Abstract: FIG. (1) shows a battery generally designated (1), which is a lead-acid battery. The battery (1) includes the components normally found in a GMF (glass microfibre) battery. The battery (1) includes a container or box (2) of tough flame retardant material and positive plates or electrodes (3) comprising lead alloy grids covered with an active material of lead dioxide. In one embodiment of the battery (1), acid gelling material such as silica or the like (for example fumed silica or sodium silicate) is introduced into each GMF separator (5), preferably, during the manufacture of the separator itself. In a second embodiment, a gel is made up outside the separator container, for example, by mixing sodium silicate solution (water glass) and sulphuric acid and the battery is filled with the gel, thus allowing a gel to develop generally uniformly throughout the container and battery.

Abstract: Recombination lead acid electric storage battery of sealed or recombinant type in which the gas evolved during operation or charging is induced to recombine within the battery at the battery electrodes.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sealed lead acid button cell having a moulded acid resistant polymer case formed in two portions each portion having a central boss with a passage leading into the cell, and a metal plug located in the said passage, the inner end of the plug being electrically connected to the electrode located in that portion of the case, and a cap made of a metal harder than the metal of the said plug surrounding the central boss and squeezing it against the plug and the cap being electrically connected to the plug. The cap may thus be crimped around the boss or may be a force fit thereon. The case is provided with a pressure relief vent to allow gases to vent under service conditions.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for preparing enveloped plates for batteries which comprises introducing an active material composition into the porous envelope of an enveloped plate when the envelope is assembled on the current conducting element of the plate characterized in that the active material composition is introduced into the envelope as an aqueous slurry, which has a degree of sulphation in excess of 50% and a rotating vane viscometer torque value (as herein defined) of not more than 0.2 lbs ft. at 20.degree. C, the said aqueous slurry being introduced into the envelope at a pressure of less than 5 psi until the envelope is filled with the composition, liquids issuing through the walls of the envelope, the pressure then being allowed to rise to a value above 5 psi but not in excess of 70 psi, the pressure there after being released. A variety of suitable active material compositions are described together with apparatus for carrying out the method.