Pocket or Portable Secondary Batteries or Accumulators.
Year: 1888

page_text: of Application, 3rd Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Loft 3rd Aug 1889-Accepted
7th Sept. 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Pocket or Portable Secondary Batteries or Accumulators.
EMILE ROUSSEAU Electrician 3 Leopold Terrace Knotts Green Leyton Essex
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
11
My invention relates to the improvement in the construction of pocket accumulators
or secondary batteries, for durability, for the lengthened bolding of their charges,
for perfect insulation of their lead-out terminals, for perfect insulation of their plates-
one from the other and each section from its neighbour, for so arranging their
terminals and gas vent holes as to guard against the leakage of liquid from the one
or the escape of gas from the other; and for so building up the plates so as to
secure a large active surface in a small compass, and lightness.
The other end of
One of my methods for effecting the above is as follows;-I employ a small glass
vessel of any shape, preferably cylindrical; and in drawing out two short lengths
of very small bore tube from any part preferably from the bottom through which
the platinum leads can be drawn, and into which they are fused.
the tube is left open until all the plates are in position, and is then drawn down by
the blow pipe into a much smaller diameter than the body of the tube and into the
shape of the curved neck of a bottle, arranging that the glass is thicker at this part.
The plates can be any shape but for the sake of gaining surface it is best to split
each into a number of small sections of any suitable shape depending on the containing
vessel for round vessels they should be cast in small hollow tubes of lead, of a length
consistent with the thickness of an ordinary accumulator plate-and of a diameter
depending upon the size of the vessel; sufficient space being left for the "Electrolyte."
Each of these pieces of tube should be cast round a short projecting length of wire,
or strip, of any metal that will not be attacked by the action of the battery.
These sections of the plate, each with its connecting wire or strip has now to have
tightly stretched over one of its ends and its sides any suitable insulating, porous,
and acid resisting material,--such as;-celluloid etc.
Each section of the plate or piece of tube has to be filled about two-thirds,-
making the end which has the above covering the bottom-with spongy lead or any
of the well known materials which possesses large storing capacity. The sections of
the plate could also be filled with a bundle of short lengths of very fine lead wire on
end; thus obtaining a large surface.
These sections are now piled up so as to form a column of alternate negatives
and positives; all positive lugs projecting in one direction all negatives in the
opposite. The columns are firmly held in a light ebonite frame which prevents any
shifting, and which is tightly held in the glass vessel the unfilled portions of each
section allowing sufficient space for the electrolyte.
The frame may consist of two ebonite washers of the exact internal diameter of
the glass vessel connected by small ebonite rods.
All the positive and negative sections are now joined to their respective pieces of
platinum which passes through the glass vessel and are fused therein. As many
tubes as is desired can be placed in position in a leathern, ebonite, or any suitable
case, which is somewhat deeper than than their length a space being left round each
tube.
The ends of the platinum wires are connected up in any desired manner to strips of
metal which run up the inside of the containing case, and to which when they arrive
at the top the terminals of the accumulator are fixed. The unoccupied space in
the case is now filled with any composition that will bind the tubes and case into one;
such as; rosin and plaster etc.
L
1000

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Pocket or Portable Secondary Batteries or Accumulators.
EMILE ROUSSEAU 3 Leopold Terrace Knotts Green Leyton Essex Electrician,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be perforined, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement—
My Invention relates to improvements in the construction of "Portable secondary
batteries or accumulators" for obtaining lengthened holding of their charges; by
giving perfect insulation to their electrodes one from the other, and by giving perfect
insulation to their "lead outs." Also for the building up of the Electrodes or plates
so as to obtain as large an active surface as possible with the necessary lightness,
also for the arrangement of vent holes for the escape of the Electrolytic gases with
the required safeguard against the escape of the electrolyte, also for durability.
My method of obtaining the above results I will describe by referring to the
accompanying drawings which illustrate methods of construction of these accumulators
embodying my improvements.
The same letters are used throughout to denote portions playing the same part.
Figs. 1 and 2 and 3 are sectional elevations showing the methods of construction
giving the best effect to my improvements and Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of
two of these accumulators as they may be finally mounted and packed in a covering
case. Figs. 5 and 6 are plans of the connections of two and three or more of these
cells when packed in the cover case.
A Figs. 1-2 and 3 is a glass or ebonite containing cell or vessel, which can have
two or more divisions, and which can be of any shape, but are shown in the drawings
as separate cylindrical tubes this form offering some facilities in manufacture.
In the case of glass containing cells or vessels it is necessary that each should
have two short lengths of glass tube blown into and made one with the containing
vessel, or these may simply be two small perforations in the wall of the containing
vessel, or portion of the containing vessel or cell, these tubes or perforations can be
placed in any position on said vessel; in the drawings, they are shown at D and D₁
Figs. 1 and 3 at the bottom, which is by far the best position, as the "lead outs
for which they are intended are in the best position for protection from the
deleterious action of the electrolytic gases; this being one of the chief causes of the
rapid deterioration and consequent breakdown of these portable accumulators.
The tops or mouths of these glass containing cells can-when the electrodes are in
position by the aid of the blow pipe be drawn down into a much smaller diameter
and finished off like a short necked bottle, or they can be simply thickened out
as shown at (a) Figs. 1 and 3 and the inside may be ground or roughened.
In the case of vulcanized rubber containing cells or vessels, the short lengths of
tubes or perforations are not required, as it is necessary in this case to have the
"lead outs"-for which these perforations are intended-placed in position before
the containing cell or a portion of the containing cell, is vulcanized, as shown in
drawings at D and D, Fig. 2 but not necessarily at the bottom, they can be one with,
or one with a portion of the containing cell or cells at any of its sides or top.
The top of these vulcanite containing cells can be moulded into the shape of a
short necked bottle or finished with a thread as shown at (a) Fig. 2.
The object aimed at, and by my method of construction, secured, in the electrodes
or plates of these secondary batteries is first that there shall be no danger of a short
circuit between any two opposite plates and this without adding appreciably to its
resistance, second that there shall be as large an active surface exposed as possible so
as to secure the greatest possible capacity for the size of the cell, third placing the
conductors of the electrodes or plates in a position where they will be least exposed
to the action of the electrolyte, and in such a position that the current is most
likely to pass through the active material of the electrode or plate to get to or from
them, fourth to so construct the plate or electrode as to obtain rigidity with the
necessary lightness.

page_text: The construction of these electrodes when employed vertically is shown in section
in the drawings Figs. 1 and 2 where B-C, and C forms one electrode or plate
and B-C and C3 form another electrode or plat, plates or electrodes used horizontally
are shown in section in the drawings at Fig. 3 where B-C, and C₂ form a section
of an electrode or plate, and B₁-C and C₁ forms a section of another electrode or
plate. There can be two or more electrodes in each containing coll.
B and B, Figs. 1 and 2 are finely and closely perforated tubes of vulcanito or
celluloid. B and B, Fig. 3 is a thin membrane of celluloid made porous and
stretched over one or more faces of the electrode, or portions of the electrode, this
porous membrane of celluloid can also be used for vertical plates or electrodes.
Cand C Figs. 1-2 and 3 is the red lead or litharge forming the active material
of the plates. C, and C, Figs. 1-2 and 3 are the conductors of the electrodes or
plates these can be of any metal not attacked by the action of the battery but aro
preferably metallic lead. C₂ Figs. 1 and 2 is a conductor in the form of a tube made
up of a number of fine lead wires all burnt together at the bottom as shown at (4)
Figs. 1 and 2 into the centre of which the "lead out" (d) Fig. 1 and 2 is to be
fused. Figs. 1 and 2 is a conductor made of a solid rod thickened out at (i)
Figs. 1 and 2 so as to gain support and to be able to well bury and thus protect
the "lead out" (d) Figs. 1 and 2. The conductors C, and C, Fig. 3 are short
lengths of tubular lead into which the "lead outs" d and d₁ are to be fused.
In the case of C, Figs. 1 and 2 the conductor here forms the back of the electrode
as only one side is in action, in the case of the conductor C3 Figs. I and 2 it forins
the centre or core as every side of this electrode is used. The conductors C₂ and C
in Fig. 3 form the side or sides of the electrode or section of an electrode, and is
protected by stopping the porosity of the porous celluloid covering at that part: So
in every case the conductor is to be placed in a position where it will be least
effected by the electrolytic action of the battery, and in such a position that it is the
farthest possible away from the front or active surface of the plate or electrode of
which it forms a part.
These plates or electrodes have to be rigidly supported in the containing cell or
vessel, so as to prevent any shaking, this I do in the case of vertically arranged
electrodes by mounting as many as is required of these complete electrodes—which
include conductor, active paste, and perforated or porous ebonite or celluloid guard-
on a suitable insulating base, this base being arranged so that there may be no
danger of short circuiting between any two opposite electrodes, this is done as shown
in the drawings at E Figs. 1 and 2, the top of the electrodes are kept from lateral
movement by the insulating ebonite or celluloid washer shown in section at E₁
Figs. 1 and 2 and in half plan at (e) Fig. 1 this washer should fit the containing
cell without shake, and so contrived that it supports each portion of the electrodes,
at the same time offering the least possible impediment to the free circulation of
the electrolyte.
In the case of horizontally arranged electrodes they may be piled one upon the
other with an insulating grooved washer placed between cach, as is shown in section
at (e) Fig. 3 and in plan at (e₂) Fig. 3.
When the required number of these electrodes or sections of electrodes have
been piled together, they are bolted between two insulating washers E and E, Fig. 3
by means of insulating bolts and nuts as shown at band b, Fig. 3, the washers
must not impede the free circulation of the electrolyte and must fit the containing
cell without shake, a half plan of this washer is shown at (e) Fig. 3.
Figs. 1-2 and 3 is a contrivance for obtaining the necessary vent holes for
the escape of the Electrolytic gas without leakage of the electrolyte. The idea is to
provide a chamber into which the gas first enters on leaving the battery, and there
leposits the fine spray of liquid which it always carries with it from the surface of
the electrolyte in the battery, means being provided for it to return to the cell or
accumulation, means also being provided in the cap or cover of the vent for the
escape of the gas.

page_text: F Fig. 1 is a short length of ebonite or celluloid tubo having a number of large
perforations, into this is screwed an ebonite or celluloid plug having a small hole
and chamber H Fig. 1, on to which a cap with another small hole is screwed.
When charging the cell this plug with its cap is removed from the tube.
Fig. 2 is the same perforated vulcanite or celluloid tube, but it carries a
washer of the same material which fits tightly the inside of the containing cell; the
tube is closed as before with a screw plug having a small hole, the chamber II of
Fig. 2 is formed by an ebonito or celluloid screw cap shown at G Fig. 2 which can
be screwed into the walls of the containing cells when they are made of vulcanito or
celluloid.
F Fig. 3 is the same arrangement as the last only applied to a glass containing cell
or vessel.
The mouths or openings of the glass cells are to be closed by a soft rubber bung as
shown at G Figs. 1 and 3; the vent arrangement above described is to be cemented
into the centre of the rubber bung, and the two together are to be pushed home into
the neck or opening of the cell-using a little rubber cement-until the bottom of the
tube, attached to the vent comes in contact with the vulcanite washer E, Figs. 1 and 3
and this prevents any vertical shake of the Electrodes.
For vulcanite or celluloid containing cells it is optional if a soft rubber bung is
used to close with or the cap shown at G Fig. 2.
d and d, Figs. 1-2 and 3 are the "lead outs" which in all cases are to be of a
metal which is not attacked by the action of the battery such as platinum or silver:
inside the cell they may be of silver, but they should be joined to platinum for
actually bringing them through the walls of the containing cell. Inside the cell they
are as before described-to be fused in with and made one with the conductors of tho
electrodes, they then pass through the small glass tubes or perforations in the glass
containing cell as shown at D and D, Fig. 1 and 3, then by the aid of the blow
pipe, the glass is fused and melted round them, in this way hermetically sealing
them in.
In the case of vulcanite containing cells, the "lead outs" have to be vulcanized in
position at the same time as the containing cell or portion of the containing cell as
before described and illustrated at D and D, Fig. 2.
It is not necessary but far preferable to bring the "lead outs" through a portion
of the containing cell which is below the surface of the electrolyte, and the best
place is directly at the bottom, this being the part of the cell in which they will be
exposed to the least action.
The "lead outs of as many of these complete cells as is desired, are joined up in
series or parallel as desired, attaching the "lead outs," which are to form the terminals
of the battery, to strips or rods of metal which are to be long enough to reach to
the top of the cells or cell. They can now be placed in position in a suitable cover
case made of thin leather or any suitable material, and a mixture of resin and pitch,
or plaster and resin is to be poured around them filling up all the space between
them and the cover case, in this way making them as one, but the precaution must
be taken that the terminals and removable portions of the vents are free.
At Fig. 4 is shown in section two of these cells in position in the cover case P;
at d and d, Fig. 4 is shown the terminal "lead outs," d₂ Fig. 4 is a rod or strip of
metal attached to one of the "lead outs" and forming one of the terminals of the
battery. P and O Fig. 4 are respectively, the cover cap of thin leather or any
convenient material, and the resin or plaster composition before mentioned.
At Figs. 5 and 6 are shown plans of connections of two or more cells in series,
in each case P is the cover case, and O the resin or plaster composition, A the
containing cell of the battery, F the vent, and G the rubber bung or cork, d, and d
are the terminals of the battery.
My portable secondary battery consists then of a containing cell of glass or
vulcanite, into which, or portion of which are hermetically sealed the "lead outs"
from the electrodes of the battery as before described.

page_text: It consists of electrodes which have a perforated vulcanite or celluloid tube, sheet,
or box, between which and the metallic conductor is to be packed the red lead or
litharge forming the active material of the electrode. It consists of a porous
membrane of celluloid, stretched over one or more faces of the electrode and supported
by the metallic portion of same, and it is upon or between this and the metallic
conductor that the active material of the electrode is packed, as before described.
Also of an electrode in which the metallic conductor or conductors are placed in a
position where they are the least liable to electrolytic action.
Also of an electrode of which the metallic conductor is the farthest possible away
from the active face or faces of the electrode of which it forms part.
Also of lead outs" which are fused into the metallic portion of the electrode on
the one hand, and into the containing case or portion of containing case on the other
as before described.
Also of vents with receiving chamber as before described and illustrated.
Also of rubber bung which in combination with the vent close the mouth or
opening of the containing cell, and keep the electrodes from any vertical shake as
before described.
Also of one or more of these cells packed in a cover case with resin composition
and suitably connected up as before fully described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the saine is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The fusing or cementing in of "lead outs" of portable secondary batteries
or accumulators into or with glass, substantially, as hereinbefore set forth.
23
2nd. Vulcanizing the containing cell or portion of the containing cell or cells of
portable accumulators with the "lead outs" in position, substantially, as hereinbefore
set forth.
3rd. Fusing or cementing in the "lead outs "of portable secondary batteries, into
and with, the same material as the containing cell,.substantially, as herein before
set forth.
4th. Bringing the "lead outs" of secondary batteries away from the cell or
cells below the surface of the electrolyte, substantially, as set forth and illustrated.
5th. An electrode, the active material of which is packed between perforated
vulcanite or celluloid, and its metallic conductor, substantially, as set forth and
illustrated.
6th. An electrode in which a porous membrane of some tough material not
attacked by the electrolyte, is stretched over one or more of its faces, substantially,
as hereinbefore set forth.
7th. The construction of vents for portable secondary batteries having a chamber,
substantially, as set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
8th. Closing the openings or mouths of portable secondary batteries or accumulators,
with bungs or blocks of soft rubber, substantially, as set forth and illustrated.
Dated this 3rd day of August 1889.
EMILE ROUSSEAU.