IMPROVEMENTS IN GALVANIC BATTERIES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Paul Raoul de Faucheux d'Humy of Carlton Mansions
Clapham Rise, in the County of Surrey for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS
IN GALVANIC BATTERIES
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Paul Raoul de Faucheux
d'Humy at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th October
1882.
PAUL RAOUL DE FAUCHEUX D'HUMY of Carlton Mansions Clapham Rise in the
County of Surrey "IMPROVEMENTS IN GALVANIC BATTERIES
"
The Invention has for its object improvements in galvanic batteries and relates
to novel constructions and arrangements whereby a battery or series of batteries
can when required be instantaneously put out of action by withdrawing the exciting
liquids from the cells or chambers containing the same.
Heretofore in order to enable a battery or series of batteries to be put out of
action it has been customary to raise the negative and positive elements out of
their cells or chambers and consequently out of the exciting liquids; this arrange-
ment has involved the use of gearing arranged above the batteries which is
expensive and inconvenient.
According to my Invention I construct the cells or chambers with tubular
downward continuations below their bases such tubular continuations being so
arranged that the inner one shall pass through the outer, these tubular continua-
tions are provided with suitable junctions and packing arrangements whereby they
may be connected together in series and to different close receivers so that the
inner cells or chambers all communicate with one receiver and the outer cells or
chambers all communicate with the other receiver.
These receivers communicate with an air pump or with a chamber supplied with
compressed air by which pressure can when required be applied above the surface
of the exciting liquids in the receivers so as to force said exciting liquids into the
different cells or chambers and when it is required to withdraw the exciting liquids
from the said cells or chambers, vent is given by opening a suitable cock or valve,

page_text: to the compressed air contained in the receivers, when the exciting liquids will by
gravity flow away from such cells or chambers.
The inner or porous cell or chamber of each battery is supported on a perforated
or open work support, and where necessary, the cells or chambers are provided with
hermetically closed covers to prevent the possibility of the exciting liquids being
caused to overflow by the pressure of air acting on the same. This arrangement is
more especially useful in cases where series of communicating batteries or cells are
arranged on different levels. Other means may however be employed for preventing
the overflow of the liquids.
51
Another method of carrying my Invention into effect consists in forming the
different cells or chambers in one continuous series connected together and to
receivers capable of containing the entire quantity of liquids employed in the
various cells or chambers, one receiver being in communication with the inner or
porous cells or chambers and the other receiver being in communication with the
outer cells or chambers, each set of cells or chambers and their connected receiver
being hermetically closed from the other. I mount the entire on an axis of motion
so that by simply giving a semi rotation thereto the exciting liquid of the outer
cells or chambers can be caused to enter or leave its respective cells or chambers.as
may be required, then when such liquid has risen to the height required I cause
the exciting liquid of the porous cells or chambers to enter the latter from the
receiver by means of atmospheric pressure applied thereto. In emptying both sets
of cells or chambers the exciting liquid of the porous cells or chambers will be first
forced out by means of atmospheric pressure and then the exciting liquid of the
outer cells or chambers will be allowed to flow out therefrom into the receiver by
gravity.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Paul Raoul de Faucheux d'Humy in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 27th April 1883.
PAUL RAOUL DE FAUCHEUX D'HʊMY of Carlton Mansions Clapham Rise in the
County of Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN GALVANIC BATTERIES
"
The Invention has for its object improvements in galvanic batteries and relates
to novel constructions and arrangements whereby a battery or series of batteries
can when required be instantaneously put out of action by withdrawing the exciting
liquids from the cells or chambers containing the same.
Heretofore in order to enable a battery or series of batterics to be put out of
action it has been customary to raise the negative and positive elements out of
their cells or chambers and consequently out of the exciting liquids, this arrange-
ment has involved the use of gearing arranged above the batteries which is expensive
and inconvenient.
According to my Invention I construct the cells or chambers with tubular down-
ward continuations below their bases such tubular continuations being so arranged
that the inner one shall pass through the outer, these tubular continuations are
provided with suitable junctions and packing arrangements whereby they may be
connected together in series and to different close receivers so that the inner cells
or chambers all communicate with one receiver and the outer cells or chambers all
communicate with the other receiver. These receivers communicate with an air
pump or with a chamber supplied with compressed air by which pressure can when
required be applied above the surface of the exciting liquids in the receivers so as
to force said exciting liquids into the different cells or chambers and when it is
required to withdraw the exciting liquids from the said cells or chambers vent is
given, by opening a suitable cock or valve, to the compressed air contained in the
receivers when the exciting liquids will by gravity flow away from such cells or
chambers.
•
The inner or porous cell or chamber of cach battery is supported on a perforated
or openwork support and where necessary the cells or chambers are provided with
hermetically closed covers to prevent the possibility of the exciting liquids being
caused to overflow by the pressure of air acting on the same This arrangement is
also especially useful in cases where series of communicating batteries or cells are
arranged on different levels. Other means may however be employed for preventing
the overflow of the liquids.
Another method of carrying my Invention into effect consists in forming the
different cells or chambers in one continuous series connected together and to
receivers capable of containing the entire quantity of liquids employed in the
various cells or chambers, one receiver being in communication with the inner or
porous cells or chambers, and the other receiver being in communication with the
outer cells or chambers, each set of cells or chambers and their connected receiver
being hermetically closed from the other.
1 mount the entire apparatus on an axis of motion so that by simply giving a
semi-rotation thereto the exciting liquid of the outer cells or chambers can be
caused to enter or leave its respective cells or chambers as may be required, and
when such liquid has risen to the height required I cause the exciting liquid of the
porous cells or chambers to enter the latter from the receiver by means of atmospheric
pressure applied thereto. In emptying both sets of cells or chambers the exciting
liquid of the porous cells or chambers will be first forced out by means of atmospheric

page_text: carried into effect I will proceed aided by the accompanying Drawings more fully
to describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figures 1. 2. 3 and 4 are sectional elevations of galvanic batteries showing four
different modifications of my Invention applied thereto and Figure 5 is a section
drawn to a larger scale of part of the modifications shown at Figures 3 and 4.
In all the figures like parts are marked with similar letters of reference. I will
first describe the arrangements represented in Figures 1 and 2. a. a. represent the
outer cells or chambers. b. b. the inner or porous cells or chambers and c. c. and d. d.
respectively the negative and positive elements. According to the arrangement
represented at Figure 1 the cells or chambers a and b, are constructed with tubular
.downward.continuations-a b¹ below their bases, such. tubular continuations. being.
so arranged that the inner one b¹ shall pass through the outer a¹ these tubular
continuations are provided with junctions a² b², and connecting tubes a³ ³ suitable
packing or cement being applied to the joints. In Figure 2 the junctions a², in lieu
of being connected as in Figure 1 to the downward tubular continuations a' are
connected to the lower part of the sides of the cells or chambers a and are made to
fit into cach other as shown. By the different arrangements above described the
cells or chambers a. b. may be readily connected together into separate series
connected with different close receivers c, f so that the outer cells or chambers of a
given series all communicate with one receiver e, and the inner cells or chambers of
a given series all communicate with the other receiver f. These receivers commu-
nicate by means of pipes c'. f with an air pump or with a chamber supplied with
compressed air by which pressure can when required be applied above the surface
of the exciting liquids in the receivers e. f. in order to force said exciting liquids
into the different cells or chambers a, b and when it is required to withdraw the
exciting liquids from the said cells or chambers vent is given to the compressed air
contained in the receivers e, f by opening a suitable cock or valve when the exciting
liquids will by gravity flow away from such cells or chambers.
In the arrangement represented at Figure 1 the inner or porous cell or chamber b
of each battery is supported on a perforated or openwork support g to permit of the
free flow of the exciting liquid in the outer cell or chamber a to the downward
tubular continuation a'.
In both the arrangements herein before described the cells or chambers a. b. are
provided with hermetically closed covers a b' to prevent the possibility of the
exciting liquids being caused to overflow by the pressure of the compressed air
acting on the same.
In first filling the said cells or chambers, the covers abª are removed then when
the said cells or chambers are filled to the required amount the covers are applied
and fixed in position by any suitable means.
It is more especially useful to hermetically cover the cells or chambers in cases
where series of batteries or cells communicating with cach other or with the same
reservoir are arranged on different levels. Other means may however be employed
for preventing the overflow of the liquids.
I will now describe the arrangement represented at Figure 3. In this arrange-
ment the cells or chambers a. b. are formed in one continuous series connected
together and to receivers c. f. capable of containing the entire quantity of liquids
employed in the various cells or chambers, the receiver e, bring in communication
by passages, with the outer cells or chambers a, and the other receiver f being in
communication with the inner or porous cells or chambers b. by pipes i, each set of
cells or chambers a. b. and their connected receivers e. f, being hermetically closed
from the other.

page_text: The outer cells or chambers a I prefer to form as shown as one long cell or
chamber having the inner or porous cells or chambers b, passed therein through
suitable openings which are hermetically closed in the manner shown in the full
size section at Figure 5 or by other suitable means. The various cells or chambers
and receivers are all contained within an outer case ; which I mount on necks or
axes of motion j so that by simply giving a semi-rotation thereto the exciting
liquid of the outer cells or chambers a can be caused to enter or leave the said
cells or chambers a as may be required and when such liquid has rison to the height
required I cause the exciting liquid of the porous cells or chambers b to enter the
latter from the receiver by means of compressed air applied thereto by means of
an air pump k or by other suitable means. In the arrangement shown in the
Drawings the air pump k, is by a pipe k', placed in communication with an air
chamber which by a tube m, and branch tubes n, is in communication with the
various inner or porous cells or chambers b. The air pump k, is also in communi-
cation by a passage ³, with the receiver f.
A four way cock is interposed between the pump k and the passages k¹, k², so
that when in the position shown in the Drawing air can be drawn from the
chamber, into the barrel of the pump and then forced out therefrom into the;
receiver f, so as to force out the exciting liquid therefrom into the inner or porous
cells or chambers b, during which operation the receivers e and f, and the cells or
chambers a, and b are in the reverse position to that shown in the Drawing. Then
when it is required to force out the exciting liquid from the inner or porous cells or
chambers b the four way cock is turned so as to place the inlet passage to the
pump in communication with the receiver f and the outlet passage in communica-
tion with the air chamber 1, when the compressed air by passing through the
tubes m, n, will act on the surface of the exciting liquid in the inner or porous
chambers b and force out such liquid into the receiver f. A cock is fixed into the
receiver, to enable air to be drawn in or to relieve the pressure when required.
In emptying both sets of cells or chambers a. b. the exciting liquid of the inner
or porous cells or chambers 6 will be first forced out by means of compressed air
and then by giving a semi-rotation to the entire apparatus tho exciting liquid of
the outer cells or chambers a will be allowed to flow out therefrom into the
receiver e. by gravity. The passages h are fitted with short funnel shaped tubes
entering a short distance into the receiver e. whereby the passage of the liquid and
any deposit therein is allowed freely to pass into the receiver e. when in the position
shown in the Drawings but when the parts are reversed in position such short
funnel shaped tubes will allow the liquid from the receiver e to pass into the outer
cells or chambers a but will keep back any deposit or solid matter thereby acting
to keep the outer cells or chambers « clean.
Those portions of the pipes i. which are contained within the receiver ƒ are
syphon shaped in order to prevent the contents of the said receiver f from flowing
into the porous cells or chambers b by gravity and the short leg of such syphon is
carried nearly to the bottom of such receiver in order permit of all or nearly all
of the liquid being forced out from such receiver through the pipes & when
required.
The above arrangement described with respect to Figure 3 is applicable to cases
where it is desirable that the exciting liquid of the outer cells or chambers should
be first introduced and that of the inner or porous cells or chambers should be first
emptied but if desired the cells or chambers can be filled and emptied in the
reverse order to that above described. Where however it is of no importance and
the exciting liquids may be allowed simultaneously to enter and leave their
respective cells or chambers I adopt the arrangement represented at Figure 4 in
which case I make the porous cells or chambers 6 long enough to allow the exciting
liquid to fall through tubes 66. below the carbon elements into suitable impervious
chambers 65. fitted into the lower parts of the inner or porous chambers b. as shown
more clearly at Figure 5. According to this arrangement I dispense with the
receiver and with the air pump and its connections. In both arrangements
.

page_text: represented at Figures 3 and 4 a pipe h¹. is fixed in the division between the
receiver e and the outer cells or chambers a. to facilitate the circulation of air
between such parts and thereby enable the exciting liquid freely to flow in and
out. The exciting liquid can be introduced into and removed from the receiver e.
through apertures e capable of being hermetically closed in the manner shown or
by other suitable means.
In the case of the arrangement shown at Figure 3 the aperture el, is conducted
through the receiver fand the latter is charged and emptied through apertures f¹.
By means of the arrangement shown at Figures 4 and 5 the exciting liquids can be
caused to enter and leave the respective cells or chambers by simply turning the
apparatus over on its necks or axes.
•
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and the mode in which
I carry the same into effect I would have it understood that what I claim is :-
First. The combination of the cells or chambers a. b. with close receivers e. f.
connected with an air pump or other source of supply of compressed air so that
the said cells or chambers can be emptied when desired by gravity and filled by
the aid of compressed air substantially as herein shown and described with respect
to Figures 1 and 2.
Second. The combination of cells or chambers a. b. receivers o, ƒ air pump k air
chamber and connecting tubes h. h¹. i. k¹. m. n and frame j mounted on axis of
motion substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.
Third. The combination of cells or chambers a. b. chambers b³. e, tubes h. '. b, and
frame j mounted on axes of motion j¹-substantially as herein shown and described
and for the purpose stated.
In witness whereof I the said Paul Raoul de Faucheux d'Humy have hereunto
set my hand and seal this Twenty seventh day of April in the year of our