Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 April 1901 — SCIENCE AND PROGRESS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SCIENCE AND PROGRESS

Edison’* Jtetv Storage Hattery.

The latest invention of Thomas A. Edison will revolutionize electrical industry by supplying a storage battery which will vastly Increase the uses to which electric motors are applied. Edison’s invention reduces the weight of the battery by one-half and diminishes deterioration to one-tenth. He will sell the machine for his own enrichment, retaining control of his patent, which is to be shown at the Buffalo Exposition. Comparison of the diagrams with the annexed key will show the construction of the new battery: Figure 1 gives a perspective view of a plate, figure 2 a horizontal crosssection of a pair of plates and figure S & vertical cross-section of a cell with two pairs of plates. The plate marked 1 is made of relatively thin sheet nickel. The lower parts of the plates arc connected by insulating rods, 4; passed through the holes, 4. The pins, 5; in the holes, 5; in the upper parts of the plates are used for the electrical connection. On one side of the plates there are reservoirs or “pockets," marked 6, for the electrode metals. Cadmium is very finely divided, fibrous and very pure condition, is obtained by electrolysis of a weak solution of cadmium sulphate between a thin platinum wire as cathode and a cadmium sheet as anode, using a strong current Finely divided copper is obtained by the reduction, of fine carbonate with

hydrogen. The finely divided copper thus obtained is poured under slight pressure into thin blocks which fit the “pockets” accurately. The plates ara then heated in a closed compartment for six or seven hours to not more than 260 degrees centigrade, until tha eopper is changed into the black cuprio oxide. The cupric oxide blocks are next reduced to metal electrolytically, and are then changed Into the red cuprous oxide by charging. After the pockets have been filled and the plates of equal size have been connected together, they are placed in a case, 7, which contains as electrolyta a 10 per cent solution of pure hydroxide of sodium. During the charging of the cell cuprous oxide is formed and water is decomposed. During the discharge cadmium oxide is formed and water is regenerated. As only a very small amount of liquid is required, it is sufficient to place thin sheets of asbestos or another light, powerful material which is not attacked by alkalis, between the plates and to moisten with the electrolyte. The case may ba sealed for liquids, the opening, 9, being required only for the gases which are formed when the cell is overcharged.

PLAN OF EDISON’S INVENTION.