J Apparatus for Signalling by Means of Sources of Light.
Year: 1895

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Date of Application, 22nd Oct, 1895-Accepted, 23rd Nov.,
1895
31
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
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J
Apparatus for Signalling by Means of Sources of Light.
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111
I, LEOPOLD SELLNER, of Vienna, Austria, Lieutenant in, the Impoiial and
Royal Austian Navy, 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
Hitherto there have been employed for signalling at night, and in particular for
signalling stations that change theu locality, such as ships, one or more sources.of
light, and in the latter case, always more than two, which are so arranged that, in
the case of a single light, long and short flashes of white or red light are transmitted
to the observer, while in the case of several sources of light, groups of white and
ed lights are employed, which latter method has the great advantage that the
signals can be kept visible for any desired length of time, on which account they
are termed continuous signals.
For producing such signals for example with white and red lights according to a
particular code, there are required at least three, but generally four or more signal
lights.
This larger number of lights on the one hand renders the signalling more or less
complicated, and on the other hand renders the reading of the signals more difficult
because as not only the strength of the source of light, but also the distance of
these from each other determine the legibility of the signals, while under existing
conditions of space, such as occur for example on board ship, there is seldom more
than about 20 yaids height available, which when divided among the number of
signal lights will at most give about 6 yards distance between them, so that the
distance at which such signals, are clearly distinguishable is, for the naked eye,
about two nautical miles, and with a telescope at most four miles.
My present invention relates to a method of signalling by means of sources of
light of any kind, in particular those which we available on moving signal stations,
such as ships, whereby the above mentioned disadvantages are entirely obviated
by the employment of only two signal elements or signal lanterns, placed at the
greatest possible distance apart, each of such signal elements being adapted not
only for giving white and red light, but also for giving intermittent white and red
lights, that is to say lights that are obscured for any desed length of time.
Thus in using only lights of two colours such as white and red, there can be
produced each element for signalling purposes five fundamental or main signals,
Damely white, red, intermittent white, intermittent red, and alternate white and
red, so that with a single element five different signals, can be given, while with
La such, thirty different combinations suitable for signals can be given
If in certain enses it be desned to still father increase this number of signals,
this can be done without increasing the number of elements, by using a thud
colour for the lights, or with only two colours, by longer or shorter obscuations,
with the intermittent lights or by longer or shorter intervals with the alternate
white and red lights
•
The distauce apart of such signals can (as there are only two signal lanterns) be
Increased to the greatest available extent, thus for ships it may be equal to the
entne available height of the masts, as the one lantern can be at the mast-top,
while the other is at the bottom.
The five signals producible by one such signal lantern, are produced in such
manner that each signal lantern, which can contain one or more sources of light, is

page_text: so divided that the one half serves for giving white light and the other half for
giving red light Both parts of the lantern can be provided with shutters actuated
by mechanical or electrical appliances, and which, according to the position given
them, allow or prevent the passage of the light from the parts of the lantern, or
cause the same to be transmitted intermittently or alternately.
Or there may be interposed between the sources of light of each signal lantern
and the commutator, semi-insulated discs, which in 1otating produce the signals
consisting of intermittent or alternate light effects
Two such signal lanterns constitute a signalling station and, as before stated, the
one is situated at the top of the minst and the other near the deck, in the case of
ships The lanterns are preferably arranged rotatable so that the signals can be
rendered visible over the entire hotzon, or only over part thereof. In the latter
case it is advantageous to employ two signal stations at one and the same locality
On the accompanying diawings Figs 1 to 4 shew a signal lantern, or signal
element for operating according to the above descubed method, Fig 1 shews a
vertical longitudinal section of the lautein, and Fig. 2 shews a back view, shewing
the actuating mechanism of the shutter devices. Figs 3 and 4 shew horizontal
sections through the lantern on line X X Fig. 2 viewed respectively upward and
downward from the plane of section. As sources of light are taken for example
electic glow lamps, which for signalling are provided with shutters actuated by
electricity.
1
Figures 5 and 6 shew separate views of parts of the actuating mechanism of the
shutter>
Figure 7 shew the diagram of the electrical connections of two signal atations
provided with the described signal elements
Figmes 8 and 8 shew the switchboard arranged for signalling according to this
diagiain respectively in the open and in the closed position.
Figure 9 shews a diagram of connections for those lanterns in which the signals
are produced by intermediate rotatable contact discs in place of the shutters.
Figs. 94 and 9 are plan views of two of these discs.
Figs 10 to 13 she in diagram elevations and plans, several aangements of
signal stations with such lamps or signal elements, on board ship.
As shewn at Figs 1.3 and 4, the signal lantep, which for example has two electric
glow lamps, is divided into two halves, of which the one seives for giving white and
the other for giving red light.
"
For this purpose the upper lamp a is partially sutiounded by white glass b, and
the lower one a by a red glass b. Round each of the two lainps me atanged L
a cncle, blades e like louvre boards, forming the shutter device. These blades,
which are held in the closed position by springs Fig. 1 attached to then axIS,
project with
pins cinto notches of an actunting ng d, hich when turned by
means of the rod e o el, after overcoming the tension of the springs, brings the
blades into a radial position relatively to the light, so that the latter is then visible
to the observer as at Figure 3, while by the rescise motion the blades fuld over
each other and obscure the light as at Fig. 4
By suitably actuating the shutter
blades of each light of the one signal element I am enabled with a red and a white
light to produce five main signals, namely, as before stated, white, red, white
intermittent, ed intermittent and red and white alternately while in combination
with a second signal element, thirty combinations available for signals are
obtamable.
The movement of the blades can be effected mechanically by means of pulling
cords attached to the reds e e o clectically by the arrangement shewn at
Figs. 1 to 6, in which case the rods e el are led into the lantern chamber 9 at the
back, which contains the electiomotor and four electromagnets, of which one is
shewn at Fig. 5. The electromotor rotates by means of toothed gearing an
actunting shaft, which at its upper and lower ends carries two actuating cams
and, the bosses of which are connected with the shaft by feather and ginove so
as to rotate with but slide longitudinally upon the same

page_text: The cams are, as shewn at Fig. 6, concentric, while the cams Fig 5 are
excentric to the shaft h, these being shifted in position 180° relatively to each
other. Each of these four cams is embraced by the forked end of a lever 21
carrying the amature of the coresponding electromaguet, and can be shifted on
the shaft, on actuating the electromagnet in such manner that the cam is made to
act upon a transmission lever m pressed by spring action against it, which acts upon
the rode or e¹.
The pushing back of the cams out of the reach of the corresponding lever mis
effected as soon as the action of the electiomagnet ceases, by means of the springs 28
which draw back the armature levels.
The concentile cams b, on the actuation of then electromagnets, hold the shutter
blades open, whereby at top a white light and at bottom a red light can issue from
the lantern.
The upper excentric cam produces the white intermittent light, by causing the
shutters at each revolution or the cam to open and close once.
The lower cam¹ produces in a similar manner the ed intermittent light If
lastly both excentric cams are actuated simultaneously by their electromagnets,
then in consequence of then being shifted 180° the alternate white and red light
will he obtained as fifth sigual. The shutter blades of the white light are in this
case closed while those of the red light are open, and vice versa.
The curent supply to the electromaguets 2 is effected according to the sigual
key chosen, by means of a current distributor, which, according to one of the two
connection diagrams at Figs 7 and 9 for two signal stations III, 1' 11', can be a
signal transmitter A, of Known construction, and according to the other diagram
can be a simple stopper contact device B
FI Il II
10 11
As shewn at Fig. 7, the signal transmitter A consists of separately insulated
contact rings rotatable on then common axis S¹, the contact plates of which,
on binging the signal transmitter into position for a certain signal, make contact
with the coresponding spring contact w³ ³ and w
The spring
contacts of the first group are connected to the clamps n', from which the conductors
to the upper lamps of the signal stations I and are branched off, and the spring
contacts of the second group are connected with the clamps ² to which are
connected the conductors from the two lower lamps of the signal stations III
The signal transmitter A is connected by switch Ua and a conductor, con-
laining an illuminating lamp L in a shunt, with the collecting bats S S' which are
connected with the source of electricity by supply and return conductors, and
which are cominunication with the conductors leading to the signal elements of
each station through switches ₁₁ u µ¼ by which these connections can be either
made o broken. is the electiomotor in each Lantern for actuating the shutter
devices, and {x ?m? are the electiomaguets indicated in Figs. 1 to 5 generally
by, for actuating the cams and P
1
11 for example it be desued to produce in both signal stations I, II, and l¹IP,
the signal conibination in the upper lantern "white and in the lower one "white
and red alternating," all the switches ₁₁₁₁' are first closed. By this
means the two lamps in each signal station are made to show light, and the motors h
are set in motion.
In the signal transmitter, by the rotation of the discs S the contact is made with
the spring and also the contact with the springs and I, in consequence of
which the curent will excite the electro magnets in the upper lamps I I' and the
electromagnets in the lower lamps II II¹
1
By this means the corresponding shutters for white light will be held open in the
up ei lanterns, so that such light will be visible, while the two shutter devices of
the lower lanterns will be alternately opened and closed, so that the lights will appear
alternately white and red
In place of the signal transmitter A the stopper contact switch B of the connection
diagram Fig. 9 can also be used.

page_text: Figs 8 and 8 shew a switch board suitable to connecting the lanterns of each
signalling stition with the signal transmitter A and the source of curent. It
consists of a box C situated near the signalling device, into which are led the
conducting cable from the lanterns I II II, the 'connecting cable p of the
signalling device and the conductors from the source of current, máiked respectively
with and
The four electromagret conductors of the lantern rable of the upper lanterns II¹
are connected to each other by the clamps n' and with the signalling apparatus by
the cable p In the same way, the electiomagnet conductors of the lantern cable
of the lower lanterns II II' nie connected together by the clamps 2 and also with
the corresponding conductors of the signalling device.
The cover D of the box which can open on a huge q, carries on its inner side
the collecting bars s's', to which are connected the conductor, from the source of
current. To the bars are connected the four supply leads of the lantern cable
(though the safety fuses 1 ) while the return leads pass through the
switches to the collecting bai st.
From the bas branches, through the safety fuse 7, the len to the signal
transmitter which by means of its return conductor with switch illummates the
signalling device by the lamps Land at the same time also supplies with current
through the lantern cable the lantern electromagnets that have been put in circuit
by the signal ti insmitter
Fig. 9 shews the diagram of connections for two signal stations, the lanterns of
which are tauged to give the before mentioned mam signals and combinations
thereof, without the use of shutters
II
In this case the stopper contact switch B is provided with contacts w² 7² wỊ 7
aud w, for the upper lanterns II' and with contacts w" and " for the
lower lanterns II II', which contacts give a continuous white, continuous red
intermittent white, intermittent red, and alternate white and red light
The contacts
are directly connected with the corresponding lamps,
so that on stoppering the same, a white or a red light can be
1
en.
For producing the three other man signals the discs to R WRI and WIRT WR"
rotated by the motor are introduced into the leads from the corresponding
contacts to the lamps. These discs are hall made of insulating material
(Fig 9A) and the discs for alternate white and red light are in addition made
double, and are arranged with then conducting parts shifted relatively to each
other (Fig. 9) so that with coresponding stoppening the current is led through
the conesponding discs and the lamp giving red light on that giving white light is
intermittently meluded, or both lamps are alternately included
The mode of installation of the lanterns for (xample upon a ship can be
variously modified for either of the arrangements at Figs. 7 and 9, care being
taken that the greatest possible distance between the two lanterns is obtained.
It the signals are only to be rendered visible over part of the horizon, each lantern
15 so arranged that its light is distributed over a sector of about 230°.
For each signalling locality such as a ship, there are preferably provided two
signalling stations that is, two paus of the described signal lanterns, which, as
will be readily understood from the foregoing, can be so actuated that either the
same signal can be given in both signal stations or only the signals of the one
station can be worked.
Figs. 10 and 11 shew a ship with only one mast. II are the upper lanterns at
the top of the mast, of both signal stations, and 11 the lower ones. The lanterns
are hung in gimbals, in order to maintain a horizontal projection of the light
notwithstanding the motion of the ship; the upper lanteins are attached to a
lanyard and the lower ones are attached either to the mast or to the ends of the
ship but always at such a height that they can be seen by an observer at the
greatest signalling distance. Fig 10 shews the mangement for signalling fore
and ait, and Fig 1 the arrangement for signalling to port and starboard,

page_text: Figs 12 and 13 shew the airaugement of the two signalling stations for ships
with two or more masts, in which the lanterns III seiving for sigualling forwai
and to one side, say to port, are carried by the foremast, and those 1' 11' for
signalling aft and to st u board, on the inizen mast
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the sune is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim 18-
1 Apparatus for signalling by means of two signalling stations each containing
two signal elements, consisting of a signalling device provided with circuit closing
devices for each station, which can be connected with the tour signal elements by
coresponding switching or stoppering, to which elements as also to their electro-
inotors, can rent is supplied by the closing of corresponding switches, the said
curient being at the same time made to excite electro magnets that actuate the
shutter devices of the signal elements in such manner that according to the position
given to the sigual transmitter and the switches, the other signal element can be
nude to give either continuous signals in one colour, intermittent signals in one
colour, intermittent in two colouis, and in alternating colous, so that by means
of two signal elements thirty different signal combinations suitable for signalling
purposes can be given, substantially as described
2. In the apparatus referred to in the first claim, for the conducting connection
of the signal elements, the signal transmitter, and the source of current, the use of
a switch board, the casing of which contains the conductors leading to the signal
elements 1 II, III, to the signal transmitter A, and to the source of current, as
also the clamps 'n seiving for the connection of the tour electromagnet leads of
cach signal element, with each other and with the signal transmitter while the
cover thereof canes the collecting baiss s' and the switches
f
which the former are connected with the source of cutient, with the conductors
leading to the signalling elements and containing the safety fuses ' ' ', and
with the sigua! tiansmitter, while the switches are arranged in the return
conductors of the signal elements of the signal transmitter, substantially as
descubed.
1
3. A construction of the apparatus referred to in the first claim, consisting of a
sigual transmitter B having five cncuit closers for the sigual
elements II', and with five cucuit closers to, wwf the signal
elements II II' which transmitter, by corresponding stoppering, can be con-
nected directly with the signal elements for the two main signals in one colom,
and for the other three main signals through the contact disc- WRI WRI
and W R WR actuated by the electro motor A, the current being supplied to
the signal elements by the closing of corresponding switches, so that
according to the stoppening and placing of the switches, the two somices of light of
each signal element can be shewn either continuously intermittent, or alternately,
substantially as described
1
1
4. In the arrangement of apparatus referred to in the first claim, au electrical device
for actuating the shutters c of the sigual elements for the purpose of producing five
main signals, such device consisting of a shaft k diven by an electromotor h, with
the shiftable concentric and eccentric cams for each source of light of the signal
element, which cams m being shifted by corresponding electromagnets act upon
levers II that effect the tuning of the actuating rings d by means of iods e or e',
and through those, the opening of the shutter blades that nic geared thereto, and
that are held closed by spings 7, substantially as described
Dated this 22nd day of October 1895.
し
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for Applicant.