IMPROVEMENTS IN APPLYING ELECTRICITY TO CONTROL RAILWAY ENGINES AND CARRIAGES, TO MARK TIME, TO GIVE SIGNALS, AND PRINT INTELLIGENCE AT DISTANT PLACES
Year: 1841

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, wе, THOMAS
WRIGHT, of Church Lane, Chelsea, Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, and
ALEXANDER BAIN, of Percival Street, Clerkenwell, Mechanist, send grecting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by
Her Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twenty-first day of December, in the fifth year of Her
reign, did, Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said
Thomas Wright and Alexander Bain, Her especial licence, that we, the said
Thomas Wright and Alexander Bain, our executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as we, the said Thomas Wright and Alexander Bain,
our executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, our Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPLYING ELECTRICITY TO CONTROL RAILWAY ENGINES AND
CARRIAGES, TO MARK TIME, TO GIVE SIGNALS, AND PRINT INTELLIGENCE AT DISTANT
PLACES;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso obliging us,
the said Thomas Wright and Alexander Bain, or one of us, by an instrument
in writing under our or one of our hands and seals, particularly to describe and

page_text: ascertain the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, and to cause the same to be enrolled in Her said Majesty's
High Court of Chancery within six months next and immediately after the
date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same,
reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
Thomas Wright and Alexander Bain, do hereby declare that the nature of
our Invention may be generally described as consististing of various improved
modes of applying electricity to the purposes aforesaid. And in further com-
pliance with the said proviso, we, the said Thomas Wright and Alexander
Bain, do hereby describe the manner in which the said Invention is to be
performed, by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the
Drawings annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon.
First, as to the controlling of railway engines and carriages,-we employ the
deflexion of the electric conductor, or a coil of wire, by which deflexion we
remove an impediment or stop which prevents the motion of certain mechanism
which, when thus liberated, performs the operation of shutting off the steam,
and may be made to blow the same into the whistle, and also indicates to the
engine driver that an impediment occurs on the line of road by an index,
all these movements being produced by the deflexion of a coil of wire, or the
electric conductor, the said deflexion being caused by the making or breaking
of the electric curcuit. We wish it to be understood that we prefer the
deflexion of the coil of wire or electric conductor for the purposes above
described to the well-known deflexion of the magnetic needle (which we keep
fixed), because the coil is not affected by the approximation of metallic masses,
and we obtain an increased power of deflexion thereby. An electro magnet
would also answer the same purpose if a sufficient electric current was

page_text: We will now first describe generally how the electric circuit is maintained
between the locomotive, Figures 2 and 4, and the pilot engine represents in
Figures 1 and 3, which may be supposed to be about a mile in advance of the
locomotive; and,
Secondly, we will shew in detail the effect which the making or breaking of
the electric current has on the apparatus for giving signals of danger and
turning off the steam in order to check the speed, and thus control the engine
and carriages.
In Figures 2 and 4, Sheet 1, a represents a galvanic battery, the arrows
indicating the direction of the electric currents; b is a leg or bracket of cast
iron, bolted to the fire box, or any other convenient part of the engine. In
the foot of the bracket are two sockets c, c, in which are placed two brass
plugs d, d, which fit loosely in their births, and are completely insulated from
all conductors except the long conducting wires f, fx, and the springs which
force the plugs against the conducting wires f. fx. These conducting wires are
carried throughout the whole line of railway in a manner hereafter described.
Attached to the pilot engine Figure 1 and 3, is a similar leg or bracket b,
with similar brass plugs d, d, having one also resting on each of the conducting
wires ff. To the plugs d, d, are attached wires which form the circuit, as
here shown, when the balls diverge. Now suppose the electric current to flow
from the battery, as indicated by the arrows, it will pass to the plug & through
the metal conducting wire f*, to the corresponding plug d on the pilot engines,
Figures 1 and 3, pass up the wire to the spring 1 through the shaft of the
governor, leaving it at the point i, and from thence through the wire and coil
of wire surrounding the magnetic needle k, and down through the wire / to
the other plug d, through the conducting wire f to the corresponding plug d
on the locomotive, and thence to the box m, containing mechanism herein-
after described, and from thence retaining to the battery a. Thus it is evident,
in the present supposed position of the parts, the current can flow unterruptedly
from the locomotive to the pilot engine, and back to the battery. On the
stern of the governor of the pilot engines, Figures 1 and 3, there is a cylinder
of ivory n, on which, when the balls of the governors fall, the spring h rests,
which, immediately breaking the continuity of metal, breaks the electric
curcuit, so that, were an obstacle to prevent the progress of the pilot engine,
the consequent falling of the governor balls would break the clectric circuit,
and thus put in action the mechanism which is more particularly explained as
follows:-
In Sheet No. 2, Figures 1 and 2 represent the apparatus contained in
the box aforesaid, which is put in action by the breaking of the current of

page_text: electricity through the stoppage of the pilot engine, and by which the signal
is given to the driver, and the steam shut off. a is a lever turning on the
centre b, on which is hung a weight c, which is the power that works the
apparatus. On the other side of the centre is a rack head d, working in
the pinion e, that gives motion to the wheelf through the click and ratchet
wheel g. The cogged wheel f works in the pinion h, as seen in Figure 2,
which thus gives motion to the steel disk i, on the outer edge of which is a
stop, which is shewn as catching against the under part of the projecting.
arm 1, which is fixed to the coil of wire m. Within the coil of wire m is a
maget n, as shewn in Figure 2, which is fixed to the plates or frame of the
apparatus by brackets o, o. Now presuming the current of electricity to be
brocken which passes through the coil of wire m by the wires p, p, it will
instantly take a position parallel with the magnet n, here shown in dotted
lines in Figure 1, the result of which will be that the arun will be removed
from the stop k, and the mechanism is put in motion by the weight c and
lever a.
The outside of the apparatus is shewn in Figure 3. The hand q is
fixed on the same arbor as the coil m, so that when the coil resumes its
position parallel to the magnet the band points to the red star r, which is the
signal that the pilot is stopped. In order that the motion of the apparatus
may shut off the steam, there is a studs shewn in Figures 1 and 3 on the
lever a, which is linked to a similar stud on the tail of the levert of the
throttle valve. The same action can be applied by suitable connexion to
blowing the steam whistle. This apparatus we for convenience fix in the
position as shewn in Drawing, as being well under the notice of the engineer.
In Figure 3 we shew an enlarged end view of the leg or bracket u, also
showing the manner in which the long conducting wires f, fx, or metallic
connexions are placed on the sleepers.
In Sheet 8 we exhibit a side view, Figure 1, and plan, Figure 2, of an
electro-magnetic printing telegraph. In the plan Figure 2 we shew but one
ype lever, in order that the action may be exhibited more distinctly. a, a, a,
a, a, a, a, a, in the side view, Figure 1, are eight electro-magnets, which are
screwed to the plate or ring, a portion of which is shewn in Figure 2,
marked a. b, in Figure 2, a piece of soft iron, which we call a feeder.
fixed to the spindle c, one of whose ends works in the ring a*, the other is
attached at d to the tail f, Figure 1, of the printing or type lever g, by the
spindle or pin e, Figure 1, so that any motion of the piece of soft iron or
feeder 6 communicates motion to the type lever g on the spindle h. This
spindle is mounted on points between what in clockwork would be called
cocks k, k. These cocks are furnished with adjusting screws 1, in order to adjust

page_text: the printing lever g, so as to strike exactly the centre. On the end of the levers
g is a stem at right angles, in the end of which is fitted a type. Now when
the current of electricity is sent into any one of the magnets a, it is rendered
magnètic, and attracts the piece of soft iron b, which, acting upon the spindle c
and the tail of the printing lever g, brings the lever, as seen at g, and its
type down to the centre of the plate, as seen at 8, Figure 1. There is also
another magnet m in the centre of the plate, common to all the levers, which,
when any one of the levers g is brought within a certain distance, acts power-
fully ou the circular head of the lever, which is soft iron, and pulls the type
forcibly against the ribbon and paper on the roller n, n, which we have colored
red in order to be more apparent. o is merely an iron ring constituting part
of the magnet m, m.
We shew in Figure 1 a set of finger keys, whereby the
metallic or other connexions are made with the semicircular studs bencatlı,
marked A, so that if the keys marked 1, 2, 3, and 4, 5, 6, 0, were pressed
down so as to touch the stud A beneath, the current would be sent to a cor-
responding magnet A, which attracts the piece of soft iron 6, and thus brings
the lever, with the corresponding type, to the centre of the plate, as marked by
dotted lines in the Drawing Figure 2. But at the same time that a current
is transmitted through either of the magnets a, it also renders the centre
magnet i magnetic as it returns through or round it from either of the mag-
After it leaves the magnet m it passes by the wire m*, Figure 1, to
the magnet p, Figure 2, which it also renders magnetic, and from thence to
the battery. Now the soft iron feeder 9 of the magnet p has a lever attached,
which is furnished with a click s, and bent spring r, so that when the mag-
netic influence has ceased the soft iron q is thrown back again by the spring ",
the clicks forces the ratchet round one tooth, and draws the ribbon and paper
y, r, herein-after described, forward. The ratchet is kept steady by the
spring u. From what has herein been stated it is evident that by cach
electric current transmitted by pressing the keys on the studs, one of the
magnets a, the centre magnet m, and the magnet p, are rendered magnetic.
By the two former the type is forced on the ribbon and paper, and by
the return of the soft iron feeder of the latter, after being attracted, the
paper and ribbon y, r, are drawn forward, the ribbon and paper y and r is
wound off one roller w to the roller w, the roller w* is kept steady by the
spring v, and is wound up by the handle a. The ribbon r, which is colored
red to render it distinct, is roll of half-inch-wide ribbon, which is rubbed over
the surface with a composition of two parts of oil, four parts of lamp black,
and one part of spirits of turpentine, which will enable the pressure of any form
thereon, as the type, to communicate the same to the paper. W exhibits a
nets a.

page_text: plan of one of the rollers. The blank key, or key marked B, is used to send
a current to the magnet p to draw the ribbon forward when a blank space is
required.
In Sheet 4, at Figure 1, we shew a method of giving signals and printing
by the electric current. a and a* are two barrels containing springs similar
to clock main springs, and wound in the usual manner. The barrel a gives
motion to the type wheel u through the pinion b, whose motion is regulated
by the coil acting through the pallets m, m, on the ratchet 1. The current
to the coil is regulated by an instrument similar to No. 1, Figure 6, as
herein-after described; at the same time the barrel a gives motion to the
pinion through pinions and wheels b, d, and c, e, but the pinion f is fixed
on the shaft of the governor g, so that when motion is given to the pinion h;
so as to bring the desired type to the paper, and the corresponding figure or
letter to the aperture in the dial, it causes the governor g to revolve, which
motion is permitted by the deflection of the coil k acting on the ratchet wheel
by the pallets m, m, resembling the escapement of a clock. The distance the
coil deflects is regulated by the studs o, o*, and is brought to its position by
the spring n. Now on the revolution of the governor the balls diverge, and
thus draw up the brass collar h, in which the end of the lever * lics. Upon
the other end of it rests a knees, projecting from the spindle g, but when the
end of the lever is forced down the knee s escapes from it, and rests against
the lower one S*; but on the falling of the balls, which takes place in a short
time after the propelling power has ceased, the end i of the lever is again
forced upwards, and escapes from the lower knee s*, and permits the spindle g
to revolve about five sixths of a revolution, driven by the pinion p, which
pinion receives power from the sping in barrel a*, until it again meets the
upper kuce S on the spindle 9. There is an excentric r, a plan of which is
shewn immediately above, which, during that five sixths of the revolution,
forces the type disk u against the paper and ribbon on the rollers w, u,
and similar to that already described in Shect 3, and worked by the knee t*,
and ratchet z. We may here observe, that the governor balls are not fixed on
the governor shaft, but are caused to revolve therewith by a friction collet y,
whose adhesion carries them round, and permits an interval to clapse after the
motion ceases before the balls fall. Figure 2 shews the general arrangement
of the printing telegraph, with the keys and wires attached, by which the
telegraph exhibited in Sheet 3 is worked at the next station. A, A, A, A,
shows the position of the plate of the telegraph, Sheet 3. a* shews the key of
the wire z, Sheet 3, which is to move forward the paper rollers u, w*,
it is only required to move forward the paper and ribbon without printing.
when

page_text: In Sheet 4, Figure 6 shews instruments whereby a person working a telc-
graph may know if it is indicating or printing correctly at a distant station.
Let a and b represent batteries at their respective stations, the hand d of the
instrument marked No. 2 is propelled by the deflection of the coil of wire
round the magnet N, which, by the click spring m, works the ratchet o. The
hand C, in instrument No. 1, has a screw e, which traverses the steel disk,
having ivory studs f. f, inserted therein, the current being supposed to leave
the battery 6 in the direction of the red arrows, flowed during the time the
hand was passing from the last stud fto its present position through the metal
disk to the stud u, from thence through the wire x to the coil s, which cannot
defect in that direction, through the wire y to the coil 1, No. 2; from thence
to the spring p, which rests on the ratchet wheel o, through the plate of the
machine to the stud v, back through the wirez, back to the battery b. But
the current which has so passed through the coil of wire has caused it to
diverge, so as to rest against the stud q, and has drawn the click spring m
back a tooth, so that as soon as the hand c of machine No. 1 rests on the ivory
stud by the screw e, the coil of wire will have, in returning to its original
position, forced the ratchet round a tooth, by which the spring p is made to
rest upon the ivory stud r in the ratchet wheel o; and the insulated curve h,
which is fastened to the hand d by a piece of ivory or other insulating
substance 9, is made to rest on the studs i, i. Now the parts being in this
position, a connexion is opened between the other battery A No. 2 and the
coil of wires at the instrument No. 1; from thence the insulated curve h,
being on the studs i, i, instrument No. 2, the current flows from the batterie
through the studs and curve in the direction of the black arrows through the
wire y, through the coil of wires, which it deflects to the pin t, which shows
when the instruments correspond, back through the wire to the stud u,
thence through the other studs i, i, and curve h, No. 1, in the direction
of the black arrow, through the wire z to the stud v, and from thence to the
battery a.
A machine with a dial and hand, similar to No. 1, Figure 6, is employed in
transmitting the clectric currents from the battery to work the machine
Figure 1, but this instrument is publicly known.
Figures 3 and 5 exhibit the manner in which we apply the deflexion of the
coil of wire or electrical conductor to the marking of time. a, Figure 3, is a
ratchet wheel of sixty teeth; b, a click working in the same and moved by the
coil of wire c, surrounding the magnet d; e is a spring which brings the
coil c back to the position as in Drawing. f is a spiral spring through which

page_text: the electricity is sent into the coil from the wire g; h is the wire by which
the electric current returns from a spring similar to spring f. On the other
side of the coil i, i, are the stops which limit the deflexion of the coil.
steady click.
o is a
Figure 5 shews a front view of Figure 3, shewing the face of an ordinary
clock or timepiece, k being the minute, and the hour hand. m, m, m, show
the wheels which are necessary for communicating the motion of the ratchet
wheel a, a, Figure 3, to the hour hand 1, Figure 5, and which are well known
to all clock makers. A current is sent through the wire g every minute,
which causes the coil to deflect, and thus on its return draws the ratchet a
forward a tooth by the click b, and thus moves the hand k, Figure 5, which is
fixed on the same axle, forward a minute. The current may be sent correctly
every minute, by allowing the connexions to be made by the vibration of a
pendulum or of a balance wheel, which is already publicly known.
Another of our improvements in applying electricity consists in embedding
the wires in asphalt or other cement, which we perform by digging a trench,
say about two feet deep, and filling it to the depth of about half an inch with
the cement in a soft state. When this is hardened we lay the wires on it,
and then run in the trench, and on and over the wires another quantity of
cement in a soft state, so as entirely to bed the wires in the cement when
hard.
Figure 4, Sheet 4, denotes the manner in which two coils a, a, a, a, may be
made to work two ratchets for working clocks, or giving signals, or printing;
for if cach coil can only deflect in the direction of the arrow, on a current
being sent in one direction through both, only one will deflect, and if reversed
the other will deflect, working the ratchet by the clicks and springs d and c,
affording two distinct actions.
Our last improvement in applying the electricity refers to its application in
constructing electric telegraphs, and consists in conveying the electric current
by a single insulated wire to any distance, and completing the circuit by any
body of water that may be convenient. Supposing, for instance, a telegraph
from one bank of the Thames to Portsmouth Harbour, it would be necessary
to lay a single wire well and completely insulated from the earth, from the
one extremity of the line to the other. At each extreme end of the wire
would be attached a metal instrument, as shewn, Fig. 7, Sheet 4; but any
other form would answer, if containing sufficient surface, for the purpose of
transmitting the electric current from the wire to the water, and from the
water to the wire. The surface contents of the said metal instrument must

page_text: at least equal double the surface of the zinc used in the battery producing
the electricity.
Having now described the manner of performing our Invention, which, to
the best of our knowledge and belief, is entirely new, and never before used
within that part of Her said Majesty's United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland called England, Her said Dominion of Wales, or Town of Berwick-
upon-Tweed, we do hereby declare this to be our Specification of the same,
and that we do verily believe this our said Specification do comply in all
respects, fully and without reserve or disguise, with the proviso in the said
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent; wherefore we do hereby
claim to maintain exclusive right and privilege to our said Invention. We
claim―
1st, the conveying of electric current from what we have herein called a
pilot engine to a locomotive engine, for the purposes aforesaid, and by deflecting
the electric conductor instead of the magnetic needle.
2nd, the machinery herein-before described for giving signals on and
turning off the steam from locomotive engines by electric action.
3rd, the application of the deflection of the electric conductor to the move-
ment of timepieces.
4th, the application of the deflection of the electric conductor to give
signals.
5th, the application of the deflection of the electric conductor to print
intelligence at distant places.
6th, the sending back the electric current, one mode of doing which is
shewn by the arrangement in Sheet 4, Figure 1 and 2, in order to shew if
the instruments correspond.
7th, the employment of centrifugal force to assist in printing intelligence,
as shewn in Figure 1, Sheet 4.
8th, the laying down the conducting wires for telegraphic purposes in
asphalt, pitch, or any other cement.
9th, the application of extensive bodies of natural waters, such as scas,
rivers, and lakes, to complete an electric circuit, as herein-before described
for the purposes aforesaid.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Bain, party hereto, set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-first day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-two.
ALEXANDER (L.s.) BAIN.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the same Twenty-first day of June,
in the year above mentioned, the aforesaid Alexander Bain came before our
Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification afore-
said, and all and every thing therein contained, in form above written. And
also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the
Statute in that case made and provided.
Inrolled the same Twenty-first day of June, in the year above written.