Battery, Dry.
(a) A form of open circuit battery in which the solutions by a mass of
zinc oxychloride, gypsum, or by a gelatinous mass such as gelatinous
silica, or glue jelly, are made practically solid. Numbers of such have
been patented, and have met with considerable success.
(b) Zamboni's dry pile, q. v., is sometimes termed a dry battery.
Battery, Element of.
A term applied sometimes to a single plate, sometimes to the pair of
plates, positive and negative, of the single couple.
Battery, Faradic.
A term applied, not very correctly however, to apparatus for producing
medical faradic currents. It may be an induction coil with battery, or a
magneto-generator worked by hand.
Battery, Ferric Chloride.
A battery of the Bunsen type, in which a solution of perchloride of iron
(ferric chloride) is used for the depolarizing agent. A little bromine
is added with advantage. The depolarizing agent recuperates on standing,
by oxidation from the oxygen of the air.
Battery, Fuller's.
A battery of the Bunsen type. The zinc plate is short and conical, and
rests in the porous jar into which some mercury is poured. An insulated
copper wire connects with the zinc. A plate of carbon is in the outer
jar. The solutions are used as in the Bunsen battery.
Synonym--Mercury Bichromate Battery.
Battery, Gas.
(a) A battery whose action depends on the oxidation of hydrogen as its
generating factor. It was invented by Grove. Plates of platinum are
immersed in cups of dilute acid, arranged as if they were plates of zinc
and carbon, in an ordinary battery. Each plate is surrounded by a glass
tube sealed at the top. The plates are filled with acid to the tops.
Through the top the connection is made. A current from another battery
is then passed through it, decomposing the water and surrounding the
upper part of one set of plates with an atmosphere of oxygen and of the
other with hydrogen. Considerable quantities of these gasses are also
occluded by the plates. On now connecting the terminals of the battery,
it gives a current in the reverse direction of that of the charging
current.
This battery, which is experimental only, is interesting as being the
first of the storage batteries.
(b) Upward's Chlorine Battery and any battery of that type (see Battery,
Upward's,) is sometimes termed a gas battery.