Improve- MENTS IN ELECTRIC BATTERIES AND APPARATUS AND MEANS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas John Handford of 42 Southampton Buildings
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for an invention of “Improve-
MENTS IN ELECTRIC BATTERIES AND APPARATUS AND MEANS CONNECTED
THEREWITH."―A communication from abroad by Benoît Jarriant of Paris in
the Republic of France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas John Handford at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th April 1882.
THOMAS JOHN HANDFORD of 42 Southampton Buildings in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC BATTERIES, AND APPARATUS,
AND MEANS CONNECTED THEREWITH," a communication from abroad by Benoît
Jarriant of Paris in the Republic of France.
"
Single liquid electric batteries working with bichromate of potash and injection
of air, and which are known as Grenet" batteries are not capable of being
employed for lighting purposes unless the currents generated are constant and
economical and means are provided for enabling a number of such batteries to be
worked without inconvenience.
Consequently in order to obtain a satisfactory result with batteries of this
description, it is necessary to comply with the following conditions vis.
1st The liquid in the battery must be automatically renewed in a constant and
regular manner.
2nd The liquid solution must be as inexpensive as possible, and the elements of
the battery must be capable, after having served to generate an electric current
of being regenerated or renovated, as well as the other substances which it
contains.
3rd The zinc plates constituting the negative poles of these batteries must
remain well amalgamated until completely consuined or worn out, and must
oot be worked or fashioned either for the purposes of changing them or connecting
them together.
4th The carbon plates constituting the positive pole of these batteries must be

page_text: provided with inoxidisable armatures, and the air blown against these plates must
be sufficient to remove all the traces of oxide of chromium.
5th Lastly when employed for lighting purposes with one or more lamps the
batteries must be capable of being controlled or worked with facility, and be
brought into action and thrown out of action automatically by locking and
unlocking devices operated by electricity.
This invention enables the foregoing conditions to be complied with by employing
the following arrangements.
1st The arrangement of a tilting distributor which enables a certain quantity
of liquid depending on the opening of a cock, operated from a distance, or
otherwise to be distributed intermittantly to each cell or element; this system
enabling the exciting liquid to be maintained of a uniform composition and
consequently ensuring the constancy or unvarying character of the effect.
2nd A vessel containing mercury serving to establish intimate contact with
the copper and zinc, at the same time ensuring the constant amalgamation of the
latter.
3rd Unlocking devices operated by electricity from a distance or otherwise, for
bringing any number of batteries into or out of action.
4th An arrangement-of-syphons-for-emptying-the-batteries..
5th The combination of a compressor, and-a-gas-engine-in-order-to-supply_the_
air under pressure for agitating the liquid
6th By employing a solution of bichromate of soda which is a much less
expensive substance than bichromate of potash. The bichromate of soda is mixed
with about three times its weight of sulphuric acid at about Sixty six degrees, and
about ten times its weight of water.
7th The-system hereinaftor described of regenerating the materials employed in
the production of the electric curront.
In carrying-out-this-Invention,-the-solution_is_placed_in_a_reservoir lined with
lead a pipe of the same metal conducts this liquid to the upper part of the batteries
where a cock, which is opened to an extent corresponding to the intensity of the
current to be generated, allows the liquid to flow into a tilting trough or
distributor provided with a counterweight, and which delivers the liquid to each
cell or clement of all the battories simultaneously, at periods regulated by the
adjustment of the cock; the volume of liquid poured out at each upsetting of the
distributor depending upon the adjustment of the counterweight.
Each cell or element of the batteries is provided at its upper part with a funnel
connected with a lead pipe which conducts the liquid to the bottom of the cell or
trough of the element.
A reservoir for water is employed, which is provided with a pipe for conducting
the water to the distributor, and serves for washing the battery.
In constructing the cells or elements each trough, which is composed of some
insulating material, such as hardened india rubber, porcelain, and the like, is
provided with an overflow pipe, serving to conduct the exhausted liquid to n
vessel provided for the reception of the fluids requiring regeneration, or renovation.
It is evident that this vessel may be dispensed with, and that the liquids
collected may be conducted directly by means of suitable conduits to receptacles
arranged outside the room or building where the batteries are situated.
The positive pole of each element is composed of four carbon plates, connected
together at the upper part by an armaturo of lead or other metal galvanized or
tinned which likewise serves to support two capillary tubes for the air required
to agitate the liquid and supplied from compressing apparatus through a suitable
pipe; a surrounding boop also carries a mercury tube, in which the conductor of
the moveable negative pole of the next element is capable of rising and falling
freely.
Lastly the exciting liquid supplied as herein before described from the funnels
through suitable pipes, may be drawn off from the cells or elements by means of a
syphon hereinafter described.

page_text: The negative pole is composed of a vessel of hardened india rubber at the
centre of which there is fixed a copper armature protected by a tube of insulating
material and connected outside the clement to the bent conductor hereinbefore
referred to which dips into the mercury tube of the positive pole of the
neighbouring element.
The vessel contains pieces or lumps of zinc, and also contains some mercury
which effects a permanent amalgamation and connection between the pieces of zinc
by affording a certainty of contact, which it would be impossible to secure by the
ordinary means of employing pressing screws.
This arrangement enables pieces of zinc of any form to be employed even scraps
or refuse, until they are entirely used up or consumed.
For the purpose of enabling any particular battery corresponding to a certain
lamp or lamps, or sources of light to be brought into action from a distance,
the vessels are balanced and suspended in a peculiar manner as next hereinafter
described.
This mode of suspension consists in connecting together all the armatures of
the negative poles by means of rigid bands covered with insulating material,
suspending thein by means of cords, from pulleys keyed on horizontal axes at the
upper part of a frame, and actuated by toothed gear. These axes are also provided
at their opposite extremities with pulleys over which are carried cords connected
to weights serving to counterbalance to a great extent the total weight of the zinc
electrodes of the battery.
The toothed wheels are driven by a pinion provided with a ratchet wheel the
retaining pawl of which is unlocked or released from a distance by means of an
electro-magnet, when it is desired to bring the battery into activity
It is evident that the elevation of the zinc may also be effected by working tho
wheels by hand.
The constancy of the current is partially obtained by the flow of liquid arranged
for as hereinbefore described but perfect constancy is not produced unless the liquid
is agitated by the injection of the air under pressure, which is supplied by a copper
pipe arranged at the side of the battery, and provided with two branches opposite
cach cell or clement.
The supply of compressed air is readily obtained by employing an air pump or
air compressor of ordinary construction driven by a gas engine.
The employment of a gas motor or engine in combination with the improved
battery forms a special feature of this invention, as the gas engine presents the
same facilities for being thrown in and out of action at pleasure as the batteries
themselves.
A syphon arrangement is provided for emptying the cells or elements, and
consists of a main lead pipe placed parallel with the air pipe hereinbefore described,
being provided with branches corresponding to each element, and extending to the
bottom of the troughs, whilst the main pipe leads to an external vessel.
It is not desirable that the water employed for washing the elements should
be allowed to mix with the liquids awaiting their regeneration, and collected in
the lower reservoir herein before described; and for this reason a gutter is
temporarily arranged underneath the discharging orifices of the overflow pipes and
serves to conduct the overflowing water from the troughs directly away to the
exterior of the apparatus.
When not in use this gutter is placed inside the case or reservoir before referred
to it being provided with a handle to facilitate its manipulation. The case or
reservoir is emptied by means of a syphon. As hereinbefore stated the reservoir
may be dispensed with and the gutters or conduits may be arranged to conduct
the liquids from the battery to any convenient place where suitable cisterns are
provided for their reception, and in which their regeneration may be effected.
The following is an example of the arrangement of a series of batteries
constructed according to this Invention, four only being assumed in order to

page_text: facilitate the explanation of the mode of controlling or working the batteries from
a distance.
Leads or conducting wires place the four batteries in communication with lamps
situated in the localities which it is desired to illuminate. In each of such
localities a conductor from a communicating knob, or contact maker leads to an
indicator table which enables an attendant to watch or observe the working of
the lamps.
In order to light one of the lamps the attendant by pressing on the contact
making knob on the table, which bears the number of the lamp, establishes a
current which acts upon an electro magnet and as herein before described unlocks 1
the apparatus by which the electrodes of the corresponding battery are held
suspended, and thus brings the said battery into action.
When it is desired to temporarily interrupt the production of light the current
passing in the conducting wires of the lamps is intercepted by a current inter-
rupter brough into action either by the attendant at the central station, or at the 1
place where the light is to be extinguished.
When on the other hand it is desired to throw one of the lamps altogether out
of action for a more considerable period a contact making knob or button connected
_by suitable wires_with_the_unlocking-gear-connected_with_the_syphon, brings the
latter into action and empties the cells or troughs-of-that-battery_of_which_it_is_
desired to stop the working.
The regeneration of the materials employed for the production of electricity is
effected in the most economical manner by the employment of carbonate of lime
which by absorbing the whole of the sulphuric acid contained in the exhausted
solution of alkaline bichromate separates, the chromium, and-the-zinc-from-the
alkaline sulphate (potash or soda).
The liquids from the batteries contain sulphate of sesquioxide of chromium,
sulphate of zinc, and sulphate-of-potash,-or-of-soda according as a solution of the
one or the other of these bases is employed as the exciting liquid.
The regeneration is effected as next hereinafter described viz.
1st The excess of sulphuric acid is saturated with carbonate of lime, the result
of this operation is a precipitate of sulphate of lime, oxide of chromium, and
carbonate of zinc (three perfectly insoluble substances). The liquor floating at tho
top contains the alkaline snlphate.
2nd The alkaline sulphate is decanted, concentrated and crystallized.
3rd The carbonate of zinc is separated from the oxide of chromium, and from
the sulphate of lime by a certain quantity of dilute sulphuric acid, so accurately
calculated as to convert the carbonate of zinc into sulphate of zinc. The liquor
which floats at the top then contains the sulphate of zinc, which is concentrated
after decantation, and crystallized.
4th The sulphate of lime, and oxide of chromium, are desiccated, pulverized and
mixed with quick lime, and an alkaline carbonate.
5th This mixture is calcined on the hearth of a reverberatory furnace, and the
neutral chromate is extracted by the known methods.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Thomas John Handford in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th October 1882.
THOMAS JOHN HANDFORD of 42 Southampton Buildings in the County of
Middlesex Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC BATTERIES AND APPARATUS
AND MEANS CONNECTED THEREWITH a communication from abroad by Benoît
Jarriant of Paris in the Republic of France.
"
Single liquid electric batteries working with bichromate of potash and injection
of air (and which are known as "Grenet " Batteries) are not capable of being
employed for lighting purposes unless the currents generated are constant and
economical and means are provided for enabling a number of such batteries to bo
worked without inconvenience.
Consequently in order to obtain a satisfactory result with batteries of this
description it is necessary that they should comply with the following conditions
videlicit.
First-The liquid in the battery should be renewed and agitated automatically
in a constant and regular manner.
Second-The liquid solution should be as inexpensive as possible and its
elements should be capable after having served to generate an electric current
of being regenerated or renovated as well as the other substances which it
contains.
Third: The zinc plates constituting the negative poles of these batteries should
remain well amalgamated until completely consumed or worn out and should not
be worked or fashioned either for the purposes of changing them or connecting
them together.
Fourth. The carbon plates constituting the positive pole of these batteries
should be provided with inoxidizable armatures or connections and the air blown
against these plates should be sufficient to remove all the traces of oxide of
chromium.
Fifth. When employed for lighting purposes with one or more lamps the
batteries should be capable of being controlled or worked with facility and be
brought into action and thrown out of action automatically by locking and
unlocking devices operated by electricity.
This Invention enables the foregoing conditions to be complied with by employing
the following arrangements.
First: The arrangement of a tilting distributor which enables a certain quantity
of liquid depending on the opening of a cock operated from a distance or otherwise
to be distributed intermittently to each cell or eloment this system enabling. the
exciting liquid to be maintained of a uniform composition and consequently
ensuring the constancy or unvarying character of the effect.
Second. A vessel containing mercury serving to establish intimate contact with
the copper and zinc at the same time ensuring the constant amalgamation of the
latter.
Third: Unlocking devices operated by electricity from a distance or otherwise
for bringing any number of batteries into or throwing them out of action.
Fourth An Arrangement of syphons for emptying the batteries.
Fifth-The combination of a compresser and a gas engine in order to supply
the air under pressure for agitating the liquid.

page_text: Sixth-By employing a solution of bichromate of soda which is a much less
expensive substance than bichromate of potash. The bichromate of soda is mixed
with about three times its weight of sulphuric acid at about sixty six degrees and
about ten times its weight of water.
Seventh The system hereinafter described of regenerating the materials
employed in the production of the electric current.
As shown in figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 which illustrate the general arrangement of
the improved batteries, the solution is placed in a reservoir a (figure 1) lined with
lead, a pipe b of the same metal conducts this liquid to the upper part of the
batteries where a cock c (figure 2) which is opened to an extent corresponding to
the intensity of the current to be generated allows the liquid to flow into a tilting
trough or distributor d, provided with a counterweight and which delivers the
liquid to each cell or clement of all the batteries simultaneously at periods regu-
lated by the adjustment of the cock c, the volume of liquid poured out at each
upsetting of the distributor d depending upon the adjustment of the counterweight.
It will be understood that by the arrangement of the tilting distributor which
enables a certain quantity of liquid depending on the opening of a cock operated
from a distance or otherwise to be distributed intermittently to each cell or
element the exciting-liquid-is-maintained of a uniform composition and conse-
quently the constancy or unvarying-character_of_the_effect is ensured.
Each cell or element of the batteries is provided at its upper part with a funnel-e
connected with a lead pipe e' which conducts the liquid to the bottom of the trough
of the cell.
In figure 1 a reservoir f for water is also shown it being provided with a pipe g
which, as shown in figure 2 conducts-the-water-to the distributor d and serves for
washing the battery..
Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 are details of the cells or elements. As shown
in these figures, each-trough--(shown separately in figure 10 and constructed of
some insulating material such as vulcanite porcelain and the like), is provided
with an overflow pipe i serving to conduct the exhausted liquid to a vessel j.
(figures 3 and 4) provided for the reception of the fluids requiring regeneration
or renovation.
It is evident that this vessel j may be dispensed with and that the liquids
collected may be conducted directly by means of suitable conduits to receptacles
arranged outside the room or building where the batteries are situated.
The positive pole of each element is composed of four carbon plates (figures
56 and 11) connected together at the upper part by an armature or frame of
lead or other metal galvanized or tinned which likewise serves to support two
capillary tubes m for the air required to agitate the liquid such air being supplied
from compressing apparatus n. (figure 1) through a pipe o; the frame Z also carries
a mercury tube p-(figures 6, and 11) in which the conductor 9, of the moveable
negative pole of the next element is capable of rising and falling freely.
The exciting liquid supplied as hereinbefore described from the funnels through
the pipes e. (figures 5, and 6) may be drawn off from the cells or elements by
means of a syphon r hereinafter described.
The negative pole (figure 7) is composed of a vessel of vulcanite at the centre
of which there is fixed a copper armature or rod s protected by a tube of insulating
material and connected outside the element to the bent conductor q herein before
referred to which dips into the mercury tube p (figures 6 and 11) of the positive
pole of the neighbouring element. This arrangement is also shown in the general
view figure 3.
The vessel t contains pieces or lumps u of zinc and also contains some mercury
which effects a permanent amalgamation and connection between the pieces of zinc
by affording a certainty of contact which it would be impossible to secure by the
ordinary means of employing pressing screws.

page_text: This arrangement enables pieces of zinc of any form to be employed evon scraps
or refuse, until 'they are entirely used up or consumed.
For the purpose of enabling any particular battery corresponding to a certain
lamp or lamps or sources of light to be brought into action from a distance the
vessels are balanced and suspended in a peculiar manner as next hereinafter
described with reference to figures 3 and 4.
This mode of suspension consists in connecting together all the armatures or
rods 8 of the negative poles by means of rigid bands v covered with insulating
inaterial as shown in figures 3, 4, and 9 and suspending them by means of cords
from pulleys y keyed on horizontal axes z. at the upper part of the frame F. and
actuated by toothed gear A. These axes are also provided at their opposite
extremities with pulleys y¹ over 'which are carried cords connected to weights B.
serving to counterbalance to a great extent the total weight of the zinc electrodes
of the battery.
The toothed wheels A are driven by a pinion C provided with a ratchet-wheel D,
the retaining pawl or detent of which is unlocked or released from a distance by
means of an electro magnet (as shown in figures 3 and 4) when it is desired to
bring the battery into activity.
It is evident that the elevation of the zinc may also be effected by working the
wheels A by hand.
The constancy of the current is partially obtained by the flow of liquid arranged
for as herein before described but perfect constancy is not produced unless the liquid
is agitated by the injection of the air under pressure, which is supplied by a copper
pipe o arranged at the side of the battery and provided with two branches opposite
each cell or clement.
The supply of compressed air is readily obtained by employing an air pump or.
air compressor (figure 1) of ordinary construction driven by a gas engine G
(figure 1).
The employment of a gas motor or engine in combination with the improved
battery forms a special feature of this invention as the gas engine presents the
same facilities for being brought into or thrown out of action at pleasure as
the batteries themselves.
A syphon arrangement is provided for emptying the cells or elements and
consists of a main lead pipe, placed parallel with the air pipe hereinbefore
described it being provided with branches corresponding to each element and
extending to the bottom of the troughs h, whilst the main pipe leads to an external
vessel y shown in figure 1.
It is not desirable that the water employed for washing the elements should be
allowed to mix with the liquids awaiting their regeneration and collected in the
lower reservoir j, hereinbefore described; and for this reason a gutter H is
temporarily arranged underneath the discharging orifices of the overflow pipes i
and serves to conduct the overflowing water from the troughs directly away to the
exterior of the apparatus.
When not in use this gutter is placed inside the case or reservoir j as shown in
figures 3, and 4 it being provided with a handle K to facilitate its manipulation.
The case or reservoir j. is emptied by means of a syphon L represented in figure 4.
As hereinbefore stated the reservoir j may be dispensed with and the gutters or
conduits H may be arranged to conduct the liquids from the battery to any
convenient place where suitable cisterns are provided for their reception, and in
which their regeneration may be effected.
Figure 1. is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of a series of batteries
constructed according to this invention four only of such batteries being shown in
the drawing in order to facilitate the explanation of the mode of controlling or
working the batteries from a distance.
As shown in figure 1, leads or conducting wires P place the batteries y' FF.
and y, in communication with lamps Q'. Q Q³. and Q. situated in the localities

page_text: winch it 19 desired to illuminate. In each of such localities a conductor from a
communicating knob or contact maker 1, 2, 3, 4 leads to an indicator table R,
which enables an attendant to watch or observe the working of the lamps.
In order to light one of the lamps the attendant at S by pressing on the contact
making knob on the table R, which bears the number of the lamp, establishes a
current which acts upon an electro magnet E and as herein before described
unlocks the apparatus by which the electrodes of the corresponding battery are
held suspended and thus brings the said battery into action.
When it is desired to temporarily interrupt the production of light the current
passing in the conducting wires P of the lamps Q. is intercepted at X by a current
interrupter U brought into action either by the attendant at the central station or
at the place where the light is to be extinguished.
When, on the other hand it is desired to throw one of the lamps altogether
out of action for a more considerable period a contact making knob or button T
connected by suitable wires with the unlocking gear V connected with the
syphon brings the latter into action and empties the troughs of that battery
of which it is desired to stop the working.
The regeneration of the materials employed for the production of electricity is
effected in the most economical manner by the employment of carbonate of lime
which by absorbing the whole of the sulphuric acid contained-in-the-exhausted-
solution of alkaline bichromate separates the chromium and the zinc-from-the-
alkaline sulphate (potash or soda).
The liquids from the batteries contain sulphate of sesquioxide of chromium
sulphate of zinc and sulphate of potash or of soda according as a solution of the
-one-or-the-other-of-these-bases is employed as the exciting liquid.
The regeneration is effected as next hereinafter described videlicit
First: The excess of sulphuric acid saturated with carbonate of lime, the result
_of_this operation is a precipitate of sulphate of lime, oxide of chromium and
carbonate of zinc (three perfectly insoluble substances).-The-supernatant-liquor_
contains the alkaline sulphate.
Second: The alkaline sulphate is decanted concentrated and crystallized.
Third: The carbonate of zinc is separated from the oxide of chromium and from
the sulphate of lime by a certain quantity of dilute sulphuric acid so accurately
calculated as to convert the carbonate of zinc into sulphate of zinc. The super-
natant liquor then contains the sulphate of zinc which is concentrated after
decantation and crystallized.
Fourth The sulphate of lime and oxide of chromium aro desiccated pulverized
and mixed with quick line and an alkaline carbonate.
Fifth: This mixture is calcined on the hearth of a reverberatory furnace and the
neutral chromate is extracted by known methods.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is :-
First-In electric batteries of the type herein before referred to and apparatus
connected therewith, the combination with cells or elements arranged as herein set
forth of the tilting distributors for intermittently supplying a definite quantity of
liquid to each cell or element, mercurial contacts for the copper and zinc at the
negative electrodes,-devices for emptying the cells and a compressor and gas
engine for supplying air under pressure for agitating the liquid in conjunction or
not with devices operated by electricity for throwing any number of batteries into
and out of action all substantially as herein before described.
Second: In an electric battery of the type herein before referred to, the employ-
ment of bichromate of soda for the production of the exciting liquid substantially
as herein before described.

page_text: Third: The system or mode of regenerating the materials employed in the
production of the electric current substantially as herein before described.
In witness whereof I the said Thomas John Handford have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal this seventeenth day of October One
thousand eight bundred and eighty two.
MITA T