John J Rowlette, 59Seattle, WA

4507372, Mar 26, 1985

Apr 25, 1983

6/488199

John R. Rowlette - Monrovia CA

California Institute of Technology - Pasadena CA

H01M 456
H01M 462

429228

The power characteristics of a lead acid battery are improved by incorporating a dispersion of 1 to 10% by weight of a thermodynamically stable conductivity additive, such as conductive tin oxide coated glass fibers (34) of filamentary glass wool (42) in the positive active layer (32) carried on the grid (30) of the positive plate (16). Positive plate potential must be kept high enough to prevent reduction of the tin oxide to tin by utilizing an oversized, precharged positive paste.

4162990, Jul 31, 1979

Feb 22, 1974

5/444827

John J. Rowlette - Arcadia CA

B01J 118

252383

A method and composition for forming a thin film of evaporation retarding agent upon a water surface by applying to the water, solid macroscopic particles of a saturated, aliphatic, interface-active hydrocarbon in solid solution with a spreading agent, e. g. , a polyethylene glycol, that is soluble in both water and the hydrocarbon. Preferably, the particles are admixed with solid macroscopic particles of a filler material capable of generating a gas upon contact with water and compacted into a tablet, pellet or other solid unitary form for application to a water surface.

5334464, Aug 2, 1994

Aug 20, 1992

7/932521

John J. Rowlette - Monrovia CA

Bipolar Power Corporation - Whittier CA

H01M 220

429210

The Lightweight Battery Plates disclosed and claimed in this patent application solve the problems encountered by previous attempts to construct practical bipolar plates for lead-acid batteries. One of the preferred embodiments of the present invention comprises a novel combination of a self-repairing substrate (12) surrounded by a lead coating (16a & 16b) resulting in a bipolar plate (10A) which is nearly three times lighter than its pure lead counterpart. Since this innovative plate incorporates a core or substrate (12) that is self-passivating under the electrical potential and highly acidic conditions found in the lead-acid battery, any pinholes, gaps, or flaws in the lead coatings (16a & 16b) are naturally resealed. Another preferred embodiment utilizes a coating of a semi-conducting metal oxide (18), such as fluorine-doped stannic oxide, on the positive side of the bipolar plate (10B) instead of lead, which further reduces the weight. Alternative embodiments may utilize aluminum or aluminum alloy substrates, which can further lighten the plate but will forfeit its self-repairing quality.

4539268, Sep 3, 1985

Jun 17, 1983

6/505393

John J. Rowlette - Monrovia CA

California Institute of Technology - Pasadena CA

H01M 212
H01M 228

429 54

A low maintenance battery comprises a sealed casing (102) having a cavity (204) receiving a stack (108) of monopolar and bipolar plates (110, 112) interspersed with mats (122) of fiberglass felt immobilizing electrolyte and forming a gas path for diffusion of oxygen to the negative electrode (112). The casing contains a single, resealable vent (202). During charging, oxygen generated at the positive plate (110) diffuses through the mat (122) and decomposes at the negative plate (112). The negative plate (112) has a larger capacity than the positive plate (110) to prevent evolution of hydrogen. Voltage potential is increased or decreased by placing one or more bipolar plates (120) in series relation between alternating positive and negative monopolar plates that are connected in parallel to respective positive and negative battery terminals (104, 106). The monoplates (110, 112) are connected in parallel to respective positive and negative battery terminals (104, 106) by way of bus plates (114, 116, 130, 132). The resealable vent permits operation by way of the oxygen cycle which prevents loss of electrolyte.

5645959, Jul 8, 1997

Jul 29, 1994

8/283120

John J. Rowlette - Monrovia CA

Bipolar Power Corporation - Whittier CA

H01M 210

429210

The Battery Plates with Self-Passivating Iron Cores and Mixed Acid Electrolyte disclosed and claimed in this patent application solve the problems encountered by previous attempts to construct practical bipolar plates for lead-acid batteries. One of the preferred embodiments of the present invention comprises a novel combination of a self-repairing substrate (12) surrounded by a lead coating (16a & 16b) resulting in a bipolar plate (10A) which is nearly three times lighter than its pure lead counterpart. Since this innovative plate incorporates a core or substrate (12) that is self-passivating under the electrical potential and highly acidic conditions found in the lead-acid battery, any pinholes, gaps, or flaws in the lead coatings (16a & 16b) are naturally resealed. Another preferred embodiment utilizes a coating of a semi-conducting metal oxide (18), such as fluorine-doped stannic oxide, on the positive side of the bipolar plate (10B) instead of lead, which further reduces the weight. The self-passivation of the central core is enhanced by combining phosphoric or boric acid with the sulfuric acid electrolyte used in the battery.

4510219, Apr 9, 1985

Nov 14, 1983

6/550875

John J. Rowlette - Monrovia CA

California Institute of Technology - Pasadena CA

H01M 460

429212

The plate (10) comprises a matrix or binder resin phase (12) in which is dispersed particulate, conductive tin oxide such as tin oxide coated glass fibers (14). A monopolar plate (11) is prepared by coating a layer (18) of electrolytically active material onto a surface of the plate (10). Tin oxide is prevented from reduction by coating a surface of the plate (10) with a conductive, impervious layer resistant to reduction such as a thin film (22) of lead adhered to the plate with a layer (21) of conductive adhesive. The plate (10) can be formed by casting a molten dispersion from mixer (36) onto a sheet (30) of lead foil or by passing an assembly of a sheet (41) of resin, a sheet (43) of fiberglass and a sheet (45) of lead between the nip of heated rollers (48, 50).

5114807, May 19, 1992

Apr 30, 1990

7/516439

John J. Rowlette - Monrovia CA

California Institute of Technology - Pasadena CA

H01M 220

429152

An apparatus [10] is disclosed for a lightweight bipolar battery of the end-plate cell stack design. Current flow through a bipolar cell stack [12] is collected by a pair of copper end-plates [16a,16b] and transferred edgewise out of the battery by a pair of lightweight, low resistance copper terminals [28a,28b]. The copper terminals parallel the surface of a corresponding copper end-plate [16a,16b] to maximize battery throughput. The bipolar cell stack [12], copper end-plates [16a,16b] and copper terminals [28a,28b] are rigidly sandwiched between a pair of nonconductive rigid end-plates [20] having a lightweight fiber honeycomb core which eliminates distortion of individual plates within the bipolar cell stack due to internal pressures. Insulating foam [30] is injected into the fiber honeycomb core to reduce heat transfer into and out of the bipolar cell stack and to maintain uniform cell performance. A sealed battery enclosure [ 22] exposes a pair of terminal ends [26a,26b] for connection with an external circuit.

4542082, Sep 17, 1985

Feb 8, 1982

6/346414

John J. Rowlette - Monrovia CA

California Institute of Technology - Pasadena CA

H01M 648

429210

A liquid-impermeable plate (10) having throughplate conductivity with essentially zero resistance comprises an insulator sheet (12) having a series of spaced perforations (14) each of which contains a metal element (16) sealingly received into the perforation (14). A low-cost plate can readily be manufactured by punching a thermoplastic sheet (40) such as polypropylene with a punching tool (52), filling the apertures with lead spheres (63) having a diameter smaller than the holes (50) but larger than the thickness of the sheet, sweeping excess spheres (62) off the sheet with a doctor blade (60) and then pressing a heated platen (74) onto the sheet to swage the spheres into a cylindrical shape and melt the surrounding resin to form a liquid-impermeable collar (4) sealing the metal into the sheet.