Improvements in the Method of and Means for Transmitting and Receiving Electric Waves for the Production of Signals and for Imparting Motion to Machines or Apparatus.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Oct., 1899--Accepted, 21st July, 1900
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Means for Transmitting and
Receiving Electric Waves for the Production of Signals and for
Imparting Motion to Machines or Apparatus.
I, JULIO CERVERA BAVIERA, Commandant of the Corps of Engineers of the
Spanish Army, residing at Valence, Spain, 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:-
This invention relates to improvements in the method of and means for trans-
mitting and receiving electric waves for the production of signals and for impart-
ing motion to machines or apparatus.
The means employed in this invention form a part of a complete system for
the transmission of signals over short or long distances without intermediate
wires and by the aid of other means the signals received may be utilized for
imparting motion to any kind of machine.
My system is also directly applicable for telegraphy without wires, for the
explosion of mines and torpedoes, for imparting motion to machines on land
and sea or the like and may be utilized for a number of various military or
industrial purposes.
My apparatus work principally through the action of the electric waves trans-
mitted through the air, streams and rivers or canals and are essentially different
from those used hitherto.
For the transmission of signals or emmissions of electric waves at a high
tension any of the methods generally known may be employed, i.c. machines or
apparatus such as dynamos, alternators, "Leyden-jar" batteries, induction coils
and the like.
By preference I employ in my system coils excited by electric batteries and by
accumulators, but for the production of special signals I employ an interrupter
or manipulator such as hereinafter described.
And in order that my invention may be more fully understood I have caused
to be appended hereunto three sheets of drawings marked with letters of refer-
ence indicating like parts in the various figures.
THE MANIPULATOR.
In carrying out my invention I employ a metallic plate A, Fig. 1, say for
example made of copper and having projections such as m, m¹, n, n¹, n¹, nlll
representing the various signs of the "Morse" alphabet or of that of any other
conventional code. This plate is filled up with some insulating substance h,
formed level with the said signs which remain exposed. In connection with
this plate I employ a small metallic spindle B, B¹ having a handle of ebonite or
other insulating material. Metallic communication is established as shown in
Fig. 1 by inserting at P an electric battery and at E an electro-magnet.
When placing the small spindle B upon the plate A and sliding it at a uniform
speed along one of the dotted lines in the direction of the arrows, the circuit
will close and open at intervals and the corresponding letter indicated and written
upon the ribbon when placing a lever of the "Morse" receiver upon the electro-
magnet E. The device described forms the basis of the manipulator of my appas

page_text: ratus but which I arrange with keys, resembling a type-writer. When placing a
finger upon the key engraved with the letter or signal desired, a sign corre-
sponding with that of the "Morse" alphabet is transmitted, which arrangement
greatly facilitates the transmission and obviates errors and bad manipulation.
As the transmission takes place at a speed relative at which the interrup-
tion in the induction coii or in the apparatus may produce the waves at a high
tension, I have designed the manipulator as shown in Fig. 2.
a is the key or lever of ebonite having its fulcrum at b. At a is engraved the
letter or corresponding sign for instance, say the letter a, c is a buffer of india-
rubber da spring which retains the lever a, b in its normal or position of rest,
e is a metallic contact communicating with the rod f to which are joined the
contacts of all the letters, which communicate with one of the poles of the local
battery P and by B with the local circuit, F is a small metallic bar in corre-
spondance with the key marked a and insulated upon the piece of ebony 9, 9,
Fis a projection which causes frictional contact with the plate A, A which
latter closes through the local circuit A, B; c', c¹, c¹ are springs in compression
which ensure the contact of the plate A, A with the said small bar, I) is a toothed
cylinder turning loosely around its axis and retained in its normal position by
two springs one of which is employed at each end of the cylinder and by a stop
(not shown), h, h are metallic wires lodged in grooves formed in the ends of
the cylinder and under the influence of the said springs, i, i is a rack in gear
with the teeth of the cylinder D, jis the end of the rack which when descending
establishes contact at k, and closes the circuit of the battery P¹ and causes the
bell T to sound.
Other less important details complete the mechanism of the manipulator.
The operation is as follows: --
When pressing with one finger upon the key a contact is first formed at e, F,
the whole of the piece F, j then descends and the small bar will, at intervals
corresponding with the respective letter, communicate at F with the metallic
plate A, A in transmitting through B the corresponding sign. This sign will
be audible in the electro-magnet E of the local circuit and will actuate a plate
and interrupt or close the primary current of the induction coil or of the appa-
ratus utilized for the production of the waves.
The small bar descends at a speed uniform with the resistance offered by the
rack, in gear with the cylinder D.
Continued pressure exerted by the finger upon a, will cause the end j to estab-
lish contact at k, and the bell T to ring.
After releasing the key, it is raised by the spring d and quickly resumes its
normal position and the contact e, F is then broken.
The said cylinder causes also the small bar to return to its normal position
but it will rise more slowly than the key owing to the resistance of the gearing.
Whilst the said bar rises the circuit remains open at e, F and no signal can pass.
Besides the said springs some small flies for regulating the speed are conveniently
disposed in the ends of the cylinder.
The extremities of the second wire of the induction coil or of the apparatus
producing the electric waves, are connected with two spherical metallic bodies
constituting or forming an electric oscillator but instead of being enclosed in a
vessel containing oil, vaseline or any other liquid as in Marconi's system, I
employ the same in the open air in close proximity to each other.
It is also not necessary to employ parabolical, cylindrical, spherical or reflectors
of any other form.
That is to say, the transmission of the waves effected by one or more appa-
ratus or methods generally known, such as coils, dynamos, "Leyden-jar" bat-
teries and the like with such modifications as may be found necessary and are
obvious in electrical engineering. One extremity of such apparatus may or
may not be in connection with the earth and the other with a long wire or con-
ducting cable arranged more or less as shown in Fig. 3, and with a manipulator

page_text: at M such as has been described. The elevated extremity of the wire or con-
duction cable may advantageously have the disposition hereinafter described of
the station or post of reception, as detailed in Figs. 15, 16 & 17.
THE RECEIVER.
This is rather an essential part of the system. All auxillary apparatus
employed at present for the reception of electric waves are well known with the
exception of that called "coherer" which is unique and suitable for all methods.
The receivers employed at present consist of more or less sensitive tubes which
may be of ebonite or ivory such as those of "Dueretet or preferably of glass
such as used by "Marconi."
In my receiver sensitive to electric waves there are no tubes of glass, ivory or
ebonite, no silver cylinder, no platinum wires, no metallic plates soldered to
the extremities of tubes, nor tubes brought in connection and capable of being
graduated.
My receiver consists simply of a sensitive plate P pressed between other
metallic plates M, M communicating with a local circuit.
In order to compress the plate P between the plates M, M two ebony or ivory
discs D, D and three bolts t, t, t are employed whereby the degree of sensitiveness
of the receiver can be gradually regulated at will.
Fig. 4 shows the receiver in perspective whilst Fig. 5 is a front view thereof
without its screws.
One of the metallic plates pressing against the sensitive plate P is shown in
Fig. 6 and joined to a wire communicating with the circuit. Fig. 7 shows the
form of the plate M which is triangular for the purpose of being placed upon
the disc D as shown in Fig. 8 and to obtain a uniform pressure by means of the
three screws which pass through the holes a², 6ª, cª.
The plates M may however be circular, square, rectangular or of any other
form. In each case it is fitted to the insulating disc D of suitable form.
Figs. 9, 10 & 11 are different forms of the metallic plates shown in Figs. 6,
7 & 8. which have proved an excellent success.
In practice I have found that the receiver acts much better when dividing the
said metallic plates into sections and forming the opposing edges comb-like with
fine points of the same size and nearly touching each other, as shown in Figs. 9,
10 & 11.
Figs. 9 & 10 show the metallic plate divided in three and Fig. 11 into two
sections, the outer section or sections being in connection with the earth so that
the sensitiveness and purity of the reception increases in the receiver. It would
however appear that through the subdivision of the said plates the circuit is
broken, which is not the case as the said fine points have the same electric power
as that found in a lightening conductor. The said metallic plates may be made
of any kind of metal, copper, platinum, silver or the like by preference of
electrolysed copper.
THE SENSITIVE PLATE.
This plate consists of a mixture of gelatine, very fine metallic fillings and
powered carbon, being by preference heterogeneous, that is to say, the metallic
fillings dimish from the middle towards the edge. The metal used for the
production of the fillings may be of any kind. I have advantageously employed
a mixture of copper, silver and nickel. A mixture of hardened steel fillings and
copper may also be used. The gelatine may also be substituted by alcohol or
spirit of wine, by glycerine or oil. To prevent the dessication or separation of
the liquid portion, it is protected by an india-rubber, caoutchouc or ebonite
border.
A much simpler way and which will give excellent results is to employ a plate
of caoutchouc, ebonite or of other analogous material see Figs. 12 & 13, having
an orifice of suitable form in its centre. In this orifice is lodged a sensitive

page_text: mixture, which may consist of very fine metallic fillings granulated carbon,
gelatine, glycerine, spirit of wine, oil and other analogous material.
By the screws t, t which serve to adjust the auxillary plates D, D the sensi-
tive plate l' can be more or less compressed to any degree of sensitiveness desired.
In the various trials made, I obtained the best results with the triangular
orifice such as shown in Figs. 12 & 13 having its point projecting downwards.
THE COMPOUND RECEIVER.
The receiver so far described is a single one having only one sensitive plate
employed between two metallic plates.
In some cases it may be advisable, particularly in the application for the
explosion of mines, to use a compound receiver which require the current of a
battery for closing its circuit.
In this case it may be used as shown in Fig. 14, with various sensitive plates
separated by fine metallic leaves of the same form or kind of metal as employed
for the plate at the ends.
THE FIXING OF THE RECEIVER.
The receiver described is securely fixed to two metallic feet by a nut and lock
nut or in any other suitable manner. These two feet are mounted upon a large
glass, ebony, or plate made of any other insulating substance. One of the
extremities of the sensitive receiver is in metallic communication with the earth
and the other with a metallic wire or cable which extends and rises to a great
height as shown in Figs. 15, 16 & 17.
The disposition shown in Fig. 17 has several branches and gives the best
result. For this disposition a copper cable formed of 15 to 30 wires of one
millimetre or less in diameter is used, the number of which may however be
varied according to circumstances. This copper cable extends to a certain
height where it separates into seven or any other number of branches of one or
more strands of wire, desired. Each point may be formed of one or two points.
The receiver is inserted into an ordinary circuit with one or more batteries, a
relay, an exploder or apparatus necessary for the purpose for which the receiver
is intended. There is also inserted the resistances, condensors and connections
which science in each case may advise to obviate extra currents, the effect of self-
duction and the like. It will be evident that, as the currents which pass
through the receiving apparatus are very weak, the resistance inserted must be
of a special form and carefully calculated. For this and other particular reasons
which I have taken into account, I employ resistances composed of small plates
or carbon evlinders supported at the extremities by metallic plates or cylinders
which being adjustable in relation to each other permit of regulating the resis-
tance to a nicity.
The resistances are shown in Fig. 18 at more than full size. 3 is the carbon
plate and 3 are the metallic plates supporting the extremities thereof.
The receiver described before receiving an electric wave would not permit the
current of its local circuit to pass but once a signal has been transmitted by the
transmission post or station, it is made sensitive and permits the passage of the
current.
In order to render the receiver non-conductive immediately after having
received a wave, it is necessary to give it a slight blow so as to slightly agitate
or vibrate it. For this purpose a hammer is jointed to the armature of an electro-
magnet inserted into a local circuit and adapted to strike a glass plate upon which
the receiver is mounted for transmitting the vibration to the sensitive plate and
causing its conduction to cease.
The blow received by the glass plate from the hammer will be sufficiently
strong and the vibratiory effect sufficiently powerful and certain as if the receiver
itself had been subjected to a slight blow.

page_text: 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:―
1st. The apparatus herein before specified for transmitting and receiving elec-
tric waves, applicable for telegraphy without wires, the explosion of land and
submarine mines, for the movement of machines, for the explosion and govern-
ing of land, marine and aerial torpedoes all substantially as set forth.
"
2nd. The current manipulators or interrupters constructed as herein before
described and shown in Fig. 1 of annexed drawing, all substantially as set forth.
3rd. A manipulator employed for the transmission of signals by the "Morse
system or signs, actuated by keys marked, say with the letters of the alphabet,
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in Fig. 2 of annexed
drawing.
4th. The employment of the type of manipulator shown in Figs. 1 & 2 and
substantially as and for the purpose herein before described.
5th. The employment of two spherical bodies in the free air in connection with
the terminals of the apparatus which produces the electric waves, one being con-
nected through the earth and the other by an elevated cable formed with
branches, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figs. 3, 15,
16 & 17 of annexed drawing.
6th. An electric wave receiver such as hereinbefore described and illustrated
in Fig. 4, and successive figures of annexed drawing.
7th. The sensitive plates for the reception of the electric waves employed in
the receivers, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in annexed
drawing.
8th. The plates formed with orifices filled with material sensitive to electric
waves, substantially as herein before described and illustrated in Fig. 5-13
of annexed drawing.
9th. The employment of metallic plates with fine points for pressing the plates
of Figs. 7 & 8 and of exterior plates having also points which are brought in
connection with the earth, substantially as herein before described and illustrated
in Figs. 9, 10 & 11 of annexed drawing.
10th. The compound receivers constructed substantially as herein before
described and illustrated in Fig. 14 of annexed drawing.
11th. The receivers mounted upon rigid plates of glass, ebonite or other insu-
lating substance which directly receive the strokes of the hammer and causes the
sensitive material of the electric wave receiver to vibrate indirectly, all sub-
stantially as set forth.
12th. The arrangement of the metallic wires or cables brought in connection
with the receivers formed with branches substantially as hereinbefore described
and illustrated in Figs. 15, 16 & 17 of annexed drawing.
13th. The employment of the small resistances, the plates, the carbon prisms
or cylinders in the apparatus substantially as herein before described and illus-
trated in Fig. 18 of annexed drawing.
14th. The method of transmitting and receiving electric waves for the produc-
tion of signals and for the movement of apparatus or machines through the
medium of the special apparatus specified, substantially as and in the manner
herein before described and illustrated in annexed drawing.
Botad this 5th love of Datalun 1900
F. BOSSHARDT & Co.,
4, Corporation Street, Manchester, Agents to Applicant.