IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH BATTERIES, WHEREBY THEY CONVERTED INTO TRANSMITTERS OF SOUND."
Year: 1880

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Henelade Courtenay at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th June 1880.
ROBERT HENELADE COURTENAY, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of London.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH BATTERIES, WHEREBY THEY
CONVERTED INTO TRANSMITTERS OF SOUND."
ARE
This Invention has for its object the construction of either a single cell or a
series of batteries in such a way as to form either a single or compound transmitter
of sound by means of a tension spring adjusted to the negative element of the
battery or batteries, the advantages being that no resisting substance is employed
in circuit other than the ordinary elements of the batteries and line in the usual
way, the result being that more electro motive force is used on the primary circuit
of any transmitter constructed on this principle than on that of any other at
present known. In some cases a point of carbon also may be used as a continuation
of the negative element, which vibrates with the spring, and is affixed to the metal
used as a conductor.
The description, mode of construction, advantages, and general utility, are as
follows:-
First. A single cell with the tension spring connected to the negative element
and insulated from the porous cell forms an improved microphone and a battery in
one instrument.
Secondly. The principle admits of a powerful compound battery to be made by
making a compound porous cell in the form of a hollow square with partitions in
the sides for the negative elements, each element being connected with the other by
a rod of carbon terminating with a slab and tension spring, with positive elements
inside and outside the square porous cell which is placed in a suitable outer cell.
Thirdly. Each cell can be coupled up in the ordinary way according to the
distance required to send the message, as in ordinary telegraphs.
Fourthly. To make a delicate transmitter with one or more of the cells described,
it is only necessary to connect a small intensity or other compound coil with the
battery, as in the ordinary way, in connection with a receiver and with similar
instruments at the distant end.
Fifthly. Through being able to use any number of cells it is possible to transmit
articulate sounds through a larger amount of induction than can be accomplished
by any other transmitter.

page_text: A single cell is constructed thus: -An ordinary carbon battery is constructed,
with the negative element sufficiently long to pass either through a slot in a case
made to hold the battery or to meet the contact of the tension spring fixed to an
insulator on the porous cell. The spring most desirable in form can be made of
any of the usual metals, and be placed over the negative element with a nut
screwed on the insulator or the top of the case containing the battery. The nut
answers the purpose of adjusting the required tension of the vibratory spring or
springs. One or more can be used of any suitable metal ordinarily in use for
battery connection.
The battery is put into action by switch or otherwise, and connected as described
above.
Any one talking near the battery can be heard at the distant end of the line.