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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Method of making a mat-immobilized-electrolyte battery

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6263594
A method is described of assembling and preparing a mat-immobilized-electrolyte, Pb-acid storage battery for service comprising the steps of: alternatively stacking a plurality of positive and negative polarity electrodes together so as to provide a cell element having an inter-electrode gap between adjacent electrodes during the operation of the battery; positioning a separator in each said gap, said separator comprising a mat of randomly oriented, resilient glass fibers and a binder holding said mat in a stressed state at a compressed thickness which is at least about 10 percent less than said gap, said mat, in its uncompressed state, having a thickness greater than said gap, and said binder comprising a resin which is substantially insoluable in the battery's electrolyte but is sufficiently degradable therein under battery formation conditions as to free said mat from said stressed state during formation; positioning the stacked electrodes and separators in a battery container; introducing said electrolyte into said container such that it quickly flows between said electrodes substantially unencumbered by said compressed mat; allowing said battery to stand for a time sufficient to pickle said electrodes; and thereafter electrolytically forming said battery so as to initially charge said battery and so degrade said binder that said mat expands into tight engagement with the electrodes adjacent thereto.
Assignee:
General Motors Corp., Detroit, MI (United States)
Patent Number(s):
A; US 5240468
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-933603
OSTI ID:
6263594
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English