IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING OF ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH, PARTLY APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Wilde, of the City of Manchester, Engineer, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING OF
ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH, PARTLY
APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Wilde at the Office
of the Commissiouers of l'atents on the 1st December 1863.
HENRY WILDE, of the City of Manchester, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING OF ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS, AND IN APPARATUS
CONNECTED THEREWITH, PARTLY APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
My Invention consists, firstly, in an improved method of constructing and laying
subterranean telegraph wires, by which they are rendered more durable and
efficient than those hitherto used. In this improvement a number of thick iron
wires covered or varnished with some non conducting substance baked or burnt on
them, are cut into convenient lengths and placed in the interior of iron pipes or
tubes similar to those used for conveying gas or water. The wires are supported
and separated from one another and the sides of the pipes by means of cylinders of
carthenware or other insulating material placed at short intervals along the
interior of the pipes.
The earthenware cylinders are perforated with holes about the same diameter as
the wires and parallel with the axes of the pipes for the purpose of receiving the
wires: The ends of the wires are connected together with short tubes as the pipes
are laid, so as to form continuous conductors; and metallic connection is insured
between the joints by soldering with the oxyhydrogen blow pipe or other means
as is well understood.
When a considerable number of wires are placed in a pipe or tube, they are
arranged, for the convenience of jointing, in groups of seven wires, which are
insulated from one another and each group by small cylinders of earthenware, each

page_text: perforated with seven holes for receiving the wires. When square pipes or tubes
are used instead of cylindrical ones, the wires to be insulated are separated from one
another and each group by means of perforated blocks of earthenware or other non-
conducting substance placed in tiers one above another.
The wires are made to pass tightly through thick diaphragms of india rubber
bolted between the flanges of the pipes at intervals along the line for the purpose
of preventing any considerable portion of the work from being flooded if by any
accident the pipes are broken and water is allowed to enter. The joints of the
pipes are made water tight by any of the well-known methods.
Suitable junction pipes and test boxes are laid down at intervals along the line
for the purpose of testing the insulation of the wires and connecting branch lines.
My Invention consists,secondly, in an improved method of establishing telegraphic
communication between the various parts of cities and large towns by means of the
subterranean wires above described, and which method is also applicable to other
subterranean telegraph wires.
In this improvement the pipes containing the wires are laid down so as to form
the boundaries of a regular or irregular polygon, the area of which contains or
embraces those parts of the city or town where telegraphic communication is mostly
required.
Pipes containing wires from different places outside the boundary are joined to
those pipes forming the telegraphic boundary of the city or town, and other pipes
containing wires are also laid down in the streets or roads within the telegraphic
boundary of the city or town in such relation to each other and the pipes forming
the boundary as to make a series of regular or irregular quadrangles, according to
the length and direction of the streets or roads.
Suitable junction pipes are laid down at intervals along the line, and also where
the roads or streets intersect each other, the wires from which are led to hollow
pillars of cast iron placed at convenient distances along the sides of the streets for
the purpose of connecting the wires with any or every part of the city or town
and its boundaries without the necessity of digging up the roadway.
My Invention consists, thirdly, in a method of making a single telegraph wire
available for a number of stations situated at each end of the wire without com-
municating with any other station but the one where the intelligence is required.
In this improvement the extremities of the main telegraph wire are connected
directly or indirectly with the hour or other arbors of two clocks placed one at cach
end of the line, and keeping about the same time. Branch wires proceeding from
the stations at each cud of the main telegraph wire are led into the clock cases at
each end of the line, and connected with a corresponding number of metal studs
insulated from each other. A series of cams revolving synchronously with
the hour or other arbor of the clocks places the main telegraph wire alternately in
metallic contact with any of the branch wires at each end of the main wire for a
definite interval of time, during which the intelligence is transmitted between
required pair of stations, until the revolution of the cams at each end of the main
wire causes contact to be made between the branch wires of another pair of
slations.
any
My Invention consists, fourthly, in the application of the magneto electric
machine described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me on the
Twenty fifth day of February One thousand eight hundred and sixty three,
No. 516, or other magneto electric machine with revolving coils for the purpose of
telegraphing through uninsulated submarine cables laid either singly or in sections,
as described in the Specification of the Letters Patent granted to me on the Twenty
eighth day of November One thousand eight hundred and sixty one, No. 2997.
In this present improvement the cables to be submerged are enveloped with a
suitable covering to protect them from the corrosive action of salt water, and a
second or return cable extending between the same places, but separated from each
other, is submerged either singly or in sections, and used in such manner as to make
the telegraphic circuit, including the coils of the magueto electric muchine at the

page_text: transmitting station, entirely metallic, instead of discharging the cable by means of
the earth plate and prolonged conductor, as described in the Specification of the
before mentioned l'atent, No. 2997. The resistance offered by the coils of the
magneto electric machine at the receiving station is taken out of the telegraphic
circuit by means of a wire forming short circuit with the coils.
The indicating instrument may either work to earth or form a complete metallic
circuit with the wires at the transmitting station.
The magneto electric machine is driven by means of a steam engine or other
motor. and an insulated metal cylinder connected with one extremity of the coils is
fixed on the armature axis, instead of the commutator described in the Specification
of the above mentioned Letters Patent, No. 516. The electricity is conducted from
the generating coils by means of wires connected respectively with the metal framing
of the machine and a clip embracing the insulated cylinder on the armature axis
and is made available for giving signals by short circuiting during certain intervals.
of time by means of the well known apparatus used for that purpose. The magneto
electric machine, as above described, may be used for producing the electric light.

page_text: SPECIFICATION filed in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent.
and of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, by the said Henry Wilde in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th June 1864.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
HENRY WILDE, of the City of Manchester, Engineer.
CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING OF ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS, AND IN APPARATUS
CONNECTED THEREWITH, PARTLY APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
My Invention consists, first, in an improved method of constructing and laying
subterranean telegraph wires, by which they are rendered more durable and efficient
than those hitherto used.
This improvement is illustrated in reference to Figures 1 and 2 of Sheet 1 of
the accompanying two Sheets of Drawings. In the present instance I have shewn
twenty one thick iron wires marked a,, which are arranged in three groups of
seven, but any other convenient number of wires may be combined and arranged in
a similar manner; these wires are covered or varnished with some nonconducting
substance baked or burnt on them. The wires are cut into convenient lengths and
placed in the interior of the iron pipes or tubes b, similar to those used for con-
veying gas or water. The wires a are supported and separated from one another
and from the sides of the pipes by means of blocks or cylinders e, made of
earthenware or other insulating material, placed at short intervals along the interior
of the pipes b. The cylinders e are perforated with holes of about the saine
diameter as the wires a, and parallel with the axes of the pipes b, for the purpose
of receiving the wires. The ends of the wires a are connected together with short
tubes of sheet metal, as shewn at d, in Figures 2, 3, and 4, which are sprung on
to and unite the ends of the wires was the pipes are laid, so as to form continuous
conductors; and metallic connection is insured between the joints by soldering up
the longitudinal slit in the tubes d with the oxy-hydrogen blow pipe, or other
means, as is well understood.
When square pipes or tubes are used instead of cylindrical ones, the wires to be
insulated are separated from one another and into groups by means of perforated
or recessed blocks of earthenware, or other nonconducting substance, placed in
tiers one above another, but I prefer the arrangement shewn in the Drawing.
For the purpose of preventing the pipes from being flooded, if by any accident
the pipes are broken and water is allowed to enter, they are laid in an inclined
position, and the water can then be drawn off by syphon pipes placed at certain
intervals along the line. The joints of the pipes 6 are made water-tight by fitting
the taper end of one pipe into the taper socket of another, and filling up the space
behind the taper part by the india rubber ring e, in the manner shewn in
Figure 2, or by any of the well known methods.
Suitable junction pipes and test boxes, as shewn in Figures 5 and 6, are laid
down at intervals along the line of pipes b, for the purpose of testing the insula-
tion of the wires and for connecting branch lines. In these views is a cylindrical
chamber of cast iron, furnished with the lid g and cover h, the top of which is
supposed to be level with the road, street, or pavement. The pipes 6 fit in sockets
cast to the chamber f, and the wires a are connected in any required direction, as
shewn in Figure 6. The branch pipes b' between the main pipes bare for making
the connection between the various pipes and the buildings on each side of the
street without the necessity of taking up the pavement. The connecting wires
in the chamber f are thinner than the wires a in the main pipes b, and they are
These
insulated from each other by gutta percha or other suitable material.
chambers are also applicable for making the connections of wires insulated by

page_text: gutta percha in the ordinary manner, as well as for those shewn in Figures 1
and 2.
My Invention consists, secondly, in an improved method of establishing tele-.
graphic communication between the various parts of cities and large towns by
means of the subterranean wires above described, and which method is also
applicable to other subterranean telegraphic wires. In this improvement, which is
illustrated in reference to the diagram. Figure 7, the pipes containing the wires
above described, or telegraph wires insulated by gutta percha in the ordinary
manner, are laid down so as to form the boundaries of a regular or irregular
polygon, the area of which contains or embraces those parts of the city or town
where telegraphic communication is mostly required.
Pipes containing wires from distant places outside the boundary are joined to
those pipes forming the telegraphic boundary of the city or town, and other pipes
containing wires are also laid down in the streets or roads within the telegraphic
boundary of the city or town in such relation to each other and the pipes forming
the boundary as to make a series of regular or irregular quadrangles, according to
the length and direction of the streets or roads." Suitable junction pipes or
chambers f, as before described in reference to Figures 5 and 6, are laid down at
intervals along the line, and also where the roads or streets intersect each other,
for the purpose of connecting the wires with any or every part of the city or town
and its boundaries, without the necessity of digging up the roadway. My
Invention consists, thirdly, in a method of making a single telegraph wire available
for a number of stations situated at each end of the wire without communicating
with any other station but the one where the intelligence is required. In this
improvement, which is illustrated in Figure 8 of Sheet 2, the extremities of the main
telegraph wire a are connected directly or indirectly with the hour or other
arbors of two clocks placed at stations and at each end of the line a.
and keeping about the same time. Branch wires marked k, l, m, n, o, and p.
proceeding from the stations i and j at each end of the main telegraph wire, are
led into the clock cases at each end of the line, and connected with a corresponding
number of metal studs insulated from each other. A series of cams revolving
synchronously with the hour or other arbor of the clocks places the main telegraph
wire alternately in metallic contact with any of the branch wires at each end
of the main wire for a definite interval of time, during which the intelligence is
transmitted between the stations indicated by the letters k, k, until the revolution
of the cams at each end of the main wire causes contact to be made between
the branch wires of another pair of stations, such as 1, 1, or m, m, or any other
Corresponding pair of wires.
My Invention consists, fourthly, in the application of the magneto-electric
machine described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me
on the
Twenty fifth day of February One thousand eight hundred and sixty three,
Number 516, or other magneto electric machine with revolving coils for the
purpose of telegraphing through uninsulated submarine cables, laid either singly
or in sections, as described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me on
the Twenty eighth day of November One thousand eight hundred and sixty one,
Number 2997. In this present improvement, which is illustrated in reference to
Figures 9, 10, and 11. the cables to be submerged are enveloped with a suitable
covering to protect them from the corrosive action of salt water: and a second, or
what is generally termed a return cable, extending between the same places, but
separated from the first cable, is submerged either singly or in sections, and used
in such manner as to make the telegraphic circuit, including the coils of the
magneto-electric machine at the transmitting station, entirely metallic, instead of
discharging the cable by means of the earth plate and prolonged conductor, as
described in the Specification of the before mentioned Patent, Number 2997; thus
in Figure 9 the wire 7 proceeding from one pole of the magneto-electric machine is
connected with the first cable extending between the stations, and the wire r is
connected with the second or return cable, also extending between the same

page_text: stations. The resistance offered by the coils of the magneto-electric machine at
the receiving station is taken out of the telegraphic circuit by means of a wire
forming short circuit with the coils, as is well understood; and the indicating
instrument at the receiving station may either work to earth, or form a complete
metallic circuit with the wires at the transmitting station.
The magneto-electric or electro-magnetic machine shewn in Figures 9 and 10 is
driven by means of a strap from a steam engine or other motor passing around the
pulley, and an insulated metal cylinder connected with one extremity of the
coils is fixed on the armature axis a, instead of the commutator described in the
Specification of the above-mentioned Letters Patent, Number 516. The electricity
is conducted from the generating coils by means of the wires y and r, connected
respectively with the metal framing of the machine, and a clip e, see Figure 11.
embracing the insulated cylinders on the armature axis u, and is made available
for giving audible signals by causing a small permanent magnet to vibrate between
two bells or drums during certain intervals of time, the permanent magnet being
placed between the two poles of an electro-magnet, acted upon by the alternating
current produced by the magneto-electric or electro-magnetic machine.
requisite intervals of time may be determined by short circuiting the coils of the
magneto electric or electro-magnetic machine by means of a key similar to that
used in the Morse instrument.
The
In order to produce the powerful currents required for transmitting messages
through long uninsulated cables, I employ electro-magnets in lieu of the permanent
magnets combined with the magnet cylinder described in the Specification of the
Patent, Number 516, above referred to. In Figures 9 and 10 the magnet cylinder e
in which the armaturer revolves is supported on brass saddles y secured to the
foundation plate by copper bolts. The electro-magnet. consisting of two strong res-
tangular plates of iron joined together by the wrought-iron cross piece, is secured
by the set screws to the sides of the magnet cylinder 1, and the electro magnet
is enveloped with a large quantity of thick insulated copper wire, which may be
excited by means of a voltaie battery, but I prefer to use the small magneto electric
machine described in the Patent, Number 516, above referred to, the currents from
which are made to pass in the same direction through the coils of the electro
maguet by means of the commutator placed on the armature axis, as described in
the Specification of the Patent, Number 516, above referred to.
The small magneto electric machine may be placed on the same foundation plate
as the large electro magnetic machine shewn in Figures 9 and 10, and may be
driven by the same motor at about the same speed; by this means the current
from the small magneto electric machine is made to develope a much greater amount
of magnetism in the electro magnet of the electro magnetic machine than is
contained in the permanent magnets of the small magneto electric machine. The
magneto-electric machine described in the Patent, Number 516, above referred to,
or the electro magnetic, machine as above described in reference in Figures 9
and 10, may be used for producing the electric light.
Having thus stated the nature of my Invention, and described the manner of
performing the same, I declare that I claim,-
First, the improved mode of laying, insulating, and connecting subterranean
telegraph wires, as shewn and described in reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Secondly, the improved mode of connecting and diverting in various directions
subterranean telegraph wires by means of water tight chambers placed at the
intersection of streets or roads, and communicating with other similar chambers
placed at the intersection of other streets or roads, as shewn and described in
reference to Figures 5, 6, and 7.
Thirdly, the laying of subterranean telegraph wires in the streets of cities or
towns, as shewn and described in reference to Figure 7, whereby telegraphic com-
munication can be established between different parts of the city or town without
the necessity of breaking up the pavement.
Fourthly, the method of making a single telegraph wire available for any

page_text: number of stations during certain intervals of time, as shewn and described in
reference to Figure 8.
Fifthly, the application of a magneto electric or electro-magnetic machine with
revolving coils for the purpose of telegraphing through uninsulated cables, as
described.
Sixthly, the combination of electro magnets in lieu of permanent magnets with
the magnet cylinder, as shewn and described in reference to Figures 9, 10, and 11.
Seventhly, the application of a magueto electric machine for the purpose of
exciting the electro-magnet or magnets of an electro magnetic machine, as shewn
and described in reference to Figures 9 and 10.
And, lastly, the application of the magneto electric machine described in the
Specification of Letters Patent granted to me on the Twenty fifth day of February
One thousand eight hundred and sixty three, Number 516, or the electro magnetic
machine shewn and described in reference to Figures 9 and 10, for producing the
electric light.
In withess whereof, I, the said Henry Wilde, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twenty seventh day of May, one thousand eight hundred and
HENRY WILDE. (L.S.)