WO2007042892A1

WO2007042892A1 - Electrical storage device

Info

Publication number: WO2007042892A1
Application number: PCT/IB2006/002784
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan Petrus Human
Original assignee: Jan Petrus Human
Priority date: 2005-10-12
Filing date: 2006-10-06
Publication date: 2007-04-19
Also published as: AU2006300857A1

Abstract

Assemblies are disclosed which can be used as components in an electrical cell. Each assembly comprises positive and negative plates (38, 40) each of which plates consists of two electrically conductive grids (28, 30, 42, 44) with an electrically insulating perforated spacer (36,46) therebetween, the grids and spacer being pasted with active material. The plates are separated by a porous separator (52). Each grid has a terminal lug whereby each assembly of a positive plate and a negative plate has four terminal lugs (32, 34, 48, 50) which can serve as charging and discharging terminals. The assembly can be charged and discharged simultaneous by connecting a source of charging current across two of the terminal lugs and a power consuming device across the other two terminal lugs.

Description

ELECTRICAL STORAGE DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to electrical storage devices.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Lead acid batteries are used widely. They are used in motor vehicles where the ability to provide a high starting current for a short period is a necessity. They are also used in installations where stand-by power is required in the event that the mains supply fails, but the installation is not of sufficient size to provide a standby generator. Such batteries, used in large numbers, have also been used to power the electric motors of delivery vehicles which only require a short range. Batteries of the lead acid type have been refined over the period of their existence but have not changed in any radical way since their first development.

For other purposes, such as powering electronic equipment where high current flow is not required, lithium iron and nickel cadmium batteries have been developed.

All the batteries mentioned above are of the so-called secondary type which means that they can be recharged.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved battery of the secondary type. The battery of the present invention is able to charge and discharge simultaneously, electrical charging current and electric discharging current flowing at the same time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a plate for a storage cell which comprises first and second apertured electrically conductive grids with an apertured electrically isolating spacer therebetween, the grids and spacer having been pasted with active material which passes through the grids and the spacer.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembly for use in constructing a secondary cell, which assembly comprises a first electrically conductive grid having a first terminal lug, a second electrically conductive grid having a second terminal lug, a first perforated electrically isolating spacer between the grids, the grids and spacer being pasted with active material which passes through the grids and the spacer thereby to form a positive plate, a third electrically conductive grid having a third terminal lug, a fourth electrically conductive grid having a fourth terminal lug, a second perforated electrically isolating spacer between the third and fourth grids, the third and fourth grids and the second spacer being pasted with active material which passes through the third and fourth grids and the second spacer thereby to form a negative plate, and a porous separator between the positive and negative plates, said first, second third and fourth terminals lugs being respectively a positive discharging terminal, a positive charging terminal , a negative charging terminal and a negative discharging terminal. The assembly can be based on, for example, lead acid, lithium iron or nickel cadmium as the grids and active material.

The spacers are preferably of synthetic plastics material. Meshes of synthetic plastics material are preferred.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a cell comprising a plurality of assemblies as defined above, there being porous separators between adjacent assemblies, each first lug being electrically connected to each other first lug, each second lug being electrically connected to each other second lug, each third lug being electrically connected to each other third lug, and each fourth lug being connected to each other fourth lug.

Said lugs are preferably connected by straps. Each strap which forms a terminal of the cell has a battery post protruding therefrom.

The present invention also provides a battery comprising a plurality of cells as defined above.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided an installation comprising an assembly, a cell or a battery as defined above, a source of charging current connected across the positive and negative charging terminals of the assembly, cell or battery, and a power consuming device connected across the positive and negative discharging terminals of the assembly, cell or battery.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating an installation as defined above which comprises causing charging current to flow through the assembly, cell or battery for charging purposes and simultaneously causing current to flow from the assembly, cell or battery to said power consuming device.

Said source of charging current can be an alternator or generator and the power consuming device can be an electric motor. Alternatively said source of charging current can be a solar panel and the power consuming device can comprise an electronic circuit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a pictorial view of the casing of a storage battery with the casing lid separated from the casing base;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic pictorial view of two unpasted grids with a separator between them;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic pictorial view of positive and negative plates with a separator there between;

Figure 4 is a pictorial view of a storage cell in accordance with the present invention, the cell being constructed so as to form part of a multi-cell battery.

Figure 5 is a pictorial view showing three cells as illustrated in Figure 4 in the battery casing of Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a pictorial view of a modified form of the cell of Figure 4;

Figure 7 illustrates an installation including a battery as shown in Figure 5;

Figure 8 illustrates an installation including three batteries as shown in Figure 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring firstly to Figure 1 , the casing 10 illustrated comprises an upwardly open base 12 and a lid 14. The base 12 has dividers 16 therein which subdivide its interior into three compartments 18.

The lid 14 has a row of holes 20 therein which receive removable plugs (not shown) which permit the casing to be filled with electrolyte and which also allow venting of any gases generated during use.

Further holes 22 are provided in the lid 14. As will be described hereafter, the positive and negative battery posts of two of the individual cells in the casing 10 pass through the holes 22.

The lid 14 has a skirt 24 which, once the cells are in the compartments 18, is heat sealed to the rim 26 of the base 12.

In Figure 2 reference numerals 28 and 30 designate two diagrammatically illustrated grids each of which has a protruding lug. The lugs are designated 32 and 34. Each grid 28 and 30 is of conventional construction being in the form of an apertured lead plate. Between the grids there is a spacer 36 which is in the form of a mesh of synthetic plastics material which has a plurality of apertures therein.

For illustrative purposes the grids 28, 30 and the spacer 36 are shown separated from one another. The lugs 32 and 34 are at different positions on the top edges of the respective grids 28 and 30 so that, when the grids are juxtaposed, the lugs are offset with respect to one another.

After the grids 28, 30 are juxtaposed to the separator 36, the outer faces of the grids are pasted with active material. The active material forms a layer on the outer face of each grid and fills the apertures in the grids. The active material passes through the multitude of apertures in the spacer 36 and bonds the two grids and the spacer together.

If desired there can be multiple grids 28, 30 and multiple spacers 36 with the lugs in electrical contact.

Many constructions of spacer 36 are possible provided it holds the grids 28 and 30 apart and permits active material to pass through it. If the group of two grids and the intervening spacer is to be a positive plate for a lead acid battery, then the active material is lead oxide. For negative plates carbon black is mixed with the lead oxide.

Figure 3 illustrates the grids 28 and 30 and the spacer 36 of Figure 2 which together constitute a first plate designated 38. A second plate designated 40 comprises two further grids 42 and 44 with a spacer 46 between them. The grids 42, 44 are turned through 180° with respect the grids 28, 30 so that the lugs 48 and 50 of the grids 42 and 44 are offset not only with respect to one another but also with respect to the lugs 32, 34 of the grids 28 and 30.

The plate 38 is a negative plate and the plate 40 is a positive plate. The active material is not shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3. Whilst referred to herein as "plates" the components 38 and 40 are also referred to in the art as electrodes.

A porous separator 52 of synthetic plastic material is provided between the two plates 38, 40. The plates 38 and 40, and the separator 52, are shown in Figure 3 slightly out of position with respect to one another for illustrative purposes only. The components are, when fully assembled, in register with one another.

A cell 54 is shown in Figure 4. The cell, on assembly of the storage battery, fits into one of the compartments 18 of the casing 10. The cell 54 comprises five plates as described with reference to Figure 2. The outside plates and the centre plate are negative plates 38 and the remaining two, intervening plates are positive plates 40. This arrangement provides a set of three negative lugs 32, a set of three negative lugs 34, a set of two positive lugs 48 and a set of two positive lugs 50. The sets of lugs 32, 34, 48 and 50 are connected by straps designated 56, 58, 60 and 62. The straps 56 and 58 have battery posts 64 and 66 protruding upwardly therefrom.

The positive and negative plates are, as shown in Figure 4, separated by three separators as shown at 52 in Figure 3.

If the cell 54 of Figure 4 is to be used alone, then the straps 60, 62 have battery posts on them.

The battery shown in Figure 5 has three cells. Each cell is identical to the cell illustrated in Figure 4 except in that the centre cell is turned through 180^° with respect to the end cells.

The straps 56.1 , 58.1 , 60.1 and 62.1 of the centre cell do not have battery posts on them. The straps of the third cell are designed 56.2, 58.2, 60.2 and 62.2. The straps 60.2 and 62.2 have battery posts 68 and 70 thereon.

The straps 62 and 56.1 are connected by a bridge 72 and the straps 60 and 58.1 are connected by a bridge 74. Bridges 76 and 78 are provided between the straps 62.1 and 56.2 and between the straps 60.1 and 58.2. The battery post 64 is the negative charging terminal, the battery post 66 is the negative discharging terminal, the battery post 68 is the positive discharging terminal, and the battery post 70 is the positive charging terminal.

The cell of Figure 6 differs from the cell of Figure 4 in that there is an additional positive plate designated 80, the cell thus having three positive plates and three negative plates. The additional lugs are designated 82 and 84.

Turning now to Figure 7, thus illustrates an installation incorporating a battery with four terminals as described above.

Reference numeral 86 designates a source of 12 volt d.c charging current. This can be an a.c alternator with a rectifier and, if necessary, a transformer. The alternator body is not earthed but is secured so that it is isolated from the substructure 88 on which it is mounted. An insulation pad is shown at 90. The substructure can be the metal body of a motor vehicle. The positive and negative terminals of the source 86 of d.c charging current are connected to the battery posts 64 and 70, respectively.

A power consuming means is generally designated 92 and could, for example, be all the devices on a motor vehicle that consume power. The fuel pump is a prime power consumer when a vehicle's engine is running and at night the lights also consume considerable power. The means 92 is connected across the battery posts 66 and 68. It will be understood that in the illustrated installation, the power consuming means 92 is supplied from the battery and not directly from the power source 86.

Experimental work has shown that a motor vehicle having an electrical installation as shown in Figure 7 consumes less fuel per 100 Km driven than a motor vehicle with a conventional layout in which power is taken directly from the source 86 and the battery only provides power to the starter motor and "stand-by" power to other electrical equipment of the vehicle whilst the engine is switched-off and the source 86 is not generating.

In the installation of Figure 8 there are three lead/acid batteries 10.1 , 10.2 and 10.3 connected in series and providing a voltage of about 36 volts. Reference numeral 94 designates a petrol or diesel engine which drives a source of d.c. charging current 96 which can be a generator or alternator. The output terminals of the source 96 are connected across the terminals of the batteries 10.1 , 10.2 and 10.3.

An electric motor 98 is driven by the batteries 10.1 , 10.2 and 10.3. The installation illustrated is suitable for powering a motor vehicle.

In Figure 7 the element 86 can be an electricity generating solar panel, the battery 10 can be of the lithium iron or the nickel cadmium type and the element 92 can be electronic equipment such as a cell phone. The panel 86 can be affixed to the outer surface of the cell phone casing and, when exposed to light, provides charging current to the battery 10.

As mentioned earlier, gasses can be generated within the casing and can be vented through the holes 20. However, the invention holds an additional advantage that the battery can be used to generate hydrogen gas and/or oxygen gas during operation of the battery by regulating the current and voltage on the charging electrodes, while the battery is being simultaneously charged and discharged as described with reference to Figure 7.

Claims

1. A plate for a storage cell which comprises first and second apertured electrically conductive grids with an apertured electrically isolating spacer therebetween, the grids and spacer having been pasted with active material which passes through the grids and the spacer.

2. An assembly which comprises a first electrically conductive grid having a first terminal lug, a second electrically conductive grid having a second terminal lug, a first perforated electrically isolating spacer between the grids, the grids and spacer being pasted with active material which passes through the grids and the spacer thereby to form a positive plate, a third electrically conductive grid having a third terminal lug, a fourth electrically conductive grid having a fourth terminal lug, a second perforated electrically isolating spacer between the third and fourth grids, the third and fourth grids and the second spacer being pasted with active material which passes through the third and fourth grids and the second spacer thereby to form a negative plate, and a porous separator between the positive and negative plates, said first, second third and fourth terminals lugs being respectively a positive discharging terminal, a positive charging terminal , a negative charging terminal and a negative discharging terminal.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the assembly is based on lead acid, lithium iron or cadmium nickel.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the spacers are of synthetic plasties material.

5. An assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the spacers are meshes of synthetic plasties material.

6. A cell comprising a plurality of assemblies as defined in claim 2, 3 or 4, there being porous separators between adjacent assemblies, each first lug being electrically connected to each other first lug, each second lug being electrically connected to each other second lug, each third lug being electrically connected to each other third lug, and each fourth lug being connected to each other fourth lug.

7. A cell as claimed in claim 6, wherein said lugs are connected by straps.

8. A cell as claimed in claim 7, wherein each strap which forms a terminal of the cell has a battery post protruding therefrom.

9. A battery comprising a plurality of cells as defined in claim 6, claim 7 or claim 8.

10. An installation comprising an assembly as claimed in claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, a cell as claimed in claim 6, 7 or 8 or a battery as claimed in claim 9, a source of charging current connected across the positive and negative charging terminals of the assembly, cell or battery, and a power consuming device connected across the positive and negative discharging terminals of the assembly, cell or battery.

11. An installation as claimed in claim 10, wherein said source of charging current is an alternator or generator and the power consuming device is an electric motor.

12. An installation as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said source of charging current is a solar panel and the power consuming device comprises an electronic circuit.

13. A method of operating an installation as claimed in claim 10, 11 or 12 which comprises causing charging current to flow through the assembly, cell or battery for charging purposes and simultaneously causing current to flow from the assembly, cell or battery to said power consuming device.