Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus – product – and – With control means responsive to battery condition sensing... – Electrolyte feeding control from reserve supply
Patent
1997-03-27
1998-12-29
Gorgos, Kathryn
Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus, product, and
With control means responsive to battery condition sensing...
Electrolyte feeding control from reserve supply
429 74, 429 76, 429 77, 429 78, 429 80, H01M 236
Patent
active
058539131
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This is a national stage application of PCT/EP95/03915, filed Oct. 4, 1995.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a device for the automatic re-filling of electrolyte and for discharging of fumes in the electric accumulator batteries.
It is known that the re-fill of the electrolyte in electric accumulator batteries is done by suitable devices which are applied to the lid of the accumulator and permit the automatic re-fill thereof. Various known automatic re-fill devices consist essentially of a body which is sealingly inserted into a hole in the lid of the accumulator and which has one or more inlet channels for the re-fill liquid, and an exhaust channel for the fumes. A float, operates a seal against the inlet opening to prevent further re-filling once the electrolyte has reached a pre-determined level. However, the known devices have some inconveniences. One of these inconveniences is that the force with which the float pushes the seal against the inlet opening is not sufficient to prevent leakage of the liquid due to vibrations during the re-fill operation. Accordingly, the float is made with a wide surface to insure sufficient closing force on the seal.
Normally the float is made with a diameter greater than 30 mm. This sizing creates a further inconvenience, because the hole in the accumulator lid through which the re-fill device is inserted, must have a diameter at least equal to the diameter of the float.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has the purpose of overcoming the aforementioned inconveniences.
A purpose of the invention provides an automatic fill device for electrolyte in accumulator batteries which guarantees the sealed closing of the liquid inlet once the level of the electrolyte has reached the desired value.
Another purpose of the invention is to guarantee the sealing capacity of the sealing means of the liquid inlet opening after the level has been restored, even in the presence of accidental vibrations generated while the battery is being used and during the re-fill process.
Another purpose of the invention is to provide a float with smaller dimensions as compared with the known floats.
The described objectives are achieved by an automatic re-fill device for electrolyte which allows for the discharge of fumes which build up inside the accumulators. The device comprises a body sealingly attachable to the lid of an electric accumulator having a cavity with a top. The body has one or more first holes communicating with corresponding first ducts in the lid for the discharge of fumes and one or more second holes communicating with corresponding second ducts in the lid for inlet of the re-fill liquid. A tubular element has an outer tubular section which matches the cavity in the body and a coaxial guiding element secured within the outer tubular section. The tubular element has an intermediate transversal surface therein having a through-hole. At least one through-opening is formed in the side wall of the tubular element for communicating with at least one of said one or more second holes. A tubular stick slidingly coupled in the hole, passes through the transversal surface. A float at a lower end of the tubular stick co-operates with the liquid contained within the accumulator. A flexible membrane is located at an opposite upper end of the tubular stick. Closing means formed in the tubular stick between the ends cooperates with the hole in the transversal surface to seal it, so as to selectively permit or prevent the passage of the re-fill liquid flowing from said one or more holes. The flexible membrane defines on one side within a cavity of the tubular element, an exhaust chamber communicating with said one or more first holes and with the end of said tubular stick and, on the opposite side, a chamber for the build-up of the re-fill liquid which communicates with said one or more second holes. The pressure of the liquid contained in the chamber causes a deformation of the membrane, thereby generating on said tubular stick a force which increases the pushin
REFERENCES:
patent: 1878223 (1932-09-01), Woodbridge
patent: 1996843 (1935-04-01), Van Meter, Jr.
patent: 4696874 (1987-09-01), Tadiello
patent: 4749633 (1988-06-01), Elias
patent: 4751156 (1988-06-01), Olimpio
Carroll Chrisman D.
Gorgos Kathryn
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