CA1107817A - Apparatus for delivering liquid to one or more accumulator cells - Google Patents

Apparatus for delivering liquid to one or more accumulator cells

Info

Publication number
CA1107817A
CA1107817A CA318,510A CA318510A CA1107817A CA 1107817 A CA1107817 A CA 1107817A CA 318510 A CA318510 A CA 318510A CA 1107817 A CA1107817 A CA 1107817A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
liquid
cell
inflow
container
outflow
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA318,510A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Kaj Quist
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tudor AB
Original Assignee
Tudor AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tudor AB filed Critical Tudor AB
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1107817A publication Critical patent/CA1107817A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/48Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte
    • H01M10/484Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte for measuring electrolyte level, electrolyte density or electrolyte conductivity
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/60Arrangements or processes for filling or topping-up with liquids; Arrangements or processes for draining liquids from casings
    • H01M50/609Arrangements or processes for filling with liquid, e.g. electrolytes
    • H01M50/618Pressure control
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10Energy storage using batteries

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Filling, Topping-Up Batteries (AREA)
  • Supply Devices, Intensifiers, Converters, And Telemotors (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

Apparatus for delivering liquid to the interior of one or more accumulator cells is disclosed. Liquid inflow and outflow lines communicate with the cell interior. A
float in the cell rises and drops with the level of liquid therein. A container is mounted on the float. When the liquid level is low, the container is positioned below the inflow and outflow lines such that liquid from the former fills the container to an overflowing state, whereby the overflow liquid combines with liquid in the cell. As the liquid level rises, an inlet end of the outflow conduit enters the liquid in the container and sucks it out, thereby alleviating the overflow condition.

Description

~1~7817 BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an electrical accumulator cell intended for connection with a liquid filling or charging system common to several cells. The system is intended for the replenishment of the electrolyte with water and also serves as a ventilation system for gas formed in the cell.
The invention is intended primarily to be applied to lead accumulator cells and will be described below in connec-tion therewith. The invention is applicable, however, to all types of accumulator cells in which electrolyte is used.
The use of electrolyte in accumulator cells varies to a high degree with the application range of the cells. Batteries which are subjected to constant charges and discharges, as, - for example, in electric-powered trucks, consume large amounts ,s of electrolyte. The same is true of batteries which are exposed to strong and long-lasting over-charging. In such cases the control and filling-up of electrolyte may be required as often as once every twenty-four hours. In other cases, where the operating conditions are not hard on the battery, it may be sufficient to control and fill-up the electrolyte a few times during the year.
- The consumption of electrolyte is also affected by such factors as the composition of the lead-base alloy in 1~7817 'he electrode grid and the age and general condition of the battery. It is not unusual for electric trucks to have batteries with up to 50 cells. In larger enterprises employing many trucks, the daily control and filling-up of electrolyte in the cells therefore represents a task of extensive proportions. During the control and filling-up process the plug or fuse screwed into the venthole may be removed, the liquid level must be controlled, and the ;~
filling-up must be carried out, whereupon the plug is replaced. In order to facilitate this task, certain batteries are provided with a plug having a level-indicating device and with an aperture for the filling-up that can be quickly opened and closed. Such measures have reduced the maintenance problems, but each cell continues to require individual checking.
The present invention concerns a cell for connection with a common liquid filling system. This means that by feeding the liquid at a single point one obtains a filling-up to the controlled level in several cells at the same time.
Normally, a single filling point should be sufficient for the entire battery.

;L~7817 A common liquid filling system and the cells connected with it must meet certain requirements. The system must be easy to mani~ulate and make possible the quick filling of all the cells. Depending on the size of the battery, a dura-tion of from S to 10 minutes can be accepted. The system must also be independent of the position of the cells, at least to a certain extent; that is, it must function even when the cells for some reason or other are on different planes or at different angles. Furthermore, it must operate '~ 10 automatically, i.e., no supervision or measure must be neces-sary while the filling takes place. The system, moreover, must ~ be safe in operation, and in case of possible disturbances, ,' overfilling must be avoided.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These objects are achieved by apparatus for delivering liquid to the interior of an accumulator cell. The apparatus comprises a liquid inflow conduit communicating with the interior of the cell to conduct liquid thereto from an outside source. A liquid outflow conduit communicates with the interior of the cell. A float is arranged within the cell to follow a rising and dropping level,of liquid within the cell. A liquid conductor is connected to the float so as to be movable, in response to raising and lowering of the liquid level, between 7l~17 a liquid supply position and a liquid non-supply position.
In the liquid supply position, liquid from the inflow conduit combines with liquid in the cell, when liquid in the cell is below a given level. In the liquid non-supply position, liquid is conducted by the conductor from the inflow conduit to the outflow conduit, when liquid in the cell is above the given level.

THE DRAWING
' ~ Other advances of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a pre-ferred embodiment thereof in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals designate like elements and in which:
- Figure 1 shows schematically the upper part of a cell according to the invention;
Figure 2 shows schematically a detail of the cell of Figure 1 having a lower electrolyte level; and Figures 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of top portions of cells of different embodiments of the invention.
Figures 1, 2 and 4 illustrate the basic concept of the invention while Figure 3 shows in greater detail a preferred form of cell for carrying out the invention.

7~3~7 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows the upper part of an electrical accmulator cell according to the invention. Within the cell container 1 there are disposed electrodes 2, which are joined to pole taps or plugs 3 and 4. In the container there is also disposed electrolyte 5, the surface of which ; 16 is here shown at the highest level desired. On the ,, ~i~ electrolyte there is a float 6 which is kept in place by a lever arm 12, connected with the cell container's cover by a link 13. On the upper side of the float there is a bowl-like container 7. Conduit pipes for the inflow 10 and the outflow 11 of the liquid are attached to the upper side of the cell by means of a holder 9.
The liquid is conveyed to and away from the cell by the tubes or hoses 15 and 14. The flow direction of the ` liquid is indicated by arrows in the figure. Figure 2 shows the details essential for the filling-up function in the same cell. In Figure 2 the cell with the surface 16 of the elec-trolyte is shown at such a low level that an additional supply of liquid is desirable. By way of the tubes 14 and 15 the cell can be coupled together with other such cells, and it has proved possible to connect in series up to 10 cells, and also to con-nect pairs of lines 14, 15 in parallel to a common main line.

~7~17 If now it is assumed that the system is to be exempli-fied by the cell shown in the figure, the tube or hose 15 is joined to a water reservoir and tube 14 is joined to a suction mechanism such as a - The latter makes it possible to obtain a low pressure, so that the pressure difference between the inflow 10 and the outflow 11 is about 1 kPa. Water then flows through the tube 15 and the inflow 10 into the cell. If thé electrolyte level in the cell is too low, as is the case in Figure 2, then the liquid flows down into the bowl of the float and from the latter down into the cell. When the desired level has been reached, as is the case in Figure 1, the inlet end of the outflow tube enters the liquid,via the upwardly open end of the bowl and is able to suck liquid therefrom. Thus, liquid is collected in the bowl and sucked out again vla the outflow 11 and the tube 14. Thus, the bowl 7 serves as a conductor to transfer liquid directly from the inflow conduit to the outflow conduit, when the bowl is in the liquid non-supply position of Figure 1.
The function of the embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 4 is the same as described above. The difference lies in the control of the float, which according to Figure 3 is carried out by two pins or pegs 20, 21 which stick up in the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe.

~78~7 In Figure 4 control is carried out by a pin 25.
This pin serves as a level indicator and is therefore enclosed in a transparent covering 27. In order to prevent the float and the guiding pin from sinking too far down, the upper end of the pin has been provided with a broadening or widening part 26 which engages a stop.
The embodiment shown in Figure 3.is provided with a bow-shaped piece or ring 19 for retaining the float, which thus is guided or controlled by the pins 20 and 21. The ring 19 is fixed in a holder 23 having a circular outer cross-section, wherein the inflow and outflow channels 10 and 11 are bored or drilled and provided with connection nipples 17 and 18.
The holder is movably attached to the fastener 22 and is fixed tightly against it by means of an O-ring 24. The fastener 22 is fitted in the usual manner in the top of the container by means of a screw thread. Because the holder 23 is movable in the fastener 22, the holder can be adjusted in such a way that the suitable position is obtained for the tube or hose couplings 17 and 18.
Openings can also be made in the cover of the container for the control of the temperature and the density of the electrolyte. It is important, however, that these openings be provided with tightly fitting plugs and that also the cell ~7817 be completely tight, for example, in the seam or groove between the container and the cover. To control this, the cell is subjected to an overpressure of about 20 kPa, whereby a pressure drop of at the most 4 kPa is permitted during a period of 10 seconds.
In order to safeguard the liquid flow, the ends of -~ the inflow and outflow tubes can be cut obliquely or on the bias, as is shown in Figures 3 and 4. One can also use other arrangements to prevent the openings of the tubes from becoming wholly or partly blocked by the bottom of the bowl.
Of course, other realizations of the invention than those described are also possible. For example, the bowl in which the inflow and outflow tubes terminate may be placed elsewhere than dlrectly on the upper side of the float, and the control and placing of the float may also be different from the description given above.
Although the invention has been described in connec-tion with a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be appre-ciated by those skilled in the art that additions, modifications, substitutions and deletions not specifically describ-d may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inven-tion as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (8)

    The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

    1. Apparatus for delivering liquid to the interior of an accumulator cell, comprising:

    a liquid inflow conduit communicating with the interior of the cell to conduct liquid thereto from an outside source, a liquid outflow conduit communicating with the interior of the cell, float means arranged within the cell to follow a rising and dropping level of liquid within the cell, liquid conductor means connected to the float means so as to be movable, in response to raising and lowering of the liquid level, between:

    a liquid supply position for allowing liquid from the inflow conduit to combine with liquid in the cell, when liquid in the cell is below a given level, and
  1. claim 1 cont'd a liquid non-supply position for conducting liquid from the inflow conduit to the outflow conduit, when liquid in the cell is above the given level.
  2. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inflow and outflow conduits comprise closely connected tubes.
  3. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inflow and outflow conduits each have an end open to the interior of the cell, the ends being cut obliquely relative to the conduit axes.
  4. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 including indicator means visible exteriorly of said cell to indicate whether additional liquid is needed, said indicator means being movable and connected to the float means for movement in response to raising and lowering of the liquid level.
  5. 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid conductor means comprises a container mounted on the float means; the container, when in the liquid non-supply position, being arranged such that the liquid inflow line supplies liquid thereto and the liquid outflow line sucks liquid therefrom; the container, when in the liquid supply position, being arranged such that the liquid outflow line is unable to suck liquid therefrom.
  6. 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 including at least one additional accumulator cell, the inflow and outflow conduits communicating with the additional cell.
  7. 7. Apparatus according to claim 1 including at least one additional accumulator cell, the inflow and out-flow conduits communicating with main inflow and outflow lines common to the cells.

    8. Apparatus for delivering liquid to the interiors of a plurality of accumulator cells, comprising:

    means connected to all of said cells for supplying liquid thereto and including a liquid inflow conduit communicating with the interior of each cell and a liquid outflow conduit communicating with the interior of each cell,
  8. claim 8 cont'd a float arranged within each cell to follow a rising and dropping level of liquid within the cell, an upwardly open container mounted on each float so as to be movable therewith, in response to raising and lowering of the liquid level, between:

    a liquid supply position in which liquid from the inflow conduit is introduced into the container and is thereafter combined with liquid in the cell when the container overflows, and a liquid non-supply position in which the container is raised sufficiently to allow an inlet end of said outflow conduit to enter liquid in the container and suck-out such liquid, thereby preventing overflow from the container.
CA318,510A 1977-12-23 1978-12-22 Apparatus for delivering liquid to one or more accumulator cells Expired CA1107817A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE7714722-1 1977-12-23
SE7714722 1977-12-23

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1107817A true CA1107817A (en) 1981-08-25

Family

ID=20333306

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA318,510A Expired CA1107817A (en) 1977-12-23 1978-12-22 Apparatus for delivering liquid to one or more accumulator cells

Country Status (13)

Country Link
JP (1) JPS54119636A (en)
AT (1) AT367244B (en)
BE (1) BE873028A (en)
CA (1) CA1107817A (en)
CH (1) CH635211A5 (en)
DE (1) DE2854038A1 (en)
DK (1) DK577778A (en)
ES (1) ES476216A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2412952A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2011157B (en)
IT (1) IT1110877B (en)
NL (1) NL7812523A (en)
NO (1) NO148431C (en)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0041334A1 (en) * 1980-06-02 1981-12-09 Crompton Batteries Limited Battery filling system
EP0201535B1 (en) * 1984-11-09 1989-05-31 Klaus Oschmann Battery filler cap
US5832946A (en) * 1997-02-06 1998-11-10 Flow-Rite Controls, Ltd. Low profile battery refill system
US6228525B1 (en) * 1998-08-04 2001-05-08 Donald S. Hassell Battery cell plug

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1349297A (en) * 1919-07-01 1920-08-10 Jack D Sartakoff Automatic water-feed for storage batteries
US1842292A (en) * 1927-06-27 1932-01-19 Sardik Inc Automatic battery filler
FR972322A (en) * 1941-01-30 1951-01-29 Accumulator battery with simultaneous filling of cells and directed gas flow during charging periods
FR2030025A1 (en) * 1969-01-30 1970-10-30 Montagne Jean
DE2415303A1 (en) * 1973-04-09 1974-10-24 Tudor Ab DEVICE FOR FILLING LIQUID INTO A CLOSED CONTAINER, ABOVE THE LIQUID LEVEL, FORMING A GAS COMPARTMENT, FOR EXAMPLE ACCUMULATOR CELLS, IN WHICH THE GAS COMPARTMENT HAS A LOCKABLE VENTILATION OPENING
FR2231116B1 (en) * 1973-05-25 1976-04-23 Fulmen

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO148431C (en) 1983-10-05
FR2412952B1 (en) 1984-03-23
NL7812523A (en) 1979-06-26
GB2011157A (en) 1979-07-04
IT7852355A0 (en) 1978-12-19
NO784344L (en) 1979-06-26
NO148431B (en) 1983-06-27
DE2854038A1 (en) 1979-07-05
ES476216A1 (en) 1979-04-16
IT1110877B (en) 1986-01-06
FR2412952A1 (en) 1979-07-20
ATA868278A (en) 1981-10-15
GB2011157B (en) 1982-03-03
JPS54119636A (en) 1979-09-17
CH635211A5 (en) 1983-03-15
AT367244B (en) 1982-06-11
BE873028A (en) 1979-04-17
DK577778A (en) 1979-06-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4518663A (en) Electrolyte circulation subsystem
CA1228892A (en) Comb-type bipolar stack
CA1107817A (en) Apparatus for delivering liquid to one or more accumulator cells
US5841355A (en) Optimum electrolyte level sensing method and the automatic topping up apparatus for storage wet cell
WO2008016365A1 (en) Single point battery watering system with pivot float and ball valve
CN206313044U (en) A kind of fuel cell monitor station platform discharge cycle system and structure
CN215810294U (en) Automatic water replenishing device of cooling tower for gravure production line
US1471362A (en) Storage-battery filler
JP2000251921A (en) Battery jar forming device for lead-acid battery and battery jar forming method
CN213200824U (en) Water bath accuse temperature formula sample censorship case
CN213026417U (en) Lithium ion battery electrolyte injection device
CN107611331A (en) Battery water filling car
KR102165598B1 (en) Battery
GB333291A (en) Improvements relating to batteries
CN112539084A (en) Mountain tunnel infiltration metering type detects early warning equipment
US4061838A (en) Apparatus for controlling the electrolyte concentration of fuel cell batteries
US4469762A (en) Self-draining heat exchanger arrangement and method
CN216818574U (en) Lithium battery liquid injection tool
US1781597A (en) Battery tester
CN221009201U (en) Lead crystal battery with self-water supplementing and long service life
CN213680727U (en) Cell culture box for preparing monoclonal antibody
CN207418872U (en) Manganese dioxide electrolysis equipment
CN220099271U (en) Phosphorus source device
CN217444598U (en) External charging protection device for forklift
CN220189708U (en) All-vanadium redox flow battery energy storage circulating system capable of sharing capacity and achieving parallel charging and discharging

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
MKEX Expiry
MKEX Expiry

Effective date: 19980825