AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR SIGNALLING BY ELECTRICITY THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF GAS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the firm of Haseltine Lake
& Co, Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London for an invention
of "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR SIGNALLING
BY ELECTRICITY THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF GAS" Communicated to him
from abroad by The Standard Time Company, (Incorporated) of New Haven,
Connecticut, United States of America
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patonts on the 4th November 1882.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF, AND APPARATUS
OR DEVICES FOR, SIGNALLING BY ELECTRICITY THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF Gas
39
Communicated to me from abroad by The Standard Time Company (Incorporated)
of New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
One part of this invention relates to the employment of the gas in the mains and
branches of a common gas system as a medium for communicating signals to
distant points by imparting a sudden impulse to the gas in the mains at a certain
point and time, which impulse will be transinitted throughout the mains and
branches to the points prepared to receive it. According to this part of my
invention I combine with the gas holder and gas mains of a common gas lighting
systein, a second gas holder, or device for holding common gas or its equivalent under
a pressure greater than the normal or regular pressure in the gas mains, the second
holder or device being so arranged that, at predetermined times, its higher pressuro
may be opened into the mains to impart au impulse to the gas in the said mains.
Another part of this invention relates to a device for receiving and utilizing the
said impulse to make and break an electrical circuit at, or near, the point where a
signal is to be given. According to this part of the said invention I provide a
U-shaped tube filled with mercury to a level above the bend; one leg is placed in
connection with the medium through which the impulso is to be received, the
electric circuit wires being arranged relatively to the mercury, so that the impulse-
received in one leg of the U-shaped tube will cause the mercury to rise until contact
is made between both wires through the mercury and the circuit closed, as herein-
after described.
In the accompanying drawing

page_text: Figure 5 is a side view of the impulse receiver for making and breaking an
electrical circuit.
Figures 6, 7 and 8 illustrate modifications of the said impulse receiver
A represents the principal gas holder in which the pressure is the regular
working pressure of the system and from which the main B, receives its gas in
the usual manner. C, is a small gas-holder in which the pressure of gas is con-
siderably greater than that in the principal holder and is in communication with
the main by means of a three way cock, one passage a of which opens toward
the principal holder, the second b towards the high pressure holder, the other into
the main. Through the plug of the cock is an opening e which in one direction, as
shown in Figure 2, makes communication between the principal holder and the
main, and cuts off the high pressure holder; in the second position as shown in
Figure 3, communication is opened between the high pressure holder and the
main, and cut off from the principal holder. If, at any time, the plug of the cock
be turned from the position shown in Figure 2 to that shown in Figure 3 the
pressure in the mains will be instantly increased to the extent of the pressure of
the high pressure holder C, then if returned to the position seen in Figure 2 the
high pressure is cut off and communication is again opened with the principal
holder and the pressure in the pipes reduced to the pressure in the said principal
holder, there is therefore by the turning of the plug of the cock an impulse given
to the gas in the main, which will be felt throughout the entire system.
Suppose an impulse is to be imparted at a certain point, say at E Figure 1 which
represents a small receiver made in the form of a bellows as shown in Figure 4 into
which gas is led, and which will expand according to the impulse given to the gas
in the main. On one of tho heads of the said receiver one arm a of a lever bears,
the other arm is connected with any suitable device for transmitting the impulse
imparted to it.
When an impulse is imparted to the gas as before described, it will cause an
instant expansion of the bellows, which expansion will move the lever.
In the device for receiving and utilizing the impulse for making and breaking an
electrical circuit when applied to gas tubing, in the usual manner of applying gas
burners, F represents the socket which is attached to the gas pipe; opening from
this socket, and consequently from the gas pipe is a tube G, preferably of glass,
extending upward, then bent downward and again upward, forming two vertical
parallel legs H and I, connected by a bend J. Mercury is introduced into the two
legs, say to a line f, f. In the leg H stands a wire g its lower end extending to the
buttom of tho tube so as to be immersed in the mercury, this wire forms one
part of the electrical circuit; through the other leg I is a second wire h, which
extends down toward, but not so far as to reach, the mercury; this wire forms
the other line of the electrical circuit. The surface of the mercury in the leg H
in exposed directly to the gas which comes from the gas pipes, and hence is
subjected to the pressure of the gas, the natural pressure of which will cause the
mercury to rise in the other leg I say to the point i which is slightly below the
lower end of the wire h standing in the said leg. If the pressure of the gas be
suddenly increased, the mercury will risc still higher into the leg I, and meet the
wire standing therein. As soon as the mercury touches the wire h the circuit is
closed, and when the pressure is removed the mercury will fall, and the circuit be
consequently broken, hence an impulse or sudden increased pressure given at any
point in connection with the gas pipes will be imparted to the mercury, and cause
it to rise, and close the circuit, and hold it closed until the impulse or increased
pressure is removed.
To automatically limit the length of time of connection as well as to make that
time adjustable in the instrument itself, the leg I, is constructed with a bulb or
enlargement K, and introduced through the leg is an inner tube M of iron, wood,
paper, glass, or any material which is not affected by contact with the mercury;
this inner tube closely fits the leg and extends down below the bottom of the
bulb K. Through the inner tube M into the bulb, and at the bottom of the bulb,

page_text: a small aperture is made; the end of the wire his above this aperturo, as shown
in Figure 5.
The impulse given to the mercury will raise it in the inner tube M above the
aperture to mako the connection as before described, if the pressure be continued
the mercury will gradually flow through the aperture and distributo itself to
the bulb, so as to bring the level below the lower end of the wire h, and break the
connection, it being understood that the aperture is so small as not to interfero
materially with the rise of the mercury under the first impulse, but simply such
as will permit the mercury to escape, or flow from the tubo after the connection
has been made; by this arrangement if the pressure which imparts the impulso bo
prolonged, the circuit will be broken.
The aperture may be regulated as to size by pressing the tube M downward
し
or drawing it upwards; by pressing it downwards the bottom of the bulb will cut
off a certain portion of it, or it may be cut off entirely, raising it will open it to a
greater extent, thus the time of the connection may be regulated at the instrument
itself.
In the case of the employment of gas pipes, this bulb will afford a relief in case
of sudden, unexpected, or out of time pressures at the gas works; the connection
may be mado, but will soon be automatically broken, notwithstanding the pressuro
may be continued for a considerable timo
These sudden or unexpected pressures, while they must occur in gas works,
being thus relieved, do not interfere materially with the working of the apparatus
in connection with clocks, for the reason that it is only at a certain time, and that
for a very limited space, that the synchronizing is produced, say at twelve o'clock,
or when the minute hand arrives at twelve o'clock; a connection made at other
times would not have any effect upon the clock; if for other signals, however, the
connection made would impart the sigual the same as when properly given, but
for general purposes such unexpected pressures would not materially interfere with
the proper operation of the device.
To provide against the sudden and greatly reduced pressure, as by collapse,
reaction, or sudden breakago a similar bulb L is provided in the other leg H so
that should the reverso action occur, the mercury which is drawn up through the
leg H will flow into the bulb, and thereby be prevented from passing into the
tube G and escaping
To provide against the great pressure which might be produced by explosion, a
large opening is made in the inner tubo near the top of the bulb, or it is cut off
entirely as shown in Figure 6, so that if the pressure be so great as to cause tho
mercury to rise to that elevation, it will overflow into the bulb, and thereby
prevent accident.
The wire g may be introduced through the upper end of the leg H, as shown in
Figure 5, or it may be introduced in tho bend J, as shown in Figure 6, it only
being essential that one wire shall be in constant connection with the mercury the
other wire being raised to such an extent that the mercury will only reach when
under a certain pressure.
If the aperture be sufficiently large to permit the mercury to flow freely
through it into the bulb, it may in some cases make the connection of too short
duration; if, however, the aperturo be reduced it is found that the mercury will
not pass through it into the bulb, hence a difficulty arises, unless some provision
be made to overcome it. To obviate this difficulty and permit the size of the
aperture to be reduced the bend of the U-shaped tube is filled to a level slightly
above the aperture so that there will be a surface of the mercury in the
bottom of the bulb always present, thus forming a constant mercurial connection
through the aperture, whereby the flow will be free through the aperture in the
rise or fall of the mercury.
By this mercurial connection through the aperture, the said aperture may be
nade very small, and proportionately prolong the time of connection.
While the arrangement whereby one end of the circuit wire stands constantly in

page_text: the mercury, connection being made with the other end by pressure causing the
mercury to rise toward the end to be connected is preferred, the construction may
be as shown in Figure 7 in which the two wires are introduced into the same leg I
standing above the surface of the mercury; in this case, in the normal condition of
the apparatus neither wire is in contact with the mercury, but when the impulse
is imparted as before described then the mercury rises, and makes contact with
both wires, and closes the connection in that one leg; or if it is desired that the
two ends of the wire shall be more perfectly separated, the leg I may be divided
forming a second U into each branch of which one of the wires may be introduced,
as shown in Figure 8
While the device for imparting the impulse described, and which consists of tho
second or auxiliary holder having gas therein under a pressure higher than that
of the gas in the mains is preferred, the impulse may be otherwise imparted,
as for example the second holder may be a cylinder having a piston arranged
therein to hold the gas under the required pressure, and which when communi-
cation is opened will force the gas from the said cylinder into the mains to produce
the impulse. Other devices may be employed, it only being necessary that gas or
its equivalent shall be held under pressure at the proper time and place, so as to be
admitted to the main to impart the impluse.
Instead of imparting the impulse to the mains and branches by means of the
auxiliary or supplemental gas holder containing gas under high pressure, the
pressure may be applied directly from the main gas holder, by: causing a sudden
increased pressure upon the gas in the main holder at a predetermined time, which
pressure will create an impulse throughout the mains and branches, operating in
the same manner as the auxiliary gas holder.
The impulse thus imparted to the gas in the mains may be employed for
operating the regulating or synchronizing mechanism of clocks by means of
suitable appliances.
The cock D, may be in connection, say with an observatory or other point from
which tho predetermined impulse is to be given by means of wires or otherwise,
so that the impulse may be instantly given, and so quickly cut off that the
increased pressure will not materially affect any burners which may be in operation
at that instant thus the gas standing in the mains is utilized, thereby avoiding all
expense of communication between different points. No gas is consumed by the
operation, that which is employed to give the impulse being returned to the
principal holder, and the expense necessary for pneumatic tubes or wires for
electrical connection is avoided, as is also the liability of derangement of com-
munication to which pneumatic, or electrical connections are subject.
The device herein before described while adapted with special reference for uso
in connection with a gas system may be used with similar systems of pipes and
with other medium than gas.
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
Foreign Correspondent and the manner of performing the same I wish it understood
that I claim
First. The method of imparting an impulse from one point to other points
through the medium of the gas in the ordinary supply mains and branches, which
method consists in the introduction into the said inains of gas, or its equivalent.
under a higher pressure than that in the mains or gas-holder connected therowith,
and in the employment of mechanism upon which the impulse so imparted to the
gas in the said mains and branches will operate, substantially as described.
Second. The combination, with the principal gas-holder, of a second holder in
which the pressure of the gas is greater than that in the principal holder, the said
two holders being connected with a three-way cock or other suitable means
whereby communication with the main may be made from either the principal or
the bigh pressure holder, the one being cut off from the main while the other is in 5
communication therewith, substantially as described.
Third. The device for automatically breaking and closing an electric circuit by

page_text: means of an impulse imparted through gas or similar medium, consisting of a
U-shaped tube the two legs whereof are partially filled with mercury, one of the
said legs being in connection with the medium through which the impulso is to be
received, the wires of the said electric circuit being arranged relatively to the
mercury substantially as described, whereby the impulse received in one leg of tho
U-shaped tubo will cause the mercury to rise in the other leg until the circuit
between the wires, is completed through the mercury, the leg opposite that in
which the impulse is received being constructed with a bulb or enlargement above
the normal level of the mercury, and with a small aperture opening into the said
enlargement below the end of the wire therein, substantially as set forth
Fourth. The device for automatically breaking and closing an electric circuit
by means of an impulse imparted through gas or similar medium, consisting of a
U-shaped tube the two legs whereof are partially filled with mercury, one of the
said legs being in connection with the medium through which the impulse is to be
received, the wires of the said electric circuit being arranged relatively to the
mercury substantially as described, whereby the impulse received in one leg of
the U-shaped tubo will cause the mercury to rise in the other leg until the circuit
between the wires is completed through the mercury, the leg opposite that in
which the impulse is received being constructed with a bulb or enlargement above
the normal level of the mercury and a tube fitted in the said leg extending below
the end of the wire therein and having an aperture opening into the said bulb, the
said aperture being adjustable as to size, substantially as, and for the purpose,
specified.
Fifth. The device for automatically breaking and closing an electric circuit by
means of an impulso imparted through gas or similar medium, consisting of n
U-shaped tube, the two logs whereof are partially filled with mercury, one of the
said legs being in connection with the medium through which the impulse is to bo
received, the wires of the said electric circuit being arranged relatively to tho
mercury substantially as described, whereby the impulse received in one leg of
the U-shaped tube will cause the mercury to rise in the other leg until the circuit
between the wires is completed through the mercury, the leg in which the impulse
is received being constructed with a bulb or enlargement above the level of the
mercury, substantially as, and for the purpose, specified.
Sixth. The device for automatically breaking and closing an electric circuit by
means of an impulse imparted through gas or similar medium, consisting of a
U-shaped tube the two legs whereof are partially filled with mercury, one of the
said legs being in connection with the inedium through which the impulse is to be
received, the wires of the said electric circuit being arranged relatively to the
mercury substantially as described, whereby the impulse received in one leg of the
U-shaped tube will cause the mercury to rise in the other leg until the circuit
between the wires is completed through the mercury, the leg opposite that in which
the impulse is received being constructed with a bulb or enlargement above the
normal level of the mercury, and a tube fitted in the said leg extending below the
end of the wire therein, with a small aperture opening from the tube into the said
enlargement below the end of the said wire, the leg in which the impulse is received
being also constructed with a bulb or enlargement above the level of the mercury,
substantially as described.
In witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Fourth day of November in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.