Catalyst equipped vapor communicating multi-cell valve regulated lead-acid battery

• US 6,432,582 B1
• Filed: 06/16/1999
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: C&D Technologies Incorporated (Angel Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: C&D Technologies Incorporated (Angel Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Noveske, Terrence M., Misra, Sudhan S., Holden, Leslie S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, Tom
• Assistant Examiner(s): JOHNSON, JONATHAN J
• Application Number:
  US09/334,101
• Time in Patent Office: 1,154 Days
• Field of Search: 429/48, 429/57, 429/58, 429/82, 429/84, 429/86, 429/175, 429/176, 429/225
• US Class Current: 429/225
• 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 10/0463 Cells or batteries with horizontal or inclined electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/121 Valve regulated lead acid batteries [VRLA]
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/52 Removing gases inside the secondary cell, e.g. by absorption vent plugs or other mechanical arrangements for facilitating escape of gases H01M50/30
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/523 by recombination on a catalytic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/308 Detachable arrangements, e.g. detachable vent plugs or plug systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/325 comprising deformable valve members, e.g. elastic or flexible valve members
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/383 Flame arresting or ignition-preventing means
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/394 Gas-pervious parts or elements
• 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 recombinant lead-acid battery comprising a plurality of lead-acid cells in a case including apertured partitions defining space for vapor migration among cells and comprising a catalyst unit communicating with said vapor migration space and enhancing recombination of hydrogen and oxygen.

Claims

1. A method for operating a recombinant lead-acid battery having a case, a plurality of lead-acid cells within said case with each cell including positive and negative lead metal plates and electrolytes between at least some of said positive and negative plates, said positive and negative plates and said electrolytes being in a plurality of compartments within said case, comprising:

a. placing at least two of said compartments in vapor communication one with another;

b. placing at least one discrete catalyst unit into vapor communication with said vapor-communicating compartments, each said discrete catalyst unit carrying catalyst material to enhance recombination of hydrogen and oxygen within said battery, wherein the number of said discrete catalyst units is less than the number of vapor-communicating compartments, and wherein said discrete catalyst units are not directly thermally-conductively coupled to said electrolytes.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said compartments within said case are at least partially defined by partitions, and wherein said case includes a cover, apertured portions of said partitions being spaced from said cover.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said at least some of said spaced portions of said partitions are aligned and formed in upper portions of said partitions proximate said cover.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said spaced portions of said partitions are cutouts formed in upper parts of said partitions, proximate said cover and are longitudinally aligned.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said cutouts are rectangular.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein said cutouts are in edges of said partitions.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein said cutouts are above said plate of said cells.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein said cutouts are partially above said plates of said cells.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said electrolytes are disposed in an absorbent separator material.

10. A method for operating a recombinant lead-acid battery having a case, a plurality of lead-acid cells within said case with each cell including positive and negative lead metal plates and electrolytes between at least some of said positive and negative plates, said positive and negative plates and said electrolytes being in a plurality of compartments within said case, comprising:

a. placing at least two of said compartments in vapor communication one with another; and

,

b. placing at least one discrete combination vent valve-catalyst unit into vapor communication with said vapor-communicating compartments, each said discrete combination vent valve-catalyst unit both carrying catalyst material to enhance recombination of hydrogen and oxygen within said battery and formed to permit gas escape from said battery upon internal pressure exceeding a preselected level, wherein the number of discrete combination vent valve-catalyst units is less than the number of vapor-communicating compartments.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said electrolytes are disposed in an absorbent separator material.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said compartments within said case are at least partially defined by partitions, and wherein said case includes a cover, apertured portions of said partitions being spaced from said cover.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said at least some of said spaced portions of said partitions are aligned and formed in upper portions of said partitions proximate said cover.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said spaced portions of said partitions are cutouts formed in upper parts of said partitions, proximate said cover and are longitudinally aligned.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said cutouts are rectangular.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said cutouts are in edges of said partitions.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said cutouts are above said plates of said cells.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein said cutouts are partially above said plates of said cells.