IM- PROVEMENTS IN ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR TELEGRAPHIC AND SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Silvanus Frederick Van Choate, of the City and State of
New York, United States of America, but now of 8, Southampton Buildings,
London, Electrician and Telegraphic Engineer, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR TELEGRAPHIC AND SIMILAR
PURPOSES "
Sealed the 28th March 1879, and dated the 5th October 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Silvanus Frederick Van
Choate at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th October
1878.
SILVANUS FREDERICK VAN CHOATE, of the City and State of New York, United
States of America, but now of 8, Southampton Buildings, London, Electrician and
Telegraphic Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR TELE-
GRAPHIC AND SIMILAR PURPOSES."
My present Invention relates to further improvements in the apparatus described
in the Specification of my former Letters Patent dated January 19th, A.D. 1865,
No. 156, and is designed to afford the means for facilitating the carrying into effect
of the Invention therein described especially with regard to the construction of the
submarine repeater and its magnet, and my improved apparatus may be used in
connection with a cable composed of two wires or conductors or with a cable con-
taining or composed of a single conducting wire.
According to the Invention described in the said former Specification I form
submarine or subterranean telegraphic cables or lines in two distinct parts,
stretches, or circuits, united by a self-adjusting instrument capable of performing the
functions of forwarding signals in one or both directions, the division of the cable
or line being for the purpose of increasing the capacity or facilitating the working
of such cable or lines.
And by the apparatus or devices included in the said former Invention I could
produce rapid, uniform, and intermittal disturbances or changes of the electric

page_text: current and abnormal circuits at the receiving end of a line or cable for the purposes
(more particularly) of preventing the disadvantages of induction in the cable, and
as described in the said Specification the circuit, the conductor, and the battery at
the receiving station or instrument, were so arranged that a revolving wheel or
other equivalent device may be employed to effect the disturbances in the current
and in the abnormal circuits.
The said former Invention also includes a self-adjusting repeating instrument
located at some desirable point between the primary receiving and sending apparatus
or stations of telegraphic lines.
According to my present Invention I modify the construction of this instrument
as will be seen from the following description, that is to say, I hermetically seal
the repeating devices and apparatus within a globe instrument or equivalent device
to be located at the bottom of the sea or underground, or at any other point between
the receiving and sending apparatus or telegraphic lines.
The said globe instrument is formed preferably of copper and in two halves or
hemispheres screwed together and provided with means for connecting the cables or
conductors to the same, the connection of the cables with the globe being made with
a perfectly water-tight joint about the conductors.
Revolving wheels or moving devices, or their equivalents, are located at or con-
nected with the receiving apparatus and arranged to change the polarity of or
charge or discharge the battery current which operates the receiving or sending
mechanism or to increase or decrease such battery current or forces.
Another novel feature of my Invention is the employment of a torsion spindle for
magnetic vibrators. . The upper ends of the said vibrators operate between the stop
points of the magnets to break or close the circuits, while their lower or pivotal
ends are each supported on a wire of platinum or other suitable metal between two
points or studs fixed on the floor of the case of the instrument, or on a plate secured
on the said floor. The object of this device is to form a continuous road or con-
ductor for the current without the ordinary pivotted joint which is liable to
oxidation or corrosion and consequently affords imperfect electrical connection.
Another feature of the said Invention is the novel construction of the magnet
which is composed of a helix enclosing centrally two parallel bars of metal together
with the vibrator between and also parallel with the said bars, both bars and
vibrator being placed longitudinally at right angles to the coiling of the wire of the
lielix,
In combination with the said magnet I employ a vibrator constructed of soft iron
or other suitable metal held in one position by a magnetic bar acting without
the aid of a current of electricity, the said vibrator being moved to and held in its
opposite position by a soft iron or other metal bar when the said bar is acted upon
by a current of electricity passing through the surrounding or other adjacent or
suitably arranged helix, such electric current at the same moment magnetizing the
said vibrator as well as the iron or other metal bar, while the same current at the
same instant demagnetizes or increases, as the case may be, the magnetism of
the opposite magnetic bar, or reverses the polarity of the magnetism of the said
bar.
The batteries and connections are so arranged that the regulation and control of
the aforesaid magnetic and non-magnetic bars are effected by the battery currents
at the sending station or receiving station, or both. The polarities and degrees of
strength of the said battery currents are suitably arranged for this purpose.
4
And in combination with the said batteries and connections suitably arranged 5
switches or other adjusting and connecting devices are employed. The ground or
carth connections from the said globe instrument or submarine repeater are
arranged not only to form contact with the earth at the point, where the said
repeater is located, but are also so arranged that connections may be made therewith,
and the circuits or cables tested, and signals for meteorological, commercial, and 5
other purposes or messages may be sent and received through such cables or circuits
to or from the shore.

page_text: Another feature of my Invention is as follows:-Besides dividing the long
stretches of cable and telegraphic lines between two points and increasing the speed
of the same, by the aid of my Invention the repeater may be sunk in the ocean at a
desirable point and lateral or branch cables may be connected with and extended
radially from the repeater to other countries or desirable points, and communications
sent through the repeater from any one cable or line on one side may be received
by any one or all of the cables on the other side simultaneously, and vice versa,
the circuits, batteries, and polarities of the current being properly arranged to
suit the requirements of each branch cable; for example, the repeater may be sunk
in mid-ocean with five cables radiating from it, one to England, one to France, and
one to Spain, and one to Halifax, and one to New York; thus New York and
Halifax would have what would be equal to three cables to Europe, one to England,
one to France, and one to Spain; and in turn each of these latter three countries
would bave what would be equal to two cables across the ocean and to two different
countries; and short branch lines may extend from another repeater located at any
desirable point or any of the above-described radiating lines and branch lines
extending to any desired point or country, this arrangement being equivalent to
the extension of the main line to such point or country. The batteries, currents,
and polarities of the same and the tension or strength thereof are properly arranged
or proportioned, and the earth connections and resistances either at the shore or the
repeater, or in both these places, are formed relatively in the proper manner
to accomplish the above spécified purposes; this arrangement permits great
economy in the length of cable used and obviates difficulties relating to landing
or shore rights.
Another feature of my Invention comprises the employment, in connection with
the above-described apparatus submerged in mid-ocean or in any position remote
from the land, of captive buoys or floats provided with instruments for indicating
without any human intervention or action the direction and force of the wind, the
state of the weather, that is to say, if the sun is shining or if it is obscured by
clouds, or if rain is falling, the temperature and barometrical pressure. The said
buoys are connected by suitable conducting wires or cables to the repeater; and
ships in danger or distress may make use of these buoys or floats for sending
messages through the cable connected with the same to the nearest shore or station
and thereby obtain assistance.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Silvanus Frederick Van Choate in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 4th April 1879.
SILVANUS FREDERICK VAN CHOATE, of the City and State of New York, United
States of America, but now of 8, Southampton Buildings, London, Electrician and
Telegraphic Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR TELE-
GRAPHIC AND SIMILAR PURPOSES."
My present Invention relates to further improvements in the apparatus described
in the Specification of my former Letters Patent, dated January 19, A.D. 1865,
No. 156, and is designed to afford the means for facilitating the carrying into effect
of the Invention therein described, especially with regard to the construction of the
submarine repeater and its magnet, and my improved apparatus may be used in
connection with a cable composed of two wires or conductors, or with a cable
containing or composed of a single conducting wire.
According to the Invention described in the said former Specification I form
submarine or subterranean telegraphic cables or other telegraph lines in two
distinct parts, stretches, or circuits, united by a self-adjusting instrument capable of
performing the functions of forwarding signals in one or both directions, the
division of the cable or line being for the purpose of increasing the capacity or
facilitating the working of such cable or lines. And by the apparatus or devices
included in the said former Invention I can produce rapid uniform and intermittal
disturbances or changes of the electric current, and abnormal circuits at the
receiving end of a line or cable for the purposes of increasing the speed and for
preventing the disadvantages of induction in the cable, and as described in the
said Specification the circuit conductor and the battery at the receiving station
or instrument aro so arranged that a revolving wheel or equivalent device may
be employed to effect the disturbances in the current, and in the abnormal
circuits.
The said former Specification also comprises a peculiarly constructed self-
adjusting repeating instrument to be located at some desirable point between the
primary sending and receiving apparatus or stations of telegraphic lines.
According to my present Invention I provide means for accomplishing the above
specified results in a more effectual manner than heretofore, and also for accomplishing
other results not heretofore attained.
The said improvements consist in the combination with the aforesaid arrange-
ment of the divided line or cable of instruments of improved construction, and in
various novel devices and arrangements in and connected with such instru-
ments; also in the means for affording increased facilities for arranging lines or
cables between different countries or stations and other arrangements herein-
after specified.
For facilitating the working of a line or cable of a given length I adopt an
arrangement similar to that described in the said former Specification, and which is
represented in Figure 1 of the Drawings, wherein A, A, indicate the two earth or
ground terminations of the line, and B, B, the two batteries, one at each end of the
line or cable; C, C, represent two revolving circuit changers, breakers, or closers
one located at each end of the cable, while D is intended to represent the cable
which connects the two revolving circuit disturbers C, C. The mode of operation
of this apparatus is as described in the said Specification, that is to say, the current
starting at the sending station or battery B if the metallic connections are suitably
arranged would pass through the revolving wheel C, and by the contact of its
projections with the piece d will close the circuit at this point, thus completing
metallic connection with the conductor between the ground A, battery B, wheel
C, space d, and key or circuit closer . The electric current will then proceed in the

page_text: direction of the arrows along the line or cable D to the point g, where there is another
open space. The two wheels C, C, being synchronously arranged to turn at the same
time with the same speed, and having started at a corresponding point, and the wheel
at the sending station having brought one metallic projection in contact with the
point at d, and the space e being temporarily closed, the wheel at the receiving
station brings one of its metallic projections in contact with the end of the
conductor or mechanism at g, thus completing the circuit between the sending
station and the receiving station, as and for the purpose stated in the said
Specification.
The foregoing operations, as described in the said former Specification, are based
upon the idea that the difficulties to be overcome have been the leakage or escape
of the current, and the retardation or resistance which the conductor presents to
its free passage or propogation through the entire circuit, while the return or closed
abnormal circuits which were formed at the receiving end of the line were partly
exterior circuits, that is, formed partly by the wire, and partly by the insulation
material and the earth by the escaping of the electric fluid from the wire; but I
will now proceed to explain the serious difficulties which result from the induction
of the insulation material, and the action of the return current on the conductor in
the phenomena connected with what is called sending "charge" and returning
discharge." This is a case where it is to be supposed that the line is absolutely
insulated, and where there is no escape or leakage whatever. This of course is only
a theoretical idea, because in practice it is not possible to produce a perfectly
insulated conductor.
If a long insulated or covered wire cable be placed on a dry floor, and one end
only be connected to a battery, and earth and the other end connected with an
instrument, but disconnected from the earth, no practical movement could be made
in the apparatus at the free end of the wire, no matter how powerful the battery
might be; but if the same cable, connected as above described, should be placed in
water or in the ground, and a signal be sent from the battery at the end connected
with the earth the apparatus at the free end will be momentarily and violently
affected, but as soon as the wire is charged the apparatus will return to its former
or normal position, and should the battery be withdrawn at the charging end and
the wire remain to earth a strong returning current would flow back from the
cable to the earth. This is called inductive embarrassment or return current on
the conducting wire, and is different from the return current which is formed by
leakage.
When a wire covered with an insulator and an outside iron armour is buried in
the ground or sunk in the water the exterior iron wires form a conductor for earth.
currents and induced currents, which add to the induction and prolongation of the
current, and the retardation of signals will be enormously increased, and the
discharge or return current become manifest. A cable coated with iron wire is
subject to induction even when out of water.
Induction causes the receiving instrument to move sluggishly, and the signals run
together, so that a letter of three rapid movements appears like one single movement
sent slowly.
Figure 2 of the Drawings illustrates my improved devices for overcoming the
effects of induction. The circuit breaker or charger a is the same as described in
the said former Specification and partly shown in Figure 1 of this Specification,
and its motion is indicated by the direction of the arrow l. The sending battery is
located at b, and the reversing battery at d, the assumed direction of the current
from both batteries being indicated by arrows e, e, while the receiving device or
indicator is located at f. In the present position of the moving wheel a it must bo
supposed that the contact at g has just been broken or reversed, and that a charge
from battery b has just been sent through the indicating device fand on through
the cable i, and that at the moment of disconnection at g contact has been made
at h, when a reversing or neutralizing charge from battery d is about being sent

page_text: through the cable k and i, but not through the indicating device; the passing of
the discharging current through this device is prevented by the resistance; or the
insulation at the revolving wheel a between the lines fand k, which insulation
diverts the current through the branch linek, thus preventing a disturbance in the
receiving or indicating device by the returning or discharging current.
In cases where it is only desirable to discharge the current through the earth o
instead of neutralizing it, the battery d is simply withdrawn from the line. The
contact of the two points g and h must be arranged to alternate in throwing on or
off their respective battery forces, and the arrangement of strength of these batteries
and the connections and polaritios must be regulated to the circumstances of the
case.
The points g and h are insulated from each other by means of insulation,
separating the two metallic parts of the wheel a, and similar arrangements to
Figure 2 are made at both ends of a cable.
Having thus fully described the difficulties of abnormal circuits and return
currents, and induction attending the employment of cables and long or imperfectly
insulated land lines of telegraph, and described the mode of operation and apparatus
I have devised to facilitate their working and obviate these difficulties, I will now
proceed to describe my apparatus and manner of operating whereby I can work
lines and cables of much greater length than by any other system or apparatus, or
whereby I can attain a speed on a given cable four times as fast as that of the
ordinary system.
This feature of my Invention is illustrated in Figures 3, 4, and 5 of the Drawings,
in which the spherical case of what I term the globe instrument is shown at A.
The said globe is preferably of copper and in two segmental parts or hemispheres
screwed together; one of these parts is formed with outstanding projections b
through which the cable or conductor passes, these projections being in the form of
stuffing boxes or otherwise in order to constitute a perfectly water-tight joint about
the conductor, and to add strength to the connections of the sections of cable with
the globe instrument; strong wires or straps of metal or other material are lashed
or extended from one end of the cable on one side of the globe instrument to the
end of the other section of the cable on the other side of the globe instrument.
For the purpose of clearly explaining this feature of my Invention, I will
suppose the right-hand side of Figures 3 and 4 of the Drawings to be America,
which is for the time being the sending or transmitting end of a main electrical
conductor which I shall call circuit Number 1, and which has its metallic termination
in mid-ocean as at F and is represented in dotted lines, while the left-hand side of
said Figures 3 and 4 marked Europe to be the opposite side of the Atlantic Ocean,
and for the time being the receiving end of an opposite electrical conductor, which
I shall call section Number 2, also having its metallic termination in mid-ocean at
the point F4.
In Figure 4 B represents the location of the earth or ground plate of section
No. 1; proceeding on this circuit from this plate in the direction denoted by the
arrows a we arrive at a battery or other generator of electricity or magnetisın C³,
which for the sake of illustration I will assume generates a force or power
represented by 20.
Proceeding on the course denoted by the arrows a a switch D2 is next reached;
this switch by moving upon its pivot E² may be employed for throwing on and off
at pleasure the batteries or generators C and F, the latter being for the time the
receiving or reversing battery of section 1, while battery C2 as before stated is its
sending or charging battery or end.
G³ in Figure 4 is the point at which the operating mechanism of section 1 is
placed, and which in the present instance as above stated is the sending point, and
therefore it is at this point that said circuit 1 (whether between two stations or
between the sending and receiving mechanisms, or between the sending mechanism
and repeater A, or any other point in an electrical circuit) is to be broken and

page_text: closed or the electric or magnetic force thrown on or off, or the polarities changed
or the current of electricity remitted, increased, or decreased, or transmitted as the
case may be.
Proceeding as indicated by dotted lines from the point G³, the conductor or
current enters the spherical case A, Figures 3 and 4, located at the supposed point
of mid-ocean, and reaches the coil or helix H³ of the repeating magnet 1, that is to
say, the conductor of section 1 is coiled about a spool Is, from which spool the said
conductor 1 extends to the stop point K³ of a twin magnet L³ located in the case A,
thence it extends along the vibrator or armature M² of such magnet L³ to the earth
below the case A, as represented at Nº. From the point N³ the earth or water
continues the circuit 1 back to earth point F³, Figure 4, and thence to B³ the
starting point.
To follow out the opposite circuit (No. 2) in a reverse direction and as shown by
the arrows c, c, start at the earth point 0%, Figure 3, and proceed through the
vibrator spindler to the vibrator or armature P of the magnet 12, Figure 3, it
being assumed that such vibrator is in contact with the stop point Q2 of such
magnet. From the vibrator P I proceed to the opposite spool R of the magnet L³,
and around the said spool to the point S which corresponds to the point G of
circuit 1, and is the place of location of the operating mechanism of circuit 2, and,
for the time being is the receiving end of the entire line.
From the point S2 I proceed to the switch T, Figure 4, battery U³, and earth or
ground plate Us, and thence to starting point O2 of the same Figure 4, such
switch T2, battery U%, and earth points US and V2 being counterparts of those of
circuit 1.
I have thus followed each circuit through its continuous path from its starting
point back to such point, excepting in the case of circuit 2 (for the time being),
which is broken at the stop point Q, Figure 3, but if at this point the vibrator P
is in contact with such stop point Q this section would also be continuous from
carth V through such vibrator, and the earth would form a road back to the
starting point Ổ².
Thus an equivalent to a single continuous conductor of electricity between
America and Europe would be constituted of two sections of cable united by the
instrument A at a suitable point between the continents, or at mid-ocean, where
the repitition of the signals would take place, or at any other desirable point
between the receiving and sending stations.
The detailed construction and operation of the magnets 12 and L2 are alike, hence
a description of one embraces both, and these magnets are to be hermetically sealed
within the globe instrument or case A, or its equivalent. The wire coil or helix of
each magnet, see Figures 3, 4, and 5 of the Drawings, encircles or surrounds two
parallel bars d, e, of metal arranged to be properly acted upon by the magnetic
and electric currents, and which under varying conditions will require slight
changes of adaptation. In the present instance one of these bars d³ is of steel, and
the other of soft iron, the former being charged with magnetism (either at the
time of manufacture or after the instrument A. is placed in position), so as to impart
polarity or direction to such magnetism; and such inagnetism, which, for illustra
tion, is represented as 20, would be neutralized or reversed by the power of the
battery or generating force at C2, Figure 4, also indicating a power of 20; providing
the polarities of both forces were properly arranged.
The bar d of the helix R2 when not under the influence of the electric current of
circuit 2 attracts and holds the vibrator M² with a power equal (for example, say)
to 20, therefore the upper or free end of said vibrator M³ would be brought to the
stop point K, thereby closing and completing the main circuit number 1 between
earth point B2, Figure 4, through helix H³, stop point K2, vibrator M², and earth
point N, back to B², the soft iron bar e in the helix R being neutral, that is to
say, possessing no attractive power. The same result would take place with the
vibrator P and bar d of the helix H. The steel bars d and d in both magnets
or helices in their normal state have a holding or attractive force upon their respec-

page_text: tive vibrators of 20, and consequently hold said vibrators against the stop points K²
and Q, with a natural or normal force of 20; but should the buttery force of 20
at C be sent by conductor 1 through helix H, and having its polarity properly
directed, the natural force 20 in bar d² of magnet I would be destroyed or its
polarity reversed, while at the same instant the soft iron bar e of said magnet would
receive a force of 20, which force would attract the vibrator P, and pull it away
from the steel bar d, thereby opening or breaking the main circuit of section 2 at
the point Q³, and actuating the mechanism at S, which is at the time the receiving
station.
If the vibrator P2 is resting against the stop Q the main circuit section 2 will be
closed or continuous from earth point V3 and 0%, Figure 4, through vibrator P³,
stop Q, helix R³, instrument S, switch T, and battery U, and earth point U³ back
to itself at V; and in this case the force 20 at U the polarity in battery Us being
such as to add its force of 20 to the natural attractive force of the bar din helix R*
would pass to said helix R2, and add to the holding power 20 of the steel bar d² of
magnet L², thereby vesting in such bar da total power of 40. The soft iron bar e²
of the same helix or magnet L2, however, at the same tino would receive a force of
20 from battery U³, and would to this extent exert a pull upon vibrator M², and
detract 20 from the power 40 of bar d² of magnet L2, thus allowing the original
normal force of 20 to remain in such bar d, which would close and keep closed the
main circuit 1 at K³, while the operator on section 1 was breaking and closing
section 2 by means of the vibrator P
It will thus be seen or understood that the direction or polarity of the receiving
or magnetic force or current indicated by the arrows c, c, of section 2 is the reverse
of that of the sending force or current (arrows a, a,) of section 1, and that each
respective sending current or battery neutralizes or changes the polarity in the steel
bar of its own magnet, while the respective receiving current or battery adds to or
increases the force of the steel bar of its own magnet, and also why the latter force
or current in the latter bar is 40 and the former 20, and it is also seen how a long
electric conductor or circuit may be divided into two separate sections or divisions
so, united by an intervening repeating mechanism or instrument that an operator
on one section or division may control or operate mechanism located on the other
division, though the two circuits or divisions do not connect except by the inter-
mediate instrument. The arrows c, c, in this last instance are intended to represent
the circuit, and not the polarity of the electric current.
The vibrators or armatures of the magnets within the submerged instrument A
are operated or controlled by the respective forces, and are absolutely self-adjusting,
so that they perform their delicate duties unerringly at points greatly remote from
and without the aid of human manipulation, except through the conductors 1
and 2.
It will furthermore be evident that by my last-named method the place. of
breaking and closing the circuit of a telegraphic line or cable from either direction
may be practically carried to or placed at a point midway or at any desirable point
between the sending and receiving mechanism, and that the instrument A is cqui-
valent not only to an office located at the bottom of the ocean between two
countries or points, but is capable of performing the duties of living operators at
such point.
The vibrators P2 and Mª of the magnets Is and L are made preferably of soft
iron (but may be an artificial magnet) and placed in the hollow axes of the helices
H and R2, and arranged between and parallel with the two respective bars d² and e³
of opposing forces, the movements of the vibrators being lateral or transverse to the
direction of the forces or currents of electricity passing about such helices, and the
vibrators being wholly magnetized within the centres of such belices by the saine
force which acts upon the said helices and upon the bars d and e².
The upper ends of the vibrators P2, M2, as before stated, operate between the stop
points and f' and K² and g² (Figure 3) of the two magnets I and Le to break
or close the circuits 1 and 2, while the lower or pivotal ends of Buch vibrators are

page_text: each supported or suspended on a horizontal wire or torsion spindle r of platinum
or other metal, Figure 5, between two parts or studs 8, t, erected upon the floor of
the case A or a plate u secured to such floor, such wire suspensory or pivot passing
through the lower end of the vibrator, and being rigidly or otherwise secured to
the latter and to the posts, the torsive power whon a wire is used being so
determined or adjusted as when the vibrator is in a passive or normal state to
incline such vibrator to stand intermediate between the stops of the magnet.
Metallic contact with the wire pivot is extended through the plug v of
insulating material which is screwed into the inner socket w formed in the case A,
such metallic contact preferably terminating at bottom in a head to retain it in
placo.
Into the outer end or mouth of the socket w I screw a second plug y of copper
or other suitable metal, which abuts against the head of the metallic extension
of pivot or spindler, and thus the earth at the points N2 and Os become connected
with the vibrators and constitute part of the electric road for the currents which
act through the line as before stated, the wire pivots being by preference made
of platina on account of its tenacity and good conducting properties and not being
readily susceptible of oxidation. By this method of supporting the vibrators I
avoid the imperfect electrical connections and other dangers consequent upon the
corrosion of movable or rotary pivots, as heretofore employed; and I prefer to
make the electrical contact or stop pivots Q and K² of gold, while the fellow points
f and g³ may be made of bones or other proper insulating substance.
The earth points N2 and O2 may be formed without the insulation plugs y, but
I prefer them independent, as shown, so that by unscrewing one or both plugs y
electrical contact or circuits can be established through the repeater and one or
both cable sections without opening the instrument case A or disturbing the
mechanism or connections within the latter, so that by this means tests of the
cable or line as well as signals can be made to and from such instrument A
(whether it be in inid-ocean or elsewhere) between two stations or sets of apparatus
of either section of the line in either direction, the connection being made by con-
necting one of the metallic pivots by applying to its head a wire, the opposite end
of which is connected with the helix of a proper instrument and returned to contact
with the other metallic pivot, in which case both sections of the line can be com-
municated with. Or if it is desired only to test or communicate with one section
of the line, then in lieu of returning the connecting wire from the testing
apparatus back to the other pivot, as stated, such wire may be carried from such
apparatus to a separate earth connection arranged for the purpose, but it will be
manifest that the earth connection passing through the centre of the coil of one
magnet of the instrument A constitutes part of the coil of the opposite magnet, and
vice versa..
Disturbances or changes of position of the instrument case A produce no
injurious effect upon the mechanism within it, and so long as the cable or conductor
remains intact its operation is effective.
The mode of laying the cables and repeating device, and of making the necessary
ground or earth connections of the repeating circuits with the outside metallic
casing are the same as in my said former Specification, and the working of the line
or cable is practically the same.
The illustration, Figure 6, which shows the alternating or diminishing effect of
an electric current will shew the importance of my repeating apparatus when
located between two points remote from cach other (say for example near the
further end of the cable from the battery between the numerals 25 and 0), where
the repeater would take up and practically utilize an almost exhausted current,
which would otherwise prove abortive.
The foregoing description of my Invention has been confined to the employment
of one cable or conductor or to one given stretch of a cable or space between two
points or countries being divided into two parts or sections; but a single cable
containing two distinct conductors insulated from each other may be used, and by

page_text: proper connections of the wires and circuits and the employment of two sets of
magnets in one case, eight times as many words or signals may be sent between
two points or countries in a given time, as can be done by the ordinary mode now
employed in long cables. By this arrangement of my Invention one of the two
cables or one of the two conducting wires in one cable may be used exclusively
for transmission, the other cable or wire used exclusively for receiving when the
two adjacent ends of such cables or wiros are considered.
I will now proceed to describe another feature of my Invention.
Besides dividing the long stretches of cables and telegraphic lines between two
points and increasing the speed of the same by the aid of my Invention a repeater
may be sunk in the ocean at any desirable point, and in addition to the main
cables lateral or branch cables may be connected with and extended from the said
repeater to other countries or stations, and communications sent through the said
repeater from any one cable or line on one side may be received by any one or all
of the cables on the other side simultaneously, and vice versa. Figure 7 is a rough
diagram representing this feature, which shews the repeater A sunk in mid-ocean
with five cables, shewn in full lines, radiating from it, one to England, one to
France, and one to Spain, one to Halifax, and one to New York. Thus New York
and Halifax would have what would be equal to three cables to Europe, one
to England, ono to France, and one to Spain; and in turn each of these latter
three countries would have what would be equal to two cables across the ocean
and to two different countries. Moreover short branch lines, shewn in dotted lines,
may extend from other repeaters located at any desirable point on any of the above.
described radiating lines, as shown at A¹; and branch lines may extend therefrom
to any desired point, station, or country, this arrangement being equivalent in
effect to the extension of the main line to such point, station, or country. The
batteries, currents, and polarities of the same, and the tension or strength thereof
are properly arranged or proportioned to suit each case, and the earth connections
and resistances, either at the shore or the repeater, or in both these places, are
formed relatively in the proper manner to accomplish the above-specified purposes,
and which would be readily understood by any competent electrician. This
arrangement permits great economy in the length of cable used, and obviates
difficulties relating to landing or shore rights.
Another feature of my Invention comprises the employment in connection with
the above-described apparatus submerged in mid-ocean, or in any position remote
from the land, of captive buoys or floats provided with instruments to indicate
without any human intervention or action the direction and force of the wind, the
state of the weather, that is to say, if the sun is shining, if it is obscured by clouds,
or if rain is falling, the temperature and barometrical pressure. The said buoys
are connected by suitable conducting wires or cables to the repeater. And ships
in danger or distress may make use of these buoys or floats for sending messages
through the cables connected with the same to the nearest shore or station, and
thereby obtain assistance.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that I claim,―
First. A telegraphic line or cable divided into or consisting of two or more
stretches, lengths, or sections, when united and operated by means of the above-
described improved globe instrument or similar apparatus in connection with the
self-adjusting magnet or magnets enclosed and hermetically scaled therein or other-
wise arranged, and with vibrators, helices, and suitable connections, and electrical
and magnetized polarities and powers, as above set forth and for the purposes
specified.
Second. The revolving wheels or moving devices shewn in Figures 2, 3, and 4,
or equivalent mechanism located at or connected with the receiving apparatus, and
when arranged to change the polarity of or charge or discharge the battery current
which operates the receiving or sending mechanism, or when used to increase or
decrease such battery, current, or forces as above described.

page_text: Third. The globe instrument, with its earth and other connections, and con-
taining hermetically sealed within it repeating mechanism operating as set forth,
and arranged between two telegraphic circuits, as and for the purposes specified.
Fourth. The device, herein-above termed a torsion spindle, for magnetic
vibrators, as above described and for the purposes specified.
Fifth. The magnet composed of a helix, which encloses centrally the two parallel
bars of metal, together with the vibrator between and also parallel with the said
bars, and which bars and the vibrator are longitudinally at right angles to the
coiling of the wire of the helix, as above described and for the purpose specified.
Sixth. A magnet in which a magnetized or unmagnetized vibrator is held in one
position by a magnetic bar acting without the aid of a current of electricity, and
moving and holding the said vibrator in the opposite direction or position by a soft
iron or other metal bar, and with a current of electricity acting on a surrounding
or approximate helix, which electric current at the same moment magnetizes the
said vibrator as well as the iron or other metal bar, while the same current at the
same instant demagnetizes or increases the maguetism or changes the magnetic
polarity of the opposite magnetic bar, as above described and for the purpose
specified.
Seventh. The arrangement of the earth connections as described when combined
with the said repeating apparatus, and when used for sending electrical signals or
impulses through or on wires or cables for any purpose.
Eighth. The combination and arrangement of the circuits and batteries located
at the sending and receiving ends of the conductor and the switches, as and for the
purposes specified.
Ninth. The arrangement of apparatus consisting of a repeater sunk in mid-ocean
or other points on land or ocean with any desired number of main cables or con-
ductors radiating therefrom, and which cables or conductors or any of them may
be provided with repeaters and sub-divided, or provided with branch cables, as
shewn in Figure 7 at A', as and for the purposes specified.
Tenth. The combination with the repeater sunk in mid-ocean or otherwise, and
connected with a cable or cables, or conductors of electricity or magnetism, of
captive buoys or floats provided with meteorological or other instruments or
apparatus, as and for the purposes specified.
Eleventh. The repeating apparatus as described, whether in combination with
the hermetically sealed case or otherwise, when used on ocean or other cables, or
for subterranean or aërial wires, for the purposes specified or for other electrical or
magnetic purposes.
'In witness whereof, I, the said Silvanus Frederick Van Choate, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Fourth day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
SILVANUS FREDERICK VAN CHOATE. (L.S.)