Improvements in Thermo-electric Generators.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 11th Oct., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Thermo-electric Generators.
I, HARRY BARRINGER Cox, of Hartford, in the County of Hartford, State of
Connecticut, United States of America, Electrician, 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 certain improvements in thermo electric generators.
The object of the invention is to produce in a thermo electric circuit as pronounced
a fall in potential as possible and to produce as large a movement of heat within the
circuit as possible.
A further object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of thermo
electric generator and furnace.
These objects are accomplished by and this invention consists in certain novel
features of construction and in combinations of parts more fully described hereinafter
and particularly pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a vertical central section of the improved generator furnace.
Figure 2 is a cross section in plane of line - Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an enlarged section through several rings of the pile, showing the inner
and outer coating of the pile.
Figure 4 is a partial cross section through a generator showing a portion of the
pile in elevation.
Each thermo pile consists of the two elements a b, composed of unlike metals joined
together in a suitable manner.
The strips a extend from one end of one large element b, to the opposite end of the
next adjoining element b, and heat is applied from any suitable source to the junctions
at corresponding ends of the elements. The opposite corresponding junctions are to be
kept at as low a temperature as possible.
One or more conducting or radiating strips d, of good conducting metal are
electrically connected with and extend from each element b, between the portions of
the same exposed to heat and cold towards the source of cold.
In connecting and constructing the parts the ends of the metal strips a, and d, are
slit, perforated or bent in such manner that the metal composing the element b,
can be cast around and make a firm connection therewith. Each pile is cast integral
in one strip, i.e., the strips a, are united by casting the elements around the ends of
strips a and d.
The positions and numbers of the strips d, may be varied to suit the pile.
The strips d, are intended to produce a fall in thermic potential between the
junctions, and are connected between the junctions and extend in the direction of the
cool junctions.
The opposite poles of the pile are indicated by the reference letters e and f.
In Figures 1, 2, 3, the reference letter a' indicates a furnace, having a fire pot b¹
open at the top.
The thermo pile d¹, is in the shape of a cylinder which rests on the top of the
furnace a' and forms a continuation upwardly from the open top of the fire pot, and is
provided with the top e' at its upper open end terminating in the smoke flue or passage f¹
having a damper g, whereby the fire in the fire pot can be regulated.
The thermo pile is composed of a number of rings resting one on the other and all
electrically connected to form one circuit having the opposite poles ef. These
rings are separated by asbestos, as shown by h, and the thermo rings and inter-
posed asbestos rings are rigidly clamped or otherwise secured together to form a
single cylinder.

page_text: .
Each ring is composed of a series of thermo couples as before described.
The inner surface of the thermo pile is provided with suitable coating i of fireproof
material such as cement covering the inner ends of the elements a sufficient depth to
protect the same from injury by the intense and direct heat from the fire pot, and yet
subject them to as high a temperature as they will stand without injury. In order
to increase the heating surface this coating is fluted longitudinally or irregular as
shown at in Figure 4, the ends of the large elements being so formed that the flutes
extend in between the ends thereof. This substance i, is placed on the ends of the
couples and is then vitrified by intense heat in the furnace.
In order to heat the pile thoroughly throughout, a vertical series of the circular
horizontal deflectors j, are suspended in the interior of the pile above the fire pot and
from the top of the furnace by vertical supports k. The lowest deflector of the series
is located a distance above the lower end of the pile, and directly above the fire and
is comparatively small in diameter, while the remaining deflectors of the series
gradually increase in diameter upwardly as shown, so that the topmost deflector leaves
but a narrow annular space between its edge and the top end of the pile for the passage
of the heated products of combustion.
The outer ends of the elements of the pile can be kept cool and at a low tempera-
ture by means of the surmounting water jacket 1, baving the induction pipe m, and the
eduction pipe n, so that the water will constantly circulate through the jackets and
thus be always kept cool. The inner wall of this jacket is formed by the outer
surface of the pile itself, and hence the water is directly in contact with the outer
ends of the elements of the pile, which outer surface is, preferably, coated as shewn
at o, with some non-conducting material such as cement, to form a waterproof coating
to prevent the water from leaking between the elements and the pile, and to
prevent loss by conduction of the water. The conductors d, can extend into the
water jacket or this jacket can be dispensed with and the conductors can extend into
the atmosphere as shewn in Fig. 4.
It is evident that various changes might be made in the form and arrangement and
connection of the parts described without departing from the spirit and scope of my
invention, hence I do not wish to limit myself to the construction shewn.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
②1. In thermo couples one or more conductors or radiators placed within the circuit
of the same to produce a fall in thermic potential, substantially as described.
2. A thermo couple provided with one or more conductors or radiators connected
between the hot and cold junctions of the couple and extending outwardly.
3. A thermo pile provided with one or more radiators or conductors connected
between the hot and cold junctions of the pile to produce a maximum fall in thermic
potential, substantially as described.
4. In a thermo electric generator, the combination with the fire pot, or furnace
open at the top, of a cylindrical thermo pile around and extending above the open
top of said fire pot forming an upward continuation of the same, so that the heat is
applied direct to the elements of the pile.
5. A thermo pile consisting of a series of couples secured together, having their
. inner ends or surface with which the heat comes in contact coated with fireproof
substance, as set forth.
6. In a thermo electric generator, the combination of a fire pot, the cylindrical
thermo pile extending up from the same, and provided with an exit at the top, and a
vertical series of horizontal circular deflectors located in said pile above the fire
pot, the deflectors of said series increasing in diameter upwardly for the purpose
set forth.
7. In a thermo electric generator, the combination with the hollow thermo pile, a
furnace at one end with the same of which the pile forms a continuation and a water
jacket surmounting the exterior of the pile, substantially as described.

page_text: S. A thermo pile enclosing a vertical heating chamber, a source of heat at the
bottom of said chamber and a series of deflectors in said chamber arranged therein so
as to evenly distribute the heat throughout the length of the pile as and for the
purpose set forth.
9. A thermo electric pile formed in an integral strip by casting the elements
8. A thermo pile enclosing a vertical heating chamber, a source of heat at the
bottom of said chamber and a series of deflectors in said chamber arranged therein so
as to evenly distribute the heat throughout the length of the pile as and for the
purpose set forth.
9. A thermo electric pile formed in an integral strip by casting the elements
together.
10. A thermo generator having the fluted or irregular inner surface.
11. The thermo generator having the inner vitrified coating.
19 The bassin dezomibed thermo electric generators.