IMPROVEMENTS IN CURATIVE VOLTAIC BATTERIES
Year: 1885

page_text: I ROBERT MUNROE KENNEDY of 120 Southampton Row in the County of
Middlesex Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN CURATIVE VOLTAIC BATTERIES and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
°
My Invention relates to an improved construction of those voltaic piles or
batteries which are adapted to be worn or suspended upon the person for remedial
purposes.
My improved curative battery comprises one or more systems or couples of
which each system is composed of two metallic discs of strongly contrasted
polarity as, for example of zinc and copper respectively-with customary interposed
diaphragm of bibulous paper, felt, or cloth for reception and retention of the acid
or other excitant. These couples are contained in a shallow cup whose walls are
formed of vulcanite or other electrical non conductor, and whose bottom is com-
posed of a disc of copper having peripheral claws which inclasp the walls of the
cup and extend slightly over its top. Pivoted to the top of the cup are buttons of
zinc. When applied to the person with the top surface of the battery next to the
wearer, his skin with its normal saline secretions, completes the circuit and
becomes the theatre of the well known galvanic action.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 represents my battery viewed on its face or top side.
Fig. 2. represents the same viewed on its bottom or rear side.
Fig. 3 is an axial section on the line x. x.
Fig. 4 represents my cup divested of its discs.
Fig. 5. shows a series of discs of three voltaic couples.
Fig. 6. represents a series of my batteries attached to a belt.
A represents an annular disc of vulcanite, gutta-percha glass, or other firm and
electrically non conducting material, a. are orifices in the same to enable the
insertion of a cord B or a ring or other means of suspension upon the person.
C is a copper plate which closes the central orifice of annulus A on its rear,side,
and whose radially projecting claws c¹ embrace the said annulus around its
periphery and face in the manner shown in Figs. 1. 2. 3 and 4. The said annulus A
.

page_text: and said disc or shell C thus united constitute the enclosing cup of my battery.
Pivoted to face of annulus A are buttons Z of zinc.
1. 2. 3 are three voltaic couples or systems of which each system comprises three
discs &. d. c, of zinc, cloth and copper respectively of size adapted to loosely occupy
the central orifice of my cup A. C Of these discs all the metal ones except the
bottom one are preferably perforated at their centres as shown in Fig. 5 for the
In the form of my
free passage of the acidulated water or other excitant.
invention here selected for illustration, the unperforated zinc disc shown at the
extreme teft of Fig. 5. is first inserted, then a diaphragm of moistened cloth,
followed by a copper disc, these three pieces composing one system or couple, after
which the other couples are. inserted in like order and are secured by the closure
over them of the buttons Z.
The apparatus is now ready for use. Should the galvanic action become
impaired by the drying up or the neutralization of the acid, it can be restored at
any moment by pouring in additional acid through the central orifices or by
taking the discs out and re-moistening the diaphragms.
Whichever of these modes be adopted, care must be taken that while applying
sufficient acid for saturation of the diaphragms such excess is avoided as would
moisten the contiguous metallic surfaces of the consecutive couples, and thus
generate counter-currents. Whenever the metallic surfaces have become too much
impaired by oxidization, the battery is taken apart, and the surfaces cleaned. At
the same time the diaphragms may be renewed if necessary. If the galvanic action
is found to be too strong it may be moderated by turning one or more of the
buttons Z out of contact with the last copper disc c as indicated by dotted lines
in Fig. 1. The above described embodiment of my invention is manifestly
susceptible of various modifications. For example, the plate C may be made a
member of the first couple by the interposition of a diaphragm between it and the
first zinc disc, which in that case may be perforated like the others.
Such arrangement would be represented by substituting the plate C for the right
hand copper disc c in Fig. 5. and counting the systems from right to left so as to
finish with the left hand sinc disc. In such arrangement the buttons may be of
copper or any other electrical conductor. Carbon, silver or platinum may be used
instead of the copper.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
°
.
A voltaic battery adapted to be worn on the person consisting of a non-
conducting annulus A and metallic shell C c¹ constituting a cup or receptacle,
within which one or more voltaic "couples" are enclosed by means of buttons Z
substantially as set forth.
Dated this nighth day of Sontember 1885
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
Applicant's Agent.