Epoxy sealed lead battery probe

• US 4,053,686 A
• Filed: 09/13/1976
• Issued: 10/11/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Battery Corporation
• Original Assignee: General Battery Corporation
• Inventors: Oxenreider, Terry Russel
• Primary Examiner(s): Walton, Donald L.
• Application Number:
  US05/722,567
• Time in Patent Office: 393 Days
• Field of Search: 429/90, 429/91, 429/92, 429/93, 429/178, 429/184
• US Class Current: 429/91
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/484 for measuring electrolyte level, electrolyte density or electrolyte conductivity
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

An electric storage battery is disclosed having a case to retain electrolyte up to a given preferred level, cover means for retaining the electrolyte within the case, said cover means having defined therein at least one bore, said bore comprising at least one constricted section, probe means for sensing the preferred level of the electrolyte, said probe means being disposed through the cover, and resin means for chemically sealing at least a portion of said probe means with said cover means. In addition to the above, the present application discloses an inter-relationship between the remainder of the probe and the bore which allows for the introduction of resin between the surfaces of the probe and bore to create an effective seal between the probe and battery cover. Finally, a unique configuration of probe and bore is disclosed which produces a strong electrolyte tight seal between the probe and battery cover.

Claims

1. An electric storage battery comprising:

a. a case to retain electrolyte up to a preferred level;

b. a cover means for retaining said electrolyte within said case, said cover means further having defined therein at least one bore; and

c. a probe means for sensing said preferred level of electrolyte, said probe means being disposed within said bore, said probe means comprising;

i. a pin; and

ii. a lead body comprising a plurality of substantially concentric annular projections of decreasing diameters.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said lead body further comprises a head portion located within said bore between a constricted portion of said bore and the top surface of said cover, said head portion having formed thereon a plurality of said annular projections, one of which projections sealingly engages the interior surface of said bore.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said body further comprises a base portion, said base portion having at least one annular projection thereon of a diameter less than the diameter of said projections on said portion.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein only one of said annular projections forms a seal with said bore, the remainder of said annular projections being spaced away from the interior surfaces of said bore;

said battery further comprising resin disposed at least between said remainder of said annular projections and between said projections and the interior surface of said bore.