Automatically Supplying Liquids thereto.
Year: 1885

page_text: Apparatus тот
"
Automatically Supplying Liquids thereto.
I WALTER ALFRED BARLOW of 6 St. Pauls Churchyard in the city of London
Patent Agent and Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for
A NEW OR IMPROVED GALVANIC BATTERY WITH APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY
SUPPLYING LIQUIDS THERETO," & communication from abroad by Marcel Sappey of
15 Rue de Richelieu Paris in the Republic of France, to be as follows:-
This invention has for object a new electric generator with, automatic feed and
is composed of a certain number of batteries which are themselves composed of
several elementa
The generator forming the subject of this invention is composed of carbons and
zincs as well as a porous cell and there is employed two liquids, but it differs from
all other batteries as made by reason of its special arrangement and particular
construction.
The only batteries really usable as producers of electricity are the two liquids
batteries that is an attaching liquid, and a depolarization liquid is necessary.
Batteries have been made with only an attacking liquid, but containing a solid
body or liquid capable of absorbing the hydrogen and consequently effecting
depolarization; but these batteries do not afford that continuous energy which is
indispensable for practical working.
This invention is based upon the following considerations viz: a battery to be
usefully employed should fulfil the following conditions:―
1. It should have high electromotive force.
2. Feeble and constant internal resistance.⚫
3.-The substance consumed in working should not be costly.
4. The electro motive force should be constant whatever the wear of the battery
may be
5. The chemical action ought always be proportional to the consumption and

page_text: •
6. It is necessary that all the arrangements should be made in the working of
the battery may be readily attended to, and that the feeding be readily effected.
In carrying out this invention, and to fulfil the first condition it is necessary that
the solution should act promptly, and be maintained constantly, and consequently
by the diffusion of the salt in the liquid that the body attacked be not changed
either in character or richness.
To meet the second condition it suffices that the body acted upon shall have an
extremely extended surface, and that. these surfaces shall very nearly approach each
other The internal resistance will be feeble and constant, if the exciting liquid of
the battery preserves its character, and density.
To fulfil the fifth condition, (which may be expressed by local action) it is
necessary that the exciting liquids shall be continuously freed from the salts of the
body attacked, and also that the exciting liquid shall not attack the body under
combustion when the battery is not in use.
Finally for purpose of tending the battery there is to be adopted certain con-
structions that will be hereinafter further described, and a sheet of illustrative
drawings is annexed hereto.
This improved electric generator is composed (1) of a table or platform on which
is placed the batteries (2) of a certain number of batteries arranged on the said
table or platform (3) of movable reservoirs placed in the middle of the table, and
capable at will of being raised and lowered. A box or cabinet A, contains the
whole construction.
The box A, is lined internally with gutta percha, and is fitted with a double
bottom B. C, are a series of carbon plates arranged as shown in Fig. 1, that is in
plan they form squares.
In each of these squares or compartments so formed, is placed a porous cell D, within
which is a zinc E, all the said cells D, having a hole in the bottom thereof. The zincs E,
are of square or other section, but a hole is provided therein throughout their length.
For setting up the battery, there are placed in the box A, the carbons C, which
are all fixed together, and so form chambers into which is placed the porous cell D.
The bottom of the box A, is pierced with holes a, Fig. 2, corresponding to the holes
in the base of the porous cells, and the double bottom B. is similarly disposed, and
is pierced with holes b. Through these holes b, of the double bottom there is passed
an ebonite tube M which traverses the double bottom, the box, and the base of the
porous cell which said tube M, is screwed at its lower extremity and an ebonite.
screw F, Fig. 2. secured it to the bottom of the porous cell, and a screw G. applied.
below secures it to the double bottom.
The screw cap F, is pierced with small holes d, which allows of the liquid placed
in the porous cell to pass through to the double bottom B, and vice versa.
For ensuring the close fitting of the screws F, and G. gutta-percha washers will
be provided. The square zincs E are passed onto the ebonite tubes M, but are not
squared for their whole length, this form not being carried beyond the height of
the tube M, and from thence is continued as a flat band which serves to receive
the electric connections.
The ebonite tube M, is open into the space below the double bottom, and the
screw G.
The box A, and its double bottom B, are entirely lined with sheets of gutta-.
percha, and wherever a hole occurs the sheets of gutta-percha will be made a tight
joint by a heated metal bit.
.
To ensure the effectual conductability of the carbons, they are furnished
iuteriorily with a band of red copper the whole height of the compartments
formed by the plates of carbon, and all these bands of copper are electrically
attached to a frame which is itself a good conductor. This frame is in electric
connection with all the carbon's, and form the positive pole of the element, and by
raising the said frame there will also be raised all the carbons of the battery.
The zincs E, are also electrically connected by their flat portions which forms
their upper extremities but independently to a frame of metal of good conductivity.

page_text: which is isolated by bands of ebonite from the other frame of the carbons, and
forms the negative pole of the battery, and it is capable to raise all the zincs at
once or at will to raise one or more of the zines and leave the others in place.
As I have said, the liquid of the porous cell fills the space below the double
bottom B. and also remains in communication with the porous cell by means of the
openings d, of the screw F. and thus all the porous cells are in electrical connection.
A depolarizing liquid is filled into the box A, and an attacking liquor into the
porous cells. All the elements of the battery are thus mounted in quantity and all
the various batteries which compose the generator of electricity may finally be
connected together either for quantity or intensity.
When the battery is in work the circuit being closed, and all the elements
mounted in quantity in presence of the greatly extended surface of the carbons,
and zincs, there is produced a current giving a considerable number of amperes,
and this large surface gives a minimum of internal resistance to the battery for
the resistance is distributed by the number of elements mounted together in
quantity.
The double bottom B is called the collector.
This collector is fitted with an outlet union R, of material not attacked by the
solution for purpose of receiving an india rubber tube.
The solution is introduced by a tube N Fig. 5 mounted in such wise that its
extremity is above the receptacle and said solution will fill into the collector.
passing through holes d of the nut F to fill the porous cells up to the level of the
height of tube M but above this height the solution will pass into the central hole
of the zinc and will run off and this occurs, as will be seen by the drawings in all
the cells of such a battery.
If we suppose that by any convenient system the solution be made to circulate.
continuously and regularly into the collector during work, so as to maintain in this
liquor, the same degree of concentration from the point of view of oxidation shall
arrive at the condition of constancy of the electro motive force, but at the same
time a further result will be obtained. The salts of the metal formed by the
ordinary batteries are deposited on the metal to be dissolved thus partially pre-
venting the action of the exciting solution, and has a resistance greater than the
metal itself.
It follows then that for the battery to work continuously with the same energy
it is necessary that the salts shall be withdrawn so far, and according to their
production. It must be remarked that the metallic salt thus formed having great
porosity encloses a considerable quantity of gas at the moment of its formation
and under these conditions rendered buoyant by the gas they contain at the
moment of formation the salt rises to the surface of the liquid contained in the
porous cell.
•
As it has been seen there is by the tube M, a continual running of the solution,
the motion taking effect from the upper surface of the liquid, and thus the lower
liquid is kept free from the salts formed as formed.
As has been stated there is required for this battery a constant feed of the
exciting solution, and also that the depolarising liquid shall be refed when it
descends a certain degree.
For securing this double result there is arranged in the middle of the table on
which the battery is mounted, a fixed case R, which case is composed of two com-
partments R¹, R' the interior one R¹ of which contains the exciting liquor, and the
other compartment R³ around the first contains the depolarising liquid. The
construction R, R¹, R is covered on the inside by a body or lining of material
that will resist the action of acid.
:
In the centre of the receiver R¹ is a tube T, of acid resisting material in which
tube is a screw T¹, which works through said tube T. This screw T₁ carries at its
outer end the band wheel V, the other end engaging in a screw fixed to the box or
casing S, which said box or casing S, is placed under the receptacle R, and arranged.
between the supports thereof, said supports of receptacle R, serving as guides in

page_text: +
which work guide pieces of box S, which said box by the hand wheel V, and
screw T, can be raised or lowered as required.
The box S, is divided into two compartments similarly to the receptacle R,
S¹ being the centre compartment, and S' is the surrounding compartiment.
A tube N, below the chamber S¹ is connected by an india-rubber tube with the
reservoir R, and tube N' similarly connects the compartment S' with reservoir R¹.
The reservoir R, communicates with the collector B. The reservoir R¹ communicates
by a canal or way r, with the carbon chambers.
The exciting liquid is placed in the reservoir R¹, and communicates by a special
tube Q, which will be further described, with an overflow piece Q¹. So long as the
tube is immersed below the liquid said liquid can run off by the overflow piece Q¹
into the receptacle S¹, and the tube N, will supply into the collector B, and the
porous cells D, and for ensuring this action it suffices that the receptacle S¹ shall
have a higher position than the battery. At the same time as this is going on "the
tube will be immersed below the liquid which will run out by its overflow
piece in the receptacle S, by the reservoir R¹, and the tube N₁ in connection
with all the interior compartments or cells of the battery, and always when the
receptacle S³, is higher than the battery, and the tube ẞ is immersed in the liquid,
the same will feed the element.
As it has been shown the receptacles S and S¹ serve as funnels having for object
to feed the battery with the exciting, and depolarising liquids, and the whole case
is separated interiorily into, an equal number of compartments as the gênerator has
batteries.
The feeders Q¹ and B₁ are in number equal to that of the batteries to be fed,
and there are as many india rubber tubes N and N as batteries. Each tube N
corresponds. with a compartment S¹, and each tube N¹ corresponds with a com-
partment S. By these means may be fed all the elements of the battery without
effecting electric communication by the liquids.
In order to separate the compartments S¹ and S' I prefer to employ glass parti-
tions fixed by pitch to the sides of the case. Fig. 3 shows this arrangement. The
special tube communicates with the reservoir Q1 by means of an india rubber
connection in which it is fixed. A cord of amianth running on a pulley Q' is
provided to raise the tube Q above the liquid. This cord is tixed by one end to
the tube Q, and by the other to the box S. If the box S, is lowered the tube rises,
and thus arrests the feeding of the exciting liquid.
The tube which feeds the overflow piece 3' may also be made to rise and fall
by means of the cord of amianth 3 but as it is necessary that the depolarising
liquid shall not be fed except when the action of the element decreases, a device is
provided which is operated by the electric current generated by the element as
follows:-
A platinum wire is traversed by a derivative current generated by a battery,
and said wire is elongated by becoming heated by the passage of the current so
that when so elongated the tube ẞ will be raised above the liquid, but if on the
contrary the wire becomes cold, that is if the current becomes more feeble, the
wire will by contraction operate the device to cause the tube ẞ to become immersed
in the depolarising liquid so as to feed same to all the elements. In Figs. 4 and 5
this device is illustrated.
Upon the pulley 1 is rolled a cord of amianth ẞ which cord acts on tube ẞ, if
the pulley 1, turns in the direction of the arrow 2, the tube ẞ, will be raised above
the liquid; if however the pulley turns in direction of arrow 3, the tube ẞ becomes
immersed. To the pulley 1 is fixed a small pulley 4, (Fig. 4) on which is rolled
an elastic spring 5, which is arranged so as to offer resistance to the turning of the
pulley 1 in direction of the arrow 3, and on the contrary exerts an action of turning
in direction of the arrow 2 and under this drawing action of the spring 5 the
tube B will be raised above the liquid.
The platinum strip 6 (Fig. 5) acts on a small drum 7 fixed to pulley 1. so that
when the platinum strip 6 is elongated the pulley 1 by action of spring 5 will turg

page_text: in direction of the arrow 2 and when the platinum wire contracts it will overcome
the action of the spring 5 and cause the pulley to turn so that the tube B will be
immersed to feed the depolarising liquid to the battery.
This automatic regulator device acts according to the current and is of great
importance in regulating the operation of the battery and may be placed on the
side of the container R.
•
The current for the platinum piece 6 is connected from one pole by a fixed
terminal and from the other by a contact maker brush acting on the drum 7 which
is of copper.
•
Figs. 6 shows construction for regulating the feeders which terminate by a
cap a pierced with holes. I is a tube fixed to a¹, at II is a filling of wool III is
a piston which may be adjusted by a screw IV and nut V The piston III is pierced
with holes which allows of the liquid to run through and the flow of the liquid
may by the pressure of screw II be regulated in each feeder.
It is necessary to be able to arrest the working of the battery when the current
is open and to effect this the the container S being movable by means of the hand
wheel V and screw T' it suffices to bring said container S below the level of the
collector B. when all the liquid contained in the battery escapes into the con-
tainer S by the tubes N and N¹ whereupon the battery will cease to work and to
again put it into operation it will suffice to raise the case S again so as to bring its
level above that of the battery.
All the elements are lined internally with gutta percha and all joints are easily
rendered tight with a hot iron.
In order to ensure the feeding of the cases R¹ and R¹¹ there is placed in each a
float, which floats will when they descend too far actuate an electric bell or alarum
which will notify the attendant that said reservoirs ought to be refilled.
Dated this 5th November 1885.
WALTER A. BARLOW,
6, St. Paul's Churchyard, E.C.

page_text: A New or Improved Galvanio Battery with Apparatus for
Automatically Supplying Liquids thereto.
I WALTER ALFRED BARLOW of 6 St. Pauls Church Yard London do hereby
declare the nature of this Invention which has been communicated to me from
abroad by. Marcel Sappey 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 an improved generator of electricity capable of
supplying a current suitable for the ordinary applications of electricity and for
electric lighting purposes in particular-By means of this generator a current
efficient for lights or for domestic purposes can be produced with an apparatus
of very small dimensions causing neither noise nor offensive odour requiring very
little attention and devoid of danger.
3
This apparatus is supplied automatically with the proper quantity of exciting
and depolarising liquids so that the electric current produced is of uniform intensity
whenever required being always of the same strength as when the apparatus is
started.
An automatic distributor worked by a. derived current regulates the supply of
liquid according to the number of lamps in use. The exciting and depolarising
liquids consequently always have the same oxidising power and no local action
being produced the internal resistance never increases.
This electric generator is constructed with a group or groups of cells forming an
independent battery or series of batteries of the two liquid class having zinc and
carbon electrodes the zincs being placed in porous jars or vessels and the invention
consists essentially in the novel arrangement and combination of parts herein-
after described whereby means are provided for automatically effecting a regular
circulation and renewal of the liquids and the chemical action is enabled to proceed
under the most favourable conditions for the generation of a maximum amount of
electricity. with a minimum expenditure of materials..
And in order that the said 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 same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the corresponding figures.
Figure 1 sheet 1 of the accompanying drawings represents in plan a group of
cells forming one of the batteries employed in the construction of an improved
generator-embodying the principle of this invention.
Figures 2 and 3 sheet 1 represent respectively a vertical section and a side
elevation of the battery.
Figures 4 to 9 sheet 1 illustrate automatic feed mechanism for controlling the
supply of liquid to the batteries or groups of cells as hereinafter explained.
Referring to figures 1. 2. and 3 of the accompanying drawings the battery
enclosed in a case or trough A provided with a double bottom or chamber B is

page_text: divided by carbon plates C. forming partitions (figure 1) into a number of
'compartments or cells containing porous jars or hollow cylinders D within which
are arranged the zinc electrodes E These electrodes, one only of which is shown
in section in figure 2 are hollow or perforated throughout their length-Holes a
are formed in the bottoms of the porous cylinders D which holes when the said
cylinders are adjusted in position in the compartments formed by the carbons C.
coincide with corresponding holes in the bottom of the trough A communicating
with the double bottom or chamber B. Ebonite tubes M are passed through
holes b in the lower part of the chamber B and through the holes a and hollow
zincs E being secured in position by nuts F bearing on the bottoms of the porous
jars and nuts G bearing on the underside of the chamber B-Rubber washers are
placed under the nuts or collars F and G in order to make a tight joint and the
collar F is perforated with small holes d so as to place the chamber B in
communication with the interior of the jars D. The lower part of the zincs E is
preferably cylindrical but the part above the upper ends of the tubes M is squared
or flattened for facility of making the connections. The connections of the carbons
are made by means of strips of copper extending throughout the entire length of
the carbon and connected to a frame of conducting material by raising which all
the carbons can be lifted out of the trough simultaneously-The zinc electrodes
are similarly connected to a frame so arranged as to enable the whole or any.
desired number of the zinės to be lifted as required.
The attacking or exciting liquid is placed in the porous cylinders all of which
are in communication with one another through the holes in the collars F and the
chamber B and the depolarising liquid is placed in the compartments formed by
the carbon plates C. It will be observed that the arrangement described (the
elements being connected in quantity) affords a maximum of acting surface with. a
minimum of internal resistance-The exciting liquid is supplied to the chamber B
through a tube N and passes through the holes d into the porous cells where it
overflows into the tubes M. By supplying the liquid so as to maintain a regular
and constant circulation the proper degree of concentration may be readily
maintained and regulated according to the work done and at the same time the
salts of the metal are washed away or removed as fast as they are formed.
In order to automatically regulate the feed or supply of the depolarising liquid to
the battery the current generated is caused to operate certain mechanical devices
controlling the flow of the said liquids as hereinafter described whereby the feed of
the liquid is regulated in proportion to the work done by 'the current This result
may be obtained in various ways for example a fine wire may be placed in a shunt
or derived circuit so as to be heated by the current under normal conditions of
working This wire may be connected to mechanical devices controlling the flow
of the liquid in such a manner that as the resistance. to the current in the main
circuit increases the wire in the derived circuit becomes cooled and contracts thereby
operating the feed controlling devices in such a manner as to cause the depolarising
liquid to circulate in greater quantities or more rapidly through the cells of the
battery and thus increase the power of the latter until the desired equilibrium is
reestablished-This arrangement is preferably combined with means for supplying
the battery with exciting liquid as required.
Figure 4 Sheet 1 represents a vertical section of a reservoir R for the liquids'
provided with automatic feed devices according to this invention This reservoir is
stationary and supplies the liquids to an intermediate reservoir S represented in
vertical section in Figure 5. The reservoir S is capable of being lowered below the'
level of the battery troughs as hereinafter explained The reservoirs are lined with
acid proof material and the reservoir R is divided into two main compartments R¹
and R-R being a central compartiment containing the attacking or exciting
liquid and being surrounded by the compartment R which contains the depo-
larising liquid-Each of these main compartments is subdivided into as many
subdivisions as there are troughs or series of cells (such as A figures 1. 2 and 3)
in the generator.

page_text: The removeable tank or reservoir S is also divided into two compartments S¹ Su
the central compartment S¹ receiving the exciting liquid from the compartment R¹
and the compartment S surrounding S¹ receiving the depolarising liquid from the
compartment R₁ the compartments S¹ S¹¹ being subdivided similarly to the com-
partments R R The vessel S is directly connected by pipes N N¹ with the
battery trough and is capable of being lowered by means of a screw T¹ passing
through a tube T in the reservoir R and operated by a hand wheel V so as to draw
off the liquid from the battery when the latter is out of action-Figure 6
represents in plan a modified arrangement of the compartments in the vessel S--
The liquid flows from the compartment R¹ in the reservoir R through a tube Q and
case Qinto the compartment S₁-The tube Q is connected to the outlet by a
flexible connection and is attached to a cord w of asbestos.or the like connected to
the vessel S in such a manner that when this vessel is lowered the end of the
tube Q is raised above the level of the liquid in the compartment R¹ and. con-
sequently stops the flow of the said liquid The depolarising liquid flows from the
compartment R¹¹ to the compartment S through a similarly arranged tube ẞ and
case and the flow of this liquid is regulated by a "detector' or automatic feed
controlling device operated by the electric current-With this object a platinum
wire or strip 6 (figure 8) through which a derived current from the battery is
.caused to pass may be employed.
"
The tube is attached to a cord ẞ" connected to a pulley or drum figs. 7 and 8
and on the axis of this drum is fixed a pulley 4 to which one extremity of a spring 5
figure 7 is attached. A pulley 7 figure 8 also fixed on the axis of this drum is
connected to one end of the platinum wire or strip 6. When a current of the
required strength is passing in the main circuit the strip 6 being in a derived
circuit is heated sufficiently to cause it to expand and allow the spring 5 to pull
the drum 1 round in the direction of the arrow 2 thereby drawing on the cord B11
and elevating the extremity of the tube ẞ above the level of the depolarising
liquid in the reservoir R and thus arrest the flow of the said liquid in the
batteries but directly the strength of the current falls below a certain predetermined
limit the strip 6 is cooled and contracts the drum 1 is caused to rotate in the
direction of the arrow 3 and the end of the tube ẞ is immersed in the liquid so as
to reestablish the circulation until the desired effect is produced-The current may
be caused to pass through the strip 6 by means of a brush acting on the pulley 7
which is made of conducting materials. This automatic feed mechanism may be
conveniently arranged at the side of the reservoir as indicated in Figure 4.
Figure 9 represents in section a regulator for adjusting the feed of the liquid.
This regulator is provided with a cup shaped cover a¹ perforated at the lower part
with holes communicating with a chamber II in a tube I attached to the cover a¹.
The chamber II is filled with wool which can be compressed by a perforated.
piston III capable of adjustment by means of a screw IV and nut V. The rate at
which the liquid flows through the chamber II is thus enabled to be regulated by
compressing the wool in the said chamber by means of the perforated piston III.
Floats placed in the reservoir operate a bell or signalling device which gives
notice when the reservoir requires replenishing.
The apparatus constructed as hereinbefore described with reference to the figures
on sheet 1 of my drawings embodies the principle of the invention in its crudest
and simplest form. I will now proceed to describe more complete or perfected
arrangements or apparatus which may be more advantageously employed in
carrying out the invention in a practical manner and for this purpose shall refer to
figures 1 to 12 on sheets 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 sheet 2 of the accompanying drawings represents a sectional elevation
of an electric generator constructed according to this Invention with automatic
supply and arranged for giving a current which is only required intermittently and
at long intervals.
Figure 2 represents a front elevation of the apparatus which may be enclosed in
an article of furniture such as a seat as illustrated in the drawing.

page_text: Figure 3 shews another arrangement on the same principle but which is
preferably employed in cases where the current is seldom stopped for long periods.
Figure 4 illustrates the mechanism of an automatic "detector" óperated by the
variations in the current as hereinafter explained and provided if desired with an.
indicator or signalling device.
Figures 5 and 5 represent respectively longitudinal and transverse sections of
the reservoirs containing the supply of liquids and shew the automatic distributer
or apparatus for regulating the flow therefrom.
Figures 6, 7 and 8 sheet 3 represent respectively a longitudinal, a transverse
section and a plan of one of the troughs or boxes in which the electricity is gene-
rated and which constitute one of the essential features of this Invention; and,
Figure 9 is a plan shewing the arrangement of the zinc electrodes employed
therein.
Figures 10, 11 and 12 are diagrams illustrating a modified arrangement of the
said troughs or boxes.
In the arrangement illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 the elements or cells of the
generator are contained in a case A forming part of an article of furniture and are
arranged in the lower part thereof as indicated at B. These cells are supplied with
liquid from reservoirs or cisterns D and E by pipes C C¹ figures 1 and 3. The
exciting liquid is contained in the cistern D and the depolarising liquid is
contained in, the cistern E the apparatus for automatically regulating the supply
being arranged at F figures 1 and 2 and acting on mechanism controlling the flow
of the liquids at H.
A bell K is suitably connected with the reservoirs so as to ring when they
require refilling. The exciting and depolarising liquids are ultimately discharged
from the generating apparatus through pipes L into a cistern M from which they
can be drawn off as required and binding screws N and O corresponding with the
positive and negative poles of the generator enable the apparatus, to be connected
with the lamp or other working part in the circuit.
The battery of the improved generator comprises a series of troughs or boxes B
arranged as next hereinafter described with reference to figures 6 to 12 and made
of suitable materials such as Ebonite moulded under pressure or metal covered
with insulating material. These troughs may be single as illustrated in figures 6,
7 and 8 or they may be double that is to say may be divided internally into two
compartments (as indicated at B B¹ in figures 10 and 12) consisting of two troughs
or boxes connected or coupled together side by side on the same level. The latter
arrangement is preferable as it diminishes the number of pipes required for
distributing the liquids and generally simplifies the construction In the bottom
of each trough are formed watertight passages or chambers 'de which may be
arranged side by side on the same level as indicated in figures 6 and 7 or they may
be placed one above the other as illustrated in figures 11 and 12-Each trough
contains a series of porous vessels f having openings at their lower part communi-
cating with the chamber d. Ebonite tubes g are arranged in the interior of these
vessels and communicate at their lower extremities with the Chamber e-The said
vessels also contain zinc plates or electrodes h attached to a copper support as
indicated in figure 9. Carbon Electrodes k connected and supported by strips or
bands of copper not shewn in the drawing and to which they are attached by
copper screws and nuts are placed in the troughs outside the porous vessels and
form cells presenting a maximum depolarizing surface.
The exciting liquid is supplied to a funnel / figure 6 communicating through a
tube m with the Chamber e whence it ascends the tubes g and overflows around
the zinc plates h in the porous vessels f The liquid then flows downwards
regularly over the surfaces of the zinc electrodes and forms a salt of zine which
being more dense than the exciting liquid descends and escapes through the
openings herein before referred to in the lower part of the porous vessels f into the
chamber or passage d in the bottom of the trough.

page_text: When this Chamber is full the excess of liquid ascends a pipe o and overflows at
a spout p into a gutter q. The orifice of the overflow pipe o is somewhat above
the level of the tops of the tubes g so that the liquid is uniformly distributed
throughout all the porous vessels even when the liquid enters very slowly.
The depolarizing liquid is introduced through a funnel (figure 10) and is
conducted by pipes m² to a distributing passage r (figures 6, 7 and 12) whence it is
delivered through a series of holes 1 (figures 8 and 10) into the interior of the
troughs whence it passes through suitable openings and circulates around the
carbons k and ultimately flows away through overflow spouts s¹ into a gutter 8.
This arrangement enables a certain number of elements to be connected in
quantity although perfectly distinct and having nothing in common except the
exciting and depolarising liquids so that these liquids are connected in quantity in
the same way as the electrodes. A maximum of useful effect is thus obtained
while the volume of the elements is reduced to a minimum.
The consumption of liquid is regulated according to the current to be produced
by means of automatic regulating or distributing apparatus controlled by the
current from the generator as in the arrangement hereinbefore described but in
place of utilising for this purpose the alternate expansion and contraction of a
piece of metal heated by the current it is generally more convenient & effectual in
practise to employ an equivalent arrangement wherein the alternate magnetisation
and demagnetisation of electro magnets acted on by the current is inade to
operate the feed controlling apparatus. This apparatus is worked by a current in
derivation on the working circuit (such as the circuit of a lamp P fig. 4) which
current acts on electro magnets operating siphons hereinafter described which
regulate the supply of liquids.
This "detector" is affected by variations in the working circuit and comprises an
electro magnet 1 supported by brackets 2. This magnet is made with a core 3
which acts upon a steel plate or armature 4 centred or hinged at 5 and capable of
being adjusted by means of a screw 6 so that it, tends to fall by its own weight
against a point 7 which can be adjusted by a nut 8. The normal power of the
magnet 1 when connected with the working circuit tends to attract the plate or
armature 4 and hold it away from the point 7. The plate 4 is connected through
its hinge 5 with a binding screw 10 and the point 7 is connected with a binding
screw 9. The magnet circuit is closed through binding screws 11 and 12.
The binding screw 9 is connected with the circuit of a battery 13 figures 5
and 5 which circuit includes an electro magnet 14 in communication with the
binding screw 10.
A pipe 16 with the lower extremity bent upwards is inserted into each of the
two vessels D and E. These pipes are provided at their upper extremities with
funnels 17 and stop cocks 18 and are permanently fixed in position so as to draw
off the liquids at a certain height from the bottoms of the vessel so as not to take
up the salt crystals. Externally to the cisterns D and E and in close proximity
thereto there are provided tubes 19 made of glass or other materials proof against
the action of the exciting and depolarising liquids and which are carried up to the
level of the surface of the liquids. in the cisterns D and E. The lower extremities
of these tubes are in the form of cones a connected by bent pipes 20 with pipes C
supplying the batteries B with exciting and depolarising liquids. The pipes C are
provided with delivery cocks 21 discharging into the funnels of the batteries and
with air pipes 22 for the escape of air. Perforated plates 23 figure 5 are inserted
above the contracted part of the tubes 19 and carry cups 24 containing mercury.
and the lower extremities of tubes 25, capable of sliding vertically in guides 26, are
plunged into this mercury. The upper extremity of each tube 25 is bent at right
angles and is connected with the pipe 16 by a flexible rubber connection 27. The
tubes 16 and 25 with the connecting pieces 27 form siphons which can be started
by means of the funnels 17 and conduct the liquids from the cisterns D and E into
the mercury cups 24 so that the level of the mercury rises until it balances the
weight of the column of liquid in the said cisterns.

page_text: The tubes 25 are provided at the upper part near the angle or bend with
collars 28 attached to a rigid bar 29 connected to a lever 15 arranged between the
tubes and at right angles to the bar 29. This lever is centred on an axis 30
figure 5, placed near the electro magnet 14. That end of this lever which is
opposite the poles of the magnet is enlarged or widened.
This apparatus acts as next hereinafter described; so long as the electric current
produced by the improved generator is of sufficient intensity for the purpose for
which it is required the current passing in the coils of the magnet 1 retains the steel
plate or armature 4 within the magnetic field of the core 3 bent directly a difference
of potential arises, this plate being no longer attracted with sufficient force to keep
it out of contact with the point 7 makes contact with this point and closes the
circuit of the battery 13. The armature of the electro magnet 14 is then excited
and moves the end of the lever 15 which then draws up the tubes 25 80 as to
render the hydraulic seals of mercury insufficient to balance the columns of liquid
in the vessels D and E and allows this liquid to run out of the tubes 25 overflowing
into the tubes 19 and passing thence through the perforations in the plate 23
through the conex and distributing pipes C into the troughs of the batteries B.
When the electric generator is ouly required to supply currents between long
intervals of rest the couples (elements) may be preserved from unnecessary wear by
drawing off all the liquids which they contain by simply altering the level of the
liquids in the cisterns D and E figure 1 by means of plungers D¹, E¹.
In the arrangement illustrated in figure 3 the Cisterns D and E are above the
level of the batteries so that the Electrodes in the latter are always immersed in
the liquids so as to supply a current at any time. The composition of the liquids
employed in these batteries is such as to obviate any appreciable waste of the
Electrodes even after a prolonged suspension of the action notwithstanding this
constant immersion.
It sometimes happens that the depolarizing liquid of batteries (Bichromate of
Soda for example) attacks the mercury especially when it (the bichromate) contains
some Nitric Acid. In this case the mercury cup which acts as a valve will be
replaced by a cone Z figure 56 of lead glass or ebonite or any other substance
proof against nitric Acid. This cone has its point upwards or towards the
extremity of the tube 25 in which an Ebonite tube y is inserted so as to project
below the lower edge of the tube 25 by 3 to 4 centimeters (about 1 in. to 11 in.)-It
is easily understood that if this Ebonite tube fits like a cap the cone below, it will
form an hermetical joint and that at the least rising of the tube by the action of
the Electro magnet 14 (the syphons being primed) the liquids will flow through the
anuular opening between the extremity of the tube and the Cone-It will also be
seen that in this arrangement the current required for the Electro magnet will be
feebler than with the mercury valve. The Detector hereinbefore referred to can
regulate the feeding of the battery in two ways vizt. If the Generator is arranged
to feed direct some incandescent Lamps there will be placed thereon a bobbin with
a fine wire of a certain resistance calculated according to the current so that it can
act if there be a decrease of electro motive force. If on the other hand the battery
is arranged to charge accumulators, the Electro motive force remains nearly constant
and it will be necessary to put a bobbin with a thick wire into which will be
conducted a feeble derivation of the current taken at the two limits of the ampère
metre (for example) if there be one interpolated in the circuit.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that
what I claim is :-.
First. An electric generator consisting of one or more batteries or groups of
cells in combination with means automatically operated by the current from the
generator for controlling the circulation of the liquid or liquids in such a manner
that the strength of the said current is maintained and regulated according to the
requirements of the circuit substantially as herein before described.

page_text: Second. The arrangement of the batteries having couples (elements) connected
in quantity in the same liquid and in which the regular circulation of the liquids
ensures the constant removal of the metallic salts which tend to form upon the
electrodes substantially as herein before described and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings.
Third. In an electric battery (such as B) comprising a number of couples
(elements) connected in quantity by the same liquid the arrangement of the
supply tubes g figures 6 to 8 sheet 3 with an overflow pipe o having a discharging
spout p situated above the level of the tops of the tubes g with the object of
uniformly distributing through the said tubes a liquid of given density not-
withstanding that the latter is supplied with infinite slowness substantially as
herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawinga.
Fourth. The automatic distributing apparatus (Figures 5 and 5* sheet 2) for the
exciting and depolarizing liquids operated by a derived current from the current of
the generator and acting upon a secondary circuit by the intervention of the
" detector" figure 4 (directly the intensity of the current becomes insufficient) s0
as to cause the armature of an electro magnet to act upon a lever which lifts
the siphons of the apparatus supplying the liquids substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Fifth. The combination of siphons each having one of its legs descending to a
fixed depth into the cistern D or E and the other of its legs dipping into a cup
containing mercury, with an electro magnet 14 the armature of which acts upon a
lever 15 which lifts the leg of the siphon dipping into the mercury in order to
afford a passage for the exciting or depolarising liquids the said liquids being
delivered into pipes C substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to
figures 5 and 5a sheet 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Sixth. The arrangement of the detector or automatic feed controlling apparatus
(with or without an indicator) operated by the variations in the electric current
substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described with reference to
figure 4 sheet 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Seventh. The two arrangements of the improved electric generator constituting
a simple and powerful apparatus for the production of electricity substantially as
herein before described with reference to figures 1. 2 and 3 sheet 2 of the accom-
panying drawings.
1
2 T11000