Importance

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Abstract

An improved storage battery of the lead-acid class includes grid structures provided with grid complement means in the form of enclosure bodies of a chemically inert material selectively arranged about portions of the grid structure to protectively reinforce same. These protectively reinforced grid structures, embodied in either a negative plate or a positive plate, may be utilized advantageously in making and operatingthe lead-acid battery, and are desirable for plates in which an active material is contained in tubes or occurs in pasted form. The enclosure bodies may be a material impermeable to electrolyte. Where the grid structure for a positive plate is provided with an antimony content, the enclosure bodies constitute a barrier which substantially inhibits release of antimony from all portions of the grid structure which are not in contact with the active material. There is thus achieved a lead-acid battery having the advantages of an antimony-free battery requiring little or no maintenance on the one hand, and a battery with an antimony content in its grid structure which imparts reinforced grid strength and long operating life under deep discharge conditions on the other hand, particularly with respect to positive plates. Certain desirable forms of the enclosure bodies may include means whereby corrosion of some parts of the positive grid structure is inhibited by lengthening the path of sulfate ion flow to the parts where corrosion may occur. It should be noted that the sulfate ion flow to these portions of the grid should be limited only to an extent such that no soluble lead hydrates are formed. Battery plates may be combined with the grid complement means and when so combined may be electrochemically formed or charged in an improved manner.

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First Claim