AN IMPROVED GALVANIC BATTERY
Year: 1885

page_text: I, HERBERT JOHN ALLISON of 52 Chancery Lane, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "AN
IMPROVED GALVANIC BATTERY," which invention has been communicated to me
from abroad by Ernest Mavis Gardner, of Brookline, Massachusetts United States
of America, Electrician, and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The invention relates to a new form of galvanic cell having high electro motive
force, low internal resistance and great constancy. It is well known that in a
galvanic cell there occurs between the electrodes a passage of the electrical current
and a transference of matter. The current passes in the cell from the positive to
the negative electrode and thence when the external circuit is closed back to the
positive electrode. The transference of matter in the cell is apparent from the fact
that the hydrogen generated between the positive electrode and the exciting fluid
(as for example between zinc and acidulated water) appears upon the surface of
the negative electrode. The principle of my invention is to provide a partition
which shall offer the least resistance to the current while at the same time, ample
path for the transference of matter-and which shall be of a material not itself
chemically alterable by or capable of chemically altering the fluids in which it is
immersed. I therefore use a porous partition of conducting material or containing
conducting material, for which purpose I find carbon to be preferable. Carbon is
an electrical conductor and therefore a path for the current is afforded through its
substance, while the hydrogen passes through its pores.
In the accompanying drawings are represented a battery of cells constructed
according to my invention, and a new form of cell which also embodies my
invention in convenient and efficient form.
Figures 1, 2, and 3 represent my battery, Figure 1 being a plan view, Figure 2
a vertical section on the line x, x, of Figure 1, and Figure 3 a transverse section on
the line y, y, of Figure 1.
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page_text: 1
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Figures 4 and 5 represent my improved single cell. Figure 4 being a vertical
section on the line x, x, of Figure 5 and Figure 5 being a transverse horizontal
section.
Similar letters of reference in the drawings indicate like parts.
Referring more particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, A is the containing vessel
divided into two compartments by the partition A¹. The arrangement of electrodes
in each compartment is the same. B, B2, B3, B4, are zinc electrodes coupled in
pairs. C, C2, C3, C4, are carbon electrodes. Between each zinc and carbon electrodo
is arranged a partition D, D2, D3, D4, of porous carbon. These partitions are
tightly inserted in grooves or channels formed in the sides of the conducting vessel,
and may be held therein by any suitable cement.
In the carbon electrodes C, C, are inserted or to said electrodes are attached
projections E of any non-conducting material. Similar projections F are attached
to or formed upon the zinc electrodes B. These projections bear against the
adjacent partitions and thus support the electrodes upright while holding them
away from said partitions.
a is a wire connecting the carbon electrodes C3 and C and a¹ is a wire connecting
the carbon electrodes C³ and zinc electrodes, B, B2. b is a wire connecting the
carbon electrodes C, C2, and 1 a wire connecting the carbon electrode C² with the
zinc electrode B³, B. It will be. noticed that the partitions D, D², D³, D¹, are not
in electrical contact with any electrode.
In the compartments G formed by the partitions D, D2, D3, D4, which contain
the zinc electrodes I place any suitable exciting liquid (as acidulated water) and in
the compartments H which contain the carbon electrodes I place any suitable
depolarizing fluid.
The carbon partitions therefore separate these two fluids. The porous partition
may be constructed either wholly or partially of conducting material. Thus it may
be cut in the form of a plate from retort incrustation or made of granulated carbon
united with a bending inaterial, or a metallic substance such as gold or platinum
in a porous condition may be used. in lieu of carbon. Or in case fluids be used
which do not speedily attack the conducting material or which are not themselves
rapidly injured thereby I may employ as a conducting substance one which is
chemically alterable on the cell.
Referring now more particularly to Figures 4 and 5, N is the containing jar.
O is an electrode of carbon made in the form of a hollow cylinder and resting upon
the bottom of the jar. P is a cup which contains the exciting fluid and separates
the same from the depolarizing fluid which surrounds the carbon electrode O.
This cup serves therefore the same purpose as the partitions D, D', in Figures 1, 2,
and 3, and is made of hard porous carbon. It is not in contact with either
electrode. On the bottom of the jar is a circular flange Q which enters between
the cup P.and electrode, O.
°
Within the cup P is placed the zinc electrode R, made preferably of the form
shown so that it will stand on end. In the bottom of cup O, is a shallow glass
vessel S which contains mercury. The electrode R rests in this vessel. The
circular side of the vessel S prevents contact of the electrode R with the cup O.
T is a rod of conducting material having at the lower end a piece of iron U and
surrounded except for a short distance at said lower end with rubber I. To the
rod T is secured a binding post J to which one of the circuit wires L is connected.
The other circuit wire M is connected to a post K on the carbon electrode O. The
rod T, U, makes contact with the mercury in vessel S and through said mercury
the circuit passes to the electrode R. By this means, said electrode may easily
be removed from the cell when desired without disturbing the connection of the
wire L.
The iron tip U entering the mercury is not attacked thereby and the rubber I
which enters the inercury prevents any action between the mercury and the rod T
if said rod be of brass for example. The mercury also keeps the electrode R
amalgamated by capillary attraction.

page_text: The action of the carbon cup shaped partition O, in furnishing passage for both
the current and the hydrogen is the same as that already described of the
partitions D, D', in Figures 1, 2 and 3. I may use as a depolarizing liquid in this
cell a solution of bi-chromate of potash and sulphuric acid.
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
First. In a galvanic cell containing electrodes and two fluids, a porous partition
of conducting material interposed between the electrodes and not in contact with
either electrode.
Second. In a galvanic cell, the combination of a zinc electrode, an exciting fluid,.
a carbon electrode, a de-polarizing fluid and a porous partition composed wholly or
mainly of carbon separating the liquids and interposed between the electrodes and
not in contact with either electrode.
Third. In a galvanic cell, a cup composed of porous carbon and not in electrical
contact with either electrode.
Fourth. In a galvanic cell, the combination of a porous cup, a shallow vessel
within said cup and containing mercury and an electrode in said porous cup having
its lower end immersed in said mercury.
Fifth. In a galvanic cell, the combination of an electrode, a cup of porous carbon,
a shallow vessel containing mercury and of non-conducting material placed in the
bottom of said porous cup and an electrode with its lower end resting upon the
bottom of said vessel and in the mercury and separated from contact with said
porous cup by the intervening side or sides of said vessel.
Sixth. In a galvanic cell, the combination of an electrode, a porous cup, a vessel
containing mercury within said cup, an electrode within said cup and having its
lower end immersed in said mercury and a conductor communicating at one end
with said mercury and at the outer end with a terminal of the cell.
Seventh. In a galvanic cell the combination of the electrode, cup O, containing
mercury and conducting rod T having an iron tip U.
1005