GB2258752A

GB2258752A - Filling and/or topping up batteries

Info

Publication number: GB2258752A
Application number: GB9213642A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Peter Drake; Roger William Edmonds
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-06-28
Filing date: 1992-06-26
Publication date: 1993-02-17
Also published as: GB9213642D0; WO1993000714A1

Abstract

The device comprises an outer tube (25) having a flared or funnel portion (27) at one end thereof and an inner tube (26) held concentrically within the outer tube. A float (35) having a collar (32) which slides up and down the inner tube (26) is located within the inner tube (26) and has an indicator (31) connected thereto by webs (37). A scale (38) is marked along the outside of the non-flared portion of the outer tube (25). To use the apparatus, it is inserted into a cell in the battery through one of the filling holes therein until the lower end of the inner tube (26) rests against the top of the battery plates. If the indicator (31) shows the electrolyte level to be too low, distilled water can be poured into the funnel (27) on the outer tube (25) which directs the water into the battery via the space (43) between the outer and inner tubes (25, 26). As the water is added, the level of the electrolyte and the indicator (31) rise.

Description

APPARATUS FOR FILLING LEAD-ACID BATTERIES The present invention relates to apparatus for filling and/or topping up lead-acid batteries and the like.

Lead-acid batteries are commonly used to store electrical energy in vehicles, aeroplanes and boats.

The electricity so stored is usually used to power auxiliary systems such lights and starter motors. Each battery consists of one or more 2V cells, conventionally there are three or six in each battery, producing six and twelve volts respectively. The cells comprise chambers in which plate-like electrodes are immersed in sulphuric acid.

Over time, the level of the sulphuric acid, which acts as an electrolye, within the cells drops due to evaporation and the evolution of hydrogen and oxygen during recharging. Therefore, it is periodically necessary to top up the cells with distilled water.

Since batteries in vehicles are often located in places where it is difficult to see into the cells due to poor light or inaccessibility, it is sometimes extremely difficult to readily determine the level of electrolyte in the cells. Furthermore, it is not easy to judge the amount of distilled water, that needs to be added, accurately so small quantities must be repeatedly added and the level checked after each addition. This can be a time-consuming and laborious task.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome, or at least substantially reduce, the aforementioned difficulties. However, the invention is not restricted to filling the cells of lead-acid batteries and is applicable to other situations where it is necessary to fill a chamber, into which there is limited visibility, to given level.

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for topping up or filling the level of electrolyte in a chamber of a battery with liquid, comprising conduit means for admitting liquid to said battery chamber and a float associated with said conduit means to indicate the liquid level in said chamber, the arrangement being such that liquid can be supplied to the battery chamber through the conduit means without adversely affecting the operation of the float.

Preferably, the conduit means is constructed so that liquid can be admitted to the battery chamber without coming into contact with the float.

In one embodiment, the conduit means comprises an outer tube in which an inner tube is mounted, liquid being admitted to the battery chamber via the space between the inner and outer tubes, the float being mounted for longitudinal movement within the inner tube.

In another embodiment, the conduit means comprises an outer tube in which an inner tube is mounted, liquid being admitted to the battery chamber through the inner tube, the float being mounted in the space between the inner and outer tubes and movable longitudinally therein. Conveniently, the float is annular and arranged to slide along the outer surface of the inner tube. The conduit means can however comprise a first tube with a second tube attached to the interior wall thereof. Alternatively, the conduit means can comprise a first tube with a second tube attached to the outside wall thereof. In both of these embodiments, the float is mounted for longitudinal movement in the second tube.

Conveniently, an indicator portion is coupled to the float and the float is visible through the conduit means.

In a still further embodiment, the conduit means comprises a tube, the float being mounted for longidutinal movement therein and being constructed and arranged so that liquid can flow past the float into the battery chamber. In this arrangement, the float can either be a sliding fit in the tube and have at least one aperture therethrough or alternatively, it can be solid but be a loose fit in the tube so that the liquid can get past it.

Funnel means may be provided at one end of the conduit means to guide liquid into said conduit means.

Conveniently, the funnel means comprises a flared portion of the conduit means. Preferably, the conduit means is wholly formed from a transparent plastics material so that the float is visible. However, the conduit means can include a window so that the float is visible.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of a lead-acid battery showing the apparatus of Figure 1 in use therewith; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a side view of a third embodiment; Figure 5 is a cross-section of the embodiment of Figure 4 along the line X-X; and Figure 6 is a bottom view of the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Referring to Figure 1, a lead-acid battery filling apparatus comprises an outer tube 1, having a flared portion 2 at one end thereof. An inner tube 3 is held concentrically within the outer tube 1 by a pair of spiders 6 and 7. Both the outer tube 1 and the inner tube 3 are formed from transparent plastics resin material.

The inner tube 3 extends from a point approximately level with the open end of the flared portion 2 of the outer tube 1 throught the length of the outer tube 1 to a point beyond its smaller diameter end. Using the orientation of Figure 1, the upper end 3a of the inner tube 3 is partially closed by a flange 4, extending radially inwardly from its rim. The inner margin of the flange 4 defines a hole 5. Optionally, an additional tube 20 may be attached to the inner tube 3 to facilitate filling of the battery with distilled water in cases where the open top of the flared portion 2a is inaccessible to the user. In such a case, a flexible pipe with a filling funnel at its other end is fitted to the portion 20a of the additional tube 20.

The lower end 3b of the inner tube 3 is serrated.

A cylindrical float 8 is located within the inner tube 3, along which it is free to move. The float 8 is provided with a rod 9 which extends upwardly from its upper end surface. The rod 9 forms an indicator. A further spider 10 is located within the bottom of the inner tube 3, just above the serrations 16, and to retain the float 8 therein.

A scale 11 is marked along part of the noh-flared portion of the outer tube 1.

In use, the apparatus is inserted into a cell 13 of a battery through the filling hole 12, as shown in Figure 2. In order to provide a stable reference, the lower end 3b of the inner tube 3 is held against the top of the battery plates 14. As the apparatus is inserted, electrolyte 15 flows up into the inner tube 3, lifting the float 8 from the spider 10. The air in the inner tube 3 is able to escape through the hole 5. Finally, when the lower end 3b of the inner tube is resting against the plates 15, the level of the electrolyte 15 can be read from the scale at the point level with the top of the rod 9.

If the electrolyte level is found to be too low, distilled water can be poured into the flared portion 2 of the outer tube 1, which funnels the water towards the battery via the space between the outer tube 1 and the inner tube 3. As the water is added, the level of the electrolyte 15 rises. Since the electrolyte can flow into the inner tube 3, through the gaps formed by the serrations 16, where it rests on the plates, the level of electrolyte 15 in the inner tube 3 also rises by the same amount. The level of the electrolyte 15 can be monitored, while the water is being added, by watching the rod 9 move against scale 11 as the float 8 rises with the level of the electrolyte 15.

A second embodiment is shown in Figure 3. The apparatus of this embodiment is the same as that shown in Figure 1 except that the outer tube 1 is not flared.

Instead the outer tube 1 is provided with a branch tube 17, extending from a location towards its upper end. A conventional funnel may be coupled to the branch tube 17 by means of a flexible pipe.

In use the apparatus of Figure 3 is inserted into a battery as described above. However, a funnel and flexible pipe (not shown) would be connected to the branch tube 17 so that distilled water poured into the funnel will flow therefrom along the pipe and into the space between the outer tube 1 and the inner tube 3 via the branch pipe 17.

Referring to Figures 4-6, there is shown a third embodiment of the invention which comprises an outer tube 25. An inner tube 26 having a funnel portion 27 at its top end is secured in the upper end of the outer tube 25 by means of veins 28, each having an edge 29 which is attached to the inner surface of the outer tube 25 in any suitable way e.g. by means of an adhesive. In the illustrated embodiment, there are four veins 28 located around the periphery of the base of the funnel portion 27, the veins being circumferentially spaced at 900 intervals. Each vein 28 also has an edge 30 which acts as an abutment surface for engagement by an annular indicator 31 slidably mounted on the inner tube 26 whose upward movement is limited by the edges 30.

The bottom of the inner tube 26 is generally coplanar with the bottom of the outer tube 25 and is located centrally therein by means of fingers 33 which extend radially inwardly from the inner surface of the outer tube 25 to engage the outer surface of the inner tube 26. In the illustrated arrangement, four such fingers 33 are provided but any suitable number can be used.

The indicator 31 is annular and slides over the outer surface of the inner tube 26. It is connected to a float portion 35 at its other end by a pair of diametrically opposed webs 37. The float portion 35 includes a collar 32 which makes a loose fit with the inner tube 26 so that it is able to slide up and down the external surface of the inner tube 26. The float portion 35 also includes an annular cavity 34.

Electrolyte level indication marks 38 are provided on the exterior surface of the outer tube 25.

The inner and outer tubes 25 and 26 are made of a translucent or transparent plastics material and the float assembly 31,35,37 is preferably a different colour so that it is visible through the outer tube 25.

In order to use the apparatus shown in Figures 4-6, the outer tube 25 is inserted into one of the filling openings in a lead-acid battery (not shown) until the base of the tube rests on the top of one of the battery plates (not shown). Electrolyte enters space 43 between inner tube 26 and outer tube 25 and the float 35 slides up the inner tube 26 until electrolyte stops entering the space 43. In order to top up the level of electrolyte in the battery, distilled water is poured into the funnel portion 27 and it flows through the inner tube 26 into the battery. As the electrolyte level rises in the battery, the level of electrolyte in the space 43 between the inner tube 26 and outer tube 27 also rises to the float 35 moves upwardly.The position of the indicator 31 relative to the indicator markings 38 can then be seen and the user of the apparatus can establish if the required level of electrolyte in the battery has been reached.

The main difference between the embodiment just described and those described with reference to Figures 1-3 is that in the Figures 4-6 arrangement, liquid is admitted to the battery through the inner tube 26 and the float 35 is located in the space 43 between the inner tube 26 and outer tube 25. In the Figures 1-3 embodiment, liquid is admitted to the battery by pouring it into the funnel which then directs it through the space between the inner and outer tube, the float being located in the inner tube. In other words, the exact reverse of the Figures 4-6 embodiment. The principle of operation is nevertheless the same in that the passage of the liquid through the conduit means to the battery does not adversely affect the operation of the level indicator.

Claims

CLAINS

1. Apparatus for topping-up the level of electrolyte in a chamber of a battery, comprising conduit means for admitting liquid to said battery chamber and a float associated with said conduit means to indicate the liquid level in said chamber, the arrangement being such that liquid can be supplied to the battery chamber through the conduit means without adversely affecting the operation of the float.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the conduit means is constructed so that liquid can be admitted to the battery chamber without coming into contact with the float.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the conduit means comprises an outer tube in which an inner tube is mounted, liquid being admitted to the battery chamber via the space between the inner and outer tubes.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the float is mounted for longitudinal movement within the inner tube.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the conduit means comprises an outer tube in which an inner tube is mounted, liquid being admitted to the battery chamber through the inner tube.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the float is mounted in the space between the inner and outer tubes and is movable longitudinally therein.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the float is annular and arranged to slide along the outer surface of the inner tube.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the conduit means comprises a first tube, a second tube being attached to the interior wall thereof.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the conduit means comprises a first tube, a second tube being attached to the outside wall thereof.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the float is mounted for longitudinal movement in the second tube.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein an indicator portion is coupled to the float.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the float is visible through the conduit means.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the conduit means comprises a tube, the float being mounted for longitudinal movement therein and being constructed and arranged so that liquid can flow past the float into the battery chamber.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the float is a close sliding fit in the tube and has at least one aperture therethrough.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the float is a loose sliding fit in the tube.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein funnel means are provided at one end of the conduit means to guide liquid into said conduit means.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein the funnel means comprises a flared portion of the conduit means.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein the conduit means is provided with a branch tube.

19. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the conduit means is wholly formed from a transparent plastics material so that the float is visible.

20. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1-18 wherein the conduit means includes a window so that the float is visible.

21. Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.