Abstract: The apparatus includes a battery support for supporting a battery at a fill position, a head assembly with a plurality of heads each with an opening formed therethrough, an acid tank, a circulating conduit with a pump for circulating acid, and a valve for stopping the circulation of acid. The head assembly is moved from an upper position to a lower position for engaging the head openings with the upper cell openings of the battery. A plurality of fill conduits extend from the circulating conduit between the pump and the valve to the heads for injecting acid into the battery openings by way of the head openings. A plurality of leveling tubes extend through the head openings and beyond the lower ends of the heads for with removing excess acid by way of a plurality of leveling chambers operated together with a piston.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to prepare battery plate lugs for use with automated machines for cast on operations. The apparatus comprises an anvil having top and opposite side walls for receiving a battery cell including a plurality of plates with lugs attached thereto. The tops of the plates are placed over the top of the anvil with the lugs positioned along the sides of the anvil and in contact therewith. A pair of rams on opposite sides of the anvil are moved inward to engage and partially flatten the lugs to render the lugs thinner and to remove whatever oxides have been formed on the surfaces of the lugs. A pair of knives on opposite sides of the anvil are moved inwardly to cut the lengths of the lugs to a uniform size.

Abstract: A system for casting straps and terminals on lugs of storage batteries includes a loading station including means for receiving at least one non-metallic battery case having a plurality of plates and separators partially inserted in the case with lugs extending out of the case. Clamping structure holds the battery case in position and includes metallic structure for overlying edges of the case to insulate the edges of the battery case from heat. Means rotates the receiving means to position the lugs in a downward substantially vertical direction. Included is a casting mold for receiving molten lead. Transportation means moves the receiving means over the casting molds and lower the lugs into the casting mold. Following the setting of the lead, the receiving means is transported to an un-loading station where the battery case is removed from the receiving means. The casting mold includes a vent for letting air from the mold as molten lead is added to the mold.

Abstract: A pot of molten lead is situated adjacent to a mold chamber containing a mold. A displacement piston is lowered into the pot to displace lead into the mold chamber to fill the mold. The displacement piston them allows the lead to flow back into the pot, leaving the lead in the mold. A battery handler then lowers a battery into the mold to cast lead straps onto the lugs of the battery. Water is forced through a passageway in the mold chamber to cool the lead in the mold. Air is then forced through the passageway to remove the water. The battery handler then removes the battery from the mold and a heating unit begins to preheat the mold chamber for the next battery.

Abstract: A storage battery and a method of making same wherein the positive plates of one cell are electrically connected to the negative plates of an adjacent cell without the need of welding. A conventional battery case is utilized and modified to provide an opening through the partitions between the cells. A conductive material, either lead particles or a low-melt alloy in molten form, is added in the cells and through the openings therebetween. The lugs of the positive plates of the cell are all positioned downward in the cell and are aligned with all the lugs of the negative plates in an adjacent cell. The conductive material electrically connects all the positive lugs of the one cell to the negative lugs of the adjacent cell. Where particulate material is utilized as the conductive material, a sealing agent, for example, epoxy resin, is poured onto the conductive material to render the material impermeable and to seal it in place.

Abstract: A multi-positionable work station containing a plurality of easily reciprocally, positionable work station blocks is disclosed. As shown, each of said blocks is adapted to receive one of a variety of tools and is further adapted to be locked in place by an integral quick camlock contained within said station. A use of the station is illustrated with an acid-fill station which will simultaneously fill each of the cells in a multi-celled electric storage battery for automotive use with battery acid. In the embodiment shown, the station is adjustable vertically without the necessity to disassemble the apparatus to which the station is attached and further contains structure to adjust the forward and rear position of the batteries being filled relative to the work station so that precise alignment may be achieved.

Abstract: An improved battery formation apparatus wherein a specially designed overflow/drain plug is provided for directing the flow of fluid out of a water tub used to control the temperature of batteries during the formation thereof. The plug is a combination of a hollow plug member and a collar member fitted around this plug member. The plug member is designed to fit inside the drain opening and extend upward therefrom to control the liquid level in the container, and furthermore, the plug is designed to fit around the bottom of the drain opening to facilitate draining of the fluid from the opening. The plug member has an elongated slot therethrough, and the collar means is slidably fitted around the plug member to adjustably determine the height along the plug member which the fluid must reach before it is drained through the elongated slot.