Battery grid

Abstract

A grid network for a battery plate is provided. The grid network includes a plurality of spaced apart grid wire elements, each grid wire element having opposed ends joined to one of a plurality of nodes. Each node includes the juncture of one of the opposed ends of a plurality of the grid wire elements to define a plurality of open spaces in the grid network. At least one of the grid wire elements has a first transverse cross-section intermediate its opposed ends that is a different shape than a second transverse cross-section at least one of the grid wire element's opposed ends.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A battery plate comprising:
 a grid network, the grid network comprising a plurality of spaced apart grid wire elements, each grid wire element having opposed ends joined to one of a plurality of nodes, each node comprising the juncture of one of the opposed ends of a plurality of the grid wire elements, to define a plurality of open spaces in the grid network;   wherein at least one of the grid wire elements has a first transverse cross-section intermediate its opposed ends that is a different shape than a second transverse cross-section at least one of the grid wire element's opposed ends.   
     
     
         2 . The battery plate of  claim 1 , wherein the first transverse cross-section is generally non-rectangular-shaped and the second transverse cross-section is generally rectangular-shaped. 
     
     
         3 . The battery plate of  claim 2 , wherein the first transverse cross-section has a shape that is selected from the group consisting of generally octagon-shaped, generally hexagon-shaped, generally diamond-shaped, generally rhomboid-shaped, and generally oval-shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The battery plate of  claim 1 , the first transverse cross-section is rotated in relation to the second transverse cross-section. 
     
     
         5 . The battery plate of  claim 4 , wherein the first transverse cross-section is rotated 45 degrees in relation to the second transverse cross-section. 
     
     
         6 . The battery plate of  claim 1 , wherein the battery plate is manufactured in a strip of multiple battery plates and then separated into individual battery plates. 
     
     
         7 . The battery plate of  claim 6 , wherein the strip of multiple battery plates is manufactured by strip expansion. 
     
     
         8 . The battery plate of  claim 1 , wherein the battery plate is coined during manufacture. 
     
     
         9 . The battery plate of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one grid element has a substantially continuous transverse cross-section between its opposed ends before the battery plate is coined. 
     
     
         10 . The battery plate of  claim 1  wherein the grid network is comprised of a lead-calcium alloy. 
     
     
         11 . The battery plate of  claim 1 , wherein the battery plate further comprises a frame element bordering the battery grid. 
     
     
         12 . A battery plate comprising:
 a grid network comprising a plurality of spaced apart grid wire elements, each grid wire element having opposed ends, at least one of the ends is joined to one of a plurality of nodes, each node comprising the juncture of the opposed ends of a plurality of the grid wire elements, to define a plurality of open spaces in the grid network;   wherein at least one of the grid wire elements has a first transverse cross-section intermediate its opposed ends that is a different shape than a second transverse cross-section at least one of the grid wire element's opposed ends.   
     
     
         13 . The battery plate of  claim 12 , wherein the first transverse cross-section is generally non-rectangular-shaped and the second transverse cross-section is generally rectangular-shaped. 
     
     
         14 . The battery plate of  claim 13 , wherein the first transverse cross-section has a shape that is selected from the group consisting of generally octagon-shaped, generally hexagon-shaped, generally diamond-shaped, generally rhomboid-shaped, and generally oval-shaped. 
     
     
         15 . The battery plate of  claim 12 , the first transverse cross-section is rotated in relation to the second transverse cross-section. 
     
     
         16 . The battery plate of  claim 15 , wherein the first transverse cross-section is rotated 45 degrees in relation to the second transverse cross-section 
     
     
         17 . The battery plate of  claim 12 , wherein the battery plate is manufactured in a strip of multiple battery plates and then separated into individual battery plates. 
     
     
         18 . The battery plate of  claim 17 , wherein the strip of multiple battery plates is manufactured by strip expansion. 
     
     
         19 . The battery plate of  claim 12 , wherein the battery plate is coined during manufacture. 
     
     
         20 . The battery plate of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one grid element has a substantially continuous transverse cross-section between its opposed ends before the battery plate is coined.