Abstract: An improved bipolar lead-acid battery including a novel "cup" design of a bipolar plate, a resilient sliding rim seal for each battery cell, spring conductors for achieving both high compression and current collection, unique current collecting plates, and a self-sealing venting port on the external container.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery module is disclosed that is particularly well adapted for use in multi-module battery packs. The module includes top and bottom cover plates. At least a portion of each cover plate is formed from electrically conductive materials so that when the battery module is integrated into a stack, the contacts between adjacent battery units are formed by the cover plates. A positive plate that has a positive surface is placed in electrical contact with a first cover plate. A negative plate having a negative surface is also provided. The negative plate is arranged in electrical contact with the second cover plate. The battery includes a plurality of active paste layers. Each active paste layer is applied to an associated surface. One or more separators are provided to isolate the paste layers. The first and second cover plates are electrically isolated by at least the paste layers and the separator means. The cover plates may be ribbed to provide structural support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to rechargeable batteries which include cell casing components enclosing positive and negative plates, separator material and acid electrolyte. The battery includes a plurality of support members extending from one or the other of the casing components, or from both casing components, the support members passing through the plates to permit uniform compression of the internal components. In its preferred embodiment, the battery includes one or more intermediate cell partitions which permit stacking of individual cells to increase voltage. The partition continues the utilization of the support members. In another disclosed embodiment, the electrode plates contained within any particular cell are punched to permit the support members to pass therethrough, with hole sizing selected so that a small hole will remain at each support location, while also insuring that for each support member, only one of the positive and negative plates will touch it, but not both.

Abstract: Thermal management of flat pack rechargeable batteries is accomplished by providing extensions on individual cell housing components, which extensions are connected to provide open air channels between individual cells. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, cells within the stack are filled with a thermally conductive liquid, such as a silica gel, to assist in heat dissipation from adjacent cells.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery is provided having positive and negative plates formed of flexible substantially solid sheets. The plates are each pasted with an active material and separated by a light weight absorbent separator. A light weight casing provides structural support for the plates and encases the battery's components. The battery is preferably a recombinant lead acid battery with its plates being formed of lead foil sheets. The casing is preferably reinforced to maintain a constant spacing between the plates by a plurality of support pins extending between upper and lower casing members through the plate sheets. Plates may be stacked one above another to provide a plurality of cells. In separate aspects of the invention, a battery may be formed having a polar plate that has positive and negative surfaces on its opposite sides. In another separate aspect of the invention a novel terminal arrangement is provided.