Improved Galvanic Battery.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Apr., 1886.
Complete Left, 29th Jan., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 30th Apr., 1887.
Improved Galvanic Battery.
FREDERICK WOODWARD BRANSON Pharmaceutical Chemisi 14 Commercial Street
Leeds do hereby declare the nature of my invention for AN IMPROVED GALVANIC
CELL to be as follows
My invention relates to improvements in two fluid galvanic cells & has for its
object the reduction of local action in the same. This is obtained by the use of a
soluble salt of mercury preferably a sulphate (but other salts oxide nitrate, acetate,
chloride may be used) dissolved in dilute sulphuric acid as the exciting fluid in
the cell which contains the zinc, other acids than sulphuric may be used
c.g. Hydrochloric &c.
In that portion of the Battery which contains the carbon element or its equivalent
I prefer to use as a depolarizing liquid, a mixture obtained by treating either chromato
or Bichromate of Potash, Soda, or Calcium (Lime) with Sulphuric acid & water,
other acids such as Hydrochloric, Nitric &c may be used in lieu of Sulphuric acid.
I claim the use of a soluble salt of mercury dissolved in dilute sulphuric acid as
the exciting fluid for the negative element zinc when used in conjunction with a
solution of chromic acid or its equivalent i.e. the solution before mentioned or nitric
acid as a depolarizing agent for the positive element (carbon).

page_text: FREDERICK WOODWARD BRANSON Pharmaceutical Chemist 14 Commercial Street
Leeds 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 :-
My invention relates to the production of a primary battery which is capable of
prolonged work without the occurrence of polarization or local action. I take as in
the Bunsen Cell an outer containing vessel in section square circular oval or oblong
within which is placed a porous pot, circular or flat, in the latter is contained the acid
solution of mercury & the zinc element or its equivalent.
When a number of cells are used the zines are supported in one or more rows by 1
a frame which is raised or depressed by suitable mechanical means, an endless screw
actuating a cog wheel is to be preferred, the latter being rigidly attached to the
spindle to which is fixed the grooved rollers over which pass the chains which support
the frame to which the zines are attached.
The Carbons of each cell are immersed in the Chromic. solution & surround the
porous pot or pots, & if 3 in number are attached by means of screws to a triangular
metal frame, which latter rests on the containing vessel; if a flat porous cell be used
an oblong metal frame support is used with two parallel sides to which the carbons
are attached.
The carbons & zincs are joined in the usual way with flexible connections.
In some cases I reverse the position of the Carbon & zinc plates & place the
carbon element within the porous cell & the zinc plate in the outer compartment of
the Battery.
For the exciting fluid for the zinc element, I take Sulphate of Mercury Hg SO, or
Hg, SO, & the requisite quantity of Sulphuric Acid & Water. In place of the
sulphuric Acid, I sometimes prefer to use Hydrochloric Acid & in place of the
Sulphate any other soluble salt of mercury may be used e.g. Nitrate, Acetate, or
Perchloride.
In the preparation of the Depolarizing fluid I sometimes use in place of a solution
of Chromic & Sulphuric Acids in water, either Chromate or Bichromate of Soda
Potash or Lime treated with Sulphuric Acid (or Nitric Acid) & water, the essential

page_text: components are however the same as in the above mentioned solution viz. Chromic
Acid Sulphuric Acid (or Nitric) & water.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is be performed I declare that what I claim is:
Claim I. The combination of Battery & Fluids as here-in-before described.
Claim II. The use of diluted Sulphuric Acid in which Sulphate of Mercury Hg SO,
or Hg, SO, is dissolved as the exciting fluid for the Zine Element in a double fluid
galvanic cell, in which a mixture of Chromic & Sulphuric Acids with water is used
as the depolarizing agent.