Year: 1887

page_text: ERNEST EDWARD VAUGHTON 94, Trinity Road, Birchfield, Birmingham Builder's
Clerk, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention is for an improved electric accumulator suitable for portable Electric
Lamps and for other purposes.
Firstly I make an improvement in the form of the Electrodes with the object of
keeping the reducible agent more securely fixed to the metallic plates. I make the
plate which carries or supports the reducible agent with the edges turned upwards
and preferably inwards on one or both of its sides or surfaces. The plate also is closely
perforated and in the case of the one with the upturned edges on one side or surface
only I countersink the holes on the reverse surface.
Secondly I make a novel arrangement of the electrodes in the cell or cells. I
place India-Rubber or other suitable non-conducting material between the outer or
inactive sides of the electrodes and the walls of the cell and cover the inner or active
sides of the electrodes with Asbestos or other suitable porous material. Between the
electrodes so covered I pack perforated plates or pieces of Vulcanite or other suitable
non-conducting material for the purpose of separating the electrodes and keeping.
them firmly in position.

page_text: ERNEST EDWARD VAUGHTON 94 Trinity Road Birchfield Birmingham Electrician
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention relates to an Improved Electrical Accumulator or Secondary Battery,
to a new form of Electrode, and to a new combination of general arrangements, the
whole constituting a new apparatus, producing a novel practical effect, as shewn by
the results therefrom obtained and hereinafter accurately stated.
"
My Electrode consists of a light plate of lead or other conducting material, sup-
porting the more active material. Such plate may be made either in the form of a
plain sheet, or with perforations corrugations, projections or interstices and all such
plates I construct with either L flanges, in the case of what I call a single " plate,
or T flanges in the case of what I call a "double" plate, such flanges to form an
exact right angle with the face or faces of the plate, as shewn in Fig. 2. The object of
such flanges and of their particular angle to be hereinafter explained.
The active material I prefer for my Electrodes is red lead, but I do not bind myself
in any way to its exclusive use, as many other substances are more or less suitable.
In the case of red lead I apply it to my lead or other supporting plate, in a plastic
state, to a thickness equal to the depth of the flanges, over the whole surface or
surfaces, and fill up closely all perforations or interstices if any. When dry these
plates are ready to be placed in their cells.
In the accompanying sheet of drawings
Fig. 1 represents the front elevation of my "double" electrode, with part of the
active substance removed, Fig. 2 represents a section through the electrode along the
line A. B.
The aim of all, or nearly all constructors of secondary batteries has been to, keep
the active substance of their electrodes as porous as possible, the object I have in
view is exactly the reverse, viz., by the continued exertion of evenly distributed
pressure upon the whole surfaces and bodies of my electrodes, both while being formed
and while afterwards in use, so as to render the active material as compact as possible,
and to keep it in perfect electrical contact with its supporter.
By the continued exertion of evenly distributed pressure over the whole surface
and body of my electrode, I am enabled to maintain exposed to the action of the
electrical current, a surface entirely composed of the more active material, thus
preventing all local action, the back of my "single" plate being insulated by the
wall of the cell as shewn in Fig. 5; or by some other means; in case of the use of such
single plate.
In case of the employment of red lead or other metallic oxide, to maintain such
electrode surfaces entirely composed of the more active material has hitherto been the

page_text: great difficulty, as constructors as hereinbefore stated, have generally aimed at keeping
their more active material as porous as possible, but it has been found that the action
of the electric current disintegrated the more active material, especially in the case of
red lead.
But when subjected to continued and evenly distributed pressure, together with the
action of the electric current, I find, in the case of red lead, that my layer of more
active material becomes nearly as hard as terra-cotta, but more elastic and less brittle,
and after my accumulators have been in use a short time, the layer of active material
adheres so firmly to the lead plate, owing to the continued exertion of evenly
distributed pressure, together with the action of the electrical current, that it can
only be removed by chipping; and I find that the longer my electrode has been in
use, the tougher becomes the more active material, and the more tenaciously does it
attach itself to the lead plate.
In my "double" electrode, as shewn at Figs. 1 and 2, I take advantage of this
toughness of my active material, to key the two layers of the more active material,
the one to the other, and not each to the supporting plate intervening between them,
as my perforations are made straight through, such supporting plate, without counter-
sinking or any similar arrangement.
I may also make my "single" and "double" plate without any perforations what-
ever for as herein before stated continued and evenly distributed pressure upon the
surfaces and both bodies of the electrodes, together with the action of the electric
current, cause the active material to firmly attach itself to the supporting plate.
After my electrodes are fully formed, and have been in use for some time, I
find that my active material becomes sufficiently hardened and attached to the
supporting plate, to allow of the removal of the pressure to a greater or less degree,
without very seriously affecting their efficiency, but I consider that this removal or
partial removal of pressure affects more or less the durability of the plates.
The novelty of the general arrangements of my accumulator is shewn in Figs. 5, 6
and 7. Fig. 5 represents an accumulator containing 2 electrodes of the "single"
form each having only one face exposed to action, and one electrode of the "double"
form having two faces exposed to action. I cover each active surface of the electrodes
with canvas, or other suitable material, as in Plante's original accumulator, between
each two pieces of canvas I place two porous, or perforated partitions made of any
suitable non conducting material, that is not in any way acted upon by the electrolyte ;
into the spaces between each pair of such partitions I drive several pairs of counter-
wedges or single wedges as shewn in the accompanying drawings in Figs. 5, and 6
at d, so as to exert considerable pressure upon, in the first place, the partitions which
in turn, together with the canvas evenly distribute such pressure over the whole surfaces
and bodies of the electrodes.
The object of having the flanges of my plates placed at an exact right angle with
the surfaces of such plates will now be apparent, were they not so placed, but bent
either inwards or outwards, they would be unable to withstand the pressure imparted.
The object of the use of such flanges is to prevent the more active substance being
squeezed off the edge of the supporting plate during formation, and before such more
active material is hardened and attached.
It will be seen in Fig. 6 at e, that the spaces between the two porous or perforated
partitions afford every facility for the free circulation of the electrolyte.
The canvas or other suitable material previously used by Planté, is employed in my
accumulator for the purpose of evenly distributing over the whole surface or surfaces
of the electrodes both the pressure exerted by the wedges or other suitable device, and
the action of the electric current.
In the place of the two porous or perforated partitions, the interposed wedges, and
the pieces of canvas, I sometimes substitute between each pair of electrodes, for the
whole of these a single non conducting porous hollow partition, constructed of terra-
cotta or any suitable substance, and as shewn in side elevation in Fig. 7 at «, and in
section and plan in Figs. 3 and 4 respectively. I obtain my pressure in such a casn

page_text: from one or more pairs of large counter wedges placed in any convenient position in
the cell and shewn in side elevation in Fig. 7 at b.
I may also, in the herein previously described arrangement, in which I use canvas,
two partitions and smaller counter wedges between each pair of electrodes, substitute
one or more pairs of wedges or counter wedges, together with distance pieces between
each pair of partitions.
I may also use a screwing levering weighting, a system of springs, or any other
device to obtain and regulate the exertion of evenly distributed pressure upon my
electrodes.
I may also apply evenly distributed pressure upon electrodes of a cylindrical, or
any other possible form, by a wedging screwing levering or any other device from the
middle or sides of my cell; or I may clamp my plates together in a greater or less
number, and obtain evenly distributed pressure by wedging or screwing or levering in
any way from such clamp or clamps as a foundation.
I may also use any combination of these systems as herein before stated, or any
other means to obtain evenly distributed pressure upon the surfaces and bodies of my
electrodes.
In the foregoing description of my invention, I have principally described the.
effect of continued and evenly distributed pressure upon an active electrode surface
of red lead, supported by a diaphragm of lead, but I wish it to be understood, that I
do not in any way confine myself to a diaphragm of lead as the foundation of my
electrode, or to red lead as the more active substance, any suitable material may be
used as the foundation of my electrode, and any suitable substance which hardens as
hereinbefore described, under the combined effects of the electric current, and
continued and evenly distributed pressure, may be used as the more active
material.
From a sealed accumulator constructed as hereinbefore described, and shown in the
accompanying drawings, the total weight of which including cell electrolyte, and all
necessary connections is 2 lbs. 8 oz., and the outside measurement of which containing
cell is 3 inches by 14 inches by 5 inches, I am able to obtain sufficient regenerated
current, to fully illuminate a 1 candle power incandescent lamp for 10 hours.
This 1 consider a novel practical result especially as all the materials employed are
of the cheapest description.
Further I find, that within reasonable limits, no irregularity in charging, such as
overcharging, or too rapid charging or discharging, have any detrimental effect upon
my electrodes.
Also from the compact state in which my accumulator is maintained, as shown in
the accompanying drawings, its poriability, and nonliability to be disarranged by
vibrations of any description, will be at once apparent. Such an accumulator as that,
the results obtained from which I have hereinbefore accurately stated, I consider
especially applicable to a Miners Safety lamp, or for any other purpose, in which
lightness and portability combined with a high degree of efficiency, are
desirable.
The connecting pieces for use in charging, as shewn attached to the accumulator in
Fig. 5, and marked C, are so connected with the electrodes, that in order to charge
any number of such accumulators at one time, it is only necessary to place them side
by side, so that dissimilar poles are in close contact with one another.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is
Firstly In a secondary battery or electrical accumulator, the continued exertion of
evenly distributed pressure upon the active surfaces and bodies of electrodes,.
substantially as hereinbefore setforth.
Secondly In a secondary battery or electrical accumulator, the use of all the
means as hereinbefore stated, for applying and maintaining such evenly distributed

page_text: pressure substantially as hereinbefore set forth, and shewn in the accompanying
drawings at Figs. 5, 6 and 7.
Thirdly In a secondary battery or electrical accumulator, an electrode having two
faces of active material, keyed the one to the other, substantially as herein before set
forth, and shewn in the accompanying drawings in Figs. 1 and 2.
Fourthly In a secondary battery or electrical accumulator the means of obtaining
by the application of continued and evenly distributed pressure, and the action of the
electric current, an electrode the exposed surface or surfaces of which are entirely
(with the exception of the thin supporting flanges) composed of the more efficiently
active material, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, thus preventing all or nearly all local action
substantially as herein before set forth.
Fifthly In a secondary battery or electrical accumulator, a non conducting porous
or perforated hollow partition, constructed of terra-cotta or any other suitable material
which is not acted upon by the electrolyte, substantially as herein before set forth, and
shewn in the accompanying drawings in Figs. 3 & 4 and 7 at a.
Sixthly In a secondary battery or electrical accumulator, the use of the attached
contact pieces shewn in the accompanying drawings in Fig. 5 at c, for the purpose
of charging or discharging several accumulators together, substantially as herein-
before set forth.
Seventhly In a secondary battery or electrical accumulator, the use of the above
described means, never previously combined as hereinbefore set forth, to form an
accumulator producing a novel practical effect, as shewn by result obtained, and
herein before accurately stated, as also this combination constituting a new apparatus.
Dated this 17th day of March 1888.
ERNEST EDWARD VAUGHTON.