Abstract: A terminal post seal arrangement for lead acid batteries is provided which may be used both as a moveable post seal or as a static post seal. In a first aspect of the subject invention, a battery is provided with an elastomeric sealing member rigidly fixed to both the cover of the battery and a bushing about a terminal post. Preferably, the sealing member includes a slack portion between its rigid connections which allows for relative movement between the bushing and the cover. In a second aspect of the subject invention, a collar is formed in the cover to bound the terminal post. The collar and/or the sealing member are formed at least partially tapered such that relative movement between the collar and the sealing member causes interferent engagement. It is preferred that interference between the collar and the sealing member become greater with increasing extent of relative movement.

Abstract: A lead-acid cell includes a case, positive and negative plates within the case, microporous separator material between adjacent plates and electrolyte in a starved amount, with the case having jar and covers joined by a weldment along overlapping cover and jars. The positive plates include a grid frame with an intermediate member extending between spaced apart generally peripheral portions of the frame, with pasted active material on the grid frame separated substantially into two portions by the intermediate member. Compressive force is adjustably continuously applied to the positive and negative plates within the case. The plates are suspended within the case at positions removed from the wall of the case, while plate growth is permitted in a manner that plate shorting is avoided.

Abstract: A terminal post seal arrangement for lead acid batteries is provided which may be used both as a moveable post seal or as a static post seal. In a first aspect of the subject invention, a battery is provided with an elastomeric sealing member rigidly fixed to both the cover of the battery and a bushing about a terminal post. Preferably, the sealing member includes a slack portion between its rigid connections which allows for relative movement between the bushing and the cover. In a second aspect of the subject invention, a collar is formed in the cover to bound the terminal post. The collar and/or the sealing member are formed at least partially tapered such that relative movement between the collar and the sealing member causes interferent engagement. It is preferred that interference between the collar and the sealing member become greater with increasing extent of relative movement.

Abstract: A recombinant lead-acid battery, and method for operating thereof, are provided wherein the battery includes a case with a a plurality of lead-acid cells therewithin. The cells are in vapor communication one with another, and in vapor communication with discrete catalyst units. The catalyst units act to enhance recombination within the case of hydrogen and oxygen into vapor phase water. The number of discrete catalyst units is fewer than the cells.

Abstract: A recombinant lead-acid battery comprising a plurality of lead-acid cells in a case including apertured partitions defining space for vapor migration among cells and comprising a catalyst unit communicating with said vapor migration space and enhancing recombination of hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: A lead-acid cell includes a case, positive and negative plates within the case, microporous separator material between adjacent plates and electrolyte in a starved amount, with the case having jar and covers joined by a weldment along overlapping cover and jars. The positive plates include a grid frame with an intermediate member extending between spaced apart generally peripheral portions of the frame, with pasted active material on the grid frame separated substantially into two portions by the intermediate member. Compressive force is adjustably continuously applied to the positive and negative plates within the case. The plates are suspended within the case at positions removed from the wall of the case, while plate growth is permitted in a manner that plate shorting is avoided.

Abstract: A lead-acid cell includes a case, positive and negative plates within the case, microporous separator material between adjacent plates and electrolyte in a starved amount, with the case having jar and covers joined by a weldment along overlapping cover and jars. The positive plates include a grid frame with an intermediate member extending between spaced apart generally peripheral portions of the frame, with pasted active material on the grid frame separated substantially into two portions by the intermediate member. Compressive force is adjustably continuously applied to the positive and negative plates within the case. The plates are suspended within the case at positions removed from the wall of the case, while plate growth is permitted in a manner that plate shorting is-avoided.

Abstract: A recombinant lead-acid battery comprising a plurality of lead-acid cells in a case including apertured partitions defining space for vapor migration among cells and comprising a catalyst unit communicating with said vapor migration space and enhancing recombination of hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: A recombinant lead-acid battery comprising a plurality of lead-acid cells in a case including apertured partitions defining space for vapor migration among cells and comprising a catalyst unit communicating with said vapor migration space and enhancing recombination of hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: A lead-acid cell includes a case, positive and negative plates within the case, microporous separator material between adjacent plates and electrolyte in a starved amount, with the case having jar and covers joined by a weldment along overlapping cover and jars. The positive plates include a grid frame with an intermediate member extending between spaced apart generally peripheral portions of the frame, with pasted active material on the grid frame separated substantially into two portions by the intermediate member. Compressive force is adjustably continuously applied to the positive and negative plates within the case. The plates are suspended within the case at positions removed from the wall of the case, while plate growth is permitted in a manner that plate shorting is avoided.

Abstract: A vent valve is capable of mechanical attachment to a lead acid battery through vent hole structure provided in the case cover. The vent valve is a molded hollow tubular housing having a cup portion, the bottom of which rests atop the battery case, and a neck portion extending through an opening into the battery case. The neck carries cam members on its outer surface which are engaged by similar opposed surfaces or pins on a portion of the case so that, when the cup bottom is seated on a sealing gasket on the case cover and the vent valve is rotated, it is secured and sealed to the case cover. A barrier extends across the inside of the vent valve housing and blocks passage of gases. A pair of oppositely directed valve openings through the barrier establish vent passages which are defined by nozzles protruding through the barrier in opposite directions. Each nozzle is covered by a resilient cup valve member arranged to yield to a higher pressure within a cup at predetermined pressure differentials.

Abstract: A lead-acid cell includes a case, positive and negative plates within the case, microporous separator material between adjacent plates and electrolyte in a starved amount, with the case having jar and covers joined by a weldment along overlapping cover and jars. The positive plates include a grid frame with an intermediate member extending between spaced apart generally peripheral portions of the frame, with pasted active material on the grid frame separated substantially into two portions by the intermediate member. Compressive force is adjustably continuously applied to the positive and negative plates within the case. The plates are suspended within the case at positions removed from the wall of the case, while plate growth is permitted in a manner that plate shorting is avoided.

Abstract: A lead-acid cell includes a case, positive and negative plates within the case, microporous separator material between adjacent plates and electrolyte in a starved amount, with the case having jar and covers joined by a weldment along overlapping cover and jars. The positive plates include a grid frame with an intermediate member extending between spaced apart generally peripheral portions of the frame, with pasted active material on the grid frame separated substantially into two portions by the intermediate member. Compressive force is adjustably continuously applied to the positive and negative plates within the case. The plates are suspended within the case at positions removed from the wall of the case, while plate growth is permitted in a manner that plate shorting is avoided.

Abstract: A lead-acid cell includes a case, positive and negative plates within the case, microporous separator material between adjacent plates and electrolyte in a starved amount, with the case having jar and covers joined by a weldment along overlapping cover and jars. The positive plates include a grid frame with an intermediate member extending between spaced apart generally peripheral portions of the frame, with pasted active material on the grid frame separated substantially into two portions by the intermediate member. Compressive force is adjustably continuously applied to the positive and negative plates within the case. The plates are suspended within the case at positions removed from the wall of the case, while plate growth is permitted in a manner that plate shorting is avoided.

Abstract: A lead-acid cell includes a case, positive and negative plates within the case, microporous separator material between adjacent plates and electrolyte in a starved amount, with the case having jar and covers joined by a weldment along overlapping cover and jars. The positive plates include a grid frame with an intermediate member extending between spaced apart generally peripheral portions of the frame, with pasted active material on the grid frame separated substantially into two portions by the intermediate member. Compressive force is adjustably continuously applied to the positive and negative plates within the case. The plates are suspended within the case at positions removed from the wall of the case, while plate growth is permitted in a manner that plate shorting is avoided.

Abstract: A lead-acid battery having thixotropic gel electrolyte comprising a blend of alkali metal polysilica and sulfuric acid. A method for producing a lead-acid battery having thixotropic gel electrolyte may be a continuous or an intermittent process. An aqueous colloidal dispersion may be produced by blending dry alkali metal polysilica with water and the gel electrolyte is provided by combining the aqueous collodial dispersion of alkali metal polysilica with liquid sulfuric acid.

Abstract: A lead-acid battery having electrolytic-absorbent separator is formed in situ to produce sponge lead and lead dioxide active material. The method includes cooling the electrolyte to below room temperature, introducing a quantity of cooled electrolyte into the battery and charging the battery to a preselected degree. The battery is further filled with electrolyte to provide electrolyte saturated plates and separators and is further charged to a preselected degree defining a fully charged state.

Abstract: A method for producing a lead-acid battery having a thixotropic gel electrolyte, comprising an aqueous colloidal dispersion of alkali metal polysilica with sulfuric acid while introducing said combination into a lead-acid battery precursor.

Abstract: A lead-acid battery includes a case having an apertured cover with the aperture being for passage of a terminal post therethrough for electrically connecting electrodes within the battery case to apparatus outside the battery, with the terminal post extending through the aperture. A rubber layer, devoid of rubber fillers and plasticizers, circumferentially surrounds the post at the aperture. A rubber-bonding epoxy polymer is between the rubber layer and the aperture through the case.

Abstract: A lead-acid battery includes a case having an apertured cover with the aperture being for passage of a terminal post therethrough for electrically connecting electrodes within the battery case to apparatus outside the battery, with the terminal post extending through the aperture. A rubber layer, devoid of rubber fillers and plasticizers, circumferentially surrounds the post at the aperture. A rubber-bonding epoxy polymer is between the rubber layer and the aperture through the case.