AN IMPROVED METHOD OR MEANS FOR EFFECTING REGISTRATION OF MARINE COMPASSES AT A DISTANCE THEREFROM
Year: 1884

page_text: We JOHN LEA of 75 Arlington Road Camden Town, Middlesex Telegraph
Engineer, and GEORGE CRAWFORD HARVEY of 34 Great St Helens, London,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention for "AN IMPROVED
METHOD OR MEANS FOR EFFECTING REGISTRATION OF MARINE COMPASSES AT A
DISTANCE THEREFROM" to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved method or means for effecting registration
of Marine Compasses at a distance therefrom by the aid of electricity a record
being kept of any position a magnetic or magnetized bar or needle may be
pointing.
For a mariners compass an apparatus is placed out of the influence of the Iron
ship or Cargoe or Iron masts this apparatus is in connection with another apparatus
placed in the Captains cabin or any convenient place no matter what distance from
the first named apparatus and is either worked by clockwork or by hand or by any
other motive power, if by clockwork the clock is made to disengage the train of the
second apparatus which will every quarter of an hour or at any required interval
of time mark upon a sheet or strip of paper the exact position of the first
apparatus.
The paper is lined off with all the points, half and quarter points of the compass
lengthwise and the date of the month and hour of the day cross wise. A pen or
pencil is made to travel over this paper each time the apparatus is started and
when the pencil arrives at the spot or quarter point, where the true compass is
pointing it makes a mark.
If the apparatus is intended to be used by hand instead of clockwork. We
employ an electro-magnet fixed upon an axle or shaft to be turned by a handle
which also turns a contact maker travelling over as many contacts as there are
different indications When the right one is reached a current passes through the
wire of the electromagnet which causes it to attract its armature and leaves an
indicator showing where the compass needle is pointing on the distant apparatus
A special feature in this invention is, the bar or needle in the first named apparatus
is surrounded by a coil of wire in such a manner that when a current of electricity
is passed through this coil, the bar-or needle dips and a contact maker which it
LD .

page_text: carries, closes a circuit, when the clockwork of the registering apparatus has
brought the pen or marker to the proper place where the mark is required.
Another feature of this invention is the first named apparatus may be placed in
a boat or raft which has no magnetic substance but is provided with two or more
sighting poles. This boat may be allowed to go astern of a vessel at the end of a
rope carrying the conducting wires and by looking through a telescope or tube
from the ship and sighting the two poles, at the same time pressing a contact
maker, a current is passed through the coil surrounding the magnet which causing
it to dip and by doing so closes another circuit on the recorder or the apparatus
with the revolving coil as before described leaving the pointer at the same position
as the magnet was at when the poles were sighted and the boat or raft was in a
line with the.ship.
We are aware that many self-registering Compasses have been invented but this
Invention is a departure from all others previously introduced inasmuch as it allows
the true needle to be suspended in the ordinary manner and not interfered with as
regards it pointing to North, the contact maker which it carries being only a few
grains in weight. When the current is passed through the surrounding coil the
contact maker is dropped upon the division of the Compass exactly under it and
remains there while the recorder does its work with the marker or it leaves the
pointer. These divisions of the Compass under the needle are in connection with
wires which pass through the outside hoop or Compass box (gimballed in the
ordinary manner) to another box or outer ring in a box which is placed in the
boat or raft or upon a pole from the deck of the ship.
Connection is made from the inner to the outer box by a number of chains or
spirals or ribbons of metal or by preference metal "harp strings."
For ships not carrying this new apparatus it can be fitted at an adjusting station
.or stations, that is to say the first named apparatus is placed in a known position not
surrounded by any magnetic substance and a cable is laid from it to be taken on
board ships. At the end of the cable is placed the instrument with the revolving
coils, The handle is then turned and the Compasses adjusted.
.
T11004

page_text: We JOHN LEA of 75 Arlington Road, Camden Town in the County of Middlesex,
Electrical Engineer, and GEORGE CRAWFORD HARVEY of 34 Great St: Helens,
London, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention for
"AN IMPROVED METHOD OR MEANS FOR EFFECTING REGISTRATION OF MARINE
COMPASSES AT A DISTANCE THEREFROM," 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 an improved method or means for effecting registration
of Marine Compasses at a distance therefrom by the aid of Electricity, a record
being kept of any position a magnetic or magnetized bar or needle may be
pointing.
For a Mariners Compass an apparatus is placed out of the influence of the iron
ship or cargo or iron masts; this apparatus is in connection with another apparatus
placed in the Captain's Cabin or any convenient place no matter what distance
from the first named apparatus, and is either worked by clockwork, or by hand, or
by any other motive power, if by clockwork, the clock is made to disengage the
train of the second apparatus, which will every quarter of an hour, or at any
required interval of time, mark upon a sheet or strip of paper the exact position of
the first apparatus. The paper is lined off with all the points, half and quarter
points of the compass lengthwise, and the date of the month and hour of the day
cross wise. A pen or pencil is made to travel over this paper each time the
apparatus is started and when the pencil arrives at the spot or quarter point, where
the true compass is pointing it makes a mark. If the apparatus be intended to be
used by hand instead of clockwork, we employ an electro-magnet fixed upon an
axle or shaft to be turned by a handle which also turns a contact maker travelling
over as many contacts as there are different indications on the compass or apparatus
placed out of the ship's influence. When the right one is reached a current passes
through the wire of the electro-magnet which causes it to attract its armature and
leaves an indicator showing where the compass needle is pointing on the distant
apparatus.
A special feature in this invention is, the bar or needle in the compass or distant
apparatus is surrounded by a coil of wire in such a manner that when a current of
electricity is passed through this coil, the bar or needle dips and a contact maker
which it carries, closes a circuit.
Another feature of this invention is the first named apparatus may be placed in
a boat or raft which has no magnetic substance but provided with two or more
sighting poles. This boat may be allowed to go astern of a vessel at the end of a
rope carrying the conducting wires and by looking through a telescope or tube
from the ship and sighting the two poles, at the same time pressing a contact
maker, a current is passed through the coil surrounding the magnet which causes
it to dip, and by doing so closes another circuit on the recorder or the apparatus
with the revolving coil as before described leaving the pointer at the same position

page_text: о
as the magnet was at, when the poles were sighted and the boat or raft was in a
line with the ship.
We are aware that many self registering compasses have been invented, but
this invention is a departure from all others previously introduced inasmuch as it
allows the true needle to be suspended in the ordinary manner and not interferred
with as regards it pointing to north. The contact maker which it carries
being only a few grains in weight. When the current is passed through the
surrounding coil the contact maker is dropped upon the division of the compass
exactly under it and remains there while the recorder does its work with the
marker or it leaves the pointer. These divisions of the compass under the needle
are in connection with wires which pass through the outside hoop or compass
box (gimballed in the ordinary manner) to another box or outer ring in a box
which is placed in the boat or raft or upon a pole from the deck of the ship.
Connection is made from the inner to the outer box by a number of chains, or
spirals or ribbons of metal or otherwise.
The manner of carrying out our invention and the arrangement and construction
of the apparatus hereinbefore described will be understood by the following
description with reference to the annexed drawings.
Figures 1 and 2 represent in plan and section a mariners compass or apparatus
to be placed in any convenient position out of the influence of the iron of the ship
or cargo.
The said compass or apparatus consists of a bar or magnetic needle A
balanced as in an ordinary mariners compass upon a point B in the usual manner
or in any suitable manner, within a compass box C suspended by gimballs D D D
in an outer box E, eaid outer box E being fixed as shown at F or otherwise or
suitably suspended. Also within the compass box C and surrounding the needle A
is a coil of wire G insulated, having each end of the wire forming the coil carried
through the bottom of the compass box C to a point near the centre of said
compass box, where the ends of the wire are attached to spirals H H' of insulated
wire hanging from the outer box E
Around the compass box C are contacts J J J equal in number to the points,
half points &c of the compass. Wires are led from the contact pieces J J J along
the bottom of the box C and terminate in eyes to receive hooks on the spirals or
flexible conductors K K. Perfect contact between the above mentioned hook and
eye may be ensured by means of a wire L which is caused to draw the two
together by an india rubber or other flexible band N looped round a pin M. The
other end P of the spiral may be similarly arranged. Through one end of the
magnetic needle A passes a suitably shaped wire or contact maker Q, the weight of
which is balanced by the counterpoise R. S is a metallic ring which is connected
with outer box E by one wire or spiral Tin a manner similar to that described with
reference to the spirals K K. From the points where the before mentioned flexible
conductors H, H¹, T, K K K are attached to the box E, conducting wires pass
down the side and along the bottom of the box È towards its centre where they
enter a cable U leading to the other apparatus.
Figures 3 and 4 are a sectional elevation and plan respectively of a recording or
reading instrument to be worked by hand. This instrument is connected
electrically with the apparatus before described by means of the cable U which
contains a wire from each and everyone of the contact pieces J J J representing
the points, half points &c of the compass, one wire from each end of the coil G,
and one wire from the central ring S. Both wires from the coil G are attached to
the key a battery being included in the circuit. When desirable a coil exactly
similar to the coil G but surrounding an ordinary mariners compass may be also
included in this circuit, for the purpose of causing the needle of such compass, to
dip (and remain still) at the same moment as the needle of the distant apparatus.
The wire from the central ring S is connected through the coils of the electro
magnet a in the reading apparatus with the travelling contact b. Each of the
wires from the contact pieces J J J is connected with a corresponding one of the
conthee on the reading instrument, that is to say, the contact representing

page_text: the north point of the compass is connected with the contact c representing the
north point, the contact J representing the east point with the contact o
representing the same point, and so on, said contacts ccc being arranged under
the travelling contact b as shown at Figures 3 and 4 on sheet 1 of the drawings.
Figure 5 is an elevation of the recording or reading instrument above mentioned
showing the same enclosed within a brass or other suitable casing d. The electro-
magnet a is fixed to the spindle.e and is rotated with the said spindle on turning
the handle f. A pawl g and ratchet / prevents the electro magnet being rotated
in the wrong direction. The electro magnet a carries with it, its armature j with
spring k, and has upon its upper face a pin or projection l. Fitted loosely on the
spindle e above the armature is an appliance consisting of a disc m, having attached
a small bar n and a pointer or indicator o directly over said bar n. Between this
appliance and the armature j is a loose ring p.
The underside of the top q of the casing d has springs rr for keeping the
disc m in position the upper face of the casing top q has the points &c of the
compass (not shown on the drawing) marked thereon, each point, half point &c
being above the contact o corresponding thereto.
Figure 6 shows in plan the electro magnet a and armature ; with projection L,
the disc m, and bar n, and also the travelling contact piece consisting of a plate of
slate or other suitable materials having affixed a brass spring t carrying at its
end a platinum or other suitable contact b. The contact 6 passes between the brass
sides u u.
The operation of the above described apparatus is as follows. On
pressing down the key W a current is sent through the coil G of the distant
apparatus, thus causing the needle immediately to dip and one end of the contact
maker to touch the ring S and the other to touch whichever contact J the needle
points towards at the moment the current was sent through the coil. The handle f
of the reading instrument is now turned round in the direction of the arrows
shown at Figure 6 and the electro-magnet a being fixed to the same spindle
revolves with it and carries round the bar n and pointer o by the projection lon
the armature. The moment the contact b touches the contact c which connected
with that contact piece J at the distant apparatus which is under the contact
maker Qa circuit is completed through the coil of the electro magnet a (as will
be understood by reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings) the armature j
is attracted and held in the position shown at Figure 7, and the projection' being
clear of the bar n, said bar n ceases to move and the pointer or indicator o is left
at that point of the compass marked on the top q of the reading instrument
corresponding to that to which the needle of the distant apparatus pointed the
moment the key W was operated. By comparing the indication on the reading
instrument with that of the compass ✗, the difference (if any) at the same
moment may be ascertained, and corrected in the usual manner.
On releasing
the key W, the needle of the distant apparatus is free to move, circuit is thus
broken.
Figure 8 sheet 3 is a section of a recording apparatus to be worked by clock-
work. Figure 9 sheet 4 and Figure 10 sheet 2 are plan and transverse section
respectively of the same instrument. The conductors A B lead to and from the
distant apparatus or compass as described with reference to Figure 2 the key W
shown at Figure 3 being substituted by the automatic circuit completer C Figure 8.
The conductor D Figure 10 is connected with the ring S of the distant compass
and conductors C connect each contact E in the block F with the corresponding
contact J in the distant compass, in a manner similar to that described with
reference to the contacts ccc and J J J the contacts E E being in place of the
contacts c ca
The operation of the recording apparatus shown on sheets 3 and 4 is as follows
Every quarter of an hour or at any desired interval of time the train of the clock G
by means of a chain connected therewith in any well known manner or otherwise
raises the lever H thus releasing the pin J on the disc K, allowing said disc to
rotate and with it the pinion L, said rotation being caused by a spring within the

page_text: box M. As the box M revolves it actuates a fusee N which has fixed to it a tooth
wheel P gearing with a pinion Q on the spindle R supported by the cock S. On
the spindle or arbor R is fixed a tooth wheel T and disc U having two indentations
for the reception of a stop V. In the wheel T gears a pinion W on the arbor X.
On the same arbor is fixed an escape wheel Y and tooth wheel Z. A¹ is the anchor
of the escapement. The tooth wheel Z gears with the pinion L which is on the same
spindle as the disc K. The tooth wheel T acts also as a disc crank having a rod B¹
connecting it with a rack C¹ sliding in guides D¹ D'. The rack rotates a pinion E¹
at the end of the archimedean screw F¹. On the archimedean screw F¹ is a block G'
and spring H¹ carrying a pencil J. Depending from the block G¹ is a guide K'
through which a brass rod K passes, said guide having attached in a suitable manner
a platinum or contact roller L' for travelling over the silver or other suitable
contacts E in the block of insulating material F. The before mentioned lever H
has a projection M³ for operating the contact C as seen at Figure 8. On this contact
being made the needle at the distant apparatus is caused to dip. The spring in the
box M coming into operation rotates the archimedean screw through the gear
before described and moves the block Galong it. When the contact roller L¹
reaches the contact E connected with the contact J to which the distant needle is
pointing a circuit is completed through the electro magnet coils N' N' and the
armature N³ being attracted, the bar P by means of the frame P³ presses down
the pencil spring Hand pencil J¹ upon a roller Q³ covered with a strip of paper
marked with the points &c of the compass and the quarter hours or other intervals
of time. Connected to the frame P³ is a lever R₁ for operating an anchor S* and
by this means revolving a wheel S (having a number of teeth corresponding to
the divisions round the roller Q2) one tooth, said wheel being fixed to the roller Q³.
The pencil may thus be arranged to make a long mark on the paper in that
division corresponding to the position of the distant compass needle every quarter
of an hour or other interval of time.
Figure 11 represents in perspective a portion of the block F with contacts E.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is
First. A mariners compass having a coil surrounding the needle in the manner
described and shown for the purpose of causing the needle to dip and remain still
whilst the position of the said needle is recorded.
Secondly. The several apparatus and instruments hereinbefore described and
substantially as shown in the annexed drawings for the purpose set forth.
Thirdly. The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the improve-
ments in registering mariners compasses hereinbefore described with reference to the
annexed drawings.
Fourthly. The improved method or means for effecting the registration of the
indications of marine compasses at a distance therefrom by means of electric
circuits arranged as described.
Fifthly. An electro magnet fixed upon a spindle to be rotated and brought into
use when required by contact as described.
The 11th day of April 1885.
H. GARDNER,
166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said John Lea & George Crawford Harvey.