SEPARATOR FOR LEAD ACID BATTERY
Separators for lead-acid batteries, and lead-acid batteries including the same are provided. The separator includes a first layer made of a rubber material and a second layer made of a polymer material.
1 . A separator for a lead-acid battery comprising:
a first layer made of a rubber material; and
a second layer made of a polymer material.
2 . The separator of claim 1 , wherein the rubber material comprises natural rubber.
3 . The separator of claim 1 , wherein the polymer material comprises polyethylene.
4 . The separator of claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises a backweb having a first side and a second side, the first side being flat and the second side having a plurality of ridges extending therefrom.
5 . The separator of claim 1 , wherein the separator further comprises a reinforcing layer.
6 . The separator of claim 4 , wherein the separator further comprises a reinforcing layer and the reinforcing layer is adjacent to the plurality of ridges and the second layer is adjacent to the first side.
7 . The separator of claim 1 , wherein the second layer is an envelope adapted to contain an electrode.
8 . The separator of claim 4 , wherein the backweb has a thickness of 0.008 to 0.012 inches.
9 . The separator of claim 1 , wherein the second layer comprises a backweb having a first side and a second side, the first side being flat and the second side having a plurality of ridges extending therefrom.
10 . The separator of claim 1 , wherein the separator further comprises a reinforcing layer and the reinforcing layer is adjacent to the plurality of ridges and the first layer is adjacent to the first side.
11 . The separator of claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises foamed rubber.
12 . The separator of claim 9 , wherein the first layer comprises foamed rubber, and the first layer is adjacent to the plurality of ridges.
13 . A lead-acid battery comprising:
a negative electrode;
a positive electrode;
at least one separator between the negative electrode and the positive electrode comprising:
a first layer comprising a rubber material; and
a second layer comprising a polymer material; and
an electrolyte.
14 . The battery of claim 13 , wherein the first layer comprises natural rubber and the second layer comprises polyethylene.
15 . The battery of claim 13 , wherein the first layer comprises a backweb having a first side and a second side, the first side being flat and adjacent to the second layer and the second side having a plurality of ridges extending therefrom, the plurality of ridges facing the positive electrode.
16 . The battery of claim 15 , further comprising a reinforcing layer, the reinforcing layer being between the plurality of ridges and the positive electrode.
17 . The battery of claim 13 , wherein the second layer is an envelope surrounding the negative electrode.
18 . The battery of claim 13 , wherein the second layer comprises a backweb having a first side and a second side, the first side being flat and adjacent to the first layer and the second side having a plurality of ridges extending therefrom, the plurality of ridges facing the positive electrode.
19 . The battery of claim 18 , wherein the first layer comprises foamed rubber, and the first layer is between the plurality of ridges and the positive electrode.
20 . A lead-acid battery comprising:
a negative electrode;
a positive electrode;
at least one separator between the negative electrode and the positive electrode comprising:
a rubber layer comprising natural rubber; and
a polymer layer surrounding the negative electrode and comprising polyethylene; and
an electrolyte,
the rubber layer having a backweb with a first side and a second side, the first side being flat and adjacent to the polymer layer and the second side having a plurality of ridges extending therefrom, the plurality of ridges facing the positive electrode.