Improvements in or relating to Electric Accumulators.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Jan., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 25th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 29th Nov., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Electric Accumulators.
A communication from GIOVANNI GARASSINO DI GIOVANNI, of Turin, in the Kingdom
of Italy, Electrician.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
M.I.M.E., do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
This invention consists in certain improvements in the construction and arrangement
of electric accumulators.
The object of these improvements is to obtain at comparatively little cost lead
plates so prepared and combined, that they may readily and quickly be fitted in, and
taken out of, the desired position; also that, notwithstanding their small thickness,
they may display considerable rigidity and great adhesiveness to their fittings; and
lastly that the required intimate connection between the plates and their fittings,
or in other words, an electric accumulator in working order, may rapidly be
obtained.
The plates may be arranged in groups or blocks each of 15 plates consisting of two
sets one of 8 and one of 7 plates one being a positive and one a negative set. The
larger faces of the plates are honeycombed or ribbed.
The electrodes of the same sign are connected together by a rod and binding screw
whereby, and by other means, the contract between such electrodes is assured, so as
to form one of the poles.
The plates are kept apart by an insulating rack or comb made of ebonite or any
other suitable material, which rack I prefer to arrange near the four angles or corners
of the group or block of plates, so as to keep them from contact with the walls of the
containing vessel.
Extensible india-rubber rings whereon small insulating rings may run, and the
height of which corresponds to the intervals between the plates may be fitted to any
convenient pointed pieces between the plates.
Each plate is formed of lead with a sinall admixture of antimony, whereby a greater
resistance is imparted to the same and is provided with a conductor which carries a
collar whereby the proper distance between the plates is adjusted. Each conductor is
preferably curved, as this enables the end collars, which are touched with the hands,
to project outside of the walls of the vessel, and beyond the reach of the gas
emanating therefrom. In order to protect the conductors they are provided, first,
with a coating of shellac, and, over this, with several superposed layers of gutta-percha,
which is thereby made very adhesive; and lastly, there is applied to the positive
conductors another coating of shellac mixed with cinnabar (red sulphuret of mercury),
while the negative conductors are ceated with a mixture of shellac and lamp-black.
Besides, the poles are distinguishable by the particular colour of each.
To ensure conductibility between the beforementioned collars of each pole, the
surfaces of such collars are amalgamated with mercury and they are drawn tightly
against each other by means of a screwed rod or bolt and screw-nut, whereby the
positive pole and the negative pole are completed.
Each of the plates which may be of any suitable size and shape is cut to the
desired form out of a sheet of lead rolled between cylinders having the same design
engraved or otherwise formed upon them and arranged in contiguity to each
other. These cylinders should be capable of being brought nearer to each other so as
to form deeper cells in the plates placed between them; which cells must have a
rough or ribbed bottom-surface whereon the reduced lead is applied by the galvano
plastic process in more or less thick layers, whereupon this lead is strongly compressed

page_text: by means of a suitable press, so that it acquires a great adhesiveness and density
and also imparts much rigidity to the ribs dividing the cells. The thin ribs or narrow
grooves of the bottom of such cells, again, form smaller cells of less depth. The
average width of each of the main cells is, preferably, two.fifths of an inch.
Around each positive plate, when completed, two or more india rubber rings
are placed crosswise, and on them are provided ebonite rings which may be
placed in any given point and serve to keep the plates apart. The combs or
racks, also made of ebonite, assist in maintaining the plates at suitable distances
apart, and so do the beforementioned collars through which is passed the screwed rod
or bolt of preferably brass or copper coated with lead. The said racks also keep the
plates out of contact with the walls of the cell. From the foregoing, the arrangement
and practical operation of the novel means of electric storage will be readily gathered.
It will be seen that the plates without any melting but obtained from a simple sheet
of lead and suitably rolled, and then cut to the desired shape by appropriate apparatus,
combine the advantage of great lightness with that of affording a rigid support to the
reduced lead, embedded and compressed therein in layers of variable thickness, but of
an extreme adhesiveness. In depositing the reduced lead by means of a galvano-
plastic bath, I succeed in forming accumulators within a few hours so that both in
respect of the manner and the nature of the construction, I am enabled to supply
accumulators ready for operation in one day.
It is worthy of note that owing to the compression undergone by the porous
layers of reduced lead, and to their embodiment within the cells, upon their ribbed or
rough bottom surfaces, each such layer is closely confined, snugly fitted, and, as it
were, locked into its particular cell; for each of the bevel-edged ribs, forming
partitions between the said cells, are, after the compression of the reduced lead
within the cells, and the compression of the plates themselves, flattened to the right
and to the left over and into the reduced lead. This lead is thus fitted in its seat by a
species of dove-tail joint, and the union thus obtained between the rolled supporting
plate and the lead deposited therein is complete and indestructible.
The same
arrangement may be adopted for similar fittings with red lead or litharp (protexyde of
lead) or other oxides of metal.
From the foregoing it will be seen that these accumulators may be easily
constructed, fitted together, taken to pieces and operated; that the plates thereof are
obtained by a rolling process enabling more or less deep cells to be formed in them,
wherein the reduced lead is embedded, the bottom of such cells being serrated or
rough, contributes to increase the adhesiveness and to retain in place the metal
deposited or applied thereon. Also, that the ribs, both large, and small, joint in
imparting increased rigidity to the plate, especially after compression when the larger
or main ribs are flattened down at the top and forced into the metal deposit. And,
finally, that contact between the conductors of the same sign is ensured, as is also
the connection between the various plates and the insulation of the whole group
from the walls of the vessel in case the latter should be of metal.
The manufacture of the conductors, the rolling and cutting of the plates, the
depositing of lead, the soldering and fitting of the conductors and the initial charging
of the plates need not, altogether, occupy more than ten hours; and the discharge of
the energy thus stored up will be considerable and materially increase with time
until the lead plates are totally destroyed, their durability depending upon their
thickness.
Dated this 30th day of January 1890.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Electric Accumulators.
A communication from GIOVANNI GARASSINO DI GIOVANNI, of Turin, in the Kingdom
of Italy, Electrician.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
M.I.M.E., 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 consists in certain improvements in the construction and arrangement
of electric accumulators.
The object of these improvements is to obtain at comparatively little cost lead
plates so prepared and combined, that they may readily and quickly be fitted in, and
taken out of, the desired position; also that notwithstanding their small thickness,
they may display considerable rigidity and great adhesiveness to their fittings; and
lastly that the required intimate connection between the plates and their fittings, or
in other words, an electric accumulator in working order may rapidly be obtained.
In order to enable the improvements to be thoroughly understood I will hereinafter
in particularly describing the same, refer to the accompanying sheet of drawings in
which
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a group or blocks of 15 plates consisting of two
sets one of 8 and one of 7 plates, one being a positive and one a negative set.
The group is shown ready for insertion into the cell or vessel containing the active
liquid.
Fig. 2 is a front view of one of the plates the larger faces of which are honey-
combed or ribbed according to either of the designs suggested in Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6,
and 7, each of which figs. shows both an elevation and a section of part of the ribbed
surface illustrating the shape of one cell or square with its ribs or roughnesses of
surface.
Figs. 8 and 9 show respectively the rod connecting the electrodes of the same sign
and the binding screw whereby and by other means the contact between such
electrodes is assured so as to form one of the poles.
Fig. 10 represents an insulating rack or comb adapted to keep the plates apart
and made of ebonite or any other suitable material one of which racks I prefer to
arrange near each of the four angles or corners of the group or block of plates so as
to keep them from contact with the walls of the containing vessel.
Fig. 11 is an extensible india-rubber ring whereon may run small insulating rings
such as are shown in perspective in Fig. 12 and the height of which corresponds to
the intervals between the plates, these rings may be fitted to any convenient pointed
pieces between the plates.
small admixture of
It carries a collar a
We will suppose
Each conductor is fixed
A Fig. 2 is the conductor of each plate formed of lead with a
antimony, whereby a greater resistance is imparted to the same.
whereby the proper distance between the plates is adjusted.
that A are the positive and A2 A2 the negative conductors.
to its plate by means of one continuous soldering from m to n; its shape is preferably
curved as shown, as this enables the end collars which are touched with the hands
to project outside of the walls of the vessel and beyond the reach of the gas emanating
therefrom. In order to protect the conductors they are provided, first, with a coating
of shellac and over this, with several superposed layers of gutta percha which is
thereby made very adhesive; and lastly, there is applied to the positive conductors
another coating of shellac mixed with cinnabar (red sulphuret of mercury) while the
negative conductors are coated with a mixture of shellac and lamp black. Besides
the poles are distinguishable by the particular colour of each.
To ensure conductibility between the several collars a a of each pole the surfaces

page_text: of such collars are amalgamated with mercury and they are drawn tightly against
each other by means of a screwed rod or bolt C and screw nut D whereby the
positive pole E and the negative pole E are completed.
B is a plate of any suitable size and shape and cut to the desired form out of a
sheet of lead rolled between cylinders having the same design engraved or otherwise
formed upon them and arranged in contiguity to each other. These cylinders should
be capable of being brought nearer to each other so as to form deeper cells cc in the
plates placed between them, which cells must have a rough or ribbed bottom surface
whereon the reduced lead is applied by the galvano-plastic process in more or less
thick layers, whereupon this lead is strongly compressed by means of a suitable press,
so that it acquires a great adhesiveness and density and also imparts much rigidity
to the ribs dividing the cells. The thin ribs or narrow grooves of the bottom of such
cells again form smaller cells of less depth. The average width of each of the main
cells is preferably two-fifths of an inch."
Around each positive plate when completed two or more india-rubber rings G are
placed cross-wise and on them are provided ebonite or equivalent rings H which may
be placed in any given point and serve to keep the plates apart. The combs or
racks F also made of ebonite or other suitable non-conducting material assist in
maintaining the plates at suitable distances apart and so do the before mentioned
.collars a through which is passed the screwed rod or bolt C of preferably brass or
copper coated with lead. The said racks F also keep the plates out of contact with
the walls of the cell. From the foregoing the arrangement and practical operation
of the novel means of electric storage will be readily gathered. It will be seen that
the plates without any melting but obtained from a simple sheet of lead suitably
rolled and then cut to the desired shape by appropriate apparatus combine the
advantage of great lightness with that of affording a rigid support to the reduced
lead imbedded and compressed therein in layers of variable thickness but of an
extreme adhesiveness. In depositing the reduced lead by means of a galvano-plastic
bath I succeed in forming accumulators within a few hours so that both in respect
of the manner and the nature of the construction I am enabled to supply accumulators
ready for operation in one day.
It is worthy of note that owing to the compression undergone by the porous layers
of reduced lead and to their embodiment within the cells upon their ribbed or rough
bottom surfaces each such layer is closely confined, snugly fitted and as it were
locked into its particular cell for each of the bevel-edged ribs forming partitions
between the said cells are after the compression of the reduced lead within the cells
and the compression of the plates themselves flattened to the right and to the left
over and into the reduced lead. This lead is thus fitted in its seat by a species of
dovetail joint and the union thus obtain between the rolled supporting plate and the
lead deposited therein is complete and indestructible. The same arrangement may
be adopted for similar fittings with red lead or litharge (protoxide of lead) or other
oxides of metal.
From the foregoing it will be seen that these accumulators may be easily constructed,
fitted together, taken to pieces and operated; that the plates thereof are obtained by
a rolling process enabling more or less deep cells to be formed in them, wherein the
reduced lead is imbedded, the bottom of such cells being serrated or rough contributes
to increase the adhesiveness and to retain in place the metal deposited or applied
thereon. Also that the ribs both large and small join in imparting increased rigidity
to the plate especially after compression when the larger or main ribs are flattened
down at the top and forced into the metal deposit, and finally that contact between
the conductors of the same sign is ensured, as is also the connection between the
various plates and the insulation of the whole group from the walls of the vessel in
case the latter should be of metal.
The manufacture of the conductors the rolling and cutting of the plates the
depositing of lead the soldering and fitting of the conductors and the initial charging
of the plates need not all together occupy more than ten hours; and the discharge

page_text: of the energy thus stored up will be considerable and materially increase with time
until the lead plates are totally destroyed their durability depending upon their
thickness.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In an electric accumulator a honeycombed plate such as B with cells having
serrated or roughened bottoms forming additional cells of smaller size such cells
being formed by rolling sheets of lead the rolls being appropriately engraved and
capable of being at will brought nearer to each other which enables the depth and
capacity of the said cells to be increased as required such plates being afterwards
coated with a galvanic deposit of lead compressed and embedded within the said cells
by flattening the upper edges of the main ribs forming partitions between the cells
which ribs are thus caused to enter the lead and to impart increased rigidity thereto
substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. In an electric accumulator curved conductors such as A A² of equal resistance
joined to the plates by one continuous soldering and made of lead with a small
admixture of antimony whereby their rigidity is increased such cast conductor being
provided with collars or loops such as a having surfaces amalgamated with mercury
and coated with alternate layers of shellac gutta percha and a mixture of shellac with
cinnabar or red sulpburet of mercury or lamp black substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. In an electric accumulator the combination with rings or collars such as a of a
galvanized rod such as C and screw nut D also galvanized enabling the plates to be
coupled together and compressed by means of the said rings or collars and also to
be readily and rapidly disconnected and the set to be taken to pieces by the same
means substantially as described and shown in the accompanying drawings.
4. In an electric accumulator the combination with the plates of an india-rubber
ring such as G provided with ebonite or equivalent rings such as H passed on the
ring G in the manner shown and for the purpose of keeping the divers plates apart
substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
5. In an electric accumulator the ebonite racks or combs E assisting in the
maintenance of the plates at the required intervals and insulating the same from
the walls of the vessel containing them and the active liquid substantially as described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
6. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete electric
accumulator substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 25th day of October 1890.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.