Improved Valve Apparatus for Electric Batteries.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Nov., 1897-Accepted, 11th Dec., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Valve Apparatus for Electric Batteries.
I. WILLIAM HOPKIN AKESTER. of 142. St. Olaf's Road. Fulham. Middlesex.
Electrician. 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 :-
This Invention relates to an improved valve applicable to closed primary and
secondary cells and batteries generally, but especially so to turnover cells and
batteries or to such cells and batteries as are used for turnover electric lamps, in
which electric energy is generated or light is given while the cell or battery is in
the position in which the electrodes are immersed in the oxidant, while no action
occurs when the cell or battery is in its reversed position in which the electrodes are
not immersed in the oxidant, the valve being adapted, while the cell or battery is in
the position in which it is in action, to give vent to the gases generated within the
cell or battery during such action, and, while the cell or battery is in the position in
which it is out of action, to prevent escape of the liquid oxidant, while still allowing
of endosmosic action between the external atmosphere and the oxidant within the
cell or battery necessary for the recuperation of the oxidant in such closed cells or
batteries.
The improved valve is represented on the accompanying drawings, in Fig: 1, as
applied externally to a turnover cell and as in operation in giving vent to gases
accumulating within the top of the cell during the action thereof, the immersed
electrodes and the oxidant not being shown, and in Fig: 2, as applied internally
to a turnover battery and as in operation in preventing escape of the liquid oxidant
while the cell is out of operation and the electrodes are not immersed in the oxidant,
while still allowing of said endosmosic action: Fig: 3, is a sectional plan of Fig: 1,
on the line A, A, and Figs: 4, and 5, are upper and under plans of Fig: 2.
The improved valve is constructed with a detachable plug a, tapering towards its
seat or inner end and formed with an axial hole a¹, leading from the interior of the
cell or battery b, and terminating in radial branches a², which open out laterally of
the plug and with an elastic tube or envelope c, which surrounds the tapered end of
the plug and normally closes its outlet openings a²: and with a tapering seating d,
in which the elastically covered tapering end of the plug is entered and seats, gas
and liquid tight, and which expands towards and around the plug outlets a², so as to
leave an annular space e, (vide Fig: 2,) as hereinafter referred to and also with a
screw cap f, serving to locate the plug in its desired position, and which is formed
with vent holes f¹.
The action of the valve is regulated and determined by the tension of the tube c,
applied thereto, and which, as regards the minimum pressure to be resisted and
resistance to be offered, is determined by the capacity of the cell or battery and the
mass of the liquid contents, so that, when the cell or battery is in such position (vide
Fig 2,) that the valve is subject only to the pressure of the liquid oxidant and
the cell or battery is not in operation, the electrodes not being immersed in the
oxidant, the latter will be prevented from escaping, owing to the resistance of
the tube c, exceeding the pressure of the oxidant, without preventing the stated

page_text: endosmosic and recuperative action taking place: but, when the cell or battery is in
such position (vide Fig: 1,) that the valve is subject to the pressure of the gases
accumulating within the upper part of the cell or battery during the action thereof,
then, as soon as the pressure of such gases exceeds the resistance of the elastic tube,
the latter inomentarily yields and distends into the space e, (vide Fig: 1) and allows
of the desired relief and vent through the holes a¹, a², f¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said Inveu-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
A valve for closed primary and secondary cells and batteries, characterized by the
combination of a tapered plug a, having an axial inlet hole a¹, and lateral outlet
holes a² an elastic tube c, surrounding the tapered end of the plug and the plug
outlets a² a tapered seating d, in which the elastically covered tapered end of the
plug seats gas and water tight, and which expands towards and around the plug
outlets a², so as to leave an annular space e, surrounding the latter and a screw
cap f, serving to locate the plug in position and which is formed with vent holes f¹;
such parts being adapted to co-operate as set forth.
Dated this 3rd day of November, 1897.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
Chartered Patent Agents. 321, High Holborn, London, W.C.
Agents for the Applicant.