Improvements in Electric Accumulators.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Aug., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 23rd May, 1896-Accepted, 27th June, 1>96
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Accumulators.
I ERNST WALDEMAR JUNGNER of Skara in the Kingdom of Sweden,
Philosophical Candidate, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide a new or improved dry electric
accumulator, and it relates to such elements in which the positive electrode consists
of a metal the oxide of which is soluble in solution of caustic alkali, and in which
the negative electrode is surrounded by a metal in form of powder the oxide of
which is not soluble in solution of caustic alkali, the electrolyte being a caustic
alkali of a solution of the electro positive metal in caustic alkali.
In such an element the improvements consist in enclosing it in such a way with
a porous and elastic stuff that the entrance of carbonic acid from the air is
prevented, that the mechanical pressure prevents the falling away of the metal
powder deposited during charging, and that said pressure also acting on the
the mixture surrounding the negative pole gives it better conductivity.
Powdered graphite may be added to the mixture surrounding the negative pole
to preserve the conductivity of the mixture on charging, to assist the oxidation of
the metal and to enable silver or mercury to be used for such metal, the latter
metals being then used either singly or as an amalgam.
Dated this 23rd day of August 1895.
•
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
Agents to Applicant.
Improvements in Electric Accumulators.
I, ERNST WALDEMAR JUNGNER of Skara in the Kingdom of Sweden,
Philosophical Candidate do hereby declare the nature of this 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 this invention is to provide a new or improved dry electric
accumulator, and it relates to such elements in which the positive electrode consists
of a metal the oxide of which is soluble in solution of caustic alkali; and in which
the negative electrode is surrounded by a metal in form of powder the oxide of
which is not soluble in solution of caustic alkali, the electrolyte being a caustic
alkali of a solution of the electro positive metal in caustic alkali.
In such an element the improvements consist in enclosing it in such a way with
a porous and elastic stuff that the entrance of carbonic acid from the air is
prevented, that the mechanical pressure prevents the falling away of the metal
powder deposited during charging and that said pressure also acting on the mixture
surrounding the negative pole gives it better conductivity.
Powdered graphite may be added to the mixture surrounding the negative pole
to preserve the conductivity of the mixture on charging to assist the oxidation
of the metal and to enable silver or mercury to be used for such metal, the latter
metals being then used either singly or as an amalgam.

page_text: The invention can be conveniently performed as illustrated in the annexed
drawing which shows the accumulator in longitudinal section. e is a vessel of zinc
or any other metal capable of acting similar to it under electrical treatment, the
oxides of which are soluble in caustic alkali. Into this vessel is placed a bag g
of cloth, asbestos' or similar stuff. The space between the vessel and the bag is
occupied by a filling of cotton, asbestos or other porous, elastic material capable
of acting similarly in regard to electric treatment. In the inner bag is arranged
a rod or wire i of electro negative material, by preference of silver, copper, or
coal. Round this rod is pressed a mixture h of graphite, and a powdered electro
negative metal or mixture of metals, the oxides of which are not soluble in
caustic alkali, such as silver, copper, mercury, or an amalgam of silver and mercury.
The filling fas also the mixture h are impregnated with a solution of caustic
alkali, zinc alkali, or other alkaline solution of an electro positive metal.
Over this arrangement is placed a porous layer c, conveniently of sand. The
whole accumulator is carefully covered with a layer of asphaltum pitch 6 through
which is passed a glass tube a provided with taps into the layer c in order to
conduct away any gases.
For conducting the electricity the two poles and binders k and z are arranged.
The accumulator should be surrounded by an exterior vessel d of any convenient
material that will not conduct electricity.
As convenient examples for the working of the reaction may be mentioned.
According to the principle
(a). In the charge, Zn(OK), – H₂O ·
(b). In the discharge Zn
-
-
2 Ag Zn
=
-
-
2 KOH Ag 2 0.
2 KOH - Ag2O = Zn(OK), - H₂O – 2 Ag.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
In elements where the positive electrode consists of a metal, the oxides of which
are soluble in caustic alkali and the negative electrode of which is surrounded by
a powdered metal, whose oxides are not soluble in caustic alkali and the electrolyte
of which consists of a caustic alkali or a caustic alkali solution of an electro positive
metal.
1. The arrangement whereby the accumulator is provided with a porous and
elastic material so that the entrance of carbonic acid from the air is prevented
and by mechanical pressure against the electro-positive electrode, the metallic
powder deposited thereon during charging prevented from falling away and by
mechanical pressure against the mixture surrounding the negative electrode, it is
caused to receive a greater conducting capacity.
2. The mode of constructing the accumulator under Claim 1 with powdered
graphite added to the metallic mixture surrounding the negative electrode.
3. The manner of constructing the accumulator as under Claim I whereby at the
negative electrode finely divided silver, mercury or an amalgam of silver and
mercury is used.
All substantially as described and illustrated and for the purposes set forth.
Dated the 23rd day of May 1896.
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
18 Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agents for Applicant.