Improvements in Secondary Batteries.
Year: 1898

page_text: We, GEORGE EDWARD BARKER PRITCHETT, THEODORE WILLIAM PRITCHETT, and
ARCHIBALD GILBEY GOLD, all of 31, Soho Square, London, Electrical Engineers,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to an improved method of mounting the plates or electrodes
of secondary batteries and its object is to provide a means whereby a battery or
section of plates may be built up before leaving the manufactory ready for placing
in the containing cell and at the same time to provide a means whereby the plates
of one polarity may be readily removed from those of the other polarity and to
prevent contact between plates of different polarity by the accumulation at the
bottom of the cell of active material which may become dislodged from them.
In carrying out our invention we construct the two outside plates and sometimes
others of the same polarity of a greater width than the remainder of the plates in
a section and across the side edges of these wider plates we fix a bar or bars of
metal or other material and we also prolong the side edges of these same plates
at the bottom corners which we also connect together in a similar manner, between
these plates and resting on the bottom bars we place on each side a sheet of glass
or other insulating material and on the side edges of the other plates on both sides
we form projections which rest upon the top edges of the sheets of insulating
material.
Tanter first lasr of Anril 1898
Improvements in Secondary Batteries.
We, GEORGE EDWARD BARKER PRITCHETT, THEODORE WILLIAM PRITCHETT, and
ARCHIBALD GILBEY GOLD, of Highfield Works, Feltham, in the County of
Middlesex (late of 31, Soho Square, London, W.), Electrical Engineers, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement
Our invention relates to an improved method of mounting the plates or electrodes
of secondary batteries and its object is to provide a means whereby a battery or

page_text: section of plates may be built up before leaving the manufactory ready for placing
in the containing cell and at the same time to provide a means whereby the plates
of one polarity may be readily removed from those of the other polarity and to
prevent contact between plates of different polarity by the accumulation at the
bottom of the cell of active material which may become dislodged from them.
In order that our invention may be readily understood we shall now proceed
to describe by way of a type or example one way in which it is to be or may be
carried into effect and for that purpose we shall refer to the accompanying sheet
of drawings which illustrate the plates and certain other parts of a battery grouped
and fitted together in position and ready for insertion in a containing vessel.
In the said drawings,
Figure I is a cross section, and
Figure II an end elevation.
Referring now to the figures, 1, 1 are the external plates, that is to say the first
and last of the series of plates constituting the electrical elements of the battery.
These plates we make wider and deeper at certain parts for the purposes herein-
after described. Thus they are extended in width at the parts 2, 2 and 3, 3 for
connection one with another by cross bars and for close fitting in a containing cell
and in depth also at the points 3, 3 in order also to raise the elements above the
bottom of the containing vessel. Extending between the parts 2,2 are the cross
bars 4, 4 hereinafter for the purposes of this specification termed the "shoulder
bars," and shown in section in Figure I and in elevation in Figure II. These
shoulder bars may conveniently be formed of the lead or other metal of which the
plates, frames or grids are formed. The said external plates may also be connected
together at the parts 3, 3 by other cross bars, hereinafter for the purposes of this
specification termed the foot bars," 5, 5 shown in section in Figure I and in
elevation in Figure II and which also may be composed of the lead or other metal
of which the elements consist. It will be seen also that at the said parts 3, 3.
the external plates project downwards so as to constitute feet supporting the said
plates. The intermediate plates 6 are shown as being without the said extended
parts so that they do not come in contact with, or rest upon, any part of the
containing cell but are supported as will now be described. At a convenient part
of each of their lateral edges they are provided with projections 7, 7 which rest
upon lateral insulating supports 8, 8 consisting in this case of plates of glass
shown in section in Figure I and in elevation by the faint surface shading in
Figure III. These plates of glass rest as shown upon the feet of the external
plates and are placed within the shoulder bars 4 so that they cannot fall outwards.
9, 9 are spacing pieces of ebonite or the like such as are commonly used for
separating the plates from one another.
It will be seen that by means of our invention the whole of the plates consti-
tuting the battery can be readily lifted out of the containing vessel without
separation and further that any of the intermediate plates can be readily lifted
out in a vertical direction and be replaced without disturbing the other plates
further than by removal of such spacing pieces as are in contact with the plate
or plates to be so removed or replaced. It will further be seen that by means of
the projecting parts 3, 3 the intermediate plates are raised well above the bottom
of the containing vessel so that contact between the plates through accumulation
of dislodged active material is obviated.
It will be seen that the feet 3, 3 and or the foot bars 5, 5 serve not only for
connecting the external plates but also as supports for the insulating supports 8, 8.
We desire it to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the number of
parts at which the external plates are extended either laterally or downwardly,
nor do we limit ourselves to the number of cross bars employed."
When the battery consists of a large number of plates we find it convenient to
employ other plates (hereinafter termed strengthening plates) of the same polarity
and form as the external plates and placed between the said external plates, the
said strengthening plates being attached to the cross bars in the same manner

page_text: as the external plates. The row of plates is thus divided by the said strengthening
plates into groups. When we so employ strengthening plates we employ a separate
insulating support for each of such groups.
For the purposes of this specification we shall employ the term "extension"
plates to include the said external plates and the said strengthening plates.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is;-
1. In a secondary battery, extension plates having extensions downwards and
laterally, the said extensions being connected together by foot bars, serving also
to support insulating pieces which themselves serve to support intermediate plates.
2. In a secondary battery, extension plates having lateral extensions, the said
extensions being connected together by shoulder bars serving not only to connect
extension plates together but also to retain in position the insulating supports
which sustain intermediate plates.
3. In a secondary battery the employment of foot bars serving not only to
connect extension plates but also to support the insulating pieces which sustain
intermediate plates.
4. In a secondary battery the employment of shoulder bars which not only
serve to connect extension plates but also to restrain the falling outwards of the
insulating pieces which sustain intermediate plates.
5. In a secondary battery the employment of insulating supports resting upon
the feet of extension plates and or the foot bars connecting the same and directly
supporting intermediate plates substantially as set forth.
6. The specific arrangement and combination of parts substantially as set forth
with reference to Figures I and II
Dated this 21st day of January 1899.
For the Applicants,
J. G. LORRAIN, M.I.E.E., &c.,
Norfolk House, Norfolk Street, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agent.

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