IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF CASTING METALS, OR ALLOYS OF METALS, FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ELECTRODES FOR BATTERIES FOR ELECTRICAL PURPOSES, AND FOR OTHER USES." PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Woodward, of Shepherd's Bush, in the County of
Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF CASTING
METALS, OR ALLOYS OF METALS, FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ELECTRODES FOR
BATTERIES FOR ELECTRICAL PURPOSES, AND FOR OTHER USES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Woodward at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th September 1882.
HENRY WOODWARD, of Shepherd's Bush, in the County of Middlesex, IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE METHOD OF CASTING METALS, OR ALLOYS OF METALS, FOR THE
MANUFACTURE OF ELECTRODES FOR BATTERIES FOR ELECTRICAL PURPOSES, AND FOR
OTHER USES,
My invention consists in casting lead, or other metal, or alloys of metals, into
porous or spongy plates, blocks, slabs, cylinders, or other suitable shapes in the
manner substantially as hereinafter described.
To manufacture or prepare the plates, blocks, slabs, cylinders or the like, I make
a mould of the exact shape of the plate, block, slab, cylinder or the like, and I fill
this mould with salt, or with other suitable material that will stand heat, and is, at
the same time, soluble in bot water, or acid. The salt, or material employed must
be granulated to the size and shape of the reticulations holes, cavities or apertures
required to be formed in the porous or spongy metal. I then pour this molten
metal through a sieve, on to the salt, or other material, in the mould and leave it to
cool. When cool, I reverse the casting, and repeat the process. The metal is then
removed from its mould, and the salt, or material employed, is dissolved out. The
plate, block, slab, cylinder, or the like is thus left in a porous or spongy condition
presenting an amount of surface suitable for electrodes for batteries for electrical
purposes, or for use in the manufacture of white lead, and for other purposes
or uses.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Woodward in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th March
1883.
HENRY WOODWARD, of Shepherd's Bush, in the County of Middlesex, IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE METHOD OF CASTING METALS, OR ALLOYS OF METALS, FOR THE
MANUFACTURE OF ELECTRODES FOR BATTERIES FOR ELECTRICAL PURPOSES, AND FOR
OTHER USES
My Invention relates to an improved method of manufacturing plates, bars, or
other forms of metals, or alloys, suitable for being used as electrodes or battery
plates, and other purposes connected with the employment of electricity, and for
other purposes such as those connected with the manufacture of white lead.
According to my invention, I cast lead, or other metals, or alloys of metals, into
porous or spongy plates, blocks, slabs, cylinders, or other suitable shapes, in the
manner substantially as herein after described, and for the purposes set forth.
To manufacture or prepare the plates, blocks, slabs, cylinders, or the like, I make
a mould of the exact shape and size of the plate, block, slab, or the like, which I
intend to produce, and into this mould I place a layer of salt, or other suitable
material that will stand heat, and is, at the same time, soluble in water or acid.
The salt or other appropriate material employed must be granulated, or prepared to
the size and shape of the reticulations, holes, cavities, apertures or interstices
required to be formed in the porous or spongy metal. Over this layer of salt (or
other substance employed) I pour, splash, scatter, or distribute molten lead, or
other suitable molten metal, or alloys of metals, by means of any suitable apparatus.
I then place another layer of salt upon this coating or layer of lead, and again
repeat the covering with the molten metal. This process I perform as often as
required, adding layer upon layer, until a block, slab, plate or cylinder of the
required size is obtained.
The metal is then removed from the mould, and the salt, or other material
embedden therein, is dissolved out. The plate, block, slab, cylinder, or the like, is
thus left in a porous or spongy condition, presenting an amount of surface hitherto
unattainable, and especially suitable for electrodes for batteries for electrical
purposes, (preferably for secondary batteries).
The said plates, blocks, or slabs, prepared in the manner above described, are also
useful in the manufacture of white lead. They may be employed very beneficially
and cheaply in place of the leaden plates now used for covering the acid pots in the
tan beds, and as they present a very extended surface for the action of the fumes
emanating from the acid in said pots, they enable white lead to be made much more
cheaply than heretofore.
These plates, blocks, slabs, cylinders, or the like, may as is obvious be usefully
employed in those cases where an extended metallic surface is required to be acted
upon by acid, or otherwise.
Having now described my Invention I declare that I claim.
First. The manufacture, substantially as herein described, of porous or spongy
plates, blocks, slabs, cylinders, or other forms of metal or metallic alloys suitable for
electrodes or battery plates for electrical purposes, by bringing the molten metal,
or alloys of metal, into contact with granulated salt, or other appropriate inaterial
capable of withstanding heat, but soluble in water or acid, in such a manner as to
embed such material in the cast metal or alloy, and then dissolving out such salt or
material.

page_text: Second. The use of the porous or spongy forms of lead, produced in the
manner herein set forth, in the manufacture of white lead, substantially as herein
described.
In witness whereof I the said Henry Woodward have hereunto set my hand
and seal this eighth day of March in the year 1883.
Witness
ERNEST DE PASS Fel: Inst: P.A.
68 Fleet Street
London
H. WOODWARD (L.S.)