US975981A - Electrode for reversible galvanic batteries. - Google Patents

Description

W. MORRISON.

ELBGTRODE FOR REVERSIBLE GALVANIG BATTERIES.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.1o, 1910.

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ELECTRODE FOR REVERSIBLE GALVANIC BATTERIES.

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Application filed October 10,

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I; WILLIAM MORRISON, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Des Moines, Polk county', Iowa, have invented a certain new land useful Improvement ,in Electrodes or Reversible Galvanic Batteries, of which the following is a specification.

' Iy invention relates to electrodes for reversible galvanic batteries, and more articularly to a positive electrode for use ma reversible battery in which an alkaline electrolyte is used. n

Furthermore, my invention relates to a positive electrode inf which the active material is a compound `of zinc and chromium.

The object of my invention is the construction of'an electrode having a central internal conductor. about which4 the active material is held, whereby .a very eilicient operation. of the battery is obtained. f

A furtherv object is to construct a highly improved and efficient electrode in a very economical manner.

vThese and other objects of my'invention -will be readily understood by reference to the laccompanying `dra-wings, in which-1- Figure 11s ajront elevation of my improved electrode. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a planview. Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken line 4-4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of a modiiication. Fig. 6 is a detail part .in sectionfof a further modification.

In the drawings, like reference characters 'refer to similar partsin the various'tigures.

As shown in Fig. 1, myimproved electrode consists of a plurality oftubes 1. I have shown seven,A although it is obvious that any suitable number may be used. Each ofthese tubes 1s constructed in the following manner: As shown in Fig. 2, they consistA of an inner tube 2 of heavy paper or other suitable material. Surrounding this Y. is a second tube of asbestos Babout which is wound a binding of wireato strengthen the tube. The ends of the tube 2 are stopped up by suitable. plugs 4 and 5 of wood or rubber or other .such material, and passing through the plug 5 and extending part way into the plug iis a copper rod 6. Strung along this rod are thin copper washers 7 These washers are split as lshown in Fig. 4,

Speccaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. .15, i910.

l so that they may fit the rod rather tight and yet be slid into position. The number and distance apart of these washers may be varied, although I 'preferably place them fromthree-eighths-to half an inch apart.

In Fig. 5 I show a modification in which the covering ,of asbestos Aand wire binding is'replaced by a perforated metal tube 14.

the metal tube 14 used in place of the `wire binding. These tubes constructed in the above manner are connected together to form mymelectrode by means of a suitable connector 8 which isY constructed of two strips 9 and 10 of metal, such as copper or nickel, in which are corresponding semicircular depressions. The section 10 has a plurality. of extensions which are clamped over the edges of the hold the two together: The ends of the rods 6 ofthe various tubes are then inserted in thev circular opening formed by the two correspondingl semi-circular depressions; Indentations are then made with 'a sharp tool as shown', at 12, so as t o hold theA rods in the connector in a manner well understood. Passing through a suitable opening in the connector is a bolt 13 by means of which a plurality. of electrodes may be connected together in a completed battery, means being provided whereby this bolt is connected to one terminal of the battery. The active material is placed between the Washers 7 and surrounding the copper rods 6. The active material which I prefer to use in these tubes is that described 1n my copending application Serial, Number 529,187, filed November zinc and chromium mixed with mercu trolytic action, and in this reduced state acts as an amalgamator for the zinc.

By having the mainconductor in the cenimproved results, as during the" charge of the battery the electrolytic action seeks the struction this electrolytic action commences onthe inside and works out. `This method of operation is very essential for the roper 'operation of this electrode, for the ollowing reasons:y The nascent hydrogen combines with the oxygen of the Zinc-chromium compound, which forms the active material In Fig. 6 the asbestos tube is retained, but

oxid, which. oXid is reduced under the elec-j ter of the active material, I obtain highly best conductor, and, therefore, by my con-I i12-10. -Serial No.' 586,535REIS section `9 to firmly 22, 1909, which consists of a compound ofico in the tube and the potassium hydroxid combines with the chromium compound of this active material to form a potassiumchromium-oxygen compound. By having this central conductor, it will be readily seen that the electrolytic action takes place entirely inside of the tube and, Works outward, so that substantially all ofthe active material is acted'upon more quickly and thoroughlyg, Furthermore, in the Working of this electrodeit is necessary that there'be a concentrated solution of the vpotassium hydroxid inside of the electrode, in order that this hydroxid may combine with the chromium of the zinc-'chromium compound under the electrolytic action in the most effective manner to form a. potassium-chromium compound, so that the zinc may be reduced to the metallic state. If 4an eXf ternal conductor were used, the potassium hydroxid Would be broken up on the exterior of the tube hydrogen liberated Would escape through the solution into the air, and would not act upon the zinc-chromium compound to reduce the same. Likewise the potassium oXid would unite With the water in the elec-` trolyte to form potassium hydroxid, which would be in the solution instead of being in a concentrated material. It Will accordingly beA seen that with this arrangement a proper operation of my electrode would not be attained.

It is further noted that itis necessary that there be a concentrated solution of po! tassium hydroXid inside of the tube. This concentrated solution is necessary to obtain apowerful discharge of the battery, in addition to the reasons above noted. This solution is more concentrated than that of the electrolyte, and it is for that reason that it is very important thatthe active material be confined within the porous tubes described, so that there will be vcry'little free circulation of the potassium hydroxid from the inside to the outside of t-he tube, as under these conditions it would be iinpossible to maintain the strong' solution necessary upon the inside of the tube. Furthermore, I find it best to form the tubes cylindrical, as in this shape they are better able to resist the pressure from the iiiside,"Wliich is caused by the change in the condition of the material during the charge and discharge of the battery, as I have found that during this charg'e and discharge the material Within the tube undergoes a complete structural change, and is under considerable pressure. It is important/in the charging of this battery that during the first stage it be charged at a hi 1r rate', in order to create a high electrolyt c density to carry the electrolytic action immediately to the central conductor of the tube. may be cutdown after This rate of charge the battery is par- .protect the endsof the rod to a great extent, and theA solution among the active tially charged, but for the best operation the rate of charging should be maintained slightly higher than the rate at Which it is desired to discharge the battery.

A nfurther important feature of the construction-of my improved electrode is in the provision of the. plugs 4 and 5 through which the conductor .6 passes. These plugs lso that the tubes may be'surrounded with the electrolyte up to a point above the top of the tube, and yet a very small amount of Will pass directly to the upper conductor on account of the lower end of the rod is protected in the same protected by the insulating plug. The manner by the plug 4.

` What I claim as my invention is:

l. An electrode for reversible galvanic batteries, in Which an alkaline electrolyte is end of this the current i saine being used, consisting of one or more tubes of.

porous material, each of said tubes consisting of a'series of cells Within which the active material is held.

2. In an electrode for reversible galvanic batteries, in which an alkaline electrolyte'is used, a.l tube oftporous material, suitable plugs in the ends thereof, a metallic rod extending through said tube and said plugs, a. plurality of Washers placed on said rods whereby siad tube isy divided into sections, and active material held in said sections.

3. In an electrode forreversible galvanic batteries, in which an alkaline electrolyte is used, a tube consisting of an inside lining of paper surrounded by a layer of asbestos and f a Wire binding on the exterior` thereof,v a metallic rod extending through the center thereof, and division plates on saidv rods dividing said tube into sections-and activeA material in said sections and surrounding said rod.

4. A negative-pole electrode for reversible galvanic batteries, in which an alkaline electrolyte is used, consisting of one or more tubes electrically connected by means of a suitable connector, a metallic rod extending 'l through the interior of each tube, andactive material consisting of a zinc chromium com? pound placed Within said tubes and surrounding said rods.

5. In a positive electrodeY for reversible galvanic batteries, in Which an alkaline electrolyte is used, a tube of porous material, a metallic rod extending through said tube, and active material consisting of a zinc chromium compound surroundingsaid rod.

6. In a positive electrode, forfreversible galvanic batteries, in which an alkaline electrolyte is used, a tube of porous material, a metallic conductor N'extending' through said tub'e, and active material containing a chromium compound surrounding said conductor.

7. In a positive electrode' for reversible y 975,981 j a l'galvanic battries, in which an alkaline hybatteries, containing a chromium compound l10 drate electrolyte is used, af tube vof porous held Within a porous tube.. :.f.

material," a metallic conductor extending Signed by mev at Washington, D. C. this through said tube, and active material, con- -8th day of October 1910.

5 ltainingzinc and a 'compound adapted to reduce tlie'solubility of thezinc in the alkaline r WILLA M MORRISON" v'hydratesolution, surrounding said" con- Witnessesx' ductor.' 'f Jos. ,H. BLACKWcoD.

8. An Ielectrode for 'reversible galvanic` l, Hl A. SWENARTON.

I j It is hrebrtied that, 5m Letters 'Patent No. 975,981',I4 granted Nuovelb'e'fis, 19,10, upon the application W'illiamfMorrisomoflDesv'Moineg-Iowa, for animvpriovexznent in Electrodes for Reversible GalvanicBatteries," errors appear the printed vspeeictionl requiringv correction as follows: Page 2, lines 80 andlSls-hould beI-traDSPOSQ'd; andirame 'Pag-e, line 96,' the word` siad Should-,read said)A and Athat the eaidjlletters'Patentshcld -be read-,with these corrections therein that the lsaine may vcontorni/'to4 the record of the easein'the Patent Ofce. i I

d signed and Sealealthivserdfay or January, AQD., i911; o

-- [me] -f l y y i El B. Moenia,

Commissioner of Patents.

Corrections in. LjeitefrsPtent No. 975,981'

' y 975,981 j a l'galvanic battries, in which an alkaline hybatteries, containing a chromium compound l10 drate electrolyte is used, af tube vof porous held Within a porous tube.. :.f.

material," a metallic conductor extending Signed by mev at Washington, D. C. this through said tube, and active material, con- -8th day of October 1910.

5 ltainingzinc and a 'compound adapted to reduce tlie'solubility of thezinc in the alkaline r WILLA M MORRISON" v'hydratesolution, surrounding said" con- Witnessesx' ductor.' 'f Jos. ,H. BLACKWcoD.

8. An Ielectrode for 'reversible galvanic` l, Hl A. SWENARTON.

I j It is hrebrtied that, 5m Letters 'Patent No. 975,981',I4 granted Nuovelb'e'fis, 19,10, upon the application W'illiamfMorrisomoflDesv'Moineg-Iowa, for animvpriovexznent in Electrodes for Reversible GalvanicBatteries," errors appear the printed vspeeictionl requiringv correction as follows: Page 2, lines 80 andlSls-hould beI-traDSPOSQ'd; andirame 'Pag-e, line 96,' the word` siad Should-,read said)A and Athat the eaidjlletters'Patentshcld -be read-,with these corrections therein that the lsaine may vcontorni/'to4 the record of the easein'the Patent Ofce. i I

d signed and Sealealthivserdfay or January, AQD., i911; o

-- [me] -f l y y i El B. Moenia,

Commissioner of Patents.

Corrections in. LjeitefrsPtent No. 975,981'

It is hereby certified that m Letters Patent No. 975,981, granted Noveniber`15, 1910, upon the application of William Morrison, of Des Moines, Iowa, for an im provement in Electrodes for Reversible Galvanic Batteries," errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 2, lines 8() and should be transposed; and same page, line 96, the word sind should read said; and that the saidiLebters 'Patent should be read with these corrections therein thai, (he

same may conform to the record of the ease in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 3rd day of January, A. D., 1911.

[SEAL] E. B. MOOR E,

Cbmmz'ssz'oner of Paten ts.

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