An Improved Method of Transmitting Signals to a Distance, and Means therefor.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Nov., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 9th Apr., 1894-Accepted, 9th June, 1894
An Improved Method of Transmitting Signals to a Distance, and
Means therefor.
JAMES WIMSHURST, Member of the Consultative Branch, Board of Trade,
and JAMES EDGAR WIMSHURST, Engineer, both of 4 The Grove, Clapham
Common London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has reference to an improved method of transmitting signals to a
distance and to means therefor.
According to this invention signals are transmitted to a distance by aid of a
varying magnetic force or field in proximity to a conductor of magnetic material.
As the force or field varies it creates a varying magnetic flux or influence which is
transmitted to a greater or less degree through the conductor of magnetic
material, such signals are read, reproduced or translated by instruments placed in
contact with, or in proximity to some distant part of the conductor of magnetic
material. This conductor is not necessarily perfectly continuous (though it is
preferably so) as the magnetic flux or influence is, as is perfectly well known capable
of passing through or across non magnetic material although it experiences a greatly
increased resistance as compared with that it meets with in magnetic material.
To obtain a varying magnetic field or force, we employ by preference an electro-
magnet, into which we direct currents of varying amount or direction. In some
cases we make a part of the conductor of magnetic material act as the core of the
coils an electro magnet-or we may employ a permanent magnet, and vary its
strength by altering its lines of force. In reading reproducing or translating the
signals we employ apparatus, that can be affected by varying magnetic flux or
influences. A telephone with the magnet, or coil with a soft iron core form suitable
apparatus with or without a microphone and a second telephone-or we may use a
microphone magnet and mirror like that in a reflecting galvanometer and subject
it to the varying magnetic flux or influence.
When we want to obtain permanent record of the signals we use a delicate relay
in combination with a local battery and apparatus like a Morse ink writer.
This method of transmitting signals may be used in combination with telephonic
or telegraphic apparatus, or the signals may be sent for a part of the distance by
the usual means, and for another part of the distance by means according to this
invention, for instance in communicating from the shore to a lightship, signals
may be sent through an insulated electric cable to electro magnetic apparatus in
the mushroom or anchor, or in proximity thereto, from which the lightship rides,
and then sent forward into the ship through the chain cable according to this
invention.
Dated this 14th day of November 1892
JAMES WIMSHURST.
JAMES EDGAR WIMSHURST.

page_text: An Improved Method of Transmitting Signals to a Distance, and
Means therefor.
JAMES WIMSHURST, Surveyor of Iron Vessels, and JAMES EDGAR WIMSHURST,
Consulting Engineer both of 7 Crescent Grove, Clapham Common, London 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:-
This invention relates to an improved method for communicating by sound, or
signal, between distant stations, more particularly when the stations, or points to
be connected, or one of them is in motion, or when it is desirable that there should'
be discontinuity in the electrical cable which extends between the stations.
The improved method consists essentially of introducing suitable coils of
insulated electric conductor, at such points or places in the line, or electrical
circuit, as may be most desirable, and in disposing the said coils, that the primary
circuit, or current, in its passage through the first coil, may act by induction, or
electro magnetic induction, and produce a similar or corresponding current in the
second coil, this induced, or secondary current being conveyed to the distant
station by means of ordinary insulated conductor.
These coils may be placed at any part of the length, of a conductor of
magnetic material, for the inductive influence from the first or primary coil, and
also the electro magnetic condition-or magnetic flux produced in the magnetic
conductor extend for a considerable distance-but to obtain the maximum results
the coils should be as close together as may be practicable.
To illustrate the application of this improved method the well known endeavours
to connect lightships with the shore stations by means of electrical cables may be
instanced. These vessels are permanently moored from one end by means of iron
chain cables, or moorings, the wind, and the tide however cause them to swing
round at frequent intervals, and to admit of this swinging round, without injury to
the iron cables, a swivel of well known form is introduced at a convenient part of the
chain cable. In attempts hitherto made to connect such vessels with the shore,
the insulated electrical cable has been brought down from the shore station, to the
iron chain cable, & thence up the iron cable to the ship. In the most recent
attempts the electrical cable has been passed through a hollow swivel pin.
With each of these plans, the vessel swinging round causes an entanglement of
the electrical, and the chain cables, and a twisting of the electrical cable, thereby
causing it injury or ultimate fracture.
more
Like trouble arises with the moorings of boats used in connection with the
coast defence, or with cables from submarine mines. In these cases, either for the
purpose of a passing boat, or for a vessel using the mooring temporarily, and
desiring electrical communication with the shore station, the first or
permanent coil Sheet 2. A. may be upon the anchor, this coil having an electric
cable extending to the distant or shore station. A chain, Sheet 2. C. from the
anchor also extends upwards to a buoy at the water surface, electrical communi-
cation may then be established between any boat or vessel, aud the distant
station, by lowering a second or more portable coil, Sheet 2. B. down the buoy
or mooring chain.
For mines the first coil Sheet 2. A. should be upon the pin rising from the
mine, or the coil may be within the mine, the ends of this coil being connected to
a fuzee, from this pin is a suitable chain, extending upwards to a buoy, when
electrical connection with the mine is required a second coil Sheet 2. B. is
lowered down the buoy chain C. and the electric cable therefrom carried to any
spot wherefrom the mine is to be fired.
It is obvious that buoys affixed to all mines should be specially distinguished.

page_text: To overcome the objections named above in the cases of vessels permanently
moored, we purpose to carry the electrical cable from the shore station, no further
than is sufficient to establish connection with a suitable coil of insulated wire.
Sheet 1. A seated upon, or near to one end of the swivel pin C of the iron
chain mooring, a second coil B is then seated upon the other end of the swivel pin,
and from this second coil is extended an electric cable to the ship. By this means,.
any current, intermittent, or alternating, which is transmitted through the first
coil, induces a corresponding current in the second coil, and thence to the ship, the
ship, together with the second coil being quite free to swing round in any direction,
or manner the wind or the tide may influence without causing injury to the
electrical cables.
The coils may be wound with different lengths, or sizes of wire, in like manner
to a transformer in which cases, currents of low voltage may induce currents of
high voltage or the contrary, or, intermediate coils may be introduced between.
the two primary or end coils.
The customary instruments or even lamps may be used at either end, or at both
stations as occasion may require.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and the manner in which it may be carried out, we declare that what we
claim is :-
The employment of coils A. and B, Sheets 1. 2. of insulated wire situated near
to each other, either surrounding a chain cable, or fitted upon a swivel pin, or a
rod of iron, substantially in the manner described, whereby in virtue of induction,.
or of electro magnetic flux, or of both, sounds, or signals, may be passed
throughout the length of an electric cable, or the induced current so obtained may
be used for other like purposes notwithstanding the electric cable is divided at.
some part of its length.
Dated this 9th day of April 1894.
JAMES WIMSHURST.
JAMES EDGAR WIMSHURST.