Abstract: A wave enhancer of this invention may be employed with a wave power collection system. This system converts the movement of ocean waves into useful energy. In order to convert the energy of the ocean waves into useful energy, the wave power collection system may have a float that floats on the surface of the ocean. Coupled to the float may be a mechanism for converting the movement of the float into another form of energy. This mechanism may be a hydraulic system that causes the up and down movement of the float to pressurize a hydraulic fluid. This pressurized hydraulic fluid can be used to power a prime mover, which in turn can drive a load, such as an electrical generator.The wave enhancer of this invention increases the amplitude of a given wave. This increase in amplitude causes a corresponding increase in the amount of energy that can be extracted from a given wave. In a preferred embodiment, the wave enhancer includes a plate that is disposed on a cylinder of the wave power collection system.

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 novel tidal and wave-power collection apparatus is disclosed which is adapted to produce hydrogen and/or oxygen gas. The apparatus is particularly well suited for oceanic installations. In the preferred embodiment, a matrix of gas producing units is easily assembled at sea, each being bridged and reinforced by catwalks extending therebetween which form trilateral gas producing modules having such units at each of the corners thereof. Each gas producing unit comprises a central tubular pilaster embedded in the ocean floor around which is disposed a toroidal float which moves up and down with the waves and tide and which acts to drive a DC generator while rising and falling. The output of the generator is utilized to electrolytically produce hydrogen and/or oxygen gas, which is compressed for storage in the float's chamber. The apparatus is efficient, economical and capable of capturing and storing large quantities of gas.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lead storage battery having a battery case divided into a plurality of cells. A stack of positive and negative battery plates is inserted into each cell and rests on a plurality of rest ups, which extend upward from the bottom of the case. A pair of clips are attached to the lower edge of each stack. A positive clip is attached to the positive plates and a negative clip is attached to the negative plates. When a stack is in a cell, the clips are located in receptacles, formed between the rest ups and the side walls of the case. The clips are in contact with contacts that extend through the partitions in the case, so that the positive clip on each stack is in electrical contact with the negative clip in the next cell. The receptacles are then filled with epoxy resin to anchor bond the clips into the receptacles and to insulate the clips and the contacts from the electrolyte acid.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically stacking battery plates and separators is disclosed. Battery plates and separators elements are alternately and automatically combined on a conveyor belt to form sandwiches wherein a plurality of such sandwiches are later assembled for use in battery cells. Prior to combining the elements, the plates and separators are arranged in respective chutes for access by pivotably mounted vacuum pickup heads, which cycle between the chutes and the conveyor belt. The vacuum pickup heads capture the topmost elements in the chutes irrespective of the height at which the plates and separators may be stacked therein. In order to access the elements within the chutes, a jet sensor is provided with the pickup head that acts as a proximity detector. When vacuum is not being utilized for pickup purposes, it is utilized in an environmental mode where it is used to remove lead dust and particles around the stacking area.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically stacking battery plates and separators is disclosed. Battery plates and separators elements are alternately and automatically combined on a conveyor belt to form sandwiches wherein a plurality of such sandwiches are later assembled for use in battery cells. Prior to combining the elements, the plates and separators are arranged in respective chutes for access by pivotably mounted vacuum pickup heads, which cycle between the chutes and the conveyor belt. The vacuum pickup heads capture the topmost elements in the chutes irrespective of the height at which the plates and separators may be stacked therein. In order to access the elements within the chutes, a jet sensor is provided with the pickup head that acts as a proximity detector. When vacuum is not being utilized for pickup purposes, it is utilized in an environmental mode where it is used to remove lead dust and particles around the stacking area.

Abstract: The battery plate stacker includes a plurality of heads having pickup members located on the ends thereof for temporarily attaching either separators or plates to the heads as is appropriate. The heads are pivotal between stacks of plates or separators and a conveyor that is disposed between the stacks of plates and stacks of separators. The stacker includes control apparatus that prevents retraction of the heads unless a plate or separator is attached thereto and prevents swinging of the heads between the stacks and the conveyor until all of the heads are retracted.

Abstract: A switch responsive to fluctuations in the level of a vacuum. A ball is contained in an upright chamber and is normally in contact with an actuating means in the chamber. The actuating means is normally biased to one position but is shifted by the weight of the ball to another position. The chamber is connected to the vacuum source so as to apply a lifting suction force to the ball. If the suction force exerted by the vacuum exceeds a predetermined level, the ball will be lifted from the actuating means thereby shifting the position of the actuating means and generating a signal indicative of the vacuum level. Means are provided to adjust the level of vacuum necessary to lift the ball from the actuating means.

Abstract: A novel system is described for withdrawing liquids from a subsurface horizon utilizing a tubular diaphragm pump. A specific and unique pump is disclosed comprised of an elongated body member which includes a main chamber member extending longitudinally of the body member. In a preferred embodiment, a delivery tube is concentrically mounted within the chamber and forms an annulus with its outer surface and the inner walls of the chamber. The tube is provided with spaced perforations along its length within the chamber. Upper and lower check valves are in fluid communication with and at opposite ends of the delivery tube. Flexible tubing or a bladder is placed in the annulus and is normally spaced from the delivery tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically stacking battery plates and separators is disclosed. Battery plates and separators elements are alternately and automatically combined on a conveyor belt to form sandwiches wherein a plurality of such sandwiches are later assembled for use in battery cells. Prior to combining the elements, the plates and separators are arranged in respective chutes for access by pivotably mounted vacuum pickup heads, which cycle between the chutes and the conveyor belt. The vacuum pickup heads capture the topmost elements in the chutes irrespective of the height at which the plates and separators may be stacked therein. In order to access the elements within the chutes, a jet sensor is provided with the pickup head that acts as a proximity detector. When vacuum in not being uitlized for pickup purposes, it is uitlized in an environmental mode where it is used to remove lead dust and particles around the stacking area.

Abstract: Members are welded together by indirect application of heat, as for welding internal battery posts for connecting groups of plates or terminal posts electrically, through the use of a plurality of heated elements simultaneously engaging posts to be welded together, and wherein the configuration of molten material is controlled as the weld cools, by the use of a templet. The elements are heated, preferably by application of open flame through a plurality of mixing systems for the fuel, with one system being provided for each heated element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel electrode construction, for use in extrusion-fusion type battery intercell welders, which uniformly controls the area of contact between members to be welded at the completion of the extrusion process in order to produce consistent, high-quality welds exhibiting higher strength and superior durability.

Abstract: An apparatus for modifying the between the ribs space in a thermal plastic battery container is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a heated non-circular wiping member which when rotated about a fixed centerline defines a first circumference having a diameter substantially equal in length to the minimum between the ribs space and a second concentric circumference having a diameter greater in length than the first diameter.

Abstract: A novel method for producing a homogenous weld exhibiting a superior grain structure, higher strength, and superior durability, using an extrusion-fusion type battery intercell welder having a novel electrode construction which provides improved current carrying characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the hardness characteristics of battery components such as lead intercell connection lugs wherein a base is provided with an aperture which corresponds to the size of the aperture provided in the intercell partition of a battery container, and a retractable ram is positioned in substantial axial alignment with the aperture in the base, so that the battery component can be positioned on the base and over the aperture and so that the retractable ram can be advanced into contact with the battery component so that the battery component is extruded into the aperture. When the battery component is extruded into the aperture for a selected distance, a limit switch is activated, whereupon the force applied to the ram is measured.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing temporary side post terminals of at least one multi-celled battery case for lead acid automobile batteries is disclosed. The subject apparatus comprises a horizontal transversely reciprocating work station containing a plurality of milling heads. The work station is also designed to first sense that batteries being operated upon are in a proper position for post removal and then to clamp them in that position until the temporary side posts are machined off by said milling heads. The apparatus further comprises conveyor means adapted to bring the battery cases into the apparatus and then to remove them from the apparatus after the side terminal removal operation is completed. Another feature of the conveyor is a horizontal guide to intercept skewed and misaligned battery cases and to correctly position them against the outer sidewall of the conveyor for proper side post removal.

Abstract: A side terminal for a side terminal battery which may be varied for use as a flat side terminal or a post side terminal.

Abstract: A method for forming lead-acid storage battery separator envelopes from a continuous roll of separator material of the type having ribs thereon. The method comprises withdrawing the separator material from the roll and clamping the withdrawn separator material along the length thereof to crush and deform the separator material ribs and produce two creases across the width thereof. The creases are spaced from each other approximately the thickness of a pasted battery plate. The clamping is released and the edge of a plate narrower in width than the separator material is introduced into contact with the separator material at the crushed and deformed portion thereof between the spaced creases. Thereafter the withdrawn separator material is folded along the length of the plate, so that the material overlaps the edges of said plate. Finally, the overlapped edges are sealed to each other.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a battery having a temporary side terminal cast integrally with the permanent side terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming and transferring a matrix arrangement of batteries which has two interrelated parts. A matrix-forming device which receives a plurality of batteries therein on base rollers space the batteries and which arranges the batteries on the base rollers into a matrix of rows of batteries. Pivoted spacing rollers from the battery adjacent thereto, and a shuttle moves the batteries transversely across the base rollers. Limit switches are provided to control the movement of the shuttle. Secondly, a transfer frame fits within the matrix-forming device, and fits around and expands tightly against the batteries in the matrix-forming device to hold the batteries tightly on at least two sides thereof. The transfer frame is adapted to to lifted so that the batteries may be lifted from the matrix-forming device in their matrix formation.