Improvements in Electric Telegraphs for Steering, Engine Room, and other Signalling Purposes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Oct., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 5th July, 1894-Accepted, 11th Aug., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Telegraphs for Steering, Engine Room,
and other Signalling Purposes.
FREDERICK GEORGE PANIZZI PRESTON in the employ of the Firm of
J. Stone & Co. of Deptford in the County of Kent, Engineer do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide improved means for signalling, such as
regards steering, working marine engines and other motors and directing the
working and firing of guns torpedoes and other weapons. Means may also be
provided for registering or recording the orders given.
In
In the helm or other indicators and receivers constructed according to this
invention an armature is employed consisting of horseshoe magnet bobbins capable
of angular motion round a centre. This armature is so weighted as to cause the
pointer to assume a neutral or other desired position on the cessation of current.
Concentrically around the same is arranged a number of fixed electromagnets
equidistant and converging to the centre and in opposite pairs electrically connected
by wires to a corresponding number of contacts on the indicating instruments.
order to enable each pair of fixed magnets to be used for signals placed diametrically
opposite on the dial I employ two sets of wire windings on opposite pairs of
bobbins and connect each with contacts corresponding to the signals desired. The
current from the dynamo is directed by a suitable switch arrangement into the
circuit corresponding to the signal desired. The current after passing through
the windings of the fixed magnets is by metallic contact or brush conveyed to a ring
fixed to the spindle of the rotating armature and thence into the windings of the
magnets of same, returning through another ring and brush to the dynamo or
battery.
I shall now describe one form of electric steering telegraph apparatus while
premising that it is also with slight modification applicable as engine room telegraph
apparatus and for other purposes such as the working of guns, torpedoes and
other weapons.
The transmitter has a metallic ring fixed to a disc-shaped framing with a central
horizontal axis. Concentric with the ring there is another larger ring or rather a
number of ring segments, in this case nine. The ring and the segments are insulated
from the framing. The ring is connected by wire with the dynamo or battery, and
The number of
each segment by a wire to the signal receiving instrument.
segments is equal to the number of signals to be given. By means of a handle on
a central spindle in the rear part of the framing a contact maker fixed thereon can
be turned to the required as indicated by a pointer from the handle on a front dial
provided with usual steering indications and divisions. When the pointer is on
such a point the contact will electrically connect the ring and the corresponding
ring segment, so that the current from the dynamo will pass through the ring and
segment by its wire to the corresponding part in the signal receiver the circuit being
completed therefrom to the dynamo.
As the helm indicators are constructed on the same principle as the signal
receiver one description will answer for both, as follows:-
For the nine signals I use ten horseshoe-shaped electromagnets which are fixed
to the front side of the upright disc part of the framing at equal distances and
radiating from the centre axis. On a central spindle in the front part of the
framing are fixed two horseshoe-shaped electromagnets diametrical to each other
thus forming with the said spindle an armature capable of being turned to any

page_text: point of the circumference; a dial hand is fixed on the front end of this spindle.
Every opposite pair of the fixed electromagnets on the helm indicator is wound
with a continuous insulated wire, one end of which is connected to one of the wires
coming from the transmitter and the other to the ring. The latter is by a
wire connected to a brush which bears on a ring on the front spindle to which is
connected a wire that is wound round the two inner or armature magnets, the other
end of such wire being attached to a second ring on the same spindle; upon the
latter ring bears a brush which is connected with the dynamo.
In a manner similar to that of the signal of the telegraph a transmitter contact
maker is moved by means of a wheel gearing into a quadrant or sector wheel fixed
on the rudder post. By each different position of the rudder or the telegraph
transmitter the current from the dynamo is by the contact maker conducted by one
of the wires to helm indicator or signal dial. The current then passes through the
coils of an opposite pair of the fixed electromagnets, then through the rotative or
armature electromagnets and then back to the dynamo. In the fixed magnets the
N and S poles are formed and in the rotative magnets S and N poles, which attract
one another and place the dial hand in the required position. As four pairs of the
fixed magnets have each to do duty for two signals, they are wound by two quite
independent wires.
The transmitter is fitted with a mechanism whereby at every movement of the
handle from one position to another an electric bell is sounded at the receiving
dial.
In connection with the above may provide recording appliances for indelibly
recording or registering each order passed from the bridge or other place of
command to the engine room or other part of the ship. For this purpose I provide
a moving strip or tape of paper or other suitable material actuated by clockwork
or other suitable mechanism. This tape is marked or perforated by a pencil or
punch connected with the armatures of a series of electromagnets. The latter are
in electric connection with the wires leading from the trausmitting to the
receiving instruments, one magnet corresponding to each order or signal sign on
the dial plate.
Dated this 5th day of October 1893.
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Telegraphs for Steering, Engine Room,
and other Signalling Purposes.
I, FREDERICK GEORGE PANIZZI PRESTON, in the employ of the Firm of
J. Stone & Co. of Deptford in the County of Kent 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 object of this invention is to provide improved means for signalling such as
regards steering, working marine engines and other motors and directing the.
working and firing of guns, torpedoes and other weapons. Means may also be
provided for registering or recording the orders given.
The general features of the helm or other indicators and receivers comprise a
rotatable armature with segmental pole pieces and weighted so as to return to a
neutral position on the cessation of current, a series of fixed equidistant electro-
magnets representing the number of signals to be given arranged converging
radially or thereabouts to the centre of the armature and electrically connected by
wires to a corresponding number of contacts on the indicating instrument or
instruments, and a suitable switch appliance for directing the current from the
dynamo into the circuit corresponding to the signal desired. The current after

page_text: passing through the fixed magnet windings is by metallic contact or brush conveyed
to the armature and then to the dynamo or battery, or, inducing magnetic lines of
force which pass through the armature, the current passes back to the dynamo.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a vertical longitudinal section of one
form of electric steering telegraph apparatus which is also with slight modifications
applicable as engine room telegraph and for other purposes such as the working of
guns, torpedoes and other weapons. The figure also shows the arrangement of the
receiving instrument which is worked as a tell-tale by the movements of the
rudder thus indicating to the officer in command that his orders are carried into
effect by the steersman. This transmitting instrument has a metallic ring A fixed
to a disc shaped framing B with central horizontal spindle C. Concentric with
the ring A there is another larger ring or rather a number of ring segments D, in
this case nine, one for each signal.
Figure 2 is a diagram shewing the segments D and other parts.
The ring A and the segments D are mounted on the ring E of insulating material
and are thus insulated from the framing B. The ring A is connected by wire a
with the dynamo or battery, and the segment D by wires b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i and k to
the signal receiving instrument. F is a handle on the central spindle C in the rear
part of the framing which spindle passes through a stuffing box, the whole casing
of the instrument being also otherwise made air and water-tight. On the spindle C
is fixed a contact maker G with brush G' and by turning the handle F the brush
can be turned to the required segment D as indicated by a pointer H from the
handle F against the front dial I which is provided with usual steering indications
and nine divisions. When the pointer is in such a position the contact brush G
will electrically connect the ring A and the segment D in question by its
wire b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i ork as the case may be to the corresponding part in the
signal receiver, the circuit being completed therefrom to the dynamo or battery.
As the helm indicators are constructed on the same principle as the signal
receiver one description will answer for both, as follows, Figure 3 being a diagram
answering to Figure 1, and Figure 4 being an end view diagram, both shewing the
wire connections.
For the nine signals I in this form of apparatus use ten horseshoe-shaped electro-
magnets L, Figures 1, 3 and 4, which are fixed to the front side of the upright
disc part B of the framing at equal distances and radiating from the centre or
axis.
In order to enable each pair of fixed magnets to be used for signals placed
diametrically opposite on the dial I employ two sets of wire windings on opposite
pairs of bobbins and connect each with contacts corresponding to the signals
desired. On a central spindle N in the front part of the framing are fixed two
horseshoe-shaped electromagnets K diametrically opposite to each other thus
forming with the spindle N an armature capable of being turned to any part of
the circumference. Each pole K carries a segmental pole piece K. M is a dial
band fixed on the front end of the spindle N. Every opposite pair of the fixed
electromagnets L on the helm indicator is wound with a continuous insulated wire,
one end of which is connected to one of the wires coming from the transmitter and
the other to the ring N*. The latter is by a wire connected to a brush N' which
bears on
a ring N on the front spindle N to which is connected a wire that is
wound round the two armature magnets K, the other end of such wire being
attached to a second ring N³ on the same spindle; upon the latter ring bears a
brush N which is connected to the dynamo or battery.
In a manner similar to that of the contact maker G G for a signal of the
telegraph transmitter a contact maker is moved by means of a wheel P1 gearing
into a quadrant or sector wheel P fixed on the rudder post as shewn in the diagram
Figure 5. By each different position of the rudder or the telegraph transmitter
the current from the dynamo is by the contact maker conducted by one of the wires
to helm indicator or sigual dial. The current then passes through the coils of two
opposite fixed electromagnets L forming a pair, then through the rotative armature

page_text: electromagnets K and then back to the dynamo. In the fixed magnets the north
and south poles are formed, and in the pole pieces K¹ of the rotative magnets K
are formed south and north poles respectively, which attract one another and turn
the dial hand M into the required position. As four pairs of the fixed magnets L
have each to do duty for two signals, they are as stated wound by two quite
independent wire coils. O is a spring bolt which snaps into a half round recess or
groove O¹ opposite each signal indication on the dial I. The transmitter is fitted
with a mechanism whereby at every movement of the handle F from one position
to another an electric bell is sounded at the dial of the receiving instrument. The
pointer M is made heavy enough to return the armature into a neutral position
when the current ceases either accidentally or otherwise.
Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal section and Figure 7 a front view of a
modified construction of steering telegraph. The rotating armature in this case
consists of one electromagnet K mounted axially on the spindle N, and provided with
two segmental pole pieces K' as in the previously described construction. The
fixed electromagnets L are nine in number, one for each signal, and powerful
enough to operate each its signal. The current is conducted through a metallic
spring or bush N' which bears on the end of the armature spindle N (instead of
through the ring N' Figure 1) the return being through the bearing or bush N³
at the opposite end of the spindle N. The two ends of the latter are insulated
from each other. The handle F is fitted with spring peg F with roller F2 which
finds its place in any one of the nine curved recesses B' of the framing corre-
sponding to the nine signal indications on the dial. The armature instead of
consisting of an electromagnet mounted axially as shewn in Figure 6 might be
made in the form of a horse shoe electromagnet mounted with its limbs at right
angles to the spindle, the whole structure being more or less self balanced or
otherwise but so as to return to the neutral position when the current ceases.
Figures 8, 8 and 9 shew a modification in which by still further increasing the
power of the fixed magnets L the armature electromagnet K K is replaced by
a light iron bar K with two tapering segmental pole pieces K¹ carried on a suitable
framing K² of nonmagnetic material on the central spindle N. When the handle F
is moved with its pointer H to one of the signal indications on the dial, the current
is directed through the contact ring A and segment piece D by means of the
brush G' into the electromagnet of the receiving instrument corresponding to the
said segment piece. This induces magnetic lines of force in the two cores of
the magnet which pass from the one pole or line to the other by way of the pole
pieces K and the iron bar K, thus rotating the armature until the bar K comes
opposite the poles of the acting magnet. The armature is by the pointer Mor
otherwise weighted so as to return to a neutral position when the current ceases.
Fig. 9 illustrates connections between magnets in an engine room telegraph and
a switch on the bridge.
In connection with the above I may provide recording appliances for indelibly
recording or registering each order passed from the bridge or other place of
command to the engine room or other part of the ship or from the indicating
instrument in connection with rudder or engine to the reply appliance on the
transmitter.
Figure 10 is a part sectional side view and Figure 11 a plan of such an
apparatus. Qis a strip or tape of paper or other suitable material which is pulled
off the reel Q1 and moved by clockwork R within it (or by other suitable
mechanism). This tape is marked by pencils S connected each with a lever S¹.
These levers are connected severally to cores T of solenoids T¹ (or it may be
armatures of a series of electromagnets). The latter are in electric connection
with the wires leading from the transmitting to the receiving instruments, the
solenoids (or magnets) corresponding with the orders or signal signs on the dial
plate I.
The tape is led over guide rollers U U₁ U U³ and is kept taut or 5
strained over them by means of tightening pulleys V V mounted on levers X which
pulleys are drawn up against the tape by means of the rods Y with adjustable

page_text: springs Y. The tape is divided into columns with signal indication headings and
the pencil indications thereon will be in the form of lines following the column
lines. Or instead of pencils I may provide punches with releasing arrangement in.
which case the record will take the form of perforations.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven--
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what l
claim is:
1. The improved construction of telegraph instrument with central rotative.
armature and converging fixed electromagnets, in which the armature is made with.
two electromagnets opposite to each other and provided with segmental pole pieces.
and the fixed magnets, of an even number, are provided with two independent
systems of winding so as to enable each pair of magnets to operate two signals
diametrically opposite each other on the dial, substantially as described with.
reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4.
2. The improved construction of telegraph instrument with central rotative
armature and converging fixed electromagnets in which the armature is made with
one electromagnet provided with segmental pole pieces, the fixed magnets, one for
each signal, working independently, substantially as described with reference to
Figures 6 and 7.
3. The improved construction of telegraph instrument with central rotative
armature and converging fixed electromagnets in which the armature consists of a
light iron bar with two tapering segmental pole pieces carried on a suitable framing
of nonmagnetic material on the central spindle, the fixed magnets, one for
each signal, working independently, substantially as described with reference to.
Figures 8 and 9.
4. The combination of parts forming the improved signal recording instrument,.
as described with reference to Figures 10 and 11.
Dated this 5th day of July 1804
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.