Patent GB-523638-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to the production of mechanical movements in dependence upon variations of illumination
IPC: H01H37/32
Filed: 1939-01-11
Abstract: 523,638. Photometric apparatus. CHILOWSKY, C. Jan. 11, 1939, Nos. 964 and 965. Convention dates, Jan. 12, 1938, and March 19, 1938. [Class 97 (i)] [Also in Group XXXVII] In apparatus in which varying intensity of light causes the operation. of a switch or an indicating member, the light acts on one or both of two interconnected chambers 1, 2 containing gases such as hydrogen and chlorine which have been produced in an asymmetrical manner by electrolysis of the liquid in the chambers and the tube or tubes connecting the chambers, the action of the light causing a displacement of the electrolyte and consequent tilting of the apparatus. In the form shown in Fig. 3 the chambers 1, 2 are connected by tubes 3, 4 the tube 3 being arranged behind the tube 4. A battery 21 supplies current through contacts 17, 18 of a mercury switch to resistances 22, 23 and anodes 9, 11, the return circuit being through a common cathode 10. The vessels may contain a solution of chloride of an alkaline metal or alkaline earth acidulated by hydrochloric acid. Electrolysis causes hydrogen and chlorine to rise into the chambers 1 and chlorine to rise in the chamber 2. The rise of the bubbles causes a circulation of liquid, and since chlorine is soluble in the liquid diffusion of chlorine occurs between the two chambers. The resistances 22, 23 are regulated to cause a suitable distribution of gases between the two chambers. Light falling on the vessel 1 causes the hydrogen and chlorine to recombine. Should the light diminish as with the approach of darkness, the gas in the chamber 1 increases and causes a displacement of the liquid which in turn causes the apparatus to tilt about the axis 15. The mercury switch 16 tilts, closing a circuit to a lamp 24 and breaking the electrolysing circuit. When daylight appears the volume of gas in 1 diminishes, the apparatus rocks back and the lamp 24 is switched off. In modifications, Fig. 9-12 (not shown) the cathode 10 enters the tube 1 from the top so that the electrolysing circuit is broken by the displacement of the liquid, apart from the tilting of the apparatus. In other modifications, the chambers 1, 2 consist of the upper ends of a V-shaped tube, Figs. 4, 5 (not shown) and the outer ends of a horizontal tube having a partition in the middle, Figs. 6, 7 (not shown). Fig. 13 shows a form in which one of the tubes 3, 4 connecting the chambers 1, 2 has a bend 4a adapted to trap gases rising from the electrode 9. The gases accumulate until they suddenly force the body of liquid in the tube 4 before them. This causes a periodic forced circulation of the liquid. Fig. 8 shows another form adapted to measure light. The two chambers are here at the ends of a nearly circular tube pivoted near its centre and the intensity of light is indicated, by a pointer 34. In the above constructions, the light may fall in varying degrees on one or both of the chambers, and in some cases chlorine and hydrogen may be liberated in both chambers, or chlorine in one and hydrogen in the other. Specifications 463,994 and 469,636 are referred to.