Improvements in Electric Batteries.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 1st June, 1898-Accepted, 9th July, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Batteries.
A communication to me from PHILIP ALBERT EMANUEL, of Aiken, in the County
of Aiken, State of South Carolina, United States of America, Attorney
at Law.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the Firm of Edwards and Co., Chartered Patent
Agents and Engineers, of 65 & 66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
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 follow-
ing statement, and accompanying drawings, that is to say:-
My invention relates to improvements in electric batteries, and more especially
to those known as hydro-electric and galvanic batteries.
My invention has for its object to produce a battery of great efficiency, which
will yield a high and substantially constant electro-motive force, and which shall
be compact, economical and of small cost.
My said invention also has for its object to provide means for heating the
electrolyte, and to provide means for forcing the electrolyte (whether hot or cold)
through the battery. This may be done by the pressure of steam generated by
heating the electrolyte in a closed vessel, or by connecting a high column of the
electrolyte to the battery, whereby the weight of the electrolyte causes it to flow
through the battery, or by mechanical means, as by a pump, or in any other
manner.
My invention also has for its object to provide means whereby the electrolyte
may be kept in active contact with both elements of the battery and to provide
means for keeping the elements of the battery the same distance apart at all
times and under all conditions of use, whereby the internal resistance of the
battery is kept constant.
According to my invention a constant flow of the electrolyte through the cells
and past the elements is maintained, which not only admits of a constant supply
of fresh fluid being presented to the elements, but also acts to carry off the waste
products formed in the cells which would otherwise tend to clog the cells, and
especially to close the pores of the porous discs or diaphrams.
My invention possesses many advantageous features over other batteries hitherto
known in the art, all of which will be hereinafter more particularly described and
claimed.
In order to more fully describe my said invention, reference will be had to the
accompanying drawings, in which-
Fig. 1 represents my improved battery in side elevation with parts broken
away to more clearly show the structure.
Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view of the distributing pipes.
Fig. 3 is a vertical central sectional view of my improved battery unmounted.
Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the same.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the porous discs.

page_text: Fig. 6 is a similar view of the negative element; and
Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view of a form of insulating stopper employed with
the battery.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
A represents a cylinder or receptacle of non-conducting material, such as
glazed clay or earthen ware, glass, hard rubber, vulcanized fibre, wood, &c., and
while shewn cylindrical in cross section, the receptacle A is by no means
necessarily of such a form, as its cross section may be square, octagonal, hexagonal,
or indeed, any other convenient form, as will hereinafter more readily appear.
The receptacle A, is provided with a plurality of chambers A°, which pass
longitudinally through the said receptacle as shewn. In the chambers Aº are
placed the elements, which may be of any of the well-known kinds now used
with galvanic batteries, but for the sake of simplicity and clearness, they will
be shewn and described as zinc and copper, and the electrolyte as copper sulphate.
The zinc elements B are each provided with a small central longitudinal
passage b, and are adapted to fit snugly into the chambers A°, as cartridges into
the chambers of a revolver. In engagement with one end of each of the zinc
elements are the small discs or diaphrams C, composed of some porous substance,
such as unglazed earthen ware.
These discs C are provided with central enlargements c, one on each face, the
said enlargements being adapted to register with the passages 6 of the zinc
element. These discs being porous are unglazed as stated, except where the
enlargements c occur; at these points the discs are glazed. The dises C fit
snugly into the chambers Aº, and, as before stated, are in direct engagement with
one end of the zinc elements, all of which is most clearly shewn in Fig. 3.
The copper elements D) are made in the form of discs with a central aperture d.
These copper or negative elements are placed on the opposite side of the porous
discs C from the zinc elements, and in direct engagement with the former, as
shewn. In this position the apertures d of the copper discs coincide with the
enlargements engagements of the porous discs. The elements being thus
placed within the chambers A°, the ends of the latter are closed by non-conduct-
ing stoppers E. These stoppers are non-conductors of electricity and may be
composed of any of the materials of which the receptacle A is composed; that
is, glass, earthen ware, hard rubber, vulcanized fibre, &c. The stoppers E are
each provided with a neck E¹ through which, as well as through the heads of
the stoppers, extend the longitudinal passages e. When the stoppers are inserted
in each end of the chambers Aº, they are held in engagement with the elements,
so that their passages e, and the passages through the elements, register with
each other and form what would be a continuous passage from stopper to stopper,
were it not for the porous discs. These passages though are very small, thereby
allowing only a small quantity of the electrolyte to pass into the battery at one time.
The object of having the passages restricted by the porous discs will be hereinafter
explained.
The receptacle A, containing the elements, porous discs and stoppers, is
enclosed in a casing F of metal or other suitable material. Between this casing F
and the receptacle, is a packing H of asbestos, cloth or rubber. This packing
fits tightly around the stoppers and end of the battery, thus preventing any
possible leakage of the electrolyte.
"
The necks of the stoppers E extend through the ends of the casing F, and at
their ends are connected with the pipes K, which radiate from a union K¹. The
said pipes K are supported in a suitable frame L, which is secured to the casing
of the battery as shewn. These radiating pipes K form the inflow and outflow
pipes for the "fluid or electrolyte, and as will be seen, are in direct communica-
tion with the passage which passes through the elements. The terminals of the
battery are formed by the two sets of conductors M and M', which pass through
the stoppers, as shewn, and connect respectively with the positive and negative
elements. The casing F is provided at each side with trunnions f by which the

page_text: battery is supported in a suitable frame N. Being thus supported, the battery
is capable of being inverted or supported in any angular position at will. The
electrolyte or exciting "fluid" is contained within a receiver or boiler P, which
is provided with a dome P₁, the latter communicating with the receiver through
a valve p. The dome P1 is also provided with an inlet valve p¹.
In order to heat the electrolyte in the receiver P, the object of which will
presently occur, any convenient means may be employed. In the accompanying
drawings, this means of heating consists of arranging gas jets Q beneath the
receiver. But these gas jets only indicate a source of heat, and may be replaced
by a coal, wood, or other furnace.
The receiver P is connected through its outlet p2 and valve p³ to
the radiating inlet pipes K by the flexible piping R. Thus it
will it will be seen that al passage for the electrolyte is afforded
from the receiver P through the pipe R, the radiating pipes K, the
passages through the stoppers and electrodes, through the outflow radiating pipes
at the other end of the battery and out through the pipe R. Other than being
retarded by the porous discs C, it will be seen that the electrolyte has an un-
obstructed passage from the receiver P to the outlet or discharge pipe R'.
The electrolyte (copper sulphate in this case) is poured into the receiver P, until,
if necessary, it reaches the level in the dome P¹ as shewn. Then, when the valve >>
is open and the valve p closed, heat is applied to the receiver as described.
The liquid in the receiver becoming heated, forms steam in the space above it,
the pressure of which steam will tend to force the electrolyte through the valve p³.
When the electrolyte has become sufficiently heated, the valve p³ may be opened,
when the electrolyte will be forced through the valve p³, pipe R, pipes K, and
into the passages e of the stoppers and passages of the elements.
The pressure by which the liquid or electrolyte is thus forced into the battery,
may be obtained from the steam generated in the receptacle above the electrolyte,
or by placing the receiver P at a higher level than the battery, or by both. Thus,
the electrolyte is forced under pressure through the passages e of the zinc elements
and against and through the porous discs, and out through the copper elements.
The enlargements c of these porous discs C being glazed and coinciding with
the passages b, will not allow the electrolyte to flow directly through the centre.
of the discs as it would do were the enlargements c not glazed, but causes the
electrolyte to be forced in between the lower faces of the porous discs and the
upper ends of the zinc elements. The electrolyte being forced in this way, is
compelled to pass through the porous disc only when the latter comes in contact
with the elements; that is, when the electrolyte passes through the porous discs
from above the zinc elements, it will emerge from the porous disc where the
latter comes in contact with the copper disc, thus insuring complete chemical
action. The electrolyte being thus forced through the porous discs, will enter
the passages e of the upper stoppers, pass into the radiating discharge pipes, and,
together with any waste products which it may contain, will be discharged
through the pipe R¹.
The effect of the copper sulphate acting upon the zinc and copper, will be to
set up an electric current, which will, as is well known, flow from the zinc to the
copper, which, in this case is the direction in which the electrolyte is caused to
flow. It will be assumed, of course, that the external circuit is completed before
any chemical action at all takes place. When the battery is in action, the copper
sulphate will dissolve the upper end of the zinc electrodes, that is, that portion
of the zinc in contact with the porous discs, and form zinc sulphate. The free
copper will be deposited upon the lower surface of the copper elements. This
eating away of the zinc and building up of the copper elements on each side of
the porous discs, will act to gradually lower the porous discs as the chemical
action continues, thus keeping the distance between the elements constant, and
therefore keeping the internal resistance of the battery constant. This action will
therefore produce a constant output of electricity.

page_text: The copper sulphate from the boiler or receiver P being hot, will greatly
increase the electromotive force of the battery. Moreover, the electromotive force
is further increased by forcing the electrolyte through the porous discs. It has
long been known that electric currents may be generated by forcing the copper
sulphate through a porous diaphram, and it has also long been known that the
use of hot copper sulphate increases the electromotive force, but so far as I am
aware, no practical means has ever been devised whereby all of these properties
of the electric current have been employed and put into practical use in combina-
tion with a galvanic battery. The terminals of the battery may be so connected
as to put the several elements in series or multiple as may be desired. It will
thus be seen that not only does my improved battery permit of a great many
elements being placed in a very small space and securely protected from any
external damaging effects, but it also embodies the advantages of yielding a high
and constant electromotive force. Another advantage of the herein described
battery is its longevity. As only a small space is given to the electrolyte, the
greater portion is given to the zinc elements, which allows them to be made quite
large in proportion to the size of the battery.
It will also be seen that by the herein described invention, I am enabled to
convert heat energy direct into electrical energy in a practical way. There are
many other advantages possessed by my battery which will suggest themselves
to any one skilled in the art.
The battery as herein shewn and described is also capable of many modifica-
tions and changes, which may be made without departing from the spirit of the
invention. Thus, I may change the form of the stoppers E to that shewn at E²,
Fig. 7. In this latter case, the metal casing L extends completely around the
neck of the stopper, and between the casing and the neck of the stopper is the
packing H. This arrangement protects the stopper from any liability to breakage
in addition to forming a tight joint. Again the shapes of the electrodes and
their compositions may be varied. Also, cold copper sulphate may be used instead
of the. hot solution, though with a corresponding diminution of the electromotive
force.
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:-
1. The method of producing a strong and substantially constant electromotive
force in electric batteries by heating an electrolyte and causing it to flow under
pressure through an electric battery and through the elements thereof, the said
elements being kept at a uniform distance apart under all conditions.
2. The method of generating a substantially high and constant electromotive
force in an electric battery, which consists in passing an electrolyte, hot or cold,
under pressure through the interior of the elements of the battery and through
a porous body separating the said elements and then discharging the electrolyte
from the battery.
3. The method of generating a substantially high and constant electromotive
force in electric batteries, which consists in providing a receptacle with a plurality
of chambers, confining the positive and negative elements, one above the other,
in such chambers, separating the elements in each chamber from each other by
porous diaphrams and passing an electrolyte, hot or cold, through the said
elements and through the porous diaphrams, and discharging the same from the
battery.
4. The method of arranging the elements in an electric battery, which consists
in providing a receptacle with a plurality of chambers passing longitudinally
through it, placing a positive and a negative element, one above the other, in each
of said chambers, separating the positive from the negative elements in each
chamber by porous diaphrams, and sealing the ends of said chambers by stoppers.
5. The electric battery, as described and shewn in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5.

page_text: 6. The means for supplying an electrolyte to a battery as shewn in Figure 1.
7. The electric battery combined with means for producing a steady flow of
electrolyte therethrough, as shown in Figure 1.
8. In an electric battery, the combination with the elements thereof and the
5 electrolyte, of means for forcing the latter through the battery and elements
thereof.
9. In an electric battery, the combination of the elements thereof, a porous
body between said elements, an electrolyte and means for forcing said electrolyte
through said battery and through said porous body.
10. In an electric battery cell, the combination with the positive and negative
elements, of a porous body placed between the said elements, an exciting fluid
or electrolyte, and means for heating said fluid or electrolyte and for forcing the
same in a heated condition in contact with the elements and through the porous
body.
11. In an electric battery cell, the combination with the positive and negative
elements, of a porous body placed between the said elements, an exciting fluid
or electrolyte, means for heating said fluid or electrolyte and for
passing the same in a heated condition under pressure in contact with
said elements and through said porous body, and means for discharging the
said electrolyte or fluid after the same has passed said elements.
12. In an electric battery cell, the conibination with positive and negative
elements, both having passages through them, of a porous body separating the
said elements, an exciting fluid or electrolyte, and means for forcing the said fluid
or electrolyte through the passages in said elements and through the said porous
body.
13. In an electric battery, the combination with the positive and negative
elements, both of said elements having passages through them for an exciting
fluid or electrolyte, of a porous body separating the said elements, an exciting
fluid or electrolyte, and means for heating the same and for forcing said fluid
or electrolyte in a cold or heated state through said passages and said porous body,
and means for discharging said fluid or electrolyte from said cell after the same
has passed said elements.
14. In an electric battery cell, the combination with the positive and negative
elements, both having passages through them for an exciting fluid, a porous body
separating said elements, a casing enclosing said elements and in engagement
therewith, an exciting fluid or electrolyte, means for forcing said fluid or electro-
lyte through said passages and porous body, and means for removing said
electrolyte and its waste products from said cell.
15. In an electric battery, the combination with a receptacle having a plurality
of chambers therein, of positive and negative elements carried within said
chambers, the said elements being provided with passages through them for an
exciting fluid, porous diaphrams separating the positive from the negative
elements, means for retaining said elements within said chambers, a casing enclos-
ing said receptacle, an exciting fluid or electrolyte, and means for forcing said
electrolyte through said passages and said porous diaphrams.
16. In an electric battery cell, the combination with the positive and negative
elements, each of said elements having passages through them for an exciting
fluid or electrolyte, of a porous diaphram in engagement with the said elements
and separating them one from the other, the said porous diaphrams being im-
pervious to said fluid or electrolyte where said diaphrams coincide with said
passages through said elements, an electrolyte or exciting fluid, and means for
forcing the same through said passages and through said porous diaphrams.
17. In an electric battery, the combination with a receptacle provided with a
plurality of chambers, positive and negative elements carried within said chambers,
a porous diaphram separating the positive from the negative elements, an electro-
lyte or exciting fluid, and means for passing the same through said elements and

page_text: the said porous diaphrams, a casing enclosing the said receptacle, means for
pivotally supporting said battery so that it may be revolved in a vertical plane.
Dated this 30th day of May 1898.
EDWARDS & Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.