Patents by Inventor Ralph A. Petersen

Ralph A. Petersen 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: 7517370
    Abstract: A method of making a battery plate includes mixing particles of tetrabasic lead sulfate with leady oxide to form a paste material. The particles have an average spherical particle diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers. The method also includes providing at least a portion of the paste material on a battery grid curing the battery grid and paste material at a temperature of less than approximately 48 degrees Celsius to produce a battery plate having a cured paste thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Ralph A. Petersen, Ross A. Henning
  • Publication number: 20020026252
    Abstract: A computer system for vehicle battery selection based on vehicle operating conditions is disclosed. The computer system allows a user to obtain a prediction of vehicle battery service life when the user inputs a battery, a vehicle in which the battery will be installed and driving habits, and a geographic region in which the vehicle will be operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: William J. Wruck, Ronald C. Miles, Ralph A. Petersen, Arlen P. Walker
  • Patent number: 5626986
    Abstract: A carbon coating including carbon particles having a predetermined size and BET surface area. The carbon coating is applied to electrodes used in batteries. The electrodes may include a nonconductive frame defining at least one aperture and at least one carbon plastic sheet which is borne by the frame and disposed in occluding relation relative to the aperture. The carbon coating is applied to one surface of the carbon plastic sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: ZBB Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl D. Jahns, Peter J. Lex, Ralph A. Petersen
  • Patent number: 5302476
    Abstract: An electrode suitable for use as a lead-acid battery plate is formed of a paste composition which enhances the performance of the plate. The paste composition includes a basic lead sulfate, a persulfate and water. The paste may also include lead oxide and fibers. An electrode according to the invention is characterized by good strength in combination with high power density, porosity and surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Globe-Union Inc.
    Inventors: Wen-Hong Kao, Norma K. Bullock, Ralph A. Petersen
  • Patent number: 5290359
    Abstract: A process for making a battery paste includes steps of forming an active material in an aqueous slurry, then dewatering the slurry to form a battery paste. In one described embodiment, a slurry containing one or more basic lead sulfates suitable for use as the active material in lead-acid battery electrodes is formed in a continuously stirred tank reactor (36). The slurry is withdrawn from the reactor (36) and fed to a belt press (67) which reduces the moisture content of the slurry to the desired level. Battery pastes produced according to the invention may be fed continuously to a paster (89) for mass production of positive and negative battery plates from grids (91).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Globe-Union Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Coonen, Ralph A. Petersen, Conrad E. Weinlein
  • Patent number: 5149606
    Abstract: Improved formation efficiencies for positive pasted plates used in lead-acid batteries are provided by treatment of the positive plates with a stabilized aqueous alkaline persulfate solution to effect the conversion of lead monoxide to lead dioxide. Use of the alkaline persulfate solution enhances both formation and initial performance of the fabricated batteries. A stabilizing agent is added to the alkaline persulfate solution to stabilize the lead sulfate and basic lead sulfates in the paste. A preferred method for producing positive plates of a lead-acid battery comprises the steps of (a) heating the pasted plate, (b) spray coating with or dipping the plate in a persulfate solution, and (c) reheating the plate to accelerate the reaction of lead monoxide with persulfate to form lead dioxide. The persulfate treatment may be applied to uncured pasted plates and used with plate paste containing free lead, and the spray-coating procedure offers an easy and efficient manufacturing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Globe-Union Inc.
    Inventors: Norma K. Bullock, Ralph A. Petersen
  • Patent number: 5096611
    Abstract: A process for making a battery paste includes steps of forming an active material in an aqueous slurry, then dewatering the slurry to form a battery paste. In one described embodiment, a slurry containing one or more basic lead sulfates suitable for use as the active material in lead-acid battery electrodes is formed in a continuously stirred tank reactor (36). The slurry is withdrawn from the reactor (36) and fed to a belt press (67) which reduces the moisture content of the slurry to the desired level. Battery pastes produced according to the invention may be fed continuously to a paster (89) for mass production of positive and negative battery plates from grids (91).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Globe-Union Inc.
    Inventors: Coonen A. Matthew, Ralph A. Petersen, Conrad E. Weinlein