An Improved Galvanic Cell or Battery for Electric Lighting or for other Purposes.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Aug., 1889-Accepted, 5th Oct., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Galvanic Cell or Battery for Electric Lighting or for
other Purposes.
I, SAMUEL MILLER of 1 Langton Cottages Melbourne Square, Brixton in the
County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:
This Invention has for its object to provide a Primary Galvanic Battery or cell
which is convenient in use and efficient in action. Within a casing of wood or equiva-
lent material is embedded in pitch or such like substance a cylinder or box of Carbon
constituting one Electrode of the Battery.
This carbon cylinder or box is preferably corrugated on the inside. Within the
said carbon cylinder or box is placed a porous pot divided throughout its entire length
into two chambers by a porous partition. In one compartment is placed the Zinc
electrode and the other compartment is supplied with acid such as sulphuric or Hydro-
chloric acid. The porous partition above referred to allows the acid to leak through
from one compartment to the other. The cylinder outside the porous pot contained
by the carbon cylinder or chamber is filled with a depolarizing solution hereinafter
referred to. The connections from the Zinc element of one cell to the Carbon element
of the adjoining cell is by preference is made by means of a platinized clip which
allows an easy renewal of the Zincs.
The depolarizing fluid or solution above referred to which is placed within the
carbon chamber and surrounding the porous pot is a solution composed of, and in
about the following proportions:-
In 1 quart of cold water is dissolved lb. of Nitrate of Soda and 2, ounces of
Bichromate of Potash, and to this solution is added 15, fluid ounces of Sulphuric
acid, or Hydro-chloric acid which should be done slowly so as to generate as little
heat as possible when the solution is quite cold is added 2 ounces of Chloride of
Sodium.
When a Battery of several of these cells is used, each cell is preferably supplied
with its necessary liquids by pipes and taps arranged as follows:-The pipes supplying.
the Depolarizing solution to the carbon cylinder or chamber enters at the top of the
chamber and is a branch pipe from a main pipe, such branch pipo having a stop cock
before it is connected to a main pipe communicating with a vat or cistern containing
the depolazing solution.-Water is supplied to one chamber of the porous pot by a
similar system of supply pipes. Overflow pipes are arranged from nearly the top of
the several chambers or compartments.
When there are several of these cells together they are for convenience enclosed in
a wooden box or case forming a trough underneath the cells--this casing is provided
with a hinged flap or top for examining the cells and the leads for connections are
carried off through this casing in any convenient position. As my Improvements are
capable of various modifications without departing from the principle thereof I do not
restrict myself to the use of any particular materials, dimensions or to the precise
form or placement of the several parts thereof.
Dated this 5th day of October 1888.
RAINER & CASSELL,
43, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: •
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Galvanic Cell or Battery for Electric Lighting or for
other Purposes.
I SAMUEL MILLER of 1 Langton Cottages Melbourne Square Brixton in the County
of Surrey Engineer 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 :-
Within a
This Invention has for its object to provido a primary galvanic battery or cell
which is convenient in use and economical and very efficient in action.
casing of wood or other equivalent material is embedded in pitch or such like sub-
stance a cylinder or box of carbon constituting one electrode of the battery. This
carbon cylinder or box is preferably corrugated on the inside viz. on that side which
is exposed to the opposite electrode or zinc. Within the said carbon cylinder or box
is placed a porous pot which is divided throughout its entire length by a porous
partition into two chambers or compartments one considerably larger than the other.
Into the larger compartment water is introduced and in it the zinc electrode is placed
and in the smaller one is placed a supply of acid such as sulphuric acid or hydro-
chloric acid or a mixture thereof.
.
The partition between the two compartments being porous allows a sufficient
quantity of the acid to leak through from the smaller compartment into the water
which is contained in the larger compartment and thus the water in that larger com-
partment becomes acidulated. The space outside the porous pot contained by the
carbon cylinder or chamber is filled with a depolarizing solution hereinafter
referred to.
Both these chambers or compartments here referred to may be provided with supply
pipes and overflow pipes in order to facilitatė the supply and discharge the necessary
liquids to their respective chambers.
The connections from the zinc element of the one cell to the carbon element of the
adjoining cell is by preference made by means of a platinized clip one end of which
is connected to the top of the zinc by a screw or equivalent arrangement the other
end being preferably formed with small arms which may be connected to the carbon
chamber by a screw attachment or spring clip-this clip or attachment should be
platinized to prevent corrosion. Such a clip allows of the oasy renewal of the
zincs.
The depolarizing fluid or solution before referred to which is placed within the
carbon chamber and surrounds the porous pot is composed of or contains Nitrate of
Soda Bichromate of Potash; Chloride of Sodium and Sulphuric or Hydro-chloric
Acid (or both such acids).
In one quart of cold water I dissolve half a pound of Nitrate of Soda, and two
ounces of Bichromate of Potash, and to this solution I add fifteen fluid ounces of
Sulphuric Acid or Hydrochloric Acid or a mixture of such acids it being added
slowly so as to generate as little heat as possible. When this solution is quite cold I
add two ounces of Chloride of Sodium. I also find that it can be very satisfactorily
prepared in the following way:-
To one quart of cold water I add gradually one pint of Sulphuric Acid, or Hydro-
chloric Acid or a mixture of the two acids and I allow the solution to cool preferably
to 75° Fahrenheit, I then add six ounces of finely powdered Nitrate of Soda and one
and a half ounces of finely powdered Bichromate of Potash. The mixture is then
thoroughly stirred until the solids are dissolved and then one ounce of Chloride of
Sodium is added. The whole may then be finally stirred. The ingredients named
may be those which are procurable as commercial products. The foregoing solution is
more especially suitable for the larger class of batteries. If the batteries be of the
smaller kind such as for Miner's lamps it is preferred to use four ounces each of the
Nitrate of Soda and the Bichromate of Potash.
It will be seen from the foregoing directions that the proportions used may be varied

page_text: somewhat to suit different cases but any of the above proportions will enable the good
results of my Invention to be obtained although the proportions which in any
individual case will produce the maximum efficiency will not be the same in all
cases.
When a battery of several of these cells is used each cell is preferably supplied with
the liquids or solutions by pipes and taps arranged as follows: The pipes supplying the
depolarizing solution to the carbon cylinder or chamber enters at or towards the top
of the chamber and is a branch from a main pipe, such branch pipe having a stop
cock. An overflow pipe is arranged from nearly the top of the carbon chamber in
case the cock should be left open, a pipe is also arranged with a stop cock from the
bottom of the chamber to empty the same when required. The top of this chamber
is by preference enclosed up to the porous pot with pitch or such like substance. The
vat or cistern in which the depolarizing solution is stored can be fitted with a glass
guage divided up into given spaces each space registering that quantity which is
allowed to sufficiently fill the carbon chamber of each cell with the depolarizing solu-
tion and the said vat or cistern is placed at a higher level than the top of the cell or
cells it is to supply. When it is required to fill the carbon cylinder or chamber the
stop cock in the branch pipe is opened and when the glass guage registers one space
of liquid less in the vat the stop cock is closed. The water for the larger chamber of
the porous pot can be supplied by a branch pipe to each porous pot connected to a
main pipe in which is fixed a stop cock. These branch pipes extend to within a short
space of the bottom of the porous pots--each porous pot is supplied with an overflow
pipe a short distance below its top. The overflow pipes from both the porous pot and
the carbon chamber discharge into a trough beneath the cells from which a discharge
pipe is arranged. The supply pipe to the porous pot terminates near the bottom of
the pot so as to facilitate the washing out of the same by the supply of water. The
smaller compartment of the porous pot can be most conveniently supplied with its
acid before referred to by hand if the porous pot be not divided into two compartments
the acid solution can be poured in by hand, or pipes as at F can be used for the
purpose. The cell or battery is encased in a box of wood or other suitable material
and is supported upon bearers sufficient space heing allowed below the cell or battery
to form a trough into which the discharge pipes before mentioned enter and from such
trough a waste pipe is taken to carry off the liquids. The casing may be provided
with a hinged flap or top for examing the cells and the leads for connection are carried
off through this casing in any convenient position.
It is not necessary in the case of cells of a small size to have the porous pot divided
into two compartments. If it consists of but one compartment it will contain the
zinc element and acidulated water will be placed in it.
In order that my invention may be well understood I will now proceed to describe
the several Figures of the drawings hereunto annexed all of which Figures are
marked and numbered with the like letters of reference throughout.
Figure 1 is a horizontal section of a single cell made according to my said
invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on the line × × of Figure 1 looking in
the direction of the arrow x.
Figure 3 shows a battery with the various connections and supply devices or
arrangements.
Figure 4 shews the clip in perspective.
Figure shews the arrangement of the vat or cistern for the depolarizing solution
in connection with the battery.
A is the casing in which the carbon cylinder or chamber c is placed and B is the
pitch or similar substance in which the carbon chamber is embedded and by which
its top is enclosed.
.
The carbon cylinder or chamber C has its inside corrugated as before mentioned.
C is the space in which the depolarizing fluid or solution is placed, and
D is the porous pot in this instance shewn as being divided into the two chambers-
D being the large chamber and D" the smaller compartment to be supplied with

page_text: sulphuric or hydrochloric acid or both. D is the porous partition allowing the acid
in the one chamber to pass through into, the water in the larger chamber.
E is the zinc placed in the larger chamber of the porous pot.
F is the pipe supplying the water to the chamber-D
G shews the overflow pipe from the chamber D¹.
His the branch pipe to supply the depolarizing solution to the space C¹ contained
by the carbon chamber.
J is the overflow pipe from the carbon chamber.
K shews the pipe with stop cock for emptying the carbon chamber, when
desired.
Lis the attachment to the carbon chamber to which the platinized clip from
the zinc of the adjoining cell is secured.
M is the platinized clip forming the connection from the positive to the negative
terminals of the respective cells-this clip is formed at the one end with a hoop or
ring to fit over the zinc to which it is fixed by a small screw M¹ the other end is
formed with a forked end which is attached to the screw L in connection with the
carbon of the adjoining cell.
NN are the bearers to carry the cells. O
D indicates the water in the porous pot.
PPPPPP in Figure 3 indicate the cells.
and indicates the negativo terminals.
indicates the depolarizing fluid and
+indicates the positive terminals
R is the main pipe from the vat or cistern to the branch pipes H supplying
the depolarizing liquid or solution and R R are the stop cocks in the branch
pipes H.
S is the stop cock in the main pipe F which supplies wator to the larger chambers
of the porous pots.
Tis the stop cock in the pipe K which is used to empty the carbon chamber of its
depolarizing liquid or solution.
U shews in section the box or casing enclosing the cells.
V is the waste pipe from the trough under the cells.
W shews one of the end terminals.
y Fig. 5 shews the vat or cistern containing the depolarizing fluid or solution fixed
on bearers above the level of the cells and is the guage marked to indicate the
quantity of liquid contained in the vat or cistern and the difference in level due to the
withdrawal of each charge.
OO shew the leads from the respective terminals.
In small cells the division D may be dispensed with in which case acidulated
water is put into the simple porous pot.
I am aware that the form of carbon chamber which I have here described and
drawn has already been in use and I do not claim this form of carbon cylinder or
chamber but I preferably use this internally corrugated carbon cylinder or chamber
though it is not essential to my Invention.
As my said improvements are capable of various modifications without departing
from the principle thereof I do not restrict myself to the precise details herein-
before described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
A primary cell or battery constructed and arranged substantially as described and
shewn and containing liquids or solutions as hereinbefore described whether the system
for supplying the cells with the liquids or solutions be employed or not.
Dated this 18th day of February 1800
SAMUEL MILLER.