IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING BY NIGHT
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING BY
NIGHT." A communication from abroad by Gustave Marie Albin
Stephanie Douillard, of Paris, in the Republic of France.
Sealed the 8th May 1874, and dated the 3rd December 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward
Newton at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 3rd December 1873.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declaro
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
SIGNALLING BY NIGHT," to be as follows:-
The apparatus which forms the subject of the present Invention
consists of two principal parts which are connected together either by
flexible or other tubes, or in any other convenient and suitable manner
according to the nature of the service for which they are to be

page_text: lantern. Proper stops are adapted to this wheel or disc, so that the
shutters may be worked with precision and held in place steadily while
the signal is being given.
:
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 3rd June 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Third day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the
thirty-seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Edward Newton, Her special
licence that I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Edward
Newton, 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 APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING BY NIGHT," being a com-
munication to me from Gustave Marie Albin Stephanie Douillard, of
Paris, in the Republic of France, upon the condition (amongst others).
that I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of
their hands and seals, 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.
66
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Edward Newton, 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

page_text: by the following statement, reference being had to the Drawing here-
unto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to
say) :-
The apparatus which forms the subject of the present Invention
consists of two principal parts which are connected together either by
flexible or other tubes, or in any other convenient and suitable manner
according to the nature of the service for which they are to be
employed. That part of the apparatus which displays the signals is
a kind of lantern or casing enclosing a lamp, candle, or other con-
trivance or device for shewing a light.
the
The light is protected from injury or disturbance by means of a glass.
envelope, which is surrounded by a number of vertical shutters or
discs mounted on vertical axles which are connected together by means
of links or connecting rods, so that they may be made to work in
unison. These shutters or discs may be polished on their inner sides,
so as to act as reflectors, and their office is to obscure and
expose
light alternately when required. When turned edgewise to the light
they will offer little or no obstruction thereto; but when turned at
right angles to this position they will entirely obscure the light. If
now the vertical axles of one of the shutters be turned one fourth of
a circle it will actuate all the others in the same manner (as they are
all connected together), and it will be evident that by opening and
closing the shutters in any pre-arranged order flashing signals of various
kinds may be produced.
The shutters or discs may be operated either by means of rods, cords,
or chains, connected with the manipulating part of the apparatus (and
which may be placed at any convenient distance from the signalling
apparatus), or they may be worked from a considerable distance by
means of pneumatic pressure produced by a column of air. This mode of
operating is preferred by the Inventor, as it possesses several important
advantages. The apparatus employed for this purpose consists mainly
of a pair of cylinders mounted on a foundation plate and provided with
pistons, which when worked up and down therein by means of hand
levers connected externally to the piston rods will force out the air
contained in the cylinders or will draw it in by suction. Beneath the
pistons are strong coiled springs, which will force the pistons up again
when they have been depressed by the operator. On depressing the

page_text: piston in cither cylinder the air contained therein will be forced out
through an opening at the lower part and will be conducted along a
flexible or other tube to a small air cylinder connected with the
signalling apparatus above mentioned. The piston rod of this air
cylinder is connected by a link or otherwise to a disc or wheel on the
axle of one of the shutters, so that the axle may be partially rotated,
and thus open or close the shutters or discs round the lantern. Proper
stops are adapted to this wheel or disc, so that the shutters may be
worked with precision and held in place steadily while the signal is
being given.
Each signalling station must be provided with the signalling lantern
or apparatus shewn in clevation at Fig. 1, in plan at Fig. 2, and also
with the apparatus for working the signals. This apparatus is shewn
in vertical section at Fig. 4, and in plan at Fig. 5.
Upon the
foundation plate are placed the two cylinders A, A, Figures 4 and 5,
in which work pistons, one of which is shewn at Fig. 4. The pistons
are not packed, they are simply turned and adjusted as correctly as
possible, so that the air contained in the cylinders may be driven out
by a quick movement produced by pushing down the piston in the
cylinder. The effect of the descent of the piston, which is effected by
the hand of the operator, is to produce a signal in the distance
apparatus in the manner hereafter explained; and I would here remark
that for the purpose of producing a proper code I prefer to employ two
signalling apparatus in combination.
The levers B, Figures 4 and 5, are employed for the purpose of
working the pistons, and they are provided with links or connecting
rods, which work in vertical guides fixed on the foundation plate D.
This double articulation allows the lever B to follow the straight line
of the piston rods, for which purpose the cylinder covers carry vertical
standards R which support the cross head M, and serve as guides to
the pistons. Supporting pieces J, J, fixed on the piston rods slide in
a groove in the standards R. Two screws h, h, fixed upon the side of the
levers are inserted in. sliding pieces above the fittings which connect
the levers to the piston rods.
When the pistons are forced down in the cylinders the air is forcibly
expelled therefrom and escapes by the tubes T, T, connected to the
flexible tube which conducts the air to the signalling apparatus, Figures
1 and 2. When the operator has completed the stroke, and has released'

page_text: the hand lever, a coiled spring V (enclosed within a recess made on
the under side of the piston to receive it) raises the piston. This new
movement draws the air back again into the cylinder and produces
another signal in the signalling apparatus, Fig. 1. The object of the
whole arrangement is to produce the double effect of first compressing
the air and then drawing it in.
The parts v, v, v¹, Figures 4 and 5, are three flat springs which are
actuated by small tumblers and are employed for working a signal
recorder; which however as it forms no part of the present Invention,
I have not considered it necessary to show or describe in the present
Specification.
Two of the levers or arms which operate the springs v, v, are
connected to and extend downwards from the hand levers B, B. The
third lever u is operated separately by hand. A jointed piece u¹
transmits the movement to the shaft u₁, and this latter to the
spring v¹.
By means of the arrangement shewn in the Drawing I am enabled
if desired to act upon both these pistons at once by only one lever.
To this end I have adapted to each of the piston rods an iron bar N, N¹.
The bar of the piston N¹, which is intended to command the other a
one (N), is placed above the latter, and by bearing on it when the
piston is forced down obliges the other to descend with it.
The signalling apparatus is shewn at Figures 1, 2, and 3. That end
of the india-rubber or flexible tube which is connected thereto is called
the upper end, as the apparatus which encloses the light or lamp is a
placed higher or in a more elevated position than the other. This
upper end of the flexible pipe is connected with the elbow pipe I,
Figures 1 and 3, which is adapted to and fixed on the pipe j, which
acts as the cylinder of the apparatus. In this little cylinder ; works
the piston K, and when the air is forced into the cylinder the piston
is pushed forward from the point R to the position shown in the
Drawing. The shaft L carries a small plate or disc 1 (Figures 1 and 3),
a short connecting rod n jointed at one end to a ring or ferrule n¹ and
at the other to the plate . When the ring ¹ is pushed or carried
forward by the piston K it tends to turn the plate or disc about a
quarter of a revolution. The little ring n¹ has a motion of about onc
third of an inch, and is limited in its action by the piston and the

page_text: piece P fixed at the end of the piston rod where it is screwed. A sort
of bolt pushed forward by a spring q¹ enters one or other of the
notches,, of the disc or plate . A pin placed under the bridge
piece m, as shewn by dots in Fig. 1, limits the movement of the plate 1,
which is cut away at this part for the purpose. When the piston is
pushed forward by the action of the air the first effect it produces is to
draw out the bolt q by means of the inclined plane P, which works
against a small roller in the bolt, as seen at Fig. 3.
The motion of the small ring n¹ to which the link n is connected
allows this action to take place before the link turns the disc or plate 1 ;
and when this latter has been released from the bolt (which held it in
position) the link n causes it to turn and carries it round to the end of
the stroke. The raised part. of the bolt between the two inclined planes
is passed and then the bolt falls again into the notch i¹, and thus holds
all the mechanism securely in position. These operations ought to be
repeated for each signal, so that no signal can be affected by any
extraneous agency. Raising the piston in the apparatus, Figures.
4 and 5, will have the effect of operating the signalling apparatus in
the opposite direction.
Fig. 3 represents the under side of the circular plate X (Fig. 1),
and Fig. 3 represents some of the mechanism on the top side of the
plate X; Fig. 2 represents a top view of the circular plate Y, Fig. 1.
Between the plates X and Y are arranged in a circle, and at equal
distances apart, nine shafts or spindles x, x¹, x¹¹, x¹¹, &c. This number
can be increased or diminished according to the size and arrangement
of the shutters.
The shafts turn freely in the holes where they are mounted, and one
of them extends down below the plate X and is marked L in Fig. 1.;
it carries the small disc or plate and is supported by the bridge
piccc m. The shafts X pass up through the plate Y and between the
two plates X and Y. They carry small discs, in cach of which are fixed
two screws, whereby short links are jointed to the discs, and all the
discs are connected together by the links; it follows that any motion
communicated to one of the shafts x (for instance, that one which carries
the disc ¹) will be imparted to all of them, and they will therefore all
act simultaneously as they are all connected together. The upper ends of
the shafts a pass up through the circular plate Y, Fig. 2, and each carries
.

page_text: To
a small bar, which is secured thereto above the plate by a screw.
this bar is fixed a sheet of copper, silvered on one side, and brightly
polished.
Each of the bars carries one of these silvered plates, which form shutters
to the sides of the lantern; and each is provided with a spring, which
presses against it, in order to impart to it sufficient elasticity to insure
the contact of the shutters with the lantern, so that the latter may be
completely closed thereby and the light be prevented from being seen
when the shutters are closed. At the upper end of the shutters are
fixed studs, which form the upper ends of the shafts x and turn in holes
in the upper circular plate Z, Fig. 1.
In the centre of the apparatus is a candlestick or holder for a lamp
or other equivalent device.
When all the shutters arc arranged radially round the lights they
serve as very powerful reflectors all round the horizon, and when on
the contrary they are turned round one quarter of a rotation they will
perfectly hide the light. When therefore it is desired to correspond
between two signalling stations (the shutters of the signalling apparatus,
Fig. 1, having been previously shut) the first downward movement of
the piston of the actuating apparatus, Figures 4 and 5, will cause all
the shutters to turn on their vertical axes, and thereby expose the
light. On raising the same piston a contrary signal will be produced,
and will close the shutters and cause the light to disappear. By this
means I am enabled to obtain alternately light and darkness, which
will admit of forming a signalling alphabet.
Each of the pistons of the actuating apparatus, Figures 4 and 5, will
actuate one signalling apparatus (Fig. 1). The lever B₁ will force
down the two pistons, and consequently produce flashes and eclipses
upon both the two signalling apparatus at the same time; whereas the
lever B will only act upon one piston, and will therefore only act upon
one of the signalling apparatus. From this it will be seen that all the
combinations of the Morse alphabet may be produced, the bar or dash
of such alphabet being indicated by the appearance of the two lights
together, which will be effected by depressing the lever B³, while the
dot may be indicated by the appearance of only one of the lights, which
will be effected by depressing the lever B.

page_text: The numeral (7) is indicated by three appearances and disappearances
of one light, and the appearance and disappearance of two lights.
.
The numeral (8) is indicated by three appearances and the dis-
appearance of two lights, and one appearance and the disappearance of
one light.
The numeral (9) is indicated by four appearances and the dis-
appearance of one light, and four appearances and the disappearance of
two lights.
The numeral (0) is indicated by the fixed appearance of two lights.
This gives for every numeral a series of signals that can be repeated
ad libitum until all the stations have repeated them."
In order to indicate what book of tactics and which of the different
codes used at sea is required it will be sufficient to show the numerals
1, 2, 3, 4, &c., then in order to indicate according to which code the
dispatch is to be sent the "attention signal should be followed by
the numeral (0), which will indicate that the following number is the
number of the code intended to be used.
"

page_text: In order to do this the lamp should be changed, and another having
red glasses should be employed; or if preferred, the lamp may have
red glasses in frames fixed to it by hinges.
:
The two pistons of the operating apparatus, Figures 4 and 5, should
then be disconnected one from the other, which may be done by turning
the bar marked N¹ of the apparatus. By this means a red and white
light may be obtained. Eleven combinations may be worked from
these two lights, representing the ten numerals and an "attention"
signal. These combinations (which have the advantage of representing
a numeral with a fixed signal, which may be maintained as long as
desired) will allow time (before making it disappear) for all the corre-
sponding stations to have noticed it; and the signal may be repeated
and maintained, so that the first that made the signal may rest assured
that all the other stations have repeated it.
The "attention" signal, for the purpose of calling the attention of
the various stations, is made by alternative appearance of the red and white
lights, which is done by lowering consecutively the two levers. Each
appearance is separated from the preceding one by total darkness, and
a series of white, red, white, red, lights, &c., is obtained and continued
until all the other ships repeat white, red, white, red, &c.
The signalling ship stops as soon as she sees all the ships in the
squadron repeat her signal, and then she shows the numeral (1) by
means of a fixed white light which will remain until all the ships show
a white light.
The number (2) by shewing a red light fixed until repeated; the
numeral (3) by shewing red and white together, fixed until repeated;
the numeral (4) by the appearance and disappearance of a white light,
continued until repeated; the numeral (5) by the constant appearance
and disappearance of a red light; the numeral (6) by a fixed red light,
while the white appears and disappears; the numeral (7) by a fixed white
light, while the red appears and disappears; the numeral (8) by the
simultaneous appearance and disappearance of both red and white
lights; the numeral (9) by the appearance and disappearance of the
white light, the appearance and disappearance of both red and white
lights, the reappearance and disappearance of the white light, and the-
reappearance and disappearance of both lights, and so on. The
numeral (0) is indicated by the appearance and disappearance cons

page_text: The shutters or reflectors may if preferred be mounted on horizontal
or inclined instead of vertical axes, and they may be made either flat
or polygonal.
The shutters may also be worked by means of electricity or magnetism,
or the light may be temporarily obscured by means of an extinguisher
worked by a column of air, water, or other fluid.
The volume of air contained in the cylinder and expelled by the
pistons is much greater than is necessary for working the signals; this
is done to guard against losses resulting from bad adjustment and holes
in the pipes of the apparatus; but this quantity cannot be accurately
calculated, and when the little piston is at the end of its stroke the
accumulation of air would prevent it from finishing its stroke, as is
necessary for the working of the apparatus.
Two valves are placed before the point of admission of the air to the
pistons, one of the valves (V, Fig. 1) has the flap forced by a spring
towards the inside but able to open outwards, and the other V¹ has a
flap which is forced by a spring outwards but is able to open inwards.
The pressure of the springs may be regulated by a small thumb
screw.
As soon as the little piston of the signalling apparatus has completed
its stroke the air which is driven forward by the pressure of the piston
of the operating apparatus should force back the spring of the flap
valve V, which is suitably regulated as described. When the reaction
is produced, and the piston of the operating apparatus rises, the little
piston is brought back to its place by suction and the valve V₁ operates
in its turn.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, the Third day of June, in
the ycar of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
four.