A New or Improved Dry Couple or Element for Electrical Purposes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Dec., 1390
Complete Specification Left, 24th Aug., 1891-Accepted, 19th Dec., 1891
PROVISIONAL, SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Dry Couple or Element for Electrical
Purposes.
1 HENRY BIRKBECK of 34 Southampton Buildings Chancery Lane London
in the County of Middlesex Patent Agent (a communication to me from abroad by
Ole Henrichsen of Norre Farimagsgade 294 Copenhagen, Denmark,) do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
°
The dry element (which is termed thor) is an element or couplé composed of zinc
and carbon whereof the carbon electrode is surrounded by pyrolusite and graphite
mixed in suitable proportions.
A solution of sal ammoniac is used as the exciting liquid and is formed into a soft
paste by the admixture of a suitable quantity of silicious marl.
Over this paste which surrounds the whole zinc electrode is placed a firmer layer
consisting of a mixture or gypsum and silicious marl or earth saturated with
exciting liquid.
Over this firm layer is arranged a very porous layer of sawdust and powdered
peat or of other similar material while a covering layer of gypsum dissolved in
water is placed over the latter.
Before pouring out this last solution a valve consisting of a tube of straw or the
like having an opening of about 5 " is fixed to a small disc of paper pulp or card-
board and is placed upon the powder and dust being held in position by means of
gypsum. The final closing layer is composed of a mixture of asphalte and resin or
of any other similar material.
Tinned zinc consisting of an open cylinder having a copper wire coated with
indiarubber firmly rivetted and soldered thereto is used as a pole connection. The
soldered portions are covered with indiarubber.
The advantages are as follows :-
1. The use of silicious earth as absorbing mass for the exciting liquid. This
material absorbs a large quantity of liquid offers but a small resistance and is so far
uninfluenced by changes of temperature that the liquid is always uniformly and
intimately connected with the electrode.
2. The firm intermediate layer between the paste and the porous mass which
prevents the latter from coming into direct contact with the former.
3. The porous mass which is used to absorb any moisture which may be
formed and
4. The practically arranged valve which owing to its being fixed on the porous
layer allows the escape of gases. The latter will not be expelled by the moisture
as the liquid (in consequence of the arrangement of a valve at the top of the
element) will never ascend so high and in such quantity in the porous layer as to
stop up the valve.
Dated this lith day of December 1890.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Patentee.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Dry Couple or Element for Electrical
Purposes.
I HENRY BIRKBECK of 34 Southampton Buildings Chancery Lane London
n the County of Middlesex Patent Agent (a communication to me from abroad by
[Price 6d.

page_text: Ole Henrichsen of Norre Farimagsgade 29ª Copenhagen Denmark) 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 :- :
Figure 1 of the drawings shows a vertical section of this new or improved battery
for electrical purposes.
The dry element or battery (which is termed "thor") contained in the vessel A
is an element or couple composed of zinc B and carbon I whereof the carbon
electrode is surrounded by pyrolusite and graphite H. mixed in suitable propor-
tions.
A solution of sal ammoniac G is used as the exciting liquid and is formed into a
soft paste by the admixture of a suitable quantity of silicious marl.
Over this paste which surrounds the whole zinc electrode B is placed a firmer
layer C consisting of a mixture of plaster of paris or gypsum and silicious marl or
earth saturated with exciting liquid.
Over this firm layer C is arranged a very porous layer D of sawdust. and
powdered peat or of any other similar material while a covering layer E of plaster
of paris or gypsum dissolved in water is placed over the latter.
Before pouring out this last solution a valve consisting of a tube of straw Lor
the like having an opening of about 5 m/m is fixed to a small disc of paper pulp or
cardboard and is placed in position as shown and is held in said position by means
of gypsum or otherwise. The final closing layer is composed of a mixture of
asphalte and resin or of any other similar or suitable material.
Tinned zinc consisting of an open cylinder B having a copper wire M (coated
with indiarubber) firmly rivetted and soldered thereto-is used as a pole connection.
The soldered portions are covered with indiarubber.
Figure 2 shows an alternative means of ventilating riz. the bent tube X of glass
or other suitable material is inserted in such a manner that its-one-end-opens.out=
into the porous layer the other end X is carried outside the element. The-tube-
itself is filled with a porous substance (sawdust or other suitable material).
The gas
will in escaping pass through this tube and thereby be cleansed from the
particles of salt.
-The advantages are as follows:
(1) The use of silicious. earth as the absorbing mass for the exciting liquid.
This material absorbs a large quantity of liquid offers but a small resistance and is
so far uninfluenced by changes of temperature that the liquid is always uniformly
and intimately connected with the electrode.
(2) The firm intermediate layer placed between the paste and the porous mass
which prevents the latter from coming into direct contact with the former.
(3) The porous mass which is used to absorb any moisture which may be formed
during the working of the battery and
(4) The valve arrangement which owing to its being fixed on the porous layer
.allows the escape of gases.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
--
In a dry cell or battery the ventilating arrangement substantially as described and
shown in the drawing hereto annexed.
Dated this 94th day of Aumnct 1901
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Patentee.