Improvements in the Construction of Electric Accumulator Plates.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Apr., 1895-Accepted, 4th May, 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Electric Accumulator Plates.
We, ARTHUR DUFFEK, and BOHUMIL HOLUB, both of Zitna 9/11 Prague,
Bohemia, in the Austrian Empire, Electricians, do hereby declare the nature of
our said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of our invention is to effect improvements in the construction of
electric accumulator plates, for the purpose of increasing their power and
durability.
According to our invention we manufacture a number of balls of lead or other
suitable metal, or combination of metals. These balls are placed close together
in a compact manner so as to touch each other, and are partly enclosed in lead,
together forming a plate, the lead being poured in a molten state between and
partly surrounding the balls, so as to form a suitable frame thereto.
And in order that our said invention may be particularly described and ascer-
tained, reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which similar
letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is a side view of one of our improved plates.
Fig. 2 is a section on the line X Y of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a section on the line U V of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a transverse section of a plate with a double series of balls enclosed
therein.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a plate, as it would appear with the
balls (single series) removed therefrom.
The balls b having been laid in position in a suitable trough, molten lead is
poured upon them, so as to enclose and secure the balls in position. When cold
the lead and a portion of the balis may be cut away leaving portions of the balls
exposed to view, as shown in the drawings, or the plate a may be otherwise shaped.
The contact of the balls with each other forms a continuous body in the leaden
frame a, each ball touching the next; and the leaden frame forms one continuous
network, with interstices between the balls.
The active portions of the plate usually increase in volume while in operation,
whereby the globular cavities and cells in the frame become more closely filled.
We are aware that electric accumulators with leaden frames and prismatic or
conical bodies enclosed, have been heretofore constructed and used. Our invention
differs from such constructions in the fact that we use balls, which balls are not
completely separated from each other by the leaden frame. The balls form one
active body, and the body of the leaden frame is intermeshed with the balls,
forming one rigid plate. The advantages are great durability and efficiency in
proportion to the weight of the accumulator.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The improvements in the construction of electric accumulator plates, substan-
tially as and for the purposes described.
2. In electric accumulator plates, the combination of balls or portions of balls b,
so arranged as to be in mutual contact, and intermeshed with and kept together by
the frame a, substantially as described and illustrated by the drawings.

page_text: 3. In electric accumulators as aforesaid, the improved method of filling the
interstices with molten lead, and cutting the same on both sides, substantially as
and for the purposes described and illustrated by the drawings.
Dated 30th March 1895.
GEO.
DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent.