Year: 1885

page_text: I JAMES YATE JOHNSON of 47 Lincolns Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman do, hereby declare the nature of this Invention which has been com-
municated to me from abroad by Stephen Farbaky and Dr Stephen Schenek both
professors of the Mining Academy at Schemnitz Hungary to be as follows:-
The object of our Invention is to obtain a more efficient and steady working of
secondary batteries or electric accumulators and to prevent the active materials
from falling off from or out of the plates.
The electric accumulators or secondary batteries constructed according to our
Invention consist of any number of plates of suitable size and form the carcass of
which is formed by rectangular grate or lattice shaped frames of cast or pressed
lead-The openings or interstices of these lattice plates are packed with a specially
prepared material which is fixed therein by a special treatment for proceeding both
as hereinafter described.
The strength or thickness of the plates as well as of the packing material will be
different according to the employment and performance of the plate as a positive or
negative one.
The plates of the positive pole are in general thicker than those of the negative
pole.
The frames of both the positive and the negative pole plates have a prolongation
in the direction of one of the smaller sides and cast in one piece with the frame
which prolongment forms the pole of the electrode.
The packing material of the negative plates consist of pulverized litharge and
granulated pumice stone say 95 parts by weight of pulverized litharge (free of
copper) to 5 parts by weight of granulated pumice stone.
The pumice stone effects the loosening of the mass and gives a greater porosity
which is of importance as thereby the entry and escape of the electrolyte and the
efficiency of the accumulator is essentially increased.
The said materials are intimately mixed (in quantities of say about 10 to
20 Kilogrammes) with sulphuric acid (free of arsenic) diluted with water in order
to form the said materials into a pasty mass but friable but little moist and of no
plasticity.

page_text: The resulting mass (the active materials) is then put into the holes or interstices
of the lattice frame and distributed in such a manner that the mass projects (say
to about 3 to 4 Millimeters) over the lead frame The surplus of the material is
then stroked by means of a brass bar until a visible sweating of the material is
produced whereupon that part of the mass which projects over the frame is
removed by means of a long knife.
The frame is then turned and the other side of the plate is treated in a similar
manner.
The element or plate is then dried.
г
The packing or active material of the positive pôle plates consists of litharge
Minium and powdered coke say 95 parts of weight of litharge 95 parts of weight of
Minium and 10 parts of weight of powdered coke.
These materials are intimately mixed in a dry state and packed into the positive
plate frames.
By the addition of the pulverised coke we attain two essential advantages
videlicit the mass becomes thoroughly conductive and in consequence of its
porosity the coke' causes a loosening of the entire mask and easily abrorbs the
sulphuric acid.
The plates thus prepared are dried in free air or otherwise during which not only
is the water vaporized but a combination of the oxide of lead with sulphuric acid
takes place thus making the material considerably more cohesive.
In order to obtain a higher degree of hardness and solidity of the plates and
principally to prevent the softening and falling out or off of the active materials
from the plates we submit them after drying to the following treatment.
We prepare a bath of sulphuric acid diluted with water in a chest or trough
lined with lead. In this bath the plate is rapidly dipped then quickly taken out
and left to drain.
After some time the plate is again dipped into the said bath and kept there
until the produced effervescence ceases or nearly so. In case the bath should
become turbid like milk around the plates the latter must immediately be taken
out and left to dry.
After a further time the plates are again placed in the bath and are left therein
for a time.
By this treatment the upper layer on both sides of the plates becomes partially
converted into sulphate of lead which stiffens like cement and prévents the material
in the interior of the plates from falling out.
Simultaneously the minium of the positive plates is converted partially into
peroxide of lead whereby the plates receive a chocolate like appearance,
The plates are now ready for being placed into the cell.
•
The box for the reception of the plates is lined with sheets of lead (soldered with
lead) upon which are placed veneer impregnated with paraffine.
At the bottom of the cell are arranged small prismatic blocks of wood (likewise
impregnated with paraffin).
When inserting the plates into the box the latter is to be inclined under an
angle of 45° and in each of the corners a ledge, impregnated with paraffin is fixed.
In the space between the above described ledges wooden staves are inserted, 'thoy
being of such a length that they project over the plates. The first negative plate
is then pushed into the cell, two ledges are placed on the ends of that plate and 10
to 12 staves between the ledges and then a positive pole plate is placed and so on.
The last plate must be a negative one.
The total number of plates in an accumulator may be conveniently varied
according to the dimensions and application of the accumulator.
In order to retain the plates firmly in the box or cell the plates are slightly
pressed together and fastened with strips of cork or wooden wedges impregnated
with paraffin which are pushed in between the last (uppermost) plate and the wall
of the box

page_text: It is advisable to insulate the plates by means of paper (treated with nitric acid)
in order to prevent a short circuit in cases where particles of the active material
may have fallen out from the plates during their transport.
The plates prepared in the above described manner are so placed in the box that
the bars of the positive pole are directed to one side and the bars of the negative
pole to the other side of the accumulator
In order to prevent as much as possible vaporization of the diluted sulphuric
atid we cover the accumulator with a sufficiently thick sheet of lead. In the
centre of this cover we make a circular opening and we fix a tube of lead closed
with a conical shaped cover of lead
The covers have round holes on both sides corresponding to the number of the
positive and negative pole bars which have to pass through these holes. In the
latter are inserted short tubes of lead projecting above and below.
The pole bars are covered by tubes of India rubber or the like in order to
insulate the same from the plate of the cover.
At one corner of the plate of the cover is soldered a tube of lead through which
the acid may be drawn off from the cell.
After the cover is placed on and connected with the lead lining of the cell the
positive and negative pole bars are suitably connected by bars of lead on the ends
of which are soldered pieces of tinned copper wire which serve as poles and carry
the pole jaws.
The accumulator is now filled with the electrolyte preferably sulphuric acid
of 185 specific gravity diluted with 70 per cent water and may be at once
submitted to the formation or charging action.
Our improved secondary batteries or accumulators offer the following advantages.
a. A more efficient and steady action in consequence of the increase of the active
surface.
b. A longer durability as the sulphuric acid is allowed to enter and escape more
freely.
c. The prevention of the vaporization of the sulphuric acid and its pernicious
effects.
d. The use of the positive and negative connecting rods of lead outside the box
protect them against the corrosive action of the sulphuric acid.
The use of filtering paper treated with nitric acid instead of parchment placed
between the plates of the accumulator prevents every short circuit in the
accumulator,
The manufacture of our accumulators is very cheap in comparison with those
now in use, as all the necessary materials, Litharge Minium coke, pumice-stone,
lead and sulphuric acid are obtained at moderate costs.
Dated this 10th day of November 1885.

page_text: I JAMES YATE JOHNSON of N° 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of
Middlesex Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this Invention which has
been communicated to me from abroad by Stephen Farbaky and Dr Stephen
Schenek, both Professors of the Mining Academy at Schemnitz Hungary, 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 obtain a more efficient and steady working of
secondary batteries or electric accumulators and to prevent the active materials
from falling off from or out of the plates.
I will describe this Invention with reference to the accompanying drawing in
which Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of an accumulator made in accordance
with this Invention. Figure 2 is a cross section along the line I II of figure 1 and
Figure 2 shows in plan a connecting piece of the pole bars.
The electric accumulators or secondary batteries constructed according to this
Invention consist of any number of plates of suitable size and form the carcass of
each of which is formed by rectangular grate or lattice shaped frames of cast or
pressed lead.
The openings or interstices of these lattice plates are packed with a specially
prepared material which is fixed therein by a special treatment or proceeding both
as hereinafter described.
The strength or thickness of the plates as well as of the packing material will
vary in accordance with the employment and office of the plate as a positive or a
negative one.
The plates of the positive pole are in general thicker than those of the negative
pole the thickness of the positive plates being say about 10 to 12 Millimeters
and that of the negative plates about 6 to 8 millimeters.
The frames of both the positive and the negative pole plates have a prolongation
in the direction of one of the smaller sides and cast in one piece with the frame
which prolongation forms the pole of the electrode.
The packing material of the negative plates consists of pulverized litharge and
granulated pumice stone say 95 parts by weight of pulverised litharge (free of
copper) to 5 parts by weight of granulated pumice stone the diameter or size of
the grains being say about 1 to 1+ Millimeter.
This pumice stone is for the purpose of loosening the mass and for obtaining a
greater porosity which is of importance as hereby the entry and escape of the
electrolyte and the efficiency of the accumulator is considerably increased.
The said materials are intimately mixed (say in quantities of about 10 to
20 Kilogrammes) with sulphuric acid (free of arsenic) and preferably of a specific

page_text: gravity of 1.85 diluted with 75% water in order to form the said materials into
a pasty but friable mass but slightly moist and of no plasticity.
The resulting mass (the active materlal) is then put into the holes or interstices
of the lattice frame which may be effected by means of a tinned iron spoon or.
spattle and is distributed in such a manner that the mass projects (say to about
3 to 4 Millemeters) over the lead frame The 'surplus of the material is then
stroked by means of a brass bar until a visible sweating of the material is produced.
whereupon that part of the mass which projects over the frame is removed by
means of a long knife. The frame is then turned and the other side of the plate is
treated in a similar manner.
The element or plate is then dried.
The packing or active material of the positive pole plates consists of litharge
minium and powdered coke say 95 parts of weight of litharge 95 parts of weight
of minium and 10 parts of weight of powdered coke of say about 1 to 1 Millimeter
diameter or size of grains.
These materials are intimately mixed in a dry state and packed into the positive
plate frames which may be effected as heretofore described with regard to the
negative plates.
By the addition of the pulverized coke two considerable advantages are obtained
videlicet the mass becomes thoroughly conductive and in consequence of its
porosity the coke causes a loosening of the entire mass and easily absorbs the
sulphuric acid.
The plates thus prepared are dried in the open air, for say 2 to 3 days or
otherwise, during which drying not only is the water vaporized but a combination
of the oxide of lead with sulphuric acid takes place, thus making the material
considerably more cohesive.
In order to obtain a higher degree of hardness and solidity of the plates and
principally to prevent the softening and falling of the active materials out of or
off from the plates they are submitted, after drying, to the following treatment.
A bath is prepared of sulphuric acid, preferably of 1.85 B, diluted with, say
75% of water in a chest or trough lined with lead. In this bath, the plate is
rapidly dipped, then quickly taken out and left to drain.
After some time (about 24 hours will usually suffice) the plate is again dipped
into the said bath and kept therein until the produced effervescence ceases or
nearly ceases. In case the bath should become turbid like milk around the
plates, the latter must immediately be taken out and left to dry.
After a further time, (say 24 hours,) the plates are again placed in the bath, and
are left therein for, say 10 to 12 hours.
By this treatment, the upper layer on both sides of the plates becomes partially.
converted into, sulphate of lead which stiffens like cement and prevents the.
material in the interior of the plates from falling out.
Simultaneously, the minium of the positive plates is converted partially into.
peroxide of lead, whereby the plates receive a chocolate-like appearance.
The plates are now ready for being placed in the cell.
The box A of wood or equivalent material for the reception of the plates is
lined with sheets B of lead, upon which are placed, veneer, of, say 2 to 3 millimeter.
in thickness, impregnated with paraffin.
At the bottom of this cell, are arranged a number of small prismatic blocks C, of
wood, (likewise impregnated with paraffin,) which may conveniently be two
centimetres breadth above and three centimetres breadth below and three centimetres.
high.
When inserting the plates into the cell or box, it is to be inclined at, say an
angle of 45°, and in each of the corners, a ledge D, impregnated with paraffin is
fixed. These ledges are preferably about 7 millimetres thick and of such a breadth,
that the plates on them, rest for, say 1 to 2 centimetres of their breadth.
In the space between the above described ledges, wooden staves E of a circular
section are inserted, they being preferably about 7 millimetre diameter and of

page_text: such a length that they project, say, about one centimeter over the plates. The
first negative plate is then pushed into the cell, two ledges are placed on the ends
of that plate and then, say 10 to 12 staves are placed between the ledges, and then
a positive pole plate is placed in position and so on. The last plate must be a
negative one.
The total number of plates in an accumulator may be conveniently varied;
according to the dimensions and application of the accumulator.
In order to retain the plates firmly in the box or cell, the plates are slightly
pressed together and fastened, with say, 8 or 10 strips of cork, which may be
6 to 7 millimetres thick, or with wooden wedges, impregnated with paraffin, which
wedges are pushed in between the last, (uppermost,) plate and the wall of the box
or cell.
It is advisable to insulate the plates by means of paper, (treated with nitric
acid,) in order to prevent a short circuit in cases where particles of the active
material may have fallen out of or off from the plates during their transport.
The plates prepared in the above described manner are so placed in the box or
cell that the bars of the positive pole are directed to one side and the bars of the
negative pole to the other side of the accumulator.
In order to prevent, as much as possible, vaporization of the diluted sulphuric
acid, it is preferred to cover the accumulator with a sufficiently thick sheet of
lead F. In the centre of this cover F, there is made a circular opening G, of, say,
about 70 to 100 millimeter diameter, and a tube of lead of, say, 3 to 4 centimetres
length, is formed this tube is closed with a conical shaped cover H of lead.
The covers have holes on both sides corresponding to the number of the positive
and negative pole-bars, which have to pass through these holes. In the latter are
inserted short tubes I of lead projecting say about 1 Centimeter in length above
and below.
The pole-bars are covered by tubes K of India-rubber or the like in order to
insulate the same from the plate of the cover.
At one corner of the plate of the cover is soldered a tube L of lead (of say
2 centimeter length) through which the acid may be drawn off from the box or cell
by means of a syphon or by other means.
After the cover is placed on and connected with the lead-lining B of the box or
cell the positive and negative pole-bars P P¹ are suitably connected by bars of
lead R on the end of which are soldered pieces of tinned copper wire which serve
as poles and carry the pole-jaws or terminals.
The accumulator is now filled with the electrolyte it being preferably sulphuric
acid of about 1-85 specific gravity diluted with say 70 per cent of water and the
plates may be at once submitted to the formation or charging action.
These improved secondary batteries or accumulators offer the following
advantages.
a. A more efficient and steady action in consequence of the increase of the active
surface.
b A longer durability as the sulphuric acid is allowed to enter and escape
more freely.
c. The prevention of the vaporization of the sulphuric acid and its pernicious
effects in consequence of the air tight cover.
d. The placement of the positive and negative connecting-rods of lead outside
the box protects them against the corrosive action of the sulphuric acid.
e. The use of filtering-paper treated with nitric acid instead of parchment
placed between the plates of the accumulator prevents any short circuiting in the
accumulator.
f. The manufacture of the improved accumulators is very cheap in comparison
with those now in use, as all the necessary materials, Litharge, Minium, Coke,
numinestone lead and sunkuria eoid ove obtained at madaunto anot

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and the manner in which the same is to be performed I declare that
what I claim is
In and for the manufacture of secondary batteries or electric accumulators the
hereinbefore described packing mass or active material and also the manner of
fixing the same in the holes or interstices of the Lattice frames without compression
for loosening the packing material without diminishing its cohesion in order to
allow a free entrance and escape of the electrolyte all substantially as described.