IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING OF GALVANIC BATTERIES to be as follows
Year: 1885

page_text: Batteries.
I, JOSEPH JAMES COLEMAN of Ardarroch, Bearsden, in the County of Dumbarton,
North Britain, Chemist and Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my said
invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING OF GALVANIC
BATTERIES to be as follows, that is to say :-
"
My said Invention has for its object to construct and work galvanic batteries in
an improved simple and economical manner so that whilst I obtain a strong
electric current there is in some forms of my battery also the additional advantage
that the chemicals used are recoverable and can be used over again.
In my improved battery the electro positive metal I use, and by the oxidation
of which the electric current is produced is in all cases iron.
In one form of the battery I construct it of pairs of elements of iron and copper
immersing them in cells containing a neutral saline solution of say common salt
mixed with hyprochlorite of calcium (chloride of lime) or an alkaline solution of
a hyprochlorite, by which means a powerful battery is easily formed without the use
of porous cells.
According to another modification the battery is constructed with pairs of iron
and copper the iron being immersed in a solution of a neutral salt such as common
salt or of a protosalt of iron and the copper in a solution of a salt of copper such
as a sulphate. The metals can be immersed in cells similar to these of Daniell or
Sir William Thomson, but as local action in such cells is liable to occur on the
iron not contributing to the outside electric current, I introduce modifications, one
of which is to immerse the plates in horizontal cells or tanks, the iron at the
bottom in contact with protosulphate of iron, and the copper above in contact with
sulphate of copper; the liquids being separated by a porous diaphragm. I find
the iron used in this way gives nearly as powerful a current as the zinc heretofore
used.
The solution of sulphate of iron upon evaporation and distillation yields
sulphurous and sulphuric acid which can be recombined with the recovered copper
and used again, and a residue of ferric oxide which has a commercial value.
My improved battery may be advantageously used in works in which copper is
obtained by the wet process, an electric current which may be used for lighting or
other purposes being produced at the same time that the copper is obtained.
Dated this coventh day of March 1885
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.

page_text: Batteries.
I, JOSEPH JAMES COLEMAN, of Ardarroch, Bearsden, in the County of Dumbarton,
North Britain, Chemist and Engineer, 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 that is to say :-
My said Invention has for its object to construct and work galvanic batteries in
an improved simple and economical manner, and so that whilst I obain a strong
electric current, there is, in some forms of my battery, also the additional advantage
that the chemicals used are recoverable and can be used over again.
In my improved battery the electro-positive metal I use, and by the oxidation of
which the electric current is produced, is in all cases iron or steel, whilst I use
copper as the electro-negative metal.
In one form of the battery I construct it of pairs of elements of iron and copper,
immersing them in cells containing a neutral saline solution of, say, common salt
mixed with hypochlorite of calcium (chloride of lime) or an alkaline solution of a
hypochlorite, by which means a powerful battery is easily formed without the use
of porous cells. In this modification the iron plates which are by preference of
wrought iron or mild steel may be arranged as in a Smee's battery, iron or steel
taking the place of the zinc, and copper being substituted for the platinum. In
another modification the common salt and chloride of lime are not mixed. A cell
is constructed as shown in figures, 1, and 2, on an accompanying sheet of explanatory
drawings, these figures being vertical sections as at right angles to each other. The
iron or steel plates, I, are supported within a copper tank or cell, C, on the bottom
of which there is placed a layer of chloride of lime, L, the top of this layer being a
short distance below the bottoms of the iron or steel plates, I, whilst a solution of
common salt, S, is filled in above the chloride of lime so as to be in contact with
the iron or steel plates, I. The conducting wires are fixed to the copper and to the
iron or steel respectively in the usual way.
In another form of the battery it is constructed with pairs of iron or steel and
copper, the iron or steel being immersed in a solution of a neutral salt, such as
common salt, or in a solution of a protosalt of iron, and the copper in a solution of
a sult of copper such as the sulphate. The metals may be immersed in cells
similar to those of Daniell or Sir William Thomson, but as local action in such
cells is liable to occur on the parts of the iron not contributing to the outside
electric current, I introduce modifications one of which is to immerse the plates in
horizontal cells or tanks, the iron at the bottom in contact with protosulphate of
iron, and the copper above, in contact with sulphate of copper the liquids being
separated by a porous diaphragm. Or by another modification shown in figures, 3,
and 4, of the accompanying drawings I can dispense with the porous diaphragm.
Figures, 3, and 4, are vertical sections as at right angles with each other. The iron
or steel plates, I, are supported within a copper cell or tank, C, and sulphate of
copper and protosulphate of iron are filled in so as to form two layers, K, and P.

page_text: A funnel and pipe, F, are provided for filling in a saturated solution of sulphate of
copper as it is required. As the copper is deposited its acid gradually passes
upwards and acts on the iron or steel, the protosulphate of iron formed gradually
passing off by an overflow pipe. A layer of mineral oil is placed on the surface of
the solution to prevent atmospheric action on it.
The solution of sulphate of iron can by evaporation and distillation be made to
yield sulphurous and sulphuric acid which can be recombined with the deposited
copper, and used again, and a residue of ferric oxide which has a commercial value.
My improved battery may be advantageously used in works in which copper is
obtained by what is known as the "wet" process, an electric current which may
be used for lighting or other purposes being produced at the same time that the
copper is obtained in the metallic state.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
The use of iron or steel and copper substantially in the manner hereinbefore
described for producing electric currents.