Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1898-11-11


the explanation that the electric Disturbances
proceeding from the centre of control were of
an enthusiastically feeble character, and then
made the startling statement that he believed |
| that the time would come when It would be
possible to bring them into play by the mere
exercise of the will.
| "But that time," he continued, ais probably |
| far distant. | only mention the fact as illus.
| tratve of the delicate character of the i'm
pulse, and because the possibility of exciting |
them by mere will power is logically in |
accordance with the development of the
system"
Continuing his description MIR. Tesla said
81 may pass through conducting path, |
preferably enclosing large area, a rapidly |
varying current, and by electro magnetic in
duction of the same, affect circuit carried
by the moving body.
"ln this case the action Mt given distance
will he the stronger the larger the area in
| closed by the conductor and the greater the
rate of CHI lnge of the circuit. If the latter
were generated In the ordinary ways, the
rate of change, and consequently the distance
at which the action should be practically
available for the present purpose, would be
very small but by adopting such means as
have devised-that is, either by passing
through the conducting path currents of
specially designed high frequency al ernator
or, better still, those of a strongly charged
condenser-a very nigh rate of change may
be obtained, and the effective range of the
influence thus extended over n vast area,
and by carefully adjusting the circuit of the
moving body so rs to be in exact electro
magnetic synchronism with the primary dis
turbnnces, this influence may be utilized Mt
great distances.
"AnOthcr way to carry out my invention is
to direct the currents or discharges of n high
frequency machine or condenser through
circuit one terminal of which is connected
directly or indirectly with the ground, and
the other to a body, preferably of large sur.
face, and ut an elevation.
ain this case il the circuit on the moving
body be similarly arranged or connected,
differences of potential on the terminals of
the circuit either by conductiOn or electro.
static induction are produced, and the same
object is attained.
"Still another way is to pass the currents
| simply through the ground by connecting
, both the terminals of the source of high fte-
J quency currents to earth at different and re-
? mote points and to utilize the currents spread
ing through the ground for affecting the
receiving circuit properly placed jand adj
justed.
"Finally, may avail myself in carrying
t ont my invention of electrical oscillations
i which do not follow any particular conduct.
- ing path, but propagate in straight lines
Z through space, of rays, waves or disturbances
( of any kind, capable of bringing the mechan-
{ ism of the moving body into action from a
distance and the will of the operator by their
< effect upon suitable controlling devices.
I IN amy tNtll'-lllhI is 10 say, whenever OF
G the above or similar plans | may adopt-and
= particularly when the influences exerted
, from distance upon the receiving current be
:. too small to directly and reliably affect and
t actuate the controlling apparatus, employ
auxiliary sensitive relays, or, generally
speaking, means capable of being brought
. into action by the feeblest influences, in order
= to effect the control of the movements of the
q distant body with the least possible eXpendi-
It ture of energy and at the greatest practical
n distance, and thus extend the range and use
fulness of my invention"
In describing the device used for detecting
the presence of the impulse from the control.
:. ling station and transmitting 1t to the pro
" pelling and other mechanism of the boat
:, Mr.. Tesla said n great variety of devices for
the detection of vibrations were known TO
9 scientific men and artisans, and mentioned
among others, the familiar lightning arresteI
In use in telegraph Offices.
He had de noAstrated, he said, the practica.
. bility of providing large numotr of receiv
ing currents of Il special design-50 or 100 OF
; more-eacn of winch might be called up OF
q brought into action, whenever desired " it'll
= out the others being interfered with. This
. made ii possible for one operator to direct
. simultaneously the movements of many
Il bodies, each of which might have a distinct
duty to perform, as well as to control the
" action of various devices located on the same
!; body, such as the propelling, steering and
II exploiting mechanism of a torpedo boat.
! "The apparatus by means of which the
y operation of both the propeling and steering
= mechanisms Is controlled involves, primari
ly, a receiving circuit, which, for reasons be
fore stated, is preferably both adjusted anC
y reno cred sensitive TO the influence of waves
. or impulses emanating from remote source
y the adjustment being so that the period o
l. oscillation of the circuit is either the same a.
l. that of the source or n harmonic thereof.
II "1he receiving circuit proper comprises
Is terminal affixed on the central standard
II conductor. n sensitive device, ana n con
y ductor leading to the ground, conveniently
Il through connection to the metal keel of the
a vessel The terminal should present a large
d conducting surface, and should be supported
as high as practicable on the standard. The
l. circuit or path, also part of local circuit
lie which latter includes Il relay magnet and
y battery, the electro motive force of which IL
n so determined that, although the dielectriC
- layers in the sensitive device are subjected
n to a great strain, yet normally they withstand
Al the strain and no appJeciable current flows
through the local circuit, but when an electri
IS cal disturbance reached the circuit the di
y electric films are broken down. the resistance
g. of the device is suddenly and greatly di
sr minished, and a current traverses the relay
10 magnet"
Is The sensitive device which Mr.. Tesla EN-
g ploys, and on which dependence is placed tC
g. effect connection between the impulses from
the controlling station and the mechanism
ss proper, of the boat. consists of a meta
IL cylinder, provided with insulating heads
le through which passes metallic rod
A small quantity of metallic grains of con
D. Quoting material, consisting of particles o.
exactly uniform size and carefully oxidized
20 is placed in the cylinder, which is placed IL
" connection with small battery and Il trail
ID of clock work. This mechanism operates Il
p. turn the sensitive cylinder, end for end, afte
a the passage of the impulse, which has started
sr the battery current
At The normal position of the cylinder is yer
al teal, and when turned over the grains in 1
are simply shifted from one end to the other
r AS they always fall through the same space
pr and are subjected to the same agitation, they
sr are brought after each operation of the re
8, lay to precisely the same electrical condi
ton, andl offer the same resistance TO thu
or flow of the battery current, until anothe