Improvements in Primary Electric Batteries
Year: 1899

page_text: Improvements in Primary Electric Batteries
I, CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of Birkbeck Bank Chambers, Southampton Build-
ings, in the County of London, Consulting Engineer and Chartered Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (as communicated to me
from abroad by La Société d'Etude des Piles Electriques, of 8, Rue de l'Echelle,
Paris, France, Manufacturers), to be as follows;
1'.
1
This invention relates more particularly to those constructions of electric
batteries in which the 'depolarisation of the electrodes is effected by the introduc-
tion into the electrolyte of atmospheric air or by the circulation of the electrolyte.
According to known arrangements for this purpose, invented by Rutz de Lavison,
the air is either seized by revolving electrodes which carry it into the body of the
electrolyte or the air is injected into the latter 'so' that on being thus delivered
in the lower part of the battery, the air is then distributed throughout the
electrolyte, and in thus agitating the same exercises a dépolarising effect. It has
also been proposed to subject such air 'to a preliminary heating before its intro-
duction in order to increase the energetic action of the battery.
In applying this method for example to a Daniell's battery, the air introduced
produces a coating of oxide on the positive copper electrode, which, in forming a
sulphate, produces a concentrated solution of sulphate of copper; thereby enabling
the electrolyte to produce a strong current of electricity:
On the other hand the air also oxidises the pulverulent copper suspended in
the electrolyte, and there is' again formed sulphate of copper which contributes
to the depolarisation.
г
But while the electrolyte rich in sulphate of copper thus produced has the
advantage of producing a strong electric current, it has the inconvenience of
rapidly producing a deposit of copper also on the zinc plate forming the negative
electrode of the element, notwithstanding the separating diaphragm of parch-
ment-paper.
The present invention has more particularly for its object to obviate the said
defect in the above described description of electric battery. so as to enable it to
produce a large supply of electrical energy in combination with effective depolarisa-
tion For this purpose it is necessary, on the one hand, that the portion of the
electrolyte (such as sulphate of copper solution) in contact with the positive
electrode shall be as concentrated as possible, while on the other hand the portion
of the electrolyte in contact with tlie negative électrode shall be as poor as possible
in sulphate of copper or the like
For satisfying these conditions, there are emploved according to the present
invention, two porous diaphragms or pots instead of only one: round the outer
diaphragm or porous pot is situated the concentrated solution of sulphate of
copper in which is immersed the copper electrode and which produces an
energetic depolarisation and a large supply of electric current.
n
Within the

page_text: 1
porous pot constituted by this supplementary outer diaphragm and between this
and the inner ordinary porous pot, or parchment-paper bag, containing the
negative electrode is a very weak solution of sulphate of copper, while within the
inner porous pot is, contained an almost pure solution of sulphate of zinc.
Under these conditions the presence of the poor solution of sulphate of copper
next the porous pot containing the negative zinc electrode, prevents the formation
of a copper deposit on the zinc plate.
In applying this method of construction to a Daniell's battery with flat elec-
trode plates and rectangular porous diaphragms or pots, the inner negative
electrode is made of zinc, either amalgamated or not, or of other suitable metal
and it is closely surrounded by a porous pot of parchment-paper or other suitable
porous material the parchment-paper being by preference covered externally by
a strengthening open framework of celluloid or other suitable insulating
material. The above parts are inserted within a rectangular cage also made of
an open framework open at top, and made of such a size as to leave a space
between it and the inner porous pot. This cage is covered externally with
parchment paper or other suitable dialysing material, which constitutes the second
porous pot, and against the outside of this is fitted a second strengthening open
framework. In the spaces between this outer porous pot and the outer casing
of the battery are placed the copper plates constituting the positive electrode
As before stated, the last named outer space is filled with a concentrated
solution of sulphate of copper in acidulated water, while the space between the
outer and inner porous pot is filled either with a weak sulphate of copper solution,
or preferably simply acidulated water.
For rendering the last named solution as weak as possible the inner framework
of the outer porous pot may, for example, be made of copper and be connected
to the positive electrode so that it will itself constitute an electrode on which
will be deposited any copper that may be in excess in the said solution.
The positive electrode is made of such a form as, to present the greatest amount
of surface, such as wire-gauze and the like.
The depolarisition of this battery is effected either by injecting into the outer body
of the electrolyte, heated air, or by causing the electrolyte, preferably heated,
to circulate in the outer vessel by any suitable known means, and maintaining
it at the required degree of concentration by introducing an excess of sulphate
of copper crystals into the outer vessel, or otherwise.
For maintaining the battery in the required heated condition, there may be
arranged at the side thereof a small vessel heated by a lamp or otherwise, and
connected at top and bottom by suitable tubular channels with the outer vessel
of the battery, so that the sulphate of copper solution in the said cylinder will
become heated and will circulate thence through the outer space of the battery.
Any water evaporated from the solution in the cylinder can be collected and
condensed, and led into the middle space of the battery, so as to assist in diluting
the electrolyte next the negative electrode
Although I have described the said invention more particularly with reference
to a Daniell's battery, it will be evident that it is also applicable to other forms
of batteries in which it would be of advantage to maintain the part of the electro-
Ivte next the positive electrode in a strong condition while that next the negative
electrode is maintained in a weak condition.
It will also be evident that if a still greater graduation of the strength of the
electrolyte between the two electrodes is desirable, this can be effected by employ-
ing two or more additional dialysing diaphragms or porous pots instead of only
one
1000
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: improvements in Primary Dectric Daveries.
I, CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of Birkbeck Bank Chambers. Southampton Build-
ings, in the County of London, Consulting Engineer and Chartered Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (as communicated to me
from abroad by La Société d'Etude des Piles Electriques, of 8, Rue de l'Echelle,
Paris, France, Manufacturers), and in what manner the same is to be performed
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement: -
This invention relates more particularly to those constructions of electric
batteries in which the depolarisation of the electrodes is effected by the introduc-
tion into the electrolyte of atmospheric air or by the circulation of the electrolyte.
According to known arrangements for this purpose, invented by Rutz de Lavison,
the air is either seized by revolving electrodes which carry it into the body of the
electrolyte or the air is injected into the latter so that on being thus delivered
in the lower part of the battery, the air is then distributed throughout the
electrolyte, and in thus agitating the same exercises a depolarising effect. It has
also been proposed to subject such air to a preliminary heating before its intro-
duction in order to increase the energetic action of the battery.
In applying this method for example to a Daniell's battery, the air introduced
produces a coating of, oxide on the positive copper electrode, which, in forming a
sulphate, produces a concentrated solution of sulphate of copper, thereby enabling
the electrolyte to produce a strong current of electricity.
On the other hand the air also oxidises the pulverulent copper suspended in
the electrolyte, and there is again formed sulphate of copper which contributes
to the depolarisation.
But while the electrolyte rich in sulphate of copper thus produced has the
advantage of producing a strong electric current, it has the inconvenience of
rapidly producing a deposit of copper also on the zinc plate forming the negative
electrode of the element notwithstanding the separating diaphragm of parch-
ment-paper.
tion
The present invention has more particularly for its object to obviate the said
defect in the above described description of electric battery, so as to enable it to
produce a laige supply of electrical energy in combination with effective depolarisa-
For this purpose it is necessary, on the one hand, that the portion of the
electrolyte (such as sulphate of copper solution) in contact with the positive
electrode shall be as concentrated as possible, while on the other hand the portion
of the electrolyte in contact with the negative electrode shall be as poor as possible
in sulphate of copper or the like
For satisfying these conditions, there are emploved according to the present
invention, two porous diaphragms or pots instead of only one; round the outer
diaphragm or porous pot is situated the concentrated solution of sulphate of
copper in which is immersed the copper electrode and which produces an
Within the
energetic depolarisation and a large supply of electric current
porous pot constituted by this supplementary outer diaphragm and between this
and the inner ordinary porous pot, or parchment-paper bag containing the
negative electrode is a very weak solution of sulphate of copper, while within the
inner porous pot is contained an almost pure solution of sulphate of zinc.
Under these conditions the presence of the poor solution of sulphate of copper
next the porous pot containing the negative zinc electrode, prevents the formation
of a copper deposit on the zinc plate.
By way of example I will describe the above invention as applied to a
Daniell's battery, as shewn on the accompanying drawing. Fig. 1 shews a front

page_text: view of an element of the battery, with the casing in section, Fig. 2 shews a
cross section, and Fig. 3 a horizontal section. The element is composed of a zinc
electrode A either amalgamated or not, or it may be of any other suitable metal.
provided with circuit terminal clamp a and enclosed in a sheet B of parchment
paper or other suitable dialysing material, the edges of which are folded so as
to form a bag constituting the porous pot.. The zinc and the bag which encloses
it are contained between two gratings 6 of celluloid, or other suitable insulating
material. The negative electrode thus enclosed is held in a grating-like frame
or cage C open at top, which may be of any suitable strong material. Round
this is stretched another bag D also of parchment paper or other dialysing
material which constitutes the second porous pot. This covering is maintained
against the cage by means of gratings E E which are held against it by means
of trough shaped pieces fitted at the ends over the edges of these gratings.
The positive copper electrode F is arranged outside, almost against the inner
surface of the ordinary vessel G. The liquid contained in the latter outside
the bag D is a concentrated solution of sulphate of copper in acidulated water,
while the space between the outer porous receptacle D and the inner one B con-
tains a weak solution of sulphate of copper, or preferably only acidulated water.
Various means can be employed for rendering this interior liquid as weak as
possible in sulphate of copper; according to one arrangement the framing C
which serves to separate the two porous bags B and D can be formed of copper.
In this case such copper frame, which is connected to the positive electrode F,
constitutes itself an electrode which becomes coated with any copper that may be
present in excess in the solution with which it is in contact, so that this always
remains weak.
The positive electrode F must of course be so arranged as to present the greatest
possible amount of surface, and is preferably made of sheets of metal or of wire
or agglomerated metal powder, &c
The depolarisation of this battery is insured by injecting into the outer vessel
hot air or by causing a solution of sulphate of copper, preferably heated, tó
circulate in the outer vessel, in order to maintain the liquid electrolyte at the
requisite degree of concentration, or again, by maintaining an excess of sulphate
of copper crystals in the vessel.
For maintaining the battery at a suitable warm temperature, there might be
arranged at the side of the same a small cylinder. heated from below by a lamp
or other source of heat, and connected at top and bottom by branch pipes with
the interior of the battery vessel, so that the liquid electrolyte being heated in
the cylinder will circulate continually through the battery. Should any water
be evaporated at top from the electrolyte in the cylinder it may be condensed
and led back into the electrolyte situated in the battery between the two porous
diaphragms, so as to still further dilute the solution of sulphate of copper near
the negative electrode
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim 18 -
1. In galvanic elements of the kind herein referred to, the arrangement
between the positive and negative electrodes of two or more dialysing porous
diaphragms which serve to maintain in the neighbourhood of the negative elec-
trode a solution as weak as possible of the liquid electrolyte (such as sulphate of
copper) whereby the deposit of copper upon the zinc is prevented while at the
same time the electrolyte near the positive electrode is maintained as concentrated
as possible, whereby a large production of current, is attained, substantially as
described
2. In a battery such as is referred to in the first claim, the employment of the
various means herein before described for maintaining the electrolyte in the
vicinity of the negative electrode in a weak condition, and in particular the

page_text: employment for this purpose in the vicinity of the negative electrode of a frame
of the same material as the positive electrode with which the said frame is
connected, whereby there will be deposited upon the latter a portion of the metal
of the same description as the positive electrode that may be contained in the
electrolyte near the negative electrode, substantially as described.
Dated this 11th day of October 1899