IMPROVEMENTS IN GALVANIC BATTERIT
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Placide Nézeraux, of Paris, in the republic of
France, Electrical Engineer, for an invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN GALVANIC
BATTERIT"
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Charles Placide Nezeraux at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th June 1882.
CHARLES PLACIDE NÉZERAUX of Paris in the Republic of France Electrica
Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN GALVANIC BATTERIES
According to Monsieur Gaston Planté the learned French Chemist, when two
plates of lead, plunged into a bath acidulated with about one tenth of sulphuric
acid, are submitted to the action of a galvanic current of sufficient strength, oxygen
appears almost immediately on one of the plates, which becomes covered with a
thin layer of peroxide, whilst on the other hand hydrogen quickly appears on the
other plate after having reduced the thin layer of oxide with which the same has
been covered by its exposure to the air, and if at the end of a few instants, the
secondary current produced by the apparatus is tried, it is found that this current
is already very strong but of short duration. If the primary current is again
passed a certain number of times, the poles being reversed, the layers of oxide
alternately formed or reduced become thicker and the secondary effects which
result are of longer duration and greater intensity. In any case however only a
very limited thickness can be given to the said layers, so that in order to store up
any considerable quantity of electro motive force, it is necessary to give a very
large extent of surface to the polar plates, which renders the apparatuses heavy
and cumbersome, In order to reduce or obviate this inconvenience Monsieur Faure
deposits upon the polar plates of an analogous couple, a thicker layer of oxide
which he afterwards submits to the primary current; in this way he accumulates
a larger quantity of work, but the resistance of the current, increasing with the
thickness of the layers of oxide, (which layers of oxide are bad conductors) causes
a notable loss of useful effect, making it necessary to keep the thickness of these
layers tolerably small; the Faure battery therefore like that of Planté is heavy
and cumbersome.

page_text: The two above named batteries have besides these the following inconveniences
which are still more serious. First. They only receive the charge slowly by reason
of the feeble relative development or the polar plates which, as is the case with
condensation surfaces, cannot receive more than suits their extent. Second the
number of piles composing a battery cannot be increased or decreased easily and
at pleasure without destroying the galvanic current. Third the putting to work is
difficult to manipulate because each pile carries screw terminals which serve to
connect them together by means of conductors, and as the parts in contact easily
oxidize, it is necessary to clean or revive them often with care, which necessitates
long and minute work, for a single badly conducting contact is sufficient to reduce
or even to prevent completely the action of the current Fourth a fresh supply of
electro motive force cannot be accumulated after discharge without having recourse,
as in the first instance, to a sufficient source of electricity acting upon the
apparatuses themselves, which renders it absolutely necessary if the requisite
material is not at hand, to transport the batteries to the place where there is
a special and suitable apparatus for effecting the charge, unless indeed the
charging is effected in place by means of conductors; arrangements which give rise
to serious complications and produce inferior results.
It is chiefly to remedy the inconvenience above pointed out that I have invented
the system of which the following is a description.
Figures 1 and 2 of the annexed drawings represent a couple in which A and B
are two plates of lead each entirely covered with an adherent thickness of ebonite
(caoutchouc durci) or other material fulfilling the same object) The working
surfaces m n however are not covered with the ebonite being merely framed therein
such frames projecting beyond the working surfaces as shewn.
The perfect
adhesion of the caoutchouc to the lead plates is easily obtained by baking the
plastic material on the metal at a suitable bent in a metallic mould specially
arranged for that purpose; the plates of lead thus enclosed everywhere in a rigid
adherent frame acquire a solidity they would not otherwise have, and are perfectly
insulated at all the parts thus covered. Each element of the couple carries at its
hend the projections which rest on the small metallic strips b b fixed to the
vessel R which is lined with gutta percha or lead V, and contains the exciting
liquid; these small conducting strips serve as collectors of the electric fluid, and
are provided for this purpose with conducting terminals X Y. The polar plate
of each element carries a lag o enclosed in the thickness of the frame which
contains it except at the line it where it comes in contact with the strip b, this
lug is thickened up with a small plate of metal soldered thereto; this plate is
preferably made of metal which is not easily oxidized and which is more resisting
than the lead in order to avoid the too rapid wear of the contact part it. The
two element of the couple being exactly similar and placed parallel to each other
in the vessel R, the cavities formuel by the frames being opposite one other it
will be un lersfort that by the contact of the lugs o o' they will be in communication
the one with the conectorun the her with the elector / It results Ga
this excellent arrangement that without touching the terminals X Y, and
destroying the galvanie current one may with the greatest case put in, take urat,
or change at pleasure the couples of a battery in order to redue or increase the
electro-motive force, and tint by uncans of independent commutators the couples
may be connected in tension or in quantity.
Composition. In order to place the couples above described in a condition to
furnish a certain electro-motive force I proceed either in a direct or in an indirect
manner according to circumstances, I shall first explain the indirect case because
it is the most interesting from an industrial point of view, and because the direct
process will come out as a consequence in the course of the description. Auming

page_text: first of all that a special manufactory operating on a large scale and economically,
supplies to industrial or other persons who employ my couples, powders of lead
peroxidized and reduced a certain number of times by a galvanic current, one part
finally reduced or metallized, and the other part finally peroxodized. I then
5 operate as follows: I fill the cavities O and D, one with the reduced or metalized
powders mixed with water containing an alkaline salt such potassic cyanide for
example, and the other with the peroxidized powders mixed simply with water;
I level the pulverulent layers to the frames with a straight edge, and I place the
elements on an inclined plane to facilitate the draining away of the excess of
liquid; after an hour or more of draining the layers have acquired a consistence
which allows of turning them over. I then put over each layer of powder a
woollen cloth, a piece of felt or other spongy and unattackable material d and
over all a rigid plate ee perforated with a multitude of small holes, which plate I
connect to each element with india-rubber bands ff. A couple thus prepared and
plunged into a bath acidulated with about one tenth of sulphuric acid is capable
of furnishing during several days a supply of electricity powerful in tension and
in intensity.
If it is desired to reconstitute this couple when exhausted more or less completely
of chemical work, it is sufficient to remove the pulverulent layers from the lead
plates with a scraper or other means and to replace them by fresh powders kept
carefully in reserve, operating with them as I have just described.
The exhausted powders removed as above from the lead plates are taken to the
special manufactory where they are revivified and put into a condition to serve
again, and so on indefinitely. It will be understood that this manner of operating
removes certain difficulties in practical working.
Manufacture and revivification of the powders. Direct action of the batteries.
In order to obtain the powders which are to serve in the formation of my couples
I employ chiefly the three following means: the first consists in melting the
required quantity of lead in an iron vessel, and in adding thereto after fusion one
or two equivalents of mercury so that the amalgam remains in a pasty condition
after cooling. After having carefully amalgamated the surface of the polar plates
of the elements of one or more couples analogous to that already described, I fill
the cavities C and D with this amalgam which I level to the frames with the
straight edge. After the superabundant mercury bas drained away the metallic
layers thus obtained are very solid and adhere strongly to the polar plates whereby
any porous devices whatever for holding such layers in place are dispensed with.
These couples being plunged into an acidulated bath and submitted to the action
of a galvanic current of sufficient strength will act as follows:-the positive layera
will soon become covered with peroxide beginning on the visible surface and after-
wards penetrating the mass in proportion to the galvanic action, and driving out
the mercury which falls to the bottom of the vessel. This goes on until the polar
plates are reached. At that moment the mercury will have disappeared completely
from the peroxidized layers which will then form a spongy net work solidly
agglomerated. If the electric current is reversed the amalgamated layers of the
other elements will be peroxidized in their turn, whilst those already peroxidized
will be reduced to the metallic state. By reversing the direction of the current a
number of times the peroxidized and reduced powders will acquire the maximum of
their electro-motive force which is very great if the discharge is effected with the
same couples which have served for storing up the primary work. In order to
utilize these agglomerated powders in the couples the action of which is indirect,
they are carefully removed from the frames and lightly ground separately in water
to render them more uniform, and they are afterwards delivered for industrial
consumption. In order to preserve the reduced powders from oxidation, if they
are not used immediately, they are immersed in water containing an alkaline salt,
such as potassic cyanide for example. The peroxidized powders may be simply
dried.

page_text: The second menns consist in melting the required quantity of lead, and adding
thereto only a third of its weight of mercury: this amalgam after cooling is dry
and friable, and is ground and sifted. The powder thus obtained is dry to the
touch, very permeable and a good conductor of electricity; placed in the cavities of
the above mentioned couples it peroxidizes well, driving off the merenry contained
in it, and renders an excellent useful effect whether the discharge is effected
directly or the powders are used in other couplex.
The third means consist in rasping pure lead either by milling in water of by
means of a circular rasp having tolerably fine teeth acting on plates of from one to
two millemetres thickness, to facilitate the work and to prevent the choking of the
teeth of the rasp; the powders thus obtained placed in my couples also give good
results but inferior to those of the amalgamated powders.
In order to revivify the powders which have been used, the same process is
employed as for the other powders, they are put into special couples and are
submitted to the primary current whereby one part is peroxidized and the other
part metalized after which they are removed, and delivered for fresh use.
It may
be observed that if the work of revivification is effected in heated baths a more
economical result is obtained.
From what precedes it will be seen that the more economical the primary source
of power is the less will be the cost of the electro motive force furnished by my
couples. Hydraulic machines and steam engines of great power working
expansively and with condensation, driving dynamo-electric machines are I believe
the best adapted for practically resolving in many cases and in an economical
manner the important problem of power and light by Electricity.
Various Arrangements. Figure 3 of the drawings represents a double element the
cavities E. F of which are filled with powders held in place by the felts dd; the
perforated plates 66, and the indinrubber bands ƒƒ; g g' are plates of porous
earthenware placed between the elements of the couples to prevent polarization by
hydrogen.
Figure 4 represents also a double element, but without felts and perforated plates,
its cavities are furnished with lead powders amalgamated to saturation.
Figures 5 and 6 represent a couple for direct discharge in which the vessei which
usually contains the exciting liquid is suppressed. The two elements in this case
are connected to another frame with which they make a tight joint, the object of
this other frame is to leave between the porous layers a free space which is filled
with fine sand or other substance. HI are small tubes each closed with a screw
plug they serve for filling the hollow space and for saturating the powders with
acidulated water. Apparatuses thus arranged are easily handled and occupy little
space,
Effects of reversion. Figure 7 represents a battery formed of two series of piles
each composed of the same number of couples p. q and pl. q', separated by the
partitions a. a. a. a of the vessels A and B; the couples p q of the series A are
connected in tension by means of the conductors r. r. r, and those of the series B
are connected in quantity by means of the conductors . . ; the two series being
in communication by the conductor T. If the circuit is closed with a dynamo-
electric machine for example, by the conductors ha very energetic galvanic
current will be produced which will set the machine in mnrtion; and in proportion
as the couples p. q connected in tension accomplish their discharge the couples pl. p
connected in quantity will receive in return, and by nccumulation a certain remu-
nerative work. If by means of commutatator, and after more or less complete
discharge of the couples p. q these latter couples p q are connected in quantity and
the couples p'. q' in tension an inverse current will be produced in the battery and
the dynamo-electric machine will continue its notion. The result of this com-
bination is that the smaller the loss of useful effect in each discharge the more
frequently the galvanic current can be reversed. After exhaustion of these couples
they may be reconstituted either by means of a galvanic current acting directly on

page_text: the couples themselves, or by changing the powders. There may also be added to
the piles in tension any number of other piles capable of restoring as it is produced
the loss of useful effect of the electromotive force. The maintenance in this case
will only amount to that of the additional piles.
Observations. In order to charge my couples by means of a galvanic current it
is not indispensable to soak them in water containing sulphuric acid, as a good
result can also be obtained with a solution of sulphate of copper, potass and certain
other acid or alkaline baths.
The form of the apparatuses may be varied according to the purposes for which
they are intended. The nature of the materials employed in making the frames
may also be varied according to whether the baths in which the couples are to work
are acid, alkaline, heated or not heated.
The reduced and peroxidized powders employed in my couples for indirect
discharge can also be obtained by means of an oxide of lead submitted to the action
of the primary current in the revivifying apparatuses, but with less advantage than
with the powders in the metallic state.
The small metallic strips serving as collectors may be replaced by mercury cups
which complete the contact of the couples by means of lugs arranged to dip therein
for that purpose.
The arrangements above described are applicable wherever electricity is susceptible
of being usefully employed especially for the production of power or light for
chemical decomposition and so forth.
Having now described the nature of the said invention and the manner in which
the same is to or may be carried into effect I would have it understood that what I
claim is :-
First Arranging the, couples herein before described substantially as shown in
the drawings hereto annexed for the purpose of regulating, diminishing or
increasing with facility the strength of the galvanio current, without interrupting
the said current and also for facilitating the placing of the said couples in tension
or in quantity.
Second-The use of ebonite (caoutchouc durei) or other suitable material enclosing
adhering to, and holding the polar plates of the aforesaid couples for the purpose of
obtaining a perfect insulation of the covered parts of the plates and the desired
rigidity of the said plates.
Third-The employment in the aforesaid couples when adapted for indirect
discharge of powders or oxides of lead previously peroxidized and reduced a
number of times by a galvanic current, finally reduced as to one part and finally
peroxidized as to the other part. Such powders or oxides of lead being first
prepared and afterwards revivified when exhausted in a special manufactory as
herein before described.
Fourth-The employment in the aforesaid couples when adapted for direct
discharge of pure lead powders or of an amalgam of lead in the pasty state, or
amalgamated powders which loses or lose under the action of the primary current
the whole or part of the mercury contained in the metal whereby spongy
agglomerated layers are left, as hereinbefore described.
Fifth-Effecting the preparation or the revivification of the powders intended
for the composition of the aforesaid couples by using either acid or alkaline baths,
heated or not heated, connected in tension or in quantity as hereinbefore
described.
Sixth-Making couples for direct discharge as shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the
drawings, for the purpose of suppressing the vessel which usually contains the
exciting liquid.
Seventh-Arranging each battery of my system so as to establish two series,
the couples of which alternately connected in tension and in quantity produce a
galvanic current in one or other direction for the purpose of obtaining the best
possible yield of electro-motive force when the cirenit is closed through a dynamo
electro machine, a lamp or otherwise,

page_text: Eighth Placing between the elements of the aforesaid couples porous earthen-
ware plates for the purpose of preventing polarization by hydrogen as hereinbefore
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Placidé Nézeraux have hereunto set
my hand and seal this twenty-sixth day of June, in the year of our Lord,
one thousand eight hundred and eighty-two.
CHARLES PLACIDE NEZERAUX. (L.S.)