Accumulators, and in Apparatus or Means therefor.
Year: 1884

page_text: Accumulators, and in Apparatus or Means therefor..
I JOSEPH STOKES WILLIAMS of Riverton New Jersey, United States of America
Engineer do bereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING OF ELECTRIC ACCUMULATORS AND IN
APPARATUS OR MEANS THEREFOR" to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the construction of electric accumulators batteries or
reservoirs for the storage of electric force or power. Under my improvements
I increase the storage capacity reduce the weight and bulk obviate local action and
short circuiting and the destruction or oxidation of the terminals or connections of
the elements or the displacement of them also the destruction of the diaphragms
or supports for separating or maintaining the active elements in their proper
relative positions.
My improvements as designed render practical the charging and discharging of
the elements with equal facility and with greater rapidity than bitherto they also
render impossible the disarrangement or warping of the electrodes and the
dielectrodes or separating parts and also render practical the permanent cemen-
tation or union of these elements of the accumulators in sections or otherwise
united or tied together entirely or partly by an electrically and chemically neutral
casing or covering at the opposite ends or at the edges or so as to form a sort of box
with open ends or parts the terminals electrodes and dielectrics being all secured
in position thereby or partly thereby and partly by clamps so that such structure
can be secured in a suitable chamber (preferably of metal lined with an electrically
and chemically neutral material) permanently by a neutral cementing agent or in
suitably formed recesses by which one or more sets of such elements can be jammed
and retained in position by the lid or other suitably arranged clamping, devices.
(a) In some cases in the construction of the elements of the accumulators
I employ compound electrodes or electrodes consisting of a series of leaves or sheets
the cores or elements of which are practically indestructible, these cores can be
composed of carbonized fibre or material coated with lead and lead and mercury
alone or with iron chromium silver copper manganese or other suitable metal or the
oxide or salts of the metal or alloy or a compound substance I can employ the
nitrates chlorides or oxides or the fumes from the volatilization of metallic salts
oxides or metals for such purpose.
(b) Under one method of construction of the elements so as to obtain i
very large surface with a minimum amount and weight of material I arrange and

page_text: combine the respective compound leaves or sheets of the active elements by heat
or by welding permanently with their terminals and the essential feature of my
Invention consists in arranging such terminals to have an electrical resistance equal
or about equal to the conductivity of the respective compound leaves of the
respective compound elements and these elements are connected with their terminals
at one or more. points at the edges or ends of the series of leaves or sheets con-
stituting the parts of the respective compound elements-I fuse or mould these
terminals with their respective series of leaves in such a manner that the
conductivity of such portion of the electric circuit or connection is in exess of or
nearly or about equal to the conductivity of the permanent number of the series
of leaves or arms connected in multiple and constituting the active or acting
storage portion of the accumulator.
(c) In some cases in the construction of compound electrodes of such electric
accumulators as herein set forth I employ iron chromium copper manganese silver
lead or other suitable metal in thin sheets or layers with or without being supported
on or by thin or flexible sheets of an inoxidizable core (of Carbon or suitable
metal or alloy dependent upon the liquid or electrolyte employed) and I employ
in combination therewith flexible or thin sheets or leaves.or coils of Carbon (such
as is especially provided for in my application for a Patent N° 12065 of 1884) as
one of the elements adapted to operate in conjunction with the opposite element
as herein described or I can employ such metals or other suitable materials in a
state of division built up or formed into suitable electrodes or elements each of
which is compounded or coiled or folded together but insulated from each other as
⚫herein described:
(d) In some cases I employ one or both of such compound elements with an
inoxidizable base or support (either as plain sheets or ribbons or a series of them or
as perforated porous or ribbed plates or sheets) it or they extend throughout the
electrode (or leaves or wings thereof or the carbon fabrics or base the active
element incorporated therewith by electrical or chemical means or a combination
thereof electrolitically or otherwise with or without heat with or without employing
a gas saturated by metallic fumes or an oxidizing agent or chemical reagent or by
deposition electrically or chemically or electro chemically, the flexible sheets or
coils as provided with extensions or terminals or connections by equal electrical
resistance mounted and secured to or with the inoxidizable parts of the respective
elements through the lengths or at their ends so as to be integral therewith This
I accomplish by fusion or through the medium of molten metal with or without
pressure and with or without first having prepared the parts to be united by
heating the same or by depositing or coating the edges or ends to.be united.
(e) In some cases in the construction of the elements the flexible carbon sheets
are impregnated or covered with or caused to support the active material by such
material being applied to the inoxidizable core or support through the medium of
a draw plate or a mould which in some cases is kept heated to a sufficiently high
temperature to keep the metal in a molten state until the carbon or.base is entirely
coated and impregnated for instance with lead Chromium iron copper or other
metal which can be oxidized by the current when in the accumulator (or prepared
prior to the completion thereof) electrically or by chemical agents with or without
heat or both or by the action of suitable gas or gaseous compounds with or without
heat or by moulding or casting the same thereon.
(f) I some cases I employ chemical agents for the purpose of carbonizing a
bydrocarbon resin or gum with or without glue or glycerine mixed with the active
agent (with or without being mixed with slag wool wood fibre celluslose or in other
words with a carbonizable or noncarbonizable fibre or shreds) as a coating for the
base or core flexible inoxidizable conducting or not for instance I can employ a
Carbon or metallic sheet perforated or not to which the oxide or salt of lead
mixed with a hydrocarbon turpentine or the like is applied by passing the fabric
through such mixture and then through discs rolls or otherwise and the fabric can
then be passed under the influences of chlorine or iodine or other chemical reagents

page_text: one or more times, a series of Coats can thus be applied or I can deposit tho
metallic oxide or salt electrically or mechanically or by heat or a combination of
such means, by then passing the fabric through a bath of hydrocarbon and then
through a chamber or space charged with chlorine iodine or other chemical reagent
or reagent a deposit of carbon will be obtained a series of such coatings can be
made by continuous operations upon fabrics of considerable lengths or by repeated
operations fabrics can thus be built up to any desired thickness which may after-
wards be cut to the desired size to suit the special size and arrangements of the
elements.
(g) In the construction of compound electrodes or elements as herein set forth
in some cases I employ a base consisting of Sheets or Strands or lamonæ or an
open framework of carbon or abestos or other reducing or nonconducting material
and with or without such Sheets or framework being provided with apertures or
recesses and I deposit or precipitate electrically electro chemically or I fuse or
mould the metal or material when under the influence of heat upon flexible sheets
such as are provided for in my application for Patent N° 12065 of 1884 and as the
material is passed through dies or moulds heated lead is passed through similar to
the process of drawing lead or by passing an electric current across the fabric from
the rolls or otherwise I can heat the lead or lead sheets sufficiently to embed the
lead in and secure the same upon the base on both sides or I can pass sheets of .lead
through the rolls at the same time as the fabrics is passed through and by the
electric current I can heat the respective sheets to the proper degree or can in such
operations deposit the lead or other material and the carbon as described enlarge-
ments can be formed upon such Sheets so as to increase the section of the terminals
or parts designed to be combined with the part or parts forming connections with
the external circuit.
(h) In the construction of electrodes or compound electrodes or elements as
herein set forth I in some cases employ spongy iron or the oxide of iron or
precipitate of copper or manganese or the like or the oxide of manganese or of lead
or of solutions of these and mix such material or saturate the same with any
carbonizable material for instance gum resin turpentine bitumen or hydrocarbons
with or without the employment of an indestructable or carbonizable ligneous or
fibrous material reduced to cellulose or not and with or without powdered carbon
mixed therewith rolled or compressed into Sheets or mounted upon Sheets of a
ligneous or indestructable or carbonized fabric and in order to prepare such
electrodes or clements for use in an accumulator I employ chemical Agents or
reagents such a chlorine redine for carbonizing the material such being well adapted
when lead or lead oxides or material which will fuse at lower temperature than
required for carbonization by heat is or are used but when I employ the oxide of
iron or other metal sufficiently heat resisting I can pack the sheets in a suitable
retort between layers of pulverized carbou and thereby carbonize the material or
I employ other processes as described for the manufacture of carbon fabrics.
(j) In the construction of electrodes or compound electrodes as herein set forth
in some cases I employ the carbon fabrics or other materials as the base and pass'
them through nitrate chloride solutions for instance the nitrate of lead or mercury
or a solution of iron manganese copper chromiame or other material with or without
operating upon the fabric by an electric current the material is then passed over
heated plates or rolls through heated chambers or spaces and in some cases from
thence through a bath of heated or liquid hydrocarbon or gum with or, without a
metallic solution or metal or metallic substance in a divided state mixed therewith
and thence to a chamber or space where the hydro carbon is acted upon by chemical
reagents for instance by chlorine brouze iodine or gas or otherwise with or without
the material undergoing a series of such processes the material so treated is designed
to be used and arranged in accumulators as herein set forth.
(k) In the construction of electrodes or compound elements the active Agents of
the elements can be supported or encased by an inoxidizable material either as a
orous insulating or as conducting material the conducting support can consist of

page_text: a series of wings blades or connecting strips or as a porous or fibrous conducting
mass or core which extends through or permeates the body of the material con-
stituting the active agent of the electrodes or clements the terminals or extensions
of such elements are of equal width or of equal or greater conductivity than the
acting portion of the electrodes or elements and arranged so as to be integral
therewith.
.
These terminals are constructed arranged and protected so as not to be affected
or oxidized and in order to provide for.construction and avoid oxidation and ensure
that the channel of conduction either of charge or discharge or both will provide
for conducting the maximum current I extend the opposite ends or edges of the
compound elements beyond the leaves or sheets of the opposite compound element
at which part I thicken the end with or without contracting the width and connect
therewith the terminal plates with molten or heated lead or first secure a series of
such ends together with molten metal or through the medium of heat-In the
same or a subsequent operation I attach and embed copper or other conducting
plate or connection therewith by heat and when all are connected I coat or cover
or mould thereon an electrically or chemically neutral material for instance some
vulcanized cellulose or gum or hydrocarbon or a compound of sulphur and paraffin
being well adapted for the insulation of all the parts within the Chamber and
the connections extending therefrom the insulating material can be readily moulded
upon the ends of the elements or around the edges and extend therefrom as a
protection for the Copper terminals loading outside of the Chamber through holes
in the lid in such arrangement of the elements the end of these terminals of copper
or other suitable metal are exposed for connection with the coupling link to other
similarly formed elements or to the external circuit.
() In the construction and arrangement of such compound elements in some
cases I mould upon the connecting links insulating material the parts for connection
being exposed as set forth the insulating material of both parts being moulded or
machined true so as to form a tight fitting joint at such parts I sometimes employ
a screw coupling or other holding device to prevent displacement or separation of
the connections but independently thereof or in combination therewith In order
to hermetically seal the Chamber containing the elements I provide a ledge upon
which the lid fits closely with or without the medium of an elastic or yielding
vulcanized or otherwise prepared washer or pad between the surfaces of the lid
and chamber and this packing piece and lid can be adapted to press upon and
secure the elements in the Chamber as well as to partly or entirely hermetically
seal such chamber and the openings through which the terminals extend with or
without such terminals being provided with individual sealing devices for instance
a shoulder upon the insulation and a screw nut adapted to fit and work upon a
screw thread formed on the insulation around the terminal extending from the
Chamber this screw uut can be adapted to operate upon a washer of vulcanized or
chemically neutral material so as to form a seal at such part a series of elements
can thus be secured in position with their terminals extending through the cover
or nut of the Chamber which Chamber preferably consists of inctal paper or other
material of sufficient strength upon which the chemically neutral material is
applied or moulded so as to cover the inside thereof as well as that of the lid or
sealing cover and in some cases I entirely cover such base with insulation for
instance a compound of paraffin and sulphur which is well adapted for such purpose
as it can be moulded readily and forms a perfect covering and protection-The
Chamber can be divided into separate chambers or be provided with recesses or
projections adapted to fit corresponding parts of the elements which are preferably
moulded or formed exactly true at such parts through the medium of the insulating
covering or casing thereof at the terminal ends or the edges of the elements of the
compound electrodes of a rectangular circular or other form or at the ends of a
compound coil or fold from which terminals extend-The base for forming such
chamber upon which the inoxidizable and chemically neutral material is applied
or moulded can be provided with perforated parts or ledges or roughened parts

page_text: adapted to more firmly secure the insulating covering therewith In order to
insure that the parts, will be accurate and fit corresponding parts of the electrodes
or vica versa or so that the lid or sealing devices will so fit corresponding parts
I employ metallic or perfectly smooth or machined moulds, and employ means to.
remove the air or apply pressure.
(m) In the arrangement of the elements as herein, set forth in some cases the
lid rests upon the insulation at both ends of the compound electrodes, which have
the insulation at such parts so formed or moulded as to extend above and below
the edges constituting the acting or active portion designed for the storage of
electric force the lower portion of such rest upon the bottom of the chamber or a
support thereon-this arrangement provides for the flushing or cleansing of the
clements or chambers when such aro provided with suitable inlets and outlets in
connection with which a pumping device may or may not be attached.
Each set of compound elements can be secured in separate chambers of the main
chamber and connected in series through the medium of the extensions and con-
necting links as described and at various points I can employ compound connections
or terminals, or short circulating branches so as to provide for varying the internal
resistance of the elements for charging or discharging.
(n) In some cases in arranging the elements I employ an additional cover for the
connections so as to prevent them being tampered with or to maintain them in
proper position the charging and discharging terminals being carried through such
cover for connection to the external circuit with or without the employment of a
commutator or grouping box therein for varying the internal resistance automatically
or otherwise or both.
In some cases I compound the accumulators composed of compound electrodes as
herein set forth through the medium of coinpound terminals and a commutator or
switching device (as a reciprocating or rotary device) automatically electrically or
otherwise operative in such a manner as to provide for intermittently.consecutively
or at given periods changing the connections so that one or more sets of elements
of the accuimulator will be in the charging circuit when one or more other sets of
the elements will be in the discharging or working circuit I preferably employ for
such purpose contact parts or blades mounted upon a rotating or reciprocating shaft
such blades or the parts of the circuits with which they operate being so formed as
to vary the conductivity of the circuit from an effective minimum to a maximum
of conductivity These parts can be operated through the medium of an electric
motor or an arinature and a magnet in a derived or loop circuit or an electric gas
battery for supplying gas to a motor combined therewith.
(0) In combination with such arrangement of compound electrodes as herein set
forth in order to provide for cutting the magazine out of the circuit when fully
charged I employ the electric current for raising a liquid through the medium of a
porus diaphragm to a sufficient height to overflow therefrom or from a Reservoir
or chamber provided with a nozzle spout or outlet which leads to a hydraulic motor
having tilting devices which are adapted to operate upon a cut off for breaking the
circuit to the magazine as I can employ a float which is raised thereby and when
sufficiently raised completed to loop circuit in which an electro magnetic device is
adapted to operate so as to move an armature carrying a circuit closer or breaker
of the charging circuit and in some cases I employ a throttling device combined
with an electrix device or solenoid included in the discharging or working circuit of
the accumulator the throttling device being adapted to operate upon the outlet for
the liquid so as to vary the liquid passing in accordance with the variation of work
or resistance in the external or working circuit the liquid passing back to the
reservoir from whence it came through the medium of a tilting bucket or hydraulic
inotor which in some cases I combine with recording mechanism or with the
switching or commutating device (or both) for changing the connections of the
compounded accumulators or I can employ a variable resistance device which is
operated by a solenoid or galvanometer in a loop from, the charging circuit so that
when the resistance in the accumulators, shall, have reached some predetermined
-

page_text: limit a circuit will be completed so as to break the charging circuit to the elements
of the accumulators I also employ a pressure regulator or a Watt or energy meter
to measure and limit the current passing into the accumulator in accordance with
the safe and economical limits of its working.
(p) In the construction and arrangement of such compound electrodes I provide
a porous insulation applied as a paint or as sheets perforated between the respective
leaves which have the projecting end throughout their entire length or width or at
the edge or edges united by molten lead-I secure each set of ends to a copper or
other suitable plate covered with lead which covers the surface of such ends which
are covered or encased by paraffin vulcanized material or the like while the parts
are firmly clamped together and preferably in a mould this plate is drawn down to
a round or square section above the surface of the element or other part where it
is carried through the casing the copper being entirely protected by the means
described the ends can be provided with a screwed or otherwise formed projection
or a recess for holding the terminal connections of the external circuit-These parts
are turned or formed perfectly true so as to project into the socket formed by the
terminal surrounded by the insulation described extending through a casing or the
reverse or with a flat surface or I can employ both such arrangements for my con-
nections and in which they can be adapted to be screwed clamped or maintained
in position by a spring clutch or expanding device with the terminal or the supports
therefrom.
(g) In the construction and arrangement of such compound elements I employ
in some cases mercury in suitably formed and sealed cups for the establishment of
a more perfect circuit at the point of union with the external circuit and 1 insulate
all the exposed parts and make tight fitting connections at the parts where the
'insulation meets with or without an insulating covering or screw nut or clamp-It
will be understood from the description given that the active metal of the electrode
can be moulded or mounted upon carbonized or carbonizable or noncarbonizable
fabrics of fibrous material electrically and chemically neutral or both or made
integral therewith or plates or lamina of an unoxidizable support or conducting
medium permeating the active agent employed to which the extensions constituting
the terminal of uniform or practically uniform resistance therewith or formed or
secured or the active Agent inay be precipitated or deposited electrically or other-
wise upon such support or the active Agent may be formed when upon such support
*by the employment of an electric current or chemical or gaseous oxidizing Agent
or Agents or a combination of them with or without
for rendering the
- material cellular or porous or active, various means may be employed for such
purpose as will be well understood from the description herein given.
(7) In the construction of electrical accumulators I employ compound plates
electrodes or elements which consist each of a series of Sheets or plates of lead
placed face to face with the Sheets or leaves of lead or other suitable metal or of
carbon of the opposite element parallel and interlacing but separated therefrom by
a neutral nou conducting porous or perforated dielectric the series of leaves of each
compound electrode being united permanently at opposite sides or ends by a con-
ducting connection (fused thereon) by melting or soldering such parts together in
such a manner that the electrical resistance in or through such connection will be
approximately the same as the electrical resistance of the series of leaves so united
or so as to provide for each leaf of the series being adapted to be freely charged with
the maximum current which it will safely carry or can be utilized through the lead
or the active Agent employed for the storage of electric energy and so that each
leaf will be so connected as to be adapted to discharge with equal facility the
maximum current required therefrom in the shortest possible period without heating
the element or such connecting part-In order to provide for the construction
and working in such manner as well as for other beneficial purposes I back the
edges of the end or edge of such series of leaves or plates with a plate or ribbon
a series of them or bath of copper aluminium or aluminium bronze or phosphor or
manganeze bronze or an alloy or other suitable conducting metal or material of

page_text: higher conductivity, such sheet or connection or series can have a superficial area
or electrical conductivity equal to the superficial area presented by the ends of the
compound electrodes or such plate can be of slightly less size so as to provido for
being entirely encased or embedded in lead or insulation or both as set forth so as
to prevent any action upon such connection by the liquid or electrolyte employed in
the accumulator and the connections are made at opposite ends or edges so that the
current is led in such a manner as to operate equally upon the electric elements' this
can be accomplished by the connection being made or taken off not only at opposite
ends or edges but by a connection across the entire end or width of the element
and at opposite ends or sections of the Coil or field folded or compounded
elements.
. Under such construction the elements can consist of a series of laminae of lead or
iron lead and flexible Carbon sheets or Carbon coated or supporting or incorporated
with the Metal or material with both elements of similar or unlike materials or
one set of the opposing elements can consist of carbon or. carbonized sheets or
otherwise as herein described.
(s) In combination with such compound elements as herein setforth.
I employ porous insulating sheets of material between these elements of
clectrically and chemically neutral material such as china or earthenware unglazed
or pulverized earthy material or sheets thereof or other electrically and chemically
neutral material mounted upon a flexible or neutral base or support or fabric or in
the recesses shelves apertures or perforations with or without covering or projection
over the surface of the guage frame or support and in some cases I form such
diaphragm dielectric or separating part with projections so as to extend over the
edges of the leaves or elements which together with the adjoining piece of similar
construction provides for forming a sort of an envelope with an open end at the
part where the element or branch thereof extends to the terininal or where it is
joined with a similar extension of the compound element on one or both sides
thereof having their fences or the widths of each in the same plane with the leaves
of similarly formed opposing elements perforated metal porous or not arranged
between their and outside of but between the porous insulating sheets plates or
divisions serrated corrugated perforated or grooved or not upon one or both faces
adjacent to the electrodes or leaves thereof which they separate and maintain iu
position These insulating sheets preferably extend to or close to parts of the
elements where they are secured with the leaves or sections of the compound
element either so as to constitute an envelope for the series of leaves of one set of
elements between the folds of which the leaves of the other portion of the
compound element are arranged with their surfaces in width in the same plane the
insulating sheets being connected or secured with some electrically neutral material
unaffected by the liquid or electrolyte employed in the accumulator for instance
I can employ such flexible diaphragin extending backwards and forwards between
the elements in a continuous length over the ends towards the terminals and
preferably projecting slightly over or beyond the upper and lower edges where they
are united by an insulating cement with or without ribs or projections extending
lengthwise of the same beyond such edges but I prefer to apply such insulating
sheets in one or two pieces or sections to each leaf of at least one set of branches of
the compound element either foiled over the end near the terminal attachments of
the opposite electrode or with extensions united by firmly by fusion or molten
metal with the main conducting plate of copper or other metal of high conductivity
covering the surface or nearly so at the connected ends of the respective elements
and I completely cover embed or surround such conducting plate in the lead or
water tight insulation which is not affected by moisture or by the liquid or
electrolyte employed and in some cases I employ such insulating material for
covering all parts of the connections within the chamber for instance I can employ
paraffin paper or both or paraffin and asbestos or pulverized pumice stone or such
neutral inaterial with or without the employment of sulphur or I can employ
sulphur and plaster of paris or hydraulic cement with or without metallic oxides

page_text: for instance iron or the chloride of zinc or I can employ ozokeril with or without
the addition of metallic insulating oxides chlorides or the like or incorporated with
sulphur with or without the addition of asbestos pumice stone or the like Or
I can employ pitch and lime with or without sulphur Or I can employ paraffin
and sulphur with or without the addition of some other material.
(n) In constructing the compound electroids as set forth I employ a. form or
template or gauge and first place therein one of the leaves of the element which
can consist of sheets or foil of thin lead or iron or metal or carbon coated with
metal or metallic substance or foil and amalgamated or not or metallic oxide or.
salt in à fine state of division.
In the construction of such compound electrodes
.j
The.elements may be oxidized or rendered porous or not before constructing the
compound element or the elements can be acted upon so as to increase the storage
capacity thereof by chemical and electrical means with treated liquids or gases care
being taken that the terminal end shall be as clear of oxidation as possible or
coated or protected as described) each leaf or alternate leaves can be provided with
a porous insulation applied as a paint for instance ground pumice stone asbestos
or as sheets of asbestos or flexible porous diaphragms consisting of a liqueous
fibrous or neutral bases or metal coated or producted or cotton jute gum asbestos
fabric parchmentized vulcanized parafinned or coated with or without such base
supporting upon the surface or in apertures or pores or recesses or both thereof
Bonie neutral pulverized or porous earthy or electrically and chemically neditral
material and with or without such envelope being provided with projections
extending over the disconnected or free end and edges of the leaf or each alternative
or separate leaves of the series so as to prevent short circuiting at the edges such
sheets or layers of insulating materials can be united at the ends by compound of
melted sulphur and paraffin or vulcanized hydrocarbons guins or other suitable
material. The sheet or leaf compound of the electrodes next the first is then placed
over such sheet so as to allow aboutt of an inch more or less of the first leaf to
extend beyond the end thereof, and so that the last leaf placed, will project or extend
beyond the other or opposite end or edge an equal distance in order to provide for
uniting the ends at each side or end and connecting the extension with the terminal
plates or ribbons. I then apply a third leaf with an insulating envelope and
similar to the first leaf upon the top of the second and so on until the desired
number are in position which I firmly clamp together and while secured I turn the
structure so as to provide for the plane of the leaves or electrodes being in a vertical
position and being in contact with the terminals a heated mould or form having heat
applied to such a degree as simply to melt and weld the terminals together the
mould being raised until the terminals are so reduced in length so as to represent
a proper union or when carbon or unoxidizable terminals are employed the molten
metal joins them together. I can at the same time secure and cimbed the copper
terminal plate or this can be done by a subsequent operation performed in a similar
manner with a suitably formed mould with the terminal extending therethrough.
employ any suitable means to regulate the temperature of the mould and the
beating of the terminals. I also employ means for stopping the application of heat
to the mould when the connections are made this can be accomplished automatically
or by hand electrically or otherwise. The heat can be applied by heated air or gas or
by a blow pipe and I can employ means for suddenly cooling the mould by cold air
or a liquid when the work is completed each end is treated in this manner and the
insulating material is also applied as a protection to such parts in some similar way.
the insulation being adapted to liquify at a lower temperature than the lead.
(o) In some cases instead of employing my compound interlacing leaves as
described I employ flexible sheets or ribbons of carbon one or both of which support
the active material for instance the oxide of lead or of silver or of inercury or iron
or other metal in a finely divided state amalgamated or not having a flexible
porous sheet or envelope separating the electrodes these being coiled wound or
folded together. The electrodes are arranged to overlap each other at opposite

page_text: edges and enlargements are formed at such parts with a series of terminals extending
therefrom through or beyond the insulating sheets or 'envelopes which are
constructed and arranged to prevent short circuiting as described or instead of a
series of terminals being provided the entire length of coil can be soldered or formed
with a connection for each respective coil with the terminal of high conductivity
secured to or incased therein and protected by electrically and chemically neutral
material neutral material at each end as described the arrangement and protection
of the terminals inside of the chamber and outside thereof being as described This
form of element is especially adapted for use in cylindrical chambers (lined with
insulation) where it is desired to have a single piece or lid for screwing or clamping
thercon.
(p) The arrangements or means of combining and securing and separating the
active elements and maintaining them in the proper relative position as well as of
protecting the connections or terminals and the chamber in which they are placed
are applicable with the Plante plates or elements as well as other well known forms
of accumulator plates in conjunction with an electrolyte of dilute sulphuric acid
but I preferably employ neutral solutions. or electrolyte for the permanent operation
of my accumulators or I can employ for such purpose a very weak alkaline or acid
or saline solution. In order to rapidly form or prepare the elements so that they
will have a large storage capacity in or for use in the battery or accumulator in
which lead is employed as one or partly as one or both of the electrodes for instance
lead foil or thin layers of porous lead electrically mechanically or otherwise applied
to carbon or inoxidizable sheets I subject such to the action of an electric current of
some known and regulated force and quantity when the elements are immersed in⚫
an alkaline solution for instance a solution saturated with a hydrate or carbonate
of soda or potash or caustic soda until sufficiently acted upon to provide for the
conversion of all the lead upon the conducting inoxidizable core or for the conversion.
of some predetermined amount of lead when a lead core is used. I subsequently
neutralize or remove the alkaline or other solution and flush or cleanse the elements
with or without the medium of a neutralizing Agent and I then employ for the
permanent electrolyte distilled water or a. saline solution or a diluted acid or
chloride solution The elements can.consist of plain lead plate of 1 to 2oz or more
or less per square foot and arranged and secured in position and connected to their
terminal plates with thin sheets or layers of electrically and chemically neutral
porous insulation serrated perforated corrugated or not for separating the elements
as herein described the compound elements can be arranged chambers and secured
therein by insulation or by clamping and jamming devices with or without
insulation firmly securing the parts permanently in the chamber and in some cases
I employ nitrate of mercury for amalgamating the, element or elements and
subsequently dilute the same or draw it, off or neutralize it or the compound
elements can be so amalgamated prior to being built up for use in the accumulators
or the core or base can be impregated or coated with the oxide or peroxide in the
first operation electrically or electro chemically.
.
(g) Sheets of iron or chromium or chromium alloy or other metal can be operated
upon in a similar manner by suitable attacking solutions and an electric current
with or without heat when the compound leaves are secured together at their ends
with insulation between them as herein described In the construction of compound
elements I however to employ prefer to flexible or very thin sheets of fibrous
carbon or an inoxidizable metal or metallic alloy as a core or carbon or inoxidizable
nietal or alloy as a core deposited upon or supported by a frame of electrically and
.chemically neutral material. For instance 1 can-employ the nitrate acetate or
alkaline solutions for the deposition of the lead or lead oxide upon. the flexible
carbon sheets or in depositing iron upon the flexible carbon sheets or
inoxidizable base I can employ the sulphate of iron or both of sulphate and chloride
of ammonium.
an
(r) In the construction and working of accumulations can employ a compound
solution for instance a nitrate or acetate of lead and nitrate of mercury or a solution

page_text: in which iron or other metal and chromium are in solution such solution can be
used after the elements are built up and the solution can be drawn off cleansed and
a neutral electrolyte can be used or the solutions can be diluted or neutralized by
suitable chemical agents as described. The carbon fabrics or inoxidizable base can
be first treated and prepared by using a bath containing mercury and lead or other
metal which will form the amalgam.
(s) In the construction accumulation as described when I employ lead in a finely
divided state so amalgamated or not I distribute entirely over the surface of the
carbon (excepting at the terminals) by suitable means and I pass the structure
between rolls or subject the same to pressure with or without heat so that the
. material is closely embedded on or secured with the core and adapted to fit in the
envelope or casing of insulating material as described or the material may be
.applied to the inner sides of the casing or porous insulating sheet (flexible or not)
so that it will be in close contract with the core arranged and clamped between
them with or without the edges of the insulating sheet being cemented.
In the construction of accumulation as described in order to provide for securing
good terminal attachments for the carbon or lead or other form of wires I. platinize
iridize or treat them with an amalgam which will be electrically and chemically
neutral in the battery or accumulator these ends being secured together or with
terminal extensions or both and in some cases in order to obtain a more thorough
unison or cemenation of the parts I soak the core in turpentine or other carbonizable
material which will be carbonized by suitable chemical re agents and then apply
the metal or metal oxides in a fine state of division amalgamated or not distributed
in a thin even layer and compressed on the core and subsequently subject such
structure to the action of Chlorine iodine and thereby carbonize the turpentine or
instead of or in conjunction with the process of saturation of the core I mix or
saturate the metal or metallic oxides or salts amalgamated or not with turpentine
glycerine or gum or other carbonizable converting Agent and apply this as a coating
under compression to the core and through the medium of the Chemical Agents as
described I thoroughly unite the parts by the process of carbonization or the metal
or metallic compound or the metallic oxides can be deposited in the interstices or
on the surface of carbon fabric or inoxidizable core froin the nitrates chlorides or
alkaline solutions for instance I can employ the chloride of silver or the nitrate
chloride or alkaline solution of lead or the nitrate of mercury a series of immersions
and drying operations carried on mechanically or otherwise with or without the
application of heat will regulate the thickness of the deposit or such deposit carried
on or accelerated by passing an electric current through the fabric as the cathodo
and the metal so deposited can be peroxidized previously to or when the elements
are built up and secured and separated by electrically chemically neutral elements
as described.
When the process of oxidation is completed the solution is neutralized or drawn
off (and the elements cleansed) and replaced by a very dilute solution of nitrate of
mercury in an acid or saline solution or by pure water. In order to provide for
such operations of cleansing the elements the active portions are kept elevated
above the bottom of the Chambers by insulating strips or projections or by thin
insulating supports at their ends which are protected by electrically and chemically
neutral insulation the Chamber being provided with suitable inlets and outlets
which are provided with valves or attachments for connection with suitable pumping
or exhausting apparatus which pumping or exhausting apparatus can also provide
the means for flushing or cleansing the elements.

page_text: Accumulators, and in Apparatus or Means therefor.
I JOSEPH STOKES WILLIAMS of Riverton New Jersey United States of America
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING OF ELECTRIC ACCUMULATORS AND IN APPARATUS
OR MEANS THEREFOR and in what manner the saine is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
"
My invention relates to the construction of electric accumulators batteries or
reservoirs for the storage of electric force or power Under my improvements
I increase the storage.capacity reduce the weight and bulk obviate local action and
short circuiting and the destruction or oxidation of the terminals or connections
the elements or the displacement of them also the destruction of the diaphragms
or supports for separating or maintaining the active clements in their proper
relative positions.
My improvements as designed render practical the charging and discharging of
the elements with equal facility and with greater rapidity than hitherto, they also
render impossible the disarrangement or warping of the electrodes and the
dielectrodes or separating parts and also render practical the permanent. cemen-
tation or union of these elements of the accumulators in sections or otherwise
united or tied together entirely or partly by an electrically and chemically neutral
casing or covering at the opposite ends or at the edges or so as to form a sort
of box with open ends or parts the terminals electrodes and dielectrics being all
secured in position thereby or partly thereby and partly by clamps so that such
structure can be secured in a suitable chamber (preferably of metal lined with an
electrically and chemically neutral inaterial) permanently by a neutral cementing
agent or in suitably formed recesses by which one or more sets of such elements
can be jammed and retained in position by the lid or other suitably arranged
clamping devices."
According to my Invention I provide conducting channels to and from the
electrodes of such conductivity that it is the same, or approxiinately so, as that of
the electrodes and so arranged and secured to the electrodes as to provide for rapid
charging and discharging without undue heating of the conducting portions.-This
will be clearly understood from the accompanying Drawings and the following
description.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawing is a front or side view of one of the
electrodes separate from the battery Fig. 2 is a transverse section and Fig. 3 is
a longitudinal section and Fig. 4 is a transverse section at one of the terminals
Figs. 5, 6 & 7 are sections at right angles to each other & a plan showing the
electrodes arranged in a battery.
(a) In some cases in the construction of the elements of the accumulators
I employ compound electrodes or electrodes consisting of a series of leaves or
sheets a the cores of which are, practically indestructible; these cores can be
composed of carbonized fibre or material coated with lead or lead and mercury

page_text: or with iron chromium silver copper manganese or other suitable metal or the
⚫oxide or salts of the metal or a co pound substances. I can employ the nitrates
chlorides or oxides or the fumes from the volatization of metallic salts oxides or
metals for such purpose.
.
(b) Under one method of construction of the elements, so as to obtain a very
large surface with a minimum amount and weight of material I arrange and
combine the respective compound leaves or sheets a of the active elements by heat
or by welding permanently with their terminals a¹; such terminals a¹ are arranged
to have an electrical resistance equal or about equal to the conductivity of the
respective compound leaves.a of the respective compound elements and these
elements are connected with their terminals a¹ at one or more points at the
edges or ends of the series of leaves or sheets a constituting the parts of the
respective compound elements, I fuse or mould these terminals a with their
respective series of leaves a in such a manner that the conductivity of such portion
of the electric circuit or connection is in excess of or nearly or about equal to the
conductivity of the number of the series of leaves or arms a connected in multiple
and constituting the active or acting storage portion of. the accumulator.
(c) In some cases, in the construction of compound electrodes of such electric
accumulators as herein set forth I employ iron chromium copper manganese silver
lead or other suitable metal in thin sheets or layers with or without being supported
on or by thin or flexible sheets of an inoxidizable core (of carbon or suitable metal
or alloy dependent upon the liquid or electrolyte employed) and I employ in
combination therewith flexible or thin sheets or leaves or coils of carbon (such as
is especially provided for in my application for a Patent N° 12065 of 1884) as one
of the elements adapted to operate in conjunction with the opposite element as
herein described or I can employ such metals or other suitable materials in a state
of division built up or formed into suitable electrodes or elements each of which
is compounded or coiled or folded together but insulated from each other, as herein-
after described.
(d) In some cases I employ one or both of such compound elements with an
inoxidizable base or support (either as plain sheets or ribbons a or a series of them
or as perforated porous or ribbed plates or sheets) it or they extend throughout the
electrode (or leaves or wings thereof) or the carbon fabrics or base the active
portion of the elements can be combined therewith by electrical or chemical means
or a combination thereof electrolitically or otherwise with or without heat
with or without employing a gas saturated by metallic fumes or an oxidizing agent
or chemical reagent or by deposition electrically or chemically or electro chemically,
the flexible sheets or coils a are provided with extensions or terminals or counec-
tions a¹ (of or about equal electrical resistance therewith) mounted and secured to
or with the inoxidizable parts of the respective elements through the lengths or at
their ends so as to be integral therewith. This I accomplish by fusion or through
the medium of molten metal b with or without pressure and with or without first
having prepared the parts a-al to be united by heating the same or by depositing
or coating the edges or ends of a to be united.
(e) In some cases in the construction of the elements provided with conducting
channels as set forth the flexible carbon sheets are impregnated or covered with or
caused to support the active material by such material being applied to the
inoxidizable core or support through the medium of a draw plate or a mould
which in some cases is kept heated to a sufficiently high temperature to keep the
metal in a molten state until the carbon or base is entirely coated and impregnated
for instance with lead chromium iron copper or other metal which can be oxidized
by the current when in the accumulator (or prepared prior to the completion
thereof) electrically or by chemical agents with or without heat or both or by the
action of suitable gas or gaseous compounds with or without heat or by moulding
or casting the same thereon.
(f) In some cases in the construction of elements provided with conducting
.channels as set forth I employ chemical agents for the purpose of carbonizing a

page_text: can
hydrocarbon resin or gum with or without glue or glycerine mixed with the active
agent (with or without being mixed with slag wool, wood fibre, celluslose or in
other words with a carbonizable or non-carbonizable fibre or shreds) as a coating
for the base or core flexible inoxidizable conducting or not; for instance
employ a carbon or metallic sheet perforated or not to which the oxide or salt of
lead mixed with a hydrocarbon turpentine or the like is applied by passing the
fabric through such mixture and thon through dies rolls or otherwise and the fabric
can then be passed under the influences of chlorine or iodine or other chemical
re-agents one or more times; a series of coats can thus be applied or I can deposit
the metallic oxide or salt electrically or mechanically or by heat or a combination
of such means; by then passing the fabric through a bath of hydrocarbon and
then through a chamber or space charged with chlorine iodine or other chemical
reagent or reagent a deposit of carbon will be obtained a series of such coatings
can be made by continuous operations upon fabrics of considerable lengths or by
repeated operations fabrics can thus be built up to any desired thickness which
may afterwards be cut to the desired size to suit the special size and arrangements
of the elements.
(g) In the construction and arrangement of compound electrodes or elements
provided with conducting channels as herein set forth in some cases I employ a base
consisting of sheets or strands or lamonæ or an open framework of carbon or asbestos
or other conducting or nonconducting material and with or without such sheets or
framework being provided with apertures or recesses and I deposit or precipitate
electrically electro chemically or I fuse or mould the metal or material when
under the influence of heat upon flexible sheets such as are provided for in my
application for Patent No 12065 of 1884 and as the material is passed through
dies or moulds heated lead is passed through similar to the process of drawing
lead or by passing an electric current across the fabric from the rolls or otherwise,
I can heat the lead or lead sheets sufficiently to embed the lead in and secure the
same upon the base on both sides or I can pass sheets of lead through the rolls at
the same time as the fabrics is passed through and by the electric current I can
heat the respective sheets a to the proper degree or can in such operations deposit
the lead or other material and the carbon as described, enlargements can be formed
upon such sheets so as to increase the section at the terininals or parts a¹ designed
to be combined with the part or parts forming connections with the external
circuit.
(h) In the construction of electrodes or compound electrodes or elements provided
with conducting channels as herein setforth I in some cases employ spongy iron or
the oxide of iron or precipitate of copper or inanganese or the like or the oxide of
manganese or of lead or solutions of these and mix such material or saturate the
same with any carbonizable material for instance gum resin turpentine bitumen or
hydrocarbons with or without the employment of an undestructibable or carbon-
izable ligneous or fibrous material reduced to cellulose or not and with or without
powdered carbon mixed therewith rolled or compressed into sheets or mounted
upon sheets of a ligneous or indestructible or carbonized fabric and in order to
prepare such electrodes or elements for use in an accumulator I employ chemical
agents or reagents such as chlorine or iodine for carbonizing the material such
being well adapted when lead or lead oxides or material which will fuse at lower
temperature than required for carbonization by heat is or are used but when
I employ the oxide of iron or other metal sufficiently heat resisting I can pack the
sheets in a suitable retort between layers of pulverized carbon and thereby
carbonize the material or I employ other processes, as described for the manufacture
of carbon fabrics.
(j) In the construction of electrodes or compound electrodes as herein setforth
in some cases I employ the carbon fabrics or other materials as the base and pass
them through nitrate or chloride solutions for instance the nitrate of lead or
mercury or a solution of iron manganese copper chromium or other material with
or without operating upon the fabric by an electric current the material is then

page_text: :
passed over heated plates or rolls through heated chambers or spaces and in some
cases from thence through a bath of heated or liquid hydrocarbon or gum with or
without a metallic solution or metal or metallic substance in a divided state mixed
therewith and thence to a chamber or space where the hydrocarbon. is acted upon
by chemical reagents for instance by chlorine bromize iodine or gas or otherwise
with or without the material undergoing a series of such processes, the material so
treated is designed to be used and arranged in accumulators as herein set forth.
(k) In the construction of electrodes or compound elements the active agents of
the elements can be supported or encased by an inoxidizable material either as a
porous insulating or as conducting material; the conducting support can consist
of a series of wings blades or connecting strips or as a porous or fibrous conducting
mass or core which extends through or permeates the body of the material
constituting the active agent of the electrodes or elements-the terminals or
extensions a¹ of such elements are of equal width or of or about equal or greater
conductivity than the acting portion of the electrodes or elements a and arranged
so as to be integral therewith.
These terminals a' are constructed arranged and protected as herein described so
as not to be affected or oxidized and in order to provide for such construction and
avoid oxidation and so as to ensure that the channel of conduction a¹ either of
charge or discharge.or both will provide for conducting the maximum current
I extend the opposite ends or edges of the compound elements a beyond the leaves
or sheets a of the opposite compound element at which part I thicken the end and
connect therewith the terminal plates a¹ with molten or heated lead b or first
secure a series of such ends together with molten metal or through the medium of
heat. In the same or a subsequent operation I attach and embed copper or other
conducting plate or connection a' therewith by heat and when all are so connected
I may coat or cover or mould thereon an electrically or chemically neutral
material a² for instance some vulcanized material as herein described vulcanized
cellulose or gum or hydrocarbon or a compound of sulphur and paraffin being
well adapted for the insulation of all the parts within the chamber d and the
connections a extending therefrom, the insulating material a² can be readily
moulded upon the ends of the elements a or around the edges and extend therefrom
as a protection for the copper terminals c leading outside of the chamber d through
holes in the lid h, in such arrangement of the elements, a the end c of these
terminals of copper or other suitable metal a¹ are exposed for connection with the
coupling link e to other similarly formed elements or to the external circuit.
(1) In the construction and arrangement of such compound elements in some
cases I mould upon the connecting links e insulating material the parts for connec-
tion being exposed as herein set forth the insulating material of both parts being
moulded or machined true so as to form a tight fitting joint, at such parts I some-
times employ a screw coupling at for other holding device to prevent displacement
or separation of the connections but independently thereof or in combination
therewith. In order to hermetically seal the chamber d containing the elements a
I provide a ledge d' upon which the lid g fits closely with or without the medium
of an elastic or yielding vulcanized or otherwise prepared washer or pad or pads h²
between the surfaces of the lid g and chamber d and this packing piece and lid g
can be adapted to press upon and secure the elements in the chamber d as well as
to partly or entirely hermetically seal such chamber and the openings c through
which the terminals a extend with or without such terminals being provided with
individual sealing devices for instance a shoulder upon the insulation and a screw
nut fadapted to fit and work upon a screw thread formed on the insulation around
the terminal extending from the chamber ȧ this screw nut can be adapted to
operate upon a washer of vulcanized or chemically neutral material so as to form
a seal at such part; a series of elements a can thus be secured in position with
.their terminals a¹ extending through the cover or lid h of the chamber d which
chamber preferably consists of metal paper or other material of sufficient strength
upon which the chemically neutral material is applied or moulded so as to cover

page_text: the inside thereof as well as that of the lid or sealing cover h―The chamber d
can be divided into separate chambers d or be provided with recesses or projections
adapted to fit corresponding parts of the elements a which are preferably moulded
or formed exactly true at such parts through the medium of the insulating covering
or casing a² thereof at the terminal ends or the edges of the elements a of the
compound electrodes of a rectangular circular or other form or at the ends of
a compound coil or fold from which the terminals a' extend. The base for forming
such chamber upon which the inoxidizable and chemically neutral material is
applied or moulded can be provided with perforated parts or ledges or roughened
parts adapted to more firmly secure the insulating covering therewith In order
to insure that the parts will be accurate and fit corresponding parts of the elec-
trodes or vice versa or so that the lid or sealing devices will so fit corresponding
parts I employ metallic or perfectly smooth or machined moulds.
(m) In the construction and arrangement of the elements provided with con-
ducting channels as herein setforth in some cases the lid h rests upon the insulation
at both ends of the compound electrodes a which have the insulation at such parts
so formed or moulded as to extend above and below the edges the elements cou-
stituting the acting or active portion a designed for the storage of electric force the
lower portion of such rest upon the bottom of the chamber or a support thereon as
at a this arrangement provides for the flushing or cleansing of the elements
chambers d✶ when such are provided with suitable inlets and outlets in connection
with which a pumping device may or may not be attached.
or
Each set of compound elements can be secured in separate chambers d* of the
main chamber d, and connected in series through the medium of the extensions c
and connecting links e as described and at various points I can employ compound
connections or terminals or short circuiting branches so as to provide for varying
the internal resistance of the elements for charging or discharging.
(n) In some cases in arranging the elements provided-conducting channels as
setforth I employ an additional cover for the connections so as to prevent them
being tampered with or to maintain them in proper position, the charging and
discharging terminals being carried through such cover (for instance as at g) for
connection to the external circuit with or without the employment of a com-
mutator or grouping box therein for varying the internal resistance automatically
or otherwise or both. In some cases I compound the accumulators composed of
compound electrodes provided with conducting channels as herein set forth through
the medium of compound terminals and a commutator or switching device (as a
reciprocating or rotary device) automatically electrically or otherwise operative in
such a manner as to provide for intermittently consecutively or at given periods
changing the connections so that one or more sets of elements of the accumulator
will be in the charging circuit when one or more other sets of the elements will be
in the discharging or working circuit. I preferably employ for such purpose
contact parts or blades mounted upon a rotating or reciprocating shaft such blades
or the parts of the circuits with which they operate being so formed as to vary the
conductivity of the circuit from an effective minimum to a maximum of con-
ductivity These parts can be operated through the medium of an electric motor or
au armature and a magnet in a derived or loop circuit or an electric gas battery for
supplying gas to a gas motor combined therewith.
(o) In combination with such arrangement of compound electrodes provided
with conducting channels as herein set forth in order to provide for cutting the
magazine out of the circuit when fully charged I employ the electric current for
raising a liquid through the medium of a porous diaphragm to a sufficient height to
overflow therefrom or from a reservoir or chamber provided with a nozzle spout or
outlet which leads to a hydraulic motor having tilting devices which are adapted
to operate upon a cut off for breaking the circuit to the magazine or I can employ
a float which is raised thereby and when sufficiently raised completed to loop
circuit in which an electro magnetic device is adapted to operate so as to move an
armature carrying a circuit closer or breaker of the charging circuit and in some

page_text: cases I employ a throttling. device combined with an electric device or solenoid
included in the discharging or working circuit of the accumulator the throttling
device being adapted to operate upon the outlet for the liquid so as to vary the
liquid passing in accordance with the variation of work or resistance in the
external or working circuit the liquid passing back to the reservoir from whence it
came through the medium of a tilting bucket or hydraulic motor which in some
cases I combine with recording mechanism or with the switching or commutating
device (or both) for changing the connections of the compounded accumulators or.
I can employ a variable resistance device which is operated by a solenoid or
galvanometer in a loop from the charging circuit so that when the resistance in the
accumulators shall have reached some predetermined limit a circuit will be com-
pleted so as to break the charging circuit to the elements of the accumulators
I also employ a pressure regulator or a Watt or energy meter to measure and limit
the current passing into the accumulator in accordance with the safe and
economical limits of its working.
(2) In the construction and arrangement of such compound electrodes provided
with conducting channels as set forth I provide a porous insulation applied as a
paint or as sheets perforated between the respective leaves a which have the
projecting end throughout their entire length or width or at the edge or edges
united by molten lead.-I secure each set of ends to a copper or other suitable
plate a covered with lead b which covers the surface of such ends which may
. covered or encased by paraffin vulcanized material or the like while the parts are
firmly clamped together and preferably in a mould This plate a' is drawn down
to a round or square or other suitable section above the surface a³ of the element a
or other part where it is carried through the casing the copper a' being entirely
protected by the means described the ends can be provided with a screwed or
otherwise formed projection, or a recess for holding the terminal connections of the
external circuit-These parts are turned or formed perfectly true so as to project
into the socket formed by the terminal (surrounded by the insulation) extending
through a casing or with a flat surface-I can employ arrangements for my con-
nections by which they can be adapted to bo screwed clamped or maintained in
position by a spring clutch or expanding devico with the terminal or the supports
therefrom.
(g) In the construction and arrangement of such compound elements provided
with conducting channels as setforth I employ in some cases mercury in suitably
formed and sealed cups for the establishment of a more perfect circuit at the point
of union with the external circuit and I insulate all the exposed parts and make
tight fitting connections at the parts where the insulation meets with or without
an insulating covering or screw, nut or clamp. It will be understood from the
description given that the active metal of the electrode can be moulded or mounted
upon carbonized or carbonizable or noncarbonizable fabrics of fibrous material
electrically and chemically neutral or both or made integral therewith or upon
plates or laminæ of an inoxidizable support or conducting medium permeating the
active agent employed to which the extensions constituting the termina! of uniform
or practically uniform electrical resistance therewith is formed or secured or the
active agent may be precipitated or deposited electrically or otherwise upon such
support or the active agent may be formed when upon such support by the
employment of an electric current or chemical or gaseous transforming agent or
agents or a combination of them with or without provision for rendering the
material cellular or porous or active, various means may be employed for such
purpose as will be well understood from the description herein given.
(r) In the construction of electrical accumulators provided with conducting
channels as setforth herein I employ compound plates electrodes or elements which
consist each of a series of sheets or plates a of lead placed face to face with the
sheets or leaves of lead or other suitable metal or of carbon of the opposite element
parallel and interlacing but separated therefrom by a neutral non conducting porous
or perforated dielectric k the series of leaves a of each compound electrode being

page_text: united permanently at opposite sides or ends by the conducting connections a¹
(fused thereon) by melting or soldering such parts together in such a manner that
the electrical resistance in or through such connection will be approximately the
same as the electrical resistance of the series of leaves a so united or so as to provide
for each leaf of the series being adapted to be freely charged with the maximum
current which it will safely carry or which can be utilized through the lead or tho
active agent employed for the storage of electric energy and so that each leaf will be
so connected as to be adapted to discharge with equal facility the maximum current
required therefrom in the shortest possible period without heating the element or
such connecting part a¹ In order to provide for the construction and working in
such manner as well as for other beneficial purposes I back the edges of the end or
edge of such series of leaves or plates with a plate or ribbon a series of them or both
of copper aluminium or aluminium bronze or phosphor or manganese bronze or an
alloy or other suitable conducting metal-or material of higher conductivity, such
sheet or connection a¹ or series can have a superficial area or electrical conductivity
equal to the superficial area presented by the ends of the compound electrodes a or
such plate a' can be of slightly less size so as to provide for being entirely encased
or embedded in lead b or insulation a* or both as setforth so as to prevent any
action upon such connection a' by the liquid or electrolyte employed in the accumu̟-
lator and the connections at are made at opposite ends or edges so that the current
is led in such a manner as to operate equally upon the electric elements this can be
accomplished by the connection being made or taken off not only at opposite ends
or edges but by a connection across the entire end or width of the element and at
opposite ends or sections of the coil or folded or compounded elements.
Under such construction the elements can consist of a series of laminas of lead or
iron lead and flexible carbon sheets or carbon coated or supporting or incorporated
with the metal or material with both elements of similar or unlike materials or one
set of the opposing elements can consist of carbon or carbonized sheets or otherwise
as herein described.
(8) In combination with such compound elements as herein set forth
I employ porous insulating sheets or material between these elements of electri-
cally and chemically neutral material such as china or earthenwaro unglazed or
pulverized earthy material or sheets thereof or other electrically and chemically
neutral material mounted upon a flexible or neutral base or support or fabric or in
the recesses shelves apertures or perforations with or without covering or projection
over the surface of the guage frame or support and in some cases I form such
diaphragm dielectric or separating part with projections so as to extend over the
edges of the leaves or elements which together with the adjoining piece of similar
construction provides for forming a sort of an envelope with an open end at the
part where the element or branch a thereof extends to the terminal or where it is.
joined with a similar extension of the compound elements having their faces or the
widths of each in the same plane with the leaves of similarly formed opposing.
elements the porous or perforated insulating sheets plates or divisions serrated
corrugated perforated or grooved or not are arranged upon one or both faces
adjacent to the electrodes or leaves thereof which they separate and maintain in
position These insulating sheets preferably extend to or close to parts of the
elements where they are secured with the leaves or sections of the compound
element, either so as to constitute an envelope for the series of leaves of one set
of elements between the folds of which the leaves of the other portion of the com-
pound element are arranged with their surfaces in width in the same plane the
insulating sheets being connected or secured with some electrically neutral material
unaffected by the liquid or electrolyte employed in the accumulator for instance
I can employ such flexible diaphragm extending backwards and forwards between
the elements in a continuous length over the ends towards the terminals and prefer-
ably projecting slightly over or beyond the upper and lower edges where they
are united by an insulating cement with or without ribs or projections extending.
R

page_text: lengthwise of the same beyond such edges but I prefer to apply such insulating
sheets in one or two pieces or sections to each leaf of at least one set of branches
of the compound element either foiled over the end near the terminal attachments
of the opposite electrode or with extensions united firmly at the connected ends of
the respective elements and I completely cover embed or surround the conducting
plate a in lead or water tight insulation which is not affected by moisture or by
the liquid or electrolyte employed and in. some cases I employ such insulating
material for covering all parts of the connections within the chamber for instance
or I can employ sulphur and plaster of paris or hydraulic cement with or without
metallic oxides for instance iron or the chloride of zinc or I can employ ozokerite
with or without the addition of metallic insulating oxides chlorides or the like or
incorporated with sulphur with or without the addition of asbestos pumice-stone
or the like. Or I can employ pitch and lime with and without sulphur. Or I can
employ paraffin and sulphur with or without the addition of some other material.
(n) In constructing the compound electrodes with conducting channels as set
forth I employ a form or template or guage and first place therein one of the leaves
of the element which can consist of sheets or foil of thin lead or iron or metal or
carbon coated with metal or carbon coated with metal or metallic substance or foil
and amalgamated or not or metallic oxide or salt in a fine state of division...
lu the construction of such, compound electrodes the elements each leaf or
alternate leaves can be provided with a porous insulation applied as a paint for
instance ground pumice stone asbestos or as sheets of asbestos or flexible porous
diaphragms consisting of a ligneous fibrous or neutral bases or metal coated or
protected or cotton jute gum asbestos fabric parchmentized vulcanized parafinned
or coated with some neutral and protective material with or without such base
supporting upon the surface or in apertures or in pores or recesses or both
thereof some neutral pulverised or porous carthy or electrically and chemically
neditral material and with or without such envelope being provided with pro-
jections extending over the disconnected or free end and edges of the leaf or each
alternative of separate leaves of the series so as to prevent short circuiting at the
edges such sheets or layers of insulating materials can be united at the ends by
guins or other suitable material. The sheet or leaf of the compound electrodes next
the first is then placed over such sheet so as to allow about of an inch more or
less of the first leaf to extend beyond the end thereof and so that the last leaf
placed will project or extend beyond the other or opposite end or edge an equal
distance in order to provide for uniting the ends at each side or end and connecting
the extension with the terminal plates or ribbons a'. I then apply a third leaf
with an insulating envelope and similar to the first leaf upon the top of the second
and so on until the desired number are in position which I firmly clamp together
and while secured, I turn the structure so as to provide for the plane of the
leaves or electrodes being in a vertical position and the terminal ends thereof in
contact with the terminals a' in a heated mould or form having heat applied to
such a degree as simply to melt and weld the terminals of a together the mould
can be raised until the terminals of a are reduced in length so as to represent a
proper union or when carbon or unoxidizable terminals are employed molten metal
joins them together I can at the same time secure and embed the copper terminals
plate a¹or this can be done by a subsequent operation performed in a similar
manner with a suitably formed mould. I employ any suitable means to regulate
the temperature of the mould and the heating of the terminals. I also employ
means for stopping the application of heat to the mould when the connections
are made this can, be accomplished automatically or by hand electrically or other-
wise. The heat can be applied by heated air or gas or by a blow pipe and I can
employ means for suddenly cooling the mould by cold air or a liquid when the work
is completed each end is treated in this manner and the insulating material a² is
also applied as a protection to such parts in some similar way the insulation being
adapted to liquify at a lower temperature than the lead..

page_text: (0) In some cases instead of employing my compound interlacing leaves as
described I employ flexible sheets or ribbons of carbon, one or both of which
support the active material for instance the oxide of lead or of silver or of mercury
or iron or other metal in a finely divided state amalgamated or not having a flexible
porous sheet or envelope separating the electrodes these being coiled wound or
folded together. The electrodes are arranged to overlap each other at opposite
edges and enlargements are formed at such parts with a series of terminals
extending therefrom through or beyond the insulating sheets or envelopes which
are constructed and arranged to prevent short circuiting as described or instead of
a series of terminals being provided the entire length of coil can be soldered or
formed with a connection for each respective coil with the terminal of high con-
ductivity secured to or incased therein and protected by electrically and chemically
neutral material at each end as described the arrangement and protection of the
terminals inside of the chamber and outside thereof being as described This form
of element is especially adapted for use in cylindrical chambers (lined with
insulation) where it is desired to have a single piece or lid for screwing or clamping
thereon.
(p) The arrangements or means of combining and securing and separating the active,
elements and maintaining them in the proper relative position as well as of pro-;
tecting the connections or terminals and the chamber in which they are placed are
applicable with the Plante plates or elements as well as other well known forms of
accumulator plates in conjunction with an electrolyte of dilute sulphuric acid but
I preferably employ neutral solutions or electrolyte for the permanent operation of
my accumulators or I can employ for such purpose a very weak alkaline or acid or
saline solution. In order to rapidly form or prepare the elements so that they will
have a large storage capacity in or for use in the battery or accumulator in which
lead is employed as one or partly as one or both of the electrodes for instance lead
foil or thin layers of porous lead electrically mechanically or otherwise applied to
carbon or inoxidizable sheets I subject such to the action of an electric current of
some known and regulated force and quantity when the elements are immersed in
an alkaline solution for instance a solution saturated with a hydrate or carbonate
of soda or potash, or caustic soda until sufficiently acted upon to provide for the
conversion of all the lead upon the conducting inoxidizable core or for the conversion
of some predetermined amount of lead when a lead core is used. I subsequently
neutralize or remove the alkaline or other solution and flush or cleanse the elements
with or without the medium of a neutralizing agent, and I then employ for the
permanent electrolyte distilled water or a saline solution or a diluted acid or chloride
solution The elements can consist of plain lead plate of 1 to 2 oz. or more or less
per square foot and arranged and secured in position and connected to their terminal
plates with thin sheets or layers of electrically and chemically neutral porous
insulation serrated perforated corrugated or not for separating the elements as
herein described the compound elements can be arranged in chambers and secured,
therein by insulation or by clamping and jamming devices with or without
insulation firmly securing the parts permanently in the chamber and in some cases
I employ nitrate of mercury for amalgamating the element or elements and sub-
sequently dilute the same or draw it off or neutralize it or the compound elements
can be so amalgamated prior to being built up for use in the accumulators or the
core or base can be impregated or coated with the oxide or peroxide in the first".
operation electrically or electro chemically.
(g) Sheets of iron or chromium or chromium alloy or other metal can be operated
upon in a similar manner by suitable attacking solutions and an electric current.
with or without heat when the compound leaves are secured together at their ends'
with insulation between them as herein described. In the construction of compound
elements I however to employ prefer to flexible or very thin sheets of fibrous carbon
or an inoxidizable metal or metallic alloy as a core or carbon or inoxidizable metal
or alloy as a core deposited upon or supported by a frame of electrically and
chemically neutral-material, For instance I can employ the nitrate acetate or alkaling

page_text: solutions for the deposition of the lead or lead oxide upon the flexible carbon sheets
or indepositing iron upon the flexible carbon sheets or an inoxidizable base I can
employ the sulphate of iron or both of sulphate and chloride of ammonium:
.
*.
(r) In the construction and working of accumulations can employ a compound
solution for instance a nitrate or acetate' of lead and nitrate of mercury or a
solution in which iron or other metal and chromium are in solution such solution
can be used after the elements are built up and the solution can be drawn off
cleansed and a neutral electrolyte can be used or the solutions can be diluted or
neutralized by suitable chemical agents as described. The carbon fabrics or
inoxidizable base can be first treated and prepared by using a bath containing
mercury and lead or other metal which will form the amalgam.
(s) In the construction accumulation as described When I employ lead in a
finely divided state so amalgamated or not I distribute entirely over the surface of
the carbon (excepting at the 'terminals)' by suitable means and I pass the
structure between' rolls or subject 'the same to pressure with or without heat
so that tho material is' closely embedded on or secured with the core and adapted
to fit in the envelope or casing of insulating material as 'described or the
material may be applied to the inner sides of the casing or porous insulating
sheet (flexible or not) so that it will be in close contact with the core arranged
and clamped between them with or without the edges of the insulating sheet
being cemented, "
. 1,
וה
I (t) In the construction of accumulation as described in order to provide for
securing good terminal attachments for the carbon or lead or other form of wires
I platinize iridize or treat them with an amalgam which will be electrically and
chemically neutral in the battery or accumulator these ends being secured together
or with terminal extensions or both and in some cases in order to obtain a more
thorough unison 'or cementation of the parts I soak the core in turpentine or other
carbonizable material which will bo carbonized by suitable chemical re agents and
then apply the metal or metal oxides in a fine 'state of division amalgamated or
not distributed in a thin even layer and compressed on the core and subsequently
subject such structure to the action of chlorine iodine and thereby carbonize the
turpentine or instead of or in conjunction with the process of saturation of the core
I mix or saturate the metal or metallic oxides or salts amalgamated or not with
turpentine glycerine or gum or other carbonizable converting Agent and apply this
as a coating under compression to the core and through the medium of the Chemical
Agents as described I thoroughly unite the parts by the process of carbonization
or, the metal or metallic compound or 'the metallic oxides can be deposited in the
interstices or on the surface of carbon fabric or inoxidizable core from the nitrates
chlorides or alkaline solutions for instances I can employ the chloride of silver or
the nitrate chloride or alkaline solutine of lead or the nitrate of mercury a series of
immersions and drying operations carried on mechanically or otherwise with or
without the application of heat will regulate the thickness of the deposit or such
deposit carried on or accelerated by passing an' electric current through the fabric.
as the cathode and the metal so deposited can be peroxidized previously to or when
the elements are built up and secured and, separated by electrically chemically
neutral elements as described.
'. When the process of oxidation is completed the solution is neutralized or drawn
off (and the elements cleansed) and replaced by a very dilute solution of nitrate of.
mercury in an acid or saline solution or by pure water In order to provide for
such operations of cleansing the elements the active portions are kept elevated
above the bottom of the chamber by insulating strips or projections or by thin
insulating supports at their ends which are protected by electrically and chemically
neutral insulation the chamber being provided with suitable inlets and outlets which
are provided with valves or attachments for connection with suitable pumping or
exhausting apparatus which pumping or exhausting apparatús can also provide the
means for flushing or cleansing the elements.

page_text: The means other than those connected with the subject matter of my claims
may be of any suitable or known kind and therefore they need no particular
description here beyond what I have already explained.
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
CLAIMS.
1. Electrical accumulators in which conducting channels are employed secured
to edges of the electrodes in such a manner as to provide for rapid charging or
discharging without heating of the conducting portions substantially as set forth.
2. Electrical accumulators having compound electrodes which consist of a series
of leaves combined with their terminal plates or extensions substantially as herein
set forth.
3. In the construction or arrangement or working of electrical accumulators or
the elements thereof, as set forth in the preceding claims the employinent of the
methods or means substantially as set forth in the respective paragraphs hereof
indicated by marginal letters of reference, or any combination thereof.