Fluid handling – Plural tanks or compartments with parallel flow – Battery or electrolytic cell replenishment
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-10
2001-04-10
Lee, Kevin (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Plural tanks or compartments with parallel flow
Battery or electrolytic cell replenishment
C137S899000, C429S063000, C429S074000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213145
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to mobile utility vehicles powered by liquid electrolytic batteries, and more particularly to watering systems for replenishing liquid electrolyte in the batteries.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Utility vehicles that are battery powered, including golf carts, require periodic recharging and replenishment of liquid electrolyte in the batteries. Conventional liquid filling devices and procedures require connection to a source of water, either pressurized or in a vacuum arrangement, with the water source being located off board of the vehicle. The flow of water through the system is caused by pressurized line water or a vacuum applied to the water circuit. Thus, when the batteries are recharged, a separate water hook up step is required.
There is need for a water supply system that provides on-board water storage, along with sufficient hydraulic pressure, wherein the gassing that occurs during recharging causes water to circulate through the arrangement of batteries.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides a mobile utility vehicle powered by a liquid electrolytic battery combination, each battery including a battery manifold for replenishing electrolytic cells in the battery, the manifold also capable of transmitting out of the battery gas generated during recharging comprising: (a) a vehicle frame for carrying a plurality of batteries; and (b) a water supply system for circulating water to the manifold during recharging comprising: (1) a storage tank on the frame for storing water; (2) a hydraulic circuit for connecting each battery to the storage tank in a separate, parallel circuit, each separate circuit comprising: (i) inlet tubing between the storage tank and a battery manifold; (ii) outlet tubing between each battery manifold and the storage tank; and (iii) means for collecting the gas transmitted from the manifold as gas bubbles in the outlet tubing, whereby the bubbles flow to the storage tank as bubbles in the outlet tubing, due to pressure build up in the battery, with water entrapped between the bubbles, causing flow of water through the manifold and the hydraulic circuit during the recharging period; and (3) a one-way flow valve for permitting water flow direction only into the inlet tubing.
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Aron Daniel T.
Crook Randal L.
Skelton Gerald C.
Vassily Michael A.
Club Car Inc.
Lee Kevin
Michael & Best & Friedrich LLP
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