US1002882A - Electrolytic apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

W. B. THORPE. ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS. AIHJOATIOI run ma. 1:, 1000.

1,002,882. mm m 12, 191 1,-

5 SEEETHIBE'I 1.,

W; B. THORPE.

BLECTBOLYTIQAPPABATUS. Arm-mum! ruin we. 1;, 1000.

1,602,882. v P mntea Sept 12,1911.

w; B. THORPE.

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS. APPLIOATIOI IILBD AUG. 18, 1909.

Patented Sept. 12, 1911.

WILFRED BERTRAM THOBPE, OF BALHAJSI, LONDON, ENGLAND.

ELECTROLYTIC APEARAT US.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 18, 1909. "Serial No. 513,479.

"Patented Sept. 12, 1911.

To all whom it may concern: I Be it known that I, \VILFREI) BER'I'RAMI .liiourn, a subject of the King of Great Brit ain and Ireland, rcsiding; at Tialhain, in the county of London, England, have invented Improvements in Electrolytic Apparatus, of which the following is" a specification.

This invention: hil s reference to that kind of electrolytic apparatus suitable for use-as or in the construction of meters; twitches, and other electrical appa 'atus, wherein an electric. current passed through such apparatus; i-uuscs electrolysis of a. liquid, foreX- ample acidulated water or an alkali, and the 1 evolution of game, for example oxygen and hydrogen,

In the specification of another application for Let-tern Patent filcdby mcNo, 471,936, 1' havcxle cribed constructions of electrolytic {apparatus of the kind referred to whereby anch amparatus is rendered practically avail able for use as or 'in the construction of *inctel. recorders, switchesv and other apprira'tus In the use of such electrolytic appagt ratns; withpositive and negative electric euppl ,"conductors and clcotroqnagnetic n'reans air fo 'ierating lllflclltllll'illll, fdncxainple re cording mechanism, as in a registering cl t city meter. andfor causin ignition of all the evolved l cs, therc ism-d riljcd in the said. fornicr 1 unification, {the co'ml'iination with the. electrolytic cell andrlcctric supply fjonduclors, oi a shunt arrangement comprisin twocuual and parallel resihtaiiccs con ncctcd at one end to opposite (Ends of the ordtinarv main shunting resistance in series 0lll( .ll',t?ll l to one end of a third rcsistanrc. lfhciothcrrnd of which is connected to the loot-cold]. chuitric supply main, the electrodes ofth'e clcctroljytic cell being connected acrosn thccnds of that one of the t gvo parallcl rcf-ilSlltTlCPfi that is on the din .uno or supply sideof the main shunting reni'etmncc and in is arranged tobo M. 'l of h ouratclyin connection with an electric supply circuitsubject to va-ryir'ig voltage within ordinar permissible limits, so that record ing or other apparatus used with and controlled by such an electrolytic apparatus shall be accurately operated notwithstanding: varying voltage conditions. For this purpose, according to one way of carrying out the present invention there is used in conjunction with electrolytic apparatus of the kind referred to connected up between one end of the shunting resistance and the h gh resistance across the supplyconductors and adapted to control recording or other apparatus and it may be an igniting device, as heretofore, a second electrolytic cell (hereinafter called for distinction air absorption cell) that is coni'iectcd up bctwcc-n the high resistance and the other end of the shunting rcnislance on the conznunp'tiou side thereof, the two cells being thus connected in parzdhil i-vith cach other and in .ecrics with the high resistance across the positive and negative upply conductors. 'lhc two cells and thc niain shuntii'ig rcsistanccarc preteralily connected to the neg 'tivc supply conductor, and. the main or registering cell has; preferably in circuit therewith, aslwrclofore, a high rcsmtancr for mljust-lncnt or elimination ol, lion: and temperature errors. In. the accompanying illustrative drawingr, Figurrs l to linclusive show,diagram- .naticnlly, various arraiulcn:culs: of electrolytic apparatus llllbfltllflllg (he prcecnti nvcnlion, high, I to 3 showing the aprmratus adaptcd tor unr as a registering motor and lQign-el; for mic as a switch,

Tu Fig. l, (L w is thc hunt tube of an cloctrolylic device and a. the main or rcgislcring clm-trolylic (:cll therein charged with. ulcclrolylc and provided with rmnitivc and negative electrodes (2, 7) arranged in a cir-' cult-that inrludcs .a main high resistance in. and an adjustable high resistance m, and is adapted lo l e-connected, when the lnctcl is to he used, as a shunt across the positive and negative electric supply mains -l.:, k 'rcspoctivcly, the co'n'iicction toone of these mains rapid evolution of gases in the cell a for deand 1p area'cspccti'vely the winding and core m and electrode 1'), and also to a fixed conbeing made at one end t of the ordinary main shunting resistance 1. This resistance l is preferably arranged in the negative supply main A1 as shown is an electromagnet the winding of which is connected across the mains t, /i:' when the gases evolved in the cell a cause the n'iercury column f in the tube a, a to rise in the contact chamber w'" of. the electrolytic device and bring a contact 7%, carried by a heat it, against the fixed contact h, the electro-magnet, when en crgizcd acting through it: armature i and an arm a and rod or to operate the registering or recording mechanism jof the meter heretofore. Y

The electrolytic device shown is constructed in the manner described in my said former specification, and comprises a bent tube having constricted portions a, a, one of whielnnamelyc, contains a fine thread. of electrolyte to form a high resistance between the electrodes [2, b and the mercury f, rings 6, e of platinum forming al'luid tight joint with thc-n'iercury, and a contact g projecting into the bulb a so as to be in contact with the mercuryf and connected to the negative electrode 6 g is a second negatii e contact projecting into the contact chambera so as to come into connection with the mercury 7 when it enters that chamber and form a second connection therewith; The evolved gases are preferably ignited by a spark produced between the surface of the electrolyte (Z and a terminal arranged above it, and preferably formed by the negative electrode 5 according to the invention forming the subject of another application for patent No. 513,480 filed by me on even date herewith, the ig niting spark being produced when. the surface of the electrolyte d, under the action of the evolved gases, falls below the electrode b which is arranged vertically. 0

of ,an inductive device, the winding being connected to the $l1l1l1t ;11(;ll1l7'0f the electrolytic device at a point between the resistance tact q against which. the armature lever n bears, when attracted by the electro-magnct '5, a", so as to close a circuit directly across the'mains 7:, at this time and cause a more pressing the electrolyte d bclo'w 'the electrode h for producing the igi'iiting spark which will be reinforced by the inductive action of the device 0, 72', also'as described in the said other specification filed on even date herewith. The 'shu'nt circuit including the electrodes 6, b" and resistances m, m may include a switch r that is opened automatically when the arm n is attracted by the eleetro-magnet i, i, so as to cut the resistances m, m out of circuit when the cell a is connected across the means la, la through the inductive device 0, p for the purpose mentioned. in is the absorption cell connected to the said shunt circuit at a point u between the resistances m, m and to the end t of the main shunting rcsist'ance t on the consun'lption. or lamp side 1) thereof, so that the main absorption cell "1 are connected in parallel with each other mross the positive and negative supply mains and in series with the main resistance m.

The absorption cell in comprises two plates 0:, Q2- of metal, preferably nickel, immersed in an electrolyte, preferably a solution of caustic soda. In making up this tll'JFiOIPtlOIl cell care should be taken that (I) the plates at, w are large in proportion to the electrodes b, b in themain cell (1 (II) that the internal resistance of the cell w is small cmnpared to that of the cell a and (III) that, the two foregoing conditions being complied with, the plates are-large enougl'i to take any variation of voltage, within say a limit of 10% (ten per cent.) of the normal voltage, without the voltage drop across the plates materially altering. By this means, if the plates 00,50 be made of vcomparatively large size, say each about one square inch in area, considerable variation of'the voltage across the electric mains in, k will cause no variation in. the circuit of the main cell at and therefore no error in the working of this cell will take place by riaasbn of such voltage variation, so that such cell will accurately register ampere hours. In this case the shunt resistance 11, (hereinafter called the parallel resistance) connected be-- tween the points a and t as in the formerarrangement ofapparatus hereinbefo-re referred to, may be omitted, as indicated in Fig. 2, but in order to reduce the amount of electrolytic action in the absorption cell, it is in all cases preferred to use this resistance. The internal resistance of theabsorption cell w can also be so adjusted, asby increasing or reducing the distance apart of the plates at, w, or by varying the size'of such plates, or the density of the electrolyte m whichever maybe necessary, owing to the internal resistance of the main (5. Zgister mg cell a, that the resistance of the main or registering cell a and the' cell circuitwill be caused to vary in proportion to the variation involtajge.

The absorption cell may be looked upon as a gas cell in which the back E. M. F.

depends upon the size of the plates and the current passing through such plates. With plates of moderate size, the back E. M. F. will vary with currents of from say about .O'lA to .1A (decimal nought. one to decimal one ampere), such'as would result with voltage variation within a limit of say 10% oft-henormal voltage when using a sufficiently hlgh resistance (m although ractically no,difference in the back E. I. F. of the-cell i so i to two ampeiies.

would result with currents of from say one By utilizing such varyingbacl; E. M. 1*. set up with varying current through the -.\bsorption cell, due to \"arying vt'iltage above or below the normal, the back 1*. M. F. of the main (Jr-registering cell will be caused to vary proportionately to. such voltage variation, as the absm'ption cell is connected in parallel with it and in series with the high resistance (at). In p actiee it is advisable to avoid. as far as possible, having to relill the absorption cell with electrolyte from time to time, owing to evolution of gases, unless the evolved gases areto be recombined by ignition. 'lllnurefore it is necessary that the evolution of gas should be as small as possible and for this reason the resistance in is preferably coi'inected across the terminals of the absorption cell. lhe combined absorption cell and parallel resistance may be regarded as two resistances in parallel with iaoh other,'

one of which, being of wire. varies as the current going through it. while the other does not; vary with the current. The result is that by adjusting the parallel resistaiure It, an accurate registration in the registering cell can be obtained with a variation of voltage within the above mentioned limits. In this way the apparatus can be adapted to serve as a wait hour meter instead of an ampere hour evolution of the gases being altered proportionately to the rise or fall of the voltage above or below the normal ltage. For a watt hour meter. each plate a, a" may be about one quarter of a square inch in area. The main resistance in and the parallel resistance u are adjusted for the voltage that the meter is designed lior. It. is preferred.

where possible. to adjust the two resistances mand i/ to suit the lowest range of voltage supplied. 'llien'rquiriul internal resistance of the absorption ccil we can be determined by testing themeter at ditt'ercnt voltages in comparison with a standard meter. the internal resistance ot the absorption cell be ing varied until the readings atditl'ere-nt voltages are; practically m'curatettn' the electric energy supplied. The resistance In is adjustcd'to cause the registering cell (F to act at the desired rate tor a given consumption of electrical energy. say once every hour for each unit of electricity supplied.

.-i\n" absorption cell such as described can be usedin variousarrangements ot' shunts "for electric meters. 'lhus. Fig. 3 shows a si'mila :n'raHgcnicnt to Fig. 2 but in which a resistance In" is placed in,shunt across the main cell a and its resistance In in addi tion to the resistance H across the absorption cell in.

'lhc gases evolved in the absorption cell in by electrolysis can. it required, be recombined in a manner similar to that. in which meter. the. time taken in the the gases evolved in the main cell a are recombined. The recombining of the gases in the absorption cell 10 by ignition may be d is pensed with by forming the plates w, m of catalytic platinum which, owing to the absorbing power thereof, gives ott practically no gas with the very small current which is passed through the cell, and what little is given off, it readily reeombines. It may also be desirable to practically prevent evolutionoi. gases in the absorption call when using nickel electrodes. This can be done by making the resistance in so great that the current passing through the absorption cell will be so small that 'nactically no gases will be given of? in such cell. The-resistances inf andm are ,or may also be made so great that practically no will be given tilt in the main cell when no current is being suppliedto the lamp circuit a. Apparatus such as shown in Figs. .1, and instead of being used to operate a counting device j for registering the quantity of electricity consumed, may be adapted for use for other nn'poses, as for example for. operating an. automatic switch, for example a switch that will operate after the electrolytic apparatus has acted a given number of times, and close or open an elec tric switch for switching on or switching otl' electric or other lamps or for performing some other useful work. Fig. '4 shows an arrangement for this purpose wl'ierein the lever 11. is provided with a pawl T to engage teeth 8' on a disk 5) provided. with adjustable tappets 10 and 1.1; the pawl 7 engaging the disk and rotating it a step bytbe action of a spring a each time the lever u is released after being attracted by the electroinagnet 1?, 2' The tappet it) is arranged to engage, at the required time, an arm 12 lived on a switch lever l3 and more this lever in the direction of the. a rrow. against the action of a weight H, and close a circuit between two romluctors l5 and It) through a switch comprising mercury cups IT and a movable contact l8 on the lever. which is then held in the closed position by the notched upper end of a. pivoted catch 19 engaging a pin 20 on the lever. The tappet .1 is arranged to dis engage the catch it from thepin 20 at the required time and allow the weight It to open the switch 1T--li$'.'

'hat 1. claim is:-

l. lllectrolytic apparatus comprising a circuit having three branches adapted to be connected as a shunt between two electric supply mains.one of said branches having therein a. high resistance and designed For conncct-ion'to one of said mains and the other two branches being designed for connection to the second supply main. and each having therein an electrolytic cell.

2. ltllectrolytic apparatus comprising a. circuit having three branchesadapted to be connected as a shunt between two electric 1 supply mains, one of said. branches includmg a high resistance and designed for con- "nection to one main and the other two branches being designed for connection to the second supply main, one of these two ln-anches having in. circuit therewith a main registering electrolytic cell and the other having in circuit therei-vith an absorption cell comprising an electrolyte and metal plates, said plates being large in prr.)portion tothe electrodes in the main. cell, the internal resistance of theabsorption cell being small compared to that of the main cell and the size of the plates being such that, any rise in voltage, Within a prc- .leter1nined limit, between the ends of said sl'iunt will not cause any material voltage drop across the plates.

3. Electrolytic apparatus comprising a circuit having three l'lranches adapted to be connected as a shunt between two electric absorption cell Electrolytic apparatus comprising a n'iain electrolytic cell and ajhigh resistance arranged in series with each other and adapted to be connected in a shunt circuit across electric supply mains, a main shunting resistance adapted to be includedin cir cuit with one of said supply mains and to' one end of ivhich said main. electrolytic cell is connected, and a second electrolytic or absorption cell connected in series with said high resistance and to the opposite end of said main'sl.1u1 1ting resistance, substantially as described.

: resistance and to the opposite end of said,

main slum'ting resistance, and a low I'QSISlk ""ance connected across the tcrnnnals of said 5. Electrolytic apparatus comprising a main electrolytic cell. and a high resistance arranged. in. series tvith each other and adapted to be connected in ashunt circuit across QlG'CtIIlC' supply mains, a mam shunting resistance adapted to' be ii'icliuled in ci-rcuit with one of said supply mains and to one end of which said main electrolytic cell is connected, a second electrolytic or absor 'n tron cell connected in series with sa d highv absorption cell. v-

(5, Electrolytic apparatus comprising a main electrolytic cell, a main high resistance and an adjustable high resistance connected in series With each other and adapted to be connected in a shunt circuit across electric supply mains a second electrolytic or absorption cell connected to said shunt circuit and an adjustable high resistance connected in series with each other andv adapted to be connected in a shunt circuitacross electric supply mains a main shunting resistance adapted to be included in circuit with one of said supply mains and to one end of which said main electrolytic cell is connected, a second electrolytic or absorption cell connccted to said. slnint circuit. between the main and adjustable resistances and to the second end ofsa'id main shunting resistance, and a low resistance connected across the termi'- nals o'f saidabsorption cell.

8. Electrolytic apparatus coin 'nrising a.

shunt'circuit adapted to be connected across electric supply mains and comprising three branches, a mail-i high resistance included in one branch, a main electrolytic cell with an adjustable high resistance included in a second branch and a second electrolytic or absorption cell. included in the third branch, a low resistance connected across said main cell and adjustable resistance, and a low re sistance connected across the terminals of said absorption cell.

9. Electrolytic apparatus comprising a main shunting resistance adapted to be con neeted in circuit With one of two current supply mains, main electrolytic cell, a main higlrrcsistance and an adjustable high resistance arranged in series with each other I toform a shunt circuit that is connected at one end to the said main shunting resistance ,on the dynamo side thereof and is designed to be connected atthe other end to the second supply main, a second electrolytic or ab sorption cell connected to the other end of said main shunting resistance and to the shunt circuit between the main andadjustable resistances, a low resistanceconnected across said main cell and adjustable resistance, and a low resistance connected across the terminals of said abstuj tior cell.

Signed at London, Engli'ind this 30th day of July 1909.

WILFRED BER. RAM 'rnonrn. Witnesses T. L. RAND, 1L0. WILLTAMS.

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