Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus – product – and – Current producing cell – elements – subcombinations and... – Cell enclosure structure – e.g. – housing – casing – container,...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-25
2001-11-06
Brouillette, Gabrielle (Department: 1745)
Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus, product, and
Current producing cell, elements, subcombinations and...
Cell enclosure structure, e.g., housing, casing, container,...
C429S163000, C429S175000, C429S178000, C429S180000, C429S181000, C429S183000, C429S167000, C429S170000, C429S171000, C429S174000, C429S184000, C429S185000, C429S204000, C429S225000, C429S226000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312852
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
An electrical terminal and battery cell cover for sealed lead acid battery cases is provided. The battery terminal outwardly adjusts relative to the internal electrochemical contents of a sealed lead acid battery by way of a flexible loop cover portion in response to pressures caused by expanding cell grid growth. The terminal and cell cover expansion is accomplished without compromising the seal formed between the terminal and the battery case.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This patent application relates to lead-acid batteries, particularly to the structural integrity of lead-acid batteries subject to varying operating conditions and electrical loads.
The internal plates of lead-acid batteries which are usually grids, expand with time, temperature, and load conditions. Grid expansion is more significant with the positive plate, which results from corrosion which adheres to the cell grids as a result of the electrochemical reaction of the battery contents. Grid expansion is particularly problematic in sealed lead-acid batteries due to the hazardous chemical materials housed within the battery case. Often times, as internal grids expand the corresponding pressure of the expansion causes the battery case to fracture or crack. This problem is particularly pronounced in the area of the case cover surrounding the positive battery terminal, due to greater expansion of the positive grid.
Presently, several battery terminals and case arrangements are known utilizing a variety of sealing configurations designed to permit movement of the positive terminal relative to the case at the positive grid grows. The seal between the battery and terminal has been maintained in the course of relative movement by use of variety of bushings, O-rings, or gaskets between the case and the terminal structures. However such sealing components can deteriorate and fail over time or with excessive pressure deformation.
Therefore, a unitary expandable case sealed to the battery terminal seal is provided for relieving internal grid growth pressure on the seal at the terminal and maintaining battery/terminal seal integrity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides an expandable region of the thermoplastic case surrounding a battery terminal for relieving pressure on that terminal due to grid expansion while simultaneously maintaining of the integrity of the case seal to the terminal. The expandable seal includes a case cover having an opening therethrough for passage of a terminal bushing for supporting battery plates of one polarity. A tubular thermoplastic sleeve formed integrally with the case cover extends into the opening between the cover and the bushing. Airtight flexible thermoplastic connector means connects the sleeve to the case or the bushing. The flexible connector means is an annular flexible thermoplastic connector integral with the sleeve, extending entirely around the sleeve and sufficiently thinner than the case cover to afford more flexibility than the case cover.
The expandable battery terminal and case section minimizes, if not eliminates, risk of fracture as the positive battery grids expand and the case changes shape somewhat due to pressure built up or reduced due to partial vacuum within the battery.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2026761A (1980-02-01), None
Brouillette Gabrielle
C&D Charter Holdings Inc.
Hoffmann & Baron , LLP
Martin Angela J.
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