Improvements in Voltaic Batteries.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Nov., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 31st Aug., 1894-Accepted, 6th Oct., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Voltaic Batteries.
I, JAMES AUGUSTUS SEYMOUR GREGG, Attorney and Counsellor at Law,
residing at Highland Park, New Rochelle, State of New York, United States of
America, do hereby declare the nature of my invention, the title of which is:
IMPROVEMENTS IN VOLTAIC BATTERIES, to be as follows:-
My invention supplies an automatic system for the renovation and discharge of
the electrolytic liquid in voltaic batteries according to the requirements of the
work being done by the battery or cell, and is to be used principally in connection
with electrolytes the specific gravity of which decreases as the process of
electrolysis progresses.
The principal purposes of my invention are to render the supply and discharge
of the electrolyte automatic, to keep the electromotive force constant, or nearly so,
and to do away with the necessity of frequently dismounting the battery or cell
for the purpose of replenishing the electrolytic liquid in the main supply reservoir.
I attain these objects by the use of an apparatus as illustrated in the accompany-
ing drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a vertical section of the same along
line Y Y in Fig. 2, which latter represents a ground plan.
Similar letters refer to similar parts in both views.
f is a cell made of porous material; within said cell is placed the negative
electrode b.
The cover e of such cell may be inade of wood baked in melted paraffine or of
any other suitable substance. Such cover contains an aperture through which the
negative electrode b may be made to extend upward as shown, an aperture through
which passes a conduit pipe / supplying strong electrolytic liquid to the cell, and
an aperture into which is inserted an overflow pipe g.
h
The conduit is a tube preferably of glass and long enough to reach from the
bottom of the cell, to about a couple of inches above the top, and having its lower
end serrated, or cut off at an angle so that fluids delivered into it may have free
egress from it, while it rests on the bottom of the cell.
The overflow pipe g is a tube of glass or any other suitable material, which
when fixed in its proper position in the cell cover, has one end flush with the
underside of the cover from which point it curves upward and outward over the
end of the cells.
1 have found in practice that it is best to place the highest part of pipe gat
least an inch lower than the top of the conduit h.
The upper extension of electrode b, the overflow pipe g and the conduit h should
preferably be hermetically sealed to the cover e and such cover to the cell ƒ by
means of paraffine, wax or other suitable material.
The outer
r is a reservoir or flask, preferably of glass having a short neck fitted with a
soft rubber stopper w carrying a pipe p furnished with a stop-cock s.
end of this pipe is preferably cut off at an angle as shown in the drawings.
The reservoir holder consists of a hollow metal pillar i having a longitudinal
slot z and is attached to a base plate m provided with screws n, n, for the purpose
of fastening it in position on the cell cover, or other convenient place, a bracket/
consisting of a metal ring or loop encircling reservoir r and having a straight stem
(at right angles with the plane of the loop) which stem fits loosely into the bore
of the pillar i and is threaded to carry the nut k which bears upon the top of the
pillar supporting and regulating the elevation of said bracket and with it of said
reservoir r and of the discharge end of pipe p. Near the end of the bracket stem

page_text: ',
is fixed a short pin x which projects through the slot in the pillar i, preventing
the bracket from turning around while leaving it free to move up and down in the
pillar when the nut kis turned...
j is an outer cell surrounding and containing the porous cell f as well as the
second electrolyte and the positive or generating electrode o. 9 is a cover
extending over that part of cell j surrounding cell f. Such cover had preferably
be constructed in sections.
After hermetically sealing up cell with the exception of the openings through
the conduit and overflow pipe g, said cell may be charged by pouring solution
into it through conduit until the cell is full, the carbon or other negative electrode
is saturated and the solution begins to escape through the overflow pipe g.
1
This solution in conduit and overflow pipe 9 must of course seek the same level,
the height depending on the shape and position of the overflow pipe. The cell's
having likewise been charged with a proper electrolyte, the reservoir is filled
with solution corresponding with that in the porous cell f, the stop-cock is closed
and the reservoir r inverted and placed in the holder with the end of the pipe p
immersed in and closed by the solution in conduit h.
The nut
may then be turned so as to raise and lower the reservoir and by this
means to regulate the depth to which pipe is immersed in the solution. Ordinarily
P
the solution should only just close the mouth of pipe p.
This having been adjusted and the conductors attached to the positive and
negative poles, the stop-cock s is again opened and the apparatus is thereby put in
proper working condition.
When the circuit is closed and the current generated the process of electrolytic
decomposition which ensues, gradually reduces the specific gravity of the electrolyte
within cell through which the current passes, the solution in conduit / however
being insulated is unaffected and so retains its original specific gravity. It therefore
sinks within the conduit as the process of electrolysis proceeds, a portion of it
escaping at the bottom and mixing with the electrolyte in cell f, thus displacing a
certain quantity of the exhausted liquid, the lightest and most deteriorated part
of which being at the surface, is then forced out through overflow pipe g and may
[be caught in a receptacle placed underneath its outlet.
'
It is evident that as soon as the solution within conduit sinks low enough to
open the mouth of pipe p, atmospheric air is admitted through it to the reservoir r,
allowing fresh solution to descend into conduit until it rises high enough again to
close the mouth of pipe p.
"
This operation of supply and discharge is then repeated at intervals, varying
with the amount of work being done by the battery or cell so long as the circuit
'continues closed and any solution remains in the reservoir r.
:.
1 77
By immersing the end of pipe p to a greater or lesser depth in the solution
contained in conduit h, the period at which the process of supply and discharge
¿commences can in the one case be retarded and in the other accelerated at pleasure.
Where it is retarded, the efficiency of the battery or cell, as a matter of course,
.falls off correspondingly.
X
A material advantage is gained by cutting off the lower end of pipe p slanting
or placing it within the liquid in pipe / so as to have its end assume a position at
an angle to a horizontal plane, as in such case, when the liquid sinks sufficiently in
pipe so as to admit air through pipe p to reservoir r the whole cross-section of
pipe p near its lower end will not become available for the upward passage of the
Jair at once, air only being able to enter it at that point of the end section nearest
to the surrounding atmosphere, hence such air will only pass upward in small
bubbles thus making the discharge from reservoir r to cell f very gradual and
without causing the separation of the two columns of liquid in pipes p aud h.
}
If preferred, the hermetically sealed cover of cell f. may be dispensed with and
a loosely fitting cover placed on the cell for the purpose of holding the various
parts of the apparatus in place. This would call for only slight modifications in
the details of the apparatus which will suggest themselves.

page_text: It will be seen that where the end of pipe p is cut off slanting, such pipe is made
to perform the function not only of a discharge pipe for reservoir r, but also that
of an independent pipe with a minute inlet admitting air to such reservoir, which
would otherwise have to be employed in order to procure the gradual discharge of
liquid from such reservoir.
"
As in the outer cell j, containing the positive electrode e the electrolyte generally
used will not deteriorate rapidly, but may in most cases be kept in proper condition
for an extended perind by adding to it from time to time water, an apparatus for
automatically regulating the strength of such electrolyte does not appear required.
By providing a support for reservoir independent of the cell of the battery so
as to be able to raise or lower such support without affecting the elevation of such
cell or its cover I not only provide a simple means of regulating the impoverishment'
of the liquid within the cell as described, but I also facilitate the substitution of a
filled reservoir r for an empty one without disorganizing the structure of the
battery and I make it possible to place the cock s in such a position as to be able
to operate it by hand when a filled reservoir has been placed on bracket l.
Dated this 4th day of November 1893.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Voltaic Batteries.
I, JAMES AUGUSTUS SEYMOUR GREGG, Attorney and Counsellor at Law,,
residing at Highland Park, New Rochelle, State of New York, United States of
America, do hereby declare the nature of my invention, the title of which is:
"IMPROVEMENTS IN VOLTAIC BATTERIES" and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following.
statement:-
In this Specification reference is had to the drawings accompanying my
Provisional Specification.
My invention supplies an automatic system for the renovation and discharge of
the electrolytic liquid in voltaic batteries according to the requirements of the work
being done by the battery, or cell, and is to be used principally in connection with
electrolytes the specific gravity of which decreases as the process of electrolysis
progresses.
The principal purposes of my invention are to render the supply and discharge
of the electrolyte automatic, to keep the electromotive force constant, or nearly so,
and to do away with the necessity of frequently dismounting the battery, or cell,
for the purpose of replenishing the electrolytic liquid in the main supply reservoir.
I attain these objects by the use of an apparatus as illustrated in the drawings,
in which
:
Figure 1 represents a vertical section of the same along line Y Y in Fig! 2,
which latter represents a ground plan.
Similar letters refer to similar parts in both views.
f is a cell made of porous material; within said cell is placed the negative
electrode b.
.
. 31
.
J.
The cover e of such cell may be made of wood baked in melted paraffine, or of
any other suitable substance. Such cover' contains an aperture through which the
negative electrode b may be made to extend upward as shown, an aperture through
which passes a conduit pipe & supplying strong electrolytic liquid to the cell, and
an aperture into which is inserted an overflow pipe g.
-
The conduit is a tube preferably of glass and long enough to reach from the
bottom of the cell, to about a couple of inches above the top and having its lower.
end serrated, or cut off at an angle so that fluids delivered into it may have free
egress from it, while it rests on the bottom of the cell.

page_text: The overflow pipe g is a tube of glass or any other suitable material, which when
fixed in its proper position in the cell cover has one end flush, with the underside of
the cover from which point it curves upward and outward over the end of
the cells.
I have found in practice that it is best to place the highest part of pipe g at least
an inch lower than the top of the conduit h.
The upper extension of electrode b, the overflow pipe g and the conduit / should
preferably be bermetically sealed to the cover e and such cover to the cell ƒ by
means of paraffine, wax or other suitable material.
r is a reservoir, or flask, preferably of glass having a short neck fitted with a
soft rubber stopper w carrying a pipe p furnished with a stop-cock s. The outer
end of this pipe p is preferably cut off at an angle as shown in the drawings.
2
The reservoir holder consists of a hollow metal pillar i having a longitudinal
slot and is attached to a base plate m provided with screws n, n for the purpose
of fastening it in position on the cell cover, or other convenient place, a bracket l
consisting of a metal ring or loop encircling reservoir r and having a straight stem
(at right angles with the plane of the loop) which stem fits loosely into the bore of
the pillar i and is threaded to carry the nut k which bears upon the top of the
pillar supporting and regulating the elevation of said bracket and with it said
reservoir and of the discharge end of pipe p. Near the end of the bracket stem
is fixed a short pin x which projects through the slot z in the pillar i, preventing
the bracket from turning around, while leaving it free to move up and down in the
pillar when the nut k is turned.
j is an outer cell surrounding and containing porous cell as well as the second
electrolyte and the positive or generating electrode o. q is a cover extending over
that part of cell; surrounding cell f. Such cover had preferably be constructed in
sections, as shown.
After hermetically sealing up cell with the exception of the opening through
the conduit and overflow pipe g, said cell may be charged by pouring solution
into it through conduit until the cell is full, the carbon or other negative electrode
is saturated and the solution begins to escape through the overflow pipe g.
This solution in conduit h and overflow pipe 9 must of course seek the same
level, the height depending on the shape and position of the overflow pipe. The
cell having likewise been charged with a proper electrolyte, the reservoir r is
filled with solution corresponding with that in the porous cell f, the stop cock is
closed and the reservoir inverted and placed in the holder with the end of the
pipe p immersed in and closed by the solution in conduit h.
The nut k may then be turned so as to raise and lower the reservoir and by this
means to regulate the depth to which pipe p is immersed in the solution. Ordinarily
the solution should only just close the mouth of pipe p.
This having been adjusted and the conductors attached to the positive and
negative poles, the stop cock s is again opened and the apparatus is thereby put in
proper working condition.
When the circuit is closed and the current generated, the process of electrolytic
decomposition which ensues, gradually reduces the specific gravity of the
electrolyte within cell through which the current passes, the solution in conduit /
however being insulated is unaffected and so retains its original specific gravity.
It therefore sinks within the conduit has the process of electrolysis proceeds, a
portion of it escaping at the bottom and mixing with the electrolyte in cell f, thus
displacing a certain quantity of the exhausted liquid, the lightest and most
deteriorated part of which being at the surface is then forced out through overflow
pipe 9 and may be caught in a receptacle placed underneath its outlet.
It is evident that as soon as the solution within conduit h sinks low enough to
open the mouth of pipe p, atmospheric air is admitted through it to the reservoir r,
allowing fresh solution to descend into conduit à until it rises high enough again to
close the mouth of pipe p.
This operation of supply and discharge is then repeated at intervals, varying

page_text: with the amount of work being done by the battery or cell so long as the circuit
continues closed and any solution remains in the reservoir r.
By immersing the end of pipe p to a greater or lesser depth in the solution
contained in conduit .h, the period at which the process of supply and discharge
commences can in the one case be retarded and can in the other case be accelerated
at pleasure. Where it is retarded, the efficiency of the battery or cell, as a matter
of course, falls off correspondingly.
1.
t
A material advantage is gained by cutting off the lower end of pipe p slanting,.
or placing it within the liquid in pipe h so as to have its. ends assume a position at
an angle to a horizontal plane, as in such case, when the liquid sinks sufficientlýsin
pipe h so as to admit air through pipe p to reservoir r the whole cross-section of
pipe p near its lower end will not become available for the upward passage of.the
air at once, air only being able to enter it at that point of the end section nearest
to the surrounding atmosphere, hence such air will only pass upward in small
bubbles, thus making the discharge from reservoir to cell f very gradual, and
without causing the separation of the two columns of liquid in pipes p and h.
If preferred, the hermetically sealed cover of cell may be dispensed with and
a, loosely fitting cover be placed on the cell for the purpose of holding the
various parts of the apparatus in place. This would call for only slight
modifications in the details of the apparatus which will suggest themselves.
:
} . .
:
}
It will be seen that where the end of pipe, p. is, cut off slanting such pipe is
made to perform the function not only of a discharge pipe from reservoir r, but
also that of an independent pipe with a minute inlet admitting air to such reservoir,
which would otherwise have to be employed in order to procure: the gradual
discharge of liquid from such reservoir..
As in the other cell, containing the positive electrode e the electrolyte generally
used will not deteriorate rapidly, but may in most cases be kept in proper condition
for an extended period by adding to it from time to time water, an apparatus for
automatically regulating the strength of such electrolyte,does not appear. required.
By providing a support for reservoir r independent of the cell of the battery so
as to be able to raise or lower such support without affecting the elevation of such
cell or its cover I not only provide a simple means for regulating. the impoverish-
ment of the liquid within the cell as described, but I also facilitate the substitution
of a filled reservoir for an empty one without disorganizing the structure of the
battery and I make it possible to place the cock s in such a position as to be able
to operate it by hand when a filled reservoir r has been placed on bracket l.
4
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. In a voltaic battery, the combination of a cell, an electrode within such cell,
an inlet conduit to and an outlet conduit from the same, an independent reservoir
for electrolytic liquid, a discharge pipe from the same extending into said inlet
conduit, and a valve for closing the discharge from said reservoir placed above the
upper end of said inlet conduit, substantially as set forth.
2. In a voltaic battery, the combination of a cell, an electrode within such cell,
an inlet conduit to and an outlet conduit from the same, an independent reservoir
for electrolytic liquid, and a discharge pipe detachably connected therewith, and
extending into said inlet conduit, the upper end of the inlet conduit being placed
lower than said reservoir, substantially as set forth.
3. In a voltaic battery, the combination of a cell, an electrode within such cell,
an inlet conduit to and an outlet conduit from the same, an independent reservoir
for electrolytic liquid communicating with said inlet conduit, a frame supporting
such reservoir, and means for adjusting its elevation with reference to that of the
cell, substantially as set forth.
4. In a voltaic battery, the combination of a cell, an electrode within such cell,
an inlet conduit to and an outlet conduit from the same, an independent reservoir,

page_text: a removable stopper closing its outlet, a tube passing through the stopper and
communicating with the inlet conduit, and a cock within such tube, substantially as
set forth.
5. In a voltaic battery, the combination of a cell, an electrode within such
cell, an inlet conduit to and an outlet conduit from the same, an independent
reservoir for electrolytic liquid communicating with the inlet conduit, and means
for adjusting the relative elevations of the effective outlets from such reservoir and
from such cell, substantially as set forth.
6. In a voltaic battery, the combination of a cell provided with an inlet conduit
and an outlet conduit, a partition between said inlet and said outlet, extending from
the top of the cell down toward its bottom, an electrode placed in the compartment
of the cell having the outlet conduit, a. reservoir for electrolytic liquid com-
municating with said inlet conduit, a pipe for admitting air to such reservoir the
air inlet being placed within said inlet conduit and under an angle with a horizontal
plane, and means for adjusting the elevation of said air inlet with reference to
the elevation of the effective outlet from the cell, substantially as set forth.
7. In a voltaic battery, the combination of a cell provided with an inlet conduit
and an outlet couduit, a partition between said conduits extending from the top of
the cell down toward its bottom, an electrode in the compartment of the cell having
the outlet conduit, a reservoir for electrolytic liquid communicating with the inlet
conduit, an air inlet to said reservoir placed within the inlet conduit to the cell,
and means for adjusting the elevation of said air inlet with reference to the
elevation of the effective section of the outlet conduit, substantially as set forth.
.
8. In a voltaic battery, the combination of a cell closed hermetically except as
to an inlet passage to and an outlet passage from the same, and a reservoir for
electrolytic liquid placed above the cell and having its discharge pipe inserted in
said inlet passage, the outlet passage being made to lead out of the cover of the
cell, substantially as set forth.
9. In a voltaic battery, in combination with cell f, inlet passage h, outlet
passage g, electrode b, reservoir r communicating with said inlet passage, tube p
containing cocks forming such communication and adjustable bracket supporting
the reservoir, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 31st day of August 1894.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.