Improvement in Signals.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 11th Aug., 1900
Improvement in Signals.
I, MATHIAS PFATISCHER, of No. 162, West Coulter Street, in the City of Philadel-
hia, in the State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Electrical Engineer,
lo 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
tatement:-
My invention relates to an arrangement of conductors, switches, etc., whereby
signals may be transmitted electrically and manifested by the illumination of an
electric lamp or lamps.
It is the object of my invention to provide simple and efficient means for sig-
nalling between distant stations, under circumstances where it is necessary or
desirable that an acknowledgment of the correct receipt of a given signal may
be immediately returned to the initial end of the line. Such conditions exist
upon naval vessels where the commanding officer must be immediately apprised
whether his orders transmitted to the engine room are, or are not, understood, I
have therefore, shown and herein describe a form of my invention arranged for the
transmission of the customary signals between the bridge and the engine room
upon ship board; however, it is to be understood that my improvements are not
limited to such an embodiment.
In the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, respectively show modified
embodiments of my invention, in simple form, arranged to manifest signals solely
by the illumination of lamps.
Figs. 4, and 5, show modified embodiments of my invention including audible
sounding devices.
Fig. 6, is a diagram showing a convenient arrangement of my invention,
adapted to manifest a plurality of signals.
Although as above indicated my invention is designed to transmit and return
signals, in alternation, between opposite stations in a line circuit; for convenience
of description, I shall hereinafter term the station at which the signals originate,
the transmitting station, and the other, the receiving station.
Referring to Fig. 1; A, is the transmitting station, and B, the receiving station.
connected by the line circuit C, which includes a generator or other source of
current D. The transmitting station A, comprises a signal lamp a, and switch A¹,
and the receiving station B, comprises a signal lamp b, and resistance 6, in the
line circuit. The conductor e, connects with the line C, at the opposite sides of
the resistance *, and includes a switch B', whereby the current in the line may
be modified by the establishment of a shunt circuit through c, around said
resistance b*.
The arrangement of the parts just described is such that closure of the switch A¹,
at the transmitting station A, establishes a current through the lamp a, thereat,
and the lamp b, at the receiving station B. It being then desired to return a
signal, from the receiving, to the transmitting station: the switch B¹, is closed.
and the current existing through the lamps a, and b, is accordingly modified by
the short circuit established around the resistance 6*, and, such modification of the

page_text: '
current being manifested in the altered illumination of the signal lamp a, the
operator at station A, is apprised that his signal has been received at B.
In the form of my invention shown at Fig. 2, the shunt conductor c; connects
with the line C, upon opposite sides of the lamp b, and, the resistance coil b, being
omitted; the signal lamp b, serves as the resistance which is short circuited by the
closure of the switch B¹. The current existing through the signal lamps being
modified by the movement of said switch, a difference in the illumination is of
course manifested, as aforesaid.
In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 3, the shunt circuit c, connects with
the line C, upon opposite sides of the lamp b, and includes a lamp B*. In order
to secure the maximum manifestation of the signals, in this form of my invention;
I prefer to have the lamp b, of greater resistance than the lamp a, or the lamp 1;
for instance, a, may equal 50 volts, b, 100 volts, and B, 50 volts. By such an
arrangement, the lamp b, may be illuminated by closure of the switch A¹, without
the illumination of the lamp a; the coarser filament of the latter permitting the
flow of current without apparent incandescence. When however, the switch B
is closed, at the receiving station, the lamp b, is bridge circuited, and dimmed, and
both of the lamps a, and B*, are illuminated by the consequent modification of
the current existing in the circuit C.
In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 4, the line circuit C, at the receiving
station B, includes not only the lamp b, but also a sounding device E, such as a
bell; and, closure of the switch A', at station A, suffices to illuminate said lamp 6,
and operate the sounding device E. When however, the switch B', is turned to
connect with the shunt e, the lamp b, is extinguished; the operation of the sound-
ing device E, terminated; and both the lamps B*, and a, at the respective stations,
illuminated.
In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 5, one side of the circuit C, com-
prises an additional parallel conductor e, which includes a sounding device F,
such as a bell, at the transmitting station A; and the terminal f, of said conduc-
tor c, is so disposed at the receiving station B, that the switch B³, contacts there-
with, in its traverse to contact with the terminal of the shunt c.
With the form of my invention shown in Fig. 5, the current established in the
circuit C, by the closure of the switch A¹, at the station A, illuminates the lamp b,
and operates the sounding device E, at the receiving station B; and movement of
the switch B', in the direction of the arrow, shunts said current temporarily
through the sounding device F, at the transmitting station A, and, further move-
ment of said switch B¹, to contact with the terminal of the shunt circuit e, discon-
nects the circuit c; terminates the operation of the sounding device F: and illu-
minates the lamps B, and a. A visible and audible signal is therefore given at the
station B, by the closure of the switch A', at the transmitting station, and a visible
and audible signal is given, in return, at the transmitting station, by the closure of
the switch B¹, at the receiving station.
It is to be understood that although I have shown and described various forms
of my invention as comprising single lamps, at the transmitting and receiving
stations; respective groups of lamps, comprising any desired number, may be
located at the transmitting and receiving stations; the corresponding lamps of
the groups being connected by distinct conductors arranged in parallel upon one
side of the line circuit C, whose opposite side may consist of a single, common,
conductor. For instance, the form of my invention shown in Fig. 5, may be
arranged to manifest a plurality of signals as shown in Fig. 6; wherein, the
transmitting and receiving stations A, and B, comprise corresponding groups of
eleven lamps a¹, to all, and b¹, to 61, respectively.
The arrangement shown in Fig. 6, is peculiarly adapted for signalling upon
ship board, the transmitting station A, being located at the bridge, and the receiv-
ing station B, in the engine room. The lamps of the respective transmitting and
receiving groups being arranged in circular arcs as shown, the corresponding
lamps a, and b¹, centrally located at the top of their respective groups serve to

page_text: indicate the signal "stop," and the lamps immediately to the right and left thereof
indicate the signal "stand by," or attention;" the lamps to the right and to
the left thereof indicate respectively the signals for going ahead and going astern,
with increasing speed in accordance with their distance from the central lamps a¹,
and b; the lamp next to that meaning "attention," indicating "dead slow speed,"
and the others, "slow speed," "half speed," and "full speed," respectively.
I have shown in Fig. 6; the sounding device F, at the transmitting station con-
nected by the parallel conductor c*, with the terminals f, at the receiving station.
The sounding device E, at the receiving station B, comprises two differential coils;
the coil e, being included in the line circuit C, and the coil e', being included in
the shunt circuit c. Said coils are alined and provided with a reciprocatory core e²,
arranged to strike upon the gong e, and, the operation of the apparatus is as
follows:-
It being desired to signal from the bridge station A, to the engine room station B,
to go astern at "slow speed," the switch lever A¹, is set in registry with the lamp a³,
upon the left hand side of the transmitting group, and, the lamps in the system
being of different resistance, as above described, the lamp a, remains substan-
tially unilluminated, by the current established through it, but the corresponding
lamp 69, in the group at station B, is illuminated. Simultaneously with the
illumination of said lamp 69, the coil e, is energized, and the core e²,
shifted to the position shown in said Fig. 6, thus sounding the gong e³. In order
to return a signal to the bridge station A, in acknowledgment of the correct
receipt of the foregoing signal; it is necessary to shift the switch lever B¹, to
register with the energized lamp 6, and, the lever B¹, in passing, contacts with
one of the terminals f, of the conductor e, and, through the latter actuates the
sounding device F, at the station A. Further movement of said lever B¹, to
register with the lamp 69, breaks the circuit through said conductor c*, and estab-
lishes a circuit around the lamp 69, through the shunt c; with the effect that said
lamp 69, is dimmed, and the lamps B, a, illuminated. The current sent through
the coil e, in the shunt c, in giving the return signal, serves to return the core e²,
to its normal position, away from the gong e³.
Of course the operator at station A, may place the switch lever A¹, in registry
with any one of the lamps a³, to a, with a resulting operation similar to that
above described. It is to be noted however, that no return signal can be given
by the operator at the receiving station, unless. the switch B¹, is placed in registry
with the particular lamp of the series 61, to 6, by which the initial signal has
been manifested. Therefore, the greatest accuracy in the exchange of signals
results from the fact that the operator at the receiving station not only receives
an audible signal, calling his attention to the visible manifestation at the indicating
instrument, but, his attention must be further concentrated upon the particular
signal, in placing the switch B3, in registry therewith, to effect said return signal.
and of course, if the transmitting operator does not receive the return signal, at
station A, it is evident that some mistake has occurred, and the desired signal may
be again transmitted.
Although I find it convenient as aforesaid to provide a sounding device, by which
the attention of the operator may be attracted to the signal lamps, it is to be
noted that the sounding device is not an essential element of my invention, which,
in its simpler form, consists of the corresponding lamps at the respective stations,
and the means for modifying the current therethrough, as hereinbefore more par-
ticularly described.
Moreover, although it is a desirable refinement of the apparatus to employ
corresponding lamps of respectively different voltage at the transmitting and
receiving stations, and thus secure the maximum variation of illumination, as
above described, it is to be understood that this feature is not essential to the
operation of my invention.
Various modifications may be made in the precise details of construction and
arrangement of the various parts of my invention without departing from the

page_text: spirit thereof, and therefore, I do not desire to limit myself to the precise form
or arrangement which I have shown and described.
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. In an electric signalling device, the combination with a line circuit including
a source of current and transmitting and receiving stations, of a lamp at the trans-
mitting station, a lamp at the receiving station,-means at the transmitting sta-
tion to establish a current through both lamps, and means at the receiving sta-
tion to modify the current through the lamp at the transmitting station, substan-
tially as set forth.
2. In an electric signalling device, the combination with a line circuit including
a source of current and transmitting and receiving stations,-of a lamp at the
transmitting station a lamp at the receiving station, means at the transmitting
station to establish a current through both lamps.-and means at the receiving
station to short circuit the lamp thereat, and thereby modify the current through
the lamp at the transmitting station and increase the illumination thereof, sub-
stantially as set forth.
3. In an electric signalling device, the combination with a line circuit including
a source of current and transmitting and receiving stations, of two different lamps
located respectively at said stations, means at the transmitting station to estab-
lish a current through both lamps,--and means at the receiving station to short
circuit the lamp thereat, and thereby increase the illumination of the lamp at the
transmitting station, substantially as set forth.
4. In an electric signalling device, the combination with a line circuit including
a source of current and transmitting and receiving stations,-of a lamp at the
transmitting station, two lamps at the receiving station,--means at the trans-
mitting station to establish a current through the lamp thereat, and through one
of the lamps at the receiving station, and means at the receiving station to
bridge circuit the energized lamp thereat, through the second lamp thereat, to
illuminate the latter and modify the current through the lamp at the transmit-
ting station. substantially as set forth.
5. In an electric signalling device, the combination with a line circuit including
a source of current and transmitting and receiving stations, of a lamp at the
transmitting station, a lamp at the receiving station, a sounding device at the
receiving station,-means at the transmitting station to establish a current through
both of said lamps and operate the sounding device,—and means at the receiving
station to simultaneously terminate the operation of the sounding device, and
modify the currrent through the lamp at the transmitting station, substantially
as set forth.
6. In an electric signalling device; the combination with a line circuit including
a source of current and transmitting and receiving stations, of a lamp at the
transmitting station, a lamp at the receiving station-a sounding device at the
receiving station-means at the transmitting station to establish a current through
both of said lamps and operate the sounding device, and means at the receiving
station to simultaneously terminate the operation of the sounding device, and
bridge circuit the lamp thereat and thereby increase the illumination of the lamp
at the transmitting station, substantially as set forth.
7. In an electric signalling device, the combination with a line circuit including
a source of current and transmitting and receiving stations, of corresponding
groups of lamps at the respective stations, means at the transmitting station to
selectively establish a current through any lamp of the group thereat, and the
corresponding lamp of the group at the receiving station, and means at the re-
ceiving station to bridge circuit the energized lamp thereat, and thereby increase
the illumination of the lamp energized at the transmitting station, substantially
as set forth.

page_text: 8. In an electric signalling device, the combination with a line circuit including
a source of current and transmitting and receiving stations,-of corresponding
groups of lamps at the respective stations, a sounding device at the receiving sta-
tion, means at the transmitting station to selectively establish a current through
any lamp of the group thereat, the corresponding lamp of the group at the receiv-
ing station, and operate the sounding device thereat, and means at the receiving
station to bridge circuit the energized lamp thereat and thereby increase the
illumination of the lamp energized at the transmitting station, substantially as
set forth.
9. In an electric signalling device, the combination with transmitting and
receiving stations, of a line circuit extending between said stations and com-
prising a series of conductors in parallel relation upon one side, and a common
conductor upon the other side, a source of current in said circuit,--corresponding
groups of lamps at the respective stations, the corresponding lamps of the respective
groups being connected in series relation by said respective parallel conductors,―
means at the transmitting station to selectively establish a current through any
one of said series of parallel conductors, and the corresponding lamps connected
therewith,and means at the receiving station to bridge circuit the energized
lamp thereat and thereby increase the illumination of the lamp energized at the
transmitting station, substantially as set forth.
10. In an electric signalling device, the combination with transmitting and
receiving stations, of a line circuit extending between said stations and comprising
a series of conductors in parallel relation upon one side, and a common conductor
upon the other side, a source of current in said circuit,-corresponding groups
of lamps at the respective stations, the corresponding lamps of the respective
groups being connected in series relation by said respective parallel conductors,--
a sounding device at the receiving station, means at the transmitting station to
selectively establish a current through any one of said series of parallel conductors,
the corresponding lamps connected therewith, and, the aforesaid sounding device,
and means at the receiving station to bridge circuit the energized lamp thereat,
thereby increase the illumination of the lamp energized at the transmitting sta-
tion, and simultaneously terminate the operation of the sounding device, substan-
tially as set forth.
11. In an electric signalling device, the combination with a line circuit including
a source of current and transmitting and receiving stations,-of a lamp at the
transmitting station, a sounding device at the transmitting station--a lamp at
the receiving station, means at the transmitting station to establish a current
through both lamps, and means at the receiving station to modify the current
through the lamp at the transmitting station and operate the sounding device
thereat, substantially as set forth.
12. In an electric signalling device, the combination with a line circuit includ-
ing a source of current and transmitting and receiving stations,-of corresponding
groups of lamps at the respective stations, a sounding device at the transmitting
station, means at the transmitting station to selectively establish a current
through any lamp of the group thereat, and the corresponding lamp of the group
at the receiving station, and means at the receiving station to modify the current
through the lamp at the transmitting station and operate the sounding device
thereat, substantially as set forth.
13. In an electric signalling device, the combination with a line circuit includ-
ing a source of current and transmitting and receiving stations, of corresponding
groups of lamps at the respective stations,-separate sounding devices at the
respective stations,--means at the transmitting station to selectively establish a
current through corresponding lamps of the respective groups, and operate the
sounding device at the respective station, and means at the receiving station to
terminate the operation of the sounding device, thereat, modify the current
through the lamp at the transmitting station and operate the sounding device
thereat, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 14. In an electric signalling device, the combination with transmitting and
receiving stations, of a line circuit extending between said stations, and com-
prising a series of conductors in parallel relation upon one side, and a common
conductor upon the other side, a source of current in said circuit, corresponding
groups of lamps at the respective stations, corresponding lamps of the respective
groups being connected in series relation by said respective parallel conductors,
separate sounding devices respectively at the transmitting and receiving stations,
means at the transmitting station to selectively establish a current through one
of the parallel conductors in said series, the corresponding lamps connected there-
with, and operate the sounding device at the receiving station,and means at the
receiving station to bridge circuit the energized lamp thereat, increase the illu-
mination of the lamp energized at the transmitting station, terminate the opera-
tion of the sounding device at the receiving station, and operate the sounding
device at the transmitting station, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 11th day of December 1899
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.