Claims:We claim:
1. A device (100) for automatic feeding of electrolyte (102) to a battery, said device (100) comprising:
a reservoir (106) adapted to store electrolyte (102), where said reservoir (106) defines at least one opening (108), said opening (108) is co-axial to a vent hole (110) defined in a container (122) of said battery (104); and
at least one vent cap (112), where a portion of said vent cap (112) is adapted to be received by said at least one opening (108) and said vent hole (110), where said vent cap (112) defines a first fluid flow path (114) adapted to facilitate electrolyte (102) flow from said reservoir (106) to said container (122) of said battery (104).
2. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first fluid flow path (114) of said at least one vent cap (112) defines,
an inlet (118) in fluid communication with said electrolyte (102), said inlet (118) is adapted to facilitate entry of electrolyte (102) from said reservoir (106) to said first fluid flow path (114); and
an outlet (120), said outlet (120) adapted to facilitate exit of electrolyte (102) from said first fluid flow path (114) to said container (122) of said battery (104).
3. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reservoir (106) comprises a level indicator (128) adapted to indicate level of electrolyte (102) in said reservoir (106),
wherein
said level indicator (128) is one of an electronic indicator or a mechanical indicator;
said electrolyte (102) is distilled water; and
said reservoir (106) is located upstream said container (122) of said battery (104).

4. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vent cap (112) defines a second fluid flow path (116) adapted to vent gas from said container (122) of said battery (104) to atmosphere, where said second fluid flow path (116) defines,
an inlet (124), said inlet (124) is adapted to facilitate entry of gas from said container (122) of said battery (104) to said second fluid flow path (116); and
an outlet (126), said outlet (126) is adapted to facilitate exit of gas from said second fluid flow path (116) to atmosphere.

5. The device (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said at least one vent cap (112) includes a head (112H) and a body (112B) extending from said head (112H),
wherein
said body (112B) is received by said at least one opening (108) of said reservoir (106) and said vent hole (110) of said container (122) of said battery (104);
said head (112H) is spaced away from said reservoir (106);
said reservoir (106) is located upstream to said container (122) of said battery (104);
said first fluid flow path (114) is located in said body (112B);
said second fluid flow path (116) extends from said head (112H) to said body (112B);
said inlet (124) of said second fluid flow path (116) is located in said head (112H);
said outlet (126) of said second fluid flow path (116) is located in said body (112B);
a diameter of said body (112B) is lesser than a diameter of said head (112B) of said vent cap (112);
said first fluid flow path (114) and said second fluid flow path (116) are independent fluid flow paths;
said second fluid flow path (116) is parallel and spaced away from said first fluid flow path (114); and
a diameter of said first fluid flow path (114) and said second fluid flow path (116) is one of equal diameter or unequal diameter.

6. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device (100) comprises a bi-metallic strip (107) adapted to facilitate electrolyte (102) flow from said reservoir (106) to said first fluid flow path (114),
wherein
one end of said bi-metallic strip (107) is in fluid communication with said reservoir (106) and another end of said bi-metallic strip (107) is in fluid communication with the inlet (118) of said first fluid flow path (114); flow of electrolyte (102) from said reservoir (106) into said container (122) via said first fluid flow path (114) and said bi-metallic strip (107) is through capillary action; and
said reservoir (106) is one of detachably attached or rigidly attached onto the container (122) of said battery (104)
7. A method (200) for automatic feeding of electrolyte (102) to a battery (104), said method (200) comprising:
allowing (202) electrolyte (102) flow from a reservoir (106) to a first fluid flow path (114) defined in at least one vent cap (112); and
allowing (204) electrolyte (102) flow from the first fluid flow path (114) of the vent cap (112) to a container (122) of the battery (104).
8. The method (200) as claimed in claim 7, where said method (200) comprises venting (206) by, a second fluid flow path (116) defined in the vent cap (112), a gas from the container (122) of the battery (104) to atmosphere,
wherein
the second fluid flow path (116) defines an inlet (124) adapted to facilitate entry of gas from the container (122) of the battery (104) to the second fluid flow path (116) and an outlet (126), where the outlet (126) is adapted to facilitate exit of gas from the second fluid flow path (116) to the atmosphere, where the gas is hydrogen which is generated in the battery (104);
the first fluid flow path (114) and the second fluid flow path (116) are independent fluid flow paths; and
the second fluid flow path (114) is parallel and spaced away from the first fluid flow path (114).

9. The method (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said allowing electrolyte (102) flow from the reservoir (106) to the first fluid flow path (114) defined in at least one vent cap (112) includes,
allowing by, a bi-metallic strip (107), the electrolyte (102) flow from the reservoir (106) to the first fluid flow path (114) of the vent cap (112) through capillary action,
wherein
the first fluid flow path (114) defines an inlet (118) adapted to facilitate entry of electrolyte (102) from the reservoir (106) to the first fluid flow path (114) and an outlet (120), where the outlet (120) is adapted to facilitate exit of electrolyte (102) from the first fluid flow path (114) to the container (122) of the battery (104); and
one end of the bi-metallic strip (107) is in fluid communication with the reservoir (106) and another end of the bi-metallic strip (107) is in fluid communication with the inlet (118) of the first fluid flow path (114).

10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said method (200) comprises,
feeding electrolyte (102) to the reservoir (106); and
measuring by a level indicator (128) electrolyte level in said reservoir (106),
wherein
the level indicator (128) is one of an electronic indicator or a mechanical indicator; and
the reservoir (106) is located upstream to the container (122) of the battery (104).
, Description:FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to the field of battery and more particularly to a device and a method for automatic feeding of electrolyte to the battery.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[002] In a battery, sulfuric acid with a defined concentration is used. During working of the battery, a part of the electrolyte gets evaporated and therefore the concentration of the sulfuric acid increases. The ability of the battery to charge decreases with increase in concentration of sulphuric acid and hence necessitates additional feeding of electrolyte at regular intervals. For batteries that are used in off-road vehicles, topping up of electrolyte becomes difficult and also the extreme conditions under which these vehicle operate vis-à-vis a passenger vehicle, causes the electrolyte to evaporate at a faster rate leading to decrease in life of the battery. In order to increase the life of the battery, the capacity of the battery can be increased, or the size of the battery container can be increased to accommodate more volume of electrolyte. However, the size of battery container cannot be increased due to space consideration.
[003] Also, the electrolyte in the battery undergoes electrolysis leading to the formation of H2 and vapor, this should be expelled out of the battery as the accumulation of H2 in the battery may lead to bulging of battery and if not rectified may lead explosion of the battery due to increase in pressure of accumulated hydrogen. The H2 and vapor may also mix with the electrolyte present in the battery leading to contamination of electrolyte.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[004] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
[005] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a device for automatic feeding of electrolyte to a battery.
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a method for automatic feeding of electrolyte to a battery.
[007] An object of the present invention is to provide a reservoir located upstream to the battery for automatic feeding of electrolyte to the battery.
[008] Another object of the present invention is to provide at least one vent cap in the reservoir for enabling feeding of electrolyte from the reservoir to the battery and for enabling venting out of gas from the battery to the atmosphere.
[009] Another object of the present invention is to increase the life of battery by automatically feeding proportioned amount of electrolyte to the battery and also venting the gas from the battery to the atmosphere.
[0010] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, when read with the accompanying figures of drawing, which are however not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
[0011] The foregoing and other features of embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.
[0012] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these embodiments.
[0013] Figure 1 illustrates a device for automatic feeding of electrolyte to a battery;
[0014] Figure 2 illustrates a vent cap; and
[0015] Figure 3 illustrates a method for automatic feeding of electrolyte to the battery.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable a person skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, and other changes may be made within the scope of the embodiments. Also, the words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other similar forms are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The following detailed description is, therefore, not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, but instead the invention is to be defined by the appended claims the terms “first fluid flow path” and “second fluid flow path” used herein in the specification is to be understood with respect to a reference object.
[0017] Figure 1 illustrates a device (100) for automatic feeding of electrolyte (102) to a battery (104). In an embodiment, the device (100) comprises a reservoir (106), at least one bi-metallic strip (107) and at least one vent cap (112). The reservoir (106) is adapted to store electrolyte (102). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the electrolyte (102) is considered to be distilled water. The reservoir (106) defines at least one opening (108) that is co-axial to a vent hole (110) defined in a container (122) of the battery (104), as shown in fig. 1). The vent cap (112) is adapted to facilitate electrolyte flow from the reservoir (106) to the container (122) of the battery (104). Further, the vent cap (112) is adapted to vent a gas from the container (122) of the battery (104) to atmosphere. A portion of the vent cap (112) is adapted to be received by the at least one opening (108) of the reservoir (106) and the vent hole (110) of container (122). The vent cap (112) defines a first fluid flow path (114), as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2) adapted to facilitate electrolyte (102) to flow from the reservoir (106) to the container (122) of the battery (104). In an embodiment the battery (104) may be mounted on a vehicle, the vehicle being one of a passenger vehicle, a farm vehicle, a commercial vehicle or an off-road vehicle.
[0018] The reservoir (106) is located upstream to the battery (104) for enabling electrolyte flow to the container (122) due to the gravity and capillary action. The co-axiality of the vent hole (110) and the opening (108) ensures that the electrolyte (102) from the reservoir flows directly into the container (122) via the first fluid flow path (114) and there is no loss in volume of electrolyte (102) from the reservoir (106) to the container (122). The shape of reservoir (106) is such that it matches with the profile of the container (122).
[0019] The reservoir (106) is one of detachably attached or rigidly attached onto the container (122) of the battery (104). The reservoir (106) comprises a level indicator (128), as shown in fig. 1) adapted to indicate level of electrolyte (102) in the reservoir (106), where the level indicator (128) is one of an electronic indicator or a mechanical indicator. By having the level indicator (128) in the reservoir (106) the electrolyte (102) in the reservoir (106) can be topped up as and when the level of electrolyte (102) in the reservoir (106) dips below a threshold.
[0020] In one embodiment the first fluid flow path (114) of the vent cap (112) defines an inlet (118) and an outlet (120), as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2). The inlet (118) of the first fluid flow path (114) is in fluid communication with the electrolyte (102), where the inlet (118) is adapted to facilitate entry of electrolyte (102) from the reservoir (106) to the first fluid flow path (114). The outlet (120) of the first fluid flow path (114) is adapted to facilitate exit of electrolyte (102) from the first fluid flow path (114) to the container (122) of the battery (104).
[0021] The bi-metallic strip (107) is adapted to facilitate electrolyte (102) to flow from the reservoir (106) to the first fluid flow path (114) of the vent cap (112). The temperature in the battery (104) causes the bi-metallic strip (107) to expand. The surface tension of the electrolyte (102) in the reservoir causes the electrolyte (102) to rise and enter the first fluid flow path (114) of the vent cap (112) via the bi-metallic strip (107) through capillary action. The electrolyte then flows into the container (122) of the battery (104) via the first fluid flow path (114) of the vent cap (112) through gravity action. . Once the electrolyte (102) enters the container (122) of the battery (104), it undergoes electrolysis leading to formation of H2 gas and vapor which needs to be expelled from the container (122) of the battery (104). H2 gas and vapor will be vented out through a second fluid flow path (116) defined in the vent cap (112), as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2).
[0022] The venting of H2 gas is through second fluid flow path (116) of the vent cap (112). The second fluid flow path (116) and the first fluid flow path (114) of the vent cap (112) are independent fluid flow paths thereby preventing mixing of the electrolyte (102) with H2 gas and vapor. This prevents accumulation of H2 gas in the reservoir (106) and the container (122) of the battery (104) and hence avoids bulging or explosion of the battery (104) due to accumulation of H2 gas. A diameter of the first fluid flow path (114) and the second fluid flow path (116) is one of equal diameter or unequal diameter. The second fluid flow path (116) is parallel and spaced away from the first fluid flow path (114). The second fluid flow path (116) defines an inlet (124) and an outlet (126). The inlet (124) of the second fluid flow path (116) is adapted to facilitate entry of gas from the container (122) of the battery (104) to the second fluid flow path (116). The outlet (126) of the second fluid flow path (116) is adapted to facilitate exit of gas from the second fluid flow path (116) to the atmosphere, where the gas is hydrogen which is generated in the battery (104).
[0023] Figure 2 illustrates a vent cap (112). The vent cap (112) includes a head (112H) and a body (112B) extending from the head (112H). The body (112B) of the vent cap (112) is received by the opening (108) of the reservoir (106) and the vent hole (110) of the container (122) of the battery (104). The head (112H) of the vent cap (112) is spaced away from the reservoir (106). This enables the outlet (126) of the second fluid flow path (116) to open into the atmosphere. The first fluid flow path (114) is located in the body (112B) of the vent cap (112). The second fluid flow path (116) extends from the head (112H) to the body (112B) of the vent cap (112). The inlet (124) of the second fluid flow path (116) is located in the head (112H) of the vent cap (112). The outlet (126) of the second fluid flow path (116) is located in the body (112B) of the vent cap (112). A diameter of the body (112B) is lesser than the diameter of the head (112B) of the vent cap (112).
[0024] Figure 3 illustrates a method (200) for automatic feeding of electrolyte (102) to a battery (104). At step 202, the method (200) includes allowing electrolyte (102) flow from a reservoir (106) to a first fluid flow path (114) defined in at least one vent cap (112).At step 204, the method (200) includes allowing electrolyte (102) to flow from the first fluid flow path (114) of the vent cap (112) to a container (122) of the battery (104) through the action of gravity. The position of the reservoir (106) being upstream to the container (122) helps the electrolyte (102) flow into the container (122) by the capillary and gravity action.
[0025] Further, the method (200) includes, venting by, a second fluid flow path (116) defined in the vent cap (112), a gas from the container (122) of the battery (104) to atmosphere.
[0026] The method step (202) of allowing electrolyte (102) flow from the reservoir (106) to the first fluid flow path (114) defined in at least one vent cap (112) includes, allowing by, a bi-metallic strip (107), the electrolyte (102) flow from the reservoir (106) to the first fluid flow path (114) of the vent cap (112) through capillary action.
[0027] Further, the method (200) includes feeding electrolyte (102) to the reservoir (106). Furthermore, the method (200) includes measuring by a level indicator (128) electrolyte level in the reservoir (106).
[0028] By using the device (100) the electrolyte (102) is automatically fed to the container (122) of the battery without making use of external power. Also, the reservoir (106) ensures that there is proportioned supply of electrolyte (102) through the vent cap (112), this helps in maintaining the electrolyte (102) concentration at optimum level in the container (122) of the battery (104). The configuration of the vent cap (112) ensures that there is no mixing of electrolyte (102) and H2 vapor, while enabling venting out H2 vapor from the container of the battery.
[0029] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt, for various applications, such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments.
[0030] It is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, of the invention and not as a limitation. The exemplary embodiments described in this specification are intended merely to provide an understanding of various manners in which these embodiments may be used and to further enable the skilled person in the relevant art to practice the invention.
[0031] Although, the embodiments presented in this disclosure have been described in terms of its preferred embodiments, the skilled person in the art would readily recognize that these embodiments can be applied with modifications possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention as described in this specification by making innumerable changes, variations, modifications, alterations and/or integrations in terms of materials and method used to configure, manufacture and assemble various constituents, components, subassemblies and assemblies, in terms of their size, shapes, orientations and interrelationships without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
[0032] The numerical values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.
[0033] Throughout this specification, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, shall be understood to imply including a described element, integer or method step, or group of elements, integers or method steps, however, does not imply excluding any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or method steps.
[0034] The use of the expression “a”, “at least” or “at least one” shall imply using one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as used in the embodiment of the disclosure in order to achieve one or more of the intended objects or results of the present invention.
[0035] These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the corresponding apparatus or device be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “fluid communication” and “first fluid flow path”, refer to a relationship, wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly describedotherwise.