IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC NIGHT SIGNAL APPARATUS, SIMULTANEOUSLY ILLUMINATING THE HORIZON AND AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERING THE SIGNALS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Prosper Moritz, Naval Officer on board of the French
Man of War Oriflame," for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC
NIGHT SIGNAL APPARATUS, SIMULTANEOUSLY ILLUMINATING THE HORIZON AND
AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERING THE SIGNALS."
Scaled the 18th May 1877, and dated the 30th November 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Prosper Moritz at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th November 1876.
PROSPER MORITZ, Naval Oflicer on board of the French Man of War "Oriflame."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC NIGHT SIGNAL APPARATUS, SIMULTANEOUSLY
ILLUMINATING THE HORIZON AND AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERING THE SIGNALS."
Night signals by electric light have a great advantage over all others, especially
on account of their great light-projecting powers in combination with their change
of colour, a special feature which attracts the attention of the helmsman by a
luminous rays, in such a manner that there is no loss of time in interpreting the
signal, whilst by the old system there is much delay, and if ever so slight may in
many cases result disastrously.
These advantages gained over the old method are main features in my Invention,
which consists,-
1st. The use of electricity on board vessels for night signals, by lighting up all
points of the horizon.
2. In the novel use of glasses of a mixed red, known in the trade as flashed red
(rouge plaque), which at the greatest distances shows a beautiful bright red.
3. In the combination of the two flashes of white and red for showing the
signals or the numbers in a simple, clear, and rapid manner, which obviates the
long or short flashes of the old system.
4. In the combined apparatus for producing these results, either by the aid of
"Serrin" lamps, or any other suitable system.
"
The apparatus consists of a copper frame in which a Serrin" lamp is placed, or
some equivalent which bears uprights surmounted by a cross bar, at the end of

page_text: which pulleys are placed on which gut cords pass which are fixed to two balances
serving to work the apparatus.
On the frame are placed, 1. A white cylindrical glass opening to admit the lamp.
2. A yellow flashed-glass cylinder covering the white one. 3. An opaque or brass
cylinder covering the yellow glass. These two latter cylinders, the yellow glass
and brass cylinders, also open to admit the lamp, and are raised or lowered as
desired by levers to make white flashes or red.
The registering mechanism of these signals or the register of these white or red
flashes are effected by two pencils, one red and the other blue, in combination with
a drum on which the paper is rolled, rollers guiding the paper band, and a roller
moved by clockwork for unrolling the paper. A small spring keeps the paper under
the pencils and a small pin pricks or pierces the paper after each signal. A fly
wheel regulates the speed and a lever stops the movement. When at rest the light
is completely hidden. In raising the opaque cylinder the flash is red, and the red
pencil inarks automatically on the band of paper a red mark during the whole
length of the flash. When the opaque and yellow cylinders are raised the flash is
white, and the blue pencil replaces and performs the office of the red one, so that
when the signals are completed they are marked much in the same manner as by
the "Morse" telegraph system. Thus the register is a permanent guide for measuring
the length of the flashes, and at the same time an immediate and constant control
over errors, thus allowing of their remedy.
The signals proposed are the following:
No. 1
2
3
-
2 white do.
-
-
1 red
1 white flash.
dlo.
No. 6
-
7
2 red
do.
9
-
10
3 red flashes.
1 white, 1 red.
1 red, 1 white.
5
3 white do.
-
2 white, 1 red.
-
2 red, 1 white.
Apparatus with two lamps may be employed, or apparatus with one lamp and
two carbon holders
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Prosper Moritz in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th May
1877.
PROSPER MORITZ, Naval Officer on board of the French Man of War Oriflame.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC NIGHT SIGNAL APPARATUS, SIMULTANEOUSLY
ILLUMINATING THE HORIZON AND AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERING THE SIGNALS."
This Invention consists essentially in the use (according to circumstances) of the
electric light on board vessels, with the double object of lighting up the whole
horizon and making night signals.
Several appliances have been employed to effect this purpose; the alliance
electric machines are objectionable, are too cumbersome and complicated, and have
too much wood in their construction, which suffers from atmospheric changes and
only produces irregular effects,
The gramme electro-magnetic machine is preferable, as regards lightness and
simplicity, and is not affected like the alliance machine by damp, and is perfectly
suitable for use on board even the smallest vessels. Having selected this apparatus
the choice next falls on the proper selection of glasses which in colouring the
electric light absorb the least luminous rays, so that the projection of these rays so
coloured may reach the greatest distance. I find by experiments that,-
1st. With a red glass tinted with gold the light appears white.
2nd. With a red glass tinted with copper the light appears red, but at a short
distance only..

page_text: 3rd. With a glass tinted with silver the light appears red to about 12 kilomètres.
4th. And, finally a glass tinted with a mixed red, in commerce known as yellow
plated or flashed (jaune plaqué), gives a beautiful clear red colour, which may bo
seen at a great distance.
This yellow plated glass is combined with another white glass for projecting (with
the apparatus shown in the Drawings) flashes of electric light, either white or red,
which which form the basis of the night signals.
These apparatus give tlie flashes quickly and simply, and at the same time
automatically register the signals on a strip of paper. Signals thus produced can
be checked or controlled as sent, and errors rectified when necessary, and the
apparatus may be worked in any part of the ship.
Although here described for use on shipboard the apparatus may be employed for
military signals on land, and generally for signaling at long distances.
Description of the Apparatus.-Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 relate. to one apparatus;
Fig. 1 shows the signal apparatus at rest with the registering door open; in Fig. 2
a red light is being shown, and in Fig. 3 a white light; Fig. 4 is a plan of Fig. 1;
Fig. 7 shows a reflector in two views, which is employed in some cases with this
apparatus.
Figs. 5 and 6 shew in section and elevation an apparatus with two lamps.
In Figs. 8 and 9, which are a vertical section and elevation, ono lamp only is
used, but with two carbons; Fig. 10 represents a front view of the register.
Fig. 11 is a section; 12, an elevation; and 13, a plan for a lighthouse for a coast
light.
Fig. 14 is a mode of suspension for use in lighthouses or beacons.
The apparatus, Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 consists of a frame a in which a "Serrin "
electric lamp is enclosed; this frame has uprights b supporting the top or plate c,
with three branches bearing the supports of the pulleys i and j of the cord d and e;
these are fixed one, d, at one end to an opaque brass cylinder f, or other suitablo
substance, and at the other end to an actuating lever oscillating at a part of the
frame a; the other cord e connects the yellow plated glass g to a second manoeuvring
lever e¹ oscillating at the same point as the lever d¹.
In the position represented by Fig. 1 the opaque cylinder f marks the light on
acting on the lever d'; it is led by sliding it along the uprights b by means of guide
rollers in the position Fig. 2, and the light is projected through the yellow-plated
glass g in a pencil of red rays. In lowering the lever e¹, Fig. 3, in the same manner
the glass g unmasks the white glass h which projects a white light.
When either of the glasses gor h are used the opaque cylinder can rise or descend
with the impulse of the lever ', and consequently the length of the white or red
flashes is limited. The light of the lamp thus projected in red or white flashes, the
up-and-down movements of the cylinder f and of the yellow plated glass gare
utilized for registering the signals. With this view the cylinder fin its lower
position rests on two small shafts governing the levers m and n articulated with the
pencils o, p; the levers m and n are supplied with springs which act in a contrary
sense to the cylinder; the yellow-plated glass g also rests on the governing shaft of
the lever n. The pencil o is red and that p is blue; both can be brought in contact
with a strip of paper q animated with a motion of translation from the unwinding
roller to the winding roller 8 by means of clockwork actuating the winding
bobbin 8; rollers t guide the paper which a lower spring a maintains; a point v
which participates in the movements of the cylinder of the glass g pierces the
paper after each of their movements.
Action of the Apparatus. At rest, Fig. 1, the light is. completely hidden. In
lifting the cylinder f the flash is red, and the red pencil o'marks on the strip of
paper 9 (which moves as described) a red mark as long as the red flash lasts; in
lowering the cylinder f the pencil o is raised. If the cylinder and the yellow-
plated glass g is raised the flash is white, and the blue pencil p marks the paper as

page_text: long as the white flash lasts. After each movement of the cylinder and glass g
the point pierces the paper; the signals are therefore marked in a manner
analogous to that of "Morse's" principle. Thus the register is a lasting guide,
measuring the length and duration of the flashes, and at the same time a check
immediately showing the errors which might occur, and consequently admitting of
their remedy.
The signals may also be made some distance from the senders thereof, who may
be sheltered from the projectiles of an enemy and can have the register before them;
this is an important feature of the Invention.
In place of the registering apparatus described Morse's may be used; for this
purpose it undergoes a slight change, a small wheel whose projections print on the
paper is added to the manipulator, and to the end of the axis of the second wheel of
the clockwork a pulley is added drawing the paper of the index; this paper guided
by small rollers passes above a pad impregnated with red ink beneath the manipulating
roller, so that the registering is effected automatically.
In the same manner the pencils may be replaced by one or more of the wheels
above referred to; these in pressing on the paper under the influence of the
mechanism leave an impression and the signal is marked, the ink being supplied to
the rollers regularly from the lower spring. The red and white flashes thus produced
and registered are combined to form the ten numbers here following
1. One white flash.
3. Two white flashes.
5. Three white flashes.
7. One white and one red.
9. Two white and one red.
2. One red flash.
4. Two red flashes.
6. Three red flashes.
8. One red and one white flash.
0. Two red and one white flash.
It should be observed that all the uneven numbers begin with a white flash and
all the even numbers with a red flash, and that the long and short flashes of the old
method of so signalling are done away with.
The white and red flashes having a similar object, no matter what their duration,
that is to say, two white flashes, long or short, would indicate the number 3, in the
same manner two red flashes would mean 4.
To attract attention the horizon is swept by a luminous rays formed by the
reflector, Fig. 7, put in position to concentrate the light and direct it to one spot, so
that it forcibly attracts notice. A signal is not given till this is answered by a
white light, then the figures are signaled; each figure is separated from the preceding
one by an interval of four seconds counted, and signaling is not recommenced till
an answer is received that the signal is understood; it is preferable the vessel
signaled should repeat the number, as it will be marked at the same time. The
white light would indicate "understand" and the red light "repeat."
Vessels
unprovided with signals would fire a rocket when they understand and two when
they don't understand. The geographical numbers and those of the vessel are
preceded by two double and alternating flashes, white, red; white, red.
Another method may be employed if it is desired to signal in a single direction
and at a great distance. The three first uneven numbers of the scale are only used,
viz., 1, 3, 5, which combined in a certain inanner will give 1521 phrases; this mode
of procedure will prevent errors, as there are only 3 figures in each number, and
cach cipher comprises 3 white flashes only as a maximum.
As attracting signal the parabolic reflector is directed in the position required;
the witnesses of this signal reply in the first-named method, then with a screen
sliding before the light 5 or 6 precipitate flashes are made, which implies that the
number of the page will be signaled; a reply that the signal has been seen and
understood is then waited for and the number 11, for example, is signaled, which
means page 11, so that it is to this page one must turn to there read the phrase to
the number then signaled; with this method the signaling becomes certain. Several
pages would be reserved for the towns, villages, or strategic points, where the chief
commander would operate. Finally, in case 1521 phrases would not suffice for the

page_text: use of an army, the quantity would be doubled by having a volume where the
numbers would have 4 ciphers.
The apparatus with two "Serrin" lamps (Figs. 5 and 6) consists of two lamps 8, 8²,
placed one near the other, but separate; the lower one s¹ bears a crown in glass or
white optic, the upper one s an optic glass crown covered by a cylinder of glass g,
yellow plated (jaune plaqué) x, and a bracket supporting the cylinders of the upper
lamp is the insulating matter; 2, 3, are the places where the wires F unite
with the electric machine; Flare the wires which connect the lamps with the
cominutator K; these communicate at 2¹ with the upper lamp and at with the
lower lamp. Finally is the conductor which connects the commutator with
the ground plate; O and P are the levers which actuate the pencils o, p.
white light is desired the commutator is put in communication with the wire 1 of
the lower lamp, and the commutator bears on a pivot P which governs the blue
pencil p, and in the same manner the pivot ò is acted on to make the red pencil o
mark, see also Fig. 10. During the intervals of light the commutator is placed
between the two points 1, 1, on a copper plate leading into the sea, thus the
current of the "gramme" machine is regularly developed.
If a
For the apparatus, Figs. 8 and 9, the "Serrin" lamp of which has two carbons,
the manoeuvring is the same, previously described.
In Figs. 11, 12, and 13 a is the frame of the beacon or coast light with a
"Serrin" lamp 8; it bears, 1st, a white glass ; 2nd, a cylindrical reflector R of the
same diameter as h, and of an amplitude of 135 degrees; 3rd, a green glass f of
a superior diameter and an amplitude of 112° 30'; 4th, a yellow-plated glass of
precisely the same dimensions as that f. These two glasses f and y are separated by
a screen E of less thickness and of 0m 90 in length, which prevents the two colours.
being seen from the same shore. The beacon would be placed in front and under
the mizzen mast; it is held vertically by means of the Cardan" suspension,
Fig. 14; with a machine with 100 Carcel burners it will be seen 8 miles. It
has been mentioned that the apparatus are applicable for military signals, unless a
magneto-electric machine worked with arms is used, a steam engine is fixed to a
cart and is heated on the spot; the material necessary for signaling with the
gramme" machine included, forming a cube of 80 cubic centimètres and weighing
400 kilogrammes would be placed on the same cart.
"
"
In the open, or when the commander in chief wishes to signal to all the army
corps at the same time, the first method is employed; separated from an army corps
by a hill or forest the second method is employed. Although a "Serrin" lamp is
herein mentioned as employed I do not restrict myself to its sole use, as others
might be used.
I claim as my Invention,―
1st. The method described of employing electricity for night signaling, either on
board vessels or for land forces, by simultaneously illuminating all points of the
horizon.
2nd. The novel use of glasses of a mixed red or yellow flashed or plated (jaune.
plaqué) which give a clear and rich red colour at a distance.
3rd. The combination of two flashes, white and red, for indicating the numbers
or signals, thus doing away with the long and short flashes of the old system.
4th. The apparatus represented by the Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and as herein described.
5th. The apparatus with two "Serrin" lamps, Figs. 5 and 6, and the apparatus
with one lamp and two carbons, Figs. 8, 9, and 10, as above described.
6th. The beacon, Figs. 11 and 14, for coast lights.
7th. The automaton signal register as described with respect to the Figures 1, 2,
and 3, and as explained with regard to the Figures 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10, together with
the improved "Morse" apparatus modified as hercin specified.
Sth. The use and application of the different apparatus for signaling and
registring to semaphores, beacons, or lighthouses, entrance to harbours, coast
signals, and all analogous purposes.
In the Drawings and Specification a Serrin lamp is shown and described as a

page_text: lighting power, still I do not restrict myself to its sole use, as other lamps having a
similar effect may be employed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Prosper Moritz, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
P. MORITZ. (L.S.)