Improvements in Automatic Regulating Apparatus employed in connection with Galvanic Batteries.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 11. Apr., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 11th Jan., 1892-Accepted, 20th Feb., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Regulating Apparatus employed in
connection with Galvanic Batteries.
I JAMES YATE JOHNSON of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of
Middlesex Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, which has
been communicated to me from abroad by Fernand Gendron of 28 Rue du Parlement,
St. Catharine, Bordeaux in the Republic of France, to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a combination of devices hereinafter described which
enables the current supplied by an electric battery to be regulated automatically
according to the amount of work to be performed. Take for example the case of a
battery employed for electric lights and capable of supplying as many as 15 lamps
of 10 candle power each and let 5 only of these lamps be lighted or put in circuit ;
the automatic devices hereinafter described then cause just so many elements or
cells of the battery to be brought into action as are required to work the 5 lamps.
The electric device which is called into operation in the first instance acts as a
regulator controlling the number of cells brought into operation for supplying the
five lamps. Whilst these lamps are in action two pumps also worked by electricity
produce a constant circulation of the liquids in the battery. After a time when
the liquids become exhausted to such an extent that the original number of elements
is insufficient to supply the 5 lamps another electric regulating device automatically
increases the number of elements or cells in the circuit and repeats this operation as
often as required until all the remaining cells have been successively brought into
action. The regulator acts in like manner also putting more cells into the circuit
when the number of lamps is increased. When the circulating liquid or liquids
tends to become exhausted it is re-vivified by the action of the two pumps whose
connections with the tanks or vessels are controlled automatically as hereinafter
explained and connect the pumps with reserve tanks or vessels containing : uitable
supplies of liquid.
The cells themselves may be of any suitable form in which the acidulated water
or exciting liquid is kept separate from the bichromate solution or depolarising
liquid when two liquids are employed. In constructing a battery with automatic
regulating apparatus according to this invention the several vessels containing the
liquids are preferably arranged in a frame having three stages or shelves for example
provided with insulating rollers on which the vessels can be readily moved. The
two upper shelves receive the battery cells and the lower shelf carries the tanks
containing the liquids. A small dynamo supplied with a current from the battery
causes a wheel or shaft to rotate at a suitable speed for working the two circulating
pumps. Thest pumps may be of any suitable construction but are preferably of the
kind known as
"Sansay pumps" being together with their connections specially
arranged for pumping acid liquids. One pump is employed for the exciting liquid
and the other for the depolarising liquid. Each pump is connected with the corre-
sponding store tanks by branch pipes provided with stop cocks and valves worked
automatically by the corresponding regulating mechanism. These regulating valves
are connected together by reciprocating or sliding rods so that when one valve or
set of valves is open the other is closed. The sliding rod is provided with lateral
inclined projections or ratchet shaped teeth and is capable of being moved laterally
by an electro magnet so as to bring the lateral projections into the path of one or
the other of the legs of a forked lever to which a continuous vibrating motion is
imparted by the dynamo. By engaging with this lever the rod is caused to be shifted
longitudinally in one direction or the other and thus works the valves and places
the pump in Connection with different tanks. The extremity of the sliding rol

page_text: engages with a vertical slot in a spring lever which normally tends to move it
away from the poles of the magnet which is connected with a relay placed under a
volt meter whose coils are traversed by the current. Suitable switches are also
provided for controlling the supply of current to the dynamo and in the external
circuit by hand.
The number of cells brought into action at a time is regulated automatically by
means of an arrangement similar to that employed for the pumps. The sliding or
reciprocating rod employed in this case is formed by a spring which tends to
remain normally in a central position in which it is not acted on by either leg of the
oscillating fork. Electro magnets controlled by a relay arranged under an ampere
meter are provided on opposite sides of the rod so as to alternately place it in
connection with one or the other of the legs. The projections on the sides of the
rod are inclined in opposite directions so that one leg of the fork is enabled
to displace the rod in one direction and the other leg displaces it in the opposite
direction.
The sliding rod is connected with one pole of the generator and carries a contact
maker which moves with the rod over a series of stationary contacts so arranged
that motion of the rod in one direction increases the number of cells in circuit this
number being diminished by the movement in the opposite direction. By these
means the number of elements or cells is automatically regulated in accordance with
the resistance of the external circuit and when the equilibrium is disturbed owing to
the liquid becoming exhausted the connections of the pumps are changed and fresh
liquid from reserve tanks is introduced into the circulation.
The liquids delivered by the pumps are discharged into funnels (provided with
overflow pipes) whence the liquids are distributed through a series of tubes and
gutters and to the several cells or to other funnels in connection therewith and after
circulating in the cells the liquids return to the tanks or vessels at the lower part
of the apparatus.
The relative sensitiveness of the two relays is preferably regulated in such a
manner that the pump for the exciting liquid is not brought into action until after
the pump for the depolarising liquid.
The delivery pipes are provided with stop cocks for priming the pumps at starting
and taps are provided for emptying the pipes and vessels when the apparatus is
not in use. By suitably modifying the arrangement of the apparatus the invention
can be applied to batteries working with one liquid or two liquids mixed together.
Dated this 11th day of April 1891.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47. Lincoln's Inn Fields, Agente
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Regulating Apparatus employed in
connection with Galvanic Batteries.
I JAMES YATE JOHNSON of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of
Middlesex do hereby declare the nature of this invention which has been communi-
cated to me from abroad by Fernand Gendron of 28 Rue du Parlement St. Catherine
Bonleaux in the Republic of France 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 a combination of devices hereinafter described which
enables the current supplied by an electric battery to be regulated automatically
acconling to the amount of work to be performed and which acts independently of
the work done by the battery. Take for example the case of a battery employed
for electric lights and capable of supplying as many as 15 lamps of 10 candle
power each and let 5 only of these lamps be lighted or put in circuit; the automatic
electro mechanical devices hereinafter described then cause just so many elements
or cells of the battery to be brought into action as are required to work the

page_text: 5 lamps. The electric device which is called into operation in the first instance acts
as a regulator bringing into action the number of cells required for overcoming the
resistance of five lamps. Whilst these lamps are in action two pumps also worked
by electricity produce a con-tant circulation of the liquids in the battery. After a
time when the liquids her exhausted to such an extent that the original maiber
of elements insuficient to supply the 5 lamps the regulating device comes into
action and automatically increases the number of elements or cells in the circuit
and repeats this operation as often as required until all the remaining cells have
been successively placed in the circuit. The regulator acts in like manner also
putting more cell into the circuit so as to automatically adjust the power of the
battery according to the resistance when the number of lamps is increased. When
the circulating liquid or liquids tends to become exhausted it is revivified or
regenerated by automatic devices controlling the action of the two pumps whose
connections with the tanks or vessels are automatically changed as hereinafter
explained and connect the pumps with reserve tanks or vessels containing suitable
supplies of liquid. The arrangement and construction of the apparatus and the
combination of the parts employed to ensure the regularity of the discharge
constitute the most important part of the invention as the cells themselves may be
of any suitable form in which the exciting liquid (acidulated water) is kept separate
from the depolarising solution (bichromate of soda or potash) when two liquids are
employed for example.
And in order that this invention may be fully understood I shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to the several
figures on the annexed sheets of drawings, the corresponding letters and numerals of
reference indicating corresponding parts in the corresponding figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a front view in perspective shewing
the general arrangement of a battery provided with automatic apparatus according
to this invention.
Figure 2 represents the apparatus in longitudinal or side elevation and Figure 3 a
plan of the said apparatus.
Figure 4 represents the apparatus in transverse section on the line A-B
Figure 3.
Figure 5 illustrates in elevation drawn to a larger scale the device for regulating
the electro motive force by regenerating the liquids and Figure 6 illustrates a portion
of the said regulator in plan.
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate in elevation and in plan respectively the device for
automatically regulating the number of cells or elements in action.
Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the electrical connections or combinations
of conductors for working the automatic regulating apparatus as hereinafter
explained.
In Figures 2 and 3 the motor and its accessories are omitted in order to avoid
complicating the drawing. The several cells or vessels containing the liquids (4 of
which are represented at 10, 11, 12 and 13) are arranged in a frame or support
having three or more stages or shelves being formed by vertical legs or uprights 1
and horizontal bars 2 (Fig. 1) provided with insulating rollers 3 on which the
vessels can be readily moved. The two upper shelves receive the battery celis and
a series of six wooden tanks 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 containing the liquids is arranged on the
bottom or lower shelf.
Two of these tanks (4 and 7) are represented in section in Figure 4. The tank 4
contains a supply of fresh or immused acidulated water. Tanks 5 and 6 contain the
acidulated water that circulates in the elements of the battery. The tank 7 contains
fresh or unused bichromate solution for example and the tanks 8 and 9 contain th
bichromate of potash solution that circulates in the battery.
The two upper shelves or stages carry the battery troughs or cells which in the
example illustrated in the accompanying drawing (Figure 9) are 24 in number.
The arrangement of these shelves or platforms is clearly shewn in Figure which
represents 4 battery elements marked 10, 11, 12 and 13 resting upon the rollers 3

page_text: Such being the general arrangement of the apparatus I will now proceed to
describe the mechanical parts employed for regulating the current of the battery
with reference to Figure 1. An extension 14 of the upper shelf or platform carries
a small dynamo 15 constantly supplied with a current from 2 or 3 elements
of the battery the elements nearest to the motor being preferably selected for this
purpose. The shaft 16 of this dynamo (Figs. 1 and 91 transmits motion at a reduced
peed by means of a pitch chain and wheel 17 or equivalent devices causing the
shaft of the wheel 17 to rotate at a suitable speed for working the two circulating
pumps 18, 181 by the intervention of connecting rods 19 and 19' acting on levers 20
and 201 These pumps may be of any suit ble construction but are preferably of
the kind represented in the drawing and known as "Sansay pumps" which together
with their connections are specially arranged for pumping acid liquids being com-
posed of indurated rubber, gutta percha or other acid proof materials.
These two
pumps are both worked simultaneously and in a similar manner by the levers 20
and 20 the only difference being that the pump 18 is employed for the circulation
and renewal of the exciting liquid whilst the pump 18' is similarly employed for the
depolarising liquid or solution of bichromate of soda or potash for example.
To explain the action of both pumps it will consequently be sufficient
to describe the working of the pump 18 for example and the manner in
which it is connected and controlled the same numerals of reference being
employed to mark the pipes which perform similar functions in both pumps the
said numerals being distinguished by the addition of a (') when applied to parts
connected with the pump 18¹.
The suction pipe of the pump 18 is divided into two branches 21 and 23. The
branch 21 communicates with the fresh or unused acidulated water in the tank 4
and is provided with a stop cock or valve 22 which can be opened and closed as
hereinafter explained. The branch 23 communicates with the troughs 5 and 6
containing the acidulated water circulating in the battery and can be opened and
closed by a cock or valve 24. The arms or levers employed for working the
valves 22 and 24 are connected by a rod 25 in such a manner that when one valve
is opened the other is closed and rice versa. The rod 25 is prolonged so as to pass
between the legs 26 and 27 of a fork 28 (Figures 1. 5 and 6) suspended on an
axis 29 and to which a vibrating or oscillating movement is continually imparted
by means of a slotted arm 30 receiving motion from the connecting rod 19 which
also actuates the pump 18 as herein before explained.
The sliding rod 25 is provided at this part with two lateral inclined projections
or ratchet shaped teeth 31 and 32 having their inclines arranged in opposite
directions as indicated in Figure 6 and capable of engaging with either leg 26
or 27 of the fork 28 according as the rod 25 is slightly displaced to one side or the
other.
In proximity to one end of the rod 25 there is an electro magnet 33 with two
bobbins which when excited by the current attracts a lever 34 pivoted at 35 against
the stress of a spring 36. The extremity of the lever 34 carries a cross bar 37
slotted so as to embrace the rod 25 and act laterally thereon without impeding its
vertical motion. The electro magnet 33 is connected by a conducting wire
(Figure 9) with a relay 38 placed under an ampère meter 39 (Figures 1 and 9)
whose coils are traversed by the current in the external circuit. This relay
which is placed in derivation on the external circuit is arranged to supply
the
to the clectromagnet 33 in order to control the position of the
valves 22 and 21. Suitable circuit breakers or commutators
40 and 40' are
the cicuit breaker 40 contending the supply of current to the dynamo
and the elenit breaker 4 controlling or breaking the external circuit.
urrent
The regulator controlling the number of cells brought into action at a time is
worked by an arrangement illustrated in Figures 1.7.8 and 9 similar to that
employed for the pumps. The slotted arın 30 working the fork 28 also imparts
oscillating motion to a fork 60 the legs of which pass on opposite sides of a longi-
tudinally sliding or reciprocating spring rod 61 Figures 1, and 8 which tends to

page_text: remain normally in a central position as indicated in Figure 8 in which it is not
acted on by either le of the oscillating fork 60. Two oppo-ing electro
magnets 62 and 63 controlled by the relay 38 arranged under the ampere
meter 39' are provided on opposite sides of the rod so as to alternately place it in
position to tel by on or the other of the legs of the oscillating fork 61.
These two electro magnets are connected in derivation on the circuit working the
motor and their exciting current is controlled by the said relay 38! The rod 61 is
provided on one side with inclined teeth 64 and on the other side with similar
teeth 70 inclined in the opposite direction so that one leg of the fork 60 is enabled
to displace the rod in one direction and the other leg displaces it in the opposite
direction. When the external current becomes too weak the magnet 62 becomes
excited and the rod 61 is moved out of its position of equilibrium and engages
with the oscillating fork 60. This fork having a constantly vibrating motion
then acts upon the teeth 64 on the side of the sliding rod 61 and the latter is
moved towards the left hand in the drawing. This rod working in guides 65
carries a spring contact maker 66 connected to a flexible conductor 67. This
conductor is connected with and forms part of the external circuit and the
contnet 66 moves with the rod 61 over a series of stationary contacts 65 which are
connected by binding screws 69 with the poles of the several supplementary cells
or elements of the battery (by wires numbered 1 to 8 in Figure 9) being so
arranged that motion of the rod in one direction increases the number of cells in
circuit this number being diminished by the movement in the opposite direction.
When the equilibrium between the external resistance and the discharge of the
battery has thus been re-established by increasing the number of elements or cells
the electro magnet 62 censes to receive any current the spring rod 61 returns to its
central or intermediate position and the fork 60 ceases to act upon the teeth on the
said rod.
These operations are repeated until all the elements have been brought into
action owing either to the gradual exhaustion of the liquid or to the introduction
of more lamps or greater resistance in the external circuit. Then only is the
fork 28 brought into action and allowed to modify the working of the pumps by
introducing a supply of fresh liquids. As hereinbefore stated the action of the
regulator of the number of elements is reversible that is to say when the current
is in excess the electro magnet 63 is excited by a current and the spring rod 61 is
propelled in the opposite direction or towards the right hand in the drawing by the
action of the fork 60 engaging with the teeth 70 so that the number of elements in
action is diminished until equilibrium is again re-established between the external
resistance and the strength of the current supplied by the battery.
In case all the availab. elements have been introduced into the circuit the
battery continuing to work the liquids become weaker the relay 38' closes the
circuit of the derived current of the electro magnet which has introduced all
the clements in succession into the circuit and the same current now excites the
electro magnet 33 and causes it to alter the positions of the valves 22 and 24. At
each change of contact made by the regulator of the number of elements the
current will have been caused to pass in the coils of the electro magnet 33 but for
a period too short to cause it to actuate the valves 22 and 24 the rod 25 not being
acted upon by the fork 28 until the arm of the relay 38' has been deflected or
maintained in an inclined position for a certain period of time.
The working of this combination of mechanical arrangements is as follows:-
When the battery is working normally the voltmeter 39 and the ampere meter 39
efford evidence of the fact of its so working. Under these conditions, the
valves 22 and 24, 22' and 24' and the rods 25 and 231, occupy the positions
represented in the drawing that is to say the valves 22 and 221 are closed and the
valves 24 and 24' are open. Consequently the pump 18 draws acidulated water,
weakened to a certain extent, from the tanks 5 and 6 and the pump 1st draws
bichromate solution likewise weakened from the tanks 8 and 9.

page_text: These liquids are delivered by the said pumps through discharge pipes 41
and 41(Figure 1) into funnels 42 and 42 provided with overflow pipes 43 and 43³.
The liquids discharged into the funnels and flowing away through the pipes 44
and 44 (Figures 1 and 2) escapes in part through the nozzles or branches 45
and 45 into the corresponding battery cells (12, 13) one half of the liquid
supplied by the pumps being this caused to flow into the cells on the uppermost
platform. The remainder or other half of the liquids after traversing the entire
length of the pipes 44 and 44' is discharged into funnels 46 and 46 (Figures 2
and 3) and escapes through pipes 47 and 471 and branch nozzles 48, 48' (Figures 2
and 4) into the battery cells (10, 11) on the second or intermediate platform. In
proportion as the liquids supplied by the pumps enter the upper part of the vessels
or cells they replace the most exhausted parts of the liquids which flow away
through tubes 49, 49' provided with funnels into gutters 50 and 50' which conduct
them back to the corresponding tanks whence they are drawn by the pumps and
caused to circulate in the apparatus as herein before described. This continuous
circulation continues so long as the electro motive force does not descend below a
certain limit corresponding with the work done by all the elements of the battery
in overcoming the resistance of a given number of lamps for example-In
proportion as the liquids lose their strength fresh elements or cells are successively
introduced into the circuit until all brought into action after which it becomes
necessary to provide a supply of fresh liquid.
With this object the relays 38 and 38 come into action and cause the current to
flow in the coils of the electro magnets 33 and 33. The effect of this on
the circulation of acidulated water is as follows:-The circuit of the electro
magnet 33 being closed by the relay 38' attracts the slotted arm 37 on the lever 34
(Figures 5 and 6) and pulls the extremity of the rod 25 towards the said magnet.
This rod being thus deflected towards the leg 27 of the oscillating fork 28 this leg
comes into contact with the projection 32 on the rod 25 and moves the latter in
the direction indicated by the arrow so as to close the valve 24 and open the
valve 22. From this moment the pump 18 ceases to draw weakened acidulated
water through the pipe 23 and draws fresh acidulated water through the pipe 21
from the tank 4 delivering this water into the battery cells in the same way as it
previously delivered the weakened liquid in course of circulation.
means the acid liquid is strengthened or regenerated and the electro motive force
increases the normal power being rapidly recovered.
By these
The relay 35 then returns to its normal position of equilibrium the current in
the electro magnet 33 being interrupted. This magnet ceasing to attract the
lever 34 and rod 25 the parts return to their original position represented in
Figure 1 the armature lever being drawn back by the action of the spring 36 and
the rod 25 being returned to its original position by the leg 20 of the oscillating
fork 28 which now comes in contact with the projection 31 on the said rod.
Under these conditions the valve 22 being closed and the valve 24 being open
the pump 18 recommences to produce the circulation of the regenerated liquid
contained in the elements without further addition of fresh liquid. The pump 181
acts on the bichromate solution in a similar manner being similarly controlled by
the electro magnet 331 which is supplied with current by the action of the relay 38
as hereinafter more fully explained with reference to Figure 9.
The sensitiveness of this relay 38 compared with that of the relay 381
may ไพ
adjusted in such a manner as to prevent it from bringing the pump 18 into action
until after the relay 38 has acted on the pump Is so that it the electro motive
force of the battery continues to diminish notwithstanding the renewal of the
acidulated water produced by the regulating action of the pump 18, the bichromate
solution is likewise renewed by the relay 38 bringing the pump 18 into action
until the normal current is re-established.
The apparatus is further provided with certain accessory mechanical arrange-
ments which are next hereinafter described.

page_text: The delivery pipes 41 and 41' of the pumps 18 and 18 are connected to the
funnels 42 and 2 by short branch pipes 51 and 51 (Figure 1) provided with
valves for use in priming the pumps at st rting.
Valves 52 and Figure 1) are provided for the purpose of emptying the
pipes when the apparatus is out of action and the store tanks are likewise provided
with valves at their lower part as indicated at 53 and 53 for enabling their
contents to be drawn off when required. The tanks 5, 6, 8 aml 9 for the liquid in
circulation are provided with overflow pipes which discharge the most exhausted
part of the liquid which is of lesser density than the new or fresh liquid. The
tanks 5, 6, 8 and 9 which contain respectively liquids in the same condition are
connected together at their lower part by connecting tubes 54 so that the liquids
stand at the same level in the two pairs of tanks thus coupled together.
The arrangement of the electrical connections or circuits producing the auto-
matic working of the apparatus is illustrated in the diagram Figure 9
In this figure the battery is represented as being composed of 3 motor
elements A, a series of permanently acting elements B and a series of supplementary
elements which are added to the elements B as required. All these elements are
connected in tension.
The main circuit consists of a conductor C. proceeding from the battery B
at No. 1 and supplying current to lamps for example at No. 2 a conductor (and
any one of the series of wires 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8 connecting the series of supple-
mentary elements B with the contacts 68 of the regulator mechanism at R
(corresponding with the contacts 69 Figures 7 and 8) one or another of these
contacts being always connected with the adjustable terminal 66 connected by the
flexible conductor (67 Figures 7 and 8) with the ampere meter 39' and constituting
the second wire of the line. This line circuit is closed or opened by the action of
the circuit breaker or commutator 10' (Figures 1 and 9).
The motor circuit is constituted by a conductor ((represented by lines and
dots Figure 9) and is connected with the motor through the circuit breaker 40
(Figures 1 and 9).
On these circuits are connected the following parts of the apparatus namely :—
I. On the main or external circuit.
1. The ampere meter 39' arranged in the positive conductor (" of the said
circuit.
2. In derivation on the external circuit: the voltmeter 39 connected by the
wires d, the relay 38 by the wires and the relay 38' by the wires
and
II. On the motor circuit C".
1. The electro magnet 33' connected with the conductor (at K by a wire f
forming the positive branch and by a wire forming the negative branch being
connected at with an arm placed on the oscillating lever or armature m of the
relay 38. The connection with the conductor leading to the motor battery A is
made by the arm coming in contact with a terminal P whence the current passes
in the wire and circuit breaker 40 to the point K in the conductor (".
2. The electro magnets 62, 63 and 33 all of which are controlled by the
relay 381
A wire proceeds from the conductor (" at the point and connects with the
P
terminals where it branches off so as to supply current to each pair of bobbins 62, 63
returning through the terminals BB".
of the relay 38' and
Between these two
by the relay 38' and
The wire from the terminal goes to the contect C
the wire from the terminal " connects with the contact (F.
contacts or terminals there is an oscillating arm worked
connected with a wire capable of forming a continuation of the wires ".
This wire is attacheil to a terminal connected with the electro magnet 33 and
the current after flowing in the coils of this magnet passes out through a terminal q¹
similarly connected with a wire attached at R to the conductor ((positive
branch).
121

page_text: The several connections made as hereinbefore described actuate the mechanical
parts of the battery as follows:-
The motor 15 being driven by the current obtained by closing the circuit C"
through the contact breaker 40 and the main circuit including any resistance such
as electric lights for example capable of being worked by the battery (being closed
through the circuit breaker 40') the relays 38 and 38' are traversed by currents in
derivation.
So long as the initial voltage definitely fixed beforehand remains unchanged the
oscillating arm of the relay 38' remains in equilibrium and out of contact with
the two terminals ((. The terminal 66 being at this moment in contact with
the first of the series of contacts 68 in the regulator at R, 14 of the elements of the
battery are in circuit. Now if the voltage decreases owing to a larger number
of lights for example being introduced into the circuit a counter weight S is enabled
to displace the arm and cause it to make contact with the terminal C10 of the
relay 38' closing the circuit of the electro magnet 63 which then attracts the sliding
rod 6 so that its teeth or projections 64 are successively acted on by the fork 60
in such a manner as to cause the said rod to be moved towards the right hand in
the drawing by the oscillating movement of the said fork. By these means the
adjustable contact 66 is displaced over one or more of the stationary terminals 68
and the number of elements in circuit is increased so long as contact is made
at Co
When a sufficient number of elements has been introduced this contact is broken
and the movement of the rod 61 is arrested.
On the other hand when the resistance of the circuit diminishes owing to lamps
being cut out for example the arm makes contact with the opposite contact or
terminal (and the electro magnet 62 being consequently excited acts in the
opposite direction on the rod 61 the teeth on the opposite side of the latter being
caused to engage with the other leg of the fork 60.
The electro magnet 33 being connected through their common wires with
the magnets 62 and 63 is excited by the current at every movement of the rod 61
resulting from the action of the contacts C1 and C of the relay 38' but this
current passing for a very brief period of time only is not of sufficient duration to
enable it to change the positions of the valves 22 and 24 which are worked by the
magnet 33. With this object the rod 25 is 50 arranged as not to be capable of
being effectually attracted until a permanent or prolonged contact is made at C¹º
in the relay 38 which does not take place until the voltage or power of the battery
commences to fall below the normal point after all the elements have been brought
into action. In this case the solutions require regeneration in order to maintain the
power of the current.
The electro magnet 33 then receives the current in such a manner as to enable it
to actuate the valves 22 and 24 in the pipes 21 and 23 and cause the pump 18 to
draw a fresh supply of water acidulated with sulphuric acid for example from the
store tank Figure 1 as hereinbefore explained.
If this addition of fresh acidulated water is not sufficient to compensate for the
small loss of power in the battery the relay 38 which is purposely adjusted to
operate later than the relay 38' comes into action in its turn, the contact between
the arm and the contact P is broken owing to the diminution of the electro motive
power in the main circuit and the electro magnet 33' ceasing to attract the sliding
rod 25 the latter is acted on by the oscillating fork 28 Figure 1 engaging with tho
projection on the back of the Sliding rod which is thereby moved as hereinbefore
explained so as to change the respective positions of the valves 22' and 24' in the
pipes which draw depolarising liquid from the corresponding tanks.
Owing to the fresh depolarising liquid thus gradually introduced into the cells
from the reserve or store tanks the electro motive force of the battery recovers its
normal strength and the action of the relays being reversed the valves return to
their original positions.
So long as the positions of the relays remain unchanged the liquids thus

page_text: regenerated by a portion of the fresh liquids continue to circulate in the battery
until they again become exhausted by prolonged working whereupon the same
operations are repeated.
On the other hand when the consumption is diminished by the gradual extinction
of lamps or otherwise the electro motive force of the battery being in excess the
relay 38 again intervenes and by the increasing power of its magnetic field attracts
its oscillating armature and causes the arm to make contact with the terminal (12
thereby closing the circuit of the electro magnet 62 so that the rod 61 is moved in
the reverse direction the moveable contact 66 passing over the several contacts 68
of the regulator until the discharge is reduced in proportion to the demand.
Throughout the foregoing description it has been assumed that the apparatus is
employed in connection with a two liquid battery but it is evident that apparatus
according to this invention may be employed in connection with other forms of
batteries such as batteries working either with one liquid or with two liquids mixed
together for example. In this case only one pump and one regulating apparatus
acting as hereinbefore described will be required.
In like manner the apparatus has been described in connection with a battery
constructed in three stages comprising 6 store tanks and 24 elements but it is
evident that any other convenient number or arrangement of tanks and elements
may be employed without affecting the principles of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what 1
claim is
1. In an automatic regulating apparatus for galvanic batteries the combination
of an electric motor worked by separate or special cells or elements with pumps
producing a continuous circulation of the liquids and an intermittent and auto-
matic renewal or regeneration of the said liquids substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. In automatic regulating apparatus for galvanic batteries the combination of
an electric motor worked by separate or special cells or elements with pumps
producing a continuous circulation of the liquids and the automatic renewal or
regeneration of the same and an automatic regulator regulating the number of
elements in action according to the conditions under which the battery is working
all substantially as hereinbefore de-cribed and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
3. In automatic regulating apparatus for galvanic batteries the mechanical
arrangement producing the several effects hereinbefore set forth namely the
displacement of the adjustable contact maker regulating the number of elements
in action and the movement of the valves of the circulating and feeding pumps
consisting of a forked arm partaking of a continual oscillating motion and
alternately acting on and releasing a rod placed between the legs of the fork
according as the said rod is deflected from its normal position of equilibrium
substantially as hereinbefore described.
4. In automatic regulating apparatus for galvanic batteries the arrangement
hereinbefore set forth enabling the liquid to circulate in such a manner as to
provide a uniform supply to all the elements of the battery substantially as
hereinbefore described."
5. The arrangements and combinations of parts constituting the improvements
in automatic regulating apparatus for galvanic batteries substantially as herein-
before described.
1
1000
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
Agents.