Means for Constructing a Thermopile and for Utilising Solar Rays and other Energy for the Purpose of Generating, Transmitting, Storing, and Using Thermo-electricity.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 7th July, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 7th Apr., 1900--Accepted, 2nd June, 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Means for Constructing a Thermopile and for Utilising Solar Rays
and other Energy for the Purpose of Generating, Transmitting,
Storing, and Using Thermo-electricity.
We, ROBERT HARTY DUNN, of Overleigh Street, near Glastonbury, Somerset,
Inventor, and SAMUEL SIDNEY BROMHEAD, of 33, Cannon Street, London, E.C.,
Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The nature of our invention consists in the application of the principle that a
current of thermo-electricity may be advantageously generated and stored for
use by the impact or impingement of solar rays with or upon the alternate
junctions, or heating medium. of a properly constructed solar thermopile in
combination with an accumulator which we propose to call a heliopile, and in
the method or methods by which such application is made. It also consists in
utilising by means of the said heliopile, heat energy other than that derived from
the solar rays when the latter are not immediately or conveniently available, as
and when desirable; and also in utilising cold; for the purpose named.
:
The nature of the method by means of which, or the like, we apply these
principles, or construct a heliopile is briefly indicated as follows:-That is to
say, we make, as may be requisite for the purpose in view, a larger or smaller
series of angular or other junctions of dissimilar substances, preferably of a
metallic nature, such as tellurium and bismuth, or bismuth and antimony, or
nickel and iron, or the like, thus constituting in the first place, in principle an
ordinary thermopile, but in combination with other contrivances, and with the
differences as hereinafter described. First, the substances, be they metallic or non-
metallic, which constitute the thermopile or series of thermo-electric couplings,
are set or imbedded in a non-conducting, fire-proof or heat-resisting substance or
composition of suitable thickness, depth or diameter, only the upper or alternate
angular or other junctions, or thermo-piline points of contact, appearing at or
near the surface of this enveloping body of insulating matter; the lower or
alternate complementary junctions being (except in the modification hereof)
completely insulated thermically and electrically. This encasing non-conducting
container of the several thermo-electric couples may constitute either the whole
or part of a general or collective container, so as to form a wholly or partially
solid body of no great thickness whose upper and lower surfaces if placed.
horizontally or otherwise, are adapted to form a roof or part thereof; or, if placed
perpendicularly, may be used as a wall or side of an enclosed area. Assuming
the container to be utilised or applied as a roof, and that it is more convenient
to apply the sun's heat at the top than at the bottom of the insulated thermo-
pile, the upper or alternate junctions may be exposed at or near the surface of
the insulator or collective container, in a series of the shape, for instance, of an
expanding or diminishing circle, or square, or oblong, or other form, or in
continuous parallel lines, but eo as, and by which, a maximum of junctions
(and consequently a maximum of solar heat) may be obtained with and within a

page_text: minimum of insulating or containing surface. The two unjoined or unconnected
ends, termini, strips or plates of the series of thermo-piline junctions are united
outside of the container by an intervening conducting wire such as shall offer
the least or but little resistance to the thermo-electric current generated by the
impact or contact of the solar rays with the exposed alternate points of junction,
or upper angles of the thermo-electric couples; or produced otherwise, by radiant
energy other than that received direct from the sun. Second, the insulating
heat-proof material, or collective container, of the solar thermo-pile may be,
wholly or in part, transparent or opaque; but its thickness and arrangement,
while leaving the alternate or upper thermo-piline junctions adequately
exposed to the sun's rays, or to a medium heated thereby, are such as will adapt
it to provide material and place in which to advantageously adjust, set, or fix,
in the exposing. apertures, ou, over, or above each exposed junction constituting
the series, a coincident series of suitable converging mirrors or focussing glasses,
preferably double convex or burning lenses, for the purpose of concentrating
the heating power of radiant energy upon the exposed junctions, which are
sineared or blackened with lamp black or the like, or upon a heating medium
connected therewith. Third, the nature of the insulating material may be
described as non-conducting, both as regards electricity and heat, (the word heat
here including that degree of it called cold). Preferably it is a composition of
matter, being a compound of gutta-percha, or of india-rubber; with phosphuret
of nitrogen, in nearly equal proportions: there being more gutta-percha, or more
caoutchouc, than phosphuret, in the proportion of say 60 to 40 parts.
In certain cases a combination of soluble glass, powdered glass (or opal or the
like) and phosphuret of nitrogen will be useful. Or, as a modification, the
insulating substance may consist of nitrogenated gutta-percha, or india rubber,
or it may be a nitrogenated compound of soluble and powdered glass and quick
lime or the like. Fourth, the solar thermo-pile may be made to take the form
of a flat, sloping, or conical roof, adapted to cover any house, workshop, or
factory, or to form part of any other roof: the thermo-electrical. or heliosic
current generated being used below through the medium of the conducting
wire forming the circuit beneath the lower or inner surface of the said roof.
Fifih, but in connection with the wire, or so as to be charged by the electric
current, an accumulator is provided by which to complete the construction of
a heliopile; and that the redundance of solar energy at any one time may be made
to subserve the exigency of some other time when that energy would not other-
wise be available. As there are many instances in which the electric current
generated in the heliopile is not required to be used by day, but only by night
for domestic lighting or other purposes and moreover, as there are many days
on which the sun's rays cannot be utilised, but electricity is nevertheless needed;
the combination in or with the heliopile, of a secondary-battery or accumulator
is essential, so that the product or warmth of the bright sunny days may be
stowed away for use in dark days or by night, when the benefit of radiant heat
and light, electrically, is required. If the collective container be made hollow
in parts, it may be made to contain within it the accumulator or accumulators, so
that the heliopile may be a compact apparatus; but it will often be found
convenient to have the secondary battery at a distance.
The outlines of the heliopile in its simplest form consist of the following
parts in combination--(1) A series of thermo-electric couples, the alternate
junctions, of which are exposed to the sun's rays, or to a medium heated thereby.
(2) A substance resisting heat and cold and which is a non-conductor of electri-
city, by which to insulate the couples, excepting at the exposed points. (3) A
collective container which contains the insulated couples; and which may be
either wholly or in part non-conducting or an extension of the insulator, and
either transparent or opaque to a greater or lesser extent. (4) Focussing glasses,
80 as to concentrate the solar rays on the exposed and blackened alternate
junctions; or upon a medium to heat the same. (5) Conducting wires. (6) An

page_text: accumulator or series of accumulators. (7) Means for utilising these, either
warm or cold, for the purpose of conveniently obtaining thermo-electricity for
use as required.
Though radiant heat from terrestrial sources can be applied by incandescent
or other means to the exposed junctions, the heliopile derives its energy chiefly
from the sun's rays, which are a cheap and available source of power generally.
Even in the absence of sunshine, except in frosty weather, it is believed that the
exposed junctions will have a higher temperature than the unexposed, points.
Where a great and continuous strength of current, and economy of power,
are essential, a useful modification of the aforesaid method of constructing a
heliopile may be made in the following ways, and for the following reasons:-
(a) A glass tube or vessel coincident with the series of couples is located
within the insulator, or container, or in such a position as to be in contact with
the unexposed junctions of the heliopile, for the purpose of keeping those
unexposed points very cold in comparison with the exposed alternate, or opposite
points of junction which are subject to the sun's rays.
The cooling process
consists in running a stream of ice-cold water through the glass tube or vessel,
which vessel, while it is a non-conductor of electricity, is a good conductor of
heat and cold and therefore conveys the temperature of the water to the adjoin-
ing junction points. Or the glass or other tube may contain liquid hydrogen, or
liquid nitrogen, instead of water. The reason for this is that the strength of the
current produced by a heliopile, or thermo-electric arrangement, is, (within the
limits of the electro-motive force of the substances forming the pile), proportional
to the difference of temperature between the exposed and unexposed junctions.
(b) Another use for this glass tube or vessel may be found in the fact that there
are dark days and nights, when the sun's rays cannot be directly utilised. At
such times, a stream of boiling water, or steam may be passed through the glass
tube or vessel, so as to reverse the heating and cooling processes by heating the
unexposed junctions, while the exposed junctions are being cooled by the absence
of solar heat, and by rain, cold air, or the like. In many cases, an adaptation of
the ordinary domestic hot and cold water apparatus would be a convenient means
of supplying the hot and cold water. Pieces of ice can be placed in the cold
water cistern to make the cold water supply, ice-cold. (c) A modification of the
focussing glasses or burning lenses, over, covering, or directed towards each
exposed junction, may be a lens made of rock-salt and fitted with a moveable
cap or covering to screen it from rain, heat, or cold, or other outside influence.
The lens itself may be adjustable, so as to be put in a position to catch the
direct rays of the sun at any hour of the day. Such movement may be made
automatically or by hand. The reason for preferring rock-salt lenses to glass
ones is found in the fact that, while rock-salt allows dark heat rays as well as
luminous rays to pass through it with facility, glass absorbs the dark rays to a
considerable extent and consequently does not focus the sun's heat as efficaciously
as rock-salt. (d) Instead of, or in addition to, blackening the exposed junctions
with lamp-black, we may, if the junctions be angular ones, place a piece. of
carbon or slate, or the like, within or under the angles of the junctions, exposing
the same to the sun's rays through a small aperture, or perforation in the centre
of the metallic or other exposed junctions; and, if the junctions be straight,
horizontal or perpendicular, locate the small disc or strip of carbon or slate
beneath, with a perforation through each exposed' junction to permit the solar
rays to fall thereon. By these means, in conjunction with the converging lenses,
a considerable amount of heat is generated at, and in, these junctions. (e) Several
alternate junctions may be exposed in a group under one lens or focussing
glass. If great concentration be desirable as many as a hundred exposed junctions
may be grouped together within a surface or space of one square inch, and thus
a very powerful, battery may be constructed within a square yard: (f) If the
heliopile be one occupying a conveniently small space, it can be made to move
up and down, vertically or radially, on a swivel, so that before noon, it will slope

page_text: towards the east; at noon, be equally poised; and after noon, face westward;
being adjusted in the first place so that its axis slopes in the direction of the sun
at noonday. (g) For a workshop, where plenty of daylight from the roof is
needed; the lieliopile may be utilised as a roof in this way:
The heliopiline roof is made to consist of parallel strips of glass connected by
parallel strips of the insulating material, (such as a combination of phosphuret of
nitrogen and gutta-percha, or phosphuret of nitrogen and caoutchouc), and a
rod or strip, consisting of an alternate series of two suitable metals, soldered
clamped, or otherwise joined together and forming thermo-electric couples, is
run through the centre of said insulating strips, every other junction being
exposed to the sun by means of an aperture in the upper surface of the insulator,
while beneath and in contact with the alternate complementary junctions, -a
glass tube or. vessel runs across under the parallel glass strips and through the
parallel insulating strips, and at right angles thereto excepting at the sides where
the continuation of the. glass tube is parallel with the sky-light and insulator
strips. Another style of heliopile. roof consists of diamonds or panes of glass,
or luxfer prisms, set in a frame-work consisting of the insulator with horizontal
angular thermo-electric junctions within it alternately and suitably exposed to
heat and cold. The insulator may be strengthened for the purpose of holding
the glass panes or prisms by an envelope of iron or the like. Still another.style
ia, a solid glass roof of sufficient thickness to allow space for horizontal apertures
therein in which to locate the insulated thermo-electric couples; and; at right
angles to these, other apertures to convey cold to every other junction; with
vertical apertures, also, to give the solar rays access. to the complementary or
exposed junctions. (A) Where the thermo-electric couples are joined at vertical
angles, a roof or container may consist of a duplication of glass or wood, zinc,
galvanised iron, or the like, with an interstice or containing space between, like
a large flat box, within which to arrange and expose the couples to the best
advantage in conformity with the foregoing principles. (i) The heliopile may
take many forms and be of many sizes, from an eighth of an inch square, say, to
a surface twenty acres in extent, more or less. But in its most efficient form, the
insulator, (which may be as aforesaid, or merely a compound of soluble glass or
shellac, and an innocuous solution of phosphiuret of nitrogen, used as a varnish
or paint on the metallic strips), is arranged so as to leave the alternate points
of junction duly exposed to heat and colil, respectively; albeit in a manner
preventing leakage of the electric current, except as provided at the termini, and
80 as to make the heliopile an efficient thermo-electric battery capable of trans-
muting solar rays, or other radiant energy, into an electric current, and supply-
ing the same for use near or far, either direct or through the medium of an
accumulator.
As a modification, the wire attached to the termini of the heliopile, or a wire
which could optionally be so attached, might be run through the insulating
container so as to be in contact with the little discs of carbon or slate mentioned
in the modification, which discs might be heated thereby on the underside while
being heated on their upper side by the concentrated rays of the sun.
r
Having thus explained the nature of our invention, it is evident that a variety
.of modifications and variations are possible, and we therefore desire to have it
understood that we reserve the right to adopt, adapt, or use any modification,
variation or substitution whatsoever relating thereto, which, while performing
the same functions, or accomplishing similar results, is substantially within the
spirit and scope of the invention.
1

page_text: Means for Constructing a Thermopile, and for Utilising Solar Rays
and other Energy for the Purpose of Generating, Transmitting,
Storing, and Using Thermo-electricity.
We, ROBERT HARTY DUNN, of Overleigh, Street, near Glastonbury, Somerset,
Inventor, and SAMUEL SIDNEY BROMHEAD, of 33, Cannon Street, London, E.C.,
Patent Agent, 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 :-
11
The nature of our invention consists in the application of the principle that a
current of thermo-electricity may be advantageously generated and stored for
use by the impact or impingement of solar rays with or upon the alternate
junctions or heating, medium of a properly constructed solar thermopile. in
combination with an accumulator which we propose to call a heliopile, and in
the method, or methods by which such application is made. It also consists in
utilising by means of the said heliopile, heat energy other than that derived from
the solar rays when the latter are not immediately or conveniently available as
and when desirable, and also in utilising cold for the purpose named..
The nature of the method by means of which, or the like, we apply these
principles, or construct a heliopile is briefly indicated as follows:-That is to
say, we make, as may be requisite for the purpose in view, a larger or smaller
series of angular. or other junctions of dissimilar substances, preferably of
metallic nature, such as tellurium and bismuth, or bismuth and antimony,. or
nickel and iron, or the like, thus constituting in the first place, in principle an
ordinary thermopile, but in combination with other contrivances, and with the
differences as hereinafter described. First, the substances, be they metallic or non-
metallic, which constitute the thermopile or series of thermo-electric couplings,
are set or imbedded in a non-conducting, fire proof or heat-resisting substance or
composition of suitable thickness, depth or diameter, only the upper or alternate
angular or other junctions, or thermo-piline points of contact appearing at or
near the surface of this enveloping body of insulating matter; the lower or
alternate complementary junctions being (except in the modification hereof)
completely insulated thermically and electrically. This encasing non-conducting
container of the several thermo electric couples may constitute either the whole
or part of a general or collective container, so as to form a wholly or partially
solid body of no great thickness whose upper and lower surfaces if placed
horizontally or otherwise, are adapted to form a roof or part thereof; or, if placed
perpendicularly, may be used as a wall or side of an enclosed area. Assuming
the container to be utilised or applied as a roof, and that it is more convenient
to apply the sun's heat at the top than at the bottom of the insulated thermo-
pile, the upper or alternate junctions may be exposed at or near the surface of
the insulator or collective container, in a series of the shape, for instance, of an
expanding or diminishing circle, or square, or oblong, or other form, or in
continuous parallel lines, but so as and by which, a maximum of junctions
(and consequently a maximum of solar heat) may be obtained with and within a
minimum of insulating or containing surface. The two unjoined or unconnected
ends, termini, strips or plates of the series of thermopiline junctions are united
outside of the container by an intervening conducting wire such as shall offer
the least or but little resistance to the thermo electric current generated by the
mpact or contact of the solar rays with the exposed alternate points of junction,
or upper angles of the thermo electric couples; or produced otherwise, by radiant

page_text: energy other than that received direct from the sun. Second, the insulating
heat proof material, or collective container, of the solar thermopile may be,
wholly or in part, transparent or opaque, but its thickness and arrangement,
while leaving the alternate or upper thermo-piline junctions adequately
exposed to the sun's rays or to a medium heated thereby, and such as will adapt
it to provide material and place in which to advantageously adjust, set, or fix,
in the exposing apertures, on, over or above each exposed junction constituting
the series, a coincident series of suitable converging mirrors or focussing glasses,
preferably double convex or burning lenses, for the purpose of concentrating
the heating power of radiant energy upon the exposed junctions which are
smeared or blackened with lamp black or the like, or upon a heating medium
connected therewith. Third, the nature of the insulating material may be
described as non-conducting, both as regards electricity and heat, (the word heat
here including that degree of it called cold). Preferably it is a composition of
matter, being a compound of gutta percha, or of india rubber, with phosphuret
of nitrogen hereinafter described in nearly equal proportions, there being more
gutta percha, or more caoutchouc, than phosphuret, in the proportion of say
60 to 40 parts.
In certain cases a combination of soluble glass, powdered glass (or opal or the
like) and phosphuret of nitrogen will be useful. Or as a modification, the
insulating substance may consist of nitrogenated gutta percha, or india rubber,
or it may be a nitrogenated compound of soluble and powdered glass and quick
lime or the like. Fourth, the solar thermopile may be made to take the form
of a flat, sloping or conical roof, adapted to cover any house, workshop or
factory, or to form part of any other roof, the thermo electrical or heliosio
current generated being used below through the medium of the conducting
wire forming the circuit beneath the lower or inner surface of the said roof.
Fifth, but in connection with the wire, or so as to be charged by the electric
current, an accumulator is provided by which to complete the construction of
a heliopile, and that the redundance of solar energy at any one time may be made
to subserve the exigency of some other time when that energy would' not other-
wise be available. As there are many instances in which the electric current
generated in the heliopile is not required to be used by day, but only by night
for domestic lighting or other purposes, and moreover, as there are many days
on which the sun's rays cannot be utilised, but electricity is nevertheless needed;
the combination in or with the heliopile, of a secondary battery or accumulator
is essential, so that the product or warmth of the bright sunny days may be
stowed away for use in dark days or by night, when the benefit of radiant heat
and light, electrically, is required. If the collective container be made hollow
in parts it may be made to contain within it the accumulator or accumulators, so
that the heliopile may be a compact apparatus, but it will often be found
convenient to have the secondary battery at a distance.
We will now describe our invention with reference to the accompanying draw-
ings, in which;-
Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a heliopile constructed in a rectangular fashion.
Fig. 2 shows a plan view of a swivelling or adjustable heliopile.
Fig. 3 shows a similar heliopile to Fig. 2, and showing in diagram a modified
arrangement of the couples or junctions.
Fig. 4 shows on an enlarged scale, a vertical arrangement of the couples.
Fig. 5 shows a perforated plate and bolt for use with the heliopile shown in
Fig. 1.
The outlines of the heliopile in its simplest form consist of the following parts
in combination: -(1) A series of thermo electric couples a, the alternate
junctions a of which are exposed to the sun's rays, or to a medium heated
thereby. (2) A substance b resisting heat and cold and which is a non-conductor of
electricity, by which to insulate the couples a, excepting at the exposed parts.
(3) A collective container c which contains the insulated couples and which may

page_text: be either wholly or in part non-conducting or an extension of the insulator
and either transparent or opaque to a greater or lesser extent. (4) Focussing
glasses d so as to concentrate the solar rays on the exposed and blackened alter-
nate junctions a¹, or upon a medium to heat the same. (5) Conducting wires e.
(6) An accumulator or series of accumulators f. (7) Means for utilising these
either warm or cold for the purpose of conveniently obtaining thermo electricity
for use as required.
Though radiant heat from terrestrial sources can be applied by incandescent
or other means to the exposed junctions, the heliopile derives its energy chiefly,
from the sun's rays, which are a cheap and available source of power generally.
Even in the absence of sunshine, except in frosty weather, it is believed that the
exposed junctions will have a higher temperature than the unexposed points.
Where a great and continuous strength of current, and economy of power
are essential, a useful modification of the aforesaid method of constructing a
heliopile may be made in the following ways, and for the following reasons:
(a) A glass tube or vessel g coincident with the series of couples is located
within the insulator, or container, or in such a position as to be in contact with
the unexposed junctions a¹ of the heliopile. for the purpose of keeping those
unexposed points very cold in comparison with the exposed alternate, or opposite
points of junction a¹ which are subject to the sun's rays. The cooling process
consists in running a stream of ice cold water through the glass tube or vessel,
which vessel, while it is a noun-conductor of electricity, is a good conductor of
heat and cold and therefore conveys the temperature of the water to the adjoin-
ing junction points. Or the glass or other tube may contain liquid
nitrogen instead of water. The reason for this is that the strength of the current
produced by a heliopile, or other thermo electric arrangement, is (within the
limits of the electro motive force of the substances forming the pile) proportional
to the difference of temperature between the exposed and unexposed junctions.
(b) Another use for this glass tube or vessel may be found in the fact that there
are dark days and nights, when the sun's rays cannot be directly utilised. At
such times a stream of boiling water, or steam may be passed through the glass
tube or vessel, so as to reverse the heating and cooling processes by heating the
unexposed junctions, while the exposed junctions are being cooled by the absence
of solar heat and by rain, cold air or the like. In many cases, an adaptation of
the ordinary domestic hot and cold water apparatus would be a convenient means
of supplying the hot and cold water. Pieces of ice can be placed in the cold
water cistern to make the cold water supply ice cold. (c) A modification of the
focussing glasses or burning lenses, over, covering, or directed towards each
exposed junction, may be a lens made of rock salt and fitted with a movable
cap or covering to screen it from rain, heat, or cold, or other outside influence.
The lens itself may be adjustable, so as to be put in a position to catch the
direct rays of the sun at any hour of the day. Such movement may be made
automatically or by hand. The reason for preferring rock salt lenses to glass
ones is found in the fact that, while rock salt allows dark heat rays as well as
luminous rays to pass through it with facility, glass absorbs the dark rays to a
considerable extent and consequently does not focus the sun's heat as efficaciously
as rock salt. (7) Instead of, or in addition to, blackening the exposed junctions,
with lamp black, we may, if the junctions be angular ones, place a piece of
carbon or slate or the like within or under the angles of the junctions, exposing.
the same to the sun's rays through a small aperture or perforation in the centre
of the metallic or other exposed junctions, and, if the junctions be straight,
horizontal or perpendicular, locate the small disc or strip of carbon or slate
beneath, with a perforation through each exposed junction to permit the solar
rays to fall thereon. By these means, in conjunction with the converging lenses,
a considerable amount of heat is generated at and in these junctions. (e) Several
alternate junctions may be exposed in a group under one lens or focussing
glass. If great concentration be desirable as many as a hundred exposed junctions

page_text: may be grouped together within a surface or space of one square inch, and thus
a very powerful battery may be constructed within a square yard. (f) If the
heliopile be one occupying a conveniently small space, it can be made to move
up and down, vertically or radially or tilted by means of a plate h in which, is
bored a number of holes to receive a bolt h³. The plate his firmly fixed
where required (for instance on a roof) and the heliopile is tilted as high as
required, when the bolt is passed through the nearest hole ¹ and the opposite
end of the bolt is screwed into a hole in the insulated bed of the heliopile (see
Figs. 1 and 5). Or the heliopile may be mounted on a swivel, (see Figs. 2 and 3).
The heliopile is fitted with trunnions which are revoluble in bearings formed
in an outer ring j, which is fitted with wheels, so that the heliopile may be
turned to face any particular direction by attaching ropes or chains to the
rings Thus before noon it will slope towards the east,, at, noon be equally
poised, and after noon, face westward, being adjusted in the first place so that
its axis slopes in the direction of the sun at noonday. (g) For a workshop where
plenty of daylight from the roof is needed, the heliopile may be utilised as a
roof in this way.-
The heliopiline roof is made to consist of parallel strips of glass connected by
parallel strips of the insulating material, (such as a combination of phosphuret of
nitrogen and gutta percha, or phosphuret of nitrogen and caoutchouc) and a
rod or strip, consisting of an alternate series of two suitable metals, -soldered
clamped or otherwise joined together and forming thermo electric couples, is
run through the centre of said insulating strips, every other junction being
exposed to the sun by means of an aperture in the upper surface of the insulator,
while beneath and in contact with the alternate 'complementary junctions, a
glass tube or vessel runs across under the parallel glass strips and through the
parallel insulating strips and at right angles thereto excepting at the sides where
the continuation of glass tube is parallel with the skylight and insulator
strips. Another style of heliopile roof consists of diamonds or panes of glass
or luxfer prisms, set in a frame work consisting of the insulator with horizontal
angular thermo electric junctions within it alternately and suitably exposed to
heat and cold. The insulator may be strengthened for the purpose of holding
the glass panes or prisms by an envelope of iron or the like. Still another style
is, a solid glass roof of sufficient thickness to allow space for horizontal apertures
therein in which to locate the insulated thermo electric couples; and, at right
angles to these, other apertures to convey cold to every other junction, with
vertical apertures, also, to give the solar rays access to the complementary, or
exposed junctions. (h) Where the thermo electric couples are joined at vertical:
angles, a roof or container may consist of a duplication of glass or wood, zinc,
galvanised iron, or the like, with an interstice or containing space between, like
a large flat box, within which to arrange and expose the couples to the best
advantage in conformity with the foregoing principles. (2) The heliopile may
take many forms and be of many sizes, from an eighth of an inch square; say, to
a surface twenty acres in extent; more or less. But in its most efficient form the
insulator,, (which may be as aforesaid, or merely a compound of soluble glass or
shellac, and an innocuous solution of phosphuret of nitrogen, made by mixing
or combining a solution of phosphorus in ether or other suitable solvent, with
liquid nitrogen gas in proportion to their atomic equivalents used as a varnish
or paint on the metallic strips, is arranged so as to leave the alternate points of
junction duly exposed to heat and cold, respectively; albeit in a manner prevent-
ing leakage of the electric current, except as provided at the termini, and so as
to make the heliopile an efficient thermo electric battery capable of transmuting'
solar rays, or other radiant energy, into an electric current, and supplying the
same for use near or far, either direct or through, the medium of an accumulator.
As a modification, the wire attached to the termini of the heliopile, or a wire
which could, optionally the so attached, might be run through the insulating
container so as to be in, contact with the little discs of carbon or slate mentioned.

page_text: in the modification, which discs might be heated thereby on the underside while
being heated on their upper side by the concentrated rays of the sun.
Having thus explained the nature of our invention, it is evident that a variety
of modifications and variations are possible, and we therefore desire to have it
understood that we reserve the right to adopt, adapt, or use any modification,
variation or substitution whatsoever relating thereto, which while performing
the same functions, or accomplishing similar results, is substantially within the
spirit and scope of the invention.
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. In combination with the heliopile, a kind of enveloping roof or covering,.
transparent or opaque as desired; non-conducting both as regards heat and
electricity and adapted to hold, contain or ensheath a thermo electric arrange-
ment of suitable metals or other substances, called a heliopile, for the purpose of
transmuting solar heat or other energy into electricity, substantially as described
and shown.
2. In combination with a heliopile, or solar thermopile a non-conducting
material or composition, such as glass or gutta percha or other substance,
combined with aforesaid phosphuret of nitrogen (PN), or powdered asbestos or
the like, of which to manufacture the container or roofing, or part thereof, to
hold the solar thermopile, such material being not only a non-conductor of
electricity but also a non-conductor of heat.
3. In combination with a non-conducting roofing or envelope, and with an
accumulator or electric storage battery a thermo electric arrangement called, a
heliopile, adapted to be contained in a roof or covering, so that the alternate
junctions of the metals or other substances forming the heliopile may be
suitably exposed to the sun's rays or other similar energy; holes or apertures in
the roof, covering or container, adapted to admit the radiant or other energy to
alternate junctions of the heliopile; focussing. glasses or burning lenses, or
similar suitable appliances adapted to be adjusted within said apertures for
concentrating the solar rays or other energy upon alternate junctions of the helio-
pile; a glass or other pipe conduit or chamber adapted to be contained if desired
in the roofing, to be in touch with the complementary alternate junctions of the
heliopile, and to convey either cold or heat to the same in the form of cold water,
or liquid gases such as carbonic acid, or hydrogen or the like, or hot water, steam,
hot air, or the like.
4. In combination with a heliopile, perforated bars and bolts adapted to be
adjusted so as to engage or connect with any one of the sides of the electric
roofing or heliopile container, by means whereof to suspend the said roofing or
container at any angle best adapted to receive and concentrate the sun's rays.
5. In cases where a circular thermo electric roofing or heliopile device, is
used preferably to a rectangular one, a circular wheeled frame rotatable on
wheels or rollers in its underside in combination with the heliopile, and adapted
so that the same is adjustable thereon to any angle by means of a swivel engaging
the container diametrically with the said rotatable framework.
6. The solar thermopile for generating electricity, substantially as shewn and
described.
ROBERT HARTY DUNN,
S: S. BROMHEAD.