Improvements in Voltaic Cells or Primary Batteries.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Feb., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 12th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 7th Feb., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Voltaic Cells or Primary Batteries.
I, GEORGE RICHARD POSTLETHWAITE of 124 Park Road, Aston-juxta-
Birmingham, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to considerable improvements in the construction of what
is known as voltaic cells or primary or galvanic batteries, as commonly used for the
generation of electricity. And has for its object, that of simplifying the arrange-
ments of such batteries so as to avoid as far as possible the evils and objectionable
amount of trouble that generally attends the working or use of such batteries as are
now in present use. And to facilitate the means and reducing the cost of generating
electricity by the voltaic system, so that the same may be used for all or any
practical purpose for which it has hitherto been considered out of the question.
The simplicity of arrangements effected by this invention, consist in the first
place, of dispensing with the well known porous pot and its resistance, and also
dispense with the outer stoneware, glass, or porcelain jar, with their attendant
weight and bulk, and also that of corroded joints and connections, also the time,
trouble, and muisance of making up and taking to pieces at each time of occasional
use, and that a much greater increase of current may be obtained by this invention,
from what is termed single fluid arrangement, than has been gained from any
either single or double fluid process before, and a means of utilising the fluid, or
exciting liquid to a far greater extent of exhaustion than hitherto.
The principles involved in my invention so as to obtain the above results is that
of an entirely new arrangement of parts, and an entirely new method of construction,
for make use of the plates, which constitute the elements, to form a considerable
portion of the material towards the said construction. Any of the ordinary positive
or negative elements may be used in the construction of a battery in accordance
with my invention, but I prefer to use carbon plates for my negatives, and zinc, or
iron, or both, for my positive plates, and from these I construct what I term a
"channel" battery, so named, partly to distinguish it from that of any other make,
but principally because my object is to place such plates that form the elements of
each cell in such a way in relation to each other as to form a multitude of channels
with their respective inlets and outlets so arranged as to form one direct course for
the exciting liquid to flow from a higher to a lower level for the purpose of
preventing the stagnation of the exciting liquid, and that of polarization also, as
long as possible. I will now proceed to describe the way in which I construct a
battery, consisting first of one single cell, which is as follows:-
Each cell consists of two carbon plates, and one positive, two india rubber
washers, two wood frames, and two wood plates. The wood frames and wood
plates, having been previously well soaked in marine glue, or shellac cement, and
well dried, each separate article must exactly correspond in regard to their outside
dimensions, and shape, and which for all medium sized batteries may measure
7 inches by 3 inches. The two rubber washers and the two wood frames may
measure 6 in. by 24 in. inside, thus showing a marginal face of a half inch all round,
by a quarter inch thick. The thickness of the two carbons and the two wood
plates may also be one quarter of an inch. I now cement one of the rubber
washers, to the side or face of one of the carbons, and on the other side of the same
carbon plate, cement one of the wood frames, and upon this frame, I cement one
of the wood plates. The other carbon plate is manipulated in the same manner,
thus forming what I term two outside portions, each of which is well dried under
pressure. Previous to joining the parts together, one end of each carbon plate is

page_text: ipped with copper, and connecting strips attached thereto. These strips should be
so fixed as to match each other when their rubber faces are placed together and
should be near to one corner, and the connecting strip attached to the positive plate
should be fixed towards the opposite corner, and thus arranged, it only needs that
the positive plate be now interposed between the rubber faces already attached to
the two outside portions already described, and so bound together by means of
clamp screws as to make a water-tight joint, and the cell is completed. Thus a
single cell consists of two outside portions with a positive plate interposed between
them. Now for the construction of a two cell battery, take two more carbon
plates of the same dimensions as last described, and on one each of their sides,
cement a rubber washer, and on their other sides a wood frame exactly as before.
Then I interpose a wood plate between the said wood frames, the joinings being
well cemented and dried under pressure. This then forins what I ferm a middle
portion, being in one piece, and with the rubber faces on the outsides. The carbon
plates next, then the two wood frames, then the wood plate forming the centre
piece. Now to add this middle portion to the former outside portions, it is only
necessary to disconnect the first cell at the rubber joints in contact with the positive
plate and interpose the middle portion just made, together with the two positive
plates between each pair of rubber washers, and again screw up the joints with
longer clamp screws, and so by these means a battery consisting of two cells is
constituted, and therefor, each addition of one such middle portion increases the size
of the battery by one cell so that with two outside portions and 6 middle portions
a battery of 6 cells is formed. Each outside portion consists of one channel, and
each middle portion of two channels each, each of such channels is bounded by the
wood frames interposed between each carbon and wood plates and two more channels
are invariably formed when the rubber joints are made to each positive plate, so
that there are 4 such channels to each cell. Now to utilise each and every channel,
I place the battery so formed in a horizontal position, and by the provision of an
inlet hole placed near to one end of the top outside portion, then two other similar
sized holes through all the carbon plates, and also through the positive plates, and
a single outlet hole through the bottom outside portion, I form one direct course
for the flow of the exciting liquid in such a way that it is compelled to flow the
whole length of one channel before entering the next, and so on through any
number of such channels and by checking the rate of flow at the bottom outlet, the
whole of the said channels always remain fully charged with the exciting liquid.
When making up a very powerful battery consisting of a great number of such
cells as described, they are put together in series, of so many in each series.
That is, so many in height, and so many in width, as required, and they may be
joined up in any way, for quantity or intensity.
In respect to the supply of exciting liquid, for the purpose of keeping up the
circulation through the before mentioned channels this is done in case of large or
medium sized installations, by providing a top, or elevated supply cistern, and a
similar one below as a receiver. Each series is best connected to such a supply
cistern, and each its own outlet at the bottom so that any portion or any number of
such series may be worked, independent of the remainder. The exciting liquid as
it is discharged into the lower cistern can be raised again to the upper one by means
of a lift or rotary pump, either worked by hand, or by a small motor actuated by
means of two or three of the cells. Or the motion may be taken from any other
part of the system, but in every case the inlet and outlet holes as well as the
entrance holes to each channel are sufficiently large enough as to form a very free
passage for the flow of the exciting liquid, so that any number of such channels may
be charged in a very few seconds. Then when so charged, the outlet is reduced so
as to check the flow to a mere dribble, or at such a rate as will produce the best
effects, and so it remains during the working of the battery, or any portion thereof,
and when it is required to cease operations, or to stop the working of the said
battery, it is only necessary to turn off the supply, and open to its full extent the
outlet at the bottom, and by a ready means of disconnecting the supply pipe at top

page_text: so as to allow the air to enter, the liquid will soon leave the whole of the channels,
and the battery is emptied in a very short time, and by attaching a pipe to the
nozzle of each series, the whole battery may be flushed internally with fresh water,
so as to free it from any reduced metals, or the action of any remaining liquid, and
so preserve the plates very materially while out of use.
For a battery consisting of a small number of such cells, and where portability is
required, I connect the two cisterns substantially to the cells, if so required, and
the openings to such cisterns are provided with a cork or bung holes for the
admission and extraction of the exciting liquid, and on filling the upper cistern of
such an arrangement, the current would be generated by its passage through the
channels to the bottom cistern, the same as on the larger scale, and by turning it
upside down when the top cistern had emptied itself, the current is by this means
continued. The internal resistance of the cells are almost nil, and as the current
so generated cannot weaken itself by dispersion through a large body of stagnant
liquid as in other batteries, and by various other advantages of this system of
construction, the voltage of each cell is very materially increased, and owing to the
activity of the liquid and its close confinement through so many channels, the effects
are much more constant and lasting, then again, as it takes so small a supply of the
liquid to fully charge these channels, a very large supply is not needed, and by
providing one, two, or more series when working on a large scale, than what is
needed while the exciting liquid is fresh, it may be made to pass through these
extra series as it becomes weaker, so that by extending this system the strength of
the current can be maintained until the whole of the liquid is more thoroughly
exhausted, and so by a combination of such ready means as herein set forth, the cost
of electric current so produced may be very considerably reduced as compared with
any other means.
For amalgamating, or renewing the positive plates, it takes but very little time
to disconnect any number of such cells, as but one set of clamp screws may be made
to embrace a dozen cells or even more, and they never need to be taken to pieces
any other purpose.
for
Dated this 10th day of February 1890.
GEORGE RICHARD POSTLETHWAITE.
By Henry Skerrett,
I want for Aunlicant
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Voltaic Cells or Primary Batteries.
I, GEORGE RICHARD POSTLETHWAITE of 124 Park Road, Aston, near the City
of Birmingham, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in the construction, arrangement and
combination of the parts of primary batteries, and the voltaic cells of them, for the
generation of electricity, or of electro-motive force.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, represents in front elevation, a compound
and intercurrent primary battery, for the generating of electro-motive force,
constructed and arranged according to my invention. It will be seen that the cells
and cognate parts constituting the batteries, are arranged one upon each other,
somewhat alike the plates in Volta's pile; and further, the battery is shown
provided with a base and elevated tank; from the latter the exciting liquid is
allowed to flow circuitously through each pile, and then deliver itself in the base
tank, and from thence pumped to the elevated tank.
Figure 2 represents a transverse vertical section upon the dotted lines A. B,
Figure 1, showing the entire arrangement of the battery, and how each cell is
separated from the other, by interposed wood panels, having intervening spaces

page_text: within their middles, and inlet and outlet holes, for the connecting of one cell with
another, in the formation of the intercurrent system. It will also be seen, that both
the negative and positive plates are pierced, for the passage or circulation there-
through, of the exciting liquid, and hydrogen evolved, in the process of decomposing
the liquid, consequent upon the production of electro-motive force.
Figure 3 represents the upper portion of one of the compound batteries, upon an
enlarged scale, in order to exemplify more clearly the arrangement of the negative
and positive plates, and the cognate parts of the battery with them, and also showing
the connections of the said plates, (which are inter-jacent) with each other..
Figure 4 represents an end elevation of Figure 3.
into
u are opposite upright framings, connected at bottom by a stay a², and at top, by
an elevated tank b. The lower part or base, is provided with a base tank
which the exciting liquid, after having done duty in the batteries, flows.
The said upright framings a, are provided with a table a³, situated above the open
top of the tank c; and supported upon this table, are upright and longitudinal
frames, with upper and lower metal shoes d², d³, through which latter, clamping
screws, pass, for the purpose as hereinafter described.
These said frames, which are arranged side by side, are open at front and rear,
for the introduction of the cells, and the cognate parts of them, into position, and
which when in position, are clamped together, by turning home the screws d, which
come upon the outside crowns e, of the box caps e, which are of wood, and between
the said caps e, and trays e³, resting upon the shoes ², the cells, and the interposed
cognate parts of them, come.
The trays, have outlets e, with an adjustable plug e, whereby the flow of the
exciting liquid through the system, is regulated, by the opening or closing, more or
less, of the orifice of the said outlet.
Entrance to the top of the battery, is made by an inlet pipe / commected to a
two-way cock 2, with an inlet ³, directed from the inside of the tank 4.
g are water pipes, leading to the inlet pipe for the passing therethrough, and
through the battery or batteries, for the cleansing from the interior thereof, of all
precipitated and other matters adhering to the plates, or lying within the system.
The pipes g, are connected with a horizontal pipe g², whose feed is g³.
Liquid from the lower tank to the upper one, is elevated by a force or other
pump j.
Each cell of the battery, consists of upper and lower carbon plates h, h², with
interlocated zincs i. The upper carbon plate h, has a hole or passage 3, upon
the middle of one side, while the lower carbon plate 2, has a like hole or
passage h, as the upper one, and further, the interlocated zinc plate i, has a hole
or passage, passing through or near the end of it, at the other side; and interposed
between the extreme ends and sides of the zinc and carbons as aforesaid, are rubber
strips n, following the contour of the plates, and forming joints and lifts therefor,
whereby the said plates have spaces k, left between them, and communication
between each is made by the passages or holes as aforesaid.
As I have described one cell, it is unnecessary to describe the others, as they are
alike in construction.
Interposed between the upper and lower carbon plates of each cell, are wooden
panels, hollow about their middles, which are marked 12, and sunken at top
and bottom with recesses ³, 1, and inlet and outlet passages 1, 1.
The carbon plates of each cell of the batteries, save the lower two carbon
plates, are connected to the zinc plates of each of the cells below them, while
the upper zinc plates of each cell of the batteries, are connected to the negative
conductor, and to the lower carbon plates, save those of the lower cell of the
last battery, and to which lower carbon plates of the last cell, the positive
conducting wire is connected, hence the positive fluid, is driven towards that
extremity of the system, to which the electro motive force is directed, and the
negative fluid towards the other extremity.
Thus, the carbon plates 1, 2, of the lower cell of the first battery, are

page_text: connected to the top zinc plate i of the first or upper cell of the second battery.
through the intervention of a conductor o; the lower carbons of the last cell of
the second battery, are connected through a like conductor, to the zinc
plate of the first cell of the third battery, and so on unto the end, with the
positive wire connected to the last pair of carbon plates of the bottom cell of
the last battery, and with the negative conductor p, connected to the zinc plate
of the top cell of the first battery, by a branch p'.
The circuit of the current is broken, by a contact breaker, which when in
position as in Figure 1, the circuit is broken, as the metal part 2 of it, is
disposed upon the wood, but when crossing the metal parts ³, the circuit is
complete.
Further, the carbon plates h. 12, of an upper cell, are connected to the zine
plate, of a lower cell, by copper strips m, with branch connections m², m³.
The connection m² is from the carbon, and the connection m³, to the zinc.
The connecting of these cells one to the other, is alike unto ordinary batteries,
whereby the voltaic current is intensified, if necessary according the number of
cells coupled. Or in other words, the electro-motive force may acquire in an
intensity battery an additional impulse at every cell, for each one, being precisely
similar to that from which the current is supposed to originate, is equally
favourable to the passage of a voltaic current, and hence the current is accom-
panied by a given amount of chemical action, in its passage through each cell,
and acquires thereby additional intensity, or volume.
Supposing that exciting liquid, such as dilute sulphuric acid, has been pumped
into the upper tank b, and the two-way cocks of the whole of the batteries turned in
a direction for the passage of the said liquid, then the said liquid flows circuitously
through the whole of the batteries, and out of the passage e', to the lower tank c.
Thus the liquid first passes in at 4, into the interior of the chamber of the
upper cape, thence over the top of the first carbon plate, through the hole 3, onto
the top of the zinc plate, thence through the hole, and into the top of the carbon
plate, and under the zine plate, through the hole of the lower carbon, thence
under the said last named carbon plate, and through the hole " of the panel 4, into
the chamber, thence along the same from right to left, and down the hole 1, to
the top carbon of the second cell, and so on to the end of the cells of the whole
of the batteries.
By making the batteries, or the cells of the batteries with a circuitous and
intercurrence liquid course through them, a considerable advantage is obtained
inasmuch that the electro-motive force generated, is greatly increased.
If only one battery is required, then the end of the positive wire is attached to
the carbon plates of the lower cell of that battery. If two batteries, then to the
carbon plates of the lower cell of that battery, and so on.
Assuming now that the exciting liquid is being passed through a single battery,
and that the same had become weakened in consequence of chemical action, and
that the same electro-motive force is required to be extracted from the said liquid,
the same after having passed through the said battery, is then passed through a
second, or a third, at the same time."
Assuming that a certain amount of exciting liquid is required to produce a
certain electro-motive force, then the same is first passed through a single battery,
or through two batteries as the case may be, and then subsequently repassed as it
becomes weaker and weaker through two, three, five, or six batteries, as the case
may require.
In other words, the voltaic current, is kept up to a standard of force, as the
exciting liquid loses its power, by passing the same through an increasing mumber
of cells and batteries.
Figure 5 represents a horizontal battery, constructed according to another form
of my invention. The arrangement of the plates composing the cells, are alike as
the preceding figures, other than being disposed vertically, instead of horizontally.
The exciting liquid is passed from a higher level to the first cell of the battery.

page_text: pe nett
Tes apper end, to the secon
cell, and from the second cell, through a like pipe or outlet to a third cell, and so
throughout the whole of the cells of the system, or battery, whereby the liquid is
made to completely circulate around the plates, and through the whole of the cells,
in a circuitous manner, and then delivered from the last cell, to a tank made to
receive it.
Figure 6 represents a top side plan of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a section of one of the cells separately.
Figure 8 is a side elevation of the same, and
Figure 9 a top side plan of Figure 8.
a³ is a table, surmounted at the top of an upright support a; and upon the said
table a³, is a horizontal battery, consisting of an outside rectangular shaped wooden
framed, subdivided by wooden partitioning walls d, between which, the elements
constituting the cells are placed, and which elements consist of two erect carbon
plates h, h², with an interlocated zinc plate i, with the upper end encircled by a
wooden collar, coming between the said zinc plate, and the top insides of the
carbons.
The lower end of the zinc plate, rests upon a wooden rest, so also are the
lower ends of the carbon plates, upon like wooden rests whilst both the top
and upper
ends of the elements constituting the cell, are encircled by cast or shrunk
of conducting metal.
caps
The bottom of the cell, adjacent to the lower edge of the zinc plate, is open, to
admit of the free circulation or passage through it, of the exciting liquid, on the
same passing from one cell to another."
The connections of the plates of the cells, is as follow:-
The zinc of one cell is connected to the carbon of the next cell, by connecting
wires m³, m², with their terminal ends dipping into a mercury cup m, so that by
such a system of connection, the cells of the compound battery are connected
together alike unto the connection in the preceding arrangement.
"The cells in respect of the passage of the exciting liquid from one to another,
are connected by pipes directed from the top of one cell to the bottom of the other.
Thus, the 1st cell, has an erect feed pipe t, with a bent and inlet end t², directed
into the bottom of the said cell, and directed from near the top of the said 1st cell,
is a second pipe, passing through the partition wall, and leading to the bottom
of the second cell, while the second cell upper part, has a like pipe t' leading to
the bottom of the 3rd cell, and so on to the last cell, which has an outlet pipe 13,
having a regulating tap, for controlling the circulation and flow of liquid
through the cells, which is emptied into the tank c, and from thence forced or
conveyed to a higher level for re-use.
Thus, on exciting liquid passing down the pipe from an elevated position, it
rises to near the top of the 1st cell, and from it to the second cell, through the
pipe t, which rises in the second cell alike unto the 1st, and is from thence
conveyed to the 3rd cell in like manner, and so on to the end cell.
It will thus be understood, that the exciting liquid is caused to pass in a
circuitous manner between the plates, and from one cell to another, pro-rata
according to the extent to which the tap is opened.
By compelling or causing the liquid to move or circulate through the cells, or
circuitously between the elements and through them, stagnation or settling of the
exciting liquid is thereby prevented, whereby increased electro-motive force is
created, as fresh liquid is constantly brought in contact with the elements.
The whole of the wood, or that part which comes in contact with the exciting
liquid, is coated with acid proof varnish.
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 :-
First In voltaic cells and primary batteries circulating, moving, or running

page_text: intercurrently the exciting liquids or electrolytes employed in the said cells or
batteries, passed between, around, or through holes in the interjacent elements
composing the cells and cognate parts or passed between, around or through holes
in the inter-jacent elements of the cells and cognate parts composing a battery or
batteries, provided with chambered ways or courses, substantially as described and
set forth.
:
Secondly Providing voltaic cells, and primary batteries, with chambered ways
or circuitous courses, whereby the exciting liquid or electrolytes is or are allowed
to run intercurrently through the said cells or batteries, in a circulating manner,
whereby the exciting liquids employed, are fully utilized and exhausted, and a
maximum amount or a greater volume of electro-motive force generated, substantially
as described and set forth.
:-
Thirdly In voltaic cells, and primary batteries, the employment of an inter-
located zinc, with carbon or their equivalent plates, in the case of a cell, and
interlocated zines and carbons in the case of a battery and which said plates are
provided with holes through them, and are arranged substantially as, and for the
purpose, as described and set forth.
:
Fourthly Building-up pile-like the interjacent and perforated elements and
cognate or accessory parts of a primary battery, in manner as described and set
forth in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, whereby the exciting liquid or electrolytes, is or
are allowed to run through or circulate intercurrently through the chambered ways
or courses, by gravitation as described.
Fifthly In primary batteries, the general construction and arrangement of the
piles forming the said battery or batteries, and the general arrangement and system
of connecting the cells and batteries one with another, substantially as described
and set forth in Figures 1 to 4.
:-
Sixthly The combination with the batteries or the pile of cells composing a
battery, of a holding and clamping frame, whereby the parts are brought into
intimate contact, and liquid-tight joints made, substantially as described and set
forth.
:-
Seventhly The combination with a battery or batteries, having chambered
ways or courses, of cleansing appliances, consisting of water tank and accessory
parts as described and set forth.
:-
Eighthly In primary batteries, consisting of a partitioned box frame, having
the elements composing the cells, disposed vertically, and with each cell of the said
batteries, in communication with each other, by inlet and outlet passages,
substantially as described and set forth in Figures 5 and 6.
Ninthly The general construction and arrangement of the parts of primary
batteries, and their metallic connections, as described and set forth in Figures 5
and 6.
Tenthly Fixing up the elements composing a cell as in Figures 5. 6. 7. 8.
and 9 by cast bands or shoes, in combination with the other parts as described and
set forth.
Dated this 11th day of November 1890.
GEORGE RICHARD POSTLETHWAITE.
By Henry Skerrett,
6, Livery Street, Birmingham, Agent for Applicant.