Improvements in Electrical Apparatus for use in Ships' Telegraphs and other purposes where only Certain Fixed Signals are to be Transmitted.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Jan., 1893-Accepted, 1st Apr., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electrical Apparatus for use in Ships' Telegraphs
and other purposes where only Certain Fixed Signals are to be
Transmitted.
I, GEORGE FREDERICK FLEMMICH, of 7 Albemarle Street London & Strand
Shipyard, Teignmouth, Devon Naval Architect Associate of the Institution of
Naval Architects 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 electrical apparatus as used for telegraphing signals to
the engine room or other parts of a ship and has for its object certain improvements
by which on a signal being telegraphed a bell (or other electrically actuated alarm)
will sound and continue to sound until by manipulating the receiving instrument,
the signal given is indicated thereon when the bell will cease and an indicator which
simultaneously with the ringing of the bell or alarm, showed the signal will be
automatically closed.
er
The apparatus consists of a transmitter and a receiver, which are connected by
insulated conductors, and a suitable battery, the receiver including one or more
electric bells or other electrically actuated alarms, and (but not necessarily) one or
more electric indicators.
The transmitter consists of a cylindrical case of metal, and may be mounted on a
pillar preferably also of metal and hollow, that the insulated conductors may be
carried through the base to their respective terminals within the instrument.
This transmitter consists of a number of pairs of insulated contact points one of
each pair being carried by a spring the other being a fixed metal stud. The several
pairs are firmly secured to an insulating base and are so arranged that the spring
and stud comprising the same are normally apart, but so arranged that any pair
can be connected by a metal contact piece which is carried by the axis of the
instrument, and is of such a width that when the handle which is fixed on the end
of the axis & moves the same round with itself is moved to stand over any one of
the several signals, the corresponding pair of contact points are brought into
connection.
The face of the case through which the axis runs is spaced off to correspond
with the several points of contact, the several signals being written or engraved
within the spaces.
The handle may be moved from right to left or vice versa, over the spaces which
occupy about one half of the face.
At the back of the rim which encircles the dial, a number of holes, one for each
space on the face are drilled in such a manner that on turning the handle, a
rounded catch carried by the latter, drops into each hole as it passes, by which.
means the exact position of the handle for each signal is readily indicated.
The receiver is similar in construction to the transmitter, but with the difference
that the pairs of contact points are normally in contact but so arranged that the
movement of its handle, separates each pair as it reaches them, this being effected
by an attachment on the axis. which lifts off one by one as it passes through them
the springs which normally hold together in contact the pairs of studs.
The face of the receiver is marked off in exactly the same way as that of the
transmitter, and the position of the handle indicates the pair of contacts for the
time being separated.
1.
Practically, the corresponding pairs of contacts, in both instruments form parts
of as many different circuits of which only one can be closed at one time, that is
when the handle of the transmitter is moved to any given signal. The alarm will

page_text: then sound & continue to sound till the handle of the receiver is moved to the
corresponding signal.
An electrical indicator or indicators may be used advantageously in connection
with the apparatus above described: These indicators being so arranged in the
circuit that on a signal being telegraphed a flag or disc indicating the signal will be
thrown out or displayed simultaneously with the ringing of the bell.
This disc will remain in sight until by moving the handle of the receiver as
above described the bell ceases to ring when the disc also will disappear. The
advantage of using this disc will be that no time will be lost in executing an order
as the man in charge will see the signal & act upon it without having to manipulate
the instrument to ascertain what the signal is.
Each circuit will be completed by having its own wires, connecting the studs of
the transmitter, and of the receiver, & the battery.
The ringing of the bell or alarm, and the throwing out & closing of the flag or
disc are done by any of the methods, well known and 'public property..
The construction of the apparatus is best explained by reference to the drawings
accompanying this Specification.

page_text: 3. Receiver.
I do not confine myself to the exact details shown, which may vary according to
circumstances, so long as the essential principle of my invention is retained as
shown in my claims.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is―
1. An improved apparatus for signalling composed of (a) A transmitting instru-
ment containing a number of pairs of contact points, normally apart but which can
be electrically connected pair by pair by moving a handle. The said contact points
being connected by wires, pair by pair with a corresponding number of contact
points in a receiving instrument, in which the contact points are normally in contact
but can be separated by moving a handle on this receiving instrument whereby the
springs which cross the contact points are lifted one by one as required. The whole
being counected with an electrical battery.
2. The combination of the instruments above described with electrical indicating
and alarm apparatus.
Dated this with dow of Tab 1002
G. F. FLEMMICH.