Patent GB-637031-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to secondary galvanic cells and electrodes of such cells
IPC: H01M4/76
Filed: 1947-11-22
Abstract: 637,031. Batteries. ROWSWELL, P. SALISBURY-. Nov. 22, 1947, Nos. 31004 and 31005. [Class 53] The active material of an accumulator electrode is covered with a strip of synthetic plastic material wound helically round the electrode. The strip may be perforated or the turns of the helix may be separated from one another to allow access of electrolyte to the active material. The helix can expand axially or radially with expansion of the active material. Fig. 1 shows an electrode comprising a lead rod 2 surrounded by active material 4 enclosed in an envelope consisting of a helical winding 5 of thermoplastic strip material. The ends of the envelope are closed by thermoplastic rings 6. A number of such units may be connected together as shown in dotted lines to form a plate electrode. Instead of the rod 2 a perforated lead tube may be used, the active material being placed within and outside the tube, or two such tubes may be employed, one being in contact with the inner surface of the envelope and the other passing, through the active material. The envelope may be closed at both ends by lead discs burnt to the central lead rod. Fig. 7 shows a modification in which active material is enclosed between two helices 31, 32 of thermoplastic material. A closure ring 33a is cemented to the upper end of the envelope the lower end being closed by a wound strip 33. The envelopes 31, 32 and closure 33 may be formed from a single shaped strip of material one end of which is first wound on a mandrel to form the helix 31 and the windings 33, a second mandrel being then slid on to the sleeve so formed and the remainder of the strip wound on to form the helix 32. A conducting rod is passed through an opening in the closure 33a to make contact with the active material. For long electrodes the conducting rod may be made by pressing a circular rod to form connected oval plate portions adjacent ovals being at right angles to one another. Fig. 9 shows a complete cell comprising a positive electrode 34a with a helical plastic envelope 36b and a negative electrode 35a consisting of an annular perforated lead sheet container filled with active material. Fig. 10 shows a modification for use in a torch. The active material of the negative electrode is confined between an insulating casing 43 and a perforated lead tube 45 having flared ends 45a. A wire 47 connects the active material with a terminal 48. The positive electrode is as shown in Fig. 1, the central rod being formed. with a contact 49. The cell is filled with a jelly of isinglass and sulphuric acid. Another cell is described in which the positive electrode consists of a number of pencil units, as shown in Fig. 1, connected together in two parallel rows between which the negative plate is placed. The latter is of box form and made of perforated sheet lead and may be shaped to fit the space between the two rows of positive units. Figs. 12 and 14 show views of a machine for making the helical sleeves from strip plastic material 61 which enters and leaves an oven 58 through slots 59, 60. Within the oven are rollers 62, 63 driven at the same speed and provided respectively with grooves 65 and pointed pins 64 for perforating the strip. The rollers may be smooth if the perforations are not required. The heated and softened strip is wound on a steel or rubber mandrel 68 which is given rotating and longitudinal movements simultaneously, the longitudinal movement being produced by one end of the mandrel being formed as a screw 69 which engages in a fixed screw-threaded bearing 72 made in halves the part 70 being hinged at 71 to allow the mandrel to be removed and the sleeve slid from the mandrel. The mandrel may be supported in bearings within the oven the longitudinal movement carrying the mandrel and the helix through an opening into a cooling chamber. A spring-pressed piercing roller bears on the strip within the oven. Specification 502,959 is referred to.