Apparatus for assembling a battery

Abstract

The invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for assembling a battery. The invention includes an improved apparatus and method for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case. The apparatus comprises a device for moving a carrier with fluid pressure through fluid conduits disposed internal a shaft. A novel case stop is disclosed for stopping and positioning a battery case on a support. A method is disclosed for heating a battery case with a case heater. A conveyor system is included for sequentially moving a plurality of flat battery components such as case closures.

1 . An improved apparatus for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case, comprising: 
 a horizontal conveyor for moving the case into a sealing position adjacent to a vertical column;    a platen carrier being vertically and rotationally movable relative to said column;    a platen mounted to said platen carrier with said platen comprising a case heater;    a receiver carrier being vertically movable relative to said column;    a closure receiver mounted to said receiver carrier with said closure receiver having a closure retainer for retaining a closure thereby;    platen carrier drive vertically and rotationally moving said platen carrier to locate said case heater for heating the case thereby;    said platen carrier drive vertically and rotationally moving said platen carrier to relocate said case heater from heating the case; and    receiver carrier drive for vertically moving said receiver carrier to position the closure into engagement with the case to heat seal the closure to the case.    
     
     
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         44 . An improved apparatus for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case, comprising: 
 a conveyor for moving the case into a sealing position;    a platen comprising a case heater and a closure heater with each of said case heater and said closure heater having independent operating temperature;    platen carrier drive for moving said platen into engagement with the case for enabling said case heater to heat the case;    receiver carrier drive for moving the closure into engagement with said platen for enabling said closure heater to heat the closure; and    said receiver carrier drive for moving the closure into engagement with the case to heat seal the closure to the case.    
     
     
         45 . An improved apparatus for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case set forth in  claim 44 , wherein said case heater and said closure heater are located adjacent opposed sides of said platen.  
     
     
         46 . An improved apparatus for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case set forth in  claim 44 , including a thermal insulator disposed between said case heater and said closure heater.  
     
     
         47 . An improved apparatus for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case as set forth in  claim 44 , wherein said case heater and said closure heater simultaneously heats the case and the closure, respectively.  
     
     
         48 . An improved apparatus for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case as set forth in  claim 44 , wherein said platen is removable mounted to said platen carrier drive for enabling said platen to be changed for accommodating for a different size battery case.  
     
     
         48 . An improved apparatus for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case as set forth in  claim 44 , wherein said  
     
     
         50 . An improved apparatus for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case, comprising: 
 a conveyor for moving the case into a sealing position;    a platen carrier being movable relative to said sealing position;    a platen mounted to said platen carrier with said platen defining a case heater and a closure heater;    a thermal insulator disposed between said case heater and said closure heater for enabling each of said case heater and said closure heater to have independent operating temperature    a receiver carrier being movable relative to said sealing position;    a closure receiver mounted to said receiver carrier for retaining a closure;    a platen carrier drive for moving said platen into engagement with the case for enabling said case heater to heat the case;    receiver carrier drive for moving the closure into engagement with said platen for enabling said closure heater to heat the closure simultaneously with said case heater heating the case;    said receiver carrier drive moving said receiver carrier to locate the closure out of engagement with the closure heater;    said platen carrier drive moving said platen out of engagement with the case; and    said receiver carrier drive for moving the closure into engagement with the case to heat seal the closure to the case.