Valve assembly for a battery cover

1. A valve assembly for a battery cover, the valve assembly comprising:

a valve cover having a base with an aperture having a first radius in fluid communication with an internal chamber defined by a cylindrical projection coupled to the base, the cylindrical projection having a second internal radius and a third internal radius, wherein the first radius is smaller than the second radius, which is smaller than the third radius;

a valve provided in the internal chamber; and

a valve holder provided in the internal chamber in a region of the internal chamber having the third internal radius, the valve holder having a base, a cylindrical projection extending from the base, and a side cutout provided in both the cylindrical projection and the base.

2. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the base features a circumferential depression.

3. The valve assembly of claim 2 , wherein the aperture is provided in the center of the circumferential depression.

4. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the valve assembly may be tested prior to installation on a battery cover.

5. A battery cover having the valve assembly of claim 1 .

6. A battery having the battery cover of claim 5 .

7. A battery comprising:

a housing having battery elements;

a battery cover on the housing having a recess sized to accept a valve assembly;

a valve assembly having a valve cover, a valve, and a valve holder;

wherein the valve cover features a base having a cylindrical projection and an aperture, the aperture having a first radius in fluid communication with an internal chamber defined by the cylindrical projection, the cylindrical projection having a second internal radius and a third internal radius;

wherein the valve holder has a base, a cylindrical projection extending from a base, and a side cutout provided in both the cylindrical projection and the base; and

wherein the valve holder and the valve are provided within the internal chamber.

8. The battery of claim 7 , wherein the first radius is smaller than the second radius, which is smaller than the third radius.

9. The battery of claim 7 , wherein the valve holder is provided in a section of the internal chamber having the third radius.

10. The battery of claim 9 , wherein the valve is provided between the valve holder and the cylindrical projection.

11. The battery of claim 10 , wherein the valve is positioned between the valve holder and the cylindrical projection in the internal chamber in an area having the third radius.

12. The battery of claim 11 , wherein a portion of the valve extends into an area in the internal chamber having a second radius.

13. The battery of claim 7 , wherein the base has a circumferential depression.

14. The battery of claim 13 , wherein the aperture is approximately in the center of the circumferential depression.