IMPROVEMENTS IN GALVANIC BATTERIES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Stanislas William Meldon de Sussex, of 9, Rue du
Finistere, Bruxelles, and Leon Alexandre Brasseur, of 30, Rue Fonsny, St.
Gilles lez Bruxelles, both at present residing at the Tavistock Hotel, Covent
Garden, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN GALVANIC BATTERIES.”
Sealed the 8th September 1877, and dated the 5th June 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Stanislas William Meldon
de Sussex, and Leon Alexandre Brasseur at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents on the 5th June 1877.
STANISLAS WILLIAM MELDON DE SUSSEX, of 9, Rue du Finistere, Bruxelles,
and LEON ALEXANDRE BRASSEUR, of 30, Rue Fonsny, St. Gilles lez Bruxelles,
both at present residing at the Tavistock Hotel, Covent Garden, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN GALVANIC BATTERIES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in galvanic batteries..
We construct galvanic batteries in such manner that sea water, or salt water, or
even ordinary fresh water may be employed as the exciting liquid.
A portable battery well adapted for military or general telegraphing purposes we
construct as follows:-We make an oblong box of wood, and divide the interior
into twelve or other number of cells by means of glass partitions, and against each
of the partitions we clamp a plate of zinc and a plate or slab of carbon or graphite.
The plates rest against the two faces of the glass partition, and they are connected
by strips or clips of copper or other conducting metal passing over the upper edge
of the glass partition. Care is taken to establish good electrical connection between
the zinc and the carbon elements. At the ends of the box we also place glass
plates similar to the partitions, and against the glass at one end there is a carbon
plate or slab, and at the other end a zinc plate. The clips which hold these plates

page_text: are fixed to the end of the wooden box, and connections are carried through to the
outside of the binding screws to receive the ends of the conducting wires. The
box has a double bottom; in the longitudinal axis of the upper bottom holes are
formed abutting to a gutter hollowed out of its nether face and of the same width
as the holes; the gutter is closed up underneath by a plank, which forms the second
bottom of the box, in such manner that the gutter has no other exterior opening
than on the side of the negative pole. This opening serves for the admission and
egress of the liquid, and may be shut by means of a cork when it is desired to keep
the water in the apparatus, so as to prevent communication with the outward
liquid. There are also holes near the top of the box, but below the lower ends of
the connecting clips. The wooden box it should be mentioned is lined or coated
internally with pitch or other non-conducting cement before the glass partitions are
inserted.
The battery being thus constructed, when it is required for use may either be
filled with or immersed in water; ordinary fresh water will suffice; but in neither
case should the water be allowed to rise higher than the holes in the upper part of
the side of the box.
It will be observed, and this is a peculiar feature of the battery, that besides the
free cominunication of the liquid with the different cells of the battery, such commu-
nication may likewise exist between the cells and the liquid exterior to them; neither
communication interferes with the action of the battery, and it admits of its being
charged with liquid even by the simple expedient of immersing it.
In a similar manner we construct permanent batteries intended to be constantly
immersed in the sea, and of dimensions such as to generate sufficient electricity for
the illumination of floating buoys and beacons. This battery consists of a series
of wooden panels coated with pitch or such like material, and corresponding to the
glass partitions of the battery already described. Against both faces of these
panels slabs of carbon or graphite are fixed, the two outer panels however forming
the ends of the battery are provided with slabs of graphite on their inner sides
only. The panels are placed parallel the one to the other and at short distances
apart, and in the spaces between them plates of zinc are arranged, the zinc plates
being of the same length as but narrower than the slabs of carbon, from which they are
separated by strips of wood at the ends and at an intermediate point. These
strips are coated with insulating material; they serve as distance picces and pre-
serve the parallelism of the panels and plates, and the whole is bound together by
means of screw bolts.
It will be seen that in this arrangement there are two slabs of graphite in each
compartment or cell of the battery, and these are connected together electrically by
a connecting strip of metal, they are also connected with the zinc in the next cell
or compartment, and so throughout the battery.
On each side of the battery there are openings into each cell by which the sea
water is able to flow in and out freely, and regulating strips are provided by means of
which these openings may be more or less contracted until the best result is found
to be obtained.
The conducting wires are led away from the terminal carbons at one end of 4
the battery and the terminal zinc at the other end.
A battery such as that just described is very suitable for use on a floating buoy;
it can be used in connection with a Ruhmkorff coil and a vacuum tube to produce
an electric light upon the upper part of the buoy.
Where large quantity of electricity is required, as, for example, for the production
of electric light and for electric deposition of metals, we employ a battery cell
either of wood or porcelain, and provided with a wooden cover or cross piece. To
this cover or cross piece a series of plates, alternately of graphite and zinc, are
attached by their upper ends. The whole of the carbons are electrically connected
with a strip of metal on the exterior of the cover or cross piece, and all the zincs 5
are similarly connected with another strip. These strips form the poles of the

page_text: battery cell, and from them the electricity is led away either for use to other cells,
coupled in series, or otherwise; the cell is charged with sea water, or with salt
water of nearly like density, rising to, but not above, the level of an overflow situate
somewhat below the lower ends of the connecting strips.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Stanislas William Meldon de Sussex, and Leon Alexandre
Brasseur in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th December 1877.
STANISLAS WILLIAM MELDON DE SUSSEX, of 9, Rue du Finistere, Bruxelles,
and LEON ALEXANDRE BRASSEUR, of 30, Rue Fonsny, St. Gilles lez Bruxelles,
both at present residing at the Tavistock Hotel, Covent Garden, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN GALVANIC BATTERIES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in galvanic batteries.
We construct galvanic batteries in such manner that sea water, or salt water, or
even ordinary fresh water may be employed as the exciting liquid.
A portable battery well adapted for military or general telegraphic purposes we
construct as follows:-We make an oblong box of wood and divide the interior
into twelve or other number of cells by means of glass partitions, and against each
of the partitions we clamp a plate of zinc and a plate or slab of carbon or graphite.
The plates rest against the two faces of the glass partition, and they are connected
by straps or clips of copper or other conducting metal passing over the upper edge
of the glass partition. Care is taken to establish good electrical connection
between the zinc and the carbon elements. At the ends of the box we also place
glass plates similar to the partitions, and against the glass at one end there is a
carbon plate or slab, and at the other end a zinc plate. The clips which hold these
plates are fixed to the end of the wooden box, and connections are carried through
to the outside to binding screws to receive the ends of the conducting wires. The
box has a double bottom; in the longitudinal axis of the upper bottom holes are
formed abutting to a gutter hollowed out in its nether face and of the same
width as the holes; the gutter is closed up underneath by a plank, which forms the
second bottom of the box, in such manner that the gutter has no other exterior
opening than on the side of the negative pole. This opening serves for the
admission and egress of the liquid, and may be shut by means of a cork when it is
desired to keep the water in the apparatus so as to prevent communication with
the outward liquid. There are also holes near the top of the box, but below the
lower ends of the connecting clips. The wooden box, it should be mentioned, is
lined or coated internally with pitch or other non-conducting cement before the
glass partitions are inserted.
The battery being thus constructed, when it is required for use may either be
filled with or immersed in water, ordinary fresh water will suffice; but in neither
case should the water be allowed to rise higher than the holes in the upper part of
the side of the box.
It will be observed, and this is a peculiar feature of the battery, that besides the
free communication of the liquid with the different cells of the battery, such com-

page_text: munication may likewise exist between the cells and the liquid exterior to them;
neither .communication interferes with the action of the battery, and it admits of
its being charged with liquid, even by the simple expedient of immersing it.
In a similar manner we construct permanent batteries intended to be constantly
immersed in the sea, and of dimensions such as to generate sufficient electricity for
the illumination of floating buoys and beacons. This battery consists of a series
of wooden panels coated with pitch or such like material, and corresponding to the
glass partitions of the battery already described. Against both faces of these panels
slabs of carbon or graphite are fixed; the two outer panels however forming the ends
of the battery are provided with slabs of graphite on their inner sides only. The
panels are placed parallel the one to the other, and at short distances apart; and in
the spaces between them plates of zinc are arranged, the zinc plates being of the
same length as, but narrower than, the slabs of carbon, from which they are
separated by strips of wood at the ends and at an intermediate point. These strips
are coated with insulating material; they serve as distance pieces and preserve the
parallelism of the panels and plates, and the whole is bound together by means of
screw bolts.
It will be seen that in this arrangement there are two slabs of graphite in each
compartment or cell of the battery, and these are connected together electrically by
a connecting strip of metal; they are also connected with the zinc in the next cell
or compartment, and so throughout the battery.
On each side of the battery there are openings into each cell, by which the sea
water is able to flow in and out freely, and regulating strips are provided, by means
of which these openings may be more or less contracted, until the best result is found
to be obtained:
The conducting. wires are led away from the terminal carbons at one end of the
battery, and the terminal zinc at the other end.
A battery such as that just described is. very suitable for use on a floating buoy ;
it can be used in connection with a Ruhmkorff coil and a vacuum tube to produce
an electric light upon the upper part of the buoy.
Where large quantity of electricity is required, as, for example, for the production
of electric light and for electric deposition of metals, we employ a battery cell
either of wood or porcelain, and provided with a wooden cover or cross piece. To
this cover or cross piece a series of plates, alternately of graphite and zinc, are
attached by their upper ends. The whole of the carbons are electrically connected
with a strip of metal on the exterior of the cover or cross piece, and all the zincs
are similarly connected with another strip. These strips form the poles of the
battery cell, and from them the electricity is led away either for use or to other
cells, coupled in series or otherwise; the cell is charged with sea water or with salt
water of nearly like density, rising to but not above the level of an overflow situate
somewhat below the lower ends of the connecting strips.
In order that our said Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect, we will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a plan; Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on the line , w, in
Figure 1; and Figure 3 is an elevation of a battery. constructed according to our
Invention, and adapted for military and telegraphic use.
Figure 4 is a view of the battery from below before the second or nether bottom
is affixed to it. When this battery is required to be set to work it may either be

page_text: Figure 9 is a plan of a battery cell constructed according to our Invention, and
of the arrangement which we adopt when quantity is requisite, as for electro-plating
and for electric light..
Figure 10 is a longitudinal section of the battery cell taken on the line, w, in
Figure 9.
Figures 11, 12, and 13 show respectively front elevation, side elevation, and
section of a portion of the cross piece, with a carbon and a zinc attached to it.
Figure 14 is an end view, and Figure 15' an elevation of the battery cell.
The various parts shown in these Drawings are indicated by letters as follows:-
A are wooden panels coated with insulating material; B are strips or distance
pieces coated witli insulating-material, and separating the carbons from the zincs;
Care screw bolts maintaining the structure of the permanent battery. and fixed in
the iron cross piece L; C₁ are screw-bolts maintaining the structure and fixed in
the iron plates M; D are the zincs;. E are the connections between the pairs of
carbons; F are tension connections between the carbons and the zincs; G is the
positive pole; H is the negative pole; I are the carbons; K are regulating strips
for adjusting the size of the openings for the flow of sea water; L is an iron cross
piece receiving the bolt C; M are iron plates in which the screw bolt C¹ is fixed;
N are wooden cross pieces holding the zinc plates and preventing them from
contact with the screw bolt C¹; O is a wooden box coated on the interior with
insulating material; P are glass plates or partitions supporting the carbon couples,
they slide in the grooves Q, and can be drawn out when necessary; Q are grooves;
R are small holes for the admission and escape of the water and abutting to the
gutter R hollowed out in the upper bottom P; R¹ is an opening by which the
vessel W can be emptied by removing a cork; R2 is the outlet of the gutter R,
by which the box O can be filled or emptied; S is a binding screw communicating
with the carbon terminal; T is a binding screw communicating with the zinc
terminal; U are overflows indicating the bevel above which the liquid should not
be allowed to riso; V is a cross piece or cover of wood supporting the couples;
W is a battery cell, it may be of wood, earthenware, or other non-oxidizing
material; X are copper screws by which the carbons are attached to the cross piece
V and electrically connected; ✗' are copper screws by which the carbons are
attached to the cross piece V, but not electrically connected; Y are copper screws
by which the zincs are attached to the cross piece V and electrically connected; Y₁
are copper screws by which the zincs are attached to the cross piece V, but not
electrically connected; Z is a copper band connecting all the carbons, and forming
the positive pole; Z¹ is a copper band connecting all the zincs, and forming the
negative pole.
BB is the space in the interior of the battery cell ; A are leaden connections
with the carbon elements; Æ are wooden ledges on the cross piece V; are
connecting strips of copper soldered to the zincs; R is a gutter; P is the upper
bottom of the box; P is the lower bottom of the box.
A is a permanent battery such as is shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7; B are insulated
conductors suitably protected; C is a Ruhmkorff's induction coil; D is a Geisler's
vacuum tube; H is a lanthorn of strong glass for protecting the tube D; F are
bars forming the body of the buoy; E is an annular float formed of sheet iron to
give the structure the requisite power of floatation; I is the water level; G is a
metallic waterproof box for protecting the induction coil.
N.B. When a figurative indication only is intended of any part which should
not otherwise be visible in the Drawings the same letters are employed, but in
dotted lines.
Having thus described the nature of our said Invention and the manner of
performing the same, we would have it understood that we claim,-
First. The construction of galvanic batteries in such manner that they may be
grouped in tension in the same liquid and produce electricity, whether such liquid be
free or contained in a cell.
Second. The construction of galvanic batteries with a series of positive and

page_text: negative plates arranged alternately, and all immersed in the same vessel containing
sea or salt water.
Third. The construction of galvanic batteries, substantially as described and
shown in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
In witness whereof, we, the said Stanislas William Meldon de Sussex and
Leon Alexandre Brasseur, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this
Third day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-seven.
S. W. M. DE SUSSEX. (LS.)
L. A. BRASSEUR.
(L.S.) 1