Certain New and Useful Improvements in Accumulators of Electricity or other Primary or Secondary Galvanic Batteries.
Year: 1887

page_text: Certain New and Useful Improvements in Accumulators of Electricity
or other Primary or Secondary Galvanic Batteries.
I. CAMILLE DESMAZURES, of 22 Chaussée d'Antin, Paris, France, 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 principle of my accumulator is based on a property of metals which is little
known.
When a metallic precipitate, whether chemical or galvanic, a metallic powder, or a
metallic product of reduction, is compressed in a metallic mould with an enormous
pressure, (say from six to twelve hundred atmospheres per square inch), the pure metal,
agglomerated in a solid form, but of a density varying from half to two-thirds of that
of the melted metal is obtained. The atomic porosity of the metal thus obtained gives
it certain peculiar physical and chemical properties, amongst others, that of carrying
off oxygen or hydrogen with an extraordinary affinity, leaving at the same time in the
metal all its electric conductability.
In order to make my invention more easily understood, I shall now refer to the
accompanying drawings in which; fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of an apparatus
constructed to embody my improvements; fig. 2 is a plan view of the interior

page_text: arrangement of such arrangement of such apparatus; fig. 3 is a plain view of the lid;
and fig. 4 is a cross section of the said apparatus.
In all these figures similar letters refer to corresponding parts.
a a is a tinned vessel or recipient; b positive electrodes made of pure porous
copper, in sheets of 2 millimetres thick; c c are negative electrodes made of either
tinned iron, of tinned wire stretched over a sheet of tinned iron, or of tinned or
galvanized wire gauze; d d are parchment paper envelopes; e e are rods of glass
supporting the parchinent paper envelopes by means of india rubber rings ff.
These glass rods e e thus assure the requisite separation between the positive and
negative poles. If at the positive pole of the accumulator, arranged as above, there
is placed a plate in a solid state of pure porous metal, say Platinum, Silver, Cobalt,
or Copper, Nickel, Manganese, Aluminium, Iron, etc., obtained by the above process,
and possessing the aforesaid properties; if at the negative pole there is placed a plate
of block tin, tinned iron, some tinned wire wrapped round a sheet of tinned iron, or
some tinned or galvanized wire gauze to develop the surface of the negative; if as
an electrolytic liquid, Chlorate of soda with Zincate of soda or of potash is taken; and
if the whole, positive, negative, and liquid be placed in a tinned box a a, an accumulator
will be obtained which will possess the following properties; if an electric current
be passed from the positive to the negative, in order to charge the apparatus, the
oxygen set at liberty by the decomposition of tho water, is absorbed by the positive
electrode, and not a bubble of gas is formed; the zinc of the electrolyte is precipitated
upon the negative electrode and the hydrogen of the water combines with the oxygen
of the zincate; this is what is called galvanoplasty or electro-metallurgy.
is
If the charge of the apparatus is stopped, if the circuit is closed, the zinc returns to
a solution by the help of the oxygen of the positive electrode: not a bubble of gas
formed. A very regular current, whether in Amperes or in Volts is thus obtained.
Practically speaking the constancy is absolute. When the discharge is finished, the
apparatus is again charged, then discharged and so on ad libitum. The electrodes do
not wear out, do not shrivel up, nor does the apparatus suffer other deterioration. An
accident may however happen, for by reason of too sudden charging, the zinc may not
be sufficiently adherent and fall to the bottom of the jar. Therefore, I take care to
connect the magnetic electrode with the tinned vessel, so that should the zinc fall, it
will always come in contact with the negative pole, and thus dissolve the discharge again.
Moreover the negative plates rest on the bottom of the vessel as shown in the
accompanying drawing.
1 may remark that the Chlorate of soda is employed in the Electrolyte to give to the
zine the adherence to the negative and allow of charging quickly.
In order to set forth the novelty of the practical effect of the working of my
apparatus, I cannot do better than show by the following table, the discharge obtained
with the apparatus No. 4 of my accumulators illustrated in the accompanying
drawing.

page_text: 36.07
ditto
of five positive plates made of
36.07
ditto
pure porous copper; and six
36.07
ditto
negative plates of tinned iron,
36.07
ditto
weighing altogether about 4
35.74
ditto
kilogrammes.
35.63
ditto
The electrolyte is composed
35.40
ditto
35.40
ditto
35.18
ditto
of chlorate of soda, with
zincate of soda, or of potash.
The total weight of the appa-
35.18
ditto
35.07
ditto
ratus is 18 kilogrammes, in-
cluding all accessories, such as
31.85
ditto
34.41
ditto
31.29
ditto
33.85
ditto
plates, liquid, vessels &c. The
accumulator receives a charge
of 372 Amperes at the rate of
18 Amperes per hour. It is
33.18
ditto
discharged after 17 hours rest.
33.18
ditto
32.19
ditto
Total discharge per hour
1489.83
or 372 Amperes. The production in Amperes has been equal
to the charge.
The electro motive power obtained during the discharge is, as usual, subject to a
certain extent, to some variations, depending on the temperature, the intensity given
out, the resistance etc., but on the whole, the result in utilizable Watts, remains about
the same.
In case it is feared that the oxygen may form with the positive, an oxyd capable of
dissolving in the electrolyte and thus risk precipitating its metal with the zinc, on the
negative (which would take away all adherence from the zinc and destroy the
regularity of the discharge), care should be taken to enclose the positive electrode in

page_text: a parchment paper envelope d d stretched out and secured by means of glass rods e e
connected by means of india rubber rings ff. These rods also serve to keep the plates
at the right distance apart from each other, viz. five millimetres, and to support and
insulate the positives. It is in this manner that the apparatus represented in the
accompanying drawing is constructed, the positive being composed of stout plates of
pure porous copper.
I may remark that the formation of oxyd of black copper, known as oxyd of copper,
or copperish oxyd, is so injurious that before charging the apparatus it is of vital
importance to get rid of the oxyd which is produced in the plates by contact with the
air, in the course of their manufacture. For this purpose, the first time the apparatus
is charged, a current is passed in the contrary direction, from the negative to the
positive, in order that the hydrogen produced may reduce the oxyd of the positive.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what 1 claim is:
1. The use, in an accumulator in which an alkaline liquid is employed, and even in
any other primary or secondary batteries, of pure porous metal plates, whether
Platinum, Silver, Cobalt, Copper, Nickel, Manganese, Aluminium, Iron &c., the said
plates having been as above stated, submitted to an enormous pressure after having
been formed either of a metallic powder, of a chemical or electric precipitate, by the
reduction of an oxyd, by means of hydrogen or of oxyd of carbon; either by the
extraction of one of the metals of an alloy from the one to be made porous, or by any
other means.
2. Specially with regard to an accumulator in which an alkaline liquid is employed;
at the positivo pole, the plates bb of Platinum, Silver, Cobalt, Nickel, Aluminium,
Manganese, Copper, Iron, &c. of pure and porous metal, more or less thick according
as it may be desired to charge more or less rapidly.
3. Specially with regard to an accumulator in which an alkaline liquid is used, the
parchment paper envelopes dd for said plates when a metal is employed whose oxyd
might dissolve in the Electrolyte.
4. In an accumulator in which an alkaline liquid is used; at the negative pole,
the plates c c of block tin, tinned iron, tinned wire wrapped more or less closely round
a tinned iron plate, according to the electric capacity to be given to the apparatus, or,
finally tinned or galvanized wire gauzes.
5. In an accumulator in which an alkaline liquid is employed, the electrolytic liquid,
composed of chlorate of soda, with zincate of soda, or of potash and any other alkaline
salt obtained with a metallic oxyd acting as an acid.
6. In an accumulator in which an alkaline liquid is used, the combination of the
glass rods e e and india rubber rings to connect and support the positives and
negatives.
7. In an accumulator in which an alkaline liquid is used, the combination of the
negative pole with the outer vessel.
8. In an accumulator in which an alkaline liquid is used, the closed metallic vessel a a
containing the whole apparatus.
9. The use of the above means, more or less known, but never previously combined
as above stated, to form an accumulator producing a novel practical effect, accurately
indicated by the discharge table herein contained, as also their combination,
constituting a new apparatus.

page_text: Electricity or Secondary Galvanic Batteries.
I, CAMILLE DESMAZURES, of 22 Chaussée d'Antin, Paris, France, 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:-
My invention is based on a property of metals which is little known.
When a metallic precipitate, (whether chemical or galvanic), a metallic powder,
or a metallic product of reduction, is compressed in a metallic mould with a
pressure, (of say from six hundred to twelve hundred atmospheres (= 4 to 8 tons)
per square inch), the pure metal, agglomerated in a solid form, but of a density
varying from half to two-thirds of that of the same metal melted is obtained. The
atomic porosity of the metal thus agglomerated gives it certain peculiar physical
and chemical properties, amongst others, an extraordinary affinity for
whilst the metal retains the necessary electric conductability.
oxygen
If at the positive pole of an accumulator, there is placed a plate of pure porous metal,
say Silver, or Copper, obtained in a solid state by the above process of compressing a
metallic precipitate, powder or product of reduction and possessing the aforesaid
properties; if at the negative pole there is placed a plate of tin, tinned iron, some tinned
iron wire wrapped round a sheet of tinned iron, or some tinned, or galvanized iron
wire gauze to present an extended surface for the electrode; and if as an electrolytic
liquid, an aqueous solution of chlorate of soda with zincate of soda or of potash is
taken (the preferred proportions being not more than 1 part chlorate to 3 parts
zincate) the accumulator will possess the following properties. If an electric current
be passed through the accumulator from the positive to the negative pole, in order to
charge the apparatus, the oxygen set at liberty by the decomposition of the water,
is absorbed by the electrode at the positive pole, and not a bubble of gas is disengaged
the zinc of the electrolyte is precipitated upon the electrode at the negative pole and
the hydrogen of the water combines with the oxygen of the zincate; this is what is
called galvanoplasty or electro-metallurgy.
If the charge of the apparatus is stopped, and the circuit is closed, the zinc which
was precipitated in charging as above mentioned returns into solution by the help of

page_text: the oxygen of the electrode at the positive pole; not a bubble of gas being disengaged.
A very regular current, whether in Amperes or in Volts is thus obtained. Practically
speaking the constancy is absolute. When the discharge is finished, the apparatus
is again charged, then discharged and so on ad libitum. The electrodes do not wear
out, do not become "buckled" or distorted, nor does the apparatus suffer other 5
deterioration. An accident may however happen, for by reason of too sudden
charging, the zinc may not be sufficiently adherent and may fall to the bottom of
the cell. Therefore, I take care to use a tinned vessel and connect the positive
electrode therewith, so that should the zinc fall off the electrode, it will always
come in contact with the tinned vessel which constitutes the negative pole of the
accumulator, and thus dissolve again during the discharge.
I may remark that the Chlorate of soda is employed in the Electrolyte to give
to the zinc the necessary adherence to the electrode and allow of charging quickly.
In case the metal employed for the electrode at the positive pole be such that
the oxygen may form therewith, an oxide capable of dissolving in the electrolyte
and consequently liable to precipitate its metal with the zinc, on the electrode at
the negative pole (which would take away all adherence from the zinc and destroy
the regularity of the discharge), care should be taken to enclose the electrode at the
positive pole in a parchment envelope.
In order to make my invention more easily understood, 1 shall now refer to the
accompanying drawings in which; fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of an apparatus
embodying my invention; fig. 2 is a plan view of the interior thereof; fig. 3 is a
plan view of the lid ; and fig. 4 is a cross section of the said apparatus.
In all these figures similar letters refer to corresponding parts.
of
a a is a tinned vessel or tank; b baro electrodes made of pure porous metal say
copper produced as above described, in sheets of 2 millimetres thick their thickness
however varying according as it is desired to charge more or less rapidly; cc are
electrodes made of either tinned iron, of tinned iron wire wrapped round a sheet of
tinned iron, or of tinned or galvanized iron wire gauze enclosed in a frame g
tinned iron; d d are parchment paper envelopes enclosing the electrodes 6 except at
the top edge; ee are rods of glass supporting the parchment paper envelopes a, the
glass rods at opposite sides being connected in pairs by means of india-rubber
rings ff.
These rods also serve to keep the plates at the right distance apart from each other,
viz. five millimetres, and to support and insulate the plates from the tinned vessel a
upon which the plates c rest. The metallic vessel or tank a is enclosed by the lid
shewn in fig 3. Said lid has an aperture closed by a plate of insulating material
through which pass conducting strips made of the same metal as the porous metal
plates and riveted thereto, said strips being shewn as connected to a single terminal.
It is in this manner that the apparatus represented in the accompanying drawing is
constructed, the electrodes 6 being composed of stout plates of pure porous copper
produced by compression as above described.
I may remark that the formation of black oxide of copper, known as cupric
oxide, is so injurious that before charging the apparatus it is of vital importance to
get rid of the oxide which is produced in the plates of porous copper by contact with
the air, in the course of their manufacture. For this purpose, the first time the
apparatus is charged, a current is passed in the contrary direction, vizt. from the
negative to the positive pole, in order that the hydrogen produced may reduce the
oxide of the electrode at the positive pole.
In order to set forth the novelty of the practical effect of the working of my
apparatus, I cannot do better than show by the following table, the discharge obtained
with a so-called No. 4 accumulator illustrated full size in the original drawing
accompanying this specification.

page_text: 36.07
ditto
36.07
ditto
36.07
ditto
This accumulator is formed
of five plates made of pure
porous copper; and six plates
36.07
ditto
36.07
ditto
of tinned iron, weighing
together about 44 kilo.
35.74
ditto
grammes.
35.63
ditto
The electrolyte is composed
35.40
ditto
35.40
ditto
of chlorate of soda, with
zincate of soda, or of potash.
35.18
ditto
The total weight of the appa-
35.18
ditto
ratus is 18 kilogrammes, in-
35.07
ditto
34.85
ditto
34.41
ditto
34.29
ditto
33.85
ditto
33.18
ditto
cluding all accessories, such as
plates, liquid, vessels, &c. The
accumulator receives a charge
of 372 Amperes at the rate of
15 Amperes per hour. It is
discharged after 17 hours rest.
33.18
ditto
32.19
ditto
1483.83
Total discharge per hour
or 372 Ampere hours. The production in Amperes has been
equal to the charge.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would observe that I do not claim
the use in an accumulator of the particular electrolytic liquid herein described; nor
the use of glass rods and india-rubber rings; nor the use at the negative
pole of plates of tin or tinned wire (whether wrapped or not round a tinned iron
plate) or tinned or galvanised wire gauze; nor do I claim connecting said plates (c

page_text: the outer vessel; nor the use of a closed metallic vessel; nor do I claim the use of
parchment paper envelopes except in combination with the porous metal plates herein
described but I declare that what I claim is :-
:-
1. The use, in an accumulator in which an alkaline liquid is employed, of pure
porous metal plates, (whether Silver or Copper) the said plates having been formed
as above stated, by submitting to an enormous pressure as herein specified, either
a metallic powder, a chemical or electro-chemical metallic precipitate or a metal
reduced from an oxide, by means of hydrogen or of carbonic oxide.
2. An accumulator in which an alkaline liquid is used, the parchment paper
envelopes dd in combination with said plates when a metal is employed whose oxide
might dissolve in the Electrolyte.