A NEW MODE OF OBTAIN- ING ATMOSPHERIC ELECTRICITY AND TERRESTRIAL ELECTRICITY, AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS, AND IN APPARATUS FOR THE SAME
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hippolyte Charles Vion, of Paris, in the Empire of
ITS
France, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "A NEW MODE OF OBTAIN-
ING ATMOSPHERIC ELECTRICITY AND TERRESTRIAL ELECTRICITY, AND
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS, AND IN APPARATUS FOR THE SAME,"
Sealed the 4th March 1859, and dated the 30th December 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hippolyte Charles Vion at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 30th December 1858.
I, HIPPOLYTE CHARLES VION, of Paris, in the Empire of France, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "A NEW
MODE OF OBTAINING ATMOSPHERIC ELECTRICITY AND TERRESTRIAL ELECTRICITY, AND
ITS INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS, AND IN APPARATUS FOR THE SAME," to be as
follows:-
My Invention consists in obtaining positive and negative electricity
from the earth and the atmosphere by means of peculiar apparatus,
which I term a terrestro-atmospheric pile; one of these apparatus is
fixed, the other being movable. The fixed apparatus consists, first, of
positive conducting wires P, (Fig. 1, Sheet 1,) of copper or other metal,

page_text: of any suitable diameter & length, & which are fixed on mountains.
The upper ends of these wires are fixed to attracting electric conductors
O (Figs. 2 & 3, Sheet 1, & Figs. 1, 5, & 6, Sheet 2,) by a solder junction
of tin P; the lower ends are fixed to an insulators T, (Figs. 1 & 3,
Sheet 1;) these conducting wires are insulated, and fixed to the ground
throughout their length by ties A (Fig. 4, Sheet 2). The positive electric
branches E (Figs. 1 & 3, Sheet 1, & Fig. 2, Sheet 2,) are soldered on
the positive conductors, and consist of wires, of any required diameter
& length, insulated throughout, & conducting in all directions the
positive electricity of the atmosphere. The negative wire conductors N,
(Figs. 1 & 3, Sheet 1, & Fig. 1, Sheet 2,) are formed of copper or other
metal, of any desired diameter & length, which are insulated and placed
either in the ground or in water; one end of these conductors rests on
the ground near the insulators T, and the other end is soldered to a
plate of metal V coated with a non-oxydizing metal (Fig. 7, Sheet 2).
The branches of negative electricity are soldered to the negative con-
ductors N, which may be of any required length & diameter, for con-
ducting negative electricity from the ground in all directions.
The second or movable apparatus consists of an air balloon, raised to
any required height in the air; this air balloon is surrounded with a
metallic wire or thread; the insulated positive conductors are placed
directly under the balloon, and communicate with the metallic wire.
The lower extremity of these conductors is fixed to a system of insulators
fixed on the ground. The balloon is kept constantly supplied with
hydrogen gas by means of a tube of india-rubber, fixed to the bottom
of the balloon, and communicating with a gasometer, which is kept
constantly filled with hydrogen gas by means of the pile itself, which
decomposes the water in which it rests. The branches for the positive
electricity are soldered to the positive conductors, and conduct the
positive electricity of the atmosphere in all directions.
The negative conductors and their branches are arranged in the same
manner as for the fixed apparatus.
.
I would remark, first, that each of the negative & positive wire con
ductors, instead of being placed parallel to each other and side by side,
may be placed in any required direction, but always being arranged end
to end.
Secondly, the use of the insulators for the positive conductors is not
indispensable, as the insulation may commence at the electrical
attractors, and terminate at the place where the electricity is to pro-
duce its effect; branches may also be added to these positive conductors.
Thirdly, several negative conductors may be arranged to act by
induction on a positive wire, and thus cause it to create more electricity.

page_text: Fourthly, the effects of the electricity are proportioned to the height,
the depth, and the surface of the organs of reception used.
Fifthly, if the positive conductors are on small mountains, they may
be acted on by induction by giving a great depth to the negative
conductors.
Sixthly, in electrifying the ground by induction, it may be traversed
by electric wires.
Seventhly, insulated metallic strips may be substituted for the wires,
or the wires may be jointed together, and form a cable or rope.
Eighthly, the positive conductors may be surrounded with a con-
ducting wire, bedded in the ground to protect it from the effects of
lightning and storms.
Ninthly, the electricity may escape at the insulators A.
Tenthly, in this apparatus the earth is considered as one pole, and the
atmosphere as the other pole.
This terrestro-atmospheric pile may be applied for the purpose of
lighting, heating, motive power, telegraphy, the decomposition of
bodies, or for the formation of bodies or other substances. In effect
this apparatus may be used either as an electric power, as a magnetic
power, a mechanical power, or as a chemical or other power or agent.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters l'atent, filed
by the said Hippolyte Charles Vion in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 25th June 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HIPPOLYTE
CHARLES VION, of Paris, in the Empire of France, Civil Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-second
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Hippolyte Charles Vion, Her special licence that
I, the said Hippolyte Charles Vion, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Hippolyte Charles Vion, 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,

page_text: the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "A NEW MODE OF
OBTAINING ATMOSPHERIC ELECTRICITY AND TERRESTRIAL ELECTRICITY. AND ITS
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS, AND IN APPARATUS FOR THE SAME," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Hippolyte Charles Vion, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Hippolyte Charles Vion, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon that (is
to say):
My Invention consists in an electric pile formed by the earth & by the
atmosphere. The earth is the negative pole, the atmosphere the positive
pole. I use two apparatus in order to obtain from the earth and from
the atmosphere the negative and positive electricities; one of these
apparatus is stationary, of an easy application and very great
uncalculable power, but which can only be applied in countries where
there are mountains. The other apparatus is moveable, of a very
difficult application, and possessing a force relatively less, but which
can be placed anywhere, and in every country.
The Plates 1, 2, 3, & 4, show the moveable apparatus, Pl. 1, front
view and elevation of the terrestrial atmospheric pile; Pl. 2, side view
and elevation of the atmospheric pile; Pl. 3, plan of the stationary pieces
of the pile; Pl. 4, details of thc ligatures and fastenings of the pile, and
also of various detached pieces.
Positive pole of the terrestrial atmospheric pile.-A, aerostat; it
consist of a cylinder, of any length and diameter, and of two semi-
spherical bottoms; it is provided at its basis with two large valves a, a,
which open from inside to outside. These valves may be placed on the
sides or surface of the aerostat, or replaced by any other suitable dis-
position. The aerostat is filled with gas to the nine-tenths of its
capacity; it has an exceeding ascensional power, so as to obviate to
the cases of condensation of the gas, and also to the action of certain
winds. The aerostat may be made of cloth or any other suitable
material (made impervious to the air), such as india-rubber, gutta

page_text: percha, leather, varnished cloth, or cloth combined with metallic wires,
and the whole varnished, or wood varnished on both sides, or metal, &.
B, C, metallic or wirework surrounding the aerostat (Pl. 1 & 2); B,
vertical wires; diameter, th of an inch (2 millim), 33 wires for one
meter (3 feet 4 inches). The extremities of each wire are united by a
fastening (Fig. 1, Pl. 4), of about 2 inches in length; this ligature
is made to cross the wires B of about 3 inches (Sc/m), after having
flattened their extremity over a length of of an inch about, then they are
strongly fixed together by means of a wire (of sth of an inch diameter,
which surrounds them over a length of about 2 inches. The extremities
of the fastening wire are engaged between the two extremities of the
wire B. The wires B surround the hollow iron cylinder E; they support
the whole charge of the atmospheric apparatus, and protect the aerostat
against any excess of expansion of the gas. C, horizontal wires,
diameter th of an inch, 33 wires by the foot, on a developement of
the of the circumference of the aerostat. Each wire C consists of
many ends, the extremities of which are united by a ligature b'. The
two extremities of each wire C are fastened to the circles D (Fig. 1,
Pl. 2). The wires C are applied between the wires B and the aerostat ;
they are united and fixed to the wires B by means of the fastening
wires S. (Fig. 2, Pl. 4.) the said wires C keeping apart such wire B.
Each fastening wire S surrounds the wires B & C, and fastens them
strongly in turning on itself. Diameter of a fastening wire 1/25 of an
inch. D, circles of the bottoms of the aerostat, thickness */ of an inch;
they are placed at the centre of the bottoms of the aerostat, and they
support the horizontal wires C (Fig. 1, Pl. 2). E, hollow iron cylinder;
diameter, 2 inches; thickness, ½ of an inch; it consists of a serie of
cylinders, adjusted end to end by means of joints, on which a strong
tin soldering is applied (Pl. 1). The two extremities of the cylinder
are terminated by balls e (Fig. 1, Pl. 1). The cylinder E is supported
by the vertical wires B, and secures the conducting wires G. F, helical
wire (Fig. 4, Pl. 1); diameter, 25 of an inch, turning rounds the
.cylinder E as it passes between each of the wires B & G; its two ends
are fixed to the balls e, e, of the cylinder E; its object is to render
the vertical wires B and the conducting wires G stationary on the iron
cylinder E. G, positive conducting wires; diameter, sth of an inch,
1 wire by each foot. The length of the wires is proportional to the
ascensional force of the aerostat. The first and the last wires G have
a diameter of th of an inch; each conducting wire is composed of many
ends, the extremities of which are united by means of ligatures b' of
a length of 3 inches about, and the flattened part is of th of an inch.
The fastening wire has th diameter. The upper end of each con-

page_text: ducting wire is fixed to the cylinder E by means of a ligature-G'.(Figs. 1,
Pl. 4); this extremity surrounds the cylinder E, and outpasses it suffi-
ciently, so as to form a ligature of 4 inches with a wire of 3/25th of an
inch after its ends being flatened over a length of th of an inch: The
lower end of the conductors G is fixed to the iron cylinder J by means
of a similar ligature, but the extremities of the first and last wires G
are fixed to dynamometers, which are themselves secured to the
cylinder J. An initial tension of about 100 pounds (avoirdupoids) is
imparted to these dynamometers. The two conducting wires serve as
indicators; they ascertain the expansion and condensations of the gas,
and the force of the winds acting upon the acrostat. The conducting
wires G are insulated by means of gutta percha' or other insulating
substance; they transmit to the stationary pieces of the atmospheric
apparatus the positive electricity of the atmosphere. H, cross wires
of the conductors G, diameter 25th of an inch, one wire for every
33 feet. The ligatures of these wires are similar to those b' the cross
wires are joined and fixed to the wires Ġ by fastening wires S.
The wires H keep apart each wire G', and serve as support for the
ligatures of the india-rubber tube I. I, vulcanized india-rubber tube,
or tube of any fabric coated with india-rubber or with other impervious
substance (Fig. 3, Pl. 4), external diameter 1th inch, internal diameter
1th inch; it is composed of a series of tubes, the extremities of which
are joined and firmly secured upon hollow wood rollers by means of a
fastening metallic wire coated over with gutta percha. These rollers
get into the interior of each tube by 2 inches. The india-rubber tube
is supported by the conducting wires G and the cross wires H by means
of ligatures (which secure firmly the tube in the place of the wood
rollers), and of washers, Fig. 4, Pl. 4), which are placed at various
distances in the interior of the tube. The tube I is applied near the
conductors G on the side opposite to the wires H; the upper extremity
of the tube I is secured on the basis of the aerostat; the lower extremity
of the tube I communicates with a gasometer placed on the ground
at 83 feet about from the pile. The gazometer is constantly fed with
hydrogen gas by the pile itself, which decomposes the water on which
it rests; the said gazometer is open or closed, according to the variation
of the dynamometers. The tube I has for object to restore to the
aerostat the gas which may escape through the valves or through the
coating. J, massive iron cylinder, diameter 4 inches; it consists of a
series of cylinders adjusted end to end byjoints; it is fixed or clamped
into the stone forming the top of the column N; the extremities of this
cylinder are terminated by a ball of 8 inches diameter; this cylinder
supports the atmospheric apparatus. of the pile. The cylinder J is

page_text: insulated by gutta percha or other insulating substance. K, massive
iron cylinder, exactly similar to the cylinder J; it is fixed or clamped
into the stone forming the upper part of the columns O; this cylinder is
placed parallel to the cylinder J, and at any distance from the latter;
it is insulated, and has intended to be at need a substitute for the
cylinder in case of repairing. L, communication copper wires, coated
over with gutta percha, diameter 25th of an inch, 4 wires by every
3 feet about; these wires are fixed to the cylinders J & K by ligatures g',
said ligatures being coated over with gutta percha. The first & the
last wires L have 12th inch diameter; they are fixed or clamped into
the stone forming the upper part of the columns, P, and their ends
are soldered to the cylinders J & K. The wires L transmit to the
cylinders the positive electricity of the atmosphere. M, cross wires
of communication wires L, diameter 5th of an inch, one wire for
every 3 feet about; these wires are united, and secured to the wires L
by fastening wires S. The wires M support the wires L, and keep them
apart. The cylinders J & K, and the wires L, L, serve to take the
electric branch lines, which are to transmit wherever it is wanted the
positive electricity of the atmosphere. The positive electric branch
lines may be of any diameter, being soldered to the cylinders J & K,
and to the wires L, L; the soldering is afterwards coated over with
gutta percha; these branch wires are insulated on their whole length..
Intermediary part insulating the two poles of the terrestrial atmo-
spheric pile.-N, supporting columns of the cylinder J, height 16 feet
8 inches about (5 mètres), diameter 3 feet 4 inches, the first and the last
columns have 6 feet 8 inches diameter; O, supporting columns of the
cylinder K, height 16 feet 8 inches, diameter 3 feet 4 inches; the first
and the last columns have 6 feet 8 inches diameter. P, supporting
columns of the first and last wires L, height 16 feet 8 inches, diameter
1 foot 8 inches. All these columns or pillars are made of brickwork
and topped by a hard freestone, upon each zone of bricks is thrown
melted resin, and when the whole system is established, melted resin
or tar or any other insulating substance is cast all over the stone.
Negative pole of the pile.-Q, conducting negative wires of iron or
other metal, diameter sth of an inch, 33 wires for every 3 feet 4 inches.
The length of these wires is indefinite. These negative conductors are
placed on the ground beneath the wires L, and in the same direction,
thence they are sunk into the ground, or dipped into the water. The
lower extremity of these conductors is made to admit a metallic plate
coated over with an unoxydable metal. R, cross wires of the negative
conductors Q, diameter 25th of an inch, and one wire for every 3 feet
4 inches, with an extension of 166 feet 8 inches (50 mètres). These

page_text: wires support the negative conductors, to which they are secured by
fastening wires S. The wires Q & R are insulated and transmit to the
electric branches the negative electricity of the earth. The negative
electric branches may be of any diameter, being soldered up to the
wires Q & R. The branch wires are insulated over all their length.
They are to carry where it is wanted the negative electricity of the
earth.
Stationary apparatus.-Pl. 5 & 6 show the stationary apparatus; Pl. 5
is a front view of 3-terrestrial atmospheric piles applied on mountains.
Fig. 1 is a pile, the lower part of which is alone seen, the upper part
being out of sight on the high mountains; Fig. 2 is a pile, the upper
part of which is alone seen, the inferior part being concealed by Figures
1 & 3. Fig. 3 is a pile seen in all its parts. Pl. 6 shows a section and
elevation of a pile, together with the details.
Positive pole of the pile.-P, positive electric copper or other metal
wires, coated over with an isolating substance. These wires of a
variable diameter may be of an indefinite length. The upper part of
the positive wires is soldered up by means of tin to a prompter O at P'
(Figs. 2 & 3, Sheet 5th, and Figs. 1, 5 & 6, Sheet 6th). The lower part
of the positive wires is secured to an insulator T (Fig. 2, Sh. 6). The
positive wires are fixed on the ground by joints A (Figs. 3 & 4, Sheet 6).
The wires P are shown straight in the Drawings, but they can be bent
in any direction, and follow all the sinuosities of the ground on which
they are laid. O, prompters (Figs. 5 & 6, Sheet 6), iron rods of any
length and of any diameter, but sharpened into a point at their upper
part; this upper extremity is silvered or coppered. The lower part of
the prompters is forced into a timber S, which isolates the prompter,
& holds it in a firm position. A large metallic plate may be applied
to each prompter, as shown in Fig. 6, and said plate may be secured
to the rod by two joints and two solderings. The positive wires may
be soldered on the rod of cach prompter or on the plate which is fixed
thereto; the timber or piece of wood S and its four bearings are pro-
vided with points V at their lower part, by which they are fixed into
the ground; but it is preferable, if possible, to sink said bearings entirely
in the ground; all these pieces are of wood impregnated with oil, and
coated over with tar or other bad conducting body. T, insulators of
the positive wires (Fig. 2, Sheet 6); strong oiled pieces of wood coated
over with tar, they are forced by 3 feet 8 inches into the ground, and
rise ten feet from the ground; each positive wire is to be forced into
each insulator; A, fastenings Figs. 3 & 4, Sheet 6), either oiled pieces
of wood coated over with tar or metallic pieces coated with varnish.
These ligatures of any form are sunk into the ground by their pointed.

page_text: extremity. The upper part which rises from the ground has a lid
screwed on it; a hole is made between the lid and the piece of wood
for admitting the positive wire; the number of ligatures to be used is
indefinite, and may vary according to the different grounds. E, positive
branch lines (Fig. 2, Sheet 6). These are copper or other metal wires
of any diameter, coated over with an insulating substance. These wires
are soldered up to the positive wires. The positive branchings of an
indefinite length carry in any direction the positive electricity of the
atmosphere.
Negative pole of the pile.-N, negative iron or other metal conductors
(Figs. 1 & 3, Sheet 5, Figs. 1 & 2, Sh. 6); these wires of any diameter,
and of an unlimited length, are coated over with an isolating substance.
The upper extremity of these wires rest on the ground near to the
positive insulators; the lower extremity of these wires is soldered up
a metallic plate coated over with an inoxydable metal. The plate V
(Sheet 6, Fig. 7), may be square or of any other form, or it may be
dented; one or more negative wires may be soldered on each plate; one
or more negative wires may surround each insulator.of each conductor.
The negative wires are sunk into the ground at very great depth, or into
wells, rivers, or into the sea. The negative electric branchings are
taken on the negative conductors N in the same manner as the positive
branchings are on the positive conductors, the branch lines and the
solderings are coated over with an isolating substance. The negative
branchings of any diameter and of unlimited length, carry in any
direction the negative electricity of the earth.
be
I. The positive conductors being independent from one another, any
arrangement may be adopted for them and their insulators; they may
laid and arranged side by side, as shown in the Drawings, or be placed
at great distance from one another. In the latter case, the negative
wires will follow the different directions of the positive conductors.
II. The insulators of the positive conductors are not indispensable,
each positive conductor may start from the prompter, and end where
the positive electricity is to yield or 'produce an effective work.
III. When the negative conductors are intended to produce on the
positive conductors more efficient action than the surface of the earth,
the quantity of negative wires surrounding each positive insulator are to
be proportioned to the amount of influence to be produced. However,
this action or influence, and the flowing out of the negative electricity
obtained by the negative conductors placed immediately beneath the

page_text: positive conductors of the pile will prove useless in most occurrences,
and it will be often preferable to dispose the negative conductors, where
the positive & negative electricities are to yield any effective work.
IV. When great electric effects are to be produced, it is necessary
to give a great height and surface to the positive conductors, and also
a great depth & surface to the negative ones.
V. When the positive conductors are to be placed on hills of little
height, it is necessary to enact an influent intense action on the positive
conductors. In this case the negative conductors must have a great
surface, a great depth and height. The positive & negative electric
branchings will then start from great heights, and not from the surface
of the earth, unless, however, the positive and negative conductors
continue unbroken, and either side to side or singly towards the place
where they are to yield an effective work.
VI. When great amounts of electricity are to be conducted on the
surface of the earth for the wants of agriculture, then the positive
. conductors are directed upon the grounds to be electrized. It is not
indispensible sometimes to extend the positive conductors, but it suffices
to lead the negative conductors across the ground to be electrized.
VII. The conductors of the pile and their branchings may be made
of wires of metallic bands, but always coated over with an isolating
substance. These wires or bands may be isolated from each other or
joined and twisted like ropes.
VIII. Each wire band or cable being the positive conductor of the
pile may be surrounded externally by a metallic wire, either galvanized
or not, or otherwise. This metallic wire is turned spirally round the
gutta percha or other substance, which can insulate the positive con-
ductors. The two ends of side wire are sunk at a great depth into the
earth or into the water. This metallic wire of any diameter fulfils the
duty of a lightening rod of great surface, being during its whole course
in contact with the earth, said metallic wire keeps the positive con-
ductors safe, not only against the lightning, but also against the
pernicious actions of the clouds.
IX. The ligatures A, which hold the positive conducting wires or
cables, may be metallic uncoated, long pointed, or galvanized pieces
sunk deeply into the ground, and allowing an easy flowing of the
meteoric electricity.
X. We said at the beginning of our Patent that the earth was the
negative pole, and the atmosphere the positive pole of our atmospheric
terrestrial pile; we shall add, in order to be better understood, that the
earth is one of the poles, and the atmosphere the other pole of our
terrestrial atmospheric battery.

page_text: The paragraphs 3, 4, 6, 7, & 10, may be applicable to the moveable
apparatus as well as to the stationary one.
Our terrestrial atmospheric pile or battery can be made applicable
to lighting, heating, moving, telegraphying, decomposing and recom-
posing of bodies, and the like, that is to say, this pile can be used as
electric, magnetic, mecanic, chemical power, &ª.
I claim as being my Invention, first, all industrial applications of the
terrestrial atmospheric electricity, obtained by means of such or like
apparatus, as above described or grounded upon the same principle.
Secondly, the apparatus as above described, and the arrangements
which have been adopted.
In witness whereof, I, the said Hippolyte Charles Vion, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Second day of June, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.
HIPPOLITE CHARLES VION. (L.S.)
HIPPOLITE CHARLES VION. (L.S.)

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