Electrodes for Storage Batteries.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Jan., 1899-Accepted, 11th Feb.,
1869
Electrodes for Storage Batteries.
I, THEODORE ARTHUR WILLARD, a Citizen of the United States, residing at
No. 1268, Superior Street, in the City of Cleveland, County of Cuyahoga, and
State of Ohio, United States of America, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
-
My invention relates to electrodes for storage batteries of the type in which
the active material is, preferably, derived or reduced by electrical action operating
upon the surface of the electrode itself, or rather upon its leaves. Yet, if desired,
the active material may be mechanically applied in the form of a paste or the
like, without departing from my invention.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is an elevation of a cylindrical electrode
open at both ends and having slightly curved leaves or projections circularly
about its outside.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly in section of a modified form of electrode in
which the leaves stand out horizontally, and the ends are closed and a solid
stiffening core is confined within the electrode.
Fig. 3 is a side elevation partly in section of still another form of electrode,
having straight inclined leaves or projections about its outside, hermetically
sealed ends, and a cylindrical stiffening part inside.
Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of a group of electrodes of graduated size, one
within the other, the middle one having leaves outside, while the next two have
leaves on both sides, and the outer tube has leaves only on its inner side.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of a series of single tubes of any of the smaller sizes, and
coupled together as positive and negative, respectively.
In Fig. 1, the tube A is open at both ends, and has a continuous spiral forma-
tion on its exterior running from end to end and constituting in effect a series of
laterally projecting thin leaves a, which, in this instance, are slightly dished or
ourved in cross section and also somewhat inclined from their base upward. These
leaves are so spaced or separated that in forming the battery the intervening space
is filled with active material derived from the surface of the leaves themselves,
and the dish shape is especially advantageous in retaining the formed material
and preventing shedding. The result would be the same if the leaves were pro-
duced separately and not continuously.
B represents a modification of the electrode, which has both ends sealed against
the outside and contains a solid strengthening core, C, of wood or other suitable
material. In this instance the leaves, b, likewise, run spirally but project at right
angles from the body, and are straight instead of being curved.
In Fig. 3 the electrode, D, likewise, is closed at both ends and encloses a
cylindrical stiffening core, E, and the leaves d, are straight but upwardly inclined
so as to promote the retention of the active material.
A further differentiation of the style of the electrodes is disclosed in Fig. 4,
wherein there are four several tubes of graduated sizes placed one within the
other and coupled up as positives and negatives in the usual manner, and in
D977

page_text: which the inner tubo F has leaves only on its outside corresponding substantially
to Fig. 3, but open at its ends like Fig. 1, and the leaves are straight but inclined.
Next outside of this are the two tubes, G, both of which have leaves on both sides,
and the outer tube of the group, H, has leaves or shelves only on its inner side.
These several forms of tubes, or. their equivalents, may be made up in this
way or in any other practical way, and, of course, suitable means should be
employed to insulate the tubes from each other.
Another method of coupling up a battery according to my invention is shown
in Fig. 5 wherein there is a series of single tubes, J, connected up as positive
and negative alternately, and comprising a large number of small units of equal
size instead of the units of graduated sizes as in Fig. 4. This latter arrangement
leaves each unit free from the others and affords, plenty of room.
It will be noticed that the leaves in all cases are uniform in cross section from
their edge to their base, so that the electrical action thereon will also be uniform
the entire depth of the leaf.
This construction also enables me to make a very light battery adapted to horse-
less carriages and other portable uses. It need not be pointed out that a tubular
formation promotes this object, because manifestly it is stiffer than a flat element
and is practically proof against buckling.
If a stiffening core be used as in Figs. 2 or 3, a thinner plate can be employed
to form the leaves and the core be relied on for stiffness.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. A tubular electrode having a series of laterally projecting leaves extending
around the same from end to end, said leaves being of uniform cross section from
edge to base and having uniform open spaces between them, substantially as
described.
2. A tubular electrode provided with a series of leaves uniform in cross section
from edge to base and uniformly spaced from each other, and running spirally
about the body of the electrode, substantially as described.
3. A tubular electrode open at both ends and having a series of leaves from top
to bottom uniform in cross section from edge to base and inclined upward with a
curve, substantially as described.
4. A tubular electrode having leaves about its outside and a stiffening core
enclosed within, substantially as described.
Dated this 7th day of December 1898.