초록 ▼

A lead acid storage battery cell having a sealed housing in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are immersed in a liquid electrolyte. The negative electrode is partially exposed to a gas space within the battery cell housing. A pressure relief valve allows excess gas to escape the ba

A lead acid storage battery cell having a sealed housing in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are immersed in a liquid electrolyte. The negative electrode is partially exposed to a gas space within the battery cell housing. A pressure relief valve allows excess gas to escape the battery cell while preventing air from outside the cell from entering the gas space. Exposing a section of the negative plate to oxygen gas that evolves within the battery and collects in the gas space reduces water consumption of the cell and extends the maintenance-free life of the battery. The addition of a catalyst to recombine oxygen and hydrogen offers further improvement.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A lead acid battery, comprising:a sealed housing;a positive electrode comprising PbO.sub.2 active material;a negative electrode comprising lead active material;a liquid electrolyte within said sealed housing in contact with said positive and negative electrodes, said el

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A lead acid battery, comprising:a sealed housing;a positive electrode comprising PbO.sub.2 active material;a negative electrode comprising lead active material;a liquid electrolyte within said sealed housing in contact with said positive and negative electrodes, said electrolyte comprising sulfuric acid and having a liquid levels;a gas space within said housing in which oxygen gas collects, said gas space having a bottom defined by said liquid level, a portion of said negative electrode being exposed in said gas space above said liquid level to thereby expose a portion of the lead active material to said gas space; anda pressure relief valve disposed in said battery in communication with said gas space to allow gas to escape said sealed housing while preventing oxygen from outside the housing to contact said negative electrode.