IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY ELECTRIC BATTERIES
Year: 1884

page_text: I ARTHUR CHARLES HENDERSON of 47, Museum Street Oxford Street in the
Parish of Bloomsbury and county of Middlesex Civil Engineer and Patent Agent
do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY
ELECTRIC BATTERIES a communication to me from abroad by Ernest Bazin Civil
Engineer and Chevalier of the Legion of Honour of the city of Paris in the
Republic of France, to be as follows:-
This invention relates to that class of batteries in which the electrodes, or the
zinc and carbon elements or other active and conducting matters are in the form of
disks, to which a rotary motion is imparted for preventing the adhesion of hydrogen
globules on the said electrodes, such adherence causing polarization.
The disks in rotating enter, and make their exit into the atmosphere from the
baths containing the exciting liquid, and in so doing, they take with them into the
baths a certain quantity of oxygen, which tends greatly to prolong the duration of
the battery or batteries; the friction and vibrations they thus produce in the liquid
generating electricity. One of the main features of the present invention is the
method of collecting the current necessary for the proper working of batteries with
rotating electrodes, so as to collect the currents without loss, as if with fixed
contacts.
The carbon disks are plunged into wood, ebonite, or other nonconducting troughs
or basins, between each carbon disk are the zinc disks, that is to say one zinc disk
is placed between two carbon disks, each triplet being respectively connected to a
concentric collar, from which collars they are separated by tie pieces, which being
good conductors of electricity keep them in constant communication.
These disks with their collars are adjusted on a long insulating cylinder, sur-
rounding a tubular shaft, each one being separated from its neighbouring collar by
a ring of nonconducting material.
All these rings are secured between the disks and collars which they are intended
to insulate, by screwing nuts to the threaded ends of the hollow shaft referred to;
the journals of which turn in bearings on vertical supports, between which latter
the elements of the battery are situated, being mounted as before described on the
D
1

page_text: horizontal and hollow shaft. These bearings are movable vertically, according to
whether the disks are plunged into, or completely withdrawn from the liquid
exciting baths or troughs; or in other words whether the battery is to be kept in
operation or at rest. With this view it suffices to set a crank in motion by aid of
an endless screw and helical or worm wheel, screwing on the threaded ends of the
vertical supports of the hollow shaft, and by this means producing a rectilinear
lifting and lowering movement of the bearings to which the vertical supports or
shafts are connected.
It has been stated that the zinc and carbon electrodes plunge into the exciting
liquid contained in the wooden or other troughs, each one of which receiving the
effects of the decomposition of the battery, the electric current produced; which
is collected by the following and novel method, whose essential characteristic is the
avoidance of all discontinuity and consequent loss.
Each of the collars of the carbons and zincs revolve in a mercury bath, borne by
a bar forming a support to the transverse divisions of the troughs or basins.
These bars are supplied with terminals or binding screws, from which the con-
ducting wires start, one forming the positive, the other the negative pole of the
elements.
The collars being constantly in electrical connection with the disks, the electricity
of the latter passes integrally into the mercury baths, and thence to the terminals
on the bars of the troughs or basins containing the exciting liquid. All the
troughs or basins are furnished with an emptying tap. The rotation of the
zinc and carbon electrodes for preventing polarization of the electrodes, is effected
by an electric motor, whose motion is transmitted to the shaft bearing the electrodes,
by means of toothed wheels. The collars may also be provided with projecting
blades, fixed at equal distances, and in sufficient number, which revolve in the
mercury baths in place of the collars themselves so revolving.
The disks can also be worked without a separate mercury bath for each one, in
this case the conducting wires are connected to the collars, and run the length of
the driving shaft, where they are united at its ends to collecting collars, where the
latter revolve in mercury baths, whence the current is retaken by one or other of
the means before mentioned.
The troughs or basins containing the exciting liquid, can be mounted on a
platform, which can be raised or lowered by means of a crank, so raising or
lowering the liquid for increasing, diminishing, or cutting off the zone of contact
of the electrodes with the exciting liquid, as may be required.
All the mercury baths rest on a support perimanently fixed, an index following
the rectilinear and vertical displacements of the platform, which movements are
marked on a graduated scale for showing the quantity of electricity developed, for
the severally immersed surfaces of the electrodes.
The exciting liquid employed with these rotating batteries, is either bi chromate
of potash, when the electrodes are iron and zinc, and bi chromate of lead when the
negative electrodes are lead,
By the use of these exciting liquids, in conjunction with the novel rotary batteries,
the electrical quantity and energy are greatly increased.
Dated this 2nd day of October 1884,
A. C. HENDERSON.
I hereby state, that I Arthur Charles Henderson am the appointed agent to
act in behalf of Ernest Bazin Civil Engineer of 2 Boulevard de Strasburg
in the city of Paris in the Republic of France.
TODAY

page_text: to, the journals, of which turn in bearings h, on vertical supports s. 8 between
which latter the elements of the battery are situated, being mounted as before
described on the horizontal and hollow shaft and rest on the table t.
In the centre or at any judiciously selected points, the shaft d of the disks is
borne by supports d¹¹.
These bearings are movable vertically according to whether the disks are plunged
into or completely withdrawn from the liquid exciting baths or troughs, or in other
words whether the battery is to be kept in operation or is at rest.
With this view it suffices to set a crank z in motion by aid of an endless screw k
and helical or worm wheel screwing on the threaded ends h¹ h¹ of the vertical
supports of the hollow shaft, and by this means producing a rectilinear lifting
and lowering movement of the bearings h. h to which the vertical supports or
shafts h¹h' are connected.
The supports 8. 8 are strengthened above by the traverse j, in the centre of which
an intermediate cushion 7, is placed to support the shaft 2 of an endless screw k.
It has been stated that the zinc z, and carbon c. c electrodes plunge into the
exciting liquid contained in wooden or other troughs a each one of which receiving
the effects of the decomposition of the battery, the electric current is produced
which is collected by the following and novel method whose essential characteristic
is the avoidance of all discontinuity and consequent loss.
Each of the collars c'. c', and z', of the carbons and zincs revolve in a mercury
bath m, borne by a bar m', forming a support to the transverse divisions of the
troughs or basins a.
These bars are supplied with terminals m³, or binding screws from which the
conducting wires f. f¹ start, one forming the positive the other the negative poles
of the elements. The collars c' c' and 2, being constantly in electrical connection
with the disks c. c. and z, the electricity of the latter passes integrally into the
mercury baths m, and thence to the terminals m³ on the bars m³, of the troughs
or basins containing the exciting liquid.
All the troughs a or basins are furnished with an emptying tap a¹.
The rotation of the zinc and carbon electrodes for preventing polarization of the
electrodes is effected by an electric motor M, whose motion is transmitted to the
shaft & bearing the electrodes by means of toothed wheels M¹ Mª M³ M*.
The collars c c and z', turn with the zines and carbons and plunge into, and
transmit the current to the mercury baths m, without any loss or discontinuity, as
if the contacts were made on fixed electrodes. These disks can readily be replace i
when so required which is rapidly effected by this novel method.
Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section of another method of collecting the current.
Fig. 12 is a transverse section following the line 1-2.
The driving shaft a, which is an iron or steel tube, is covered with a sheath of
wood a', which perfectly insulates it from the metal muffles on which the zinc =
and carbon c. c' disks are fixed. These muffles 6 have cheeks b', between which
the disks are mounted, by screwing on a ring b³, with shoulder 6³, which closely
locks the disk against the cheeks b'.
A washer placed between them remedies any inequalities of thickness of the
electrodes and prevents the disks coming in contact with the locking mechanism.
These muffles are separated one from the other by india rubber or gutta percha
rings e locked between them and each set of muffles is separated from its neighbouring
set by india rubber tubes e¹.
In order to prevent the spilling of the liquid drawn by the disks, elastic
insulating rings are placed between each to collect the liquid and return it to the
respective troughs of each set of disks. These rings may be solid or hollow.
The current passes from one trough to the other in the following manner.
The sheathing a', is hollowed throughout its length with two mortises h. h' in
which the keys k. k₁ of good conducting metal lodge Connected with these keys
are springs r. r, which are inserted between the muffles of the disks and insulating
rings so that one of the keys for instance, is in electrical connection by means of

page_text: the springs r, with the carbons c. c', of one set, with the zines 3, of the next set.
The other key puts the spring r¹ of the zinc in connection with the collector p,
which is fixed on the wooden casing or sheath a'.
The current is taken by the collectors p, by aid of the rubbers x, or by means of
mercury baths in which the collars turn.
In lieu of the springs r. r, screws v Fig. 13 can be employed which establish the
contacts between the muffles b, of the disks and the keys k. of the insulating
shaft a'.
Fig. 14 representing a complete rotary battery shows the collecting disks p. pl
plunged into mercury baths m. m', and establishing the circuit with the wires ff
of the terminals z. xl. The circuit is made in this battery by aid of joint bolts n. n',
which put the collectors p or p', in electrical communication with the carbon disks c. c,
whilst keeping these latter separate.
The zinc disk z is similarly connected by the bolt o to the carbons of the next
set, the zinc of which is then connected with the carbons of the second set and so
on to the last set.
In Fig. 8 the intermediate collar c¹ or which communicates the electricity of
the carbon c, or zinc z, to the mercury bath m, can only plunge into this bath by
means of the blades n, mounted on a ring at equal distances and in sufficient
numbers. This mercury bath may consist of an insulating trough supported by an
insulating bar m', in either case the current is then taken by the conducting
wires f. fimmersed in the mercury.
In Figs. 9 and 10 the method of collecting the current without separate mercury
baths for each disk is shown; in this case the conducting wires f. f are connected
to cach of the collars c'. c', ', and run the length of the driving shaft, where they
are united at its ends to collecting collars revolving in mercury baths, whence the
current is retaken by one or other of the means before mentioned.
The arrangement shown by Figures 1. 2 and 3 does not admit of varying the
submerged surface of the electrodes and consequently the delivery of the battery
or produce electricity in variable quantity as required for various purposes say for
example the supply for a variable number of burners.
Figs. 5. 6 and 7 illustrate a method of construction supplying this desideratum.
It will be seen in Fig. 5 that the troughs a are mounted on a platform t, which
can be raised or lowered by the crank q so that the level of the exciting liquid is
raised or lowered and consequently the zone of contact of the electrodes with this
liquid is or may be increased diminished or entirely cut off as may be required.
The driving shaft d, of the disks turns in bearings permanently fixed in their
supports 8. 8. The mercury baths rest on a surface also fixed.
An index which follows the vertical and rectilinear displacements of the
platform t, points to the divisions of a scale vl, whose graduations indicate the
quantity of electricity produced by the variously immersed surfaces of the
electrodes.
The platform p can be raised or lowered by two screws symmetrically disposed
and simultaneously actuated.
In Figs. 6 and 7 it is the driving shaft d of the electrodes which is raised and
lowered as desired in the manner already described by Figs. 1. 2. and 3 with the
addition in the centre of the battery of an endless screw and helical wheel for
simultaneously working the shafts h', and the worm r', on the shaft k' and wheel
on the central shaft r, this latter in its up and down movements takes with it the
supports of the mercury baths whose cross pieces m', are fixed to traverses m³
attached to the bearings h, of the shaft d.
The support bearing the electric motor M also moves with the shaft & there is
therefore no interruption in the motion of the electrodes whilst they are raised or
lowered.
The index v, is fixed on the frame of the dynamo, and the scale v' is bolted to
the frame A.

page_text: It has been mentioned that in rotary batteries where the support of the troughs
is made to rise and descend by aid of two screws placed at each end this support
being acted upon at these two points simultaneously it is kept perfectly level and
works with accuracy no matter what may be the weight it has to bear. It should
also be remarked that two zines and three carbons may be placed in one and the
same bath, thus forming a very powerful element.
It will be observed with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 that the rotary motion of the
electrode shaft d is effected by means of an electric motor whose connection with
this shaft is effected by suitable gear work.
In fig. 14 it will be seen that one of the elements of the battery is detached from 1
the circuit to supply the electricity to the dynamo M not in direct communication
with electrode shaft a, as that is impossible but by means of endless screws v. v¹
and worm and wheel q. q'.
The endless screws may be replaced by a combination of pinions and belical
wheels as shown Fig. 15.
Figs. 22. 23. 24 and 25 represent other methods for producing like results. In
Fig. 22 the driving shaft m, and dynamo M are worked by the crank m', which
actuates the first pinion n³ of the wheel work by means of the shaft n, and crank
plate n. o is the electrode shaft.
1
Fig. 23 represents the combination of two solenoids p. p¹ the alternate to and 2
fro motion of which is imparted by the shafts q. r, to the fly cranks q', r', of the
first shaft 8, on this latter is the pinion n of the wheel work."
In Fig. 24 the electro magnets p. p' actuate the balance t, which by the shaft t¹,
and crank t, produces the continuous rotary motion of the shaft of the pinion n².
Finally Fig. 25 shows the shaft o receiving its continuous motion from the 2
oscillations of two balances v. v, which are connected to the solenoids p.pl, by the
shafts u. u-y. y' are two fly wheels to insure regularity in the transformation of
the movements.
To obtain the greatest amount of effective power in the depolarizing rotary
batteries the subject of this invention which results from the application of the 3
improvements herein described, many exciting liquids have been tried, amongst
others bichromate of potash and bichromate of soda have for the first time been
employed. The latter is to be preferred to the bichromate of potash on account of
the superiority of the results as regards the industrial value of the subproducts.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said 3
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. The improved method of collecting the currents with mercury baths by aid of
iron collars fixed on the transverse shaft supporting the electrodes and communi-
cating rotary motion to them, these collars dip slightly into the mercury baths 4
contained in iron receptacles, on some convenient part of which a terminal is fixed
as shown by the Figures 1. 2. and 3, this method of collecting the current is applied
to batteries the zinc and carbon electrodes of which, or other matters in form of
disks or approaching that shape, are animated with a rotary motion, this method
admitting of the collection of the currents without loss as if the contacts where 4
fixed on stationary electrodes, and at the same time facilitating their removal and
renewal on the central shaft.
2. The method of raising and lowering the zines and carbons partly or entirely
as shown by Figs. 6 and 7.
3. The method of totally or partially lifting and lowering the recipients 5
containing the exciting liquid as shown by Fig. 5.
4. The method of collecting the currents by means of mercury baths as shown
by Fig. 8.
5. The method of collecting the currents as shown by Figs. 9. and 10.
6. Making the contacts and establishing the circuit either by springs or screws 5
connecting the muffles of the disks with keys or conductors placed in mortises

page_text: forming longitudinal grooves in the insulating furrow of the driving shaft as shown
by Figs. 11. 12 and 13 or by tie bolts as in Fig. 14.
7. The method of applying non conducting collars supporting the electrodes
zinc, iron, or copper, and carbon which are mounted on the driving shaft d in a
vertical position, by means of bolts fixing in threaded portions on this shaft as
shown by Fig. 4.
8. The method of applying one or more supports d to the central shaft d, these
supports permitting of lengthening the shaft and making it support thicker disks.
without fear of bending it.
9. The method of transmitting motion from the dynamo to the disk shaft, by a
combination of endless screws and wheel work or worms and wheels as shown by
Figs. 14 and 15.
10. The arrangement of the dynamos for working the rotary batteries as shown
Figs. 22. 23. 24 and 25.
11. The application to rotary depolarizing batteries of an exciting liquid composed
of bichromate of potash but preferably bichromate of soda.