Improvements in Electric Batteries.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 24th Dec., 1889-Accepted, 25th Jan., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by LACOMBE & Co., of Paris, France, Manufacturers.]
Improvements in Electric Batteries.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to electric batteries of the kind or class in which carbon is
employed as one of the electrodes; and the said invention comprises a novel and
peculiar construction and arrangement of the parts whereby the surface area of the
carbon in contact with the exciting liquid is increased and a more effective depolariza-
tion is obtained than is practicable in batteries of this kind as hitherto made.
The main feature of the said invention consists in substituting for the ordinary
porous pot or vessel containing the carbon electrode and the depolarizing mixture, an
annular vessel composed of a hollow cylinder of carbon and a hollow cylinder of porous
material having a base or flange which forms the bottom of the said vessel. In this
vessel is placed a suitable depolarizing mixture, and the cylinder and base of porous
material are perforated to facilitate the circulation of the exciting liquid.
The carbon cylinder is fitted upon or into the said base in any convenient manner.
On the said carbon cylinder and the cylinder of porous material is placed a disc or
cover of insulating material which also serves to keep the two cylinders the required
distance apart. This disc or cover has a hole formed in it through which the metal
electrode is passed. In some instances the said disc or cover is made of lead or other
metal and has a bush or packing piece of insulating material inserted therein.
The aforesaid base is so formed that the exciting liquid can freely circulate between
the same and the bottom of the outer vessel of the battery.
A ring of lead or other metal is fitted upon the upper end of the carbon electrode,
and a terminal screw is fitted therein for the connection of a wire or conductor to the
said electrode. If the disc or cover is of metal, the said terminal screw is fitted
therein and the ring may be dispensed with, the disc or cover, if desired, being made
with a flange fitting over the upper end of the carbon electrode.
The aforesaid annular vessel or chamber is filled with a mixture of manganese and
carbon shingle or with any other solid or pasty depolarizer.
11
11000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Batteries.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co. Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to Electric batteries of the kind or class in which carbon is
employed as one of the electrodes; and the said invention comprises a novel and
peculiar construction and arrangement of the parts whereby the surface area of the
carbon in contact with the exciting liquid is increased, and a more effective
depolarization is obtained than is practicable in batteries of this kind as hitherto
made.
In the accompanying drawing, I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.

page_text: Figure 1 is a perspective view, and
Figure 2 a sectional perspective view, showing one form of my improved electric
battery, and
[
Figures 3 and 4, are similar views showing another form or modification thereof.
A is a glass vessel for containing the exciting liquid. B is a carbon electrode,
which has the form of a hollow cylinder. C is a cell or tube of suitable porous material,
which is arranged centrally within the said carbon electrode B, and forms therewith
an annular vessel or chamber for containing the depolarizing material D. E is the
metal electrode which is placed within the said porous cell or tube C. F is a disc or
base of glass or other suitable material which forms the bottom of the said annular
vessel or chamber.
This disc or base is so formed and arranged that the exciting liquid can circulate
freely between the same and the bottom of the vessel A. The porous cell or tube C
may be suitably perforated as shown, to facilitate the circulation of the exciting liquid.
The tube may also be constructed from any suitable materials which resist the action
of the chemicals used in the battery, provided that such materials are so porous or
perforated as to allow of the liquid passing in an efficient manner into the interior of
the said annular vessel or chamber.
In the battery shown in Figures 1 and 2, the annular vessel or chamber is closed at
its upper end by a disc or cover G of glass or other suitable material, and a ring H
of lead or other metal is fitted upon the upper end of the carbon electrode B. A
terminal-screw J is secured in the said ring H to permit the connection of a wire
or conductor to the said electrode B. K is a hollow plug or bush inserted in the
upper end of the tube to maintain the zinc electrode E in a central position
therein.
In some instances, I dispense with the metal ring H, and make the disc or cover G
of lead or other metal; in this case, the terminal-screw J is secured in the said disc
or cover, and a bush or packing-piece of insulating material is placed in the centre of
the said disc or cover. The said metal disc or cover is sometimes made with a flange
which fits around the upper end of the carbon electrode.
In the battery shown in Figures 3 and 4, the carbon electrode B is formed with an
end-piece or head B' at its upper end, which serves as a substitute for the disc or
cover G above described, and the terminal-screw J is secured in, and extends through
the said head B'. In this case, a ring or bush L of insulating material is inserted in
the upper end of the tube C.
The closed annular vessel or chamber formed by the electrode B and tube C and
by the aforesaid discs or end-pieces, is filled with a mixture of manganese and carbon-
pieces, or with any other suitable depolarizing material.
It will be seen that, by constructing the battery as above described, I am enabled to
dispense with the ordinary porous pot or vessel for containing the depolarizing
mixture. Moreover, by arranging the zinc electrode in the centre of the annular
vessel or chamber containing the depolarizing material, I obtain a more effective
depolarization than can be obtained in batteries in which the zinc electrode is arranged
outside a porous pot containing the carbon electrode and the depolarizing material;
and my improved battery is more durable and has greater electromotive force and less
internal resistance than batteries of the same kind or class as heretofore constructed.
The shape of the carbon and metal electrodes and of the cell or tube (may if
desired, be varied, provided that the said cell or tube and the metal electrode are
arranged within the carbon electrode substantially as above specified. When the
battery is to be used for telephonic purposes, I find it advantageous to employ a
metal plate in place of the metal rod shown in the drawing, and to make the
perforated or porous cell or tube and the carbon electrode of corresponding shape.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood that
I claim -
First. The combination, in an electric battery, of a cylindrical or other shaped

page_text: hollow-carbon electrode, a perforated or porous cell or tube arranged within the same,
a metal electrode placed within the said cell or tube, and suitable depolarizing material
contained in the space between the said cell or tube and the outer carbon, substantially
as described.
Second. The combination, in an electric battery, of a cylindrical or other shaped
hollow carbon electrode, a perforated or porous cell or tube placed within the said
electrode, and two discs or end pieces secured at the top and bottom of the said
electrode and cell or tube in such a manner as to form a closed chamber for containing
the depolarizing material, substantially as described.
Third. The modification of my invention wherein the hollow carbon electrode has a
closed end or head formed integrally therewith, substantially as described.
Dated this 23rd day of December 1889
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.