Improvements in or Connected with Electrical Batteries and Appliances therefor.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd May, 1886.
Complete Left, 31st Jan., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 1st Mar., 1887.
Improvements in or Connected with Electrical Batteries and
Appliances therefor.
ALFRED WILLIAM ARMSTRONG 79 Algernon Road Lewisham Kent Electrical
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN OR
CONNECTED WITH ELECTRICAL BATTERIES AND APPLIANCES THEREFOR to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in or connected with Electrical Batteries and
appliances whereby the cost is considerably reduced and the power obtained for
lighting and other purposes rendered regular and constant.
In carrying my invention into practice I make a porous cell or cells of any suitable
size or shape of porous clay and carbon in the proportions of about two thirds of clay
and one third carbon; or, I sometimes make the porous cell or cells of clay or carbon
separately with or without any other suitable admixture. These cells are made tight
excepting an inlet or outlet or a series of small inlets or outlets pierced along the
bottom and top of the porous cell or cells also at the sides if desirable: or, the cells
may be formed of porous plates placed in a wooden trough with the usual insulated
partitions and holes placed in the wooden portion of the cell in any required position
the porous cell; is then filled with powdered broken or granulated carbon of any
suitable size, the porous cell is connected to a store tank placed in any desired position and
the exciting fluid allowed to enter the porous cell containing the carbon either at the
top or at the bottom or sides, and filters through the carbon, emptying itself at the
top, if filled from the bottom, or at the bottom, if filled from the top; or, the sides may
be utilized in the same manner: the partly spent liquor may then be conveyed by any
suitable means to the same or another tank. When it is desired to stop the action of
the battery the supply is checked by a cock, squeeze on any other suitable means and
the liquor allowed to drain off which consequently stops the action of the Battery,
said action being kept constant by means of the exciting fluid filtering through the
powdered broken or granulated carbon. Another method which I prefer is to have an
outlet and inlet at the top and bottom or any desireable part of the porous cell
containing the powdered broken or granulated carbon with a suitable terininal or I

page_text: may use stick or slab carbons contained in a porous cell or in porous cells surrounded
by any suitable diaphragm or envelope. I can either cause the exciting fluid to enter
at the top or bottom tube or in any portion or part of the cell or cells; and, as the
gases are generated through the action of the battery the same causes the partly spent
liquor that has filtered through the carbon or been weakened by the action of the
battery to be forced out with the accumulated gases: the resistance put into the
battery by the work it is required to do, increasing or lowering the amount of gases
generated, and thereby throwing the partially spent fluid away either quickly or
slowly. The outlet and inlet tubes may be made to convey the liquor in any required
direction the tubes preferably are reduced or tapered at any required point so as to
lessen the quantity or weight of liquor to be forced out by the gas; the tubes to each
cell may or may not be coupled to one main; or they may run individually from and
into the store tank, or may form gutters to and from the supply when the cell or
cells are no longer required to generate the electricity, the inlet to the cell or cells are
stopped by any suitable means and the outlet from the main tubes also, or separate if
desirable, and a spare or second tube opened, (or may remain open) which runs to the
level of the exciting fluid in store tank or any suitable place, when the gases being
generated in the cell or cells force all the exciting fluid out of the cell or cells into the
spare tube thence to the store tank or requisite utensil, or may run to the common
sewer after which, all action will cease. The above method ensures a nearly self
acting and regulating battery having great constantcy and remains so as long as tho
exciting fluid is allowed to pass into the cell or cells the store tank may be divided
by a centre piece or division forming two tanks-one division to hold the exciting
fluid made up to proper strength and the other to receive the partly spent fluid from
the battery, forced up from the cell or cells by the gases generated while the battery
is in action; or I may, if required, make my store tank into separate compartments
each compartment serving to charge as many or as few cells as may be thought
advisable; or, each cell may have its store tank combined, thereby ensuring against
possible short-circuiting.
I may, instead of useing powdered broken or granulated carbon, use a plate of
carbon surrounded with any suitable envelope, the carbon being perforated with
suitable holes to allow the liquor to filter or drain through and be forced out in the
manner hereinbefore described. The granulated broken or powdered carbon may
surround the porous cell or cells if necessary, and the inlet and outlet be supplied to the
same through the trough or case and the soluable electrode or positive electrode be
contained in the said porous cell, the other electrode may be of any suitable material
preferably of zinc which may be raised from the case or trough made of any suitable
material having the necessary connections and appliances the zines or other soluable
electrodes may be raised by any suitable appliance through divisions in the top of the
trough or case on or in which divisions are placed rubber or any other suitable
material that will press against the zines and clean off any corrosive matter that may
have accumulated while the battery has been in action.
The arrangement above referred to will also force the liquid out of a single fluid
battery in the same manner.
By the means herein described I supply the exciting fluid to the battery of equal
strength from beginning to end and which liquor is forced out by its own action and
therefor gives a constant and uniform power as long as required. On account of its
cheapness and the small space it occupies, this battery is admirably suited for portable
lamps and house lighting also for motive power and lighting railway, tram cars and
for other purposes. Further, its action may be started and stopped respectively, by
the simple act of turning on or off, to the cells, a supply of water, with equal facility as
in the case of a gas meter.

page_text: Appliances therefor.
I ALFRED WILLIAM ARMSTRONG of 79 Algernon Road, Lewisham, Kent, Electrical
Engineer 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 improvements are devised with a view to materially lessen the cost of Electrical
Batteries and their adjuncts. I am also by means of my Invention enabled to ensure
that the power obtained for lighting and other purposes is rendered more regular and
constant.
In order that my Invention may be the better understood, I have appended the
accompanying sheet of drawings, in which Figure 1 represents an isometrical
elevational view of one arrangement of a complete battery and reviving tank or tanks,
designed, for domestic electric lighting and as a power generator. Figure 2 is a
vertical sectional elevation of the same.
In arranging the device in accordance with my invention for lighting purposes and
for the supply of motive power respectively to dwelling houses, offices, churches and
for edificial applications generally, I take any convenient number of cells made of
stoneware, wood, or other material, and of circular, square, or of any other suitablo
shape or form, and arrange them side by side, or in such other manner as the
circumstances will permit, see Figure 1. A tank or tanks B is or are provided for the
reception of the partially spent excitant; said tank or tanks being placed in any
convenient position, but preferably near the batteries. The porous pots or jars of the
battery which are constructed in the manner described and set forth in the Provisional
Specification of my present Invention, are connected to the aforesaid tank or tanks by
means of the tubes a, b, c, Figure 2, and with the object in view hereinafter described;
the tube a is connected to a measure attached to a tank C¹ containing the excitant;
and, by means of a three way cock y or similar suitable device, so much of the
excitant as the measure C is designed to hold, is allowed to flow through the tube a
into the porous jars, to replace the portion of partially spent excitant which has been
forced out of said porous jars into the reviving tank or tanks B. The porous jars A¹
may contain powdered, broken or granulated carbon in addition to the carbon rod,
rods or plates usually employed. Still referring to Figure 2, one end of the tube 6
reaches to the bottom of the porous jars aforesaid, the other end being connected to the
bottom of the reviving tank D. One end of the tube centers only a short distance
into the porous jar A, the other extremity being carried up and passing into the
tank B near the top.
The liquid which may be pure water-for the main cells A, and in which are
placed the positive electrodes, is contained in a tank or cistern D¹, Figure 3, and flows
therefrom. by means of the pipe H, and the branches / h, to each cell of the series A,

page_text: passing on its way, if thought desirable, through a chamber D, containing any
suitable soluble crystalline substance, for the purpose of promoting greater activity in
the battery cells.
Figure 4 illustrates another method of supplying the water or other liquid to the
main cells A, which is as follows;-In the cistern or tank N is fixed three or more
tubes 12; n', n of different lengths passing through the bottom of the tank N where
they are attached to the junction Upon or within the tubes n, n¹, n, are
furnished other tubes p, p," working telescopically so as to vary the lengths as may
be desired, the upper ends of said telescopie tubes being furnished with suitable valves
as shown. When only the minimum number of lights is required, the pipe of greatest
length is opened, thus admitting a given quantity of the water to the cells on the
other hand, should the maximum strength of the battery be required, then the shortest
pipe n would be opened, in order to allow of the battery being charged to its full
extent. Further, with a view to prevent the inlet of water into the cistern from the
main supply when either of the valves of the tubes n, n³, n, is opened, I provide a
lever O having a longitudinal slot formed therein and pivoted at one end, the other
end being either bent at right angles, or furnished with a pin for the purpose of
lifting the lever of the ball tap, and thus keeping the valve closed. Upon the wires
attached to the valves of the pipes aforesaid, and which wires pass through the before
mentioned longitudinal slot of the lever O-are fixed nodules of metal, for the purpose
of raising the said lever O, and ball tap lever, when opening either of the valves of the
pipes. Instead however of using tanks or cisterns as before mentioned I may obtain
my supply of water direct from the main water supply or in places where there is no
such supply, I may use a pump or other suitable device.
To start the battery I turn one of the handles, which is connected by means of
belt wires and cranks to the valve of the cistern Di Figure 3, thus opening said valve
and allowing the water or other fluid contained in the cistern to flow by way of the
chamber D, through the main pipe II, and branch pipe hh to the different cells; the
quantity supplied being proportional to the number of lamps required to be lighted.
Should the full effective strength of the battery be required, the water is allowed to
flow until the cells are filled, and in the event of overflow, the excess may be carried
off to the sewers by means of the bent tubes i, i, provided for this purpose.
When the battery is charged and the circuit still open, no gas is generated but as
soon as the circuit is closed, and current utilised, gas is generated within the porous
cells, which, increasing in proportion to work done, forces out a portion of the
weakened liquor through the tube c into the tank or tanks B, at a speed corresponding
to the amount of current utilised.
At K, Figure 1, is provided a lever pivoted at one end, the other end having
attached thereto a weight or spring for the purpose of keeping the lever pressed down;
near the centre of said lever is fixed a tongue of metal, and immediately beneath is a
bracket having at its upper part, a flat curved or recessed plate 1, upon which rests a
short length of rubber tubing m connecting the tubes H and J. Now if after using
the full strength of the battery, it is desired to use less current, a portion of the water
or other liquid in the main cells may be allowed to flow away by the pipe J, thus the
valve of the cistern D₁ Figure 3 having been closed, the lever K (actuated by
means of one of the handles for ", and which by means of the tongue above
mentioned, will then be compressing the rubber tube) is raised, the pressure upon the
rubber tube is removed, and the water or other liquid aforesaid is allowed to run off to
the sewers, until the cells are either empty, or sufficient is retained therein to give the
desired current. In lieu of the rubber tubing last referred to, for connecting the
pipes H, J, I may insert there between any suitable valve or cock formed preferably
of a material such as vulcanite or the like, not subject to be acted upon by chemicals.
The electrical connections may be effected in the following manner, thus :-to the
carbon rod or plate contained in the porous jar, is secured a strip of metal preferably
of copper, which is brought through the case of the main cell and secured in any
suitable manner to the front thereof as shewn at j,j, Figure 1. At the bottom of the
battery cells A is formed a recess or depression 7 Figure 2, in which is placed a small

page_text: quantity of mercury; said mercury fulfilling the twofold function of forming a very
perfect connection by means of a pin or other device, which is screwed or driven into
the face of the case as shown at q', and also of keeping the zinc plate or other positive
electrode which is inserted in said cell A-constantly amalgamated. By means of
this contrivance the accumulation of insoluble salts, as also the risk of local action is
very much reduced; and, in order also to keep said zinc plates free from either
insoluble salts, or the accumulation of gas bubbles, I place within the cell, surrounding
and pressing against the surfaces of the zinc plates a sqeegee," brush or other
suitable device, which, by the raising or lowering thereof will remove any deleterious
deposit which may have formed upon the plates; or, I may fix said device to the
upper part of the cell, the desired effect in this case being obtained by raising and
lowering said zinc plates.
From the foregoing it will be seen that by the method which I adopt in accordance
with my Invention of controlling the current by means of a water supply, I am
enabled to dispense altogether with "artificial resistances."
Referring to Figures 7 and 8, I have illustrated by a plan and elevation partly in
section respectively, an adaptation or modification of the device according to my
Invention, when the same is intended for use as a portable electric lamp battery in
dwelling houses, tramcars, carriages and for like purposes, in accordance with which I
proceed as follows, that is to say-In a suitably designed case I arrange a number of
Small cells A of any desired shape, made of stoneware, wood or other suitable
material; into these cells are placed the porous jars A which may be filled with the
powdered, broken, or granulated carbon as previously described, and in the centre
thereof is placed a rod or rods or plate of carbon d, to which is secured the metal
stripe hereinbefore described; a perforated cap is now placed over and secured to the
open end of the said porous jar, and the tube e passed into the said cap to which it is
secured by a suitable cement; the porous cell thus prepared is placed in an inverted
position in the main jar or cell A, the connecting piece and tube e passing out through
the bottom thereof as shewn at Figure 8. The inverted porous cell is now secured in
position by pouring into the annular space between said porous cell and interior wall
of the main cell a small quantity of heated marine glue, or other similar suitable
substance that will not be affected by the solutions used for generating the current,
the electrical connections being effected by any of the methods usually employed. The
cells prepared as above described are placed in the case as shewn at Figures 7 and 8,
the centre of which case is arranged to serve as a reservoir or as reservoirs B for the
exciting liquids, and with which reservoir or reservoirs the porous cells A¹ are
connected by the tubes C, which pass from the upper part of the porous cells as shewn
at C, whilst the iubes e pass from the lower part of the porous cell as at e¹ to the
lower part of the reservoir B.
The battery having been duly charged the action when the circuit is closed is as
follows the excitant flows from the reservoir B by means of the pipes e until the
porous jars A are filled; gas is generated in proportion to the current utilised, and as
it increases in volume the pressure forces a portion of the weakened excitant out by
way of the pipe e to the surface of the liquid in the reservoir, said rejected portion
being replaced by the stronger liquor which enters the porous cells at e. Thus, during
the time the battery is in action a uniform strength is maintained, and with it a more
constant current than is attainable with existing primary batteries, until the whole of
the liquor contained in the reservoir has done its work and become exhausted.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
Firstly The utilisation of the gases generated in a sealed electrical battery cell
for the purpose of forcing a portion of the weakened excitant back to the reviving
tank B.
:--
Secondly-The means which I employ for controlling the electrical current, namely
by the supply of any required quantity of water, substantially as herein set forth and
shewn in the accompanying drawings.

page_text: Thirdly The utilization of the ordinary house or domestic water cistern for the
supply of the fluid to an electrical battery.
Fourthly The means which I adopt for regulating the supply of water to electrical
batteries substantially as herein described and illustrated at Figures 3 and 4 of the
accompanying drawings.
--
Fifthly -The means which I adopt for discharging or emptying electrical batteries,
constructed according to my Invention of the water used in connection therewith
substantially as herein set forth.
:
Sixthly In an electrical battery the mode of connecting the zinc element with the
exterior of the cell substantially as herein set forth.
Seventhly The means which I adopt for cleansing or freeing the zinc elements of
deleterious deposits, substantially as herein set forth.
Eighthly The electrical battery constructed or arranged substantially as herein-
before set forth and described.
JAMES
STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers,
20, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agent for Applicant.