Liquids or Compounds therefor.
Year: 1888

page_text: Liquids or Compounds therefor.
We, CARL EDUARD LIEBERT of 11. Liepzigerstr, Chemist, and SALLY Adolf
ROSENTHAL, of 17 Prinzessinnenstr., both of Berlin, in the Empire of Germany, 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:-
The electric battery constructed according to this invention is of extremely small
size for considerable efficiency and presents great durability. A peculiar feature of
this improved battery is that the tension of the current does not decrease as in other
batteries after the circuit is closed but will increase by about one tenth. of the
original tension and thenceforth remain very constant. The battery can moreover
be used either as a dry or wet battery. Owing to its small size it can be conveniently
carried in the pocket.
The electrodes of this battery consist of zinc and silver. The silver electrode is not
made of plates or sheets as in other elements but of a non-conductor which is coated
or covered with foliated or leaf silver. As a rule hard rubber, glass, impregnated
wood, or the like is employed for this non-conductor, but any other suitable body
may be used. Chloride of silver acts as a depolarizing agent and is applied or fixed
in a suitable manner to the surface of the silver.
The exciting liquid used in the improved battery consists of a mixture of 100 parts
by weight of pure water, from 12 to 20 parts of sulphate of zinc, from 2 to 10 parts
of sulphuric acid, and from 1 to 6 parts of perchloride of mercury. In lieu of the
latter substance protochloride of mercury can be employed but the results are less
favourable. The exciting liquid if the battery is to be used as a dry battery can
be thickened with tragacanth or similar mucilaginous substance. This liquid has
the advantage that it does not attack either the zinc or the chloride of silver when
the circuit of the battery is not closed, whilst when the circuit is closed, a
comparatively very large quantity of electricity is generated by the liquid. The
battery will last for several years.
In the accompanying drawing two forms of the improved electric battery are
represented to about full-size scale.

page_text: Figure 1 is an elevation and
Figure 2 a transverse section of a cylindrical battery.
Figure 3 shows a plan
Figure 4 a side view and
Figure 5 a section of a battery that is rectangular in cross section.
In Figures 1 and 2, a designates the zinc electrode which forms at the same time
the casing of the vessel or the vessel itself. The other electrode is represented as a
cylindrical block b, of impregnated wood, upon the outer surface of which the leaf-.
silver is placed, the latter being covered with chloride of silver.
The intermediate space between the two electrodes a and b is filled up with the
exciting liquid c. In order to keep the wooden block in position a hole è is drilled
into the same, and a pin d extends from the bottom of the vessel into this hole. A
disc or platef of glass or other insulating material prevents the direct contact of the
electrodes a and b. The vessel is closed at the top by a cover g which suitably
consists of pitch or other similar material. The electric current generated leaves
the battery through the terminal and strip k.
The battery represented in Figures 3, 4 and 5 does not differ materially from the
battery shown in Figures 1 and 2. In this arrangement the zinc electrode m is
U-shaped and imbedded in a small box which is rectangular in cross section and
made of hard rubber, compressed paper or other suitable insulating material. The
silver electrode consists of a strip n made of a non-conductor which is coated or
covered with foliated or leaf silver, and between the two electrodes is introduced the
exciting liquid. The terminals p and q which are connected with the electrodes in
any suitable manner serve to conduct the electric current from the battery.
An electric battery constructed as shown in Figures 1 and 2 and having a
diameter of 36 millimetres and a height of 50 millimetres without the binding-screw
can produce a tension at the terminals of about 11 volts and when a resistance
of 43 ohms is included will generate a constant quantity of current of about
0-2 ampères.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
First In an electric battery, the employment of a silvered non-conductor in lieu
of a silver plate as an electrode.
Second An exciting liquid for silver and zinc batteries consisting of 100 parts
by weight of water, from 12 to 20 parts of sulphate of zinc, from 1 to 4 parts of
sulphuric acid, and from 2 to 10 parts of perchloride of mercury or protochloride of
mercury.
Third For the purpose of converting the said exciting liquid into a dry state the
thickening of the same by tragacanth or other mucilaginous substances.
Dated this 13th day of August 1888.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.