The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-06-09

small case as easily as piano, tuner
now takes his tools nd no skill at all
is required for its operation BY merely
striking any string the instrument WIN
indicate whether pitch Of this string is
above or below the proper pitch for such
string, and by then tightening or loosen
| ing the string in accordance with whether
it is below or above the necessary pitch
the device will indicate when the proper
| pitch has been reached.
"rhe operation of the device is based
on the principle of relative or absolute
synchronism between device rotating
| at a known speed and a wire vibrating
at the same speed or multiple thereof.
A small disk is rotated Mt any one OF
number of known speeds depending on
the note desired, and the sound vibra-
tions are received through microphone,
which is the same as that used on all
telephones to receive the spoken words,
which converts the sound vibrations into
electrical vibrations. This microphone is
connected in circuit with magnetic
device which converts the electrical yibra
tions in the circuit to mechanical vibra-
tions indicated by pendulum like swing
of ray of light.
Ray of Light Shows.
"Ths ray of light vibrates at the
same rate as the wire is vibrating, but
instead Of moving over such small dis
lance that it is impossible to follow with
the eye, the ray of light greatly magn-
fes these vibrations and they are read
lily observed. The disk has number OF
small holes through it and when this ray
is making the same number If swings In
period of time that the disk is revolv-
ing in the same time, continuous light
will show through the disk, but when
the vibrations of the wire are more or
less frequent than the revolutions OF the
disk, the light will show internationally
and the length of the interval between
the flashes of light inuicates the amount
of variance between the present pitch of
the string and the proper pitch. II the
tuner turns the wire to tighten it he
will Immediately note that either the
flashes of light become more frequent or
less depending upon whether he is turn
ing it in the right direction or the wrong. |
Upon noting that he is turning it in
the wrong direction he will Immediately |
DeRlH 10 LuTH III tHe OlHtf uHccliOn SIOW |
ly and the flashes OF light will then come
more and more frequent until the string |
is absolutely at the proper pitch, when
the light will remain constant. This
light strikes on small ground glass find
ar very much resembling that used in a
camera.
Operation Is Simple.
"An indicator is used to regulate the
ate of revolution of the disk, and by
merely turning the indicator point to
he position designated for the desired
,ote and then starting the revolution OF
he disk, the operator has merely I.
tighten or loosen his string and watch
he action of the light. Without reset
ing his machine he can absolutely tune
ZACH string of the same note, if there be
more than one, to the same pitch and
hen pass to the next note which IL
uned in the same manner as the first.
with one of these advices piano
an be tuned to absolute accuracy in a
cry few minutes, and the work can be
lone by anyone. The cost of one of
hese devices is small.
zone of the points which makes this
all the more remarkable is
hat young Gordon has not even had the
dvantages of technical education, but !
e has acquired knowledge of the sub
act of harmonics and electricity by in !
ividual study and research which is Z
qualled by few other men," s