Improvements in and relating to Galvanic Batteries.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Dec., 1898-Accepted, 21st Jan., 1899
[Communicated from abroad by SIEGFRIED SILBERBERG, Times Building, New
York, in the State of New York, United States of America, Merchant.]
Improvements in and relating to Galvanic Batteries.
I, WILLIAM GEORGE HEYS, of 70, Market Street, Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Chartered Patent Agent, 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:
This invention relates to galvanic batteries, and has special reference to the
porous cups used in some types of batteries, the object being to provide a con-
struction for the cups which will render them highly efficient, and increase their
period of efficient service. This invention also comprises certain improvements in
the manner of mounting one of the electrodes of the cell.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical central section of a
complete cell showing all of my improvements, and Figure 2 is a section of the
inner cell on line of Figure 1.
I have discovered that in all battery cells in, which a porous cup is used in the
presence of an exterior solution of sulphate of copper and a copper electrode,
the internal resistance of the battery increases after a short period of use because
of the formation or deposit of metallic copper upon the wall or portion of the
porous cup directly opposite the copper electrode. This formation of copper
gradually decreases the porosity of the cup and lessens to a corresponding extent,
the efficiency of the battery. I propose to overcome this defect by providing the
porous cup with a double bottom or double walls at those portions opposite which
the copper electrode is located, and provide for a free circulation of the electrolyte
between the two bottoms of the cup, the outer bottom receiving the deteriorating
deposit of copper and the inner bottom being kept clear and of a constant state
of porosity.
Referring to the drawing by letter, A represents the outer cell containing a
copper electrode a and, as usual, a sulphate of copper solution. b represents the
porous cup, which, as shown, rests directly upon the copper electrode, but may be
supported above the same at any desired elevation. This cup is constructed with
two bottoms b and b¹ respectively, with a free space between them for circulation
of the exterior electrolyte. The web or flange 62 connecting the two bottoms is
provided with suitable openings 63 admitting of a lateral circulation of the
exterior solution. Inside of the porous cup is a zinc or other electrode C sup-
ported by a cross bar c resting upon the edges of the outer jar and having an
opening through which the stem c¹ of the electrode passes. This opening in the
cross bar is surrounded by a flange or cellar c² carrying a set screw by which the
elevation of the zinc in the cup may be adjusted and fixed. When this cell is
in use, the lowest part b¹ of the porous cup acts as a screen to prevent a deposit of
copper upon the bottom 6, the part b₁ receiving the deposit itself. The electro-
lyte which circulates freely in a lateral direction beneath the bottom 6 of the cup,
conveys the current to the latter and the resistance to its passage through the
.
027

page_text: bttom is always small, and substantially constant.
An obvious modification
of this construction of the cup is the making of its side walls or a portion thereof
double, in the same manner as the bottom whenever the copper electrode surrounds
the cup instead of being below it.
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
1. In a galvanic battery, the combination of an outer cell containing an electrole
and an electrolyte, a porous cup located above the electrode and provided with
two integral imperforate bottoms supported a short distance from each other
and also provided with lateral openings permitting the circulation of the electro-
lyte in the outer cell between the two bottoms, and an electrode inside of the
porous cup, all constructed and arranged substantially as herein before described
and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
2. A porous cup or cell for use in a galvanic battery, constructed and arranged
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this Sth day of December A.D. 1898.