Improvements in the Construction of Galvanic Cells.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Sept., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 4th June, 1895-Accepted, 30th Nov., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Galvanic Cells.
I CÆSAR VOGT, of Posen, in the Grand Duchy of Posen, in the German
Empire, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is an improved construction of galvanic cell which
may be used as a dry as well as a wet element and which can be modified at will as
regards the choice of chemicals required for a given strength of current.
Moreover this galvanic cell has, when used as a dry element, an advantage over
all other similar elements inasmuch as it does not become dry in time like the
others but automatically produces the amount of water which it requires.
In carrying my invention into practice, I provide a carbon electrode and a zinc
electrode which are placed with water in a suitable vessel.
Into the periphery of the carbon is pressed a number of metallic oxides which
are saturated with chlorine; this being effected by mechanical or electrolytic
means.
The chlorine cannot combine in a dark chamber with the hydrogen from the
water and hence by using a dark cell, the formation of hydrochloric acid is
obviated. As soon as the current is closed, the electrolysis gradually effects a
separation between the oxygen and the metallic oxides by the substitution
therefor of the chlorine; while the water is decomposed into hydrogen and
oxygen.
The latter decomposition occurs in every cell, only the latter become inactive as
soon as the whole of their oxygen from the water is combined with the zinc
electrode.
Hence repeated experiments had hitherto been made with a view to supplying
by artificial means the dry elements hitherto used with a supplemental amount of
water.
According to this invention, the oxygen combined with the zinc electrode is
continuously replaced by the oxygen freed from the metallic oxides, this oxygen
being in a nascent state will combine with the hydrogen disengaged from the water
in order to form a fresh amount of water.
With regards to the strength of the electric currents, experiments have shown
that the power of such a cell can be increased at will to 2.20 volts with a
corresponding small inner resistance by using metallic oxides which are richer in
oxygen, or a greater quantity of chlorine. To increase the useful effect of this
cell i.e. to reduce its inner resistance to a minimum the current from the zinc
electrode is allowed to flow through a strong strip of lead or wire which will
present more mass and hence less resistance than the ordinary copper wire or strip,
is not so liable to break and is more flexible and easier to manipulate.
Furthermore the binding screws of the carbon are dispensed with, as they
frequently break the carbon and thus render the cell useless. These screws are
replaced by tinned copper wires arranged around the head of the carbon and
pressed thereon with a pair of pincers at one end, the other end remaining free.
Dated this 1st day of September 1894.
HUGHES, SON & Co.,
38, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in the Construction of Galvanic Cells.
I CÆSAR VOGT, of Posen, in the Grand Duchy of Posen, in the German
Empire, 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 improvements in the construction of galvanic cells
wherein an advantage over other similar cells is obtained inasmuch as they do not
become dry in time but automatically produce the amount of water required.
In carrying my invention into practice I provide a carbon electrode and a
zinc electrode which I place with water in a suitable vessel.
Around and into the periphery of the carbon I press a metallic oxide,
(preferably either Mn,O3 or PbO) which oxide is previously saturated with
chlorine. To 3 fourths of the oxide I add 1 fourth carbon powder and mix in a
solution of zinc chloride. This saturates it till a degree of humidity is given the
oxide which will permit of same being pressed into the periphery of the carbon.
For this operation the carbon electrode may conveniently be placed vertically in
a cylindrical vessel or form, and between the carbon and said vessel or form the
oxide is introduced by hand and pressed down by a stamp.
There is a movable bottom to the cylindrical vessel through which, after the
pressing, the carbon is driven out of the form.
The chlorine cannot combine in a dark chamber with the hydrogen from the
water, and hence by using a dark cell the formation of hydrochloric acid is
prevented.
So soon as the current is closed, the electrolysis gradually effects a separation
between the oxygen and the metallic oxides by the substitution therefor of the
chlorine; while the water is decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen.
The latter decompositon occurs in every cell, only it becomes inactive so
soon as the whole of the oxygen from the water is combined with the zinc
electrode.
Hence repeated experiments have hitherto been made with a view to supply
by artificial means the dry elements hitherto used with a supplemental amount
of water.
Now, according to this invention, the oxygen combined with the zinc electrode,
is continuously replaced by the oxygen freed from the metallic oxides, this oxygen
being in a nascent state will combine with the hydrogen disengaged from the
water and will thereby form a fresh amount of water.
As regards the strength of the electric current, experiments have shewn that the
power of such a cell can be increased at will to 2.20 volts with a correspondingly
small inner resistance, by using those metallic oxides which are the richer in oxygen,
or by using a greater quantity of chlorine.
To increase the useful effect of this cell, that is to reduce its inner resistance to
a minimum, the current from the zinc electrode is allowed to flow through a strong
strip of lead or wire, which will present more mass aud hence less resistance than
the ordinary copper wire or strip.
This will not be so liable to break and will be found more flexible and easier of
manipulation.
Furthermore, I dispense with the binding screws of the carbon, as they
frequently break the carbon and thus render the cell useless.
These screws I replace by tinned copper wires arranged around the head of the
carbon and pressed thereon at one end with a pair of pincers, the other end
remaining free.

page_text: 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. The improvements in the construction of galvanic cells, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
2. In galvanic cells having carbon and zinc electrodes, the combination of a
number of metallic oxides saturated with chlorine and arranged around the
periphery of the carbon, and operating substantially as and for the purposes
hereinbefore described.
Dated this 4th day of May 1895.
HUGHES, SON & Co.,
38 Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
HUGHES, SON & Co.,
38 Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.