Emptying or Withdrawal from, and the Re-charging of, such Batteries with the Exciting Fluids.
Year: 1885

page_text: Emptying or Withdrawal from, and the Re-charging of, such
Batteries with the Exciting Fluids.
I, JAMES TARBOTTON ARMSTRONG of number 31 Aldermanbury in the City of
London Consulting Chemist and Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of my
Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF
ELECTRICAL BATTERIES AND IN DEVICES OR CONTRIVANCES TO ALLOW OF THE
EMPTYING OR WITHDRAWAL FROM, AND THE RE-CHARGING OF, SUCH BATTERIES
WITH THE EXCITING FLUIDS to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to improvements in the construction and arrangement of
electrical primary batteries especially with a view to ensure their being produced
at a low cost combined with great efficiency; as also, to allow of their being
advantageously adoped both for commercial and domestic uses.
I have described in the Provisional Specification of my Invention N° 216595. a
novel construction of outside Sections of an Electrical Primary Battery and have
therein pointed out some, amongst others of the advantages accruing from such
inode of construction. Now, my present Invention consists in combining with my
Invention first above referred to, the following novel distinctive features forming
the subject matter of my present Invention That is to say-In accordance with
the latter, the end or side piece of my improved battery, and which would
generally be termed or known as, the outer portion,-assumes the form of a shallow
trough of a depth say of an inch or thereabout, and having a marginal flange all
round at the top. At one end of the trough-and just below the flange aforesaid―
a slit is formed therein, extending across the top, to allow of the zinc plate or
element being entered therein and so as to ensure same having a given clearance
free of the porous plate referred to in the Provisional Specification of my Invention
21655 At the opposite end of the trough above mentioned or it may be at the
side thereof the zinc plate or element is secured in position by means of clip.
pieces of L shape and made of any suitable insulating material. These clip pieces
are passed between the flanges above mentioned; and, the part thereof which is
turned over into the interior of the trough; has formed in it a notch or recess
.מ.

page_text: which serves to receive the end of said zinc plate or element and to keep same in
its place. For, I have found that placing the zinc plate a certain distance from the
porous plate has considerable advantages. The zinc plate, at the part where
entered as aforesaid, is secured, by means of sheet rubber washer and screws or
equivalent contrivances in such a manner as to ensure that the battery section
shall be perfectly tight.-The trough before mentioned, is provided, at the end
opposite to that last described, with a small pipe outlet, to allow of the charging
and discharging of the exciting fluids employed. Resting on the flange aforesaid
and extending all the way around same is placed the porous plate referred to and
described in my previous Provisional Specification herein before quoted.
The next section instead of being formed with flanges, I make, for facility and
economy of construction, solid, and provided with small pipe for charging and
discharging the exciting tuid as in the case aforesaid. The carbons in the form of
sticks, to the requisite number and embedded in lead or other suitable material to
form-a flange, are inserted at the entering end (corresponding with that at which
the zinc plate is entered).-Superposed on the lead plate aforesaid, and taking
slightly into the carbons on each side, is a plate of brass, copper, or other suitable
material making the necessary connections. The whole is then screwed tightly
down to a recess formed in one end of the aforesaid section; and, if necessary, in
order to increase the efficiency of the closure at this part, I may introduce a
nouconducting resisting, cloth or fabric; or, lead, or similar suitable substance,
or substances turning same down and making complete at the flange all the way
around samo. I find that this part of the battery is very difficult to construct
from the fact that it contains strong acids and other chemical agents; this difficulty
is however effectually overcome by the aforesaid provision. I then insert between
the next flanges another porous plate in manner aforesaid.
The following section which completes one cell of a battery in accordance with
my present Invention instead of having a stop end as aforesaid is,-to economise
space and to reduce cost of construction, continued and formed with a flange
similarly to that first described so as to be utilised for a continuation of the
battery; said section having the zinc plate placed in a similar manner to that
described for the first section.
It will be seen that by this construction all the connections of the battery are
located externally and therefore are not subject to the deleterious action of the
fumes arising from the action taking place in every battery, and which in those
now in use cause so much annoyance.
In carrying out the second part of my said Invention, namely that relating to
the devices or contrivances employed for the emptying or withdrawal of, and
re-charging or filling with the exciting fluids the cells of my improved battery,
1 proceed as follows. Said exciting fluids are in the first instance charged into a
cistern or reservoir enclosed in a suitable external casing. Said cistern or reservoir
having therein the necessary supply of exciting fluids,-in compartments,―for the
battery cells, may be raised and lowered respectively by any suitable mechanism.
Said adjustable cistern is provided at the bottom thereof with a pipe outlet serving
as a connection to which is attached a flexible india rubber tube of a length
sufficient to allow of its having the necessary amount of play or travel relatively
to that of the charging cistern aforesaid and the range or total height of the
battery cells. Said flexible tube or conduit last mentioned is also provided with a
T piece to allow of a connection being made therewith and passing to the top
portion of the cistern or reservoir in order to permit of the escape of air from the
battery cells. The flexible tube or conduit aforesaid is, at its free end, connected
with the tubes herein before mentioned with which the battery cells are provided.
Through this tube I may, if necessary, blow air into the battery, to prevent any
polarisation that may take place.
The several parts comprising the second part of my said Invention are so
arranged as to insure that when the cistern aforesaid is at the bottom of its enclosing
chamber, the battery cells will be empty down to the last of the series, and, vice
1

page_text: versa on the cistern being gradually elevated, the several cells will become charged.
Hence also it will be seen that by the arrangement described all the liquid is
withdrawn from the battery when not in use. Further I make provision by
means of a discharge pipe and telescopic tubular attachment from the top of the
cistern aforesaid and passing through its enclosing chamber,-whereby any noxious
fumes that might arise from the exciting fluids employed are carried away to the
external atmosphere, clear of the room or place in which the battery and parts
aforesaid are situate.
As a modification of the last described part of my Invention in order to allow of
the charging and discharging operations being performed, I make an endless chain―.
or similar contrivance in the manner of a continuous lift, having a series of
charging cisterns adapted thereto, with the battery herein before described arranged
centrally there-between, and so converting the battery in accordance with my
present Invention for use, when required, as a circulating battery Such circulating
motion may be imparted either by hand or other power independently of the
battery or it may be imparted or effected by means of the electricity generated in
said battery.
As a modification of the last described arrangement; instead of the cisterns
aforesaid being caused to travel around the battery in the manner of an endless
chain, said cisterns may be caused to travel simply up and down each side of said
battery in a reciprocatory manner.
I also wish it to be understood that if necessary I may place on the cistern
aforesaid a description of switch arrangement or device, which on passing each
battery cell, makes connection and continues to do so as said cistern rises, until all.
the cells are in electrical contact.

page_text: Emptying or Withdrawal from, and the Recharging of, such
Batteries with the Exciting Fluids.
I JAMES TARBOTTON ARMSTRONG of 31 Aldermanbury in the City of London,
Analytical and Consulting Chemist and Electrician do hereby declare the nature of
my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF
ELECTRICAL BATTERIES AND IN DEVICES OR CONTRIVANCES TO ALLOW OF THE
EMPTYING OR WITHDRAWAL FROM, AND THE RECHARGING OF SUCH BATTERIES
WITH THE EXCITING FLUIDS" and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My Invention has for its object to cheapen the construction of primary electrical
batteries and to render them more convenient and economical for commercial and
domestic uses.
The first part of my invention is an improvement in the sectional building up of
a battery described in my provisional specification N° 2165 of the year 1885. The
second part relates to a new construction of elements and cells of electrical
batteries; and the third part relates to the means of supplying, withdrawing
and renewing the exciting fluid in electrical batteries.
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a part or
section of a battery shewing the first part of my Invention. Figure 2 is a
sectional perspective view of an outer or terminal section of a battery.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section of a battery composed of three sections such as
illustrated by Figures 1 and 2. Figure 4 is a vertical section of a detached zinc
plate in accordance with my Invention Figure 5 is a vertical, and Figure 6
a horizontal section of a battery embodying the second part of my Invention.
Figure 7 shews the middle part of such battery in detail. Figure 8 is a side
clevation, and Figure 9 a plan of a set of batteries, and charging and emptying
apparatus constructed and arranged according to the third part of my Invention.
In Figures 1, 2 and 3 the different sections of the box or battery are designated
A, B and C; and the porous plates, D and E. Instead of joining the sections
together by means of external flanges as in the battery described in the patent
Specification No 2165 of the year 1885. I adopt for all intermediate sections solid
frames (without flanges) connected with one another or with the porous plates, by
butt joints, and provided at the top with slots a for the introduction of the zinc
plates or other electrodes The porous plate may however be fixed to the sections
in any convenient manner before the sections are put together. The first and the
last sections form shallow troughs and may be made with or without flanges. The
different sections are held together by bolts passing from one end of the battery to
the other or by any other suitable means, and the joints are made tight by means
of marine glue or other suitable material.
The improved battery illustrated by Figures 5, 6 and 7 chiefly comprises an
outer box A closed on all sides except at the top, and rectangular; a flat inner
frame B having fixed to the sides the porous plates C, C, and carbons or equivalent

page_text: electrodes (not shown in the drawing) held in the centre of the frame B and fixed
firmly and prefectly insulated in slots b; and, a pair of zinc plates or equivalent
electrodes D, D, supported at the top by flanges d overlapping the top of the
frame B. Said frame B which forms the receptacle for the exciting fluid of the
inner electrode is inserted into the box A from the top. Figure 6 is a horizontal
section and Figure 7 is a vertical section of the inner frame B, shewing the recess b
for the reception of the carbon plate or plates, (for which latter may,,however, bo
substituted a series of parallel carbon rods) in the centre of the frame, B, and fixed
at both ends in recesses b Figure 6; The carbon electrode has at one end a
metallic connection passing through one end of the frame and leading to the pole
or terminal e. The whole is perfectly insulated and kept solid in its place; the
carbons are connected together before being put in the recess.
As shewn in Figure 5 each -zinc plate D has at the top a flange d and supported
as shewn, while at the bottom, the zinc plate is held in position by a ledge a; and,
in the middle, by provisions a¹ projecting into the interior of the box A. By
placing the carbon and zinc electrodes in parallel lines at definite distances apart,
and securing them in such position, the internal resistance of the battery is kept
very low; which is an important advantage of my improvements.
Referring to Figures 5 and 7, E is a pipe at the bottom of the inner frame
or receptacle B, passing through the bottom of the box A and serving as inlet and
outlet for exciting fluid; it is made tight with a rubber ring.-E¹ is an outlet pipe
at top, for the fumes which may arise from the inner receptacle. F is an inlet and
outlet pipe at the bottom of the box A and serving for the admission of the exciting
fluid, while F serves for the escape of fumes from the top of the outer vessel A.
It will be seen, that in cells or batteries constructed as described, all connections
are situated outside of the box A and noxious fumes can only escape through the
pipes E¹ and F. The cell is closed at the top by a cover G preferably secured by
a metallic strap H passing around the cell and terminating in a pair of screw
spindles h. The cover may, however, be secured in any other convenient manner,
and made tight by means of rubber or other suitable packing material.
The apparatus for charging the cells of a battery with exciting liquid and for
withdrawing or renewing the same, as illustrated by Figures 8 and 9 of the
accompanying drawings, chiefly comprises a pair of vertically movable tanks G, G'
(or one tank having two compartments) one of which contains the exciting fluid
for the positive electrodes, and communicates with the respective compartments, or
receptacles, of the battery at the bottom; while, the other tank contains the liquid
for the negative electrodes and communicates at the bottom with all the com-
partments of the battery, into which the negative electrodes are immersed. The
necessary communication may be established by a pair of channels H, H' extending
along the bottom of the battery, a pair of flexible pipes g g' connecting the said
channels with the bottom of the respective tanks; two series of upright branch
pipes h, h (a pair of pipes for each section of the battery) extending from the
channels H, H up into the corresponding compartment of the battery (instead of
having the channels H, H₁ at the bottom, they may in some cases be placed above
the battery and connected with the cells by india rubber pipes leading to the
bottom of the cells); a pair of channels or passages J, J', extending along the top
of each battery; a pair of flexible pipes 9², g³, connecting the said passages or
discharge flues with the top of the respective tanks, and two series of upright
branch pipes, ¹ (one pair for each battery) extending from the channels J. J¹
down into the corresponding compartments of the battery.
The channels H H and their connections serve for the passage of liquids, whilst
the upper channels J, J and their connections allow the escape of fumes and air
which may be carried off by a vertical shaft K to any convenient place.
The larger tank G is always more or less filled with liquid, but the small tank G¹
receives its supply from a stationary cistern L through a flexible pipe / provided
with an automatic valve which establishes communication between the tank and
the cistern, as soon as the tank has discharged a certain portion of its contents,

page_text: The pipe leading from the upper part of the tank G is also provided with an
automatic valve adapted to discharge about one fifth or other regulated quantity,
of liquid contained in the said tank G₁ when necessary.
The two automatic 'valves may be controlled by the level of the liquid in the
tank G or by the position of the tank.
A method of controlling the automatic valves by the position of the tank, is
illustrated by Figure 10; in this Figure, O is the spindle of the supply valve, and
O the spindle of the discharge valve. On each spindle or axle is mounted a
pinion o¹ or o³, gearing into a rack P connected at the top with the tank G. The
rack moves up and down with the tank G, and is guided at the back by a block Q
or a guide roller, mounted on a pair of parallel beams R which also support the
bearings of the valve spindle O¹ and 02. The rack is made variable in length and
the valves are so constructed and arranged, that in the lowest position of the tank
the tap on the spindle O¹ is open while the tap on the spindle O2 is closed; and;
that in the highest position of the tank, the tap on the spindle O' is open, while
that on the spindle O¹ is closed; but it is obvious that this arrangement may be
varied and the required motion of the valves or cocks may however be produced
by other suitable mechanism. The two movable tanks (or a single tank divided
into two compartments) may be raised and lowered by any suitable means for
allowing the liquid to run into and out of the battery, but preferably by means of
a hydraulic elevator operated from any convenient distance. The lift may be
operated by an attendant standing near the battery; by opening a tap adapted to
put the space behind the piston in communication either with the pressure water,
or with a discharge pipe; but I prefer to provide means for controlling the lift at
a distance from any convenient spot either by acting electrically on a valve placed
near the lift, or by operating a valve placed near the attendant. The details of
construction are analogous to those usually employed for hydraulic presses or lifts;
they will be easily understood by hydraulic engineers and do not therefore requiro
illustration by drawings. Figure 8 shews the two tanks resting on a platform M
supported by a vertically movable piston N. exposed at the bottom to the pressure
of water admitted through a pipe . .The travel of the piston is arranged according
to the height necessary for filling the battery cells.
The branch pipes h h;j. leading to and from the battery cells A are preferably
provided with conical cup joints m, m'; q, q', so that the channels H, H' and J, J'
may be detached from the battery by simply lifting the upper parts of the branch
pipes out of the cups; or, for the cup joints, may be substituted rubber tube
connections.
Under the arrangement described, Figure 8, the battery cells may be filled with
liquid by simply raising the tanks G, G₁, and emptied by lowering the said tanks.
From the foregoing description it will be obvious that in case of one battery in
a series, getting out of order, it can be removed and another placed in the same
position in a few minutes.
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. An electrical battery or battery trough composed of sections connected
with one another by means of butt joints, substantially as described and illustrated
by Figures 1 to 3 and for the purposes specified.
Secondly. A battery trough composed of rectangular frames closed on all sides
and connected with one another in the manner substantially as described.
Thirdly. An olectrical battery in which the positive and negative electrodes
are kept at a minimum distance by stops or distance pieces, substantially as
described.
Fourthly. In an electrical battery, the combination of a flanged zinc plate or
other electrode, with a frame adapted to support the said electrode in the manner
substantially as described,

page_text: Fifthly. A galvanic battery having a closed outer trough or box with a pair of
zinc plates or other electrodes suspended therein at the required distance, and a
closed inner frame inserted into the outer box from the top and carrying the inner
electrode substantially as described and illustrated by Figures 5, 6 and 7.
Sixthly. A galvanic battery having a closed outer vessel A, a closed inner
vessel B, an aperture (serving as inlet and outlet of liquids) at the bottom of each
vessel, and an aperture (serving as outlet for fumes and gases) at the top of said
vessel substantially as described and illustrated by Figures 5, 6 and 7.
Seventhly. The combination of an electrical battery composed of closed cells or
clements, with a pair of closed liquid reservoirs connected with the clements at
the top and at the bottom and adapted to move up and down substantially as
herein described and for the purposes herein specified.
Eighthly. The combination of a battery composed of closed clements, with a pair
of liquid reservoirs adapted to move up and down, and with a stationary cistern,
the said reservoirs being connected with the cells of the battery; and, one of
the reservoirs with the stationary cistern in the manner substantially as herein
described and for the purposes herein specified.
Ninthly. The combination of a battery with a pair of liquid receptacles com-
municating with the cells of the battery, for the purpose of supplying, discharging
and renewing the exciting liquid, and a hydraulic lift adapted to produce the
desired rising aud falling motion of the reservoirs, substantially as herein described
and illustrated.
Tenthly. The combination of a battery with a pair of liquid receptacles com-
municating with the cells of the battery for the purpose of supplying, discharging
and renewing the exciting liquid and adapted to be raised and lowered from any
distance in the manner substantially as described.
Eleventhly. The combination of an electrical battery as A, A, with a pair of
movable liquid reservoirs G, G¹, a stationary cistern L, a hydraulic elevator and
pipe connections, the whole arranged and adapted to operate in manner substantially.
as described and illustrated by Figures 8 and 9 in the accompanying sheet of
drawings.