IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF AND APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATING INTELLIGENCE BY ELECTRICITY
Year: 1850

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
EDWARD DERING, of Lockleys, in the County of Herts, Esquire, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most. Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westininster the Twenty-seventh day of
December, One thousand eight hundred and fifty, in the fourteenth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said George Edward Dering, my exors, adññiors, and assigns, Her
especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that 1, the said George
Edward Dering, my exors, adiñors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
George Edward Dering, my exors, adññors, or assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term
of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and
in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all
Her said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, save and except the
Provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, and Prince Edward's
Island in North America, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF
AND APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATING INTELLIGENCE BY ELECTRICITY;" in which said
Letters Patent is contained a proviso, that I, the said George Edward Dering,
shall cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention, in
what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under
my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of

page_text: Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of
the said in part recited Letters Patents, as in and by the same, reference being
thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
George Edward Dering, do hereby declare thatthe nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, are fully described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to
the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon,
that is to say--
My first improvement consists in a new method of constructing and
supporting moveable magnets, and other similar telegraphic arrangements
acted on by electric currents. My plan is to employ elastic magnets or rigid
magnets having flexible elastic supports, and thus dispense with axes of
suspension, the elasticity being sufficient in either case to allow of the proper
amount of motion. Permanent magnets, or soft iron or other magnetic metals
rendered magnetic, and therefore for the time being magnets, may be
employed for this purpose. The methods of acting upon such arrangements by
electric currents are very various, and will be readily understood by persons
acquainted with electro-telegraphic apparatus. The elastic magnets forin an
extremely delicate system of motion for indicators, and may be applied with
great advantage where sensitiveness is an important object.
In Figure 1, N, S, and N, S, represent a pair of elastic steel magnets
attached by their upper ends to the brass studs a, b, the lower euds being free
to move each in one direction, when acted on by an electric current passing
through the coils of wire c, d, c. If soft iron or other magnetic metal be
employed, the ordinary well-known means of keeping them iu a magnetic
state will be resorted to. In the Figure referred to, the indicators are repre-
sented as elastic and flexible from end to end, but it will be obvious that they
may be constructed partly rigid and partly elastic and flexible, or that the
indicators may be rigid magnets from end to end, supported by any flexible
elastic substance, which substance may be either magietic or not. I have not
thought it necessary to show any code of signs, as those in ordinary use may
be used with indicators, such as are shewn and described. It will be evident
that such elastic or elastically supported instruments may be used for various
other telegraphic purposes than indicators, and particularly such as mounting
screens and otherwise, where magnetic needles and other forms of moveable
inagnets have heretofore been employed.
My second improvement relates to the means of restoring magnetic needles
or other moveable telegraphic arrangements to their ordinary position of rest,

page_text: after they have been caused to deviate from such position by the passage of an
electric current. My plan consists in placing the centre of gravity of such
bodies immediately below the centre of motion, instead of at a point con-
siderably below it, as has hitherto been the case. To effect this, first, in
the ordinary astatic needles and similar arrangements, I do not cause the
portion of such bodies which is below the centre of motion to preponderate
over the upper portion, as is usually the case, but I balance the upper and
lower portions so that the body will remain in any position in which it may be
placed, and to give it a proper tendency to assume a determined position, I
attach a separate weight immediately below the centre of motion. A quicker
return to the position of equilibrium is thus ensured, on the principle of the
quick beat of a short pendulum as compared with a long one. Figures 2 and
3 show respectively a front and side view of a magnetic needle brought to the
vertical position solely by means of the weight w, placed immediately below
the centre of motion'c. Another mode of applying the same principle consists
in suspending the magnetic needle or other moving instrument by its upper
end. The whole, or nearly the whole, weight thus being immediately below
the centre of motion, it becomes unnecessary to increase the weight at a lower
point. There are various modes of suspension applicable to needles of this
description; they may be fixed in the usual manner upon an axis passed
through the upper end, as near as possible to the very extremity. But I
prefer that one or both of the pivots on which the axis turns in this and all
similar arrangements, should rest in an angular aperture, and not in round
holes, as is usually the case. This has the effect of diminishing to a great
extent the oscillation which the needle makes in returning to its position
of rest.
Another mode of suspension consists in forming at the upper extremity of
the needle an aperture having an angle for its upper edge, and suspending the
needle by this aperture from a hook of round wire. There are thus two points
of contact between the needle and its support, both parallel to the plane in
which the needle moves, the effect of which is to prevent all uncertain move-
ment, and to reduce the oscillation to a minimum.
Figure 4 represents a magnetic needle suspended by its upper extremity,
and acted on by the coils of wire C, C'.
Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the needle, shewing accurately the mode of
suspension by an angular aperture from a hook of round wire, as described.
Another plan is to suspend the needle entirely by attraction from a fixed
piece of soft iron or other magnetic metal, or from a permanent magnet, in
which case the needle may be of softiron, or other temporarily magnetic metal,

page_text: and derive its magnetisin by induction from the bar which supports it. In
all these arrangements, I prefer that the needle should be of the usual flat
form, and that its movements should take place in the direction of its breadth
This may be effected, in cases where it is suspended by attraction, by rounding
. the upper end and forming an angular groove for it to work in, in the
extremity of the supporting bar.
My third improvement consists in a mode of applying electric currents to
produce motion in needles and other magnetic bodies. For this purpose I
apply the direct attractive or repulsive action exerted upon magnetic bodies by
coils of wire of circular or other convenient form on the passage of an electric
current through them, in place of the deflective influence which has usually
been employed. In all cases I place the coils in such a position, that their
axes shall be in or parallel to the plane of motion of the magnetic body they
are intended to influence; such an arrangement of coils may be applied with
great advantage to the ordinary astatic needles, or to the simply suspended
needles last described. There are very many modes, however, of applying
the same principle, which will suggest themselves to persons acquainted with
electro-magnetic apparatus. Figures 6 and 7 represent this arrangement of
coils in connection with the ordinary astatic needles, and in Figures 1 and 4are
also shewn applications of the same principle. In some cases I place soft iron
within the coils of wire, but the length of such soft iron pieces should not
exceed their diameter, since by this plan residual magnetism is altogether
prevented.
My fourth improvement relates to the sounding of telegraphic alarums,
and its object is to prevent all unnecessary ringing of the bell during the
transmission of messages, and at the same time to dispense with the extra
wire usually employed for that purpose. The arrangement is especially appli-
cable to the double-needle instruments now in general use, or to any kind
of conventional signal telegraph in which two or more circuits are employed.
To effect the desired object, I dispense with the use for signalling purposes
of any one particular signal decided on that is produced by a single current
passing in either direction through any one wire, or of contemporaneous
currents passing in any directions through any two or greater number of
the wires, and so arrange the bell apparatus at the stations, that they shall
be acted upon only when such current or currents pass as would produce the
omitted signal. To take the case of the double needle instruments now in use.
Let some one of the eight simple signals that such instruments are capable of
giving (the mutual convergence, for instance, of the lower ends of both needles),
be set aside altogether from the code of signals, and let the electro-magnets

page_text: which act upon the alarum, and which are in the circuit with the needle coils,
be so arranged that they shall release the clockwork of the alarum only when
such currents pass as would produce the omitted signal. These electro-
magnets are to act on moveable permanent magnets, and not on soft iron
armatures; thus cach electro-magnet will act only when a current is passed
in one direction, and the moveable magnet will not be moved from its position
of rest by the reverse current, and the concurrent movement of the two
permanent magnets is to be required to release the clockwork alarum. Then
it is obvious that the alarums can at any moment be rung by transmitting
this signal, but that they can never ring during the transmission of a message,
as this particular movement of the needles is never employed to indicate a
letter or sign, or for any purpose except that in question.
My fifth improvement consists in an apparatus, by the use of which,
without extra wires, intelligence may be transmitted from any station on a
line to any other station at choice, or to any number of them at the same
time, without a possibility of its being seen at the rest, as is now the case.
The means of effecting this object is as follows:--At each station there is
mounted a metallic disc, revolving on an axis, and capable of being impelled
round, step by step, like the seconds hand of a clock by any of the well-
known electro-magnetic arrangements for such purposes. There is a metallic
spring constantly pressing upon the circumference of the disc, and into certain
points of the circumference of each disc there are inlet portions of ivory, or
some other non-conductor of electricity. The metallic bearings of the disc,
and the spring which presses on its circumference, are placed in connexion
each with one extremity of the coil that actuates the needle or other arrange-
ment employed to indicate the signals, the coil being included in the circuit
of the line wire as usual. The discs move uniformly step by step at all the
stations, and they may be set in motion and brought to any desired position
by passing a current of electricity from any station the proper number of
times. Now, it is clear that so long as the spring at any station rests upon the
conducting portion of the circumference of the disc, there is a short circuit
established, by which the electricity may pass between the extremities of the
line wire without passing through the coil which actuates the indicator; con-
sequently, siguals transinitted froin any other station will not be shown at this
instrument. But if the disc be brought to a position in which the spring
rests upon a non-conducting portion of the circumference, the short circuit
will, in this case, be broken, and every sigual must in its course along the
line wire pass through the indicator coil, and thus show itself in the usual

page_text: It will also be readily understood that by arranging in a certain known
order the inlet non-conducting portions of the circumference of the discs, a
means is obtained of bringing any one or more stations that may be desired
into the line of communication, it being only necessary first to pass thecurrent
such a number of times as to bring the non-conducting portions of the discsat
these stations under the spring, and the conducting portion at the others.
Upon the axis of each disc there is a hand which traverses a circular dial
plate, on which are inscribed the different combinations of two or more of the
stations that are brought into the line of communication at each step of the
revolution of the discs. It is convenient that there should be one point at
which every station is brought into the communication, and at this position of
the discs the hand upon the dial may be made to point to the word ALL
inscribed thereon.
As the electro-magnetic arrangement which actuates the discs is included
in the same circuit with the coil that works the indicator (in order to avoid
the extra line wire), it is necessary there should be some means to prevent the
discs being acted on during the transmission of currents that are intended
only to work the indicator. In the case when currents in one direction only
are employed for the signalling purpose, those in the reverse direction inay be
devoted to the purpose of impelling the disc. The methods of accomplishing
this are well understood. Where both directions of the current, however,
are required to work the indicator, as in the case of the ordinary needle
instruments, other means must be resorted to. First, if the electro-maguet
which actuates the disc be so arranged as to act only upon the application of
a current stronger than that required to work the indicator, all chance of it
acting when ordinary signals are transmitted will be removed, whilst the disc
may be actuated with certainty by the application of an increased battery power.
Secondly, there are various other arrangements by which the disc electro-
magnet may be prevented from acting when the ordinary signals are trans-
mitted, whilst at the same time it may be at once brought into action by the
transmission of some extraordinary signal not included in the code, such as,
for instance, the continuous passage for several seconds of a current in one
direction. To effect this, there is a wheel kept constantly in motion slowly upon
its axis by clockwork, and near to this wheel there is an arm which is moved by
an arrangement of an electro-maguet acting on a permanent magnet only when
the current passes in one direction, and brought in contact with the revolving
wheel, in which there are apertures to receive it. When in contact with the
wheel it partakes of its motion, and, if held so for a sufficient length of time,
it is brought into a position from which it will not return to its usual position

page_text: upon the cessation of the current, but it may be at once released by a current
in the reverse direction. When in the position to which it is brought by the
revolution of the wheel, a portion of the arm which forms a driving pallet is
brought to a position in which it will act upon the ivory and brass disc above
described, by which stations are brought into or thrown out of the circuit, and
by repeating the current a certain number of times this disc may be brought
to any desired position. Thus it is obvious that the station disc can never be
moved during the ordinary transmission of signals, but it may be brought
into a position to be acted on at any moment when required, by passing a
continuous current, as described. Then the disc electro-magnet may be
actuated the desired number of times by currents passed in the same direction
as those by which it was brought into action, and thrown out of action again
by a single current in the reverse direction. The mechanism for effecting
this object may be greatly varied. The same principles are applicable to
various similar purposes, such as to govern the movement of printing tele-
graphs, or to sound the alarums of single circuit needle and other kinds
of telegraphs, thus allowing the extra wires usually employed to be dispensed
with.
Figure S shews the application of the secret message apparatus to six
stations working in circuit. A, B, C, D, E, F, are the brass discs of the
different instruments, with such an arrangement of the inlet ivory portions of
the circumference as will admit of any two of the stations being brought
together into the circuit, and the others excluded, or all at once, according
to the position the discs are brought to, moving, as they do, in unison by a
step-by-step motion, as described. cando shew the terminals of the indicator
coil, or similar arrangement, at each station, and in each shews the platina
spring in contact with the edge of the revolving disc.
My sixth improvement consists in a means of counteracting the currents of
atmospheric electricity, which are at times collected in suspended telegraphic
wires, and manifest themselves by continued deflections of the needles, or
similar arrangements. To effect this, I introduce into the circuit of the line
wire a galvanic battery, or other suitable generator of electricity, the current
from which being passed in the contrary direction to that which it is intended
to counteract may be regulated in force to a degree exactly sufficient to restore
the needle to its ordinary position of equilibrium.
My seventh improvement is for the purpose of preventing the more violent
effects of atmospheric electricity, such as the fusion of the coils and demag-
netization of the needles. The plan consists in interposing between two flat

page_text: surfaces of brass, or some other conductor of electricity, roughened by a file
or any suitable means, a thin piece of linen or other porous imperfectly con-
ducting material which will allow of the roughened surfaces approaching one
anothertowithin an extremelyshort distancewithoutactually coming in contact.
These surfaces are placed in conuection one with the line wire and the other
with the earth, or one with each end of the line wire between the line and the
internal works of the instrument. By this means the greater portion of a
shock of atmospheric electricity is prevented entering the instrument, as it
will pass direct from one of the roughened surfaces to the other, and through
the intervening space, this being the most direct path, instead of making a
circuit of the coils of the instrument. The protective power of the instrument
is increased if grooves be formed in one or both of the opposed conducting
surfaces, in such a manner that the face shall present a series of sharp ridges;
where both of the surfaces are grooved, they are to be placed together in such
a position that the ridges may cross one another, and a ready path for the
electricity will thus be provided, as each crossing is equivalent in its dispersive
power to a pair of opposed points. Figures 9 and 10 shew the surfaces
of the two opposed plates, and Figure 11, an edge view of Figure 10.
One advantage of these arrangements over the system of balls and points
that has been in use for the same purpose consists in this, that there is
no accurate adjustment of the parts required, and, moreover, there is no
danger of chance contact between the opposed surfaces, which may occur in
the other, to the total derangement of the line of communication.
My eighth improvement is for the saine purpose as the last, and consists in
applying the repulsion which takes place between similarly electrified bodies,
or the attraction between those dissimilarly charged to make or break
connections in such a manner as to carry off, and thus protect telegraphic
instrumentsfrom the destructive effects of electricity collected in the suspended
wires. The modes of applying this principle of protection are very various. The
plan I prefer is as follows:-From a fixed brass piece let there be suspended
by wires two brass balls, which rest in their ordinary position, lightly in con-
tact, but are capable of separating one from the other by inutual repulsion on
the application of a small amount of electricity of tension. Near to the balls
are mounted two brass plates in such a position that the balls on separating
come in contact with them. The balls are, for security, mounted in a glass
tube. The brass piece which supports them is placed in connection with the
line wire, between the line and the internal works of the instrument. The
pieces in juxtaposition with the balls are united with the earth, and it. is

page_text: obvious thatany atmospheric electricitymust, by this arrangement, be prevented
from passing to the works of the instrument, since a short course to the earth
is open for it by the mutual repulsion produced by itself in the balls, causing
them to come in contact with the conducting plates arranged for that purpose.
The foregoing is, perhaps, the simplest application of this principle of
pro-
tection. The various modifications of it will readily suggest themselves, and
amongst others the plan by which the separation of the suspended balls or
other effect of the collected electricity is made to break connection for the time
between the line wire and the instrument, and thus effectually prevent damage.
My ninth improvement is also for the purpose of protection against atmo-
spheric electricity. It consists in introducing into the circuit of the line wires,
between the line and the internal works of the instrument, a strip of gold or
other metallic leaf. By this means the coils and other parts are effectually
protected from damage, as a shock of lighting could not reach them without
passing through the metallic leaf, and it cannot proceed further than this
point, as it will fuse the leaf, and thus cut off communication with the instru-
For security, this strip of leaf is mounted in a glass tube capped with
brass at the two extremities which form the terminals of the line wire and
instrument.
ment.
My tenth improvement relates to the insulation of suspended telegraphic
wires. It is an improvement upon the ordinary bell-shaped insulator, and con-
sists infixing within itan inverted smaller bell of insulating material, the edges
of which must not be in contact with the outer one. It is by the inner bell that
the insulator is attached to the post or other support by means of an iron arm.
The wire passes through a proper aperture in the upper part of the outer bell.
I prefer in general cast iron, protected from rust by a coating of zinc or other
means, as the material for this portion of the arrangement; its edge should
come below, and thus entirely surround the inner insulating part, which is by
this means effectually protected from damage by stones thrown or other
violence. Figure 12 is an external view of this insulator, and Figure 13
shews a section of the same. a is an iron arm attached to the post or other
support, upon it rests the earthenware piece 6, and over this fits the metallic
cap c; shows a section of the line wite, supported in a groove or other
aperture for the purpose. The same principle of insulation may be applied
with advantage to the apparatus for stretching telegraph wires, also to break
the continuity of the line wire where it is intended to insert an instrument in
the circuit, and for other similar purposes. I am aware that it has before
been proposed to employ metal in conjunction with insulating materials in the

page_text: supports for telegraphic wires, not however in the manner or for the purpose
above explained.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in
which it is to be carried into practise, I would have it understood that I do
not in any case confine myself to the exact details of the arrangements I have
described, so long as the general principles of the same are retained.
First, I claim the use of elastic supports in place of axes of suspension for
telegraphic arrangements, as described.
Secondly, I claim the methods described of applying the force of gravity to
restore magnetic needles and similar telegraphic arrangements to their position
of rest.
Thirdly, I claim the method described of applying electro-magnetic coils to
produce motion for telegraphic purposes.
Fourthly, I claim the arrangement described for telegraphic alarums, by
which, when included in the same circuit with the signalling apparatus, they
are prevented sounding during the ordinary working of the instrument,
although ready to be acted on at any moment when required.
Fifthly, I claim the means described of transmitting secret intelligence to
any one or more stations on a line at choice without the use of extra wires.
Sixthly, I claim the method described of counteracting the effect of currents
ofatmospheric electricity upon telegraphic apparatus, by introducing into the
circuir an opposing current of equal force.
Seventhly, 1 claim the use of pairs of conducting surfaces in the manner
described, for the purpose of carrying off atmospheric electricity collected in
suspended telegraphic wires.
Eighthly, I claim the self-acting arrangements described for the same
purpose..
Ninthly, I claim for the same purpose the use of strips of metallic leaf
introduced into the circuit.
And, tenthly, I claim the means of improving the insulation of telegraphic
wires, by applying an inverted second bell of insulating material within the
outer one, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Edward Dering, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of June, in the
year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.
GEORGE E. (L.S.) DERING.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-seventh day of June,
in the year of our Lord 1851, the aforesaid George Edward Dering
came before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged
the Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and
specified, in form above written. Aud also the Specification aforesaid was
stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twenty-seventh day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.