IMPROVE- MENTS IN SIGNALLING."
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph John William Watson, of Old Kent Road, in
the County of Surrey, Doctor of Philosophy, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SIGNALLING."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph John William
Watson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 11th January 1854.
I, JOSEPH JOHN WILLIAM WATSON, of Old Kent Road, in the County of
Surrey, Doctor of Philosophy, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNALLING" to be as follows:-
My Invention consists,―
1st, in the application of the electric light to signalling in the following
way: I enclose the light apparatus or lamp in a suitable case, elevated on the
top of a post, and capable of being used as a day signal, by having certain
motions given to it, the face of which consists of certain moveable screens
having certain figures or apertures cut therein, and which can be closed or
opened at will, and through which alone the light can pass. The signals are
communicated by certain known motions given to the screens, by which the
figures or light symbols are made to change.
2nd, in the construction of certain electro-magnetic apparatus which shall
form the source of motion to the aforesaid screens, and the electro-magnets of
which shall be made or formed by the same wire or wires which conveys or
convey the current of electricity to the lamp.

page_text: 3rd, in the arrangement of a peculiar code of signals to be used in connection
with the aforesaid apparatus.
4th, the arrangement of coloured glasses and reflectors with the electric light
or other illuminating apparatus, whereby the same may be more clearly dis-
tinguished at distances, and in fogs, and which mainly consists in the formation
of bundles of glass of the complementary colours of the prismatic spectrum.
5th, the arrangement of permanent and false magnets, so that by motion
imparted to them by the rotation of the wheels and axles of railway carriages
an electric current may be generated, and afterwards used to form electro-
magnetic apparatus which may form a means of communication between guard
and driver, by ringing a bell or bells in the break vans, and sound the whistle
on the engine, or cause a small vane to rotate in a conspicuous position to the
driver
21
144.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Joseph John William Watson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 11th July 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
JOHN WILLIAM WATSON, of Old Kent Road, in the County of Surrey, Doctor
of Philosophy, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the 'seventeenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give 'and grant unto me,
the said Joseph John William Watson, Her special licence, that I, the
said Joseph John William Watson, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Joseph John William Watson, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others.
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of
Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNALLING," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Joseph John William Watson, by an instru-
ment in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was
to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Joseph John William Watson, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof (that is to say):-
. I construct a circular box of which the face is pierced with a number of holes
ranged in the form of a circle near the edge, and in a line diagonally across,
making as it were a diameter. This box is set up on one of its sides upon the
top of a firm and substantial post planted in the ground. The size of the box
and the height of the post will be governed by the distance which the signals
are required to be seen, and the position in which they are required to be
placed. Immediately within the box is a disc, which is fixed on an axis
running at right angles to the perforated face, and working in bearings let into
the back and front of the box. This disc is perforated with holes precisely of
the same size, and arranged precisely in the same manner as are the holes
in the face of the box, so that when the disc is moved to occupy such a
position, the holes in it become concentric with the holes in the box. Motion
is given to the disc by a rigger on the axle to which it is attached by an end-
less cord or band which passes over a rigger of much larger dimensions attached
to the post below, and which is set in motion by another endless cord or band
which passes over a pulley or rigger set in motion by an electro-magnetic
engine of any suitable construction, or by any other description of motive
power. The three dimensions of the riggers give the necessary speed to the
travelling disc in the box. On the perforated face of the box are two flaps or
shutters, which open on hinges outwards by means of cords and pulleys, like
wings to the box. These shutters do not close by their edges, but meet to the
face of a baton or raised portion of the face of the box, which is vertically
diagonal, and pierced with holes concentrically to the holes which are arranged
diametrically in the face of the box and travelling disc. In addition to the
disc which is inside the box there is a shelf upon which is rested, when the
signals are in use, one of my electric lamps or any other convenient illumi-
nating apparatus, which is introduced by a closely fitting door at the back.
The interior of the box is painted white, and the back is covered with tin foil.
I also prefer using a common circular reflector with the light. If the signals
are to be seen very. far off, I then use a number of small bull's eyes in the holes
in the face of the box. I do not confine myself to any particular arrangement
of the pullies or lines by which motion is given to the wings or shutters, as
such must be arranged to suit the convenience of position. If the signal is
intended for day use as well as night, then, by painting the face red and the
inside of the shutters white, this double-end will be attained.. I use these
-

page_text: signals as follows:-Into the box I place a powerful light, preferably one of
my patented electric lamps, and cause it to be placed in connection with one
of my galvanic batteries. The electro-magnetic engine in connection with the
riggers on the post is then placed into action, and by connection with a battery
motion is given to the disc. During this time both the shutters or wings are
wide open, and the door through which the lamp was introduced carefully
closed behind. The effect at a distance is a powerful ring of light having a
waved or revolving appearance crossed by a diagonal line of light. This is my
signal to indicate the line of railway being clear and all right. Now, should a
train be approaching, and one still at the station undispatched, a signal of
caution is given by the signal man closing and opening, at intervals of ten
seconds or so, three times, one of the shutters corresponding in position to the up
or the down line, as the case may be. This would enable the driver to ascertain
in what quarter the danger existed. If the danger be positive, and requiring
the train instantly to stop, then the signal man will, after indicating the line on
which the accident has happened, by once closing that particular shutter, bring
(instantly after again opening it) both shutters shut, when a simple line of
light will indicate the necessity for instant stoppage. The sigual for all right
would be both shutters again opened, and the circle of light re-established.
The cords by which the shutters move are attached to levers with handles
requiring merely depressing or raising to give the motions.
In the day time, a system of signals may be established by the shutters
being opened to express danger, or the reverse of the night signals. Thus, both
shutters wide opened after one or other of them having been previously opened
to indicate the particular line would require the train to stop instantly by their
white insides contrasting against the red face of the box. Both shutters shut
would show all right, since their outsides being painted red would merely show
a red face to the box at a distance.
By varying the opening and shutting of the shutters at different intervals of
time, either by night or day, a series of signals may be given indicating the
departure of trains or their arrival.
One of the disadvantages resulting from the use of the present system
of colored signals at night is, that in a fog the green light constantly
assumes the aspect of a red one, and vice versa.. the medium of aqueous
atmosphere interposed between the eye and the light producing the comple-
mentary color to the vision. With the electric light fog has little effect, and
the whiteness and brilliancy of its rays causes it to give peculiar sharpness and
distinctiveness to the apertures through which it escapes from the box.
In my source of motion for the disc and riggers, I do not confine myself to

page_text: the use of electro-magnetic apparatus, but employ any convenient means for
obtaining the motion.
My arrangement of coloured. glasses and reflectors has reference more
especially to the means of distinguishing lights used in light-houses and for
beacons, but may also be used in fortresses, and for land
purposes generally, for
signalling. My first plan is to pass the electric light through a circular series
of apertures, in front of which are placed a number of small reflectors so
arranged as to throw the light received from each aperture up upon a series
of other reflectors arranged so as to throw the reflected light they receive
forward through a disc perforated in the manner before described, but before
cach perforation or aperture of which is placed a piece of homogeneous red
glass stained by oxide of copper. The frame which carries these plates of red
glass overlaps, in the form of shutters, another disc behind it, the apertures of
which are glazed with plain white glass of great refractive power; and placed
at a plane so as slightly to inflect the light inwards. Immediately within the
case, and behind the discs or faces, is, of course, the rotating disc, as formerly
described, by which the waved or flowing effect of light, which is so clearly
discernible at a distance, is derived. The shutters by which the red light is
rendered apparent are connected with cords and a catch, which is brought into
operation every thirty or forty revolutions of the travelling disc. I do not
describe the arrangement of this catch here, since it has no mechanical novelty,
and will best be supplied differently in each application, in order to suit the
convenience of situation.
The intermittence of a very powerful red and a very powerful white light at
a distance renders this an excellent method of distinguishing lights at sea, and
will be seen easily through all weathers. By altering the intervals at which
the shutters were opened and shut in different lights, the present system of
revolving lights, as adopted at present in the light-houses, may be carried into
effect in this manner. If an additional screen in which the apertures are
glazed with green glass stained with a homogeneous colour is attached outside
the screen with the red glass, and suitable cords and pullies are attached so
that the screen with the red glass has a sliding motion over the fixed disc or
face, while the green glass has a folding motion by sliding away the red glass
shade, and folding over the green glass shade over, a repetition of signals of
red, green, and white will be produced, which will form a "chromophotic sema-
phore," to which I have given this mode of signalling the name. As these
signals would be useful in a fortress or for secret purposes, the code of signals
would be an arrangement with those using the apparatus. The reflectors that
I use in this case are sipall circular reflectors, and I prefer the light falling on

page_text: them in pencils from apertures in another case containing the lamp, in order
that there may be no interference of rays: By bundles of glass, as described
in my Provisional Specification, I mean the arrangement of glass of the
complementary colours, red and green, arranged in overlapping screens, as
described. One of the desiderata in communicating in a moving train between
guard and driver where electricity is employed is, that the current should be
generated by such an apparatus as will not get disordered by any jolting motion
of the train, and which should not. be composed of materials of a dangerous
nature, such as acids, or be liable to create a nuisance. My method of generat-
ing and applying an electric current to this mode of signalling is as follows:-
On the axle a of the guard's van I place à small rigger or pulley b, and in
the van a shaft or spindle f, which, when requisite, can be set in motion by
means of a band c passing over a pulley e fustened upon the shaft, and can be
brought to rest by transferring the band to the pulley d, which is placed loose
upon the shaft. At the end of the spindle f, which goes transverse to the
length of the van near the roof, are placed two electro magnets g and h, con-
sisting merely of two pieces of round iron screwed into a cross piece i, into the
centre of which the spindle screws. Round each of the bars is wound, as
usual, the requisite quantity of copper wire, one end of which is soldered to a
disc of copper k, which is on the prolongation of the spindle beyond the electro-
magnets, and the other end passes insulated through this prolongation. The
faces of the two electro-magnets are approximated to the ends of a compound
horse-shoe magnet 1, composed of six or more bars about eighteen to twenty
inches long. Through the bent end of this magnet 7 passes insulated the
spindle f, to the riggers or fast and loose pullies d and e. The two poles of
this magneto-electric machine are now the copper wire, which passes through
the prolongation of the spindle f, beyond the electro-magnets, and the copper
Hisc k, which is on the prolongation. In connection with this latter is a small
ravelling wheel m (turning upon a fixed axle y), working on the edge of the
lisc A, and kept pressed in close contact with it by means of a spring n. To
both of the poles are attached stout wires o, o', and binding screws by which
hey are placed in contact with a pair of copper rods p, p', well insulated in
he roof of the carriages, and with which connection is made from carriage to
arriage by stout wire rope encased in caoutchouc or vulcanized india-rubber,
crewed on to one end of the copper rod, and communicating with the other S
opper rod by means of a snap similar to a bracelet snap, of which the
ocket is in the copper rod belonging to the adjoining carriage. Every carriage
provided with two of these rods, and wire rope connections which are con-
nued on to the engine, where the connections pass on to a coil of wire forming

page_text: an electro-magnet round two pieces of soft iron, the keeper of which is kept
away from the poles when the current is not passing through the poles by
means of a spiral spring. When the keeper is attached, it immediately sets
in motion a system of compound levers, by which the whistle of the engine is
either sounded if at night time, or if in the day the detent of a small vane is
set free, and which by its rapid rotation from the resistance against the air
during the passage of the engine along the line attracts the attention of the
driver. When the current is taken off, the, re-action of the spiral spring at
once removes the keeper, shuts off the steam whistle, or brings to. rest the
vane. I apply one of the apparatus described to each of the guard's vans and
to the tender of the engine; and in each van and on the tender, by means of
some arrangement, by which a "break-and-make" may be made on one of the
copper bars, the same bars may be made to carry back a signal from the driver
to the guards. In each of the vans I have one of the rheostats claimed and
described under my Patent No. 212, for "Applying Electricity to Illuminating
Purposes." I have also in each of the vans in the course of the current an
electric alarum bell, such as is used for telegraph purposes, but of which the
bell and hammer are much larger. The alarm bell is the means of signalizing
between the guards and the driver and between the guards themselves. All
that is necessary, in removing and changing the carriages, is to undo the con-
nections, which is easily and speedily performed, and substitute another
carriage; or, if another carriage be not put in place, the snap from the wire
connection of one copper bar into the socket of the connection of the other
bar, the snaps and sockets being arranged alternately on the connections of
cach carraige to admit of this arrangement, so that the current may pass
uninterruptedly:
It will be observed that in my description of my modes of signalling by
illuminating effects, as herein-before described, I do not confine myself to the
use of the electric light, but use any other strong light that may be adapted to
the
purpose.
I claim, first, the application of the electric light to signalling, in the
manner herein-before described.
Second, the construction and use of the apparatus for signalling with the
electric light, as herein-before described.
Third, the code of signals both for night and day, as herein-before described,
in connection with the apparatus herein-before described.
Fourth, the arrangement of coloured glasses and reflectors, with the
electric or other light, in the manner and for the purposes herein-before
described.

page_text: Fifth, the arrangement of screens or bundles of coloured complementary
glasses for the manner and for the purposes herein-before described.
Sixth, the arrangement of permanent and false electro-magnets, so that by
motion imparted to them by rotation of the axles of railway carriages an
electric current may be generated, and afterwards used to form electro-magnetic
apparatus, which may form a means of communication between guard and
driver, by ringing an electric alarm bell or bells in the break vans, and
sounding the whistle on the engine, or causing a small van to rotate in a con-
spicuous position to the driver.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph John William Watson, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Eleventh day of July, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
Witness,
JAMES MURDOCHI.
JOSEPH J. W. WATSON. (L.S.)