CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS ELECTRIC AND ELECTRC-MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH APPARATUS, AND IN THE MACHINERY FOR AND. METHOD OF MAKING AND LAYING DOWN SUBMARINE, SUBMERGED, AND OTHER SUCH LINES
Year: 1852

page_text: W&A SMITH'S SPECIFICATION.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WILLIAM
SMITH, late of No. 90,1 Park Street, Grosvenor Square, but now of No. 10,
„Salisbury Street,.Adelphi, Civil Engineer, and ARCHIBALD SMITH, of Princes
Street, Leicester Square, Engineer and Machinist, send greeting..
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent- under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the "Eighth day of March; in the fifteenth year of Het reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors; givé and grant. unto rus; the said
William Smith and Archibald Smith, Her especial license,.. full pover, sole
privilege and authority, that we, the said William Smith and 'Archibald
Smith, our exors, admors, and assigns, and such others.: às we, the said
William Smith and Archibald Smith, our exors, admors, or assigns, ;should at
I any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times; during
the term of years therein mentioned, should and lawfully might. make, use,
exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, the Town of Berwick-upon-
Tweed, and in all Her Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, (saye,and
except Her Majesty's Provinces of Canada, New Brunswick, Novia Scotia,
and the Island of Prince Edward,) and in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey,
Alderney, Sark, and Man, our Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
ELECTRIC AND ELECTRC-MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH APPARATUS, AND IN THE MACHINERY
FOR AND. METHOD OF MAKING AND LAYING DOWN SUBMARINE, SUBMERGED, AND
OTHER SUCH LINES," in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso
obliging us, the William Smith and Archibald Smith, by an instrument in writing
under our hands and seals, or under the hand and seal of one of .us, particularly
Price 6d 1
3

page_text: to describe and ascertain the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner
the same is: to be performed, and to cause the same to be inrolled in Her
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in
and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
William Smith, on behalf of myself and of the said Archibald Smith, do
hereby declare that the nature of our said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, is particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following description thereof, reference being had to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is
to say):
Our Invention consists,-
Firstly, in an improved method of insulating circuit wires from the posts
or other supports used for suspending the same. And,
Secondly, in certain arrangements of machinery applicable to the manufac-
ture of cables for the transmission of clectric currents from one place to
another, and also to the "paying out" or laying down of such cables as they'
are manufactured when they are used as submarine electric conductors.
In Sheet I. of the Drawings the mode of carrying out the first part of this
Invention is shewn in several views.
"
Fig. 1 represents a wooden post supporting four lines of telegraph wire.
Attached to the post a are four boxes b, b, made of glazed earthenware or
other non-conducting material, and intended severally to receive and retain
the ends of two galvanized iron wires c, c. Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan, and
Fig. 3 a front view of one of these boxes. It is provided with a cover, as
shewn at d (Fig. 2), and has a sufficient internal capacity to contain a small
glazed earthenware "dead eye or insulator, of the form shewn at e, Fig. 4.
To this "dead eye "insulator are attached (in the manner shewn at Fig. 4)
the short pieces of galvanized iron wire c, c, which pass out at the ends of the
box right and left, as shewn in the Drawings.. When these wires are thus
attached the hollow in the box is filled up with a suitable cement, over which
the lid is placed, and thus all risk of rain or moisture getting to the wires and
forming a conducting surface is prevented. The other end of each of the
short pieces of galvanized wire is attached to a similar "dead eye" or insu-
lator to that shewn at Fig. 4, as close to the box as may be found convenient.
To, these external "dead eyes" or insulators e¹ (Figures 1 and 5) are attached,
the lengths of galvanized iron wire g, g, extending to the next adjoining post
"

page_text: or point of suspension. In this way the lines of telegraph wire are secured
and fixed at each post from end to end. These "dead cyes" or insulators
may be made of well glazed earthenware, or of glass, or other non-conducting
material, and of the form shewn at Fig. 6. The ends of the wires are severally
twisted into an eye or loop around the dead eye, and at a right angle to each
other. It will thus be seen that the means of breaking the continuity of the
telegraph line is three times repeated at each post. In order to restore the
circuit and at the same time prevent the possibility of the electric current
being conducted to the earth through the posts or other points of suspension,
the following means is adopted: A stout copper rod, or a strip of sheet
copper (Figures 5 and 5*), is attached to the wires g, g, and bowed or bent
so as to pass across the post without touching it. Care must be taken that
this copper connecting piece is sufficiently stiff to maintain its form and
position, and that perfect contact is made between it and the wires g, g. By
this means the continuity which had been broken throughout the line of tele-
graph, by interposing the non-conducting surfaces, will be re-established, and
the current may pass along the entire length freely.
Fig. 7 shews a modification of the mode of carrying out the same principle
of breaking the continuity, the intention being to supersede the use of the
"dead eye," which has been described as enclosed in the box. Instead thereof
volute grooves are sunk in the face of the box which is to receive the ends of
the wires. These wires, having been previously bent to a corresponding figure,
are placed in the grooves, and the cover is put on with proper luting or cement,
and affixed to its place by screws. The external dead eyes" or insulators
are the same as before described.
Fig. 8 shews a similar arrangement for retaining the ends of the wires, but
with a different form of groove to receive and retain them.
Figures 9 and 10 represent another arrangement for effecting the same
object. A strong stud projecting from the face of the box receives the looped
ends of the wires, between which an insulating washer is interposed. The
space between the box and its cover is filled with cement or composition, and
the cover is secured by pins, as shewn in the Drawing.
Figs. 11 and 12 are views of a post fitted with common insulators. In this
instance the connecting piece of wire between the main lines of galvanized
wire is in onc length instead of two, as before described, and merely passes
through. and rests on the insulator. The continuity in this arrangement is
broken in two places only, and the circuit is re-established by means of the
connecting piece, as before explained.
The improved arrangements of machinery constituting the second part of

page_text: our Invention are shewn in the several views in Sheets II. and III. of the
accompanying Drawings. Sheet II. shews an improved arrangement of
machinery and apparatus for protecting insulated telegraph wires (by forming
around the same a metallic cable), and submerging the same as it is delivered
out of the twisting machine. Fig. is a longitudinal section of a steam
vessel fitted with the machinery for twisting several wires or strands around
a core of insulated wires suitable for transmitting electric currents, and Fig. 2
is a cross section of the same. The machinery shewn in the Drawing is
adapted for combining ten strands, but it will be obvious, that the same prin-
ciple of construction may be used for combining a greater or less number of
strands. As the like construction of mechanism is used for giving off and
twisting each wire or strand, it will only be necessary to describe one such
arrangement and shew its connection with the adjoining parts.
Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a frame and its appurtenances for carrying a
reel or bobbin of covering wire, and Fig. 4 is a cross section of the same.
a, a, are the main frames, from each of which a series of studs equidistant
from a common centre project, to form the axles for a series of grooved anti-
friction rollers b, b. Each set of these rollers carries a wheel c, c, and these
wheels c, c, are severally connected by cross rods d, d, to a cog wheel c, c*,
which wheels are bolted to the next adjoining wheels c, c. This combination
of the wheels c, c. and c", c, forms a series of skeleton drums throughout the
whole length of the machine, which drums are caused to rotate simultaneously,
as will be presently explained. Within each drum thus formed a reel f, for
carrying the covering wire or strand is mounted, it being supported therein
by a frame e (shewn in partial plan view at Fig. 5), which is itself carried by
means of trunnions projecting therefrom, having their bearing at the centre
of the wheels c and c. Friction straps connected to the frame e pass over
the ends of this reel to prevent it from turning too readily on its axis, but at
the same time it will revolve by reason of the drag put upon the wire, and
thereby allow of the wire being unwound from the reel. One of the trunnions
of the frame e (see Fig. 4) is made hollow to receive the wire from the
reel and guide it in its course. It thence passes between the arms of the
adjacent cog wheel c*, and is brought upwards to an antifriction roller g,
(supported by one of the cross rods d,) and carried over this roller. The
wire then enters a hole in the rim of the wheel c, and passes through it
and through a series of holes concentric therewith in the several wheels c
and c, which intercept the wire or strand on its passage to the hollow
cone that gathers up the several wires ready to be drawn together and
laid around the core of insulated wires by the laying and tube plates.

page_text: Rotation is given to the machinery by means of a series of pinions h,
which are keyed on the main driving shaft i, and take into and drive the
wheels c*. The wires or strands are thus carried round in a circle as they
are unwound from their respective reels, and they are thereby "laid" in
the manner of strands of rope. During this operation the frames which
carry the respective recls will remain quiescent, a weight being attached
thereto to overcome all friction of contact between the trunnions and the wheels
which support them, and the recls f, f, will have merely an axial motion. If,
however, it is thought desirable to give the wires an independent twist, this
may be readily accomplished by affixing to each frame a, a, a ring (see
Fig. 3), furnished with rack teeth on its inner periphery, and mounting on the
several wheels ca pinion in gear therewith. The rotation of the wheels c will
cause the pinions I to rotate, and this motion may be taken from the stud of the
pinion by means of a pulley and strap m, and conveyed to a pulley n keyed to
the hollow trunnion of the frame e, as shewn at Fig. 4, by which means a slow
rotary motion will be imparted to the frame. It should be remarked, that the
several wheels c, c, and c*, c, must be pierced with holes, as shewn in the side
view Fig. 3, to allow of the protecting wires passing through them, and con-
centric holes must be made throughout the series to admit of the passage
through them of the insulated wires which are coiled around the reel o
(Fig. 1), and are intended to form the core of the cable. In order to
operate with this machine a given length of insulated wires must be first pre-
pared and wound upon reels or bobbins. A reel of this wire is mounted
on a frame, as shewn at o, Fig. 1, and the wire is threaded first through
a central guide plate, then through the twisting machine, and it ultimately
passes out through the laying plate p, and the tube or nipper s. .The
protecting wires or strands are also in like manner supplied in a given
quantity, and threaded through the machine. Rotary motion is then commu-
nicated to the skeleton drums by the means already described, and the
protecting wires are thereby lapped or twisted helically round the core of insu-
lated wires, so as to form a strong and compact electric conducting cable. As
this operation is proceeding the cable is taken up by an arrangement of gripping
wheels q, q, q, which are rotated by means of a worm and worm wheel, or other
analogous contrivance, taking its motion from the machine. The cable is then
passed over guide pulleys and let down through the stern of the vessel (which
is supposed to be proceeding slowly in a forward course) into the water, and
sunk in the usual manner of securing submarine lines of telegraph wires. To
these take-up rollers a measuring apparatus for shewing the length of covered
cable that has been passed out may be connected, and thereby the speed
which the vessel is required to move to keep the cable taut will be indicated,

page_text: propose to employ for
It consists of a series
The arrangement of counting apparatus which we
this purpose is shewn in Sheet III. of the Drawings.
of numeral wheels a, a, a (see the plan view Fig. 1), and ratchet wheels b, b, b,
of ten teeth affixed thereto. These wheels are mounted loosely on a common
shaft c, which has its bearings in the counting box, and the wheels are driven
round by means of pawles d, d, mounted loosely on a crank shaft e, and pro-
pelled forward by the rotation of the crank shaft. The periphery of all the
numeral wheels but the last is notched (as shewn at Figures 2) to correspond
with the tenth tooth of the ratchet wheels, and the pawles d, d, are of such a
breadth (with the exception of the first) as to be able to take into the teeth
of the ratchet wheels belonging to the next adjoining numeral wheel. When
therefore, the notch in the periphery of the first numeral wheel is presented to
the second pawle that pawle will fall into contact with its own ratchet wheel,
and at the next movement of the crank shaft drive round that wheel, and
thereby count ten. The like operation will take place as every tenth tooth is
pawled by the first pawle, and when ten have been pawled by the second,
pawle the third pawle will come into operation and indicate one hundred, and
so on through the range of wheels, as will be well understood by all persons
acquainted with the common counting apparatus.
To enable the operator to know the state of insulation of the cable during
the whole time that it is in the progress of manufacture, the following means is
employed: The in-board extremities of the insulated wires are severally
affixed by a binding screw to a disc wheel mounted on an extension of the
shaft which carries the reel o (Fig. 1. Sheet II.). The disc wheels may be
made of some non-conducting material, and the wires may be threaded through
them as shewn in the detached sectional view, Fig. 6, Sheet II., but in that
case they must have a ring of metal on their peripheries to receive the pressure
of a metal spring in connection with a signal apparatus. The binding screws
are connected to the metallic periphery of their respective disc wheels, and
thus, though the wheels and wires are rotating, a metallic circuit may be main-
tained between a battery at one extremity of the cable and a signal apparatus
at the other. It will thus be understood that if a continuous current is main-
tained between these two points and along all the insulated wires the breakage
of any one of these wires will be immediately notified, and thereby the attendant
will be enabled to remedy the defect immediately it occurs.
In Sheet III. a modification of the apparatus just described, for manufac-
turing telegraph cables, is shewn, By this arrangement it is proposed to
combine four groups of insulated wires (each having a protecting covering
of metal strands or wires) with a chain cable as a flexible core.
purpose a vessel is fitted with four sets of machinery, analogous to that before
For this

page_text: described, as shown in longitudinal view Fig. 3, and in cross section at Fig. 4,
which sets of machinery act simultaneously and at the same speed, and
surround the insulated wires with strands of protecting wire. These several
cables, thus constructed, are drawn towards a central point by four guide
rollers a, a, shewn best in the detached view Fig. 5, and between these the
chain which is to form the core of the cable (& is drawn from the reel b) is
passed, the same being drawn forward through a recl b*, b*, together with
the insulated wires, by means of the gripping wheels c, c. This reel b, b, carries
four bobbins supplied with wire, and as the combined cable passes through
it the reel is rotated, and thereby caused to "serve out" the wires on the
bobbins, and bind the several parts together, as indicated by the Diagram
Fig. 6.
In some cases we prefer to use a plaiting machine, instead of the warping
reel just described. When it is not thought desirable to use a chain as a core, a
hempen core may be used to preserve the sets of insulated wires in their
respective positions. These insulated wires may be bound together by cover-
ing wires or strands in the ordinary manner of plaiting, instead of being
"served over" with binding wires by a rotating reel, as before described.
From the foregoing description it will be understood that insulated tele-
graph wires, for land as well as marine purposes, may be prepared by our
improved machinery. This machinery is also adapted for making wire and
hempen ropes.
Having now described our Invention, and the manner of carrying the same
into effect, we wish it to be understood that we claim,-
First, the mode of insulating suspended wires at their points of support, as
above described.
Secondly, we claim the arrangements of machinery, above described, for
manufacturing telegraph cables.
Thirdly, we claim the setting up of such or analogous machinery on board
steam or other vessels, whereby telegraph cables may be manufactured and
submerged simultaneously.
Fourthly, we claim the mode herein described of testing the conducting
power of telegraph wires while they are being manufactured into cables for the
purpose above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Smith, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.
WILLIAM (L.S.) SMITH.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Eighth day of September, in
the year of our Lord 1852, the aforesaid William Smith came before. our.
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the. Specifi-
cation aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in
form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped
according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.