Year: 1886

page_text: I, JAMES TARBOTTON ARMSTRONG of 81 Aldermanbury, in the City of London,
Analytical and Consulting Chemist and Electrician, do hereby declare the nature
of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement ;—
The object of my invention is to effect improvements in the construction,
arrangements and working of ordinary electrical batteries, as well as in addition to,
and in further development of certain improvements for which I have obtained
Letters Patent dated 17th February 1885, N° 2165, and 5th June 1885, N° 6878.
In carrying out this Invention, I prefer to make use of those carbons which are
known as "
wasters," that is to say, such carbons as are defective, and have
become spoilt in the course of their manufacture, and, although unfit for use as
electric light carbons, are yet suitable to be used in my improved batteries; and
which carbons are sold at a low price in consequence of their unsuitability for
their primary purpose. I also use a carbon that I especially prepare for the
purpose, composed of a mixture of retort carbon, manganese, and suitable binding
materials.
According to one arrangement, the carbons are fitted in the frames of the
batteries in the following manner :-They are all cut to the horizontal length of
the frame, or (preferably) the frame is made the exact length of the carbons, to
prevent cutting and waste. One end of each carbon is fitted into a metallic
trough, and electrically connected with one of the conductors. The metallic trough
is firmly secured in or on one side of the frame, and perfectly insulated, so that
is quite impossible for any of the liquid or fumes to obtain access to the metal, or
to corrode or injure the same in any manner.
The other end of each of the
carbons is secured to the other side of the frame, but without metallic connections ;
proper means and materials being used to prevent displacement.
The frame in which the carbons are fixed, as above described, is fitted with two
porous plates, one on each side of the carbons, whereby they are enclosed,

page_text: The porous plates are fitted water-tight, and at a certain fixed distance from the
carbons.
According to another arrangement, I fix and place the carbon rods, by means of
a frame, in a row, in a vertical position, in a metallic trough or mould, so made as
to be easily taken to pieces. The trough is then heated by jets of gas or other 5
suitable means; and, by the same means, and simultaneously therewith, the carbons
also receive heat.
A bath of molten lead, or any other suitable conducting material, is then formed
in the trough, which material surrounds the lower ends of the carbons. When the
molten lead or other material, and also the lower ends of the carbons, have
attained one temperature, the heat is reduced, and the whole cools simultaneously;
the result being that a bar of lead or other material is formed at one end of the
carbons, firmly fixing them in line, and preventing their becoming loose.
Before casting the lead round the ends of the carbons as aforesaid, or before
they are taken out of the frame, the other ends of the carbons, farthest from the 1
mould, are fixed altogether with marine glue, or similar adaptable material. This
unites the ends with sufficient firmness to prevent their springing, which would be
very inconvenient.
The connection with the bar of lead is formed by means of a screw or plain
bolt or stud, the head end of which is inserted in the mould previously to the
casting being made, through a hole of the same size as the connection in one part
of the mould, the lead forming a solid mass around the same, there being then a
perfect connection between it and all the carbons. The lead and the carbons, to
about half an inch from the lead, are then thoroughly painted with a coinposition
of pure brunswick black and naptha, or other suitable material, to prevent the
same in any way being attacked by the fluids used in the battery.
It will be seen that, by this method of putting the carbons together, they are
represented as fixed; and they can then be fixed in their places as previously
described, but, in some cases, I use them separate and distinct in themselves, so that
they may be capable of being taken out of the battery for examination, and again
replaced.
The frame when fitted with the two porous plates and enclosed carbons, forms
one part of a battery constructed according to my invention.
This central element is enclosed in a larger box or case, which is so constructed
as to provide spaces on each side of the central element for the zinc or other
suitable plates, which are firmly fixed in such spaces. The whole of the elements
and plates are carefully secured against displacement.
When the zinc or other metallic plates (whether simple or alloyed) are being
cast, a screw; bolt, or stud, is, in like manner, inserted in the upper end of the
mould made for casting the zinc or alloy whereby the same becomes embedded in
the flanged end of the molten metal, and, when cast, the connection is perfect.
In using such plates, in the manner described in my before mentioned
Specifications, I find it advantageous to coat one side of the plate (that is, the
side which is not opposite to the carbons) and the flange, with the before mentioned
composition of Brunswick black and naptha, or any other suitable coating in
substitution thereof, or in addition thereto, in order to insulate such parts, and
prevent the action of the exciting fluids thereupon, and to economise the
consumption of the same and prevent waste.
The flange is usually made of such a size and shape that, by means of rubber or
other suitable material placed beneath it, a tight joint is made when the flange
rests upon the top of the batteries as shewn in my said Specification Nº 68788;
in cases where such an arrangement is necessary.
The batteries are also provided with tubes for filling and emptying their
contents, and allowing air to escape, and also with suitable mechanical and
metallic connections for conducting the currents of electricity to and from the
circuit, for the usual purposes,

page_text: I make use of scrap tin, of which about 30,000 tons per annum may be obtained
at about 5/- per ton, and utilise the same as one of the elements in the battery.
I consolidate the scrap tin by pressure, hent or any other suitable means or process,
into battery plates. By the use of these plates I am enabled to dissolve the tin
and to recover the same from the liquid in a metallic state, which tin, as well as
the remaining iron, may then be sold at a profit.
The separation of the tin from the iron, by the above process, assists in the
generation of the electricity.
A similar method of forming plates may be adopted with many other kinds of
metallic refuse, the separation of the primary elements or materials of which assist
or cause the generation of electricity; and this part of my invention includes the
utilisation of many kinds of waste materials, and the making up of the same into
one of the elements of a battery, and thereby recovering the resultant metal or
metals in such a state that its value is greatly enhanced; and by this new process
it is cheaply and effectively carried out.
In the manufacture of porous plates I sometimes make use of the refuse of blast
and other furnaces, arising from the melting of metals and other industrial
operations, such refuse being variously known as dandies slag, silicate, scoria and.
otherwise, and which possesses little or no value commercially. Of these, or some
one or more of these, or analogous materials, I form such porous plates, and utilise
the same in electrical batteries as substitutes for the ordinary, and more expensive,
porous plates.
In supplying liquids and mixtures to electrical batteries, I use such methods of
effecting such supply, and such mixtures combinations, and arrangements, as
I have described and specified in Provisional and Complete Specifications filed in
connection with my application for Letters Patent dated January 9th 1886, N° 398.
I also make use of certain cheap and effective mixtures, in lieu of the ordinary
exciting liquids for the cells in which the zinc or equivalent elements are immersed
in electrical batteries; for which purpose I insert in such cells, oil or fat, or oils and
fats combined, or oils and fats saponified or partly saponified. By the use of either
of these I obtain better and more lasting results. In some cases I use the cheaper
kinds of oils and fats and refuse oils from gas works, which during such use,
become bleached and purified, and are thereby rendered more valuable than their
original cost.
And in order that my said invention may be more particularly described and
ascertained, reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which
similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts; and which drawings aro
merely illustrative of one method of working my invention, and are not intended
to confine the carrying out of the invention to that one particular form and
arrangement.
Fig. 1 is a plan, Fig. 2 is a front elevation, and Fig. 3 is an end elevation of a
battery, arranged in accordance with my invention.
aa are standards of T and L form, as shewn in section in Fig. 1. These
standards form part of the frame, and also act as guides to the cisterns b b¹ and c.
Cross-pieces d d carry longitudinal bearing bars ee upon which the batteries ff
are supported. The cisterns b b¹ are made in one, externally, and divided by a
partition 6; the cistern c being quite separate from the other two.
In Fig. 2 the cisterns 6 bare shewn raised nearly to the top of the framing and
the cistern c is shewn down. In Fig. 3. the cisterns b 6' are shewn somewhat lower
than in Fig. 2. The cisterns are made capable of being raised and lowered, and are
made to partially balance each other.
The cisterns are lifted and lowered in accordance with my former patent
No 687885 the cistern c having weights added thereto when necessary to enable it
to counterbalance the united cisterns b b¹.
The relative sizes of the cisterns may be varied, and are not necessarily those
shewn in the drawings.

page_text: Communication between the cisterns and the batteries is made by means of
leaden pipes k. le such pipes being found in practice to be sufficiently elastic for
that purpose. gg¹ 93 are levers which carry plugs h h¹ h² (shewn by dotted lines)
for opening and closing communication with the pipes and batteries.
The pipe k,-leading from the cistern 6 places that cistern in communication with
the outer cells of the batteries, when the valve his opened by the lever g. In like
manner the pipe from the cistern c places such cistern o also in communication
with the same outer cells of the batteries when the valve h² is opened by the
lever g. The cistern b¹, by means of the pipe k¹, is placed in communication with
the central cells of the batteries, in which the carbons are fitted, when the valve h¹
is opened by the lever g¹.
When it is desired to put the batteries in action, the cistern c being down and
the valve h² shut; the twin cisterns 6 6¹ being raised, the valves h h¹ are opened,
wliereby the exciting fluids enter the cells and operate upon the plates and carbons.
The height of the cisterns is regulated to suit the power required, gauge glasses 6 b¹
being fitted in order that the height of the fluids in the cells may be rendered
visible.
When it is desired to cease working the cisterns 6 6' are lowered, with the
valves still open, whereby the fluids are withdrawn from the batteries and
returned to the cisterns 6 61 The valves h h¹ are then closed; cistern o being now
above the batteries, the valve h³ of the same may then be opened, if necessary in
order that the operation of cleansing the zinc plates may take place. .
o is an overflow pipe, to prevent the batteries being inadvertently filled to
the top.
I sometimes provide boxes or cases, fitted with cellular divisions or otherwise
made suitable for holding measured portions of ingredients for charging the
batteries for certain periods of time. Thus each cell or compartment may contain
sufficient materials for daily or other periodical use, or for (say) 5 hours con-
sumption: one packet or cell being labelled "Monday" and intended for that day's
consumption the next cell being similarly fitted and labelled "Tuesday" and so on
for a week or other definite period; the intention being that the attendants will
always be able to ascertain at a glance whether they have periodically supplied the
cisterns and through them, the batteries with the required quantities of materials
for sustaining the electrical force with due regularity.
• Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In electrical batteries, the improved methods of, and means and arrangements
for fixing carbons in frames and analogous appliances, substantially as and for the
purposes herein before described.
2. In electrical batteries, the improved method of, and means and arrangements
for, coating one side of the zinc plates, substantially as and for the purposes
⚫herein before described.
3. The utilization of scrap, tin, and other waste metals, and mixtures, by con-
solidating the same, and forming therewith and therefrom suitable plates for
electrical batteries, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described.
4. The utilization of the resultant metallic products arising from the use of
scrap tin, and other waste metals, in electrical batteries, substantially as and for
the purposes hereinbefore described.
5. In the manufacture of porous plates, the use and application of refuse from
blast and other furnaces, and analogous materials, and the use of the same in
electrical batteries, substantially as hereinbefore described.
6. The application and use of oils and fats, together or separately, as exciting

page_text: 7. The application of oils, saponified, or partly saponified or mixed with acid, as
exciting fluids, substantially as herein before described.
8. The manufacture and use of the improved apparatus for effecting the purposes
aforesaid, or some one or more of them, substantially as hereinbefore described and
shewn in the drawings, Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
9. The method of and means and arrangements for providing packages of
materials for periodical consumption substantially as hereinbefore described.
10. The general arrangements and combinations of the several and respective
materials, or of some two or more of them, together forming my improvements in
the construction of electrical batteries, and in the method of, and means materials
and appliances for, working the same.
GEO. DOWNING,
Agent for Applicant.