Fluid handling – Processes
Reexamination Certificate
2002-09-12
2004-09-07
Lee, Kevin (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Processes
C137S260000, C137S899000, C429S063000, C429S074000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06786226
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to liquid electrolytic batteries and, more particularly, to a fluid supply system for replenishing liquid electrolyte in the batteries.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Battery-powered vehicles, such as, for example, golf carts and utility vehicles, require periodic charging of the batteries and replenishment of liquid electrolyte in the batteries. Typically, the filling systems and procedures require connection of the system to a fluid source, either pressurized or in a vacuum arrangement, the source being located offboard the vehicle. Flow of fluid through the system is caused by pressurized supply fluid or a vacuum applied to the filling system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One problem with the above-described filling devices and procedures is that a separate fluid hook-up step is required before the liquid electrolyte can be replenished in the batteries.
Another problem with the above-described filling systems and procedures is that a separate source of pressure is required to supply fluid to the filling system. Such a separate pressurized source may be a pump or a vacuum connected to the filling system.
Yet another problem with the above-described filling systems and procedures is that, each time the batteries are replenished with fluid, the separate fluid source must be connected to the filling system, and fluid must be replenished, even if only a small amount of fluid must be replenished.
The present invention provides a system for supplying fluid to a battery, a vehicle and a method for supplying fluid to a battery which substantially alleviate one or more of the above described and other problems with the existing filling systems and procedures. More particularly, the present invention provides a fluid supply system in which the gas produced during charging causes fluid flow through the system.
In particular, the present invention provides a system for supplying fluid to a battery in a vehicle powered by the battery, the vehicle including a vehicle frame supporting the battery, the battery including a battery cell, fluid being transmittable to the cell, gas generated during charging of the battery being transmittable out of the cell. The system is defined as including a tank for holding fluid, and a hydraulic circuit connecting the battery to the tank. The hydraulic circuit is defined as including an inlet conduit connectable between the tank and the cell, and an outlet conduit connectable between the cell and the tank, gas produced during charging of the battery causing fluid flow through the outlet conduit and to the tank. Preferably, the outlet conduit collects gas transmitted from the cell in the form of gas bubbles with fluid entrapped between the bubbles, whereby the bubbles flow to the tank due to pressure build-up in the battery causing flow of fluid through the hydraulic circuit during charging.
Also, the present invention provides a system for supplying fluid to a battery in a vehicle powered by a first battery and a second battery. The system is defined as including a tank for holding fluid, and a hydraulic circuit connecting the tank to the first battery and to the second battery. The hydraulic circuit is defined as including a first inlet conduit between the tank and the first battery cell, and a first outlet conduit between the first battery cell and the tank, gas produced during charging causing fluid flow through the first outlet conduit and to the tank. The hydraulic circuit is defined as further including a second inlet conduit between the tank and the second battery cell, and a second outlet conduit between the second battery cell and the tank, gas produced during charging causing fluid flow through the second outlet conduit and to the tank.
Preferably, the hydraulic circuit has a first hydraulic circuit portion including the first inlet conduit and the first outlet conduit and a second hydraulic circuit portion including the second inlet conduit and the second outlet conduit. In some constructions, the first hydraulic circuit portion and the second hydraulic circuit portion provide separate, parallel hydraulic circuit portions. In other constructions, the first hydraulic circuit portion and the second hydraulic circuit portion are arranged in series.
In addition, the present invention provides a system for supplying fluid to battery, the system including a first tank for holding fluid, a second tank for holding fluid, and a hydraulic circuit connecting the battery to the first tank and to the second tank. The hydraulic circuit is defined as including a first conduit connectable between the first tank and the cell, a second conduit connectable between the cell and the second tank, and a third conduit connectable between the second tank and the first tank. The second tank is defined as collecting excess fluid supplied to the cell during fluid replenishment of the cell and collecting gas produced during charging, the gas causing fluid to move from the second tank to the first tank. Preferably, after charging, the second tank collects excess fluid supplied to the cell during fluid replenishment of the cell.
Further, the present invention provides a vehicle including a vehicle frame supported for movement over ground, an electric motor supported by the vehicle frame and operable to drive the vehicle, a battery supported by the vehicle frame and electrically connectable with the motor to selectively power the motor, the battery including a battery cell, fluid being transmittable to the cell, gas generated during charging of the battery being transmittable out of the cell, a tank for holding fluid, and a hydraulic circuit connecting the battery to the tank. The hydraulic circuit is defined as including an inlet conduit connectable between the tank and the cell, and an outlet conduit connectable between the cell and the tank, gas produced during charging causing fluid flow through the outlet conduit and to the tank.
Also, the present invention provides a vehicle including a vehicle frame, an electric motor, a first battery and a second battery supported by the vehicle frame and electrically connectable with the motor to selectively power the motor, the first battery including a first battery cell, the second battery including a second battery cell, fluid being transmittable to the first battery cell and to the second battery cell, gas generated during charging being transmittable out of the first battery cell and out of the second battery cell, a tank for holding fluid, a hydraulic circuit connecting the first battery and the second battery to the tank. The hydraulic circuit is defined as including a first inlet conduit connectable between the tank and the first battery cell, a first outlet conduit connectable between the first battery cell and the tank, gas produced during charging causing fluid flow through the first outlet conduit into the tank, a second inlet conduit connectable between the tank and the second battery cell, and a second outlet conduit connectable between the second battery cell and the tank, gas produced during charging causing fluid flow through the second outlet conduit and to the tank.
In addition, the present invention provides a vehicle including a vehicle frame supported for movement over ground, an electric motor supported by the vehicle frame and operable to selectively drive the vehicle, a battery supported by the vehicle frame and electrically connectable with the motor to selectively power the motor, the battery including a battery cell, fluid being transmittable to the cell, gas generated during charging of the battery being transmittable out of the cell, a first tank for holding fluid, a second tank for holding fluid and a hydraulic circuit connecting the battery to the first tank and to the second tank. The hydraulic circuit is defined as including a first conduit connectable between the first tank and the cell, a second conduit connectable between the cell and the second tank, and a third conduit connectable between the second tank and the first tank. The second tank is define
Aron Daniel T.
Crook Randall L.
Kerlin James R.
Skelton Gerald C.
Vassily Michael A.
Club Car Inc.
Lee Kevin
Michael & Best & Friedrich LLP
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