Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus – product – and – Means externally releasing internal gas pressure from closed... – Elastic – resilient or spring biasing valve means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-25
2001-09-25
Kalafut, Stephen (Department: 1745)
Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus, product, and
Means externally releasing internal gas pressure from closed...
Elastic, resilient or spring biasing valve means
C429S083000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06294282
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
A lead acid battery vent valving assembly is provided for the ventilation of battery cases. The valving assembly includes separate valves for relief of, respectively, excess gas and partial vacuum within the battery case incident to electrochemical reaction internal to lead-acid batteries.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This patent application relates to lead-acid batteries, particularly to valve-regulated lead-acid batteries for discharging gas pressure above a predetermined threshold from a battery case and for the relief of partial vacuum below a predetermined threshold within a battery case.
The electrochemical reaction within batteries, particularly lead acid batteries, results in gases in the interior of the battery case. Excess build-up of gases can stress the case of the battery and even rupture the case. Similarly, extreme reduction in pressures within the case can implode the battery if proper ventilation is not provided.
Typically battery cases are ventilated by a single valve. The valve provides a release of excess pressure caused by the creation of gases internal to the battery case, but does not operate to raise internal pressure to relieve a partial vacuum condition.
In accordance with the invention a two way valve is provided for providing either vacuum or pressure build-up relief internal to a battery case. Additionally, the valving assembly provided may include an assembly extending into the battery case to secure certain catalysts known to aid in the recombination of hydrogen with oxygen within a lead-acid battery environment. These catalysts, which are generally noble metals, with palladium being the preferred catalyst, serve to “mop up” the hydrogen and to recombine the mopped up hydrogen with oxygen to make water. This water serves to replace water lost during battery operation. Free hydrogen can actually diffuse through the case of the battery or can otherwise escape to atmosphere. Hence, if free hydrogen is not recombined with oxygen, the net result is loss of water by the battery, with the battery eventually drying out and failing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention in one of its aspects provides in combination a vent valve and vacuum release valve for a lead-acid battery. The combination battery valve may be provided as an original equipment part of a lead-acid battery or may be retrofitted into lead-acid batteries already in commercial service in customer locales.
The invention relates further to a vent valve for a lead acid battery. The vent valve has a hollow tubular housing, at least part of which fits within the vent into the battery case and may be secured thereto. Another part of the housing overlies the case in position for engaging a sealing member between the case and the vent valve. A barrier extends across the housing and blocks passage of gases. A pair of oppositely directed valve openings extend through the barrier. Valve means on opposite sides of the barrier covering the valve opening are supported on the structure in normally closed positions. Each of the valve means yields to higher pressure on the opposite side of the barrier from the valve means to open that valve to relieve that higher pressure.
In a preferred embodiment, a pair of oppositely directed valve openings, each extends through the barrier. Each valve opening is defined by a nozzle extending from the barrier in the opposite direction from the other. Each nozzle is normally covered by a resilient cup valve member arranged to yield to a higher pressure of a predetermined level within the cup and nozzle. Limit means are supported within the tubular housing on opposite sides of the barrier to limit the amount of movement of each of the respective cups, along their respective axes away from the supporting nozzle.
Additionally, a cage for a catalyst may be affixed to the battery valve structure with the cage permanently retaining a catalyst cartridge free to move to some degree within the cage.
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David Linden, Handbook of Batteries, Second Edition, Mc-Graw-Hill, Inc., New York 1995, p. 23.7.
Misra Sudhan S.
Mraz Stephen L.
Wagner Franz M.
C & D Charter Holdings, Inc.
Hoffmann & Baron , LLP
Kalafut Stephen
Tsang Susy
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