Improvements in Primary Batteries.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Oct., 1898-Accepted, 3rd Dec., 1898
Improvements in Primary Batteries.
I, JAMES YATE JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of London,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which has been com-
municated to me from abroad by Herman Jacques Dercum, of No. 1725, Master
Street, in the City and County of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, one of the
United States of America, Agent,) 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 improvements in primary batteries of the type in which
two liquids are used, one liquid being a depolarizing agent and the other being an
excitant in which is immersed zinc, either in the form of a plate or in the form of
granules.
The object of the invention is to simplify the construction of such batteries, make
them more compact, reduce the weight and increase their active surface.
A battery constructed according to this invention is adaptable for use in railroad
and other vehicles, and boat service, as it will withstand rough usage and jars, and it
can be charged with liquid or discharged without removing the cells, the zine plate
being the only solid element that will have to be occasionally removed and replaced.
The invention will be clearly understood from the following description with reference
to the accompanying drawings of which
Figure 1 is a perspective view shewing a series of the improved batteries coupled to
the charging and discharging tubes;
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation through the zine compartment;
Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3-3, Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a vertical section on the line 4-4, Figure 2;
Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5, Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6, Figure 2;
Figure 7 is a sectional perspective view of one of the carbon partition plates;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the sections of the carbon partition plates
shown in Figure 7; and
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the bottom contact plate for the zines.
A is a quadrangular enclosing casing, in the present instance made of lead and
used as a conductor for the carbon plates, and attached to the casing at one side is a
terminal wire a having a coupling a¹. The bottom A¹ of the casing is made separate
from the body A and has a deep flange a² which extends on the outside of the body,
as shown in Figures 2 and 4, and is attached to the body by burning or by other
means.
Within the body of the casing is a series of compartments B for the depolarizing
agent; these compartments are made up of two carbon partition plates B¹ connected
together, at the ends by strips b, at the top by a strip b¹, and at the bottom by a
strip 62, so that each compartment is closed.
The porous partition plates B¹ are each made of a series of thin porous carbon
sections B2, Figure 8, held together by a lead frame, Figure 7, the said partition
plates being made by mounting the sections B2 in a suitable mould into which is
poured molten lead or other suitable metal which flows around the sections, so as to
Price 821

page_text: form the frame shown in Figure 7. In some instances the sections B² may be made
of earthenware or a combination of crushed or powdered earthenware and carbon,
but it is preferable to use carbon as it is an electrical conductor.
In order to prevent the frame from separating from the carbon sections the said
sections are notched as shewn at b3 so that the molten metal will flow into the
notches and thus lock the frame to the plates, these notches in some instances may
be undercut or otherwise formed to prevent the warping of the frame when the edge
strips are secured thereto by burning.
It will be seen on referring to the drawings, that the compartments for the
depolarizing agent stop short of the bottom and are so spaced as to form compart-
ments D for the exciting liquid and the zinc plates D¹.
These compartments D communicate with each other at the bottom, as shown in
the drawings, and imbedded in non-conducting inaterial & in the bottom section A¹
is a lead conducting plate D², shown detached in perspective in Figure 9.
The non-
conducting material d in which the lead plate is imbedded is preferably asphaltum,
which is poured into the bottom section in a molten condition and the lead plate
pressed into it so as to thoroughly insulate the lead plate from the casing. The
lead plate is preferably treated with mercury so that it will always have a clean
conducting surface.
The zine plates D₁ are inserted into the compartment D from the top of the
battery and rest directly upon the lead conducting plate D2 so that in the event of
one or more of the zinc plates being reduced it can be readily withdrawn and a new
plate inserted.
In order to prevent the zinc plates D¹ from coming in contact with the casing
nonconducting insulating strips d¹ preferably made of hard rubber are provided at
each end of each compartment D.
Rubber bands d2 are arranged around each casing for the depolarizing agent and
as shewn in Figure 3, also around the outermost zinc plates of the series; the
rubber bands may however in some instances be placed upon all the zinc plates.
The bands being placed around the cells containing the depolarizing agent as
described, enable the zines D' to be withdrawn and replaced without having to
replace and adjust the bands and the zinc plates are prevented from coming in
contact with the carbon partition plates B₁ and short circuiting is prevented.
The lead conducting plate D2 has a terminal d³ which passes through a non-
conducting nipple d* and forms one terminal of the battery. The nonconducting
nipple is made in two sections, one section having an internal and an external screw
thread, the internal thread being screwed upon the terminal d³ and a nut section is
serewed upon the external thread so as to form a nonconducting joint through which
the exciting liquid cannot escape.
At one end of the casing near the upper edge a channel E is formed by a sheet of
lead secured to the casing by burning; this channel communicates with the
compartments B for the depolarizing agent through a series of passages e and has
a T-headed nipple el to each arm of which can be attached a coupling e² as shown in
Figure 1, which forms the feed pipe.
A channel E is preferably provided on the side opposite the channel E and this
channel communicates with all the compartments B and has a T-headed nipple e
forming an air vent so as to allow air to escape as the compartments are charged with
liquid. The air vents are preferably connected in the same manner as the liquid inlet
channels.
Preferably directly below the channel E is a channel F which communicates,
through passages f, with the compartments D for the exciting fluid; this channel F
has a T-headed nipple f¹ similar to that of the channel E.
Near the bottom of the casing A is a channel G which communicates through
passages g with the compartments Band has a T-headed nipple gl; the compartments
B can be drained through this channel G.
A T-headed nipple H communicates with the chambers D at the bottom of the
casing so as to drain the said chambers.

page_text: By the arrangement above described the spent depolarizing agent can be
discharged from the battery through the channel G and fresh depolarizing liquid can
be fed into the compartments B through the channel E. The exciting liquid can
be withdrawn through the nipple H and the compartments D can be charged with
fresh liquid through the channel F.
A series of batteries can be arranged side by side, as shown in Figure 1, and
the several nipples being coupled by tubes e², preferably of rubber, forming
continuations of the feed pipes E and F, and of the outlet pipes G¹ and H¹, so that
any number of batteries can be discharged and charged simultaneously without
disturbing the cells and when necessary the zinc plates can be withdrawn and new
plates substituted therefor.
In constructing the improved battery the carbon sections are first moulded in
suitable form, then the lead conducting frames are cast around them, the frames are
then arranged in pairs using separating strips, b, 61, 62 of lead of a sufficient width to
allow space for the depolarizing agent; these strips are secured to the plates by
burning. After the sections are thus formed they are arranged, as shown in Figure 3,
spaced apart by lead strips b at each end secured to the sections by burning, thus
forming compartments for the exciting fluid and the zinc plates. These compart-
ments are open at the top and bottom.
Additional partition plates 65 are placed at each side, and are separated from the
lead plates forming the sides of the cell, by narrow strips 66 so as to form narrow
compartments for containing the depolarizing agent, and thus forming a homogeneous
structure of conducting metal, preferably lead, which acts as one element of the
battery, the other element being the zinc plates.
The bottom section A¹ is formed by pouring the asphaltum thereinto and placing
the lead conducting plate D2 in position and couple its terminal to the casing by the
non-conducting nipples so as to prevent leakage. The said bottom section is then
secured to the main body of the casing by burning or other means.
Holes are made in the ends of the several compartments B and the connecting
channels are formed preferably by lead plates burnt onto the casing. The battery is
now in condition to receive the zinc plates, which are cast in such a form as to be
readily slipped into position and to rest on the conducting plate D².
The depolarising liquid which, in the present instance, is acidified sodium bichro-
mate, is allowed to flow into the compartiments B, through the feed pipe E¹, and the
exciting liquid, which, in the present instance, is dilute sulphuric acid, is allowed to
flow into the compartments D, through the feed pipe F¹. The battery is now ready
for immediate use.
By the above construction a relatively large active electrode surface is gained in a
compact form and a considérable decrease in. the weight of the battery of this type
is obtained considering the amount of current capable of being generated, while the
amount of liquid necessary to fill the compartment is relatively small. Furthermore
the improved battery can be charged and discharged without removing the battery
or any of the elements, excepting the liquid, and an occasional renewal of the zines.
By providing suitable tanks for containing the fresh liquid and separate tanks.for
containing the spent liquid and connecting these tanks to the cells by valved pipes,
by simply turning the valves the batteries can be charged and recharged at will and
the liquid can be saved for regeneration.
In comparing the improved battery with the ordinary storage battery, which it is
intended to supersede, the following are some of the advantages of this improved
battery. The short circuiting of a secondary battery often results from the buckling
of the lead plates, or by accidentally dropping of portions of the spongy lead from
the openings in the grid, which may make contact between the several plates. This
cannot occur in a primary battery constructed according to this invention, owing to
the fact that the carbon plates mounted within the leaden frames are always in
contact, do not waste away and will not crumble in use. Furthermore the life of a
storage battery, or its durability is relatively short as the rapid discharging tends to
lessen the active material and it is almost impossible to prevent buckling, whereas

page_text: 4.
the improved battery only requires the renewal of the zine plates and the replenishing
of the exciting solutions.
By constructing the battery in the manner described in detail perfect operation of
the battery is insured, the cost of construction is reduced considerably, extra elements
are dispensed with, the porous partitions are utilised as conducting plates and
absolutely tight joints are made between the several compartments. Furthermore
the chambers for the depolarising agent are closed except the small air vent formed
on one side; and the chamber containing the zine plates and oxidising fluid can be
closed by a plate A³ inserted in the top of the battery casing having a gasket or
packing around its edge so that it will fit snugly within the casing, this plate may
have an extended air vent a' to allow for the escape of any gases that may arise from
the exciting fluid. This closing plate is not absolutely necessary however except
when the battery is in a position in which it may be subjected to jolts or excessive
vibration.
When several series of the battery cells are arranged side by side, as shewn in
Figure 1, they are coupled together with the tubes of insulating material and the
cells may be separated by thin partitions of wood or other nonconducting material,
as shewn, so that while the cells are held firmly together they are insulated one from
another.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-"
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The combination in a primary battery, of a series of partitions formed of frames
of conducting metal acting as one terminal of the battery, and supporting sheets of
porous material, the said partitions forming chambers, the alternate chambers being
for the reception of the depolarising agent, the other chambers being for the
reception of the exciting fluid, and zinc electrodes, substantially as herein before
described.
.
2. The combination in a primary battery, of a series of partitions formed of frames
of conducting metal acting as one terminal of the battery, supporting sheets of porous
carbon and forming chambers, the alternate chambers being for the reception of the
depolarising agent, the other chambers being for the reception of the exciting fluid
and the zinc electrodes, substantially as herein before described.
3. The combination of a primary battery, of a casing, a series of partitions formed
of frames of conducting metal acting as one terminal of the battery and supporting
sheets of porous material, each pair of partitions being secured together forming
closed compartments for the depolarising agent, the space between each pair of
partitions being for the reception of the exciting fluid and zinc electrodes, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
4. The combination in a primary battery, of a series of porous carbon plates spaced
a given distance apart so as to form compartments, each alternate compartment being
adapted to receive a depolarising agent, the other compartments adapted to receive
Zinc electrodes and exciting liquid; and a containing casing of conducting metal
forming the terminal for the carbon plates, substantially as hereinbefore described.
5. The combination in a primary battery, of a series of partitions, each partition
made up of a frame of conducting material supporting a number of thin porous
plates, the said partitions being separated by strips of conducting metal, said parti-
tions and strips forming compartments for the reception of the liquids and acting as
one terminal of the battery, substantially as herein before described.
6. The combination of a series of partitions, each partition made up of a number
of thin porous carbon plates held together by a conducting metallic frame, each pair
of partitions being secured together forming closed compartments for the depolarising
agent, the space between each pair of partitions being for the reception of the
exciting fluid and zinc electrode, and a conducting casing enclosing the several
partitions and acting as a terminal for the carbon plates, substantially as herein before
described.
.

page_text: 7. The combination in a primary battery, of a series of porous conducting plates
dividing the battery into a series of cells, each alternate cell being closed and adapted
to receive the depolarising agent, the other cells being adapted to receive the zine
plates and the exciting fluid, the closed cells stopping short of the bottom, and a
conducting plate at the bottom on which the zinc plates rest, substantially as herein-
before described.
8. The combination in a primary battery, of a series of porous conducting plates
dividing the cell into a series of compartments, the alternate compartments being
closed and adapted to receive the depolarising agent, the other compartiments adapted
to receive the zinc plates and exciting fluid, the removable bottom, and the conducting
plate mounted on said bottom on which the zinc plates rest, said conducting plate
being insulated from the bottom, substantially as herein before described.
9. A combined porous plate and electrode for a battery, consisting of a series of
porous conducting carbon sections and a metallic conducting frame enclosing and
retaining the sections and having a terminal connection.
10. A porous conducting partition plate for a primary battery consisting of a series
of porous carbon sections held together in a cast metallic conducting frame, the
said sections being notched so that the metal enters the notches, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
11. A section of a primary battery consisting of two side plates composed of a
frame cast around thin plates of porous carbon, with strips of lead mounted
between the two side plates and fused thereto, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
12.
battery made up of a series of sections, each section having side plates
made of cast lead surrounding a series of thin carbon plates and separated by thin
strips of lead fused thereto, the sections of the battery being separated by other strips
of lead at the side or ends secured to the sections by being fused to the side plates of
sheet lead and the bottom, the whole constructed substantially as herein before
described.
13. The combination in a primary battery, of a main body portion made up of a
series of lead frames having porous carbon sections, the alternate chambers being
closed and stopping short of the bottom, with a removable bottom section having a
flange fused to the main body, and a conducting plate in the said bottom section and
insulated therefrom, the terminal extending through the bottom section, substantially
as herein before described.
14. A primary battery made up of a series of conducting partitions suitably spaced
to form compartments, the alternate compartments being closed, a bottom having a
conducting plate, zinc plates adapted to the open compartments of the battery resting
upon the said bottom conducting plate, two channels at the upper portion of the
battery, one channel communicating with the closed compartments, the other
channel communicating with the open compartments, an outlet pipe communicating
with the open compartments at the bottom, and an outlet channel at the
bottom communicating with the closed compartments, substantially as herein before
described.
15. A primary battery made up of a series of conducting partitions suitably spaced
to form compartments, the alternate compartments being closed, a bottom having a
conducting plate, zinc plates adapted to the open compartiments of the battery resting
upon the said bottom conducting plate, two channels at the upper portion of the
battery, one channel communicating with the closed compartments, the other channel
communicating with the open compartments, an outlet pipe communicating with the
open compartments at the bottom, an outlet channel at the bottom communicating
with the closed compartments, and an air vent channel communicating with the closed
compartiments, substantially as herein before described.
16. The combination in a primary battery, of a series of conducting porous
partitions forming compartments, the alternate compartments being closed, a bottom
conducting plate, zinc plates mounted in the open compartiments and resting upon
the bottom conducting plate, insulating material separating the zinc plates from the

page_text: porous conducting plates and end insulating strips separating the zine plates from
the casing, a terminal secured to the casing and a terminal secured to the bottom
plate, substantially as herein before described.
17. The combination in a primary battery, of a series of conducting porous plates
forming compartments, the alternate compartments being closed, a removable bottom
plate, a bed of non-conducting material, a conducting plate imbedded in the said bed,
zinc plates resting upon the said conducting plate, an extension of the conducting
plate passing through the casing, a nipple screwed onto the said extension and having
an external screw thread, a nut adapted to the external screw thread and mounted on
the outside of the casing forming a non-conducting and water-tight joint, substantially
as herein before described.
18. The combination in a primary battery, of a cell having a series of partitions
forming alternate compartments for the depolarising agent and the exciting fluid, a
channel secured to the end of the cell and communicating with each alternate
compartment and having nipples to which may be attached a coupling tube when
several series of cells are placed side by side, substantially as herein before
described.
Dated this 25th day of October 1898.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
41, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.