IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO THE GENERATION OR DEVELOPMENT STORAGE DISTRIBUTION REGULATION AND UTILIZATION OF ELECTRICITY AND APPARATUS OR MEANS THEREFOR OR USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH "
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Stokes Williams of Riverton, New Jersey,
United States of America for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
RELATING TO THE GENERATION OR DEVELOPMENT STORAGE DISTRIBUTION
REGULATION AND UTILIZATION OF ELECTRICITY AND APPARATUS OR MEANS
THEREFOR OR USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Stokes Williams at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st December 1883.
JOPEPH STOKES WILLIAMS of Riverton, New Jersey, United States of America
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO THE GENERATION OR DEVELOPMENT
STORAGE DISTRIBUTION REGULATION AND UTILIZATION OF ELECTRICITY AND
APPARATUS OR MEANS THEREFOR OR USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH
"
The object of my invention is to generate store distribute regulate and utilize
electric power for the operation of movable torpedoes coast defence and marine
operations as well as for the operation of railways tramways or other purposes or
any combination thereof and it also relates to methods apparatus and means
employed therefor or in combination with the improvements as described in my
former Letters Patents and applications as follows No 5233 dated Nov. 30th 1881.
No 5742 dated Dec 31st 1881 No 85 dated Jan. 6 1882. No 224 dated
Jan 16. 1882 No 700 dated Feb. 13. 1882. No 766 dated Febr. 16. 1882. No 856
dated Feb 22. 1882. No 1174 dated March 10. 1882. No 1556 dated March 30th
1882. No 2558 dated May 30. 1882. No 4034 dated Aug 22. 1882. No 24
dated January 1" 1883 No 2147 and 2148 dated 27th April 1883 and Nos 5109
and 5110 dated 27th Oct. 1883 or any combination of them
One part of my invention relates to an electrical system of coast defence and for
the operation of marine projectiles.
In carrying this into practice I employ one or more electric circuits which are in
communication with an electrical generating or producing source or with electro
chemical or electrical gas batteries or magazines compounded or not charged from
[Price 1

page_text: the producers or convertors with or without condensers or induction devices and
pressure regulators and variable resistances or cut off devices automatically or
otherwise operated as described in my former applications and Patents having any
number of derived or branch circuits or as derived or divided circuits of same and
current may be developed by dynamo or magneto electric machines operated by
engines driven by steam gas liquid fuel or by turbines windmills or other
apparatus for utilizing natural forces. Or I may employ thermo electric generators
or any combination of such means and I store distribute and regulate the current
for such purposes by the employment of devices or means as described in my
former Letters Patent herein mentioned
It will be understood with reference to these Patents that it is practicable to
supply the electric power for any extent of coast defence as well as for the
operation of electric lights or for the utilization of the power transmitted from one
or any number of producing sources I will describe one plan of coast defence I
employ an electric circuit in which I provide electric magazines at various points
or stations these magazines are of simple or compound construction as electro
chemical or gas magazines which may have induction or condensing devices or
pressure regulators and circuit and current controllers measuring and recording
devices automatic cut offs electro magnetically or otherwise operative in the
charging and discharging derived divided or loop circuits so as to provide for
operating and conserving the power in the electric magazines of the torpedoes or
the circuits for operating the same or the magazines or power stations along the
coast or as submerged stationary or movable combination batteries or floating
monitors or forts so constructed as to be manned and equipped with movable
torpedoes or marine projectiles which are electrically operative and controllable
through the medium of the circuit making devices upon the switch boards in the
electrical equipment of the floating or stationary or submerged marine operating
battery or station. This marine fort or station can be suitably armoured or
protected with metal sheathing and anchored in suitable position and can be
equipped with electric magazines which are supplied with power through a cable
to the shore so as to connect the magazines in the first or submerged station with
the stationary source of supply or the producing or reserve source and this fort or
vessel may be equipped with electrical machinery for propelling steering or
operating the same from point to point and for pumping air into compartments
through a flexible connection extending to the surface of the water for varying the
water ballast so as to provide for raising or submerging the fort controlling devices
for putting the machinery in operation being placed in suitable inhabitable
compartments which in some cases extend above the main body of the fort which
part is provided with suitable transparent parts through which the operator can
keep in sight the object of attack so as to provide for controlling directing guiding
and operating the movable projectiles which are adapted to be operated and
controlled from the fort through the medium of electric currents transmitted from
the same upon the fort through the circuit controlling devices upon the switch
board under the control of the operator
In carrying my improvements into practice in the construction of movable
torpedos provided with a paying out electrical cable I equip the torpedo boat or
hull with propelling machinery as follows:-I mount upon or connect with the
shaft or shafts of the single or compound or twin screw propeller a single compound
electric motor which preferably consists of a series of discs or ring armatures
adapted to operate between disc or ring magnets somewhat similar in form which
are preferably so arranged and have their coils or helixes so wound and terminating
as to provide for the ring or disc of the armature being operated upon continuously
so that the rings or discs of the armature are operated upon by the disc or ring
magnets upon opposite sides of each disc or ring of the armature or instead of this
special construction of machine I sometimes employ the class of machine described
in the specifications of my former Letters Patent and provisional specifications
herein referred to and more especially the class of machines described in the

page_text: specification of my former Letters Patent N° 2147 A.D. 1883 and my applications
for patents which class of machines are specially adapted for the purposes of
locomotion or for obtaining a maximum of surface upon any given length of axle
or in other words in a space where the diameter of the armature is limited.
The electric motor may have any number of discs or rings and a corresponding
number of induction poles or blades of the ring disc or coil character either as a
single magnet or so to speak as a ribbed or slotted solenoid built up in sections
so as to provide for the armature rings discs or blades to operate between the
projections rings and within the slots or recesses which may be at an angle or in
the same plane with the axle of the machine. The magnets being supported by
and secured to the hull of the torpedo which is preferably cylindrical midway in
its length or fish or cigar shaped the armature is carried and revolved upon the
axis of the screw propeller by an independent axis which is connected with the
screw propeller axis by multiplying functional or other suitable gearing. I some-
times employ a system of electrical storage in the equipment of the torpedo. The
electrical storage tank is preferably arranged between the motor and the bow of
and secured in the torpedo and is provided with electrical connections extending
to the electrical motor and between the motor and such electrical reservoir
I employ an automatic pressure regulator so as to provide for reducing the quantity
of current flowing into or through the motor circuit from what would otherwise be
the case or in other words to provide for operating the torpedo at same speed
notwithstanding the consumption of the power from the reservoir until some
minimum pressure is reached. The form of pressure regulator is preferably of the
type described and illustrated in my former specifications of Letters Patent viz
No 24, 2147, and 2148 of 1883" (or as described in my subsequent application for
patent) in which a portion of the circuit consists of a pointed or conical part or a
multiple of conductors and a movable or adjustable part which is operated upon by
the current from the magazine passing through the helix or helixes of a simple or
compound solenoid in conjunction with which the armature carrying a plunger or
movable part is arranged so as to operate upon the discharging circuit from the
magazine or source of supply and vary the conductivity of such portion of the
circuit in accordance with the variation in the pressure from the magazine or
source The solenoid of the regulator may be included in a loss from the main
supply circuit to the motor or the outgoing or return circuit so that the resistance
in the circuit will be regulated as desired.
I preferably employ an adjusting device or means for varying the power of a
spring or weight which is adapted to operate against the current passing through
the helix or helixes of the solenoid. I also provide a circuit controller of simple or
compound construction adapted to operate in a simple or compound circuit to the
motor with or without compound condensers or induction devices in such circuit
for transmitting with high force the current through water as described in my
former patents and applications This circuit controller may be of somewhat
similar construction to the pressure regulators. I may employ an electro magnet
of simple or compound construction adapted to operate upon a simple or com-
pound armature carrying the circuit closer or closers. This electro magnetic device
is included in or caused to be operated by the current transmitted through the
paying out electrical cable or flexible connection which may consist of a series of
insulated wires or circuits which extend from the operating or controlling point or
station where a system of circuit makers are arranged upon a grouping box or
switch board preferably mercurial contacts so as to provide for establishing and
controlling the electrical circuit or direction of the current at such point between the
service of supply at the station or operating point and the flexible connection of
paying out cable which is coiled upon a reel or into a coil so as to be payed out from
the periphery or interior thereof as may be desired through a tube or aperture which
extends below the body of the torpedo and preferably backwards along the hull
and outside of a fender surrounding the screw of the propeller. I preferably
employ rotating or sliding mechanism connected or combined with the circuit

page_text: makers upon the switch board so as to provide for their being interlocked to
pevent any conflict or improper working of the circuits completed through the
paying out cable in the circuit of which is included the controlling or operating
mechanism for operating or controlling the movements of the torpedo-For instance
I employ a compound circuit maker with or without a variable resistance on the
switch board which is adapted to provide for reversing the current through the
conductor (forming part of the cable). This cable forms part of the coil before
mentioned and which cable forms the electrical circuit in which is included the
electro magnetic devices of compound construction combined with the rudder or
steering mechanism or the electrical circuit from the electric magazine or battery
upon the torpedo to an electric motor or electro-magnetic devices operating as
motors for reversing the position of the rudder. The controlling motors for the
steering the torpedo may be included in the circuit or divided circuit from the
electric reservoir battery or magazines upon the torpedo the steering device or
rudder mechanism may be held in a central position by a compound acting spring
or by a cam shaped piece which presses against an extension or arm connected
with the rudder so as to restore the electric motor or electro magnetic device of
simple or compound construction to normal position when the current is not trans-
mitted through the paying out cable from the operating or controlling point or
station. preferably employ an electric pressure regulator as herein referred to
for regulating the current passed through the helixes of the motor or solenoids for
operating the steering mechanism of the torpedo and these devices may be included
in a circuit or divided circuit from a compound induction condensing device or the
pressure regulator may be in the circuit thereto from the battery magazine or
electric source and I sometimes employ a pressure regulator in the circuits com-
pleted through the paying out cable to the controlling devices upon the torpedo
and induction or condensing devices may be advantageously employed as well as
pressure regulators in the circuits of the paying out cable at the controlling or
operating station on either side of the switch board it will be understood that the
circuit for controlling the circuit closers upon the torpedo for placing the motor for
propelling the torpedo in the circuit from the source battery or magazine is inde-
pendent of the conductor in the cable for controlling the position and operation of
the steering mechanism or rudder and also independent of the conductor for
controlling the position of guide signal or light rods or devices which are operated
through the medium of electric devices I employ two or more of these signal or
guide rod devices connected so as to be operated together the normal position of
these signalling or indicating devices is that they shall occupy their lowest position
and be moved from such position as desired by the operator at the station trans-
mitting an electric current through one of the insulated metallic strands of the
paying out cable in which is included an electro magnetic device for operating a
circuit closer to one or more solenoid or electric motors whose armatures lever or
axis is connected directly or indirectly with the signalling devices or adapted to
operate thereon against the force of a spring or weight the motor or solenoid for
operating the signalling device or rods can be included in a circuit or divided circuit
from the magazine upon the torpedo and induction or condensing devices and
electric pressure regulators may be employed in the circuits and the circuit
controller upon the torpedo controlled from the station is preferably adapted to
operate upon the circuit between the magazine and the pressure regulator or
commutator or switching device for charging and discharging the condensers or
induction devices.
In some cases I operate these signalling devices telescopically and pump water
into the tubes of the telescopic device by a pump operated by an electric motor or
by the employment of a collapsible vessel or bag upon which pressure is exerted
by the electric motor or armature of the solenoid the tubes being restored to their
natural position by releasing the pressure or opening a valve through medium of
the electro magnetic device and circuit controller operated by the current
transmitted through the paying out cable from the operating station.

page_text: In some cases instead of operating with induction or condensing devices as
current transformers or pressure regulators and charging one part of the condensers
or induction devices while the other part is discharging into the working circuits
I arrange the elements of my magazine in the circuit in series or compounded in
series in a multiple series circuit so that any one of the groups in the multiple
series circuit will represent the maximum or over the maximum pressure or force
of current desired or the number of elements coupled in series may provide for
discharging a current of many times the force or pressure needed and I interpose a
current regulator or pressure reducer in the discharging circuit which is
automatically operative so as to provide for maintaining an approximate
uniformity in the operation of the mechanism throughout the entire run of the
torpedo except when it is otherwise desired and regulated by the variable resistance
and circuit closers under the control of the operator at the station or place of
operation. The signalling rods may be operated by slotted cranks or gearing
which are combined with the armatures or levers of the solenoid or other electro
magnetic devices or I sometimes employ a cord or flexible connection which is
attached to the cranks of the signalling devices or rods and to a drum or reel
mounted upon or operated by the electric motor so that the signal will be raised
by the winding of the connection upon the drum by the rotation of the motor
caused by the passage of the electric current passing through the helixes of the
motor.
In order to provide for making visible at night the signalling devices of the
torpedoes to the operator I employ incandescent electric lamps mounted upon the
aljustable arms and provide for the completion of the electric circuit thereto from
the source magazine or batteries when the rods are raised through the medium of
a circuit closer whose normal position breaks the circuit to the lamps but is forced
against the action of a spring or weight to close the circuit by the raising of the
signals. I preferably employ a pressure regulator in the circuit to these lamps and
protect them by a hood or cover which prevents them being seen by persons in
front of the torpedo.
In order to prevent too sudden operation of the electric devices for closing the
circuits when the current is transmitted from the operating station through the
paying out cable or to prevent too sudden movements of the mechanism employed
in the equipment of the torpedo such as the motor for propelling the motor or
electro magnetic devices employed in steering the motor or electro magnetic
devices employed for raising the signalling devices or rods I employ a
dash pot or chamber into which a plunger works against liquid or air preferably
liquid and I provide an orifice or outlet which permits the chamber to be
emptied gradually by the pressure exerted by the piston operated by the motors
or electro magnetic devices which may or may not be combined with the circuit
closers.
I preferably construct the elements of my magazine or batteries circular in form
or corresponding to the shape of the hull of the torpedo-boat and either employ
the hull as a casing which I insulate with (Karokite) or other suitable material or
I complete my magazine or battery so that it can be passed endwise into such
section of the hull of the torpedo and secured in position.
It is important to secure the maximum of surface and the active discharge of
the power and a minimum of weight I therefore prefer to employ electro chemical
batteries of the class described in my former specifications of Letters Patent and
applications herein referred to as well as when I employ electrical gas batteries.
In order to provide for charging these magazines I provide compound terminals so
as to connect the elements in parallel circuit or multiple series in the charging
circuit or with low internal resistance and I also provide an automatic cut off or
meter device for cutting the magazine out of the charging circuit when some
predetermined amount of energy is stored and also a pumping or agitating device
for causing the agitation or circulation of the liquid in the battery to prevent
polarization, and in some cases I employ a receiver fitted with a plunger which is

page_text: adapted to be operated electrically, this receiver is in communication with the
interior of the battery and is so arranged as to permit the liquid passing from the
battery when the plunger is raised by such means the elements will not be
effective until the liquid is forced into the battery by the action of the plunger
the various devices for such purposes are fully described in the specifications of
patents and applications herein referred to. These magazines can be connected
with the main circuit of supply extending along the coast or banks through the
medium of a derived circuit therefrom with return by earth or the reverse or an
insulated circuit; the magazines may be thrown into a loop circuit but preferably
into multiple arc or parallel circuit any number of magazines upon the same or
different torpedoes at one or any number of stations can be charged at one time
or different times throughout any extent of circuit supplied directly from the
producers at any distance from the place of charging or they may be charged from
the magazine electro chemical or electric gas batteries at the producing source or
at the stations along the coast or from the magazines or batteries or producers
in the equipment of the vessels forts or marine-anchored or submerged torpedo-
stations, in fact any or all of these may be operated in one system or in other
words in combination with or not any or all of the improvements described in my
former Letters Patent and applications without conflict in the working of any of
the appliances and with special advantage as methods; by my methods of
distributing and utilizing electric power I am enabled to provide for increasing
reducing and regulating the force of the current in the derived or working circuits
or in the main circuits from or irrespective of the electrical magazines charged by
the producers or from or irrespective of the magazines in derived or working
circuits or distributing stations and to transmit the current from the producers or
magazines at the developing stations or to or from the distributing station with
high force or vice versa and I provide for reducing increasing or regulating the
force of the current in the derived or working circuits and main circuits from
the magazines or producers and I regulate and control the charge passing into
the condensers or induction devices from the producers or magazines or both by
the employment of a circuit closer or variable resistance which is preferably
automatically operative by the current passing through the working circuits and
as the number of lamps heaters motors or the resistance in the circuit is varied or
in other words just in proportion to the work done or required in the circuit
either for lighting heating motive power traction signalling torpedo coast defence
or other purposes the conductivity of circuit will be varied by the pressure
regulator and in order to still further ensure against damage to any part of the
devices in the system or apparatus and to obviate loss of power natural or
otherwise or the loss of the coal fuel gas or material employed to be con-
verted for the development of the current I provide meter or cut off devices
or variable resistances Electrically operative Thermo electrically Electro magnetically
otherwise operative with or without the medium of devices hydraulically or
pneumatically operative. These cut off devices are employed in combination with
the magazines or stores of electric power and adapted to operate upon the cut offs
for supplying power or material to the producers so that when the entire system
is fully charged the consumption or waste of fuel heat gaseous or liquid fuel steam
compressed air or gases or the water supply to a turbine or the speed of a windmill
for driving a dynamo or generator will or can be stopped automatically until the
power stored in the system electrically is reduced by the consumption from any
cause in any part of the system however extended
In some cases I operate the torpedoes from the batteries or magazines at the
station or from the main circuits of the system and in such case preferably employ
high tension currents for conveying the power through the cable to the appliances
upon the torpedo for operating controlling storing and other purposes upon the
torpedo I regulate and control the pressure and force of the current passed through
the cable as herein described and in some cases I equip my torpedoes with a
primary battery and employ for such purpose laminae of suitable metal or material

page_text: porous or not for instance flexible carbon sheets and flexible and porous zinc sheets
or electrodes any other suitable materials which will provide for being rapidly
consumed so as to develop a current of enormous volume with short space of time
for which the power is needed. The other parts of the electrical equipment of
the torpedo being as herein described with reference to electrically chargeable
magazines with the exception of the compound or divided circuit extending from
the electrodes one of which I omitted to state provided with an insulating and
insulated water tight fitting or plug or flexible connection or suitably insulated
part through the hull by the cable or otherwise so that the magazines may be
placed in electrical communication with the source of supply and become charged
by the current passed through an insulated or partially insulated circuit in which
the automatic cut offs are adapted to operate so as to prevent the backward flow
of the current from the magazine and also to interrupt the circuit except when
charging and when the magazines are fully charged The electrodes of the primary
battery are built up so as to form compound elements and secured in their proper
relative positions in a similar manner to the electrodes of the electrically
chargeable magazines as more fully described in my former Letters Patent
No 2147 and 2148 and subsequent applications herein referred to.
In some cases I make provision for removing the liquid from the batteries by a
pumping device which may be connected with a suitably formed inlet provided
with a water tight check valve or covering.
This arrangement also permits of charging the batteries with liquid. The
torpedo is equipped with the explosive magazine electrical circuits and other
appliances for dropping the magazine and firing the charge at the will of the
operator or automatically or both or for signalling along coasts clearing harbours
or other purposes as provided for under the improvements of John L Lay in
torpedo boats in any or all of his Patents herein referred to so far as such
improvements are applicable in connection with my system of coast defence or
the construction and working of torpedoes as herein set forth or as such
improvements are applicable in connection with the improvements applications or
combinations of parts thereof as described in any or all of the following patents or
applications for Letters Patent namely No 5233 Nov 30th 1881 No 5742 Dec 31.
1881, No 85. Jan 6, 1882 No 224 Jan 16. 1882. No 700 Feb 13. 1882. No 766
Feb 16. 1882 No 856 Feb 22. 1882. No 1174 Mar 10. 1882 No 1556 Mar 30. 1882
No 2558 May 30. 1882 No 4034 Aug 22. 1882 No 24. Jan 1. 1883 Nos 2147
and 2148 27th April 1883 and No 5109 and 5110 27th Oct 1883 or the Patents or
applications of John L Lay herein referred to which are as follow:-No 747 Feb 22.
1878 No 1303 Apr 2. 1878 No 2408 June 17 1878 No 4782 Nov 23. 1878. No 4987
Dec 5. 1878 No 4878 Nov 28 1879 No 1346 Apr 1. 1880. No 2182 May 28. 1880
and No 4830 Nov 3. 1881 or any combination of them.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent and
of an Order of the Lord Chancellor filed by the said Joseph Stokes Williams
in the Patent Office on the 28th July 1884.
JOSEPH STOKES WILLIAMS of Riverton, New Jersey, United States of America
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO THE GENERATION OR DEVELOPMENT
STORAGE DISTRIBUTION REGULATION AND UTILIZATION OF ELECTRICITY. AND
APPARATUS OR MEANS THEREFOR OR USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH
"
The object of my invention is to generate store distribute regulate and utilize
electric power for the operation of movable torpedoes for coast defence and marine
operations as well as for the operation of railways tramways or other purposes or
any combination thereof and it also relates to methods apparatus and means
employed thereof or in combination with the improvements as described in the
specification of my former Letters Patent as follows:-No 700 dated 13th February
AD. 1882 No 766 dated 16th February AD 1882 No 856 dated 22nd February
AD. 1882 No 1174 dated 10th March AD 1882 No 1556 dated 30th March
AD 1882 No 2558 dated 30th May AD 1882 No 4034 dated 22nd August
AD 1882 No 24 dated 1 January AD 1883 No 2147 dated 27th April AD. 1883
No 5109 dated 27th October AD 1883 and No 5984 dated 31st December AD 1883.
One part of my invention relates to an electrical system of coast defence and for
the operation of marine projectiles.
In carrying this into practice I employ one or more electric circuits which are in
communication with an electrical generating or producing source or with electro
chemical or electrical gas batteries or magazines compounded or not charged from
the producers or convertors. The circuit of supply to the torpedoes or magazines
thereof may be one of a general system of electrical distribution with or without
condensers or induction devices and pressure regulators and variable resistances cut
off devices automatically or otherwise operated as described in my former
applications and Patents having any number of derived or branch circuits or as
delived circuit of same and current may be developed by dynamo or magneto
electric machines operated by engines driven by steam gas liquid fuel or by
turbines windmills or other apparatus for utilizing natural forces or I may employ
thermo electric generators or any combination of such means and I store distribute
and regulate the current for such purposes by the employment of devices or means
as described in my former Letters Patent herein mentioned.
It will be understood with reference to these Patents that it is practicable to
supply the electric power for any extent of coast defence as well as for the
operation of electric lights or for the utilization of the power transmitted from one
or any number of producing sources.
I will describe one plan of coast defence I employ an electric current in which
I provide electric magazines at various points or stations these magazines are of
simple or compound construction as electro chemical or gas magazines which may
have induction or condensing devices or pressure regulators and circuit and current
controllers measuring and recording devices automatic cut-offs electro magnetically
or otherwise operative in the charging and discharging derived or loop circuits so
as to provide for operating and conserving the power in the electric magazines of
the torpedoes or the circuits for operating the same or the magazines or power
stations along the coast or as submerged stationary or movable combination
batteries or floating monitors or forts so constructed as to be manned and equipped
with movable torpedoes or marine projectile which are electrically operative and
controllable through the medium of the circuit making devices upon the switch

page_text: boards in the electrical equipment of the floating or stationary or submerged
marine operating battery or station.
This marine fort or station can be suitably armoured or protected with metal
sheathing and enclosed in suitable position and can be equipped with electric
magazines which are supplied with power through a cable running to the shore so
as to connect the magazines in the fort or submerged station with the stationary
source of supply or the producing or reserve source and this fort or vessel may be
equipped with electrical machinery for propelling steering or operating the same
from point to point and for pumping air into compartments through a flexible
connection extending to the surface of the water for varying the water ballast so
as to provide for raising or submerging the fort controlling devices for putting the
machinery in operation being placed in suitable inhabitable compartments which
in some cases extend above the inain body of the fort which part is provided with
suitable transparent parts through which the operation can keep in sight the object
of attack so as to provide for controlling directing guarding and operating the
movable projectiles which are adapted to be operated and controlled from the fort
through the medium of electric currents transmitted from the same upon the fort
through the circuit controlling devices upon the switch board under the control of
the operator.
In carrying my improvements into practice in the construction of movable
torpedoes provided with a paying out electrical cable I equip the torpedo boat or
hull with propelling machinery as follows I mount upon or connect with the shaft
or shafts of the single or compound or twin screw propeller a single or compound
electric motor which preferably consists of a series of discs rings armatures adapted
to operate between disc or ring magnets somewhat similar in form which are
preferably so arranged and have these coils or helixes so wound and terminating
as to provide for the ring or disc of the armature being operated upon continuous
so that the rings or discs of the armature are operated upon by the disc or ring
magnets upon opposite sides of each disc or ring of the armature or instead of this
special construction of machine I sometimes employ the class of machine described
in my former Letters Patent and Provisional Specifications herein referred to and
more especially the class of machines described in Patent No 2147
1883
and my application for Patents which class of machines are specially adapted for
the purposes of locomotion or for obtaining a maximum of surface upon any given
length of axle or in other words in a space where the diameter of the armature is
limited.
The electric motor may have any number of discs or rings and a corresponding
number of induction poles or blades of the ring disc or coil character either as a
single magnet or so to speak as a ribbed or slotted solenoid or built up in sections
so as to provide for the armature rings discs or blades operating between the
projections rings and within the slots or recesses which may be at an angle or in
the same plane with axle of the machine the magnets being supported by and
secured to the hull of the torpedo which is preferably cylindrical midway in its
length or fish or cigar shaped. The armnature is carried and revolved upon the
axis of the screw propeller or by an independent axis which is connected with the
screw propeller axis by multiplying frictional or other suitable gearing I sometimes
employ a system of electrical storage in the equipment of the torpedo. This
electrical storage tank is preferably arranged between the motor and the bow of
and secured in the torpedo and is provided with electrical connections extending
to the electrical motor and between the motor and such electrical reservoir
I employ an automatic pressure regulator so as to provide for reducing the quantity
of current flowing into through the motor circuit from what would otherwise be
the case or in other words to provide for operating the torpedo at same speed
notwithstanding the consumption of the power from the reservoir until some
minimum pressure is reached. The form of pressure regulator is preferably of the
type described and illustrated in my former Letters Patent January 1st of 1883
and 2147 and 2148 of 1883 or as described in my subsequent application for

page_text: patent in which a portion of the circuit consists of a pointed or conical part or a
multiple of conductors and a movable or adjustable part which is operated upon by
the current from the magazine passing through the helix or helixes of a simple or
compound solenoid in conjunction with which the armature carrying a plunger or
movable part is arranged so as to operate upon the discharging circuit from the
magazine or source of supply and vary the conductivity of such portion of the
circuit in accordance with the variation in the pressure from the magazine or
source, the solenoid of the regulator may be included in a loop from the main
supply circuit to the motor or the outgoing or return circuit so that the resistance
in the circuit will be regulated as desired.
I preferably employ an adjusting device or means for varying the power a
spring or weight which is adapted to operate against the current passing through
the helix or helixes of the solenoid. I also provide a circuit controller of simple
or compound construction adapted to operate in a simple or compound circuit to
the motor with or without compound condensers or induction devices in such
circuit for transmitting with high force a current through a motor as described in
my former patents and applications. This circuit controller may be of somewhat
similar construction to the pressure regulators or I may employ an electro magnet
of simple or compound construction adapted to operate upon a simple or compound
armature carrying the circuit closer or closers. This electro-magnetic device is
included in or caused to be operated by the current transmitted through the
paying out electrical cable or flexible connection which may consist of a series of
insulated wires or circuits which extend from the operating or controlling point or
station where a system of circuit makers are arranged upon a grouping box or
switch board preferably mercurial contacts so as to provide for establishing and
controlling the electrical circuit or direction of the current at such point between
the source of supply at the station or operating point and the flexible connection
of paying out cable which is coiled upon a roll or into a coil so as to be payed out
from the periphery or exterior thereof as may be desired through a tube or aperture
which extends below the body of the torpedo and preferably backwards along the
hull and outside of a fender surrounding the screw of the propeller.
I preferably employ rotating or sliding mechanism connected or combined with
the circuit makers upon the switchboard so as to provide for their being inter-
locked to prevent any conflict or improper working of the circuits completed
through the paying-out cable or in the circuit of which is inclnded in the
controlling or operating mechanism for operating or controlling the movements of
the torpedo.
For instance I employ a compound circuit maker with or without a variable
resistance on the switchboard which is adapted to provide for reversing the current
through the conductor forming part of the cable.
This cable forms part of the coil before mentioned and which cable forms the
electrical circuit in which is included the electro magnetic devices of compound
construction combined with the rudder or steering mechanism or the electrical
circuit from the electric magazine or battery upon the torpedo to an electric motor
or electro magnetic devices operating as motors for reversing the position of the
rudder.
The controlling motors for steering the torpedo may be included in the circuit
or derived circuit from the electric reservoir battery or magazines upon the
torpedo, the steering device or rudder mechanism may be held in a central position
by a compound acting spring or by a cam shaped piece which presses against an
extension or arm connected with the rudder so as to restore the electric motor or
electro magnetic device of simple or compound construction to normal position.
When the current is not transmitted through the paying out cable from the
operating or controlling point or station, I preferably employ an electric pressure
regulator as herein referred to for regulating the current passed through the helixes
of the motor or solenoids for operating the steering mechanism of the torpedo, and
these devices may be included in a circuit or divided circuit from a compound

page_text: induction condensing device or the pressure regulator may be in the circuit thereto
from the battery magazine or electric source and I sometimes employ a pressure
regulator in the circuits completed through the paying out cable to the controlling
devices upon the torpedo and induction or condensing devices may be advantageously
employed as well as pressure regulators in the circuits of the paying out cable at
the controlling or operating station on either side of the switch board it will be
understood that the circuit for controlling the circuit closers upon the torpedo for
placing the motor for propelling the torpedo in the circuit from the source battery
or magazine is independent of the conductor in the cable for controlling the position
and operation of the steering mechanism or rudder and also independent of the
conductor for controlling the position of guide signal or light rods or devices which
are operated through the medium of electric devices.
I employ two or more of these signals or guide rod devices connected so as to be
operated together, the normal position of these signalling or indicating devices is
that they shall occupy their lowest position and be moved from such position as
desired by the operator at the station transmitting an electric current through one
of the insulated metallic strands of the paying out cable in which is included an
electro magnetic device for operating a circuit closer to one or more solenoids or
electric motors whose armature lever or axis is connected directly or indirectly
with the signalling devices or adapted to operate thereon against the force of a
spring or weight. The motor or solenoid for operating the signalling device or rods
can be included in a circuit or divided circuit from the magazine upon the torpedo
and induction or condensing devices and electric pressure regulators may be
employed in the circuits and the circuit controller upon the torpedo controlled from
the station is preferably adapted to operate upon the circuit between the magazine
and the pressure regulator or commutator or switching device for charging or
discharging the condensers or induction devices.
In some cases I operate these signalling devices telescopically and pump water
into the tubes of the telescopic device by a pump operated by an electric motor or
by the employment of a collapsible vessel or bag upon which pressure is exerted by
the electric motor or armature of the solenoid, the tubes being restored to their
normal position by releasing the pressure or opening a valve through medium
of the electro magnetic device and circuit controller operated by the current
transmitted through the paying out cable from the operating station in some cases
instead of operating with induction or condensing devices as current transformers
or pressure regulators and charging one part of the condensers or induction devices
while the other part is discharging into the working circuits.
I arrange the element of my magazine in the circuit in series or compounded
in series in a multiple series circuit so that any one of the groups in the multiple
series circuit will represent the maximum or over the maximum pressure or force
of current desired or the number of elements coupled in series may provide for
discharging a current of many times the force or pressure needed and I interpose
a current regulator or pressure reducer in the discharging circuit which is
automatically operative so as to provide for maintaining an approximate uniformity
in the operation of the mechanism throughout the entire run of the torpedo except
when it is otherwise desired and regulated by the variable resistance and circuit
closers under the control of the operator at the station or place of operation.
The signalling rods may be operated by slotted cranks or gearing which are
combined with the armatures or levers of the solenoid or other electro-magnetic
devices. I sometimes employ a cord or flexible connection which is attached to
the cranks of the signalling devices or rods and to a drum or reel mounted upon
or operated by the electric motor so that the signals will be raised by the winding
of the connection upon the drum by the rotation of the motor caused by the
passage of the electric current passing through the helixes of the motor.
In order to provide for making visible at night the signalling devices of the
torpedoes to the operator I employ incandescent electric lamps mounted upon the
adjustable arms and provide for the completion of the electric circuit thereto from

page_text: the source magazine or batteries when the rods are raised through the medium of a
circuit closer whose normal position breaks the circuit to the lamps but is fixed
against the action of a spring or weight to close the circuit by the raising of the
signals.
I preferably employ a pressure regulator in the circuit to these lamps and protect
them by a bood or cover which prevents them being seen by persons in front of
the torpedo. In order to prevent the sudden operation of the electric devices for
closing the circuits when the current is transmitted from the operating station
through the paying out cable or to prevent too sudden movements of the mechanism
employed in the equipment of the torpedo such as the motor for propelling. The
motor or electro magnetic devices employed for raising the signalling devices
or rods.
I employ a dash pot or chamber into which a plunger works against liquid or
air preferably liquid and I provide an orifice or outlet which permits the chamber
to be employed gradually by the pressure exerted by the piston operated by the
motors or electro magnetic devices which may or may not be combined with the
circuit closers. I preferably construct the elements of my magazines or batteries
circular in form or corresponding to the shape of the hull of the torpedo boat and
either employ the hull as a casing which I insulate with (karokik) or other suitable
material or I complete my magazine or battery so that it can be passed end wise
into such section of the hull of the torpedo and secured in position It is important
to secure the maximum of surface and the active discharge of the power and a
minimum of weight I therefore prefer to employ electro chemical batteries of the
class described in my former Letters Patent and applications herein referred to as
well as when I employ electrical gas batteries. In order to provide for charging
these magazines I provide compound terminals so as to connect the elements in
parallel circuit or multiple series in the charging circuit or with low internal
resistance and I also provide an automatic cut off or meter device for cutting the
magazine out of the charging circuit when some predetermined amount of energy
is stored and also a pumping or agitating device for causing the agitation or
circulation of the liquid in the battery to prevent polarization and in some cases I
employ a receiver fitted with a plunger which is adapted to be operated electrically
this receiver is in communication with the interior of the battery and is so arranged
as to permit the liquid passing from the battery when the plunger is raised, by
such means the elements will not be effective until the liquid is forced into the
battery by the action of the plunger the various devices for such purposes are fully
described in patents and applications herein referred to.
These magazines can be connected with the main circuit of supply extending
along the coasts or banks through the medium of a derived circuit therefrom with
return by earth or the reverse or an insulated circuit the magazines may be thrown
into a loop circuit but preferably into multiple arc or parallel circuit any number
of magazines upon the same or different torpedoes at one or any number of stations
can be charged at one time or different times throughout any extent of circuit
supplied directly from the producers at any distance from the place of charging or
they may be charged from the magazine electro chemical or electric gas batteries at
the producing source or at the stations along the coast or from the magazines or
batteries or producers in the equipment of the vessels forts or marine anchored or
submerged torpedo stations in fact any or all of these may be operated in one
system or in other words in combination and in combination with or not any or all
of the improvements described in my former Letters Patent and applications without
conflict in the working of any of the appliances and with special advantage as
methods my methods of distributing and utilizing electric power I am enabled
to provide for increasing reducing and regulating the force of the current
in the derived or working circuits or in the main circuits from or irrespective of
the producers or from or irrespective of the electrical magazines charged by the
producers or from or irrespective of the magazines in derived or working circuits
or distributing stations and to transmit the current from the producers or

page_text: magazines at the developing or to or from distributing station with high force or
vice versa and I provide for reducing increasing or regulating the force of the
current in the derived or working circuits and main circuits from the magazines or
producers and I regulate and control the charge passing into the condensers or
induction devices from the producers or magazines or both by the employment of
a circuit closer or variable resistance which is preferably automatically operative
by the current passing through the working circuits and as the number of lamps
heaters motors or the resistance in the circuit is varied or in other words just in
proportion the work done or required in the circuit either for lighting heating
motive power traction signalling torpedo coast defence or other purposes the
conductivity of circuit will be varied by the pressure regulator and in order to
still further ensure against damage to any part of the devices in the system or
apparatus and to obviate loss of power natural or otherwise or the loss of the coal
fuel gas or material employed to be connected for the development of the current I
provide meter or cut off devices or variable resistances electrically operative thermo
electrically electro magnetically or otherwise operative with or without the
medium of devices hydraulically or pneumatically operative these cut off devices
are employed in combination with the magazines or store of electric power and
adapted to operate upon the cut offs for supplying power or material to the
producers so that when the entire system is fully charged the consumption or
waste of fuel beat gaseous or liquid fuel steam compressed air or gases or the
water supply to a turbine or the speed of a windmill for driving a dynamo or
generator will or can be slipped automatically until the power stored in the system
electrically is reduced by the consumption from any cause in any part of the
system however extended.
In some cases I operate the torpedo from the batteries or magazines at the
station or from the main circuits of the system and in such case preferably employ
high tension currents for conveying the power through the cable to the appliances
upon the torpedo for operating controlling storing and other purposes upon the
torpedo I regulate and control the pressure and force of the current passed through
the cable as herein described and in some cases I equip my torpedoes with a
primary battery and employ for such purposes laminae of suitable metal or
material porous or not for instance flexible carbon sheets and flexible and porous
zinc sheet or electrodes any other suitable materials which will provide for being
rapidly consumed so as to develop a current of enormous volume with short space
of time for which the power is needed the other parts of the electrical equipment
of the torpedo being as herein described with reference electrically chargeable
magazines with exception of the compound or divided circuit extending from the
electrodes one of which I omitted to state is provided with an insulating and
insulated water tight fitting or plug or flexible connection or suitably insulated
part through the hull by the cable or otherwise so that the magazines may be
placed in electrical communication with the source of supply and become charged
by the current passed through an insulated or partially insulated circuit in which
the automatic cut offs are adapted to operate so as to prevent the backward flow of
the current from the magazine and also to interrupt the circuit except when
charging and when the magazines are fully charged.
The electrodes of the primary battery are built up so as to form compound
elements and secured in their proper relative positions in a similar manner to the
electrodes of the electrically chargeable magazines as more fully described in my
former Letters Patent 2147 and 2148 or any subsequent applications herein
referred to.
In some cases I make provision for removing the liquid from the batteries by a
pumping device which may be connected with a suitably formed inlet provided
with a water tight check valve or covering. This arrangement also permits of
charging the batteries with liquid the torpedo is equipped with the explosive
magazine electrical circuits and other appliances for dropping the magazine and
firing the charge at the will of the operator or automatically or both or for

page_text: Figure 1 is a plan or diagrammatic view shewing an arrangement of the various
devices at the shore or other station part or all of which devices is applicable for
use in the equipment of vessels launches steamers or an ironclad so as to provide
for conserving regulating and controlling, with or without generating devices or
plant in connection therewith, the supply and force of the current for supplying
electric power for the operation of electrically operative torpedo boats as herein
explained.
Figure 1* is a digrammatic view representing a system of coast defence and an
arrangement of the various parts or devices such as the storage source and the
storage stations and the torpedo stations and launches and floating batteries from
which the movable and controllable torpedoes are adapted to be operated.
Figure 2 is a horizontal section of one form of my torpedo boats shewing in
diagram outside the boat the various regulating and controlling devices employed
upon such boat to enable the movements of the movable parts therein to be
governed or controlled from a switchboard at the will of the operator or operators
at the shore or other station through the medium of the cable payed out as the
torpedo boat progresses.
Figures 1 and 2 are shewn combined in the drawings to enable the circuits and
connections to be more readily understood with reference to the description herein
given.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of the torpedo boat shewn in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a transverse section of the said torpedo boat on a line through the
motor thereof and
Figure 5 is a similar view shewing a current regulator and circuit controller
employed in connection with the discharging circuit from the battery or magazine
on the boat to the motor thereon.
Figures 6 and 7 are similar views to Figures 2 and 3 representing a modified
construction of the torpedo boat shewn in those Figures.
Figure 8 is a transverse section of the said torpedo boat on a line through the
motor thereof and
Figure 9 is a similar view representing the motor for operating the rudder and
parts in connection therewith.
Figure 10 is a horizontal section of a torpedo boat whose motor is adapted to be
driven by the passage therethrough of an electric current sent direct from the shore

page_text: or other station to the said motor in contradistinction to being driven by the
current from a reserve or store of electric energy upon the torpedo boat itself as is
the case with the torpedo boats shewn in Figures 2, 3, 6 and 7.
Figure 11 is a vertical section of the boat shewn in Figure 10 and
Figures 12 and 13 are transverse sections through the said boat shewing certain
current regulating and circuit controlling devices employed in connection with the
motor and rudder mechanism.
Figure 14 is a sectional view representing one method of closing the circuit from
the charging source or store at the shore or other station to the storage battery or
magazine on the boat by the insertion of a plug in a suitably formed box or bushing
fixed in the hull of the torpedo boat.
Figure 15 is a vertical section shewing the method of raising the guide rods
telescopically by the compression of air or a gas or gases or liquid.
Figure 16 represents in elevation an engine combined directly with a dynamo
electric machine for generating at a fixed station or upon a ship launch or vessel an
electric current for the propulsion of a torpedo boat and various devices for
electrically regulating the supply of steam to the said engine and the force of the
current in the discharging circuit to the motor on the said torpedo boat.
Figure 17 is a transverse section and Figure 18 a longitudinal section
representing the combination with the electric magazine or reservoir in the hull
of the torpedo boat of means for controlling the admission of liquid thereto as
herein described.
Figure 19 is a longitudinal section shewing means for forcing the liquid into
such magazine by the generation of gaseous pressure in a closed chamber containing
such liquid.
The remaining Figures are hereinafter described.
The object of my Invention is to generate store distribute regulate and utilize
electric power for the operation of movable torpedoes A for coast defence and
marine operations as well as for the operation of railways tramways or for other
purposes or any combination thereof and it also relates to methods apparatus and
means employed therefor or in combination with the improvements described in the
specifications of my former Letters Patent N° 700 dated 13th February A.D. 1882
N° 766 dated 16th February A.D. 1882 N° 856 dated 22nd February A.D. 1882
No 1174 dated 10th March A.D. 1882 N° 1556 dated 30th March A.D. 1882 N° 2558
dated 30th May A.D. 1882 N° 4034 dated 22nd August A.D. 1882 N° 24 dated
1 January A.D. 1883 N° 2147 dated 27th April A.D. 1883.
One part of my invention relates to an electrical system of coast defence and
for the operation of marine projectiles A
In carrying this part of the said invention into practice I sometimes employ one
or more electric circuits a which are in communication with an electrical generating
or producing source a* or with electro chemical or electrical gas batteries or
magazines c compounded or not (through the medium of a switching or commutating
device d) and charged from the producers or convertors g with or without the
employment of condensers or induction devices c at 36 and pressure regulators 42,
43, 44, 5 and variable resistances 5 and cut off devices 20 and j at 16 and 32
operated automatically or otherwise as described in the specifications of certain of
the said former Letters Patent.
The circuit of supply b to the torpedoes A or magazines c thereof may be one of
a general system of electrical distribution having any number of derived or branch
circuits bor may be a derived or divided circuit of the same and the current may
be developed by dynamo or magneto electric machines g operated by engines
driven by steam gas or liquid fuel as at a° or by turbines, windmills, or other
apparatus for utilising natural forces; or I may employ thermo electric generators
or a combination of the above mentioned means for the development of the
current.
I store distribute and regulate the current for the purposes herein described by
the employment of devices or means as described in the Specifications of certain

page_text: of the former Letters Patent herein mentioned. It will be understood with
reference to these Specifications that it is practicable to supply the electric power
for use to any extent for the purpose of coast defence as well as for the operation of
electric lights as at B and such power transmitted from one or any number of
producing sources a* may be utilized for any other purpose for which it is
applicable through the medium of suitable devices for conducting regulating,
transforming, converting conserving and translating electric power
I will now describe one system of coast defence-In this system I employ an
electric circuit a in which I provide electric magazines c at various points or
stations as at C; these magazines c are of simple or compound construction and
may consist of electro chemical or gas magazines as at c in Figure 1 of the
drawings; these magazines may have induction or condensing devices c at 36 or
pressure regulators 42, 43, 44 and 5 and circuit and current controllers-measuring
and recording devices automatic cut offs J at 16, 20 and 32 electro magnetically or
otherwise operative in the charging and discharging derived divided or loop
circuits 6 so as to provide for regulating, utilizing measuring and controlling the
power in the circuits and conserving the power in the electric magazines c of the
topedoes or in the circuits b for operating the same or in the magazines or power
stations C along the coast or in submerged stationary or movable batteries or in
floating monitors, or forts D so constructed as to be adapted to be equipped with
movable torpedoes or marine projectiles A which are operative and controllable
electrically through the medium of the circuit making devices upon the switch
boards E included in the electrical equipment of the floating or stationary battery
or vessel D or in a submerged marine operating battery F or arranged at the
operating Station C
The marine fort or Station D or F can be suitably armoured or protected with
metal sheathing and anchored in any suitable position and can be equipped with
electric magazines c which are supplied with power through a cable 6° extending
to the shore so as to connect the magazines c in the fort or submerged station with
the stationary source of supply a* or with the producing transforming or reserve
source a* g or c at 36 or a combination af them and this fort or vessel as described
with reference to various Figures of the drawings may be equipped with electrical
machinery for propelling steering or operating the said fort or vessel from point to
point and for pumping air into compartments thereof for varying the water ballast
so as to provide for the raising or submerging of the fort or vessel suitable
controlling devices for putting the machinery in operation being placed in
inhabitable compartments which in some cases extend above the main body of
the fort or vessel
The said fort or vessel is provided with suitable parts through which the
operator or operators can keep in sight the object of attack. I thereby provide for
controlling directing guiding and operating the movable projectiles A which are
adapted to be operated and controlled from the fort or vessel through the medium
of electric currents transmitted from the source upon the fort or vessel through the
circuit controlling devices upon the switch board or boards E under the control of
the operator or operators.
In carrying my improvements into practice in the construction of movable
torpedoes A provided with a paying out electrical cable G I equip the said
torpedo A with propelling machinery as follows that is to say-I mount upon or
connect with the shaft I' of a single propeller I or with the shafts of compound or
twin screw propellers a single or compound electric motor H whose armature
preferably has a series of discs rings or blades m adapted to operate between the
discs or rings n of a magnet or magnets somewhat similar in form which are
preferably so arranged and have their coils or helices so wound and terminating as
to provide for the rings or discs m of the armature being operated upon
continuously so that the said rings or discs m are operated upon by inductive poles
of the magnet or magnets upon opposite sides of each disc or ring of the armature
or instead of this special construction of machine I some times employ the class of

page_text: machine described in the Specifications of certain of the herein before referred to
former Letters Patents and more especially the class of machines described in the
Specification of my former Letters Patent N° 2147 dated 27th April A.D. 1883
N° 5109 dated 27th October A.D. 1883 and N° 5984 dated December 31st A.D 1883
which class of machines is specially adapted for the purposes of locomotion or for
obtaining a maximum of surface upon any given length of axle or in other words
in a space wherein the diameter of the armature is necessarily limited.
The electric motor may have any number of discs or rings m and a series of
inductive poles or blades n° of a single magnet or a series of magnets built up in
sections so as to provide for the armature rings discs or blades m operating between
the projections blades or rings n and within the slots or recesses which may be at
an angle or in the same plane with the axle or shaft of the machine-The magnets
are supported by and secured in or to the hull A¹ of the torpedo. whose main
portion is preferably cylindrical in form or fish or cigar shaped The armature
consisting of the discs or rings m is secured upon and imparts motion to the axis I'
of the screw propeller I or the said armature may be secured upon an independent
axis or shaft which is connected with the screw propeller shaft I' by gear wheels as
at J or by multiplying frictional or other suitable gearing
I sometimes employ a system of electrical storage c in the equipment of the
torpedo. This system of electrical storage may comprise or consist of a tank or
reservoir which may in some cases be arranged between the electrical motor H
and the bow of the torpedo boat and such tank is secured in the said boat and
provided with electrical connections extending to the said motor H. Between this
motor H and the said electrical tank or reservoir c I employ an automatic pressure
regulator or variable resistance 5 (with or without the presure regulator 42. 43. 44)
so as to provide for reducing the quantity or force of the current flowing into or
through the motor circuit below that which would otherwise be the case in other
words the quantity or force of the current is through the medium of such device
or devices preferably so regulated as to provide for operating the torpedo at the,
same speed notwithstanding the consumption of the power from the reservoir c
until some minimum pressure or force of current discharged from such reservoir is
reached. The form of pressure regulator I employ is preferably of the type
described in the specifications of my former Letters Patent N° 24 dated January 1st
A.D. 1883 N° 2147 and 2148 dated April 27th 1883 and N° 5109 dated October 27th
A.D. 1883. In this pressure regulator a portion of the circuit consists of a pointed
or conical part 7 or 8 or a multiple of conductors 8 and a movable or adjustable
part 7 which is operated upon by the current from the magazine c passing through
the helix or helices of a simple or compound solenoid 11 or a motor or other
electric translating device in conjunction with which the armature 17 carrying
plunger or movable part 7 is arranged so as to operate upon the discharging
circuit from the magazine c or source of supply and vary the conductivity of such
portion of the circuit in accordance with the variation in the pressure from the
magazine c or source. The solenoid 11 of the regulator 5 may be included in a
loop from the main supply circuit to the motor H or in the outgoing or return
circuit so that the resistance in the circuit will be regulated as desired. I preferably
employ an adjusting device or means as at 41 for instance for varying the power
of a spring or weight which is adapted to operate against the force exerted by the
current passing through the helix or helices of the solenoid 11. I also provide a
circuit controller d. of simple construction as shewn in Figure 1 or of compound
construction as shewn at d. 29 in Figure 6 adapted to operate in a simple or
compound circuit to the motor H with or without compound condensers or
induction devices c at 36 in such circuit for transmitting with high force the
current through the motor circuit as described in the specifications of certain of
the said former Letters Patents herein mentioned. This circuit controller d or a
at 29 may be of somewhat similar construction to the pressure regulators 5 or
I may employ an electro magnet of simple or compound construction adapted to
operate upon a simple or compound armature carrying the circuit closer or closers 7
a

page_text: as shewn in various Figures of the drawings at d 29-Such electro magnetic
device d or d at 29 is included in or caused to be operated by the current
transmitted through the flexible electrical cable G payed out as the boat is
propelled; such cable may consist of a series of insulated wires or portions of
electrical circuits which extend from the operating or controlling point at station C
where a system of circuit makers is arranged upon a grouping box or switch
board E-In some cases I employ mercurial contacts so as to provide for establishing
and controlling the electrical circuit or direction of the current at such controlling
box or switch board E between the source of supply at the station or operating
point and the flexible connection or paying out cable G which may be coiled upon
à reel as at K in Figures 6 and 7 or into a coil as at K in figures 2, 3, 10 and 11
so as to be payed out from the periphery of such reel or the interior of the coil as
may be desired through an aperture L or through a tube which extends below the
body of the torpedo and preferably rearwards along the hull and outside of a
fender or guard 12. surrounding the propeller I. I in some cases employ rotating
or sliding mechanism connected or combined with the circuit makers upon the
switch board E so as to provide for their being interlocked to prevent any conflict
or improper working of the circuits completed through the paying out cable G
or in the circuit in which is included the controlling or operating mechanism for
operating or controlling the movements of the torpedoes. For instance I employ
a compound circuit maker with or without a variable resistance 7 or 8 on the
switch board E which circuit maker is adapted to provide for reversing the current
through a conductor forming part of the cable G. This cable is as above stated
wound upon a reel or coiled and is adapted to constitute a portion of the electrical
circuit in which is included the electro magnetic device M¹ of compound construction
combined with the rudder or steering mechanism M or electric translating devices
or circuit reversers d at 29, adapted to operate upon the electrical circuit from the
electric magazine or battery c upon the torpedo to the electric motor or electro
magnetic device M³ operating as a motor for operating and reversing the position
of the rudder.
The device or motor M¹ for controlling the steering of the torpedo may be
included in the main circuit or in a derived circuit from the electric reservoir
battery or magazine c upon the torpedo and the steering device M or rudder
mechanism may be held in a central position by a compound acting spring or
springs M² or by a cam shaped piece which presses against an extension or arm
connected with the rudder M so as to restore the electric motor or electro magnetic
device M¹ to its normal position when the current is not transmitted through
the paying out cable G from the operating or controlling point or station c.
I preferably employ an electric pressure regulator as at 5 or 42, 43, 44 or both as
herein referred to for regulating the current passed through the helices of the
motor or solenoids M¹ for operating the steering mechanism M of the torpedo and
these devices may be included in a circuit or derived circuit from a compound
induction or condensing device c as at 36 or the pressure regulator 5, 42, 43, 44
may be in the circuit thereto from the battery magazine or electric source c and
I sometimes employ a pressure regulator 42, 43, 44 or 5 or both at the operating
station in the circuits completed through the paying out cable to the controlling
devices upon the torpedo and induction or condensing devices c at 36 may be
advantageously employed as well as pressure regulators in the circuits of the
paying out cable G at the controlling or operating station C on either side of the
circuit controllers or reversers N on the switch board E. It will be understood
that the circuit for controlling the circuit closers upon the torpedo for placing the
motor H for propelling the torpedo in the circuit from the source or the battery or
magazine c in such torpedo may be independent of the conductor in the cable G
for controlling the position and operation of the steering mechanism or rudder M
and may also be independent of the conductor for controlling the position of the
guide signal or light rods O.
I in some cases employ two or more of these guide signals or light rods

page_text: which are so connected as to be operated together the normal position of the said
rods being such that they rest in close proximity to the bull of the torpedo or in a
recess or chamber therein so that when lowered they are invisible to persons on
the object being attacked such guide rods being adapted to be moved from such
normal position as desired by the operator (at the station C or on board a vessel
launch or floating or submerged battery as at D.) transmitting an electric current
through one of the insulated metallic strands of the paying out cable G in which
is included an electro magnetic device for operating a circuit closer d. 29 to one or
more solenoids P or electric motors whose armature lever or axis is connected
directly or indirectly with the signalling devices O or is adapted to operate thereon
against the force of a spring or a weight as at P¹. The motor or solenoid P for
operating the signalling devices or rods O can be included in a circuit or divided
or derived circuit from the magazine c upon the torpedo and induction or
condensing devices as at c 36 for instance and electric pressure regulators as
at 5 and 42, 43, 44 may be employed in the circuits and the circuit controller d
at 29 upon the torpedo controlled from the station C is preferably adapted to
operate upon the circuit between the magazine c and the pressure regulator or
commutator or switching device for charging and discharging the condensors
or induction devices or in an independent discharging branch or divided circuit
from the condensers or induction devices c at 36. In such case I preferably employ
a device as at 5* adapted to operate antomatically upon the charging circuit to the
condensers or induction devices c at 36 so as to vary the conductivity or
resistance of such circuit in accordance with the resistance or the work being done
in the discharging circuit in which the device P is included or the electric motor H
or the electro magnetic device or devices M¹ combined with the steering mechanism
or the lamp or other circuits or all the discharging or working circuits from the
battery employed in the equipment of the torpedo.
In some cases I operate these signalling devices O telescopically as shewn in
Figure 15 and for this purpose I pump or force liquid into telescopic tubes O' by a
pump operated by an electric motor or by the employment of a collapsible vessel
or bag Qupon which pressure is exerted by the electric motor or by the armature
of a solenoid as illustrated. The tubes O¹ are designed to be restored to their
normal position by withdrawing the pressure by opening a valve or otherwise
through the medium of an electro magnetic device and circuit controller operated
by the current transmitted through the paying out cable G from the operating
station C. In some cases instead of operating with induction or condensing devices
as at c, 36 as current transformers or pressure regulators and charging one part
of the condensers or induction devices while the othe rpart is being discharged into
the working circuits I arrange the elements of my magazine c in the circuit in series
or compounded in series in a multiple series circuit so that any one of the groups in
the multiple series circuit will represent the maximum pressure or force of the
current desired or the number of elements coupled in series may provide for
discharging a current of many times the force or pressure needed and I interpose a
current regulator or pressure reducer as at 42, 43, 44 or 5 or both in the discharging
circuit which regulator or pressure reducer is automatically operative so as to
provide for maintaining an approximate uniformity in the operation of the
mechanism H. I throughout the entire run of the torpedo except when it is
otherwise desired and regulated by the variable resistance and circuit closers &
or d at 29 on the switch board E under the control of the operator at the station or
place of operation C. It will be understood that these circuit regulating and circuit
controlling devices on the switch board E will regulate and vary the current passed
through the paying out cable G to the electro magnetic devices employed in the
equipment of the torpedo for instance if the current is transmitted through such
cable to the circuit closers and regulating devices d or d at 29 employed in the
equipment of the torpedo the conductivity or resistance of the supply circuits from
the magazine c thereon to or from the induction or condensing devices c at 36 or a
combination of them will be regulated or varied in accordance with the position of

page_text: the circuit makers d or d at 29 upon the switch board E under the control of the
operator thereby ensuring a perfect control by the operator over the motor H for
propelling the boat or over the electro magnetic devices M' for controlling the
rudder or over the electro magnetic devices P combined with the guide rods or other
electric circuits or electric devices or any combination of them in the equipment of
the torpedo. The signalling or guide rods O may be operated by slotted cranks or
gearing combined with the armatures or levers of the solenoid or other electro
magnetic devices P. I somtimes employ a cord or flexible connection which is
attached to the cranks of the signalling devices or rods O and to a drum or reel
mounted upon the shaft of or operated by an electric motor so that the signal or
guide rods will be raised by the winding up of such flexible connection upon the
drum due to the rotation of the motor caused by the passage of the electric current
passing through the helices of the motor their descent being caused by gravity or
by a weight or spring so soon as the circuit to the motor is interrupted or by
reversing the current through the said motor.
In order to provide for rendering the guide rods or signalling devices O visible
at night I in some cases mount upon the said guide rods O or arrange within
suitable shields or enclosing cases or reflectors thereon incandescent electric lamps
and provide for the completion of the electric circuit thereto from the source
magazine or batteries c upon the boat or from the source on shore when the rods O
are raised through the medium of a circuit maker and breaker-which when the
rods are lowered or in their normal position breaks the circuit to the lamps but
is forced against the action of a spring or weight to close the circuit when the said
guide rods or signalling devices are raised. I preferably employ a pressure
regular such as is shewn at 42, 43, 44 or 5 in the circuit to these lamps and
protect them by a hood or cover O* which prevents their being seen by persons in
front of the torpedo or in other words by persons on the object to be attacked.
In order to prevent any too sudden operation of the electric devices for closing
the circuits when the current is transmitted from the operating station C through
the paying out cable G or in other words to prevent any too sudden movements of
the mechanism employed in the equipment of the torpedo such as the motor H for
propelling the torpedo the motor or electro magnetic devices M₁ employed in
steering the motor or the electro magnetic devices P employed for raising the
signalling devices or rods. I sometimes employ in lieu of or in combination with
the variable resistances d'or d at 29 a dash pot or chamber in which a plunger
works against liquid or air (preferably liquid) and I provide an orifice or outlet
which permits the chamber to be emptied gradually by the pressure exerted by the
piston operated by the motors or electro magnetic devices which may or not be
combined with the circuit closers & or d at 29,
I sometimes construct the elements of the magazine or batteries c circular in
form or corresponding to the shape of the hull of the torpedo boat and I either
employ a section of the hull as a casing and insulate it with Karakite or other
suitable material or I complete my magazine or battery c so that it can be passed
endwise into such section of the hull A¹ of the torpedo such battery being secured
in position therein in any suitable manner by clamps screw bolts insulation or
otherwise. It is important to secure the maximum of surface and the active
discharge of the power with a minimum of weight in the magazine c. I therefore
prefer to employ electro chemical or electrical gas batteries of the class described
in the specifications of certain of my former Letters Patent herein referred to. In
order to provide for charging these magazines I provide compound terminals so as to
connect the elements in parallel circuit or multiple series in the charging circuit
or with low internal resistance and I also provide an automatic cut off or meter
device as at j at 16 or j at 32 for cutting the magazine c out of the charging circuit
when some predetermined amount of energy is stored and also a pumping or
agitating device R for causing the agitation or circulation of the liquid in the
battery to prevent polarization. In some cases I employ a receiver S fitted with
a plunger or piston S¹ (as in Figures 17 and 18 for instance) which is adapted to

page_text: be operated electrically; this receiver is in communication with the interior of the
battery c and is so arranged that when the plunger is forced down and the valve S²
in the passage or pipe connecting the receiver S and magazine c is opened by the
passage of the electric current through the electro magnetic device 11 combined
with this valve the liquid will be forced into the said magazine. When however
this valve is closed and the piston or plunger S¹ is in its normal or raised position
no liquid can pass into the magazine c and consequently the elements will not be
effected. When however such valve is opened the liquid in the receiver S will
be forced into the battery or magazine c by the action of the plunger S'.
The magazine or magazines c upon the torpedo can be connected with the main
circuit of supply a extending along the coast or the banks of a channel or river
through the medium of a derived circuit b therefrom with return by earth or the
reverse or through an insulated circuit. The said magazine or magazines c may be
thrown into a loop circuit but preferably into multiple arc or parallel circuit and
any number of magazines c upon the same or different torpedoes A at one or any
number of stations C can be charged at the same time or at different times
throughout any extent of circuit, a supplied directly from the producers a* at any
distance from the place of charging or such magazine or magazines c may be
charged from the magazines c (which may be either electro chemical or electric gas
batteries) at the producing source a* or at the stations C along the coast or from
magazines or batteries c or producers 9 provided in the equipment of the vessels
forts or marine anchored or submerged torpedo-stations D in fact any or all of
these may be operated in one system or in other words in combination and if
desired in combination with any or all of the improvements described in the
specifications of certain of the former Letters Patent herein referred to without
conflict in the working of any of the appliances and with special advantage as by
my methods of distributing and utilizing electric power I am enabled to provide
for increasing or reducing and regulating the force of the current in the derived or
working circuits b or in the main circuits a from or irrespective of the producers g
or from or irrespective of the electrical magazines c charged by the producers or
from or irrespective of the magazines c in the derived or working circuits b or the
distributing stations C and to transmit the current from the producers g or
magazines c at the developing source a* or to or from the distributing station or
stations C with high force or vice versa and I provide for reducing increasing or
regulating the force of the current in the derived or working circuits b and in the
main circuits a from the magazines c or producers g and I regulate and control
the charge passing into the condensers or induction devices c at 36 from the
producers g or magazines c or both by the employment of the circuit closer or
variable resistance 5* which is preferably automatically operative by the current
passing through the main circuit or circuits a or the working circuit or circuits b
or both and as the number of lamps heaters motors or the resistance in the
circuit a or b or both is varied or in other words just in proportion to the work
being done or required in the circuit either for lighting heating motive power
traction signalling torpedo coast defence or other purposes the conductivity of the
circuit will be varied by the pressure regulator 5 or 5* or both with or without
the device 42, 43, 44 and in order to still further prevent damage to any part of
the devices in the system or apparatus and to obviate loss of power (natural or
otherwise) or the loss of the coal fuel gas or material to be converted for the
development of the current. I provide a meter cut off devices variable resistances
42, 43, 44, 5j at 16 and 32, 20, 5* and other devices, thermo electrically electro
magnetically or otherwise operative with or without the medium of hydraulically
or pneumatically operative devices. These cut off devices are employed in
combination with the magazines or stores of electric power c and are adapted to
operate upon the cut offs for supplying power or material for the operation of the
producers so that when the entire system is fully charged the producers or
converting plant will be rendered inactive or so controlled that there will be no

page_text: consumption or waste of fuel (gaseous or liquid) steam compressed air or gases or
of the water supplied to a turbine and the speed of a windmill for driving a dynamo
electric machine or generator will or can be stopped or varied automatically so as
to control the power and producing or converting plant in such a manner as to
obviate undue pressure or consumption of energy until the power stored in the
system electrically is reduced by the consumption from any cause in any part of
the system however extended.
In some cases I operate the torpedoes A from the batteries or magazines c at the
station C or from the main circuits a on the vessels launches or submerged or
floating forts D of the system and in such case I preferably employ high tension
currents for conveying the power through the cable G to the appliances upon the
torpedo for operating controlling steering and other purposes upon such torpedo
and I regulate and control the pressure and force of the current passed through
the cable Gas berein described and in some cases I equip the torpedoes with a
primary battery and employ for such purpose laminae of suitable metal or
material (porous or otherwise.) for instance flexible carbon sheets and flexible and
porous zinc sheets or electrodes or any other suitable material which will provide
for being rapidiy consumed so as to develop a current of enormous volume within
the short space of time for which the power is needed. The other parts of the
electrical equipment of the torpedo A are the same as herein described with
reference to electrically chargeable magazines with the exception of the compound
or divided circuit extending from the electrodes one of which is provided with
an insulating and insulated water tight fitting or plug U or flexible connection U'
or suitably insulated part through the hull A by the cable U₁ or otherwise so that
the magazine c may be placed in clectrical communication with the source of
supply and become charged by the current passed through an insulated or partially
insulated circuit bin which the automatic cut offs 42, 43, 44, 5 j at 16 or 32, 20
are adapted to operate so as to prevent the backward flow of the current from the
magazine c and also to interrupt the circuit except when charging and when the
magazine c is fully charged.
The electrodes of the primary battery are built up so as to form compound
elements and secured in their proper relative positions in a similar manner to the
electrodes of the electrically chargeable magazines cas more fully described
herein and in the specifications of certain of my former Letters Patent.
In some cases I make provision for removing the liquid from the batteries by
the pumping device S S¹ which may be connected with a suitably formed inlet
provided with the water tight check valve S³. This arrangement also permits the
charging of the batteries with liquid. The torpedo is equipped with an explosive
magazine V electrical circuits and other appliances for dropping the magazine and
firing the charge at the will of the operator or automatically or both or for
signalling along coasts clearing harbours or other purposes as provided for under
the improvements of John L. Lay in Torpedo boats or any or all of his Patents
herein referred to so far as such improvements are applicable in connection with
my system of coast defence or the construction and working of torpedoes as herein
set forth or as such improvements are applicable in connection with the improve-
ments applications or combinations or parts thereof as described in any or all
of the Specifications of the following Letters Patent namely N° 700 dated
13th February A.D. 1882 N° 766 dated 16th February A.D 1882. N° 856 dated
22nd February A.D 1882 N° 1174 dated 10th March A.Ď. 1882 N° 1556 dated 30th
March A.D. 1882 N° 2558 dated 30th May A.D. 1882 N° 4034 dated 22nd August
A.D. 1882 N° 24 dated 1st January A.D. 1883 N° 2147 dated 27th April 1883
N° 5109 dated 27th October A.D. 1883. N° 5110. dated 27th October A.D 1883
N° 5983 dated 31st December A.D. 1883 and N° 5984 dated 31st December
A.D. 1883 and in any or all of the Specifications of the following Letters Patent
of John L Lay namely N° 747 dated 22nd February A.D. 1878 N° 1303 dated
2nd April A.D. 1878 N° 2408. dated 17th June A.D. 1878 N° 4987 dated

page_text: 5th December A.D. 1878 N° 4878 dated 28th November A.D 1879 N° 1346
dated 1st April A.D. 1880 N° 2182 dated 28th May AD. 1880 and N° 4830
dated 3rd November A.D. 1881 or any combination of them.
In figures 1. 1º and other Figures of the drawings I have shewn the generating
station a* and the devices c for conserving or storing the current developed by
such generating devices at the Station or source a* and also the various circuits
regulating and controlling devices in the circuits in which the circuit closers and
variable resistances upon the switch or keyboard E are adapted to operate in such
a manner as to provide for controlling the passage of the current to or through
the electrical devices upon the torpedo for propelling controlling steering and
performing other operations thereon or the developing or storage source or both can
form part of the equipment of an ironclad launch torpedo boat or floating
battery D. I have shewn in figure 1ª a generating Station a* with a circuit a
extending along the coast. In the diagram Figure 1 a* represents the electrical
generating or producing source in the circuit a from which I have shewn included
a series of electric reservoirs storage batteries or magazines e of simple or
compound construction adapted to be charged alternately intermittently or at the.
will of an operator and discharged as desired by the employment of the switching
or commutating device d which may be arranged to provide for one or more of the
said magazines being charged whilst one or more of such Magazines is or are being
discharged as described in the specifications of certain of the former Letters Patent
granted to me or on my behalf herein referred to. The discharging circuit b from
the Magazines c is shewn as connected with a series of condensers c. 36 the
discharging circuit from which extends to the switchboard or keyboard E; this
keyboard is under the control of an operator or staff of operators at a Station on
land or on board a ship or floating fort or battery and is designed to be used as the
means whereby electrical currents may be directed through the cable G to the
various circuit controlling devices on the torpedo boat for controlling the passage
of the current through the various translating devices thereon herein referred to.
I have shewn various circuit makers on the keyboard E through the medium of
which circuit makers the devices for propelling steering and performing other
operations on the torpedo boat are controlled with or without the employment of
circuit closers or variable resistances employed in the equipment of the torpedo
boat and variable resistances in connection with the cable G which is carried in the
boat in the form of a coil or reel and is payed out as the boat progresses. The said
cable G is preferably composed of several wires or conductors each of which is
insulated from the others, but one wire can be employed and the various operations
can be carried out and the devices be controlled on board the torpedo boat through
the medium of branch circuits of different resistances on board of the torpedo boat
suitable means being under the control of the operator at the base of operations for
the regulation and variation of the current transmitted through such paying out
cable G. I have shewn one wire or conductor connected with the circuit
maker d. 29 arranged in the circuit between the storage battery or magazine c on
the boat and the motor H so as to provide for stopping or starting such boat, or if
desired for causing such boat to travel either forward or backward as desired. I
have also shewn one wire or conductor 4* connected with the circuit maker on the
boat for controlling the passage of the current to the device or devices M for
operating the rudder or steering apparatus M. so as to enable the same to be turned
to or towards port or starboard at the will of the operator at the switchboard E.
I have also shewn one wire or conductor 13 connected with a circuit maker
arranged upon the boat and designed to control the passage of the current through
the device or devices P for actuating the guide rods O.
In some cases an additional wire or conductor can be employed for firing the
charge in the magazine of the torpedo boat although by the insertion of suitable
resistances in one of the other circuits such for instance as the circuit in which the
device or devices for operating the guide rods or the devices for controlling the
circuit to the motor are comprised I am enabled by sending currents of different

page_text: tension or electro motive force there through to provide for performing such
different operations and firing the charge in the magazine through one and the
same conductor or wire-I prefer to interpose in the circuit b between the
condensing or induction devices c. 36 or between the storage batteries or
magazines c at the Station C and each of the circuit making devices (included
in branches or derived circuits from the said circuit b) upon the switchboard E a
pressure regulator or automatic cut off 42, 43, 44 or a variable resistance or
regulator 5 or both-The device 42, 43, 44 is shewn adapted to operate thermo and
electro magnetically so as to provide for short circuiting the current through the
short-circuiting loop or derived circuit in accordance with the excess of pressure
from the main or source. The device 5 is adapted to operate as a variable
resistance so as to provide for reducing the force or supply of the current and
maintaining a constant pressure in the circuit extending to the keyboard or
switchboard E through which communication with the cable G is established.
Such devices are described in the Specifications of certain of my former Letters
Patent and are designed to prevent the passage of an excess of current through the
conductors of the cable G extending to the various circuit controlling devices d. 29
employed in the equipment of the torpedo boat A and thereby obviating the
possibility of damage to or the destruction of such devices as well as rendering
the proper control of the torpedo boat and the device thereon practicable and
certain
In the diagram Figure 1,-1* represents the circuit controller on the switch-
board E whereby the motor is thrown into the circuit of the magazine c and
thereby started when desired or in other words the circuit controller through the
medium of which the discharging circuit from the storage battery or magazine con
the torpedo boat A is completed (through the medium of the circuit closer d. 29
at 2*) with the electric motor H for driving the propeller shaft I¹ carrying the
propeller I either directly or through the medium of gearing or other connections
between the said propeller shaft and motor shaft
The circuit controller 1* is shewn as consisting of a movable plunger or contact
maker 7. which when the handle f on the keyboard is turned (say one quarter
turn) completes the circuit from the derived circuit 6 to the solenoid or electric
translating device at 2*. This device (which is preferably adapted to operate as a
variable resistance through its cove or armature imparts motion to its circuit
maker 7 so as to complete the discharging circuit from the condenser or
condensers c. 36 or induction coils on the torpedo boat through the electric
motor H so as to start the boat and so long as such handle fis maintained out of
its normal position such motor will be retained in action. As soon however as
such handle is released and is returned to its normal position by hand or by the
force of a spring or otherwise such discharging circuit from the battery c on the
boat will be broken and consequently the motor will be rendered inoperative and
the progress of the boat thus retarded
The circuit closer 1* on the switchboard E is shown adapted to operate as a
variable resistance in the circuit of the paying out cable G extending to the circuit
controller d. 29 at 2* which as before stated may be adapted to operate as a
variable resistance in the circuit between the magazine c on the torpedo boat or the
condensers or induction devices c. 36 and the motor H combined with the propeller
shaft l' as herein more fully described
At 3* I have shown on the switchboard E the circuit controller which is designed
to provide for the passage of the current from the storage battery or magazine con
the torpedo boat through one or the other or both of the magnetic devices M' for
operating the rudder M. of such boat according to the direction in which the
operator at such switchboard desires to steer the boat that is to say this device
provides the means whereby the current may be sent through one or the other or
both of the devices M¹ so that the operator is enabled to turn the rudder either to
or towards port or starboard as desired.-For this purpose the circuit controller 3*
is of compound construction and is operated by the handle f which when moved

page_text: say to the left permits the current to pass through the conductor or wire 4* of the
cable G to the coils of the circuit controller d. 29 at 5** upon the torpedo boat
which through the instrumentality of its circuit closer and reverser d. 29 completes
at 6* the circuit from the battery c on the boat to the electro magnetic device or
devices M in such a manner as to turn the rudder in one direction If however it
is desired to turn the said rudder in the opposite direction this may be effected by
turning the handle fon the switchboard E in an opposite direction when the circuit
will be so completed to the device d. 29 at 5** as to cause the current to be reversed
through the insulated wire or conductor 4* of the cable G so that the current
passing through such circuit will actuate the circuit closer and reverser d. 29
at 8* so that the discharging circuit from the magazine or reservoir c or the
device c. 36 on the torpedo boat will be completed through the electro-magnetic device
or devices M in such a manner as to operate the rudder in the opposite direction
At 11* I have shewn on the switchboard E the circuit controller for controlling
the passage of the current from the operating station through the insulated wire or
conductor 13* to the circuit maker and breaker d. 29 at 12* upon the torpedo
boat. This device d. 29 at 12* provides for making and breaking the circuit from
the magazine or reservoir c on the torpedo boat to the solenoid or electro magnetic
or electric translating device P and when the circuit through the said device d. 29
at 12* is completed to the device P the guide rods O will be raised so as to enable
the operator at the keyboard or switchboard E to determine the position and
direction of the torpedo boat at any part of its journey. These guide rods may
be lowered or returned to their normal position through the medium of a weight
as at P or by a spring or otherwise when the circuit to the device P prevents
or permits
It will be seen by reference to the diagram that I have shewn in connection
with each of the circuit makers on the switchboard E a resistance which may
consist of a coil or series of coils or a number of plates or layers of carbon or other
material of high resistance or of plates layers or coils of metal or material having a
high resistance. Such resistance provides the medium for varying the amount of
current passing to the circuit controllers d. 29 upon the torpedo boat according to
the extent to which a manipulating handle f on the keyboard is turned or moved
from its normal position in other words as such handle is moved away from its
normal position according to the extent of the movement so it provides for
decreasing or varying the resistance in the circuit to the controlling devices d. 29
so that at the commencement of the movement of the handle a small proportion of
current only will pass through the circuit and such current will increase in
proportion as such handle is moved from such position towards the limit of its
movement away from its normal position I also provide in combination with the
devices d. 29 upon the boat other similar resistances so that the further the circuit
maker or makers thereof is or are moved so will the resistance in the discharging
or working circuit from the battery c be reduced. By these means I am enabled
to provide for sending a weak current only at first through the devices d. 29 so as
to move the circuit makers thereof but slightly and thus through the resistance in
connection therewith prevent any too sudden movement of the electro magnetic
devices in the circuit from the magazine c on the boat and I can afterwards
augment such movement as desired by decreasing the resistance in the circuit by
turning the handle f to a greater extent away from its normal position
It will be seen by reference to the drawings that I have shewn included in each
of the circuits extending from the storage battery or magazine c on the torpedo
boat to the various electro magnetic or electric translating devices at H M' and P
thereon for operating and controlling the position of such boat an automatic cut
off 42. 43. 44 or a pressure regulator or variable resistance 5 or both so as to
prevent the passage of an excess of current through such circuits at any time and
to provide for maintaining a constant force in the working portion of the circuit in
other words these devices serve to regulate or control the amount of current
passing through the aforesaid electro magnetic devices at variance with the

page_text: pressure at any given time from the magazine or reservoir c on the boat. It will
also be seen that in the circuit from the battery c to the motor HI have shewn
included the condensing devices c. 36 which through the medium of the automatic
circuit controller d are adapted to be alternately charged and discharged. At 5*
I have shewn in connection with these condensers a variable resistance or pressure
regulator which prevents the passage thereto of an excess of current or in other
words regulates the current passing to the condensers or induction devices in
accordance with the variation of resistance in the discharging or working circuits
which variation of resistance is variable in accordance with the position or action
of the circuit closers d. 29 as will be understood from the description herein given.
This resistance is also shewn combined with automatic circuit makers or breakers
to provide (through the medium of the electro magnetic device for operating the
circuit controller d) for cutting the condensors out of the charging circuit from the
battery c when the discharging or working circuit to the motor H is interrupted.
I have also shewn at h in the circuit from the condensers c. 36 to the motor H an
automatic pressure regulator or variable resistance which provides for varying the
amount of current passing to the motor in accordance with the number of
revolutions of such motor that is to say the amount of resistance in the circuit to
the motor is regulated by the speed which the motor attains and the consequent
rise or fall of the governor in connection with or driven by the shaft thereof
The storage battery or magazine c upon the torpedo boat is adapted to be
charged from the magazines or reservoirs c or the generators g at the generating
source or at a station C or from the derived circuits b or loops from the main
circuits a or from the devices c or generators g with or without the employment
of the devices c. 36 or a combination of them in the equipment of launches vessels
or floating batteries or electric power stations. I sometimes employ a short cable
which may be arranged in the form of a coil within the hull of the torpedo boat as
at U. Or the circuit to the storage battery or magazine c on the boat may be
completed through the medium of a detachable plug as in Figure 14 for instance or
a moveable covering or the equivalent thereof. I sometimes interpose in the
charging circuit extending to the magazine c upon the boat the device 42, 43, 44
or the variable resistance or pressure regulator 5 or both so as to prevent an excess
of current in such circuit. In order to provide for cutting the battery c out of
the charging circuit when such battery becomes fully charged. I provide the
devices j. 32 which may consist of a gas battery having decomposing and recom-
posing chambers such decomposing chamber being provided with a diaphragın or
other part adapted to be operated upon and close the circuit to the solenoid of the
cut off at j. 32 so soon as the pressure of gas in the decomposing chamber of the gas
battery reaches a predetermined limit and in order to provide for restoring such
device to its normal condition I can provide for utilizing the current from the
recomposing chamber. I also provide in the circuit to the battery c on the torpedo
boat an automatic device 20 for preventing the backward flow of the current from
or c or both in
the battery c on the torpedo boat towards the source of supply
the equipment of a steamship launch or other vessel or to the magazine or store c
at the station C in case the force of the current in the charging circuit to the
magazine c on the boat falls below that of the current from the magazine or other
source at any given time. This device 20 consists preferably of a permanently
magnetized armature arranged between electro magnets and combined with
circuitmakers so that when a current is passed into the charging circuit to the
magazine c on the boat and such current exceeds the force of the current
developed by such magazine c or other source the charging circuit will be com
pleted to such magazine c or other source but if at any time the force of the
current in such charging circuit falls below that developed by the charging
battery c or other source then such charging circuit will be broken or interrupted.
(a) In figures 2. 3. 6 and 7 of the Drawings I have shewn the torpedo boat A
(which may be provided with one or more screw propellers I) operated by the
electric motor H driven by an electric current supplied from the electric magazine

page_text: reservoir or battery c forming part of the equipment of such torpedo boat the
circuit of supply to such motor H being controlled through the medium of the
electrical cable G which is payed out as the boat progresses through the water
(b.) I have also shown the torpedo boat provided with an electric cable G which
may be wound in the form of a coil as shewn in Figures 2. 3. 10 and 11 or upon a
reel or drum as shewn in Figures 6 and 7 means being provided to facilitate the
paying out of such cable directly or through a tube extending aft (with or without
the employment of a brake for retarding or controlling the paying out of such
Cable) such torpedo boat being driven by an electric motor H having a series of
disc or ring armatures m which are adapted to operate in conjunction with a series
of arms blades or extensions constituting the inductive magnetic poles n° of one or
more magnets n arranged and adapted to operate upon the end or side surfaces of
a series of discs rings or blades m extending at an angle to the axis of the armature
between the axis and the periphery for instance as illustrated in Figures 2. 3. 6
and 7 or upon a series of arms or extensions of an armature projecting in a line
with the axis of the motor H and between the extensions or arms constituting the
inductive poles of one or more magnets for instance as illustrated in Figures 10
and 11 and a circuit connected directly or indirectly with such motor and having a
circuit controller or reverser as at d. 29 therein for completing the circuit or
controlling or directing the passing of the current through such motor from the
source of supply as will be understood from the description herein given.
(c.) I have shewn in Figures 1. 2. a torpedo boat A equipped with the electrical
motor H combined with the propellor shaft I¹ the elements of the motor being
connected with the elements of the magazine c or the device c. 36 charged thereby
through an electrical circuit in which is adapted to operate a circuit closer as at
d. 29 controllable by an operator through the medium of circuit closers N upon the
keyboard E at a fixed point station or base of operations through the medium of
an electrical paying out Cable G.
(d.) I have shewn in figures 1. 2 a torpedo boat A equipped with an electric
motor H combined with the propeller shaft I¹ the elements of the said motor being
adapted to be connected through the medium of the electrical paying out Cable G
(in which the circuit closers or variable resistances N upon the keyboard E are
adapted to operate) with the elements of the magazines c or the devices c. 36 charged
thereby at the stations C or forming part of the equipment of vessels launches or
floating batters as a D, F.
(e.) I have shewn the torpedo boat equipped with apparatus for working the
rudder or rudders M such apparatus consisting of an electrical engine or motor as
at M¹ in Figures 6 and 7 for instance the rotating shaft M³ thereof being geared
with the rudder stock M* by worm gearing such engine or motor M¹ being
arranged to be included in an electrical circuit and adapted to be controlled by an
operator from the key board E at the shore or other station or on board a boat
launch or steamer through the Cable G. adapted to be payed out as the boat
proceeds.
(f) I have shewn the rudder adapted to be held in its normal position by
compound counterweights or springs M³; the motor M¹ combined with the shaft M³
is shewn in figures 6 and 7. as adapted to be included in the circuit from the
magazine c. or the device c. 36 (charged therefrom through the medium of the
switching device d.) forming part of the equipment of the terpedo boat A. The
circuit from the magazine c. or the device c. 36. in which the motor M¹ is adapted
to operate is shewn with a compound circuit controller and reverser d. 29 adapted
to operate therein. The electro magnectic or electric translating devices forming
part of this device d. 29 are included in a circuit of the Cable G or a branch
therefrom so that when a current is transmitted through the Cable G in one
direction through this device the circuit is completed to the motor in such a
manner as to provide for moving the rudder M from its normal position in one
direction and when the current is transmitted through such cable G in the other

page_text: direction such rudder will be moved from its normal position in the opposite
direction. In order to provide for uniformity in the working of the rudder M.
I employ means as at 5 or at 42. 43. 44 or both to reduce the current and maintain
an uniform current passing from the magazine c. to the motor M¹ and in order to
provide for varying the power or extent of the movement of the said motor and
consequently the movement of the shaft M³ and the rudder M. combined therewith
I employ a variable resistance in connection with the circuit closer and reverser N
upon the switchboard E so as to regulate or vary the current passed through the
cable G to the device d. 29 in connection with which I also employ variable
resistances so arranged as to provide for regulating and varying the current
passing through the motor M in accordance with the position of the circuit
maker N. on the keyboard E in connection with which circuitmaker I preferably
employ a handle combined with a dial which may be so arranged as to indicate
to the operator the exact position of the rudder M. and also the force of the
current passed through the cable G as by the employment of the devices 42. 43. 44
or 5 or both in the circuit of the device N. and also to the device d. 29 the force
of the current will be maintained constant both in the Cable G and in the circuit
from the battery c. to the motor M¹ excepting when and as varied by the devices N
and d. 29. I have also shewn in Figure 6 a speed governor h. which may be
combined with the motor M³ if desired so as to operate upon a variable resistance
in the circuit to such motor. This device h. may be adapted to operate so as to
prevent an excess of current passing to the motor until the necessary speed is
attained to prevent the heating of the helices of the same or it may operate so as
to prevent such motor attaining an excessive speed or by a suitable arrangement
of the circuit closers both these results may be accomplished. Instead of the
motor M¹ being included in the circuit from the magazine c on the torpedo boat it
may be included in the circuit of the cable G in which the device N. and the
regulating device 42. 43. 44 or 5 or both is or are adapted to operate between the
source of power at a*. or the store of power at the Station C. or the device c. 36.
or a combination of them either in the fixed or stationary circuits or forming part
of the equipment of a vessel launch or floating battery as at D or F and the
motor M¹.
(g) I have shewn in the drawings in the equipment of the torpedo boat rods O
for indicating the position of the said boat to the operator at the Keyboard E on
the shore or other station or upon a launch or vessel such rods which are herein
termed the guide or guiding rods being preferably so connected with the boat
that they can be raised or lowered by means of one or more solenoids P. or
electric motors adapted to operate in a circuit or derived circuit from the
electrical reservoir magazine or battery c such circuit being controlled by a circuit
controlling and current regulating device as at d. 29 controllable by the operator
at the aforesaid Keyboard E and I have shewn regulating devices 42. 43. 44 and 5
and circuit controllers at d. 29 between the magazine c. and the device P. These
rods may however be operated directly by the current transmitted through the
Cable G when the devices P. are adapted to utilize the current passed through the
said cable directly from the source or store of power. This arrangement is shewn
in Figures 10 and 11. I preferably employ pressure regulators as at 42. 43. 44
or 5 or both and the circuit closer and also the variable resistance N in the circuit
of the cable G at the operating station as herein described.
(h.) I have shewn in connection with the cable G payed out from a torpedo
boat A adapted to be propelled by electric power a generating or developing
source a* or store c of electric energy or both with or without a subsidiary
source or store as at C for instance with or without condensers or induction
devices c. 36 adapted to operate as regulators of electric potential in the circuit
of the paying out Cable G in which the circuit closers N. of the keyboard E are
adapted to be operated by the manipulating levers or handles f. so as to provide
for the passage of the current through the conductor or conductors of such cable G

page_text: in such a manner as to regulate the current in accordance with the will of the
operator so as to perform various operations upon the said boat and thereby
control the propulsion and guidance of the same.
(2.) I have shewn in the equipment of the torpedo boat A an electric motor H
combined with the propeller Shaft I¹ which motor is adapted to be included in
the discharging circuit of an electric accumulator or battery c. in which circuit I
preferably employ a pressure regulator.
(k.) I have shewn in the equipment of the torpedo boat A an electrical accumu-
lator or battery c an electric motor H combined with the propeller shaft I' and a
cable G with circuit making devices as at d. 29 with or without a speed regulating
device or automatically operative variable resistance as at h such circuit making
device d. 29 being adapted to be controlled from the keyboard E at the operating
station or place on board of a vessel launch or otherwise so that the movement
of the motor can be controlled by such operator through the said cable G.
(L.) I also employ in the equipment of the torpedo boat A in combination with
the electrical reservoir or battery c. (either primary or secondary) a current
reducer or pressure regulating device 5 or the device 42. 43. 44 or both or a
series of such devices adapted to operate in or upon the discharging circuit
thereof to the electrical translating devices upon the boat such as the notor H
or the electro magnetic devices M³ P or a combination of them so as to prevent
the passage through such translating devices of an excess of current from such
magazine c.
(m.) I have shewn in connection with a torpedo boat A equipped with an
electric accumulator or battery c an electric motor H for propelling the boat a
cable G consisting of one or more wires or conductors properly insulated and
connected with the various circuit controlling and current regulating devices N
upon the keyboard E or in the circuit thereto a series of circuit makers and
breakers and variable resistances as at d. 29 or 5 or 42. 43. 44 or h or a com-
bination of them so that the operation of the various electro magnetic or electric
translating devices in the equipment of such boat and the consequent movement
of the parts in connection therewith can be regulated or governed at the will of
the operator at the keyboard at the station or base of operations on board a
vessel or on shore.
(n.) I employ in connection with the guide rods O of the torpedo boat an
incandescent or other electric lamp or lighting apparatus to which the circuit is
automatically completed preferably from the reservoir c on the torpedo boat when
such guide rods are partially or fully raised; the position of such rods is shewn
to be dependent upon a current (sent through the electro magnetic or electric
translating devices P.) for operating the guide rods and lights from the shore
vessel or other station so as to permit the position of such boat to be ascertained
by the operator at the keyboard E; such lamp is concealed by a shield 02 from
the view of a person or persons on the object being attacked.
(o.) I have shewn telescopic guide rods or tubes as at O in Figure 15 such tubes
being preferably oval in transverse section and adapted to move one within the
other so that according to the amount of current passed through the electro
magnetic device arranged in combination with the collapsible chamber or vessel Q
the height to which such rods or tubes are elevated will be regulated.
(p.) I have shewn in connection with the electro magnetic device or devices M¹
for operating the rudder M of the torpedo boat A a variable resistance device as
at d. 29 or devices as at d. 29 and h so that in accordance with the amount of
current capable of passing at any given time into such device or devices M' so will
the movement of the rudder be regulated or in other words according to the
extent of the movement of the controlling handle f (combined with the variable
resistance N) by the operator at the keyboard E so will the current passing from
the magazine or reservoir c upon the boat or other source of electric power to
the device or devices M₁ be regulated so that the operator is at all times able to

page_text: efficiently control the operation of the rudder electrically as will be understood
from the description given.
(q.) I have shewn a torpedo boat (as illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 for
instance) wherein I have dispensed with the electric reservoir or magazine c and
have provided for operating the electric motor H by a current passed directly
through the cable G (payed out as the boat progresses or moves away) from the
generating or developing source or circuit of supply a or from a store of electric
energy in combination with a generating source as at a* or the like or from a store
at a station on shore as at c or in the equipment of a vessel or launch suitable
circuit controllers and current regulating devices being adapted to operate as
at 42, 43, 44 or 5 or both with or without the device h being employed in the
circuit to such motor so as to prevent the passage of an excess of current through
the electrical circuit of such motor and so as to control the speed of the same at
the will of the operator at the base of operations such motor having a series of disc
or ring armatures m which are adapted to operate in conjunction with a series of
arms blades or extensions constituting the inductive magnetic poles n° of one or
more magnets n arranged and adapted to operate upon the end surfaces and upon
opposite sides of the series of discs rings or blades m of the armature between the
axis and the periphery as in Figures 2. 3. 6 and 7 or upon a series of arms or
extensions of an armature projecting in a line with the axis of the motor H and
between the extensions or arms constituting the inductive poles of one or more
magnets as shewn in Figures 10 and 11 or the equivalent thereof.
(r.) I have shewn a torpedo boat equipped with the cable G payed out as the
boat travels through the water in connection with which I have shown a keyboard E
upon or in the circuit to which or in connection with which I arrange circuit
controlling and current regulating devices 42. 43. 44 or 5 or both adapted to operate
as automatic or variable resistances or current regulators so as to enable the
operator at the keyboard E to control the respective independent operations such
as starting stopping or steering the boat and also to control the movement of the
guide rods O as may be required at various times during the run of the torpedo
boat if so desired such operations being performed and governed through the
instrumentality of the various circuit controllers upon the keyboard E and in
accordance with the extent of movement of the handle f on the switchboard E so
will the amount of current permitted to pass to the electro magnetic device arranged
upon the torpedo boat be regulated though the medium of the variable resistances
and circuit closers N so that the action of such electro magnetic device can be
controlled with precision and certainty and consequently the extent of movement
or operation of the moveable part combined therewith or designed to be operated
thereby can be thereby controlled in accordance with the resistance placed in the
circuit through the medium of the circuit closers N under the control of the
operator
(8.) I have shewn in combination with the magazine reservoir or battery c
forming part of the equipment of the torpedo boat compound electrical condensers
as at c. 36 in Figures 1. 2. and 3 of the drawings or compound induction devices as
shewn at c. 36 in Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings which devices are provided with
a compound set of connections or terminals (one or more sets of which is or are
connected with one or more sets of the elements of the said condensers or induction
devices c. 36 in continuous lengths or tension series) and with one or more sets
of individual terminals or branches connected so as to provide for short circuiting
the continuous length or lengths of the tension series element or elements when
they are thrown into the discharging circuit from the magazine c (forming part of
the equipment of a torpedo boat) through the medium of a commutating or
switching device or devices d automatically operative which device or devices may
or may not be combined in the circuit with other devices or means (as at 5. or 42.
43. 44 or d. 29 or h or 5* or a combination of them).
(t.) In Figures 5. 6 and 7 of the drawings I have shewn the torpedo boat
provided with an accumulator or secondary battery c whose respective compound

page_text: electrodes are composed or formed of a series of sheets layers or laminæ of metal
which may be perforated or otherwise with or without being first provided with a
flexible or non self supporting sheet or film of metallic oxides or material deposited
mechanically electrically or otherwise preferably in a porous or finely divided state
or as an evenly distributed layer (excepting through or within the apertures or
recesses when such are employed) and the respective series or lengths of such
electrodes being separated or insulated from each other by thin sheets or coverings
or dividing strips of some neutral granulated fibrous or porous material the
respective electrodes so formed and arranged being secured to their respective
terininal attachments of simple or compound character the layers of the compound
elements being secured by an insulating or insulated clamp or a support of
insulating material at the ends or sides with or without the terminal connections
being secured or protected by such insulation such compound electrodes being
provided with an electrical connection extending to the motor H combined with
the propellor shaft I of the torpedo boat A and when desired circuits therefrom
are led to the electro magnetic or electric translating devices M or P or R or the
like or a combination thereof for operating various devices and performing the
various operations upon the said torpedo boat.
(u.) I sometimes employ in the equipment of the vessel or torpedo boat a
magazine accumulator or battery c. constituting part of the equipment of the
torpedo boat and having a compound element so constructed that the respective
electrodes thereof are composed built up or formed of a series of flexible sheets or
layers (perforated or otherwise) one or both of which is or are provided with a
base or core of inoxidizable material and one or both of which sheets or layers is or
are coated with or supports or support a thin coating film layer or deposit of metal
or material constituting an active agent of the compound element the respective
opposite electrodes thereof being arranged face to face and insulated from each
other so that there is a minimum space between them and the said parts being
secured in such position by insulating material at the ends or edges thereof or
otherwise and the respective electrodes being combined with their terminals of
simple or compound character with or without being encased or covered by or
embedded in an insulating material adapted to protect the same or to secure the
respective parts of the electrodes in their proper and permanent relationship to
each other
(v.) I have shewn in the equipment of the torpedo boat A an electric magazine
reservoir or accumulator c having compound electrodes composed of or built up of
flexible sheets layers or folds of suitable material as described such electrodes being
provided with terminals secured permanently to the said electrodes part of which
is subsequently encased or coated with insulating material adapted to secure and
maintain the respective electrodes in a fixed or determined relationship to each
other with their surfaces mostly or entirely in the same plane the compound
elements being supported in a suitable casing or chamber with their greatest width
face to face so as to secure the maximum of surface and the active discharge of
power with a minimum weight of material in the electrodes.
(w.) I have shewn in the equipment of a torpedo boat the elements or electrodes
of a secondary battery or magazine or primary battery c or a series of them
arranged in liquid tight chambers integral with or forming part of the equipment
of said boat devices or means (as at R for instance in Figures 6 and 7) to provide
for cleansing such elements or for flushing the same or agitating the liquid within
the battery accumulator or magazine.
(x) I have shewn in the equipment of a torpedo boat an electrical accumulator
or battery c provided with an electric discharging or working circuit wherein is
included a compound commutating or switching device d electrically operative and
a set or compound sets of electrical connections combined with the elements of the
condensing or induction device or devices c. 36 in which discharging circuit an
electric motor H is adapted to operate with or without a speed regulator or governor
combined with the shaft thereof (as at h for instance) for varying the conductivity

page_text: of the circuit to the motor. I have shewn an automatic regulator as at 5* adapted'
to provide for cutting the condensing or induction devices c, 36 out of the charging
circuit when the circuit to the motor is interrupted or to vary the conductivity
of the supply circuit in accordance with the variation of resistance in the motor
circuit or in accordance with the variation in the work imposed upon the said motor.
(y.) I have shewn in the equipment of a torpedo boat adapted to be operated
and controlled by electricity as herein set forth an automatic pressure regulator as
at 42. 43. 44 or 5 or both for instance adapted to operate in the electric circuit to
the motor H or to the electro magnetic devices M. P or R or a combination of the
same forming part of the equipment of the torpedo boat so as to prevent the passage
through such devices of an excessive current from the source or store c or from the
source of supply connected therewith through the cable G and I thereby obviate
injury to or the destruction of the circuits or devices employed in the equipment of
the boat.
(2.) I have shewn in combination with the electrical motor H for propelling the
torpedo boat A the electric magazine or reservoir c of simple or compound con-
struction (integral with or forming part of the electrical equipment of a vessel and
adapted to be charged or vivified by an electric current) and I have shewn devices
or means as at 20 in the circuit to automatically prevent the backward flow of
the current to the generating source or store at a* or to the auxiliary store of
electric energy at C when the force of the current developed thereby falls below
that of the current from the magazine or reservoir c upon the torpedo boat and
I preferably employ devices or means as at 42. 43, 44 or 5 or both to prevent the
passage of an excess of current to the said magazine or reservior c and regulate
the pressure in the circuit to such magazine or reservoir c on the torpedo boat and
I also preferably employ devices or ineans as at j. 16 or j. 32 for instance to
prevent the overcharging of the magazine.
(a) I also employ in combination with the devices mentioned in the preceding
paragraph devices or means cat fixed points wharves or stations as at C for
instance or in the fixed electrical circuits a or in the equipment of vessels launches
or steamers to provide a reserve of electric power which power can be discharged
from such reserve into the magazine or reservoir c forming part of the electrical
equipment of the vessel A D or F the producing or developing plant (as at a* for
instance) being connected with the magazines c on the shore or other station so as
to be independent of the vessel A. D or F so that such magazines can be replenished
or resupplied with electric energy during the time that the vessel A D or F is
separated therefrom or during the time that the consumption is not equal to the
production
(1) In figure 1* I have shewn a system or apparatus for distributing electric
force along the coast to reservoirs accumulators storage batteries or magazines c for
conserving such electric force; these devices c are interposed or placed in the
circuit a (or in branches or loops b therefrom) between the generator or source of
supply a* and the cable 6° extending to the electric magazine c forming part
of the equipment of the torpedo boat A vessel launch floating or stationary
battery D or F or to the electric magazine c of the torpedo boat A or to the
electrical device or devices H M P or R or a combination of them forming part
of the electrical equipment of the torpedo boat; the magazine c therefore performs
the double function of holding a reserve of electric power and of regulating the
supply and tension of the current which may also be further regulated by the
pressure regulators or variable resistances 42. 43. 44 or 5 or a combination of them
in the discharging circuit from the devices c (or c. 36 with the circuit closer or
variable resistance 5* in the charging circuit thereto); the action of such variable
resistances will be partly or entirely dependent upon the position or movement of
the circuit controllers N and variable resistances upon the switch or key board E
under the control of the operator, automatic cut off devices 20 and regulating
devices being preferably employed in the circuits to and from the magazines c
forming part of the equipment of the torpedo boat; the magazines c at the

page_text: generating source a* or in the equipment of a steamer or vessel or at the stations C
are preferably compounded and adapted to operate so as to admit of conserving
the power from the producers when the consumption or discharge from the devices c
is not equal to the production or to admit of charging and discharging from the
magazines c at the same time.
(c.) I have shewn in figure 1 a series of independent electric reservoirs
accumulators magazines or conserving and regulating devices c at the station
60 constructed arranged and connected with the generating and storage source as
at a* or either of them through the medium of the circuit a as to provide for the
transmission of a current of high force through the main circuit a and I regulate
the force of the electric currents in the circuits b and the supply and force of the
current in the circuits or electric cables extending to the vessels or floating
batteries D. F or to the movable and controllable torpedoes A. as described.
(d) According to my mode or method of working I provide for distributing or
utilizing electric currents of different tension in the main circuit a and the derived
circuit 6 as may be desired at different points or places in or throughout a system
or apparatus for distributing electric force and I am enabled to provide for
supplying the power to the magazines of the launches or vessels D or the torpedo
boats A with high or low force and for working the moveable and controllable
torpedoes A direct from the magazine c at the station C or from the magazines o
in the equipment of the vessels or floating batteries D F through the medium of
the paying out cable G as will be understood from the description herein given by
the employment of the magazine c or the induction or condensing device or
devices c. 36 or a combination of them in the derived or working circuits b or at
the generating or developing station a* or both.
(e) I can with facility distribute and utilize currents of different tension and of
any force at or from one or more different points or places in the system or
apparatus at variance with the tension of the current developed by or transmitted
from one or more of the generators g or stores c of electric force and I preferably
employ similar arrangements of apparatus and circuits in the electrical equipment
of the launches vessels or floating batteries F D as well as in the equipment of the
torpedo boats A.
(f) In figure 1. I have shewn the generating station at a* and the devices c
for conserving or storing the current developed by such generating devices at the
station and I have also shewn at such station a* regulating and controlling devices
in the circuits b in which the circuit closers and variable resistances as at 7. 42.
43, 44 and 5 upon the switchboard or keyboard E are adapted to operate in such a
manner as to provide for controlling the passage of the current to or through the
electrical devices as at H P M R upon the torpedo A for propelling controlling
steering and performing other operations thereon. In this figure a* represents the
electrical generating or producing source in the circuit a from which I have shewn
included a series of electric reservoirs storage batteries or magazines c of simple or
compound construction adapted to be charged alternately or intermittently or at
the will of an operator and discharged as desired by the employment of the switching
or commutating device d which may be arranged to provide for one or more of the
said magazines o being charged whilst one or more of such magazines is or are
being discharged as described in the Specifications of certain of the Letters Patent
granted to me or on my behalf herein referred to or the developing source a* or
store o or both can be employed in the equipment of an ironclad launch torpedo
boat or floating battery D. I have shewn in figure 1* a generating station a*
with a circuit a extending therefrom along the coast. The discharging circuit b
from the magazines c is connected with the series of condensers c. 36 the
discharging circuit from which extends to the switchboard or keyboard E; this
keyboard is under the control of an operator or staff of operators at a station on
land or on board a ship or floating fort or battery and is designed to be used as the
means whereby electrical currents may be directed through the cable G to the
various circuit controlling devices d. 29 on the torpedo boat A for controlling the

page_text: operation of the various movable parts such as H M P and R for instance to be
operated upon the said boat.
(g.) In this system or apparatus the generating devices are shewn in Figure 1*
as operated by a windmill at a* and I sometimes employ electro chemical
conserving devices c preferably compounded or electrical gas magazines or batteries
and I preferably charge the same with low force currents through the medium of
suitably arranged circuits and when I use electro chemical batteries c I preferably
employ a commutating or switching device d which can be operated electrically as
described or as shewn in certain Figures of the drawings or by time mechanisın or
by a switching device controlled by an operator or by the moving machinery at
the station a* and I employ one or more generators with or without simple
or compound accumulators c or condensers or induction devices c. 36 or a com-
bination of them connected with one or more conductors a with return by earth or
the reverse or through an insulated circuit through which the electric force is
conveyed to a series of independent simple or compound electric reservoirs accumu-
lators or magazines c (placed at different points or stations C) connected with one
or more charging conductors a by loops or derived circuits b so as to be in parallel
circuit or otherwise and I employ one or more discharging conductors or working
circuits for each of the said independent conserving accumulating or storing devices
or reservoirs c and switching devices d for each of such independent batteries or
electric reservoirs c whereby any one or more of the said batteries c and the
apparatus worked by it or either of them may be cut out from the charging
conductor or conductors a or b without cutting out the others and I preferably
employ the pressure regulators or variable resistances 42. 43. 44 or 5 or both in
the circuit band I preferably employ an automatic cut off for instance as at j. 16
or j. 32 or the equivalent thereof so as to cut the magazine c out of the charging
circuit when some predetermined amount of energy stored and I also preferably
employ an automatic cut off 20 to prevent the backward flow of the current from
the devices c towards the source a*.
(h) I have shewn in Figures 1 and 2 a meter device as at j. 16 or j. 32 to
measure and record the amount of energy stored in the magazine c or passed
through the circuit b and an electric motor or electric translating device d' can be
combined with or form part of the switching device d which I preferably arrange
so as to operate upon the compound connections of the reservoirs magazines or
accumulators c which in Figure 1 are shewn arranged in such a manner as to
provide for the elements of the accumulators c being placed in the charging
circuit b in parallel or multiple series circuit and in the discharging circuit in
series but it will be understood that the arrangement of these connections can be
reversed or adapted as may be desired so as to regulate the force of the current in
the discharging circuit or the internal resistance of the devices in the charging and
discharging circuit which resistance can be reduced to a minimum by connecting
the elements in parallel circuit and by the employment of simple induction devices
or compound condensers or induction devices as at e. 36
(¹) I have shewn in Figures 10 and 11 a torpedo boat equipped with an
electric motor H combined with the propeller shaft I. the elements of the said
motor being adapted to be connected in the electrical circuit with the elements of
the electrical generator g through the medium of an electrical paying out cable G
in which is or are employed one or more automatic pressure regulators or variable
resistances 5 or 42, 43, 44 or both or hand regulating devices N upon the
switchboard E or in the electrical circuit to the motor H; by such means I can
supply the electric power to the motor H of a torpedo boat A direct from the
generator g and regulate the force of the current as desired and any damage or
injury to any part of the apparatus which might otherwise be caused by undue or
excessive pressure in the electrical circuits from such generator will be prevented
(j) When I operate the torpedo direct from the generator g I preferably employ
means to regulate the quantity of steam or gas admitted to the cylinder or
cylinders of the engine aº so as to provide for varying the quantity of steam or gas

page_text: admitted thereto in accordance with the variation of resistance in the electrical
circuit extending to the motor H forming part of the equipment of the torpedo
boat A. It will be understood that when the variable resistance or circuit closer N
upon the switchboard E is operated the circuit from the generator will be
completed to the motor H and the resistance in the circuit of the generator g will
be less than when such device N is in its normal position. It therefore follows
that when it is desired to operate the generator or generators g the steam or gas
being turned on as is usual to the engine a the current developed by such
generator will be in accordance with the resistance in the external circuit thereof
and if the current developed by the machine should be in excess of that desired to
be utilized in the external circuit the variable resistance or regulating device 5
at 60 will be brought into operation and place a resistance in the circuit of the
generator or generators g in exact accordance with the excess of pressure in the
circuit from the latter or in other words in exact proportion to the variation of
resistance in the circuit in which the motor or other appliances forming part of the
equipment of the torpedo boat is or are included
(.) In connection with the regulating device or any suitable variable resistance
5 at 60 I provide any suitable variable resistance at 61 which when the said
device 5 at 60 is operated by reason of the increase of pressure in the circuit from
the generator or generators g beyond that desired to be utilized in the external
circuit provides for completing the circuit to an electro magnetic or electric
translating device as at 62 combined with a valve for controlling the amount of
steam or gas passing through the supply pipe to the engine a' and this device can
also be employed to complete the circuit to another electro magnetic or electric
translating device at 63 which is combined with a valve arranged in the pipe for
conveying liquid or gaseous fuel or air or a combination of them to the firing or
heating chamber of a steam or other pressure generator or such electro magnetic
or electric translating device at 63 may be combined with a damper or dampers
for controlling the admission of air to the furnace of a steam boiler or other
pressure generator for supplying power to the engine aº Or the moveable part of
the variable resistance 5 at 60 may be connected mechanically with the aforesaid
valves instead of electrically. Such arrangements are applicable in the equipment
of vessels or steamships where the necessary power is at command in order to
supply electric power direct therefrom for operating the moveable and controllable
torpedoes whose propellor has combined with it a suitable electric motor H.
(.) In some cases in operating the apparatus or system for generating storing
distributing and utilizing or supplying electric force for the operation of moveable
torpedo boats I employ one or more generating or developing sources as at a* (with
or without the medium of electric reservoirs c) preferably compounded or a simple
or compound induction device c as at 36 or a combination of them for transmitting
the electric force to distant points or stations C where simple or compound electric
reservoirs c are placed so as to provide for utilizing a conductor a of lighter section
than would otherwise be required.
(m²) Under my method of constructing or operating electrical torpedo boats A
by electrical power it is desirable to reduce the weight of the electrical motor H
as much as possible. I therefore employ one or more electric motors H provided
with a series of rings discs or armatures m projecting vertically from the supporting
hub or axis of the propeller shaft I or the axis n¹ of the motor combined or
adapted to be combined or operated in conjunction with the axle I¹ of the propeller
and I provide such motors H with a series of arms or extensions constituting the
inductive magnetic pole or poles n° (of one or more magnets n) which are
arranged and adapted to operate upon the faces or end surfaces of a series of discs
rings or armatures m (extending vertically or at an angle to the axis of rotation)
and upon the portion thereof between the axis and the periphery or in some cases
I employ a series of armatures m (as illustrated in Figures 10 and 11) secured to
the axle n through the medium of the supporting plate or hub n²; these
armatures mare shewn adapted to operate under the inductive influence of the

page_text: magnets n which are shewn with blades extending between the series of rings m
extending from the supporting plate or hub n2 in a line with the axle of the motor
the object in both cases being to obtain a maximum of surface with a minimum of
weight.
(n.) I have shewn in various figures of the drawings torpedo boats adapted to
be propelled by electric power equipped with electric motors H having their
inductive magnetic pole or poles so formed or arranged as to be adapted to operate
upon the end faces or surfaces of a series of discs rings or armatures m and
between the axis n¹ and periphery of the armature m and upon both the opposite
sides of a series of discs sections or rings m of the armature or armatures secured
upon and projecting at right angles to the axle or hub n¹ the magnet or magnets n
being formed or adapted for such result and secured to the hull A¹ of the torpedo
boat A.
(o¹.) In various figures of the drawings I have illustrated my mode or method of
operating torpedo boats A electrically by the employment of an electrical
accumulator or battery c as one of the elements in the electrical equipment of
such torpedo boat in which an electric motor H connected or combined with the
propeller shaft I is adapted to operate in the discharging circuit of the battery
or accumulator c with or without the employment of the device c. 36 or the
devices 42. 43, 44 or 5 or 5* or a combination of them adapted to operate in the
circuit between the Battery or accumulator c and the said motor H.
(pl.) In practising such mode or method of operating torpedo boats electrically
I preferably equip the torpedo boat with a cable G (adapted to be connected with
the base of operations) through which the operator keeps under control the
apparatus on the torpedo boat through the medium of the circuit closers or
variable resistances on the keyboard E.
(g) I prefer to employ and have shewn in the equipment of an electrically
operative torpedo boat electric motors H with their field magnet or magnets n
secured to the framing supported by the hull A¹ with their cores made or formed
of sectional plates or rings with their greatest width in a line vertical to or crossing
the horizontal axial line of the armature m; such plates or rings constitute the
core or cores of one or more magnets n having poles arms or projections of
segmental or other form secured to or formed upon the same adapted to operate
upon the side surfaces of a series of disc or ring armatures m mounted upon the
propeller shaft I¹ or connected therewith by gearing.
(1) I have shewn in the electric equipment of the torpedo or vessels an electric
motor H having connected or combined with its shaft means for indicating the
speed of the shaft and means for regulating and varying the current passing into
the circuit of the said motor H through the medium of a moveable piece or part
connected with or operated by the governor or speed indicator & operated by or
from the shaft of the motor H and I have shewn an operative variable resistance
d. 29 or N or both either as a reverser or otherwise in the circuit of the motor.
(s¹.) In the equipment of electrically operative torpedoes. I preferably employ a
motor H of the class herein described and summarized in paragraphs (9¹) (r¹) in
combination with an electrical circuit supplied or extending from an accumulator
or battery c forming part of the equipment of the torpedo boat A or I connect the
motor H with the electric source of supply through the medium of the cable G in
which the circuit closers or variable resistances N are adapted to operate.
(¹) In Figure 16 I have shewn a rotary engine a' combined directly with the
shaft of a dynamo electric machine or electric generator g the discharging circuit
therefrom being shewn combined with the movable and controllable torpedo A
through the cable G. I have shewn in the discharging circuit from the said
generator a regulating device 5 at 60 provided with a variable resistance at 01
which when the said device 5 at 60 is operated by reason of an increase of pressure
in the circuit from the generator g beyond that desired to be utilized in the
external circuit communicating with the torpedo boat A provides for completing
the circuit to the electro magnetic or electric translating device at 62 combined

page_text: with a valve for controlling the amount of steam passing through the supply pipe
to the engine aº.
(u.) In Figures 20, 21 and 22 I have shewn in longitudinal vertical section
horizontal section and transverse section a torpedo launch or vessel D provided
with tubes or chambers W which are designed to contain electrically controllable
and operative torpedo boats A of the class herein described. Each chamber is
provided with a suitable door which can be raised or lowered by gearing or in
any other suitable manner when it is desired to discharge the torpedo boat A
contained in the said chamber the control of the said boat A after it leaves the
vessel or launch D being effected through the cable G connected with such boat A
and also with the keyboard E which may be arranged in a conning tower upon
the vessel or launch D or in any other suitable position thereon. It will be
observed that I have shewn chambers or torpedo tubes W at the bow of the
vessel D and also at the stern thereof. I have also shewn tubes W arranged at
the sides of the said vessel D from which tubes the torpedo boats A are discharged
broadside instead of end on. I provide suitable clamping devices in combination
with the tubes or chambers W containing the torpedo boats A. for retaining the
latter in position within the said tubes the pressure of such clamping devices on
the boats being relaxed when it is desired to discharge the same from the launch
or vessel D
(v.) In Figures 23 and 24 I have shewn in longitudinal vertical section and
horizontal section a torpedo launch or vessel D equipped with torpedo chambers
or tubes W. I have shewn in connection with the engine a* of the said vessel
a generator g¹ which provides for charging the storage batteries or magazines c
forming part of the equipment of the said torpedo launch or vessel D. These
storage batteries may be employed to charge the storage batteries or magazines c
on the torpedo boat A prior to the discharge of the same from the vessel D or
they may be employed for supplying the current direct to the motor H on such
torpedo boat A suitable circuit making regulating and governing devices being
employed in the circuits as herein before explained. I have also shewn the launch
or vessel D provided with a reserve of torpedo boats A so as to provide for
recharging the tubes or chambers W when a torpedo boat A has been discharged
therefrom. The torpedo boats A in the different chambers W are preferably
combined with independent keyboards E so that two or more of such boats A can
be discharged from the vessel D at the same time and be controlled independently
of each other. In the above mentioned Figures I have shewn the magazines or
reservoirs c upon the vessel D arranged adjacent to the engine a°* and generator g¹
but it will be evident that such magazines or reservoirs may be arranged in any
other suitable position as for instance in a forward compartment of such vessel D
as represented in longitudinal and horizontal section in Figures 25 and 26.
(w) In Figures 27, 28 and 28ª, 1 have shewn in longitudinal vertical section
and horizontal section a torpedo launch or vessel D equipped with torpedo
chambers or tubes W from which the movable and controllable torpedo boats A.
are adapted to be discharged. I have shewn the vessel D adapted to be driven
and steered by electricity. For this purpose I combine with the shaft of the
propeller Is a motor H¹ which is adapted to be driven by electric power derived
from the storage batteries or magazines c forming part of the equipment of the
torpedo vessel or launch D suitable circuit governing and controlling devices being
employed in the circuit to such motor as hereinbefore explained. M³ represents the
electro magnetic device for operating the radder M' of the launch or vessel D.
(x) In Figures 29, 30 and 31 I have shewn in longitudinal vertical section,
horizontal section and transverse section a monitor or floating battery F equipped
with a series of chambers or tubes W for containing the movable and controllable
torpedo boat A I have shewu these chambers or tubes extending both towards
the bow and the stern of the vessel F as well as athwart the said vessel so that
the torpedo boats A may be discharged therefrom either fore or aft or broadside.
Suitable doors adapted to be raised by gearing or hydraulically or otherwise are

page_text: provided for closing the outlets of the chambers W so as to prevent the escape
therefrom of the torpedo boats A excepting when desired I have shewn the
propeller I' as adapted to be driven by an electric motor H³ which is supplied with
electric energy from the storage batteries or magazines c forming part of the
equipment of the vessel F. If desired these storage batteries or magazines c may
also be employed for charging the reservoir or magazine c forming part of the
equipment of the torpedo boat A or the current from such storage batteries or
magazines c on the vessel F may be employed for driving the motor H on the
torpedo boat A direct suitable circuit and current controlling and regulating
devices being in all cases included in the circuits as herein explained.
(y) In Figures 32 and 33 I have shewn in longitudinal vertical section and in
horizontal section a floating battery or monitor F, wherein the chambers W for
containing the movable and controllable torpedo boats A are of compound
construction that is to say each of such chambers is designed to contain a series of
the torpedo boats A and is provided with suitable means to facilitate and permit
the proper descent of a torpedo boat A into the discharging portion of the
chamber W when a torpedo boat A. has been discharged from such portion. I have
shewn the propeller 15 as adapted to be operated by an electric motor H¹ supplied
with electric energy from the storage batteries or magazines e forming part of the
equipment of the vessel F. I have also shewn an electromagnetic device at M³ for
operating the rudder M₁ of the vessel F and I have also shewn electro-magnetic
devices at M6 for controlling the operation of the doors of the chambers W. The
torpedo boats A are combined with the switchboard at E and various circuit
controlling and current regulating devices are included in the various circuits
thereto and thereon as herein explained
(2) In Figures 34, 35, 36 and 37 I have shewn in plan or face view in vertical
longitudinal section in transverse vertical section and in horizontal section one
construction of the switchboard or keyboard E wherein I employ a series of circuit
closers N adapted to operate in conjunction with variable resistances included in
the circuit to the movable and controllable torpedo boat A
(a2) In Figures 38, 39, 40 and 41 which are similar views to Figures 34, 35,
36 and 37 and in Figures 42 and 43 which are cross sectional views I have shewn
a switchboard E wherein I employ in combination with the circuit closers N the
devices 42, 43, 44 or 5 or both and also variable resistances so as to provide for
regulating the force of the current passing from the main source or store to the
said circuit closers and also the force of the current in the discharging or working
circuit therefrom
(b) In Figures 44, 45, 46 and 47 which are similar views to Figures 38, 39. 40
and 41 I have shewn a modified construction of the circuit closers N and variable
resistances upon the keyboard that is to say I have shewn tapered circuit makers
combined with vessels containing a liquid such as mercury I have also shewn in
combination with these circuit closers the device 42. 43. 44 or 5 or both so as to
regulate the force of the current from the generating source or store to the circuit
closers N which themselves according to the extent of their movement provide for
varying the resistance in the discharging circuit therefrom to the various electro
magnetic or electric translating devices forming part of the equipment of the torpedo
boat A
(c) In Figure 48 I have shewn a diagrammatic view illustrating the method of
firing a cartridge in the magazine V by utilizing the circuits through which the
current is passed for operating the guide rods O For this purpose I include in
such circuit to the electro magnetic device P an electro magnetic device V₁ of high
resistance which electro magnetic device when energized is adapted to attract the
armature V and close the circuit from the magazine c on the torpedo boat A to
the cartridge V* so as to explode the same In order to energize such device V¹ it
is necessary to cause a current of greater force than that of the current necessary
to raise the guide rods O. through the circuit to the device P This may be effected
by moving the handle f on the keyboard Ę to a greater extent than is necessary to

page_text: effect the passage of the requisite force of current to raise the guide rods O such
excess of movement serving to reduce the resistance in the circuit from the circuit
closer N at the keyboard E to the device d 29 on the torpedo boat A and through
such device provide for decreasing the resistance in the discharging circuit from
the magazine or reservoir c on the boat A to the device P consequently permitting
the flow there through of a current of increased force and one which is capable of
overcoming the resistance of the electro magnetic device V' and thereby closing
the circuit through the cartridge V* so as to explode the charge contained in the
magazine V.
Having thus fully described the nature of the said Invention and shewn how the
same may be conveniently and advantageously carried into practice I wish it
understood that I claim.
The various improvements as specified in the paragraphs indicated by letters or
a combination of the improvements described in any two or more of them or any
mere modification thereof,
Also. The combination with the subject matter of the preceeding claim of an
apparatus or system of electrical distribution equipped with appliances for lighting
or heating or motive power or for traction purposes or for supplying vessels with
electric power or any combination of two or more of such purposes.
In witness whereof I the said Joseph Stokes Williams have hereunto set my
hand and seal this twenty eighth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and eighty four.