Improvements in Secondary or Storage Batteries.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Jan., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 5th Oct., 1889-Accepted, 9th Nov., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Secondary or Storage Batteries.
I THOMAS CUTTRISS 72 New Briggate Leeds, Electrician do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My improvements consist of the method of constructing Storage Batteries & in
the method of applying the active material, & retaining it in close contact with the
conductor or conductors, used in conveying the current during the charging & dis
charging of the cell.
When the containing vessel or cell is of lead, firm contact is obtained between it &
the active material (peroxide of lead) by the pressure caused by the expansion of the
active material during the formation of the cell.
When a non metallic vessel or cell is used such as ebonite glass &c. a lining of
lead or platinum is used or strips of lead or platinum may be placed in such a position,
that good contact is made between the strips and the active material owing to the
pressure caused by the expansion of the active material during the formation of the
cell.
A cell made in this manner is particularully well suited for medical or surgical
purposes or portable electric lamps.
To render the active material self supporting 1 mould it to the shape & thickness
required by placing a suitable plug or mould inside the containing cell; the space
between the containing cell & the plug is filled to a proper height with any of the
oxides of lead, mixed to the consistency of paste, with a mixture of water & sulphuric
acid; it is then allowed to stand until sufficiently dry to allow of the withdrawal of
the plug or mould. The active material is then formed by an electric current in the
usual way, & makes the negative or (oxygen) plate of the Battery.
The positive or (Hydrogen) plate may be either finely divided lead, or a rod or
plate of zinc. When zinc is used, for the purpose of keeping it well amalgamated
with, mercury, I sometimes fasten a cup or cups of suitable material to the zinc in
such a manner that the mercury in drawing off the zinc plate or rod is caught &
thereby kept in contact with the zinc.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Secondary or Storage Batteries.
I THOMAS CUTTRISS Electrical Engineer 72 New Briggate Leeds 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:-
My improvements consist in the method of constructing storage batteries, and in
the method of applying the active material and retaining it in close contact with the
conductor or conductors used in conveying the current during the charging & dis-
charging of the cell.
When the containing vessel or cell is of lead (which may be either circular, square
or other convenient shape) firm contact is obtained between it and the active material
(peroxide of lead) by the method employed of moulding the materials from which it is
formed in position, together with the subsequent expansion of the active materia!
during the process of converting it into peroxide of lead, which is commonly under-
stood as forming the cell.
When a non metallic vessel or cell is used, such as ebonite glass or other suitable
material, a lining of lead or platinum is placed between the active material and the
containing cell, or strips of lead or platinum may be placed between the active

page_text: material and the containing cell, or they may be placed within the active material and
be surrounded by it-The strips of lead or platinum are placed in contact with each
other and the positive terminal of the cell by any convenient means.
To render the active material self supporting I mould it to the shape & thickness
required by placing a suitable shaped plug or mould inside the containing vessel, the
space between the plug or mould and the containing vessel being filled to a convenient
height with a mixture of oxides of lead, preferably a mixture of litharge and red lead
in equal proportions, which have been further mixed to the consistency of paste by
adding a solution of sulphuric acid and water; eight parts of water and one part of
acid being a good proportion-The cell is then allowed to stand until the active
material has hardened sufficiently to allow the plug or mould to be removed.
In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 shows the nonmetallic containing vesse! A,
the strips of lead or platinum B, and the active material C rendered self supporting
in the manner described-Fig. 2 shows the containing vessel A and the plug or
mould D, which is withdrawn when the space between it and the containing vessel
has been filled with the active material as already described.
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 1
claim is :-
1. An outer cell of lead containing a lining of active material rendered self
supporting substantially as described.
2. An outer cell of ebonite, glass or other suitable material containing a lining of
active material rendered self supporting, and-containing-strips-of lead or platinum
between the outer coll and the lining of active material, or embedded in the active
inaterial substantially as described.
1000