Improvements in Switches for Secondary Batteries or Accumulators.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Oct., 1891-Accepted, 4th Mar., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Switches for Secondary Batteries or Accumulators.
I, HERMANN MÜLLER, of Nuremburg in the Empire of Germany do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The invention relates to distributing switches for secondary batteries.
The apparatus consists of two series of contact pieces, which are connected to the
single cells of the battery, alternating with metallic insulated pieces, so as to form
two guides for the sliding contact lever. Parallel to the same are arranged two
conducting rods which are connected by a resistance. This resistance not only
avoids short circuiting of the cells but serves also for the gradual variations of the
electric tension of the lamp circuit. For this purpose it is made adjustable according
to the varying current. The insulated pieces, as mentioned above may be united
with the rods to form a rack. Over these and the contact pieces of the cells slides
a contact lever operated by a spindle.
A device is employed by which a second sliding contact, moved by the same
spindle which moves the principal contact, forms a separate circuit to a voltmeter,
for measuring the tension of the accumulator or the state of the charge.
Dated this 4th day of January 1891.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Switches for Secondary Batteries or Accumulators.
I, HERMANN MÜLLER of Nuremburg in the Empire of Germany, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manuer the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to switches for secondary batteries or accumulators which
serve the purpose of switching in or out a cell without the danger of short circuiting
and also to apparatus which serves to control the tension or the state of charge of
the cells in order to switch out the said cells when they are fully charged.
My invention is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawing which
shows the apparatus diagramatically.
The improved switch is shown in the drawing at A.
represent single
cells of a storage battery which are connected to the contacts c₁₂ C3—C² ² III -
Between cc, and care arranged metallic pieces a₁ as a-which form together
the sliding guide G, for the sliding contact pieces. In the same way a' a"-form
together with the contacts e c"the sliding way G. for the sliding contact pieces be.
The two sliding pieces are connected to the block T and are insulated from
each other. The block T is moved up and down by the screw which can be
turned by means of the handle h. Parallel with the sliding ways G, G, are
arranged the sliding rods S, S, which are always in contact with the sliding
pieces b, and b, respectively. Between the two sliding rods S, S, is a resistance W
which serves the purpose of preventing short circuiting of a cell, when the sliding
contacts b, b, are moved and also for diminishing (halving) the gradations of the
tension, when the block T is moved. This resistance can be so regulated, that
these gradations of the tension are not more than one volt. By using separate
sliding ways G, G, for each sliding contact b₁, b, according to the foregoing
7)

page_text: improvement the intermediate pieces a₁, -and aa" can be made of metal and
as shown in the drawing can be made in one piece.
The direction of the current is as follows: As shown in the drawing the current
passes from cell to the contact, then through the sliding contact to the
sliding rod S, and then through the resistance W to the sliding rod S, and through
the ammeter to the lamps. In the position ay the current comes from the same
cell to the contact piece c" and from thence direct to the lamps. In moving the
block T from one position to the next, there is one position as shown by the line u, v
in which the cell will send a current through the resistance W.
Instead of applying two sliding ways G, G₂ in connection with two sliding
contacts there can also be arranged three or more sliding ways in connection
with three or more sliding contacts. In this case the above mentioned gradations
of the tensions can be diminished to one third of the voltage of one cell.
The construction of this apparatus can be so arranged, that the two sliding ways
are circular, instead of straight. In this case the sliding contacts are fastened
at the end of a lever, which turns on a pivot forming the centre of the circular
way.
This apparatus may also be used for switching primary cells.
The improved apparatus for controlling the tension is shown at B in connection
with the other apparatus. Two small sliding ways si, ss, are provided which are
connected to a voltmeter, and two small contacts PP, which make contact with s 88
and which are fastened to, but insulated from block T. These two sliding contacts
are arranged at such a distance from each other, that they make contact with the
terminals of one cell. In this manner the voltage of the cell, which is being charged,
can be measured. The voltage of a cell while being charged, increases from 1'8
to 27 volts. Therefore by measuring its voltage we get an idea of the quantity of
electrical energy stored in it. With the foregoing arrangement a signal-apparatus
can be connected, so that when the cell is fully charged that is to say, when its
voltage has increased to 27 volts a contact is made with a relay, which rings a
bell. Such a relay can also be used to start an electro motor of an automatic
apparatus by which the screw of the accumulator switch is turned in order to
switch out the fully charged cell.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
First. A switch for secondary batteries or accumulators which is provided with
separate sliding ways for each sliding contact substantially in the manner, herein-
before described.
Second. In combination with the sliding contacts, the arrangement of a resistance,
which can be varied in order to diminish the gradations of the tension caused by
working the sliding contacts.
Third. In combination with the secondary battery or accumulator switch herein
described, the arrangement of an apparatus for the purpose of measuring the voltage
or the charge of the cells substantially in the manner hereinbefore described and
represented in the accompanying drawing.
Fourth. In combination with the above described measuring apparatus, the
arrangement of a relay, which makes contact, when the cell has its highest voltage,
so as to ring a bell or to work the electro magnet of an automatic apparatus that
switches out the fully charged cell.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.