IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR STORING AND RETAINING ELECTRIC ENERGY
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick John Cheesbrough of the Office for Patents,
15 Water Street Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster Consulting Engineer
for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS
FOR STORING AND RETAINING ELECTRIC ENERGY communicated to him from
abroad by Cornelius Tuers Tomkins, of the City and State of New York,
United States of America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick John Cheesbrough
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th June 1883.
FREDERICK JOHN CHEESBROUGH, of the Office for Patents 15, Water Street,
Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Consulting Engineer, "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR STORING AND
وو
RETAINING ELECTRIC
ENERGY [communicated to him from abroad by Cornelius Tuers Tomkins, of the
City and State of New York, United States of America]
In the practice of this Invention I begin by making a battery consisting of an
ordinary porous cup set into an ordinary earthen, or glass battery jar, the porous
cup being at least equal in length to the jar by which it is enclosed, but much less
in diameter, leaving an annular space between the two. The porous cup I ull with
a combination of pulverized charcoal and graphite, or gas carbon, using the charcoal
as an absorbent and the graphite, or gas carbon as a conductor of the current to
and through the charcoal.
I then place in the annular space between the cup and the jar a metal brush,
composed of fine lead fibres, or filaments and long enough to reach to the bottom of
the jar and in the centre of the combined charcoal and graphite I place a silver
strip, or rod reaching from the top to the bottom of the cup. I then fill the inter-
vening space between the jar and cup with an electrolytic fluid and connect the
lead, or positive electrode with the negative pole of a primary battery and the
negative electrode through the silver rod to the positive pole of the primary
battery.
The battery being thus made and the circuit established, the effect is to
decompose the water of the fluid, the hydrogen being absorbed by the charcoal of

page_text: the negative electrode and the oxygen combining with the lead brush, or positive
electrode, until the battery is fully charged.
In charging this battery the current from the primary must not be reversed
through the secondary, but must continue always in the same direction.
To discharge the battery the electrodes are connected to any electro-translating
device and the current flows until the stored energy is exhausted, the electrolytic
fluid being decomposed by charging the battery and re-composed by discharging it.
In the construction of this battery gas carbon, or graphite can be used as a
substitute for the charcoal. The graphite, or gas carbon is used merely as a
conductor. It will not take the place of the charcoal as an absorbent of hydrogen,
its use for that purpose is of no value.
The negative electrode must be made of a combination of powdered charcoal
and powdered graphite, or gas carbon, or of some other two elements which are
substitutes for both, namely an absorbent of hydrogen and a conductor of electri-
city, the conductor being intermixed with the absorbent for the purpose of carrying
the current through the mass of charcoal composing the absorbing element of the
electrode.
Thus the same result can be obtained in a modified degree by means of a brush
made of any suitable metal and inserted into the cup containing the charcoal, the
fibres of the brush being made to reach to the bottom of the cup and distributed
well through the pulverized charcoal.
In some cases a perforated lead cup is used as a substitute for the cup before
mentioned. The walls of the cup being supported by rings of wood, or other
suitable material; and in place of the combined powdered charcoal and graphite a
solid piece of charcoal is used. This piece of charcoal is filled with numerous
perforations, in each of which a rod, or section of silver wire is placed to diffuse
the current through the carbon block and at the same time to avoid undue resist-
ance in the circuit, the silver rods being electrically connected to each other and to
the binding post of the electrode. The carbon block and perforated lead plate are
capped by a metal plate in which a binding post is set and through which the silver
rods pass.
Another method involves precisely the same principle, the one being a mere
modification of the other, and other modifications may be made of the two electrodes
without departing from the spirit of this Invention, thus for example the carbon
electrode may be made of filaments of charcoal bunched together in the form of a
brush, one, or both ends of which may be capped with metal to facilitate the
electrical connections and formation of the circuits, all of which modifications are
within the scope of this Invention.
In constructing this battery it must be borne in mind that its successful opera-
tion depends upon a thorough distribution of the current through the entire mass
of charcoal composing the negative electrode, and to that end it is absolutely
necessary that the conducting medium shall be intimately mixed with, or distri-
buted through the charcoal, the operation of the battery depending upon the
combination of a good conductor with a good absorbent in a form that will bring
the two in close contact with each other through the entire body of the electrode,
so as to permeate thoroughly its every part with the current and the hydrogen of
the fluid.
Negative electrodes for storage batteries have been heretofore made of a
combination of a plate of graphite with powdered graphite, but graphite is not an
absorbent of hydrogen either in the form of a plate, or in the form of a powder
and united in the two forms it does not produce a battery of any value. Negative
electrodes have also been made by combining a plate of graphite with powdered
charcoal, but such a combination is of no value because the graphite plate being a
good conductor and the powdered charcoal a poor conductor the current passes
without permeating the charcoal, leaving no absorbed hydrogen in the charcoal
and consequently no stored energy in the battery.
This improvement does not include an electrode made of graphite in either of

page_text: the methods above mentioned. What distinguishes the electrode according to
this Invention from all others is the method of combining the absorbent with the
conductor composing it. In this invention the electrode is composed of a finely
divided conductor combined with a finely divided absorbent, the two being
electrically connected to the circuit conductor, by which the current and hydrogen
are made to permeate the absorbent through its entire mass.
The electrode may be made of powdered charcoal and powdered graphite mixed
together with sugar, or other carbonaceous adhesive and pressed in a solid mass,
but this is only putting the combined powders in a different form and is a mere
modification of the other method.
- Having thus described the construction of the improved battery for the storage
of electric energy, I proceed to describe the method and means of sealing it to
prevent the dissipation of such stored energy.
It is well known that storage
batteries after being charged and before being used gradually lose their stored
energy, some quicker than others, but all of them become inert within a
comparatively short time, thus [greatly imparing their practical value. To avoid
this loss of the stored energy is one of the objects of this invention, an object
accomplished in the following manner.
In all storage batteries of which I have any knowledge, in which the positive
pole is made of metal the electric energy is stored by combining the oxygen of the
electrolytic fluid with the positive electrode and absorbing the hydrogen into the
negative electrode; now, the oxygen uniting chemically with the metal of the
positive pole is retained, but the hydrogen being merely absorbed by the negative
pole is gradually given up, or dissipated and the stored energy of the battery lost.
To prevent this dissipation of the stored energy, the negative, or hydrogen pole is
sealed either in, or out of the electrolytic fluid, so as to prevent the access of the
atmosphere to it, and so as to disrupt all chemical, or electric action between the
two electrodes.
Under another method a porous cup is set in a jar containing the electrolytic
fluid, and there is a negative electrode composed of powdered charcoal combined
with powdered graphite, in the centre of which a silver rod is inserted to carry
the current into and through the electrode. There is an inverted sealing cup
sustained upon the silver rod; there is also used a positive electrode composed of
lead in the form of thread, or fibre. There are also provided connecting wires
and a windlass by which one, or both of the electrodes are raised and suspended
out of the fluid. In this case the sealing cup is a fixture remaining substantially
in the same position during the charging and operation of the battery. In this
arrangement the cup acts like a trap, excluding the air from the electrode and
preventing the escape of the hydrogen.
The cup may of course be extended to the bottom of the electrode the more
effectually to seal it and prevent any chemical, or electrical action between the
electrodes, but in that case the cup must be made to raise and lower on the
electrodes, by which more or less of the electrode may be exposed and brought in
or out of circuit without raising, or lowering it in, or out of the fluid. The shaft
is fitted with clutches and couplings so that either one, or both of the electrodes
may be raised out of the fluid.
Another feature of the invention is this; it is found that after the battery has
been charged and sealed and the sealed positive electrode drawn up out of the
fluid, it can at any time be lowered again into the fluid and just the required
amount of energy obtained in the circuit the amount of energy developed corre-
sponding to the proportion of the electrode exposed to the fluid. It is also found
that by taking one, or both of the electrodes out of the fluid and by sealing the
hydrogen electrode, the battery will be effectually sealed and the dissipation of
the stored energy prevented. Thus, if the positive pole be made of metal and
raised up out of the fluid, so as to break entirely the electrical and chemical action
between the two electrodes, and the hydrogen pole be then sealed with a simple
cup the dissipation of stored energy will be greatly lessened and a similar result

page_text: may be obtained by interposing a tight partition between the electrodes while
in the liquid, the hydrogen pole being sealed with a cup as before, or the two
electrodes may be put together in the battery in the ordinary way, the box, or jar
containing them being made thoroughly tight and the dissipation of energy prevented
by drawing, or removing the electrolytic fluid, either in whole, or in part as may
be desired, the point being to prevent the chemical and electrical action between
the electrodes when the battery is not in use, or only to such an extent as may be
desired when the battery is in use, either by sealing the electrodes in whole, or in
part, or by removing the electrolytic fluid in whole, or in part or by both. But it
is preferred to separate the electrodes by taking one, or both of them out of the
fluid and sealing the hydrogen pole as described. The hydrogen pole is sealed
with a cup in the fluid, but it may be sealed quite as effectually out of the fluid.
Thus, let the electrode be made of the desired shape and sized and duly charged,
then let it be taken out of the liquid and sealed in any suitable case, or envelope
sufficiently tight to exclude from it the circulation of the air and prevent the
escape of the hydrogen, and the stored energy of the battery will remain intact, or
practically so and the principle holds good be the electrode made of any of the
metals, or materials thus far used in the organization and construction of storage
batteries.
The sealing case, or envelope may be made of any suitable material, simply
wrapping the electrodes in wax paper makes a very good sealing, but a neater and
more effectual sealing case is made of paper covered with paraffine, the sealing
around the conductor and the top of the box being perfected, in case of need, by
gaskets of india-rubber. It will of course be understood that this method of
sealing and raising the electrodes out of the fluid is to extend to both poles when
the construction of the battery is such as to render it necessary.
This invention it will be seen offers great advantages in the use of storage
batteries as by it their energy can be retained indefinitely and can be used in such
proportions as may be desired at any time and moreover the electrodes can be
taken out of the battery when exhausted, to a general charging station, charged,
sealed up and taken back to the battery to which they belong and used whenever
they may be needed to develope the whole, or any portion of their energy.
Heretofore in making storage batteries it has been quite common to put the
electrodes together into a case comparatively tight, but this does not prevent the
loss of stored energy, nor is it done for that purpose, but merely for safety and
convenience in handling and has no bearing whatever upon the subject of this
Invention.
It has also been quite common to connect the plates of a primary battery to a
hoisting apparatus to raise them out of the fluid to prevent the consumption of the
plates, but the plates of a primary battery are not equivalents, or mere substitutes
of the electrodes of a storage battery, neither is the combination in which the plates
of a primary battery make elements the equivalent of a combination in which
the electrodes of a storage battery make elements. The two are quite different
things used for totally different purposes and operating upon wholly different
principles.
This invention is confined to improvements in storage batteries by which the
electric energy is not only stored, but is also prevented from dissipating.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Frederick John Cheesbrough in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 14th December 1883.
FREDERICK JOHN CHEESBROUGH, of the Office for Patents, 15 Water Street,
Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Consulting Engineer
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR STORING AND RETAINING ELECTRIC
ENERGY." -A Communication to me from abroad by Cornelius Tuers Tomkins, of
the City and State of New York, United States of America.
This Invention relates to improvements in the method of and apparatus for
storing and retaining electric energy and consists of two parts, the first being of an
improved apparatus for storing electric energy, and the second being of a method
and means of preventing the dissipation of such energy after it is stored and the
following is a description of the Invention in such full, clear, concise and exact
terms as to enable anyone skilled in the arts to which said Invention appertains,
or with which it is most nearly connected to make and use the same, reference
being bad to the accompanying Drawing and to the figures and letters of reference
marked thereon.
"Storage Batteries "-that is apparatus for storing electric energy, are now well
known and understood by electricians, but in describing the improvements, the
subject of this Invention upon the batteries, I shall describe the apparatus as a
whole and designate such parts, or features thereof as constitute this Invention in
the claims concluding this Specification.
Reference being had to the accompanying Drawings.
Figure 1 is a vertical section, and
Figure 2 a top view of the improved battery
Figure 8 is a vertical section and
Figure 4 a top view of a modified form of the same Invention.
Figure 5 is a vertical section of a modified form of the battery and also an
elevation of an apparatus for raising and lowering the electrodes thereof.
Figures 6 and 7 are parts in detail herein after more fully described.
In the practice of this Invention, I begin by making a battery consisting of an
ordinary porous cup A set into an ordinary earthen, or glass battery jar B, the
porous cup being at least equal in length to the jar by which it is enclosed, but
much less in diameter leaving an annular space between the two.
The porous cup
I fill with a combination of pulverized charcoal and graphite, or gas carbon, using
the charcoal as an absorbent, and the graphite, or gas carbon as a conductor of the
current to and through the charcoal. I then place in the annular space between
the cup and the jar a metal brush C composed of fine lead fibres, or filaments and
long enough to reach to the bottom of the jar and in the centre of the combined
charcoal and graphite, I place a silver strip, or rod D reaching from the top to the
bottom of the cup. I then fill the intervening space between the jar and cup with
an electrolytic fluid, and connect the lead, or positive electrode with the negative
pole of a primary battery and the negative electrode through the silver rod D to
the positive pole of the primary battery.
The battery being thus made and the circuit established the effect is to
decompose the water of the fluid, the hydrogen being absorbed by the charcoal of
the negative electrode, and the oxygen combining with the lead brush or positive
electrode until the battery is fully charged. In charging this battery the current
from the primary must not be reversed through the secondary but must continue
always in the same direction. To discharge the battery the electrodes are con-
nected to any electro translating device and the current flows until the stored,
:

page_text: energy is exhausted, the electrolytic fluid being decomposed by charging the
battery and recomposed by discharging it.
In the construction of this battery gas carbon, or graphite can be used as a
substitute for the charcoal. The graphite, or gas carbon is used merely as a
conductor. It will not take the place of the charcoal as an absorbent of hydrogen.
. Its use for that purpose is of no value. The negative electrode must be made of a
combination of powdered charcoal and powdered graphite, or gas carbon, or of
some other two elements which are substitutes for both namely an absorbent of
hydrogen and a conductor of electricity the conductor being intermixed with the
absorbent for the purpose of carrying the current through the mass of charcoal
composing the absorbing element of the electrode.
:
Thus the same result can be obtained in a modified degree by means of a brush
made of any suitable metal and inserted into the cup containing the charcoal, the
fibres of the brush being made to reach to the bottom of the cup and distributed
well through the pulverized charcoal.
In Figures 3 and 4 of the Drawing in some cases a perforated lead cup E is used
as a substitute for the cup A in Figures 1 and 2. The walls of the cup being
supported by rings of wood, or other suitable material F; and in place of the com-
bined powdered charcoal and graphite of Figures 1 and 2, a solid piece of charcoal
is shown by Figures 3 and 4. This piece of charcoal is filled with numerous
perforations a in each of which a rod f, or section of silver wire is placed to diffuse
the current through the carbon block, and at the same time to avoid undue
resistance in the circuit, the silver rods being electrically connected to each other
and to the binding posts J of the electrode. The carbon block and perforated lead
plate are capped by a metal plate H in which the binding post J is set and through
which the silver rods pass in the manner shown.
Figures 1 and 3 involve precisely the same principle, the one being a mere
modification of the other and other modifications may be made of the two
electrodes without departing from the spirit of this Invention. Thus for example
the carbon electrode may be made of filaments of charcoal bunched together in the
form of a brush one, or both ends of which may be capped with metal to facilitate
the electrical connections, and formation of the circuits all of which modifications
are within the scope of this Invention.
.
In constructing this battery it must be borne in mind that its successful operation
depends upon a thorough distribution of the current through the entire mass of
charcoal composing the negative electrode and to that end it is absolutely necessary
that the conducting medium shall be intimately mixed with, or distributed through
the charcoal, the operation of the battery depending upon the combination of a
good conductor with good absorbent in a form that will bring the two in close
contact with each other through the entire body of the electrode so as to permeate
thoroughly its every part with the current and the hydrogen of the fluid.
Negative electrodes for storage batteries have been heretofore made of a com-
bination of a plate of graphite with powdered graphite, but graphite is not an
absorbent of hydrogen, either in the form of a plate, or in the form of a powder,
and united in the two forms it does not produce a battery of any value.
Negative electrodes have also been made by combining a plate of graphite with
powdered charcoal, but such a combination is of no value, because the graphite
plate being a good conductor and the powdered charcoal a poor conductor, the
current passes without permeating the charcoal, leaving no absorbed hydrogen in
the charcoal and consequently no stored energy in the battery.
This Improvement does not include an electrode made of graphite in either of
the methods above mentioned. What distinguishes this electrode from all others
is the method of combining the absorbent with the conductor compassing it. In
this case the electrode is composed of a finely divided conductor combined with a
finely divided absorbent the two being electrically connected to the circuit
conductor by which the current and bydrogen are made to permeate the absorbent
through its entire mass.

page_text: The electrode may be made of powdered charcoal and powdered graphite mixed
together with sugar, or other carbonaceous adhesive, and pressed in a solid mass,
but this is only putting the combined powders in a different form and is a mere
modification of the other method.
Having thus described the construction of the improved battery for the storage
of electric energy, I proceed to describe the method and means of sealing it to
prevent the dissipation of such stored energy. It is well known that storage
batteries after being charged and before being used gradually lose their stored
energy some quicker than others but all of them become inert within a com-
paratively short time, thus greatly impairing their practical value. To avoid this
loss of the stored energy is one of the objects of this Invention, an object. I
accomplish in the following manner.
In all storage batteries of which I have any knowledge in which the positive
pole is made of metal the electric energy is stored by combining the oxygen of the
electrolytic fluid with the positive electrode and absorbing the hydrogen into the
negative electrode; now the oxygen uniting chemically with the metal of the
positive pole is retained, but the hydrogen being merely absorbed by the negative
pole is gradually given up, or dissipated, and the stored energy of the battery lost.
To prevent this dissipation of the stored energy, I seal the negative or hydrogen
pole either in, or out of the electrolytic fluid, so as to prevent the access of the
atmosphere to it, and so as to disrupt all chemical, or electric action between the
two electrodes.
In Figure 5 of the Drawing A is a porous cup set into a jar B containing the
electrolytic fluid; C is a negative electrode composed of powdered charcoal
combined with powdered graphite in the centre of which a silver rod D is inserted
to carry the current into and through the electrode; H is an inverted sealing cup
sustained upon the silver rod; E is a positive electrode composed of lead in, the
form of thread, or fibre. I and J are connecting wires and G is a windlass, by
which one, or both of the electrodes are raised and suspended out of the fluid,
which in this case is shown by the broken lines in the chamber B. In this case
the sealing cup H is a fixture remaining substantially in the position shown during
the charging and operation of the battery. In this arrangement the cup acts like
a trap excluding the air from the electrode and preventing the escape of the
bydrogen. The cup may of course be extended to the bottom of the electrode, the
more effectually to seal it, and prevent any chemical or electrical action between
the electrodes, but in that case the cup must be made to raise and lower on the
electrodes as shown by Figure 7 of the Drawing, by which more, or less of the
electrode may be exposed and brought in, or out of circuit without raising, or
lowering it in, or out of the fluid. The shaft G is fitted with clutches and couplings
in the manner shown so that either one, or both of the electrodes may be raised
out of the fluid. The Drawing shows the positive electrode E drawn up out of the
jar, but that is not essential to the effectual sealing of the battery, the electrode is
merely drawn up to show the operation of the apparatus and to illustrate another
feature of the Invention, which is this; it is found that after the battery has been
charged and sealed and the positive electrode drawn up out of the fluid as shown;
it can at any time again be lowered into the fluid and obtain just the required
amount of energy in the circuit, the amount of energy developed corresponding to
the proportion of the electrode exposed to the fluid. The arrangement of
Figures 5 and 7 both yielding the same result in this particular. I find also that
by taking one, or both of the electrodes out of the fluid and by sealing the hydrogen
electrode, the battery will be effectually sealed and the dissipation of the stored
energy prevented. Thus if the positive pole be made of metal and raised up out
of the fluid as shown so as to break entirely the electrical and chemical action
between the two electrodes and the hydrogen pole be then sealed with a simple
cup H, the dissipation of stored energy will be greatly lessened and a similar result
may be obtained by interposing a tight partition between the electrodes while in
the liquid the hydrogen pole being sealed with a cup as before, or the two

page_text: electrodes may be put together in the battery in the ordinary way. The box, or
jar containing them being made thoroughly tight and the dissipation of energy
prevented by drawing, or removing the electrolytic fluid, either in whole, or in part
as may be desired, the point being to prevent the chemical and electrical action
between the electrodes when the battery is not in use, or only to such an extent as
may be desired When the battery is in use either by sealing the electrodes in
whole, or in part, or by removing the electrolytic fluid in whole, or in part, or by
both. But I prefer to separate the electrodes by taking one, or both of them out
of the fluid and sealing the hydrogen pole as described. The Drawing illustrates
the hydrogen pole sealed with a cup into the fluid, but it may be sealed quite as
effectually out of the fluid. Thus let the electrode be made of the desired shape
and size and duly charged, then let it be taken.out of the liquid and sealed in any
suitable case, or envelope sufficiently tight to exclude from it the circulation of the
air and prevent the escape of the hydrogen, and the stored energy of the battery
will remain intact or practically so and the principle holds good be the electrode
made of any of the metals, or materials thus far used in the organization and
construction of storage batteries.
The sealing case, or envelope may be made of any suitable material, simply
wrapping the electrodes in wax paper makes a very good sealing, but a neater and
more effectual sealing is shown by Figure 6 of the Drawing. In this Figure the
electrode is shown by A' and the sealing case by B¹, the latter being made of paper
covered with parrafine the sealing around the conductor and the top of the box
being perfected in case of need by gaskets of india rubber, substantially the same
arrangement being also shown by Figure 7.
It will of course be understood that this method of sealing and raising the
electrodes out of the fluid is to extend to both poles when the construction of the
battery is such as to render it necessary.
This Invention it will be seen offers great advantages in the use of storage
batteries, as by it their energy can be retained indefinitely, or can be used in such
proportions as may be desired at any time and moreover the electrodes can be
taken out of the battery when exhausted to a general charging station, charged;
sealed up and taken back to the battery to which they belong and used whenever
they may be needed to develop the whole, or any portion of their energy.
I am aware that in making storage batteries, it is quite common to put the
electrodes together into a case comparatively tight, but this does not prevent the
loss of stored energy, nor is it done for that purpose but merely for safety and
convenience in handling and has no bearing whatever upon the subject of this
Invention.
I am also aware that it is quite common to connect the plates of a primary
battery to a hoisting apparatus to raise them out of the fluid to prevent the
consumption of the plates, but the plates of a primary battery are not equivalents,
or mere substitutes of the electrodes of a storage battery, neither is the
combination in which the plates of a primary battery make elements the
equivalent of a combination in which the electrodes of a storage battery make
elements. The two are quite different things used for totally different purpose and
operating upon wholly different principles.
This invention is confined to certain improvements in storage batteries by.
which the electric energy is not only stored but is also prevented from dissipating
Having thus described the improved storage battery and the method and means
of sealing it, I claim as the Improvements the following features of novelty
First In a storage battery the negative electrode composed of a hydrogen
absorbent (charcoal) combined with an electric conductor (graphite or metal)
distributed throughout the mass of the absorbent, substantially as described for the
purpose specified.
Second In a storage battery the combination of a positive electrode composed of
a lead brush with a negative electrode composed of a hydrogen absorbent
(charcoal) combined with an electric. conductor (graphite, or metal) distributed

page_text: throughout the mass of the absorbent substantially as described for the purpose
specified.
Third The method substantially herein described of storing and retaining
electric energy, which method consists of first charging the electrodes of a storage
battery with any suitable charging apparatus, and of then preventing the escape
of the absorbed hydrogen from the negative electrode by sealing it with a
suitable sealing material or device, the sealing being applied to prevent the escape
of the absorbed gas and not for the purpose of accumulating it as in the ordinary
gas battery.
Fourth In combination with the negative electrode of a storage battery, a
sealing device adapted to prevent the escape of the gas absorbed by the electrode
in the operation of charging and adapted also to seal the whole, or any part of said
electrode by which more, or less of said electrode may be unsealed and exposed to
the electrolytie fluid substantially as described.
Fifth The method substantially herein described of storing, retaining and
utilizing electric energy, which method consists of first charging the electrodes of
a storage battery with any suitable charging apparatus; of then taking said
electrodes out of the electrolytic fluid; of then sealing one, or both of them; of
then replacing the whole or any part of said electrodes in the circuit of the battery
substantially as described.
Sixth In a storage battery, the combination of a sealing oup H with the hydrogen
electrode C, the two being made to rise and fall together out of, or into the
electrolytic fluid substantially as described for the purpose specified.
Seventh In a storage battery the combination of a sealing cup H with the
negative electrode C having a conductor D and enclosed in a chamber A, the
whole being contained within a jar B supplied with an electrolytic fluid
substantially as described.
Eighth In a storage battery the combination of a positive electrode E with a
negative electrode C and a sealing cup, or case H the negative electrode to be
sealed by the cup, or case in the fluid and the negative pole to be adapted to lift
out of the fluid by which the dissipation of stored energy is prevented, not only
by sealing the hydrogen pole but also by disrupting the electric connection between
the two poles substantially as described.
Ninth The method substantially herein described of storing and utilizing electric
energy which method consists of first charging the electrodes of a storage battery
with any suitable charging apparatus and of then immersing from time to time,.
more or less of such charged electrodes into the electrolytic fluid as may be
necessary to supply the desired current, either by raising and lowering one, or
both of the electrodes, or by raising, or lowering the electrolytic fluid in the
containing vessel on the electrodes substantially as described.
In Witness whereof, I, the said Frederick John Cheesbrough, have hereunto
set my hand and seal this Eleventh day of December, in the year of our Lord,
ane thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
BARANDIAR
ΤΑΤΑΙ ΑΠΈΓΟΡΡΟΠΟΣ
FREDERICK JOHN CHERSONAL (e)