Battery cooling apparatus

• US 5,204,609 A
• Filed: 12/16/1991
• Issued: 04/20/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daryl J. Alisauski
• Original Assignee: Daryl J. Alisauski
• Inventors: Alisauski, Daryl J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephan, Steven L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KINCAID, KRISTINE LYNN
• Application Number:
  US07/808,232
• Time in Patent Office: 491 Days
• Field of Search: 320/2, 361/381, 361/384, 429/26, 429/96, 429/99, 429/120, 165/53, 165/180
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/62 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6563 with forced flow, e.g. by blowers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

An enclosure is arranged to receive batteries utilized subsequent to or prior to a radio controlled auto racing event, wherein the batteries are cooled to provide for accurate indication of charging and discharging of the battery. The apparatus includes a fan to direct cooling air through the enclosure and in an embodiment to provide for a cooling medium selectively projected within the enclosure to enhance and accelerate cooling of the batteries. A modification of the invention includes charging and discharging circuitry to permit selective charging and discharging of the batteries when mounted within the enclosure.

Claims

1. A battery cooling apparatus, comprising,

a housing, the housing including a first side wall spaced from a second side wall, and a floor spaced from a top wall,

and

an end wall mounted to the first side wall, the second side wall, floor, and top wall, with an entrance opening directed into the housing, and a cavity defined within the housing between the first side wall, second side wall, end wall, floor, and top wall,

and

a fan member,

and

a fan member opening directed through the end wall, and the fan member mounted within the cavity adjacent the fan member opening, and a fan member switch mounted to the housing to permit selective actuation of the fan member to direct air currents through the cavity and directing the air currents through the entrance opening,

and

a plurality of battery receiving openings directed through the top wall, wherein each opening is arranged to receive a battery member therethrough to position each battery member within the cavity.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including a first side wall opening directed through the first side wall, wherein the first side wall opening includes a support container slidably directed through the first side wall, wherein the floor is defined by a predetermined width and the support container is defined by a predetermined length substantially equal to the predetermined width to project the support container from the first side wall to the second side wall, and the first side wall opening is positioned adjacent the floor, and a plurality of spaced parallel guide ribs fixedly mounted to the floor adjacent the first side wall opening to guide the support container along the floor between the guide ribs, and the support container including a front wall, the front wall including a handle to ease manual manipulation of the support container directed through the first side wall opening, and a predetermined quantity of a cooling medium mounted within the container, wherein actuation of the fan member enhances cooling of the battery members mounted within the cavity.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 including a connecting jack mounted adjacent each battery receiving opening through the top wall, and each connecting jack arranged for electrical communication with one of said battery members, and a plurality of light members mounted to the housing, and each of said light members arranged in selective communication with one of said connecting jacks, and each of a plurality of charge connectors directed through the housing into electrical communication with one of said connecting jacks, and a charge-discharge switch mounted to the housing to permit selective electrical communication of one of said connecting jacks with one of said light members and with one of said charge connectors, the charge connectors arranged for electrical communication with an electrical battery charger.