IMPROVEMENTS IN GALVANIC BATTERIES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Slater, of Westbourne Park, Paddington, London,
W., for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN GALVANIC BATTERIES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Slater at the Office
of the Commissioners. of Patents on the 6th February 1879.
THOMAS SLATER, of Westbourne Park, Paddington, London, W.
IN GALVANIC BATTERIES."
66
IMPROVEMENTS
This improvement consists in using the metal nickel in combination with flat or
cylindrical plates of carbon, platinum or other suitable metal in single or double
fluids as excitants, which may be any of the well known solvents of nickel. In the
cell of two metals in two liquids, I prefer using a porous diaphragm in which I
place a cylindrical plate of nickel, or nickel in grains when the diaphragm is round
or cylindrical, and flat plates when it is oblong. Surrounding the nickel cell I
place narrow prisms of carbon the plates not more than a quarter of an inch apart,
to have the best effect, though any less number, or a single prism or cylinder will
work, but not so efficiently.
When a series of prisms surround the nickel cell and to insure good connection
with each plate or prism, it is better to have a clamp of metal with a projecting
pin or screw at the top of each clamp, and a ring of metal with holes corresponding
to the number of prism clamp pins made to fit thereon and with suitable heads to
the clamp pins, the whole may be firmly and securely tightened and easily removed
for cleaning when necessary to do so.
The carbons may be used in a metal ring cast to hold them, but the electrolyte
very soon reaches the metal, oxidises the same, and the resistance offered to the
current is very considerable.
I also use with considerable advantage a compound cell as follows:-First. A
cylindrical vessel or outer receptacle and two porous and concentric diaphragms, the
outer being about half an inch larger in diameter than that of the middle cell.
In the centre diaphragm I place the plate of nickel with its excitant, which may
consist of dilute sulphuric, nitric, or hydrochloric acid. The larger diaphragm I
fill in with a solution of sesqui carbonate of ammonia, and in the outer vessel I use
a solution of sulphate of nickel or the double sulphate of nickel and ammonia with.
the prisms of carbon, or such metal as will receive the deposit of the metallic nickel
as it becomes precipitated from its solution in the same way as the well known
Daniel's battery precipitates or deposits the copper from its sulphate.

page_text: 1879.
THOMAS SLATER, of Westbourne Park, Paddington, London, W. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN GALVANIC BATTERIES."
This Invention consists, first, in-using-the-metal-nickel in combination with flat
or cylindrical plates of carbon, platinum, or other suitable metal which may be
crimped, grooved, furrowed, or corrugated in single or double fluids or excitants
which may be any of the known solvents of nickel"; and, secondly,-in the manner
of forming, arranging, and connecting the parts forming the nickel battery and
those used with the same, and so as to make it continuous in action and more
convenient in use, whereby I am enabled to produce galvanic electricity for use in
most of the cases where it is required in a much cheaper manner than by the usual
battery process, as the salts of nickel thus formed are of commercial value.
With a cell of two metals in two liquids I prefer using a porous diaphragm, in
which I place a cylindrical plate of nickel which may be crimped, grooved, furrowed,
or corrugated; or nickel in grains in those cases where the diaphragm is round or
cylindrical; and where the same is square or oblong, I use by preference flat plates
which may also be crimped, grooved, furrowed, or corrugated.
Surrounding the nickel cell, I place any suitable or desired number, according to
the size of the vessels, of narrow prisms or plates of carbon which may also be
crimped, grooved, furrowed, or corrugated, the prisms or plates being placed not
more than a quarter of an inch apart in order to obtain the best effect, though any
less number, or a single prism, or plate, or cylinder will work, but not so efficiently.
When a series of prisms or plates surround the nickel cell, and to ensure good
connexion with each prism or plate, it is better to have a clamp of metal with a
projecting part, pin, or screw at the top of each clamp, and a ring of metal with
holes corresponding to the number of prism or plate clamps, parts, or pins made to
fit thereon and with suitable heads to the clamp, part, or pin, the whole may be
firmly and securely tightened and easily removed for cleaning when necessary to
do so.
This ring or part will be varied in shape and dimensions according to the
form and size of the cell in or with which it is to be used.
The carbons may be used in a metal ring cast or otherwise suitably formed to
hold them, but the electrolyte very soon reaches the metal, oxidizes the same, and
the resistance offered to the current is very considerable.
I also use with advantage a compound cell arranged as follows:-First, a
cylindrical or other suitably shaped vessel or outer receptacle, and two porous and
concentric diaphragms, the outer being about half an inch larger in diameter than
the middle cell. In-the-centre-diaphragm I place the plate of nickel with its
excitant, which may consist of diluted sulphuric, nitric, or hydrochloric, or other
acids in the proportion of about one part by measure to eight parts of water, or any
stronger or weaker proportion, as may be deemed expedient for the work to be done.
The larger diaphragms I fill in with a solution of sesqui-carbonate of ammonia, and
in the outer vessel I place or use a solution of sulphate of nickel or the double
sulphate of nickel and ammonia with the prisms or plates of carbon, or such metal
as will receive the deposit of the metallic nickel as it becomes precipitated from its
solution, in the same way as the well known Daniel's battery precipitates the
copper from its sulphate.
I may sometimes reverse the position of the carbon or metals used in the battery,
placing the carbon, zinc, or other metal in the inner diaphragm or cell, and the
nickel outside and surrounding the same.
In order that the battery may be kept in continuous operation, and the strength
of the excitant more easily be kept up, I arrange it in the following manner :-
_I
place the battery or the desired number of the cells used in forming the same on a

page_text: stand or support, and over it or them place a vessel or reservoir, or vessels or
reservoirs (to contain the exciting fluid or fluids when more than one excitant are
used), from which I exhaust the air by a pump or other convenient and suitable
means when filling the same, and provide an adjustable outlet therefrom, and
proper means for leading the excitant to the cell or cells. From the vessel or part
in which the cells are placed or formed, I also form or place an outlet (adjustable if
desired) leading into a vessel or receiver, or vessels or receivers placed beneath the
stand into which the excitant may flow from the battery. From this vessel or
vessels, or reservoir or reservoirs, I lead a pipe or pipes, tube or tubes of india
rubber or some other material not readily acted upon by the excitant and arrange
it or then so that I may cause the fluid to pass from the lower vessel or receiver
to the upper one so as to keep up the supply; and in order that the partially
exhausted excitant may have its strength restored before returning to and passing
from the upper vessel to the battery, I add the required amount of acid or acids,
or other liquid or liquids to the contents of the lower vessel previous to pumping
or shifting it to the upper one, and am thus enabled by properly adjusting the
outlets to keep the battery in continuous operation more readily and conveniently
than by any other method.
By thus simply exhausting the air from the upper vessel, I am enabled by
means of the atmospheric pressure acting on the fluid in the lower vessel or receiver
to cause it to flow into the upper one, and thus avoid spilling or wasting the
excitant, and by means of a cock or other suitable arrangement on or connected
with the opening in the upper vessel which is closed when exhausting the air from
the same, I am enabled to allow the atmosphere to enter it when the filling is
completed, and so enable the exciting liquid to flow on and to the battery.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention of improve-
ments in galvanic batteries, I will proceed by the aid of the accompanying two
Sheets of Diagrams to illustrate some of the modes in or by which the same may be
carried into practical effect or use by any competent person acquainted with the
subject.
Figure 1, Sheet 1, represents in sectional elevation, and Figure 2 in plan, an
arrangement of my improved nickel battery which is used with a single excitant,
though if desired two may be employed; A, A, the outer cell or vessel; B, B, the
porous diaphragın; C, C, carbons or nickel; D, D, clamps and screws for holding
the same shewn on au enlarged scale.in Figures 17 and 18; E, E, ring or part for
supporting the same; a is the outlet from the inner cell; and b, the outlet from
the outer cell; and either of the arrangements shewn for the "perfluent" battery
may be applied to this if desired. In Figure 2, the vessel A, A, is shewn by the
dotted lines, and the clamps are not shewn supported by the ring, only the holes in
which they fit. Figure 3 shews in sectional elevation, and Figure 4 in plan an
arrangement of my improved nickel battery in which two excitants are to be used,
although, if desired, it may be used with one only, designed to facilitate the
emptying of the inner cell without removal, and so as to allow of its ready employ-
ment as a "perfluent or constant battery, the outer vessel and inner or porous
diaphragm being made in one piece and the outer vessel "indurated," so as to be
watertight, by the use of silicates or other suitable means; A, A, the outer cell or
vessel; B, B, the inner or porous diaphragm; C, inlet passage; D, overflow
passage and outlet from inner cell, both being shewn open.
"
Figure 5 shews in plan, and Figure 6 in enlarged sectional elevation through
the lug E, a modification of Figure 3, in which the inner porous diaphragm is made
separate from the outer cell or vessel, but its concentric position in the same is
maintained by the two lugs E, E, attached to or forming part of the diaphragm; A
is the outer cell or vessel; B, the inner cell or porous diaphragm; D, the overflow
outlet, as shewn in Figure 3; E, the lug with the overflow passage formed in it,
and also forming the outlet from the diaphragm B, by withdrawing the plug or
stopper from the opening into B. In Figure 6, both the overflow outlet and the
outlet for emptying B, are shewn open. It will be seen that on placing the

page_text: diaphragm B, in the vessel A, and turning it until the lug E coincides with the
opening in A, a passage is formed to the interior of the vessel or diaphragm B, and
by employing a suitably formed plug or stopper for closing the passage into B the
overflow opening-may-be-left-free_whilst the fluid is retained in B, until the
removal of the plug or stopper allows of the contents being drawn off.
Figures 7 and 8 shew -in-sectional elevation and plan an arrangement of my
improved nickel-battery-to admit of two or more excitants being employed, 'and
allow of the same being used as a "perfluent" or constant battery; A, A, the
_öuter vessel or cell; B, B, the porous diaphragm. In this case the inner and outer
vessels, or cells may be formed in one piece and-of-porous-material, the outer_cell_or
_vessel being "indurated by dipping or otherwise covering or coating the exterior
surface with silicate, as is done in the well known method of making siliceous stone
by Ransome's and others, or it may be painted or saturated with any suitable
material for keeping it tight and preventing the passage of the excitant.
Figures 9 and 10 slew in side and front or back elevation, Figures 7 and 8,
complete ready to receive the excitants and nickel carbons or metals, the position
of the porous diaphragm being shewn by the vertical dotted lines; A, A, the outer
cell or vessel; B, B, the overflow, that on the left being from the inner vessel, or
cell, or porous diaphragm, and that on the right from the outer cell or vessel; C, C,
the outlets, such as a cock, tap, or plug for emptying the outer and inner vessels
when desired; D, D; funnels on the gutters or pipes E, E, for receiving the
overflow when the battery is employed as a "perfluent or constant battery, and
the contents on emptying the same, which pass through the opening to the spouts
F, F, and are delivered into the lower reservoirs or receivers.
"
Figure 11 shews in side elevation, Figure 12 in vertical section, and Figure 13
in plan another arrangement of my improved nickel battery with the porous
diaphragm fitting at its lower end into a ring or socket formed in or on the outer
vessel, and provided with overflow so as to admit of its being used as a "perfluent "
or constant battery with a single or double excitant; A, A, the outer vessel; B, B,
the porous diaphragm; C, C, Figure 12, the ring or socket into which the same
fits; D, D, the overflow outlets; E, E, Figure 11, filling apertures and pipes,
conduits or leaders extending, as shewn by the dotted lines, nearly to the bottom
of the vessel. F, Figure 11, outlet to empty outer vessel and closed by a tap, or
cock, or plug, or other suitable or convenient means. The outlet and overflow may
'be provided with gutters, etcetera, as shewn in Figures 9, 10, and 11.
Figures 14 and 15 are plans of two other arrangements of my improved cells for
-use with double excitants, which when fitted up may be arranged, as is shewn in
Figures 9 and 10, for use as a constant battery, and Figure 15 may be arranged
so as to consist of three or more cells by adding to the number of the porous
diaphragms. By these arrangements it will be seen that an outlet may be obtained.
from each cell or vessel without passing through another, whereby all chance of
leakage from one cell to another is avoided. These arrangements may be made in
the manner described in regard-to-Figures 7 and 8._
Figure 16-shews in sectional elevation an arrangement of my improved nickel
battery in which three excitants may be employed as hereinbefore described, and
arranged with two internal porous diaphragms as shewn, which are maintained
concentrically by fitting into recesses formed in the bottoms of two outer cells,
though, if preferred, the arrangement shewn in Figure 12 may be employed instead.
The overflow arrangements shewn in Figures 9, 10, and 11, may be employed when
it is to be used as a perfluent or constant battery, or each cell may be fitted or
formed with spouts or lips, as shewn by the dotted lines; A, A, outer cell or vessel;
B, B, the two inner porous cells or diaphragms.
"
ور
Figures 17 and 18 shew in side and front views the clamps and screws for
holding the carbons or metals, the screws for retaining the same, the binding
screws on the top for holding them on the ring or part, and the ring or part for
retaining them in the cell or vessel; A, A, the clamp; B, B, the screw for holding
the carbon, nickel, or other metal C; D, the nut for binding or securing the clamp

page_text: to the ring or part; E, the ring or part; F, Figure 18, a steady pin of which there
may be any suitable number to keep the ring in its place and prevent it from
bearing against the diaphragm.
"E
<*
"
or constant
Figure 1, Sheet 2, shews in front elevation, Figure 2 in end elevation, and
Figure 3 in plan (on the lines a, a, b, b, and c, c), an arrangement of my improved
"perfluent'
nickel battery, as hereinbefore described, fitted as a
battery, and used with a single or double excitant, as desired or preferred.
This arrangement is an improvement on the "perfluent" battery described by
Staite in his Patent, No. 12,212, of 1848, which consisted in so arranging it that
"the cells are replenished by continuous outflow from a supply vessel fixed at a
higher level than the liquid in the cells through holes or spouts placed at the
required level in the side of each cell. This in practice secures an equal feed for
every cell while the battery is working;" and he further says, "in consequence of
"the liquid being in a state of continuous flow, and never acting on any one part
"of the cells more than another, the metals employed will wear much more evenly
"than in the percolating or other arrangement where the motion of the fluid is
" "because
very slight" or stationary. He says he terms his battery "perfluent
"the liquid is supplied in one stream only, which passes continuously through the
"series of cells." It is also an improvement on the arrangements of Pearce for a
perfluent" or constant battery shewn in Patent No. 12,482, of 1849, on the
arrangement shewn in Patent 12,772, of 1849, by Staite and Petrie, on that of
Pulvermacher, No. 12,899, of 1849, and on that of Fontainemoreau, No. 1785, of
1853.
"
"
It will be seen in this arrangement that the cells, reservoirs, and connexions are
supported on or carried by a suitable framing, capable of being shifted about if
desired, on the upper portion of which the single reservoir where one excitant is
used, or two or more when double or treble excitants are employed, is or are placed,
and below the outlet or outlets from the same the gutters and spouts are placed,
which lead the excitant or excitants to the cells carried on the stage, shelf, or
support below them, and below these cells or vessels are placed similar gutters
and spouts for leading the overflow from the cells to receivers placed beneath.
This framing or stand may if desired be enclosed in a glazed or other convenient
enclosure, and outlets may be provided to enable any gases or deleterious odours to
be conducted away; A, A, the reservoir or vessels containing the excitant or
excitants carried on the shelf or support B, B, and provided with outlets C, C,
placed over the funnels D, D, on the gutters E, E, from which proceed the pipes,
tubes, or guides F, F, leading to the inner and outer vessel or cells G, G, H, H,
through the inlet pipes and funnels I, I. The overflow outlets are shewn at K, K,
and the openings for emptying the vessels at L, L, the gutters, spouts, and funnels
for leading the excitants from the cells to the receivers below being shewn at E', 'E¹.
The receivers are shewn at M, M. It will be seen that pipes or tubes N, N, shewn
broken off in Figure 15, to allow the parts between the cells or vessels to be more
clearly seen extend from nearly the top of the reservoirs or vessels A, A, to nearly
the bottom of the receivers M, M. The use of these pipes or tubes is to enable the
excitant which has passed from the reservoirs through the cells to the receivers M, M,
to be returned to the reservoirs A, A, again without liability to spilling or coming
in contact with the operator, which object is readily attained by the following
means: On the top of each reservoir A, A, will be seen a short tube or opening 0, 0,
which communicates with the interior of the vessel. By connecting this opening
by means of a tube or other suitable means with a pump or other apparatus or
means, which will withdraw or exhaust the air from the vessel, the outlet opening
being closed during the operation; the pressure of the atmosphere on the surface of
the excitant in the receiver will cause it to flow up the tube until the vessel is
filled to the required level, and the reservoir being made of glass or provided with
a glass tube or other suitable means of announcing its arrival at the desired height,
by detaching the tube from the opening 0, 0, or stopping the exhausting, the
apparatus will be in working order, and by opening the outlets to the required

page_text: extent the excitant will flow through to the cells, passing through them to the
receivers and set the battery in operation, and by repeating the process as often as
required the same may be kept in continuous operation. To restore the strength of
-the-excitant-what_is_required may be added to it whilst in the receivers, and
before the pumping_or_exhausting is commenced. The air required-to-allow-the
excitant to flow-from-the-reservoirs will enter through the openings 0, 0, so soon
as the tube or pipes-is-or-are-disconnected.
The cells employed-may-be-any-of-the.forms.and arrangements shewn on Sheet 1,
according as may be desired or required, or as the battery is to be used with one or
more excitants. In the plan-Figure-3-several-of-the-arrangements shewn in Sheet 1
are used and fitted with the arrangements I employ for the "perfluent
system.
" or constant
Figure 4 shews in sectional elevation, and Figure 5 in plan, another arrange-
ment of my improved nickel battery, as hereinbefore described, in which instead of
employing separate detached cells as shewn in Figures 1 to 3, I employ a single
vessel or receptacle to contain the metals, carbons, and excitants, and divide the
same into the required or desired number of cells by alternate divisions of wood or
other suitable material and porous diaphragms, the spaces between each containing
the excitant or excitants, and the nickel, carbons, or metals employed.
The vessel or receptacle may be formed of wood suitably protected against the
action of the excitant or excitants, or of earthenware, glass, or other suitable or
convenient material or materials, in which grooves or their equivalents are formed
to retain the divisions, and admit of their being suitably cemented or made
tight to prevent the passage of the excitant or excitants from one space to the
other.
The
In this arrangement Figures 4 and 5 shew the same as a "perfluent" or constant
battery with one or more excitants, but it may be used as a battery without being
a "perfluent" if desired or preferred. The narrow double lines shewn in section in
Figure 4 represent the porous diaphragms or plates, and the wider double lines
shewn not sectioned are the wooden or other divisions herein before described.
small circles in each division in Figure 4 shew the overflow and outlet openings,
those dotted being on the opposite side, the plan, Figure 5, shewing this more
clearly; A, A, is the wooden or other vessel in which the excitants, metals, and
other arrangements are placed; B, B, the wooden or other suitable divisions;
C, C, the porous divisions or diaphragms; D, D, the funnels on the pipes or
shoots G, G, which lead the spent excitant or excitants to the receiver or receivers ;
E, E, the overflow outlets from the cells to the funnels; F, F, the outlets for
emptying the cells when required; G, G, pipes or shoots for leading away the
excitant or excitants, which has or have passed through the cells; H, H, the pipes
or tubes, one to each cell, which admit the excitant or excitants from the reservoirs,
and extend, as shewn by the dotted lines, to nearly the bottom of each cell. These
tubes may pass through a bar or support placed across the top of each cell, and be
supported by the-same-so-as-to-be kept at the required distance from the bottom,
or in any other suitable or convenient manner by which this result is or may be
attained.
The cells or parts, and the combinations used in forming the improved nickel
battery, may be used in any required or desired number, and of any suitable size or
dimensions, according to the purpose to which the same may be applied, or the
object for which the same may be intended to be used.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention of improvements in
galvanic batteries, and the manner in which the same is to or may be performed or
carried into practical use, I desire to state that I do not limit or confine myself to
the precise details as herein before specified and illustrated in the accompanying
two Sheets of Diagrams, as the same may be modified without departing from the
nature of my said Invention, nor do I claim as of my Invention the use of
perfluent or constant batteries, as this is not novel, nor the employment of two
or more excitants in generating galvanic currents, as this has been done before, nor
<<

page_text: the use of a vessel or vessels to contain the excitant or excitants, and a receiver or
receivers into which it or they passes or pass from the cells, as these have been
described before, but what I claim as of my Invention and desire to have protected
by Letters Patent is,-
First. The improved combined nickel battery generating galvanic electricity,
substantially as hereinbefore described and specified, and as illustrated in the
accompanying two Sheets of Diagrams, or any mere modification of the same.
Second. The manner or mode of forming, arranging, making, and fitting up the
cells and diaphragms, for the purposes herein before described and specified, and as
illustrated in the accompanying two Sheets of Diagrams.
Third. The ring or part to which the metals or carbons are or may be attached,
as herein before described and specified, and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and
17 and 18, in Sheet 1 of the Diagrams.
Fourth. The producing salts of nickel commercially and more cheaply by galvanic
electricity, and by the arrangements and combinations herein before described and
specified, and as illustrated in the accompanying two Sheets of Diagrams.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Slater, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifth day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine.
THOMAS SLATER.
(L.S.)