Improvements in Electric Accumulators.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd July, 1897-Accepted, 22nd Sept., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Accumulators.
I, LUIS GUMIEL GARCIA, of Aspe-Alicante, in the Kingdom of Spain, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to an accumulator or storage battery which differs from
those hitherto known in the arrangement, shape and structure of the electrodes
which consist of bars of lead of prismatic shape with a square base, arranged ver-
tically and parallel to each other so as to have between them narrow spaces formed
by the interposition of small ebonite rods of cross shape section, the angles of which
indicate the position of the electrode.
The lead bars (electrodes) are provided with a series of small orifices placed in
parallel and horizontal files or rows and connecting the opposite faces of the prisms
throughout the whole height or depth of the same. All these orifices have besides
a point of connection with the orifices immediately above and below them. Each of
the electrodes is provided at its upper end with a rod which is embedded in small
antimonious lead bars which in their turn are connected with two main collectors
(also constructed of antimonious lead) one of which corresponds to the positive
electrodes, and the other to the negative electrodes.
It goes without saying that owing to the arrangement of the electrodes, the
negative and positive series become connected along diagonal lines as will be seen by
the description given below with reference to the drawing.
The great firmness of the complete arrangement, and the surface it presents in a
small compass, also the fact that our electrodes may be relied upon not to become
disconnected, owing to the rigidity and resistance of the parts-whereby harmful
contacts are avoided-are further advantages of our improved storage battery.
The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which
Figure 1 is a plan, and
Figure 2 a section on line A B Figure 3.
Figure 3 a section on line C D Figure 1; and
Figure 4 a detailed view of one of the electrodes.
Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views illustrating the formation of the electrodes.
Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a modified form of electrode.
My accumulator or storage battery consists of a wooden case of prismatic shape
with a square base lined with lead M, which lining extends beyond the edges of the
case as will be seen in the drawings Figure 3; at the bottom of this case, there
are supports s of porcelain, ebonite, or any other insulating and resistant substance,
which, as will be seen in said Figure 3 form small arches with a ridge, so that there
is left at the bottom of the case a chamber sufficient for the sediments, which,
necessarily will be very slight, owing to the arrangement of the material in the
electrodes.
Upon these supports there are placed the rods A, A¹ separated by small rods F

page_text: small collecting rods B B¹ Figures 1 and 3 and form distance pieces of 002 metre
(two millimetres) approximately. These electrodes, as will be seen from the details
of the drawings Figure 4 consist of bars of lead of prismatic shape and square at the
base, connected by a connecting rod a¹ which terminates each electrode, and is
properly strengthened, as may be seen from the drawing.
These electrodes are provided with a large number of orifices a of one millimetre
in diameter, connecting the two opposite surfaces of the electrodes, which are pro-
vided with the same number of corresponding orifices. These series of perforations
or orifices are spaced out at a distance of 1 millimetre and communicate with each
other, and with the perforations situated immediately above and below along a
tangent line, so as to form a species of sponge perfectly regular in shape, with its
elementary parts communicating in all directions, but constituting one complete
body.
The mold for forming the electrodes is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 and consists
of four plates a placed together to form a box the ends of which are closed by, lock-
ing or end' pieces fx and h*, the plates a* are held together by means of locking
pieces 6 shown on two edges only of the mold. At one end of the box formed by
the plates are inserted four pieces c* so shaped (Figure 6) that they form between
them the sloping shoulders and connecting rod of the electrode. In the locking or
end piece is a channel g* communicating with the space formed by the pieces c*
and at the other end the channel gx is provided with a funnel dx. The other locking
or end piece. h is formed with a channel ex serving as the air outlet. Through the
plates a are passed wires j* which when withdrawn for the orifices a of the elec-
trode. The spaces * at either end of the mold are now fitted' with compressed clay
to prevent any lead escaping and the mold is then dried in a heating stove at a high
temperature and with a convenient degree of heat so that the lead' can flow through
the interior of the mold. Lead is introduced through the funnel d passing around!
the wires until it flows out through the air passage e*; lead, is continued to be
supplied to the funnel whilst the inner cooling absorbs it gradually.
Once the mold is full it is allowed to cool then the clay which served to prevent
the. molten. lead from escaping is removed the wires j* are drawn out and the locking
clamps 6* removed and only two parts will remain connected to the electrode the one
cand the other ax for the separation of which the small rods formed at g* and ex
are, severed. Then we proceed to finish the edgings of the electrode and its rod, the
operation being thus ended..
Should, any of the walls or plates a separate when melting the electrode is not
lost, nor spoilt for all that because the extra bulk can be: smoothed and all its faces
will remain of regular shape.
The connection of electrodes of the same polarity is ensured collecting bars B
and B B being the positive and B¹ the negative bar as shown in the horizontal
plan in Figure 1. These bars in their turn are connected to one of the angular
bars C and C¹ Figure 1 (which, as in the foregoing arrangement, are made of anti-
monious lead) constituting the main collectors, one of which is positive and the
other negative. The connection with these: bars is effected by means of set
screws, G, and a homogenous solder joint, so as to ensure better contact, .and
through the medium of the pins inserted at the extremities of the small collecting
bars B and B as will be seen at H in the same horizontal plan; Figure 1.
In each angle of the large collectors C and C there exists: as may be arranged,-a
binding screw. or post, D. D¹ into each of which corresponding conductors are: intro-
duced. At will be seen from the section Figure 3 all the small collecting bars B
and. Brest.upon crystal pieces or strips E which are in their turn secured to the
edges; of the case, the object of this arrangement being to obtain' perfect insulation
for these collectors.
The electrolytic liquid employed in our storage battery, is water acidulated with
sulphuric acid at 66°, being a 10 per cent. solution, and the operation of the battery
is the same as that of other batteries of the same kind..

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what I
claim is :-
The novel form given to the electrodes, viz., that of prismatic bars with a square
base, provided with a great number of perforations arranged as hereinabove des-
cribed such electrode being obtained by the fusion of lead in a metal mould provided
with as many wires as there are to be perforations, the diameters of the wires corres-
ponding to these perforations, and I also claim the arrangement of the complete
apparatus which is particularly advantageous in regard to the time taken up in
charging the battery, whereby a great economy in the consumption of active
material is realized.
Dated this 1st day of T... 1007
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.