IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GALVANIC AND MAGNETO-ELECTRIC CURRENTS, AND IN MACHINERY EMPLOYED IN MAKING SOME OF THE APPA- RATUSES
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Isac Louis Pulverinacher, of Oxford Street, in the
County of Middlesex, Electrician, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GALVANIC AND MAGNETO-ELECTRIC
CURRENTS, AND IN MACHINERY EMPLOYED IN MAKING SOME OF THE APPA-
RATUSES."
Scaled the 22nd April 1862, and dated the 23rd October 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Isac Louis Pulvermacher
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
23rd October 1861.
I, ISAC LOUIS PULVERMACHER, of Oxford Street, in the County of Middlesex,
Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GALVANIC AND MAGNETO-ELECTRIC
CURRENTS. AND IN MACHINERY EMPLOYED IN MAKING SOME OF THE APPARATUSES," to
be as follows:-
I construct what I term an atmospheric flexible battery for the production
of galvanic currents as follows:-Metal wires of an electro-motoric action (say,
zinc and copper wire) are wound in parallel flat spirals round a flexible band
of textile fabric or any other suitable flexible material by mechanical means
hereafter described. For preventing metallic contact between the zinc and
copper wires, either or both of these is or are first covered with a thread of
cotton, wool, or other fibre wound round the wire in distant spirals, so that
Price 8d.]

page_text: about two-thirds of the metal remain uncovered. This metallic flexible band
thus representing a galvanic element when excited by an exciting fluid will
produce a constant current of a quantity proportionate to the surface of the
whole wires. For keeping up a constant supply of the exciting fluid, I fasten
throughout the whole length of this metallic band a capillary tube; this is
made of a strip of india-rubber doubled in the centre longitudinally, with a
strip of textile fabric, flannel, or the like sewn between the two edges, leaving
a space free in the centre of the india-rubber, thus forming a flat pipe; one
end of the latter is closed whilst the other end is in communication with a
reservoir containing the exciting fluid; the flannel being in contact with the
entire length of one edge of the flexible element, and the latter being rolled
up in a spiral form and placed in a low open vessel, it will be easily under-
stood that the least pressure will cause the exciting liquid to pass by the
capillary attraction of the flannel, keeping up a uniform slow supply of the
exciting liquid throughout the whole length of the galvanic band. For trans-
forming this single galvanic element into a voltaic pile of numerous smaller
elements, I solder with tin, soldering the zinc with the copper wire at equal
distances throughout in the same order; and I divide the copper wire on one
side of the soldering, and the zinc wire on the other side of the soldering, so
that the only remaining metallic contact is that of the zinc belonging to one
element with the copper belonging to the next following element; further I
impregnate the part where the elements are divided with a waterproof varnish
in order to counteract at this part only the capillary action of the flannel, the
band, and the wire, and to insulate thus the elements from each other as much
as possible.
I construct what I term a polarisation battery for the production of galvanic
currents by a mechanical process hereafter stated. I wind densely in close
flat helices over two cords kept at a certain distance from each other thick
threads, which after being stiffened by being passed through a varnish, are
helically covered with thin platinum wires, which latter are chemically
covered with a coat of porous platinum. By the same mechanical process
narrow tapes are wound simultaneously over these helices, and again over
these tapes are wound similar threads covered with platinized platinum wires
in the form of close flat helices, the layer of tapes preventing the contact
between the platinum of the interior threads and the platinum of the exterior
threads. By a gentle pressure the whole forms a compact body representing
a flat tube; on one edge of this tube is fastened a capillary india-rubber tube
in communication with a reservoir similar to that described above, for the
supply of the conducting liquid with which the layer of tapes is to be kept

page_text: moistened. By introducing in the interior of this tube a constant supply of
hydrogen gas, and by forming a galvanic circle with the two ends of the
interior and exterior platinum wires, a galvanic current is produced by the
polarising effect of the hydrogen gas inside, and the oxygen of the atmospheric
air outside on these platinum wires.
.
.
Many other gases or liquids may be applied either inside or outside the
tube for obtaining a cheap and powerful current, accompanied by the.com-
bination of valuable chemical products. To give intensity to this galvanic
current, I transform this polarization element into a voltaic pile, by dividing
the inner and outer platinum wires at equal distances, and by bringing in per-
manent metallic contact the ends of the inner platinum wire belonging to one
element with the ends of the outer platinum wire belonging to the next follow-
ing element, and so on.
I now proceed to describe the machinery I employ for manufacturing the
batteries before described. In the centre of a hollow axle capable of receiving
a revolving motion, are placed two flat steel plates fixed on the back part of the
frame in such manner that their free ends advance in front of the hollow axle,.
and that the flexible band on which the zinc and copper wire is to be spun can
be passed between them. The hollow axle is provided with a disc, on which are
placed two bobbins holding the wires for spinning, say, zinc and copper; two
guides are also placed on the disc close to the advancing steel plates, which
keep the wire in its proper position. The bands being broader than the steel
plates, the operation of winding the zinc and copper wires in spirals parallel to
each other over both steel plates and band, bends the latter over the edges of
the former, so that the spirals receive the shape of the steel plates. The
regularity of the spirals is obtained by passing the end of the spun band
between two soft surface cylinders, put in slow revolving motion by means
toothed gear with the quicker motion of the hollow axle, which corresponds
with the space required by the two wires, zinc and copper. As soon as the
hollow axle is made to revolve, and with it the cylinders, the band, with the
wires is simultaneously drawn forward with such regularity that new spirals of
zinc and copper wire become wound parallel to each other in the place of
those which have been drawn off by the advancing band. I apply this spinning
machine also for manufacturing flat tubes composed of threads and wires for
electro-motive purposes. In this case I make the above-mentioned steel
plates of a thickness which corresponds with the hollow of the tube. These
steel plates are provided on the two edges with grooves for holding and
guiding the cords above mentioned, on which I wind the helices or spirals
during the process of spinning.
of

page_text: Lastly, my Invention consists in the construction of a centrifugal magnetic
machine for the production of magneto-electric currents. It is well known
that the maximum of inductive power of a magneto-electric machine is
obtained by passing the poles of the inductive coils close to the indicating
magnets, yet the latter have always been placed at a certain distance from the
former for facilitating the movement of the first revolutions; I apply the cen-
trifugal power of two weights attached to the inductive coils, which are made
movable in a longitudinal as well as in a rotatory direction, in such manner
that an increased rapidity of rotation causes the poles of soft iron to approach
closely to the inducting magnets, thus overcoming the force of a spring which
presses the axle and the coils away from the magnet as the rapidity of the
rotation decreases. This arrangement permits the machine to be put in
motion with the greatest ease, although the soft iron poles come in momentary
contact with the inducting magnet when in full action, and the result is a
much stronger current than can be obtained by the old arrangement, and that
the machine can be put in action by the to-and-fro movement produced by the
foot.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Isac Louis Pulvermacher in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 23rd April 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ISAC
LOUIS PULVERMACHER, of Oxford Street, in the County of Middlesex, Elec-
trician, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fifth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Isac Louis Pulvermacher, Her special licence that I, the said Isac Louis
Pulvermacher, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said Isac Louis Pulvermacher, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IN-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GALVANIC AND MAGNETO
ELECTRIC CURRENTS, AND IN MACHINERY EMPLOYED IN MAKING SOME OF
THE

page_text: APPARATUSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Isac Louis
Pulvermacher, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Isac Louis Pulvermacher, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto
annexed, that is to say:-
I construct what I term an atmospheric flexible battery for the production
of galvanic currents in the following manner, and as shewn in the accom-
panying Drawings:-Metal wires of an electro-motoric action (say, zinc z and
copper wire c) are wound in parallel flat spirals, as shewn in side view at
Figure 1, and in vertical section at Figure 2, round a flexible band or fibrous
web or fabric a by mechanical means, and hereafter denominated "galvano-
piline." For preventing metallic contact between the zinc and copper wires,
either or both of these is or are first covered with a thread of cotton, wool, or
other fibre wound round the wire in distant spirals, so that about two-thirds of
the metal remain uncovered. The fibres are wound closer together at the
edges, as shewn at b, b, for preventing communication or contact between the
edges of the wires. This metallic flexible band or galvano-piline, thus repre-
senting a galvanic element, when passed through an exciting fluid will
produce a current of a quantity proportionate to the surface of the whole
wires. For keeping up a constant supply of the exciting fluid, I fasten
throughout the whole length of this metallic band a capillary tube. This is
made of a strip of india-rubber doubled in the centre longitudinally, with a
strip of textile fabric, flannel, or the like, sewn between the two edges, leaving
a space free in the centre of the india-rubber, thus forming a flat pipe; one end
of the latter is closed, while the other end is in communication with a reser-
voir containing the exciting fluid.
Another method of self-supplying the battery with an exciting fluid is
obtained by taking the fibrous web a' double, and as it is shewn in the section
Figure 2, and forming at one edge thereof a passage v, through which the
exciting fluid is led, and is free to flow between the wires. This passage >> is
formed during the manufacture of the galvano-piline by inserting a mandril at
one end, round which the wires are wound and pressed into a somewhat

page_text: compact form. This passage is brought into communication with the reservoir
c, Figure 7, by means of an india-rubber or other flexible tube d, extending
inside the reservoir to near the bottom thereof, and connected to the tube in
the galvano-piline fabric, whereby exciting fluid is supplied from the reservoir
to the fabric; e is a mouthpiece provided with a tap f, for admitting the
exciting fluid and compressed air into the reservoir c; g is a lever or spring.
which in its normal position closes the passage, and prevents the exciting fluid
from passing from the reservoir to the fabric; but when it is pressed outwards
the passage is opened, and the liquid allowed to flow until the spring or lever
is again released. The pressure of the atmospheric air on the liquid causes
the latter so soon as the passage is open to flow. Figure 3 is a perspective
view, and Figure 4 a plan, of a battery made of this galvano-piline fabric
wound spirally, and placed in a low open vessel t; r, r, are india-rubber rings
for maintaining the coils of fabrics together. The coils of the battery are pre-
vented from coming in contact with one another by a strip of gutta percha or
other insulating material t¹, having. ribs s, s, on them, as shown in plan and
edge views respectively at Figures 5 and 6. The ribs are intended to afford
a passage for the air between the coils, so that the air as it circulates between
the coils may act thereon. These strips of india-rubber are shown also at
Figures 3 and 4, where they are wound up with the fabric in a spiral form.
In Figure 3, the foot of the battery is formed by this india-rubber, and for this
purpose a portion of it sufficient to make the foot is made wider than the
other, as seen in Figure 5, and by this means the inner pole of the battery is
insulated from the outer pole. For transforming this single galvanic element
into a voltaic pile of numerous smaller elements, I solder with tin, soldering
the zinc with the copper wire at equal distances throughout, in the same order
as shewn at h, h, h, Figure 7, and I divide the copper wire on one side of the
soldering, and the zinc wire on the other side of the soldering, as shown at
i, i, i, Figure 7, so that the only remaining metallic contact is that of the
zinc belonging to one element, with the copper belonging to the next following
element; further, I impregnate the spirals where the elements are divided
with a waterproof varnish, or I incrust with sealing-wax in order to intercept
at this section only the capillary action, and thus to insulate the elements from
each other.
I construct what I term a polarization battery for the production of
galvanic currents. By a mechanical process, hereafter stated, I wind
densely in close flat helices over cords kept at a certain distance from each
other threads, which after being stiffened by being passed through a varnish,
are helically covered with thin platinum wires, which latter are chemically

page_text: covered with a coat of porous platinum. By the same mechanical process
narrow tapes are wound simultaneously over the helices, and again over these
tapes are wound similar threads covered with platinized platinum wires in the
form of close flat helices, the layer of tapes preventing the contact between
the platinum of the interior threads and the platinum of the exterior threads.
By a gentle pressure the whole forms a compact body representing a flat tube,
with as many channels as there are interstices between the cords. On one
edge of this tube is fastened a capillary india-rubber tube in communication
with a reservoir, similar to that described above, for the supply of the con-
ducting liquid with which the layer of tapes is to be kept moistened. By
introducing in the interior of this tube a constant supply of hydrogen gas, and
by forming a galvanic circle with the two ends of the interior and exterior
platinum wires, a galvanic current is produced by the polarizing effect of the
hydrogen gas inside, and the oxygen of the atmospheric air outside, on these
platinum wires. Many other gases or liquids may be applied either inside or
outside the tube for obtaining a cheap and powerful current accompanied by
the combination of valuable chemical products. To give intensity to this
galvanic current I transform this polarisation element into a voltaic pile by
dividing the inner and outer platinum wires at equal distances, and by bring-
ing in permanent metallic contact the ends of the inner platinum wire belong-
ing to one element with the ends of the outer platinum wire belonging to the
next following element, and so on.
I now proceed to describe the machinery I employ for manufacturing the
batteries before described. In the centre of a hollow axle, capable of receiving
a revolving motion, are placed two flat steel plates fixed on the back part of
the frame by means of holders, in such manner that their free ends project in
front of the hollow axle, and that the flexible band or tissue on which the zinc
and copper wires are to be wound can be passed between them. The hollow
axle is provided with a disc, on which are placed two bobbins holding the
wires for spinning, say, zinc and copper; two guides are also placed on the
disc close to the advancing steel plates, which keep the wire in its proper
position. The bands being broader than the steel plates, the operation of
winding the zinc and copper wires in spirals parallel to each other over both
steel plates and bands, bends the latter over the edges of the former, so that
the spirals receive the shape of the steel plates. The regularity of the spirals
is obtained by passing the end of the band between two soft surface cylinders,
put in slow revolving motion by means of toothed gear, with the quicker
motion of the hollow axle, which corresponds with the space required by the
two wires, zinc and copper. As soon as the hollow axle is made to revolve,

page_text: and with it the cylinders, the band with the wires is simultaneously drawn
forward with such regularity that new spirals of zinc and copper wire become
wound parallel to each other in the place of those which have been drawn off
by the advancing band. I apply this spinning machinery also for manu-
facturing flat tubes composed of threads and wires for electro-motive purposes.
In this case I make the above-mentioned steel plates of a thickness which
corresponds with the hollow of the tube. These steel plates are provided on
the two edges with grooves for holding and guiding the cords above mentioned,
on which I wind the helices or spirals during the process of spinning.
Lastly, my Invention consists in the construction of a centrifugal magnetic
machine for the production of magneto-electric currents. It is well known
that the maximum of inductive power of a magneto-electric machine is
obtained by passing the poles of the inductive coils close to the inducting
steel or fixed magnets, yet the latter have always been placed at a certain
distance from the former for facilitating the movement of the first revolutions.
I apply the centrifugal power of two weights attached to the inductive coils,
which are made movable in a longitudinal as well as in a rotary direction, in
such manner that an increased rapidity of rotation causes the poles of soft iron
to approach closely to the inducting magnets, thus overcoming the force of a
spring which presses the axle, and consequently the coils away from the
magnet as the rapidity of the rotation decreases. This arrangement permits
the machine to be put in motion with the greatest case, although the soft. iron
poles came in momentary contact with the inducting magnet when in full
action, and the result is a much stronger current than can be obtained by the
old arrangement, and that the machine can be put in action by the to-and-fro
movement produced by the foot.
Figure 8 is a side elevation, Figure 9 is a plan, and Figure 10 an end view,
of this centrifugal magnetic machine with the case in section. "
a is a shaft supported in standards a', and bored at one end for receiving
the rod b, as shown in dotted lines, and against which the point of the screw c
bears, while the rod b' is made in a piece with the rod a, and bears against a
spring d; e, e, are the inductive coils mounted on the horse-shoe magnets f, f;
g, g, are coils mounted on a soft iron flyer h; i, i, are weights for maintaining
and regulating the motion of the coils towards the magnets through the agency
of inclined planes j, j. These planes work in a slot formed in in the shaft a,
and are so arranged that as the centrifugal motion of the machine increases
they cause the rod a to move in a longitudinal direction, and the coils g, g, to
approach the magnets, and as the speed decreases the spring d presses against
the rod a, and brings the coils back to their normal position, at the same time

page_text: the springs k, k, bring back the weights i, i. Motion is communicated to the
machine from a treadle 1, which is hinged to the case, and acts as a cover or
lid to the same; m is a rod connected at one end by a ball-and-socket joint
to the treadle, and at the other by a universal joint to a crank on the toothed
wheel n, which is in gear with a pinion o on the shaft. Thus by pressing on
the treadle it will be observed that a quick rotary motion is imparted to the
shaft a, which is transmitted to the inductive coils g, g, through the weights
and inclined planes; p is a spring pressing against the under side of the
treadle or lid for raising and keeping it so until depressed by the foot of the
operator, or otherwise; q, q, q', q', are springs fastened to the foot of the
machine, and in communication with the buttons r, r; these springs act
against the commutator or pole changer, which is in communication by wires
with the inductive coils g, g, and thereby transmit the current during the
motion of the machine. I have described this part of my Invention only as
applied to one set of inductive coils; but I do not limit myself to one, as with
slight modifications a series of inductive coils and magnets may be employed,
each set having a longitudinal as well as a centrifugal motion imparted to
them, all as herein-before described with reference to one set. The power of
the current is regulated by means of the screws c and z.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,-
First, the combination of electro positive and negative metals with textile
fabrics or fibrous materials, in order to produce flexible single liquid galvanic
batteries, in such manner that the atmospheric air has access to the metals
simultaneously with the exciting liquid, substantially in manner herein-before
described.
Second, the method of combining and arranging such elements or batteries
into a voltaic pile so that contact between dissimilar metals is always perfect,
and so that the moistened elements are well insulated from each other, as
herein-before described.
Third, the combination of platinised platinum wires with textile materials
for the manufacture of flexible polarization batteries, set in action by liquids
or gases, in such manner that the coils of the platinum wires form a tube,
which receives at the inside one kind, and the outside another kind of electric
polarization. Also the mode of forming a volaic pile from such elements, all
as herein-before described.
Fourth, the mechanical arrangements described for winding metal wires of
any thickness on flexible fibrous materials or fabrics, single, double, or hollow,
in order to obtain regular galvanic elements, as herein-before described.

page_text: Fifth, the employment of centrifugal governors in magneto-electric machines,
made to act substantially in manner herein-before described and illustrated in
the accompanying Drawings.
And, sixth, the construction of magneto-electric machines made to act
substantially in manner herein-before described and illustrated in the accom-
panying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Isac Louis Pulvermacher, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of April, One thousand
eight hundred and sixty-two.
I. L. PULVERMACHER. (L.S.)

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