IMPROVEMENTS IN THERMO-ELECTRICAL GENERATORS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Raphael Hunter Brandon of N° 1 rue Laffitte Paris in
the Republic of France Engineer and Patent Agent for an Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN THERMO-ELECTRICAL GENERATORS A communication to
him by Edward Goodrich Acheson, Electrician residing at present at N° 1
rue Laffitte Paris France.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Raphael Hunter Brandon at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th March 1883.
"')
.
>
RAPHAEL HUNTER BRANDON of N° 1 rue Laffitte Paris in the Republic of
France, Engineer and Patent Agent, "IMPROVEMENTS IN THERMO-ELECTRICAL
GENERATORS Communicated to me by Edward Goodrich Acheson electrician
residing at present at No 1 rue Laffitte Paris France,
"
My invention has reference to thermo-electrical generators and it consists of a
novel and simple arrangement whereby less resistance is obtained and more current
is generated the electro-motive force remaining constant
The pile is constructed as follows: the metal or other suitable materials forming
the couples are in the shape of discs; each disc is connected to the other at its
periphery by soldering or other appropriate means, these two discs' forming one
couple. The separate couples are connected in series with each other at the hole
cut in the centre of the discs.
In the annexed drawing representing a diagram of my improved generator
fig 1 is an elevation in cross section and fig 2 is a plan, Fig 3 & 4 are a
modification..
:
Each element is formed of a couple of discs made of the materials generally used
in the art one of which a fig 1 & 2 is flat and is connected to the other bat its
periphery by soldering or other appropriate means. In the centre of the discs a is
pierced a hole in which is adapted and soldered the central part of the lower
disc b. Between each pair of discs forming a couple is interposed a sheet of mica

page_text: or other appropriate insulating material An insulating washer c is also placed
between each couple and small blocks d made of any suitable insulating material
may be placed between each couple to act as a support.
The conducting wires e. f. are fastened at any convenient point of two different
couples
In order to compensate for the expansion and contraction of the discs the
discs bb are provided, at their periphery with a number of tongues g which are
separately bent into the suitable shape and soldered to the outer periphery of the
discs a
Heat is applied at the junction of the discs, either in the centre or round the
circumference, using a Bunsen burner or other convenient means of heating and a
wire gauze may be applied on to the lower face of the lowest disc a to prevent the
flame of the burner from passing through and thus create uniformity in heating
.
In the modification shown in figure 3. & 4. my invention is carried out in a
different way the principle remaining the same
Instead of using a series of superposed couples, as previously described I establish
batteries of discs in any desired number each battery being composed of a number
of couples mounted on a horizontal axis and being parallel with the other batteries.
The four batteries are fitted in a frame and motion is imparted in any suitable
manner, An accumulator for the heat being placed in the centre between the four
batteries.
'
Fig 3 is an end view of the entire arrangement shown as a diagram. Fig. 4. is a
longitudinal section through A. A fig 3, showing the arrangement of the couples and
'their relation to the accumulator
hh, h¹h are four batteries composed of any required number of couples, con-
structed in accordance with my invention, all four fitted in a frame i each side
frame being electrically insulated from the other.
From the centre of the extreme discs, projections extend which act as trunnions,
through the trunnions and the centre of all the couples, a bolt passes, being
insulated from the metals of the discs and trunnions said bolt acting as a means of
tyeing the couples together The bearings for the two lower batteries h h are fixed
rigidly to the frame 2, whereas those for the upper batteries are capable of a
slight motion in the frame.
Between the four batteries / h, ¹h, is adapted the heat accumulator / composed
of a series of blocks of suitable metal electrically insulated from each other and held
together by an insulated shaft passing through the centre.
The periphery of all the discs of all the batteries is in contact with the periphery
of the blocks forming the accumulator k.
I
Rotary motion is imparted to the two lower batteries h. h by means of the
wheels, keyed on the axis of the said batteries and receiving motion from the
wheel m.keyed on an axis n, through a pulley and belt. The accumulator / bears
loosely on to the lower batteries h, h, unsupported by bearings, thus receiving the
notion imparted by the lower batteries
'
This motion is then transmitted by friction to the upper batteries h¹, h¹ which
bear loosely upon the accumulator k.
Through the whole series of blocks forming the accumulator k are flues o for the
passage of the heat.
The source of heat in this case is applied at one end of the accumulator, 'the
said end being loosely connected to the heating apparatus. The surplus heat
escapes through a smoke or other suitable pipe fitted loosely into the other end.
With a given number of disks, it is possible to increase the electro motive force,
by cutting the battery of discs into portions, by cuts radiating from the centre of
the battery to the circumference and by insulating such portions from each other,
connecting only the extreme plate of one portion or segment with the opposite
extreme plate of the adjoining portion or segment.
The generators described in both arrangements herein described may be composed.

page_text: of as many couples as desired, and the size and thickness of the discs may vary to
suit the requirements―
I claim as my invention―
A thermo-electrical generator in which each element composing the couple
connects a point or inner circle with each and every point on an outer or larger
circle, the point or small circle being at one extreme of temperature and the outer
or larger circle at the other extreme, substantially as herein described and
illustrated in the annexed drawing.
In witness whereof I the said Raphael Hunter Brandon have hereunto set
my hand and seal this twelfth day of March. One thousand eight hundred
and eighty-three.
Witnesses:
P. SCHOLTUS
L HUILLIER
R. H BRANDON (L.S.)