Patent US4782279A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4782279A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and arrangement for charging a sealed, secondary electrochemical power source
Assignee: Sab Nife AB
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Filing: 1987-01-29
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Granted: 1988-11-01
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Expires: 2007-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A method for charging a sealed, secondary electrochemical power source having with a water based electrolyte (20), a gas space (20) and the possibility of recombination in accordance with the oxygen cycle during pressure stabilization at a low controlled level. Charging takes place at a constant d.c. voltage whilst the pressure inside the gas space of the power source is reduced by evacuation. An arrangement for implementing the method consists essentially of a vacuum pump which is connected to the gas space of the power source via an evacuation line, and of a constant d.c. voltage source. The vacuum pump is so arranged as to come into operation when the power source is being charged.
Inventors
- 👤 Per A. Selanger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:06
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/42; H01M10/44; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for charging a sealed, secondary electrochemical power source having positive and negative electrodes, a water-based electrolyte and a gas space, and including provision for oxygen recombination at at least some part of the surface of the negative electrodes or of a plate tab associated therewith, said method comprising: reducing the pressure in the gas space from atmospheric pressure to a level not below the vapour pressure of the water present in the power source; and charging the power source by imposing a constant DC voltage while the pressure in the gas space is reduced.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for charging a sealed, secondary electrochemical power source having positive and negative electrodes, a water-based electrolyte and a gas space, and including provision for oxygen recombination at at least some part of the surface of the negative electrodes or of a plate tab associated therewith, said method comprising: reducing the pressure in the gas space from atmospheric pressure to a level not below the vapour pressure of the water present in the power source; and charging the power source by imposing a constant DC voltage while the pressure in the gas space is reduced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of reducing the pressure in the gas space and the step of charging of the power source are initiated simultaneously.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of reducing the pressure in the gas space takes place only during an initial phase of the charging step.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of reducing the pressure in the gas space takes place via a vacuum pump.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of reducing the pressure in the gas space takes place intermittently during the charging step.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for charging a sealed, secondary electrochemical power source having positive and negative electrodes, a water-based electrolyte, and a gas space, said apparatus comprising: vacuum pump means connected to the gas space via an evacuation line; charging means including d.c. voltage source means connected with the power source to maintain a constant charging voltage to the power source; and control means for operating the vacuum pump means during operation of the charging means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for charging a sealed, secondary electrochemical power source having positive and negative electrodes, a water-based electrolyte, and a gas space, said apparatus comprising: vacuum pump means connected to the gas space via an evacuation line; charging means including d.c. voltage source means connected with the power source to maintain a constant charging voltage to the power source; and control means for operating the vacuum pump means during operation of the charging means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, in which the power source includes at least one battery having a casing and at least one cell wherein the cells in one and the same battery have a common gas space.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each gas space includes at least one re-sealing safety vent to prevent the battery casing from being exposed to harmful overpressure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, including control means for operating the vacuum pump means when the d.c. voltage source means comes into operation for charging.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the evacuation line includes check valve means
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-01 | 1992-05-02 | 1992-11-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-01 | 1996-05-02 | 1996-11-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-01 | 2000-05-02 | 2000-11-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |