Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 5th Dec., 1891
Figure 4 represents a vertical section of the cell taken on a plane parallel to the
electrodes ;
Figure 5 is a similar section but taken at right angles to the view shewn in
Figure 4; and
Figure 6 represents, in perspective, a positive and negative plate arranged with
respect to each other as they are placed in the cell.
A represents the positive electrode as a whole. It is made up of a composite
wire a, which consists of a solid copper core, then a layer of the oxide of copper,
next a copper wire network in the meshes of which the copper oxide is embedded,
and finally an insulating sheathing of braided cotton or other suitable material.
This wire is taken in two lengths and made into the form of a mat of one layer
of wires. The wires are laid horizontally and bent around at the side edges to
pass back and 'forth as many times as necessary to form the size of the plate
desired. In order to bring both ends of the strands up together and have no
exposed portions in the body of the plate, the two wires are bent over upon
themselves at about the middle, thus making four strands side by side. These
four are then carried back and forth from bottom to top. At the top, the wires
are separated into pairs, one pair a¹ passing half way across the top and then
bending upward at right angles to form one-half of the connecting lug, and the
other pair a' continuing across the plate, turning at the further edge, running
back and up beside the pair a¹ to complete the connecting lug. This forms a
symmetrical rectangular plate. The wire once in this shape is secured first by
passing a U-shaped insulated wire b around the bottom and two side edges of the
plate and binding it with twine b' or other suitable material at the points where it
touches the curved projections of the plate; and second, by supporting the faces
of the plate by two U-shaped stiff insulated wires cc which pass up the sides of the
plate. The legs of these pieces are bound together by bits of twine c¹ passing
through the plate between the wires at various points, thus clamping the plate and
holding its parts effectually together. The binding wire b, after turning the lower
corners and passing through the wires c, is offset as shewn at b, to form a place
of rest for the plate and at the same time elevate it from the bottom of the cell.

page_text: The binding pieces b and c are made out of any suitable wire having a coating of
braided cotton impregnated with whiting and silicate of soda. Wire thus treated,
when placed in a solution containing potash, becomes very stiff and durable, the
whiting and silicate being transformed into a vitreous material resembling stone.
This enhances greatly the durability and insulating properties also. In the form
shewn in Figure 3 the binding wire b is not used and the loops c c carry blocks d
of insulating material which elevate the plate and perform the function of the
offset b*.
The negative plate B consists of a sheet of iron, iron coated with tin, nickel, or
any other suitable metal, having a large number of small perforations. The sheet
is bent over upon itself along its middle portion, to form an envelope within which
is placed one of the positive plates A. This constitutes a complete couple and it
will be observed that the metallic portion of the positive plate is thoroughly
insulated from the negative plate, although the plates may be pressed together with
considerable force; in fact, the envelopes are normally held in close contact with
the sides of the insulated positive plates. The special arrangement of the plates in
the cell is illustrated in Figure 5 wherein it will be seen that each envelope
contains a positive plate and that the negative plates are successively in contact
with one another.
which
The cells in which the plates are deposited are metallic, and the negative plates
or envelopes rest directly upon the bottom of the cell, while those at the ends rest
directly against the sides of the cell. The cell itself may therefore be included in
the circuit and the connecting conductor f may be attached directly to it as shewn
in Figure 4. The positive plates are all connected to a metallic cross bar
is soldered or otherwise secured to a conductor g' leading out through an opening h
in the side of the cell as shewn in Figures 4 and 5. This opening is in the form of
a slot cut from the upper edge of the cell down to a point below the flange of the
cover and is provided with a bushing of insulating material upon which the
conductor g¹ has its bearing in order to be insulated from the metallic vessel. With
this arrangement of the plates it is obvious that a large number of them may be
deposited in a comparatively small cell, as they may be pressed into close contact
with each other. It is further remarked that inasmuch as the binding wires b and c
stand out from the surface of the mat or plate, all the wear due to the movement of
the plates with respect to each other, will be on these wires and not upon the face
of the electrode. The porous insulation of the electrode itself is therefore not
subjected to wear.
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. A battery electrode made up of wire bent upon itself to form a mat or plate
in combination with wire loops or straps surrounding the same, substantially as
described.
2. A battery electrode made up of wire bent upon itself to form a mat or
plate in combination with wire loops or straps surrounding the same, and secured
thereto by means of binding devices which pass through the mat, substantially as
described.
3. The combination with a battery plate of an insulated wire extending around
the side edges and the bottom for the purpose of insulating and supporting the plate,
substantially as described.
4. The combination of a battery plate with a wire extending around the side
edges and the bottom, the bottom portion of the wire being offset to elevate the
plate, substantially as described.
5. The combination of a battery plate with a wire extending around the side
edges and the bottom thereof and other wires embracing the side and bottom
substantially as and for the purpose described.
6. A supporting and insulating device for battery plates consisting of a binding

page_text: wire or strap of flexible material, covered with textile material impregnated with
whiting and silicate of soda, substantially as described.
7. In a secondary battery, the combination of a positive' and negative electrode,
one contained within the other and one being entirely covered or protected with
insulating material, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
8. In a secondary battery, an insulated positive electrode contained within an
uninsulated perforated envelope constituting the negative electrode, substantially
as described.
9. In a secondary battery a containing cell forming part of the circuit and having
connected with it the conductor e and also provided with a slot or opening for the
second electric conductor, the slot being fitted with insulating material, substantially
as set forth.
10. In a secondary battery, a plurality of insulated positive electrodes inclosed
respectively in a plurality of negative electrodes, the two sets or groups being in
mechanical contact with each other, substantially as described.
Dated this 26th day of October A.D. 1891.
WILLIAM E. HEYS,
Agent for the Applicants.