Improvements in Galvanic Elements or Batteries.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Dec., 1898-Accepted, 18th Feb.,
1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Galvanic Elements or Batteries.
I, JASPER WETTER, Patent Agent, of 37 & 39, Essex Street, Strand, in the
County of London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, a communica-
tion from Maurice Maas, Manufacturer, of 26, Broad Street, New York, United
States of America, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:
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This invention relates to that class of electric generators commonly known as
galvanic batteries, and particularly to the form usually designated dry"
batteries, or those in which the liquid employed is held in absorption by a fibrous
or pulpy substance interposed between the battery elements. It is the object
of this invention, to produce certain improvements in the construction and
arrangement of a dry battery, whereby the efficiency and economy of the battery
may be increased and its period of automatic action prolonged.
These ends are attained in my improved battery by the use of certain novel
forms of the zinc and carbon elements and their binding posts, the method of
securing them together, the specific arrangements of said elements and the means
for containing the absorbent material used in this class of batteries.
The jar and binding posts hereinafter referred to are of common form, except
as to the prolongations or shanks of the latter, which are fully described.
My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is
a sectional view of one cell of my improved battery; Fig. 2 is a perspective of
the zinc, and Fig. 3 a perspective of the carbon element or electrode. Similar
letters refer to like parts in each.
The zinc electrode B is composed of one piece of metal bent into the circular
form shown, and is provided with a projection integral therewith, for attaching
the binding post thereto by means of the pins 62 62, passing through the zinc
and the double or divided shank 3 of the binding post. It will be seen, that
this form of zinc electrode eliminates two objectionable features usually found in
electric batteries; first, the use of solder for securing together the zinc and
binding post; second, the employment of an additional metal piece interposed
between the zinc and its binding post for a like purpose.
A lining C or filling, preferably composed of asbestos, is placed inside the
zine B, and surrounds the sack E. This sack is formed from porous material,
such as unbleached muslin or asbestos paper and is adapted to contain the
absorbent F, which is generally employed in batteries of this class. Any
absorbent, such as sawdust, plaster of Paris or asbestos paper, and liquid, such
as sal-ammoniac solution, may be employed in my improved form of battery.
The carbon electrode D is preferably of tubular shape, open at its lower end,
having a rim d at its upper end, and provided with one or more lateral open-
ings, for the purpose of affording free passage of the liquid to and from
the interior of the carbon tube. This construction of the carbon in tubular form
presents a much larger area of carbon surface to battery action, than could be
otherwise obtained. A vertical shallow depression d, is cut in the upper part of

page_text: one side of the carbon, to receive the shank of the carbon binding post d³. This
binding post d³ is provided with a prolongation or shank d, in the surface of
which one or more grooves are cut. A binding wire is wound around the
carbon and passes through the grooves, and through a hole in the shank d
after which its ends are secured in such a mauner, as to bind the parts firmly
together. The upper part of the carbon, its binding post and binding wire, are
then immersed and copper-plated in the usual manner employed in plating
metal; the object of this construction and treatment being to ensure a more
complete electric contact than would otherwise be had.
The battery jar A of glass, hard rubber, or any other non-conducting dense
material, is surmounted by a cover a of any non-conducting material, such as a
composition or rosin and tar which forms a hermetic seal for the jar. The zine
and carbon binding posts pass through this cover. A short glass tube a¹ also
penetrates the cover, into which is inserted a plug a² of bamboo or other porous
material, such as rattan. A second similar bamboo stick a³ is passed through
These sticks, while presenting very slight opportunity for evapora-
tion of the liquid used, serve as a vent for such gases as may be generated by
battery action. The life of the battery is thus materially prolonged, and its
recuperative power enhanced. When it becomes necessary to replenish the
liquid, the plug a² may be withdrawn from its tube a¹, and the battery recharged
through said tube.
the cover.
When the battery is to be charged with the liquid and set up for use, a
sufficient quantity of liquid is put into the jar to fully saturate the absorbent and
fill the tube D." By reason of the tube of carbon a greater quantity of liquid
can be put into the jar than usual in dry batteries using a solid stick of carbon,
and by reason of its not directly attacking the zine B, but through the absorbent
and filling of asbestos, the moisture is retained for a greater length of time than
heretofore, thereby increasing or enlarging the endurance and life of the battery.
The various features above enumerated are held to produce a stronger and
steadier voltage and a higher amperage than would otherwise be possible, and
also to minimize the internal resistance and local action of the battery; these
conclusions being the result of extended experiment.
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
1. In an electric battery, the combination of a zinc electrode, a hollow carbon
electrode provided with a longitudinal recess, a binding post provided with a
shank fitting said recess and with an opening in that end, a binding wire
passing around the carbon and through said opening in the shank, and a copper
plating covering the upper part of the said carbon, binding post, and binding
wire, substantially as described.
2. In an electric dry battery, the combination of a jar, a cover hermetically
sealed thereon, a zinc electrode, a filling within the zine surrounding a bag con-
taining an absorbent, a hollow carbon electrode having its lower end enclosed
by the absorbent and provided with openings in that part, a liquid permeating
the filling, bag, absorbent, and the interior of said carbon, one or more vents in
said cover, and porous stoppers for said vents, substantially as specified.
Dated this 12th day of December 1898
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
Agents,
37 and 89, Essex Street, Strand, London.