Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Apr., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 26th Jan., 1889.
Complete Specification Accepted, 2nd Mar., 1889
I, PAUL RAOUL DE FAUCHEUX D'HUMY of 2 Carlton Mansions, Clapham Rise, in
the County of Surrey, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to produce a compact and convenient form of battery,
chiefly for lighting purposes, consisting of many cells which are capable of being
readily filled with the exciting liquid and emptied, and into, and from which the metal
electrodes can be easily introduced and withdrawn as required, in order to put the
battery into or out of action.
•
For this purpose I mount upon a frame, a cistern divided into two compartments,
one compartment being intended to contain the depolarizing liquid, and the other
compartment, water, acidulated water or other suitable liquid, and I connect with each
of these chambers a gauge or level in order to clearly indicate the height or level of
'the contents.
"
Beneath this cistern I arrange a group of cells or I may employ several groups
placed one above another.
Each of these cells is divided, by two carbon plates, into three compartments, the
centre one constituting the porous cell, and the outer ones, the cells to receive
the metal electrodes, and each compartment is provided at the lower part of its end
wall with an aperture, every alternate compartment having its aperture at one end and
every intermediate compartment having its aperture at the other end.
Along the entire length of the group of cells, at each end thereof, is arranged
a chamber or receiver, divided into a number of small compartments, into each
of which the aperture in the end wall of the corresponding compartment of the
cell opens.
The depolarizing liquid is conducted from the cistern through a main conduit formed
of flexible material to a number of small flexible or other pipes overhanging or leading
into the upper part of the compartments of the chamber or receiver at one end of the
cells and a similar main conduit and arrangement of pipes conducts the water or other
liquid from its cistern to the compartments of the chamber or receiver at the other end

page_text: of the cells, suitable screw compressers being arranged to nip or compress the main
conduits and thus regulate, cut off, or open the supply of liquid to the small compart-
ments of the troughs or receivers.
Each of the small compartments of each chamber or receiver is connected at its
lower part, by a flexible tube, with a pipe or conduit, which, when the battery is filled,
is held above the level of the liquid therein, but when the battery is required to be
emptied, this pipe or conduit is placed below the bottoms of the small compartments,
when the contents thereof and of the battery will flow into the pipe or conduit and
may thence be led away as désired.
Along the entire series of the small compartments of the chamber or receiver, at
each end of the cells, is placed a trough, and each compartment is formed with a notch
in the upper part of its outer wall, and a lip or tray runs along the entire series to
conduct any liquid which may overflow into the trough, and the trough is provided at
its bottom with a flexible or other pipe which leads into a moveable tray or receiver
beneath.
The metal electrodes for each series of cells are all arranged upon a shaft or axis
mcunted in bearings with capability of partially revolving or oscillating and upon the
end of such shaft is fixed a lever which is, by cords or chains, connected to a counter
balance weight, so that by partially revolving the shaft in one or the other direction,
the whole of the metal electrodes may be simultaneously, immersed in, or withdrawn
from the liquid contained in their respective cells.
When employing several groups of cells arranged one above another I may couple
the shafts carrying the metal electrodes in such manner that they will all move
simultaneously.

page_text: according to my invention.
Figure 2 is a transverse section thereof taken on the line A. of figure 1.
Figures 3 and 4 are opposite end elevations, thereof,
Figure 5 is a part elevation and part vertical section of one range or group
of cells.
Figure 6 is a plan of part thereof.
Figures 6 represent detail views of the contact plates or clamps of the carbon
electrodes to an enlarged scale.
Figure 7 is a side view of one form of screw compresser drawn to an enlarged
scale.
Figure 8 is a plan thereof partly in section.
Figure 9 is a transverse section taken on the line C. D of figure 8, and
Figure 10 is a plan partly in section illustrating another form of compresser.
In the various figures of the drawings, like parts are indicated by similar letters of
reference.
a represents the framework of the battery, and b represents a cistern, which is
supported at the upper part thereof.
The cistern 6 is, by a partition 6', divided into two chambers or compartments c, d,
one compartment c being intended to contain the depolarizing liquid, and the other
compartment d, water, acidulated water, or other suitable liquid, suitable hinged lids
or covers 2 being employed to close, and give access to, the chambers or
compartments c. d.
Each of these chambers or compartments c, d, is respectively provided with a
gauge or level e' d', which gauges c d are respectively connected with the supply
conduits c, d, in such manner as to clearly indicate the height or level of the contents
of the chambers c. d.

page_text: Beneath this cistern I, according to the plan shown in the drawings, arrange two
groups of cells e. e, placed one above the other, each cell being divided from the others
by vertical wooden walls e¹. Other suitable number and arrangement of groups e of
cells may be employed if desired.
Each of these cells is divided, by two pairs of carbon plates f. f, into three com-
partments, (the two plates of each pair being placed in close juxtaposition), the centre
compartment constituting the porous cell, and the outer ones d³; the cells to receive
the metal electrodes ; the carbon plates f. f form the negative electrodes, and are
. fitted with terminals ¹, and the metal or positive electrodes are fitted with
terminals g¹.
}
The carbon electrodes f. f. are held a given distance apart by means of carbon
distance pieces f, and they are connected at their upper parts by two angular
plates through which passes. a bolt 5, the two contact plates fa f³ being
connected by means of a plate f soldered thereto.
. Each of the compartments.c³ ³ is provided, at the lower part of its end wall with
an aperture cd, every compartment having its aperture at one end, and. every
compartment having its aperture at the other end.
Along the entire length of the group e of cells, at one end thereof, is arranged a
chamber or receiver e, which is divided into a number of small compartments c³, into
each of which the aperture e, in the end wall of the corresponding compartment, c³ of
the cell, opens; and along the entire length of the group of cells, at the other
end thereof, is arranged a similar receiver d³, which is divided into a number of
compartments, each communicating by an aperture d with a compartment d³
of the cell.
The depolarizing liquid is conducted from the compartment e of the cistern b,
through the conduite and a flexible pipe c', to a main conduit c8 running along the
entire length of the upper group of cells at one end thereof, and a similar flexible
pipe conducts the depolarizing liquid from the conduit c² to the main conduit e³ of
the lower group of cells.
From the main conduit c8 a number of short flexible or other tubes, .pipes or
spouts e, provided or not with taps or valves; are arranged, one to overhang or lead
into each of the compartments c of the chamber at the upper part thereof, and thus
supply the depolarizing liquid thereto, whence it flows by the apertures c* into the
compartments c³ of the cells.
The water, acidulated water, or other liquid, is similarly conducted from the
compartment d of the cistern b through the conduit d2 and a flexible pipe to a main.
conduit running along the entire length of the upper group of cells at the other end
thereof, and a flexible pipe * conducts such liquid from the conduit d² to the main
conduit d of the lower group of cells.
:
From this main conduit de a number of short flexible or other tubes, pipes or
spouts d', provided or not with taps or valves as before stated, are arranged, one to
overhang or lead into each of the compartments ds of the chamber or receiver d³ at
the upper part thereof, and thus supply the water or other liquid thereto, whence it
flows by the apertures d into the compartments ³ of the cells.
Screw compressers co and e10* are arranged to nip or compress the flexible pipes or
tubes cc, and thus to regulate, cut off, or open, the supply. of depolarizing liquid
through the main conduit es to the small compartments c of the chamber or receiver c³;
and similar compressers (10 210* are employed to act upon the flexible pipes or
tubes dd supplying the water or other liquid to the small compartments 6 of the
chamber or receiver d³:
Each of the small compartments c d of each chamber or receiver c³ ³ is connected
at its lower part, by a flexible tube h', with a pipe or conduit, which is formed with
a mouth or opening 2 on its upper side and is carried by arms 3, one at, each end
thereof, which are mounted upon short shafts or axes h* ***
Upon the short shaft or axis * is keyed a ratchet wheel /, into which a pawl hª
takes, in order to hold the pipe or conduit in any desired position, and upon the
same shaft or axis ** is also keyed a crank handle .

page_text: When the battery is to be filled, the pipe or conduit is, by means of the crank
handle h, turned into its raised. position, as shown by the full lines in figure 2, and
there held by the pawl 4, when it will be above the level of the liquid in the battery,`
but when the battery is required to be emptied, the pipe or conduit his turned down
into the position shown by the dotted lines in figure 2, when it will be below the
bottoms of the cells, and the contents thereof, and of the chambers or receivers c³ d³,
will flow into the pipe or conduit h, and may thence be led away as desired.
Along the entire series of the small compartments c d of each receiver c, d, at
each end of the cells, is placed a trough, and each compartment c d is formed
with a notch. c** **; in the upper part of its outer wall and a lip or ledge provided
with grooves or channels, corresponding with the notches c* and *, runs along
the entire series of compartments, to conduct any liquid which may overflow therefrom
into the trough i.
Each trough is provided at its bottom with flexible or other pipes ³, which lead
into a tray or receiver; beneath, such tray or receiver j being formed moveable, in
order that it may be carried away and emptied of its contents from time to time.
g
The metal electrodes y for each group or series of cells d³ are all fixed upon one
shaft or axis g, mounted in bearings, with capability of partially revolving or
oscillating, and upon one end of the shaft or axis of the upper group is fixed a
lever g, provided with handles go, by which it may be operated, and upon the other
end of the shaft or axis 92 is also fixed a lever *; but this lever is not provided with
handles.
These levers are at one end thereof each connected, by a cord or chain 9ª passing
over a pulley 9, with a counter balance weight 98, and a rod go, fixed to the same
ends of these levers 9, passes along the entire series of electrodes g, and is securely
bolted or otherwise fixed to the cover g¹º.
The metal electrodes g of both the upper and lower groups are coupled by means
of links or connecting rods g" fitted at each end thereof upon the rods g, in such
manner that they will all move in unison, so that by revolving the shaft or axis g² in
one or the other direction, by means of the hand lever g, the whole of the metal
electrodes may be simultaneously immersed in, or withdrawn from, the liquid
contained in their respective cells.
It will be readily understood that k, are the short connections between the negative
and positive poles, and that f* and * are the conductors from the carbon and metal
electrodes respectively.
In the enlarged views, figures 7 to 10, of the screw compressers, figures 7, 8 and 9
represent the form of compresser hereinhefore referred to as c10 and 10 and figure 10.
shows the compresser herein before referred to as clo* and 10*.
In both of these forms the pipe or tube c², c²* (or d7 d*) is nipped or compressed
between a fixed wooden block held in a frame c" and a wooden traveller c3 moving
in guides or grooves c¹ formed in the frame c"; a screw c¹ provided with a hand
wheel and screwing through a hole tapped to receive it in the end of the
frame c or in a separate plate or nut c", giving the necessary compressing power.
Both of these compressers are practically the same but are arranged in a con-
venient form, the one co or d to occupy a position on the inside of the frame
of the battery, and the other c10* or d¹0* to occupy a position on the outside of such
frame.
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 :-
1. A galvanic battery constructed and operating in manner substantially as herein-
before shown and described and for the purpose stated.
2. In a galvanic battery, the frame a; cistern b, divided into two compart-
ments c. d, provided with gauges or levels c¹, d'; a series of cells c³ ³, formed with.
openings c, d, leading into compartments cd of a receiver cds, having overflow
notches c, d, corresponding with grooves or channels of a lip or ledge ¹

page_text: discharging into a trough i furnished with conducting pipes leading into removeable
23
trays ; the means for filling the cells, consisting of conduits d² c' d' *d*
and c da; compressers 10 10 10 10 for cutting off or admitting the supply of
liquid to the cells; the means. for emptying the cells, consisting of pipes leading
from the cells to a conduit carried by an arm h³, and capable of being raised and
lowered by means of a crank-handle, and retained in its raised position by means
of a pawl he and ratchet wheel or their equivalent; the means for counterbalancing
and raising and lowering the metal electrodes g, consisting of shaft g, upon which
the metal electrodes g are fixed, levers g* fixed upon shaft g, rod 2 fixed to covers 910,
to which the electrodes g are bolted, connecting link g" for coupling the two series of
metal electrodes of two groups of cells so that they shall move in unison, and,
counter balance weights connected by cords or chains g to the levers g¹ ;
all arranged and operating in manner substantially as hereinbefore shown and
described and for the purpose stated.
a
3. In a galvanic battery, the combination with a suitable frame or support, of
cistern divided into two compartments, a series of cells beneath the cistern comprising
two elements, each with separate compartments, receivers arranged on opposite sides
of the cells, and having compartments corresponding and communicating with the
compartments in the cells, communication between the compartments of the cistern
and the respective receivers, and receivers mounted without the cells and connected to
the bottoms thereof by means of flexible tubes, said outer receivers being mounted on
hinged arms, whereby they may be lowered or raised to allow the liquid to flow into
or from the same, substantially in the manner and for the purpose specified.
4. In a galvanic battery, the combination of a cistern, a series of cells located
beneath the cistern, communication between the cistern and the cells, and a pipe or
conduit mounted on arms ³ and connected with the cells by means of a flexible
tube said arms 3. being mounted on shafts or axes h*, **, one of said axes having
a pawl and ratchet and a crank handle for controlling the arms, substantially in the
manner specified.
5. In a galvanic battery, the combination with two or more series of cells, electrodes
fitting said cells and pivotted at one side. to the cells, of rods to which the electrodes
are connected at their other sides, pivotted arms carrying one of said rods, a lifting
cord and weight connected to said arms, and connections between the rods for the
different series of cells, whereby they move in unison, substantially as herein set
forth.
6. In a galvanic battery, substantially as described, the combination with the cell
or cells, of pivotted electrodes g; pivotted guide arms g, connection between the guide
arms and the electrodes, and a lifting weight and cord go go for raising said electrodes
out of the cells, as herein explained.
7. In a galvanic battery, the combination with the cells e, of the electrodes fitting
said cells, substantially as set forth, and forming the compartments d³ between the
sides of the cells e and the electrodes f, and the compartments c³ between the
electrodes, the former for receiving the other electrode g, and the latter for
forming the porous cup for the depolarizing liquid, substantially in the manner
explained.
8. The combination with the cell or cells of a galvanic battery, of an emptying
and filling device, consisting of pipes or conduits mounted on arms ³ having
tubes / communicating between the pipe or conduit and each compartment of the
cells, and means, substantially as described, for controlling the elevation of said
pipe or conduit whereby it may be raised to fill, and lowered to empty, the
compartments, substantially as set forth.
9. The combination with the cells of a galvanic battery comprising each two com-
partments, of a pair of pipes or conduits mounted on pivotted arms on each side of
the cells, and having communication respectively with the different compartments of
the cells, and suitable controlling mechanism for raising and lowering the pipes or
conduits, whereby the compartments may be emptied and filled at will.`
10. The combination with a galvanic battery, having a series of cells, of small

page_text: compartments fixed at the sides of the cells, and having communication with the
respective compartments of the cells, and swinging pipes or conduits, substantially as
described, communicating with the small compartments, and having means for fixing
them in any desired elevation, whereby the amount of liquid in the cells may bo
regulated at will, in the manner explained.
11. The combination with cells e of the pipes or conduits having communication
with the cells, and elevating arms 43, substantially as, and for the purposes, herein
set forth.