Patent GB-190400214-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Electric Batteries
Inventor: KAMPERDYK PIERRE JOSEPH
Filed: 1904-01-04
Granted: 1904-11-17
Abstract: 214. Kamperdyk, P. J. Jan. 4. Primary batteries.-Consists in an arrangement of parts to form a primary cell, in special electrodes therefor, and in means for supplying and discharging electrolyte and depolarizer when a series of cells is grouped to form a battery. The outer vessel 1, Figs. 4 and 5, contains a central porous pot 2 open at both ends and embedded at the bottom in asphalt, bitumen, india-rubber, or the like 3. Lateral porous receptacles 4 are also provided, the edges being fastened to the outer vessel 1 by means of flexible india-rubber bands 5, and the bottoms being embedded in the layer 3. A tube 7 embedded in the layer 3 opens into the spaces between the receptacles 2, 4, and another tube 9 opens into the three porous vessels, which may be of burnt unglazed earthenware, asbestos, parchment paper, hardened collodion, or the like, or preferably of carbon, in which case they are connected to the positive electrode and form part of it. Zinc electrodes 11 are supported in the distance-pieces 6 between the vessels 2, 4, and are formed with an internal framework 13, Fig. 17, of non-oxidizable highly-conductive substance, for example, wire coated with platinum, to prevent disintegration. The wires may be bent together at the top, as shown, to serve as a terminal or the like. The positive electrodes 15 are placed in the porous vessels 2, 4, one opposite each surface of the zinc plates, as shown. The electrodes 15 are formed by threading carbon balls or cylinders on non-oxidizable, conducting wires, which are carried by plates 19, 20, or else by packing carbon balls around non-oxidizable conducting plates or frames contained in the porous vessels. If the porous vessels themselves are of carbon, they may have internal frames, as shown in Fig. 17. The arrangement of parts reduces the internal resistance, and allows of a ready passage of electrolyte through the porous cells. Two series of such primary cells are mounted on a support 25, Fig. 1, ducts 29, 30, Figs. 5 and 6, connected with supply tanks 31, 32, leading to the cells by way of pipes 26, 27, which open respectively into the porous vessels 2 and the spaces between the porous vessels 2, 4, Fig. 5. The conduits 29, 30 are rotated by means of handles 38, until holes 33, 34, Fig. 6, coincide with ducts 36, 37 in the casing 28. On turning three-way cocks 39, the depolarizing- liquid flows from the tank 31 to the duct 29 and so to the porous vessels 2, 4 by way of pipes 26, 9, while the exciting-liquid flows to the spaces between the porous vessels by way of pipes 30, 27, 7. Further movement of the handles 38 causes the holes 33, 35 to coincide with the ducts 37, 36, and by moving the cocks 39 the supply from the tanks 31, 32 is cut off and communication to the waste pipes 42 is opened, the spent liquor from the battery thus flowing away. Further rotation of the handles 38 cuts off both the inflow and outflow, and isolates the batteries. If one row of primary elements is used, the system of conduits &c. can be simplified accordingly. If desired, each element may contain only two lateral porous receptacles, a zinc electrode being supported centrally between them by suitable distance-pieces.