Improvements in Chemical-electric Generators
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Nov., 1897-Accepted, 11th Dec., 1897.
66
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
'Improvements in Chemical-electric Generators."
I, HENRY KASPER HESS, of No. 107 South Avenue, in the City of Syracuse, County
of Onondaga, and State of New York, United States of America, Inventor, 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:
use;
and to
This invention relates to chemical-electric generators, and has for its object the
production of a simple and practical device, which highly efficient in
this end, the invention consists, in the combination, construction, and arrangement
of the component parts of a chemical-electric generator, all as hereinafter fully
described and pointed out in the claims. In describing this invention, reference is
had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which like
letters indicate corresponding parts in all the views.
Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of a portion of a vehicle, this chemical-
electric generator shown as operatively mounted within the vehicle, means for
inserting within the generator, the material which effects the discharge of the
current, and for withdrawing the material chemically changed during the discharge
of the current, and means for rechanging or restoring the material chemically
changed during the operation of said chemical-electric generator, the electric
generator for aiding in effecting this result being diagramatically illustrated.
Figure 2 is an isometric perspective of the enclosing supports and the supporting
electric conductors of the electrodes of one of the cells of this chemical-electric
generator, and the conduits for conducting suitable material to the enclosing supports,
and for conducting and withdrawing material to and from the supporting electrical
conductors.
Figure 3 is a vertical section, taken on line 3-3, Figure 2, the cell and the means
for inserting and withdrawing the electrolyte being shown in their operative position
with reference to the parts illustrated in Figure 2.
Figures 4, 5 and 6 are isometric views of the parts comprising the enclosing
support for one of the end-electrodes, the perforations of the inner wall of said
support being shown as not filled.
Figure 7 is an isometric view of one of the insulating pieces or frames interposed
between the enclosing support for one of the electrodes and the electrical conductor
for the next adjacent electrode.
Figure 8 is a detail section, taken on line 8-8, Figure 6.
Rigure 9 is an isometric view of one of the electrodes, and
Figure 10 is a horizontal section, taken on line 10-10, Figure 1.
A represents the outer casing of one of the cells of this chemical-electric generator,
which casing is of any desirable form, size and construction, is composed of suitable
non-electric conducting material as glass, hard rubber, &c., and is illustrated in
figure as operatively mounted within a portion of a vehicle, as a street-railway-
car A¹, unnecessary to describe herein. The casing A contains a suitable electrolyte,
and the elements of the cell. The electrolyte preferably consists of water mixed with
a suitable amount of a soluble sulphate as zinc-sulphate, and is inserted by means of a
conduit B having one extremity arranged within the casing A and its other extremity

page_text: extended outwardly therefrom. A suitable outlet-passage C opening from the casing A
and provided with a valve c withdraws the electrolyte from said casing together with
any material discharged into the electrolyte by the action of the generator. As
preferably constructed, this chemical-electric generator consists of a number of cells,
and, consequently, the conduit and outlet-passage B C of each cell are connected to
corresponding main conduits B¹ C, which may consist of a series of separate sections
detachable from each other for preventing short circuiting of the generator.
Insertion and withdrawal of the electrolyte preferably take place at a suitable
station provided with a feeding conduit b and an outlet-conduit c. One end of the
conduit b is adapted to be detachably connected to the outer end of the conduit B¹,
and its other end is connected to any desirable pressure-device, as a pump b¹,
connected to an inlet-conduit B2; and one extremity of the conduit c¹ is adapted to
be detachably connected to the conduit C, and its opposite extremity extends to a
suitable reservoir C². At figure 10, the outer end of the conduit bis illustrated as
pointed, and the adjacent end of the conduit B₁ is shown as correspondingly forined
to receive said end of the conduit b for making a tight joint therewith. The adjacent
ends of the conduits c¹ C' may be formed similarly to the corresponding ends of the
conduits 6 B¹. It will be understood, however, that any desirable means may be used
for effecting a practical and ready connection of the conduits b c¹, B, C, and that
the adjacent ends of the corresponding conduits may be suitably formed to attain this
result.
Each cell of this chemical-electric generator is provided with any suitable number
of positive and negative electrodes D F which will be immediately described, and any
desirable means, as conductors à e, connects these electrodes to each other and to the
electrodes in the other cells. Each of the positive electrodes D, figure 9, usually
consists of an electrical conductor, as a bar d', and a body d² of metal-amalgam or
other suitable active material electrically connected to the bar d', which is preferably
arranged at one side of the body d², and engages its adjacent edge. The body d²
preferably consists of an amalgam of zinc and mercury, and, if a considerable amount
of mercury is used, said body is semi-fluid. If a less amount of the mercury is used,
the body d is comparatively hard and may consist of a mass of granules or particles
produced by grinding the amalgam before forming it into said body d².
The positive electrodes D, are preferably arranged within the inner chamber of
enclosing supports E which may be composed of hard rubber or other suitable non-
electric conducting material, and prevent undue escape of the amalgam forming part
of said electrodes, and, although these supports may be of any suitable construction
for permitting access of the electrolyte to the electrodes D, they each preferably
consist of opposite plates e¹ e² and an interposed substantially rectangular piece or
frame e³. The plates el e² are here illustrated, figure 8, as consisting of a body e of
aluminium or similar material and an outer coating 5 of non-electric conducting
material as hard rubber, but sail plates may be formed of suitable porous non-electric
conducting material, as porcelain.
When constructed of a single body or frame of aluminum or similar material
provided with an insulating coating, the opposite plates of the enclosing supports E
are formed with perforations e for permitting entrance of the electrolyte to the
inner chambers of said supports. The perforations may be closed by a suitable
non-electric conducting porous filling as quartz-sand held together by any desirable
cement, as asphalt, and, if desired, the outer plates of the end-supports E may be
unprovided with perforations for increasing the rigidity of the outer support.
the operation of this chemical-electric generator, the amalgam unites with the
electrolyte, forming zinc-sulphate and liberating the mercury, which pass through
the perforated enclosing supports E into the electrolyte, and are withdrawn with said
electrolyte from the casing A through the outlet-passage C and the conduit C³, and
are then recovered from the electrolyte by any suitable process not necessary to
herein describe.
In
Each of the negative electrodes F of this chemical-electric generator preferably
consists of a body of active material f, and an electrical conductor FI provided with

page_text: an inner chamber for receiving the body f and constructed of any suitable material,
as carbon, which is formed with pores leading from the exterior face of the electrical
conductor to the inuer chamber thereof, for permitting entrance of the electrolyte to
said inner chamber. The active material f consists preferably of peroxide of lead
mixed with sulphuric acid for causing the same to become semi-fluid, and for
supplying a large amount of sulphate to the peroxide of lead, and thereby
facilitating the chemical actions incidental to the discharge of this chemical-
electric generator.
The supports E and the adjacent electrical conductors F¹ are separated by suitable
insulating pieces G each consisting preferably of a substantially rectangular frame
open at its lower portion for permitting entrance of the electrolyte between said
supports E and the electrical conductors F¹. The supports E, the electrical
conductors F, and the insulating pieces or frames G between said parts are
preferably secured together by suitable clamps G¹ of any desirable construction, here
illustrated as consisting of opposite sections or angularly. shaped bars .g and
adjusting bolts g₁g¹. If forined of metal, the portions of the clamps submerged
in the electrolyte must necessarily be coated with a suitable insulation.
Experience has demonstrated that a chemical-electric generator of this construction
is particularly practical and effective, but, as previously stated, it is desirable to
mechanically renew or restore the generator after the same has discharged a
current for the designed length of time, and, consequently, the supports E are each
formed with an inlet-opening E¹ for permitting the entrance of fresh or additional
amalgam, and the electrical conductors F1 are each formed with an opening 2
leading from the inner chambers of the said conductors for permitting the withdrawal
of the active material f and the insertion of fresh active material within said chambers
of the conductors. The openings E' are preferably formed in the tops of the
substantially rectangular pieces or frames e3 of the supports E, and the openings F³
are usually formed in the bases of the electrical conductors F".
In order to facilitate practical and effective entrance of fresh material within the
supports E, and the removal and insertion of the material within the electrical
conductors F, suitable conduits E and F³ are connected to the openings E¹ F2.
The conduit E2 consists preferably of a main passages E3 formed of any desirable
material and arranged above the supports E, and branch passages E secured to
or provided upon said main passage and extending downwardly and laterally
therefrom for registering with the openings E' in the supports E. As here illustrated,
the branch passages Et are shown as formed separable from the main passage E³ and
as secured thereto by clamps E³.
The outer end of the conduit E2 is suitably formed for permitting its detachable
connection to a feed-conduit H at the station for renewing or restoring the chemical-
electric generator, and this feed-conduit H is provided with a flaring branch-passage
h and a feeding device or conveyor ' for entering the main passage E3 of the
conduit E2 and forcing the amalgam therethrough by pressure, so as to positively and
effectively feed the same into the enclosing supports E. The conveyor h¹ is provided
with a crank 2 or other device for effecting its rotation, and, when the supports E are
sufficiently filled, the conductor h' is withdrawn from the main passage B³, and
said passage is cleaned by any suitable means not necessary to herein illustrate or
describe.
The conduit F³ is provided with branch passages F4 having their free ends arranged
within the openings F2, and, when the chemical-electric generator consists of a series
of cells, the conduits F3 are connected by a main conduit F³ having its projecting end
figures 2 and 10 suitably formed for permitting its detachable connection to a
feed-conduit I. Said feed-conduit I is formed with a branch passage I connected to
a suitable pressure-device, as a pump i, for forcing the active material through the
feed-conduit. I and the conduits F3 into the inner chambers of the electrical
conductors F. The conduit I may also be provided with a second branch passage 12
connected to a suitable suction-device for withdrawing through the conduits E³ I,
the active material f chemically changed by the discharge of this chemical-

page_text: electric generator. The chemically changed active material or oxide of
lead may be conducted by a pipe leading from the suction-device
or
pump to a suitable electric metallurgical apparatus consisting preferably
of a battery J and an electric generator J¹, and said material may then be
restored to its active condition. When a series of cells are used for forming this
chemical-electric generator, the conduits E2 F5 may consist of a series of sections
suitably connected together to permit of their ready detachment for preventing short
circuiting of said chemical-electric generator.
It will now be readily apparent that this chemical-electric generator is so con-
structed that fresh active material may be mechanically added or inserted within the
enclosing supports E, and that the chemically changed material within the electrical
conductors F may be mechanically withdrawn therefrom, and mechanically replaced
by fresh material. Said chemical-electric generator is thus quickly renewed or
restored to operative condition and rendered capable of immediate discharge without
necessitating the waste of time beretofore required in electrically charging a battery,
or the chemical action upon the component parts of a battery resulting in impair-
ment of its efficiency and decrease in its length of life.
No lead-plates or grids are used in the construction of this chemical-electric
generator, and consequently, there is no liability of loss in efficiency, owing to
sulphating of such plates or grids. Moreover, the fixed parts of the generator may be
first assembled in operative position, and the active material may then be readily
inserted within the enclosing supports E and the electrical conductors F', thus
reducing the time and cost necessitated in assembling or building the chemical-
electric generator; and the materials chemically changed by the discharge of said
generator may be recovered and renewed or restored to proper condition for re-
entrance within said supports and electrical conductors, thus reducing to a minimum
the expense for operating the chemical-electric generator. The active material
chemically changed within the electrical conductors may also be renewed or restored
to suitable condition for mechanical insertion within the chemical-electric generator.
The operation of this invention will be readily perceived from the foregoing
description and upon reference to the accompanying drawing, and it will be
particularly noted that the same is highly efficient, and is of such construction that
when exhausted by the discharge of the current, it may be economically renewed or
restored by the mechanical removal of one or more of the materials chemically
changed during the discharge of the current and the insertion of additional material
or materials capable of such chemical change.
The construction of this chemical-electric generator or battery may be consider-
ably varied, and hence this invention is not herein limited to the exact construction
of said generator.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1 The combination, with an electrolyte-containing casing, and a series of negative
electrodes arranged within the casing, of a series of positive electrodes interposed
between the negative electrodes and each comprising an electrical conductor and a
body of active material, as metal-amalgam, enclosing-supports for the positive
electrodes, and a conduit provided with a series of branch-passages communicating
with the inner chambers of the enclosing-supports for discharging the active material
therein, substantially as and for the purpose described.
2-The combination, with an electrolyte-containing casing, and a series of positive
electrodes arranged within the casing, of a series of negative electrodes interposed
between the positive electrodes and each comprising a body of active material and an
electrical conductor provided with an inner chamber for receiving the body of active
material, said electrical conductors being formed with pores leading from their
exterior faces to their inner chambers, and a conduit provided with a series of

page_text: branch-passages communicating with the inner chambers of the electrical conductors
for conveying the active material into said chambers, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
3 The combination, with an electrolyte-containing casing, a series of positive
electrodes arranged within the casing and each comprising an electrical conductor
and a metal-amalgam, enclosing-supports for the positive electrodes, and a conduit
provided with a series of branch passages communicating with the inner chambers of
the enclosing-supports for discharging the metal-amalgam therein, of a series of
negative electrodes interposed between the enclosing-supports for the positive
electrodes and each comprising a body of active material and an electrical conductor
provided with an inner chamber for receiving the body of active material, said
electrical conductors for the negative electrodes being formed with pores leading from
their exterior faces to their inner chambers, and a conduit provided with a series of
branch-passages communicating with the inner chambers of the electrical conductors
for conveying the active material into said chambers, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
4. The combination, with a series of electrodes each consisting of an electrical con-
ductor and a metal-amalgam; of enclosing-supports for the metal-amalgam of the
electrodes, said supports being provided with inlet-openings for permitting the
entrance of the metal-amalgam, a conduit having branch-passages for conducting
the metal-amalgam to said inlet-openings, and a feeding device movable within the
conduit, substantially as and for the purpose described.
5 The combination, with positive electrodes, non-electric conducting enclosing-
supports for the electrodes, said supports being provided with perforated walls, and a
non-electric conducting filling for the perforations of said walls of negative elec-
trodes provided with porous walls and inner, chambers, active material arranged within
said chambers, and insulating pieces interposed between said supports and electrical
conductors and formed with openings in their lower portions, substantially as and for
the purpose specified.
D. Young & Co
HENRY KASPER HESS.
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.