IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY, AND APPLICABLE FOR LIGHTING OR HEATING PURPOSES Communied
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake of the firm of Haseltine Lake &
Co. Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO APPARATUS FOR GENERATING
ELECTRICITY, AND APPLICABLE FOR LIGHTING OR HEATING PURPOSES
Communicated to him from abroad by Ernest Brard, of La Rochelle, France,
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th September 1882.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO APPARATUS
FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY, AND APPLICABLE FOR LIGHTING OR HEATING
PURPOSES [A communication to him from abroad by Ernest Brard, of La Rochelle,
France,]
This Invention relates to improvements in apparatus for generating electricity
and applicable for lighting or heating purposes; its chief object is to enable various
kinds of furnaces and fuel to be practically utilized for the production of electricity.
The construction of this apparatus is based upon the fact that, when a bath of
melted nitrate is brought into contact with incandescent carbon, an electric current
is obtained flowing from the said bath to the carbon in the exterior circuit. But,
besides this remarkable property which has been known for some years, these salts
possess several other properties, the discovery of which enables me to utilize them
in the production of electricity. These properties are as follow, namely, first, that
the salts in igneous fusion acquire a very great fluidity, in consequence of which
they act similarly to oils or fatty matters, by moistening the heated substances
with which they are in contact; second, that in order to obtain currents it is not
necessary, as has heretofore been supposed, to plunge the carbon into the bath of
nitrate; third, that under certain conditions, currents can even be obtained when
the nitrate bath is separated from the furnace in which the combustion takes place.
These various properties combined 1 utilize in the said generator. By reason of

page_text: these properties I can, in fact, produce electricity either by employing in an ordinary
furnace a special kind of fuel, or cakes or blocks of coal-dust or a compound
of different forms of carbon with which the nitrates are associated in a particular
manner, or by making use of a special furnace in which I can burn any kind
of fuel.
In the first case, I form into blocks or bricks a compound or agglomeration of
wood-charcoal, and coke in such proportions that the product will have a density
superior to that of the wood-charcoal but inferior to that of coal. Within these blocks
or bricks are enclosed fine wires of copper or other metal which is a good conductor
of electricity; these wires are united at one of their extremities where they constitute
the negative pole. Upon one of the faces of the block or brick I apply a thin sheet
of nitrate melted or moulded into the form of tablets of the same dimensions as the
block or brick of carbon and enclosed in a casing or covering of asbestos-paper or
other insulating material. This sheet of nitrate contains, like the aforesaid bricks
or blocks, wires which form, on the outside, the positive pole of this couple.
On causing one of these blocks or bricks to burn at the extremity opposite to its
poles, it will be found, by the aid of a galvanometer, that a very energetic current
is established from the sheet of nitrate to the carbon. By increasing the number
of blocks and arranging them in such a manner that each of them shall be separated
from the adjacent ones by a sheet or sheets of nitrate, it is possible to increase, at
will, the power of a furnace to produce electricity, and to produce therein
simultaneously, heat and electricity.
On this principle I construct a small and very simple apparatus or "candle" capable
of producing at the same time light, heat, and electricity. In this candle, the wick
is replaced by a pencil or stick of carbon, insulated by a layer of silicate of potash
or asbestos, and the wax is replaced by a casing or covering of nitrate obtained by
steeping the carbon several times in a bath of this salt melted; wires or thin sheets
of metal constitute the conductors and form the two poles.
I can, obviously, very considerably modify the arrangements of this kind of
apparatus without departing from the nature of the said Invention.
In the second case, which comprises a special furnace, I provide a device which
enables me to produce electricity by burning in the said furnace any kind of fuel.
This apparatus or electric furnace is constituted by a number or scries of elements
designed to utilize the properties above indicated of the nitrates in igneous fusion,
in contact either with the incandescent carbon or with the incandescent gases in
the furnace, which furnace may be heated by gas, volatile oils, or mineral or
vegetable oil; or the incandescent gases in a stove, a flue, or boiler furnace, to
which, however, the addition of these devices will still constitute a supplementary
source of heat.
In the accompanying drawing is illustrated by way of example, different views
of an element arranged according to the said Invention, and also its application to a
stove or calorifere.
Figure 1 represents an elevation of one side of a complete element made
according to the said Invention.
Figure 2 represents an elevation of the other side of the same, and
Figure 3 represents a vertical section of the same
Figures 4 and 5 shew views of two sides of the positive plate of an element
Figure 6 shews, in vertical section, part of the apparatus for feeding or supplying
the melted nitrate to the elements.
Figure 7 represents a detail view of one of the regulating valves of the feeding
apparatus.
Figure 8 is a vertical section shewing the application of an apparatus of one
hundred elements to an ordinary stove.
Figure 9 represents a section of the same on the line 3, 4, Figure 8.
Figure 10 shews a perspective view of the whole apparatus.
The remaining Figures will be hereinafter referred to.
Each element (Figures 1 to 5) is composed of a plate or piece of cast iron a

page_text: provided with hooks b to allow of its being suspended from the rod c from which
it is suitably insulated. This plate constitutes the positive electrode of the element
and has at its upper part a sort of trough d into which the melted nitrate flows as
hereinafter described. In this trough d is fitted an overflow pipe e the upper end
of which is about one millimetre below the level of the edge f of the side of the
trough. The level of the nitrate is thus maintained constant at about one
millimetre below the said edge, but the nitrate in igneous fusion moistens the metal
and ascends its surface, as oil does upon a piece of paper, and the result is, that the
nitrate spreads itself in a thin sheet upon the positive plate a. This plate is
enveloped in a sort of casing g of asbestos-millboard or other suitable material
covered by a cast iron frame h made in two pieces joined by means of the lugs i
and bar j; to one extremity of this bar (as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3) is fixed
the conductor k, which is connected to the positive pole of the succeeding element.
This pole is formed by a hook 2 which forms a part of the positive plate a, as
shewn in Figures 1, 3, and 4, and which bears upon a second rod m thus firmly
securing the element in the desired position.
The nitrate which flows on to the positive plate passes through the asbestos
millboard to the exterior and comes into contact with the fuel in the furnace in
which the element is placed. The elements are arranged in rows vertically and
horizontally and the circulation of the nitrate takes place in the following manner,
that is to say-One or more conduits n are arranged above all the series of
elements and receive the melted nitrate from a common reservoir o (Figure 8) The
flow of the nitrate takes place by means of apertures p in the conduit or conduits n
and is regulated by valves r with screwed rods s, which valves are operated by
thumb-nuts t (Figures 7 and 10) or by other suitable means. These valves ? can,
moreover, be replaced by any suitable arrangement of cocks or other regulating
valves.
In order to utilize, as much as possible, the combustion of the carbon and the
gases in furnaces, the form, dimensions and arrangement of the said elements may
be varied according to circumstances, and to the kind of furnace or stove (domestic
or otherwise) to which they are to be applied.
In Figures 8, 9 and 10 are represented one hundred elements applied to an
ordinary calorifere of say one metre and twenty centimetres in height and sixty
centimetres wide; these elements are arranged in series of twenty five each upon two
movable shutters or doors u, whilst twenty five double elements u, each corre
sponding to two simple elements, are placed in the centre of the stove which is
supplied with fuel through the apertures xx. The cups or troughs y, y, receive the
overflow of the nitrate from the elements.
These elements, can, moreover, be arranged in quantity or in tension, as desired;
the terminals w receive the conductors z, z, of the exterior circuit, and 2¹ is a
galvanometer for indicating the variations of intensity.
The arrangement of this apparatus, which will be readily understood on reference
to Figures 8, 9, and 10, is only given by way of example, as different arrangements
can be employed according to the kind of furnace and the conditions to be fulfilled
in each particular case.
In order to obtain the best electric and calorific yield from the aforesaid bricks
or blocks I prefer to manufacture them in the following manner, that is to say ;--I
employ for each brick or block, fifteen centimetres long, thirty five millimetres wide
and twenty five millimetres thick, about oue hundred grammes of coal-dust, agglo-
merated either by means of molasses, coal-tar, or pitch. The paste thus obtained
is strongly compressed (either cold or heated) with steam at one hundred degrees,
in cast iron moulds, in which have been previously arranged the fine wires of
copper, brass or other good conducting material, which are thus enclosed in the
carbon compound with their extremities projecting therefrom at one end to con-
stitute the negative pole. The mould which I employ is constructed in such a
manner that the bricks or blocks are perforated with a number of holes designed
to facilitate the combustion and increase the points of contact of the carbon with

page_text: the nitrate. It has, moreover, on its upper face a rectangular depression of fifteen
millimetres in depth, divided into compartments, more or less numerous, by trans-
verse partitions of carbon obtained by the moulding. These compartments are
lined throughout with a thin sheet of asbestos-paper or other insulating, refractory,
and porous material, to separate the carbon from the mixture of nitrate and ashes.
This mixture effected during the igneous fusion of the nitrate of soda or other
nitrate, in the proportion of three parts of ashes to one part of uitrate, and is poured,
in a very hot and sirupy state, into the aforesaid depression, which is capable of
containing one hundred grammnes, of which seventy five grammes will be ashes and
twenty five grammes nitrate. The brick or block is then completely enveloped in
a sheet of asbestos-paper of three or four tenths of a millimetre in thickness."
These electric generating bricks or blocks burn slowly, giving out heat and
electric energy equal to a "Leclanche" element, for about two hours.
In order that the said bricks or blocks and their arrangement may be readily
understood one of them is represented in the accompanying Drawing by way of a
specimen.
Figure 11 represents the brick or block as it comes from the mould looking at its
upper face, which is covered with a thin sheet of asbestos paper.
a represents the partitions separating the compartments or troughs b.
Figure 12 represents the brick or block as it comes from the mould, looking at
its lower face, p represents small pipes or conduits which traverse the thickness of
the brick or block as far as the asbestos-paper on the upper face, which is not
perforated.
Figure 13 represents a longitudinal section, on the line 1, 2, Figure 12, of the
completed brick or block. a represents the partitions, 6 the compartments or troughs,
c the agglomerated carbon, n the mixture of nitrate and ashes or other substance
fulfilling the same conditions, e the sheet of asbestos lining the troughs, d the
asbestos-paper enveloping the completed brick, P the positive pole uniting the
wires i, ¹, ¹¹, embedded in the nitrate, N the negative pole uniting the wires k
incorporated in the carbon c, and p the conduits in the carbon.
Figure 14 represents a transverse section on the line 3, 4, Figure 11, of the
completed brick or block. The reference letters apply to the same parts as in
Figure 13.
Figure 15 represents a perspective view of a completed brick or block.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
6th March 1883.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO APPARATUS
FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY, AND APPLICABLE FOR LIGHTING OR HEATING
PURPOSES." A communication to me from abroad by Ernest Brard, of La Rochelle,
France.
This invention relates to apparatus for generating electricity and applicable for
lighting or heating purposes; its chief object is to enable various kinds of furnaces
and fuel to be practically utilized for the production of electricity.
The construction of this apparatus is based upon the fact that, when a bath of
melted nitrate is brought into contact with incandescent carbon, an electric current
is obtained flowing from the said bath to the carbon in the external circuit. But
besides this remarkable property which has been known for some years, the said
Ernest Brard has discovered that these salts possess several other properties, which
enable the said salts to be utilized in the production of electricity. These properties
are as follow, namely, first, that the salts in igneous fusion acquire a very great
fluidity, in consequence of which they act similarly to oils or fatty matters, in
moistening and flowing over the heated substances with which they are in contact;
second, that in order to obtain currents it is not necessary, as has heretofore been
supposed, to plunge the carbon into the bath of nitrate; third, that, under certain
conditions, currents can even be obtained when the nitrate bath is separated from
the furnace in which the combustion takes place. These various properties com-
bined I utilize in the said generator, and, by reason of these properties I can
produce electricity either by employing in an ordinary furnace a special kind of
fuel, or cakes or blocks of coal dust or a compound of different forms of carbon,
with which the nitrates are associated in a particular manner, or by making use of
a special furnace in which I can burn any kind of fuel.
In the first case, I form into blocks or bricks a compound of wood charcoal and
coke in such proportions that the product will have a density superior to that of
the wood charcoal but inferior to that of coal. Within these blocks or bricks are
enclosed fine wires of copper or other metal which is a good conductor of electricity;
these wires are united at one of their extremities where they constitute the
negative pole. Upon one of the faces of the block or brick I apply a thin sheet of
nitrate, melted or moulded into the form of tablets of the same dimensions as the
block or brick of carbon and enclosed in a casing or covering of asbestos paper or
other insulating material. This sheet of nitrate contains, like the aforesaid bricks
or blocks, wires which form, on the outside, the positive pole of this couple.
On causing one of these blocks or bricks to burn at the extremity opposite to its
poles, it will be found, by the aid of a galvanometer, that a very energetic current
is established from the sheet of nitrate to the carbon. By increasing the number
of blocks and arranging them in such a manner that each of them shall be separated
from the adjacent ones by a sheet or sheets of nitrate, it is possible to increase, at
will, the power of a furnace to generate electricity, and to produce therein
simultaneously heat and electricity.
On this principle I construct a small and very simple apparatus or electric
generating candle capable of producing at the same time light, heat, and electricity.
In this candle, the wick is replaced by a pencil or stick of carbon, insulated by a
layer of silicate of potash or asbestos, and the wax is replaced by a casing or
covering of nitrate obtained by steeping the carbon several times in a bath of this salt
melted; wires or thin sheets of metal constitute the conductors and form the two poles.
I can obviously very considerably modify the arrangements of this kind of
apparatus without departing from the nature of the said invention.
In the second case which comprises a special furnace, I provide a device which

page_text: Lakes Improvements on Apparavus for Generating Decorway, ac.
enables me to produce electricity by burning in the said furnace any kind of fuel.
This apparatus or electric furnace has a number or series of cells designed to utilize
the properties above indicated of the nitrates in igneous fusion, in contact either
with the coals or with the incandescent gases of a furnace in which either gas,
volatile oils, or mineral or vegetable oils are burned; or with the incandescent
gases of a stove, a flue or a boiler furnace, to which, however, the addition of these
devices will still constitute a supplementary source of heat
In order that the said invention may be readily understood I have illustrated in
the accompanying drawings, by way of example, different views of a cell arranged
according to the said invention, and also the application of such cells to a stove or
calorifere.
Figure 1 represents an elevation of one side of a complete cell made according to
the said invention.
Figure 2 represents an elevation of the other side of the same, and.
Figure 3 represents a vertical section of the same.
Figures 4 and 5 show views of two sides of the positive plate of a cell
Figure 6 shows in vertical section part of the apparatus for feeding or supplying
the melted nitrate to the cells.
Figure 7 is a sectional view representing in detail one of the regulating valves
of the feeding apparatus.
Figure 8 is a vertical section showing the application of an apparatus of one
hundred cells to an ordinary stove.
Figure 9 represents a section of the same on the line 3, 4, Figure 8.
Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the whole apparatus
The remaining figures will be hereinafter referred to.
Each cell (Figures 1 to 5) is composed of a plate or piece of cast iron a provided
with hooks b to allow of its suspension from the rod c from which it is suitably
insulated. This plate constitutes the positive electrode of the cell and has at its
upper part a sort of trough d into which the melted nitrate flows as hereinafter
described. In this trough d is fitted an overflow pipe e the upper end of which is
about one millimetre below the level of the edge f of the side of the trough. The
level of the nitrate is thus maintained constant at about one millimetre below the
said edge, but the nitrate in igneous fusion moistens the metal and ascends its
surface, as oil does upon a piece of paper, and the result is, that the nitrate spreads
itself in a thin sheet upon the positive plate a. This plate is enveloped in a sort
of casing g of asbestos millboard or other suitable material covered by a cast iron
frame h, made in two pieces joined by means of the lugs i and bar j; to one
extremity of this bar (as shown in Figures 1. 2 and 3) is fixed the negative
conductor k, which is connected to the positive pole of the succeeding cell. This
pole is formed by a hook which forms a part of the positive plate a as shown in
Figures 1, 3 and 4 and which bears upon a second rod m, thus firmly securing the
cell in the desired position.
The nitrate which flows on to the positive plate a passes through the asbestos
millboard g to the exterior and comes into contact with the fuel in the furnace
in which the cell is placed. The cells are arranged in rows vertically and hori-
zontally and the circulation of the nitrate takes place in the following thanner,
that is to say-One or more conduits n are arranged above all the series of cells
and receive the melted nitrate from a common reservoir o (Figure 8) the flow of
the nitrate takes place by means of apertures or nozzles p fitted to or cast upon
the conduit or conduits n and is regulated by valves r with screw-threaded rods s,
which valves are operated by thumb-nuts t (Figures 7 and 10) or by other suitable
means. These valves can, moreover be replaced by any suitable arrangement
of cocks or other regulating valves. The melted nitrate flowing through the
apertures or nozzles 2 is conducted by the tubes q into the troughs d as shown in
Figure 6, of the first horizontal row of cells, whence the tubes e conduct the excess
into the cells of the row immediately below and so on
The flow is regulated in such a manner that from time to time a drop of nitrate

page_text: falls by the tubes of the lower row of cells into troughs arranged below the
apparatus to receive it; sufficient circulation is thus ensured. The chemical
action which takes place in the cell arranged as above described is as follows, that
is to say, the nitrate of potash (if such material be employed) by passing through
to the exterior of the asbestos covering, comes into contact with the fuel in the
furnace and is there decomposed, its oxygen combines with the coal or carbon and
gives carbonic acid which combines in its turn with the potash and forms carbonate
of potash, which being formed on the outside of the cell finally mixes with the
ashes and other solid products of combustion
From this chemical action results the electric current which is always in
proportion to the chemical action and which continues regularly as long as the
nitrate is supplied and the coals in the furnace are incandescent.
The generator is, therefore, a kind of chemical battery operating by means of
heat and may be called a "thermo-chemical pile." This pile does not convert the
heat into electricity, thereby using up a large proportion of the heat, like the
thermo-electric piles or like dynamic machines; but it produces both simultaneously,
without the production of one injuriously affecting that of the other, and thus
economically solves the problem of the conversion of natural forces.
In order to utilize as inuch as possible the combustion of the coal and the gases
in furnaces, the form, dimensions and arrangement of the said cells may be varied
according to circumstances, and to the kind of furnace or stove (domestic or
otherwise) to which they are to be applied.
In figures 8. 9 and 10, are represented one hundred cells applied to an ordinary
calorifere of say one metre and twenty centimetres in height and sixty centimetres
wide; these cells are arranged in series of twenty five each upon two movable
shutters or doors whilst twenty five double cells v each corresponding to two
single cells are placed in the centre of the stove which is supplied with fuel through
the apertures x. The cups or troughs y receive the overflow of the nitrate from
the cells. These cells can, moreover, be arranged in quantity or in tension, as
desired; the terminals w receive the conductors z of the external circuit, and 2¹ is
a galvanometer for indicating the variations of intensity of the current.
The arrangement of this apparatus, which will be readily understood on reference
to Figures 8. 9 and 10, is only given by way of example, as different arrange-
ments can be employed according to the kind of furnace and the conditions to be
fulfilled in each particular case.
In order to obtain the best electric and calorific yield from the aforesaid bricks
or blocks I prefer to manufacture them in the following manner that is to say :-
I employ for each brick or block of about fifteen centimetres long thirty five milli-
metres wide and twenty five millimetres thick about one hundred grammes of
coal dust, agglomerated either by means of molasses, coal tar or pitch.
The paste
thus obtained is strongly compressed, either cold or heated by steam at one hundred
degrees centigrade in cast iron moulds, in which have been previously arranged
fine wires of copper, brass or other good conducting material, which are thus
enclosed in the carbon compound with their extremities projecting therefrom at one
end to constitute the negative pole. The mould which I employ is constructed in
such a manner that the bricks or blocks are perforated with a number of holes
designed to facilitate the combustion and increase the points of contact of the coal
or carbon with the nitrate. It has, moreover, on its upper face, a rectangular
depression of say fifteen millimetres in depth, divided into compartments more or
less numerous by transverse partitions of carbon formed during the moulding.
These compartments are lined throughout with a thin sheet of asbestos paper or
other insulating, refractory, and porous material, to separate the carbon from the
mixture of nitrate and ashes. This mixture effected during the igneous fusion of
the nitrate of soda (or other nitrate) in the proportion of three parts of ashes to
one part of nitrate, is poured, in a very hot and sirupy state, into the aforesaid
depression, which is capable of containing one hundred grammes, of which seventy
five grammes will be ashes and twenty five grammes nitrate, The brick or block

page_text: is then completely enveloped in a sheet of asbestos paper of from three to four
tenths of a millimetre in thickness.
These electric generating bricks or blocks burn slowly, giving out beat and
generating electricity of equal intensity to that generated by a "Leclanché" cell,
for about two hours.
In order that the said bricks or blocks and their arrangement may be readily
understood one of them is represented in the accompanying drawings by way of a
specimen.
Figure 11 is a plan of the brick or block as it comes from the mould, its upper
face being covered with a thin sheet of asbestos paper.
a represents the partitions separating the compartments or chambers b.
Figure 12 is a plan of the underside of the brick or block as it comes from the
mould, p. p, represent small pipes or conduits which pass through the brick or
block as far as the asbestos paper on the upper face, which is not perforated.
Figure 13 represents a longitudinal section on the line 1. 2 Figure 12, of the
completed brick or block. a represent the partitions, b the compartments are
chambers, c the agglomerated coal or carbon, n the mixture of nitrate and ashes or
other substance fulfilling the same conditions, e the sheet of asbestos lining the
compartments or chambers, d the asbestos paper enveloping the completed brick
or block, P the positive pole uniting the wires embedded in the nitrate, N the
negative pole uniting the wires / incorporated in the coal or carbon c, and p the
conduits or pipes in the coal or carbon.
Figure 14 represents a transverse section on the line 3, 4, Figure 11, of the
completed brick or block. The reference letters apply to the same parts as in
Figure 13.
Figure 15 represents a perspective view of a completed brick or block.
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
foreign Correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim
First The electric bricks, blocks, or candles composed of agglomerated coal-dust
or the like and a layer of nitrate, these two elements containing wires whose ends
project from the said bricks or blocks and which serve as conductors, substantially
as, and for the purpose, set forth
Second. The electric cell arranged substantially as described with reference to
Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, and operating within a furnace or stove by the
circulation of melted nitrate.
Third. The means for supplying the melted nitrate to the electric generating
apparatus substantially as described with reference to Figures 6 to 10 of the
drawings and for the purpose specified.
Fourth. The general arrangement of the electric generating apparatus containing
any number of cells, substantially as described with reference to Figures 8. 9. and 10
of the drawings and for the purpose specified.
Fifth The electric bricks or blocks formed by moulding agglomerated coal dust,
containing conductors, and having holes and compartments or chambers separated
by partitions and filled with a mixture of nitrate and ashes separated from the coal
by insulating material such as asbestos paper, the whole being enveloped in asbestos
millboard or other suitable substance and operating substantially as described with
reference to figures 11 to 15 of the drawings and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this sixth day of March in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.