Improvements in Electrical Galvanic Batteries.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 30th Apr., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electrical Galvanic Batteries.
I, GIAMBATTISTA LAURA, of 41, Via Cavour, Turin, in the Kingdom of Italy,
Doctor of Medicine, 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, and accompanying drawing, that is to say: -
This invention relates more particularly to improvements in the electrical
galvanic batteries, for which I obtained Letters Patent, dated February 27th,
A.D. 1895, and numbered 4,245.
In the Specification of my said former Letters Patent I described and claimed
a diaphragm characterized essentially by the use in its composition of the powder
of marsh mallow (Althea), I have found that many other powders, besides that of
Althea of the mallow family, have the property of forming, when kneaded with a
conductive liquid, an impermeable diaphragm, which is the essential part of mý
element, and the direct feature of my invention.
These powders are the following:
1. Powder from the tuberous roots of the Iris Florentina of the Iridaceou
family;
2.—Powder from the leaves and stems of the various lichens, especially the
L. Islandicus and the L. Caragaen;
3. Powder of the Sphagnum of the family of mosses;
4. Powder from the tuberous roots of the various dahlia, of the order Com-
posite;
5. Powder from the flowers of the crysanthem, leucanthemum, crysanthemum
of the order Composite;
6. Powder from the flowers of Matricaria Chamomilla of the order Composite;
7. Powder from the roots of the licorice, Glycyrrhiza Glabra, of the family
Leguminosa.
I use these different powders in the manner described in my former Specification
in reference to the powder of marshmallow.
In order to facilitate the task of cleaning the galvanic elements, when necessary,
I have given the element a new form:-.e., I have divided it in two glasses the
upper one of which, containing the diaphragm and the zinc, enters the lower one,
which contains the copper.
This arrangement is illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing.
In the exterior glass vessel V, containing the negative electrode and the depo-
larizing liquid, a second inner vessel V₁ is introduced, the latter being without a
bottom but having only a small inner flange which supports the diaphragm. The
vessel Vis supported upon the contracted part v of V, or in any other convenient
manner as described in my former Specification. The central tube t is supported
by the adherence against its exterior surface of the perforated cloth partitions
of the diaphragm and the paste of which the latter is composed, (which is neces-

page_text: sarily sufficiently tightly compressed) as described in my former Specification,
so that all movement is absolutely prevented.
In Figure 1 the globular or balloon-shaped vessel is omitted, as it is not necessary
to the work of the element, but is useful when the operation of the latter is required
for a long time without attention.
In order to obtain a higher intensity of current, I construct the element vertical;
that is to say, in a central wooden frame, with a large opening in each of the two
sides which are closed by two of my diaphragms, I arrange the zinc, and on the
sides of the wooden frame the copper plates. In this manner a higher intensity
of current is obtained, the two surfaces of the zinc being made use of, thus doubling
the active surface of the electrode, and the intensity of the current. It is thus
possible to make elements developing or more, even up to 10, ampères.
Figure 2 illustrates this method of arrangement. The element of the battery
is contained in a wooden box V, square, rectangular, or of other suitable shape
in section. Into this box, which is open above, is introduced a second wooden
box V, also open above, as well as upon two of its opposite sides into which are
fitted two diaphragms A1, A2, constructed as described in my former Specification.
C, C are two copper plates electrically connected together and forming the nega-
tive electrode, Z is a zinc plate which forms the positive electrode. The remainder
is constructed as described in my former Specification.
I have found that my diaphragm may be applied with equally good results to
batteries using other elements. Thus it may be advantageously used, whether
horizontally or vertically, not only in cells in which copper and zinc are used, but
also to every kind of battery; for instance to those using carbon and zinc. Cells
of the "Leclanche" type, or the "Grenet" type, may be made in this way, and
show great advantage in their constancy and length of activity, as compared with
those heretofore ordinarily made. Figure 1 illustrates such a cell, the outer
vessel V containing the depolarizing liquid and (instead of and in the place of the
copper) the carbon C provided with the conductor c (moulded in one piece with it),
The other parts
to which is connected the corresponding metal conducting wire.
are the same as described and shown in my former Specification and the working
is similar.
I have also found it useful to add hydrochloric acid to the liquid surrounding
the copper electrode; and also to substitute dilute hydrochloric acid for the sodium
chloride solution with which the powder is kneaded to form the diaphragm. The
impermeability of the diaphragm so completely prevents sulphuric acid (set free
by the electrolysis of the sulphate of copper) from passing through the mass to
act on the zinc, that the acid-(remaining free in the depolarizing liquid and
in contact with the copper in its native state)-forms with it a basic sulphate of
copper little soluble, which injures the effective action of the cell. This incon-
venience is obviated by the addition of hydrochloric acid, the quantity of which
may be varied more or less according to the activity of the action of the cell.
This acid dissolves the above-mentioned salt as it is formed, and renders it
consequently capable of itself in turn acting as a depolarizer, the addition of the
hydrochloric acid not only preventing the objection above mentioned, but also
diminishing the consumption of the sulphate of copper acting as a depolarizer.
Further, for the chloride of sodium in the solution-with which the powder of
marsh mallow is kneaded to make the diaphragm, and in which the zinc forming
the positive electrode is plunged-may be substituted any other suitable conducting
substance, such as dilute hydrochloric acid.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
In electrical calvanic batteries described in the Specification of Letters Patent

page_text: 1. The substitution for the powder of marsh mallow ("Althea") therein
escribed and claimed, of
(1.) Powder from the tuberous roots of the Iris Florentina of the iridaceous
family;
(2.) Powder from the leaves and stems of the various lichens, especially the
L. Islandicus and the L. Caragaen;
(3.) Powder of the Sphagnum of the family of mosses;
(4.) Powder from the tuberous roots of the various dahlia, of the order
Compositae ;
(5.) Powder from the flowers of the crysanthem, leucanthemum, crysanthemum
of the order Compositae;
(6.) Powder from the flowers of Matricaria Chamomilla of the order
Compositae;
(7.) Powder from the roots of the licorice, Glycyrrhiza Glabra, of the family
Leguminosae.
2. The modification of the apparatus described and shown in the Specification
of the said former Letters Patent, consisting of a second inner vessel having no
bottom, but a turned-in flange, carrying the diaphragm, substantially as described
nd illustrated.
3.The modified form of arrangement, in which the diaphragm is placed verti-
ally instead of horizontally, as described and illustrated.
4. The application of the diaphragm, composed as described, in either a hori-
ontal or vertical position to different forms of galvanic batteries in which carbon
nd zinc electrodes are used, substantially as described.
5. The addition to the depolarizing liquid described in the Specification of the
former above-mentioned Patent, of hydrochloric acid, substantially in the manner
nd for the purpose described.
6. The substitution, for the chloride of sodium described in the Specification
of the former above-mentioned Patent, of dilute hydrochloric acid, or other suitable
conducting material, substantially as described.
Doted this 9th day of March 1898
EDWARDS & Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London,
Agents for the Applicant.