GB1588717A - Creation of Inventions and Patents with Artificial Intelligence

GB1588717A – Apparatus for topping-up the liquid level in a container
– Google Patents

GB1588717A – Apparatus for topping-up the liquid level in a container
– Google Patents
Apparatus for topping-up the liquid level in a container

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Publication number
GB1588717A

GB1588717A
GB38884/76A
GB3888476A
GB1588717A
GB 1588717 A
GB1588717 A
GB 1588717A
GB 38884/76 A
GB38884/76 A
GB 38884/76A
GB 3888476 A
GB3888476 A
GB 3888476A
GB 1588717 A
GB1588717 A
GB 1588717A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
chamber
baffle
tank
liquid
container
Prior art date
1977-09-07
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
GB38884/76A
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.)

Post Office

Original Assignee
Post Office
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.)
1977-09-07
Filing date
1977-09-07
Publication date
1981-04-29

1977-09-07
Application filed by Post Office
filed
Critical
Post Office

1977-09-07
Priority to GB38884/76A
priority
Critical
patent/GB1588717A/en

1981-04-29
Publication of GB1588717A
publication
Critical
patent/GB1588717A/en

Status
Expired
legal-status
Critical
Current

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Classifications

H—ELECTRICITY

H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS

H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells

H01M50/60—Arrangements or processes for filling or topping-up with liquids; Arrangements or processes for draining liquids from casings

H01M50/609—Arrangements or processes for filling with liquid, e.g. electrolytes

H—ELECTRICITY

H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS

H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells

H01M50/60—Arrangements or processes for filling or topping-up with liquids; Arrangements or processes for draining liquids from casings

H01M50/673—Containers for storing liquids; Delivery conduits therefor

Y—GENERAL 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

Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation

Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries

Description

(54) APPARATUS FOR TOPPING-UP THE LIQUID LEVEL IN
A CONTAINER
(71) We, THE POST OFFICE, a British body corporate established by Statute, of 23
Howland Street, London, W1P 6HQ do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to apparatus for topping up the liquid level in a container such as, for example, a battery cell.
The present invention provides apparatus for topping up the liquid level in a container including liquid consuming means, the apparatus including a tank having first and second chambers separated by a baffle, with a drain outlet from the first chamber and a connection for restricted liquid flow between the second chamber and the container so that the liquid level in the second chamber tends to be the same as in the container, the top of the baffle being below the top of the tank to permit liquid flow between the chambers over the baffle, and means for feeding liquid intermittently into one of the chambers at a mean rate greater than the mean rate of consumption of the means included in the container.
The liquid feeding means may be arranged to feed liquid into the first chamber, in which case the effective height of the drain outlet may be just above the top of the baffle. A second lower drain outlet may be provided from the first chamber.
The first chamber may be divided by a second baffle just higher than the firstmentioned baffle with the liquid fed into the part of the first chamber adjacent the firstmentioned baffle and the drain outlet in the other part of the first chamber. The liquid feeding means may be arranged to supply liquid to the second chamber, and the connection to the container may comprise one or more holes in a wall of the second chamber.
The tank may be in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped and the baffle can be constituted by a rectangular wall.
Preferably, a siphon constitutes the connection of the second chamber to the container.
In use of one embodiment, the liquid enters the first chamber which gradually fills up. When the liquid height reaches the top of the baffle, liquid flows over the baffle and into the second chamber raising the liquid level in the container. The baffle has two important functions, namely, it acts as a weir to prevent liquid from the container which has flowed into the second chamber from mixing freely with liquid in the first chamber and being freely passed out of the drain outlet, and it also prevents any air bubbles from the liquid feed reaching the siphon leading from the second chamber.
The drain feeding means may include a reservoir to which the drain outlet is connected, a header tank having an outlet for feeding liquid into said one of the chambers and a pump which is operated intermittently and connected to pump liquid from the reservoir into the header tank.
Preferably, the apparatus comprises a plurality of topping-up tanks commonly connected to the header tank, each tank being as defined above. This enables the apparatus to be used for topping up a plurality of containers, which is particularly useful where the containers to be topped up are the cells of a large battery.
The invention further provides a battery cell incorporating a topping-up apparatus as defined above.
Three forms of topping-up tank, each constructed in accordance with the invention, will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing topping-up apparatus incorporating a first form of topping-up tank;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the topping-up tank of Fig. 1 together with a battery cell which is to be topped-up;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the topping-up tank of Figs. 1 and 2;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the second form of topping-up tank; and
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the third form of topping-up tank.
Referring to the drawings Fig. 1 shows a battery cell 1 to which a topping-up tank 2 is fastened. The topping-up tank 2 is supplied with water from a reservoir 3 via a pump 4 and a header tank 5. The topping-up tank 2 has an inlet pipe 6 which is connected to a feed line 7 leading from the header tank 5.
The feed line 7 extends beyond the topping-up tank to a series of further topping-up tanks and battery cells (not shown) so that the same reservoir 3, pump 4 and header tank 5 can be used for toppingup a number of battery cells. Similarly, the topping-up tank 2 has a drain pipe 8 connected to a rcturn pipe 9 leading to the reservoir 3. Again, the return pipe 9 extends beyond the topping-up tank 2 to connect with the drain pipes of the other topping-up tanks.
The topping-up tank 2 is a parallelepiped and is divided into two chambers 10 and 11 by a rectangular baffle 12 (see Figs 2 and 3).
The inlet pipe 6 extends through the top of the tank 2 and above the first chamber 10.
The drain pipe 8 also communicates with the first chamber 10, but via a pair of drain outlets 13a and 13b. The outlet 13a is of relatively large cross-section and is situated in the side of the chamber 10 and just above the top of the baffle 12. The outlet 13b is of smaller cross-section and is situated below the first outlet 13a. A siphon tube 14, having one branch extending into the second chamber 11 and the other branch into the battery cell 1, constitutes the means for supplying topping-up water to the battery cell.
The topping-up tank 2 is fastened to the battery cell 1 in such a position that the top of the baffle 12 lies in the same plane as that of the desired electrolyte level in the battery cell.
In use, the header tank 5 is filled from the reservoir 3 by means of the pump 4. The header tank 5 fills the feed line 7 which runs to each cell topping-up tank in turn. The action of each topping tank is identical so the operation of the tank l only will be described. Water enters the first chamber 10 of the tank 1 via the inlet pipe 6. This chamber 10, which is smaller than the second chamber 11, fills up with water from the feed pipe 7 and then overflows into the second chamber 11. The second chamber 11 also fills up and the siphon tube 14 transfers water to the battery cell 1 if the electrolyte level is below the desired level. When the apparatus is being used for the first time, it is necessary to fill the siphon tube 14 with water and this is accomplished by a small suction device (not shown).
By virtue of the drain outlet 13b, the first chamber 10 drains down at a fairly slow rate until the water level reaches the top of the baffle 12. At this point, the larger drain outlet l 3a comes into action to provide a rapid drain down and prevent the tank 2 overflowing. Obviously, this rapid drain down only occurs when the second chamber 11 is full.
When the header tank 5 runs dry, the first chamber 10 of the tank 1 drains down to the reservoir, leaving the siphon 14 separated from the drain outlet 13a and 13b by a weir formed by the baffle 12.
Every 24 hours or so, the pump 4 is started up to repeat the cycle described above. On each such occasion, the pump 4 is run for a set period of about 5 or 10 minutes, after which period it automatically switches off. This running period of the pump 4 is chosen so as to provide the header tank 5 with sufficient water for the cycle and means that there is no need for complicated level controls.
The baffle 12 fulfils two important functions. Firstly, it acts as a weir to prevent the mixing of electolyte from adjacent battery cells, and secondly, it prevents air bubbles from the feed pipe 7 reaching the siphon 14.
The use of the topping-up tank 2 also helps to prevent stratification of the electrolyte in the battery cell 1, that is to say the specific gravity of the electrolyte tends to be fairly uniform throughout the cell. This is an important advantage as stratification can lead to the plates of the cell buckling and so to a shortened cell life.
Fig. 4 shows a modified form of toppingup tank 20. This tank has three chambers 21, 22 and 23 separated by a pair of baffles 24 and 25. The smallest chamber 21 is the central chamber and is formed between the two baffles 24 and 25. An inlet pipe 26 leads into the chamber 21, a siphon tube 27 is provided in the largest chamber 22 and a drain pipe 28 leads from the third chamber 23. The baffle 25 is slightly higher than the baffle 24.
In use, water enters the chamber 21 via the inlet pipe 26. When the water level reaches the top of the baffle 24, it overflows into the chamber 22. When the chamber 22 is full, the siphon tube 27 transfers water to the battery cell (not shown) until the levels in the battery cell and the chamber 22 are equalised. Any further water flowing into the tank 20 via the inlet 26 raises the water level until it reaches the top df the baffle 25.
It then flows into the third chamber 23 from where it drains back to the reservoir (not shown) via the drain pipe 28. In all other respects, the tank 20 is similar to the tank 2 of the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3, and has similar advantages. In addition, the tank 20 has the advantage of requiring simplified piping as compared with the tank 2.
Moreover, the third chamber reduces the amount of water which is circulated for each topping-up cycle.
In each of the above embodiments, the reservoir may be filled with water from a main supply at regular intervals of say 6 months or a year.
A number of modifications could be made to the topping-up tanks described above. In particular, they could be incorporated as part of the battery cells which they serve to top-up.
Figure 5 shows another modified form of topping-up tank 30. This tank has two chambers 31 and 32, the chamber 31 comprising the whole inner volume of the tank and the chamber 32 being contained within the chamber 31. A baffle 33 is common to the two chambers 31 and 32, and the chamber 32 is defined by the baffle 33 and walls of the chamber 31. An inlet pipe 34 has its orifice positioned above the chamber 32 so that liquid from it enters that chamber. A drain pipe 38 is provided towards the bottom of the chamber 31 outside of chamber 32. The chamber 32 has an outlet means in one of side walls at a lower level than the top of the baffle 33. This outlet means is in the form of two holes 35.
In use, water enters the chamber 32 via the inlet pipe 34. When the water reaches the top of the baffle 33 it overflows and escapes down the drain pipe 38. Assuming that water is not leaving the holes 35 faster than it is supplied by the inlet pipe 34, there is thus a constant head of water in the chamber 32.
The tank 30 is intended to form a part of a battery cell 36 as indicated in broken outline, the holes 35 communicating with the interior of the battery cell. By this means, the electrolyte is maintained at the level 37 shown dotted. The level 37 coincides with the top surface of the baffle 33. The tank 30 is used with the same supply arrangements as previously described.
WHAT WE CLAIM IS:
1. Apparatus for topping up the liquid level in a container including liquid consuming means, the apparatus including a tank having first and second chambers separated by a baffle, with a drain outlet from the first chamber and a connection for restricted liquid flow between the second chamber and the container so that the liquid level in the second chamber tends to be the same as in the container, the top of the baffle being below the top of the tank to permit liquid flow between the chambers over the baffle, and means for feeding liquid intermittently into one of the chambers at a mean rate greater than the mean rate of consumption of the means included in the container.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the liquid feeding means is arranged to feed liquid into the first chamber and the effective height of the drain outlet is just above the top of the baffle.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 including a second, restricted drain outlet from the first chamber, which outlet is lower than the top of the baffle.
4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the first chamber is divided into first and second parts by a second baffle the top of which is just above the top of the first-mentioned baffle, the liquid feeding means being arranged to feed liquid into the first part which is adjacent the firstmentioned baffle and a drain outlet is connected to the second part, so that the top of the second baffle defines the effective height of the drain outlet.
5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the liquid feeding means is arranged to feed liquid into the second chamber and the effective height of the drain outlet is lower than the top of the baffle.
6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the connection between the second chamber and the container is provided by a siphon.
7. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the tank is within the container and the connection between the second chamber and the container is provided by one or more holes in the wall of the second chamber.
8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the tank has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.
9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the liquid feeding means includes a reservoir to which the drain outlet is connected, a header tank having an outlet for feeding liquid into said one of the chambers and a pump which is operated intermittently and connected to pump liquid from the reservoir into the header tank.
10. Apparatus for topping up the liquid level in a container substantially as described herein with- reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 or modified or described with reference to Figure 4 or 5 of the accompanying drawings.
11. A secondary battery cell in the container of apparatus according to any preceding claim, which apparatus is used to maintain the level of electrolyte in the cell.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (11)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. main supply at regular intervals of say 6 months or a year. A number of modifications could be made to the topping-up tanks described above. In particular, they could be incorporated as part of the battery cells which they serve to top-up. Figure 5 shows another modified form of topping-up tank 30. This tank has two chambers 31 and 32, the chamber 31 comprising the whole inner volume of the tank and the chamber 32 being contained within the chamber 31. A baffle 33 is common to the two chambers 31 and 32, and the chamber 32 is defined by the baffle 33 and walls of the chamber 31. An inlet pipe 34 has its orifice positioned above the chamber 32 so that liquid from it enters that chamber. A drain pipe 38 is provided towards the bottom of the chamber 31 outside of chamber 32. The chamber 32 has an outlet means in one of side walls at a lower level than the top of the baffle 33. This outlet means is in the form of two holes 35. In use, water enters the chamber 32 via the inlet pipe 34. When the water reaches the top of the baffle 33 it overflows and escapes down the drain pipe 38. Assuming that water is not leaving the holes 35 faster than it is supplied by the inlet pipe 34, there is thus a constant head of water in the chamber 32. The tank 30 is intended to form a part of a battery cell 36 as indicated in broken outline, the holes 35 communicating with the interior of the battery cell. By this means, the electrolyte is maintained at the level 37 shown dotted. The level 37 coincides with the top surface of the baffle 33. The tank 30 is used with the same supply arrangements as previously described. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Apparatus for topping up the liquid level in a container including liquid consuming means, the apparatus including a tank having first and second chambers separated by a baffle, with a drain outlet from the first chamber and a connection for restricted liquid flow between the second chamber and the container so that the liquid level in the second chamber tends to be the same as in the container, the top of the baffle being below the top of the tank to permit liquid flow between the chambers over the baffle, and means for feeding liquid intermittently into one of the chambers at a mean rate greater than the mean rate of consumption of the means included in the container.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the liquid feeding means is arranged to feed liquid into the first chamber and the effective height of the drain outlet is just above the top of the baffle.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 including a second, restricted drain outlet from the first chamber, which outlet is lower than the top of the baffle.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the first chamber is divided into first and second parts by a second baffle the top of which is just above the top of the first-mentioned baffle, the liquid feeding means being arranged to feed liquid into the first part which is adjacent the firstmentioned baffle and a drain outlet is connected to the second part, so that the top of the second baffle defines the effective height of the drain outlet.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the liquid feeding means is arranged to feed liquid into the second chamber and the effective height of the drain outlet is lower than the top of the baffle.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the connection between the second chamber and the container is provided by a siphon.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the tank is within the container and the connection between the second chamber and the container is provided by one or more holes in the wall of the second chamber.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the tank has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the liquid feeding means includes a reservoir to which the drain outlet is connected, a header tank having an outlet for feeding liquid into said one of the chambers and a pump which is operated intermittently and connected to pump liquid from the reservoir into the header tank.

10. Apparatus for topping up the liquid level in a container substantially as described herein with- reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 or modified or described with reference to Figure 4 or 5 of the accompanying drawings.

11. A secondary battery cell in the container of apparatus according to any preceding claim, which apparatus is used to maintain the level of electrolyte in the cell.

GB38884/76A
1977-09-07
1977-09-07
Apparatus for topping-up the liquid level in a container

Expired

GB1588717A
(en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number
Priority Date
Filing Date
Title

GB38884/76A

GB1588717A
(en)

1977-09-07
1977-09-07
Apparatus for topping-up the liquid level in a container

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number
Priority Date
Filing Date
Title

GB38884/76A

GB1588717A
(en)

1977-09-07
1977-09-07
Apparatus for topping-up the liquid level in a container

Publications (1)

Publication Number
Publication Date

GB1588717A
true

GB1588717A
(en)

1981-04-29

Family
ID=10406263
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Application Number
Title
Priority Date
Filing Date

GB38884/76A
Expired

GB1588717A
(en)

1977-09-07
1977-09-07
Apparatus for topping-up the liquid level in a container

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GB
(1)

GB1588717A
(en)

1977

1977-09-07
GB
GB38884/76A
patent/GB1588717A/en
not_active
Expired

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