Improvements in Accumulators and their Electrode Plates, partly applicable to Primary Batteries.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Nov., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 20th Aug., 1896-Accepted, 14th Nov., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Accumulators and their Electrode Plates, partly
applicable to Primary Batteries.
We, MORICZ ENGL of I Bellariostrasse No. 4 Vienna, Builder, and FLORIS
WÜSTE of I Getreidemarkt No. 14 Vienna, Austria, Manufacturer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the construction and arrangement
of accumulators and of the electrode plates therefor.
The accumulator plates are according to our invention constructed with
perforations to increase the surface and prevent deformation during the charging
and discharging operations. They are composed of metal frames divided by
transverse bars into grating-like compartments or panels which are filled in with
the ordinary active material. This is held in position by projections or teeth on
each face of the frame, which project over the surface of the material. The active
material is perforated with a considerable number of holes so as both to considerably
increase the active surface of the plate and its capacity for taking up the liquid
electrolyte, and to prevent the deformation of the plate during discharging, as the
mass in swelling can expand freely within the holes and is thus prevented from
materially expanding at the periphery.
Instead of insulating the electrode plates from each other merely by the
intervening liquid electiolyte, as in present constructions, whereby the danger of
short circuiting arises through pieces of conducting material falling between the
plates so as to establish contacts between them, we interpose between the successive
plates perforated or porous sheets of insulating material such as celluloid ebonite &c.
which, while allowing free access of the electrolyte to the plate, prevent any
conducting contacts. Such insulating sheets may either be loose, or they may be
attached to the frame of the plates. With this arrangement the electrodes may be
placed comparatively close together, thereby increasing the electro-motive force of
the battery. For maintaining the plates securely at the requisite distance apart
we provide at the ends of the cell plates of insulating material having vertical slots
or grooves open at top and terminating a short distance from the bottom of the
cell into which grooves the ends of the electrode plates are slid. Instead of
forming the grooves in separate plates as described, they may be formed in the
end walls of the cell itself.
We construct the cell of the accumulator of two or more celluloid sheets placed
one over the other, or by winding a long sheet of celluloid round and round
the four sides of the cell, this being strengthened by metal corner pieces both
inside and outside. The joints of the celluloid are suitably cemented together, and
to the angle pieces preferably by celluloid solution.
The cells are enclosed by a cover, which, to prevent the splashing out of the
electrolyte, while at the same time providing the necessary inlet openings therefor,
are made double or hollow, the opening for the introduction of the electrolyte and
for the escape of the gases being arranged at one point of the outer part of the
cover from which point the electrolyte flows through the hollow space of the cover
to another point where an opening is formed in the lower part of the cover for it
to flow into the cell, the gases escape in the opposite direction.

page_text: The cover is also provided with other openings for the passage of the terminals
of the electrodes.
For staying the side walls of the cell, small rods are made to extend over the
cover. and are connected at the ends to the walls.
Any required number of the cells are fitted into a wooden box which is lined
with celluloid plates, over which is laid a layer of felt, so as to afford a certain
amount of elasticity and allow the cells to be fitted in tightly together.
In order to prevent acid from flowing down between the cells and between these
and the box, strips of celluloid are cemented over the top joints between these
parts.
The terminals of the positive and negative electrodes are connected by conductors
preferably situated within the box to metal contact bars fixed on the underside of
the box, and the boxes are placed with their contacts upon corresponding contact
bars on a suitable foundation, from which latter bars the current is then collected
in any suitable manuer.
For insuring the correct position of the boxes on the fixed contact bars there
are provided on the underside of the boxes other bars of nonconducting material
which fit into grooves on the foundation.
Any one of the boxes can by the above described arrangement be readily
removed from the circuit and a fresh one be introduced. The above described
construction of the accumulators is more particularly applicable to portable
accumulators.
Where these are fixed in position, the above described cover can be dispensed
with and the connection of the electrodes with external conductors can be effected
as follows:
On the outside of the cells, at the upper edges thereof are fixed troughs
containing mercury and the terminals of the plates are formed as arched bars that
beud outwards over the side of the cell and dip into the mercury being formed with
enlargements at their ends to increase the contact. The terminals of the positive
plates are arranged to bend over and dip into a mercury trough on one side of the
cell and the terminals of the negative plates dip into a trough on the other side.
The current is then taken from the mercury troughs by means of conductors dipping
into the same.
When fitting a number of the cells side by side, the positive
mercury troughs of the one cell is preferably arranged next the negative one of
the next.
The mercury in the troughs can be protected against oxidation or vaporisation
by pouring a layer of oil over the same.
The above construction of the electrode contacts and mercury troughs can also be
employed for the electrodes of primary batteries.
Dated this 21st day of November 1895.
ABEL & IMRAI,
Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements in Accumulators and their Electrode Plates, partly
applicable to Primary Batteries.
We, MORICZ ENGL of I Bellariostrasse No. 4 Vienna, Builder, and FLORIS
WÜSTE of I Getreidemarkt No. 14 Vienna, Austria, Manufacturer, 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 improvements in the construction and arrangement of
accumulators and of the electrode plates therefor.

page_text: The accumulator plates are according to our invention constructed with
perforations to increase the surface and prevent deformation during the charging
and discharging operations. They are composed of metal frames divided by
transverse bars into grating-like compartments or panels which are filled in with
the ordinary active material. This is held in position by projections or teeth on
each face of the frame, which project over the surface of the material. The active
material is perforated with a considerable number of holes so as both to considerably
increase the active surface of the plate and its capacity for taking up the liquid
electrolyte, and to prevent the deformation of the plate during discharging, as the
mass in swelling can expand freely within the holes and is thus prevented from
materially expanding at the periphery.
Instead of insulating the electrode plates from each other merely by the
intervening liquid electrolyte, as in present constructions, whereby the danger of
short circuiting arises through pieces of conducting material falling between the
plates so as to establish contacts between them, we interpose between the
successive plates perforated or porous sheets of insulating material such as celluloid
ebonite &c. which, while allowing free access of the electrolyte to the plate,
prevent any conducting contacts. Such insulating sheets may either be loose, or
they may be attached to the frame of the plates. With this arrangement the
electrodes may be placed comparatively close together, thereby increasing the
electro-motive force of the battery. For maintaining the plates securely at
the requisite distance apart, we provide at the ends of the cell, plates of insulating
material having vertical slots or grooves open at top and terminating a short
distance from the bottom of the cell into which grooves the ends of the electrode
plates are slid. Instead of forming the grooves in separate plates as described,
they may be formed in the end walls of the cell itself.
We construct the cell of the accumulator of two or more celluloid sheets placed
one over the other, or by winding a long sheet of celluloid round and round the
four sides of the cell, this being strengthened by metal corner pieces both inside
and outside. The joints of the celluloid are suitably cemented together, and to the
angle pieces preferably by celluloid solution.
The cells are enclosed by a cover, which, to prevent the splashing out of the
electrolyte, while at the same time providing the necessary inlet openings therefor,
are made double or hollow, the opening for the introduction of the electrolyte and
for the escape of the gases being arranged at one point of the outer part of the
cover from which point the electrolyte flows through the hollow space of the cover
to another point where an opening is formed in the lower part of the cover for it
to flow into the cell, the gases escape in the opposite direction.
The cover is also provided with other openings for the passage of the terminals
of the electrodes.
For staying the side walls of the cell, small rods are made to extend over the
cover, and are connected at the ends to the walls.
Any required number of the cells are fitted into a wooden box which is lined
with celluloid plates, over which is laid a layer of felt, so as to afford a certain
amount of elasticity and allow the cells to be fitted in tightly together.
The improvements are shown on the accompanying drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a complete accumulator-cell, formed of three superposed perforated
celluloid plates, with supports carrying the same.
Figure 2 is a horizontal section, and
Figure 3 a vertical section through the cell.
Figure 2A is a horizontal section of a modified construction of the cell with rod
and angle stiffening.
Figure 4 represents separately one of the gratings, some panels of which are
illed with the active mass.
Figure 5 is a vertical cross section through the same.
Figure 6 is an elevation and Figure 7 a vertical cross section and Figure 8ª a
horizontal section of the supports for supporting the accumulator-plates.

page_text: Figure 9 is a vertical section through the cover.
Figure 10 illustrates a wooden-box with sliding contacts and with six inserted
cells in vertical section.
Figure 11 shows the same in vertical cross section and Figure 12 is a plan view
of the same.
Figure 13 is an elevation and Figure 14 a plan view and Figures 15 and 16 a
diagram (section and plan view) of an accumulator battery in which the electrodes
may be easily disengaged from the circuit without interrupting the latter.
Referring to Figures 1 to 5 the active mass of the accumulator plates a,
manufactured in the known manner, has in each panel (formed by the ribs of the
grating) a number of perforations of any size.
These perforations have the purpose of augmenting considerably the surface
of the plate without having a great loss of the mass; they also augment the
capacity of absorption when the plates are dipped into an electrolyte, and lastly
they prevent a deformation of the plates during the discharging operation as the
mass has sufficient freedom to expand in the interior of the many openings. In
order to keep the mass in the gratings we employ grooves 6' 6' which are formed
by opposite series of teeth or projections 62 6³.
These teeth or projections 62 may be of any size; the teeth of the one series are
opposite the recesses of the other series. By this alternating arrangement of the
projections the manufacture of the castings is simplified and facilitated.
The accumulators of any other construction have the inconvenience that they
are insulated only by a liquid, consisting of dilute sulphuric acid; if now a small
piece of metal or peroxide of lead (separated from a plate) or any other conducting
material falls accidentally between a positive and a negative plate and is jammed
there, then a short circuit is effected, and the accumulators will be discharged.
We employ thin plates of non-conducting material placed between the electrode
plates, which prevent the connection of the plates by any foreign conducting
body.
In this case the electrode plates may be placed nearer together whereby
their weight and the volume can be dimiuished and the electro motive force and
capacity augmented.
Such leaves or plates c c, preferably of celluloid, are either simply put in between
the electrode plates or they are fixed to the same.
Instead of celluloid plates we may employ plates of india rubber, gutter percha,
ebonite, silk or glass, or of any other insulating material, having the necessary
degree of porosity or being perforated.
In order to maintain the plates at certain distances apart we provide special
supports dd of non-conducting material. These supports consist of plates dd with
parallel vertical grooves d d of a width corresponding to the thickness of the
accumulator plates and situated between ribs di d' (Figures 6 to 8) into which
grooves are inserted the plates.
Two such supports d d are placed opposite to each other against the end walls of
the cell and maintain the plates in a parallel position.
The grooves do not extend to the bottom of the supports, so that a ledge d³ is
formed at the bottom upon which rest the plates at a certain distance from the
bottom of the cell.
Instead of employing these supports d d the cell walls may themselves be
provided with such grooves for receiving the plates.
Such a celluloid cell may be stiffened for example, by 2, 3, or more leaves of
celluloid e e e Figures 1 to 3, one over the other, or by a single long strip of
celluloid which is wound several times round.
It should be observed that the joints of the leaves are not one over the other,
but are arranged alternately to prevent any leaking.
The strips are preferably cemented by means of dissolved celluloid.
The edges
of the cells are also stiffened by angle strips of celluloid which are also cemented
by means of dissolved celluloid to the cell walls.

page_text: Instead of the inner angle strips or bands ff (Figure 2) we may also employ
rods 99 (Figure 24) cemented in an analogous manner.
The electrode plates are very sensitive against the influences of atmospheric air
and must always be immersed in acid.
To prevent the squirting out of such acid we provide the cell with a special
double cover; this consists of two covers ' * Figures 1, 3, 9, which have (besides
the openings for the entrance of the circuit terminals) several openings k kl and k,
which are arranged alternately, whereby the filling with acid and the escaping of
the gases is rendered possible, while a squirting out of the acid is prevented.
In order to render an easy filling with acid possible, the one opening k¹ may be
provided with the a short tube (for fitting on a funnel).
To prevent a bending outward of the side walls of the cell we may provide small
rods over the cover, which are connected at the ends to the cell walls.
The cells may be arranged in any desired number in a wooden case or box m;
Figures 10 to 12 represent such a box with 6 inserted cells.
The wooden case is lined on the inner side with plates n of celluloid with a
superposed layer of impregnated felt to press the cells tightly together.
In order to prevent the accidental entering of acid between the cells and between
these and the case walls, the joints are made tight by means of strips of celluloid g
which are cemented upon the cells or upon the wooden case.
The common pole conductor of the positive and of the negative plates are formed
by conducting rods leading to contact bars on the bottom of the case.
The conducting rods from the poles to the appertaining contact bar (sliding
contact) are preferably led in the interior of the case so that they cannot
be hurt.
The cases m,
which may be employed in larger installations in a greater number,
are put upon similar contact bars from which the current is taken.
In order to enable an exact mounting or sliding of the cases upon the sliding
contacts, and to insure the case itself against displacement, we provide besides the
contacts on the bottom, stops ss of non-conducting material serving as guides
to the case.
At the same time we provide that each secondary battery may be connected or
disengaged at will, without interrupting the circuit.
The described constructions of the cells, covers &c. serve preferably for portable
accumulators; in stationary accumulators it is preferable to dispense with the
cover, and to mount the electrodes in such a manner, that any one of the same
may be removed, without interrupting the circuit.
This is attained by providing all electrodes with arc-shaped conductors, from
which those of the positive electrodes are directed to the one side, and those of the
negative electrodes to the other side of the cell, these conductors being made to
dip in vessels filled partly with mercury to effect the contact.
Referring to Figures 13 to 16 the electrodes + a and a have conductors b b¹
which are bent to an are shape outward over the top edge of the vessel and dip
with their ends in trough like vessels c c containing mercury (e e').
The conductors 6 of the positive plates + a are directed to the one side those (61)
of the negative plates a to the opposite side of the cell A.
When a cell is used, in this case the electrode extremities d d¹ of the circuit
conductors ff. Figures 14 dip into the vessels c c.
When we employ several cells the conductors are arranged in such a manner
that the positive conductors 6 of the one cell and the negative conductor 6' of the
other cell dip into the mercury vessel c c¹ of the two adjoining batteries.
In order to effect a sure contact the ends of the conductors bb may be provided
with small copper studs 9 9' dipping into the mercury, whereas the other part of
the conductor is covered with insulating material (gutta percha wax silk &c.).
In order to guard the mercury in the vessels c c against vaporizing and
the pole ends or copper studs against oxydation we pour upon the mercury e e
a layer of oil h¹ which may be renewed from time to time.

page_text: Such electrodes have the great advantage that each cell may be removed
separately from the vessel A, without interrupting the circuit, so that the electrodes
can be easily exchanged.
The above described construction can obviously also be employed in connection
with primary elements.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. An accumulator constructed with perforated electrode-plates, the perforated
active mass of which is supported by grating like frames substantially as and for
the purpose described.
2. In accumulators a grating or grid for receiving the active mass provided
with grooves, formed of opposite alternating series of teeth or projections C. C.
substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. In accumulators the combination with the electro plates of plates of
insulating material either porous or artificially perforated, placed between the
accumulator-plates substantially as set forth.
4. In accumulators the use of supports for carrying the electrode plates, the
Baid supports consisting in plates d placed against the opposite walls of the cells
and provided with grooves d' that do not extend to the bottom substantially
as set forth.
5. In accumulators constructing the cells of celluloid or any other suitable non-
conducting material formed of one or several strips or sheets, which are wound the
one over the other, and which cell may be stiffened with strips (Figures 1-3)
or by bars (Figure 2) substantially as described.
6. In accumulators a cover or lid consisting of two plates h² provided with
alternately placed openings substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7. In accumulators the provision of stiffening ribs i crossing the cover and
connected at their ends to the walls of the vessel substantially as set forth.
8. In accumulators the use of a wooden box or case m for the reception of
several cells, said case being lined with celluloid or other suitable non-conducting
material with a superposed layer of felt substantially as set forth.
9. In accumulators making the joints tight between the cells and between these
and the box or case walls by means of strips of celluloid or any other non-conducting
material substantially as described.
10. In accumulators the arrangements of sliding contacts formed by bars or
rods rr on the bottom surfaces of the cases substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
11. In accumulators providing the electrodes with conductors 66 of which
the positive ones project over the top edge of the cell in the one direction
while those of the negative plates are directed to the opposite side of the cell
such conductors being made to dip into vessels c c filled partly with mercury
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
12. In accumulators such as are described in Claim 11, the arrangement of
conductors bb provided with copper studs g g on the ends that dip into the
mercury substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
13. In accumulators such as are described in Claims 11 and 12 the use of a layer
of oil placed upon the mercury in the vessels (c c¹) substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
Dated this 20th day of August, 1896.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.