A grid network for a battery plate is provided. The grid network includes a plurality of spaced apart grid wire elements, each grid wire element having opposed ends joined to one of a plurality of nodes. Each node includes the juncture of one of the opposed ends of a plurality of the grid wire elements to define a plurality of open spaces in the grid network. At least one of the grid wire elements has a first transverse cross-section intermediate its opposed ends that is a different shape than a second transverse cross-section at least one of the grid wire element's opposed ends.
1. A battery plate comprising:
a grid network, the grid network comprising a plurality of spaced apart grid wire elements, each grid wire element having opposed ends joined to one of a plurality of nodes, each node comprising the juncture of one of the opposed ends of a plurality of the grid wire elements, to define a plurality of open spaces in the grid network;
wherein at least one of the grid wire elements has a first transverse cross-section intermediate its opposed ends that is a different shape than a second transverse cross-section at least one of the grid wire element's opposed ends.
2. The battery plate of claim 1 , wherein the first transverse cross-section is generally non-rectangular-shaped and the second transverse cross-section is generally rectangular-shaped.
3. The battery plate of claim 2 , wherein the first transverse cross-section has a shape that is selected from the group consisting of generally octagon-shaped, generally hexagon-shaped, generally diamond-shaped, generally rhomboid-shaped, and generally oval-shaped.
4. The battery plate of claim 1 , the first transverse cross-section is rotated in relation to the second transverse cross-section.
5. The battery plate of claim 4 , wherein the first transverse cross-section is rotated 45 degrees in relation to the second transverse cross-section.
6. The battery plate of claim 1 , wherein the battery plate is manufactured in a strip of multiple battery plates and then separated into individual battery plates.
7. The battery plate of claim 6 , wherein the strip of multiple battery plates is manufactured by strip expansion.
8. The battery plate of claim 1 , wherein the battery plate is coined during manufacture.
9. The battery plate of claim 8 , wherein the at least one grid element has a substantially continuous transverse cross-section between its opposed ends before the battery plate is coined.
10. The battery plate of claim 1 wherein the grid network is comprised of a lead-calcium alloy.
11. The battery plate of claim 1 , wherein the battery plate further comprises a frame element bordering the battery grid.
12. A battery plate comprising:
a grid network comprising a plurality of spaced apart grid wire elements, each grid wire element having opposed ends, at least one of the ends is joined to one of a plurality of nodes, each node comprising the juncture of the opposed ends of a plurality of the grid wire elements, to define a plurality of open spaces in the grid network;
wherein at least one of the grid wire elements has a first transverse cross-section intermediate its opposed ends that is a different shape than a second transverse cross-section at least one of the grid wire element's opposed ends.
13. The battery plate of claim 12 , wherein the first transverse cross-section is generally non-rectangular-shaped and the second transverse cross-section is generally rectangular-shaped.
14. The battery plate of claim 13 , wherein the first transverse cross-section has a shape that is selected from the group consisting of generally octagon-shaped, generally hexagon-shaped, generally diamond-shaped, generally rhomboid-shaped, and generally oval-shaped.
15. The battery plate of claim 12 , the first transverse cross-section is rotated in relation to the second transverse cross-section.
16. The battery plate of claim 15 , wherein the first transverse cross-section is rotated 45 degrees in relation to the second transverse cross-section.
17. The battery plate of claim 12 , wherein the battery plate is manufactured in a strip of multiple battery plates and then separated into individual battery plates.
18. The battery plate of claim 17 , wherein the strip of multiple battery plates is manufactured by strip expansion.
19. The battery plate of claim 12 , wherein the battery plate is coined during manufacture.
20. The battery plate of claim 19 , wherein the at least one grid element has a substantially continuous transverse cross-section between its opposed ends before the battery plate is coined.