Improvements relating to Night Signalling and to Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 14th May, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 15th Feb., 1892-Accepted, 2nd Apr., 1892
Improvements relating to Night Signalling and to Apparatus
therefor.
I, VINCENT STEPHEN, 49 Park Road Haverstock Hill, in the County of
Middlesex Master Mariner and Electrician do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to an improved method of night signalling and to apparatus
therefor.
The ordinary mode of semaphore signalling as practised in the navy answers very
well in day light but at night it is altogether unsuitable.
Attempts have been made to adapt the method to night signalling by illuminating
the semaphore arms so as to render them visible when in use. One method of
illumination that has been tried is by means of rows of incandescent lamps placed
along the arms the said lamps being so arranged as to be instantly thrown in and
out of circuit by suitable levers or switches. Such illumination is however too
feeble to be visible at great distances and hence is unsatisfactory besides involving
cumbersome apparatus.
According to my invention I adopt the semaphore system but instead of using
tangible semaphore arms I make use of intangible beams of light. I provide for
throwing out the beams of light preferably in a vertical plane, and in the direction
corresponding to the seven positions of the arms in the semaphore system and I so
arrange that I may have one, two or more beams of light visible at the same
moment or I may have none visible. By employing in connection with my
improvements a powerful search light I provide for exhibiting semaphore signals of
great brilliancy which can be seen distinctly at great distances and which answer
all the requirements of night signalling.
I may employ any suitable form of lamp for showing the desired semaphore
signals but I prefer to use a lamp substantially of the following construction, that
is to say, I employ a lamp similar in construction to an ordinary arc search lamp
but instead of having an open front which allows of the direct issuance of the light
rays, the lamp is provided with an octagonal pyramidal reflector placed in the path
of the light rays and having the apex of the pyramid facing the light. The sides
of the pyramid are arranged to make an angle of 45° with the base. The effect of
such an arrangement is that the light falling on the reflector is split up into eight
beams which are caused to travel in a direction at right angles with the original
beam. In practice the beam which travels vertically downward is not required and
therefore the corresponding face of the reflector need be a blank only, so that seven
beams only are formed corresponding with the seven positions of the semaphore
signals. If necessary I may provide a concentrating lens in the shell or casing of
the lamp to concentrate the rays and cause them to issue in parallel beams. Out-
side each said lens, or each aperture, where the concentrating lenses are not
employed, I arrange a cover or shutter hinged to the casing in such a manner that
it can be opened and closed so as to shut off the beam when required. Links or
levers are coupled to the said shutters and to. handles which are brought together
in a convenient place for operating. The said handles may be near the lamp or at
a distance therefrom as desired. In some cases where it is desirable to operate
the shutters from a distance I find it convenient to effect this by electrical devices.
I prefer that the shutters be provided with springs or equivalent means for closing
the same automatically when released.

page_text: It is obvious from the above description that I may have all the shutters closed
so as to show no light, or that I may open one, two or more simultaneously and
thus exhibit one, two or more semaphore beams, and further that I may instantly
change the beams that are exhibited by closing the shutters and opening others.
My improvements may be applied to a search lamp or projector, such as is at
present in common use, by arranging the reflectors and shutters with their actuating
devices in a box adapted to be attached to the front of the said lamp and forming a
prolongation of the same.
Although I have described a lamp provided with an octagonal pyramidal reflector
and with shutters for showing semaphore beams it is obvious that I may modify
this arrangement in many ways. For instance I may employ a conical reflector
which will show a sheet of light, and I may arrange fixed openings in the lamp
casing with or without lenses in the positions corresponding to the semaphore signals,
or I may provide only two openings in the casing either or both of which may be
closed when desired and I may arrange for rotating the casing so as to alter the
position of the said openings and so change the position of the semaphore beams. In
this arrangement the beams are permanently visible except in one position as for
instance when they are pointing vertically downwards and they are moved from one
position to another in the manner of ordinary semaphore arms.
Or instead of employing a conical reflector I may use a pair of reflectors so
mounted within the lamp as to be capable of rotation independently of each other,
for the purpose of changing the positions of the reflected beams.
Where it is desirable to render the semaphore beams more clearly defined I may
provide for injecting into the said beams jets of steam, smoke, water or vapour,
and I provide for controlling the said jet so that it shall only be applied when
required.
I am aware that rays from search lights have been heretofore used for signalling
purposes according to the Morse code by moving for example the ray about with
more or less amplitude of motion or first on one side and then on the other to
represent the well known dots and dashes. This however differs entirely from my
system, where the movement of the rays means nothing but where the resulting
positions of the beams denote letters.
Under some circumstances a coloured ray may be desirable I therefore provide
for the use of coloured glasses or lenses to give the wished for effect.
Although I have described my improvements as applicable to the system of
semaphore signalling as used in the navy, that is to say, to a system of signalling
where seven positions of the semaphore arms are employed, it is obvious that I may
adapt my improvements to any and every system of semaphore signalling.
Dated this 14th day of May 1891.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Night Signalling and to Apparatus
therefor.
I, VINCENT. STEPHEN, of 49 Park Road Haverstock Hill in the County of
Middlesex, Master Mariner and Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to an improved method of night signalling and to apparatus
therefor.
The ordinary mode of semaphore signalling as practised for example in the Royal
Navy is sufficiently serviceable in daylight, and attempts have been made to adapt

page_text: the method to night signalling by illuminating the semaphore arms so as to render
them visible when in use but the modes of illumination employed have been too
feeble and moreover have necessitated, the use of cumbrous apparatus.
According to my invention I adopt the semaphore system but instead of using
tangible semaphore arms I make use of beams of light.
I provide for projecting the beams of light preferably in a vertical plane, and in
directions corresponding to the seven positions of the arms in the semaphore system
and I so arrange that I may have one or more beams of light visible at the same
moment or I may have none visible. I employ in connection with my improvements
a powerful light preferably an electric are light, and am then enabled to exhibit
signals of great brilliancy which can be seen distinctly at great distances and which
answer all the requirements of night signalling.
In order that the nature of my said invention may be cleary understood I will
now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a projector such as is commonly employed for
naval purposes, fitted with my improved apparatus, and
Figure 2 is an end view of the same,
Figure 3 is a portion of Figure 1 and illustrates means whereby apparatus con-
structed according to my invention may be operated electrically,
Figure 4 is a longitudinal central section of the rear end of a projector similar to
that which is shown in Figure 1, provided with an alternative form of my improved
apparatus hereinafter fully explained and
Figure 5 is a transverse section on the line of Figure 4.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the
drawings.
With reference first to Figures 1 and 2 :-
A is an are lamp of any suitable type such for instance as is used for ordinary
search-lights and projectors. B is a concave mirror fixed in a cap secured to the
rear end of the case of the projector. Attached to the front end of the projector
case is a casing C which contains the reflector which I use to subdivide and deflect
the light so as to cause it to issue in various directions in preferably a vertical
plane. The said reflector consists of an octagonal pyramid D the axis of which
coincides with that of the mirror B as shown in Figure 1. The reflecting faces D'
of the pyramid preferably make an angle of 45° with the axis. I make all the
inclined faces of the pyramid, reflecting surfaces except the lowermost one which I
have marked D. Opposite to the seven reflecting faces of the pyramid the casing (
is pierced with seven apertures C' of suitable size and shape; these apertures are
provided with independent shutters or covers E hinged at E and having levers E
secured thereto. The end E³ of each lever E³ is connected by a link F to the
arm G of a second bent lever which is pivoted at G¹ and furnished with a handle G².
Springs H attached to the front of the case and to the arms G tend to keep the
said handles in the position in which they are shown in the drawing and thereby to
maintain the shutters in a position closing the apertures as is clearly shown in
Figure 1. It must be clearly understood that each aperture is furnished with a
shutter, lever, connecting rod, handle, and spring, arranged as shown in Figure 2,
or in cases where the apparatus is to be operated from a distance with a shutter
lever connecting rod, armature and spring as shown in Figure 3, wherein is an
electro-magnet secured to the casing C and provided with terminals I' to which are
connected conductors the current in which is controlled by any suitable switch
arrangements at a distance from the projector. G³ is an armature which is pivoted
to the casing at G' and used instead of a lever G2 seen in Figure 1, said armature
being connected to the shutters E in like manner to the lever by a rod F provided.
with a spring H I may use lenses fixed in the apertures in the outer case if
desired.
With reference to the modification of my apparatus illustrated in Figures 4 and 5
↓

page_text: the casing C is pierced with a number of peripheral apertures C² arranged in two
series in the present example. J is a shaft firmly secured in the casing C, in the
axial line thereof, its inner end being borne by the standard J. K is a collar
mounted upon the shaft J and having a handle L secured to its outer end as shown
so that the collar may be rotated upon the said shaft.
M is a similar collar of greater diameter mounted upon the collar K and rotatable
thereupon by means of the handle N which is secured to the said collar M. A
series of arms O is provided upon each collar, the arms upon each collar being
connected at their outer ends by rings P. The arms upon the collar M are also
connected to a disc M' mounted upon or otherwise attached to the said collar. By
turning the handles L and N the collars K and M and their attachments may be
simultaneously or independently rotated about the axis of the projector.
Between two adjacent vanes of each series a mirror Q is mounted, and in each
ring Pan aperture P¹ is formed opposite to each mirror through which apertures
the light received from any suitable source in a parallel beam as described with
reference to Figure 1 is directed by the said mirrors.
Instead of the plane mirrors Q, mirrors which are suitably curved may be
employed if desired.
The operation of my apparatus is extremely simple, and will now be described.
With reference first to Figures 1 and 2 light from the arc is reflected by the concave
mirror B in a parallel beam which falls on the pyramidal reflector D by which it is
split up into seven beams, which, if the axis of the projector be horizontal will lie
in a vertical plane. The seven beams of light from the reflector are however
intercepted by the shutters E when the latter are closed. By depressing the
handles G2 the corresponding shutters are lifted and the beams of light are
thereby allowed to pass out through the apertures. The apertures and reflector
being arranged to send the beams of light in directions corresponding with the
seven positions of the semaphore arm used in signalling it is obvious that I can
by properly manipulating the handles produce signals according to the ordinary
semaphore code. With reference to Figure 3 the shutters are similarly operated
by the magnets which are controlled from a distance by any suitable circuit
closing device, to cause them to attract their armatures G³ which by means of
the rods F operate the shutters in the same manner as when the said rods are
operated by handles.
To operate the modified apparatus illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 the handles L
and N are turned to rotate the mirrors Q simultaneously or independently about
the axis of the projector, to reflect light from either of the mirrors Q any of
the apertures C in the series appropriated to each mirror, to produce signals
according to the ordinary semaphore code.
In another modification of my apparatus I only provide two apertures in the
casing either or both of which are capable of being closed when desired by any
means such as those hereinbefore mentioned; I then make the outer case in two
parts with the two apertures capable of independent rotation about the horizontal
axis so that the beams may be shifted to the different positions required. In
this form, the two parts of the case are rotated by means of crank handles and
the apertures so placed that the beams will be projected in the same directions
as the semaphore arms in present general use. In this modification I
instead of a pyramidal reflector two mirrors adjusted in the projector in positions
opposite the said apertures and each rotatable with the corresponding portion of
the casing.
may use
In any arrangement my apparatus I may use coloured glasses at the apertures
so as to colour the beams of light or I provide for injecting into the said beams
jets of smoke steam or vapour in order the more clearly to define the same.
I furnish suitable cocks or devices for controlling the jets of smoke or the like
so that they shall only be employed when required.
It is inmaterial what kind of lamp is used as long as it be sufficiently

page_text: powerful, an arc lamp as above mentioned is very suitable for the purposes of
my invention but I do not limit nyself to the use of that kind of light. It is.
obvious also that for the various arrangements of reflectors herein before described,
arrangements of combined reflecting and prismatic refracting devices might be
substituted to obtain similar results.
Although I have described my improvements as applicable to the system of
semaphore signalling in use in the Royal Navy where seven positions of the
semaphore arms are employed yet I do not confine myself to that system as I
may easily adapt my said improvements to any and every system of semaphore-
signalling.
I am aware that apparatus has been made and used wherein rays and beams.
of light have been utilized for signalling purposes according to dot and dash systems.
of signalling, or instead of flags in the well known system of flag signalling, but.
in these cases the signal is given by the movement of the ray or beam over a
greater or less are, whereas the position or direction of the rays or beams
indicates in my system the nature of the signal and the movement of the rays.
if there be any is of no account.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said.
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. For night signalling by the semaphore system the use of beams of light.
caused to issue into the atmosphere at angles corresponding with the positions.
of the semaphore arms.
2. In apparatus for employment in a semaphore system of night signalling, a.
pyramidal reflector substantially as herein before described and for the purposes
specified.
3. In apparatus for employment in a semaphore system of night signalling the
combination of a mirror upon which the rays from a source of light are received
a pyramidal reflector or any suitable arrangement of prismatic refracting apparatus.
for receiving, light from the said mirror and for projecting it in a predetermined
direction or directions and a casing enclosing the said parts and provided with
apertures for the emission of light which are provided or unprovided with lenses.
or glasses plain or coloured and provided with shutters for opening and closing
the said apertures, substantially as hereinbefore described, and for the purposes.
specified.
4. In apparatus for employment in a semaphore system of night signalling the-
combination of a mirror arranged to produce a parallel beam of light, a
pyramidal reflector to deflect the said beam of light into the vertical plane, and.
an outer casing in two parts provided with an aperture in each, and each
separately and independently rotatable round a horizontal axis substantially as.
and for the purpose specified.
5. In apparatus for employment in a semaphore system of night signalling, the
combination of a mirror arranged to produce a parallel beam of light, two.
reflectors to deflect the beam into the vertical plane, and an outer casing in two
parts provided with an aperture in each opposite the said reflectors, said parts-
of outer casing being adapted to be rotated with the said reflectors round a.
horizontal axis substantially as and for the purpose specified.
6. In apparatus for employment in a semaphore system of night signalling the
combination of a mirror arranged to produce a parallel beam of light, a casing.
provided with a number of peripheral apertures, and one two or more reflectors.
rotatable so as to reflect light through any of the said apertures substantially
as specified.
7. The combination with the apparatus for night signalling herein described
of clectrical devices by means of which the flaps or shutters thereof may be
operated, for the purpose specified.

page_text: 8. The use of jets of smoke, steam, or vapour, for more clearly defining the
beams of light, substantially as described.
9. The improved apparatus for night signalling substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 13th day of February 1892.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.