A Method or Methods for Controlling a Mechanism or Mechanisms by Means of Electric or Electromagnetic Waves of High Frequency.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Dec., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 18th Aug., 1898-Accepted, 23rd Dec., 1898
A Method or Methods for Controlling a Mechanism or Mechanisms by
Means of Electric or Electromagnetic Waves of High Frequency.
We, ERNEST WILSON, of 64, St. John's Park, Blackheath, in the County of Kent,
and CHARLES JOHN EVANS, of 108, Castelnau, Barnes, in the County of Surrey,
Electrical Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to control a mechanism or mechanisms at a
distance by means of electric or electromagnetic waves of high frequency without
the intervention of a metallic conductor. It is well known that if a transmitter
is at work in a plane it will affect suitable receivers and coherers or other suitable
contact making devices in or sufficiently nearly in that plane unless the straight
line joining their centres makes too acute an angle with either or both of their
axes. According to this invention we employ two receivers and coherers or other
contact making devices at or about at right angles to one another in a plane suit-
ably situated with regard to the transmitter. The transmitter is so constructed
that its axis can be brought parallel or sufficiently parallel to either receiver or
to a position at or about midway between these positions when it is in one of the
former positions it will only actuate the coherer or other contact making device
to the receiver of which its axis is parallel or sufficiently parallel, but in its midway
position it will actuate them both. By means of a local battery or batteries or
other source or sources of electricity and two relays one in the circuit of each
coherer or other contact making device we can control two circuits containing
dynamo electric or electro magnetic apparatus or apparata which we can cause to
operate directly or indirectly any mechanism or mechanisms required separately
or simultaneously or by means of two coherers two local batteries and of three
relays suitably connected can control three circuits independantly of one
another by operating the transmitter at suitable positions, viz. in a position to
operate one coherer or other contact making device in a position to operate the
other, or in a position to operate them both. Or we may employ two trans-
mitters their axes at or about at right angles to one another in a plane suitably
situated with regard to the receivers and use one for operating each coherer or
both to operate both coherers. It is unnecessary to describe in detail the trans-
mitter receiver or coherer since these may be of any of the well known forms,
the receiver may consist of plates or wires or other suitably shaped conductors
and we may when employing the earth or water as a circuit have only one wire
or plate for a receiver connected to one pole the other pole of the coherer or other
contact making device being connected to the earth or water the coherer or coherers
or other contact making device or devices being suitably connected to the relays,
but we do not limit ourselves to these but may employ any other forms. The
decohering may be effected by tapping the coherer in the usual manner, and
this we may effect by making the local battery actuate a small trembler which
hits the coherer, in the usual way, or we can employ an automatic arrangement
-
we

page_text: for doing this, which may hit the coherer periodically, or at a predetermined
interval of time after the local or other circuit is established, but we do not limit
ourselves to these methods as there are others, for instance, we can use a mag-
netised needle placed in a solenoid which is connected to the wire plate or other
receiver receiving the electric or electromagnetic waves or oscillations which have
a demagnetising effect on the needle. Such needle can be supported or pivoted
so as to be held by a soft iron or other pole piece if the needle is magnetised but
when it is demagnetised the needle is released under the action of a force and closes
a battery circuit which brings into play the necessary apparatus for effecting the
control of the mechanism or mechanisms. By the employment of a switch
actuated by clockwork or otherwise the soft iron or other pole can be magnetised
at intervals this will in turn attract the needle and magnetise it. The switch can
effect this by closing a battery circuit periodically. Or the needle itself when
released can bring into operation a battery for effecting this operation immediately
ör after a predetermined time. There are other ways of employing a magnet to
be demagnetised by the oscillations or waves which we can employ. Or we can
employ a globule of mercury which has its shape distorted when acted upon by
the vibrations such distortion establishing a contact and closing a local or other
battery circuit. We preferably place one receiver vertical or nearly so so that
when the transmitter is vertical or sufficiently so it will affect this receiver and its
coherer or other contact making device when it is in any part of the horizontal
plane in which the transmitter is or sufficiently nearly in it. Should the horizontal
receiver be liable to be revolved about its vertical axis we may use a magnetic
needle which when the angle of deflection becomes too great establishes a contact
and causes the rotation by means of dynamo electric or other apparatus or
apparata of the horizontal receiver or receivers into a position in which it or they
can be operated, we can similarly actuate the vertical receiver if necessary by means
of a pendulum or otherwise. Or we can employ two or more receivers at suitable
angles to one another in a horizontal plane so as to avoid the necessity for the
provision just mentioned, by this method one at least of the receivers in the hori-
zontal plane is always capable of being acted upon by oscillations or waves of
.suitable frequency from the transmitter, we may use a coherer or other contact
making device with each receiver, or one coherer or other contact making device
may be common to any or all of the receivers in one plane. We may suspend the
system of receivers preferably upon gimbles after the manner of a marine compass
'so that it is always kept in the same position or nearly so relatively to the hori
zontal plane. If desirable we can mount the gimbles or system or both on springs
or provide other means for damping out vibrations. When using the coherer it
will probably be necessary to use a relay in its circuit, but with other contact
making devices we may use a relay or not as may be desirable. We can if
desirable use only one receiver at the apparatus or apparata and bring into operative
position in any order or combination the coherers or other contact making devices
controlling the various circuits circuits at predetermined intervals of time. We
can also cause the oscillations or waves to start an operation or operations which
is or are automatically performed by the mechanism or mechanisms. We can 4
control a mechanism or set of mechanisms from one or more positions by having
suitable transmitters at each or we can control a set of mechanisms from the same
transmitter, or we can control more than one mechanism or set of mechanisms
simultaneously and independantly by employing transmitters and receivers of
different wave lengths for each. We can use a reflector on the transmitter or 5
receiver or on each to focus or concentrate the oscillations on the receiver. As
an example of the way in which we may employ this invention we may mention
a method for controlling a torpedo in water, In controlling its movements in a
horizontal or vertical plane we can make use of a rudder or rudders, but
not limit ourselves to this, such rudder or rudders being hinged and being capable 5
we
of being brought into line with or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the torpedo, or
do

page_text: deflected through a suitable angle or angles on either side of, or to, this axis.
Such movement or movements of the rudder or rudders can be accomplished by
means of dynamo-electric or electro magnetic apparatus or apparata either directly
or indirectly by means of compressed air or otherwise such apparatus or apparata
being actuated by a battery or batteries or other source or sources of electricity
in circuit with them and the contact making device of a relay, contact being
established when the relay magnet is excited by the current from a local battery
in circuit with a coherer or other contact making device in the well known manner.
We employ two relays one for causing the deflection of the rudder or rudders in
each direction, the coil or coils of one relay being excited by current from a local
battery in circuit with a coherer or other contact making device the receiver of
which lies preferably perpendicular or nearly so to the normal surface of the
water the coil or coils of the other relay being excited by current from the local
battery in circuit with the coherer or coherers or other contact making device or
devices in the horizontal plane, that is in a plane parallel or nearly so to the normal
surface of the water. Or we can employ only one relay if desirable and make one
contact making device or coherer circuit on it establish a contact so as to cause
by means of the dynamo electric or electro magnetic apparatus or apparata in
circuit the actuation of the rudder or rudders or other means of steering in one
direction, the other contact making device or coherer circuit on the same relay
establishing another contact so as to suitably cause the actuation of the rudder
or rudders or other means of steering in the other direction. It is necessary when
the torpedo lies in any direction with regard to the position of the transmitter
that the coherer or other contact making device the receiver of which is in the
horizontal plane or nearly so shall be capable of being actuated by the oscillations
or waves from the transmitter, so that the longitudinal axis of the receiver must
always be at right angles or sufficiently nearly so to the straight line between it
and the transmitter. We can provide means for effecting this by the use of a
magnetic needle on the torpedo, such needle establishing a contact when the angle
of deflection becomes too great and causing the rotation by the intervention of dynamo
electric or other apparatus or apparata of the horizontal receiver or receivers into a
position in which it or they can be rendered active. We may similarly actuate
the vertical receiver or receivers if necessary by means of a pendulum or other-
wise. Or we
can employ two or more receivers at suitable angles to one
another in the horizontal plane so as to avoid the necessity for the provision just
mentioned by this method one at least of the receivers in the horizontal plane
is always capable of being acted upon by oscillations or waves of suitable frequency
from the transmitter. We may use a coherer or other contact making device with
each receiver or one coherer or other contact making device may be common to
any or all of the receivers in one plane. We may suspend the system of receivers
preferably upon gimbles after the manner of an ordinary marine compass, so
that independantly of the motions of the torpedo or float they always keep the
system in the same or nearly the same position relatively to the normal surface
of the water. Should it be desirable to avoid the vibrations due to the propellin
or other machinery or other cause we can mount the gimbles or system or both of
them on springs. We can control the torpedo from more than one position, by
having suitable transmitters at each, or we can control more than one torpedo
simultaneously from the same transmitter, or if we wish to control more than one
simultaneously and independantly we may employ transmitters and receivers of
different wave lengths for each. We can use parabolic or other suitably shaped
reflectors on the transmitter, or receiver or on both of them to concentrate or
focus the oscillations or waves on the receiver. The receiver or receivers may
consist of plates or wires or other suitably shaped conductors and we may when
employing the water as a circuit have only one plate for a receiver connected to
one pole the other pole of the coherer or other contact making device being con-
nected to the water. The receiver or receivers being carried by the torpedo,
or forming it or part of it or by a float attached to it. As hereinbefore described

page_text: we may have a third and independant circuit. This we may use for starting or
stopping the engines, for firing the torpedo or for any other suitable purpose.
We do not confine ourselves to the use of this invention in connection with
torpedoes, but can apply it to search light projectors, guns, air-ships: or in fact
to any mechanism or mechanisms the movement of which it is required to control
in more than one direction without the intervention of a metallic conductor:
Dated this 29th day of December 1897.
"
+
A Method or Methods for Controlling a Mechanism or Mechanisms by
Means of Electric:or, Electromagnetic Waves of High-Frequency.
ERNEST., WILSON, of 64, St. Johns Park, Blackheath, in the County of Kent,
and CHARLES JOHN EVANS, of 108, Castelnau, Barnes, in the County of Surrey,
Electrical Engineers, 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 improvements in the apparatus used in connection, with
the so-called Hertzian waves for controlling, a mechanism at a distance, without
the intervention of a metallic conductor, and consists in the use of, two receivers
placed at right angles to one another which receivers respectively respond to a
moveable transmitter when the same is brought into a plane approximately parallel
to the plane of the receiver and the straight line joining the centres of the two
systems is approximately perpendicular to the planes of transmitter and receivers,
or which receivers each individually respond to separate transmitters. By this
arrangement we are able to control mechanism at a distance. which is in connee-
tion with and operated by the two receivers at right angles.
Our invention also consists in the employment of, one receiver and an instru-
ment for bringing into operative position the coherers or other contact making
devices whereby the coherers belonging to the respective electro-magnetic, mechan-
isms can be operated in any order or combination.
Our invention also consists in the employment of electro-magnets connected with
each receiver in such manner that the magnet is magnetised by a local battery and
demagnetised by the electrical impulses transmitted to it from the. receiver in
connection with it and may thus be used as a substitute for the coherers hitherto
in use.
A further feature of our invention consists in the employment of a globule or
globules of mercury for the purpose of forming a coherer.
In order that our invention may be more readily understood we will proceed to
describe its application by reference to the following drawings and show how the
same may be performed
"
Fig. A is a diagrammatic view of two receivers at right angles to one, another.
Fig. B is a diagrammatic view of a moveable transmitter.
Fig. C is a diagram showing the disposition of parts to be used when it is
desired to control a third circuit by means of the two receivers.
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of two transmitters at right angles to each other.
Fig. E is a diagram of connections shewing how a small electro-magnet may be
made to perform the functions of a coherer.
Fig. F shows in detail parts of Fig. E.
Figs. G and H show diagrammatic sections of two mercury contact making
devices.

page_text: Throughout the drawings like numbers indicate like parts.
1-2 and 6-7. (Fig. A) are the receivers at right angles. The coil 4 (Fig. A)
is the coil of an electro-magnetic mechanism which it is required to operato
through the intervention of Hertzian waves. This takes place when the coherer
or other contact making device 5 is actuated by the electrical impulses received
by the receiver 1-2, such action closes the circuit sufficiently at 5, and allows a
current of sufficient strength to flow from the battery 3 through the coil 4 of
the electro-magnetic mechanism. The receiver 6-7, is provided with a coherer
or other contact making device 8, a battery 9 and the coil of an electro magnetic
mechanism 10.
The conductors 11, 12 (Fig. B) forming one transmitter may be of the same
shape as shown at 1, and 2 in Fig. A. They are mounted upon a horizontal shaft 13,
supported in bearings 16, and capable of being turned round by means of the
handle 14. The Rhumkorff coil 15 is for the purpose of exciting the trans-
mitter 11-12. If the plane in which the transmitter 11-12 turns
when the handle 14 is operated, is approximately parallel to the
plane of the receivers 1-2 and 6-7 Fig. A; and the straight line joining the
centres of these two systems be perpendicular to each plane, the transmitter when
vertical is capable of operating the circuit connected to the receiver 1-2 Fig. A.
Similarly when horizontal it is capable of operating the circuit of the receivers 6-7
Fig. A. and in intermediate positions it is capable of operating both circuits
simultaneously.
The two coils 19, 20 (Fig. C) are the coils of an electro-magnetic mechanism.
Coil 19 is in series with the battery 3, the coil 4, and the contact making device 5
also shown in Fig. A; similarly with regard to the coil 20, and the battery 9, the
coil 10, and the contact making device 8, also shown in Fig. A. When both the
coherers or other contact-making devices 5, 8 are acted upon by the electrical
impulses received by the receivers 1-2, 6-7, connected with the con-
ductors 17 17, 18-18, so as to sufficiently close the two contacts simultaneously,
the electro-magnetic mechanism actuated by the coils 19, 20, operates but otherwise
it does not operate because the current to be supplied in one coil 19 is not to be
of sufficient strengtht to operate the electro-magnetic mechanism, whilst when both
coils 19, 20, are supplied with current, the current turns have sufficient strength to
operate the mechanism. If preferable we so construct the electro-magnetic
mechanism in connection with coils 4, 10, that if both are simultaneously operated
a third mechanism is thereby automatically brought into operation. In this case
the coils 19, 20, would not be required.
The transmitter 11-12, Fig. D and the exciting Rhumkorff coil 15, are those
also shown in Fig. B. When using stationary transmitters we place the second
transmitter 21-22, excited by another Rhumkorff coil 23 at right angles to the
transmitter 11-12. This arrangement enables us to carry out the same opera-
-tions as with the moveable transmitter Fig. B. That is to say when the plane of
the transmitter. Fig. D is approximately parallel to the plane of the receivers
Fig. A, and the straight line joining the centres of these two systems is approxi-
mately perpendicular to'each plane, the horizontal transmitter 21-22 can be made
to operate the horizontal receiver 6-7. Similarly the vertical transmitter 11-12
can be made to operate the vertical receiver 1-2. Further when stationary trans-
mitters are employed by the simultaneous operation of the two transmitters 11-12
and 21-22 the two receivers 1-2 and 6-7 can be simultaneously operated for
the purpose of operating a third electro-magnetic mechanism, as already set forth
in connection with Fig. C.
When using an ordinary coherer it will probably be necessary to use a relay in
its circuit. but with other contact-making devices we may use a relay or not as may
be desirable. We can if desirable use only one receiver at the apparatus or
apparata and bring into operative position by means of clock work or otherwise in
any order or combination the coherers or other contact making devices controlling the
various circuits at predetermined intervals of time. We may employ a separate
coherer for each circuit or combination of circuits. The various coherers may

page_text: be mounted on a cylinder parallel to its axis which cylinder is automatically
revolved by clock work or otherwise, the coherers successively making contact,
during part of the revolution of the cylinder, with the vanes of the receiver by
means of brushes or otherwise, the time each coherer is in such operative position
being determined beforehand, the various circuits will be successively under
contrel from the transmitter. We can also cause the oscillations or waves to
start an operation or operations which is or are automatically performed by the
mcchanism or mechanisms.
In Figs. E and F which indicate the application of another part of our inven-
tion 21 is a small core of steel wires insulated from one another wound with a
solenoid 22. The terminals 17-17 of the solenoid are connected to one of the
receivers as shown in Fig. A. A small magnet needle is suspended by means of
a fine metal conductor and sets itself in a magnetic field whose direction is deter-
mined by and is the resultant of the fields due to the small coil 21 when
magnetised and an external controlling magnet provided for the purpose together
with the earth's field unless eliminated. When the core 21 is magnetised the
needle 23 is as shown in Fig. E with its projection 29 resting against the stop 30.
When the core 21 19
the receiver connected
meedle 23 is deflected
demagnetised by the impulses received by
to the conductors 17-17 or partially so the
SO as to come into contact with the contact 24,
This operation closes a circuit containing a battery 25, the coil
of an electro-magnetic mechanism which it is desired to operate, and the
solenoid 22. The solenoid thereby magnetises the coil 21 upon which the needle 23
is deflected to its initial position as shown in Fig. E. Fig. F gives details as to
the way in which the apparatus may be constructed. The solenoid 22 with its
core 21 rests on a small support fixed to the upright 27.
In front of the solenoid is suspended a magnet needle 23 to which is attachel
another needle 31 in order to render the system astatic. When necessary the
system is provided with a mirror 32 in order to read by means of a spot of light
and a scale in the well known manner.
Fig. G shows a contact arrangement in which a rod 32 makes contact with a
mercury surface 34. These are connected by means of conductors 17-17 with a
receiver as shown in Fig. A.
Similarly the two globules of mercury 35, 36 Fig. H are in such contact that
when operated upon by the impulses received from the receiver attached to the
conductors 17, 17 the contact is established and in this way these mercury devices
can be made to serve as a form of imperfect contact. In order to restore the
contact to its high resistance it is necessary to tap the coherer. This we effect
in a well known manner by the intervention of the electromagnetic apparatus
operated by the electrical impulses, or this can be accomplished by external tapping
apparatus.
We preferably place one receiver vertically, or nearly so, so that when the trans-
mitter is vertical, or sufficiently so, it will affect this receiver (and its coherer or
other contact making device) when the receiver is in, or sufficiently nearly in, the
horizontal plane in which the transmitter is. Should the horizontal receiver be
liable to be revolved about its vertical axis we may use a magnetic needle which
when the angle of deflection becomes too great establishes a contact and causes the
rotation by means of dynamo electric or other apparatus or apparata of the hori-
zontal receiver or receivers into a position in which it or they can be operated, we
can similarly actuate the vertical receiver if necessary by means of a pendulum or
otherwise. Or we can employ two or more receivers at suitable angles to one
another in a horizontal plane so as to avoid the necessity for the provision just
mentioned, by this method one at least of the receivers in the horizontal plane is
always capable of being acted upon by oscillations or waves of suitable frequency
from the transmitter, we may use a coherer or other contact making device with
each receiver, or one coherer or other contact making device may be common to
any or all of the receivers in one plane,

page_text: We may suspend the system of receivers preferably upon gimbles after the
manner of a marine compass so that it is always kept in the same position or nearly
so relatively to the horizontal plane. If desirable we can mount the gimbles or
system or both on springs, or provide other means for damping out vibrations.
We can control a mechanism or set of mechanisms from one or more positions
by having suitable transmitters at each position, or we can control a set of mech-
anisms from the same transmitter; or we can control more than one mechanism
or set of mechanisms simultaneously and independently by employing transmitters
and receivers of different wave lengths for each set, in a manner similar to that
horeinbefore described with reference to Figs. A B and D. We can use a
reflector on the transmitter or receiver or on each to focus or concentrate the oscil-
lations on the receiver.
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:-
1. The use in combination of two receivers at right angles to one another, and.
one moveable transmitter, whereby electromagnetic mechanisms can be operated
substantially as described.
2. The use in combination of two receivers at right angles to one another and
two transmitters at right angles to one another, whereby electro-magnetic mech-
anisms can be operated substantially as described.
3. The use in combination of a receiver and an instrument for bringing into
operative position the coherers or other contact making devices. whereby electro-
magnetic mechanisms can be operated substantially as described.
4. The employment of a small electro-magnet as a substitute for a coherer sub-
stantially as described in connections with Figs. E. F.
5. The employment of a mercury contact to act as a coherer substantially as
set forth in connection with Figs. G, H.
Dated this 16th day of August 1898.
ERNEST WILSON.
CHARLES JOHN EVANS.