Year: 1899

page_text: We, AXEL ORLING, 7, Engelbrektsgatan, Electrician, and CARL GUSTAF GEORG
BRAUNERHJELM, 19, Engelbrektsgatan, Colonel, both of Stockholm, in the King-
dom of Sweden, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to a receiver for waves of light, heat or electricity.
which receiver is so constructed that its sensitivity to said waves can be adjusted
within certain limits in a very simple manner. The receiver is essentially com-
posed of a series of electrically-connected objects located between two electrodes
within an air-tight closed casing, from the interior of which the air has been
wholly or partially removed, said objects forming part of an electric circuit,
and normally exerting a great resistance to the electric current, whereas when
acted on by waves of heat, light or electricity, they are polarised and thus made
to favour the passage of the current, their resistance consequently being materially
diminished.
In the accompanying drawing there is shewn in two views at right angles to
each other, one form of such a receiver, more especially adapted for use in ships,
railway trains, balloons and like means of transportation, for signalling the
presence of other vessels, etc., or other objects, in the vicinity.
The apparatus shewn in the drawing is rotatably connected with a weight sus-
pended on a universal joint so as to swing freely and in the motions of the vessel
keep the apparatus always at a certain inclination to the horizon. The objects a,
which are suitably made spherical or cylindrical in shape, are contained in a
U-shaped holder or trough b, of non-conducting material so as to rest on the
bottom of said trough and obtain support at the side from the walls or ribs b.
At the ends of the trough b, are located the electrodes c, c¹, each connected
with one of the terminals of an electric current-course and consisting of plates
of metal or other conductor fixed in the trough. The electrodes c, c¹ are by means
of wires each connected with one of the contact pieces d, d', fused into the ends
of a non-conducting casing f. from which the air has been wholly or partly
removed. The electric current flows from the battery B through the electro-
magnet M. belonging to the relay R. to the contact-piece d. the electrode e¹, the
objects a, electrode c, contact-piece d, and back to the battery. So long as the
waves acting on the objects a are insufficient in strength their resistance to the
electric current will remain so great that the latter is unable to bring the relay R

page_text: into action. Not until light, heat or electrical waves of sufficient strength are
allowed to influence the objects a, causing the resistance of the latter to be
diminished by virtue of the polarisation, will the relay be brought into action
and close one or more secondary circuits into which electrical signalling-
apparatus are coupled. Thus, for instance, if electrical waves be emitted from
a vessel, or other object, in the vicinity of the vessel on which the receiver is
stationed, this will be announced by the signal-apparatus connected with the
receiver being brought into action.
In order to increase or decrease the sensitivity of the receiver at will, it is only
necessary to revolve it into a more or less inclined position, the inclination being
read off on a scale fixed to the casing f and adapted to move past a fixed
pointer The said scale may suitably be flexibly attached to the casing f
and provided with holes into which a pin or the like can snap so as to lock
the receiver in certain fixed positions. By the greater or less inclination of the
receiver the circle is determined within which the apparatus will act, so that a
vessel advancing in a narrow water need not be troubled by unnecessary signalling.
Dated the 08th day of T
100
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.
improved Receiver for waves of Light, eat, or Electricity.
We, AXEL ORLING, of 7, Engelbrektsgatan, Electrician, and CARL GUSTAF GEORG
BRAUNERIIJELM, of 19, Engelbrektsgatan, Colonel, both of Stockholm, Sweden,
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:-
The present invention relates to a receiver for waves of light, heat or electricity,
which receiver is so constructed that its sensitivity to said waves can be adjusted
within certain limits in a very simple manner. The receiver is essentially com-
posed of a series of electrically-connected objects located between two electrodes
within an air-tight closed casing, from the interior of which the air has been
wholly or partially removed, said objects forming part of an electric circuit,
and normally exerting a great resistance to the electric current, whereas when
acted on by waves of heat, light or electricity, they are polarised and thus made
to favour the passage of the current, their resistance consequently being materially
diminished.
In the drawing left with the Provisional Specification there is shewn in two
views at right angles to other, one form of such a receiver, more especially adapted
for use in ships, railway trains, balloons and like means of transportation, for
signalling the presence of other vessels, etc., or other objects in the vicinity.
The apparatus shewn in the drawing is rotatably connected with a weight sus-
pended on a universal joint so as to swing freely and in the motions of the vessel
keep the apparatus always at a certain inclination to the horizon.
The objects a,
which are suitably made spherical or cylindrical in shape, are contained in an
U-shaped holder or trough b, b¹ of non-conducting material so as to rest on the
Bottom of said trough and obtain support at the side from the walls or ribs b.
At the ends of the trough b, b1 are located the electrodes e, c¹, each connected
with one of the terminals of an electric current-source, and consisting of plates
of metal or other conductor fixed in the trough. The electrodes c, care by means

page_text: of wires each connected with one of the contact pieces d, d, fused into the ends
of a non-conducting casing f, from which the air has been wholly or partly
removed. The electric current flows from the battery B through the electro-
magnet M of the relay R, to the contact-piece 7, the electrode c¹, the
objects a, electrode c, contact-piece d, and back to the battery. So long as the
waves acting on the objects a are insufficient in strength their resistance to the
electric current will remain so great that the latter is unable to bring the relay R
into action. Not until light, heat or electrical waves of sufficient strength are
allowed to influence the objects a, causing the resistance of the latter to be
diminished by virtue of the polarisation, will the relay be brought into action
and close one or, more secondary electric circuits into which electrical signalling-
apparatus are coupled. Thus, for instance, if electrical waves be emitted from
a vessel, or other object, in the vicinity of the vessel on which the receiver is
stationed, this will be announced by the signal-apparatus connected with the
receiver being brought into action.
In order to increase or decrease the sensitivity of the receiver at will, it is only
necessary to turn it so that the longitudinal axis of the coherer points to the
direction from which signals are expected and to turn the coherer into a more
or less inclined position. The sensitivity of the apparatus is greatest when the
coherer stands in a vertical position, the same being then acted upon by a greater
number of waves as well as the conducting bodies being pressed harder together.
The sensitivity decreases the more the apparatus is turned toward the horizontal
position. To facilitate the handling of the apparatus a scale s fixed to the casing f
and adapted to move past a fixed pointer is provided. The said scale may suit-
able be flexibly attached to the casing f and provided with holes into which a
pin p or the like can snap so as to lock the coherer in any desired position. By
providing the lighthouses and vessels or other vehicles with transmitters emitting
a certain strength of electric waves and having the scale s on the receiver graduated
it will be easy to ascertain the distance of the nearest vessel or lighthouse when
signals are given. By inclining the receiver more or less the distance within
which the apparatus will act is easily adjusted, so that a vessel advancing in a
narrow or crowded water need not be troubled by unnecessary signals from objects
at greater distance. When the apparatus is not to be used on board vessels the
holder and ring may be omitted so that the coherer is directly journalled in the
stand.
The apparatus may, of course, be adapted for receiving signals by means of light,
heat or similar rays by using conducting bodies that are sensitive to such rays.
Thus when used for signalling by means of light the conducting bodies are made
of selenium or the like.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In a receiver for electric or similar waves the combination with the sensitive
resistance, of a stand in which the said resistance is journalled so as to be turned
about a transversal axis, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a receiving apparatus of the class described the combination with the
sensitive resistance of a holder in which said resistance is journalled so as to
be turned about a transversal axis, a ring in which said holder is journalled,
and a stand in which said ring is journalled, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
3. In a receiving apparatus of the class described the combination with the
resistance of a stand in which the said resistance is journalled so as to be turned
about a transversal axis, and means such as a springy scale provided with holes
snapping onto a pin for holding the coherer in any desired inclination, substan-
tially as and for the purpose set forth.
4. In a receiving apparatus of the class described the combination with the

page_text: sensitive resistance of a holder in which said resistance is journalled so as to
be turned about a transversal axis, a ring in which the said holder is journalled,
a stand in which said ring is journalled, and means such as a scale attached to
the said resistance snapping onto pins on the said holder for holding the said
resistance in any desired position, substantially as described.
Dated this 17th day of October 1899.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of London, Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham.