Improvements in Cells for Secondary Batteries.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Dec., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 28th Aug., 1889-Accepted, 28th Sept., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cells for Secondary Batteries.
MARK BAILEY Hollies Lodge Clarence Road Wood Green London N. Electrician
and JOHN WARNER 21 Osborn Street Whitechapel London E. Ironfounder do hereby.
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows 1-
Our Invention relates to "Improvements in Cells for Secondary Batteries,"
and consists in so forming the earthenware, glass, metal or other vessels employed for
containing the secondary elements as that the gases evolved from, or forced into said
cells during the forming or charging process, may be retained within the cell at any
desired pressure. For this purpose we fit the glass, earthenware, porcelain, ebonite,
wood, or other containing vessels, with a suitable lid or cover, which may be luted on
if desired, and secured by bolts, studs, clamps or any suitable equivalent means for
effectually withstanding internal pressure, and preventing the escape of gas or gases.
The lids or covers are fitted with insulated stuffing boxes or equivalent devices, through
which the connections to the contained elements pass. We also provide suitable safety
valves whereby any undue internal pressure is avoided. We sometimes construct
our improved cells of metal such as lead, or of mineral substances such as graphite
or other forms of carbon. In such cases the cell or containing chamber forms one
element in the combination, and to prevent leakage or short circuiting by contact, we
prefer to enclose these chambers or cells in an outer insulated chamber which in common
with the cell, can be sealed up if desired. We sometimes mount a dome or air
chamber, upon sealed cells constructed as described, which is preferably provided with
a double cock and pressure gauge.
Dated December 1st 1888
FRANCIS M. ROGERS,
Applicants' Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cells for Secondary Batteries.
MARK BAILEY Hollies Lodge Clarence Road Wood Green London N., Electrician
and JOHN WARNER 21 Osborn Street Whitechapel London E. Ironfounder, 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:-
Our Invention relates to "Improvements in Cells for Secondary Batteries,"
and consists in so forming the earthenware, glass, metal or other vessels employed for
containing the secondary elements as that the gases evolved from, or forced into said
cells during the forming or charging process, may be retained within the cell at any
desired pressure.
For this purpose we fit the glass, earthenware, porcelain ebonite
wood or other containing vessels with a suitable lid or cover, which may be luted on
if desired and secured by bolts, studs, clamps or any suitable equivalent means for
effectually withstanding internal pressure, and preventing the escape of gas or gases.
The lids or covers are fitted with insulated stuffing boxes or equivalent devices, through
which the connections to the contained elements pass. We also provide suitable safety
valves whereby any undue internal pressure is avoided. We sometimes construct
our improved cells of metal such as lead, or of mineral substances such as graphite
or other forms of carbon. In such cases the cell or containing chamber forms one
element in the combination, and to prevent leakage or short circuiting by contact, we
prefer to enclose these chambers or cells in an outer insulated chamber which in common
Price & 1

page_text: with the cell can be sealed up if desired. We sometimes mount a dome or air chamber,
upon sealed cells constructed as described, which is preferably provided with a double
cock and pressure gauge.
To enable our Invention to be more clearly understood we will now describe the
same more particularly by the aid of the drawings in which :-
Fig. 1, is a vertical cross section of a glass or earthenware secondary battery cell
fitted with our improvements.
Fig. 1, is a part sectional elevation shewing cover secured by strap and cottar.
Fig. 2, is an end elevation of glass, earthenware or other cell and cover having lugs,
and bolts.
Fig 3, is a plan of the same.
Fig. 4, is a vertical section upon line A B, Fig. 5 of circular form of cell and cover
secured by wedge fastening.
Fig. 5, is a plan of the same.
Fig. 6, is an elevation of metal cell and fastening for same.
Fig. 7, is an enlarged elevational view of closed cell and fittings.
Fig. 8, is a sectional elevation of metallic or mineral cells mounted in outer con-
taining chamber.
The object of our Invention is to so construct the cells or containing chambers for
secondary battery elements as to enable them to retain the gases evolved during the
charging process under any desired pressure. We find that if either hydrogen or
oxygen gas as the case may be which is generally permitted to escape from the
unclosed cell into the air, be retained, the period of charge is shortened, and time of
discharge prolonged. In addition, if after discharge at the normal rate for any
particular size of plates the elements are allowed to stand for a time, recuperative
action takes place in excess of that produced under similar conditions in an open
chamber or cell. Since the gas evolved by the employment of too dense a charging
current or from other causes is generally in excess recombination cannot take place;
and consequently the electrical efficiency of the elements is lowered. We provide
means for enabling either hydrogen or oxygen gas as may be required to be added to
the closed or enclosed cell from any convenient external source; also for blowing
off the fixed air contained in the exciting fluid, or occluded by the elements.
find that the best working pressure varies with the elements employed and the rate
of charge; and that fall of pressure always accompanies discharge of the stored
current and rise of pressure the operation of charging; so that by noting the internal
pressure upon a gauge suitably mounted upon the cell at any moment, an estimate
may be formed as to the electrical capacity of the cell in charging or discharging.
We
Figs. 1, 2, 3 shew respectively a vertical cross section, end elevation, and plan of
cells constructed of glass, earthenware, or other similar insulating material for con-
taining secondary elements; A, is the cell, a, the cell wall, B, the lid or cover C, the
luting or packing consisting of vulcanized rubber, wood, red lead, or any similar
substance capable of making an air and liquid tight joint. In Fig. 1, the cover B is
secured by straps of wrought iron or other suitable metal d, surrounding the cell.
yoke, crossbar, or crossbars e, when more than one strap is employed drops over both
ends of the strap d, which is screwed to receive nuts E, or a cottar f, may be employed
as at Fig. 1ª.
A
Fig. 2, 3, shews a cell similar to that described under fig. 1, but having lugs F,
through which bolts and nuts or screwed studs J, pass see also enlarged view in
Fig. 7, thereby securing the lid or cover which may be luted on if required.
Fig. 4, 5, shew a form of cell of circular shape the lid or cover of which is fitted
with wedge fastenings l. The lugs F, are tapered out as at k, and wedge shaped
tenons or tongues 1, are formed in the substance of the cover or attached thereto :
By turning the lid sharply round in the direction shewn by the arrow, the taper
tenons 1, enter the grooves R, in the lugs F, forcing the lid or cover B, tightly upon
the cell and so forming an air tight joint, this method of fastening the lid or cover
is equally applicable to cells constructed of glass, earthenware; or other insulating
material, or of metal.

page_text: Fig. 6, shews in elevation a containing chamber or cell constructed wholly of metal
such as iron or lead; which may form one of the elements, or not, as desired; the lid
is preferably secured with bolts and nuts as shewn or it may be secured in any other
suitable manner; luting being employed if required.
We find it desirable in order to regulate the internal pressure to employ a small
safety valve p; see fig. 7, which may be mounted up in any convenient position upon
the cover of each cell, or one safety valve may be employed for several cells, we also
employ stuffing boxes r, which in the case of metallic cells are composed of
insulating material, and through these the connections s, to the contained elements
pass.
Fig. 8, shews the method employed when the cells are constructed of metal such as
lead or of mineral substances such as graphite or other forms of carbon. In such
cases the cell or containing chamber forms one element in the combination the other
element of whatever kind being insulated from it. To avoid leakage or short
circuiting by contact we prefer to enclose such cells or chambers in an outer insulated
chamber N, which in common with the cell can be sealed up if desired.
In the drawing A¹, indicates the secondary cells; N, the outer chamber which may
be constructed of wood or other suitable substance having a lid or cover luted on and
secured with straps as in Fig. 1, or in any equivalent manner. Such cells may also be
enclosed in a metallic outer chamber, in which case we line the chamber and lute on
the lid with rubber or other suitable non conducting material.
In order to ascertain the internal pressure existing at any moment and so test the
electrical capacity of the elements during charge or discharge we prefer to employ a
dome t, see fig. 7, which is preferably surmounted with a pressure gauge u, and
double cock v vl; by means of one cock air or gas may be removed from one or more
cells as the case may be, the other cock being employed for forcing in oxygen or
hydrogen gas as may be required to effect combination and prevent loss of electricity
due to excess of either gas. If desired the cock v, may be employed to admit
hydrogen and oxygen.
We wish it clearly understood that our improvements relate to cells for secondary
batteries; varying shapes of which are shewn in the drawings. We do not however
confine ourselves strictly to such shapes, as it is obvious that they can be indefinitely
modified to suit differing forms of plates.
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 :--
1st. In a cell or containing chamber for secondary battery elements the addition of
a lid or cover luted thereto and fastened thereon so as to resist internal pressure
and prevent the escape of the gases evolved, or forced into the cell during the
forming or charging process, substantially as and for the purposes described.
2nd. The combination in or with a closed or enclosed cell or containing chamber for
secondary battery elements of the safety valve or valves p, the stuffing box "", insulated
or not, and the dome or air chamber t, fitted with gauge u, and cocks v v¹ operating in
the way and manner and for the purposes set forth.
3rd. The particular construction of divided cell or containing chamber and cover
for same for enclosing a series of secondary cells and elements, and storing the
gases evolved from or forced into said elements during the charging process,
substantially as described.
4th. The combination with a closed cell or containing chamber for secondary
elements of the strap device d, having screwed ends and nuts E, or cottars f. The
Yoke e, mounted thereon and secured by said nuts or cottars substantially as shewn
and described under Fig. 1 and 1ª.
5th. The combination with a closed cell for secondary elements of the lugs F. upon
the cell and cover for same, and the bolts or studs J, for hermetically securing said
cover to cell by means of luting C, as set forth.

page_text: 6th. The combination in or with a closed cell of circular shape of the lugs E, having
taper grooves k, and the tongues or tenons 1, upon cover B, engaging therewith for
securing said cover and preventing the escape of the gas or gases evolved from or
forced into said cell.
1 001 1000
FRANCIS M. ROGERS,
Agent for Applicants.