IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH PRIMARY VOLTAIC BATTERIES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Guillaume André of Dorking in the County of
Surrey for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH PRIMARY
VOLTAIC BATTERIES
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Guillaume André
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th November 1882.
GEORGE GUILLAUME ANDRÉ of Dorking in the County of Surrey " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH PRIMARY VOLTAIC BATTERIES
"
The object of this invention is to construct batteries which with simple and
everywhere obtainable materials shall produce powerful and constant currents
suitable for lighting and other purposes the batteries being also free from
polarization and other defects of other batteries proposed for such purposes, while
at the same time a useful valuable product is obtained in a marketable form, and
while the further and important advantage is obtained of always having a battery
ready for action so that at any time when the lamp or lamps are put into circuit
the battery commences to work but so that no consumption of metal takes place
as long as the circuit remains broken.
Carbon in certain forms and conditions possesses the property of condensing air
(about 9 times its own volume) within its pores.
In this condensed state oxygen is much more active than when in its ordinary
atmospheric state.:
If nascent hydrogen be liberated upon the surface of the carbon containing
within its pores condensed oxygen the former is readily seized upon by the latter
to form water.
If the pores of the carbon are filled with water it cannot condense gases within
its pores except in a relatively small degree and hydrogen liberated upon the
surface of the carbon in such a state, finds no condensed oxygen to combine with.
One important object of my invention is to utilize this property of condensed
oxygen for the purpose of preventing polarization
In the ordinary existing batteries the surface of the carbon electrode upon which

page_text: the hydrogen is liberated is below the surface of the liquid and consequently the
hydrogen is not brought into contact with condensed oxygen except at the level of
the liquid
Moreover this hydrogen being liberated below the surface of the liquid cannot
escape freely, and the cell polarizes rapidly.
If the carbon employed as the negative electrode is in contact with the body of
the liquid the pores of that portion upon which hydrogen is liberated will be filled
with the liquid, and also the hydrogen will be disengaged below though near the
surface of the liquid, so that the conditions in this case are quite unfavourable to
depolarization. I therefore separate the carbon from the liquid in such a way as
to prevent the aforesaid bodily contact between the two but so as to permit the liquid
access to the carbon through the intervention of an absorbent diaphragm or
partition
For the purpose of my invention I employ carbon in the form of highly burnt
coke or wood charcoal and in the condition of small pieces. It is not so suitable
if in the condition of large pieces, because the surfaces exposed to the air are com-
paratively small in extent and some of them necessarily far removed from those
surfaces upon which the hydrogen is liberated; moreover the interstices are so few
that much of the gas cannot escape so freely. Coke in the powdered condition is
useless for my purpose because of its non-porous character and because the un-com-
bined hydrogen cannot escape through the long narrow and tortuous passages
formed between the particles. Carbon made up into moulded blocks, plates, rods
or other forms will not answer my purpose because there are few or no interstices
for the escape of the gas and the surface exposed for condensing is so very small.
I use pieces about the size of a hazel nut and thus permit the hydrogen which
does not combine with oxygen to escape freely into the air.
Whereas heretofore acid solutions have, so far as I am aware, always been
employed as the exciting liquid when powerful currents have been required to be
generated I am enabled by these my improvements to adopt for that purpose
solutions of the salts of potassium, sodium and ammonium; with these solutions,
there is practically no consumption of metal even where the latter is not amalga-
mated when the circuit is open; and the consumption when the circuit is closed,
is proportional to the work effected by the current. By dispensing therefore with
the costly and noxious acids I not only obtain a cheap and harmless battery, but
also one that may be kept always ready for action so that lamps may be turned
on at any moment when required.
As an example I employ a shallow tray for the liquid container and place
therein another tray which by holes or otherwise is so connected with the liquid
that the latter can come in contact with a diaphragm of felt flannel or other
absorbent material placed in the upper tray between the metal and carbon
electrodes, such diaphragm may be covered with vegetable parchment on which
the pieces of carbon are laid; on these latter I place an iron or carbon plate for
establishing contact. The level of the liquid is kept over the metal electrode but
below the upper surface of the diaphragm.
As another example of depolarizing by the free escape of the hydrogen I coil a
long strip of sheet copper and a long strip of sheet zinc on a boss of wood or other
non-conductor mounted on a spindle and I hold apart the copper from the zinc
by intervening pieces of India rubber or other suitable material: the wheel or disc
thus formed is with its spindle mounted in bearings on a vessel containing the
liquid and motion is imparted to the wheel by an electro motor or other motor so
that the wheel is constantly lifting out of the liquid. I connect the copper and
the zinc to each end of the spindle respectively and in electrical connection with
the bearings.
By this construction of wheel I obtain a very large acting surface, and by the
revolving motion I obtain depolarizing effect.
Or I may use a number of thin discs or other pieces of copper and of zinc alter-
nated and held apart by India-rubber washers or other distance pieces or the

page_text: copper electrodes only may be mounted on a spindle. The electro motor if used is
placed in multiple arc and is equal in resistance to that of a lamp.
.
Or I may mount two such cylinders horizontally on opposite ends of a beam
which is reciprocated so that the wheels are lifted alternately out of the liquid
The electro motor is automatically thrown into circuit when the lamp circuit is
closed
1
Instead of using a motor I may use a very large generating surface and con-
sequently low intensity per unit of surface to lessen polarization and in such case
I may regulate the current by interposing a small regulating constant current
battery in the circuit and coupled up so as to be in opposition to the main battery.
This regulating battery has the required electro-motive force for the lamps or other
receivers while the main battery before polarization sets in. has a higher electro-
motive force. The excess of current due to this higher force will be shunted
through the regulating battery till the force of the main battery becomes equal to
that of the regulating battery.
The latter is automatically thrown into circuit by an electro-magnet or equivalent
means when the main circuit is closed.
Or instead of a regulating battery I may similarly interpose a solenoid for the
purpose of gradually throwing artificial resistance out of the main circuit as the
polarization progresses.
The product of the aforesaid batteries will be chloride of zinc which may be
thrown down from its solution by means of sulphide of barium or caustic soda and
the precipitate washed and sold as zinc white.
.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said George Guillaume André in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 28th May 1883.
GEORGE GUILLAUME ANDRE of Dorking in the County of Surrey "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH PRIMARY VOLTAIC BATTERIES
"
The object of this Invention is to construct batteries which with simple and
everywhere obtainable materials shall produce powerful and constant currents
suitable for lighting and other purposes, the batteries being also free from
polarization and other defects of other batteries proposed for such purposes, while
at the same time a useful valuable product is obtained in a marketable form, and
while the further and important advantage is obtained of always having a battery
ready for action so that at any time when the lamp or lamps are put into circuit
the battery commences to work but so that no consumption of metal takes place as
long as the circuit remains broken.
Carbon in certain forms and conditions possesses as is well known the property
of condensing air (about nine times its own volume) within its pores

page_text: i
In this condensed state oxygen is much more active than when in its ordinary.
atmospheric state..
If nascent hydrogen be liberated upon the surface of the carbon containing
within its pores condensed oxygen the former is readily seized upon by the latter
to form water
If the pores of the carbon are filled with water it cannot condense gases within
its pores except in a relatively small degree and hydrogen liberated upon the
surface of the carbon in such a state, finds no condensed oxygen to combine with
One important object of my Invention is to utilize this property of condensed
oxygen for the purpose of preventing polarisation.
In the ordinary existing batteries the surface of the carbon electrode upon which
the hydrogen is liberated is constantly below the surface of the liquid and conse-
quently the hydrogen is not brought into contact with condensed oxygen except at
the level of the liquid. Moreover this hydrogen being liberated below the surface
of the liquid cannot escape freely, and the cell polarizes rapidly.
If the carbon employed as the negative electrode is in constant contact with the
body of the liquid the pores of that portion upon which hydrogen is liberated will
be filled with the liquid and also the hydrogen will be disengaged below though
near the surface of the liquid so that the conditions in this case are quite
unfavourable to depolarization I therefore separate the carbon from the liquid in
such a way as to prevent entirely or nearly so direct or absolute contact between
the two but so as to permit the liquid access to the carbon through the intervention
of an absorbent diaphragm or partition.
For the purpose of one part of my Invention I find it advantageous to employ
carbon in the form of highly burnt coke or wood charcoal and in the condition of
small pieces. It is not so suitable if in the condition of large pieces because the
surfaces exposed to the air are comparatively small in extent and some of them
necessarily far removed from those surfaces upon which the hydrogen is liberated
moreover the interstices are so few that much of the gas cannot escape so freely.
Coke in the powdered condition should not be used for my purpose because of its
non-porous character and because the uncombined hydrogen cannot escape through
the long narrow and tortuous passages formed between the particles. Carbon
made up into moulded blocks, plates or rods, or other forms will not answer my
purpose well because there are few or no interstices for the escape of the gas, and
the surface exposed for condensing is so very small. I use pieces about the size of
a hazel nut and thus permit the hydrogen which does not combine with oxygen to
escape freely into the air. In another part of my Invention I use copper instead
of carbon but so arranged as to similarly permit the bydrogen to combine or
escape freely.
Whereas heretofore acid solutions have so far as I am aware, generally been
employed as the exciting liquid when powerful currents have been required to be
generated I am enabled by these my improvements advantageously to adopt for
that purpose solutions of salts of potassium sodium and ammonium. With these
solutions there is practically no consumption of metal even where the latter is not
amalgamated when the circuit is open, and the consumption when the circuit is
closed is proportional to the work effected by the current By dispensing therefore
with the costly and noxious acids, I not only obtain a cheap and harmless battery
but also one that may be conveniently used without giving off noxious fumes while
it may be kept always ready for action so that lamps may be turned on at any
moment when required. Points which are of great importance where batteries are
intended for domestic or like purposes.
The product if sulphate of soda or chloride of sodium be used for the solution
will be sulphate of zinc or chloride of zinc which may be thrown down from its
solution respectively by means of sulphide of barium or caustic soda and the
precipitate may be washed and sold as zinc white.
In Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings I have shown one form of my battery.
In this case I employ a shallow tray.shaped receptacle E which may conveniently

page_text: be made of iron and contains the exciting liquid which as stated ought to be a
solution of a salt of potassium sodium or ammonium D is another tray shaped.
receptacle placed therein resting on wood blocks F or supported in any other
suitable manner so as to dip so far into the liquid that the latter may enter it by
one or more holes 6 the receptacle D may be of iron B represents the zino
(or iron) electrode placed in the receptacle. D and C represents a diaphragm of
felt or flannel or other suitable liquid absorbing material placed on the zinc
electrode B and which if desired may be covered with vegetable parchment or other
suitable material through which the liquid can only very slowly penetrate. A is
the carbon electrode consisting of small pieces of highly burnt coke or wood
charcoal or retort scale, and G is a metallic plate placed on the top of it serving
the purpose of making contact and collecting the current; this plate is provided
with holes through, for the free escape of the hydrogen, or a grating will serve
exactly the same purpose. Part of another battery is shown in outside view and
also the current conducting and battery connecting wires and a pipe e forming
communication for the liquid in the receptacles E E, H is a porous pot containing
water and placed in a cistern I for supplying the receptacle E of the battery or
any number of batteries with liquid by opening the cock e¹ to make up for the
loss by evaporation but the employment of such a feed cistern or any other
feed appliance for the purpose is a matter of choice, though it is convenient
to use it.
The inner receptacle D and the layer of carbon therein may be made deeper
than here shown but for this form of battery I prefer them shallow for the better
action.
Figure 1 shows a modification in which the parts B and C are dish shaped and
the tray D omitted, similar to Figure 1 described further on.
bb are holes for admitting the liquid through the zinc electrode B and b¹ is a
pipe for draining off the surplus liquid from the carbon.
Figure 1 represents another modification of Figure 1 In this case the tray D
is also omitted and the zinc electrode B rests on a layer of shingle placed on the
bottom of the tray E the diaphragm C being placed on the top of it with (or it
might be without) an intervening layer of shingle. The pieces of carbon A are
placed on the diaphragm C and the current is collected from it by means of. a
metallic perforated plate G.
Figure 2 represents a cell or battery made very much deeper and in which the
position and form of the parts are otherwise altered but constructed on precisely
the same principles as the form shown in Figure 1. The liquid is here contained
within the positive zinc (or iron) electrode B which is made of a plate bent in the
form of a tube and set on a wooden or other suitable bottom B¹, or if the seams of
the tube are closed the tube is provided with a few holes b as shown for allowing
the liquid to penetrate to the outer liquid-absorbing tubular diaphragm C and thus
also to the negative carbon electrode A placed around it and consisting of small
pieces as stated. The whole is contained in the outer receptacle E It will be
noticed that in this case also the diaphragm C is intermediate between the positive
and the negative electrode and performs the same function. This cell might be
made much shallower and the layer of carbon accordingly broader, in which case a
perforated contact plate like G Figure 1 would be employed to collect the current
more efficiently or carbon rods might be inserted into the carbon layer for the
same purpose; a is a hole in the receptacle E for allowing the escape of the liquid
that filters through the diaphragm C.
In Figures 3 and 4 I have shown sectional elevation and plan of 12 such
positive cells arranged in one common outer receptacle E filled with the negative
carbon electrode A the current from the latter being carried off by carbon rods G¹
inserted therein and connected by a conducting wire, the positive electrodes are
also connected by wires. If as stated such a battery be made in a much
shallower form, the carbon might be covered by an iron plate like G in Figure 1

page_text: for the same purpose but with large apertures over the zinc electrodes or the
current may be collected from the outer vessel E if the latter is made of
metal.
Figure 5 shows another modification in which the negative or carbon electrode A
is contained in the porous tubular diaphragm or sock C which is placed in the
positive electrode B. This latter stands in an outer receptacle E containing the
exciting liquid. In order to collect the current readily from the negative
electrode A a carbon rod G is inserted therein. Obviously a number of positive
electrodes A of this form may be inserted in a common liquid receptacle suitable
connecting wire conductors being provided as in the case of the battery shown
in Figures 3 and 4 The wooden bottom of the tubular diaphragm C is cemented
liquid tight to the bottom of the receptacle E.
Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal section and Figure 7 a plan of such a
combined arrangement in which however the porous tubular diaphragm C is made
in the form of an annular porous earthenware pot C, the inner space of which
contains pieces of carbon A and the annular space contains the liquid and also the
zinc electrode B which is in the form of an open tube. A number of such cells
in this case eight of them are placed in a common receptacle E containing pieces
of carbon A The current is collected from the latter by means of carbon rods G!
and suitable wire connections, Similar carbon rods may if desired be placed in
each of the interior carbon spaces of the porous pots C.
The annular porous
vessel C may also advantageously though possibly at a greater expense be made
with walls of felt or flannel.
Figure 8 is a vertical section and Figure 9 a plan of another form of battery in
which the receptacle D which may conveniently be made of copper is made to
contain the negative carbon electrode A and the positive zinc or iron electrode B
the latter consisting of one or more open tubes (in this case 9) which are placed on
and surrounded by the carbon A but each tube B having a flannel or other porous
diaphragm lapped round it and under its bottom edge so as to prevent contact
between the zinc and the carbon; in this form of battery there is no receptacle for
the exciting liquid but the battery is bodily dipped into the exciting liquid at
suitable regular intervals or slowly and continuously lifted in and out of it so that
it penetrates into the interior of the battery through the holes formed in the
receptacle D. The hydrogen is free to escape or to combine as in the previously
described forms.
A series of such batteries may as shown in diagram figure 10 for the convenience
of dipping be hung from opposite enda of bands H passing over pulleys I mounted
on a cominon shaft K so that the half number of the series of batteries, that is all
on one side of the shaft may first be dipped, into buckets L containing the exciting
liquid and then the other half number of batteries similarly into their buckets
containing exciting liquid. Motion may be imparted to the shaft K by an electro-
motor or other motor such as clockwork The electromotor is automatically thrown
into circuit when the lamp circuit is closed.
As another example of depolarizing by the free escape of the hydrogen I coil long
strips of sheet copper and a long strip of sheet zinc on a box of wood or other
non-conductor mounted on a spindle, and I hold apart the copper from the zinc by
intervening pieces of India-rubber or other suitable material: the wheel or disc
thus formed is with its spindle mounted in bearings on a vessel containing the
liquid and motion is imparted to the wheel by an electromotor or other motor so
that the wheel is constantly lifting out of the liquid I connect the copper and the
zinc to each end of the spindle respectively in electrical connection with the
bearings
By this construction of wheel I obtain a very large acting surface, and by the
revolving motion I obtain depolarizing effect.
Or I may use a number of thin discs or other pieces of copper and of zinc
alternated and held apart by India rubber washers or other distance pieces or the

page_text: copper electrodes only may be mounted on a spindle. The electromotor if used is
placed in multiple arc and is equal in resistance to that of a lamp.
Or I may mount two such cylinders horizontally on opposite ends of a beam
which is reciprocated so that the wheels are lifted alternately out of the liquid.
The electromotor is automatically thrown into circuit when the lamp circuit is
closed.
Figure 11 shows an example of depolarizing by the free escape or combination of
the hydrogen. A is a long strip of sheet copper and B a long strip of sheet zinc,
these two strips are wound spirally on each other and on a boss O of wood or other
non-conductor mounted on a spindle P. The copper strip A and the zinc strip B
are kept apart by intervening cords or bands C of string felt or other porous
material which take the place and to some extent have the action of the
diaphragms the spaces between the bands affording facility for the hydrogen
to escape. The spindle P is mounted in bearings on a vessel E containing the
liquid and motion is imparted to the spindle P by an electromotor or other motor.
The motion may be such as to cause the cylinder A. B. C. to turn slightly step by
step constantly lifting out of the liquid. Two such cylinders may be mounted
horizontally on opposite ends of a beam which is reciprocated at certain intervals
so that the cylinders are lifted alternately out of the liquid, as described with
reference to Figure 10.
Instead of using a motor I may use a very large generating surface and con-
sequently low in tensity per unit of surface to lessen polarization and in such case I
may regulate the current by interposing a small regulating constant current battery
in the circuit and coupled up so as to be in opposition to the main battery. This
regulating battery has the required electro-motive force for the lamps or other
receivers while the main battery before polarization sets in has a higher electro-
motive force. The excess of current due to this higher force will be shunted
through the regulating battery till the force of the main battery becomes equal to
that of the regulating battery. The latter is automatically thrown into circuit by
an electro-magnet or equivalent means when the main circuit is closed.
Or instead of a regulating battery I may similarly interpose a solenoid for the
purpose of gradually. throwing artificial resistance out of the main-circuit as the
polarization progresses.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed I declare that I Claim: -
First The construction and use of primary voltaic batteries having a negative
electrode which is 'not immersed in the exciting liquid in which the positive
electrode is placed and which is separated from the solution by an absorbent
diaphragm having a resistance that is very small constructed substantially as
berein described.
Second A primary voltaic battery consisting of a negative electrode of small
pieces of highly burnt coke or wood charcoal or retort scale, a positive electrode of
zine or iron, an intermediate liquid absorbing diaphragm and an exciting liquid,
which latter is in direct contact with the positive electrode but in contact with the
negative electrode only through the medium of the diaphragm constructed in the
manner and for the purposes as set forth.
Third: The primary voltaic battery described with reference to Figure 1, con-
sisting of the upper negative or carbon electrode A with perforated iron plate G for
forming contact and collecting the current, the lower positive zinc or iron
electrode B and the intermediate liquid-absorbing diaphragm C all contained in a
receptacle D which is placed in an outer receptacle E for the exciting liquid, all
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Fourth-The primary voltaic battery described with reference to Figures 14
and 1* consisting of the inner or upper negative electrode A with plate G for
forming contact and collecting the current, the outer or lower positive zinc or iron
electrode B and the intermediate liquid absorbing diaphragm C all contained in a
receptacle E for the exciting liquid all substantially as and for the purposes set forth,

page_text: .
Fifth-The primary voltaic battery described with reference to Figure 2 con-
sisting of the outer negative or carbon electrode A the inner or positive zinc or iron
electrode B containing the exciting liquid, and the intermediate liquid absorbing
diaphragm C, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Sixth-The combined primary battery described with reference to Figures 3
and 4, consisting of the outer negative carbon electrode A with carbon rods.G¹ for
forming contact and collecting the current therefrom the inner positive zinc or iron
electrodes B each containing exciting liquid, and having an intermediate liquid-
absorbing diaphragm C, all contained in a receptacle E, all substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
Seventh-The primary battery described with reference to Figure 5, consisting
of the inner negative carbon electrode A with carbon rod G³ for forming contact and
collecting the current the outer positive zinc or iron electrode B and the
intermediate liquid absorbing diaphragn C, all contained in a receptacle E
containing the exciting liquid all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Eighth The combined primary battery described with reference to Figures 6
and 7 consisting of the negative carbon electrode A partly contained in the inner
space of annular porous diaphragm vessels C and the positive zinc or iron
electrodes B placed in the exciting liquid contained in the annular part of the said
vessels C all contained in a receptacle E containing carbon and having carbon
current collecting rods G', all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Ninth The combined primary battery described with reference to Figures 8, 9,
and 10 consisting of the outer and lower negative or carbon electrode A, the inner
and upper positive electrodes B and the intermediate liquid absorbing diaphragın C
all contained in a receptacle D which has perforations for the entry of the exciting
liquid when the battery at certain intervals or gradually is dipped into it,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Tenth: The primary voltaic battery or cell described with reference to Figure 11
consisting of coiled copper electrode A and coiled zinc electrode B with intervening
liquid absorbing coiled diaphragms C one side of the said battery or cell being at
certain intervals or gradually moved into and the other side moved out of the
exciting liquid, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof I the said George Guillaume André have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Twenty eighth day of May in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty three.