Improvements in and Appertaining to Electric Piles and Plates therefor.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 20th June, 1887
Complete Left, 15th Mar., 1888
Complete Accepted, 20th Apr., 1888
Improvements in and Appertaining to Electric Piles and Plates
therefor.
I, EDMOND JULIEN of Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Inventor, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :—
In a previous application for a patent, (No. 8881 of 1885) I stated that the
reason why electric accumulators or secondary piles had not up till then given
practical results was that all those which had previously been produced, had either
as a cause or effect the continuous oxidation of the plate supporting the active
matter in the positive electrode, whether this matter was obtained by dissolution
or by deposition and I pointed out the inconveniences which resulted from the
rapid deterioration of the said electrode. I made known at the same time an
invention which remedied this objectionable state of things, namely, the construction
of a practical and durable accumulator for electricity.
I beg to mention that my accumulators are constructed on a principle dia-
metrically opposed to that of the piles just mentioned, and chiefly comprise
electrodes formed of a metallic inoxidisable plate which is the support for the
active matter. For the construction of my supporting plates I produce a com
position, the component parts of which I fix definitely in the following proportions:-
94 parts of lead, 4 parts of antimony, and 14 parts of mercury, in 100 parts by
weight. I obtain by this combination a new inoxidisable body, which has all the
qualities of a good conductor of electricity.
Experience has proved to me that the proportions which I have here given are
essential in order to make the metal inoxidisable. I may remark that the known
simple alloy of two of these metals, the lead and the antimony, produces a certain
rigidity in the plates for a short time, without offering any other advantages over
the accumulators with pure lead plates.
It is acknowledged that my accumulators have special virtues which constitute
them commercial piles entirely different from those mentioned above, which demon-
strates the correctness of the principle which I apply. Continuous working is
assured, the capacity for storing and the yield are at their maximum, the maintenance
is almost nill, and notably the weight is reduced to equal the volume of the active
matter.

page_text: I will here mention certain improvements in the construction of my accumulators:-
(A) To the liquid generally used, which is water acidulated by sulphuric acid,
I add a variable quantity of sulphate of magnesia, which has the effect of facilitating
the working of the pile.
(B) In an element I connect the electrodes of the same name by means of a
conductor of the same metal as that used in the construction of the plates, but the
composition of which I modify in order to make it more rigid; and in a battery I
connect the elements by similar conductors. Figures 1 and 2 (of the annexed
drawings) show, by transverse sections through the axis of the standards, two ways
of connecting the plates, and figure 3 represents a method of connecting the elements
of a battery.
In figure 1 the standards a of the plates penetrate into the connecting bar where
the contact is secured by the solder c.
In figure 2 the connecting bar 6 falls into a groove made in the standards a and
the contact is secured by a rivet c.
(C) When I make use of a wooden cistern for mounting the elements of a
battery, I line this cistern on the inside with a covering formed of a thin sheet
of metal composed of the alloy described as being used for the plates or the
connecting bars (figure 4).
5
The principle on which I construct the supporting plates allows me to form special 2
piles which I will describe.
1ST. SECONDARY PILE WITH DOUBLE ELECTRODES.
The elements of this pile are essentially based on the use of a slab or plate with a
solid and inoxidisable core or supporting plate, the two sides of which are furnished
with active matters. The interval between each two plates or elements must 2
necessarily form a water-tight compartment, the conducting liquid in which is not
in communication with that of the next compartment. I make this pile in one of
the forms represented by figures 5 and 5ª, 6 and 7, but it may be made in any
other suitable form.
For illustration I shall consider especially the pillar pile represented in figure 5, 3
and I shall suppose that the active matter of the electrode is formed by the oxides
of lead. The lower cone a¹ which can only have one side covered with active
matter, rests on a block of wood or other insulating substance; the cone a² rests
on the truncated part of the first one, with a disc 6 made of wood, glass, ebonite,
etcetera, as the intermedium, in order to leave a suitable space between the two 3
surfaces of the cones, which might also be maintained by the insulators c; the third
cone a³ is placed on the second one as that is placed on the first and so on, all the
cones forming a pillar the height of which is not limited. The space between the
cones is filled with a liquid which is a good conductor.
The cones or pyramids need not be truncated, but in this case they are separated by 4
a series of intermediate insulators.
If, through a pile thus prepared without connection between the electrodes, I
pass a current of electricity, entering for instance by the plug d and coming out at
the plug d¹, this current will traverse the whole pile and, exercising its well known
action on the liquid in each intervening space, will transform the active matter on 4
the two surfaces in contact with the said liquid, the one into peroxide of lead fand
the other into reduced lead g. Each plate or cone thus constitutes a double electrode,
having one side positive and one negative. In other words, I obtain by my process
two electrodes on the same plate, while it requires two plates to form the two
electrodes of a pair in all primary or secondary elements in use up to the present 5
time. I obtain the same result from the pile with straight plates, of which figure 7
represents a central section. The plates a are in this instance fitted into the receiver
and separated so that each pair forms between them a water tight compartment for
the reception of the liquid e.
This method is practicable only with plates, the cores or supporting plates of which 5

page_text: are solid and inoxidisable. If the cores did not fulfil these conditions the alteration
of the support by oxidation would not permit of the continuous working of two
electrodes on the one plate. The before mentioned result could only be obtained for
a very short time, with lead plates whether pure or alloyed with antimony or whether
they be smooth or previously furnished with active matter.
Figures 8 and 9 show vertical sections of conical or pyramidal slabs or plates
which are specially suitable for my elements. Figures 5 and 5, 6 and 8 show in
section, perspective plan and section respectively, a form of plate or slab having
projections which in its interior are arranged according to the generating lines of the
cone or pyramid, and on its exterior are arranged horizontally. These projections
are useful in supporting the active matter.
can also apply my system of double electrodes on one place to primary pres, by
covering my plates with heterogeneous bodies, which are plunged into the same
liquid, and there give rise to chemical reactions.
In the two classes of piles, primary and secondary, with double electrodes, a battery
contains as many cells as there are plates (less one) and the electro-motive force
being in proportion to the number of elements, I can with great facility construct
piles or batteries of high tension. The electro-motive force is besides greater in this
class of elements than in ordinary piles, by reason of the suppression of one of the
two plates, which in the latter are essential to the formation of a pair. It may be
advantageous to enumerate some of the commercial advantages which accrue from
the new system of erecting piles in columns :-total suppression of the receivers,
considerable reduction in the space occupied by the battery, suppression of the
connections between the elements of a battery, the said connections being only
necessary between the two extreme plates; facility in mounting; greater electric
capacity for an equal weight than in batteries with ordinary plates; remarkable
economy in every respect; and finally, in piles with conical or pyramidal plates,
I obtain a large electrode surface in a small bulk.
To construct conical, pyramidal or similarly shaped plates it is necessary to use a
special mould which I will describe, taking the conical form as an illustration. This
apparatus, represented in figures 10-13 in elevation, sections and plan respectively,
is principally composed of-
(a) A cast iron table A with feet mounted on rollers to facilitate the removal of the
apparatus. This table is cut away in the place where it receives the core of the
mould and has two slides or grooves for guiding the feet of the movable pieces, or
shells, surrounding the core.
(b) Of a metallic hollow core B, the base of which is so constructed as to fit into
and be held in place by the table A.
(c) Of two metallic shells C C of such a form that they enclose the core so as to
leave a suitable space for the reception of the molten metal of which the plate is
constituted. They are withdrawn and closed by a simple sliding movement, being
guided by the foot D which they have at their base. Each of the movable pieces C
is provided with two lugs by which they are joined by means of a bolt F fixed in one
of the lugs; the final closing of the two pieces C is accomplished by the cotter G
which passes through the bolt F and forces the shells to joint exactly one against the
other to form the mould.
(d) Of a funnel shaped neck H formed with one half in each of the pieces C and
into which the molten material is poured.
(e) Of a heater I placed on racks on the legs of the table, so that the mould may
be heated at will and the necessary temperature maintained.
In the sides of the pieces surrounding the core BI arrange air holes which allow
the gases to escape during the process of casting. Finally, to facilitate the manipu-
lation of the pieces C, I affix to each of them a handle over the centre of the slide.
The surface of the core is grooved according to the generatrices of the cone, and

page_text: the inside of the shells is grooved horizontally, or according to the plane of their
movement on the table. In this way I obtain the projections which are necessary for
the support of the active matter. I must here mention that this arrangement is
essential as the construction of a mould in three pieces, and the easy withdrawal of
the plate is by this means only rendered possible.
To cast a plate, it is only necessary to close the apparatus and to pour into the
funnel a sufficient quantity of molten material which diffuses itself in the space left
between the outer and inner parts of the mould, and there forms the plate, which is
taken out after the two shells enclosing the core have been separated, by lifting
vertically by the "head which has been formed in the funnel. The "head is
afterwards cut off with a saw.
it
I can arrange the grooves of the mould and consequently the projections of the
plates in any other way, especially in the way shown in the plate which is represented
in figure 9.
To obtain plates in the shape of truncated pyramids, shown in plan in figure 6,
I construct the mould in accordance with the general arrangements just described,
but the core is in this case enclosed by four pieces C, which may be moved in several
ways, especially in the following,-
(a) By a sliding action, as illustrated in figures 14 and 16 in front and side
elevation. In this case the foot of each piece slides in a dovetailed groove.
(b) By being hinged as illustrated in figure 15 in side elevation.
The jointing of the four picces round the core is accomplished either by lugs with
bolts as in the conical mould, or by a clamping collar which encloses them, or by
cotters driven into the table against the foot, as shown in Figure 16, or by any other
suitable mechanical device.
Dand the 10th JT
1007
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: I, EDMOND JULIEN of Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Inventor, 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:-
In a previous application for a patent No. 8881 of 1885, 1 stated that the reason
why electric accumulators or secondary piles, had not, up till then, given practical
results, was that all those which had previously been produced, had either as a cause
or effect, the continuous oxidation of the plate supporting the active matter in the
positive electrode, whether this matter was obtained by dissolution or by deposition,
and I pointed out the inconveniences which resulted from the rapid deterioration of
the said electrode. I made known at the same time an invention which remedied this
objectionable state of things, namely, the construction of a practical and durable
accumulator for electricity.
I beg to mention that my accumulators are constructed on a principle diametrically
opposed to that of the piles just mentioned, and chiefly comprise electrodes formed of
a metallic inoxidisable plate, which is the support for the active matter. For the
construction of my supporting plates, I produce a composition, the component parts
of which I fix definitively in the following proportions:-94 parts of lead, 4 parts
of antimony, and 1½ parts of mercury, in 100 parts by weight. I obtain by this
combination a new inoxidisable body which has all the qualities of a good conductor
of electricity.
Experience has proved to me, that the proportions which I have here given are
essential in order to make the metal inoxidisable. I may remark that the known
simple alloy of two of these metals, the lead and the antimony, produces a certain
rigidity in the plates for a short time, without offering any other advantages over the
accumulators with pure lead plates.
It is acknowledged that my accumulators have special virtues which constitute
them commercial piles entirely different from those mentioned above, which demon-
strate the correctness of the principle which apply. Continuous working is insured,
the capacity for storing and the efficiency are at their maximum, the maintenance is
almost nil, and notably the weight is reduced to equal the volume of the active matter.
I will here mention certain improvements in the construction of my accumulators :-
(A) To the liquid generally used, which is water acidulated by sulphuric acid, I
add a variable quantity of sulphate of magnesia, which has the effect of facilitating
the working of the pile.
(B) In an element I connect the electrodes of the same name by means of a
conductor of the same metal as that used in the construction of the plates, but the
composition of which I modify in order to make it more rigid; and in a battery
I connect the elements by similar conductors.

page_text: lines of the cone or pyramid, and on its exterior are arranged horizontally.
These projections are useful in supporting the active matter.
2ND. PRIMARY PILES.
I can also apply my system of double electrodes on one plate to primary piles,
by covering my plates with heterogeneous bodies, which are plunged into the same
liquid, and there give rise to chemical reactions.
In the two classes of piles, primary and secondary, with double electrodes, a
battery contains as many cells as there are plates, (less one) and the electro
motive force being in proportion to the number of elements, I can, with great
facility, construct piles or batteries of high tension. The electro motive force is
besides greater in this class of elements than in ordinary piles, by reason of the
suppression of one of the two plates, which in the latter are essential to the
formation of a pair. It may be advantageous to enumerate some of the com-
mercial advantages, which accrue from the new system of erecting piles in columns :
total suppression of the receivers, considerable reduction in the space occupied by
the battery, suppression of the connections between the elements of a battery, tho said
connections being only necessary between the too extreme plates; facility in
mounting; greater electric capacity for an equal weight than in batteries with
ordinary plates; remarkable economy in every respect; and finally, in piles with
conical or pyramidal plates, I obtain a large electrode surface in a small bulk.
To construct conical, pyramidal or similarly shaped plates, it is necessary to use
a special mould, which I will describe, taking the conical form as an illustration.
This apparatus, represented in figures 10-13 in elevation, sections and plan
respectively, is principally composed of―
(a) A cast-iron table A with feet mounted on rollers to facilitate the removal of the
apparatus. This table is cut away in the place where it receives the core of the
mould, and has two slides or grooves for guiding the feet of the movable pieces, or
shells surrounding the core.
(b) Of a metallic hollow core B, the base of which is so constructed as to fit into
and be held in place by the table A.
(e) Of two metallic shells CC of such a form that they enclose the core so as to
leave a suitable space for the reception of the molten metal of which the plate is
constituted. They are withdrawn and closed by a simple sliding movement, being
guided by the foot D, which they have at their base. Each of the movable pieces
is provided with two lugs E by which they are joined by means of a bolt F fixed m
one of the lugs; the final closing of the two pieces (is accomplished by the cotter G,
which passes through the bolt F and forces the shells to joint exactly one against the
other to form the mould.
(d) Of a funnel shaped neck H formed with one half in each of the pieces Cand
into which the molten material is poured.
(e) Of a heater I placed on racks on the legs of the table, so that the mould may
be heated at will and the necessary temperature maintained.
In the sides of the pieces surrounding the core B, I arrange air holes which allow
the gases to escape during the process of casting. Finally, to facilitate the manipu-
lation of the pieces C, I affix to each of them a handle over the centre of the slide.
The surface of the core is grooved according to the generatrices of the cone, and
the inside of the shells is grooved horizontally, or according to the plane of their
movement on the table. In this way I obtain the projections which are necessary
for the support of the active matter. I must here mention that this arrangement is
essential, as the construction of a mould in three pieces, and the easy withdrawal
of the plate is by this means only rendered possible.
To cast a plate, it is only necessary to close the apparatus and to pour into the
funnel a sufficient quantity of molten material, which diffuses itself in the space left

page_text: between the outer and inner parts of the mould, and there forms the plate, which is
taken out after the two shells, enclosing the core, have been separated, by lifting it
vertically by the "head" which has been formed in the funnel. The "head
afterwards cut off with a saw.
is
I can arrange the grooves of the mould and consequently the projections of the
plates in any other way, especially in the way shown in the plate, which is represented
in figure 9.
To obtain plates in the shape of truncated pyramids, shown in plan in figure 6,
I construct the mould in accordance with the general arrangements just described,
but the core is in this case enclosed by four pieces C, which may be moved in several
ways, especially in the following:
(a). By a sliding action, as illustrated in figures 14 and 16 in front and side
elevation. In this case the foot of each piece slides in a dovetailed groove.
(b). By being hinged as illustrated in figure 15 in side elevation.
The jointing of the four pieces round the core is accomplished either by lugs with
bolts as in the conical mould, or by a clamping collar which encloses them, or by
cotters driven into the table, against the foot, as shown in Figure 16, or by any other
suitable mechanical device.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. As a supporting plate for an electrode of an electric pile, a plate composed of an
alloy of lead, antimony and mercury.
2. As a supporting plate for an electrode of an electric pile, a plate consisting of an
alloy of 94 parts of lead, 4 parts of antimony, and 14 parts of mercury, in 100 parts
by weight.
3. In an accumulator, an electrode the support of which consists of an alloy of lead,
antimony and mercury, in combination with an active substance.
4. In an electric pile, a conducting liquid, containing sulphate of magnesia in any
suitable proportion.
5. An electric pile plate having a solid inoxidisable body and constituting two
permanent electrodes, a negative and a positive, substantially as described.
6. An accumulator plate, formed of a metallic support, having a solid inoxidisable
body, provided with active substances, and constituting under the action of a current,
and in conjunction with the conducting liquid two electrodes of opposite sign,
substantially as described.
7. A secondary battery formed of separate plates alternating with water tight
compartments containing a conducting liquid, each of these plates constituting two
electrodes of opposite sign, and having no solid electric connection with each
other, except by the extreme terminals of the pile, substantially as described.
8. A primary pile, having each plate carrying two electrodes of opposite sign,
formed by bodies that rise to chemical reactions, substantially as described.
9. A conical or pyramidal plate for an accumulator, carrying projections, arranged
on one face according to the generating lines, and on the other horizontally, so
that the projections of the faces, lie in opposite directions, substantially as described.
10. A columnar battery, consisting of superposed elements, forming the sides
of alternating watertight compartments, and separated by insulating substances,
substantially as described.
11. In the construction and the applications of electric batteries, the method of
mounting the elements thereof, which permit of the suppression of the receiving
vessels, substantially as described.
12. In an electric battery, the suppression of the solid connections for uniting
the elements in tension.
13. In an accumulator, the method of uniting the plates of the same sign by
means of a rigid bar, which is connected with the binding screws of these plates,
and is formed by an alloy of lead, antimony and mercury, or by an alloy of the
first two metals only, substantially as described.

page_text: 14. In an electric battery, the method, substantially as described, of connecting
the elements by means of rigid bars, formed by an alloy of lead, antimony and
mercury, or by an alloy of the first two metals only.
15. An accumulator box formed of wooden panels with an inner lining, consisting
of an alloy of lead, antimony and mercury, substantially as described.
16. In the construction of conical, pyramidal, or similar shaped plates, such as
are herein described, a metallic mould consisting of a core, surrounded by a shell
made in two or more similar and movable pieces, the whole being supported by
table containing a heater, the core being grooved in the direction of the generating
lines, whilst the shells have their grooves horizontal or parallel to the plane of
their motion on the table, substantially as described.
Dated this 14th day of March 1888
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.