Year: 1887

page_text: I, HAROLD WERNER KOLLE, of Egremont, Tulse Hill, in the County of Surrey,
Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to that class of electricity meters employed in the measurement
of alternating currents.
I have discovered that in a suitable electrolytic cell, an alternating current can be
used to precipitate metal from one or both of the electrodes; or to cause "a chemical
union, to take place; between one or both of the electrodes, and the electrolyte.
For this purpose I take two masses of lead, copper, or any other suitable metal, and
place them in any suitable electrolyte acid or alkaline; such as dilute sulphuric acid,
or caustic potash; and on passing an alternating electric current through a cell so
formed, the electrodes lose in weight. This loss, being proportional to the current
passed through the cell, serves as a measure of the same; and the amount of loss of
the electrodes can be ascertained in any convenient manner.
The mass of the electrodes may take the form of plates, or assume any other form;
according to the metal employed, and convenience of application.
1
1007
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London,
Agents for the Applicant...

page_text: I, HAROLD WERNER KOLLE, of Egremont, Tulse Hill, in the county of Surrey,
Electrician, 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 :-
My invention relates to.electricity meters employed in the measurement of alternating
currents.
I have discovered that in a suitable electrolytic cell, an alternating current can be
used to precipitate metal from one or both of the electrodes; or to cause a chemical
union to take place between one or both of the electrodes and the electrolyte.
:
For this purpose I take two masses of lead, copper, or any other suitable metal or
alloy and place them in any suitable electrolyte acid, or alkaline (such as dilute
sulphuric acid, or caustic potash), and on passing an alternating electric current
through a cell so formed, the electrodes lose in weight. This loss, being proportional
to the current passed through the cell, serves as a measure of the same, and the amount
of loss of the electrodes may be ascertained in any convenient manner.
The mass of the electrodes may take the form of plates, or any other form according
to the metal employed, and convenience of application.
Owing to its nature or strength, the acid or alkaline solution may attack the metal
masses immersed therein, when the alternating current is not passing through the
cell. In this case the amount of action, due to the alternating current, would be
uncertain, and it is necessary to eliminate this source of error. This I accomplish by
covering the surface of the solution with a layer of oil, paraffin, pitch, tar, or other
like substances, whereby the atmosphere is kept from contact with the electrolyte.
The cell from which I have obtained the best results is formed by immersing two
copper plates in a dilute solution of sulphuric acid. In the ordinary way of arranging
the cell, the copper would be attacked by the sulphuric acid and copper sulphate
produced, but by adding a small amount of oil, as before mentioned, this is wholly or
practically prevented; and no action takes place until the measuring current is passing
through the cell.
I do not confine myself to any particular mode of indicating the loss in weight of
the electrodes, as it will be apparent that many forms of devices may be used for this
purpose. As an example, Limay apply a delicate spring balance to the plates; or hang
them to a system of counterweighted levers, which may be furnished with a vernier
scale, so as to indicate at sight the effect of the current passed.
The masses of metal acted upon in the cell may have other kinds of metals or
alloys combined with them; or they may be connected to the said other kinds of metals
(also immersed) which are not attacked by the electrolyte, or if so, only to a small
extent. For instance copper electrodes are suspended in a solution of dilute sulphuric
acid, by thin platinum strips, (partially or wholly immersed), and on the passage of
an alternating current of electricity, a non-conducting or high resistance film is
formed upon the surface of the platinum.

page_text: I am aware of a differentiated alternating current being used for measuring
purposes, but it is to be understood that I propose to use an ordinary alternating
current or currents as now generally employed for electric lighting.
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:-
1. The precipitation of metal by an ordinary alternating current of electricity ;
substantially in the manner and for the purpose specified.
2. In combination, one or more kinds of metals as electrodes, within an electrolyte,
and an ordinary alternating current of electricity; substantially in the manner and
for the purpose specified.
3. The application of oil, paraffin or the like to a precipitating cell, when acted
upon by an ordinary alternating current of electricity; substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
4. A meter for alternating currents of electricity comprising a cell formed by
immersing two copper plates in a dilute solution of sulphuric acid scaled from the
atmosphere by a layer of oil, paraffin, or the like, acted upon by an ordinary alternating
current of electricity, and combined with an indicating mechanism; substantially as
described.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London,
Agents for the Applicant.