Improvements relating to Electric Batteries and to Means for Putting the same Into and Out of Action.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Feb., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 25th Feb., 1887.
Improvements relating to Electric Batteries and to Means for
Putting the same Into and Out of Action.
1. GEORGES VICTOR LAGARDE, of Paris, France, Electrician 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 relates to an improved single fluid electric battery provided with
means for producing a constant circulation of the exciting fluid, for rotating the
carbon electrodes, and for controlling the current from a point at some distance from
the battery.
The said battery presents amongst others the following advantages
The space necessary for the electrodes is considerably less than heretofore, and the
manipulation of the same is rendered unnecessary; any polarization, until the liquid
is completely spent, is obviated, owing to the continual circulation of this liquid, and
to the rotary motion imparted to the carbons; and the flow of the current can be
regulated at will.
To enable the nature of my invention to he understood I have represented my
improved battery in the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a view in vertical section through the axis of the elements and shewing
in elevation the rotary bucket wheel for causing the circulation of the fluid and the
case containing the clock mechanism for operating the same.
Figure 2 is a front view of the rotary bucket wheel.
Figure 3 is a plan of the battery.
Figure 4 is a plan of the battery, the box containing the clock mechanism, and the
transmitting mechanism designed to cause the rotation of the carbons being removed.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 shew respectively a sectional side elevation plan and end view of
the mechanism for rotating the carbons and guiding the zinc electrodes.
Figure 8 illustrates a mode of automatically stopping the clock mechanism when the
zinc electrodes are raised out of the exciting liquid.
Figure 9 shews an elevation of the regulating apparatus.
Figure 10 is a plan taken above the coils of the electro magnets.
Figure 11 is a plan of the same the coils being removed.

page_text: Figure 12 is a view in detail of the rack which supports the rocking lever from
which the zinc electrodes are suspended, and illustrating the mode of regulating the
rising and descending movements of this rack.
Figures 13 and 4 show in front and plan, a device for seiting the battery
automatically in operation for about three minutes under any suitable action, for
example that of opening a door, of pulling a bell cord or the like.
Figure 15 is a view in detail of the channels for conducting the liquid raised by the
bucket wheel to the various compartments of the battery.
As shown in the drawing the apparatus comprises a motor X of any kind, for
instance clock mechanism, which imparts motion on the one hand to the shaft A, at
one extremity of which is fixed a bucket-carrying wheel B, and on the other hand to
two shafts A¹ each of which actuates transmitting mechanism; two receptacles E
divided into compartments E' in which the zine and carbon electrodes (Zn and C) are
placed; a vessel I provided with a cock and which contains the exciting liquid; a
system of distributing channels R designed to receive the liquid which flows from the
Buckets Q, fixed upon the wheel B, in its rotary motion, and to convey it to the
several compartments E' iwo sets of transmitting mechanism each set being operated
by a shaft A and comprising two rotary shafts A" placed in a box 7 for communicating
rotary motion to the carbons of the pile; and a particular arrangement of parts which
enables the strength of the battery to be regulated.
Each of the compartments E' which contains zine and carbon electrodes is provided
with a hole at its lower part communicating with the vessel I. The exciting liquid is
raised from the vessel I by the buckets and enters the compartments E¹ at the
upper part through the medium of the distributor R. At the same time a corresponding
quantity of liquid flows from the compartments E through the holes at the bottom
thereof to the receptacle 1. The liquid is thus caused to circulate rapidly between the
positive and negative electrodes. The loss of electricity through communication is
obviated with this arrangement of the battery.
For the purpose of imparting to the carbon electrodes a continuous rotary motion
upon their vertical axes, which motion is favourable to the good operation of my
battery as it prevents polarization, a gear wheel is placed upon each horizontal
shaft A', which wheel engages with the wheels fixed upon the shafts A"
(Figures 6 and 7).
The shafts A are provided with bevel pinions gearing with other bevel
pinions keyed upon the axes supporting the carbons Cand therefore imparting a
rotary motion to the latter.
As the various compartments E' of the battery constitute as many elements which
must be connected for tension, it is necessary that the carbons of each element shall
he insulated from those of the adjacent elements. For this reason the shafts A" are
interrupted between each two elements and connected with each other by means of
crank arms A connected by a pin, and one of which is of insulating material.
The carbon electrodes which employ are preferably formed of two plates slotted
for half their length and fitted together in such a manner that they are of the shape
shown at C in Figure 3 in transverse section.
As shown in the drawings, I arrange four similar carbons in each compartment.
which carbons are in electric communication through the gear wheels and the
bridges carrying the brackets for the shafts A".
""
The zines Zn are formed of plates fixed upon a wooden cross piece T which can be
raised or lowered at will, as hereinafter set forth, in order to regulate the depth of
immersion of the zines in the exciting liquid, or to lift them completely out of the said
liquid to stop the operation of the battery.
These zines are each guided by means of two rollers Z, one of which is provided
in a fixed support, and the other in a spring support. These rollers run in two
grooves formed on the edges of the zinc electrodes.
Each zine has a hole formed at its upper part, which hola is one or two millimetres
in diameter, and filled with mercury to maintain the amalgamation of the plates. This
hole after being filled is stopped with zine solder or a wooden plug.

page_text: Figures 3, 5, 6 and 7 illustrate how the electricity is collected in tension. Each
group of four carbons of an element is connected with the zinc at the following
element by means of a conductor t and the spring support of the guide roller Z.
The electricity cannot flow through the shaft A" as the latter is formed of several
sections which are insulated from each other as above stated.
I will now proceed to describe with reference to Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 the means
I employ for effecting the motion of the zines from a distance, for regulating the
quantity of electricity.
A rocking lever T, pivotted at T* is provided, from which is suspended the cross
piece T carrying the zinc electrodes. A counter-weight serves to balance the said
lever and electrodes.
The operation of this lever is essentially based upon the employment of clock
mechanism connected by means of special electric engaging and disengaging mechanism
to a train of gear wheels operating a rack to which the rocking lever Tis articulated.
This engaging and disengaging mechanism is actuated by means of a current from
a local battery, and has for its object on the one hand to stop or release the clock
mechanism, and on the other hand to cause the train of gear wheels to rotate in one
or the other direction, and consequently impart to the rack a rising or descending
motion.
I sometimes combine with the lever operating mechanism, mechanism for effecting
the automatic starting of the battery by the simple opening of a door, for instance,
and during a determined period of time, say from two to four minutes. This arrange-
ment can have for its object to light a staircase when in the evening or at nighi
a person comes home. This lighting being effected automatically does not necessitate
the disturbing of a porter or servant either for lighting or extinguishing.
The clock mechanism has for its object to rotate the shaft A, through the medium
of the wheel B, and pinion C₁ keyed upon this shaft, and also to actuate the toothed
wheel D, by transmitting gear compresing the pinion F, which engages with the
wheel B, and the wheel G, keyed upon the same shaft as the pinion F
1:
1"
Upon the shaft A, are arranged two circular dises or plates H₁, K, each provided
with a single tooth..
The disc H is keyed upon the shaft A., and the other K, is integral with the
wheel D, thus these two dises turn in opposite directions to one another.
Between them and loose upon the shaft A, is placed a coupling sleeve, provided
with a toothed wheel J, designed to operate the transmitting gearing O₁, P, Q, R, S,
which regulates the position of the rack T, articulated to the rocking lever T.
The coupling sleeve can slide upon the shaft A, under the action of a forked lever L
which embraces it; this lever is suspended from a cross piece I and carries an
armature L, of soft iron arranged between two electromagnets M, M. According
as a current is sent through one or the other electromagnet from the local battery by
means of a commutator the armature I", will be attracted to the right or left, and
consequently the forked lever as well as the coupling sleeve will be displaced in the
same direction.
The sleeve I carries on opposite sides two dises N, and N, each provided with a
pin arranged in such a manner that if the sleeve is displaced towards the plate H, the
pin of the dise N₁, is engaged by the tooth of this plate and the sleeve is carried in
the direction of the rotation of the shaft A,, whilst if the sleeve is pushed towards the
plate K, the pin of the disc N, is engaged by the tooth of the plate K, and removed
in the direction opposite to the rotation of the shaft A,. If the sleeve is maintained
in its intermediate position, the pins of the two dises N, and N, simultaneously
encounter the teeth of the two plates H, and K,, so that rotation is rendered impossible
and the clockwork is stopped.
It is necessary, when the current sent through one of the electromagnets M, or M³,
is interrupted, that the armature shall reassume its mean position at an equal distance
from the two electromagnets. To ensure this condition a spring is provided which is
sufficiently strong to overcome any residuary magnetism of the magnets and thus

page_text: carry the armature and the lever L, to their mean position which corresponds to the
stationary position of the clockwork.
When the two electro-magnets M, and M', are inactive the sleeve I, remains equi-
distant from the two plates H, and K, their teeth being in engagement with the pins
of the discs N, and N1, as hereinafter stated.
When for example the electromagnet M, is energized the sleeve I, is disengaged
from the plate H, and remains engaged with the plate K, it will therefore be moved
by this latter, so that the wheel, will impart to the transmitting gearing O, P, Q, R, S,
a rotation which will cause the rack T, to rise. If on the contrary the electro-
magnet M¹, is energized, the sleeve I will remain in engagement with the plate H,
so that the wheel, with the transmitting gearing and the rack will move in the
reverse direction.
As by means of a commutator or contact device the action of the electric current in
one or the other of the electromagnets M, M, can be more or less prolonged it will he
understood that the rack T, and consequently the lever T and the elements can be
caused to rise or descend through the distance which is desired according to the
degree of exhaustion of the exciting liquid into which they dip.
I have devised an appliance which enables the current sent through the coils to be
automatically interrupted, when the elements have risen or descended to the proper
levels.
This appliance comprises, as represented in figure 12, two spring contacts U¹, U¹,
which form part of the conductors extending to the electromagnets M, and M. These
contacts U, U₁ are each formed of two flexible strips which in the state of rest touch
each other, and through which the current passes. One of these strips is longer than
the other, and its extremity is in the path of a sliding ring which can be adjusted
along the rack T₁.
To the contact U, corresponds a sliding ring T₂, and to the contact U¹, a sliding
ring T
When the rack descends the ring T at a given moment, which is determined at
will by regulating the position of the said ring, encounters the long strip of the
contact U, removes it from the shorter one, and breaks the continuity of the circuit
which includes the electromagnet. M₁₁.
The clockwork is thus stopped as well as the rack.
When on the contrary the rack rises the sliding ring T, acts upon the contact. U, to
interrupt the current passing to the electromagnet M, and thus to stop the motion
of the clock-work and the ascent of the rack and consequently the descent of the
electrodes.
Another means (figure 8) which enables the clockwork to be stopped automatically
when the zinc electrodes have risen to the proper height consists of a spring lever W
against which the cross piece T impinges, and which as it swings causes a stop to
descend in a mortise formed in a plate V integral with the regulator VI of the
clockwork.
An automatic device for enabling the battery to be set in operation during
determined time (for instance on coming home in the evening to produce a light
when the door opens, which light shall last a sufficient time to allow a person to reach
his apartment) is illustrated in figures 13 and 14.
1:
This apparatus has a wheel Y₁, provided on one of its faces with an articulated
sector, the position of which can be regulated by a set screw Y". Adjacent to the
side of the disc, corresponding to the sector Y, are provided two contacts Z, Z, the
position of which can be regulated by screws.
Above the disc is an induction coil the armature of which is placed at the extremity
of a lever the other extremity of which engages in the notch of a wheel t₁ mounted
1
on the same axis as the wheel Y.
1
The wheels Y, and t, form part of a clock mechanism which will evidently not
operate while the lever, remains in the notch of the wheel . Another means for
retaining the apparatus inoperative consists of a second arm on the lever, which arn

page_text: in the position of the lever indicated in the figure bears with its extremity against a
small pin place on one of the gear wheels of the clockwork and is opposed to its
rotary motion.
Suppose now by opening the door a current of electricity is caused to pass through
the coil of the apparatus, the armature is attracted, the lever, is lifted and liberates
the wheels.
1
The clockwork then immediately begins to operate and the wheel Y, is set in
motion. At a given moment the sector Y, encounters the contact Z, and the current
is sent through the electro-magnet M, of the regulator, which causes the electrodes to
descend until the moment when the sector Y', ceases to touch the contact Z. When
the dise Y, has nearly terminated its rotation, which may be arranged to last for from
two to three minutes, the sector Y, encounters the other contact %, which sends a
current through the electro-magnet M, and causes the electrodes to rise to extinguish
the light.
I
1
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:
First. The new system of electric battery, in which the liquid is continuously
circulated, in which the carbons are rotated upon vertical axes, and in which the
immersion of the zinc electrodes into and their withdrawal from the exciting liquid is
performed from a distance.
Second. The employment of a bucket carrying wheel B to which continuous rotary
motion is imparted, the said wheel being designed to convey the liquid from a reservoir
to the elements through the medium of channels R, in such a manner that the liquid
constantly traverses the elements.
Third. The arrangement of gearing which permits continuous rotary motion
to be imparted to the carbons upon their vertical axes by means of clock mechanism.
Fourth. Maintaining the zine electrodes in a proper state of amalgamation by means
of mercury introduced into the substance of the said zinc electrodes.
Fifth. The combination of clock mechanism with electric engaging and disengaging
mechanism actuated through the medium of a wheel train, and a rack connected to a
rocking lever from which the zinc electrodes of the battery are suspended. The said
engaging and disengaging mechanism comprising a sleeve I, provided on the one hand
with a toothed wheel, and with a disc N, having a pin, and on the other hand with
a disc N, likewise having a pin, the said sleeve being adapted to be displaced to the
right or left under the action of the electromagnets M, M, acting upon an armature L",
arranged between them and integral with a forked lever L, embracing the sleeve 1,
and two plates H, K, each having a tooth upon its circumference and arranged upon the
shaft of the said sleeve and on both sides of the latter, one of the said plates being keyed
upon the shaft and the other loose, and their rotation taking place in opposite directions;
the discs N,N, being provided with pins and the plates H, K, being arranged in such
a manner that in the state of rest the discs N, N₁, gear with the respective plates which
correspond with them, thus stopping the motion of the apparatus, and that, on the
contrary, according to the direction of the sliding motion imparted to the sleeve by the
electromagnets, the said sleeve I, engages with one or the other of the plates and
consequently turns the transmitting gear in such a manner as to cause the rack T, either
to rise or descend during the time of action of one or the other electromagnet M, M₁₁.
Sixth. In combination with the said engaging and disengaging mechanism, of the
device having for its object to automatically limit the extreme rise and descent of the
electrodes, and comprising two contacts U, U, each formed of two flexible strips
meeting in the state of rest, the current passing to the electromagnet designed to cause
the rise of the elements passing through the lower contact U₁, and that passing to the
other electromagnet traversing the upper contact U₁ a ring T', capable of sliding
upon the rack and separating the flexible strips of the upper contact U₁, when the
descent is effected, in order to interrupt the current and to stop the motion of the
system, and another sliding ring T, separating, on the contrary, the lower strips U₁ to
interrupt the current at the moment when the rack is sufficiently lifted.

page_text: Seventh. The lever W which is encountered by the cross piece from which the zinc
electrodes are suspended when the latter are at the top of their course the said lever
stopping the regulator of the clock mechanism.
Eighth. In combination with the said engaging and disengaging mechanism,
mechanism designed to automatically start the battery for a determined time (for
instance to light an entrance hall by opening a door) and comprising clock mechanism
the motion of which is interrupted or rendered free by means of a lever actuated by
an electromagnet, and a rotary disc Y, provided with a sector Y, the inclination of
which can be regulated at will, the said sector when starting encountering the contact Z
For completing the circuit of the electromagnet of the disengaging mechanism designed
for causing the descent of the electrodes and when near the end of a complete rotation
encountering the other contact Z₁, for completing the circuit of the electromagnet for
effecting the ascent of electrodes.
1:
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents.for the Applicant.