Improvements in and Apparatus for Transmitting and Recording Orders, specially applicable for use as a Ship's Telegraph.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 11th June, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 11th Mar., 1891-Accepted, 2nd May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Apparatus for Transmitting and Recording
Orders, specially applicable for use as a Ship's Telegraph.
I, LUCIEN VIALET-CHABRAND, of Ciotat, France Electrical Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The transmission of orders especially on board ships, is of the greatest importance,
and ought to be effected with rapidity and accuracy, consequently only those
apparatus are suitable for this purpose which can be easily worked and understood,
and are simple in construction and reliable.
Various forms of apparatus have heretofore been proposed and tried, but none of
these so far as I know, fulfil all the conditions required and they are usually very
cumbrous and owe their want of success mainly to the purely mechanical means
employed for transmission of orders from one to the other.
With the great length of existing vessels and the necessity there is for sheltering
from projectiles the rods and pitch chains employed to connect the transmitter and
the receiver, whilst at the same time keeping the said rods and chains within reach
to allow of their examination and maintenance when required, it has been found
necessary to considerably increase the length of these connections, and to provide
for numerous changes of direction of motion. This considerably increases the
amount of resistance to be overcome during the transmission of an order; thereby
producing extensions and deformations in the differents parts of the metallic line
connecting the apparatus, which render it necessary to make frequent trials to
ensure that the indications of the two apparatus agree. Besides this disadvantage
which is inherent to all purely mechanical arrangements for transmitting orders, it
must be borne in mind that this mode of transmission is very expensive, not only on
account of the cost of installation, but also on account of the cost of maintenance
and frequent repairs and readjustments.
In apparatus for transmitting orders according to this invention and which has
been designed to meet all the necessary requirements of such apparatus and to
obviate the disadvantages mentioned, electricity plays the principal part in the
transmission of orders.
Externally the apparatus is made to resemble the apparatus already in use to a
certain extent in the Mercantile Marine, and known as Chadburn's, in order that
it may be readily understood and worked by persons familiar with the latter
apparatus.
By this invention two stations can be readily connected by a suitably insulated
cable, boxes being provided at suitable points for facilitating the laying of such
cable and the connecting up of the various wires contained therein.
The orders to be transmitted are equal in number to those necessitated by the
requirements of the service, but they may be increased or diminished in number if
necessary.
The orders for "going ahead". are usually seven in number viz.: 1 attention;
2, slowly; 3, as slowly as possible; 4, more slowly; 5, faster; 6, go ahead (normal
speed) 7, full speed ahead.
The orders for "going astern" are slightly different from the preceding, and are
also usually seven in number viz., 1, attention; 2, slowly; 3, very slowly; 4, as
slowly as possible; 5, more slowly; 6, faster; 7, full speed astern.
The orders for "going ahead" and "going astern
not and cannot be any going astern" (normal speed).
:: are different because there is
In case of danger the order must be "engine full speed astern
astern" (normal speed).
=2
#
and not go

page_text: Figs. 9 illustrate in front and side elevations, the lever for breaking contact.
Figs. 10 and 11 are respectively a section and an external view of an indicator.
Fig. 12 shows in detail the relay and connections.
Figs. 13, 14, and 15, are diagrammatic views of various installations illustrating
the application of the invention.
The transmitter (Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4) comprises a cylindrical metal box a
mounted on a hollow metal foot, through which pass the connecting wires, and the
controlling bell, and a relay. The two heads or covers a' a² of the box a are
formed with central openings, the one for the reception of the central portion of a
cross piece d and the other for supporting, with the nave of the said cross piece,
the shaft which is formed in two parts, one of steel and the other of gun metal,
and carries operating levers provided with handles e c'.
The circular ends of the box are screw threaded internally to receive the
correspondingly externally screwed heads a' a², and are formed with regular corru-
gations or undulations a* in such a manner that each recess or undulation corresponds
to one of the orders indicated on the apparatus and shewn in Fig. 1.
The levers with handles c, c', are finally keyed upon the ends of the shaft b,
where they are each further held by a cap fixed to the shaft by means of a screw.
Each of these levers is furnished with a spring 2 having an enlarged and rounded
end for passing over the undulations a* and with a hand or pointer for indicating
the signal being transmitted.
By operating one lever, the other is caused to execute the same movements, and
it is to be understood that the designations or indications on the two heads of the
box are identical and are symmetrically arranged.
دل
The words indicating the orders to be transmitted are on plates y, g of ground
glass carried by the heads a', a², and covered by transparent glass plates g², y³,
respectively for efficiently protecting the words.
The covering plates 92, 93, are kept in place by brass rings 9* fixed by screws or
other suitable means to the heads a a². Cement or putty can be used to make the
joints tight. The outer covering plates may however if desired be dispensed with.
The support d, the arms of which are firmly fixed to the interior of the box is
permanently connected to a plate of hard wood the front face of which is
furnished near the centre, with symmetrical circular contact pieces, with an
intermediate contact piece 2, and also with fifteen contact pieces,
u,
arranged in
an annular row concentric to the centre of the plate and constituting two
symmetrical series, each consisting of seven pieces, the remaining or fifteenth
piece being arranged between the two series and diametrically opposite to the
contact piece 2.
These contact pieces are each let into so as to be flush with the surface of the
plate and are electrically connected into two groups, one group comprising
the central contact pieces f, ff, and the other group comprising the outer
contact pieces f³. From each of these groups there leads a conducting wire t
the receiver.

page_text: The nave of the cross-piece d is traversed by the steel portion b of the shaft upon
the screw-threaded end of which is screwed the gun metal portion & the two
The
being further fixed together by a pin passed through both of them.
portion carries a plate h of ebonite upon which is fixed a contact lever, having
two arms P.
The longer of these arms viz. l, bears upon one or other of the contact
pieces whilst the shorter arm 1 bears upon one or other of the contact
pieces ff¹ f2.
Both of these arms are sufficiently flexible to bear in a permanent and elastic.
manner upon the contact pieces opposite which they are for the time being
brought.
The transmitter is arranged for use with its axis in line with or parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the ship this serves to facilitate it being operated for
manoeuvring. Thus, starting from the position of "rest" upon which are the
hands or pointers of the hand levers, if it be desired to give the order ahead," it
is merely necessary to push forward the handle or that is situated within
convenient reach until the hands come opposite the designation "ahead."
*
To give the order "astern," the handle is moved in the opposite direction.
To give the order "stop "the handle must be moved into its lowest position
diametrically opposite that which it occupied when at "rest."
Thus an order can
be given instinctively so to speak, which may be of great value in cases where
there is need of a quick change of speed or a quick reversal of the direction of
motion.
The springs fixed to the lever handles e c', serve to retain these levers in the
position corresponding to an order sent.
The arms of the contact lever establish electrical communication between
one or other of the inner contact pieces fff and one or other of the outer
contact pieces fƒ³.
The receiver (Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8) comprises a cylindrical metal box k closed
by means of two heads or covers ¹² attached by screwing. The tube k³ enclosing
the conducting cable terminates at the rear head or cover k².
The front head or cover is furnished with the words corresponding to the orders
to be transmitted from the transmitter, and which are grouped in two series, as in
the transmitter; one group for motion ahead, and the other group for motion
astern, but motion ahead is marked on the left hand side of the apparatus when it
is shown at the right hand side of the transmitter, whilst motion astern is then
marked on the right hand side of the receiver, and at the left hand side of the
transmitter. The order -"rest is at the bottom in the transmitter, and at the
top in the receiver. The orders "stop" are also diametrically opposite on
the dials of the two apparatus.
"
The front cover of the box kis like the box a formed with corrugations or
undulations each recess or undulation corresponding to an order.
i is a support fixed by means of its arms, to internal bosses of the box and the
nave of which in conjunction with the front cover ¹ serves to support the shaft j
of the operating lever m. This lever which is doubly keyed and held longitu-
dinally by the pressure of a nut screwed and pinned upon the end of the shaft
carries a pointer a arranged at right angles to the lever.
To the lever m which is provided with handles as shown, are fixed springs n n',.
On the
with enlarged ends for bearing in an elastic and continual manner
corrugated or undulated surface k so as to arrest the lever at each division of
the dial.
The support i has rigidly fixed to it a plate o of wood furnished with fifteen
brass springs, 7, 7, 2 of which seven (7) are arranged at the left hand side and
seven (7) on the right hand side with an intermediate one (72) corresponding to
stop between the two series, the several springs of the two series also correspond
respectively to the several words or orders on the cover k¹.
<<
On the shaft j, and rubbing against the end of the nave of the support i, is keyed

page_text: a plate q
of gun metal. This plate is designed to carry a levers which is however,
completely insulated from the plate. For this purpose an ebonite ring g' is inter-
posed between the plate g and the lever, and the fixing screws pass through ebonite
sleeves as shewn in Fig. 6.
The springs ",. . of the one series, 7", .... of the other series and 3 for "stop"
bear by means of contact parts upon plates t, t, t², respectively let into the
plate.Ó, and are electrically connected with the transmitter on the bridge, each of
these springs being separately electrically connected at with the said transmitter.
By this arrangement movement of the lever m will cause the contact parts of the
springs to move away from the plates t, l', or 12, in succession, and thereby interrupt
the current through each of these springs when the operation of the transmitter
has directed it through one or other of these springs.
The operation of the lever handles e, c', of the transmitter has for object, in
stopping at one or other division of its dials, to establish electrical connection
through the conducting elements corresponding to that division; consequently the
alarm bell actuated by the closing of this connection will only cease sounding at
the moment when the lever m, by means of the internal piece or lever s, shall have
moved away that spring which has been placed in circuit, and which corresponds to
the order being transmitted.
The springs n, n', with which the lever m is provided, carry pins n² which pass
freely through the arms of the lever and thus prevent any deflection of the springs
by reason of the resistance of the ridges of the corrugated surface * over which the
springs travel.
The indicator box, Figs. 10, 11, and 12, which is mounted with its union ², on
the union (Fig. 6) of the receiver, has for object to indicate to the engineer the
nature of the order being transmitted, whether for "ahead," "astern," or "stop."
The principle of its operation is as follows:-
If a tube of iron supported by two points that are not in line with its axis, be
arranged in front of the cores of an electro magnet, then when the cores of the
electro magnet are magnetised by the passage of an electric current, the tube will be
attracted and will turn on the points supporting it. Now if it be assumed that a
light screen is fixed through the tube and that when in the position of rest, the
weight of the tube and screen will act to place the latter vertically so as to hide an
order, it is evident that when the tube is attracted the screen will be raised and the
order rendered visible. After the current has passed through the cores of the
electro magnet, it is caused to pass through the coil of a relay which will actuate
a strong bell of the Redon type, intended to call the attention of the engineer to the
indicator box above which the said bell is situated. Or the alarm can be operated
direct by a current sent from the transmitter.
An alarm signal may also be adopted to facilitate the return of the levers of the
transmitter and receiver to the position of "rest" after use.
It will be understood that the order rendered visible, is the one relating to the
direction of motion of the engine; that a single bell is necessary with this arrange-
ment, and that this bell will continue ringing until the lever m of the receiver has
been turned sufficiently to bring the pointer in front of the secondary order,
indicating the speed to be given to the engine.
The heads or covers of the indicator are provided with glass plates u², u³, and
behind the front one is a gun metal partition furnished with three windows
having screens, ', 2. Each of these screens is fixed upon a tube y of soft iron
mounted eccentrically upon pivot pins y', y. To the partition u are secured the
cores e, e¹, es of three electro-magnets. Z is a piece of ebonite upon which the
several electrical connections are mounted. A right-angled piece of channel
form, is fixed on the piece and carries a relay whose armature is arranged to close
the circuit in which is included the ringing up apparatus which is arranged upon
the box but is not shown in the drawings. The conducting wires pass to the
ringing apparatus through a sleeve w of insulating material which extends through
the top of the box..

page_text: for
In Fig. 11, the screen for "ahead," is shown depressed, and the screen
astern" is raised; the screen 2 for "stop" with its soft iron tube and the pivot
pins therefor being removed. The cores of the electro magnets are each secured at
one end to the partition, and the other end is screw-threaded. To secure good
metallic contact between the two cores of each electro magnet and the yoke, the
latter is secured to the former by two nuts. When the bobbins or coils have been
placed upon the cores, the inner nuts are screwed up until they bear against
shoulders on the cores upon which the yoke is then placed and secured by other nuts..
In order to prevent the production of Foucault currents, each tube carrying a
screen is split longitudinally from its two ends in such a manner that the slits are:
opposite each other and extend beyond each other for about the length of a.
centimetre in the middle of the tube. The cheeks are also split, and the four slits.
cross one another two by two.
Upon the rear plate 2 of the indicator box there may be fixed a lantern for
rendering the principal orders visible through the front plate u³.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:-
-
Assuming the receiver and transmitter to be in the position of rest, and a single
battery to be connected up with the transmitter then if it be desired to transmit
an order from the bridge, the lever handles c, c¹ of the transmitter are moved to.
the required indication on the transmitter and an electric current immediately
passes to the receiver and an alarm is sounded in the engine room to attract the
attention of the engineer. This alarm notifies to the engineer the direction of
motion which he is to give to the engine, either by its special sound, or by causing
him to look at the indicator exposed in indicator box. The engineer then simply
turns the lever m of his receiver so as to bring the pointer over or in front of the
secondary orders corresponding to the direction of motion signalled to him; and
continues turning the lever until the alarm ceases, when he will know that the
order over which the pointer then stands is that which was transmitted to him from
the bridge.
With the arrangement described only a very short period elapses between the
instant of transmitting the order from the bridge, and the instant when the
engineer, who has begun the necessary movement, knows the speed required.
In order that the officer may know whether the order has been properly
transmitted a ringing apparatus is arranged near the transmitter so as to be set in
operation by the current returning by way of the receiver. In this manner the
officer operating the transmitter, is able to check the working of the several
apparatus and also to know what period of time elapses between the instant of
transmitting an order, and the instant at which it is received and attended to.
necessary elements comprised in an installation of the said apparatus, can be
arranged in various ways.
The
In Fig. 13, which illustrates a complete installation the battery P comprises
16 Leclanché cells, of the new pattern, with circular carbons. The eight cells on
the left produce the current which passes through the transmitter T, the receiver R,
the coils of the electro magnet of an indicator box V, the relay of the alarm S
upon the indicator box, and that of the control alarm S¹ for the bridge.
The two cells on the right of the first mentioned cells are in circuit with the.
control alarm S', and the six others are in circuit with the alarm S.
Between the two stations is a connection box B with binding screws, for joining
up the several wires to connect the various parts of the apparatus and to facilitate
checking during erection. The several wires have been numbered for sake of
clearness.
Between the connection box B and the receiver, there are 18 wires, of which 14
serve for the secondary orders, 1 for the order "stop; 2 for the alarm S³, and a
return wire common to the three electro-magnets of the indicator and the current
of which is completed through the relay of the engine room alarm S, and that of
the control alarm S'. There is a corresponding number of wires between the
transmitter and the connection box.

page_text: ;
In Fig. 14 the installation comprises an alarm on the receiver and a single
battery on the bridge arranged in a similar manner to that in the preceding
installation. Between the transmitter T and the receiver R is arranged a box B
with connections and relays. Two boxes might be employed instead of one; thus
the box for the connections can be arranged at any suitable point of the cable,
and the box containing the relays can be placed above the receiver, the union at
the top of the receiver being utilized to support the said relay box. To this
box may be fixed the collar of the tube for leading the wires to the three
alarms.
With this last mentioned arrangement there are less wires to be arranged
between the connection box and the receiver than there are between one single
box for connections and relays and the said receiver. In both cases the number
of wires starting from the transmitter will be eighteen.
Fig. 15 illustrates a complete installation with alarms on the receiver and a
battery in the engine room. The battery P on the bridge comprises in this
modification only ten cells cight of which generate the current passing through the
several apparatus, the relay of an engine room alarm X, and that of the control
alarm S¹ on the bridge. In the engine room there are six cells P¹ for the engine
room alarms X.
The connection box B and the box containing the relays are shown separated
from each other. By placing the relay box on the receiver, the connections for
the lower part of the line commencing at the connection box, can be considerably
simplified.
The construction of the several apparatus hereinbefore described allows of the
addition thereto, of a device for recording orders.
Since the transmitter and the receiver are connected by as many wires as
there are orders to be transmitted, it is easy to include at some point in the
length of each wire an electro magnet whose armature is provided with a pencil,
that will be depressed when the current is passing, so as to leave the trace of its
movement upon a band of paper set in motion by means of clock-work arranged
to actuate two cylinders.
As there are fifteen wires, as many electro magnets of the kind just referred to
can be grouped together, but for the sake of simplicity, only the principal orders
may be recorded, by employing only three electro magnets.
The device for recording orders will usually be situated on the bridge within
convenient reach of the captain, and will be arranged to be placed in and out of
circuit by means of a switch or commutator provided for the purpose.
The use of the recording device will be of considerable value as it will enable a
record to be kept of maneuvres of interest which it may be necessary to execute
with the vessels of a squadron, or of a single ship in the course of trials.
The indicator herein before referred to, may be variously constructed, thus it may
be constructed as herein before described with reference to Figs. 10, 11 and 12, or
it may comprise a stationary electro magnet having in a prolongation thereof, a
movable electro magnet. The current coming from the transmitter and passing
through the two electro magnets, will magnetize with like polarity the cores placed
near each other, in such a manner as to produce a deviation of the movable electro
magnet which, by its movement, will cause the principal order to become visible.
In lieu of the movable electro magnet, a strongly magnetized steel bar may
be used, arranged to deviate from its position of rest without the magnetization
momentarily produced by the current in the cores of the stationary electro-
magnet.
The alarms arranged near the transmitter and receiver may be of any construction
suitable for the objects in view.
Tail : 111
Ր
1000
L. VIALET-CHABRAND.
By L. W., per F. B.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Apparatus for Transmitting and Recording
Orders, specially applicable for use as a Ship's Telegraph.
I, LUCIEN VIALET-CHABRAND, of Ciotat, France, Electrical Engineer, 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 transmission of orders especially on board ships, is of the greatest importance;
and ought to be effected with rapidity and accuracy, consequently only those
apparatus are suitable for this purpose which can be casily worked and understood,
and are simple in construction and reliable.
Various forms of apparatus have heretofore been proposed and tried, but none of
these so far as I know, fulfil all the conditions required and they are usually very
cummbrous and owe their want of success mainly to the purely mechanical means
employed for the transmission of orders from the transmitting part of the apparatus
to the receiving part.
With the great length of existing vessels and the necessity there is for sheltering
from projectiles the rods and pitch chains employed to connect the transmitter and
the receiver, whilst at the same time keeping the said rods and chains within reach
to allow of their examination and maintenance when required, it has been found
necessary to considerably increase the length of these connections, and to provide for
numerous changes of direction of motion. This considerably increases the amount
of resistance to be overcome during the transmission of an order, thereby producing
extensions and deformations in the different parts of the metallic line connecting
the parts of the apparatus, which render it necessary to make frequent trials to
ensure that the indications of the transmitter and receiver agree. Besides this dis-
advantage which is inherent to all purely mechanical arrangements for transmitting
orders it must be borne in mind that this mode of transmission is very expensive,
not only on account of the cost of installation, but also on account of the cost of
maintenance and readjustments.
In apparatus according to this invention, which is designed to meet all the
necessary requirements of such apparatus and to obviate the disadvantages
mentioned, electricity plays the principal part in the transmission of orders.
Externally the apparatus is made to resemble the apparatus already muse to
a certain extent in the Mercantile Marine, and known as Chadburn's, in order
that it may be readily understood and worked by persons familiar with the latter
apparatus.
By this invention two stations can be readily connected by a suitable insulated
cable, boxes being provided at suitable points for facilitating the laying of such
cable and the connecting up of the various wires contained therein.
The orders to be transmitted are equal in number to those necessitated by the
requirements of the service, but they may be increased or diminished in number if
necessary.
The orders for "going ahead" are usually seven in number: viz. 1, Attention,
2, Slowly, 3, Very slowly, 4, More slowly, 5, Faster, 6, Go ahead (normal speed);
7, Full speed ahead.
The orders for " going astern" are slightly different from the preceding, and
are also usually seven in number: riz., 1, Attention; 2, Slowly; 3, More slowly ;
4, Very slowly; 5, More slowly; 6, Faster; 7, Full speed astern.
The orders for "going ahead" and "going astern
is not and cannot be any "going astern "(normal speed).
are different because there
In case of danger the order must be "engine full speed astern
astern (normal speed).
27
and not "go

page_text: Fig. 6 a cross section:
Fig. 7 a front view of a plate carrying contact pieces, and
Fig. 8 a detail view of a support for this plate."
Figs. 9 illustrate in front and side elevations, the lever for breaking contact.
Figs. 10 and 11 are respectively a section and an external view of an indicator.
Fig. 12 shews in detail the relay and connections.
Figs. 13, 14, and 15 are diagrammatic views of various installations illustrating
the application of the invention.
The remaining figures are hereinafter referred to.
The transmitter (Figs. 1,2,3 and 4) comprises a cylindrical metal box a mounted
on a hollow metal foot into the interior of which pass the connecting wires, and in
which the controlling ringing device, and a relay are situated.
The two heads or covers a', a² of the box a are formed with central openings,
the one for the reception of the central portion of a support d, and the other for
supporting in conjunction with the nave of the said support, the shaft which is
formed in two parts, one of steel and the other of gun-metal, and carries operating
levers provided with handles e, c¹. The circular ends of the box are screw threaded
internally to receive the correspondingly externally screwed heads, a¹, a², and are
formed with corrugations a* in such a manner that each recess between two ridges
corresponds to one of the orders indicated in Fig. 1.
The levers with handles c, c, are firmly keyed upon the ends of the shaft 6, 1
where they are each further held by a cap or plate fixed to the shaft by means of
a screw. Each of these levers is furnished with a spring having an enlarged
and rounded end for passing over the corrugations a*, and with a hand or pointer ³
for indicating the signal being transmitted. By operating one lever, the other is
caused to execute the same movements, and it is to be understood that the desig
nations or indications on the two heads of the box are identical and are symmetrically
arranged. The words indicating the orders to be transmitted are on plates g, g of
ground glass carried by the heads a', a² and covered by transparent glass plates ², g³
respectively, for effectively protecting the words. The covering plates 92, are
kept in place by brass rings g fixed by screws or other suitable means to the
heads a¹, a². Cement or putty can be used to make the joints tight. The outer
covering plates may however if desired be dispensed with.
The support d, the arms of which are firmly fixed to the interior of the box a,
is permanently connected to a plate d' of hard wood the front face of which is
furnished near the centre, with symmetrical circular contact pieces,, with an
intermediate contact piece 2, and also with fifteen contact pieces arranged in
an annular row concentric with the centre of the plate and constituting two
symmetrical series, each consisting of seven pieces, the remaining or fifteenth
piece being arranged between the two series and diametrically opposite to the
contact piece f².
These contact pieces are each let into so as to be flush with the surface of

page_text: the plate, and are electrically connected into two groups, one group comprising
the central contact pieces f, and the other group comprising the outer
contact pieces f³. From each of these groups there leads a conducting wire to the
receiver.
The nave of the support d is traversed by the steel portion b of the shaft
upon the screw threaded end of which is screwed the gun metal portion ¹, the
two being further fixed together by a pin passed through both of them. The
which
portion carries a plate h of insulating material such as ebonite, upon
is fixed a contact lever, having two arms 1, . One of these arms vis. l, bears
upon one or other of the contact pieces f³, whilst the other arm bears upon one
or other of the contact pieces ff. Both of these arms are sufficiently flexible
to bear in a permanent and elastic manner upon the contact pieces opposite which
they are for the time being brought.
The transmitter is preferably arranged for use with its axis in line with or
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ship; this serves to facilitate it being
operated for manoeuvring. Thus, starting from the position of "Rest" upon which
are the hands or pointers of the hand levers, if it be desired to give the order.
Ahead," it is merely necessary to turn the handle or c', which is situated
within convenient reach, until the hands or pointers e³ come opposite the designa-
tion Ahead."
To give the order "Astern," the handle is moved in the opposite direction.
To give the order "Stop," the handle must be moved into its lowest position,
diametrically opposite to that which it occupied when at "Rest." Thus an order
can be given instinctively so to speak, which may be of great value in cases where
there is need of a quick change of speed, or a quick reversal of the direction of
motion. The springs 2 fixed to the lever handles c, c', serve to retain these levers
in the position corresponding to an order sent.
The arm of the contact lever establishes electrical communication between one
or other of the inner contact pieces, whilst the arm establishes connection
between one or other of the outer contact pieces /
3
The receiver (Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8) comprises a cylindrical metal box k closed by
means of two heads or covers k', attached by screwing. The tube 3 enclosing
The front head or
the conducting cable terminates at the rear head or cover.
cover is furnished with the words corresponding to the orders to be transmitted
from the transmitter, and which are grouped in two series, as in the transmitter,
one group for motion ahead, and the other group for motion astern, but motion
ahead is marked on the left hand side of the apparatus when it is shewn at
the right hand side of the transmitter, whilst motion astern is then marked on the
right hand side of the receiver, and at the left hand side of the transmitter. The
order "Rest" is at the bottom in the transmitter, and at the top in the receiver.
The orders "Stop" are also diametrically opposite on the dials of the two apparatus.
The front cover of the box is like the box a, formed with corrugations k* ;
each recess between two ridges corresponding to an order. i is a support fixed
by means of its arms, to internal bosses within the box; its nave in conjunction
with the front cover, serves to support the shaft of the operating lever m.
This lever which is doubly keyed, and held longitudinally by the pressure of a
nut screwed and pinned upon the end of the shaft, carries a pointer arranged at
right angles to the lever. To this lever, which is provided with handles as shewn,
are fixed springs n, n', with enlarged ends for bearing in an elastic and continuous
manner on the corrugated surface k*, so as to arrest the lever at each division of
the dial.
The support i has rigidly fixed to it a plate o of wood furnished with fifteen
brass springs,,,, of which seven (r) are arranged at the left hand side, and
seven () on the right hand side with an intermediate one (2) corresponding to
Stop arranged between the two series; the several springs of the two series
also correspond respectively to the several words or orders on the cover k'.
On the shaft, and rubbing against the end of the nave of the support i, is
<
R

page_text: Li
keyed a plate 9 of gun metal.
This plate is designed to carry a lever s which is
however completely insulated from the plate. For this purpose an ebonite ring q
is interposed between the plate g and the lever, and the fixing screws pass through
ebonite sleeves, as shown in Fig. 6.
'
,
The springs, 1,
of the one series, ', ',
of the other series,
and 23 for "Stop," bear by means of contact parts * upon plates t, t¹, t2 respectively
let into the plate o and electrically connected with the transmitter on the bridge:
each of the springs is separately electrically connected at with the said trans-
mitter. By this arrangement movement of the lever m will cause the contact
parts of the springs to move away from the plates t, t¹ or 2 in succession, and
thereby interrupt the current when the operation of the transmitter has directed it
through one or other of these springs.
The operation of the lever handles c, c', of the transmitter has for object, in
stopping at one or other division of its dials, to establish electrical connection
through the conducting elements corresponding to that division; consequently,
the alarm bell actuated by the closing of this connection, will only cease sounding
at the moment when the lever m, by means of the internal piece or lever shall
have moved away that spring which has been placed in circuit, and which
corresponds to the order being transmitted.
5,
The springs n, n' with which the lever m is provided, carry pins n' which pass
freely through the arms of the lever m and thus prevent any deflection of the
springs by reason of the resistance of the ridges of the corrugated surface * over
which the springs travel.
"
Now
The indicator box Figs. 10, 11 and 12 which is mounted with its union a¹ on the
union (Fig. 6) of the receiver, has for object to indicate to the engineer the
nature of the order being transmitted, whether for "Ahead," "Astern or "Stop."
The principle of its operation is as follows:-If a tube of iron, supported by two
points that are not in line with its axis, be arranged in front of the cores of an
electro-magnet, then when the cores are magnetized by the passage of an electric
current, the tube will be attracted and will turn on the points supporting it.
if it be assumed that a light screen is fixed to the tube, and that when in the position
of rest, the weight of the tube and screen act to place the latter vertically so as
to hide an order, it is evident that when the tube is attracted, the screen will be
raised and the order rendered visible. After the current has passed through the
coils of the electro-magnet, it is caused to pass through the coil of a relay which
will actuate a strong bell of the Redon type, intended to call the attention of the
engineer to the indicator box above which the said bell is situated. Or the alarm
can be operated direct, by a current sent from the transmitter. An alarm signal
may also be adopted to facilitate the return of the levers of the transmitter and
receiver to the position of "Rest" after use.
It will be understood that the order rendered visible is the one relating to the
direction of motion of the engine; that a single bell is necessary with this arrange-
ment; and that this bell will continue ringing until the lever m of the receiver
has been turned sufficiently to bring the pointer & in front of the secondary order
indicating the speed to be given to the engine.
The heads or covers of the indicator are provided with glass plates 2, 3, and
behind the front one is a gun-metal partition ut furnished with three windows
having screens v, v₁, v². Each of these screens is fixed upon a tube y of soft iron
mounted eccentrically upon pivot pins y', y'. To the partition u are secured the
cores e, el, e³ of three electro magnets. is a piece of ebonite upon which the
several electrical connections are mounted. A right angled piece of channel
form is fixed on the piece z and carries a relay whose armature is arranged to close
the circuit in which is included the ringing up apparatus which is arranged upon
the box but is not shown in the drawings. The conducting wires pass to this
ringing apparatus through a sleeve w of insulating material which extends through
the top of the box.
In Fig. 11, the screen for "ahead," is shown depressed, and the screen for

page_text: "astern
23
is raised the screen for "stop" with its soft iron tube and the pivot
pins therefor being removed. The core of the electro magnets are each secured at
one end to the partition u and the other end is screw-threaded. To secure good
metallic contact between the two cores of each electro-magnet and the yoke, the
latter is secured to the former by two nuts. When the bobbins or coils have been
placed upon the cores, the inner nuts are screwed up until they bear against
shoulders on the core upon which the yoke is then placed and secured by other nuts
as shown.
In order to prevent the production of Foucault currents, each tube carrying a
screen is split longitudinally from its two ends in such a manner that the slits are
arranged at right angles and extend beyond each other for about a centimetre at
the middle of the tube. The cheeks are also split, and the four slits cross one
another two by two.
Upon the rear plate 2 of the indicator box there may be fixed a lantern for
rendering the principal orders visible through the front plate u³.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:-
Assuming the receiver and transmitter, to be in the position of rest, and a single
battery to be connected up with the transmitter, then if it be desired to transmit an
order from the bridge, the lever handles e, c' of the transmitter are moved to the
required indication on the transmitter, and an electric current will immediately pass
to the receiver, and an alarm will be sounded in the engine room to attract the
attention of the engineer. This alarm notifies to the engineer the direction of
motion which he is to give to the engine, which he determines either by the special
sound of the bell, or by inspecting the indicator exposed in the indicator box. The
engineer then simply turns the lever m of his receiver so as to bring the pointer a
over in front of the secondary orders corresponding to the direction of motion
signalled to him and continues turning the lever until the alarm ceases, when he
will know that the order over which the pointer then stands is that which was trans-.
mitted to him from the bridge.
With the arrangement described only a very short period clapses between the
instant of transmitting the order from the bridge, and the instant when the engineer,
who can commence the necessary movement, knows the speed required.
In order that the officer may know whether the order has been properly trans-
mitted, a ringing apparatus is arranged near the transmitter so as to be set in
operation by the current returning by way of the receiver. In this manner the
officer operating the transmitter, is able to check the working of the several
apparatus and also to know what period of time elapses between the instant of
transmitting an order, and the instant at which it is received and attended to. The
accessory elements comprised in an installation of the said apparatus, can be
arranged in various ways.
In Fig. 13 which illustrates a complete installation the battery P comprises
16 Leclanche cells, with circular carbons. The eight cells on the left produce the
current which passes through the transmitter T, the receiver R, the coils of the
electro-magnet of an indicator box V, the relay of the alarm S upon the indicator
box, and that of the control alarm Sí for the bridge.
The two cells on the right of the first mentioned cells are in circuit with the
control alarm S¹, and the six others are in circuit with the alarm S.
Between the two stations is a connection box B with binding screws for joining
up the several wires to connect the various parts of the apparatus and to facilitate
checking during erection. The several wires have been numbered for the sake of
clearness.
Between the connection box B and the receiver, there are 18 wires, of which 14
serve for the secondary orders, 1 for the order "Stop," 2 for the alarm S', and a
return wire common to the three electro magnets of the indicator and the circuit
of which is completed through the relay of the engine room alarm S, and that of
the control alarm S¹. There is a corresponding number of wires between the
transmitter and the connection box.
↓

page_text: •
In Fig. 14 the installation comprises an alarm on the receiver and a single
battery on the bridge arranged in a similar manner to that in the preceding installa-
tion. Between the transmitter T and the receiver R is arranged a box B with con-
nections and relays. Two boxes might be employed instead of one; thus the box
for the connections can be arranged at any suitable point of the cable, and the
box containing the relays can be placed above the receiver, the union at the top of
the receiver being utilized to support the said relay box. To this box may be fixed
the collar of the tube for leading the wires to the three alarms.
With this last mentioned arrangement there are less wires to be arranged between
the connection box and the receiver than there are between one single box for
connections and relays and the said receiver. In both cases the number of wires
starting from the transmitter will be eighteen.
Fig 15 illustrates a complete installation with alarms on the receiver and a
battery in the engine room. The battery P on the bridge comprises in this modi-
fication only ten cells, eight of which generate the current passing through the
several apparatus, the relay of the engine room alarms X, and that of the control
alarm S on the bridge. In the engine room there are six cells P' for the engine
room alarms X.
The connection box B and the box containing the relays are shown separated
from each other. By placing the relay box on the receiver, the connections for
the lower part of the line commencing at the connection box can be considerably
simplified.
Figs. 16 and 17 of the accompanying drawings illustrate diagrammatically two
installations in each of which there is employed a novel means for enabling ringing
devices or other electrical apparatus requiring a weak current and a small difference
of potential between its terminals to be set in operation by the current from a
dynamo machine or other source, whatever the difference of potential between its
poles may be. At present in order to regulate the consumption of current in such
a manner as to place in operation an apparatus of small power, which shall only
consume a small amount of energy, resistances are included in the circuit so as to
reduce the electro motive force in excess of that necessary and produce the maximum
effect at the terminals of the apparatus which it is desired to use.
This mode of proceeding is imperfect; the cost and complications resulting
therefrom being its chief drawbacks. For instance should it be desired to operate
a ringing device of a given size with the current from a dynamo machine having
a difference of potential between its terminals of 100 volts it might be found very
embarrassing or at least an installation would have to be adopted, the complicated
nature of which would almost preclude its use.
In lieu of two
Now the object in view is rendered extremely easy of attainment by means of the
arrangement shown in Figs 16 and 17, wherein A A' are resistance coils; S2 a
controlling ringing device; and S³ a ringing up device No. 8. V. V are the electro
magnets of the indicators equal in number to that of the orders. In Fig. 17, R
and R designate the relays of the ringing devices S, S³.
batteries PP, a single battery located on the bridge, may be employed.
To operate a ringing device of a definite type it may be necessary to have a
difference of potential of say for instance 10 volts, between its terminals. This fall
of potential will not be absolutely constant during the operation; it may vary for
instance from 14 to 6 volts. If at any point of the electric circuit there is placed
a resistance coil A causing a fall of 14 volts, the ringing device can be placed in a
shunt between the terminals of the resistance. Then when the current passes
through the coils of the ringing device as well as the resistance coil the resistance
in circuit between the terminals of the resistance coil will obviously be less than that
of the resistance coil alone, and the fall of potential between the points will be reduced
say to 6 volts, for instance, the minimum difference of potential mentioned above.
The ringing device will therefore operate between the terminals of the resistance,
exactly as if it were arranged between the poles of a battery whose electro motive
force varied by rapid effects of polarisation and depolarisation, from 14 to 6 volts.

page_text: In reality the difference of potential will be less; and it will be sufficient to suitably
proportion the resistance of the coil in circuit to that of the coils of the ringing
device or other apparatus used.
In the herein previously described installations there is arranged opposite each
kind of order an indicator comprising a screen operated by an electro magnet for
the purpose of at once drawing the attention of the engineer to the order being
transmitted to him. In lieu of the said electro magnets I prefer to use resistance
coils and to arrange in a shunt circuit from the terminals of the same small
incandescence lamps Z (Fig. 16) arranged in parallel. Each lamp by becoming
incandescent when the order transmitted corresponds to the same, will emphasize
the said order to the engineer, and will fill the same office as the indicator
screens.
I propose to apply a similar arrangement to the transmitter, but instead of
arranging, as above stated, two lamps in parallel on the sides of the apparatus I
prefer to arrange only a single lamp at its upper part to illumine the two glass
plates bearing the orders.
In order to provide a suitable place for this lamp I have reversed the position of
the board in such a manner that what was formerly its lower part becomes its top;
I have thus been able to provide a notch for the partial reception of the lamp L'as
shown in the diagrams Figs. 18 and 19.
Fig. 18 illustrates the use of a battery R being the resistance coils to the terminals
of which are connected the lamps to indicate the orders.
Fig. 19 illustrates an installation in which a dynamo is employed the leads from
which are indicated at . R4, R, R, R' are resistances designed to ensure the
operation of the lamps which will usually be of the same voltage, and of the ringing
devices which will usually be of different size.
The construction of the several apparatus hereinbefore described allows of the
addition thereto of a device for recording orders.
Since the transmitter and the receiver are connected by as many wires as there
are orders to be transmitted, it is easy to include at some point in the length of
eacli wire an electro magnet whose armature is provided with a pencil that will be.
depressed when the current is passing so as to leave a trace of its movement upon a
band of paper wound partly upon each of two cylinders that are set in motion by
clock-work. As there are fifteen wires corresponding to the number of orders to be
sent as many electro magnets of the kind just referred to can be grouped together
but for the sake of simplicity only the principal orders viz. " go ahead," "astern
and "stop" may be recorded by employing only three electro magnets.
33.
The device for recording orders will usually be situated on the bridge within
convenient reach of the captain, and will be arranged to be placed in and out of
circuit by means of a switch or commutator provided for the purpose.
The use of the recording device will be of considerable value as it will enable a
record to be kept of manoeuvres of interest which it may be necessary to execute
with the vessels of a squadron, or with a single ship in the course of trials.
The indicator hereinbefore referred to may be variously constructed thus it may
be constructed as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figs. 10 11 and 12
or it may comprise a stationary magnet having in a prolongation thereof a movable.
electro-magnet. The current coming from the transmitter and passing through the
two electro magnets, will magnetize with like polarity their cores placed near each
other, in such a manner as to produce a deviation of the movable electro maguet
which, by its movement, will cause the principal order to become visible.
In lieu of the movable electro magnet, a strongly magnetized steel bar may be
used, arranged to deviate from its position of rest without the magnetization
momentarily produced by the current in the cores of the stationary electro magnet.
Figs. 20 and 21 are elevations at right angles to each other illustrating, an
indicator with a halting electro-magnet and a return spring.
Figs. 22 shew in section and in elevation, a soft iron tube to which is fixed the

page_text: brass finger that carries an obturating disc. Opposite the core of the clectro-
magnet e is the soft iron tube y pivoted eccentrically; the return of the movable
part when the current ceases, is effected by a spiral or other spring Y carried by a
bracket as shown in Fig. 21*.
The signal or signals arranged near the transmitter and the receiver may be of
any construction and type suitable for the objects in view.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. Effecting the transmission of orders given on board ship or elsewhere, from
a transmitter to a receiver by electricity substantially in the manner and by the
means herein before described.
2. In apparatus for transmitting orders, a transmitting device comprising two
hand levers fixed on a common shaft and arranged to pass over the indications or
orders on two glass plates or dials, the said shaft carrying an internal lever having
two flexible arms adapted to close an electric circuit in any position of the said
levers and thereby to connect the transmitter with a receiver, the electrical con-
nection being effected by the said flexible arms, one of which is arranged to travel
in contact with insulated contact plates arranged in an annular row concentric with
the shaft, and the other of which is arranged to travel in contact with three plates
arranged in an annular row located within and concentric with the other row of
contact pieces substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn in Figs. 1 to 4
inclusive of the drawings.
3. In apparatus for transmitting orders, a receiver or device for receiving orders
comprising a hand lever fixed on a shaft and arranged to rotate in front of indica-
tions or orders on the front cover of the receiver box, a plate furnished with
insulated spring contacts equal in mumber to a series of insulated contact plates
also carried by the receiver plate, and a lever carried by the said shaft and having
a bent end, adapted when the lever is rotated, to raise each of the spring contacts
in succession, the arrangement being such that when by operating the transmitter
an electric current is caused to flow through spring contacts corresponding to the
order to be executed, and the engineer's attention has been attracted by a special
signal, the internal lever when partly rotated will raise the said spring, and
interrupt the current and the signal so that the position of the hand lever will
then indicate the nature of the order transmitted, substantially as hereinbefore
described, with reference to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive and Figs. 5 to 9, inclusive of the
drawings.
4. In apparatus of the kind herein referred to, for transmitting orders, an
indicator box comprising an electro-magnet whose core energized by the current
sent from the transmitter to the receiver, attracts an armature carrying a screen or
mask that normally covers a principal order and by this means causes the spring
to rise or move and expose the order or indication to view substantially as herein-
before described and shown in Figs. 10, 11, and 12 of the drawings.
5. The modified construction of indicator shown in Figs. 20, 21, and 22 for use
with the receiver, and comprising an electro-magnet opposite the core of which is
pivoted eccentrically a soft iron tube carrying a screen or disc, the said tube being
actuated in one direction by the electro-magnet and in the opposite direction by a
spring, substantially as described.
6. In apparatus for transmitting orders, the use, in lieu of audible indicators, of
incandescence lamps, equal in number to the orders or indications on the receiver
and each arranged in a shunt circuit between the terminals of a resistance coil
substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and shown in Figs. 18
and 19 of the drawings annexed.
7. In apparatus for transmitting orders, illuminating the transmitter dials by
means of a lamp placed partly in a notch in the transmitter case as hereinbefore
described and shewn in Figs. 18 and 19.

page_text: 8. The general arrangement of apparatus for transmitting orders, hereinbefore
described with reference respectively to and shewn in Fig. 13, in Fig. 14 and in
Fig. 15 of the drawings, the electric current sent from the transmitter to the
receiver, producing in the neighbourhood of the latter a signal intended to attract
the attention of the engineer, and which signal ceases only when the pointer of the
receiver is brought opposite to the same order as the one covered by the index
or finger of the transmitter, as above described, and whether the said signal be
operated directly by the current passing from the transmitter to the receiver, or
indirectly through the medium of a relay.
9. In apparatus for transmitting orders the means hereinbefore described for
effecting the operation of a ringing device or other electrical apparatus requiring
a weak current and a small difference of potential between its terminals, by the
current from an electrical generator of any tension at the point of generation, as
hereinbefore described and shewn in Figs. 16 and 17 of the drawings annexed.
10. In apparatus of the kind herein referred to, recording the orders, or some
of the orders transmitted to the receiver, by means of apparatus comprising one or
more electro magnetic devices each included in one of the wires passing from the
transmitter to the receiver, and having an armature provided with a pencil adapted
to make during the passage of a current through the wire, a mark or record on a
strip of paper that is set in motion by clockwork, so that the nature of the order
transmitted and the duration of the transmission are recorded on the said slip of
paper substantially as herein before described.
Dated this 11th day of March 1891.
L. VIALET-CHABRAND,
By L. W., per F. B.