Improvements in and relating to Electric Batteries.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Dec., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 24th June, 1891-Accepted, 25th July, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Electric Batteries.
I, ERMINIO ORTELLI, of Cadenabbia, in the Kingdom of Italy, Civil Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to electric batteries.
Before describing a battery constructed according to the aforesaid invention, I
deem it expedient to make some general observations on the subject of the most
important batteries known up to the present time. Without naming any of these
batteries I may point out the inconveniences or defects which are common to them
all, viz.a weak electric current, great internal resistance, inconstant electro-
motive force, short duration of the current, considerable dead weight, complicated
manipulation and expensive maintenance.
All these inconveniences or defects are obviated in my improved battery which
is characterized by the following advantages.
(1) Electromotive force of absolute constancy varying from 24 to 2.5 volts.
Current of great intensity that is to say from 12 to 15 amperes for a
battery of average size.
(3) Small and constant internal resistance of 0-2 ohms in a battery of average
size.
(4) Inexpensive substances consumed.
(5) Chemical action always proportional to the work of the battery and
consequently no consumption when the battery is in open circuit.
(6) Practical arrangements for easily watching and controlling the conditions
of the battery, and enabling the chemical substances to be added or renewed each
time when this is necessary.
(7) Very small dead weight, that is to say 1.500 kilogrammes for one of my
batteries of average size (the lightest battery known up to the present of the same
power weighs 5 kilogrammes).
My improved battery is based upon the principle that metalloids of the first
class namely bromine, chlorine, fluorine and iodine, combine with hydrogen and
form with it at the ordinary temperature powerful acids which are very soluble
in water and attack nearly every metal, producing hydrogen. I employ in this
instance chlorine as being the most appropriate for my object and being produced
or bought at a low price.
The use of chlorine for the production of an electric current has been extolled
by the highest authorities on the subject of electricity for the last century, never-
theless this is the first time that the question finds a practical solution by my
battery.
According to F. Salva ("Application du galvanisme à la télégraphie," 1854) it
was Volta who first recognized in 1800 that chloride of ammonium is one of the
best exciting liquids. On this point he says "The substances which the several
physicists have mixed with water are chloride of sodium hydrochlorate of ammonia
sulphate of alumina, sulphate of iron potash alone, and more or less dilute
sulphuric, nitric and hydrochloric acids" But Volta positively declared at the
"Institute National" of Paris that of all the substances, he preferred adding
hydrochlorate of ammonia to water for producing violent shocks by the battery
which bears his name.
Analogous statements have more recently been made in various forms by
Leroux in 1853, d'Arsonval in 1858, Raoult in 1863, Niaudet and Bréguet in
1879, then Becquerel, de Fonvielle, Mondt and Langer, and the English Engineer

page_text: René Upward. Notwithstanding this, no scientist or inventor has as yet succeeded
in producing conformably to this order of ideas, a battery which is adapted for
practical use. All that has hitherto been done is either of a purely scientific
nature or the batteries are too costly to produce, too costly to maintain, of a
considerable weight, and give a current which is inconstant and of very limited
duration.
It will hereinafter been seen that the use of chlorine is not the distinctive
feature of my battery, but its employment in combination with hydrochlorate of
ammonia.
My invention also comprises an arrangement of a battery which is new in many
other respects, and it is moreover not limited to the employment of chlorine only,
for the said battery operates equally well with the other three metalloids bromine,
iodine and fluorine.
The battery constructed according to my aforesaid invention comprises a vessel
of wood or other light material rendered impermeable. In this vessel I place a
second vessel of carbon in such a manner that between them will be left a space
which serves for the depolarization of the carbon vessel. A plate of analgamated
zinc inserted into the carbon vessel is insulated from the sides of the latter by
means of guides, strips or frames of celluloid, in which it is adapted to slide, and
of string or the like coated with paraffin or other suitable insulating material.
Between the zinc plate and the interior sides of the carbon vessel remains a space
into which the solution of chloride of ammonium (hydrochlorate of ammonia) is
poured. The part performed by the constitutive elements of my battery may be
changed by introducing the zinc plate into the space which is provided between the
aforesaid two vessels and into which the solution of chloride of ammonium is then
poured, the chlorine being introduced into the carbon vessel by means of a tube.
Another tube which is provided for the outlet of the air and the excess of chlorine
is put in communication with a receptacle containing potash, soda, or slaked-lime,
which materials absorb the chlorine and prevent its escape into the atmosphere.
In a fixed installation, this tube_may be put in communication with an outflow
-channel. At the lower part of the battery is arranged a tube-for-the-outlet of
the solution which may accidentally traverse the walls of the carbon vessel by
reason of too great a porosity of the latter, and which when thus collected can be
used again. A fork of crude copper is held in contact with the carbon vessel by
means of a screw and forms the positive pole of the battery.
will now describe-the-operation_of_the_battery. The amalgamated zinc plate
having been introduced into the carbon vessel and a solution-of-hydrochlorate of
-ammonia, chloride of ammonium or other soluble alkaline chloride filling the
remaining space in this carbon vessel, the following-chemical reactions take place:
On the electric circuit being closed, the chloride of ammonium is decomposed
into chlorine and ammonium; the chlorine attacks the zinc and forms zinc chloride,
and the nascent ammonium (if care be taken to establish a current of chlorine in
the lateral spaces between the sides of the two vessels) is absorbed by the chlorine
and forms a fresh chloride of ammonium which attacks the zinc, and so forth.
As the ammonium is very unstable, a small quantity of ammonium is decomposed
into hydrogen and ammonia. In this case, part of the chlorine, which has been
previously introduced as above stated, absorbs the hydrogen and forms with the
-latter-hydrochloric acid which is dissolved in the liquid and forms with the
ammonia a new ammoniacal salt which again attacks-the-zinc_and_so_on. This
action continues as long as the above-mentioned elements are present. Accordingly,
I produce a chemical cycle causing constant and equal electric current, which
result is obtained for the first time in such a complete manner.
In proportion as the hydrogen gas is formed, it is absorbed and utilized in my
battery. Its stay upon the carbon plate is of no appreciable duration. No
partial insulation of the plate is produced by the deposition of the globules of
gas, which globules it has hitherto been necessary to remove for the purpose of
obviating the diminution and ultimate stoppage of the electric current. Another

page_text: result of the improved arrangement is the equal and uniform attack of the entire
surface of the zinc.
For transforming the liquid battery above described into a humid battery, it is
sufficient to dispense with the space reserved for the liquid in the carbon vessel
and to insert between the surfaces of the carbon and zinc a fabric or suitable
capillary substance which is moistened with the ammoniacal solution. In this
case, the electric current is produced as above stated, and similar results are
obtained.
When several batteries are to be set in action together, I supply them with
chlorine by means of a single pipe having as many inlet cocks as there are batteries.
The latter are therefore quite independent of each other, so that in case of
interruption or any other accident or if one or more batteries are to be cut out,
the others shall not be affected and their supply with chlorine shall not be
interrupted.
In the chlorine batteries heretofore constructed, the supply of the chlorine is
effected through the first battery which, being too full, supplies the second battery,
the latter the third, and so on. Under these circumstances, an interruption in or
accident to one battery then stops the operation of the following batteries;
moreover the several batteries thus constituted do not all give an electric current
of the same intensity.
A complete installation comprises an apparatus for the production of chlorine,
which is constituted by two vessels connected through a tube wherein a cock is
included for enabling the formation of chlorine to be caused or arrested at will.
Through a pipe the chlorine is conducted from the said apparatus to the battery.
From the lower part of the battery extends another pipe for permitting the outflow
of the solution which may accidentally penetrate the sides of the carbon vessel
owing to two great a porosity of the latter. For the outlet of the air and
excess of the chlorine, provide a tube communicating with a suitable outflow
channel.
In the last-mentioned tube is included a bulb of glass which, when the chlorine
is in excess in the battery and evolves in too great abundance is coloured by this
gas and assumes a yellow tint which is the deeper the more the chlorine is in
excess.
When judging by the colour of the bulb or transparent part of the aforesaid
tube, the attendant thinks that chlorine is produced in excess, the formation of
this gas is decreased by turning the cock hereinbefore referred to so as to regulate
the production according to the consumption. This device therefore enables the
operation of the battery to be regulated in a perfect manner.
Dated this 18th day of December 1890.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Electric Batteries.
ERMINIO ORTELLI, of Cadenabbia, in the Kingdom of Italy Civil Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement—
Before describing my battery, I deem it expedient to make some general
observations on the most important batteries known up to the present time; without
naming any
of these batteries, I will endeavour to point out the defects common to
them all, viz.weak electric current, great internal resistance, inconstant electro-
motive force, short duration of the current, considerable dead weight of the battery,
complicated manipulation, expensive maintenance.

page_text: in my battery, an these miconvemences or uerects are "Odviattu, me same neig
characterised by the following advantages:-
1st absolutely constant electro-motive force varying from 2, 4 to 2, 5 volts.
2nd current of great intensity, that is from 12 to 15 ampères for a battery.of
average size.
3rd small and constant internal resistance of 0.2 ohm in a battery of average
size.
4th inexpensive substances consumed.
5th chemical action always proportional to the work of the battery and conse-
quently no consumption when the battery is in open circuit.
6th practical arrangements for easily watching and controlling the conditions
of the battery and enabling the chemical substances to be added or renewed
whenever necessary.
7th very small dead weight, that is to say 1 kilogram 5, for the average size
battery. (The lightest battery of the same power known to this day weighs
5 kilogrammes.)
The principle on which is based my battery is the property of the metalloids of
the first class, bromine, chlorine, fluorine and iodine, of combining at the ordinary
temperature with hydrogen and forming therewith powerful acids, very soluble in
water attacking nearly all metals and producing hydrogen. I herein use chlorine
as being the most suitable for the purpose, the cheapest to produce or buy.
The use of chlorine for producing an electric current has been highly recom-
mended by the most competent men in electric matters for the last century,
nevertheless it is the first time the question finds a practical solution by the invention
of my battery.
According to F. Salva ("Application du galvanisme à la télégraphie" par
F-Salva, 1854) Volta was the first-to-recognize-in-1800-that chloride of ammonium
is one of the best exciting liquids. The following is what he says on that subject:
"The substances which several-physicists have mixed with water have been chloride
of sodium hydrochlorate-of-ammonia, sulphate of alumina, sulphate of iron, potash
by itself, and sulphuric, nitric and hydrochloric acids in a more or less dilute state.”
But Volta positively declared at the "Institut National" of Paris, that of all-
substances it is hydrochlorate of ammonia he prefers adding to water for-producing-
violent shocks by the battery that bears his name.
Similar indications have been given more recently and under various forms by
Leroux-in-1853,-d'Arsonval-in-1858,-Raout-in-1863, Niaudet.& Breguet in 1879, thèn
Becquerel, de Fonvielle, Mondt and Langer and René Upward; notwithstanding
this up to this day no scientist or inventor has succeeded in producing, according
to those ideas, a practical battery; all that has hitherto been done has been of a
purely scientific nature, or else it was too expensive to produce, to maintain, of
considerable weight, and gave a current which was inconstant and of very limited
duration.
It will hereinafter be seen that the use of chlorine is not the distinctive feature
of my battery, but its use in combination with hydrochlorate of ammonia, together
with a new arrangement of battery which is in many other respects new.
I do
not intend limiting my invention to the use of chlorine only, for my battery
operates equally well with the three other metalloids, viz.: bromine, iodine &

page_text: space or chamber E for depolarising the carbon vessel. C is an amalgamated zinc
plate separated from the sides of the said carbon vessel by celluloid guides, strips,
or frames M between which said plate slides, and by string coated with paraffin or
any other insulating material. Between the plate C and the inner sides of the
vessel B is a chamber or space D in which is poured the solution of chloride of
ammonium (hydrochlorate of ammonia).
I wish it to be understood that 1 can invert the actions of the constituting
elements by steeping the zinc plate C in the spaces E, in which will be poured
the liquid solution of chloride of ammonium, the chlorine entering the interior of
the carbon vessel B.
His the chlorine inlet tube, J air and excess of chlorine outlet tube; the said
tube communicates with a tank or reservoir of any known kind not shown in the
drawing, containing potash, soda or slaked lime, said substances absorbing chlorine
and preventing its waste in the atmosphere. In a fixed installation, the said tube
communicates with any exhaust channel. K. is an outlet tube for the liquid
solution which might accidentally pass through the sides of the carbon vessel B
owing to too great a porosity of the same. The solution collected can be used
again. P is a crude red copper fork held in contact with the carbon vessel by
means of a screw R and forming the positive pole of the battery.
I will now describe the operation of the battery: A being the wooden receptacle
and B the porous vessel in which latter is placed, the amalgamated zinc plate C
and a solution of hydrochlorate of ammonia (chloride of ammonium) or other
soluble alkaline chloride filling the spaces D, the following chemical reactions take
place when the electric circuit is closed, the chloride of ammonium is decomposed
by the zine and forms chloride of zinc and ammonium, and (if care has been taken
to establish a current of chlorine in the lateral spaces E formed between the sides
of A, A, and those of B, B,) nascent ammonia is absorbed by the chlorine and
forms fresh chloride of ammonium which attacks the zinc and so forth.
:
As ammonium is very unstable, a small quantity of it is decomposed in hydrogen
and ammonia in this case, part of the chlorine which has been previously intro-
duced, as above set forth, absorbes the hydrogen forming with the latter hydrochloric
acid which dissolves in the liquid and forms with ammonia a new ammoniacal salt,
which again attacks the zinc and so forth. This reaction takes place so long as
the above elements are in presence. I thus produce a chemical cycle, causing a
constant and equal electric current and this is the first time such result has been
obtained in so complete a manner.
The result of my invention is that as the hydrogen gas is being formed, it is
absorbed and utilized, its stay on the carbon plate is of no appreciable duration;
there is no partial insulation of the plate produced through the deposit of globules
of gas
which globules had hitherto to be removed in order to obviate the diminution
and ultimate stoppage of the electric current. Another result of my arrangement
is the equal and uniform attack of the whole zinc surface.
For transforming the liquid battery above described in a damp battery, it is
sufficient to suppress the part D reserved for the liquid in the carbon vessel and
to put between the surfaces of the carbon and the zinc, some cloth or any capillary
material which will be moistened with the ammoniacal solution. The electric
current is produced as has hereinbefore been set forth, with the same resulis.
When it is desired to group several cells together, ensure the supply of chlorine
by means of a single pipe with as many inlet cocks as there are cells; the said cells
are therefore entirely independent one from the other and in case of interruption or
other accident or if it is desired to take out one or, more cells from the common
action, the others are not affected and their supply with chlorine will not be
interrupted.
In the chlorine batteries produced heretofore, the supply of chlorine was made
through the first cell, the overflow of which supplied the second cell and so forth;
an interruption or au accident to one of the cells, stopped the operation of the

page_text: successive cells; moreover, the different cells so constituted did not all give an
electric current of the same intensity.
Fig. 6 is a diagram of a complete installation.
M is the chlorine producing apparatus. A cock O branched on the tube
connecting the two vessels which constitute the apparatus enables the production
of chlorine to be caused or stopped at will. A pipe S leads the chlorine from the
apparatus to the cell or battery A. The pipe T is. an extension of the pipe K from
the battery to allow the exit of the liquid solution which might accidentally pass
through the carbon vessel owing to too great a porosity of the latter.
The air and excess of chlorine outlet pipe J is extended by a pipe U leading to
waste.
On pipe U is placed a glass test bulb V, which, when the chlorine is in excess
in the battery and is evolved too abundantly, is coloured by the said gas and assumes.
a yellow tint which is the deeper the more the chlorine is in excess.
When it is judged by the colour of the bulb or of the transparent part of the
tube that there is an excess in the chlorine production, the formation of
the said gas is diminished by means of the cock O and regulated according to the
consumption.
The whole of the arrangement therefore constitutes a controller of the action
of the battery, allowing the operation of the same to be regulated in a perfect
manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The use in an electric battery of chlorine in the form of gas or another
metalloid of the same class, riz. bromine, iodine, or -fluorine in combination with
chloride of ammonium (hydrochlorate of ammonia).
.
2. The combination of the porous vessel B, with a wooden vessel or other
waterproofed material A, said vessel A-leaving-between-it and the porous-vessel-B-
empty spaces E, where chlorine can freely circulate without being stopped by any
solid or liquid body, the immediate result of which is to allow of the weight and
size of the battery to be reduced.
3. In an electric battery, the use of an artificial carbon vessel, the sides of which
-serve both as depolarizing plates and porous vessel, thus obviating the use of the
porous vessel.
4. A chlorine battery consisting of a wooden vessel or other waterproofed
material, a porous-carbon-vessel Bin which is poured a solution of chloride of
ammonium (hydrochlorate of ammonia), an amalgamated zinc plate C-dipped-in-the-
solution of chloride of ammonium, the cell thus constituted presenting between the
sides of the vessel A and of the carbon vessel B, empty spaces E into which gaseous
chlorine can freely enter and circulate; said battery being moreover capable of
being transformed into a damp battery by replacing the solution of chloride of
ammonium in the porous vessel by cloth or other capillary material, interposed
between the surfaces of the zinc plate C and those of the porous vessel B and kept
constantly moistened with chloride of ammonium.
5. An electric battery consisting of any number of chlorine cells, in which all
the cells are fed with chlorine gas-by-a-single-pipe, provided with as many inlet
cocks as there are cells, thus allowing one or more cells to be taken out of action-
at will without the other cells being thereby affected, and ensuring for every
cell the same intensity of current produced, substantially as hereinbefore
specified.
6. The use, for separating the zinc plate C from the sides of the carbon
vessel B, of guides, strips or frames M of celluloid, holding the zinc plate.
7. The device hereinbefore described for regulating the production of chlorine,
the said device consisting of a test-bulb made of glass or other suitable transparent

page_text: material V, interposed in the exhaust pipe U and the colour of which indicates any
excess of chlorine.
8. An installation consisting of a chlorine producing apparatus N, a battery
composed of one or more chlorine cells A, connected to the producing apparatus by
a pipe S, an air outlet pipe U in the path of which is interposed a test-bulb V and
a pipe T for discharging the liquid solutions from the battery.
Dated this 24th day of June 1891.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.