Year: 1886

page_text: I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The invention relates first to a galvanic cell containing a positive or non-attacked
element of aluminium; and second to the combination in a galvanic cell of a positive
or non-attacked element of carbon or material other than aluminium, with circuit con-
nections of aluminium.
In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is an elevation and partial section of a cell
containing a positive element of aluminium. Fig. 2 shows in clevation and partial
section a well known form of cell in which zinc and carbon elements and aluminium
circuit connections are employed. It is well known that the positive element in
galvanic cells is ordinarily made of carbon; and that copper and platinum are also
sometimes used. The high cost of platinum prevents its use; copper is easily corroded
or polarized. Carbon although it is a cheap substance and one far separated from zine
on the electro-motive scale, nevertheless is open to many objections. Being porous it
is liable to become clogged with salts and other impurities. It offers a variable resist-
ance depending upon its composition and homogeneity. It is apt to crumble and
disintegrate. To attach connections to it is a difficult matter. If used in large slabs,
there is a useless addition to the weight of the cell; if thin, brittleness and easy break-
age follows. An element of aluminium replacing the carbon element in any cell where
the same is used gives advantages which are not gained by an element of any other
metal or material. Aluminium is exceedingly light and strong, and substantially
inoxidizable, and hence, far separated from zinc on the electro-motive scale. It may be
easily molded or cast into any desired form. An element made from it may be a thin
plate exceedingly light and thin; it is one of the best of electrical conductors, and
when produced in a pure state is always of uniform and homogeneous composition. It
is now possible to obtain it from alumina, very cheaply. It is virtually unalterable in

page_text: the ordinary electrolytic liquid employed in cells. It combines, in brief all the advan-
tages of platinum and of carbon with the disadvantages of neither while it adds its
own valuable peculiarities of great lightness, strength ease of manipulation and
electrical conductivity.
In Fig. 1 is shown an ordinary form of galvanic cell in which the usual carbon
electrode is replaced by one of aluminium. A is the containing vessel. B, the
porous cup in which is placed the zine element C and an exciting liquid F. E is the
aluminium element immersed in the depolarizing fluid D. In all galvanic cells in
which carbon is used as an element, there is much difficulty in securing the conducting
wire to the carbon. If an ordinary clamp of iron or copper be used local action
between the metal and the carbon ensues, the metal is consumed and a reverse current
is caused in the cell. If holes be made in the carbon and the conducting wire be
soldered therein, the solder in time becomes eaten away. A joint outside the carbon
cannot be protected by varnishing or covering the carbon with paraffine, because the
battery fluid gradually soaks up into the carbon, and so attacks the holding device
from the inside and necessarily the clamp or holder is corroded on the face where it
must make direct contact with the carbon. These difficulties result not merely in the
ultimate breaking of the support, but the gradual interposition of high resistance in
the cell, duo as well known to imperfect joints.
All of the aforesaid difficulties can be obviated by making the circuit connections
of the carbon electrode of aluminium. In Fig. 2. G is the containing vessel. H, the
zine element and I, a carbon element. Any suitable electrolytic liquid is con-
tained in the vessel G. J is a rod of aluminium, which is connected to the carbon
element by a nut K of aluminium received through the threaded part L of the rod
which passes through the carbon. The upper end of the rod which passes through
the cover M of the cell is provided with a threaded portion and nut N to receive the
conducting wire.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my 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. In a galvanic cell, a positive element of aluminium.
2. In a galvanic cell, an element of zinc and an element of aluminium.
3. In a galvanic cell, a positive element of a material other than aluminium, with
circuit connections of aluminium.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.