US1381298A - Electbic batteey - Google Patents

Description

E. R. GILL. ELECTRIC BATTERY,

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 26, 1919.

Patented June `14, 1,921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

M i @wvo/MIO@ zum? M IIII- ,1; M

E. R. GILL.

ELECTRIC BATTERY. APPLICATION FILED Nov. 2e, w19.

INVENTGR Patente June 14, 921.

5sIIEETs-sHEET 2.

ATTORNEY E. R. GILL.

ELECTRIC BATTERY. APF'LICAT'ON msu NovA 26. 1919.

1,881,298, Patented June 14, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

lNVENTOR ATTORNEY E. B. GILL. ELECTRIC BATTERY.

APPLICATION FTLED NOV. 26, I9T9 l 1,381,298. Patentedxune 14,1921.

SHEETS-SHEET 4.

ATTORNEY EQ' R. GILL.

ELECTRIC BATTERY.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 2s. 1919.

1,1381298 PIII-med June 14, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

EDWIN R. GILL, OF YONKERS, NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC BATTERY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 14, 19217.

Application filed November 26, Y1.919. Serial No. 340,960.

To all whom itmag/ concern.'

is a specification.

My present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in electric batteries and in certain methods of usin and l managing the same. Some of the jects and advantages of the invention apply to lsingle cells, whether of primary or secondary battery; while other features of the invention find their principal embodiment and application in batteries of connected cells, particularly (although not necessarily) of the secondary or storage type.

The significance and value of my iiivention will best appear from a statement of the diiculties which it overcomes in connection with secondary cells and batteries; since itis v"this branch of the art which is now of maximum importance commercially.

Secondary batteries are used very eXtensively (among other uses) in the art ofwiree less telegraphy andtelephony, wherein small units are employed; and in automobiles, submarines, locomotives and power stations, which require much larger units. In any case a battery of this kind is composed of jarsor cells, each containing one or more pairs of electrode plates of opposed polarities, immersed in a liquid electrolyte. Each jarV is closed by an acid proof sealing compound and has a single filling opening at the top which is kept closed during use, a small opening or vent being left for esca-pe of the gases generated by the activity of the cell. lExternal terminals connected 'electrically withthe different plates supply means whereby the cells are connected in battery formation for charging and discharging.

The care and management of these batterie-s, especially when theyare subjected to high duty, or where subjected to vibration and jarring, as in automobiles, etc., is extremely arduous and expensive, and calls for a high degree of skill, care and vigilance. ln some applications, as for instance, in submarine practice, these batteries becomea source of actual danger; in some cases generating chlorin gas with fatal results, when accidentally wet with sea water; and in other cases causing disastrous explosions by generating a mixture of .hydogen and QXY" gen which explodes on occurrence of an accidental spark. It is indeed customary for manufacturers of secondary batteries to caution users against bringing a light near them.

But aside from actual danger of disaster, these batteries are a constant source `of eX- pense, trouble and loss. It is essential to proper operation that the electrolyte should be kept at just the right level; that is to say, high enough to submerge the plates but not so high as to spill under the jarring to which they are often subjected or to boil out through the vents. This last effect is caused by rapid disengagement of gas, and frequently causes a spraying of the external terminals and other metal parts, to the great detriment of the battery.

The inspection of each cell lto ascertain the level of the electrolyte is a difficult and uncertain process, as each of a large number of jars must be separately opened and the operator must bring his face close to the opening, whence noxious gases are escaping, while trying to throw a light down into the opening to see where the level of the liquid is. Having done so, and findin it necessary to add liquid, he must guess w en the right amount is added, and must continually check results to makesure that he does not overflow the jar. This happens frequently with the result of messing up the cells with strong sulfuric acid and ruining the metal parts. More or less complicated devices have been proposed for making the filling more speedy and certain'but they all require expert attention in use and only partially solve the problem.

The trouble and loss of time involved in these operations is very great. In' automobile practice for instance the constant evaporation requires refilling about once a week in summer and once a fortnight in winter. Moreover, since this constant evaporation is constantly `causing the acid to become stronger and strongenhydrometer tests are deemed necessary in many cases. The naturerof the cells makes this tedious and difiicult, and as the added water is apt to remain on top until time has caused proper mixture by diffusion, the test liquid withdrawn by the pipettes vcommonlyused is frequently deceptive in character.`

The spraying and disengagement of gases already mentioned is a source of loss and Iincopijfenience vif not of danger, necessitating in many cases the construction ot a` special room for accommodation of large batteries, entirely away from generators, motors, switches and other machinery. In some lo.- cations, too, as in stables Where the air is tainted with ammonia, the external atmosphere, reaching the interior ot cells When they are opened, or through the permanent vents, has a detrimental effect.

- High duty batteries often ngive trouble owing to heating in use, and many cells oit a given size and character would be capable of higher duty if they could be kept cool at all times.

Perhaps the greatest source' ot expense, loss ot time and annoyance, however, is that incident to necessary repairs, renewals and cleaning.' Secondary batteries, particularly under high duty, gradually disintegrate and the electrolyte becomes foul, a mud or sediment collecting at the bottom. t follows that such cells. must be opened from time to timetor cleaning out, as Well as to replace Worn. out plates or grids. rllhis involves much labor, as all the connections must be removed and the cells must be opened by breaking the sealing compound and pouring out the liquid. Every detail ot disconnecting, emptying, Washing, removing and replacing plates, resealing and refilling must be repeated for each of the many cells in a given battery..

By employing my present improvements some of the dangers and difficulties above pointed out are entirely obviated and the others are very greatly lessened.

My cellsfcan be always kept filled to exactly the right height, which is sel'tdetermined, requiring` no opening ot the cell tor inspection;` and moreover, every cell in a given battery is kept filled to the same height as every other by a quasi-automatic etiiect.V The importance of this 'feature trom the point of vieu7 of uniformdist 1ibution ot load and economy in use Will be Well understood.. v

No sealing compound is necessary in my preierredl construction. Y

Any expansion of the volume of the electrolyte by gassing or boiling is taken care of and compensated tor, the Alevel being maintained automatically; besides Which the degree ot gassing, and the violence or quie tude ot any battery can be accurately gaged by the ear, and Without opening the cell.

By the provision otl an overflow container which is in' constant operative relationivith the battery, I am able to obtain accurate hydrometer tests with the greatest ease, and` the violent changes in specilic gravity resulting from additions of large quantities otdistilled` water to the electrolyte are avoided. n

Allgasliberation is controlled absolutely', making-.it-.possible to use batteries with perfeet safety in all localities and preventing explosions, spraying, chlorin production, etc. For submarine Work this result alone is invaluable.V Y

ln my preferred construction every cell isr kept permanently cool, and can therefore be pushed, in case of need to higher activity than would otherwise be possible. The battery occupies a much smaller space, in its preferred torni, than former batteries ot the same capacity and duty, and it is so strongly made as to remove all danger orn vbreakage 'trom the jarring inseparable from use in automobiles and in like situations. Y

Perhaps theV chief adiff'antage and value et Ahe invention is found in its superior cheapncss ot manufacture, ease and simplicity of assembling, and the extraordinary facility with Which it can be Washed Without opening it, or can be taken apart, cleaned or repaired. in any manner, and reassembled Without any exp rt attention. ln its prefered terni, too, all connections by Wires, screwV terminals, etc. are made unnecessary except i'or connecting Vthe battery as a Whole to external apparatus.

Certain preferred forms of my invention are illustrated in the accompanying draivings, wherein Figure. 1, 2 and 3 are side elevations oi my cells with certain parts broken away, Figs. Il and 5 are elevations partly in section ot my battery in relation to means for conveying away vthe gases generated therein, Fig. G is a vertical sectionot a terminal-cell ot' one preferred form oit battery. Figs. to 9 are trontelevations ot the elements ot said cell shown separately, Fig. 10 is aside elevation et my battery assembled and placed inyilling position, Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate details used tor Washing out the separrdteV cells, Fig; 18 is a side elevation-ot a special arrangement ot cells to promote rapid cooling. Figs; l-l and 15 are a side view and -a Jiront view respectively of a modified torni ot terminal plate, Fig.' 16 is a side view ot a corresponding intermediate plate, Fig. 1T is a trent view ot ak further modified form et battery, Fig. 18 is a side elevation ot one end ot a modiiediorm ot battery. Fig. 19 is a sectional vieiv of the preferred separable cell body used in the saine, Fig. 2O is a sectional view' et another modified '.torm ot cell, Fig. 2l isa front view ot the terminal plate or. said cell, Fig. 22 is a horizontal sectional view of said cell on the line 293-22 of Fig. 21, and Fig. 23 is a vertical section et a further modification.

The basic ]JrincipleV which I employ Ain filling my cells is illustrated in lconnection with a single cell in F l, wherein is represented one cell ot eit ier a secondary or a primary battery. The outer jar 2O contains one `or more pairs ot electrode plates 2l and 92' the latter being brolen aivay to shovvthe former behind it), which plates are permanently connected to external terminals 23 and 24. At 25 is shown a support'under the plates. The electrolyte is poured into the jar through, a top openingnormally covered by a cap 26. `In order to determine automatically the level of the liquid when it is poured in, I provide an overflow opening 27 near the top of the jar in one of its walls, and this is normally covered by the cap 28. The position of this opening is such that, when liquid is poured into the jar, it will rise to the level indicated in dotted lines, justY immersing the plates, after which it will overflow. All that is necessary, therefore, is to continue pouring in water or other liquid .until there is an overflow at- 27, after which the caps 26 and 28 can be put back and the battery is ready for use. It, will be y seen that this arrangement makes it unnecesvIl() sary to inspect the liquid by attempting to look into the opening at the top.

VIn Figs.'2 and 3 I have shown two arrangements whereby'V this principle can be extended for batteries of an indefinite number of' cells. In each figure I have shown the three cells neXt the filling end of the battery, the remainder of the cells being omitted. Here the first cell is filled to the level shown in dotted lines through the external filling tube` 29 which enters quite close to the top of the cell. When the liquid reaches the desired level it finds the exit opening 30 which is lower than the tube 29 and opens" into the second cell which is fplaced somewhat'lower than the first cell.

In the same way, the exit opening 31 determines the level of liquid in the second cell, and opens into the top of the third cell, placed a littlelower than-the second cell. rEllis arrangement is continued throughout the series of cells in a given battery.

It will be seen that, by the use of this arrangement', the entire battery can be fillet` through a single entrance tube 29 at one end it onlyvbeing necessary to keep on` pouring the liquid in at 29 until'it runs out of the lowermost exit opening at theopposite end of the battery. As soon as this occurs, the operator can be certain that every cell is properly filled to the level desired, and furthermore he cannotfill it any further by any carelessness. Y

ns shown in Fig. 3, the successive cells may have the same heights andthe 4entrance and exit openings may be placed at the same levels in all the cells, and yet my principle of operationV can still be made available by `simply supporting the entire battery in an inclined position. as shown. Upon pouring in the liquid at 33, it will pass through the openings 34, 35,36 et-c. untilit overflows at the 'extreme end of the battery, when the level of the liquid in each battery will be kabove the topsl of the electrode plates and will be inclined-t9 the ,Side walls so' just to reach the exit opening in each cell while being` materially lower than tlre entrance opening to the same.

From what has been thus far shown, itis clear that an entire battery, whether primary or secondary, may be tightly closed except as to a single entrance or filling opening at one end and an overfiow opening at the other. Y

Vfilling tube is connected to a pipe or passage el() of any appropriate kind which passes through one of the walls of the'room 38. A similar pipe 41 is connected to the overfiovv tube and passes through another wall of the room. In order to expedite the flow of gases out of the battery, artificial draft may be employed if desired, as for instance by the use of a fan 4t2. Of course the pipes 40 and 4l can be disconnected from the battery at any time to permit of lling and replenishing in the manner above described.

In F ig. 5 is indicated the application of this principle te the use of batteries in submarines. Here the shell or wall of the submarine is indicated at 43, and the battery at dll, the latter being in the inclined position shown. The filling tube is connected by a removable pipe l5 to an automatic valve 4G which permits the gases to force their way out ava-inst external pressure while prevent-l ing entrance of water from without.V The overflow, on the other hand, is connected to a tight vessel if? which catches the superfiuous liquid and confines the gases at that end. In case of rolling or pitching of the submarine while on the surface the liquid can be confined if desired by the closing` tube hereinafter described in connection with my preferred form of battery.

The use of the overiiow container 4.17 in the combination shown has important advauw tages. This container not only serves to Vcatch the overiiow when the battery is being Y overflow container, since it affords a considera-ble body of liquid issuing from the battery, and in a condition permitting immediate use of the hydrometer. mixing the water with the contents of this vessel before )curing it into the battery, the disadvantages arising from temporary lack of uni forinity in the mixture within the battery are avoided.

It will. be readily understood that, by simply connecting to either terminal openingof the battery a tube of any convenient length fitted with an ear piece, the person in charge of a battery can judge instantly of the degree of gassing going on within the saine by merely listening at the end of such a tube. In this way a person in a central situation can readily listen in to any one of a number of batteries and thus keep a check upon the degree of activity of each. This is often useful in preventing overloading of a battery, as well as aiding in keeping a check upon the workmen in charge, by whose carelessness one or more cells might be allowed to get too low in its supply of electrolyte.

I have thus far described the application of the broader principles of my invention to batteries composed of cells of any well known Construction. My invention includes, however, certain special features of preferred4 construction which I shall now describe in detail.

My preferred cell is composed olf two opposed plates (preferably flat though not necessarily soa) clamped in position on opposite sides of an open separating ring of any convenient shape, and generally circular, whereby a space is afforded between the plates for holding the electjoilyte. The plates are provided each with a single aperture near its top for the admission and discharge of the electrolyte, and the plates are of such a nature as to serve as electrodes of opposite polarity, whether for a primary or a secondary battery. As the present invention finds its most valuable application in secondary batteries, I shall describe the same hereinafter in that connection, without any .intention of limiting myself thereto.

It 1s to be understood that the drawings about to be described illustrate only a fewnext cell in a secondary battery of indefinite length. In Figs. 7, 8 and 9 certain parts of the saine are shown separately in plan view.

At I8 is shown a circular lead plate pr0- vided with an extension I9 to facilitate the exterior electrical connections.. Near the top of this plate is a short filling tube 50 which projects from the back of the same and affords an opening` into the top of the cell. This opening is shown atl in Fig. 7.

Upon the inner face of the plate 4S is placed, and preferably cemented on, a ring oflsuitable yielding and resilient material such as vulcanized rubber, shown at 52. The outer edge of this ring is of the same diamo ter as that of the circular lead plate e8, while the inner diameter of the ring is such as to leave ample room for the insertion and support of the active material. lllhis active material is preferably not carried up to the top of the disk-shapedV space within the ring 52, but is bounded at the top by a straight line, as shown in Fig. 7, leaving a cavity 5i `adjacent to the opening 5l. In order to hold the active material in place I may employ a retaining disk of a well known nature for this purpose prm'ided with many Vperforations, which is laid over the ring 52 and active material 53, as shown in Fig. 6. This ring is Vshown infront view in Fig. 8. It is provided with an opening 56 which is in alinement with the opening 51 in the lead plate 48, when the battery cell is assembled.

The electrode plate opposite in polarity to i8 is shown at 57. Since this is not a termina-l plate of the battery it is not shown provided with an extension for making exterior connections, and it has no tube or pipe attached tot it. It is provded with an opening 58,. however, which is in alinement with the opening 5i on the terminal plate d8.'

rllhe inner face of this pla-tc is furnished with a ring 59 similar to the ring 52, which is preferably cemented tothe plate 5T and confines a second body of act-ive material 60, of polarity opposed to that shown at Here also a space 6l is preferably left at the top of the active material adjacent to the exit opening 5S. A second retaining disk G2 is placed over this second body of active material, the same being perforated like the disk 5.5, and having an opening 63 in alinement with the openings 5l and 58. Y

Between the two bodies of active material a space must be provided for the electrolyte, and for this purpose I prefer the construction shown wherein two rings 64 and 65, in all respects like the rings 52 and 59, are secured over the two retaining disks 55 and G2, and wherein these rings are separated by a guide disk 66 the preferred shape of which is shown in Fig. 9. rIhis ring conforms to the shape of the rings 64 and 65 with which it is in contact save at the top, where it has a rentrant portion provided with an opening 67 in alinement with the openings in the lead plates, and at the Vbottom, where it is provided with another reentrant portion whose top edge is preferably straight and horizontal as shown at 68.

The function of this guard disk is to form a pocket at the bottom Vof thev cell wherein is caught andretained any mud or sediment composed of particles which become detached from the active electrodes during use.. This prevents short-circuiting by particles of this kind, andv insures complete effective action of the cell. It will be understood, of course, that a guard disk made of appropriately porous material may be used which extends entirely across the cell.

While a cell composed asabove described, and suitably held together, is complete in itself and could be connected in any desired manner with other similar cells, I prefer the construction shown in F ig. 10, and indicatedy at the right ofFig. l6, wherein all the lead plates except those at the extreme ends of a battery serve at once as the positive velectrode of one cell and the negative electrode of the next. This feature is made clear Vat the right of Fig. 6 where the plate 57 is shown piovided on one side with. the active material 60 'and on the opposite side with the active material 69, held in place by the ring 70. The remainder of the second cell is constructed as already described .with respect to the first or terminal cell,.and all the other cells in the battery are similarly made, there being only one lead plate between cells, which plate is arranged to serve as a positive electrode on one side and as a negative on the other side. Y'

In Fig. 10 is shown a side elevation of a complete battery of three cells, wherein the respective lead plates are shown at 48, 57,

`71 and 72, the last being a terminalplate and being provided with any extension73 for making connections, and-.with a. pipe 74 through which the electrolyte overflows into the container 47 as heretofore explained. In building up such a battery, the

various elements described are superposedV in their proper order, by slipping the successive openings 51, 56, 57, etc., uponV a suitable rod or spindle, such as is indicated in dotted lines at 75 in Fig..6. Thisis continued until the desired number of cells has been assembled to constitute the battery, after which the whole can be secured together in any convenient manner. Y

Many different plans are available forsecuring the parts together, all of which would come within my invention. I prefer, however, for the type of battery shown, the arrangement shown in Fig. 10, wherein clamping plates or boards 76 and 77 are applied to the ends of the battery, being drawn down tightly upon it, so as to make all the cells thoroughly water and gas-tight, by means of the bolts 78 at the four corners, and the nuts 79 engaging their threaded ends. The filling and overflow pipes 50 and 74 pass through openings .in the clamping plates, and the battery is preferably used in the inclined position, for the reasons already described in connection with Fig. 3. It is of course to be understood that such a battery can be used in the upright position if desired, but the inclined position makes it possible to keep the level of the liquid in each cell right up to the eXit or overflow opening, while leaving` a material space above the liquid between it and the filling openingI of each cell, with the advantages heretofore set forth.

"While, for the reasons above given, it is preferred to operate such a battery with the various openings unobstructed, and to lead oft' the disengaged gases at one end, my improved battery lends itself to easy closure, not only at the extreme ends, but also between cells. F or this purpose a long stopper rod can be strung through the entire battery through the successive alined openings, in the positionV shown by the dotted lines 75 in Fig. 6, this rod being of just the proper size to -close all the openings be tween cells. By running this rod more or less far into the battery, more or less of the cells can be closed, leaving the remainder open if desired. SucheJ rod would preferably take'the form of a tube of resilient material such as vulcanized rubber, so that, in the event of gas forming in any cell beyond a certain pressure, it would automatically be relieved and discharged from one cell to another by squeezing past the tube. .v It will be seen that a battery made in this manner can be emptied and flushed out with fresh water with the greatest ease. It is only necessary to disconnect the same from exterior connections and then turn the batteryV upside down, when all the acid.

can be poured out through one of the'pipes 50 or 74, after which a stream of Vwater can be passed through the battery while in this inverted position.

In case a more thorough local washing is desired, it can be accomplished by t-he means indicated in Figs. 11 and 12, in the former of which is shown a portion of the inverted battery with a part broken away to show the mode of use of the washing tube, the exit end of which is shown on an enlarged scale in Fig. 12. Tliis'washing `tube 80 is made of proper diameter to be passed through the various openings 51, 56, 67, etc., and is closed at its end, save for a small opening 81 in its side.` By thrusting this tube into either end of the battery until it reaches the particular space desired tobe vashed out, the opening 81 is brought into position so that a stream of water can be forced through the tube 80, issuing inl an effective jet which thoroughly washes and cleanses the space opposite to which the opening has been brought. The dirty water with the material to be washed out passes out through the opposite end of the battery.

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A 0n the other hand, if-it is found desirable torepair or replace any parts, or to cut out and replace any active material on any plate, the whole battery can be taken apart in a few minutes, by simply freeing the clamping plates. When the desired operation is completed, the reassembling is just as easy, the method of alining allparts lbeing above described. Y

It will be understood, of course, that it is not necessary that all the spacing rings, 52, G4, and 59 should be of resilient material. It will suffice if enough elastic rings are used to insure tight packing of all joints when the whole is clamped together. The middle rings 741-, 65, for instance may be of glass or celluloid, in which case it will be possible to inspect the interior through the transpan ent sides.

YMy improved batteries will always be cooler than 'those heretofore used, because the lead plates between cells tend to conduct any heat rapidly to the surface. This effect can be accentuated by using' the construction indicated in Fig. 13, wherein the lead plates 82, have a materially greater diameter than the other members between'them, thus affording fins which radiate heat very efficiently. Such batteries may be immersed in a current of cooling fluid (air, water or oil) whereby a very rapid cooling is effected.

The form of the lead plates and the disposition of the active material are susceptible ofY all sorts of variations. In Figs. 14 and 15, for instance, Il have shown a modified form of terminal plate, and the samel type of plate for intermediate position in the battery is shown in Fig. 16. The ter- .minal plate 83 is provided on the outside with the filling pipe 8a, and on the inner side with a flange 85 forming a cylinder to carry the active material. This cylinder may be subdivided by partitions arranged in a great variety of ways. As shown in Fig. 15 these may be horizontal shelves or ridges 86; or they may form a honeycomb as in Fig. 17.

In any event I prefer to pack the active material between the partitions in sections 87 provided with small openings or empty spaces 88 which afford room for the expansion of the active material during use. This prevents to a great extent the crowding out of particles of active material, which otherwise occurs through expansive action, and lengthens the life of the cell.

As shown in Fig. 1G, the intermediate plates S9. have flanges 90, 91, on both sides, for carrying positive and negative active material, respectively.

Plates of the kind just described may, of course, be assembled substantially in the mann-er above described in connection with Figs. 6 to 10,but I prefer in some cases the form of cell shown in Figs. 18 and 19.

Here the middle portion of each cell comprises a cylinder 92, which may be of glass,

of celluloid or other suitable acidaesisting material which is preferably transparent to facilitate visual inspection. rlhe guard disk 93, in this case can be made integral with. the cylinder, being molded in one piece with it as shown in Fig. 19 on an enlarged scale. It then has substantially the form of the disk shown in Fig. 9 and has the same function; The guiding opening 67 will not be necessary in this case, as the transparent Wall makes it possibleV to assemble in the proper. position by sight.

In assembling this form of cell, resilient rings tit over the flanges on the lead plates 96, and the ends of the cylinders 92 abut upon these rings, so that tight joints are everywhere formed, when the battery is clamped together. It is one of the advan-v tages of the form of lead plates shown in Figs. 14 to 1S that their flanges serve to adjust the rcsilientrings, making it unnecessary to cement these rings in place.

The circular form of plate and cell so far described is not essential to my invention, as any convenient shape may be used. Rectangular plates are illustrated in Figs. 2O to 22, wherein are also shown a form and arrangement of plates affording a very large active surface within a small space. These figures also illustrate the fact that the terminal clamping plates are not essential.

In these figures, each rectangularv plate 9T, 9S is provided with active wings 99, 100, respectively, whichstand at right angles to the plates carrying them. FVhen the cell is assembled, the wings 99 overlap the wings 100, as shown in Fig. 22, and, by the breakingl away of a part of the plate 99 in 20. The cell wall 92 is substantially square in cross section, and its ends abut upon a. substantially square resilient ring 95 (see Fig. 21),.

The cell (or cells) are clamped together' by bolts 101 passing through holes 192 in the plates themselves, and secured by nuts 103. These bolts should be made of insu lating material, or other provision for avoiding short-circuit between terminal plates should be provided.

The vertical position of the plates. although aff-ording many advantages which makes it preferable, is not essential to my broad invention. In Fig. 23 I have shown a battery in which the plates 1011 are made in `conical cup shape, one fitting within the other below it, and wherein these plates are spaced apart by resilient rings 105. The openings 106 may be placed at opposite sides alternately, or in any desired relative angu- 4with the earliest secondary batteries. 1t is,

of course, within my invention to employ plates rendered active in this manner, in connection with any form of battery containing my improvements. p lVhile l have referred to lead plates in the preferred cells described, it is to be understood that plates of any material found suitable in the different forms of cell described will come within my invention.

Many changes in material, form and arrangement may be made without departing vfrom my invention, and I do not limit myself to the scribed.

lVhat I claim is 1. ln an electric-battery cell, a pair of active electrodes and a closed container therefor having a filling opening in one side thereof and an overflow opening near the top of another side thereof.

2. .ln an electric battery, a succession of cells having containers `provided with coininunicatinfr openings at progressively lower details herein shown and delevels in successive cells.

An electric battery cell having a filling opening' and an overflow opening in mutual aliuernent on opposite sides of the cell.

ln an electric battery, a succession of cells, each having a filling opening and an overflow opening, wherein the filling opening in one cell is the continuation of the overiiow opening of the preceding cell.

An electric battery having the characteristics set forth in claim l hereof, wherein the successive filling and overflow openings are all in mutual alinement.

(lll

means adapted to hold said parts together so as to produce tight joints between them.

10. Apparatus of the character set forth generally in claim 9 hereof, wherein the sides of the cells are constituted by the electrode plates and wherein said plat-es have openings in their upper portions for filling and overflow purposes respectively. Y

11. vApparatus of the character set forth generally in claim 9 hereof, wherein the sides of the cells are constituted by metal plates partly covered with electro-active material, and wherein said plates have openings set above their electro-active portions for filling and overflow purposes respectively.

12. Apparatus of the character set forth generally in claim 9 hereof, wherein resilient rings are used as elements between the electrode plates.

13. Apparatus of the character set forth generally in claim 9 hereof, wherein a guard plate is employed between the electrode plates, and wherein alined openings are provided in said guard plate and said electrode plates.

14. Apparatus of the character set forth generally in claim 9 hereof, wherein perforated cover plates are placed over the active parts of the electrode plates and wherein alined openings are provided in said cover plates and electrode plates.

15. Apparatus of the character set forth generally in claim 9 hereof, wherein the cell is constructed of flat parallel elements clampet together, said elements comprising two outer metal plates having resilient rings on their inner faces, cover plates next to said rings, rings within said cover plates for inclosing the electrolyte, and a middle guard plate between said last named rings.

16. Apparatus 0f the character set forth generally in claim 9 hereof, wherein each electrode plate has an internal annular flange for inclosing electro-active material, within which flange, and near the top thereof, the opening is placed.

17. apparatus of the character set forth generally in claim 9 hereof, wherein the portion for inclosing the electrolyte is a transparent cylinder of acid-resisting material. l

18. Apparatus ofthe character set forth generally in claim 9 hereof, wherein the porg Y merges 21. An eleetre battery having the charae- 23. A cell of the general character set teristies set forth n claim 19 hereof, Whereforth in Claim 9 hereof, wherein the elee- 10 in eeeh cell is composed of separable eletrode plates are provided with active Wings ments, and all the elements of all the cells of' opposite polarity extending toward and :are clamped together in n gas-tight manner, overlapping each other.

22. A seeonderybzittery having active me- In testimony whereof I have hereto set 'terial uponvits electrode plates disposed in my hand on this 20th day'of November, 15 sections limited hy @peces for allowing ex- 1919.

pension of the active material. EDVIN R. GLL.

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