Abstract: A method of making a grid for a battery plate of a lead-acid battery. A substantially planar web is manufactured to include a plurality of spaced apart and interconnected wire segments, which at least partially define substantially planar surfaces, have a plurality of transverse lands, and interconnect at a plurality of nodes to define a plurality of open spaces between the wire segments. The web is reformed to change the cross-sectional shape of the wire segments. Other aspects may include simultaneously reducing the thickness of at least a portion of the web while reshaping the wire segments, and/or providing a controlled surface roughness on at least one of the surfaces of the web to increase surface area of the grid and thereby promote adhesion of an electrochemically active material to the grid.

Abstract: A method of making a grid for a battery plate of a lead-acid battery. A substantially planar web is manufactured to include a plurality of spaced apart and interconnected wire segments, which at least partially define substantially planar surfaces, have a plurality of transverse lands, and interconnect at a plurality of nodes to define a plurality of open spaces between the wire segments. The web is reformed to change the cross-sectional shape of the wire segments. Other aspects may include simultaneously reducing the thickness of at least a portion of the web while reshaping the wire segments, and/or providing a controlled surface roughness on at least one of the surfaces of the web to increase surface area of the grid and thereby promote adhesion of an electrochemically active material to the grid.

Abstract: A method of making a grid for a battery plate of a lead-acid battery. A substantially planar web is manufactured to include a plurality of spaced apart and interconnected wire segments, which at least partially define substantially planar surfaces, have a plurality of transverse lands, and interconnect at a plurality of nodes to define a plurality of open spaces between the wire segments. The web is reformed to change the cross-sectional shape of the wire segments. Other aspects may include simultaneously reducing the thickness of at least a portion of the web while reshaping the wire segments, and/or providing controlled surface roughness on at least one of the surfaces of the web to increase surface area of the grid and thereby promote adhesion of an electrochemically active material to the grid.

Abstract: A method of making a grid for a battery plate of a lead-acid battery. A substantially planar web is manufactured to include a plurality of spaced apart and interconnected wire segments, which at least partially define substantially planar surfaces, have a plurality of transverse lands, and interconnect at a plurality of nodes to define a plurality of open spaces between the wire segments. The web is reformed to change the cross-sectional shape of the wire segments. Other aspects may include simultaneously reducing the thickness of at least a portion of the web while reshaping the wire segments, and/or providing controlled surface roughness on at least one of the surfaces of the web to increase surface area of the grid and thereby promote adhesion of an electrochemically active material to the grid.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering molten metal such as lead to a receiver comprising a variable speed pump and a delivery pipe leading from the pump. The delivery pipe has an upwardly extending portion which leads to a discharge orifice from which molten metal may be discharged. A variable speed motor drives the pump. A controller causes the motor to drive the pump selectively at a first speed sufficient to raise molten metal and maintain it at a predetermined level in the upwardly extending portion of the delivery pump and at a second speed sufficient to force molten metal in the delivery pipe from the discharge orifice.

Abstract: A machine for casting battery grids continuously includes a rotary, cylindrical drum in the outer peripheral surface of which the battery grid cavity is machined in the form of a plurality of intersecting axially and circumferentially extending grooves. A shoe is arranged in close fitting, mating engagement with an arcuate segment of the peripheral surface of the drum. The shoe has a molten lead passageway therein which communicates with the peripheral surface of the drum by means of an orifice slot extending lengthwise of the shoe and across the drum. Molten lead under superatmospheric pressure is directed into a tube extending lengthwise within the lead passageway in the shoe and provided with a plurality of openings spaced lengthwise of the tube. The lead is discharged through these openings into the lead passageway, through the orifice slot and against the surface of the drum.

Abstract: A machine for casting battery grids in a continuous manner includes a rotary cylindrical drum in the outer peripheral surface of which the battery grid pattern is machined as a cavity. A shoe is arranged against an arcuate segment of the peripheral surface of the drum. An orifice slot in the shoe has an opening at the peripheral surface of the drum. Molten lead under superatmospheric pressure is directed into the orifice slot in an amount in excess of that required to fill the grid cavity on the drum through the opening in the orifice slot as the drum rotates. Means are provided in the shoe for maintaining the molten lead in the orifice slot in a highly fluid condition and for causing the lead filling the grid cavity to solidify rapidly as it advanced beyond the opening of the orifice slot.

Abstract: A machine for casting battery grids in a continuous manner includes a rotary cylindrical drum in the outer peripheral surface of which the battery grid pattern is machined as a cavity. A shoe is arranged against an arcuate segment of the peripheral surface of the drum. An orifice slot in the shoe has an opening at the peripheral surface of the drum. Molten lead under superatmospheric pressure is directed into the orifice slot in an amount in excess of that required to fill the grid cavity on the drum through the opening in the orifice slot as the drum rotates. Means are provided in the shoe for maintaining the molten lead in the orifice slot in a highly fluid condition and for causing the lead filling the grid cavity to solidify rapidly as it advanced beyond the opening of the orifice slot.

Abstract: A machine for casting battery grids in a continuous manner includes a rotary cylindrical drum in the outer peripheral surface of which the battery grid pattern is machined as a cavity. A shoe is arranged against an arcuate segment of the peripheral surface of the drum. An orifice slot in the shoe has an opening at the peripheral surface of the drum. Molten lead under superatmospheric pressure is directed into the orifice slot in an amount in excess of that required to fill the grid cavity on the drum through the opening in the orifice slot as the drum rotates. Means are provided in the shoe for maintaining the molten lead in the orifice slot in a highly fluid condition and for causing the lead filling the grid cavity to solidify rapidly as it advanced beyond the opening of the orifice slot.

Abstract: A continuous casting machine for battery grids includes a rotary drum on the outer peripheral surface of which the battery grid pattern is formed by a series of grooves. The peripheral surface of the drum mates with a shoe through which molten lead is directed into the grooves as the drum rotates. The outer periphery of the drum is a shell that is connected to rotary side plates by means of roll pins that enable the shell as a whole to expand and contract independently of the side plates. The drum is maintained at a desired temperature to solidify the molten lead directed into the grooves of the battery grid pattern by circulating a heated liquid through the drum.

Abstract: A machine for casting battery grids in a continuous manner includes a rotary cylindrical drum in the outer peripheral surface of which the battery grid pattern is machined as a cavity. A shoe is arranged against an arcuate segment of the peripheral surface of the drum. An orifice slot in the shoe has an opening at the peripheral surface of the drum. Molten lead under superatmospheric pressure is directed into the orifice slot in an amount in excess of that required to fill the grid cavity on the drum through the opening in the orifice slot as the drum rotates. Means are provided in the shoe for maintaining the molten lead in the orifice slot in a highly fluid condition and for causing the lead filling the grid cavity to solidify rapidly as it is advanced beyond the opening of the orifice slot.

Abstract: A battery grid casting machine including a grid receiving plate located to receive a grid ejected from the grid mold and direct it toward the grid trimming die. The grid receiving plate is movable to a by-pass position for interrupting the flow of grids to the trim die while the grid casting operation continues.

Abstract: In a battery grid casting machine there is provided in the feed line from the lead pot to the lead dispensing valve a shut-off valve having a passageway therethrough of relatively small cross section which is surrounded by a water jacket such that, when cold water is directed through the water jacket, the lead in the restricted passageway solidifies into a solid slug and prevents the further flow of lead therethrough.

Abstract: The two half sections of a battery grid mold are provided with means for cooling the portions of the mold sections directly adjacent the grid cavity and for heating the larger rear portions of the mold sections. The means for cooling the mold sections comprise a plurality of coolant passageways disposed forwardly of the vertical mid-plane of each mold section.

Abstract: A valve for dispensing a predetermined amount of molten lead to the mold of a battery grid casting machine has two tubular housings arranged in telescoping relation with their axes extending vertically. The upper housing is fixed and has a feed line for molten metal connected thereto. The lower housing is vertically movable and has a molten metal discharge line extending therefrom. A ball valve member is retained on a pedestal in the lower housing and is arranged to seal with an annular valve seat in the upper housing to control the flow of metal in response to vertical movement of the lower housing. The ball valve is retained in axial alignment with the valve seat by a plurality of circumferentially arranged fingers on the upper housing which surround and extend downwardly beyond said seat.