same to Electric Lighting and other Uses.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 12th July, 1886.
Complete Left, 12th Apr., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 20th May, 1887.
the same to Electric Lighting and other Uses.
We, ALFRED RENÉ UPWARD, Electrical Engineer of 10 Talgarth Road West
Kensington and CHARLES WILLIAM PRIDHAM Physician of 10 Cromwell Crescent
West Cromwell Road both in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in gas batteries and in the application
of the same to electric lighting and other uses.
In the Specifications of former Patents granted to us namely No. 15567 dated
26th November 1884, No. 7461 dated 18th June 1885, and No. 9302 dated 4th August
1885, batteries are described the cells of which are pervaded with chlorine gas;
the gas is supplied to them from columns in which it is stored.
and
According to our present invention we employ such battery cells supplied with gas
in like manner but the whole is arranged in a more convenient way than heretofore.
We use preferably but two or three gas cells and these of very largo dimensions.
Each cell is in close proximity to the base of a gas column or container with which
it is in communication by a passage of large dimensions. The gas simply gravitates
from the column into the cell. The cell is also provided with a stand pipe in which
the gas stands to the same height as in the column or gas container. There are glazed
sight holes in the stand pipe at which the gas level may be observed so that the column
may be filled as often as may be necessary.
Each cell has its own gas supply column or container which may be regarded as
forming a part of it.
The current from these cells is not employed directly for electric lighting (the
potential is insufficient to admit of this) but it is employed to charge secondary battery

page_text: cells. These cells to a sufficient number, are constantly connected in series in the
lighting circuit. Each secondary cell also is from time to time singly connected with
the gas battery the current from which serves to charge it. This is effected by a
clockwork or mechanism which if say twenty secondary cells be employed may close
the primary circuit through each for one hour out of the twenty four.
The clockwork may be driven by a weight controlled by a pendulum. The bob of
the pendulum should be readily adjustable on the stem. Or if preferred the clockwork
or mechanism may be controlled by a solenoid or equivalent instrument through which
the charging current flows causing the solenoid to suck in its core.
When the current decreases in consequence of the secondary cell being sufficiently
charged the core by the action of a spring connected with it is partially drawn out of
the solenoid coil and this either by closing a local circuit or otherwise causes a move-
ment of the clockwork or mechanism by which the contacts are changed; the charged
secondary cell is thus put out of the primary circuit and the next secondary cell
requiring to be charged is put into circuit.
.
The secondary cells are thus charged under advantageous circumstances the charging
current being large.
Similar arrangements are applicable where electricity is employed for other purposes
as for motive power or telegraphy.
Tail: oll 1
Ր TI
1000
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: same to Electric Lighting and other Uses.
We, ALFRED RENÉ UPWARD, Electrical Engineer, of 10 Talgarth Road, West
Kensington, and CHARLES WILLIAM PRIDHAM, Physician, of 10 Cromwell Crescent,
West Cromwell Road, both in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature
of this inv ention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object improvements in gas batteries and in the application
of the same to electric lighting and other uses.
In the specifications of former patents granted to us namely No. 15567 dated 26th
November 1884, No. 7461 dated 18th June 1885 and No. 9302 dated 4th August
1885 batteries are described the cells of which are pervaded with chlorine gas; and
the gas is supplied to them in columns in which it is stored.
According to our present invention we employ such battery cells supplied with gas
in like manner but the whole is arranged in a more convenient way than heretofore.
We use preferably but two or three gas cells and these of very large dimensions.
Each cell is in close proximity to the base of a gas column or container with which
it is in communication by a passage of large dimensions. The gas simply gravitates
or is sucked from the column into the cell. The cell is also provided with a stand
pipe in which the gas stands to the same height as in the column or gas container.
There are glazed sight holes in the stand pipe at which the gas level may be observed
so that the column may be filled as often as may be necessary..
Each cell has its own gas supply column or container which may be regarded as
forming a part of it, or the cells may be connected together the last being connected
to the gas container in this case the stand pipes may be omitted.
The current from these cells is not employed directly for electric lighting (the
potential is insufficient to admit of this) but it is employed to charge secondary battery
cells. These cells to a sufficient number, are constantly connected in series in the
lighting circuit. Each secondary cell also is from time to time singly connected with
the gas battery the current from which serves to charge it. This is effected by a
clockwork or mechanism which if say twenty secondary cells be employed may close
the primary circuit through each for one hour out of the twenty four.
The clockwork may be driven by a weight controlled by a pendulum. The bob of
the pendulum should be readily adjustable on the stem. Or if preferred the clockwork
or mechanism may be controlled by a solenoid or equivalent instrument through which
the charging current flows causing the solenoid to suck in its core.

page_text: When the current decreases in consequence of the secondary cell being sufficiently
charged the core by the action of a spring connected with it is partially drawn out of
the solenoid coil and this either by closing a local circuit or otherwise causes a
movement of the clockwork or mechanism by which the contacts are changed; the
charged secondary cell is thus put out of the primary circuit and the next secondary
cell requiring to be charged is put into circuit.
The secondary cells are thus charged under advantageous circumstances the charging
current being large.
Similar arrangements are applicable whore electricity is employed for other purposes
as for motive power or telegraphy.
Figure 1 illustrates the general arrangement of the apparatus. A is a tank
containing a supply of muriatic acid sufficient say for a month's consumption, and in
connection with this tank there is a gauge glass graduated to show the quantity of
acid required for each day's consumption. From the acid tank a pipe with a stop cock
upon it descends to the gas generator which is marked D. A measured quantity of
acid can thus be let into the generator simply by turning the cock. The gas produced
in the generator flows into the first of the battery cells marked C and passing through
this cell it enters the second cell marked D, and from: the cell D it goes to the columns
or gas containers EEEE. FF are the secondary batteries and G the clockwork
switch and coupling board.
Figure 2 is a vertical section to a larger scale of the generator in which chlorine
gas is produced by the action of peroxide of manganese on muriatic acid. It is a
cylindrical stoneware vessel a about 24 inches diameter and 10 inches deep, it is set
within an exterior vessel containing water or sand which is kept heated whilst the
generator is at work.
a¹ is a cover, a² is a water trap on the vessel a. A flange on the cover dips down
into it. On one side of the vessel a there is an enlargement extending beyond the
water trap as is indicated in Figure 2* it is closed at the top with the exception of two
sockets provided to receive connecting pipes. is a leaden pipe fixed into one of these
sockets and through it muriatic acid is supplied to the generator from time to time.
c is a pipe by which the gas is led away; it is fixed into the other socket mentioned
above. d is an inner perforated vessel of earthenware it may be of dimensions to
contain as much oxide of manganese as will be required for a month's work say a
hundred weight or more.
6 is a water pipe connected with the pipe b, it is used only when the apparatus has
to be replenished with oxide of manganese. e is a cock on a pipe leading from the
bottom of the vessel a into a drain below the ordinary drain trap so that no smell of
chlorine may pass back. The cock e is opened to run off the spent liquor before
admitting a fresh charge of muriatic acid.
The apparatus is cleared out when required to receive another charge of oxide of
manganese by opening the water tap on the pipe b' and also the cock e leading into
the drain. The residue is then washed out without smell and the vessel a is afterwards
opened.
The quantity of acid allowed to descend at one time should be sufficient to fill with
gas the cells C and D and to nearly fill the columns E but no more.
Our gas battery may be supplied with chlorine gas from any source but we prefer
to employ a generator such as is described above.
Figure 3 is a section, and
Figure 4 is a plan of the outer vessel of one of the cells C or D drawn about one
fourth of the actual size; it is an earthenware vessel of cylindrical forin and with
three sockets formed upon it, one near the bottom for the entrance of the gas and
another near the top on the opposite side for the gas to pass out of the cell and a third
for the drainage of the cell and to prevent liquid accumulating in it, and this socket is
close upon the bottom. Screw threads are cut within the sockets to facilitate the
making of gas tight joints with the connecting pipes. A piece of lead pipe is screwed
into the socket until a good thread is formed upon it. It is then warmed and smeared
with marine glue and it is screwed home, the socket also being hot.

page_text: In setting up the apparatus india rubber connectors may be used but the vessels
must not be moved after the gas has been in contact with the rubber. The drainage
pipe dips down into a tronghi and is so sealed.
In charging the cell a layer of broken carbon to the depth of abont an inch is laid
over the bottom and on this five cylindrical cells of porous earthenware, each eight
inches in diameter and fourteen inches high, are arranged round in a circle at some
distance in from the circumference of the outer vessel. In each porous cell a zinc
plate or cylinder is placed, the plate (if a plate be employed) being as large as is
consistent with its conveniently entering the porous cell. Between each porous cell
and the next two carbon plates are placed, then broken carbon is packed in around
them so as to fill the outer vessel nearly to the top. The arrangement of the porous
cells and battery elements is indicated in Figure 3. Cement is applied over the top
of the broken carbon to close the cell air tight and care is taken to make good joints
against the sides of the outer vessel, and around the sides of each of the cylindrical
porous cells which project about half an inch through the cement. The carbons also
project up through the cement and care has to be taken to make a good joint around
these also.
The cement which we prefer to employ is marine glue-the marine glue is poured
into the cell which it is required to close. The surfaces to which the cement is
required to adhere should be quite dry and rough. The joint is finished by carefully
remelting the surface of the cement with a blow pipe flame or in other convenient
manner.
We make the connections of the cell with ordinary clamps. We prefer to insert a
strip of platinum between the carbon element and the surface of the clamp, thereby
we prevent corrosion at the points of contact.
In this way all the carbons of the cell are connected together, so also are all the
zines. The cells employed are coupled together in series to form a battery with the
required number of elements, two or three we generally employ. Two is sufficient
for a small domestic incandescent lamp installation. For telegraphic use also such an
arrangement is suitable. Where more is required we usually duplicate the apparatus
rather than increase the dimensions.
In setting the cells to work the crushed carbon should be thoroughly moistened and
the porous cells should be charged with chloride of zinc solution specific gravity 1.2.
During working water should be supplied to the porous cells from time to time to
make good evaporation and if the specific gravity of the liquid in them rises to 1.4
some of it should be removed and water added in its place.
The gas columns or receivers of which we usually employ four to supply two gas
battery cells, consist of earthenware pipes nine inches internal diameter and of a
convenient length, say a little over two feet, so that if there be four pipes in each
column the height of the column is eight feet six or thereabout. The terminal pipes
have closed ends with small side sockets for making the connections. The pipes are
well glazed on the inside and they are put together with gas tight joints made with
pitch and marine glue.
The columns are well painted with tar paint. The columns are fitted with pipes
serving to connect the top of one column with the bottom of another. In like manner
at one end of the series a connection is made with the battery cell and at the other
with the outer air. A glass globe or vessel is introduced in the course of the outlet
pipe.
In working the battery no gas should escape from this outlet but if it should do so
it can be at once seen and recognized by its color in the glass vessel. Also in the
pipes connecting one column with another glass vessels whitened at the back are
introduced in which the charge of gas can be seen. Fy the inspection of these vessels
it is easy at any time to ascertain approximately how much gas remains in storc.
It is preferred to lead the outlet pipe from the coluinns into the drain beyond the
trap.
To prevent foul gas from the drain passing back into the columns we provide two
glass or other vessels forming part of the outlet channel. In the vessel next the drain

page_text: the outlet pipe dips down so that its mouth is just covered with water.
This opposes
scarcely any resistance to the outward flow but when the tendency is to return the
water mounts in the pipe and prevents gas passing.
The vessels next the column at this time serves to admit air; it contains a short
vertical pipe open at one end to the air and with its lower end just dipping into
water in the vessel. When the tendency is outwards water mounts in the pipe and
stops the gas; but when inwards the water opposes scarcely any resistance to the
entrance of air.
As soon as the proper quantity of acid is let down from the acid tank into the
generator the liberation of chlorine gas will commence and the gas will pass from the
generator into the lower part of the cell C sweeping before it the air contained therein.
The gas similarly passes on from C to D and from D to E, the displaced air escaping
from the outlet at the upper part of the last column of the series. The gas fills first
one column or container and then the next and so on until the last is nearly full and
the charge of acid admitted is then expended afterwards. As the battery operates gas
is absorbed in the cells and the gas columns return the gas into the colls as already
explained.
The
The requisite potential in the electric light circuit (or it may be the telegraphic
circuit or a circuit containing electro motors) is maintained solely by the secondary
cells. For incandescent lamps in a domestic installation we generally employ ten
secondary cells each measuring twelve inches in length by eight inches in depth and
four inches in breadth. Any efficient secondary cells may be employed.
secondary cells are coupled by means of a series of mercury cups arranged on a board.
On the same board two long mercury cups or troughs are provided and these are
connected with the terminals of the gas battery. A series of forks is also provided
one fork for cach secondary cell and each fork consists of two limbs or prongs
insulated the one from the other. The forks are all mounted on a separate spindle or
axis and the limbs dip at one end into the two mercury troughs; these they never
leave so that the two prongs of each fork are in effect terminals of the gas battery.
The forks are held up by springs with their free extremities over the mercury cups.
When the primary battery is to be applied to a cell of the secondary battery the
corresponding fork is depressed until its ends dip into the two cups which are coupled
with the terminals of the said secondary cell. This is done by means of a cylinder or
drum having studs on its periphery which as the cylinder revolves acts in turn beneath
one end of each fork raising this end and depressing the other end.
If eight secondary cells be employed there are eight studs on the surface of the
cylinder and they are arranged spirally around it so that no two forks are acted upon
at the same time. When a fork is depressed the secondary battery cell to which this
fork belongs is in the circuit of the gas battery. The cylinder or drum has upon its
axis a ratchet wheel with half the number of teeth upon it that there are studs (say
four). A spring or weight tends to rotate the drum but an anchor escapement
engaging with the ratchet teeth prevents it from doing so except at suitable times;
then the anchor releases the drum allowing it to move one step, equal to one eighth of
a revolution. The escapement anchor is controlled by a clock which slowly rocks it
to and fro by means of a connecting rod and a crank on its hour axis so that the
escapement anchor passes the teeth of the ratchet at proper intervals of time, such as
to insure the proper charging of the secondary cells in rotation.
Figure 5 is a front elevation, figure 6 a plan, figure 7 a transverse section on the
line XX figure 5, and figure 8 an end elevation of the drum of the coupling board G
(figure 1).
a a are mercury cups for coupling the secondary cells. The mercury in each cup is
connected to a wire coming from between each pair of secondary cells as is clearly
shown in figure 1. 66 are long troughs containing mercury which is connected with
the terminals of the gas battery by wires shown in figure 1. cc are forks mounted on
the axis d, they consist of two limbs (one longer than the other) which are bent
downwards so that one always dips into the trough band the other into the trough b'.
The other ends of each limb are also bent downwards but are prevented by the

page_text: springs e from dipping into the cups a unless they are depressed by one of the studs f
on the drum 9. is a ratchet wheel on the drum g-it has upon it four ratchet teeth
or pins h. is an escapement anchor pivoted at, which is slowly rocked to and fro
by the connecting rod to the crank m on a clock axis m¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we claim is :-
1. A battery in which the cells are closed air tight and the carbon elements are
surrounded with chlorine gas and so arranged that the air is first expelled from the
cells by the passage of gas through them and that afterwards gas flowing from a gas
column or container supplies the void resulting from absorption taking place in the
cells substantially as described.
2. The combination of a battery in which the carbon elements are surrounded by
chlorine gas; a secondary battery; and an electric lighting or other service circuit ;
the secondary battery supplying the service circuit and the gas battery, being of lower
potential than the secondary battery, charging its cells successively substantially as
described.
3. The combination of a lighting or other service circuit including a secondary
battery; another circuit including a gas battery having carbon elements surrounded
by chlorine gas; and a clockwork mechanism closing the circuit of the gas battery
through a cell of the secondary battery and changing the contacts at intervals so that
secondary cells are successively charged by the gas battery substantially as described.
4. The combination of a lighting or other service circuit including a secondary
battery connected in series and a primary battery which successively charges the cells
of the secondary battery substantially as described.
5. The combination of gas battery cells; gas generator, and gas columns or
containers substantially as described in respect to Figure 1 of the annexed drawings.
6. In combination with a gas battery, the gas generating apparatus substantially as
described.
7. The use of a solenoid in the apparatus for successively charging the secondary
cells substantially as described.
8. The apparatus for successively charging the secondary cells substantially as
described and shewn in figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings.
101
1
1 1007
Datod
1011
1007
HOOT widez 10 fon no
ALFRED RÉNÉ UPWARD.
CHARLES WILLIAM PRIDHAM.
ALFRED RÉNÉ UPWARD.
CHARLES WILLIAM PRIDHAM.