Improvements in Galvanic Batteries.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Sept., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 19th Sept., 1891-Accepted, 24th Oct., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Galvanic Batteries.
I, AUGUSTE DE MERITENS, of 45 Rue St. Sebastien, Paris, in the Republic of
France, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to the construction of powerful galvanic batteries with
elements in which the hydrogen is mechanically eliminated and polarisation is
practically obviated by employing as the positive pole of the element a couple
acting continuously as hereinafter explained. This couple constituting the positive
pole of the element may be composed of two bodies of any description_provided
that they are not attackable or liable to be affected by acids to the same degree.
In this case the hydrogen produced upon the attackable metal (positive pole) of
the comple is always driven to the inattackable body or electrode and the metal or
body which is attackable or acted on (by the acid in the element) forming the other
electrode of the couple which forms the positive pole of the element is always free
from hydrogen. The extremely small quantity of oxide resulting from the action
of the acid upon the attackable metal of the couple being reduced as fast as it is.
formed by the hydrogen proceeding from the negative pole of the battery. This
hydrogen follows the same path as the hydrogen produced by the couple. It passes
at first to the metal or attackable electrode of the couple but it does not remain
there; a portion of this hydrogen is instantaneously reduced by the oxide formed
on the attackable metal and consequently does not polarise this metal. The
remainder of the hydrogen that is to say the greater part of it does not remain
upon this metal. It is immediately carried away by the current closed upon itself
of the couple forming the positive pole and is entirely set free upon the inattackable
electrode of this couple.
In order to obtain this result it is indispensable that the couple forming the
positive pole acts continuously and presents surfaces formed by material susceptible
to the action of the acid of the element and other surfaces formed by material not
acted on or attacked by the acids and on which the hydrogen may be set free.
When Smee's battery was made with silver and platinum and after his time
copper and platinum later still the elements of a couple were in fact provided but
the couple did not work. The hydrogen escaped on the platinised surface as well.
It remained there less than upon the copper or silver but polarisation still took
place. There was no surface on the positive plate which always remained absolutely
free from bubbles of hydrogen.
The effect is different in the element now under consideration.
The couple works constantly and polarisation is completely obviated even in a
short circuit.
In the foregoing statements I have assumed that the liquid in the battery.
consists of water acidulated with sulphuric acid alone but nitric acid may be added
if required.
In this case the formation of hydrogen and of the salt of the attackable metal
takes place more vigorously on the attackable metal of the couple. This salt
capable of reducing part of the hydrogen proceeding from the zinc is formed in
greater abundance the remainder of this hydrogen being driven over to the platinum
as before.
The principal phenomenon is the simultaneous polarisation and depolarisation of
the positive pole of the battery and the secondary phenomenon is the mechanical
elimination of the hydrogen on the platinum of this positive pole.
This
•

page_text: A galvanic element according to this invention may be constructed in practice
with a zinc plate sliding in the same way as a drawer, in grooves formed in two
blocks of ebonite, glass or other insulating material extending from the upper to the
lower part of the element. Two lead plates perforated with holes of from about
three sixteenths to three eighths of an inch in diameter are applied to the blocks so
as to enclose the zinc plate between them. They are secured in position by two
elastic rubber rings placed at the upper and lower ends of the element. This
arrangement enables the zincs to be very readily removed and replaced. The lead
plates may be platinised on the outer sides only. In this case all the hydrogen gas
escapes externally. The inner surfaces of the lead where the hydrogen of the
couple forming the positive pole is produced and from which it is driven on to the
external platinum remains always free from this gas.
When the lead plates are platinised on both sides the platinum is removed from
the inner surfaces or edges of the perforations. With this arrangement likewise
the couple works very satisfactorily. Two porous vessels are placed in the box or
trough containing the element and are maintained filled with pure or undiluted
sulphuric acid which filters slowly through the sides of the vessel and maintains the
liquid at the proper degree of acidulation.
In place of perforating the platinised lead plates with plain round holes vertical
slots or slots inclined in any direction or any other form of perforation may be
employed.
According to another arrangement which may be employed with advantage in
practice the platinised lead plate is cut into narrow bands or strips connected by an
uncut portion at one end and these strips are twisted in the form of a corkscrew or
helix.
In order to eliminate the hydrogen more effectually the plates forming the
positive pole (negative electrode) may be provided with a number of holes of
Pyramidal or taper form the base or larger end being directed downwards on the
side presented to the zinc. The axes of these holes or passages may be inclined at
an angle of 45 degrees or they may be inclined in a general way to the surface of
the plate in such a manner as to provide a natural and easy way of escape for the
gases. These holes form in fact chimneys in which a current is formed by the
action of the lead and platinum couple. This arrangement enables a most powerful
current to be obtained.
My invention further relates to certain details in the arrangement of a battery
composed of a number of elements. A. battery provided with these improved
arrangements is provided with a series of elements formed as hereinbefore described
is placed in a box or trough divided into a corresponding number of compartments
by vertical partitions. These partitions slide in grooves formed in the ebonite or
other acid proof lining of the trough being so arranged that the liquid is capable of
spreading or flowing into every part of the trough notwithstanding the presence of
the separations or partitions and thus enables the trough to be filled or emptied in
one operation. A rubber tube may be employed for this purpose. The partitions
may be perforated or they may be notched or cut away at the sides or at the botttom
in order to facilitate the passage of the liquid to all parts of the trough. By these
means the manipulation of the trough is greatly facilitated.
The elements of a battery thus constituted may be connected in tension without
any material diminution in the voltage.
The divisions between the elements in a trough have heretofore been made with
partitions which completely separate or prevent any communication between the
Liquids in the cells or elements and consequently cause complications in the
manipulation of the battery.
This trough is also provided with an improved arrangement for making the
connections consisting in obtaining the contacts for the electrodes by means of cups
filled with mercury or with an amalgam composed of mercury lead and tin or with
any suitable amalgam of a pasty nature. The electrodes of the elements are
provided with hooks or wires which dip into the amalgam contained in the cups

page_text: which are arranged externally on one side of the trough containing the elements.
By these means an excellent contact is obtained which obviates the necessity for
employing screws, terminals, binding posts and the like. The amalgam is moreover
completely protected from the action of the gases and acids.
It is advantageous to arrange the cups upon a moveable support capable of
adjustment in a vertical direction. This support is arranged to slide upon suitable
guides and is capable of being fixed either in the elevated position for making
contact and of being lowered for the purpose of breaking contact by means of a
rotary cam or other equivalent device. By these means the connections between
the several elements of the battery are enabled to be opened or closed when required
by one movement.
The elements of the battery may be coupled either in tension or in quantity by
means of the said cups.
Dated this 14th day of September 1891.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Galvanic Batteries.
I AUGUSTE DE MERITENS of 45 Rue St. Sebastien Paris in the Republic of
France Civil Engineer 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 the construction of powerful galvanic batteries with
elements in which the hydrogen is mechanically eliminated and polarisation is
practically obviated by employing as the positive pole of the element a couple
acting continuously as hereinafter explained.
This couple constituting the positive pole of the element is composed of two
bodies of any description provided that they are not attackable or liable to be
affected by acids to the same degree.
In this case the hydrogen produced upon the attackable metal (positive_pole)
of the couple is always driven to the relatively inattackable body or electrode and
the metal or body which is attackable or acted on (by the acid in the element)
forming the other electrode of the couple which forms the positive pole of the
element is always free from hydrogen. The extremely small quantity of oxide
resulting from the action of the acid upon the attackable metal of the couple being
reduced as fast as it is formed by the hydrogen proceeding from the negative pole
of the battery. This hydrogen follows the same path as the hydrogen produced by
the couple. It passes at first to the metal or attackable electrode of the couple but
it does not remain there; a portion of this hydrogen is instantaneously reduced by
the oxide formed on the attackable metal and consequently does not polarise this
metal. The remainder of the hydrogen that is to say the greater part of it does not
remain upon this metal. It is immediately carried away by the current closed
upon itself of the couple forming the positive pole and is entirely set free upon
unattackable electrode of this couple.
the
In order to obtain this result it is indispensable that the couple forming the
positive pole acts continuously and presents surfaces formed by material susceptible
to the action of the acid of the element and other surfaces formed by material
relatively not acted on or attacked by the acids and on which the hydrogen may be
set free.
When Smee's battery was made with silver and platinum and when copper and
platinum were employed later still the elements of a couple were in fact provided
but the couple did not work. The hydrogen escaped on the platinised surface as
well, It remained there less than upon the copper or silver but polarization still

page_text: :
took place. There was no surface on the positive plate which always remained
absolutely free from bubbles of hydrogen.
The effect is different in the element now under consideration.
The couple works constantly and polarisation is completely obviated even in a
short circuit.
In the foregoing statements I have assumed that the liquid in the battery
consists of water acidulated with sulphuric acid alone but nitric acid may be added
if required.
In this case the formation of hydrogen and of the salt of the attackable metal
takes place more vigourously on the attackable metal of the couple. This salt
reducing part of the hydrogen proceeding from the zinc is formed in greater
abundance the remainder of this hydrogen being driven over to the platinum as
before.
The principal phenomenon is the simultaneous polarisation and depolarisation of
the positive pole of the battery and the secondary phenomenon is the mechanical
elimination of the hydrogen on the platinum of this positive pole.
This result is obtained as hereinafter more fully explained.
And in order that my said invention may be more fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to
the annexed sheets of drawings the same letters of reference indicating corresponding
parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents in vertical section a galvanic
cell or element constructed according to my invention and
Figures 2 and 3 represent the cell in horizontal and in transverse section
respectively.
The galvanic element illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 is provided with a zinc
plate Zn (Figure 3). This plate slides, in the same way as a drawer, in grooves
formed in two blocks A and B of ebonite, glass or other insulating material
extending from the upper to the lower part of the element. Two lead plates Pb
coated with platinum and perforated with holes of from about three sixteenths to
three eighths of an inch in diameter are applied to the blocks A B so as to enclose
the zinc plate between them. They are secured in position by two elastic
rubber rings placed at the upper and lower ends of the element. This arrangement
enables the zincs to be very readily removed and replaced. The lead plates may
be platinised on the outer sides only. In this case all the hydrogen gas escapes
externally. The inner surfaces of the lead where the hydrogen of the couple
forming the positive pole is produced and from which it is driven on to the external
platinum remains always free from this gas.
When the lead plates are platinised on both sides the platinum is removed from
the inner surfaces or edges of the perforations. With this arrangement likewise
the couple works very satisfactorily. Two porous vessels VV are placed in the
box or trough containing the element and are maintained filled with pure or
undiluted sulphuric acid which filters slowly through the sides of the vessels and
maintains the liquid at the proper degree of acidulation.
In place of perforating the platinised lead plates with plain round holes as
represented in Figure 1, vertical slots or slots inclined in any direction or any other
form of perforation may be employed.
Figure 4 represents an arrangement which may be employed with advantage in
practice. The platinised lead plate is cut into narrow bands or strips connected by
an uncut portion at one end and there strips are twisted in the form of a corkscrew
or helix.
In order to eliminate the hydrogen more effectually the plates forming the
positive pole (negative electrode) may be provided with a number of holes of
pyramidal or taper form the base or larger end being directed downwards on the
side presented to the zinc as represented in Figure 5. The axes of these holes or
passages may be inclined at an angle of 45 degrees or they may be inclined in a
general way to the surface of the plate in such a manner as to provide a natural

page_text: and easy way of escape for the gases. These holes form in fact chimneys in which
a current is formed by the action of the lead and platinum couple.
This arrangement represented in elevation and in transverse section in Figure 5
enables a most powerful current to be obtained.
My invention further relates to certain details in the arrangement of a battery
composed of a number of elements. A battery provided with these improved
arrangements is illustrated in longitudinal elevation in Figure 6, in transverse
section in Figure 7 and in horizontal section in Figure 8.
In this case a series of elements E formed as hereinbefore described is placed in
a box or trough F divided into a corresponding number of compartments by
vertical partitions 8. These partitions slide in grooves formed in the ebonite
or other acid proof lining of the trough F being so arranged that the liquid is
capable of spreading or flowing into every part of the trough notwithstanding
the presence of the separations or partitions & and thus enables the trough to be
filled or emptied in one operation. A rubber tube may be employed for this
purpose. The partitions may be perforated or they may be notched or cut away
at the sides or at the bottom as represented at e Figure 7 in order to facilitate
the passage of the liquid to all parts of the trough. By these means the
manipulation of the trough is greatly facilitated. The elements of a battery thus
constituted may be connected in tension without any material diminution in the
voltage. The divisions between the elements in a trough have heretofore been
made with partitions which completely separate or prevent any communication
between the liquids in the cells or elements and consequently cause complications
in the manipulation of the battery.
The trough F is also provided with an improved arrangement for making the
connections consisting in obtaining the contacts for the electrodes by means of
cups y filled with mercury or with an amalgam composed of mercury lead and tin
or with any suitable amalgam of a pasty nature. The electrodes of the elements
are provided with hooks or wires =, which dip into the amalgam contained in the
cups y which are arranged externally on one side of the trough F containing the
elements. By these means an excellent contact is obtained which obviates
the necessity for employing screws, terminals, binding posts and the like. The
amalgam is moreover completely protected from the action of the gases and acids.
It is advantageous to arrange the cups upon a movable support G capable of
adjustment in a vertical direction. This support is arranged to slide upon suitable
guides g' and is capable of being fixed either in the elevated position for making
contact and of being lowered for the purpose of breaking contact by means of a
rotary cam T (Figure 6) or other equivalent device. By these means the con-
nections between the several elements of the battery are enabled to be opened or
closed when required by one movement.
In the drawing the battery is represented as being coupled in tension but it is
evident that it may be as easily connected in quantity by means of the cups g.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A battery in which the positive pole is formed by a couple composed of a
combination of two materials not affected to the same degree by the action of the
acids such as plates of platinised lead perforated or otherwise arranged in such a
manner as to present free surfaces of the one material (such as lead) placed in
opposition to or acting in conjunction with surfaces of the other material (such as
platinum) substantially as and for the purpose herein before described.
2. A. battery element with a positive pole forming a couple constituted by the
combination of ebonite or other insulating vertical guides or supports provided
with grooves, a zinc plate sliding in the said grooves (in order to enable the zinc to
be removed and replaced without touching the platinised lead plates) and one or
two perforated plates of platinised lead forming a couple being attached to the

page_text: vertical guides or supports in any suitable manner substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
3. In a battery with a positive pole constituted by a voltaic pair or couple the
formation of the said pair or couple by means of plates of platinised lead cut so as
to form strips which are twisted in the form of a helix or corkscrew substantially
as described with reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.
4. In a battery with a positive pole constituted by a couple the formation of the
said couple by means of plates of platinised lead perforated with a number of holes
of pyramidal or taper form having their base or larger end directed downwards and
having their axes inclined at an angle of about 45 degrees or other suitable angle
relatively to the plate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to
Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.
5. In a battery having a plurality of elements arranged with the galvanic couple
herein before described or otherwise the combination of a box or trough enclosing
the said elements with partitions separating the elements and capable of sliding
freely in grooves formed in the sides of the trough the said partitions being formed
with or without notches or perforations admitting of a circulation of the liquid in
all parts of the trough substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to
Figures 6, 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.
6. In a battery with a plurality of elements formed with the galvanic couple
herein before described or otherwise the combination of a box or trough, elements
enclosed in the said box or trough and cups containing mercury or an amalgam of
lead, mercury and tin or other pasty amalgam the said cups-acting as contacts for
collecting the currents from the several elements substantially in the manner and
for the purpose hereinbefore set forth with reference to Figures 6, 7 and 8 of the
accompanying drawings.
7. In a battery with a plurality of elements formed with the galvanic couple
hereinbefore described or otherwise the combination of a box or trough, elements
contained therein and cups containing an amalgam with a support for the said cups
capable of vertical movement and admitting of being adjusted in a raised or
lowered position by means of a cam or other equivalent device so as to open or close
the circuit substantially as hereinbefore set forth with reference to Figures 6, 7
and 8 of the accompanying drawings.
9. The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the improvements in
galvanic batteries substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 19th day of September 1891.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
Agents.