LEAD-ACID BATTERY DESIGN HAVING VERSATILE FORM FACTOR
A lead-acid battery is disclosed, wherein the battery comprises battery modules connected in series, a sealed container, a positive terminal, and a negative terminal. A battery module, in turn, comprises one or more cell assemblies electrically connected in parallel. Next in the hierarchical design, each cell assembly comprises a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series. Finally, each electrochemical cell comprises a cathode and an anode ionically connected via a separator. In some embodiments, the plurality of modules are disposed within a common cavity in fluid communication via a common fluid. In some embodiments, each battery module has an electric potential of approximately 12 V. In some embodiments, the battery comprises four battery modules and provides a minimum electric potential of approximately 48V.
1 . A battery comprising:
a plurality of battery modules connected in series, wherein:
each battery module comprises one or more cell assemblies electrically connected in parallel,
each cell assembly comprises a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series, and
each electrochemical cell comprises a cathode and an anode ionically connected via a separator;
a container in which the battery modules are sealed from outside the battery; and
a positive terminal and a negative terminal for connecting the outside to the electrically connected battery modules.
2 . The battery of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of modules are disposed within a common cavity in fluid communication via a common fluid.
3 . The battery of claim 2 , wherein a common fluid comprises a gas.
4 . The battery of claim 1 , wherein each battery module has an electric potential of approximately 12 V.
5 . The battery of claim 4 , wherein the battery comprises four battery modules and provides a minimum electric potential of approximately 48V.
6 . The battery of claim 1 , wherein each cell assembly comprises a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series via wire grids.
7 . The battery of claim 1 , wherein the battery modules are stacked on top of one another.
8 . The battery of claim 7 , wherein one pair of the battery modules is connected via a power bus.
9 . The battery of claim 8 , wherein the power bus is attached to the pair of batteries by ultrasonic welding.
10 . The battery of claim 8 , wherein the power bus has a serpentine configuration.
11 . The battery of claim 1 , further comprising an isolator plate placed between two adjacent battery modules.
12 . The battery of claim 11 , wherein the isolator plate comprises rib supports on both sides.
13 . The battery of claim 11 , wherein the isolator plate comprises a chemical reservoir.
14 . The battery of claim 1 comprising an approximately 10-20 Ahr battery.
15 . The battery of claim 1 comprising an approximately 15 Ahr battery.