The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-07-04
BY John F. Bront.

BY John F. Bront
Some interesting results have been
obtained with relay built In similar
way to the one described and sketched
here. The mechanical working prin-
cIpIe of the apparatus is not new one,
yet Is uniquely applied In the recording
Of received radio time signals by isolat-
Ing them In local circuit In which is
included a recorder. Curiously enough
the instrument Is applicable to record
Ing OF continuous wave signals. more
80 than to those Of decaying trains.
In detail we may examine what takes
place when straight steel wire has
either or both Of Its ends thrust to-
ward each other. A very slight move
ment of the ends toward each other Is
followed by the wire bowling outwardly
in the center and forming an arc. The
closer the wire Is to Its normal shape
the greater will be the movement of
the center Of the wire outwardly from
Its normal position, when pressure is
applied at either or both ends In a
direction along the original normal
axis OF the wire, for given move
ment of the ends toward each other.
The slight movement of the ends to-
ward each other, In fact, Is magnIfied
In the resultant movement or bending
out Of the center. AS the ends are
moved nearer each other the resultant
outward movement of the center pOr-
tion grows less. If curve were
drawn, 1t would show steep portion
Mt the beginning and gradually round
ing off toward the point represented
where the ends of the wire are sup
posed to be parallel with each other
In the bending process That Is when
the wire is bent double.
Construction Of Relay.
In the relay sketched here the steel
wire is fastened to the diaphragm of
large-sized receiving phone. At the
center where the greatest movement
takes place for a given thrust on either
end, Is placed contact which Is in
Guided in a local circuit, as Is portion
Of the steel wire itself. The opposite
end Of the wire Is securely held rigid.
The contact below the center Of the
wire Is adjusted by micr0meter ar
rangement which requires a large |
movement Of the adjusting screw for
slight change In the height of the con
tact. which is made of spring brass
and securely fastened at one end, while
the lower end Is drilled to pass the
screw Of the adjusting arrangement,
and fits against the adjusting nut.
Operation.
In operation. the attraction Of the
at each wave train makes
q change In the position of the center
Of the wire and If the micrometer ap-
paratus is adjusted correctly local
circuit will be opened and closed at
each movement OF the diaphragm. Is
peclally where continuous waves are
being dealt with, this type Of relay
Is most efficient and 1t Is necessary
only to rectify the received trains.
without going through the operation
Of heterodyning. Each arriving train
will cause attraction and release the
which movement is com
munlcated to the steel wire.
The wire Is not maintained at Its
exactly straight horizontal position,
but slightly bowed down in the center
to facilitate the action Of a permanent
magnet placed Immediately below the
wire so as to insure the movement of
he center Of the wire downward and
lot to one side or upward when the
movement Of the diaphragm Is com
to 1t, through the action of
he rectided trains Of continuous
waves.
The whole apparatus Is In fact an ,
lmplifler and relay at the same time,
II has been made up for re-
aging only. The diaphragm movement :
s amplified In the movement of the
enter of the wire, which movement Is
he agency In closing and opening :
ocal circuit. Experiments were made :
which reversed the usual order of
hlngs and arranged for the breaking !.
+ local circuit which would operate !,
recorder Instead Of the usual type :
Which Is made to close a local circuit. :.
Batteries.
Primary batteries were connected in :,
cries with the recorder and one end =