IMPROVEMENTS IN SECONDARY BATTERIES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Griffith Brewer of 33 Chancery Lane in the
County of Middlesex for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SECONDARY
BATTERIES" Communicated to him from abroad by Otto Schulz of Strasburg
in the German Empire.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Griffith Brewer
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd August 1882.
EDWARD GRIFFITH BREWER of 33 Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SECONDARY BATTERIES" (A Communication to me from
abroad by Otto Schulz of Strassburg in the German Empire)
Instead of as hitherto forming the porous layer in the lead electrodes of the
so called "Planté" secondary elements only through the influence of the electric
current which as is known only takes place very slowly the Inventor according to
this invention treats the lead electrodes (which may have any desired form and
surface) before their employment as such with sulphur so that a layer of sulphur
of lead is formed on the electrodes.
The treatment is effected in the simplest manner by placing sulphur on the
electrodes and then heating it until the desired layer of sulphuret of lead has been
formed.
Lead electrodes prepared in this manner possess a very porous surface and are
very suitable for employment in the manufacture of secondary batteries.
In the charging of such a battery the sulphur is through the influence of the
electric current instantly separated, partly in a pure state partly in combination
with hydrogen so that only the porous layer of lead remains in the one electrode
in combination with oxygen, in the other with hydrogen.
The same result is or similar results are obtained if on the electrodes to be
employed which also may be composed of any other suitable metal than lead or of
charcoal is mechanically laid a layer of sulphuret of lead preferably in a pure state
or in combination with other bodies neutral to sulphuric acid
The invention further consists in the construction of secondary elements whereby
the single electrodes on metal bars are arranged with fixed intervening spaces from
one another; the so formed plate systems are arranged comb fashion and hinged in
the element receptacle where the metal bars serve as supports
This arrangement prevents contact between the electrodes by the scaled off parts
of the electrodes, as these parts fall into a free space at the base of the receptacle..

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Edward Griffith Brewer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
3rd February 1883.
EDWARD GRIFFITH BREWER of 33 Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SECONDARY BATTERIES A communication to me from
abroad by Otto Schulz of Strassburg in the German Empire
Instead of as hitherto forming the porous layer on the lead electrodes of the so
called Planté secondary elements through the influence of the electric current
only, which as is known only takes place very slowly, the Inventor according to this
Invention treats the lead electrodes, (which may have any desired form and surface)
before their employment as such with sulphur, so that a layer of sulphuret of lead
is formed on the electrodes
The treatment is effected in the simplest manner by placing sulphur on the
electrodes and then heating it until the desired layer of sulphuret of lead has been
formed.
Lead electrodes prepared in this manner possess a very porous surface and are
very suitable for employment in the manufacture of secondary or polarisation
batteries.
In the charging of such a battery the sulphur is through the influence of the
electric current instantly separated, partly in a pure state partly in combination
with hydrogen, so that only the porous layer of lead remains in the one electrode
in combination with oxygen, in the other with hydrogen.
The same result is or similar results are obtained if, on the electrodes to be
employed which also may be composed of any other suitable metal than lead, or of
charcoal is mechanically laid a layer of sulphuret of lead preferably in a pure state,
or in combination with other bodies, neutral to sulphuric acid.
The invention further consists in the construction of secondary elements whereby
the single electrodes are fixed on metal bars and arranged with certain intervening
spaces from one another.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a vertical longitudinal section of such
a form of battery, Figure 2 a vertical cross section and Figure 3 a plan.
The so formed plate systems A and B are arranged comb-fashion and hung in the
element receptacle C where the metal bars A' B' serve as supports.
This arrangement prevents contact or short circuit between the electrodes by the
scaled off parts of the electrodes, as these parts fall into a free space at the base of
the receptacle where they do no harm
I claim as the invention communicated to me :-
First. The preparation of lead electrodes for secondary batteries with sulphur,
for the production of a layer of sulphuret of lead on the same; for the purpose of
forming a porous surface on which the power of absorption of oxygen and hydrogen
in electric baths depends substantially as set forth.
Second. The mechanical deposition of sulphuret of lead in a pure or mixed
state, on the different kinds of electrodes substantially as and for the purpose
stated.
Third. The peculiar construction of secondary battery elements whereby the
electrodes are fastened to two metal bars comb-fashion and suspended in the
element receptacle, the metal bar serving as support and as clamps for the purpose

page_text: of preserving a free space in the element receptacle under the electrodes, for
rendering harmless the scales coming off the electrodes and falling down all
substantially as described and shown.
In Witness whereof I the said Edward Griffith Brewer have hereunto set
my hand and seal this Second day of February in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty three.