Improvements in Voltaic Batteries.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Dec., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 4th Sept., 1889-Accepted, 5th Oct., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Voltaic Batteries.
We, HENRY INKSON HARRIS of 39 Ossory Road, Old Kent Road, S.E. in the
County of Surrey, Electrician, and JOHN GARFORD, of 3 Vernon Chambers,
Southampton Row, W.C., in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare
the nature of this Invention to be as follows :-
The object of our invention is to effect further improvements in the voltaic
batteries for which Lotters Patent were granted to the aforesaid Henry Inkson
Harris, bearing date and numbered respectively, 7th July 1885, No. 8228, and 30th
March 1887, No. 4744.
Our present improvements relate to certain modifications in the construction of
the said batteries, by means of which we are enabled to use a non-fuming solution
in the carbon cells. We construct the outer cells of our improved battery of a box
of wood, vulcanite, or other suitable material divided by compartments, into four,
six, eight, or other desired number of cells. A shallow recess is formed in the
bottom of each cell, within which the porous cell is seated and secured by any
suitable cement, but we place the zinc elements within the porous cells, and the
carbons within the outer cells. Each carbon consists of a thin plate cemented to,
and covering one side of each outer cell. A platinum, copper or other suitable
metallic stud is screwed through from the outside of the cell into the carbon, its inner
end being insulated by cement, and this stud forms the connection with the carbon,
but, in place of such metallic stud, we may mould the carbon with a stud on the back,
or bottom end, or other suitable part, and cover such stud with an electro-deposit
of copper.
This stud passes through a hole in the side of the cell and is soldered
into a metallic ring and then sealed with cement.
The zinc elements consist each of an amalgamated plate, or rod of zinc, standing in
the porous cells, and having a washer of rubber or other suitable material around
the upper end to prevent contact between the cell and the zinc. The connection is
formed by means of an amalgamated metallic plate in the bottom of the cell, upon
which the zinc stands, a stud attached to this plate passes through the bottom of the
porous cell and the outer cell, the whole being secured by cement, and the necessary
connections between the zincs and carbons and the battery terminals are made by
wires cemented in grooves or moulded into the walls of the outer cells.
If required, to economise space, we may employ thin porous plates cemented into
grooves in the walls of the battery, in place of the circular porous cells aforesaid.
In batteries constructed as above described, a much larger surface of carbon is
offered to the action of the liquid employed, than in batteries constructed in
accordance with the aforesaid patents No. 8228 of 1885 and No. 4744 of 1887, and
we are in consequence enabled to use a non-fuming solution which would not be
effective with a relatively smaller carbon surface.
We do not confine ourselves to the use of any special ingredients for the said
solution but in practice we find a solution of sulphuric acid, nitrate of soda, and
bichromate of soda in water, to give good results in the carbon cell, water slightly
acidulated with sulphuric acid being used in the zinc cell as before.
Dated this 4th day of December 1888.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Voltaic Batteries.
We, HENRY INKSON HARRIS, of 61 (late 39) Ossory Road, Old Kent Road, S.E.
in the County of Surrey, Electrician, and JOHN GARFORD, of 3 Vernon Chambers,
Southampton Row, W.C. in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman 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 object of our invention is to effect further improvements in the voltaic
batteries for which Letters Patent were granted to the aforesaid Henry Inkson
Harris, bearing date and numbered respectively, 7th July 1885, No. 8228, and 30th
March 1887, No. 4744.
Our present improvements relate to cortain modifications in the construction of
primary voltaic batteries, used for electric lighting, driving small motors, or other
desired purposes, by means of which we are enabled, among other advantages, to use
a non-fuming solution in the carbon cells.
In the accompanying four sheets of drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective elevation of
a battery constructed according to our invention; Fig. 2 is a plan of same with the
cover removed; Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation through the line XX in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a plan of the underside of the cover, and Fig. 5 is a plan of the underside
of the bottom of the cells. Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively sectional elevation and
plan of a modified arrangement.
Similar letters of reference denote similar parts throughout the drawings.
We construct the outer cells of our improved battery of a box A of wood,
vulcanite or other suitable material, divided by. compartments A¹ into four, six, eight,
or other desired number of cells. In the example shewn in the drawings the battery
is divided into eight cells, and each cell is divided by a porous plate B, cemented
into grooves in the sides of the cells.
The carbon elements consist of plates C formed with a projection or .stud C¹ on
the lower end, which is covered with an electro-deposit of copper, and passes through
a hole in the bottom of the cell. A copper stud having a flat top D and a stem ¹,
is fixed in each cell on the opposite side of the porous plate B to the carbon C, by
means of the stem D₁ passing through a hole in the bottom of the cell. The zinc
elements consist of amalgamated plates Z, standing upon the studs D. They are
surrounded at the upper end by rubber rings E to prevent contact of the zinc with
the walls of the cell. The top of the stud D is either amalgamated in the first
instance, or becomes so by contact with the amalgamated zinc plate. The cells are
connected in series, as shewn clearly in the plan Fig. 5. The studs (and D' are
tinned before being inserted in place and thin wires F are twisted round the studs
and soldered thereon to connect the zinc of one cell to the carbon of the next cell.
The wires FF2 from the two end studs are laid in grooves H H, in the end of the
box A and connected to terminals J J. The grooves HH are then filled in with
cement, as shewn, and if desired they may be covered with a projecting strip of wood
or vulcanite. If the battery A is made of vulcanite, or other suitable material,
which can be moulded, the wires F¹ F' may be moulded within the wall of the
battery at the time of its construction. After the wires F F F are in place a frame
or ledge K is fastened in the bottom of the box, or this frame may be made in one
piece therewith, and the whole space is then filled up solid with suitable cement L,
and a bottom plate M screwed on. Cement N is also employed in the bottom of
the zinc cells to fill them up level with the tops of the studs D, and a layer of cement
may also be used in the bottom of the carbon cells. By this improved method of
construction the whole of the connections are completely insulated and prevented
from corrosion or injury of any kind. The cover of the battery consists of a plate P,
having a layer of rubber Q cemented to its underside. R R are metal bands passing
round the battery and having apertures R' in their upper ends. Cross-bars SS,
having a handle T pivotted thereto, are inserted in the apertures and when the handle

page_text: is turned up, as shewn, the cams U U force the cover into close contact with the top
of the battery, the rubber Q making a tight joint between the various divisions. The
above forms a convenient handle and arrangement for securing the battery cover, but
we may employ any other device which will answer the required purpose. Holes V
are made in the rubber Q and plate P, communicating with the holes V₁ V' through
the said plate, and thus forming vents to all the cells.
In the modified arrangement shewn in Figs. 6 and 7, instead of a porous plate Ba
circular porous cell B' is used. A recess is formed in the bottom of the cell into
which the said porous cell is cemented. The amalgamated stud D passes through the
bottom of the cell and the battery, and is cemented in place as before. The zinc
element consists of an amalgamated rod Z standing upon the stud D and having a
rubber ring at the top to prevent contact with the sides of the cell.
The carbon plate is of the same pattern as in the previous Figs., but is cemented
against the side of the cell. The connections between the elements under the bottom
of the battery are arranged in the same manner as before.
In batteries constructed according to our invention, a large surface of carbon is
offered to the action of the liquid, and we are in consequence enabled to use a non-
fuming solution, which would not be effective with a relatively smaller carbon surface.
We do not confine ourselves to the use of any special ingredients for the said
solution, but in practice we find a solution of sulphuric acid, nitrate of soda, and
bichromate of soda in water, to give good results in the carbon cells, water slightly
acidulated with sulphuric acid being used in the zinc cells.
As the carbons reach to the bottom of the colls, the whole of the crystals become
used up, and the current obtained from each charge therefore lasts for a longer time
than in a battery where the carbons are suspended in the usual manner.
The only
loose parts are the zinc plates, and when these are lifted out, the battery can be
emptied and recharged with the greatest facility, and as all the connections are
completely insulated and enclosed, as before described, the battery may easily be
operated by unskilled persons:
our said
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. A voltai battery, having the connections between the elements arranged under
the bottom of the battery and completely enclosed and insulated from one another
and from the contents of the cells. .
2. In a voltaic battery, the use of carbon elements C, having studs ("passing
through and cemented into the bottom of the battery, and zinc elements Z, resting
upon studs D, also passing through and cemented into the bottom of the battery, the
connections being formed by wires F, all enclosed in cement L, and encased by the
frame K and plate M, as shewn in Figs. 2, 3, and 5.
3. In a voltaic battery, the use of carbon elements C, having studs C³, passing
through and cemented into the bottom of the battery, and zinc elements Z, resting
upon studs D, passing through and cemented into the bottom of the porous cell and
the battery, the connections being formed by wires F, all enclosed in cement L, and
encased by a frame K and plate M, as shewn in Figs. 6 and 7.
Dated this 4th day of Septemb
1000
AMBROSE MYALL,
21, Cockspur Street, S.W., Agent for the Applicants.