A New or Improved Electrical Accumulator Plate.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Dec., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 17th Sept., 1894-Accepted, 20th Oct., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Electrical Accumulator Plate.
I, CLAUDE KENNEDY MILLS, of 23 Southampton Buildings, in the County of
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, (a com-
munication to me from Charles Joseph Barbier, of 76 Cours Vitton, Lyons, in the
Republic of France, Chemist), to be as follows:-
The invention relates to a new or improved arrangement of accumulator plates,
having for its object to entirely prevent the fall or the deformation of the active
material, and to augment the power by collecting the current at points very near
to each other within the body of this material.
The accompanying drawing shows a plate constructed according to this system,
Fig. 1 of which is a side view with part removed, whilst Fig. 2 is partly an edge
view and partly a cross section.
The plate is composed of a flattened box formed of two sheets of lead bb, the
edges of which, raised in double curves and juxtaposed, are rivetted or soldered
all along their circumference. The flat sides of this box are provided interiorly
with pins a a cast in one with them, and the ends of which reach almost to the
opposite side; these pins or projections are arranged on each side so as to come
between each other at regular distances. The sides bb are besides pierced with
holes cc arranged between the pins or projections, and in such a way that the
extremity of each pin is located in line with one of the holes of the opposite
side.
Before soldering or rivetting the box around its edges the active material is
introduced conveniently rammed or compressed, which is divided and maintained
in position by the pins or projections which traverse it at all parts.
The conductors for the current are formed of two tongues d d attached to the
sheets 66 which compose the box, and soldered or rivetted together, or of a single
tongue strengthened, as shown in the drawing.
It will be understood that the active material, before or after its formation,
being entirely enclosed and held in position by the pins or projections a, cannot fall
or become displaced; its increase in bulk has no other effect than that of causing
the box to swell regularly, the surfaces of which remain flat; this swelling is
facilitated by the doubly curved form of the edges, which may thus become stretched
without becoming torn.
The electrolizing takes place regularly and on both sides of the plate, thanks
to the points or projections which conduct the current from the one to the other
through the active material and to the holes which, on each face, correspond with
the points or projections of the opposite side.
Again, the points or projections collecting the current at points very close together
in the midst of the active material, there can be obtained with the same quantity
of material, a more energetic and more regular current.
In short this arrangement enables the active material to be used in greater
thickness and consequently to diminish the dead weight of the supports for a like
electrical capacity.
The essential character of this kind of plates is that, contrary to the plates
hitherto in use which are protected by envelopes, it is the envelope itself which
acts as a support for the active material, which is there retained adherent by the
pins or projections and which follow it in its deformations, without ceasing to be in
contact with it and without being capable of falling, whilst if the active material

page_text: fixed on an ordinary support is simply protected by an envelope, this latter becomes
separated from it and prevents only very incompletely its fall.
The lead used as a support may be alloyed with a certain proportion of antimony
in order to render it more resistant and less attackable. Under these conditions
the duration of the plates will be considerably increased.
Dated this 19th day of December 1893
CLAUDE K. MILLS,
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Electrical Accumulator Plate.
1, CLAUDE KENNEDY MILLS, of 23 Southampton Buildings, in the County of
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a com-
munication to me from Charles Joseph Barbier, of 76 Cours Vitton, Lyons, in the
Republic of France, Chemist,) and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The invention relates to a new or improved arrangement of accumulator plates
having for its object to entirely prevent the fall or the deformation of the active
material, and to auginent the power by collecting the current at points very near
to each other within the body of this material.
The drawing accompanying my Provisional Specification shows a plate
constructed according to this system, Fig. 1 of which is a side view with part
removed, whilst Fig. 2 is partly an edge view and partly a cross section.
The plate is composed of a flattened box formed of two sheets of lead bb, the
edges of which, raised in double curves and juxtaposed, are rivetted or soldered
all along their circumference. The flat sides of this box are provided interiorly
with pins a a cast in one with them and the ends of which reach almost to the
opposite side. These pins or projections are arranged on each side so as to come
between each other at regular distances.
The sides 6 bare besides pierced with holes c c arranged between the pins or
projections, and in such a way that the extremity of each pin is located in front of
one of the holes of the opposite side.
Before soldering or rivetting the box around its edges, the active material is
introduced conveniently rammed or compressed, which is divided and maintained
in position by the pins or projections which pass through it at all parts.
The conductors for the current are formed of two tongues d'd attached to the
sheets b.b which compose the box and soldered or rivetted together, or of a single
tongue strengthened, as shown in the drawing.
It will be understood that the active material, before or after its formation,
being entirely enclosed and held in position by the pins or projections a, cannot
fall or become displaced, its increase in bulk has no other effect than that of
causing the box to swell regularly, the surfaces of which remain flat; this swelling
is facilitated by the doubly curved form of the edges, which may thus become
stretched without becoming torn.
The electrolysis takes place regularly and on both sides of the plate, thanks to
the points or projections, which conduct the current from the one to the other
through the active material, and to the holes which, on each face, correspond with
the points or projections of the opposite side.
Again, the points or projections collecting the current at points very close
together in the midst of the active material, there can be obtained, with the same
quantity of material, a more energetic and more regular current.
In short this arrangement enables the active material to be used in greater

page_text: thickness, and consequently to diminish the dead weight of the supports for a like.
electrical capacity.
The essential character of this kind of plates is that, contrary to the plates
hitherto in use which are protected by envelopes, it is the envelope itself which
acts as a support for the active material, which is retained adherent to it by the
pins or projections and which follows it in its deformations without ceasing to be
in contact with it and without being capable of falling, whilst if the active material
fixed on an ordinary support is simply protected by an envelope, this latter becomes
separated from it and prevents only very incompletely its fall.
The lead used as a support may be alloyed with a certain proportion of antimony
in order to render it more resistant and less attackable.
Under these conditions the duration of the plates will be considerably
increased.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
1 claim is :-
1. A new accumulator plate in which the active material is enclosed in a flat
box of lead or lead alloy, whose flat sides are perforated and provided on the interior
with pins or projections which pass through the active material and extend to
within a short distance of the opposite side, substantially as herein shown and
described.
2. A new accumulator plate constructed substantially as herein shown and
described and for the purpose stated.
1 1
L
100
CLAUDE K. MILLS,
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.