Improvements in Glass Vessels for Secondary Batteries or Accumulators.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Dec., 1892--Accepted, 14th Jan., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Glass Vessels for Secondary Batteries or
Accumulators.
I, HUGO KROEKER, of 54 Koepniker Strasse, Berlin, Prussia, 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 the glass cells or vessels used for containing the
electrodes of secondary batteries, usually called accumulators, and the object is to
provide a safe and permanent method of separating the plates from each other by
a suitable distance to avoid the danger of short circuiting.
Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a front
elevation of a glass vessel A, Fig. 2 is a plan and Fig. 3 is a transverse section of
the same.
On two opposite sides, vertical grooves a are moulded or formed in the
vessel which coincide with each other; so that two opposite grooves a a are
adapted to receive a plate. Other similar grooves are provided for other plates,
according to the required capacity of the vessel, and between the said grooves a,
on each side a projection is made of a width to ensure perfect insulation between
contiguous plates, thus avoiding any danger of a short circuit. It is well known
that some plates tend to bulge or buckle in the central part, and if such a plate
comes in contact with its neighbour a short circuit occurs, but the said projections
may be slightly wider than the usual amount of buckling to prevent such contact ;
while, as the projection extends to the bottom of the vessel, the plates are
controlled on opposite edges throughout the whole of their depth.
At the upper part of the vessel A, a shoulder is formed on each of the sides
having the vertical grooves a. This shoulder has grooves coinciding with those
already named, consequently, the vessel is wider across at the shoulder x and
upwards, than it is below the said shoulder; and these deepened recesses are
adapted to receive the holders of the electrodes. By this means, the electrodes are
suspended within the vessel, clear of the bottom, and well insulated without
expensive strips or bars of ebonite or other equivalent means for keeping the
electrodes at their required distance apart; and are readily removeable and
replaceable in their insulated positions. Furthermore, all the active material is
subjected alike to the action of the electrolyte; as there is no necessity for the
usual insulating strips between the plates which prevents the free contact or
circulation of the liquid.
In Fig. 1, a loose cover B, of glass, is indicated by dotted lines, and this contains
openings b, b, for passing the liquid and the terminal connections. By closing such
openings, and spaces around the sides, (after everything is in working order) with
india rubber, cement, or other equivalent means, the vessel is rendered air tight.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is;-
1. A glass vessel for containing the electrodes of secondary batteries or accu-
mulators having oppositely placed coincident grooves and projections arranged
vertically and adapted to receive and suspend the said electrodes at a suitable
distance apart, substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and described.
2. A glass vessel for containing the electrodes of accumulators having vertical
grooves and a recessed shoulder on opposite sides adapted to receive and carry the
said electrodes in an insulated manner, combined with a glass cover capable of
re011

page_text: being sealed substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein described and
illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 9th day of December 1892.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London, Agents for the Applicant.