Improvements in Galvanic Batteries.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 15th June, 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Galvanic Batteries.
I, GEORG HÜBNER, of Cellulose-Fabrik Chaussee, Gernsbach bei Baden, in the
Empire of Germany, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement, that is to say :-
I have found that the slimy liquid produced by treating wood cellulose with
alkali and adding sulphuret of carbon, as described in the Complete Specification
filed with an application for a Patent made by me on the 19th day of October 1894
No. 19,934-but omitting the use of oxide of lead as therein described-is useful
for filling dry cell batteries having zinc and carbon electrodes. For this purpose
I employ a porous carbon electrode filled with the slimy cellulose material to which
are added oxide depolarisers. This cathode can be easily regenerated by a
continuous circulation through it of atmospheric air.
The accompanying drawing, which is a vertical section of a galvanic couple,
shows one method of carrying the invention into effect.
A highly porous carbon cell A. is filled with the slimy cellulose material and to
this are added oxide of copper, iron, mercury, or silver, with grains of retort coke,.
to act as depolarisers. This carbon cell stands in an amalgamated zinc cell B
having an insulated bottom C. The space between A and B is filled with the
slimy material alone without the addition of any other material. The cellulose
substance in the carbon cell A is somewhat thinner, and contains a smaller quantity
of cellulose than that in the ziuc cell B. Two or more tubes D D extend into the
carbon cell and a circulation of air takes place through these tubes when the
battery is not in action, thereby producing a complete regeneration of the electrode.
These tubes may be provided with plugs at their outer ends which allow the
passage of air, or they may remain open as the filling material keeps moist an
exceedingly long time; a layer of plaster of Paris E, and another of pitch F, form
a close cover which prevents the drying up of the slimy material. The galvanic
couple thus produced is very constant in its action, and lasts a long time.
The slimy cellulose material used in the dry cell is produced by mixing one part
of cellulose with from three to four parts of an aqueous solution of caustic alkali,
and about two and a half parts of sulphuret of carbon. The strength of the solution
of caustic alkali may be about 35° Beaumé.
To prepare the above mentioned materials for use in the carbon cell four parts
of oxide of copper and six parts of grains of retort coke, or four parts of oxide of
copper, four parts of grains of retort coke, and two parts of powdered retort coke
are thoroughly mixed without the addition of any liquid, and say ten parts of
either of these dry mixtures are then added to say one and a half to two parts, or
o much of the slimy cellulose material as will produce, when the mixture is
thoroughly stirred and agitated, an almost plastic material, which is then filled into
the highly porous carbon cell.
When oxide of iron or mercury is used the proportions may be the same as those
above described for oxide of copper.
When oxide of silver is used two parts of the oxide may be mixed with eight
parts of grains of retort coke.
I do not confine myself to the proportions above given as they may be varied
according to circumstances, and without departing from the nature of my
invention.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. In a dry galvanic couple or battery the use of filling material produced
from cellulose, alkali and sulphuret of carbon, substantially as described.
Second. In the dry galvanic couple or battery herein before described the use of
porous carbon cathode filled with material produced from cellulose, alkali and
sulphuret of carbon, to which are added oxide depolarisers, substantially as
described.
Third. In the dry galvanic couple or battery hereinbefore described the means
for circulating atmospheric air through the material in the cathode cell for the
purpose of regenerating the same, substantially as described.
Dated thin th
6th day of member 1001
G. HÜBNER,
Per W. H. Beck,
115, Cannon Street, London, Agent.
G. HÜBNER,
Per W. H. Beck,
115, Cannon Street, London, Agent.