Patents by Inventor Clarence A. Meadows

Clarence A. Meadows has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5562741
    Abstract: A method of making a bipolar battery comprising a plurality of framed, bipolar electrodes stacked together and embedded in a housing molded in situ thereabout. The housing will preferably comprise a polymeric foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Clarence A. Meadows, Robert E. Adams
  • Patent number: 5527642
    Abstract: A bipolar battery comprising a plurality of framed, bipolar electrodes stacked together and embedded in a housing molded in situ thereabout. The housing will preferably comprise a polymeric foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Clarence A. Meadows, Robert E. Adams
  • Patent number: 5356735
    Abstract: A temperature controllable electric storage battery having monobloc construction and including thin, planar, heat exchangers placed throughout the battery between the electrode plates thereof. Preferably, the heat exchangers will comprise the intercell partitions of the battery container and the liquid passages therein will have an elongated cross section in a direction transverse the passage so as to provide a wide passage having the majority of the surface defining the passage lying in planes substantially parallel to the external face of the heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Clarence A. Meadows, James R. Bish
  • Patent number: 5344727
    Abstract: A bipolar electrode for a Pb-acid battery comprising a lead septum plate and a porous coating on at least one face of the septum plate for anchoring at least the positive active material paste to the septum. The porous coating comprises multiple layers of lead particles fused together and to the septum face so as to define a plurality of interconnected, interstitial pores therebetween. The particles are fused droplets of lead arc-sprayed into the surface of the septum. A particular bipolar and battery construction useful with the bipolar electrode is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Clarence A. Meadows, James R. Bish, Robert E. Adams
  • Patent number: 5326656
    Abstract: A bipolar battery comprising a plurality of bipolar electrodes stacked together, each bipolar electrode comprising a conductive septum having positive and negative active material on opposite faces thereof. Each electrode has a nonconductive frame formed thereabout, and a mesa-like lattice which is integral with the frame, overlays the faces of the septum and is defined by an annular shoulder formed between the border of the lattice and the frame. Discrete spacer frames interjacent the electrode frames separate the electrodes from each other and define a region thereabout for retaining the battery's electrolyte. The faces of the spacer include an annular recess contiguous an inner rim thereof which receives, in nesting fashion, the mesa-like lattices for interlocking the several frames together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Clarence A. Meadows, Robert E. Adams, James R. Bish
  • Patent number: 5181936
    Abstract: Process for heat sealing a thermoplastic cover to a thermoplastic container wherein the cover has a channel formed thereon for receiving a sealing lip on the container walls. The lip and floor of the channel are melted and then cooled to form a solidified skin of thermoplastic over a molten core, the lip is mated with the channel and the melted portions thereof coalesced with the melt from the floor. Some of the coalesced melt exudes between the lip and the sides of the channel and solidifies to provide additional bonding. The produce produced by the process is also claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Clarence A. Meadows
  • Patent number: 4800142
    Abstract: Electrode plate for an electric storage battery including a lug for electrically coupling the plate to other plates in the battery and an insulating collar tightly engaging the root of each plate lug. In a stack of plates, the several collars abut one another so as to separate the lugs from each other and may serve to form a mold for shaping a plate strap cast thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Bish, Charles P. McCartney, Jr., Clarence A. Meadows
  • Patent number: 4780378
    Abstract: A relief/check valve for venting an electric storage battery comprising essentially an annular sealing member having an elastomeric skirt engaging the sloping exterior surface of a valve seat. The skirt flares outwardly from the seat in direct proportion to the pressure in the battery such as to prevent excessive build up of pressure in the battery when the gassing rate is high. The skirt quickly returns to a sealing condition when the pressure within the battery drops below the opening pressure of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Charles P. McCartney, Jr., Charles C. Montgomery, Clarence A. Meadows, Bruce A. Cole
  • Patent number: 4756982
    Abstract: A "sealed" electric storage battery having a check/relief valve for controlling the venting and resealing pressures for the battery wherein the valve has at least two separate sealing members each capable of adjustment independently of the other for better control of both the venting and resealing pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Charles P. McCartney, Jr., Clarence A. Meadows
  • Patent number: 4742611
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for joining lead battery parts (e.g., plate lugs, intercell connectors, terminals, etc.) together via a low resistance electrical coupling wherein substantially oxide-free, arc-melted, superheated molten lead is cast into a cavity between the parts. The parts are shielded from the arc while being bathed in a non-oxidizing atmosphere which is preferably formed from an ionizable, non-oxidizing gas heated by the lead-melting arc and spewed onto the parts along with the molten lead to provide additional heat thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Clarence A. Meadows, Phillip E. Grady, Lawrence B. Plant
  • Patent number: 4683180
    Abstract: Electrode plate for an electric storage battery including a lug for electrically coupling the plate to other plates in the battery and an insulating collar tightly engaging the root of each plate lug. In a stack of plates, the several collars abut one another so as to separate the lugs from each other and may serve to form a mold for shaping a plate strap cast thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Bish, Charles P. McCartney, Jr., Clarence A. Meadows