Improvements OC DataTIOD.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd May, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 7th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 5th Jan., 1895
Improvements OC DataTIOD.
We, ROBERT MCLAUGHLAN M° DONALD, and ALEXANDER MCDONALD, both
of Clyde View Cottage, Radnor Park, Dalmuir, Dumbartonshire, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to electric or galvanic batteries and it has for its object
to improve their construction.
In carrying out our invention we fill the porous cell with, by preference, salt
water and we place in this liquid one or more pieces or plates of zinc as usual.
The outer jar is filled with copper sulphate in solution or in crystals and with
cinders, coke or like cheap porous and absorbent material.
A copper spiral is also placed in the jar, preferably, so as to be in contact with
the pieces of coke or the cinders and to surround the porous cell.
As a result of the action set up in the battery the coke or the like becomes plated
or coated with a thin film of copper.
The coke or the like absorbs the gases evolved and as a consequence no fumes
are emitted from the battery.
The battery has the merits of simplicity, cheapness and great power.
In practice we have found that a small cell 3 inches square gives 4 ampères at
2 volts pressure constantly for over 24 hours at a stretch.
It is to be understood that instead of the salt water, we may use any other well
known and cheap liquid and also if desired the sulphate of copper may be used in
crystals.
Dated this 2nd day of May 1894.
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Batteries.
We,
ROBERT MCLAUOHLAN MCDONALD, and ALEXANDER MCDONALD, both
of Clyde View Cottage, Radnor Park, Dalmuir, Dumbartonshire, 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 and it has for its object to improve
their construction.
And in order that our said invention may be properly understood we have
hereunto appended an explanatory drawing which shows the battery in section.
a is the outer cell or containing vessel which may be made of glass, earthenware,
ebonite, or other suitable material.
b is the inner porous cell.
The battery consists of a zinc plate c or a zinc rod, or cylinder, which, as usual,
is placed in the porous cell b. A vertical copper spiral d surrounds the porous

page_text: cell band between this spiral and the cell a coalt cinders e, pieces of coke or like
porous carbonaceous and absorbent material is packed.
Although the arrangement will work. very satisfactorily with any of the fluids
commonly used in ordinary batteries, we prefer, to use within the porous cell a
solution of sodium chloride, and, within the outer cell a solution of copper
sulphate.
The battery when constructed in the manner aforesaid and charged with chloride
of sodium and copper sulphate is found to have the merits of cheapness, power, and
constancy.
The cinders being very porous and absorbent condense or absorb the gases
evolved, and, as a consequence, no fumes are emitted whilst polarization is
prevented.
As the copper spiral retains the cinders in place the porous cell with the zinc
element can be removed at any time without injuring the battery.
In the case of single fluid cells a plug can be inserted in the top of the copper
spiral and the zinc element suspended from it.
As a result of the action set up in the battery the cinders or the like become
plated or coated with a thin film of copper and the internal resistance is decreased
thereby increasing the current.
The copper spiral on account of its conductivity is found to lessen the internal
resistance.
It is to be understood that we may use if desired any other suitable and well
known fluids besides chloride of sodium solution and copper sulphate solution.
The porous carbonaceous material is used in pieces or lumps.
The copper sulphate may be used in the form of crystals.
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
consider novel and desire to claim is:
1. An electric battery consisting of an outer cell, an inner porous cell with an
element therein, a copper spiral surrounding the inner cell, cinders or like porous
carbonaceous substance packed between the copper spiral and the outer cell and
suitable liquids placed in the outer and inner cells, substantially as hereinbefore set
forth.
•
2. The combination of the outer cell, the inner porous cell, a copper spiral
surrounding the inner cell, cinders or like porous carbonaceous substance placed
between the copper spiral and the outer, cell, the zinc and the chloride of sodium
and sulphate of copper solutions, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this 16th October 1894.
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.