Patent ID: 6213145
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: H01M,Y02E,Y02T,Y10T

Abstract:
In a mobile utility vehicle powered by a plurality of liquid electrolytic batteries, each of said plurality of batteries including a battery manifold for replenishing electrolytic cells in a corresponding one of said plurality of batteries with water, said manifold also being capable of transmitting, out of said corresponding one of said plurality of batteries, gas generated during recharging, the improvement comprising:(a) a vehicle frame for carrying said plurality of batteries; and(b) a water supply system for circulating water to said manifold during recharging, said water supply system including(1) a storage tank on said frame for storing water,(2) a hydraulic circuit for connecting each of said plurality of batteries to said storage tank in a separate, parallel circuit, each separate, parallel circuit including(i) an inlet tubing between said storage tank and each manifold, and(ii) an outlet tubing between each manifold and said storage tank, said outlet tubing being arranged to collect gas transmitted from said manifold in the form of gas bubbles with water entrapped between said bubbles, and whereby said bubbles flow to said storage tank due to pressure build up in said corresponding one of said plurality of batteries causing flow of water through said manifold and said hydraulic circuit during recharging, and(3) a one-way flow valve control for permitting water flow in a direction only into said inlet tubing means.