Patent · US Expired

Fluid control apparatus

US4762757A · kind A · utility

2Cited by
4References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 13, 1987
Grant dateAug 9, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 13, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01M6/38
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A fluid control apparatus for selectively providing a stored fluid to a working environment for the fluid includes a container for storing the fluid. The container is arranged as a metal thimble with longitudinal score lines evenly spaced about its diameter. A weight is attached to one end of the thimble to provide a force on the thimble in a longitudinal direction as a result of a corresponding acceleration of the thimble. The scoring lines produce stress concentrations and serve to weaken the thimble in its radial direction. The longitudinal force produced by the weight during acceleration results in a collapse of the thimble and a rupture of the walls of the thimble along the score lines to produce exit orifices for the fluid stored in the thimble. In one embodiment of the present invention, the fluid is an electrolyte, and the fluid control apparatus is used in a reserve activated battery housing to store the electrolyte until the acceleration induced collapse of the thimble. The electrolyte is delivered from the ruptured thimble to adjacent electrodes to activate the battery.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.