Improvements in Galvanic Batteries.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd May, 1897-Accepted, 7th May, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Galvanic Batteries.
We, ROBERT KRAYN, of 58, Oranienburgerstrasse, Berlin, in the German Empire,
Engineer, and CARL KOENIG, of 5, Schiffbauerdamm, Berlin aforesaid, Manufacturer,
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:
This invention relates to galvanic battery cells, each cell combining within itself
a dry cell and a wet cell which may be used separately and independently or in
conjunction with each other.
A cell constructed to embody these improvements is provided with a hollow
cylindrical carbon or other electrode which contains a suitable electrolyte and
negative electrode and is embedded within a paste containing another negative
electrode.
In order that our invention may be more readily understood we have hereto
appended a drawing to which we will hereinafter refer and which represents one
of the improved cells in vertical section.
k is a hollow cylindrical carbon electrode containing the zinc electrode z¹ and any
suitable electrolyte. The end of the cylinder is closed up and a wire p¹ is led from
the zinc to the outside of the battery. The wet cell thus formed is placed within a
zinc cylinder z or within any suitable receptacle containing a zinc electrode, and the
space between the two is packed or filled with any suitable paste. Two cells, one
wet and one dry, are thus formed having a common positive electrode k. The com-
plete double cell may be placed in a case g or the like and be coated with some air
proof and preservative substance. The zinc z is provided with a terminal wire or
other means of connection p.
As before explained the two cells may be used independently, the carbon k and
the outer negative electrode forming one pair and the same carbon and the inner
electrode forming the other pair. If the two zine terminals be joined together a
cell having almost double the original ampere strength is obtained with a voltage
equal to the mean voltage of the two single cells.
The ends of the different cells or cylinders may be closed by pasteboard, wood, or
the like, impregnated with pitch or other suitable material.
One advantage of this form of cell is that the liquid contained within the carbon
electrode gradually passes through the porous carbon and regenerates the paste in
the dry cell as the latter loses its moisture. A convenient electrolyte for use would
be a solution of common salt, and a convenient paste would be a paste of chloride
of ammonium.
Another advantage obtained, which has been proved by experiments, is that
polarisation within the cells is effectively avoided when they are used separately.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
A galvanic battery cell within which is combined a dry cell and a wet cell, con-
structed and arranged substantially as herein before described and as illustrated by
the accompanying drawing.
W. E. HEYS & SON,
Agents for the Applicants.