THE IMPROVEMENT OF GALVANIC CELLS AND BATTERIES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Wentworth Erck, of Sherrington, near Bray, in the
County of Wicklow, and of 47, Gloucester Gardens, Hyde Park, in the County
of Middlesex, Doctor of Laws, for the Invention of "THE IMPROVEMENT OF
GALVANIC CELLS AND BATTERIES."
Scaled the 1st July 1879, and dated the 6th January 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Wentworth Erck at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th January 1879.
WENTWORTH ERCK, of Sherrington, near Bray, in the County of Wicklow, and
of 47, Gloucester Gardens, Hyde Park, in the County of Middlesex, Doctor of Laws.
"THE IMPROVEMENT OF GALVANIC CELLS AND BATTERIES."
In my first arrangement I make the cell of lead in the form of a long, narrow,
and shallow trough. The sides of this trough are lined with carbon plates, round
which the lead has been cast, so as to insure perfect contact between the lead and
the carbon. Into this narrow space between the carbon plates I introduce a piece
of rolled zinc; the breadth of the trough is such that the space between the zinc
and carbon surfaces shall not much exceed one twentieth of an inch.
The exciting solution, consisting of the ordinary bichromate, or some other such
solution, which for ordinary purposes may be very greatly diluted, enters at one end
of the trough, and flowing between the zinc and carbon surfaces, is removed at the
other end of the trough, thus rendering the action of the cell constant. Or the cell
Diay be made of vulcanite or some other suitable material in the same form, and
have its sides lined with platinum. Where it is desired to form a battery of such
cells they should be cast with lugs on the bottom, to which the zinc plates may be
screwed; several cells may then be arranged one over the other, the solution flowing
through them in succession.
If the same solution passes through a great number of cells it will be well that
the zinc plates should increase in size as they increase in distance from the first cell.
In my second arrangement I use circular discs of zinc and carbon, or zinc and
platinum. These discs are mounted alternately on a horizontal revolving axis, from
which they are electrically insulated. Each zinc and carbon disc forming one pair
of elements is separated from the other by a gutta percha washer, while each pair
of elements are connected by a metal tube or washer, concentric with but insulated
from the said axis. All the discs are tightened up and connections established by
means of a nut and screw at the end of the axis. By lowering the axis the discs
Luis C1

page_text: can be immersed to any desired depth in separate cells placed underneath them.
The exciting solution to be used is either bichromate or diluted sulphuric
acid.
If a continuous motion be given to the axis the current will be constant.
In my third arrangement plates of zinc and carbon are attached in a peculiar
manner to a frame supported at each end in such a manner that it is free to swing
as a pendulum in a plane parallel to the planes of the plates, such vibratory motion
being maintained by an electro magnetic or other suitable apparatus.
This frame, with the attached plates, can be lowered, so as to give any desired
immersion of the plates, into a set of separate cells placed underneath them.
These cells must be so large as to admit of considerable linear motion in the
plates.
The exciting solution is the ordinary bichromate, or some other such solution.
This arrangement gives very powerful continuous currents, well adapted for the
electric light.
My fourth arrangement, which is particularly adapted to telegraphic apparatus,
dispenses with separate cells altogether.
In this arrangement I use small zinc and carbon plates placed so close together as
to support between them by capillary attraction a film of the exciting solution,
which is changed from time to time by a drop falling between the plates. The plates
forming one pair of elements are separated from each other by small pieces of non-
conducting material interposed while the pairs of elements are connected by metal
blocks interposed between them. Several of these pairs of elements are screwed
up into one frame.
The exciting solution used is the ordinary bichromate diluted.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Wentworth Erck in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th
July 1879.
WENTWORTH ERCK, of Sherrington, near Bray, in the County of Wicklow, and
of 47, Gloucester Gardens, Hyde Park, in the County of Middlesex, Doctor of Laws.
"THE IMPROVEMENT OF GALVANIC CELLS AND BATTERIES."
This Invention has for its object the improvement of galvanic cells and
batteries.
In my first arrangement I make the cell of lead, in the form of a long, narrow,
and shallow trough, with the sides lined with carbon. The lead for this purpose is
cast upon the plates of carbon, by which perfect contact between the lead and the
carbon is ensured; the plates are also tied to the lead by means of conical holes
formed at intervals in the plates, into which holes the molten metal enters, and on
cooling firmly ties the carbon plate to the lead. Into the narrow space between the
carbon plates I introduce a piece of rolled amalgamated zinc. The breadth of the
trough is such that the space between the zinc and carbon surfaces shall not much
exceed th of an inch.
In casting these cells I use an iron mould into which the carbon plates are
inserted, and they are held in place in any convenient manner. The mould is
divided in such manner as to open freely to deliver the cells, and should be used
hot.
A metallic alloy might be substituted for lead, but I prefer to use lead of com-
mercial purity.
The exciting solution which I employ consists of the ordinary bichromato, or
some other such solution, which for many purposes may be very greatly diluted.
It is made to enter at one end of the trough, and, flowing between the zinc and
carbon surfaces, is removed at the other end of the trough, and from the bottom
thereof, thus rendering the action of the cell constant.
Figure 1 is a transverse section, and Figure 2 is part of a longitudinal section of
a battery cell of this construction.
The following external dimensions will be found convenient, viz., length,
12 inches; depth of carbon plate, 1 inch; space between the carbon plates, 3/ths of
an inch.
The zinc may be supported between the carbon plates by means of india rubber
rings J, I, round the ends of the zinc, in which case the zinc may be of the form
shewn in Figure 3, so that its upper edge, at that end next the supply, may be well
under the surface of the solution, that the latter may be able to circulate between
each side of the zinc and the opposing carbon. At the other end of the zinc there
should be space under the band, through which space the exhausted solution may
be able to pass, and then rising to the overflow escape.
Suitable pinching screws are provided for coupling the connecting wires with the
cell and with the zinc respectively.
When not in use the cell may be emptied by an india rubber suction bottle.
Or the cell may be held in a wooden frame, shown in section in Figure 4, and the
zinc may be kept in place by a pinching screw pressing it against the projecting
piece A, where also it may be held when lifted out of the solution. In this case there
is an india rubber plug (see P, Figure 2) at the overflow end of the trough, passing
nearly to the bottom thereof, to ensure the overflow being taken from the bottom
and not from the surface of the solution. The supply may be at the rate of from
4 to 8 ounces per hour, and is best effected by a glass syphon of about 1/th of an
inch bore; the rate of supply can be regulated by altering the depth of immersion
of the syphon in the solution.
The legs of the syphon should be of equal length, in which case it will not empty

page_text: itself, and it may be kept in working order for an indefinite time by immersing both
legs in the supply vessel.
If it be required to combine several of these cells into a battery the syphons can
be combined as in my fourth arrangement, hereinafter explained.
In my second arrangement I use circular discs of zinc and carbon mounted
alternately on a horizontal revolving axis, from which they are electrically
insulated.
Each zinc and carbon disc forming one pair of elements is separated from tho
other by an india rubber washer, while cach pair of elements is connected by a
short length of leaden tube concentric with but insulated from the said axis.
All the discs are tightened up, and in so doing connection established by means
of a nut and screw at the end of the axis.
The arrangement is shown in section at Figure 5, and Figure 6 is an end view of
the axis and discs.
The axis terminates in brass spindles, which are in connection with the first and
last discs of the series, so that when tho axis is lowered into its metal bearings these
bearings form the poles of the battery, see Figure 7, which is an end view of the
battery. If now the axis be caused to revolve slowly the current will be constant
till the solution is exhaused; the solution may be renewed as in the first arrange-
ment. A convenient size for such discs will bo 3 or 4 inches in diameter, and cach
pair of elements may be an inch apart from centre to centre; 10 such pairs may be
conveniently mounted on an axis, and these in a solution of bichromate will give a
stronger current than 20 post office Daniels.
A speed of rotation of 10 turns per minute will be found suitable.
In my 3rd arrangement plates of zinc and carbon aro attached as hereinafter
described to a frame supported at each end in such a manner that it is free to swing
as a pendulum in a plane parallel to the planes of the plates, such vibratory motion
being maintained by an electro-magnetic or other suitable apparatus.
The frame carrying the plates can be raised or lowered while swinging so as to
give any desired immersion of the plates into a set of separate cells placed
underneath them.
These cells should be of such a shape as to admit of considerable linear motion of
the plates. A motion of about 10 inches per second is required to get the maximum
effect with large plates.
Figure 8 is a general end view of this arrangement, showing the battery resting
on two troughs or reservoirs R, R¹, either of them capable of containing a full
charge of bichromate for the battery; F represents a swinging frame kept in motion
by an electro-magnet apparatus or otherwise, whereby motion is communicated to
the frame carrying the plates.
Figure 9 is a plan of the frame carrying the plates, and consists of two parallel
pieces of wood kept in position by a number of brass bridges B, shown in section
and in clevation in Figures 10 and 11.
The zinc and carbon plates (Z, C, Figure 10), separated by a strip of gutta percha,
are held in firm contact against the face of one of these bridges by means of a
pair of pinching screws in the next bridge; thus connections are established from
one end of the series to the other.
The ultimate bridges are connected with spiral wires or cables, which emerge
from the frame at points as near as possible to the axis of suspension of the
plates.
The plates can be raised out of the liquid by winding up the cords by which they
are suspended upon a drum.
In my fourth arrangement, which is specially adapted for the telegraph, separate
jars or vessels to contain the solution for each cell are not required. I use a
number of zinc and carbon plates, which need not be larger than 2 x 1 inch, packed
alternately in a wooden frame. The elements are separated by small pieces of india
rubber, while the pairs of elements are connected by small pieces of lead. The
space betwen a pair of elements is just sufficient to admit a piece of soft cotton lamp

page_text: or the space between the zinc and copper plates may be loosely packed with asbestos
or spun glass.
Figure 12 is a section, and Figure 12* is a plan of the frame for containing the
zinc and carbon plates; it consists of two pieces of wood W, W, connected together
at certain distances, say, of 5 inches, by cross pieces or plates of brass very slightly
larger than the zinc and carbon plates to be used. These brass plates are fixed in
the wood, and have binding screws, coming through one piece of wood, attached to
them. The space of five inches between the fixed plates is sufficient to contain 10
pairs of zinc and carbon plates. After these have been adjusted, with the spacing
pieces between them on either side, they are slightly compressed by the introduc-
tion of a wedge, and while so compressed the final spacing pieces of connecting lead
are put in, and then, on withdrawal of the wedge, connections are established
between the pairs by the reaction of the india rubber cord pressing them all tightly
together.
Or the series of plates may be compressed by means of screws at the ends of the
frame.
After the plates have been adjusted pieces of flat lamp wick pointed at the lower
end are introduced between the zinc and carbon plates that are separated by the
indin rubber spacing pieces. The upper opposing edges of these plates should be
bevilled, and the wick should reach only to the commencement of the bevil, thus
forming a receptacle for the drop, and enabling it to spread itself uniformly
through the wick, which should not be so wide as to touch the wood work of the
frame.
Figure 13 represents a section of a long shallow trough for the immediate supply
of solution to the wick by means of the series of syphons represented in Figures 14
and 15; the bore of these syphons is about 1/oth of an inch.
Each pair of elements is supplied by its own syphon. A number of these syphons
partially covered with rubber tubing for the double purpose of protecting and
spacing them, are clamped between two pieces of wood, as shown in Figures 14
and 15.
When not required the entire series is first lifted a little, then moved to the right
so as to bring both ends of each syphon within the trough, and replaced at the saine
level as before, thus closing all the syphons at the same time by means of the liquid
in the supply trough.
The rate of consumption of the solution is to be regulated by the height at which
it is maintained in the immediate supply trough.
For many purposes the solution may be greatly diluted with water, and a few
ounces per pair of plates per hour will be found sufficient.
When using weak solutions there should be no more acid present than what is
required for the decomposition of the bichromate and the formation of the oxide of
zinc.
The arrangement may conveniently be supported over a trough or receiver capable
of holding a day's supply of liquid.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I claim.-
First. The method of forming battery cells by casting them in lead or alloy run
upon lining plates of carbon, which serve as the negative element of the cell, sub-
stantially as described in respect to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the annexed
Drawings.
Second. The method of forming battery cells as long narrow troughs, the sides of
which form the negative element, whilst the positive element is supported between
them, and the exciting liquid is admitted continuously near one end, and flows out
at the other, substantially as described in respect to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the
annexed Drawings.
Third. The method of forming a battery with disc elements mounted on an axis
to which a rotary motion can be imparted; such disc elements in the parts below

page_text: the axis dipping into the exciting liquid contained in the battery cells, substantially
as described in respect to Figures 5, 6, and 7 of the annexed Drawings.
Fourth. The method of forming a battery with the elements so arranged that a
pendulous motion can be imparted to them whilst they are immersed in the exciting
liquid, substantially as described in respect to Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the
annexed Drawings.
Fifth. The method of forming a battery without separate cells to contain the
exciting liquid for each pair of elements, but with narrow intervals open at the
lower part between the elements, to which interval the exciting liquid is con-
tinuously supplied, substantially as described in respect to Figures 12, 12, 13, 14,
and 15 of the annexed Drawings.
Sixth. The construction of galvanic cells and batteries, substantially as described
and represented in the annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Wentworth Erck, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this 21st day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine.