IMPROVEMENTS IN GALVANIC BATTERIES
Year: 1886

page_text: I HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GALVANIC BATTERIES" and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
.
My invention relates to Improvements in Galvanic Batteries of the class using
a zinc positive element, a carbon negative element and a bichromate of potash
solution as depolarizing liquid.
My invention consists in certain Improvements in the construction of the outer
jar, inner cell and electrodes, whereby I am enabled to charge my batteries in a
way to obtain the most effective results.
$
The object of my invention is to produce a battery of high electromotive force
and of long continuance, this I do by the construction of my battery. In chromate
batteries as at present constructed the bichromate of potash chrystals are placed in
the bottom of the outer jar in direct connection with the carbon electrode which
soon becomes covered with chrystals causing the action of the battery to stop.
Another disadvantage is the chrystallization of the zinc plate with chromic alum
formed by the chemical reaction which takes place in the battery.. I avoid also by
the construction. I have shown herein the necessity of frequently taking the cell
apart and cleaning the different elements.
In bichromate of potash batteries it has been true heretofore that the action of
the battery has stopped long before the bichromate of potash has been entirely
used. By charging the battery in the manner herein described I am enabled to
keep the battery in action until all the bichromate of potash is completely
exhausted.. This improved. cell of mine is also hermetically sealed so that
any evaporation. or throwing off of gases, with the injuries thereby produced, is
D
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page_text: prevented. By having a cell closed as I have described I am enabled to transport
it with perfect safety; it thus becomes a very desirable cell in railroad cars.
In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1, is a sectional view of my improved battery
as arranged or set up for action.
Fig. 2, is a top plan view of the same.
Fig. 3, is a perspective view of the ring or cap G for holding the top in position
and for covering the joint between the top and the outer jar.
Fig. 4, is a perspective view of the top or stopper of the outer jar.
Fig. 5, is a perspective view of the outer jar.
Fig. 6, is a perspective view of the inner porous cell.
Fig. 7, is a perspective view of the zinc electrode D.
Fig. 8, is a perspective view of the carbon electrode B.
A, is the outer porous cell of glass or any other suitable material having a screw
threaded neck A. The inner porous cell C, has within it an inner chamber 02,
which is supported on legs L, L, L, The bottom of the inner chamber C is
perforated with holes as shown in Fig. 1. E, is a stopper or top cover inade of
cork or rubber, I preferably, however, make it of cork and cover it with rubber, F,
with holes "ee" for the poles of the electrodes. In charging my battery I place
with the zinc electrode in the chamber of the porous cup about three ounces of
free mercury to allow of a continuous reamalgamation, an acid, preferably sulphuric
acid and water, using preferably the proportion of one part acid to twenty parts of
water. I fill the inner chamber C, of the porous cup with bichromate of potash
chrystals. In the outer jar with the carbon electrode I place sulphuric acid and
water using preferably one part sulphuric acid to six parts of water. By placing
the bichromate of potash chrystals in the inner chamber C³, I cause the solution
in the outer jar to charge itself. By thus feeding the depolarizing solution I am
enabled to obtain a fluid in every way adequate to produce a high electromotive
force and of long continuance.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A porous cup supported on legs and provided with an outer and inner
chamber, the bottom of the inner chamber being perforated and raised, as
described, whereby the solution surrounding the porous cup is given free access
to the lowest portion of the element contained in the inner chamber, substantially
as described.
2. A galvanic battery consisting of an outer jar, a porous cup resting on legs
and provided with an outer and inner chamber, the said inner chamber having a
perforated bottom, a carbon electrode surrounding the porous cup, a zinc electrode
in the outer chamber of the porous cup, bichromate of potash chrystals in the said
inner chamber, a solution of sulphuric acid and water in the outer chamber of the
porous cup and also in the outer jar, substantially as described.
3. A galvanic battery consisting of an outer jar, a porous cup having an outer
and an inner chamber and legs to support it above the bottom of the jar, zinc and
carbon electrodes, the solution used to charge the cell, substantially as described.
4. A galvanic battery consisting of the jar A, the. porous cell C supported on
legs and having an inner chamber C a zinc electrode D, a carbon electrode B,
a charging solution, the stopper E, and ring G, all arranged substantially as
described.
5. In a galvanic battery, a stopper E preferably made of cork, provided with
a cover of rubber F, substantially as described.
6. In a galvanic battery a stopper E preferably made of cork, provided. with
. a cover of rubber F in combination with a ring G, substantially as described.
7. A galvanic battery consisting of an outer jar A provided with a tight cover,
a porous cup C, made as described, a zinc and carbon electrode, a charging fluid of

page_text: acid (preferably sulphuric acid), and water in the outer jar and outer chamber
of the porous cup, and bichromate of potash chrystals in the inner chamber of the
porous cup, substantially as described.
8. In a galvanic battery a cup and cell supported above the bottom of the jar,
provided with two chambers having no connection with each other, the inner
chamber having a perforated bottom, substantially as described.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.