Water loss separators used with lead acid batteries, systems for improved water loss performance, and methods of manufacture and use thereof
View Patent ↗In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure is directed to new or improved battery separators, components, materials, additives, surfactants, lead acid batteries, systems, vehicles, and/or related methods of production and/or use. In at least certain embodiments, the instant disclosure is directed to surfactants or other additives for use with a battery separator for use in a lead acid battery, to battery separators with a surfactant or other additive, and/or to batteries including such separators. In at least certain select embodiments, the instant disclosure relates to new or improved lead acid battery separators and/or systems including improved water loss technology and/or methods of manufacture and/or use thereof. In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure is directed toward a new or improved lead acid battery separator or system with one or more surfactants and/or additives, and/or methods for constructing lead acid battery separators and batteries with such surfactants and/or additives for improving and/or reducing water loss from the battery.
1. A battery separator for a lead acid battery comprising a porous nonconductor having a water loss reducing additive or surfactant, said additive or surfactant comprises a methallyl-capped nonionic surfactant.
2. The battery separator of claim 1 wherein said additive or surfactant being about 2-6% of the nonconductor.
3. The battery separator of claim 1 wherein the additive or surfactant having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance (HLB) value less than 2.5.
4. The battery separator of claim 3 wherein the additive or surfactant having an HLB value of about 1.
5. The battery separator of claim 1 wherein the surfactant or additive further comprises an ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymer.
6. The battery separator of claim 1 wherein the additive or surfactant is within or on a surface of the nonconductor.
7. The battery separator of claim 6 wherein the additive or surfactant is roller coated, immersion coated, or spray coated on the nonconductor.
8. The battery separator of claim 1 wherein the additive or surfactant further comprising an alkoxylated alcohol derivative.
9. The battery separator of claim 1 wherein the additive or surfactant further comprising zinc, zinc sulfate, bismuth, silver, tin, selenium, cadmium, germanium, or a combination thereof.
10. The battery separator of claim 9 wherein the additive or surfactant is within or on a surface of the separator.
11. A battery comprising the separator of claim 1 .
12. A vehicle comprising the battery of claim 11 .
13. A method of making the battery separator of claim 1 comprising the step of: adding the water loss reducing additive or surfactant to the porous nonconductor.
14. The battery separator of claim 1 wherein said porous nonconductor being microporous and including polyethylene and silica.
15. The battery separator of claim 1 wherein said additive or surfactant being about 0.5-60% of the nonconductor.