Reproducing Articulate Speech and other Sounds.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Mar., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 1st Apr., 1887.
Reproducing Articulate Speech and other Sounds.
I, WARREN DEARBORN HOUSE, of 820 Jefferson Street, in Kansas City, State of
Missouri, United States of America, Electrician, 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 my invention is, to furnish a new and improved method of and
apparatus for electrically transmitting and receiving articulate speech and other sounds
between distant stations. It consists broadly, in causing electric currents, produced at
the transmitter by the sounds to be conveyed, to set up molecular vibrations in an
electrolytic vibratory body, located at the receiving station, which vibrations imparted
to the surrounding air, re-produce the original sounds.
In the accompanying drawing, I have illustrated means for practicing the invention.
Fig. 1 represents diagramatically two stations, provided with means for intercom-
munication in accordance with the principles of my invention.
Fig. 2 represents a modified form of the receivers shown in Fig. 1.
Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts.
X and Y indicate two distant stations, each of which I have shown as provided
with a transmitting and receiving instrument for intercommunication. As illustrated,
the line wire S, is grounded at each end, and is in circuit with the secondary coils of
the transmitter induction coils B, B, and with the primary coils of the receiver induc-
tion coils C, C. The transmitters, which may be of any kind adapted to receive the
sound vibrations and transform them into corresponding electrical energy, are connected
up with the primary coils of the induction coils B, B³, and the receivers, with the
secondary coils of the induction coils C, C¹.
In the drawing I have illustrated different modifications in the construction of the

page_text: receiver, all of which come within the purview of my invention. In the form represented,
at the lower left hand corner of Fig. 1, A indicates a suitable basal support, upon
which rests a plate D preferably of carbon. Upon this carbon plate D is superimposed
a block or body E, composed of or saturated or impregnated with electrolytic material.
Contact between the plate D and block E throughout their contiguous surfaces, is
made as intimate as possible, and is preferably secured, either by carefully smoothing
said surfaces and joining them by screws or otherwise, or by molding and compressing
the material composing the electrolytic body upon the plate.
By the expression "electrolytic material," as employed throughout this specification,
I intend all such substances, liquid or solid, which as component parts of the block or
body E, or its equivalent, will be decomposed by the passage of the electric current.
Thus I have found that pulverized carbon and phosphate of sodium intimately mixed
in a dry or moist condition and formed into the shape of a block, will give good results;
the percentage of carbon employed being so chosen as to give conductivity to the
block, but not sufficient in quantity to prevent electrolytic action during the passage
of the currents. A block of plaster of Paris that has been compressed to give it
stability, and then saturated with an aqueous solution, may also be employed. For this
purpose, I may employ a solution of phosphate of sodium, sal ammoniac, muriatic acid,
or even water alone. I may also employ for the material composing the block, any
conducting substance containing an electrolyte, provided the same is saturated with
oil, or its equivalent, in such proportion as to decrease the conductivity of the con-
ducting substance, to an extent permitting the decomposition of the electrolyte during
the passage of the currents. The plate D may be of platinum, or the like, if desired;
carbon, however, is preferable on account of its cheapness, whilst over the baser metals
it possesses the advantage of non-corrodibility. When a saturated block is employed,
the saturated condition is maintained preferably by capillary attraction as hereinafter
described, or by enclosing it within an air-tight receptacle for the purpose of preventing
evaporation, and if desired a saturated sponge may be enclosed within the receptacle to
maintain the humidity of the air therein.
To the basal support A is connected a yoke as shown, having a cross-piece G,
provided with a threaded perforation, within which engages the externally threaded
sleeve H. An electrode L passes through this sleeve, and is provided with a collar f,
against which the sleeve is adapted to bear. At its lower extremity, the electrode L
is provided with a bent radial arm M, to whose under surface is connected the spring N,
composed of or tipped at its contact point with the block E, with preferably platinum
or nickel. Silver, copper, German silver, and other metals also give good results, but
should be first amalgamated with mercury to resist corrosion. The electrode L is
provided with means for rotating it within the sleeve H, such means consisting of the
crank-arm T, or suitable gearing connected with a suitable source of power, regulated,
if desired, by clock-work mechanism, or the like, so as to insure a uniform movement.
The carbon electrode D, and the electrode L are connected in the receiver circuit,
through the intermediency of the block E, and a battery, as R, is interposed in the
receiver circuit so as to maintain a constant state of-polarization between the block and
the contact of the electrode L. The electrode L may be connected with either pole of
the battery; although I have obtained the best results by connecting it to the zine pole,
the electrode D being of course connected with the opposite pole. The strength of
the polarizing battery should preferably be equal to the maximum strength of the
induced currents in the receiving circuit. It will be readily understood, however, that
the employment of a polarizing battery while desirable, for the reasons stated, is not
absolutely essential.
The pressure of the spring contact upon the block E being regulated by means of the
sleeve H and regulating tension screw g, so as to insure a rubbing contact between the
block and metallic tip, the electrode L is rotated within the sleeve H during the passage
of the transmitting currents over the line wire S and receiving circuit, the tip of the
spring contact moving over the surface of the block. The passage of the induced
currents in the receiving circuit during this operation, decomposes the electrolytic

page_text: material at the moving contact point, thereby causing molecular vibrations, which
being communicated to the air reproduce the sounds operating upon the transmitter.
When a line of high resistance is being operated upon, I preferably interpose a rheostat
in the receiving circuit, in addition to the polarizing battery. The receiver may in
some instances be connected up in direct circuit with the transmitter, or may be
operated by magneto currents, or earth currents, or by means of a static current
produced, for instance, by means of a condenser, or in any other familiar manner.
The line wire moreover, need not necessarily be grounded, in which event it operates
as a condenser.
In the form of receiver illustrated in Fig. 2, I have shown a means for maintaining
the saturation of the electrolytic material by capillary attraction. In this instance, the
block E and its carbon electrode D' rest upon a receptacle T of porous or absorbent
material, such as plaster of Paris or the like, preferably shellaced or varnished upon its
exterior sides and bottom, and enclosed within a suitable casing V. The saturating
solution is contained within the receptacle T, and is conveyed by capillary attraction to
the plate D and block E' above it. In connection with this figure, I have also illustrated
gearing H, for operating the rotatory electrode L. Although I have secured the best
results by imparting motion to the electrode L or L', the receiver will operate while
the contact is stationary.
A form of receiver especially adapted for this use is illustrated at the lower right
hand portion of figure 1. In this instance the electrode L³ is provided with a regu-
lating screw, n, for securing the proper degree of pressure or contact with the electrolytic
disk, E The disk in this case is kept at the point of saturation by means of the
porous receptacle T, upon which it rests, said receptacle containing the saturating
solution. The electrolytic material is connected with an electrode located between it
and the receiver-opening corresponding to the electrodes D, D', hereinbefore described.
The vibrations imparted to the air, consequent upon molecular disturbance during the
transmission of speech, are concentrated and rendered audible even where the vibrations
are comparatively slight.
In the forms of receiver illustrated in Fig. 2, and at the left hand of Fig. 1, the
effects may be increased by mounting the receivers upon a sounding-board.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
:-
1. In the art of telephony, the method of re-producing the original sounds at the
receiver, which consists in causing the sound-transmitting current to produce electro-
lytic changes and molecular vibrations in an electrolytic vibratory body, corresponding
to the original sounds, substantially as described.
2. A telephone receiver provided with a body of vibratory electrolytic material and
an opposite electrode in contact therewith, substantially as described.
3. A telephone receiver provided with a body of vibratory electrolytic material, and
an opposite electrode in contact therewith, and means for moving the two relatively to
each other, substantially as described.
4. A telephone receiver provided with a body of vibratory electrolytic material, an
opposite electrole having a spring contact with said body, and means for moving the
electrode, substantially as described.
5. A telphone receiver provided with a body of vibratory electrolytic material, an
opposite electrode having a bent radial arm and adjustable spring contact, and means
for rotating the electrode, substantially as described.
6. A telephone receiver provided with a body of vibratory electrolytic material, an
electrode attached thereto, and an opposite electrode in contact with said electrolytic
material, substantially as described.
7. A telephone receiver provided with a body of vibratory electrolytic material, and
a receptacle containing a saturating solution and having porous walls, substantially as
described.
8. A telephone receiver provided with a body of vibratory electrolytic material, a

page_text: receptacle containing a saturating solution, and having porous walls and an inter-
mediate porous electrode, substantially as described.
9. A telephone system consisting of an induction coil, a transmitter connected with
the primary circuit of said coil, a line wire connected with the secondary circuit of said
coil, a receiving induction coil, having its primary circuit connected with the line wire,
and a receiver connected with the secondary circuit of said coil, the receiving circuit
including a polarizing battery, and the receiver having a vibratory body of electrolytic
material, and an opposite electrode in contract therewith, substantially as described.
Dated this 1st day of March 1887.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.