IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY BY STEAM OR HEAT
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Clamond, Engineer, of Paris (France), for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING
ELECTRICITY BY STEAM OR HEAT."
Sealed the 20th October 1877, and dated the 23rd April 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Clamond at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd April 1877.
CHARLES CLAMOND, Engineer, of Paris (France). "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS
AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY BY STEAM OR HEAT."
The new apparatus, which I have invented for the production of electricity by
heat, is distinguished from those hitherto used for. the same purpose by two prin-
cipal and entirely novel features, herein-after described, and which constitute an
apparatus essentially original, and destined to fulfil an object of great importance
industrially.
Hitherto thermo-electric elements have been constituted in the following manner :-
A massive bar of some alloy or metal, endowed with strong thermo-electric properties,
has had attached to it at each end a metallic plate which have constituted the two
poles of the element, or else two elements of metal or metal alloy (such as bismuth
or antimony) have been attached or bound together by a plate. These bars grouped
in circles or otherwise interjoined received the heat at one end, while the other end
was kept at a lower temperature through loss of heat by radiation, by the circu-
lation of the air, or by other means.
Now my apparatus differs from all those which have preceded it by a method of
distributing the cast or melted alloy itself, and at the same time by the arrange-
ments of the elements, which consists of forming them of metallic tubes heated
internally and cooled externally or inversely, the two extremities of which form
the poles of a thermo-electric pile or battery, the whole of these tubes inter-
grouped or inter-bound forming the generator.

page_text: 1st. Partitioning or Separating off of the Thermo-electric Alloy or Metal.-In
the construction of a thermo-electric bar a certain proportion or relation must
always exist between the section and the length, in order that the two extremities
may be easily maintained at very great differences of temperature. The result is
that when intense effects are desired to be produced it is necessary to increase the
length at the same time as the section, which entails very heavy and very costly
apparatus, and necessitates the employment of very great quantities of metals or
alloys. I remedy these inconveniences in a general manner, and whatever be the
systems of construction employed, by the intervention of a partition or plate of
some material which is a bad conductor of heat and of electricity, such as amian-
thus, terra cotta, mica, or other suitable material..
'
Figures 1 and 2 represent in vertical section and in plan a plate P, in which
holes p, p, of suitable dimensions and number have been arranged; it is placed in a
mould for the reception of melted metal, which metal flows to each side of the
plate, and re-unites across the holes by little cylinders. The bars thus become like
divided or partitioned metallic plates. This arrangement permits of increasing
indefinitely the section of the elements without increasing their length, so as to be
able to produce great differences of temperature with a very small distance between
the pole plates, and consequently a much greater production of electricity with less
metal employed and less heat expended. This partitioned plate fulfils in some sort
relatively to the heat the effect of a porous vase, which, while putting two liquids
in contact in such manner as to permit the passage of electricity, prevents them
mixing too quickly.
2. Tubular Arrangement.-Figures 3 and 4 show in vertical and transverse
section the arrangement theoretically. If between two concentric tubes A and B
of unequal diameter we pass a thermo-electric alloy (such as one part zinc and
two parts antimony), and if we heat the interior tube and cool the exterior tube,
or inversely, we shall have a pair of thermo-electric elements, the interior tube of
which will be the element, and the exterior tube the negative. If a metallic disc D,
with a hole in its centre, is soldered to the interior tube of the first element and
to the exterior tube of the second the two elements will be joined in tension, and will
form but one tube. It is thus possible to form one entirely metallic tube composed
of a number of variable elements, the extremities of which tube will be the two
free poles of the sum of the electro-motive forces of the elements which con-
stitute it.
In practice the tubes differ a little in details of construction. The tubes A and
B would not be in sufficiently good electrical contact with the alloy, and they are
in fact only used as protective envelopes. I employ other cylinders or tubes riddled
or pierced with holes, or made of metallic cloth plunged in the melting metal,
which finds itself confined in a mass of network. Very good contacts are thus
obtained.
I employ in addition the partition indicated above, which consists in this case of
a perforated cylinder of some material which is a bad conductor of heat.
Figures 5 and 6 represent the vertical section and the horizontal section of this
arrangement. A is the interior envelope tube; B is the exterior envelope tube; C,
the pole tube perforated interiorly; D, the pole tube perforated exteriorly; E, the
partition tube pierced with holes.
I interpose between the tubular elements washers R, R, of caoutchouc or of pre-
pared hemp, as is used for steam tubes, or some isolating and infusible material
used for fire tubes.
3. Arrangement of the Tubular Thermo-electric Generators.-The principals and
the method of construction of my thermo-electric tubes having been described, it.
remains for me to point out the manner of applying them industrially, and to
describe the apparatus to which they give rise.
The object of these apparatus being to transform heat into electricity in the
applications that one makes of heat, they must in certain cases be employed to
utilize high temperatures, and in this case in employing them to boil water they

page_text: take the form of steam generators, producing steam of any pressure, and being able
to produce motive power at the same time as electricity.
These apparatus can also act at lower temperatures, and constitute steam con-
densers. In the first case the tubes will be thermo-electric fire tubes, and in the
second case thermo-electric steam tubes.
(a.) Thermo-electric Steam Generator with Fire Tubes, Figure 7.-The fire tube
is formed by enveloping or enclosing a steam boiler tube with a thermo-electric
tube, the two tubes being separated by a thin sheet of paper, amianthus, or
mica i, which isolates them electrically one from the other, but allows heat to pass.
The little spaces between the elements of the tubes are occupied by amianthus or
refractory material. Boilers are thus formed with tubes interiorly or exteriorly,
the first case being applicable to large tubes, the second to small ones. Figure 7
shows my Invention arranged for the Field type of boiler.
(b.) Thermo-electric Steam Condenser, Figure 8.-The tubes receiving the steam
to be condensed are enveloped by the thermo-electric tubes, which are isolated from
the steam entry pipes by rings of caoutchouc or other isolating material j.
(c.) Thermo-electric Generator with Fire-grate, Figures 9 and 10.-Lastly, in
circumstances where there is no necessity to produce steam my system may be
employed by deriving the necessary heat from a charcoal fire, or from gas, or from
the waste heat of any furnace.
Where gas is employed as the source of heat the apparatus can be reduced to the
arrangement represented in vertical and horizontal sections, Figures 9 and 10.
This arrangement consists of a thermo-electric tube partitioned or divided off in
accordance with my Invention, the elements of which are separated by washers of
iron or steel serrated interiorly, so as to increase the heating surface. This tube is
surrounded by an envelope of water serving as a refrigerator, and at the interior it
is protected against the immediate contact of the flame by a return flame tube,
which causes the productions of combustion to return again before passing off by
the chimney.
The novelty of my Invention is composed of the following, and which I claim as
new and distinctive features of my tubular thermo-electric generator :-
1. The partitioning or dividing off of the thermo-electric alloy or metal by means
of a perforated diaphragm or plate of isolating material with a view of creating
the desired differences of temperature without necessitating great distance of the
pole plates from each other, thus facilitating the conversion of heat into electricity.
2. The tubular form of the thermo-electric elements thus partitioned or
divided off.
3. The new application of steam to generate or condense as a source of heat for
the tubular generators of my Invention.
4. The arrangements described and shown of steam generator and condenser
realizing this application, and the corresponding arrangements of fire tubes and
steam tubes.
5. The arrangement of tubular generator with the method of heating by a
charcoal or gas furnace, or by the waste heat of any furnace, as described.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles Clamond in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd
October 1877.
CHARLES CLAMOND, Engineer, of Paris (France). "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS
AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY BY STEAM OR HEAT."
The new apparatus, which I have invented for the production of electricity by
heat, is distinguished from those hitherto used for the same purpose by two prin-
cipal and entirely novel features, herein-after described, and which constitute an

page_text: apparatus essentially original and destined to fulful an object of great importance
industrially.
Hitherto thermo-electric elements have been constituted in the following manner:-
A massive bar of some alloy or metal, endowed with strong thermo-electric properties,
has had attached to it at each end a metallic plate which have constituted the two
poles of the element, or else two elements of metal or metal alloy (such as bismuth
or antimony) have been attached or bound together by a plate. These bars grouped
in circles or otherwise interjoined received the heat at one end, while the other end
was kept at a lower temperature through loss of heat by radiation, by the circu-
lation of the air, or by other means.
Now my apparatus differs from all those which have preceded it by a method of
distributing the cast or melted alloy itself, and at the same time by the arrange-
ment of the elements, which consists in forming them of metallic tubes heated
internally and cooled externally or inversely, the two extremities of which form the
poles of a thermo-electric pile or battery, the whole of these tubes inter-grouped or
inter-bound forming the generator.
DESCRIPTION.
I will describe successively, with reference to the annexed Drawings, the
arrangements which constitute the two essential points of my Invention, and I will
afterwards give several examples of the application of my Invention.
First. Partitioning or Separating off of the Thermo-electric Alloy or Metal.-In
the construction of a thermo-electric bar a certain proportion or relation must
always exist between the section and the length, in order that the two extremities
may be easily maintained at very great differences of temperature. The result is
that when intense effects are desired to be produced it is necessary to increase the
length at the same time as the section, which entails very heavy and very costly
apparatus, and necessitates the employment of very great quantities of metals or
alloys. I remedy these inconveniences in a general manner, and whatever be the
systems of construction employed, by the intervention of a partition or plate of
some material which is a bad conductor of heat and of electricity, such as amianthus,
terra cotta, mica, or other suitable material.
Figure 1 represents a plan, and Figure 2 a vertical section of a plate or slab P,
in which holes p, p, of suitable dimensions and number are arranged, Figure 11
representing the same on a larger scale; q, q', is the body of the plate, which may
be of earthenware, plaster of Paris, asbestos, or of some other non-conducting
material; p, p¹, are the holes into which the alloy is cast; r, r, represent wires of
German silver or other thermo-electric metal, one end being cast in the bottom of
one hole p, the other end passing through a hole in the plate, and terminates within
the top of the next hole p¹, or if preferred the wire may be coated with asbestos,
paper, or other insulating material, as shown at r, r, and cast into the alloy itself.
In either case the end of the wire is curved into a ring, so as to give ample con-
ducting surface to the metal to ensure good contact.
The holes of the plate may with advantage be formed with a double cone, as
shown at p, p, so as to retain the alloy firmly within the plate. S is a plain plate
of metal or earthenware, on which the plate is laid when being cast, and t is an
upper plate pierced with holes, which are arranged opposite the holes in the battery
plate, so that the separate cells may all be filled at once by one ladleful of the melted
alloy. These plates may be curved or made in the form of segments of a circle, so
that two or more segments placed together form a cylindrical battery.
Supposing the plate P, Figures 1 and 2, to be deprived of or without the metallic
wires r, r, and it is placed in a mould to receive the molten metal, it will flow
from each side of the plate, and re-unite by little cylinders or tubes through
the holes. The bars thus made become like divided or partitioned metallic
plates. This arrangement permits of increasing indefinitely the section of the
elements without increasing their length, so as to be able to produce great differences
of temperature with a very small distance between the pole plates, and consequently

page_text: a much greater production of electricity with less metal employed, and less heat
expended. This partitioned plate fulfils in some sort relatively to the heat the
effect of a porous vase, which, while putting two liquids in contact in such manner
as to permit the passage of electricity, prevents them mixing too quickly.
Second. Tubular Arrangement.-Figures 3 and 4 show in vertical and tranverse
section the arrangement theoretically. If between two concentric tubes A and B
of unequal diameters we pass a thermo-electric alloy (such as 1 part zinc and 2
parts antimony), and if we heat the interior tube and cool the exterior tube, or
inversely, we shall have a pair of thermo-electric elements, the interior tube of
which will be the positive element and the exterior tube the negative. If a metallic
disc D with a hole in its centre is soldered to the interior tube of the first.element,
and to the exterior tube of the second, the two elements will be joined in tension,
and will form but one tube. It is thus possible to form one entirely metallic tube
composed of a number of variable elements, the extremities of which tube will be
the two free poles of the sum of the electro-motive forces of the elements which
constitute it.
In practice the tubes differ a little in details of construction. The tubes A and B
would not be in sufficiently good electrical contact with the alloy, as they are in
fact only used as protective elements. I employ other cylinders or tubes riddled
or pierced with holes, or made of metallic cloth plunged in the melting metal,
which finds itself confined in a mass of network. Very good contacts are thus
obtained.
I employ in addition the partition indicated above, which consists in this case of
a perforated cylinder of some material which is a bad conductor of heat.
Figures 5 and 6 represent the vertical section and the horizontal section of this
arrangement. A is the interior envelope tube; B is the exterior envelope tube;
C, the pole tube perforated interiorly; D, the pole tube perforated exteriorly; E,
the partition tube pierced with holes.
I interpose between the tubular clements washers R, R, of caoutchouc or of pre-
pared hemp, as is used for steam tubes, or I use some isolating and infusible
material generally employed for fire tubes.
Third. Arrangement of the Tubular Thermo-electric Generators.-The system
and the method of construction of my thermo-electric tubes having been described,
it remains for me to point out the manner of applying them industrially, and to
describe the apparatus to which they give rise.
The object of these apparatus is to transform heat into electricity in the appli-
cations that one makes of heat, they must in certain cases be employed to utilize
high temperatures; and in this case, in employing then to boil water, they take
the form of steam generators, producing steam of any pressure, and being able to
produce motive power at the saine time as electricity.
These apparatus can also act at lower temperatures, and constitute steam con-
densers. In the first case the tubes will be thermo-electric fire tubes, and in the
second case thermo-electric steam tubes.
(a.) Thermo-electric Steam Generator with Firo Tubes, Figure 7.-The fire tube
is formed by enveloping or enclosing a steam boiler tube with a thermo-electric
tube, the two tubes being separated by a thin sheet of paper, amianthus, or mica i,
which isolates them electrically one from the other, but allows heat to pass. The
little spaces between the elements of the tube are occupied by amianthus or refrac-
tory material. Boilers are thus formed with tubes heated interiorly or exteriorly,
the first case being applicable to large tubes, the second to small ones. Figure 7
shows my Invention arranged for the Field type of boiler.
(b.) Thermo-electric Steam Condenser, Figure 8.-The tubes receiving the steam
to be condensed are enveloped by the thermo-electric tubes, which are isolated from
the steam entry pipes by rings of caoutchouc, or other isolating material j.
(c.) Thermo-electric Generator with Fire-grate, Figures 9 and 10.-Lastly, in
circumstances where there is no necessity to produce steam my system may be

page_text: employed by deriving the necessary heat from a charcoal fire or from gas, or from
the waste heat of any furnace.
Where gas is employed as the source of heat the apparatus can be reduced to the
arrangement represented in vertical and horizontal sections, Figures 9 and 10.
This arrangement consists of a thermo-electric tube partitioned or divided off in
accordance with my Invention, the elements of which are separated by washers of
iron or steel serrated interiorly so as to increase the heating surface. This tube is
surrounded by an envelope of water serving as a refrigerator, and at the interior it
is protected against the immediate contact of the flame by a return flame tube,
which causes the products of combustion to return again before passing off by the
chimney.
The novelty of my Invention is composed of the following, which I claim as new
and distinctive features of my tubular thermo-electric generator:-
Firstly. The partitioning or dividing off of the thermo-electric alloy or metal by
means of a perforated diaphragm or plate of isolating material with a view of
creating the desired differences of temperature without necessitating great distance
of the pole plates from each other, thus facilitating the conversion of heat into
electricity.
Secondly. I claim the tubular form of the thermo-electric elements partitioned or
divided off, as described.
Thirdly. I claim the arrangements, described and shown, of steam generator and
condenser realizing this application, and the corresponding arrangements of fire-tubes
and steam tubes.
Fourthly. I claim the arrangement of tubular generator with the method of
heating by a charcoal or gas furnace, or by the waste heat of any furnace, as
described and shown in Figures 9 and 10 of the annexed Drawings.
Fifthly. And specially I claim the appliance shown at Figure 11 of the annexed
Drawings, as and for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Clamond, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of October, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-seven.
CHARLES CLAMUND. (L.S.)