Year: 1886

page_text: I, JAMES EDWARD PEARCE of Craufurd Maidenhead in the County of Berks,
Electrical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
L
In the Specification No. 7461 of 1885 is described a form of voltaic battery in
which moistened carbon is arranged around a porous vessel containing zine immersed
in chloride of zinc solution, and chlorine is caused to pass through the cell. My
invention relates to a battery in which similar elements are employed but they are
arranged in a different manner, the object which I have in view being to simplify the
construction of the cell, to increase the efficacy and durability of the materials
employed, and to give free access for inspection, cleansing and repairs. For this
purpose, Í make the cell in the form of a shallow trough or tray divided into two
compartments, an upper and a lower one, by a porous slab. In the lower compartment
I place a slab of carbon covered by fragments of carbon or any granular porous or
fibrous material that is not acted on by chlorine. In the upper compartment I place
a slab of zinc supported at a little height above the porous slab. I charge the cell
with solution of zinc chloride to such a lieight that the zine is wholly immersed. On
passing chlorine gas through the porous material a reaction takes place generating
current of electricity which will pass through a conducting circuit connecting the zinc
with the carbon. The positions of the carbon and zinc slabs may be inverted, the zinc
being supported in the lower compartment under the porous slab, whilst above the
porous slab is placed the porous or granular material and on it the carbon; or the
porous slab in this arrangement may be dispensed with, the slab of carbon itself
constituting a porous partition above the zinc, and having over it the porous or
granular material through which the chlorine is passed. When the carbon or porous
material is thus arranged in the upper compartment, this must be covered to prevent
passage of the chlorine except through the openings provided through the sides of tlie
cell. A number of cells of the kind described may be superposed on shelves in a
framing and their poles may be connected parallel or in series as may be desired.
Although I have mentioned chloride of zinc as being employed as the solution, and
chlorine as the gas, it is to be understood that another metallic salt might be employed
in solution, with a gas consisting of the acid with which the metallic base is combined.
When a number of cells are employed I connect them by pipes by which the gas
passes through them in succession.
ABEL & IMRAY,
28, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: An Improvement in Primary Voltaic Batteries.
1, JAMES EDWARD PEARCE of Crawfurd Maidenhead in the County of Berks,
Electrical 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:
In the Specification No. 7461 of 1885 is described a form of voltaic battery in
which moistened carbon is arranged around a porous vessel containing zinc immersed
in chloride of zinc solution, and chlorine is caused to pass through the cell. My
invention relates to a battery in which similar elements are employed, but they are
arranged in a different manner, the object which I have in view being to simplify the
construction of the cell, to increase the efficacy and durability of the materials
employed, and to give free access for inspection, cleansing and repairs. For this
purpose, I make the cell in the form of a shallow trough or tray divided into two
compartments, an upper and a lower one by a slab of carbon which may be covered by
fragments of carbon or any granular porous or fibrous material that is not acted upon
by chlorine. In the lower compartment I place a slab of zinc supported at a little
height above the bottom of the tray. I charge the cell with solution of zinc chloride
to such a height that the zinc is wholly immersed and the carbon slab is moistened by
it. On passing chlorine gas through the porous material, a reaction takes placo
generating a current of electricity which will pass through a conducting circuit con-
necting the zine with the carbon. The upper compartment is tightly covered to
prevent passage of the chlorine except through passages provided for it through the
cover or the sides of the cell. A number of cells of the kind described may be
superposed on shelves in a framing and their electrodes may be connected parallel
in series as may be desired. Although I have mentioned chloride of zinc as being
employed as the solution, and chlorine as the gas, it is to be understood that another
metallic salt might be employed in solution along with a gas consisting of the acid with
which the metallic base is combined. When a number of cells are employed, I connect
them by pipes by which the gas passes through them in succession. Fig. 1 is a section
of a battery cell according to my invention. A. shallow basin or tray B made of non-
conducting material such as earthenware is provided with a cover of similar material.
On studs S (which may be of wood well soaked with marine glue) driven into holes of
the cover C, rests a perforated slab of carbon A on which may be packed a number of
fragments of carbon a, but these are not necessary. From the slab A a stem D
of carbon projects upwards through a hole in the cover which is fitted with an
carthenware stopper or a wooden plug P covered with marine glue or other cement.
Below the slab A. is placed a slab % of zinc supported on feet a little above the
bottom of basin. To one of these feet is connected an insulated wire W and another
wire W is connected by a clamp to the carbon stem D, which should be soaked in
paraffin wax, shellac or marine glue to prevent corrosion of the clamps. Passages GG
are made through the cover C for admission and emission of chlorine or such other
or

page_text: gas as may be employed. V is a cock for running off liquid from the. basin. The cell
being charged with a solution of zinc chloride reaching up to and moistening the
carbon slab A, on passing chlorine through the upper compartment by the pipes G
and closing the external circuit from W to W, a current of electricity will pass
through the circuit. The zinc slab Z is made to slope towards a hole in the middle to
promote the flow of the denser liquid from its surface. According to a modified form
shewn in Fig. 2, the carbon slab A covered with the marine glue or other suitable
cement forms the cover of the basin. This slab is made with a number of carbon
studs a projecting down from it, each stud being preferably corrugated or otherwise
shaped so as to present an extended surface. The rim is preferably made with
projections to support another cell placed upon it. The gas passages G may be
made as shewn in Fig. 3 in the body of the basin B extending up to a short distance
under the carbon slab A.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :—
The construction and use of a primary voltaic battery cell consisting of a closed
shallow vessel or tray which contains a horizontal plate of metal to form the one
electrode, a horizontal slab of carbon with holes or projections presenting extended
surface, to form the other electrode, and a solution of a salt of the metal such as
chloride covering the metal and moistening the carbon, while chlorine or such other
gas as forms with the metal the salt in solution, circulates through the cells in contact
with the carbon and the solution, substantially as described.
Dotad this 58th day of Wobro 1287
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.