An Improved Method of and Apparatus for the Production of Light by means of Electricity for Signalling, Theatrical Effects, and similar Purposes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Dec, 1896
Complete Specification Loft 18th Aug 1807 Accented 18th Sont 1807
Complete Specification Loft, 18th Aug, 1807 Accepted, 18th Sept 1807
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of and Apparatus for the Production of Light by
means of Electricity for Signalling, Theatrical Effects, and similar
Purposes.
I, VLADIMIR TABULEWITCH, of Obukhovsky Works, St. Petersburg, in the
Empire of Russia, Colonel of the Russian Navy, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
At the present time there are employed two systems of optical signalling (1) by
single consecutive signals formed by long and short flashing lights, following each
other in certain number and order, and (2) by multiple signals formed by certain
combinations of white and coloured fires or lights exhibited at the same time.
In both systems the chief conditions are that the signal-fires or lights should be
as brilliant as possible and capable of being easily distinguished amongst other
fires or
lights in the vicinity serving for any other purposes, as for instance, for
lighting etc. Another condition is that the signal-fires or lights should be
capable of being instantly lighted and also instantly put out.
None of the generally used sources of light possess the said qualities in a
sufficient degree. In fact, the electric are lamps, though they give a very
brilliant light, cannot be easily controlled, for they cannot be instantly lighted
or extinguished. The light of incandescent lamps cannot be easily distinguished
amongst other fires or lights in the vicinity and this light decreases after a certain
time, the inner surface of the glass globe becoming covered with deposit. The
other sources of light are even less satisfactory.
In order to obviate the said imperfections, I apply to signalling and like
purposes the light of electrical sparks produced by the interruption of an electric
circuit. The theory and experiences show, that the intensity of the light produced
by electrical sparks increases with the self-induction of the conducting wires. I
employ therefore a special apparatus, that I call a " spark-enforcing apparatus";
this apparatus makes it possible to obtain sparks of a quite determined intensity
of light. I have also found that sparks, formed between electrodes made of
different materials, have a different intensity of light. Many experiences have
shown that the most brilliant sparks are formed by employing carbon as the
positive electrode and steel as the negative one. It is also clear, that the intensity
of light increases proportionately to the number of sparks that are formed between
the electrodes in a unity of time.
In order to put my invention into practice I have constructed a special lamp
arranged as follows:-
Referring to the drawings.
Figure shows a vertical section of the lamp.
Figure 2 is a cross section on the line I-II (Figure 1).
The essential part of this lamp is the burner of the apparatus for obtaining an
uninterrupted series of sparks between the carbon-electrode and the steel.
The burner consists of an electromagnetic coil 1. fixed by its lower flange to

page_text: the base or column 2, which is screwed to an insulated disc 3, fitted into the
bottom of the lamp. In the central tube 4 of the coil 1 a holder for the carbon
electrode moves freely, formed by a tube the lower end of which is closed.
The lower part of the holder 5 is of copper and its upper part 6 of soft iron.
The upper end of the iron part of the holder is provided with longitudinal slots
for the purpose of firmly engaging with the carbon and permitting of the holder
being tightened around it by screws 7, passing through side lugs provided at
the upper end of the carbon-holder. This carbon-holder is supported from below
by an oscillating lever 8, provided with a small roller 9 on its free end, the carbon-
holder resting upon the said roller. The axle 10 of the lever 8 is pivotted on
the centres 11, 11, fixed by screws 12, 12 in the supports 13 (Figure 1) the said
supports being in one piece with a plate 14, screwed to the insulated dise 3. The
lever 8 is drawn up by a spiral spring 15, one end of which is fixed to the lever 8
and the other end to the regulating screw 16, the said screw being retained in
any desirable position on the support 17 by a nut.
The support 17 is fixed on the plate 14. The carbon-holder is supported by
the lever 8 in such a position, that its upper iron part enters only a short distance
into the central tube 4 of the coil 1 when the electric current does not pass
through the said coil and, when the current traverses the coil, it draws in the
carbon-holder 5, 6, which forces the lever 8 to recede against the tension of the
spring 15.
Over the carbon-rod 18 and in a line with it, there is arranged a steel-rod 19.
This steel-rod is supported by a stand, formed of three supports 20, 20, 20, fixed
at their lower ends to the insulating disc 3, fitted into the bottom of the lamp,
the upper ends of said support being tied together by a ring 21, in the centre of
which is a hollow boss 23 which is fixed on three spiders 22. In this boss is
placed the head of the steel rod 19 which is retained in its place by a screw 24,
screwed into the boss from above. The head of the steel rod is supported in its
proper position in the boss 23 from above and below by spiral springs 25, serving
to soften or deaden the blows during the operation of the lamp, as hereinafter
described.
For the electrical communication af the lamp with the dynamo-electric
machine, two of the supports 20 are provided with fixing serews 26, 27, the fixing
screw 26 being insulated from the corresponding support 20, and the fixing
screw 27 being in metallic connection with its support 20. To the insulated
fixing-screw 26 is fixed the outer conducting wire 28 from the anode of the
dynamo-electric machine, and also a wire 29 which conducts to the outer end of
the coil 1, the inner end of the said coil being fixed to the ldwer flange of the
bobbin. In this manner the anode of the dynamo-electric machine communicates
with the coil 1 and therefore with the carbon-electrode, the cathode of the machine
communicating through the support 20 with the steel-electrode of the lamp.
As the current passes through the coil 1, it draws in the carbon-holder, so that
the contact between the carbon and steel-electrodes is interrupted and a brilliant
spark appears between them. At the same moment the electric circuit will be
interrupted; and the carbon-holder will be pushed up by the spring lever 8, till
the contact between both electrodes is re-established; then the electric circuit
will be closed again, the coil 1 will again separate tlie electrodes and a spark will
appear and so on.
In this manner an uninterrupted series of brilliant sparks between the two
electrodes will be obtained, and there ensues a characteristic scintillant fire, most
suitable for signalling.
The burner in the lamp is protected by a glass 30, which may be of any desired
form such as a glass of the Fresuel type, as illustrated in the drawing. "In order
to make the removing of the steel rod 19 possible, the lamp is provided, over the
boss 23 with a hood 31, having a cover 32 that can be opened. The door 33
permits access to the lower part of the lamp. In the bottom of the lamp there
are apertures 34, 34 with insulating rings of porcelain fitted in them for the

page_text: conducting wires to pass through. The body of the lamp is tied by three bolts 35,
and is provided with a handle 36 to transport it.
It is evident, that the details in the construction of the lamp may be modified
without departing from the nature of the invention.
Instead of the above described arrangement of the electrodes an opposite
arrangement may be employed; for instance, the coil with the carbon-electrode
may be suspended above and the steel rod may be fixed below; in that case the
spring lever 8 is no more wanted, the carbon-rod falling by its own weight on
the steel electrode and closing the electric circuit, in consequence of which the
coil will again draw in the carbon-holder and interrupt the circuit, and so c
If nure coke is used to prepare the carbon-electrode, a white light will be
obtained. Should it be desirable to change the colour and, generally, the
character of the light, different substances may be added to the coke, as for
instance, salts used in pyrotechny, and also magnesium, aluminium ete.
In order to reinforce the sparks and to render the lamp suitable to signalling
at long distances, I use the spark-enforcing apparatus, which consists of a system
of coils mounted on cores of soft-iron, the said cores being fixed on a common bar
also of soft-iron.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate (diagrammatically) two modes of communication of
such coils with lamps of my invention. All the coils are joined in multiple are,
that is to say the outer ends of all coils of each series are joined together by a
common conductor 48, and in the same manner are joined the inner ends of all
coils of each series by another conductor 49. Then all outer ends of the coils
communicate with a common metallic bar 37, to which is connected a conducting-
wire from the anode of the dynamo-electric machine, and the inner ends of the
coils of each series communicate with a separate wire 38 (each series has its
separate wire), conducting to a corresponding lamp (Figure 3) or the inner ends
of all coils communicate, like the outer ends, with a single har 39 (Figure 4).
from which a wire 40 conducts to a single lamp. The first arrangement makes
it possible to light many lamps at the same time and is suitable for the system of
"multiple fires or signals"; the other arrangement will be used when the
signalling is done by lighting a single lamp a number of times.
"Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a practical construction of the spark-enforcing
apparatus of my invention.
Figure 5 is a vertical section of the apparatus, and
Figure 6 is a plan.
In a wooden box 41 are fixed to its bottom, bars of soft-iron 42, 42 into which
are screwed the cores 43, 43 (also of soft-iron) of the coils. The outer and inner
ends of the wire of these coils are fixed to corresponding metallic parts 45, 46
fixed on the upper wooden flanges 47 of the coils. These metallic parts are joined
in multiple are by copper bars 48, 49, as shown; all hars 48 communicate with the
same metallic bar 50, which has a fixing screw 51 to fix a conducting-wire coming
from the anode of the dynamo-electric machine. The opposite ends of the bars 49
communicate with separate fixing-screws 52, 52, for the corresponding lamps
(the system of multiple fires or signals) or these ends communicate with a single
bar communicating with a single lamp (the system of consecutive fires or signals)
Figure 4.1
It is evident that the number of coils in each series may be varied and even
may be unequal in different series, as shown in Figure 7(a diagram) where 53 is
a switch-board or a table for electrical connections (of ordinary construction);
54 the spark-enforcing apparatus of my invention with an unequal number of
coils 44 in different series; and 38 wires, conducting to corresponding
Janterns 55, 56.
Such an arrangement can be used in cases, where lamps of different colours
are employed for the signalling, as the white lanterns 55 do not require so much
light for producing the same lighting as (for instance) the red ones 56.
The spark-enforcing apparatus is placed in the circuit between the dynamo-

page_text: electric machine and the lamp or lamps, if a number of them is used, in which
latter case a switch-board or a table for electrical connections must be placed in
the circuit between the dynamo-electric machine and the spark-enforcing
apparatus (or between the spark-enforcing apparatus and the lamps).
Figure 8 illustrates, as a diagram, the electrical connection for a single lamp
and Figure 9 the same for a number of lamps.
57 is the dynamo-electric machine or an accumulator 54 the spark-enforcing
apparatus; 58 an apparatus of any ordinary construction for clesing the circuit.
55 is the lamp. In case of a number of lamps being used, I place in lieu of the
apparatus 58, for closing the circuit, a switch-board or a table for electrical
connection 53, which, when arranged as shewn in Figure 9, is provided with a
common conducting-wire 59, communicating with the anode of a dynamo machine
or an accumulator, and with separate wires 60, 61, 62 conducting through the
spark-enforcing apparatus to corresponding lamps 55, 55, from which a common
wire conducts to the cathode of the dynamo-electric machine or accumulator 57.
The dynamo-electric machine can be brought into communication by means of
keys on the switch-board with any of the wires 60, 61, 62 and therefore the lamps
can be lighted in any desirable combination.
It is evident, that the number of wires on the switch-board depends upon the
number of lamps, and on their required combination. It is also easily under-
stood, that besides the spark-enforcing apparatus and the switch-board different
apparatus for interrupting the current may be placed in the circuit. in order to
produce different effects or for any special manipulations, used in optical
signalling.
It is also to be understood that different modifications may be used in the con-
struction of the electrodes of the burner, which modifications will not alter the
nature of my invention; for instance, the electrodes (of steel and carbon) may be
not only round but also prismatic; and also a number of burners may be placed
in the same lamp, in order to obtain a larger spark, and therefore a more brilliant
light.
It is to be understood also that the power by which the coil draws in the carbon-
holder may be regulated in such a manner that not only pure sparks will be
obtained between the electrodes, but partly a voltaic arc. The intensity of light
will be increased in that case but the electrodes (especially the carbon one) will
be burned much sooner.
Dated this 23rd day of December 1996
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 and 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
An Improved Method of and Apparatus for the Production of Light by
means of Electricity for Signalling, Theatrical Effects, and similar
Purposes.
I, VLADIMIR TABULEWITCH, of Obukhovsky Works, St. Petersburg, in the
Empire of Russia, Colonel of the Russian Navy, 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:-
At the present time two systems of optical signalling are employed (1) by single
consecutive signals formed by long and short flashing lights, following each other

page_text: in definite number and order, and (2) by multiple signals formed by certain com-
binations of white and coloured fires or lights, exhibited at the same time. In
both systems the chief conditions are that the signal-fires or lights should be as
brilliant as possible and capable of being easily distinguished amongst other fires
or lights in the vicinity serving for any other purposes, as for instance, for
lighting etc. Another condition is that the signal fires or lights should be capable
of being instantly lighted and also instantly put out.
None of the generally used sources of light possess the said qualities in a
sufficient degree. In fact electric arc lamps though they give a very brilliant
light, cannot be easily controlled, for they cannot be instantly lighted or
extinguished. The light of incandescent lamps cannot be easily distinguished
amongst other fires or lights in the vicinity, and this light decreases after a certain
time, the inner surface of the glass globes becoming obscured by the deposit of
carbon, etc. thereon. The other sources of light are even less satisfactory.
In order to obviate the said imperfections, I apply to signalling and like
purposes the light of electric sparks produced by the interruptions of an electric
circuit. Both theory and practice indicate that the intensity of the light produced
by electric sparks increases with the self-induction of the conducting wires. I
employ therefore a special apparatus, that I call a "spark-enforcing apparatus":
this apparatus makes it possible to obtain sparks of a quite definite intensity of
light. I have also found that sparks, formed between electrodes made of different
materials, have a different intensity of light. Numerous experiments have shown
that the most brilliant sparks are formed by employing carbon as the positive
electrode and steel as the negative one. It is also clear, that the intensity of
light increases proportionally to the number of sparks that are formed between
the electrodes in unit time.
In order to put my invention into practice I have constructed a special lamp
arranged as follows:
Referring to the drawings filed with my Provisional Specification, Figure 1
shews a vertical section of the lamp; Figure 2 is a cross section on the line I-II
(Figure 1).
The essential part of this lamp is the burner or the apparatus for obtaining an
uninterrupted series of sparks between the carbon-electrode and the steel.
The burner consists of an electromagnetic con 1, fixed by its lower flange to
the base or column 2, which is screwed to an insulated disc 3, fitted into the
bottom of the lamp. In the central tube 4 of the coil 1 a holder for the carbon-
electrode moves freely, this holder consisting of a tube which is closed at its lower
end.
The lower part of the holder 5 is of copper and its upper part 6 of soft iron.
The upper end of the iron part of the holder is provided with longitudinal slots
for the purpose of firmly engaging with the carbon and permitting of the holder
being tightened around it by screws 7, 7 passing through side lugs provided at
the upper end of the carbon-holder. This carbon-holder is supported from below
by an oscillating lever 8, provided with a small roller 9 on its free end, the carbon-
holder 5 resting upon the said roller. The axle 10 of the lever 8 is pivotted on
the centres 11, 11 fixed by screws 12, 12 in the supports 13 (Figure 1) the said
supports being in one piece with a plate 14, screwed to the insulated disc 3. The
lever 8 is drawn up by a spiral spring 15, one end of which is fixed to the lever 8
and the other end to the regulating screw 16, the said screw being retained in
any desirable position on the support 17 by a nut.
The support 17 is fixed' on the plate 14. The carbon-holder is supported by the
lever 8, in such a position, that its upper iron part enters only a short distance
into the central tube 4 of the coil 1 when the electric current does not pass
through the said coil; and, when the current traverses the coil, it draws in the
carbon-holder 5, 6, which forces the lever 8 to recede against the tension of the
spring 15.
Over the carbon-rod 18 and in a line with it, there is arrangea a steel-rod 19.

page_text: This steel-rod is supported by a stand consisting of three supports 20, 20, 20,
fixed at their lower ends to the insulating disc 3, fitted into the bottom of the
lamp, the upper ends of said supports being connected together by a ring 21, in
the centre of which is a hollow boss 23 which is fixed on three arms 22. In this
boss is placed the head of the steel-rod 19 which is retained in its place by a
screw 24, screwed into the boss from above. The head of the steel-rod is supported
in its proper position in the boss 23 from above and below by spiral springs 25,
serving to soften or deaden the blows during the operation of the lamp as
hereinafter described.
For the electrical communication of the lamp with the dynamo-electric machine,
two of the supports 20 are provided with terminals 26, 27 the terminal 26 being
insulated from the corresponding support 20, and the terminal 27 being in
metallic connection with its support 20. To the insulated terminal 26 is con-
nected the outer conducting wire 28 from the positive pole of the dynamo-electric
machine, and also a wire 29 which conducts to the outer end of the coil 1, the
inner end of the said coil being fixed to the lower flange of the bobbin. In this
manner the positive pole of the dynamo-electric machine communicates with the
coil 1 and therefore with the carbon-electrode, the negative pole of the machine
communicating through the support 20 with the steel electrode of the lamp.
As the current passes through the coil 1, it draws in the carbon-holder, so that
the contact between the carbon and steel electroles is interrupted and a brilliant
spark appears between them. At the same moment the electric current will be
interrupted, and the carbon-holder will be pushed up by the spring lever 8, till
the contact between both electrodes is re-established, then the electric circuit will
be closed again, the coil 1 will again separate the electrodes and a spark will
appear, and so on.
In this manner an uninterrupted series of brilliant sparks between the two
electrodes will be obtained, and a characteristic scintillating fire is produced
which is very suitable for signalling.
The burner in the lamp is protected by a glass 30, which may be of any
desired form such as a lens or combination of the Fresnel type, as is illustrated
in the drawing. In order to make the removing of the steel-rod 19 possible,
the lamp is provided, over the bos: 23 with a hood 31, having a cover 32 that can
he opened. The door 33 permits access to the lower part of the lamp. In the
bottom of the lamp are apertures 34, 34 with insulating rings of porcelain fitted
in them for the conducting-wires to pass through. The body of the lamp is
secured together by three bolts 35, and is provided with a handle 36 to
transport it.
It is evident, that the details in the construction of the lamp may be modified
without departing from the nature of the invention.
Instead of the arrangement of the electrodes above described a reversed arrange-
ment may be employed; for instance, the coil with the carbon electrode may be
suspended above and the steel-rod may be fixed below; in which case the spring-
lever S is no longer required, the carbon rod falling by its own weight on the
steel electrode and closing the electric circuit, in consequence of which the coil
will again draw in the carbon-holder and interrupt the circuit and so on.
If pure coke is used to prepare the carbon electrode, a white licht will be
obtained. Should it be desirable to change the colour and, generally, the
character of the light, different substances may be added to the coke, as for
instance, salts used in pyrotechny, and also magnesium, aluminium, etc.
In order to reinforce the sparks and to render the lamp suitable for signalling
at long distances, I use a spark-enforcing apparatus, which consists of a system
of coils mounted on cores of soft-iron, the said cores being fixed on a common
bar also of soft-iron.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate (diagrammatically) two modes of connecting such coils
with lamps of my invention. All the coils are joined in multiple arc, that is to
say, the outer ends of all coils of each series are joined together by a common

page_text: conductor 48, and in the same manner are joined the inner ends of all coils of each
series by another conductor 49. Then all the outer ends of the coils are connected
to a common metallic bar 37, to which is connected a conducting wire from the
positive pole of the dynamo-electric machine, and the inner ends of the coils of
each series communicate with a separate wire 38 (each series has its separate wire),
leading to a corresponding lamp (Figure 3), or the inner ends of all coils com-
municate like the outer ends, with a single bar 39 (Figure 4), from which a
wire 40 leads to a single lamp. The first arrangement makes it possible to light
a number of lamps at the same time and is suitable for the system of "multiple
fires" or signals; the other arrangement will be used when the signalling is done
by lighting a single lamp a number of times.
Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a practical construction of the spark-enforcing
apparatus of my invention. Figure 5 is a vertical section of the apparatus, and
Figure 6 is a plan.
In a wooden box 41 are fixed to its bottom, bars of soft iron 42, 42 into which
are screwed the cores 43, 43 (also of soft iron) of the coils. The outer and inner
ends of the wire of these coils are fixed to corresponding metallic parts 45, 46
fixed on the upper wooden flanges 47 of the coils. These metallic parts are joined
in multiple arc by copper bars 48, 49, as shown; all bars 48 communicate with
the same metallic bar 50, which has a terminal 51 to receive a conducting wire
coming from the positive pole of the dynamo-electric machine. The opposite
ends of the bars 49 communicate with terminals 52, 52 for the corresponding
lamps (the system of multiple fires or signals), or these ends communicate with
a single bar communicating with a single lamp (the system of consecutive fires
or signals) (Figure 4).
It is evident that the number of coils in each series may be varied and even
may be unequal in different series, as shown in Figure 7 (a diagram) where 53 is
a switch-board or a table for electrical connections (of ordinary construction),
54 the spark-enforcing apparatus of my invention with an unequal number of
coils 44 in different series; and 38, 38 indicate wires leading to corresponding
lanterns 55, 56.
Such an arrangement can be used in cases where lamps of different colours are
employed for the signalling, as the white lanterns 55 do not require so much light
for producing the same illumination as (for instance) the red ones 56.
The spark-enforcing apparatus is placed in the circuit between the dynamo-
electric machine and the lamp or lamps, if a number of them is used, in which
latter case a switch-board or a table for electrical connections must be placed in
the circuit between the dynamo-electric machine and the spark-enforcing
apparatus (or between the spark-enforcing apparatus and the lamps).
Figure 8 illustrates, as a diagram, the electrical connection for a single lamp
and Figure 9 the same for a number of lamps.
57 is the dynamo-electric machine or an accumulator; 54 the. spark-enforcing
apparatus; 58 an apparatus (of any ordinary construction) for closing the circuit,
55 is the lamp. In the case of a number of lamps being used, I place in lieu of
the apparatus 58 for closing the circuit, a switch-board or a table for electrical
connection 53, which, when arranged as shown in Figure 9, is provided with a
common conducting wire 59, communicating with the positive pole of a dynamo-
electric machine or an accumulator, and with separate wires 60, 61, 62 leading
through the spark-enforcing apparatus to corresponding lamps 55, 55, from which
a common wire leads to the negative pole of the dynamo-electric machine or
accumulator 57. The dynamo-electric machine can be brought into communica-
tion by means of keys on the switch-board with any of the wires 60, 61, 62, and
therefore the lamps can be lighted in any desirable combination.
It is evident, that the number of wires on the switch-board depends upon the
number of lamps, and on their required combination. It is also easily under-
stood that besides the spark-enforcing apparatus and the switch-board, different
apparatus for interrupting the current may be placed in the circuit, in order to

page_text: produce different effects or for any special manipulations, used in optical
signalling.
It is also to be understood that different modifications may be made in the
construction of the electrodes of the burner, which modifications will not alter the
nature of my invention; for instance, the electrodes (of steel and carbon) may be
not only round but also prismatic; and also a number of burners may be placed
in the same lamp in order to obtain a larger spark and therefore a more brilliant
light.
It is to be understood also that the force with which the coil draws in the
carbon-holder may be regulated in such a manner that not only pure sparks will
be obtained between the electrodes, but partly a voltaic arc. The intensity of
light will be increased in that case, but the electrodes (especially the carbon one)
will be burned away much sooner.
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. The herein described improved method of obtaining sparks, consisting in
interrupting an electric current between carbon and steel electrodes.
2. The herein described improved method of obtaining an uninterrupted
scintillating light, consisting in producing a rapid succession of electric sparks
between carbon and steel electrodes.
3. The combination, with a spark-producing apparatus, of a spark-enforcing
apparatus consisting of series of coils connected in multiple arc and provided with
cores of soft iron, such cores being also connected in multiple arc with each other,
substantially as, and for the purposes, hereinbefore described.
4. An electric lamp, the essential part of which is a burner consisting of carbon
and steel electrodes, one of which is movable and adapted to receive a reciprocat-
ing motion, for which purpose the said movable electrode is arranged to be moved
in one direction by an electromagnetic coil and to be returned either by a spring-
lever or by the action of gravity, and so automatically interrupt and complete
the electric circuit, substantially as described.
5. The herein described method of obtaining sparks of different colours by the
use of electrodes of different composition.
6. The electrical connections and current-distributing apparatus in com-
bination with a series of electric spark lamps or burners, substantially as described
with reference to either of the forms or modifications shown in the accompanying
drawings.
Dated 10
1007
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 and 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.