Improvements in Telephones.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 16th May, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Telephones.
We, WILLIAM HENRY RUSSELL, of New City, in the County of Rockland,
in the State of New York, United States of America, Clergyman, GEORGE
ELLSWORTH RUSSELL, of the same place, Electrician, FRANCIS MILLARD
NEALE, of East Orange, in the County of Essex, in the State of New Jersey,
United States of America, Real Estate Agent, and HENRY CONNETT, of
132 Nassau Street, New York City, in the County and State of New York,
United States of America, Patent Solicitor, 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 :-
This invention relates, in the main to transmitting telephones, and the object or
purpose is to augment the capacity of the instrument whereby the tones at the
receiving point shall be relatively louder and clearer than is the case with telephones
as heretofore constructed, and conversely, whereby, in the employment of our instru-
ment, the person using the transmitter may speak in a lower tone of voice or may
stand further from the instrument than is possible with other telephones, so far as
we are aware.
Our telephone combines, in one, the instrumentalities of a carbon transmitter and
a magnetic receiver, so arranged that the instrument may be employed either as a
carbon transmitter, as a purely magnetic transmitter, or as a magnetic receiver.
The invention is adapted to both long and short distance telephones, and we believe
it to be particularly well adapted for the former where the line-resistance is
excessive.
The drawing illustrates an embodiment of the invention in a transmitting telephone
which includes all of the features in the form we prefer to combine them. The
drawing is somewhat diagrammatic, but it will be readily understood by any one
familiar with telephone installations and constructions.
1 is an outer, resonant, sounding box or case, in the respective ends of which are
fitted diaphragms, 2 and 2*, adapted for transmitting articulate sounds, and which,
for distinction, we will call the vibrator-diaphragms. These diaphragms are
supported on the outer faces of inturned flanges on the case 1. Within the case 1,
is a lesser resonant case, 3, which we prefer to make of cylindrical form and which
we will call the cylinder. This cylinder we prefer to make of sheet-metal, with a
lining, 4, of some insulating material. For convenience of assembling the parts, the
cylinder 3 may be made in two parts or sections and be screwed together at 5. The
ends of this cylinder are closed by disks or heads, 6 and 6x, preferably of mica, said
disks being seated on the inner faces of circumferential, inturned flanges formed on
the respective ends of the cylinder. Within the cylinder are snugly fitted cup-like
carbons, 7 and 7*, placed bottom to bottom, and between the disk-like bottoms is
placed a granular, non-magnetic conducting material 8, preferably flake graphite or
granulated carbon.
Fixed at one end in the bottom of the carbon 7, is a permanent bar-magnet 9, of
steel. This bar-magnet is screw-threaded at its outer end where it extends out
through the disk 6 and vibrator-diaphragm 2, and it has clamping nuts, 10, on its
screw-threaded end, arranged in pairs and embracing the respective disk and
diaphragm. On the magnet 9, as a core, is mounted a spool or bobbin, 11, on
which is a single winding or coil. 12.

page_text: Fixed at one end in the bottom of the carbon cup 7* is a soft iron bar, 9x, which
extends out through the disk 6x, and the back diaphragm 2x, and is screw-threaded
to receive clamping nuts, 10x, which embrace the said disk and diaphragm, as
clearly shown.
By reason of the construction above-described we not only produce a sound-
amplifier, through the medium of the resonant outer casing, the resonant cylinder,
and the hollow, resouant carbons, but we provide for a nice adjustment of the tension
on the diaphragins and the compression on the granular material 8. To effect the
compression on the latter the nuts which embrace the mica disks 6 and 6*, are
driven outwards on their respective bars 9 and 9x, which tends, from the resistance
offered by said disks, to force the carbous 7 and 7* toward each other and to thus
compress the granular material between them. This operation teuds, of course, to
draw inwardly the vibrator-diaphragms 2 and 2x at their centers and increase the
tension thereof, and this tension is afterward regulated by the nuts which embrace
and clamp the respective diaphragms. After the compression and tension are thus
regulated the clamping nuts are set tightly on the respective disks and diaphragms
in order to prevent the rattling of the parts.
Adjacent to the rear diaphragm 2*, is situated a compound, induction coil or
magnet, 13; that is to say, a magnet or inductorium comprising as its parts a
permanent magnet, forming a core, a spool, and on the spool a primary winding and
secondary winding similar to, or like those of an ordinary induction coil. One
pole, 13, of the core of the magnet 13, is in magnetic contact or connection with
the back diaphragm 2x; and this contact is preferably effected through the
indirect medium of the bar 9*, for the reason that direct contact with the
diaphragm might interfere with its vibrations. Preferably the pole 13* will be
merely put in contact with the bar 9* so that it may, under some circumstances,
be displaced, but these parts may be connected permanently together, in which
case the bar 9* and diaphragm 2x become normally magnetized armatures.
14 is an ordinary induction coil, such as is now used in transmitting telephones,
and 15, is a battery, or other generator, such as is also used with telephones. 16 is
a point-switch, between the generator and the induction coil 14, and 17 is a
generator which supplies the primary coil of the compound inductorium 13.
The circuits are as follows: From one pole of the generator 15 the current flows
by a wire P, to and through the primary winding of the induction coil 14, thence to
the bar-magnet 9, thence through it, through the carbon 7, the graphite 8, and the
carbon 7 to the bar 9*, through said bar to the wire P*, and thence to the other
pole of the generator 15.
The induced current flows from the line L, by wire S, to the induction coil 14,
thence through the secondary winding on said coil, thence by a wire S* to the
bobbin 11, thence through the winding 12 on the said bobbin, thence by a wire S
to the compound inductorium 13, thence through the secondary winding on said
coil, and thence by a wire S² to the line L*. Thus the secondary windings of the
induction coil 14, the winding 12 of the bobbin 11, and the secondary winding of
the compound magnet 13, are connected in series.
It is only necessary that, when a battery is used, the primary circuit shall
include the carbons, but for convenience we employ the bars 9 and 9* in the
circuit.
.
As to the operation of our instrument, it will be seen that we obtain resonance
and reduce the rattling sounds partly by mechanical means, as above described;
but we also amplify the sound and reduce the buzzing sounds by a strong induc-
tion or super-induction-of both the instrument and the line by the magnetic
instrumentalities we have described. For example the magnetic force of the
permanent magnet in the inductorium 13, is greatly increased by the current from
the battery 17, and the bar 9x and diaphragm 2x thus become powerful magnets,
while the induction in the secondary coil on the magnet 13 is also greatly increased.
The magnet 9 increases the induction in the coil 12, and the secondary coils of the
inductoriums 13 and 14 and the coil 12 are in series with the line. These three
"

page_text: elements or features we denominate the magnetic series, and we find that when
applied to a transmitter they materially amplify sounds. This we believe to be
caused by super-induction when the instrument is used as a carbon-transmitter; the
vibrations of the diaphragm 2,-which will, by preference, be presented to the
mouthpiece of the telephone-produce variable pressures on the carbon, and this
produces a vibrating or oscillating current in the primary circuit. This vibration
is communicated to the induced current in the secondary circuit and the line, and
said current is superinduced by the magnetic series of devices described, such
superinduction overcoming obstacles on the line and serving, in conjunction with
the resonant construction described, to amplify sounds and reduce or neutralize the
buzzing and shrillness so often observed in telephones. This we believe to be the
principle upon which the magnetic and electric features of our telephone are
based.
Should the battery 15 break down or be switched out, the instrument will operate
satisfactorily as a purely magnetic transmitter, which also serves as a receiver. Or,
by a switch, the carbon might be cut out of the primary circuit, when the battery
would still serve to induce a current in the line and the secondary windings of the
magnetic series.
If the bar 9x be made a permanent magnet and the magnet-core 13* be moved
out of contact with said bar, the sound will still be amplified, but not to so great an
extent as where the construction described is employed.
Either of the diaphragms 2 and 2x may be used to transmit the voice, and of
course the magnet 13 may be applied to either of the diaphragms; but the construc-
tion shown is preferred. Our construction permits a more powerful electric current
to be employed than can be used in any telephone with which we are familiar, and
hence it is peculiarly well adapted to long lines. This, as we have stated, we believe
to be due to the powerful magnetic superinduction of the line, in conjunction with
the resonant mechanical construction described.
We employ no springs and no delicate contacts in our telephone, and hence
nothing liable to get out of order and nothing requiring constant adjustment
and care.
While we prefer to embrace the granular material 8 between two carbon disks,
or the disk-like bottoms of two carbon cups, good results may be produced
by embracing the granular carbon between aluminum disks on the respective
bars 9 and 9*.
We may also produce good results by making the bar 9 of soft iron, in which
case it will be excited by the current flowing through the winding 12, and also by
using soft iron for the core of the inductorium 13; but the result in these cases
is much inferior to that produced by the construction described.
We prefer to set the margins of the diaphragms 2 and 2x in soft rubber or rubber
cement.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. A magnetic-electric telephone having a casing, a vibrator-diaphragm, a com-
posite carbon element, a cylinder or casing enclosing said carbon element, and a
bar-magnet rigidly connecting and supporting said diaphragm, casing and the
enclosed carbon, in combination with a coil 12 on said bar-magnet, a generator, an
inductorium 14, a primary circuit including the generator, the carbon and the
primary winding of said inductorium, and a secondary circuit including the
secondary winding of said inductorium, the winding 12, and the line, substantially
as set forth.
2. A magnétic-electric transmitting telephone having a magnetic "series as
described, applied in the manner described for amplifying the sound of the voice,
substantially as set forth.
3. A transmitting telephone having a resonant case, two vibrator-diaphragms

page_text: mounted in the ends of said case, a cylinder extending centrally within said case,
two cup like carbons positioned within said cylinder and having their disk like
bottoms arranged face-to-face, granular carbon between said bottoms, a bar con-
necting each vibrator-diaphragm rigidly with a carbon cup, and means for
regulating the compression on the granular carbon between the cups, substantially
as set forth.
4. In a telephone, the combination of a resonant outer case 1, and vibrator-
diaphragms 2 and 2×, mounted in the respective ends of said case, of an inner
case or cylinder 3, disks 6 and 6x mounted in the respective ends of said inner
case, a bar 9, fixed rigidly but adjustably to the disk 6 and diaphragm 2, and
extending into the case 3, a bar 9x, fixed rigidly but adjustably to the disk 6*
and diaphragm 2* and extending into the case 3, disks fixed on the inner ends
of said bars 9 and 9x, and granular carbon between said disks, whereby pressure
on said granular carbon and tension on said vibrator-diaphragms may be regulated,
substantially as set forth.
5. In a telephone, the combination with a resonant outer case, the vibrator-
diaphragms 2 and 2x mounted in the respective ends of said case, an inner case or
cylinder, disks 6 and 6x mounted in and forming heads of said cylinder, cup-like,
resonant carbons 7 and 7*, mounted bottom-to-bottom in said cylinder, granular,
non-magnetic conducting material between the disk-like bottoms of said carbons,
a bar 9, secured rigidly to the carbon 7 at its inner end, said bar extending out
through the disk 6 and diaphragm 2 and secured rigidly but adjustably to the
same, and a bar 9x, secured at its inner end to the carbon 7*, said bar extending
out through the disk 6* and diaphragm 2* and secured rigidly but adjustably to the
same, substantially as set forth."
6. In a telephone, the combination with the outer resonant case 1, having
inturned flanges at its ends, the vibrator-diaphragms, 2 and 2*, mounted in the
respective ends of said case, the inner case or cylinder 3, having inturned flanges
at its ends, the disks 6 and 6x mounted in the respective ends of said cylinder, the
bar 9, screw-threaded at its outer end and extending through the disk 6 and
diaphragm 2, the clamping nuts 10, on said bar and embracing the said disk and
diaphragm, the bar 9*, screw-threaded at its outer end and extending through the
disk 6 and diaphragm 2*, the clamping nuts 10x on said bar and embracing the said
disk and diaphragm, the disks on the inner ends of the respective bars 9 and 9*,
and the granular carbon 8 between said disks, substantially as set forth.
7. The combination with a telephone having a resonant case 1, two diaphragms 2
and 2, at the respective ends of said case, a bar-magnet connected at one end
with the diaphragm 2, and having at the other end a disk, the iron bar 9*, connected
at one end with the diaphragm 2x, and having at the other end a disk, said disks
being enclosed in an inner cylinder and opposed, face-to-face, granular carbon
between the faces of the disks on said bars, and a coil or winding 12 on the bar-
magnet 9, of a generator, an inductorium 14, a primary circuit including said
generator and granular carbon and the primary winding of the inductorium, an
inductorium 13, having a permanent magnet for a core and said core in contact
with the bar 9x, and having its primary winding in circuit with a generator, the
said generator, and a secondary circuit including the secondary windings of
the inductoriums 13 and 14, the winding 12, and the line, substantially as
set forth.
Dated this 17th day of February 1896
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Agent for the Applicants.