US1174715A - Electrolytic electricity-meter. - Google Patents

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H. S. HATFIELD. ELECTROLYTIC ELECTRICITY METER. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7, 1913.

1,174,?15. Patented Ma1'.7,1916.

ml: COLUMBIA runoampmcou WASHINGTON, D. c.

UNIT

ATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY STAFFORD HATFIELD, OF BRUNSWICK, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, 'IO GENERAL ELECTRIC. COMPANY, "A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTROLYTIC ELECTRICITY-METER.

Application filed June 7, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY STAFFORD HATFIELD, a citizen of Great Britain, residing at Brunswick, Germany, have invented anew and usefulElectrolytic Electricity-Meter, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an electrolytic electricity meter having a mercury anode. A meter of this kind is frequently used in situations where it is subjected to shocks, either occasionally or continuously. The result of such treatment often is to detach portions of the anode and throw them into the cathode vessel or measuring tube. To prevent this occurrence, which impairs the accuracy of the indications, I take advantage of the powerful cohesion of the mercury, and so construct the anode vessel that the mercury anode presents but a small surface where it is in contact with the electrolyte, so that the surface tension of the mercury prevents the breaking away of portions of the anode.

A meter built according to this invention will withstand stronger shocks than in those with which I am acquainted. On the other hand, if it is notliable to' severe shocks, then the circulation of the electrolyte can be safely increased, by letting the partition separating the anode from the measuring tube rise only a little or not at all above the level of the mercury.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a vertical section of a meter embodying my invention, and Fig. 2 isa cross-section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

In the anode vessel a there is a small partition I) dividing off a recess to contain a body of mercury c which serves as an anode. The partition may, if desired, be made quite low. Adjacent to the recess and below the level thereof is the measuring tube d which is preferably arranged vertically. The upper portion of the anode chamber'forms Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. Mar. '7, 1916.

Serial No. 772,241.

a small dome e for such air .as may be left a pocket a bent over in the manner shown. The cathode f is located adjacent to the anode recess and above the upper end of the measuring tube or cathode vessel d.

The anode recess issmall in horizontal cross-section so that the upper surface of the mercury in contact with the electrolyte is reduced in area. Consequently the surface tension of the mercury and its adhesion to the walls of the recess will act powerfully to resist the tendency of a shock to displace it. Furthermore, when the meter, as shown in Fig. l, is tilted in the plane of the drawing in a counter-clockwise direction for the purpose of letting the mercury deposited by electrolysis in the measuring tube flow back again into the anode vessel, the air in the dome c is received by the pocket (t and is by this means kept from entering the measuring tube.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative, and that the invention can be carried out by other means.

What I claim as new and desire to secure HENRY STAFFORD HATFIELD;

Witnesses:

PAUL Kniionn, I RICHARD I-IAKIs.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

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