An Improved Method of Preventing the Corrosion of Electric Battery Connections.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Mar., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Dec., 1898-Accepted, 28th Jan.,
1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Preventing the Corrosion of Electric Battery
Connections.
WALTER ROBERT UNDERHILL, Electrical Engineer, Milton, Staffordshire, and
PERCY WILBRAHAM NORTHEY, Electrical Engineer, 28, Victoria Street, London,
S.W., do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of our invention is to provide a means of preventing the corrosion
which takes place on the connectors of electric batteries, especially of the screw
and nut type caused by the acid spray which is driven off from the cells an
imperfect protection only being obtained by the application of the usual anti-
sulphuric enamel.
Our invention consists in covering the exposed surfaces of the connectors by
a cap of lead antimony, or other suitable material, which may be screwed over
the projecting connecting bolts and nuts or the like in any suitable way so as
completely to enclose them in a sealed watertight and non-corrosive chamber.
For example, we may carry our invention into effect by employing a suitable
shaped cap or covering of some metal such as lead antimony not affected by the
acid spray, and preferably of sufficient hardness to embed itself securely into the
lug, which is screwed pressed or otherwise fitted over and on to the exposed
portions of the connecting bolt and nut in such a way that the said cap entirely
covers them; the cap by its sharp edge biting into the lead lug thereby holding
the screw and nut in a sealed chamber. One description of this cap may take
the form of a cup having a very thick stem shaped as the sides of a nut, the
lip of the cup being arranged to form a knife edge so as to cut into and embed
itself in any material it is screwed up against, or a washer of rubber or other
sufficiently elastic material, not affected by acid spray, may be interposed
between the inner end of the cap and the lug, an internal thread being screwed
into the nut shaped stem within the cap.
Dated this 23rd day of March 1898.
W. R. UNDERHILL.
PERCY W. NORTHEY.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
30 An Improved Method of Preventing the Corrosion of Electric Battery
Connections.
We, WALTER ROBERT UNDERHILL, of Milton, in the County of Stafford,
Electrical Engineer, and PERCY WILBRAHAM NORTHEY, A.I.E.E., of 28, Victoria
D
077

page_text: Street, Westminster, in the County of London, Electrical Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement: —
Our invention has for its object to provide a means of preventing the corrosion
which takes place on the connectors of electric batteries, especially those of the
screw-and-nut type.
The corrosion is caused by the acid spray which is driven off from the cells,
and the hitherto usual application to the connectors of anti-sulphuric enamel or
vaseline affords but an imperfect and temporary protection against such
corrosion.
Our invention consists essentially in covering the exposed surfaces of the
connectors by a cap of lead antimony or other suitable material so as to com-
pletely enclose the said connectors in a sealed, watertight, and non-corrosive
chamber.
We may effect our object in a variety of ways and the accompanying drawing
serves to illustrate partly in section and partly in elevation one form of con-
struction.
In the drawing A is the screw; B, B are the washers, and C, C the nuts of a
connector. D, D represent the lugs of two adjacent battery plates.
E, E are caps or coverings made of some metal or alloy, such as lead antimony,
or other suitable material which is not affected by the acid spray. The caps
may be formed with a hollow stem as shown at e, of such size as to clear the
nut C, and beyond this stem is an extension, screw-threaded internally as shown
at e, and adapted to engage with the end part of the screw A. Externally the
said extension may be of hexagonal or other like form as shown at e². The
drawings show the edge of the cap bevelled or undercut, as indicated at e³, so
as to form a sharp or knife edge adapted to bite into the lug D and thereby make
a good joint.
Obviously, in lieu of providing the cap with a knife edge, other means might
be employed for making a good joint. For example a washer of rubber or other
sufficiently elastic material not affected by acid spray may be interposed between
the edge of the cap and the lug of the plate and the cap then screwed tightly up.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
1. The method, substantially as described, of covering the exposed surfaces
of connectors of electric batteries with a cap made of non-corrosive material.
2. In an electric battery, the combination, with a connector, of a cap of non-
corrosive material serving to envelop such connector substantially as set forth.
3. The combination, with a connector of electric battery plates, of a cap f
non-corrosive material provided with a knife edge adapted to bite into the con-
necting lug and so make a good joint substantially as set forth.
4. The cap or cover E constructed substantially as described with reference to
the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 23rd day of December 1898.
A. F. SPOONER,
323, High Holborn, London, Agent for the Applicants.