US2921974A

US2921974A - Deferred action type battery

Info

Publication number: US2921974A
Application number: US507168A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lewis M Mott-Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1943-10-21
Filing date: 1943-10-21
Publication date: 1960-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 1977-01-19

Description

Jan. 19, 1960 L. M. MoTr-SMITH 2,921,974

DEFERRED ACTION TYPE BATTERY Filed Oct. 2l, 1943 /3 /5a 20 6 3 V 0 l v, 'll /l l vl IfI H I ii L lm r; 2 /al la p il ing hi @my ,9 fg IMM if 5f E 25 29 1 i: w I 29 I f r 2f @"1 H 2/ I F163.

22 [Tf 2 I 24 22 23 2 2.9 /2 /8 F/G. 2 ix WAX '0 in :l 29 \.|Anll|||||r Y Illu@ l. LEA/g H 29 gg-LING l, l H jiwffwi la x lnllllmuml EMSM'IVTy-SM/TH 29 /a 29 BY United States Patent O DEFERRED ACTION TYPE BA'I'I'ERY Lewis M. Mott-Smith, Houston, Tex., assigner to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Application October 21, 1943, Serial No. 507,168

9 Claims. (Cl. 136-90) This invention relates -to batteries and has particular relation to primary cell, deferred action type batteries adapted for use in electrically detonated projectiles and other ordnance missiles.

Projectiles containing electrically operable detonating fuses must be equipped with a source of electric current which will not deteriorate and which will be ready at all times -to deliver full voltage in an activation time which is practicany instantaneous. Batteries providing the source of current for projectiles of this type must be operable at all climatic conditions of temperature and humidity present on the surface of the earth and at high altitudes to which projectiles and other ordnance missiles are exposed. lt is also desirable that the electric current be initiated by the setback resulting from forward acceleration of the projectile when it is tired from a gun or other projector. This is of particular importance when a projectile is iire'd from a smooth bore gun or similar projector which does not impart substantial rotation to the projectile, since in this instance centrifugal .force does not act upon the projectile to any appreciable extent and cannot be utilized to initiate the battery action.

An object of the invention is to provide a primary cell, deferred action type battery which will not deteriorate and lremains unactivated until the projectile in which it is mounted is fired, at which time the battery is capable of delivering its full voltage practically instantaneously.

Another object of the invention is to provide a battery which is not adversey aifected by rapidly varying conditions of temperature and humidity and which is operable at high and low temperatures.

A further object of the invention is to provide a battery which is activated under the pressure of a suitable electrolytic gas so that complete activation will be assured instantaneously, regardless of whether or not centrifugal force is present to disperse the electrolyte.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a battery which is constructed to withstand severe handlingwithout breaking or becoming activated, but which is so constructed that the ampoule employed for contining the electrolytic gas will shatter upon tiring of the projectile containing the battery, thus causing the battery to become fully operative.

A battery made in accordance with the present invention comprises a casing containing longitudinal stacks each comprising anode and cathode elements which are normally separated by a cell space for receiving an electrolyte. The stacks are mounted in a radial series and define an axial recess containing a frangible ampoule and also a suitable means for breaking the ampoule when the battery is subjected to a substantial force of setback, as in firing a projectile in which the battery is mounted. The ampoule is lled with an electrolytic gas under a pressure which is sufficient to distribute the gas throughout the cells when the ampoule is fractured.

-In the preferred form of the battery, the gas is forced runder pressure from the ampoule into the cell between 'the electrode elements of each stack, where it combines rice chemically with a solution absorbed in a layer of blotting paper, or the like, to form an electrolyte which immediately activates the battery. I prefer to employ hydrocbloric acid gas, although other gaseous mixtures which will dissolve in the aqueous solvent in the blotting paper to form an electrolyte are suitable.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the use of a gaseous electrolyte which will permeate throughout the battery without the aid of centrifugal force or setback. Deferred action type batteries having an ampoule containing liquid electrolyte are known. However, when an ampoule containing a liquid electrolyte is broken, the force of setback forces the liquid rapidly to the rear end of the battery, thereby preventing the liquid from being distributed properly throughout the cells, and often the battery generates a low voltage or remains completely unactivated. lf the battery is subjected simultaneously to centrifugal force and a force of setback, there is a tendency for the liquid to spread radially while it is being acted upon by the force of setback, but this momentary spread is frequently insuicient to generate the required voltage or even to begin activation of the battery in the short activation time required.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to` the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional view of one form of the new battery;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a cross section of the battery taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. l, and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of one of the stacks, with parts broken away to show the construction more clearly.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 10 indicates a casing made of a suitable electrically insulating, electrolyte-impervious material such as Bakelite, and having a side wall 11, a rear wall 12, and aterminal block 13 which closes the front end of the casing. The terminal block includes a plurality of turrets 14 in which are positioned contact jaw terminals, one of which is shown at 15.

In the terminal block is a relief valve 16 which is formed of rubber, although any suitable relief valve, such as a ball-type relief valve, may be employed. Mounted on the rear wall 12 and extending forwardly therefrom, axially of the casing, is a puncturing element 17 which is shown in the form of a tapered stem terrninating at its front end in a sharpened point. A series of longitudinal stacks or electrode elements 18 are mounted radially in the casing, and the inner portions thereof detine an axial recess 19 for receiving a frangible ampoule 20 containing an electrolytic gas under substantial pressure.

Each stack 18 preferably comprises adjacent cells each including a strip of zinc foil 21, a strip of lead foil 22 coated with lead dioxide, and a sheet of wetted blotting paper 23 separating the lead and zinc strips, adjacent cells being separated by waxed paper 24. The zinc and lead foils constitute the electrodes, and the blotting paper provides a carrier for an aqueous solution which combines with the gas from'the ampoule, when the latter is punctured. The waxed paper 24 provides insulation between adjacent cells or sets of electrodes. The blotting paper 23 is preferably wetted with a water-glycerine solution, in lieu of water alone, to prevent freezing at low temperatures. A suitable number of stacks of electrodes is provided to produce the desired voltages at the terminal jaws 1S. The positive platev of one `cell is in contact with the negative plate of the adjoining rcell, and the cells are connected together as indicated diagrammatically by the wires in Figure 2.

Surrounding the puncturing element 17 within the recess 19 is a Vcompression spring 25, the upper end of which normally projects above the point of the punctur- Y ing'element. The ampoule 20, which is formed of lglass or other frangible materialyis litted loosely in the recess 19 and has its lower end portion seated in the upper endY coil ofV the spring-25. The anipoule is Vformed 4with a constric'ted neck 26 which is positioned above lthe'po'int ofthe puncturing-'element 4and has -an end Nclosure-disk 27 for engagement by the puncturing element. The ampoule is limited against upward movement by the terminal block 13. vIn this Vconnection,it -will-be understood that a suitable'cushioning means or Ypotting cornpound may be employed 'for protecting the ampoule against accidental breakage Vresulting from rough handling. Prior to its installation, the ampoule is Vlled lunder pressure with an electrolytic gas, such as hydrochloric acid gas, although any gas which will serve to activate the battery -when it disperses through the cells is suitable.

In one use of the Vnew battery, it is rst positioned in va projectile and'is electrically connected with the components of an electrically operated fnze. When the projectile is `tired, the initial force of setback,-resulting'from Vacceleration imparted to the projectile, drives the ampoule downwardly, compressing the spring 25 and puncturing the disk 27 with the sharpened point of the element 17. YUponpuncturing of the disk, the gas immediately expands and disperses under the gaseous pressure throughout the battery, reacting with the laqueous solution absorbed inthe strips of blotting paper 23 to produce a liquid electrolyte. This electrolyte immediately provides the necessary chemical action with the zinc and lead foils\21 and 22 in the stacks lfor causing the battery to produce immediately its rated voltage, which is conducted to the terminals 15 and then to the fuze of the projectile. l

The compression spring 25 serves to position the ampoule snuglyagainst the end of a recess 13a in the terminal'plate 13 to prevent the ampoule from accidentally contacting the puncturing element. The valve 16 is adjusted to permit the escape of excess gas so that damage to the battery by excessive gas pressure will be prevented.

It will be understood that the casing of the battery is Veffectively sealed to prevent the escape of the gas and to prevent the aqueous solution in the blotting paper strips from evaporating. The stacks 18 may be held in position in the casing and in any desired manner, as by securing-their outer portions in longitudinal slots 29 in vthe inner sur-faceV of side wall 11.

I claim: 1. Ina primary cell, ydeferred action type battery havinga sealed casing and electrode elements mounted in spaced relation to each other in the casing to provide an electrolyte space between said elements, the combination of-a frangible ampoule in the casing, an electrolytic gas under pressure in the ampoule, and means for fracturing the ampoule to release the gas therefrom whereby `the gas is dispersed under Vits own pressure into said space and into co-action with the electrode elements to activate the battery.

Z. In a primary cell, deferred action type battery having a sealed casing and electrode elements mounted in spaced relation to each other in the casing to'provide an electrolyte space-between said elements, the combination 'of an absorbent material in said space normally separating said elements, Va liquid saturating said material, a

frangible ampoule in the casing,an electrolytic gas under pressure in the'ampoulejand means for fracturing the ampoule to release the gas therefrom whereby the gas is dispersed under its own pressure into said space to combine with said liquid'andproduce an electrolyte for activating the battery.

3. In a primaryv cell, *deferred action type Ybattery hav- 'ing-aV sealedcasing andV electrode elements Amounted in spaced relation to each .other in the casing'to provide an 'electrolyte space between saidV elements, the combination of an absorbent material in said space normally sepalrating said elements, an aqueous liquid saturating said material, a frangible sealed ampoule in the casing, hydrochloric acid gas under pressure in the ampoule, and means for fracturing the ampoule to release said gas therefrom whereby the gas is dispersed under its own pressure into said space to combine with said liquid and produce an electrolyte for activating the battery.

4. In a primary cell, deferred action type battery having a sealed casing and electrodes comprising alternate layers of zinc foil and lead`foil coated with lead dioxide and mounted in spaced relation to each other in the casingto provide an electrolyte space between said elements,the combination of an absorbent material in said space normally separating said electrodes, a liquid saturating said material, a fraugible ampoule in the casing, an electrolytic gas under pressure in the ampoule, and means for fracturing the ampoule to release the gas therefrom whereby the gas is dispersed under its own pressure into said space to combine with said liquid and produce an electrolyte for activating the battery. v

5. In a primary cell, deferred action type battery having asealed casing Vand electrode elements mounted in spaced relation to each other in the casing to provide an electrolyte space between said elements, the combination of a frangible ampoule in the casing, an electrolytic gas under pressure in the ampoule, and means for fracturing the ampoule by the force of setback resulting from high acceleration of the battery to release the gas therefrom whereby the gas is dispersed under its own pressure into said space and into co-action with the eletrod'e elements -to activate the battery. f

Awhereby the gas is dispersed under its own pressure into said space and into co-action with the electrode elements to activate the battery, and a safety valve mounted in said casing for releasing excess gas pressure from the casing.

7. In a primary cell, deferred action type battery for use in electrically detonated projectiles, said battery having a sealed casing and electrode elements radially mounted to define an axial recess and mounted in spaced relation to each other to provide an electrolyte space between said elements,the combination of an absorbent material in said space separating said elements, a liquid normally saturating'said material, a frangible ampoule slidably positioned in ,said axial recess, an electrolytic gas .under pressure in the ampoule, a puncturing element mounted in said recess, and a compression spring in said recess for resisting sliding movement of said ampoule toward said puncturing element, Vsaid ampoule being slidable under setback to compress the spring and shatter the puncturing element, whereby the gas is released and dispersed under its own pressure into said space and into co-action with the electrode elements to -activate the battery.

8. In a primary cell, deferred action type battery for use in electrically operated projectiles, said battery having a sealed casing and electrode elements radially mounted to define an axial recess and mounted in spaced relation to each other to provide an electrolyte space between said elements, the vcombination of an absorbent material in said space separating said elements, a liquid normally saturating said material, a frangible ampoule slidably positioned in the forward end of said axial recess, an electrolytic gas under pressure in the ampoule, a puncturing element mounted in the rearward end of said recess, and a. compression spring in `said recess surrounding and normally extending beyondV the puncturingv element for resisting sliding movement of said ampoule toward said puncturing element, said ampoule being slidable under setback to compress the spring and shatter the puncturing element, whereby the gas is released and dispersed under its own pressure into said space and into co-action with the electrode elements to activate the battery.

9. In a primary cell, deferred action type battery having a sealed casing containing a frangible ampoule and an electrolytic uid in the ampoule, the combination of a plurality of sets of electrode elements radially mounted in the casing to define an axial recess in which said ampoule is slidable, each set including anode and cathode members disposed in spaced relation and defining an electrolyte space extending radially from said recess, a pune- 15 turing element mounted in said recess, and a compression spring in said recess for resisting sliding movement of said ampoule toward said puncturing element, said ampoule being slidable under setback to compress the spring and engage the puncturing element, whereby said fluid is released for dispersion radially into said space and into co-action with the electrodeA elements to activate the battery.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,333,295 Drambourg Mar. 9, 1920 1,717,244 Oppenheim June 11, 1929 FOREIGN PATENTS 526,800 Great Britain Sept. 25, 1940

Claims

1. IN A PRIMARY CELL, DEFERRED ACTION TYPE BATTERY HAVING A SEALED CASING AND ELECTRODE ELEMENTS MOUNTED IN SPACED RELATION TO EACH OTHER IN THE CASING TO PROVIDE AN ELECTROLYTE SPACE BETWEEN SAID ELEMENTS, THE COMBINATION OF A FRANGIBLE AMPOULE IN THE CASING, AN ELECTROLYTIC GAS UNDER PRESSURE IN THE AMPOULE, AND MEANS FOR FRACTURING THE AMPOULE TO RELEASE THE GAS THEREFROM WHEREBY THE GAS IS DISPERSED UNDER ITS OWN PRESSURE INTO SAID SPACE AND INTO CO-ACTION WITH THE ELECTRODE ELEMENTS TO ACTIVATE THE BATTERY.