publication number: 20140083642
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: WATER GREMLIN COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert W. Ratte
  • Patent number: 8512891
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventor: Robert W. Ratte