Improvements in Electric Batteries.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Mar., 1896-Accepted, 13th June, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Batteries.
I JOSHUA ENTWISLE, Manager, with the Firm of E. K. Dutton & Co.,
Chartered Patent Agents, of 5 John Dalton Street, Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (communicated to me
from abroad by Samuel Newton Smith Manufacturer, of 615 Temple Court, and
Edward Sabine Baring-Gould, Real-estate Broker, of 330 Temple Court, both of
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 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 and accompanying drawings:-
The invention relates to primary electric batteries, and the object which I have
in view is to provide a primary battery of greater power and endurance than those
of the ordinary types; and further to provide a battery which may be charged
with common and inexpensive chemicals and will furnish a comparatively large
power for a long period of time. By actual experiment I have demonstrated that
the battery will furnish a current of from 9 to 7 volts and as many amperes for a
period of from 35 to 30 hours, with a very slight diminution of electro-motive
force for some hours thereafter. The battery employed to obtain the above
results, it is evident, will furnish sufficient power for propelling small boats and for
operating light machines.
A further object of the invention is to provide a battery of a strong and durable
construction; and further, one which may be entirely covered, thereby adapting
the battery for purposes where its usage is necessarily rough or where the battery
is constantly moved, tilted or jarred, as when in a boat.
A further object of the invention is to provide a battery which may be charged
with common well known materials, and which it will be safe to place in the hands
of the most inexperienced persons.
With the above objects in view my invention consists in a primary battery
comprising a suitable cell. in combination with a porous cup of clay or like
material arranged therein, a zinc element arranged in the cell outside of said
porous cup, and a porous carbon element provided within said porous cup, said
carbon element being in the form of a cup to contain a depolarizer.
My invention consists further in the detail construction of the battery, and in
the particular combination of the chemicals used in the same.
The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings, forming part of this Specification, and in which;
Fig. 1 is a vertical section of two cells of a primary battery embodying my
invention, the section of one of the cells being complete upon a central vertical
plane.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the two cells with one of the cells in a horizontal section
on the line - of Fig. 1.
The cells, containing cups or receptacles 2, are tight boxes or jars of wood, fibre,
hard rubber, glass or other like suitable material, and 3 represents a cover of the
same or of similar material as that from which the cell is formed. In each cell
I provide a porous cup 4, made of clay or other suitable material and preferably.
secured in place within the cell by means of a short bolt 5 fastened in the bottom
of the cell and in the bottom of the porous cup between the porous cup and the
valls of the cell 2, is the zinc element 6 in the form of an incomplete cylinder, and
he same is secured to the cover 3 to be lifted off with the cover. The cover 3 is

page_text: provided with the central opening 7 to admit the porous carbon cup 8, which forms
the carbon element of the battery. The top of the carbon cup is preferably closed
by a convenient lid or cover 9. The space between the top of the porous cup 4
and the lid or cover 3 is filled in any suitable manner, as by the rubber washer 1,
to prevent the liquid in the porous cup from slopping into the other part of the
cell, or that from the cell flowing into the cup.
I have found that in most, if not all primary batteries, the zine is inclined to a
more rapid waste at its upper end than at the lower end, and further that by
making electric connection with the zinc at the lower end thereof, this tendency
may be obviated, so that the falling away of the zinc is equalized throughout its
surface, hence the electrode or connection 10 is extended in the insulated wire 10
to the lower end of the zinc 6, where the connection 12 is thoroughly insulated from
the surrounding liquid to prevent corrosion.
The flange 13 upon the upper end of the carbon cup carries a binding post 14,
from which the thin strip of metal 15 extends to the binding post 11. This is the
arrangement between the cells of large batteries.
In connection with the battery I employ a solution of chloride of sodium, or
common salt, which practically fills the space around the porous cup 4, the space
between the cup 4 and the carbon element being originally filled with clear water
or with the depolarizing fluid. Within the carbon cup I employ the depolarizer
consisting of a solution of nitrate of soda and diluted sulphuric acid. The acid
employed is formed by one to three parts of acid and three parts of water which is
allowed to cool thoroughly before being used. With this I employ the nitrate of
soda in the proportions of 8 to 10 ounces to about one pound of the acid. When
the battery is not in use it is preferable to remove the cover with the zincs and
carbon cups the latter carrying the depolarizer chemical.
-
Having now particularly described the nature of my invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is.
1. The general arrangement, construction and combination of parts comprising
my improved primary battery, substantially as described, and as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
2. An electric battery, comprising a cell, with a porous cup of carbon provided
therein, a depolarizing fluid or chemical provided in said carbon cup, a zinc element
provided in a cell outside of the porous cup and a solution of common salt wherein
the zinc element is immersed, as and for the purpose specified.
3. An electric battery, comprising a cell with a porous cup of carbon provided
therein, acidulated nitrate of soda in said carbon cup, a zinc element provided in
the cell outside of the porous cup and a suitable fluid provided in the outer part of
the cell and in which the zinc is immersed.
Deted the 30th March 1906
For the Applicant,
E. K. DUTTON & Co.,
5 John Dalton Street, Manchester, Chartered Patent Agents.