Abstract: A separator for a lead acid battery is a porous membrane having a positive electrode face and a negative electrode face. A plurality of longitudinally extending ribs, a plurality of protrusions or a nonwoven material may be disposed upon the positive electrode face. A plurality of transversely extending ribs are disposed upon the negative electrode face. The transverse ribs disposed upon the negative electrode face are preferably juxtaposed to a negative electrode of the lead acid battery, when the separator is placed within that battery.

Abstract: A method for producing a microporous material comprising the steps of: providing an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE); providing a filler; providing a processing plasticizer; adding the filler to the UHMWPE in a mixture being in the range of from about 1:9 to about 15:1 filler to UHMWPE by weight; adding the processing plasticizer to the mixture; extruding the mixture to form a sheet from the mixture; calendering the sheet; extracting the processing plasticizer from the sheet to produce a matrix comprising UHMWPE and the filler distributed throughout the matrix; stretching the microporous material in at least one direction to a stretch ratio of at least about 1.5 to produce a stretched microporous matrix; and subsequently calendering the stretched microporous matrix to produce a microporous material which exhibits improved physical and dimensional stability properties over the stretched microporous matrix.

Abstract: New or improved lead acid batteries with vapor pressure barriers and/or improved battery separators, as well as systems, vehicles, and/or methods of manufacture and/or use thereof are disclosed herein. In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure provides new or improved lead acid batteries with a vapor pressure barrier. In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure provides new or improved lead acid battery vapor pressure barriers along with new or improved battery separators, and/or methods of manufacture and/or use thereof. In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure provides a new or improved lead acid battery with a vapor pressure barrier that reduces the water loss from the battery. In at least select embodiments, a method of reducing the water loss of a lead acid battery may include providing a vapor pressure barrier, such as a layer of oil, inside the lead acid battery along with an improved battery separator.

Abstract: A battery separator has performance enhancing additives or coatings, fillers with increased friability, increased ionic diffusion, decreased tortuosity, increased wettability, reduced oil content, reduced thickness, decreased electrical resistance, and/or increased porosity. The separator in a battery reduces the water loss, lowers acid stratification, lowers the voltage drop, and/or increases the CCA.

Abstract: Improved battery separators are disclosed herein for use in flooded lead-acid batteries, and in particular enhanced flooded lead-acid batteries. The improved separators disclosed herein provide for enhanced electrolyte mixing and substantially reduced acid stratification. The improved flooded lead-acid batteries may be advantageously employed in applications in which the battery remains in a partial state of charge, for instance in start/stop vehicle systems. Also, improved lead-acid batteries, such as flooded lead-acid batteries, improved systems that include a lead-acid battery and a battery separator, improved battery separators, improved vehicles including such systems, and/or methods of manufacture and/or use may be provided.

Abstract: New or improved lead acid batteries with vapor pressure barriers and/or improved battery separators, as well as systems, vehicles, and/or methods of manufacture and/or use thereof are disclosed herein. In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure provides new or improved lead acid batteries with a vapor pressure barrier. In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure provides new or improved lead acid battery vapor pressure barriers along with new or improved battery separators, and/or methods of manufacture and/or use thereof. In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure provides a new or improved lead acid battery with a vapor pressure barrier that reduces the water loss from the battery. In at least select embodiments, a method of reducing the water loss of a lead acid battery may include providing a vapor pressure barrier, such as a layer of oil, inside the lead acid battery along with an improved battery separator.

Abstract: Improved battery separators are disclosed herein for use in flooded lead-acid batteries, and in particular enhanced flooded lead-acid batteries. The improved separators disclosed herein provide for enhanced electrolyte mixing and substantially reduced acid stratification. The improved flooded lead-acid batteries may be advantageously employed in applications in which the battery remains in a partial state of charge, for instance in start/stop vehicle systems. Also, improved lead-acid batteries, such as flooded lead-acid batteries, improved systems that include a lead-acid battery and a battery separator, improved battery separators, improved vehicles including such systems, and/or methods of manufacture and/or use may be provided.

Abstract: A method for producing a microporous material comprising the steps of: providing an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE); providing a filler; providing a processing plasticizer; adding the filler to the UHMWPE in a mixture being in the range of from about 1:9 to about 15:1 filler to UHMWPE by weight; adding the processing plasticizer to the mixture; extruding the mixture to form a sheet from the mixture; calendering the sheet; extracting the processing plasticizer from the sheet to produce a matrix comprising UHMWPE and the filler distributed throughout the matrix; stretching the microporous material in at least one direction to a stretch ratio of at least about 1.5 to produce a stretched microporous matrix; and subsequently calendering the stretched microporous matrix to produce a microporous material which exhibits improved physical and dimensional stability properties over the stretched microporous matrix.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are improved separators for lead acid batteries. The separators may include a porous membrane, a rubber, and at least one performance enhancing additive, positive and/or negative ribs, and/or lowered acid leachable total organic carbon.

Abstract: A battery separator has performance enhancing additives or coatings, fillers with increased friability, increased ionic diffusion, decreased tortuosity, increased wettability, reduced oil content, reduced thickness, decreased electrical resistance, and/or increased porosity. The separator in a battery reduces the water loss, lowers acid stratification, lowers the voltage drop, and/or increases the CCA.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a separator is provided with a fibrous mat for retaining the active material on an electrode of a lead-acid battery. New or improved mats, separators, batteries, methods, and/or systems are also disclosed, shown, claimed, and/or provided. For example, in at least one possibly preferred embodiment, a composite separator is provided with a fibrous mat for retaining the active material on an electrode of a lead-acid battery. In at least one possibly particularly preferred embodiment, a PE membrane separator is provided with at least one fibrous mat for retaining the active material on an electrode of a lead-acid battery.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are improved separators for lead acid batteries. The separators may include a porous membrane, a rubber, and at least one performance enhancing additive, positive and/or negative ribs, and/or lowered acid leachable total organic carbon.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a separator is provided with a fibrous mat for retaining the active material on an electrode of a lead-acid battery. New or improved mats, separators, batteries, methods, and/or systems are also disclosed, shown, claimed, and/or provided. For example, in at least one possibly preferred embodiment, a composite separator is provided with a fibrous mat for retaining the active material on an electrode of a lead-acid battery. In at least one possibly particularly preferred embodiment, a PE membrane separator is provided with at least one fibrous mat for retaining the active material on an electrode of a lead-acid battery.

Abstract: An exemplary hybrid battery separator is provided with a porous sheet with a folded bottom edge and joined lateral edges that form a pocket. The folded bottom edge may have one or more openings or slits. The hybrid separators of the present disclosure are particularly useful for flat-plate cycling batteries. The separators of the present disclosure may effectively enhance the battery re-chargeability and the backup time. In addition, the separators of the present disclosure may contribute to the reduction of water loss in the battery, lowering the maintenance needs in service. It is expected that batteries having the separators of the present disclosure may be useful in various applications, such as in inverters, golf carts, as well as solar and traction applications.

Abstract: A lead acid battery is disclosed comprising a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a separator; and an electrolyte comprising a metal sulfate; wherein lead sulfate crystals formed during cycling of the lead acid battery have an average diameter in one dimension of less than 1.1 microns, less than 1.0 microns, less than 0.95 microns, or less than 0.9 microns.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a separator is provided with a fibrous mat for retaining the active material on an electrode of a lead-acid battery. New or improved mats, separators, batteries, methods, and/or systems are also disclosed, shown, claimed, and/or provided. For example, in at least one possibly preferred embodiment, a composite separator is provided with a fibrous mat for retaining the active material on an electrode of a lead-acid battery. In at least one possibly particularly preferred embodiment, a PE membrane separator is provided with at least one fibrous mat for retaining the active material on an electrode of a lead-acid battery.

Abstract: A method for producing a microporous material comprising the steps of: providing an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE); providing a filler; providing a processing plasticizer; adding the filler to the UHMWPE in a mixture being in the range of from about 1:9 to about 15:1 filler to UHMWPE by weight; adding the processing plasticizer to the mixture; extruding the mixture to form a sheet from the mixture; calendering the sheet; extracting the processing plasticizer from the sheet to produce a matrix comprising UHMWPE and the filler distributed throughout the matrix; stretching the microporous material in at least one direction to a stretch ratio of at least about 1.5 to produce a stretched microporous matrix; and subsequently calendering the stretched microporous matrix to produce a microporous material which exhibits improved physical and dimensional stability properties over the stretched microporous matrix.

Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments or aspects, the present invention is directed to improved, unique, and/or complex performance lead acid battery separators, such as improved flooded lead acid battery separators, batteries including such separators, methods of production, and/or methods of use. The preferred battery separator of the present invention addresses and optimizes multiple separator properties simultaneously. It is believed that the present invention is the first to recognize the need to address multiple separator properties simultaneously, the first to choose particular multiple separator property combinations, and the first to produce commercially viable multiple property battery separators, especially such a separator having negative cross ribs.

Abstract: A method for producing a microporous material comprising the steps of: providing an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE); providing a filler; providing a processing plasticizer; adding the filler to the UHMWPE in a mixture being in the range of from about 1:9 to about 15:1 filler to UHMWPE by weight; adding the processing plasticizer to the mixture; extruding the mixture to form a sheet from the mixture; calendering the sheet; extracting the processing plasticizer from the sheet to produce a matrix comprising UHMWPE and the filler distributed throughout the matrix; stretching the microporous material in at least one direction to a stretch ratio of at least about 1.5 to produce a stretched microporous matrix; and subsequently calendering the stretched microporous matrix to produce a microporous material which exhibits improved physical and dimensional stability properties over the stretched microporous matrix.

Abstract: Disclosed in at least one embodiment herein is a battery separator comprising a substrate that may be polymeric and porous. The substrate may have ribs, protrusions, or ribs and protrusions on one or both faces or surfaces thereof. On at least one surface or face of the substrate, a material layer may be formed. The material layer may contain a material with an oil absorption value equal to or greater than 15 g oil/100 g of material. The battery separator disclosed herein is useful in a lead acid battery, particularly in a flooded lead acid battery or a valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) battery. The battery separator described herein has many benefits including helping mitigate or prevent issues such as acid stratification and others that may deteriorate battery performance or battery life.