Patent ID: 6641951
Filing Date: 2003-11-04
Classification: H01M,Y02E,Y02P,Y02T

Abstract:
A battery system for deep discharge applications comprising valve-regulated, lead-acid cells, each cell including multiple positive and negative plates with separators therebetween assembled in a separate casing having exterior terminals outside the casing whereby the cells may be electrically interconnected and wherein said casing includes flexible walls that bulge outwardly when externally uncompressed due to internal pressure exerted by the plates and separators, said system comprising:(a) a battery housing having a base, a top wall, and a pair of side walls; (b) at least one restraint extending horizontally between and attached to said side walls for preventing the bowing thereof, said at least one restraint dividing said battery housing into at least two sections; (c) at least one vertical stack containing at least three of said separately cased cells so positioned in each of said sections that said positive and negative plates are horizontally oriented; (d) each of said separately cased cells in said stack bearing against at least one other said separately cased cell; (e) the vertical inside dimension of each said section being less than the combined vertical dimension of the stack of said separately cased cells when externally uncompressed; and (f) whereby initial contact is established between the plates and separators.