IMPROVEMENTS IN GAL- VANIC BATTERIES
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Edward Dering, of Lockleys, in the
County of Hertford, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAL-
VANIC BATTERIES."
Sealed the 27th January 1854, and dated the 27th October 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Edward
Dering at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 27th October 1858.
1, GEORGE EDWARD DERING, of Lockleys, in the County of Hertford,
do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
GALVANIC BATTERIES" to be as follows:-
The use of an acid solution in contact with the negative elements of
batteries having an exciting liquid composed of a salt, or without free
mineral acid, applied to the positive elements; in dividing the cells of
batteries porous divisions of earthenware or other material are used in
troughs or vessels composed wholly or partly of gutta percha or india-
rubber, or compounds containing such materials; the use of lead as a
negative element with a suitable positive element, and the use of iron as
positive element with a suitable negative element; in batteries for
working electric telegraphs or clocks. And to prevent evaporation in
telegraph batteries I enclose them air-tight...

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said George Edward Dering in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 27th April 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
GEORGE EDWARD DERING, of Lockleys, in the County of Hertford, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the
seventeenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said George Edward Dering, Her special
licence that I, the said George Edward Dering, my executors, adini-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said George Edward
Dering, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an In-
vention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GALVANIC BATTERIES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said George Edward Dering, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and scal, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that the said George Edward Dering, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement thereof (that is to say):
This Invention consists in the use of an acid solution in contact with
the negative elements of batteries having an exciting liquid composed
of a salt, or without free mineral acid, applied to the positive elements;
in dividing the cells of batteries porous divisions of earthenware or
other material are used in troughs or vessels composed wholly or partly

page_text: of gutta percha or india-rubber, or compounds containing such
materials; the use of lead as a negative element with a suitable
positive element, and the use of iron as a positive element with a
suitable negative element, in batteries for working electric telegraphs
or clocks. And to prevent evaporation in telegraph batteries I close
them air-tight.
Having thus stated the general nature of my improvements, I will
proceed to give a further description of the same, which will be better
understood if I state that the object of most of the arrangements
described is to render galvanic batteries more permanent in their
working than heretofore, though at the same time energetic in action;
and to derive from them regular and constant currents of electricity for
long periods of time, without attention or renewal; and to reduce
the consumption of materials, and the working expense generally.
With reference to my method of exciting batteries by an acid solution
in contact with the negative elements, and an exciting liquid composed
of a salt, or without free mineral acid, applied to the positive elements,
the two liquids being separated by a porous division or other suitable
cans. It has been common to apply acid solutions to both the
negative and positive elements, but it is found that, however weak the
acid solution may be, and notwithstanding that the most eflicient means
be adopted to protect the positive element from the acid, there is yet a
destructive chemical action exerted upon it, which causes a rapid
consumption of the metal; and being irrespective of the galvanic effect,
it continues when the circuit is incomplete, and the battery producing
no useful effects. Another method in common use consists in exciting
both the negative and positive elements by solutions of salts or other
weak liquids; and the objection to this principle is the feebleness of the
result obtained from such batteries. I find that, by the use of different
liquids in contact with the positive and negative elements, as I have
described, a current of considerable energy is obtained, and at the same
time all destructive action upon the positive element is avoided, except
that immediately connected with the galvanic effect; and the battery
may be kept ready for immediate use for an indefinite period, without
any consumption of materials occurring until the circuit is completed.

page_text: Various forms of battery may be worked upon this principle, and many
different liquids may be employed... I have. derived good results from
the use of negative plates of copper or platinized silver; and positive
plates of zinc (which may be amalgamated with mercury in the usual
manner), the former. being excited by hydro-chloric acid diluted with
from five to ten parts of water, and the latter by plain-water or sca
water, or a solution of common salt, or of chloride of zinc.
The application of porous divisions. to battery cells or troughs of
gutta percha, or like materials, forms an efficient arrangement for
carrying out the principles last described, as well as for various other
kinds, of batteries: I am aware that porous divisions of different
materials have been applied to vessels of earthenware, and of wood
rendered water-proof by cenients; but I find that they may be applied
with great advantage to cells or troughs of gutta percha, and very
durable battery vessels thus formed..
I have found considerable advantage in the use of the metal lead as
the negative element in batteries for purposes such as I have named
where long continued action is required, in consequence of it being but
slightly acted on by exciting liquids which have a destructive action
upon copper, the metal ordinarily employed. In solutions of salts of
ammonia, for instance, a plate of copper is quickly corroded, and in.a
short period eaten away; but a plate of lead will remain for years
almost intact. And it has the advantage of being a very cheap metal,
although possessing in galvanic combinations many of the valuable
qualities of silver or platinum. A battery of very great constancy may
be formed by the use of a solution of acetate of lead in contact with lead
negative plates and zine positive plates, separated by a porous division,
and excited by a weak solution of cominon salt, or other suitable liquid.
Or copper plates may be thus arranged in the acetate of lead solution,
and they quickly acquire a lead surface by a deposit of the metal, when
the circuit is completed.
In the use of iron as a positive element in batteries, I prefer
malleable iron, and I employ it in the same manner as zinc is ordinarily
used. It produces a very efficient galvanic current for such purposes
as those for which I propose its use, although less powerful than that

page_text: from zinc plates under similar. circumstances; but it has the advantage
that most of the exciting liquids commonly employed have but little.
action upon it when the circuit is not complete.. And it is.not.subject
in so great a degree as zinc to the destructive effect known as "local"
action." Being much cheaper than zinc is another recommendation.
It may be associated with most of the negative elements in ordinary use.
I have derived good results from couples of copper and iron excited by
a weak solution of sulphuric acid, and the two plates separated by a
porous divsion.
The principle of closing telegraph batteries air-tight, so as to prevent
the evaporation of the liquids which they contain, is susceptible of
various modes of application. But the plan which I prefer consists in
employing cells or troughs of gutta percha to contain the liquid and
plates, and covers of the same material, firmly attached with close joints
by the aid of heat and proper cements, as is well understood in
manipulating this material; and I prefer that each cell of a compound
battery be thus closed independently of the others. In batteries
required to continue in action, or ready for action, for long periods of
time, a cessation of effect frequently takes place in consequence of the
liquid having evaporated and left the plates dry; but by the means
which I have described this is altogether prevented, and the battery
will continue in efficient work until its electrical properties are
exhausted.
Having thus described my Invention, I wish it to be understood
that I do not confine myself to the details contained herein. But what
I claim is,-
First, the use of acid solutions in contact with the negative elements
of batteries having any suitable exciting liquids not composed of free
mineral acids applied to their positive elements.
Secondly, the application of porous divisions of earthenware or other
material to troughs, or cells, or vessels, wholly or partly constructed of
gutta percha, or india-rubber, or like materials, or compounds containing
such materials.
Thirdly, the use of lead as a negative element with any suitable

page_text: positive element, and any suitable exciting liquid or liquids, in batteries
for working electric telegraphs or clocks.
Fourthly, the use of iron as a positive element with any suitable
negative element, and any suitable exciting liquid or liquids, in batteries
for working electric telegraphs or clocks.
And, fifthly, the rendering air-tight by any suitable means batteries
employed for working electric telegraphs.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Edward Dering, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of
April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-four.
Witness,
S. CARPMAEL.
GEORGE E. DERING. (L.S.)