Modular rack mounted battery system

• US 5,346,786 A
• Filed: 03/21/1994
• Issued: 09/13/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Philip J. Hodgetts
• Original Assignee: Philip J. Hodgetts
• Inventors: Hodgetts, Philip J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Skapars, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US08/216,176
• Time in Patent Office: 176 Days
• Field of Search: 429/159, 429/210, 429/1, 429/121, 429/152, 429/99, 429/178, 429/156, 429/157, 429/158
• US Class Current: 429/159
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0413 Large-sized flat cells or batteries for motive or stationary systems with plate-like electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0431 Cells with wound or folded electrodes H01M10/045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4207 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/204 Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/505 comprising a single busbar
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/10 with wound or folded electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/48 with bipolar electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

A modular battery rack system consists of a series of bi-polar cells having individualized connections for monitoring, charging, discharging, and electrical illumination of weak or damaged cells. Each bi-polar cell has a first surface and a second surface with the first surface being configured to interlock with the second surface of an adjacent cell. The configuration consists of a series of raised ribs on the first plate which interfit with a series of elongated indentations on the second surface of an adjacent cell to prevent the improper installation of a cell.

Claims

1. A battery system comprising:

means for carrying a plurality of self contained bipolar battery cell units in a serial connected orientation;

a battery cell unit further comprising;

a first electrode having a set of extended structures;

a second electrode having a set of recessed structures complementary to said extended structures;

a housing supporting said first electrode in an outwardly facing first direction and supporting said second electrode in an outwardly facing direction opposite to that of said first electrode;

a connection terminal extending normal to said first direction and connected to one of said first and said second electrodes; and

an electrolyte in contact with said first and said second electrodes and contained by said first electrode, said second electrode and said housing.

2. The battery system recited in claim 1 wherein said means for carrying a plurality of self contained battery cell units in a serial connected orientation is also for carrying a varying number of said self contained battery cell units.

3. The battery system recited in claim 1 wherein said battery cell unit has a fill opening and further comprising a fill cap covering said fill opening.

4. The battery system of claim 1 wherein said means for carrying a plurality of self contained battery cell units in a serial connected orientation further comprises:

a base having a planar upper surface and defining a plurality of apertures in said planar upper surface;

a first support engaging said base;

a second support engaging at least one of said plurality of apertures in said base;

a pressure plate urgingly movable with respect to one of said first and said second supports, and for engaging one of said first and said second electrodes

a conductive pressure portion attached to said other of said first and said second supports, and for engaging the other of said first and said second electrodes.

5. The battery system of claim 1 wherein said means for carrying a plurality of self contained battery cell units in a serial connected orientation further comprises:

a base having a planar upper surface and defining a plurality of apertures in said planar upper surface;

a first support engaging said base;

a second support engaging at least one of said plurality of apertures in said base;

a pressure plate having one of a set of extended plate structures and a set of recessed plate structures, complementary to one of said set of extended structures and set of recessed structures of one of said first and said second electrodes, said pressure plate urgingly movable with respect to one of said first and said second supports, and for engaging one of said first and said second electrodes;

a conductive pressure portion having one of a set of extended conductive pressure portion structures and a set of recessed conductive pressure portion structures, complementary to one of said set of extended structures and set of recessed structures of one of said first and said second electrodes, said conductive pressure portion attached to said other of said first and said second supports, and for engaging the other of said first and said second electrodes.

6. The battery system recited in claim 4 wherein said set of extended plate structures and said set of extended structures are a series of vertical ribs, and wherein said recessed plate structures and said recessed structures is a series of vertical trough depressions.

7. The battery system recited in claim 4 wherein said set of extended plate structures and said set of extended structures form a convex obtuse angle about a vertical axis, and wherein said recessed plate structures and said recessed structures form a concave obtuse angle about a vertical axis.

8. The battery system of claim 4 and further comprising a tightening bolt engaging said second support engaging and said pressure plate.

9. The battery system as recited in claim 4 and further comprising a plurality of springs, positioned between said pressure plate and said one of said first and said second supports, to urge said pressure plate away from its respective support.

10. A battery control system including the battery system as recited in claim 1 and further comprising:

an electrical device having a first terminal and a second terminal;

a microprocessor control having at least one control output;

a plurality of said battery cell units connected in series by their said first and second electrodes;

a first multiplexer having separate connections to the other of said first and second electrodes of one of said plurality of said battery cell units at the end of said series connection, and to the connection terminal of each of said plurality of battery cell units, and to a first terminal of said electrical device, said first multiplexer having a control input connected to said at least one control output of said microprocessor control, said first multiplexer having a switch output connected to said first terminal of said electrical device; and

a second multiplexer having separate connections to the connection terminal of each of said plurality of battery cell units, and to a second terminal of said electrical device, said second multiplexer having a control input connected to said at least one control output of said microprocessor control, said second multiplexer having a switch output connected to said second terminal of said electrical device.

11. The battery control system recited in claim 10 wherein said microprocessor control has at least a first control output connected to said control input of said first multiplexer and at least a second control output connected to said control input of said second multiplexer such that said first and said second multiplexers can be independently addressed.

12. The battery control system recited in claim 10 wherein said electrical device is a battery cell charger.

13. The battery control system recited in claim 10 wherein said electrical device is an electrical load for consuming electrical power.

14. The battery control system recited in claim 10 wherein said electrical device is a voltmeter.

15. The battery system recited in claim 10 wherein said means for carrying a plurality of self contained battery cell units in a serial connected orientation is also for carrying a varying number of said self contained battery cell units.