A Method or Methods for Controlling a Mechanism or Mechanisms by Means of Electric or Electro-magnetic Waves of High Frequency.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Dec., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 18th Aug., 1898-Accepted, 21st Dec., 1898
Date of Application, 21ST DEC., 1097
Complete Specification Left, 18th Aug., 1898-Accepted, 21st Dec., 1898
A Method or Methods for Controlling a Mechanism or Mechanisms by
Means of Electric or Electro-magnetic Waves of High Frequency.
We, ERNEST WILSON, of 64, St. John's Park, Blackheath, in the County of
Kent, and CHARLES JOHN EVANS, of 108, Castelnau, Barnes, in the County of Surrey,
Electrical Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:.
This invention has for its object the control of a mechanism or mechanisms
by means of electric or electro magnetic oscillations of high frequency such
oscillations being generated by suitable apparatus and transmitted to a suitable
receiver in well known manners, without the intervention of a metallic conductor,
in conjunction with a switch, herein below described, automatically actuated by
clockwork or otherwise such clockwork or other mechanism altering the position
of the switch periodically after any period of time which may be predetermined.
The switch and clockwork or other mechanism may be made capable of adjust-
ment to make it or them operate at longer or shorter intervals, or it or they
may be made so as to remain longer on one contact or contacts than on the other
or others. The position of the switch can be ascertained at any time since the
time during which the switch will remain on any contact or contacts is known
and the time or times of its change or changes of position subsequently to its
being set in motion is or are known. The switch is for the purpose of reversing
the current from a battery or batteries or other source or sources of electricity
through the coil or coils of the electro-magnetic or dynamo-electric apparatus or
apparata in circuit thereby (if they are of suitable design) reversing its or their
direction of operation, or the switch may be so constructed as to connect the
battery or batteries onto several circuits successively in reversed direction or
not as may be desired, and it may put all or any of these circuits onto the
battery successively singly or in series, parallel, or in any combination or com
binations the switch being constructed with regard to the particular object in
view. The switch does not necessarily remain on each or any of its contacts for
the same length of time. The switch may control a bi planar switch, the
apparatus actuating vertical and horizontal movements being put into circuit
alternately and in different directions if desirable, and the apparatus may be so
arranged that one motion continues while the other is under control, or the
switch may reverse the direction of the current through the coils of a relay,
which said coils are in circuit with the coherer, the relay in turn, if of suitable
design reversing the current through the circuit or circuits controlled by it, or
causing currents to be started stopped or reversed in other circuits or combinations
of circuits.
The advantages obtained by the use of the automatic switch are that only one
receiver need be used to control any number of circuits, and that the current
which operates the same relay may always flow in the same direction, although, as
before described this is not necessary.

page_text: Instead of having a simple time keeper or pointer to ascertain the position of the
switch in connection with the circuits it is desired to control or to show the effect
of causing the operation of the relay at any time, a switch similar to the con-
troling switch of the mechanism to be operated and similarly driven in synchronism
with it may be used at or near the transmitter, connected to the generating
apparatus in such a way that it will only allow the generation of oscillations or
waves at such time as the operating switch is in a similar position and a key or
keys corresponding to the circuit it is desired to operate is made, as many keys
may be employed as there are circuits or combinations of circuits to be controlled,
these keys may be marked with their corresponding circuits or with the effect they
will produce when made, and when the switch at the transmitting end (and con-
sequently the switch controlling the circuits to be operated) is in a similar
position.. These keys are to be joined up by conductors to the
switch at the transmitter similarly to the circuits controlled by the
switch at the receiver end. Then a movement being desired it is
only necessary to make the corresponding key without having regard to the
position of the switch, since, should the position of the switch not correspond
to the circuit or circuits it is desired to operate no waves or oscillations will be
generated until such time as the switch moves round to a position corresponding
to the circuit it is desired to operate, the generation of oscillations being con-
trolled by both switch and keys. Or a model of the apparatus at the transmitting
end may be made to move in accordance with the movements of the actual one.
When two or more independant sets of mechanism or mechanisms as herein
described are to be controlled simultaneously and independantly we can employ
oscillations of different periodic times or wave lengths one for each so that the
actuation of one does not interfere with the other or others, or we can employ
one wave length for more than one receiver if they be in different directions,
and other wave lengths for others, or we can operate one or more than one
mechanism while the other or others is or are rendered inoperative by its or
their switch or switches. And we may concentrate the oscillations on the receiver
by means of a parabolic or other suitably shaped reflector, another reflector being
used at the transmitter if necessary, the former reflector if necessary being auto-
matically made with its receiver to be parallel or approximately parallel to the
transmitter. We do not limit ourselves to one transmitter to control one or more
mechanism or mechanisms, but may employ any number so as to control from
different points. Instead of having the transmitter and receiver in a plane
parallel or approximately parallel to the horizon we can place them so that their
axes are perpendicular to the said plane. If the mechanism is liable to turn
through an arc this can be accomplished by mounting the receiver on gimbles
otherwise it need only be fixed vertically.
As an example of an application of this invention we may take the case of a
torpedo the motions of which it is desired to control subsequently to its leaving
its tube. The torpedo carries a receiver coherer and relay, the latter making
the circuit or circuits of the battery or circuit or circuits of the batteries when the
coherer is rendered conductive by the oscillations. The arrangement of the
switch and of the dynamo electric or electro magnetic apparatus in its circuits
is such that the rudder or rudders is or are controlled, or that the engine or
engines is or are controlled, or the relative rate of revolution of the propellers if
they do not revolve about the same axis is controlled, or any or all of these opera-
tions can be controlled successively or in any combination or combinations.
Further we can control the firing of the torpedo. Any or all of these operations
can be controlled direct by means of dynamo electric or electro magnetic apparatus
energized by a battery or batteries or other source or sources of electricity carried
on board, or said relay or dynamo electric or electro magnetic apparatus may
control them indirectly by the intervention of apparatus worked by compressed.
air or otherwise, or we may control the torpedo by changing the position of the
centre of gravity of its cross or longitudinal section or both of them in conjunction

page_text: if desired with any or all of the methods of control previously mentioned by
means of a weight or weights the movements or positions of which are suitably
controlled automatically or by the switch, receiver etc. and transmitter
the direction of application of the rudder oľ rudders
also
may be
controlled by the switch etc. the vertical and horizontal movements
of the torpedo can thus be controlled, or the weight can be moved
successively to (say) four positions in any sequence in which case the rudder or
rudders need only be capable of being put on in one direction, or the weight may
be moved to and from two positions at or about right angles to one another, in
which case it is requisite that the rudder or rudders can be put on in either
direction, or one weight may be made to turn the torpedo through 180° for the
purpose of causing it to port or starboard, and another weight operating along
the longer axis may be made to control the vertical motions, the rudder or
rudders being fixed over to one side or under the control of the switch, or the
rudder or rudders may be permanently fixed in one direction, in this case the
weight is caused to move or prevented from moving to or from its positions by
the action or passiveness of the relay etc. in this case the course is zig zag.
We do not limit ourselves to the employment of any one of the abovementioned
methods of control but we can employ a combination or combinations of them.
If so desired the torpedo can be under the control of more than one transmitter,
or if it is desired to control two or more torpedoes simultaneously and indepen-
dantly different wave lengths may be employed one for each so that the actuation
of one does not interfere with the other or others. Or we may so construct the
switche or switches that it or they are alternately or otherwise not electrically
connected to the circuit or circuits during one or more period or periods so that
the waves or oscillations operating one do not affect the other or others. Or one
or more than one transmitter may control one or more than one torpedo.
It is well known that a coherer when acted upon by electric or electro-magnetic
waves or oscillations may be made to close the circuit of a battery and that it
may keep it closed after the waves have stopped, and that such circuit can be
opened by giving such coherer a sharp tap. According to this invention this
de-cohering apparatus can be applied automatically immediately or at a pre-
determined interval of time after the coherer has closed the circuit either by
the switch hereinbefore described or by independant apparatus which can if
desired be controlled by the current in the coherer itself, or a multiple coherer
may be employed the coherers constituting which being brought into operative
positions by means of the switch or other mechanism, the decohering being
effected either before during or after the act of moving such coherer from its
operative position by suitable tapping arrangements whether the coherer be
tapped or be made to tap a suitable buffer. An advantage of this multiple
colerer is that, should one or more coherers fail to act the apparatus is only
rendered inoperative during such time or times as such coherer or coherers is or
are in an operative position. We may employ a multiple coherer with two or
more coherers in parallel, with the object of lessening the likelyhood of the dis-
ablement of the apparatus owing to one or more coherers failing to act. The
receiver can consist of an insulated conductor in the form of a plate or wire above
water and attached to the torpedo one terminal of the coherer being in connection
with the plate and the other with the water, or two plates can be similarly treated
the terminals of the coherer or coherers being each joined to one, or in any other
usual way, or the plate or plates may be inserted in the body of the torpedo,
and insulated therefrom and from the water, or the plates can in fact constitute
the shell or a portion thereof of the torpedo, or they may be inside the torpedo.
In order to keep the receiver parallel or approximately parallel to the trans-
mitter we may employ a magnetic needle suitable arranged so that when the
torpedo turns from its course it by its deviation causes a contact or contacts to
be made in a circuit or circuits which controls or control apparatus or apparata
which causes or cause the receiver, to turn in such a way as to be parallel or

page_text: approximately parallel to the transmitter. Or we may employ a float towed by
the torpedo such float carrying the receiver or one of its plates, when we use the
water as above described and being so shaped and fastened as to tend to continue
on its course irrespective of the direction of the torpedo. Or we may pivot the
receiver on the torpedo and attach it to a float or drag in such a way that it will
have the same effect. And we may provide a parabolic or other suitably shaped
reflector for the purpose of concentrating the oscillations or waves on the receiver
such reflector being so fixed as to turn with it and a corresponding reflector may
be fixed behind the transmitter in a well known way. We can keep the trans-
mitter and receiver perpendicular to the surface of the water by means already
set forth.
This invention is applicable to air-ships, search light projectors, guns or in
fact any mechanism the movements of which it is required to control in more than
one direction in one or more than one plane.
Dated this 21st day of December 1897.
ERNEST WILSON.
CHARLES JOHN EVANS.
A Method or Methods for Controlling a Mechanism or Mechanisms by
7
Means of Electric or Electro-magnetic Waves of High Frequency.
We, ERNEST WILSON, of 64, St. John's Park, Blackheath, in the County of
Kent, and CHARLES JOIN EVANS, of 108, Castelnau, Barnes, in the County of Surrey,
· Electrical Engineers, 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: -
1
This invention has for its object the control of a mechanism or mechanisms
by means of electric or electro magnetic oscillations of high frequency such
oscillations being generated by suitable apparatus and transmitted to a suitable
receiver in well known manners, without the intervention of a metallic conductor,
in conjunction with a switch, herein below described, automatically actuated by
clockwork or otherwise such clockwork or other mechanism altering the position
of the switch periodically after any period of time which may be predetermined.
The switch and clockwork or other mechanism may be made capable of adjust-
ment to make it or them operate at longer or shorter intervals, or it or they
may be made so as to remain longer on one contact or contacts than on the other
or others. The position of the switch can be ascertained at any time since the
time during which the switch will remain on any contact or contacts is known
and the time or times of its change or changes of position subsequently to its
being set in motion is or are known. The switch is for the purpose of reversing
the current from a battery or batteries or other source or sources of electricity
through the coil or coils of the electro-magnetic or dynamo-electric apparatus or
apparata in circuit thereby (if they are of suitable design) reversing its or their
direction of operation or the switch may be so constructed as to connect the
battery or batteries onto several circuits successively in reversed direction or
not as may be desired, and it may put all or any of these circuits' onto the
battery successively singly or in series, parallel, or in any combination or com-
binations the switch being constructed with regard to the particular object in
view. The switch does not necessarily remain on each or any of its contacts for
the same length of time.
"

page_text: In order that our invention may be the better understood we have affixed the
drawings hereinafter described.
When we require to operate two circuits alternately for equal lengths of time
we may employ a switch of the following description:-A, (Fig. 1) is a cylinder
of insulating material mounted on a spindle B, which is rotated by clockwork or
otherwise at a speed suited to the purpose in view. C, C1, are contact making
pieces of brass or other conducting material placed as shown, each covering half
(or nearly so) of the circumference of A. Both the contact making pieces C, C1,
are connected to a ring of brass D, on the circumference of A by connec
tions E, E 4, shown in dotted lines which must clear the lirushes F, F1, F2,
which bear as shown so that F, makes contact with D, at every part of the revolu-
tion of A, while F 1, and F2, make contact with C, and C1, respectively, during
half the revolution of A, only, and only one of these brushes is making contact
with a 'contact piece C, or C1, at any time. G, is the coherer or a relay contact
controlled by it. H, is a battery to supply current to the circuits I, I1, which are
to be controlled. Connections are made as shown. Then when the coherer is
cohered and consequently the contact G, made and the position of the switch is
as in Fig. 1, a current will flow in the circuit I, and no current will flow in the
circuit I1; but if the coherer is not cohered and consequently the contact G
not made. then no current will flow in either I or I1. Similarly with regard
to Il, when the switch has turned so as to bring F2 into contact with 01.
The circuits I, II, are thus under control alternately. Obviously the coherer
being cohered may cause the circuit to be opened or closed as may be desired.
Instead of having a simple time keeper or pointer to ascertain the position of
the switch in connection with the circuits it is desired to control or to show the
effect of causing the operation of the relay at any time, a switch similar to the
controlling switch of the mechanism to be operated and similarly driven in
synchronism with it may be used at or near the transmitter, connected to the
generating apparatus in such a way that it will only allow the generation of
oscillations or waves at such time as the operating switch is in a similar position
and a key or keys corresponding to the circuit it is desired to operate is made:
as many keys may be employed as there are circuits or combinations of circuits
to be controlled, these keys may be marked with their corresponding circuits or
with the effect they will produce when made, and when the switch at the
transmitting end (and consequently the switch controlling the circuit to be
operated) is in a similar position. These keys are to be joined up by conductors
to the switch at the transmitter similarly to the circuits controlled by the switch
at the receiver end. Then a movement being desired it is only necessary to make
the corresponding key without having regard to the position of the switch, since,
should the position of the switch not correspond to the circuit or circuits it is
desired to operate no waves or oscillations will be generated until such time as
the switch moves round to a position corresponding to the circuit it is desired to
operate, the generation of oscillations being controlled by both switch and keys.
Fig. 2 represents such a switch arranged to be used in conjunction with the
switch represented in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2 which is in connection with the trans-
mitter, K, is a cylinder of insulating material mounted on a spindle R, which
is rotated by clockwork or otherwise in synchronism with A, (Fig. 1), and
carrying contact making pieces L, L1, of brass or other conducting material
corresponding to C, C 1, in Fig. 1, and joined to the ring M, by conductors N, N 1,
shown in dotted lines similarly as C, C1, are joined to D by E, E 1. 0, 01,
and 02, are brushes connected as shown to keys P, P1, corresponding to
circuits I, I 1. Q is the induction coil or other apparatus for exciting the trans-
mitter. Then the switch K, being in synchronism with the switch A, and it
being desired to control a current in I, or I1; the corresponding key P, or P 1,
may be operated without having regard to the position of the switches, for,
supposing it be desired to control one circuit L, and the corresponding
switch P, is operated the automatic switch K will not allow the coil Q to be

page_text: operated unless or until the switch A, has put the circuit I, into an operative
position. The switch K is similar to the switch A and the keys P, P1, are
connected to K in a manner similar to that in which the circuits I, II,-to which
they correspond--are connected to the switch A.
Fig. 3, shows a switch arranged to put two circuits under control in the follow-
ing cycle:-(i.) one circuit, (ii) the same reversed, (iii.) the other circuit,
(iv) the same reversed: -the four steps each lasting an equal time. Z is
a cylinder of insulating material mounted on a spindle S which is rotated by
clockwork or otherwise at a speed suited to the purpose in view. T1 T8, are
contact pieces of brass or other conducting material placed as shown each covering
a quarter (or nearly so) of the circumference of Z. The contact making. pieces T 1,
T4, T5, T8, are connected to a ring of brass T9, on the circumference of Z
and T2, T3, T6, T 7, to T 10, by connections U, U 1, shown in dotted lines,
which must clear the brushes V 1.
V 10, which bear as shown so that V 9,
makes contact with T 9, and V 10, with T 10, at every part of the revolution of Z,
while V1. V8, make contact with T1 T8, respectively during a
quarter of the revolution of Z, only, and only one pair of these brushes makes
contact with a pair of connecting pieces at any time. W, is the coherer or a
relay contact controlled by it. X, is a battery..to supply current to the
circuits Y1 Y 2, which are to be controlled. Then when the coherer is cohered
and consequently the contact W made and the position of the switch is as in
Fig. 3, a current will flow in the circuit Y 1, and no current will flow. in. the
circuit 2, but if the coherer is not cohered. and. consequently.. the contact W,
not made then no current will flow in either Y 1, or Y2.. When, the switch has
turned so as to bring V3 and V4, into contact with T3, and T4, respectively
and the contact W, is made then a current. will flow in Y 1, but in a reversed
direction. Similarly with regard to. Y 2, when the switch has turned so as to
bring V 5, V6, into contact with T5, T6, or V 7, V 8, into contact with: T 7, T8.
The circuits Y 1, Y2 are thus under control in the manner before mentioned.
Obviously the coherer being cohered may cause the circuit to be opened. or closed
as may be desired.
"
are
Fig. 4, represents a switch corresponding to Fig. 3, for use in connection with
the transmitter. In Fig. 4, 1, is a cylinder of insulating material mounted on
2. . . . 9 are
a spindle 30, which is driven in synchronism with S, Fig. 3.
T 8. 12.19 are brushes
contact making pieces corresponding to T 1. . .
bearing as shown and corresponding to V 1. . . . V 8. 22 is the battery to supply
current to the induction coil 233 or other apparatus for exciting the transmitter.
24. 27, are keys connected between 12, 13,--14, 15-16, 17, and 18, 19,
2, 5, 6
which correspond to the four operations controlled by Z
and 9
connected to 10, and 3, 4, 7, and 8 to 11, by con-
nections 28, 29, shown in dotted lines. These connections must clear the
brushes. Then the switch 1 being driven in synchronism with the switch Z
and it being desired to control a current in Y 1, the corresponding key 24 or. 25
may be operated without having regard to the position of the switches, for the
switch 1 will not allow the operation of 23 unless or until the switch Z is in a
corresponding position. Similarly with regard to Y 2. By suitably modifying
the construction of the switch any number of circuits or combinations of circuits
can be successively controlled and if desired different batteries can be used to
supply current to different circuits by having corresponding rings for them.
Instead of a single coherer we may employ a multiple coherer consisting of
two or more coherers which are successively brought into connection with the
vanes of the receiver, in order to prevent the total disablement of the system,
for, should one coherer fail the system will only be out of control during such
time as such coherer is in connection with the vanes. An advantage of this
multiple coherer is that, should one or more coherers fail to act the apparatus is
only rendered inoperative during such time or times as such coherer or coherers
is or are in an operative position. Such multiple coherer may consist of two

page_text: or more coherers arranged longitudinally on the surface of a cylinder which is
rotated on its axis by clockwork or otherwise, connection being made with the
receiver by means of brushes which make contact with the terminals of the
colerers successively. We may employ a multiple coherer with two or more
coherers in parallel, with the object of lessening the likelihood of the disablement
of the apparatus owing to one or more coherers failing to act.
When two or more independent sets of mechanism or mechanisms as herein
described are to be controlled simultaneously and independently we can employ
oscillation of different periodic times or wave lengths one for each so that the
actuation of one does not interfere with the other or others, or we can operate
one or more than one mechanism while the other or others is or are rendered
inoperative by its or their switch or switches. We do not limit ourselves to one
transmitter to control one or more mechanism or mechanisms, but may employ
any number so as to control from different points.
This invention is applicable to controlling torpedoes, air ships, search light
projectors, guns, or in fact any mechanism the movements of which it is
required to control in more than one direction in one or more than one plane.
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. The use in combination of a transmitter, and of a receiver and automatic
switch, whereby circuits can be controlled substantially as and for the purposes
hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1.
2. The use in combination of a transmitter automatic switch and keys sub-
stantially as and for the purposes described with reference to Fig. 2.
3. The use in combination of the apparatus hereinbefore described with
reference to Fig. 1, with that herein before described with reference to Fig. 2,
substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned.
4. The use of a multiple coherer substantially as and for the purpose herein-
before described.
T 1 1
121
1
. 1000
ERNEST WILSON.
CHARLES JOHN EVANS.