AN IMPROVED GALVANIC-BATTERY
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
and Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention
of "AN IMPROVED GALVANIC-BATTERY." A communication from abroad by
La Société Universelle d'Electricité Tommasi of Paris France
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th December 1881.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE of the Firm of Haseltine Lake and Co Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings London. "AN IMPROVED GALVANIC BATTERY." [A com-
munication from abroad by La Société Universello d'Electricité Tommasi of Paris
France.]
This Invention has for its object an improved galvanic battery which is
advantagecus as compared with other batteries in respect of its small volume its
great effective surface and its slight internal resistance.
The said improved battery works with one liquid only the copper and zinc
elements are separated by a porous diaphragm, and the jar or vessel which encloses
the elements of the battery contains crystals of sulphate of copper; it therefore
belongs to the same class as that known as the "Daniell" battery.
The Invention is based essentially upon two features that is to say-
One feature is the employment of the zinc and copper metals in the form of
wires having a diameter of about 5 to 7 millimetres twisted spirally or arranged in
parallel lines joined by curves or rounded parts when the vessel used is of square
or rectangular form. One extremity of these wires protrudes outside of the said
vessel and is bent horizontally to be directly coupled to the corresponding wires of
the other elements in order to constitute a battery which thus can be made up to
any quantity and tension desired. The other feature is the replacing of the porous
cylinder or vase generally used in the construction of the "Daniell" battery by a
sheet of parchment or dyalized paper arranged horizontally and the edges of which
are plaited, or folded and rise above the level of the liquid contained in the
aforesaid jar or vessel. This vessel which may be of cylindrical or other form is
ΓΕΙ

page_text: constructed of glass, earthenware gutta percha, or other suitable material. In it I
place a layer of sulphate of copper crystals upon which is laid a coil of copper wire
one extremity of which is as above stated extended upward to the top and outside
of the said vessel when it is bent horizontally and serves as an electrode. Over
the said coil or spiral is applied a sheet of parchment paper conveniently plaited
or folded and so arranged as to extend to the top of the jar and separate the liquid
contained in the battery into two parts, which can communicate with each other
only through the pores of the paper forming the said diaphragm. In the interior
of the paper or parchment cup I arrange a circular piece of hempen cord or other
like substance, upon which is placed a zinc coil preferably amalgamated, and one
extremity of which also protrudes from the said vessel and serves for the coupling
of the adjacent elements.
The said vessel is filled or partially filled with pure water or with water
acidulated with or part of sulphuric acid. The battery will then act as above
stated like a "Daniell" couple, that is to say the sulphate of copper is decomposed
into pure copper which is deposited upon the copper coil or spiral and into sulphuric
acid which attacks the zinc of the other coil or spiral.
The current obtained is regular and moreover the metallic surfaces being
considerable by reason of their form, the production of electricity will be
considerable more so that the internal resistance of the couple is extremely weak,
as the copper-and zinc are separated only by a diaphragm or membrane of paper,
or other porous material which is nevertheless-sufficient-to-prevent_the_decom
position of the chemically isolated metallic copper on the zinc. Furthermore
this Invention is advantageous by reason of the simplicity of manufacture of the
elements of this improved battery and the slight expense of its maintenance in
working order as the most costly part, that is to say the sulphate of copper
generates pure copper which can be collected upon the copper coil or spiral.
Therefore this Invention affords the means for effectually obtaining objects long
sought for viz. developement of the metallic surfaces, reduction of the internal
resistances, and economy in the primary cost and in the cost of maintenance of the
battery.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
17th June 1882.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE of the Firm of Haseltine Lake & Co Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings London "AN IMPROVED GALVANIC-BATTERY." A com-
munication from abroad by La Société Universelle d'Electricité Tommasi, of Paris,
France.
This Invention has for its object an improved galvanic battery which is advan-
tageous as compared with other batteries in respect of its small volume, its great
effective surface, and its slight internal resistance.
The said improved battery works with a single liquid, the copper and zinc
elements are separated by a porous diaphragm, and the jar or vessel which encloses
the elements of the battery contains crystals of sulphate of copper; it therefore
belongs to the same class as that known as the "Daniell" battery.
The Invention is based essentially upon two features that is to say-One feature
is the employment of the zinc and copper in the form of wires having a diameter
of about from five to seven millimetres twisted spirally, or arranged in parallel
lines joined by curves or rounded parts when the vessel used is of square or
rectangular form. One extremity of each of these wires protrudes outside of the
said vessel and is bent into a horizontal direction to be coupled to the corresponding
wire of another element in order to constitute a battery which can be arranged
either for quantity or for intensity as desired. The other feature is the replacing
of the porous cylinder or cell generally used in the construction of the "Daniell
battery, by a sheet of parchment or dialized paper arranged horizontally and the
edges of which are plaited or folded and rise above the level of the liquid contained
in the aforesaid jar or vessel.
In the accompanying Drawing.
Figure 1 represents a plan of the improved battery.
Figure 2 represents a central vertical section of the same.
"
Figure 3 represents a similar view to Figure 1 with the zinc coil removed.
Figure 4 represents a similar view to Figure 1 with the zinc coil and the
diaphragm removed.
Figure 5 represents a modified form of the improved battery.
The vessel A, which may be of cylindrical or other form, is constructed of glass,
carthen-ware, gutta-percha or other suitable material. In it I place a layer of
sulphate of copper crystals B upon which is laid a coil of copper wire C one
extremity of which is, as above stated, extended upward to the top and outside of
the said vessel where it is bent horizontally and serves as an electrode. Over the
said coil or spiral C is applied a sheet of parchment paper forming a diaphragm F
conveniently plaited or folded and so arranged as to extend to the top of the jar
or vessel, and separate the liquid contained in the battery into two parts which
can communicate with each other only through the pores of the paper forming the
diaphragmn F.
In the interior of the paper or parchment diaphragm FI arrange a circular
piece D of hempen cord or like substance, upon which is placed a zinc coil E,
preferably amalgamated, one extremity of which also protrudes from the said vessel
and serves for the coupling of the adjacent elements.
The vessel A is filled, or partially filled, with pure water, or with water acidulated
with one hundredth part of sulphuric acid. The battery will then act as above.
stated, like a "Danicll" couple, that is to say, the sulphate of copper is decomposed

page_text: into pure copper which is deposited upon the copper coil or spiral C and into
sulphuric acid which attacks the zine of the coil or spiral E.
In Figure 5 is represented a modification in which the general arrangement of
the apparatus allows of a supply of sulphate of copper being placed in it at any
time, and when one coil of zinc is consumed another coil can easily be put in its
place without taking the apparatus to pieces. In this modification I also simplify
the mode of attaching the conducting wires to the extremities of the copper and
zinc wires. The vessel A which contains the sulphate of copper crystals B or other
substance, is of rectangular form and is divided by a partition N into two
compartments of different sizes. The largest compartment may be square and in
it is placed the constituent parts of the battery. The smaller compartment is filled
with sulphate of copper crystals, in such a manner as to constitute a reserve or
provision which may be renewed from time to time without requiring to remove
any part of the apparatus. The partition N may be fitted in grooves or held in
place by other suitable means; it is cut out at its lower end to facilitate the com-
munication between the compartments.
Instead of allowing the copper coil C to rest directly upon the crystals I provide
a cord M which is laid close against the sides of the vessel A and whose ends abut
against the partition; on each side of the aperture through the latter and upon the
said cord is placed the copper coil. This cord rests upon the bottom of the vessel
and consequently there is no risk of the copper coil sinking or becoming displaced
-when-the-crystals at the bottom are used up.
The zinc coil E rests as hereinbefore described, upon-a-cord-D-which-may_be_
passed round inside the larger compartment. But in certain cases I prefer to
interpose between this cord and the coil a support G of zinc or other suitable
material in the form of a split ring of rectangular or square transverse section and
iusulated upon all sides except the upper side which receives the coil; a vertical
copper wire His screwed, or otherwise fixed, in the said ring; the wire H is covered
with a coating of gutta-percha or other suitable material and forms one of the poles
of the battery. The advantage of this arrangement is that when one zinc coil is
consumed it is only necessary to place another upon the said support, without
otherwise manipulating the apparatus. The support being protected upon three of
its four faces is consumed very slowly and lasts a long time.
The other pole of the battery is constituted as hereinbefore described by one end
of the copper coil. The connection of the conducting wires L with the two
electrodes is effected in a very simple manner by means of a tube J soldered at one
end to the electrode; at the other end this tube is split in a similar manner to an
ordinary port-crayon; and the conducting wire L is inserted in the said tube and
fixed by means of a ring K which slides freely upon the tube.
The partition N may be made of non-conducting material, or it may be of copper
or other suitable metal and may constitute one of the poles of the battery. The
form and dimensions of the different parts of the apparatus may be varied as
desired.
The current obtained is regular, and moreover the metallic surfaces being large
by reason of their form, the production of electricity will be considerable, the more
so that the internal resistance of the couple is extremely weak, as the copper and
zinc are separated only by a diaphragm or membrane of paper or other porous
material which is nevertheless sufficient to prevent the deposition of the chemically
isolated metallic copper on the zinc.
Furthermore this Invention is advantageous by reason of the simplicity of manu-
facture of the elements of this improved battery and the slight expense of its
maintenance in working order, as the most costly part, that is to say the sulphate
of copper, generates pure copper which can be collected upon the copper coil or
spiral C. Therefore this Invention affords the means for effectually obtaining
ubjects long sought for viz-development of the metallic surfaces, reduction of the
internal resistance, and economy in the primary cost, and in the cost of maintenance
of the battery.

page_text: Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that I claim :-
The improved galvanic battery hereinbefore described and shown in the accom-
panying Drawing and comprising the following features, that is to say :-
First The arrangement in the shape of coils or spirals, or in parallel lines
joined by curves or rounded parts, of the zinc and copper wires of any suitable
diameter.
Second-The separation of the two metals by a porous diaphragm or membrane
composed of parchment, paper, or other suitable material arranged horizontally and
plaited or folded in a circular form so as to rise above the top of the vessel or jar
to prevent the deposit upon the zinc, of the copper liberated by the voltaic action,
but at the same time to allow the chemical action to take place, thereby reducing
to a minimum the internal resistance of the battery.
Third: The arrangement, in a vessel of suitable form, of a partition separating
the said vessel into two compartments of different sizes, in the larger of which are
contained the constituent parts of the battery, whilst the smaller compartment
contains a supply of sulphate of copper crystals or other reactive agent, the two
compartments communicating with each other, substantially as, and for the purpose,
set forthi.
Fourth The arrangement of a cord or other support under the copper coil for
sustaining it, as above described, and for the purpose specified.
=-
Fifth The arrangement, above the cord which sustains the zinc coil, of a
support also made of zinc and having a metallic extension which forms one of
the poles of the battery, substantially as set forth and represented in the accom-
panying Drawing.
Sixth-The mode of attaching the conducting wires to the poles of the battery
by means of a tube split at one end and fixed to the conducting wire by a ring
sliding upon the said tube, substantially as above described and represented in the
accompanying Drawing.
In witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Seventeenth day of June in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
W ROB. LAKE. (L.S.)