IMPROVEMENTS IN GALVANIC BATTERIES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Henry Simons of 37 Railton Road Brixton in
the County of Surrey Electrical Engineer for an invention of IMPROVEMENTS
IN GALVANIC BATTERIES
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Henry Simons at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th May 1882.
RICHARD HENRY SIMONS of 37, Railton Road Brixton Electrical Engineer
"IMPROVEMENTS IN GALVANIC BATTERIES"
This Invention relates to improvements in galvanic batteries and has for its
object to secure far greater constancy combined with increased intensity in such
batteries than has hitherto been practicable
Such improvements consist in using cylindrical square or flat plates of graphite
together with zinc iron or other suitable metal and two or more fluids to excite the
said plates
I also employ a cylindrical or square porous cell wherein I place the graphite
and well pack such cell with broken portions of the same material
I then place the porous cell so supplied in an outer cell or jar of a corresponding
shape and surround the porous cell with a spiral plate of zinc iron or other suitable
metal while in order to secure a complete connection I fasten the said plates firmly
together by clamps or other mechanical appliances
I saturate the graphite in the porous or neutral cell with a combination of
alkalies and acids in solution and immerse the spiral metal plate in a solution
composed of one or more silicates in combination with dilute acid or I alternate
with a solution of neutral salts

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Richard Henry Simons in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
15th November 1882.
RICHARD HENRY SIMONS of 37 Railton Road, Brixton, in the County of Surrey
Electrical Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN GALVANIC BATTERIES
"
This Invention relates to improvements in Galvanic Batteries and has for its
object to obtain far greater constancy, combined with increased intensity in such
batteries than has hitherto been practicable
My improvements consist in using suitably shaped plates of graphite or carbon
in combination with either zinc, iron, lead, or any other suitable metal and two or
more fluids to excite the said plates whereby I obtain the spontaneous and
continuous generation of electricity.
In order to carry out such improvements I proceed as follows:-
--
I take a cylindrical or square porous cell and place therein a piece of graphite
or carbon of either a cylindrical square or flat shape as most convenient after
which I well pack such cell with broken portions of the saine material. I then
place such porous cell in an outer cell of corresponding shape and surround such
porous cell with cylindrical spiral or flat plates of zinc, iron, lead or other suitable
metal
Or I place the zinc in a cylindrical square or flat porous cell and the graphite or
carbon in an outer cell or earthen jar of a corresponding shape and surround the
porous cell with plates of graphite or carbon and well pack such cell with broken
pieces of the same material
In order to obtain complete connection and thus secure both continuity and
intensity 1 fasten the said spiral and flat plates of zinc and carbon or carbon and
zinc firmly together alternately with single or double clamps or binding screws
preferably double clamps or binding screws whereby I obviate leakage and obtain
increased continuity and intensity
By this improved arrangement I have alternately zinc in porous cell and
graphite or carbon in outer cell;-then zinc in outer cell and graphite or carbon
in porous cell
I then saturate the graphite or carbon in the porous or neutral cell with a
combination of alkalies and acids in solution consisting of about 1/10th of lithia and
potash and / of permanganate and hydrofluate acid
I then immerse the metal plates in a solution of one or more silicates such as
silicate of potash, sulphate of soda or chloride of sodium, or with muriate of soda
and sulphur with salts of ammonia; (by preference chloride of sodium with
sulphur because of its instantaneous ignition,)-in combination with dilute man-
ganic permanganic or hydrofluate acid in the proportions of about 1/10th of silicate
to 1/5th of acid.
Or I may use a solution of potash with protoxide of sodium or other natural
salts in the proportions of about 5 parts of potash to 5 parts of protoxide of
sodium; diluted in about 10 parts water.
Galvanic batteries constructed and arranged upon my improved principles possess
a continuity far exceeding that of any other galvanic battery now in use.
Such continuity may be rendered indefinite by simply reinforcing such of the
cells of the battery as may from time to time indicate any diminution in power.
They also possess greater intensity than other galvanic batteries.
Owing to these essential and important advantages my improved galvanic battery
is particularly adapted not only for the production of light by incandescent and

page_text: other lamps; but also for the creation of motive power for driving machinery and
other purposes by the spontaneous and continuous generation of electricity.
It is also well adapted for use for medical purposes and in all cases where a
continuous or intense current of electricity is requisite or desirable
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention of Improvements in galvanic batteries and the manner of carrying the
same into effect I would have it understood that what I claim as novel and of my
invention is
1stly The alternate arrangement and coupling together of zinc and carbon plates
substantially as herein before described
2ndly The packing the porous and outer cells and surrounding the same with
graphite or carbon or metal plates substantially in the manner hereinbefore
described
3rdly The employment of a double binding clamp or screw or double binding
clamps or screws for coupling galvanic batteries together
4thly The improved chemical treatment of the graphite or carbon plates and
also of the metal plates substantially as hereinbefore described
In Witness whereof I the said Richard Henry Simons have hereunto set my
hand and seal this fifteenth day of November in the year of Our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
R. H. SIMONS (L.S.)