IMPROVEMENTS IN SECONDARY OR STORAGE BATTERIES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of Kensington, Middlesex for an
Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN SECONDARY OR STORAGE BATTERIES a com-
munication to him from abroad by Doctor Emil Boettcher, of Leipzig, in the
kingdom of Saxony
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert John Haddan at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th January 1883.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of Kensington Middlesex,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
SECONDARY OR STORAGE BATTERIES a communication to me from abroad by
Doctor Emil Boettcher, of Leipzig, in the Kingdom of Saxony,
33
This invention has for its object to construct a powerful storage battery having
but little weight.
For this purpose I decompose a solution of pure sulphate of zinc by the current
of a dynamo-machine or other suitable source, and thereby cause zinc to be deposited
on an electrode of thin and pure sheet-zinc or sheet-lead. The other electrode is a
thin sheet of lead, covered on both sides with porous lead produced by the electro-
lytical reduction of an oxide of lead (litharge)
The sulphuric acid and oxygen liberated by the decomposition of the solution
convert this lead into peroxide of lead the quantity of which may be increased by
the addition of a little acetic acid or of acetate of zinc.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Herbert John Haddan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th July 1883.
IN
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of Kensington, Middlesex "IMPROVEMENTS
SECONDARY OR STORAGE BATTERIES," a communication to me from abroad by
Doctor Emil Boettcher, of Leipzig, in the Kingdom of Saxony
By means of a current of electricity from a dynamo machine a solution of pure
Sulphate of Zinc (about 1 part of the salt to 2 parts of water) is decomposed, so
that the zinc is deposited on a Kathode of thin pure sheet zinc (or also on sheet
lead). The anode is formed by a thin plate of lead (about 0-3 millimetres) covered
on both sides, to the thickness of 1 to 1-5 millimetres with porous metallic lead
obtained by the decomposition of an oxide of lead (litharge). The oxygen and tho
sulphuric acid formed by the decomposition of the Sulphate of Zinc convert this
lead into peroxide of lead, the amount of which may be increased by the addition
of a small amount (from 1 to 2 per cent) of Acetic Acid or Acetate of Zinc.
The battery is arranged so that the plates can be easily plunged into the liquid
and taken out when desired. The weight of the element or cell is very small,
compared with its capacity; its internal resistance is also very small.
CLAIM.
Charging a secondary element or cell with a solution of pure sulphate of zinc, 2
and forming the positive electrode by sending the current of a dynamo-machine
through thin sheet zinc or sheet lead dipping into the said solution, and the
negative electrode by sending the current of a dynamo-machine through thin sheot
lead coated with porous lead and dipping into the said solution, with the simul-
taneous application of acetic acid, the said coating of porous lead being obtained by a
the reduction of an oxide, the whole substantially as and for the purposes
described.
In witness whereof I the said Herbert John Haddan have hereunto set my
hand and seal this 18th day of July A.D. 1883.