Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Feb., 1838
Complete Specification Left, 6th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted. 9th Nov.. 1888
I, HUGO MESTERN, of 19 Fraunhofer Strasse, München, in the Empire of Germany,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
.
The chief difficulty in the employment of Thermo-electric Batteries arises firstly,
in the brittleness of the Elements, and secondly in the danger that by the easy
fusibility of the usual metallic elements, a break in the circuit may occur; and thirdly
in the destructive influence of the gases of combustion acting directly thereon, in
cases when the inferior power of the indirect warming of the elements by contact
with separate heated bodies is not employed.
It is proved by experiment that the Elements become quickly destroyed by a direct
contact with coal and fire gases, and also through the intermediate influences of the
Melting and Oxydizing flames, and the alloys become altered into a mixed condition.
Similarly the Electricity communicated by flame is easily induced to escape by
the nearest channel or fastening whereby the working of the battery becomes
impaired.
The present invention is designed to remove these difficulties. The elements receive
a durable form, and are so constructed that even when an easily fusible alloy is
employed, on occasion of the melting thereof, a breaking of the circuit or current
cannot take place during the heating.
Further not only are the electrodes withdrawn from the injurious influence of the
hot gases, but also a direct contact of the gases of combustion with the thermo-
electrical elements is prevented, and thus a fused combination of the elements through
the action of the flames, cannot occur.
In my improved Furnace battery the thermo-electrical elements are composed
of an easily melted positive electrode, formed of Antimony and Zinc, which I will
call
P.
This is dovetailed into the electrode n formed of copper and nickel, in such a way
that an increased zone of contact, and also a more intimate co-working and mutual
action is attained.

page_text: A layer of asbestos insulates these elements from the envelope or case m, and
from a protecting cap v, which encloses one end of the envelope when preferred.
Both the case and cap are formed of iron or nickel or some other suitable metal
capable of affording the necessary resistance.
The case m and cap v form a channel for the negative Electrode.
It will be readily seen that by this arrangement the following advantages are
gained; viz.
(1). A greater durability of the Elements.
(2). Preventing the breaking of the circuit through melting of the Electrode P.
Conducting wires are attached which are composed of an alloy of copper and
nickel.
The cap, may be so formed as to surround the Electro-negative metal entirely,
whilst at the same time it clips the end of the case m, or if preferred, the cap,
may form a hollow heat conductor, and be itself held fast and enclosed by the
case m.
Other modifications are possible in which the case and cap can be made in one piece,
or the heat conductor is not enclosed by the case m.
In a furnace battery the Elements E, are connected to a thermo-electric battery.
My improved Furnace O, is constructed of annular shape, and of porcelain, fire-clay
or other materials which are non-conductors of heat and electricity, and is so arranged
that the isolated elements E, can be easily renewed.
In the interior of the Furnace battery a basket fire grating of bar iron R, is fixed
which is filled with burning fuel, and diffuses hent, and can be refilled through a
funnel S. The ash-box f, is so arranged that it can also serve to yield heat when
required.
To this end, is fitted with a grating K, and can be supplied with fuel through a
separate funnel A.
Provision is made for the necessary supply of air whilst the products of combustion
pass away through a vertical pipe.
The whole furnace is held together firmly by circular plates and bolts
The groups of elements are arranged to be over each other but might be arranged
parallel to or behind each other if preferred.
Dated this 14th day of February 1888

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Thermo-electric and Furnace Batteries.
I, HUGO MESTERN of München in the Empire of Germany, do hereby declare the
nature of my invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The extensive application of thermo-electric batteries is principally prejudiced by
the fragility of the elements, by the danger of an interruption of current, the commonly
employed alloys being of a very fusible nature, and by the noxious effect of the fire
vapours on the elements with direct heating, unless the less effectual indirect heating
of the elements by means of particular heating bodies is applied. Experiments have
demonstrated, that, if in direct contact with coal and fire vapours, the elements are
very rapidly reduced, and the alloys changed in their composition by the alternately
occurring oxidation and reduction flame. Moreover the flame having electric con-
ductivity produces a bye-current, thus decreasing the effect of the battery.
These inconveniences are intended to be obviated by the presont invention, the
elements being given a more durable shape and so constructed as to prevent an
interruption of current even in case of highly fusible alloys being employed, while
the heating is so effected as to protect the electrodes from the detrimental influence
of the heating vapours and also to avoid a direct contact of the fire vapours with the
thermo-electric elements, thereby precluding a conductive connection of the elements
through the flames.
Referring to the accompanying drawings:
Figs. 1 to 4 represent four modifications of the improved thermo-electric elements,
p indicating the positive easily fusible electro consisting of antimony zinc and other
suitable metals and connected as shown in the drawing, dove-tail fashion with the
negative electrode n composed of copper and nickel, thereby increasing surface of
contact and cohesion.
a is an insulating layer of asbestos which separates the protective mantle m of iron,
nickel or other resisting metal from the electro-positive alloy and serves simul-
taneously with the strengthening cap made of the same metal as a deflecting
conductor for the negative electrode.
It is obvious that by the above arrangement, a greater durability of the clements as
well as the avoidance of an interruption of the current in case of fusion of the
electrode p is attained. and are deflection-slices made from an alloy of nickel
and copper.
In Fig. 1 the strengthening cap is so shaped as to completely embrace the electro-
negative metal and at the same time secure the protective mantle m. In Fig. 2 the
said cap forms a thermal conductor surrounded and held fast by the mantle m, while
in Fig. 3 the thermal conductor is not surrounded by the mantle m.
Fig. 4 represents a modification in which the strengthening ring or cap and the
protective mantle are made in one piece m.

page_text: Figs. 5 and 6 show the improved furnace-battery in vertical and horizontal
section.
The elements E are united to a thermo-electric battery. The furnace O, constructed
in an annular shape, is made, according to its application and size, from asbestos,
china, clay or other material having no electric or thermal conductivity, and is so
arranged as to allow of an easy exchange of the single elements E. Within the
furnace-battery a basket grating R consisting of iron bars is provided. This grating
is adapted to be filled with burning coke through the funnel S to effect the heating.
The ash box is arranged to serve simultaneously for heating and is to this end
closed by a tilting grate k, the fuel being supplied through the funnel t.
and
The requisite air of combustion enters at i and 1, the smoke escaping through the
pipe z. The whole furnace is held together and stiffened by means of rings
bolts b. The element-groups superposed to one another may be joined consecutively
or parallelly.
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
In thermo-electric furnace batteries :
1. The covering m surrounding the single elements and consisting of resisting
metal, in combination with a insulating layer a of asbestos substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
2. The basket-grating R arranged within the furnace and having a diameter
correspondingly inferior to that of the inner space of the furnace substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
3. The grating R referred to in claim 2, in combination with an auxiliary grate k
provided below the basket-grating, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
11
HUELSER & Co.,
Agents to Applicant.