Battery separator with gel impregnated nonwoven for lead acid battery
View Patent ↗In one embodiment, battery separator for a lead acid battery includes a gel impregnated nonwoven. The nonwoven includes an acid dissolvable fiber and a non-acid dissolvable fiber. The gel may have a basis weight in a range of about 20-160% of the nonwoven's basis weight. In another embodiment, battery separator for a lead acid battery includes a microporous membrane with the gel impregnated nonwoven adhered thereto.
1. A battery separator for a lead acid battery comprising:
a nonwoven comprising a blend of an acid dissolvable fiber and a non-acid dissolvable fiber, and a weight ratio of acid dissolvable fiber to non-acid dissolvable fiber being in a range of about 20-80:20-80; and a gel impregnated into said nonwoven.
2. The battery separator of claim 1 wherein said nonwoven having a basis weight and said gel having a basis weight in a range of about 20-160% of said nonwoven basis weight.
3. The battery separator of claim 1 wherein said gel being a silica gel.
4. The battery separator of claim 1 wherein said acid dissolvable fiber being cellulosic fibers.
5. The battery separator of claim 1 wherein said non-acid dissolvable fiber being polymer and/or glass fibers.
6. The battery separator of claim 1 further comprising a microporous membrane adhered to said gel impregnated nonwoven.
7. The battery separator of claim 6 wherein said membrane being a polymer filled membrane.
8. The battery separator of claim 7 wherein said polymer being a polyolefin.
9. The battery separator of claim 7 wherein said filler being a silica based material.
10. The battery separator of claim 6 wherein said membrane having ribs.
11. The battery separator of claim 10 wherein said ribs being ribs running in a machine direction and/or a cross machine direction.
12. The battery separator of claim 6 wherein said nonwoven being adhered to said membrane by bonding.
13. The battery separator of claim 12 wherein said bonding being gluing and/or welding.
14. The battery separator of claim 13 wherein said welding including pressure, thermal, and/or ultrasonic.
15. A battery comprising the battery separator of claim 1 .
16. A battery separator for a lead acid battery comprising:
a nonwoven comprising a blend of non-dissolvable fibers; and tubes formed of a gel.
17. A battery comprising the battery separator of claim 16 .
18. A gel impregnated nonwoven for use in a composite battery separator for a lead acid battery comprising a gel impregnated nonwoven comprising a blend of non-dissolvable fibers and tubes formed of a gel.
19. A battery comprising the nonwoven of claim 18 .