An Improved Dry Galvanic Battery.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd June, 1889--Accepted, 3rd Aug.. 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Dry Galvanic Battery. .
We, DON JUAN ARNOLD, Engineer, and HARLAN BRANT CORYELL, Insurance
Agent, both of Omaha, in the county of Douglas, in the State of Nebraska, United
States of America, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention for "AN
IMPROVED DRY GALVANIC BATTERY," 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 an improved construction of Dry Galvanic Battery
whereby the freezing of the battery and the escape of the gases generated are
prevented.
Within the zinc cup we arrange a plurality of round carbons which are bunched
together, thereby increasing the operative surface of the carbon over those cases where
a single carbon of corresponding size is employed. The space between the carbons
and the zinc cup is then filled with a non-freezing gas-generating composition
composed of litharge, chloride of zinc, muriate of ammonia, oxide of mercury, and a
body-former composed of either hydraulic cement or plaster of paris. These several
ingredients are mixed together in a semi-fluid state with water. When this composition
has become hardened the battery is sealed with asphaltum or mineral pitch.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1, represents a vertical section of a galvanic battery constructed according
to our invention.
Figure 2, represents a transverse section thereof on the line aa of figure 1.
1, represents a zinc cup which may be of any ordinary construction. 2, represents
the carbon which we prefer to construct of a plurality, usually four, of round carbons,
each about half-an-inch thick and bunched together as shown in figure 2, whereby
greater contact is secured for the carbon than where a single carbon of equal diameter
is employed. These carbons, 2, are at their upper ends clamped together by an
enclosing clamp, 3, to which is attached a metallic strip, 4, with which the contact pin
or post, 5, is connected. 6, represents another metallic strip attached to the zinc cup
to receive the other contact post or pin 7.
In lieu of filling the zinc cup with a fluid or semi-fluid current-excitant, which is
liable in cold weather to freeze, we fill the space within the zinc cup with a current
generating composition 8, composed of litharge, chloride of zinc, muriate of ammonia,
oxide of mercury, and a body-former consisting of either hydraulic cement or plaster
of paris. These ingredients are intimately mixed together by the aid of a sufficient
quantity of water to bring the composition to a semi-fluid state. When so mixed the
composition is poured into the cup so as to fill the space therein between the carbon
and the zinc of the cup. When the composition has become hardened, which will
occur in due course, owing to the presence of the cement or plaster of paris, we then
seal it up with asphaltum or mineral pitch in order to prevent the gases escaping from
the cup-filling. 9, represents the sealing of asphaltum or mineral pitch.
While the respective proportions of the several ingredients may be varied in
practice without departing from our invention, which consists in the employment
of the ingredients named in combination, and in sealing them within a jar in a
dry and solid state as described, we have found the following proportions very
effective, viz. :-litharge one part, chloride of zinc, two parts, muriate of ammonia,
three parts, oxide of mercury, one part, hydraulic cement or plaster of paris, six parts,
water four parts.
By thus forming a dry battery it can be used in all temperatures; without danger
of freezing in the coldest weather; it can be roughly handled, shaken and thrown
around or packed in any position and transported without danger of spilling or losing

page_text: any portion of the excitants; and batteries of this construction can be manufactured
complete and ready for use and transported to destination and placed on sale in
condition for immediate use. Other advantages secured by our construction are that
this battery longer retains its effectiveness and is longer-lived than fluid or
semi-fluid batteries, and is not subject to atmospheric influences or to deterioration
by exposure.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
1. A galvanic battery composed of a receiving and retaining jar, and a solid filling
consisting of litharge, chloride of zinc, muriate of ammonia, oxide of mercury, and a
cement as plaster of paris or hydraulic cement, a carbon or carbons, contact posts, and
a sealing cap of asphaltum or mineral pitch.
2. A galvanic battery having a plurality of round carbons bunched together in the
battery cup.
3. In a galvanic battery a plurality of round carbons bunched together therein, a
clamp enclosing and binding the upper ends of said carbons together and a contact
post connected to said clamp, substantially as set forth.
4. A galvanic battery having a solid filling, and a sealing cap or cover whereby
the battery is rendered incapable of being affected by atmospheric influences and
can be readily transported from place to place without injury to or displacement of
the current-exciting filling.
Dated this 3rd day of June 1889.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicants.