Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Electrical device making
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-09
2001-06-19
Brouillette, Gabrielle (Department: 1745)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Electrical device making
C429S072000, C429S074000, C429S080000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06248138
ABSTRACT:
FILED OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to storage batteries and more particularly to an improved apparatus and method for activating and sealing storage batteries.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
After construction of a storage battery it is necessary to activate the battery by the addition of an atmosphere sensitive electrolyte. Battery components must not be exposed to an uncontrolled atmosphere since electrolyte absorbs moisture during even short periods of exposure to the atmosphere, with consequent degradation of the performance of the battery. In order to avoid exposure of the electrolyte to atmosphere during the activation process, it is customary to perform all work relating to the activation process, in a controlled atmosphere. Specifically, batteries are positioned in a glove box regulated to less than 25 ppm moisture, the batteries are activated by the addition of electrolyte, and the batteries are sealed and thereafter removed from the glove box. After a period of time, usually within one week, the batteries are again positioned in the controlled atmosphere of the glove box, opened to allow the gas that has built up to escape, and then resealed. This prior art activation process, while generally satisfactory with respect to achieving satisfactory activation of the battery, is both time consuming and tedious. Specifically, in a mass production environment it is necessary to constantly bring materials into and out of the glove box while maintaining a carefully controlled atmosphere in the glove box.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to the provision of an improved method and apparatus for activating and sealing storage batteries.
More specifically, this invention is directed to the provision of an improved method and apparatus for activating and sealing storage batteries that does not require the use of controlled atmospheres.
According to the invention methodology, a coupling surface is provided on the battery housing proximate a fill port of the battery; an activation fixture is provided including a tubular structure, defining an axial passage opening in a free end. The tubular structure, and a check valve slideably positioned in the passage at a location remote from the free end; the free end of the tubular structure is coupled to the coupling surface to position the passage coaxial with the fill port. The interior of the battery housing is evacuated through the fill port and the passage and electrolyte is injected into the interior of the battery housing through the passage and the fill port. The check valve is moved along the axial passage to a position in overlying, sealing relation to the fill port. The free end of the tubular structure is decoupled from the coupling surface and the fixture is removed from the battery housing while leaving the check valve in overlying, sealing relation to the fill port. This methodology allows the activation and sealing of the battery to take place in an uncontrolled atmosphere.
According to a further feature of the invention method, a check valve seat is defined on the housing structure proximate the fill port and the check valve is driven into the check valve seat to fixedly position the check valve in overlying, sealing relation to the fill port. This arrangement facilitates the installation of the check valve in a sealing position with respect to the fill port.
In another aspect, the fixture includes a drive rod having an inboard end positioned slideably in the passage and an outboard end projecting outwardly from another end of the tubular structure. The check valve is positioned in the passage between the rod inboard end and the free end of the tubular structure; and the step of moving the check valve along the passage comprises driving the drive rod into the passage to move the check valve along the passage and drive the check valve into the check valve seat. This arrangement facilitates the movement of the check valve into sealing relationship with respect to the fill port.
The activation and sealing fixture includes a tubular structure defining an axial passage opening in a free end of the tubular structure; a check valve slideably positioned in the passage at a location removed from the tubular structure free end; means at the free end of the tubular structure to facilitate coupling of the tubular structure free end to the battery housing in surrounding relation to a fill port of the battery and with the passage coaxial with the fill port; and means for moving the check valve slideably along the passage to the free end of the tubular structure. This arrangement allows the check valve to be positioned in overlying, sealing relation to the fill port with the tubular structure free end coupled to the battery housing structure. This simple fixture arrangement allows the battery to be activated and sealed without the use of controlled atmosphere devices.
According to a further feature of the invention, the fixture further includes a plumbing assembly operative to alternately connect the passage to a source of vacuum, to facilitate evacuation of the battery through the fill port and through the passage, and connect the passage to a source of electrolyte, thereby to allow injection of electrolyte into the evacuated battery through the passage and the fill port.
According to a further feature of the invention, the plumbing assembly communicates with the passage at a location between the check valve and the free end of the tubular structure. This arrangement allows the battery to be evacuated and thereafter filled with the check valve in a rest or retracted position, whereafter the check valve may be driven to its sealing position with respect to the fill port of the battery.
According to a further feature of the invention, the plumbing assembly includes a first valve adapted to control connection to the vacuum source and a second valve adapted to control connection to the electrolyte source. This specific valving arrangement facilitates the sequential evacuation and filling of the battery.
According to a further feature of the invention, the activation fixture further includes a coupling member adapted to be positioned in an outer wall of the battery housing, and the coupling member is configured to define the fill port for the battery, the valve seat to receive the check valve, and the coupling surface to facilitate coupling of the fixture to the battery. In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, the check valve seat is in concentric, overlying relation to the fill port and the coupling surface is in concentric, surrounding relation to the valve seat.
According to a further feature of the invention, the activating fixture further includes a coupling ring positioned on the free end of the tubular structure and coacting with the coupling surface to couple the free end of the tubular structure to the coupling member. This specific coupling arrangement facilitates the ready and effective coupling and decoupling of the fixture with respect to the battery.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3874934 (1975-04-01), Zangrando
patent: 3877996 (1975-04-01), Belletete
patent: 3911972 (1975-10-01), Hubers et al.
patent: 4696874 (1987-09-01), Tadiello
patent: 5738690 (1998-04-01), Hughett et al.
patent: 5853913 (1998-12-01), Stocchiero
patent: 5902694 (1999-05-01), Landau
Lafave Richard
Lasley Bruce Everett
Rogers Marc W.
Alejandro R
Brouillette Gabrielle
Delphi Technologies Inc.
Dobrowitsky Margaret A.
LandOfFree
Activation and sealing of storage batteries does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Activation and sealing of storage batteries, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Activation and sealing of storage batteries will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2469361