Improvements in Primary Batteries and in Switching Apparatus connected therewith.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 4th July, 1890-Accepted, 9th Aug., 1890.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Primary Batteries and in Switching Apparatus
connected therewith.
Sir CHARLES STEWART FORBES Baronet 23 Thurloe Square London S.W. do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in "Improvements in Primary Batteries and in Apparatus
connected therewith." The objects I desire to obtain being as follows:-
1st. To so construct the cell, or trough containing cells as the case may be as
that the exciting and depolarizing fluids employed may be conveniently and rapidly
supplied thereto and withdrawn therefrom when spent or exhausted.
2nd. The employment in or with a cell or cells constructed so as to fulfil these
conditions of alkaline or neutral salts with an acid depolarizer, a porous diaphragm
intervening between the zinc and carbon or other elements employed.
3rd. A form of switching device whereby a spent cell or cells may be cut out or
replaced so as not to sensibly interrupt the flow of current.
carry my invention into effect as follows:
I prefer to construct single cells of stoneware or other material capable of resisting
the action of acid and alkaline fluids. At or about the centre of the cell a groove or
rebate is formed and in this a porous plate is secured by cementing or equivalent
means. Upon either side of the cell in any suitable position I mount a journal or
trunnion, or these may form part of the material of the cell. These journals or
trunnions are mounted in any suitable form of bearing or frame and enable the
contents of the cell when spent to be readily emptied. I find it advantageous to form
a lip in the side or end wall of the cell.
When a number of cells are required the trough or containing vessel may be made
of wood suitably lined so as to resist chemical action, or it may be formed of glass,,
ebonite, or stoneware. When made of wood or other material the cells are formed
within the trough each cell having a porous plate inserted about midway, which
may be cemented or otherwise secured within grooves formed in the substance of the
trough.
Journals or trunnions are either secured to or are formed in or upon the sides
or ends of the troughs, or the troughs may be dropped into metal or other frames
fitted with trunnions or equivalent devices having the same effect.
The journals or trunnions are pivoted to frames which also carry above the cells a
divided tank or equivalent reservoir for the chemical solutions, and beneath the cells
(but near enough to avoid splashing) a sink which may be trapped and connected to
a drain.
I generally employ the following chemical preparations to excite the elements
contained in the cells, which I prefer should be zinc and carbon. The zinc element
is placed in a solution of calcium chloride, ammonium chloride, or sodium chloride, or
either of these may be replaced by an alkaline solution such as caustic soda or potass.
The carbon element is placed in a solution of hydrochloric acid and bichromate of
soda or chromic acid.
The chemical solutions are placed in the divided trough or reservoir over the
cells and a sufficient quantity of each is admitted on either side of the porous
division separating the zinc and carbon couples. Upon closing the circuit a
powerful current results and continues until the solutions are exhausted, when by
urning the troughs containing the cells upon the trunnions the contents are
emptied into the sink and the liquids replaced from the overhead tank or
eservoir

page_text: The elements are so secured to the party walls of the cells as that they cannot
fall out when the cell is overturned.
Upon or in close proximity to the stand I mount a switch or switches so
arranged as that any coll can be cut out and replaced so as not to sensibly
interrupt the flow of current, although the switches are. mounted upon the frames
or near thereto. I connect them by suitable means so that they may be operated
from any part of the house.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Primary Batteries and in Switching Apparatus
connected therewith.
Sir CHARLES STEWART FORBES Baronet 23 Thurloe Square London S.W. 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—
This Invention consists in Improvements in Primary Batteries and in Apparatus
connected therewith. The objects 1 desire to obtain being as follows:-
1st. To so construct the cell, or trough containing cells as the case may be as that
the exciting and depolarizing fluids employed may be conveniently and rapidly
supplied thereto, and withdrawn therefrom when spent or exhausted.
2nd. The employment in or with a cell or cells constructed so as to fulfil these
conditions of alkaline or neutral salts with an acid depolarizer, a porous diaphragm
intervening between the zine and carbon or other elements employed.
3rd. A form of switching device whereby a spent cell or cells may be cut out or
replaced so as not to sensibly interrupt the flow of current.
I carry my invention into effect as follows:
I prefer to construct single cells of stoneware or other material capable of resisting
the action of acid and alkaline fluids. At or about the centre of the cell a groove or
rebate is formed, and in this a porous plate is secured by cementing or equivalent
means. Upon either side of the cell in any suitable position, I mount a journal or
trunnion, or these may form part of the material of the cell. These journals or
trunnions are mounted in any suitable form of bearing or frame, and enable the
contents of the cell when spent to be readily emptied.. I find it advantageous to form
a lip in the side or end wall of the cell. When a number of cells are required the
trough or containing vessel may be made of wood suitably lined so as to resist
chemical action, or it may be formed of glass, ebonite, or stoneware.
When made of wood or other material the cells are formed within the trough, each
cell having a porous plate inserted about midway, which may be cemented or otherwise
secured within grooves formed in the substance of the trough.
Journals or trunnions are either secured to or are formed in or upon the sides or
ends of the troughs or the troughs may be dropped into metal or other frames fitted
with trunnions or equivalent devices having the same effect.
The journals or trunnions are pivoted to frames which also carry above the cells a
divided tank or equivalent reservoir for the chemical solutions, and beneath the cells
(but near enough to avoid splashing) a sink which may be trapped and connected to a
drain. I generally employ the following chemical preparations to excite the elements
contained in the cells which I prefer should be zinc and carbon. The zinc element is
placed in a solution of calcium chloride, ammonium chloride, or sodium chloride, or
either of these may be replaced by an alkaline solution such as caustic soda or potass.
The carbon element is placed in a solution of hydrochloric acid, and bichromate of
soda or chromic acid.
The chemical solutions are placed in the divided trough or reservoir over the cells

page_text: and a sufficient quantity of each is admitted on either side of the porous division
separating the zinc and carbon couples. Upon closing the circuit a powerful current
results and continues until, the solutions are exhausted, when by turning the troughs
containing the cells upon the trunnions the contents are emptied into the sink and the
liquids replaced from the overhead tank or reservoir.
The elements are so secured to the party walls of the cells as that they cannot fall
out when the cell is overturned.
Upon or in close proximity to the stand I mount a switch or switches so arranged
as that any cell can be cut out and replaced so as not to sensibly interrupt the flow
of current. Although the switches are mounted upon the frames or near thereto, I
connect them by suitable means so that they may be operated from any part of the
house.
The construction and operation of my invention will be clearly understood by
reference to the annexed drawing in which:
-
Fig. 1, is a sectional elevation of a single cell mounted upon trunnions forming
part of the material of the call, the section being taken on line A B fig. 2.
Fig. 2, is a side elevation of a single cell mounted upon trunnions formed of the
same material as the cell which revolve in a metallic frame."
Fig. 3, is a side elevation of single cell mounted in a metallic frame of which the
trunnions form part.
Fig. 1. is a front elevation part being in section of trough containing several cells
mounted in a frame carrying supply cistern and sink.
Fig. 5, is an end view of cell shewing modified method of mounting trunnions.
Fig. 6. is a front view of same the bearing being in section.
Fig. 7, is a front view of series of cells mounted in trough and fitted with
switches.
Fig. 8, is an elevational view shewing method of operating switches at a distance.
1, figs. 1, 2, 8, is a cell which is constructed of stoneware, glass, or other suitable
material capable of resisting the action of acid, alkaline, or other similar fluids. At.
or about the centre is a groove or rebate 2, in which a porous plate 3, is fixed by
cementing or equivalent means.
Upon each side of the cell is mounted or formed a journal or trunnion 4, in figs. 1
and this trunnion is composed of the same material as the cell.
The trunnions 4, are mounted in a metallic framing 5. of sufficient depth to enable
the cell to be tilted so as to rapidly empty the contents; the legs of the frame being
tied together by rods 11. The elements consisting generally of zinc in the form of a
plate 6, and a plate of carbon 7, are mounted in metallic clips 8, which are clamped
to the sides. A lip 9, is also formed on one or both sides of the cell, which may be
charged by hand or from a cistern above it. When the cells are of large size, or
when a series of elements are mounted up in a single cell or trough, I prefer to form
the trunnions 4, of metal cast with, or otherwise secured to a frame 10, which is
arranged so as to clip the cell or trough see figs. 3, 4. Tie rods 11, secured by bolts
or rivets 11, are employed for holding the end frames 10, securely, and the trunnions
are then mounted in two metal frames 5, tied together by rods 11b, or this metal frame
may be replaced by one of wood.
If either the cell or trough is formed of wood it is coated internally with marine
glue, parafin wax or equivalent material, and the porous plates 3, are cemented into
the grooves with this or an analagous compound unaffected by oxidizing materials.
In cells constructed as described I prefer to employ as elements zinc and carbon. The
zinc element being placed in a solution of calcium chloride, ammonium chloride or
sodium chloride, or either of these may be replaced by an alkaline solution such as
caustic soda or potass. The carbon element is placed in a solution of about
12 per cent. hydrochloric acid and bichromate of soda or chromic acid.
When a number of cells are employed for electric lighting or equivalent purposes, I
prefer to employ the apparatus described under fig. 4.
A substantial frame of wood 5. is constructed, surmounted upon which is a divided
tank or cistern 12, this may be formed of wood soaked in parafin wax, or internally

page_text: coated with marine glue, rubber solution or equivalent material unaffected by acids
or oxidizing solutions. A stoneware, glass or ebonite tube 13, is fitted into the base
of each reservoir and to this is secured a flexible tube of rubber 14, stopped by a plug
of wood 15, or the plug may be replaced by a stop cock. A trough 1, containing
any desired number of cells each having a porous plate 3, is pivoted in separate
bearings 4ª, bolted to the side frames 5. In order to keep the elements from falling
out when the cell is overturned in order to empty it, a strip of metal 16, is hinged to
a collar 17, which embraces the journal 4, (see also fig. 3) this strip 16, presses upon
rubber blocks 18, which are seated in cups 19, formed upon the upper sides of clips è,
secured to the party walls 8", holding the elements. A snap collar 20, see fig. 3, is
pivoted upon the opposite journal 4, and is so constructed as to force down the strip 16
upon the pads 18, when in the closed position shewn. When the solutions are spent,
the trough is tilted upon the journals, and the contents emptied into the sink 21.
formed in the base of the frame which may be connected with the drain. The trough
is now refilled from the divided tank 12, by the flexible tube or its equivalent 14.
:
Although I have shewn the trunnions 4, as forming part of the iron or other metal
frame 10, which carries the trough, I do not always form them in this manner, since
they can very conveniently be added to the ends of single or trough cells when made
of wood in the manner shewn in figs. 5 and 6, in which 1, is the cell or trough;
4, a metallic trunnion secured thereto by screws 22. Fig. 7, shews the application of
trunnions of this type attached to troughs containing a number of cells, and also the
switching arrangement I employ for cutting out a single cell or series of cells as the
case may be from the lamp or other circuit or replacing the same.
The elements shewn in dotted lines are hung upon insulated clips 8, secured to
the party walls 8 of the trough, a separate wire 23, is led up from the respective
elements to the lower contacts 24, 24, 24, 24, and also to the pivot 25, of each
switch b, c, d, except the last element which is connected to line, and the upper
contact Z. pivot 25, of switch A, is also connected to line.
The upper contacts w. x, y, are connected to pivots b, c, d. When the respective
switches are in the position shewn by the full lines, all the cells are cut out and no
current passes; but by pushing them down upon the lower contacts see dotted lines,
the whole are thrown in. In case of failure of cell B, the switch b, is placed upon
the upper contact a, which causes the current to pass over this cell and take the
direction shewn by the arrows, and conversely should a higher electromotive force be
required this cell when restored to full activity can be thrown into circuit by
placing the switch again upon the lower contact. It is obvious that either of the other
cells can be cut out or replaced by operating the switches in like manner. If desired
the switches connecting cells or a series may be placed in any room of the house, and
connected by wires leading to them.
I sometimes operate the switches mechanically as shewn in fig. 8, in which a
wire 26, is attached to any or each of the switch levers, and carried round pulleys 27,
the upper pulley has a pin or handle 28, and by moving this up or down the respective
switch connected to can be operated.
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 :
1st. In primary batteries and the cells therefor the application and use of trunnions
formed from the material of the cell or otherwise, mounted in metallic or other frame
for the purposes described.
2nd. The combination in or with a series of primary battery cells or a trough con-
taining the same pivoted by trunnions forming part of the metallic frame supporting
them, of the divided trough for supplying the exciting and depolarizing fluids thereto
and the sink for receiving the spent liquor therefrom by overturning the trough in the
manner described.
3rd. The use in or with primary batteries pivoted in the manner described of
alkaline or neutral salts such as calcium, ammonium, or sodium chloride, or caustic

page_text: soda or potass, with hydrochloric or other acid, a porous diaphragm separating the
zinc and carbon elements.
4th. In or with a primary battery constructed and operated as described, the
particular switching devices described under figs. 7, 8.
Daiad Iul. 4th 1000
FRANCIS M. ROGERS,
Agent.