Improvements in Signalling Apparatus.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Sept., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 21st June, 1889-Accepted, 17th Aug., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Signalling Apparatus.
A communication to me from abroad by JoHN WILLIAM CHARLES COVEN SCHIRM, of
Breslau, in the Empire of Germany, Professor.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the firm of Edwards and Co., Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 35, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus by which signals are transmitted in the dark
between distant places, by means of flashes of light having between them longer or
shorter intervals, such flashes and intervals representing letters of the alphabet or
other previously determined signs.
Such methods of signalling have long been known and practised, though they have
of late years been largely replaced by electrical telegraphy. The latter however in
many cases cannot be advantageously employed on account of the necessity for
conducting wires, so that for such purposes as marine or coastguard service, and
operations of war it is often necessary or important to be able to communicate by
means of optical signals produced by apparatus which should be light, portable, easy
to manage and reliable in use for great distances, as for instance in reconnoitring and
outpost duties.
In the apparatus which forms the subject of the present invention, magnesium
powder is used which is blown through a flame in very small quantities as required,
by suitable means, so as to produce flashes of intense light which are visible at a
great distance.
The novel apparatus consists principally of a device by which an extremely small
quantity of magnesium powder is fed in uniform adjustable quantities into a pipe
through which it is blown, at the will and control of the operator, into a flame where
it burns with a bright lightning-like flash.
The magnesium powder which is to be supplied to the flame as described, is contained
in a suitable reservoir, a small discharge pipe at the lower end of which is fitted and
fixed into a horizontal pipe, so that the height of its open end can be raised or lowered
more or less as desired.
In the horizontal pipe, directly below the small discharge pipe, is fixed a small
truncated cone, so that only a very small determined quantity of the magnesium
powder can fall down into the horizontal pipe from the reservoir above, the quantity
being adjustable by raising the end of the discharge pipe from the cone in order to
increase the quantity, and bringing it down to the cone to reduce the quantity.
To one end of the horizontal pipe is connected a pipe leading to a jet directed into
the flame of a suitable lamp, whilst the other end of the horizontal pipe communicates
with an apparatus by which a sudden blast of air can be forced along the pipe, this
apparatus consisting preferably of a hollow india rubber ball provided with a suction
valve and a delivery valve, so that by compressing the ball the air contained in it is
forced out through the delivery valve, along the horizontal pipe, and through the jet
into the flame, carrying with it the small quantity of magnesium powder or dust upon
the cone described and blowing it into the flame where it immediately burns producing
a bright flash of intensely white light. Upon releasing the pressure upon the ball,
the delivery valve closes so that any powder falling from the reservoir is prevented
from being drawn into the pipe, but is allowed to settle upon the cone where it remains
until the next blast carries it forward into the flame.
The ball becomes refilled with air through the suction valve and is then again ready
for immediate use.

page_text: By the apparatus described, blasts and corresponding flashes of light may be given
in rapid succession or at any desired intervals, at the will of the operator who is
thus enabled to produce a determined succession of flashes constituting signals
according to a predetermined scheme.
The reservoir, horizontal pipe, jet and flame, may be enclosed in a case or portable
lantern, a reflector being preferably arranged behind the flame. The india rubber
ball is arranged in a separate case outside but preferably attached to the lantern,
such separate case having an opening by which the ball may be pressed at the
proper intervals to produce the blast by which the magnesium powder is blown into
the flame.
In some cases, instead of magnesium powder any other suitable inflammable powder
may be blown into the flame for the purpose of producing a flash of light.
The improved apparatus is simple, cheap, and not likely to get out of order, and is
compact, portable, and easily worked.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Signalling Apparatus.
A communication to me from abroad by JOHN WILLIAM CHARLES COVEN SCHIRM, of
Breslau, in the Empire of Germany, Professor.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the firm of Edwards and Co. Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 35 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex
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 and accompanying drawing (that is to say):
:-
This invention relates to apparatus by which signals are transmitted in the dark
between distant places, by means of flashes of light having between them longer or
shorter intervals, such flashes and intervals representing letters of the alphabet or
other previously determined signs.
Such methods of signalling have long been known and practised, though they have
of late years been largely replaced by electrical telegraphy. The latter however in
many cases cannot be advantageously employed on account of the necessity for
conducting wires, so that for such purposes as marine or coastguard service, and
operations of war it is often necessary or important to be able to communicate by
means of optical signals produced by apparatus which should be light, portable, easy
to manage and reliable in use for great distances, as for instance in reconnoitring
and outpost duties.
Attempts have been made to produce apparatus answering the necessary require-
ments, but hitherto without complete success. Either such apparatus has been
deficient in power or of too complicated construction and liable to breakage or
disarrangement, or its application has been dependent upon sunlight, or its manage-
ment and operation too cumbersome and slow for the purpose in view.
The nature of the improved apparatus allows of its construction and general
arrangement being modified within wide limits, and it may be made ether stationary
or portable, whilst its size may be varied according to the lighting power required.
Its construction and its working are very simple so that all probability of failure or
unsatisfactory working are as much as possible avoided.
Owing to its simple construction the improved apparatus moreover will be so
cheap and the expense of working it so small, and it can be so easily understood
and worked by any ordinary person, that its adoption for general use in transmitting
optical signals presents no difficulty.
An important advantage of this apparatus is that its use is not dependent upon the
weather, whilst the material used for working the apparatus is easily provided and its

page_text: bulk is so small that sufficient quantities of it may easily be carried by soldiers in their
knapsacks or pockets, without inconvenience.
In the apparatus which forms the subject of the present invention, magnesium
powder is used which is blown through a flame in very small quantities as required,
by suitable means, so as to produce flashes of intense light whieh are visible at a
great distance.
The novel apparatus consists principally of a device by which an extremely small
quantity of magnesium powder is fed in uniform adjustable quantities into a pipe
through which it is blown, at the will and control of the operator, into a flame where
it burns with a bright lightning like flash, producing flashes of intense light, visible
at great distances, and these flashes may be so timed in their succession, with suitable
and distinct intervals as to constitute a means of signalling like the Morse telegraph
alphabet.
The general arrangement of parts of the apparatus is shewn in the accompanying
drawings (which are in illustration of the invention) figure 1 representing a
longitudinal section through one modification of the apparatus. The magnesium
powder to be gradually fed to the frame vis contained in a case or reservoir 6 the
narrow discharge pipe of which opens into a short pipe a into which it is adjustably
secured. Opposite the point or opening of the discharge pipe a small truncated
cone a is provided within the bore c of the pipe a the said cone allowing only a
determined very small quantity of the magnesium powder to fall down at a time from
the reservoir b. The amount of discharge is adjustable by the position of the
reservoir towards the cone a. By increasing the distance, the amount of discharge
will be increased, and by bringing the discharge pipe towards the cone a, the amount
of each portion of powder will be reduced.
To one end of the pipe a the jet pipe e is attached leading to the flame, v, and to
the other end of the pipe a the blast pipe is connected, leading to a suitable blast
apparatus of any kind, which, in figure 1 of the drawings consists of a hollow india
rubber ball provided with a suction valve and an exit valve h. By compressing
the said ball, the air therein contained is forced out through the valve h, blast
pipe, and pipe a, sweeping away the small quantity of powder or dust on the cone
and blowing it into the flame where it immediately burns, producing a bright flash
of intensely white light.
V
On releasing the pressure on the ball f, the exit valve immediately closes and
prevents any fresh powder falling from the reservoir 6 from being drawn into the
blast pipe. The said powder settles on the cone and there remains until the next
blast which will sweep it forward to the flame. The ball ƒ fills with air through the
suction valve g and is again ready for immediate use.
The working of this simple apparatus will be readily understood. Blasts may be
given in quick succession, or at any suitable and convenient intervals, at the will and
control of the operator, enabling him to produce a determined succession of flashes
constituting optical signals according to a predetermined scheme.
Figures 2 and 3 represent another modification of the improved signalling apparatus,
enclosed in a portable lantern. Figure 4 is a vertical section of this arrangement and
Figure 3 a side elevation of the same. The pipe a, reservoir b, jet pipe e, and
flaine v, are enclosed within a lantern case, and a reflector is placed behind the
flame; the blast ball fis arranged within a casing of its own, outside the lantern, and
a part of the said ball casing removed so as to allow a pressure to be given to the
ball, at the necessary intervals, to produce the blast and blow the magnesium powder
into the flame.
For some purposes the magnesium powder may be replaced by any other suitable
substance, which when blown into the flame burns immediately with a bright
flash.
I do not confine myself to any precise form or arrangement of the parts of the
apparatus which may be varied more or less according to the conditions in which it is

page_text: to be used, but having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
The optical signalling apparatus for producing bright flashes of light by the
combustion of magnesium powder or similar substances, the said apparatus
consisting essentially of a pipe a, a projection within the bore of the pipe,
a reservoir b containing the powder and discharging very small, adjustable quantities of
the same onto the said projection, a jet pipe e leading to the flame, and a blast pipe
connected to a suitable blowing device or to an elastic ball f, having a suction valve g
and an exit valve h, substantially as and for the purpose set forth and shewn in the
drawing.
Dated this 21st day of Tu 1990
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Patentee.