Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Apr., 1895-Accepted, 24th May, 1895

page_text: :
and thoroughly, whereupon it is mixed with an exciting salt such as the following,
1 kilogramme of sal-ammoniac to 200 grammes of chopped material when it is fit
to be used for filling the exciting chamber.
The glass jar A of the cell contains a hollow carbon electrode B open below,
whose space C is filled with depolarising substances, such as lead oxide, lead
peroxide, manganese peroxide, or the like in the dry state and is closed with a plug
or stopper a. The zinc electrode consists of a cylinder E which bears tightly and
firmly against the jar A.
After the bottom of the jar has been covered with the chopped straw treated
as before described and mixed with the exciting salts, to such an extent that the
carbon electrode B will be flush with the upper edge of the jar, the carbou
electrode B is placed at the centre of the jar A and the space between the two
electrodes is completely filled up with the aforesaid special filling material which is
firmly pressed down.
The filling takes place up to the edge of the zinc cylinder E which is from
2 to 4 centimetres lower than the jar A.
Above the filling is put a. packing of tow, intended to prevent the exciting
material from falling out, should the cell be turned upside down. The mouth of
the jar is also closed with similar packing: also of tow. soaked in a resinous
material, and with molten asphalt-cement poured over into the same.
One or more inlets are subsequently formed in the cover and closed. with a
plug c.
In the interior of the jar at the top there remains the empty space D of
2 to 3 centimetres in height.
Prior to use this battery remains in the dry state and inactive, and will not be
diminished in the least in its strength of current and electromotive power.
In contra-distinction from this, dry cells now in use have heretofore invariably
been filled up with a moist exciting material or at all events have been supplied
with the necessary liquid prior to the closing of the cell, which has the incon-
venience that such cells become completely exhausted if they are stored for a
certain period.
.
On the other hand my improved cell is not moistened until it is to be used. For
this purpose water or other suitable liquid is introduced through the admission
opening b, to fill at once the space D such liquid being thence quickly distributed
and penetrating into the filling contained in the exciting chamber. Then the
admission opening is tightly closed again by means of the plug or stopper c. :
By the circulating electric current the special filling of mercuric chloride and
chopped straw is slowly transformed into chlorine, and mercury. The metallic
mercury then serves for the automatic amalgamation of the zinc electrode which
possesses the advantage that this electrode will not be attacked in the state of
rest. The chlorine gus combines with the liberated hydrogen and forms small
quantities of hydrochloric acid, which in the state of rest serves, for dissolving the
layer of oxide at the zinc electrode, so that the latter can then be attacked
again at its entire surface by the exciting material.
The employment of chopped straw for filling up the exciting chamber has also
the advantage that after the moistening the exciting material will always come in
contact with the whole surface of the zinc electrode.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I'declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In an electrical battery a dry cell in which the exciting chamber contains
besides the usual elements and exciting salts a special filling consisting of chopped
non-resinous vegetable substances which have been associated and impregnated
with mercuric chloride for the purpose of keeping the zinc electrode always
amalgamated, while chlorine gas and hydrogen combined to form hydrochloric acid,
dissolve the layer of oxide at the said electrode as herein described and set forth.
:

page_text: 2. In an electrical battery, a dry cell in which the filling is placed in the exciting
chamber in a dry state, covered with a packing of tow and then closed so as to leave
an upper empty space which permits of the quick reception and distribution of
the exciting liquid as herein described and set forth.
Dated this 25th day of April 1895.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Agent for Applicant.