The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-02-17
A NOVEL TELEPHONE.
Means Of Conn III unicati0n Between Ship
OH the Great Ocean.

Means Of Com munication Between Ships
on the Great Ocean.
A recent dispatch from Now York gave a
brief description of q device invented by
Edison for tO%lephoning between ships at
sea. Tho Advertiser attributes the inven-
ton not TO Edison. but to two uermans
named Huber and kneuper. Their device
is an apparatus for the detection of sounds
proceeding from any object in contact with
water; whether the sounds originate from
such object or, by the use of the apparatus,
are originated at the place of observation
and reception and are there received when
reflected from such object. The apparatus
is intended to receive sound waves pulsa!-
ing in a body of water and to 10 transform
and intensity. transmit and Indicate. the
impression 80 produced that the position.
which such sound waves proce ed may be
determined.
In the sea telephone certain we'll known
principles are utilized in the following
manner: The sound-waves passing through
the water come in contact with metal strips
to vibrste. Those vibrations are transmit-
ted by wires to microphones, which greatly
magnify and intensity them. Thu intensity
of those sound vibrations is shown by a
suitable device called al indicator"
Other devices are employed to give notice
OF Q1HCurDHUC0S al tf0 apparatus ana 20
indicate the direction and distance Of such
disturbances.
The Gn0w-ways interceptor consists Of a
block composed of non-metnllic material,
such AZ wood. paper or hard rubber, pre-
ferably of diamond shane and having at
each angle q deep vertical recess. rounded
out ut its inner end to allow the passage of
the water to the extreme n of the re-
cess. AT tho end Of zach recess ia q metallic
tube, closed at the bottom and divided
loneitudinally by a non-conductinR or alb
sorbing diaphragm. and the two chambers
thus made in ench tube are filed with sea
water, thus producing q conductor of sound
homogeneous in nature and surrounding
medium. The Motallio receiving tubes are
placed in the rscesses of the block, 10 that
y fiat side of each diaphragm will DO pre-.
scented to tho open ond OF each recess. In
tho rear chamber of saCh receiving tube il
a section Of Il tube composed of non-con-
Quoting material, for the purpose of inter
cepting and absorbing all sounds coming
from the opposite side of the block. This
apparatus constitutes the ~reosiver Of the sea
telenhono. 1t will be attacked to the keel
of this vessel ut 4 sufficient depth to avoid
tho majority OF sounds emanatinR from the
surface, and may be protected against
animal and vegetable depoaits by removable
wire screens.
BY an ingenious but simple device tho sea
telephone will eivs warning, not only Of
moving objects IN the water. but OF station
airy objects. such az icebsrgs, submerged
wrecks, rookie. or any other obstruction to
navigation-an electric bell attached to the
bottom of the submerged block. BY ring.
ing this boil the soupd-WaveE thus created
will spread throngh tho waters in all direc-
tions, and upon coming in contact with npy
obstacle will be rGfracted back aud received
into the receiving tubea. As sound travels
four times AS quickly through water as it
docs through air, the presence OF any oh !
struction within ten miles in any direction
will be detected IN q few seconds, and from
the reflected sound exact calculations OF
tho distance and direction Of the object !
may be made. Naturally this 10 one of tho |
most important features OF the invention,
and If found to work practically, of which !
its inventor il absolutely confident, it wiz
entirely prelude tho possibility Of n COLI
sion at sea in any vessel which is fitted |
with the apparatus. This importance Of |
this discovery cannot be over estimated, az
IL will obyiata mo only the danger of col
lisions with other vessels in u fog or dark |
ness. but will prevent another serious peril,
and one that hitherto could not hs guarded
against by tho most careful watchfulnesR-
that of collision with icebergs and sub
merged wrecks.
Another useful purpose to which the in |
vention can be put will ho the communion
ton between two ships at u distance from
each Other. Two persons on different shil
using tho apparatus may, by means of the
bell to be ruhR according to |