IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Thomas Henley, of St. John Street
Road, Electrical Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS."
Sealed the 6th June 1854, and dated the 8th December 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Thomas
Henley at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 8th December 1853.
I, WILLIAM THOMAS HENLEY, of St. John St. Road, Electrical
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS" to be as follows:-
My improvements relate to the electric telegraph complete, viz.,
the apparatus from whence the power proceeds, the medium through
which it is transmitted, and the receiving apparatus, or that part in
which the current is inade to show the required signals. I will describe
my improved magneto-electric machine. That as shown in Sheet 1,
Fig. 1, is for a rotatory motion, and is well adapted for working the
chemical telegraph shown in Sheets 1, 12, 18, and 14, or anything

page_text: where the currents are required in one direction, and as near as may
be continuous. Sheet 1, A' is a compound U shaped magnet. B, tho
short armature (which is best formed of iron hooping); this is wound
with insulated wire, and is made to revolve between the poles of the
magnet. The effect is much greater this way, the straight hoop iron
armatures becoming highly magnetized, and of course the induced
electricity is increased in proportion; the armature is mounted on a
vertical spindle in the sketch, that is only to decrease friction on the
bearings. The armature, instead of being in one bar, may be of two or
three, crossing each other, as shewn in Sheet 4, Fig. 1, or may be of
one piece of iron, in the forms shown at Figs. 2, 3, 4, 6, the number
of currents induced in each revolution of the spindle depending on
the number of poles in the armatures; instead of one magnet, three
magnets may be used, crossing at the bottoin, as shown at Fig. 4. I
also attach to the ends of the armatures curved pieces of iron, Fig. 5;
the effect of these is to make the current more continuous. The arma-
ture being longer in contact with the magnet in each revolution, and as
a current is given off on leaving the north pole of the magnet, and also
a current in the same direction on approaching the south pole, it
follows, that if the iron of the armature reaches one pole nearly at the
time it leaves the other, the current will be nearly continuous. The
current is not stronger, but spread over a longer interval of time; a
nearly continuous current is essential in the chemical telegraph, the
current being directed into another channel at the will of the operator,
as will be hereafter explained.
Sheet 5 represents another modification of the machine from which
the currents are transmitted in either direction, according to whether
the handle is moved to the right or the left, and the return current
produced, when the handles move back to the vertical position, is entirely
stopped out. In Figs. 1, 2, 3, A represents the magnet. In this case
the armature B, when at rest, is in a line with the poles of the magnet,
which are narrowed, as in this case the armature moves from the
maguet on either side, according to the motion given by the handle,
the current is induced in the same direction whichever side of the
magnet the armature leaves, and the direction of the current is reversed

page_text: at pleasure by the springs a, b, and c, d. The two ends of the wire on
the armature are connected with two insulated studs e, f. The action
is as follows:-On moving the handle to the right the stud fis brought
in contact with spring a, the current will then pass down the spring to
the line wire, terminal g will return by earth to terminal h, and by tho
spring d, to the stud e, thus completing the circuit without passing
through the needle coils of the same instrument. On moving the handlo
to the left the current passes from the stud f, to the spring b, and to the
earth by terminal h, coming back by terminal g, and spring c; in rc-
turning the handle to the vertical position a second current is induced
in a contrary direction to that produced by the first motion, and as this
machine is intended to work the suspended needle moving in either
direction, or the chemical marking telegraph, it is necessary to get rid
of this second current, as it would entirely interrupt the proper working;
to do this, the axle carries a stud not insulated, having a pin working
in the slot of a circular slide, as seen in Fig. 4. The pin and handle
are now in a vertical position, and a spring is seen resting on the metal
of the slide; another spring is seen resting on the opposito side. These
springs with the slide complete the circuit between the spring a, and
terminal g, and allow the current to pass when moving to the right, but
just before the handle reaches its limit the pin touches the end of the
slot, and moves the insulating piece of ivory or other material i, under
the spring
and breaks the circuit, in which way it remains until just
before the handle reaches the vertical, when the pin pushes the slide
back into its former position; on moving the handle to the left the pin
moves the slide, so that the insulating piece comes under the spring m,
and cuts off the return current. When the spring comes on the metal
again, on bringing the handle to the vertical position, some of the back
current would still pass, but just before that takes place the stud f
leaves the spring a, or b, and breaks the circuit there.
rupting the circuit by the circular slide, it may make
Instead of inter-
short circuit for
and instead of the
the passage of the back current; in that case the springs & and m
would be connected with the terminals 9 and
two insulated pieces i and 7, one larger piece, occupying the space
described between the two, would be used, so that in bringing the
A2

page_text: handle to the vertical, the insulated piece would be brought under the
spring, and remain so until the handle reached its inclined position,
when the spring would come on the metal again, and open a short
circuit for the back current without passing through the telegraph.
The springs a, b, rest on two studs n, o, attached to the dial coils, so
that when the current is sent from the distant station it passes through
them.
Another arrangement of apparatus to effect the same object (viz.
intercepting the back current) is shown in Sheet 6, Figs. 1 and 2; the
break piece A is fixed on the axle as before, the two segments of metal
a, b, are of the shape shown in the Drawing, so that when the armature
is in the vertical position, the line wire springs B, C, do not touch the
break piece, but rest on the studs D, E, which allows the current from
the distant instrument to pass through the dial coils, and not through
the coils of the armatures on moving the handle to either side. The
springs B, C, are lifted off the studs, and the current from the break
piece passes along the line wire through the distant instrument and
back through the earth, or vice versa, a permanent magnet F is fixed
through the axis transversely, not insulated. G, II, are two pieces of
iron, or two small bar magnets, fixed by joints to a small framework
shown, and kept by stops and by two spiral springs in a vertical
position, when the handle is deflected, just before it reaches its limit,
the maguet F and one of the two smaller ones attract each other, and
remain in contact until the handle nearly reaches the vertical, when it
comes in contact with the pin and is mado to fall back to its former
position; a spring I, rubs on one of the segments and conveys the
current to or from that end of the armature coil it is connected with,
and this spring is also connected with the frame carrying the two small
magnets. The magnet F is in contact with the other end of the coil,
so it will be seen that when the magnet F is in contact with either of
the smaller ones, a short circuit is completed for the current from the
coils, so that the current set in motion by the back movement of the
armature is thus diverted from the ordinary channel. But at the time
of the magnets breaking contact with each other, a current would still
be in motion and would pass through the coils on the dial, besides

page_text: oxidizing the surface of the metal of the magnets, and making bad
contact, so as to partially stop the passage of the current. To obvinto
this a spring K is shown, fixed to the small framework, and rests on
the magnet F. When in the vertical position, this completes another
passage for the short circuit just before the magnets leave each other,
and remains in this position until the next movement, when the short
circuit is broken until the magnets touch cach other again, during
which time the proper current passes and does its work.
Sheet 7, Figs: 1 and 2, show a method of obtaining the proper
currents by means of. a lever and cam, or lever and roller; very powerful
currents can be obtained by simply. detaching the armature from the
magnet, which has been done hitherto by means of a lever, but owing
to the great force required to move the armature when actually
in contact, this. method has never been extensively used. In tho
machine represented in Fig. 1, A is the magnet; B, the armature, is
attached to a lever. C, allowing the armature to touch the poles of tho
magnet. D is a second lever, carrying a cam E; by the depression of
the lever D the cam acts with great power on the lever C, detaching
the armature from: the magnet; the part of the cam exerting the
greatest power comes into action just to separate the armature and
magnet, as the armature leaves the other part of the cam comes into
action, acting with less power but greater speed, thus equalizing the power
of the current and also the resistance of moving the armature.
As it
is necessary, in working the needle telegraph, that the handles should.
move perfectly.casy, and not be subject to the violent jerks necessary
to detach the armature when the single lever is used. Instend of the:
cam a short arm and roller can be used, as in Fig. 2; the friction is less,
but the greatest power is not applied to the point of greatest resistance,.
as with the cain.. F is a spiral spring for lifting the lever to within
the sphere of attraction of the magnet. This spring also carries the:
current from the coils, the other end of the wire being in connection
with the metal work; a short circuit spring G, in connection with this,
touches a point on the lever. C, when the latter is at rest. The dial
coils are shown:at II, fixed to.the door of the case. In this machino
both the first and..also the back current is used without alteration..

page_text: Fig. 1, 2, Sheet 8, shows a machine on the same principle in which
the currents are obtained in either direction, the same as shown in
Sheet 4. Figs. 1, 2, Sheet 8, A is the magnet; B, the armature at-
tached to a lever as before; C is a lever mounted on an axis, carrying
either two rollers or cams. The armature is detached on moving the
lever in either direction out of the vertical. On the same axis with
the lever C is a break piece, Fig. 3, similar to that in Sheet 6, by
which the currents are reversed at pleasure, and the back current is
thrown into short circuit by the permanent bar magnet D coming in
contact with the piece of iron e, connected with one end of the coil, tho
other being in contact with tho bar magnet; the action is similar to
that shown in Sheet 6. The large magnets are found to disturb the
action of the dial needles suspended in the same case. To prevent this,
I fix a plate of iron above the magnet, shown at a, a, in Figs. 1 and 2,
Sheets 7 and 8; this effectually protects the needles from the magnets.
I do not confine myself to any particular arrangement of the magnets,
armatures and levers, so long as the principle is adhered to of using
one or more levers with cams or rollers acting on the armature, or
on a second lever for the purpose of moving the armature from the
magnet.
In another modification a rotatory motion is given to the armaturo
by a lever with segmental rack and pinion, with clack and ratchet to
allow return of lever while the coils are rotating; this is useful when a
current of some duration is required by one simple motion.
The improvements in the transmitting medium relate to a method of
numbering the wires, so as to know any particular wire on opening the
ground, or any place in which they may be laid; one disadvantago
attending the use of underground wires has been that in the event of
anything happening to any one of the wires, on opening the pipes at
any spot, it was necessary to cut and try perhaps all the wires before
getting the one wanted; various methods of marking the wires have
been suggested, but have not been found practicable; a plan for laying
the wires parallel with each other and covering with yarn was specified
in my former Patent, dated January 25th, 1853, and I now propose so
to arrange them in the rope as to know any particular wire throughout

page_text: the whole length; the wires are passed through a guiding plate into
the machine, and a web or tape with a thick selvage on one edge (the
whole previously well tarred) is laid on before the coating of yarn, the
wires passing through the plate and the tape or webbing laid on, as
shewn at Fig. 1, Sheet 9; a section of the rope thus prepared is shown
Fig. 2; it will readily be seen that by calling the wire next the
selvage No 1, the next on the top 2, and the next 3, and then num-
bering back the row beneath to six, that in whatever position the rope
may be found cach particular wire can always be known from the rest,
and of course any number of wires can be so combined, and the manner
in which the guide plates are arranged renders it impossible for any
wire to take the place of another during the operation of covering.
Instead of introducing webbing or tape, anything else may be put to
indicate the top or bottom side, or the inner coating may be painted on
one side or colored in any way; but if the outer covering be so painted
or colored, it will not show after it has been laid in the earth a short
time. Fig. 3 shows a section of the rope in which a piece of tarred
string is introduced instead of tape.
My improvements in the receiving part of the apparatus consist,
firstly, of a new arrangement of the magnetic needles and electro-mag-
nets or of coils for showing visual signals. In Sheet 9, Figs. 4, 5, 6, is
shown an electro-magnet made of soft iron, either round or square, an
axis passes between the poles and coils, carrying at one end outside the
dial an index or pointer; at the other, or inner end, two magnetic
needles a, a, are fixed in the position shown in the Drawings, placed
one a little above the other; these are attracted to one side or the other
according to the direction in which the current is sent, both ends of
each needle being acted on simultaneously each time the current passes.
The electro-magnet may be formed of one piece of iron, or of two pieces
forming the poles, connected together by a third forming the bend or
back piece, as in Fig. 4; or, which is better, the straight part may bo
formed of soft iron wire enclosed in tin or brass tubes fixed by the
flanges to the back piece of soft iron, the wire being allowed to come
in contact with it. Instead of two needles of the curved form above
described, two of the horse-shoe form may be used, as in Fig. 1, 2,

page_text: Sheet 10, when the pointer is intended to give signals on either side
remaining in the vertical position when at rest; the needles are a little
heavier below the centre of suspension, bringing the needle to the ver
tical position by the action of gravity, which being old and well known
need not be described. Making the back or connecting piece of the coils
of brass instead of iron reduces the residual magnetism after the passage
of the current; and consequently a less weight is required to keep the
needle in the vertical position, but the action of the electro-magnet is
not so great on the needle when exerted by the current; weighted
needles may be used when the pointer moves from the vertical to one
side only, as the needle requires less force to move it (when kept against
the pin in the vertical position by weight) than it does when-retained
there by the residual magnetism. When the needle is required to move
to one side only, either of the machines shown in Figs. 1 or 2, Sheet 7,
are used, but when required to move either way from the vertical, the
machine with double cam or rollers shown in Sheet 8, or that shown
in Sheet 5, may be used;-or- the coils and needles may be worked by
voltaic battery with the ordinary receiving apparatus, or with the re-
ceiving key specified in my former Patent of November 9th, 1852; but
where soft iron is used in connection with coils to deflect magnetic
needles, it is desirable to operate on the needles of the distant instru-
ment only, and not on those of the near instrument, as the latter would
retain a greater amount of residual magnetism than would be given by
the action of the current from the distant instrument. To divert the
current from its own needles I make the instrument (when working
with voltaic battery) with the reversing handle shewn in Sheet 11,
Fig. 1, 2. A is a metal axle moving in bearings in the ordinary
manner, having an insulated piece of metal B, passing through and
acting on either of two springs C, C; these springs are connected with the
line and earth wires and rest on two studs D and E, which are in con-
nection with the ends of the coils; another stud F, passes through the
axle, and stops against the pieces of brass G, G. The action differs from
the ordinary reversing handle, the current when sent from the distant
instrument passing by the springs C, C, and studs D, E, through the
coils on the dial, which are thrown out of the circuit when the axle is

page_text: noved. The insulated stud F is connected with one pole of the battery
by means of a small spiral communication spring, the other part of the
xle with the other pole. When the coils and iron wires are not con-
ected with another piece of iron, the needles may be arranged as in
Fig. 3, Sheet 10, as the iron cores may have similar poles standing
in the same direction. When the needles are suspended at the inner
ends of the coils, as shown in the Drawing, great facilities are given for
reinagnetizing the needles, the dial being suspended from the door of
the case, upon opening which the needles can be readily got at without
displacing anything. Fig. 4, in Sheet 10, shows an arrangement of
permanent magnets, which has the effect of neutralizing the action of
the magnetic needles on the soft iron cores, and they become balanced,
as it were, and much more susceptible of any change in the polarity of
the coils by the passage of a current. One may be moveable on the cen-
tral screw a, which will offer a ready means of adjustment to overcome
residual magnetism from atmospheric currents or any other cause; one
magnet may be used to neutralize the action of the atmospheric or
earth currents. As straight bar magnets have been used to bring the
needle to the vertical position, I only claim the method of using curved
or horse-shoc magnets for that purpose, so that either pole can bo
brought into action, by which means the effect is made more certain.
One magnet is shown in use at Fig. 4, 6, Sheet 9. In the above
described telegraph only one magnet and armature and one pair of dial
coils are mentioned, but of course two of each are intended to be used
where required, forming a double needle telegraph.
The second part of my improvements in the receiving part of the
apparatus refers to that description of telegraph in which the message
is marked on chemically prepared paper by the passage of a current of
electricity decomposing the solution with which the paper or other
material may have been moistened. The practice has been hitherto to
employ the voltaic current, which has been let on and shutt off at inter-
vals, by making and breaking contact with the battery, by pressure of
the finger on a button, or in a more rapid manner by mechanical means.
These methods are very objectionable, as the points of contact do not
conduct the current properly, from oxidation or other causes. I propose

page_text: to use the magneto-electric current, as being much better adapted for
marking the chemically prepared paper than the current derived from the
voltaic battery, and instead of letting the current pass by contact-making
apparatus, as in the ordinary way, I always allow the magnets machine
to be in the circuit, and when the current is derived from a machine
giving off a nearly continuous current, such as the machine shown
in Sheet 1, Fig. 1, the current would make a continuous line on the
paper, but it is diverted into a short circuit by moveable type fixed on
a drum or slide, and made to pass under a point or roller, or the latter
is passed along the surface of the type fixed in some suitable position,
or the short circuit is made by pressure with the finger or other nieans.
In either case the current is free to pass through the circuit without
depending on points of contact, making short circuit is dependant on
the latter, but the current being so much stronger through a short
metallic circuit of a few inches than in a length of many miles through
line and earth, it will readily overcome any imperfection in the contact.
There is also another great advantage in making short circuit, viz., in
the latter the current acquires a certain velocity or momentum which
enables it to overcome a much greater resistance in the line wires, and
the current will mark the paper at a distance of a hundred miles fur-
ther when allowed to pass through a short circuit first. During the
time the current is passing through the short circuit a blank is formed
in the line on the paper, if the circuit is broken for an instant a dot is
marked on the paper, if a longer interval takes place a stroke is formed.
When the machines shown in Sheet 7 are used, dots only are formed
on the paper, in which case two wires are necessary, and one wire will
be sufficient if the machine, Figs. 1, Sheets 5 and 8, be used, as it is
well known the currents in opposite directions will make different marks
when two points (one of iron, the other of copper) are used. The singlo
acting machines Figs. 1 and 2, Sheet 7, will be found very useful when
formed with two magnets each, as although two wires are necessary,
signals can be transmitted very much faster than when visual signal
have to be depended on; no short circuit is used in this apparatus, the
machine is placed in metallic connection with the line and earth wires,
every time the lever is depressed a dot is formed on the paper, the

page_text: current induced by the return of the lever makes no mark as it is in
the reverse direction; moving both levers will make two dots, and two
rows of dots with proper intervals between the dots will be made the
alphabet, such as used with the dial.
Sheets 1 and 3 show the apparatus for diverting the current from
the magneto machine into a short circuit when required. A repre-
sents a drum, with screw cut round it for receiving the movable
type formed of metal, with notches cut in it. Fig. 2, Sheet 1, shows
the grooves of the screw on an enlarged scale; the sides of the thread
of the screw are under-cut to keep the type from falling out. At inter-
vals the groove is at the full width to the top to allow the type to bo
dropped in and passed round; the widened spaces must be long enough
to admit the longest pieco of type, and if in arranging the type one
should be obliged to remain within one of these spaces, and consequently
liable to fall out, a small pin or screw may be used to retain it in its
place, a few of each letter being made with a hole through for that
purpose. The type is easily made by having it cast in a ring the size
of the circumference of the drum, and turned in the lathes to a guage;
the notches are then cut in a wheel cutting engine, the long ones
formed by cutting two ordinary ones together, making each ring into
one sort of letter, they are then divided with a saw. Sheets 1, 2, and 3,
show this apparatus complete, in elevation, end view, and plan. C, is
the magnetic machine driven by the band wheel a, and pulley b; the
current from the armatures passes by the break picce to the springs c,
and d, which are in permanent connection with the line and earth wires;
the springs c, and d, are also in permanent connection with the drum
A, and type, and with the insulated arm and roller D. The axis of tho
band wheel a, is prolonged, and by means of pinion e, and tooth wheels
f, and g, gives motion to the drum A, consequently during the time the
roller touches the type the current (which always prefers the best con-
ductor and shortest road) passes to the drum, and by the roller and arm
D), back to the machine again; a small part of the current will still pass
through the long circuit, but is totally inadequate to produce the slightest
effect on the paper. When the raised part of the type leaves the roller
D, the current passes through the long circuit and makes a mark in its

page_text: passage through the paper, the length of the mark depending on the
time the roller and type are separated, thus the short spaces on the typ
will cause a dot to be made on the paper, whereas the long spaces will
cause a corresponding length of mark on the paper. The arm and
roller D have a lateral motion parallel with the--axis of the drum by
means of the half nut h, which travels on the screw E, driven by the
pinion e; and tooth wheels f and g have the same number of teeth
cach, consequently the drum and screw travels at the same speed, one
having screw cut right-handed, the other. left. The roller D passes
along the spiral line of the type, from one end of the drum to the other,
when the roller and cam with the half nut can be lifted out of tho
screw, and moved. to the other end of the frame,-ready to commencé
with a fresh drum of type. The drums can be easily changed, merely
requiring to be lifted out of the bearings. F, is a frame for carrying a
rack and slide for arranging the type in a straight form for short
messages; this.is moved under the roller i, by a second pinion k; the
roller and arm D, with- the type are made to act in the same manner.
The current can be made to traverse through a short circuit by finger
key without the use of type, if occasion requires. I am aware that
moveable type and other similar means. have been used before for
transmitting intelligence by electricity, and therefore is not new, but
its use hitherto has been confined to making and breaking contact
between the battery and line, wires.. What I claim as new and distinct
is, the use of a short circuit for diverting the current from the line and
earth wires, for the purpose of indicating signals in apparatus included
in the circuit of the line and earth wires, and also the application of
moveable type or other suitable means for establishing a short circuit at
pleasure.
The receiving apparatus, or that in which the signals are marked on
the paper,
I propose to make in the following manner:-Sheet 12,
shows elevation; 18, plan; and 14, end elevation of the apparatus;
consisting of a train of wheel work driven by a barrel and weight; this
train actuates two slides moving at right angles to each other, by which
a style is moved backwards and forwards in parallel lines on a sheet
of moistened chemical paper; at the same time the style, has a motion

page_text: t right angles to the parallel lines at certain intervals, corresponding
vith the arrival of the style to near the margin of the sheet of paper,
by which a continuous motion is given to the style backwards and for-
wards, from the top of the sheet to the bottom, during the passage of
which, a series of dots and strokes will be formed by the current from
he apparatus (shown in Sheet 1), decomposing the solution in the
prepared paper in its passage between the style and the metallic tablet
on which the paper is laid. On referring to Sheets 12, 13, and 14, A
is a brass franie, consisting of two long plates connected together by
pillars a, a, a, a; on the top of this frame are placed two dovetail slides,
one B, working on the top and across the lower C; these slides are
kept in their places by dovetail slips; the slide C has a brass frame D,
with teeth cut on its inner edge, top and; bottom; within this frame is
seen the wheel E, with teeth on one side only; this wheel is fixed on
the centre pinion b, driven by the barrel .and wheel c, d; the whicel E
gives the frame Da, reciprocating motion, and moves, the top frame
work (consisting of the two slides, the pin wheel F, the star wheel and
pinion G, and the arm and style H), causing the style to travel parallel
lines on the zinc tablet I; the centro pinion b, carries a crown wheel
K, driving the long pinion L; this pinion drives the pin wheel F, and
requires to be of this, length, that the wheel F may always be in gear
with it while traversing with the slide C. The crown wheel K and
the pin wheel F have the same number of teeth, so that they move
with the same speed. There are two pins in the wheel F, and they are
so placed that just as the wheel E is about ungearing with the upper
row of teeth in frame D, and taking into the lower (at which time the
style has arrived at one side of the paper), one pin of the wheel moves
the star wheel G, which causes the pinion to move, the rack. and slide
B one tooth; this moves the style a short space lower on .the paper,
making the commencement of another line, the two being joined by a
curved, line, formed by the combined motions of the two slides. The
other pin on the wheel F comes into action when the frame D reaches
its other limit, the message being thus marked on the paper, in a con-
tinuous line throughout the sheet. The pinion G with the star wheel
can be pushed out of gear with the rack, so, that the latter with the

page_text: style can be moved on to the top of the tablet to commence another
sheet. If, instead of the wheel E and frame D, a wheel with teeth all
round, except about three eights of an inch, worked into a single rack
fixed on the slide C, the slide having a cord and weight, when the
wheel became disconnected from it (owing to the short space without
teeth) the weight would bring the rack back, and the wheel taking in
to it would move it on again; in this, parallel lines of dots and strokes
would be formed under each other, not connected, but the line would
be commenced always at the same side of the paper; but I prefer the
former, as being less liable to mistakes. M, is a spring, with break
rubbing on a plain part of the pinion L; this is adjusted by the spiral
spring and milled head N, and is for the purpose of altering and regu-
lating the speed of the train and slide, according to the speed with
which the intelligence is transmitted; a weighted fly O, on the end of
the pinion L, equalizes the speed of the train. The electro and permanent
magnets with the lever work, shown in the Drawing, is to enable the
sender to start and stop the receiving apparatus himself, something
similar to this lover work having been applied to telegraphic alarums
before. I make no claim to this part, except when used for the
purpose of stopping and starting apparatus of the kind it is here shown
in connection with. Its action is as follows:-The current in its
passage to the paper passes through the electro-magnet P, which,
attracting tho magnet R, allows the end of the levers to drop from the
catch t; this allows the weight u (fixed on the same axis as the lever)
to fall on the second lever v; the descent of this liberates the pin in
the crown wheel K, and the train starts. When the pin in the wheel
comes round again, it lifts the weight u by means of the tail w, but it
immediately falls again, as the levers will not touch the catch until the
current passes in the opposite direction through the electro-magnet, and
reverses the pole, when the permanent magnet would be repelled from
it and kept away by the spiral spring, so that during the working of
the telegraph the weight u would be lifted at every revolution of the
crown wheel, but would not stop the train until the sender reversed the
current, which he would do by pressing on a button with reversing
apparatus, without reversing the motion of the magnets machine; on

page_text: his doing this, the train would run until the pin came round to the
notch in the lever v, and thus allow the stylo to get to the left hand side
of the tablet, so that it always starts from the same side in the com-
mencement of a message; thus, several short messages may be built
up in type on the sending drum, which would be received on the paper,
each message commencing on a fresh line, if necessary. The slider
and rack are represented in the position they would be in when the
style had reached the bottom of the sheet. I do not confine myself to
the use of paper for receiving the marks, but propose to use calico, or
any
other suitable material, prepared in a proper manner. Sheet 15
shows another piece of apparatus for moving the material to be marked,
and is very useful when the current is transmitted from the machine;
when two wires are used, making two rows of dots, A, is frame carrying
barrel and wheel, driving a pinion prolonging through the frame, and
carrying the large wheel B, with rim wide enough to take the slip of
passes from
calico which has been previously wound on the drum C; it
the drum, under the roller in the vessel D, which contains the chemical
solution; the calico in passing through the two small rollers a, b, has
the surplus solution squeezed out; the moistened strip clings to tho
large drum B, with sufficient force to be drawn through the solution
and rollers by the train; the two points d, d, (both of which are shown in
Fig. 2) are connected with the two line wires, the drum being connected
with the earth; paper can be used, but is liable to be torn in drawing
11 and colution

page_text: instead of making and breaking contact between the said line circuit
and the generator of the electric current.
Thirdly, the method of numbering the wires in an electric rope or
cable by the introduction of a tape or yarn, or other materials, or by.
the painting or coloring of one side of the rope, or such like means, by
which, on looking at any part of the cable, each individual wire can be
known without the necessity of marking the wires.
Fourthly, the use of two magnetic needles fixed in the same plane,
or nearly so, on an axle, and actuated by an electro-magnet or coils of
wires excited by an electric current, for the purpose of giving signals or
discharging alarums, and also the use of horse-shoe or curved magnets
for partially neutralizing the inductive effect of the magnetic needles
on the soft iron of the coils, and for overcoming and regulating the
residual magnetism in the soft iron produced by powerful currents, or
from atmospheric or subterraneous currents of electricity. And I also
claim the method of counteracting the effect of the permanent magnets
in the machine on the magnetic needle, by the use of a plate or piece
of soft iron placed between the magnet and needles.
Fifthly, I claim the method of moving the style or marking apparatus
in the recording telegraph in parallel lines over the paper or other
material by suitable machinery, the paper being stationary, and also the
mode of marking the chemical paper by the passage of electricity from
the magneto-electric machine given off' by impulses; by the moving a
handle or lever, and the use of the apparatus, as described in the
Specification, for moistening and drawing the material over the wheel
or drum, and marking the same by electricity, as before described.
But I reserve the right to vary matters of detail and arrange-
ment.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Thomas Ilenley in the Great Scal
Patent Office on the 8th June 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, J,
WILLIAM THOMAS HENLEY, of St. John Street Road, Electrical En
gineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen. Victoria, by He
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the seven-
teenth year of Her. reign," did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Thomas Henley, Her special
licence that I, the said William Thomas Henley, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Thomas
Henley, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHE," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said William Thomas Henley, by an instrument in
writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascer-
tain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was
to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
:
NOW KNOW YE, that I; the said William Thomas Henley, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer
tained in and by the following statement:-
This Invention consists, firstly, of improvements in that portion of the
apparatus of electric telegraphs whence the mechanical force is derived
which is necessary to make the required signals; secondly, of improve-
ments in the arrangement of the wires through which the electric
current is caused to pass or traverse; and, thirdly, in the apparatus

page_text: same.
which receives the current, and thereby indicates the signals transmitted
from the primary instrument. And in order that my Invention inay be
well understood, I will proceed to describe it in detail, referring to the
Drawings hereunto annexed. Fig. 1, Sheet A, represents an elevation
of my improved magneto-electric machine; Fig. 2 being a plan of the
A' is a compound U or "horse-shoe" shaped magnet. Bis
the short armature, formed of any suitable material; I prefer, however,
pieces of iron hooping for the purpose. These are wound with insulated
wire and made to revolve between the poles of the magnet. In the
Figure the armature is shown mounted on a vertical spindle, with a
view to decrease the friction on the bearings, but I do not confine
myself to this or any particular mode of sustaining or supporting
the armatures. The armatures, instead of being in one bar, may
be of two or three, crossing each other, as shown by Fig. 1, Sheet B;
or they may be formed of pieces of iron cut into the shapes shown
by Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 6, Sheet B. Instead of a single maguct three
may be used, if preferred; these may be arranged to cross each other,
as shown in plan by Fig. 4. The number of currents induced by
each revolution of the spindle will depend on the number of poles in
the armatures. In order to make the current as nearly continuous as
possible, I attach to the ends of the armatures curved pieces of iron,
shown by a, a, Fig. 5, Sheet B. By this means the magnetic contact
between the armature and the magnet is prolonged during each revolu-
tion. As a current of electricity is given off on the armature leaving the
north polo of the magnet, and a current in the same direction as it
approaches the south pole, it follows that if the iron of the armature
arrives at one pole almost at the instant it leaves the other, the current
will be nearly continuous. For working (with moveable type) the
chemical telegraph it is essential that the current should be nearly con-
tinuous, but at the same time under the controul of the operator, so that
may direct it into another channel, if requisite, as will be hereafter
explained. In Sheet C, Figs. 1 to 5, is shown a modification of the
foregoing machine, the object of which is to intercept the "back
currents." By this machine the currents are transmitted in either
direction, according to the position in which the handle may be placed
he

page_text: 9, and
either to the right or left, and when moving back to the vertical
position, the "back current" is intercepted or cut off by the arrange-
ment hereafter described. In Figs. 1, 2, 3, A represents the magnet,
the poles of which are made somewhat narrower than the other part, as
shown in plan by Fig. 5. B is the armature which, when at rest, is in a
line with the poles of the magnet. a, b, and c, d, are springs for reversing
the direction of the currents; e, f, two insulated studs, to which the
ends of the wire on the armature are connected. In this arrangement
the armature moves from the magnet on either side, and according to
the direction in which the handle is placed the current will be induced
in the same direction, whichever side of the magnet the armature
leaves. The action of the apparatus is as follows:-On moving the
handle to the right, the stud f is brought into contact with the spring a,
the current passes down the spring to the line wire terminal
returns by the earth to the terminal h, and by the spring d to tho stude,
thus completing the circuit without passing through the needle coils of
the instrument. On moving the handle to the left the current passes
from the stud f, to the spring b, and to the earth by the terminal h,.
returning by the terminal . and spring c. In returning the handlo
to the vertical position a secondary current is produced in a direc-
tion contrary to that induced by the first motion. Now this machine
being intended to work a suspended needle moving in either direc-
tion or other similar telegraph, it is necessary to cut off this secondary
current, as it would entirely interrupt the proper working of the
machine. This is eflected in the following manner:-The axle carries
a stud, having a pin working in the slot of a circular slide, as shown by
Fig. 4; the stud is not insulated; the handle and pin are shown in a
vertical position; a spring m is seen resting on the metal of the slide,
and another spring rests on the opposite side: these springs with the
slide complete the circuit between the spring a and terminal g, and
allow the current to pass when the handle is moved to the right. Just
before the handle reaches its limit the pinj touches the end of the slot,
and moves the insulating piece of ivory or other material i, under the
spring k, and breaks the circuit, in which position it remains until
just before the handle reaches the vertical direction, when the pin
.

page_text: pushes the slide back into its former position. On moving the handle
to the left the pin moves the slide so that the insulating piece l
comes under the spring m, and cuts off the return current. When the
spring comes on the metal again, on bringing the handle to the
vertical position, some of the back current would still pass, but just
before that takes place the stud f leaves the spring a, or and
breaks the circuit at that point. Instead of interrupting the circuit
by means of the circular slide herein-before referred to, it may make
a short circuit for the passage of the back current: in that case, the
springs and m should be connected with the terminals g and h,
and instead of the two insulating picces i and 1, a larger piece,
occupying the space described between the two should be used, so
that in bringing the handle to the vertical direction the insulator
would be brought under the spring and remain so until the handlo
arrived at the inclined position, when the spring would come on the
metal again and open a short circuit for the back current without
passing through the telegraph. The springs a, b, rest on two studs
n, o, attached to the dial coils, so that when a current is sent from
a distant station it passes through them. Another modification of
the apparatus for intercepting the back current is shown by Figs.
1, 2, Sheet D. The break piece A is fixed on the axle as before;
a, b, are two segmental pieces of metal of the shape shown in the
Drawings, so that when the armature is in a vertical position the
line wire springs B, C, do not touch the break piece, but rest on
the studs D, E, which allows the current from the distant instrument
to pass through the dial coils and not through the coils of the
armatures. On moving the handle to either side the springs B, C,
are lifted off the studs, and the current from the break pieco passes
along the line wire through the distant instrument and back through
the earth, or vice versa. F is a permanent magnet fixed transversely
through the axis and uninsulated. G, II, are two pieces of iron or
two small bar magnets fixed by joints to a small frame work fastened
to the base of the instrument and kept in a vertical position by stops
c, d, and spiral springs c, f. When the handle is moved aside, just
before it reaches its limit, the magnet F, and one of the two smaller

page_text: ones G, H, attract each other and remain in contact until the handle is
nearly in a vertical position. When the magnet comes in contact with
one of the pins 9, 9', and is made to fall back to its former position, a
spring I presses against one of the segments, and conveys the current
to er from that end of the armature coil with which it is connected;
this spring is also connected with the frame carrying the two small
magnets. The magnet F is in contact with the other end of the coil,
so that when in contact with either of the small magnets a short circuit
is completed for the current from the coils; in this way the current set
in motion by the back movement of the armatures is diverted from the
ordinary channel. At the time of the magnets breaking contact with
each other, a current would still be in motion and would pass through
the coils on the dial, besides oxidizing the surface of the metal of the
magnets and making bad contact, which would have the effect of
partially stopping the passage of the current. To obviate this a spring.
K is fixed to the small frame work which supports the magnets G, H,
and rests against the magnet F when in the vertical position; this.
completes another passage for the short circuit just before the magnets
leave each other, and it remains in this position until the next move-
ment, when the short circuit is broken until the magnets touch each
other again, during which time the proper current passes and does
its work.
Very powerful magnetic currents may be obtained by simply detach-
ing the armature from the magnet. Hitherto this has been effected by
means of a lever, but has never been used to any extent on account
of the force required to detach the armature when in contact with
the magnet. Figs. 6, 7, Sheet C, represent a method of obtaining the
proper currents by incans of a lever and cam or lever and roller.
A, Fig. 6, is the magnet; B; the armature which touches the poles of the
magnet, and is attached to the lever C; D, is a second lever carrying:
the cam E, shown in dotted lines. When the lever D is depressed,
the cam acts with great power on the lever C, and detaches the
armature from the magnet, that portion of the cam which exerts the
greatest force is brought into action just at the instant of the separation
of the armature from the magnet; the other portion of the cam acts

page_text: with less power but greater speed, thus equalizing the resistance of the
armature and the power of the current. It is necessary in working
the needle telegraph that the handles should move perfectly easy and
not be subjected to any violent jerks or oscillations in detaching the
armature, which has always been the case in using the single lover
arrangement. A modification of the foregoing, in which the object is
accomplished by means of a short arm and roller, is shown by Fig. 7,
Sheet C. In this case the friction is less, but the greatest power is not
applied at the point of greatest resistance as with the cam. F, is a
spiral spring for lifting the lever within the sphere of attraction of the
magnet; it also serves to carry the current from the coils. The other
end of the wire being in connection with the metal work, a short circuit
spring C in connection with it touches a point on the lever C, when at
rest. The dial coils H are fixed to the door of the case. In this
machine both the primary and the back currents are used without
alteration. Figs. 8, 9, Sheet C, represent a machine on a similar
principle, in which the currents are obtained in either direction, as
shown by the foregoing Figures. A, is the magnet; B, the armature
attached to the lever; C, is a lever mounted on an axis and carrying
either two rollers or cams Figs. 8, 10. The armature is detached
from the magnet on moving the lever in either direction out of the
vertical. On the same axis as the lever C, is a break piece, Fig. 11,
similar to that shown in Sheet D, by which the currents are reversed
at pleasure, and the back current thrown into a short circuit by the
permanent bar magnet D coming in contact with the piece of iron c,
connected with one end of the coil, the other being in contact with
the bar magnet; the action is similar to that shown in Sheet D. Tho
large magnets are found to disturb the action of the dial needles when
suspended in the same case, to prevent which I fix a plate of iron
above the magnets, as shown by a, a, Fig. 6, 7, 8, 9, Sheets C; this
effectually protects the needles from the disturbing influence of the
magnets. In another modification a rotary motion is given to the
armature by a lever with a segmental rack and pinion with click and
rachet to allow the return of the lever while the coils are rotating.
This arrangement is useful when a current of some duration is required

page_text: by one simple motion. In the foregoing I do not confine myself to
any particular arrangement of the magnets, armatures, or levers, so
long as the principle is adhered to of using one or more levers with
cams or rollers, acting either upon the armature or on a second lever,
for the purpose of detaching or moving the armature from the magnet.
The second part of my Invention relates to improvements in connexion
with the transmitting medium, and consists of a method of numbering
the wires when they are laid or bound together, so that any particular
wire may be known on opening the ground or other place in which
they may be laid. The object of this is to avoid a disadvantage
attending the use of under-ground wires, namely, that in the ovent of
an accident occurring to one of these wires on opening the pipes or
tubes at the spot, it is necessary to cut several if not all the wires, and
try them before it can be found which is at fault. A mode of laying
the wires parallel with each other and covering them with tarred yarn,
was described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me, and
bearing date the Thirtieth day of July, One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-three. I now arrange the wires in the rope in such manner
that any particular wire may be easily found and traced throughout the
lines: the wires are passed through a guiding plate into the machine,
and a web or tape with a thick selvage at one edge is laid on, which
may be well coated with tar; the yarn is then wound on, the tape or
web occupying the position shown by Fig. 7, Sh' B. Fig. 8, is a
section of the rope thus prepared. If now the wire next the selvage
be designated N° 1, the next on the upper row 2, and the next 3,
numbering back the lower row to 6, then any particular wire may be
readily found or selected in whatever position the rope may be lying, in
the trough or tube, and this or a similar arrangement may be applied
to any number of wires, the manner in which the guide plates are
arranged, rendering it impossible for any of the wires becoming
displaced during the operation of covering. A modification of the
above is shown by Fig. 9, which is a section of a rope in which a piece
of tarred string is introduced instead of tape. The object may be effected
by introducing any other material or substance to indicate the top or
bottom sides of the rope; or the inner coating of yarn may bo painted

page_text: or colored in any particular manner; but it will not answer the purpose
o paint or colour the outer coating, as it becomes obliterated after lying
In the earth a short time.
The third part of my Invention has reference to tlie receiving part
of the apparatus after the current has been transmitted through the
line wires, and consists, firstly, of a new arrangement of the magnetic
needles and electro-magnets or coils for showing visual signals. Figs.
10, 11, 12, Sheet B, represent an electro-magnet made of soft iron,
either of a round or square form. An axis passes between the poles and
coils carrying at one end (outside the dial) an index or pointer, and at
the other or inner end two magnetic needles a, a; these are fixed in the
position shown in the Drawings placed a little above each other. The
needles are attracted to one side or the other according to the direction
in which the current may be sent; both ends of the needles are acted
on simultaneously each time the current passes. The electro-magnet
may be formed of one piece of iron or of two pieces connected by a
third forming the bend or back piece; but I prefer forming the straight
part of soft iron wire enclosed in tin or brass tubes fixed by flanges to
the back piece of soft iron, the wire being allowed to come in contact
with the iron. Instead of two needles of the curved form above
described, the horse-shoe shape may be used as shown by Figs. 14, 15,
Sheet B. When the pointer is intended to give signals on either side,
and remain in a vertical position when at rest, the needles are made
somewhat heavier below the point of suspension so as to bring them to
a vertical position by the action of gravity. If the back or connecting
piece of the coils be made of brass instead of iron, it reduces the residual
magnetism after the passage of the current; hence less weight will be
required to keep the needle in a vertical position. Weighted needles may
he used when the pointer moves from the vertical to one side only, as
the needle requires less force to move it when kept against the pin in a
vertical position by its weight, than it does when retained there by the
residual magnetisin. When the needle is required to move to one
side only, either of the machines shown by Figs. 6, 7, Sheet:C, may be
used, but when the needle is required to move either way from the.
vertical, the machine-with double cams or rollers as shewn by Figs. 8, 9,

page_text: Sheet C, or that shown by Figs. 1, 2, 3, Sheet C, may be used;
or the coils and needles may be worked by voltaic batteries with the
ordinary reversing apparatus, or with the reversing key specified in my
former Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of August, One thousand
eight hundred and forty-eight. But where soft iron is used in
connection with coils to deflect the magnetic needles, it is desirable to
operate on the needles of the distant instrument only and not on those
of the near instrument, as the latter would retain a greater amount of
residual magnetism than would be given by the action of the current
from the distant instrument. To divert the current from its own
needles, I make the instrument (when working with a voltaic battery),
with the reversing handle shown by Figs. 3, 4, Sheet D. A, is a metal
axle moving in bearings in the ordinary manner, and having an
insulated piece of metal B, which passes through and acts upon
either of two springs C, C; these springs are connected with the line
and earth wires, and rest on two studs D, E, which are in connexion
with the ends of the coils; another stud F, passes through the
axle and stops against the pieces of brass G, G. The action differs
from the ordinary reversing handle; the current when sent from
the distant instrument passes by the springs C, C, aud studs D, E,
through the coils on the dial, which are thrown out of the circuit when
the axle is moved. The insulated stud F is connected with one pole
of the battery by means of a small spiral communication spring, and
the other part of the axle with the other pole. When the cores or
iron wires are not connected with another piece of iron, the needles
may be arranged, as in Figs. 16, and 17, Sheet B, as the iron cores,
may have similar poles, standing in the same direction. When the
needles are suspended at the inner ends of the coils, as shown in the
Drawing, it affords great facility for remagnetising the needles, the dial.
being suspended from the door of the case, upon opening which the
needles can be readily got at, without displacing any portion of the
apparatus. Fig. 20, Sheet B, represents an arrangement of permanent.
magnets which has the effect of neutralizing the action of the magnetic.
needles on the soft iron. cores, and thus they become balanced, as it.
were, rendering thein wuch more susceptible of any change in the

page_text: polarity of the coils by the passage of a current. One of the magnets
may be moveable on the central screw a, affording a ready means of
adjustment to overcome residual magnetism from atmospheric currents
or other causes. As straight bar magnets have been used to bring the
needle to the vertical position, I claim only the using of curved or
horse-shoe magnets for that purpose, so that either pole may be brought
into action, by which means the effect is rendered more certain. Onc
magnet is shown in use at Figs. 10, 12, Sheet B. In the above de-
scribed telegraph only one magnet and armature, and one pair of dial
coils are referred to, but it will be understood that two of each are
intended to be used, if required, forming a double needle telegraph.
The next part of my Improvements in the receiving part of the
apparatus refers to that description of telegraph in which the message
is marked on chemically prepared paper by the passage of a current of
electricity decomposing the solution with which the paper or other
material may have been moistened. Hitherto an intermitting voltaic
current has been used for this purpose; the making and breaking con-
tact with the battery being effected by the pressure of the operator's
finger upon a button, or in a more rapid manner by mechanical means.
It has been found, however, that by this method the points of contact
do not conduct the current properly either from oxidation or other
causes. To obviate the objection I uso the magneto-electric current,
as being much better adapted for marking the chemically prepared
paper than the current derived from the voltaic battery, and instead of
allowing the current to pass by contact-making apparatus, as in the
ordinary way, I adopt the following arrangement:-The magneto
machine is always in the circuit, and when giving off a nearly conti-
nuous current, such as the machine shown by Fig. 1, Sheet A, the
current would make a continuous line on the paper, but is diverted,
when required, into a short circuit by moveable type fixed on a drum
or slide, which is made to pass under a point or roller; or the roller is
passed along the surface of the type, which is fixed in a suitable
position; or the short circuit may be made by the pressure of the
operator's finger or other mechanical means. In either case, the
current is free to pass through the circuit without depending on points

page_text: of contact, the short circuit only being dependent on points of contact,
the current of which being so much stronger through the circuit of a
few inches than in a length of many miles through line and earth, it
will readily overcome any imperfection in the contact. Another great
advantage in making short circuit is, that the current acquires a certain
velocity or momentum, which enables it to overcome a much greater
resistance in the line wires, and the current will thus mark the paper at a
distance of a hundred miles further when passed through a short circuit
first. During the time the current is passing through the short circuit
a blank is formed in the line on the paper; if the circuit is broken for
an instant a dot is marked on the paper; if a longer interval takes
place a stroke is made. When the machines shown by Figs. 6, 7,
Sheet C, are used, dots only are made on the papur, in which case two
wires are necessary; one wire will, however, be sufficient if either of
the machines, Figs. 1 and 8, Sheet C, be used, as it is well known the
currents in opposite directions will make different marks when two
metallic points, one of iron and the other of copper, are used. The
single acting machine, Figs. 6, 7, Sheet C, will be found very useful
with. two magnets each, for although two wires are necessary, signals
may be transmitted much faster than when visual signals have to be
depended upon. No short circuit is used in this apparatus for stop-
ping out the back current, and every time the lever is depressed a dot
is formed on the paper; the current induced by the return of the lover
makes no mark, as it is in the reverse direction; moving both levers
will make two dots; and two rows of dots with proper intervals
between the dots will form the alphabet such as used with the dial.
Figs. 1 to 6, Sheet A, represents another part of my improvements.
A represents a drum or cylinder with a screw thread cut round it for
receiving the moveable types, which are formed of metal with notches
in them, see Fig. 5. Fig. 6, Sheet A, shows the grooves of the screw
drawn to a larger scale. The sides of the screw thread are undercut to
keep the type from falling out, but at intervals the sides are parallel, in
order to allow the type to be dropped in and passed round. The
widened spaces must be long enough to admit the longest piece of
type, and if in the arrangement of it, one piece must of necessity

page_text: remain within one of these spaces, and thereby be liable to fall out, it
may be secured by a small pin or screw, a few of each letter being
made with a hole through them for that purpose. The type may be
easily made by having it cast in a ring the size of the circumference of
the drum, and turned in a lathe to a guage; the notches are then cut
in a wheel cutting engine, the long ones formed by cutting two ordi-
nary ones together, making each ring into one sort of letter; they are
then divided by a saw. This apparatus is shown in elevation by
Fig. 1, Shect A; in plan by Fig. 2; and end views Figs. 3, 4. C is
the magnetic machine driven by the band wheel a and pulley b; the
current from the armatures B passes by the break piece to the springs c
and 'd, which are in permanent connection with the lino and earth
wires, the drum A and type, and with the insulated arm and roller D.
The axis of the band wheel a is prolonged, and by means of the
pinion e, and toothed wheels f and g, gives motion to the drum A; con-
sequently during the time the roller touches the type, the current (which
will always traverse the best conductor and shortest road) passes to the
drum, and by the roller and arm D back to the machine again; a
small part of the current will still pass through the long circuit,.but
wholly inadequate to produce any effect on the paper. When the
raised part of, the type leaves the roller D, the current passes through
the long circuit, and makes a mark in its passage through the paper;
the length of the mark depending on the time the roller and type aro
separated, the short spaces on the type causing a dot to be made on
the paper, and the long ones a corresponding length thereon. The arm
and roller D have a lateral motion parallel with the axis of the drum
by means of the half nut h, which travels on the screw E, driven by the
pinion é and toothed wheel f; the toothed wheels fand 9 have each
the same number of teeth, consequently the drum and screw travel at
the same speed, one having tlic screw cut in a right-handed direction
and the other to the left. The roller D passes along, thic spiral line of
type from one end of the drum to the other, when the roller and cam
with the half nut can be lifted out of the screw and moved to the oppo-.
site end of the frame, ready to commence with a fresh drum of type.
The drums may be readily changed, as they merely require lifting out

page_text: of their bearings. F is a frame for carrying a rack and slide for
arranging the type in a straight form for short messages. This is moved
under the roller i, by a second pinion ; the roller and arm D with the
type is made to act in the same manner. The current may be made to
traverse through a short circuit by a finger key, if required. I am
aware that moveable type and other similar means have been used
before for transmitting intelligence by electricity, and therefore is not
new, but its use hitherto has been confined to making and breaking
contact between the battery and line wires. What I claim as new and
distinct is, the use of a short circuit for diverting the current from the
line and earth wires for the purpose of indicating signals in apparatus
included in the circuit of the line and earth wires, and also the appli-
cation of moveable type or other suitablo means for establishing the
short circuit at pleasure.
The receiving apparatus, or that by which the signals are marked on
the chemically prepared paper, I construct as follows:-Fig. 1, Sheet E,
is an elevation; Fig. 2, a plan; and Fig. 8, an end elevation of the
apparatus, which consists of a train of wheel work driven by a barrel
and weight or spring. This train actuates two slides moving at right
angles to each other, by which a style is moved to and fro in parallel
lines on a sheet of moistened chemical paper or other material; at the
same time the style has a motion at right angles to the parallel lines
at certain intervals corresponding with its arrival near the margin of the
sheet of paper, by which a continuous motion is given to the style
backwards and forwards from the top of the sheet to the bottom, during
the passage of which, a series of dots and strokes will be formed by the
current from the apparatus (shown by Fig. 1, Sheet A) decomposing
the solution witli which the paper is prepared in its passage from the
style to the metallic tablet on which the paper is laid. A. is a brass
frame consisting of two rectangular plates connected together by pillars
a, a, a, a; on the upper part of this frame are placed two dovetailed
slides, the one B' working on the top, and across the lower one C;. they
are kept in their places by dovetailed slips;. the slide C has a brass
frame D, shown separately by Fig. 4, with teeth cut on its' inner edge at
top and bottom. Within this frame is the wheel E, with teeth upon
the

page_text: one side only; this wheel is fixed on the centre pinion b, driven by th
barrel and wheel c, d. The wheel E gives the frame D a reciprocating
motion, and moves the top framework (consisting of the two slides), the
pin wheel F, the star wheel and pinion G, and the arm and style II
causing the style to travel in parallel lines on the metal tablet I; the
centre pinion b carries a crown wheel & driving the long pinion L; this
pinion drives the pin wheel F, and is required to be of this length that
the wheel F may always be in gear with it while traversing with the
slide C. The crown wheel k, and the pin wheel F, have the same
number of teeth, so that they move with the same speed. There are
two pins in the wheel F, which are so placed that just as the wheel E
is about ungearing with the upper row of teeth of the frame D, and
taking into the lower (by which time the style has arrived at one side
of the paper), one pin of the wheel moves the star wheel G, which
causes the pinion to move the rack and slide B one tooth; this moves
the style a short space lower on the paper, making the commencement
of another line, the two being joined by a curved line formed by the
combined motions of the two slides; the other pin on the wheel F comes
into action when the frame D reaches its other limit; the message is
thus marked on the paper in a continuous line throughout the sheet.
The pinion G, with the star wheel can be pushed out of gear with the
rack, so that the latter with, the style can be moved on to the top of the
tablet to commence another sheet. Instead of the wheel E, and frame
D, a wheel with teeth all round, excepting an interval of about three
cighths of an inch taking into a single rack, and fixed on the slide C,
may be used; the slide having a cord and weight when the wheel
becomes disconnected from it (owing to the interval without teeth), the
weight will bring the rack back, and the wheel taking in to it will move
it on again; in this manner parallel lines of dots and strokes will be
formed under each other not connected as in the foregoing arrange-
ment, but the line is always commenced at the same side of the paper.
I, however, prefer the first described arrangement as being less liable
to error. M is a spring with a break rubbing on a plain part of the
pinion L; this is adjusted by the spiral spring and milled head N,
which is for the purpose of altering and regulating the speed of the train

page_text: and slide according to the speed with which the intelligence is trans-
mitted. A weighted fly O, on the end of the pinion L, equalizes the
speed of the train. The clectro and permanent magnets, with the lever
work shown in the Drawing, is to enable the sender to start and stop
the receiving apparatus himself, something similar to this lever work
having been applied to telegraphic alarums before. I make no claim
to this part, except when used for the purpose of stopping and starting
apparatus of the kind it is here shown in connection with. Its action
is as follows:-The current in its passage to the paper passes through
the electro-magnet P, which attracts the magnet R, and allows the end
of the levers to fall on the catch t; this causes the weight u, which is
fixed on the same axis as the lever, to fall on the second lever v, the
descent of which liberates the pin in the crown wheel , and sets the
train of wheel work in motion; when the pin in the crown wheel k
comes round again, it lifts the weight u, by means of the tail w, but the
weight falls again immediately, because the lever will not touch the
catch until the current is passed in the opposite direction through
the electro magnet; so that during the working of the telegraph, the
weight u is lifted at every revolution of the crown wheel, but does not
stop the train of wheel work until the operator reverses the current, which
he may do by pressing on a button connected with the reversing appa-
ratus without however reversing the motion of the magneto machine.
By this means the permanent magnet R is repelled from the electro-
magnet P, and kept away by the spiral spring a. Thus the train of
wheel work runs until the pin comes round to the notch in the lever v,
which allows the style to be moved to the left hand side of the tablet,
so that it always starts from the same side in commencing a message.
In this manner several short messages may be set up in type on the
sending drum, which will be received on the paper consecutively, each
message commencing on a fresh line if necessary. The slides and racks
are represented in the position they would be in when the style has
reached the bottom of the sheet. I do not confine myself to the use of
paper for receiving the marks, but propose to use calico or other suitable
material prepared in a proper manner. Fig 5 & 6, Sheet D, show
another piece of apparatus for moving the material to be marked, which

page_text: is useful when the current is transmitted from the machine where two
wires are used, making two rows of dots. A is a frame - carrying the
barrel and wheel, driving a pinion prolonged through the frame, and
carrying the large wheel B fitted with a rim wide enough to take the
slip of calico which is wound on the drum C; from the drum the slip
passes under the roller into the vessel D; this contains the chemical
solution. The calico in passing between the small rollers a, b, has the
surplus solution squeezed out; the moistened strip clings to the large
drum B, with sufficient force to be drawn through the solution and
rollers by the train; the two points d, d, both of which are shown at
Fig. 2, are connected with the two line wires, the drum being 'con-
nected with the earth. A slip of paper may be used for the foregoing,
but is liable to be torn in drawing it through the rollers and solution.
Sheet F shows a new arrangement of apparatus for producing the
induced or magneto-electric current by means of an electric magnet for
working either the pointer instrument before described or for marking
chemically prepared paper. Figs. 1, 2, Sheet F, show the clectro-
magnet which is to be excited by a battery. B, is an armature or
temporary magnet surrounded by the coils of wire C, C, a continuous
length instead of separate strands, as in the electro-magnet A. I am
aware that an electro-magnet has been tried before for producing the
induced current for telegraph purposes in two ways. One was by sur-
rounding the battery coils on the electro-magnet with a secondary coil
of fine wire, as in the ordinary coil machines for giving shocks; but this
was not found practicable for telegraphic purposes. The second plan
was by the substitution of an electro-magnet for a permanent one in
the ordinary magnetic machine; in the latter case, from the great
attractive power of the electro-magnet, the revolving armature could
not be placed within a considerable distance of the magnet without
being forced into contact, and the inductive effect of the magnet on the
armature decreased rapidly, as the distance between them increased.
In my present arrangement, however powerfully the electro-magnet
may be excited, I can bring the armature and. magnet quite closo
together, and when the battery current is reversed, they may be actually
in contact or even made of one piece of metal, if necessary. The
'

page_text: electro-magnet and armature, Fig. 1, Sheet F, may be used in two
ways, either by simply breaking the battery contact from the electro-
magnet or by reversing the current. In the first case there will be
two currents induced similar to the currents produced by the machine
with the lever and cam, as described in reference to Figs. 6, 7, in
Sheet C, of this Specification. But the current produced on breaking
the battery current will be stronger than on making it, if this is
employed for working the pointer telegraph before described. The effect
of the strong and weak currents may be balanced by the adjusting
permanent magnets under the dial; but if this arrangement is used for
the chemical telegraph only the strong current should be employed; the
other passes in the opposite direction and makes no mark on the paper
or other material. When applied in this way two keys may be used,
such as represented in Fig. 3, Sheet F; one breaks contact with the
battery current when pressed down, or rather on pressing it with the
finger it makes contact, and on returning breaks the circuit. When
the key is moved, the battery current is set in motion through the coils
of the electro-magnet, and an induced current generated in the coils of
the armature both in making and breaking. The latter, in being
transmitted through the telegraph circuit, is made to mark (by means
of suitable apparatus before described) a dot on the chemically prepared
paper. When two wires are used and two electro-magnets with
armatures, each with a single key, two rows of dots are formed, by various
combinations of which the message is composed; but when one wire
only is employed some other distinctive mark besides a dot is necessary;
and in the ordinary chemical telegraph, when the battery current is
made to flow through the telegraph wire by prolonging the duration of
such flow, a long mark or stroke is produced, but the induced current,
as it acts instantaneously and is of very short duration, will only make
a dot; yet, by the rapid transmission of such currents, the dots may be
made to follow each other so closely as to be joined together, and thus
form a stroke, as in the chemical marking apparatus with revolving
armature, described in reference to Figs. 1 & 2, Sheet A, of this Speci-
fication. On this principle I adopt the second key, Fig. 4, Sheet F,
which, every time it is moved, makes two dots, so close together as to
C

page_text: join, and answering the purpose of a stroke. Each depression of tho
key, Fig. 3, causes a dot to be 'formed on the paper, and of the key,
Fig. 4, two dots forming the stroke. By an arrangement of these marks
a message can be transmitted with any of the well-known-telegraphic
alphabets now in use. When the circuit is broken at the time the key
is at rest, the key for making double dots or strokes is shown by Fig. 5,
Sheet F. A, is the key or lever moveable on its axis; this is connected
with one pole of the battery. On the under side of the key is a stud
which I prefer being made of platina; this presses on the spring b, and
makes contact with the wire on the electro-magnet. The other end of
the coil is connected with the piece of metal d, and by the spring c
with the piece of metal f; from this the current passes to the other pole
of the battery; before the key is pressed to its lowest limit; the spring
c is lifted from the piece of metal f, and this breaks the circuit; the
spring then comes in contact with the piece of metal f, and again
makes contact, which is a second-time broken in the upward motion of
the key when the stud leaves the spring b. A more simple key is that
shown by Fig. 4, Sheet F, where A is the key as before, with studs
above and below; these make contact alternately with the top and
bottom of the metal cock b; this breaks and makes contact twice at cach
up and down movement and forms a double dot or stroke the same as
the last key described, but in this arrangement the battery current is left
on when the key is at rest, but the operator may, by a button (separate
from this part of the apparatus), interrupt the circuit at the end of
the message. The current generated in the coils of the armature,
Fig. 1, Sheet F, passes through the ordinary short circuit established in
telegraph apparatus when at rest, and thus produces no effect. The
key for making a single dot is the same as before described, Fig. 3,
Sheet F.
9
: :..
I do not confine myself to this, particular arrangement, but use any
other construction of keys or handles which will produce the same
effect. The same arrangements may be applied. to magneto-electric
machines with permanent magnets, by having two levers to move the
the armature, one by giving it one motion and corresponding currents,
and the other two motions of the armature for one of the lever; or one

page_text: magnet and two armatures and levers can be used; or two magnets and
armatures and two levers, or the same with one lever either way, can
be made to produce the same effect.
Another mode of using the electro-magnet and armature, Fig. 1,
Sheet F, is by reversing the battery current. In the method above
described in which the battery current is only interrupted, it is better
to separate the magnet and 'armature by a thin piece of paper or other
non-magnetic substance, otherwise the armature does not lose its
magnetism wholly on breaking the battery current, and the induced
current is considerably weakened; but when the battery current is
reversed the magnet and armature may be closely fitted, or even mado
of the same picce of metal, but in the latter case it would be difficult to
wind the wire on. Close contact between the magnet and armature
greatly increases the effect, and reversing the battery current doubles
the strength of the induced current produced by merely breaking
contact, and what is of great advantage in the pointer telegraph, the
currents are of equal strength in each-direction.
For reversing the battery current the ordinary reversing key may be
used, or the key represented in Fig. 6, Shect F. A, is a lever or key,
with an axis at C; this is connected with one pole of the battery, say
the copper pole, the zinc is connected with the piece of metal Z, the
two stops a, and b, are connected with the coils on the two poles of the
magnet; two studs project from the lever to make contact with theso
stops respectively; on the other end of the lever two pieces of non-
conducting material are placed for lifting the two springs c and d, alter-
nately from the piece of metal Z; on the lower spring D, a stud projects
downwards, making contact at the proper time with the spring f; this
is for making short circuit with the wire on the armature when the key
is at rest, so that the current from the distant station may not have to
pass through the resistance of the fine wire on the armature. I also
employ this induced current in another way, that is by so arranging
the apparatus that the two induced currents produced by reversing the
battery current shall be inade to flow through the telegraph. wiré.in
one and the same direction, the two currents being passed in the

page_text: opposite direction at pleasure, although they would still both pass in
the same direction with respect to each other.
The advantage attending this method is this, in the pointer telegraph,
when the needle moves either way from the centre (being kept in a
vertical position by a weight), and in some other description of telegraphs
it is desirable to be able to pass any requisite number of successive
currents in either direction without any intervening current in the
opposite way. As before mentioned, on moving the armature of the
magneto-electric machine, or the key of the machine with electro-
magnet, either when the current is reversed or merely made and broken,
two currents are induced in opposite directions to each other, and in the
former part of this Specification apparatus is there described for neutral-
izing the effect of one current by causing it to pass through a short
circuit; but in the apparatus I am about to describe, these two opposite
currents are made to pass both in the same direction, by which the
whole power
of both currents is made available in either direction that
may be required. To produce this effect I use a double reversing
apparatus for reversing the battery current, and also the induced current
at the same time; it will thus be seen that whereas the natural effect of
reversing the battery current is to produce a reversed induced current,
by providing a second reversing apparatus to act on the induced current
at the same time, it is made to pass in the required direction, that is, the
two currents are made to pass in one and the same direction through
the telegraph wire, although they are in opposite directions as they issue
from the coils of the armature. I do not confine myself to any parti-
cular arrangement of apparatus for producing this effect, but an addition
to the key for reversing the battery current, represented in Figure 7,
Sheet F, answers the purpose very well. On the axis is fixed a
transverse piece of metal a, carrying at one end two studs which act on
two springs b, c; these springs are in contact with the two ends of the
coils on the armature; two other springs d, e, are also in contact with
the two ends of the armature coils, which alternately come in contact
with the piece of metal f, being moved by the other end of the trans-
verse piece of metal a; the end of this being insulated where it touches

page_text: the springs, suitable stops are placed to prevent the springs approaching
too near together when working a single needle or other instrument
requiring but one wire, and in which the currents from one armature
only require reversing; two finger keys are sufficient for transmitting
the current in either required direction, but when two wires and magnets
are used, then four keys can be employed, with one handle to each pair
of keys.
The induced current might be produced in the armature before
described by the battery current being passed through the electro-
magnet by means of a contact breaker worked by the current itself, by
which a continuous succession of currents would be produced, which
could be used with a finger key or handle in the manner of a constant
current for making dots and strokes on a prepared fabric, or for other
operations.
I also use apparatus for reversing the induced current from the
magneto-machine, with a reciprocating armature. I am aware that
apparatus has been used with the ordinary magneto-electric machines
with revolving armatures for transmitting the currents in one direction,
but this being old, and the action different from that of mine, I only
claim as new the application of reversing apparatus in the manner
before described.
The chemically prepared paper may be laid on a tablet, as before
described in this Specification, and in place of the style moving back-
wards and forwards on the paper, as there described, it may have a
circular motion, the laths being fixed above a train of clock work, a
spindle from the latter passing through a hole in the centre of the
tablet, and carrying an arm. A boss on this arm, to which the style is
attached, is made to approach the centre, (as the spindle revolves, by
means of a screw and mitre wheel driven by a mitre wheel on the
spindle passing from the clock work. For suspending and insulating
the wires of the telegraph I propose using an earthenware or glass
insulator of different shape to those hitherto used, preferring to make it
of the form sshown in Fig. 8, Sheet F, the flat sides and sharp edges
having a remarkable tendency to collect the water into drops in wet

page_text: '
weather, whereby the coating of moisture is broken between the part
where the wire is suspended, and the part attached to the post or
support, and consequently the insulation is thereby improved.**
Having described the nature of my Invention,, and the manner of
carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that.1 do not
confine myself to the precise details of arrangement herein shewn
and described, so long as the distinctive features of my Invention be
adhered to; but what I claim and desiro to secure by these Letters
Patent, is,―
Firstly, constructing magneto-electric machines with armatures
revolving or, moving within the poles of the magnet or magnets, as
herein-before described and shown; also, constructing the magneto-
machines with lever and cam, or cams, or rollers for detaching the
armatures from the magnets, or moving the armature and the magneto-
machines with the reversing apparatus herein-before severally described
and shown by the Drawings.
Secondly, I claim the use of the short circuit established at pleasure
for diverting the current from the line circuit in working telegraphs,
instead of making and breaking contact between the--said line. circuit
and the generator of the electric current, as herein-before described
and shown.
-
Thirdly, I claim the mode of numbering the wires in an electric ropo
or cable by the introduction of a tape or yarn or other materials, or by
painting or coloring one side of the rope, or such like means by which
on looking at any part of the cable each separate wire can be knowii,
without the necessity of marking the wires separately, whether they are
laid parallel or twisted.
Fourthly, I claim the use of two magnetic needles fixed in the same
plane or nearly so, on an axlo,,and actuated by an electro-magnet or
coils of wire excited by an electric current,' for 'the: purpose of giving
signals or discharging, alarums; and also the use. of. horse-shoo or
curved magnets, for partially neutralizing the inductive effect of the
magnetic needles on the soft iron of the coils, and for overcoming and
regulating the residual magnetism.in.the soft iron produced by powerful

page_text: currents, or from atmospheric or subterraneous currents of electricity.
And I also claim the method of counteracting the effect of the per-
manent magnets in the machine, on the magnetic needle by the usc
of a plate or piece of soft iron placed between the magnet and the
needles, as herein-before described.
Fifthly, I claim the method of moving the style or marking appa-
ratus in the recording telegraph in parallel lines over the paper or
other suitable material, the paper being stationary; and also the mode
of marking the chemical paper by the passage of electricity from the
magneto-electric machine, given off by impulses by the moving a handle
or lever.
Sixthly, I claim the use of a fixed armature surrounded by coils of
wire to be used, in conjunction with an electro-magnet, for obtaining
the induced currents for transmission through insulated wire, whether
such currents are produced by simply making and breaking the battery
current, or by reversing it, either by mechanical means, or by the action
of the current itself.
I also claim the mode of reversing the alternate induced currents,
so as to transmit any number of them in succession in one and the
same direction through the line circuit, and to change the direction
at pleasure, whether such induced currents are produced by means
of a battery or by the magneto-electric machine with reciprocating
action.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Thomas Henley, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Fifth day of June, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-
four.
WILLIAM THOMAS HENLEY. (L.S.)