Improvements in Electrical Signalling Apparatus.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd May, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 18th Feb., 1892-Accepted, 23rd May, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electrical Signalling Apparatus.
We, FERDINAND HANUSSE and GEORGES BORREL, of 95 Boulevard
Beaumarchais, Paris in the Republic of France, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an electrical signalling device for instantaneous
signalling. The object of the apparatus is to transmit optical signals visible at a
great distance and to replace especially in seaports the apparatus hitherto employed
for a similar purpose and known as time-calls, their object being to notify the
hours and enable the indications of marine chronometers to be compared and
checked.
With a view to accomplish especially this latter end this improved semaphore is
so constructed that the signals may be repeated and continued for an indefinite
period of time and at intervals varying between one half of a second, one second,
or two seconds, and any space of time however prolonged under given
circumstances.
The apparatus substantially consists of a number of plane plates which may be
made of sheet iron or wood of any convenient size and adapted to turn on shafts.
Each of these shafts supports one of the plates along its central or axial line by
means of brass clamps secured to the shaft and turning therewith. The plates are
all arranged in the same vertical plane and secured in an iron frame the side posts
or columns of which are hollow and contain each special devices which will be
presently more fully referred to.
The distance between two adjacent plates is equal to the width of one plate.
plus a few millimetres extra to allow for the working of the plates. The apparatus
may consist of any required number of plates, say fifteen and of any desired
dimensions.
Signals are produced by changing the position of the plates which so long as
they remain vertical form a screen, but when they are turned to the horizontal
position the apparatus conveys to the observer the appearance of an empty space
surrounded by the frame. These two positions of the plates thus constitute two
different signals either of which may be given in of a second. Normally the
plates should turn 90° for each signal; in the case of some signals however their
operating mechanism enables them to be turned 180° in relation to their original
horizontal or vertical position.
OPERATING MECHANISM.
Each plate has a motor of its own consisting of a helical spring wound around
one end of its shaft. This spring is enclosed in a barrel provided with a bevel
wheel. Each of these spring barrels is through the medium of its bevel wheel
acted upon by a vertical shaft carrying as many bevel pinions as there are spring
barrels. This shaft is connected either directly or through intermediate gearing
according to the space available with a barrel whereon is wound a rope or cord
provided with a motor weight capable of winding up or compressing to the desired
extent all the spiral springs. A pawl and ratchet wheel applied to the barrel
prevents it from turning in the direction opposite to that in which the winding up
is effected. It will be understood that owing to this arrangement the weight being
raised the barrel will be operated and transmit motion to the vertical shaft so
that both will turn together until the expansion of all the springs counterbalances
the weight. Under these circumstances whenever the plates move to give a signal

page_text: the springs by becoming partly unwound allow the weight to descend a corre-
sponding distance so that it may wind them up again. The number of signals is
therefore as large as may be desired, owing to the possibility of increasing at will
the downward stroke of the weight according to local circumstances. Suitable
grooved blocks may be employed for the purpose if required. All the barrels
along with the main shaft are enclosed in one of the hollow side columns of the
frame.
COUPLING AND RELEASING MECHANISM.
Each plate is fitted with its own coupling or releasing mechanism so that it is
entirely independent of the other plates.
Each mechanism comprises two pawls turning on the same centre or shaft and
held by stops against the ends of two other pawls arranged perpendicularly to the
former and also turning about a common centre. Two of the pawls terminate at
the end opposite to the stops in a rounded fork or yoke through which passes a
rod for cach pawl which rods appertain to the magnetic apparatus hereinafter
referred to. These rods are adapted to press by their own weight and also under
the action of an additional load by means of rings adjustable by means of screws.
Between two of the pawls is arranged a cam provided with four regular teeth
and keyed upon the end of a shaft on the side opposite to the barrel. This cam
has a tendency to rotate under the action of the spring contained in the said
barrel. The teeth of the cam carry each a projecting tail-piece facing the opposite
teeth. These tail-pieces are adapted to stop the cam as required upon one or the
other of the pawls which are provided with the necessary stops. The studs serve
to limit the motion of the pawls and also to restore them to their proper position
after their descent. The plates are secured to their shafts in such a manner
that whenever the cam stops they all occupy the same position either vertical or
horizontal.
ELECTRO MAGNETIC APPARATUS.
This apparatus consists of two polarized electro-magnets the armatures of which
are connected with the pawl rods which they maintain in a suspended condition.
The armatures are brought into contact with their magnets through the medium
of devices applied to two plates only.
One of these devices consists of a bell-crank lever, the portion of this lever
which is in contact with the pawl rod being of the same shape as that of the
corresponding parts of the pawls. From the lever projects a finger and the cam
operating it has two of its tooth spaces partly filled up the thickness of the
material being here reduced by half so as not to interfere with the operation of
the stud. When the rod is lowered it operates in addition to the pawls the bell-
crank lever the teeth or finger of which engages with one of the spaces of the
cam.
This cam in turning acts upon the lever which it raises together with the
rod which latter moves the armature into contact with the poles of the magnet.
The coils of the magnets are connected to each other by opposite poles so that
the current issuing from a battery discharges one coil and increases the charge of
the other alternately. For this purpose the current may be reversed by means of
a reversing key or by clockwork provided with an inverting switch. The coupling
mechanism for the plates and the magnets is enclosed in the other hollow post or
column forming part of the frame.
OPERATION.
While the apparatus is at rest whatever the initial position of the plates the
motor weight of the barrel being raised and therefore all springs in the plate
barrels wound up the armatures are maintained against the poles of their respective
magnets by magnetic attraction. By operating the reversing key in such a manner
as to discharge one magnet and increase the magnetic power of the other magnet

page_text: the armature of the former is released and yields to the pull exercised by the
weight of the pawl rod. In descending this rod by means of collars or projections
operates the first pawls which release the stops from the second pawls. These
pawls then fall in their turn thereby enabling the cam to turn a distance of 90°.
The stops then meet the pawl stops remaining inoperative while the pawls are
brought back to their initial position by the other stops.
A reversed current then causes the second magnet to act. The pawl rod now
releases the other set of pawls which enables the cam to perform another movement
of 90° and so on.
It will thus be seen that the cam is disengaged by the inoperative magnet
while the stoppage at the end of the stroke takes place on the pawls operated by
the strengthened magnet which ensures greater regularity in spite of the consider-
able speed of motion.
These arrangements are supplemented at the transmitting station by an optical
indicator in which a magnetized armature works in such a manner as to expose in
front of a window or opening provided for the purpose a black or white disc
according to the direction of the current and corresponding respectively to the
vertical or horizontal position of the plates in the frame. This optical device is
arranged upon the line wire so that the operator may at all times ascertain that
the passing current fulfils the required conditions.
Dated this 23rd day of May 1891
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electrical Signalling Apparatus.
We, FERDINAND HANUSSE and GEORGES BORREL of 95 Boulevard Beau-
marchais, Paris, in the Republic of France, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to an electrical signalling device for instantaneous signalling.
The object of the apparatus is to transmit optical signals visible at a great distance
and to replace especially in sea-ports the apparatus hitherto employed for a similar
purpose and known as time-calls, their object being to notify the hours and enable
the indications of marine chronometers to be compared and checked.
With a view to accomplish especially this latter end this improved signalling
device is so constructed that the signals may be repeated and continued for an
indefinite period of time and at intervals varying between one half of a second,
one second, or two seconds, and any space of time however prolonged under given
circumstances. The arrangement will be best understood by reference to the
accompanying drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a front view.
Fig. 2 a vertical section of the main body or column containing the gearings and
the electro-magnetic apparatus.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the second column containing mechanism for
operating the plates.
Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively a front view and a side view showing the coupling
gear and the electro-magnetic apparatus in detail.
The apparatus substantially consists of a number of plane plates L (Figs. 1 and 5)
which may be made of sheet iron or wood of any convenient size and adapted to
turn on shafts A. Each of these shafts supports one of the plates along its central
or axial line by means of brass clamps N' secured to the shaft and turning therewith.
The plates are all arranged in the same vertical plane and secured in an iron frame
(Figs. 1, 2 and 3) the side posts or columns of which are hollow and contain each
special devices which will be presently more fully referred to.

page_text: OPERATING MECHANISM.
Each plate has a motor of its own consisting of a helical spring wound around
one end of its shaft A. This spring is enclosed in a barrel provided with a bevel
wheel (Figure 5). Each of these spring barrels is through the medium of its
bevel wheel acted upon by a vertical shaft a (Figure 3) carrying as many bevel
pinions as there are spring barrels. This shaft is connected either directly or
through intermediate gearing according to the space available with a barrel T
whereon is wound a rope or cord provided with a motor weight P capable of winding
up or compressing to the desired extent all the spiral springs. A pawl and ratchet
wheel applied to the barrel axle T prevents it from turning in the direction opposite
to that in which the winding up is effected. It will be understood that owing to
this arrangement the weight P being raised, the barrel will be operated and
transmit motion to the vertical shaft so that both will turn together until the
expansion of all the springs counterbalances the weight P. Under these circum-
stances whenever the plates move to give a signal the springs by becoming partly
unwound allow the weight P to descend a corresponding distance so that it may
wind them up again. The number of signals is therefore as large as may be desired
owing to the possibility of increasing at will the downward stroke of the weight P
according to local circumstances. Suitable grooved blocks may be employed
for the purpose if required. All the barrels B along with the main shaft «
are enclosed in one of the hollow side columns of the frame Figure 3
(section C D).
COUPLING AND RELEASING MECHANISM.
Each plate is fitted with its own coupling or releasing mechanism so that it is
entirely independent of the other plates.
Each mechanism comprises two pawls D D' (Figures 4 and 5) turning on the
same centre or shaft o and held by stops g g' against the ends of two other pawls E E
arranged perpendicularly to the former and also turning about a common centre p.
Each pawl is provided with a counterweight R ensuring their operation in the
desired direction. The pawls E E¹ terminate at the end opposite to the stops y g
in a rounded fork or yoke ff" through which passes a rod M or M' for each pawl E
which rods appertain to the magnetic apparatus hereinafter referred to. These
rods are adapted to press by their own weight and also under the action of an
additional load by means of rings band 6' adjustable by means of screws.
Between the pawls D and D is arranged a cam C provided with four regular
teeth and keyed upon the end of the shaft A. on the side opposite to the barrel B.
This cam has a tendency to rotate under the action of the spring contained in the

page_text: ELECTRO-MAGNETIC APPARATUS.
This apparatus consists of two polarized electro-magnets X XI (Figs. 2 and 4)
the armatures of which are connected with the pawl rods M M which they
maintain in a suspended condition.
The armatures are brought into contact with their magnets through the
medium of devices applied to two plates only.
One of these devices shown in Fig. 4 consists of a bell-crank lever H pivotted at r,
the portion of this lever which is in contact with the pawl rod M being of the
same shape as that of the corresponding parts of the pawls E. From the lever
projects a finger and the cam C operating it has two of its tooth spaces. partly
filled up the thickness of the material being here reduced by half so as not to
interfere with the operation of the stud d'. When the rod M is lowered it operates
in addition to the pawls E the bell-crank lever H the tooth or finger h of which
engages with one of the spaces of the cam C. This cam in turning acts upon the
lever which it raises together with the rod M which latter moves the armature a
into contact with the poles of the magnet X.
The coils of the magnets X X are connected to each other by opposite poles so
that the current issuing from a battery K discharges one coil and increases the
charge of the other alternately. For this purpose the current may be reversed by
means of a reversing key o or by the clockwork provided with an inverting switch.
The coupling mechanism for the plates and the magnets is enclosed in the other
hollow post or column forming part of the frame (section A B, Fig. 2).
OPERATION.
While the apparatus is at rest whatever the initial position of the plates L the
motor weight of the barrel T being raised and therefore all springs in the plate\
barrels B wound up, the armatures are maintained against the poles of their
respective magnets by magnetic attraction. The pawls E' and D D' occupy
the position shown in full lines Figs. 4 and 5. By operating the reversing key o
in such a manner as to discharge one magnet X and increase the magnetic power
of the other magnet X the armature is released and yields to the pull exercised
by the weight of the rod M. In descending this rod M by means of collars or
projections operates the pawls E which release the stops g from the pawls D.
These pawls then fall in their turn thereby enabling the cam C to turn a distance
of 90° in the direction of the arrow. The stops then meet the stops of the
pawl D remaining inoperative while the pawls D are brought back to their initial
position by the stops d.
A reversed current then causes the magnet X' to act. The rod M now releases
the pawls D by means of the pawls E which enables the cam C to perform
another movement of 90° and so on.
It will thus be seen that the cam C is disengaged by the inoperative magnet
while the stoppage at the end of the stroke takes place on the pawls operated by

page_text: the strengthened magnet which ensures greater regularity in spite of the considerable
speed of motion.
These arrangements are supplemented at the transmitting station by an optical
indicator in which a magnetized armature works in such a manner as to expose.
in front of a window or opening provided for the purpose a black or white disc
according to the direction of the current and corresponding respectively to the
vertical or horizontal position of the plates in the frame. This optical device is
arranged upon the line wire so that the operator may at all times ascertain that
the passing current fulfils the required conditions.
The details of construction and operation may be modified without departing
from the principle of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is,―
Electrical instantaneous signalling apparatus mainly consisting of movable
plates fitted in a frame with side hollow posts or columns each plate being
provided with driving-gear consisting of bevel wheels operated by a common shaft
having corresponding bevel wheels and with an electro-magnetic switch device or
connecting gear comprising detents stops tappets and a cam such as described the
plates being set in operation by reversing an electric current alternately acting
upon one or the other of two electro magnets of opposite polarity which in their
turn act upon movable armatures operating movable rods adapted to throw all the
plates into gear the whole constructed and operating substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 18th day of February 1892.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicants.