AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR REVERSING ELECTRIC CURRENTS, CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH SUBMARINE TELEGRAPHS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR REVERSING ELECTRIC CURRENTS, CHIEFLY
DESIGNED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH SUBMARINE TELEGRAPHS." A com-
munication from abroad by the Count Emile Siccardi, of Paris, France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th August 1879.
"
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR REVERSING
ELECTRIC CURRENTS, CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH SUBMARINE
TELEGRAPHS." [A communication from abroad by the Count Emile Siccardi, of
Paris, France.]
This Invention has for its object a current reversing apparatus or manipulator for
use in submarine telegraphy and with cables of any length or resistance. It may
also be employed with the devices known as the syphon recorder or the receiving
mirror of Sir William Thompson. Its special purpose is to render the signals always
perfectly clear upon these instruments, whatever may be the length of the line, by a
constant reversal of the currents.
This reversal of the current is obtained in the said apparatus by a peculiar
arrangement with only a single battery, that is to say, the one which is designed to
produce the signals.
In the accompanying Drawings,-
Figure 1 is a plan of the said apparatus.
Figure 2 is a front view, and
Figure 3 is an end view of the same.
The entire apparatus is fixed upon the base or tablet E*, B*. The two keys A
and B, Figure 1, are arranged, the first in communication with the button or stud
S, and the second with the earth terminal. These two keys have communication
with each other only when at rest by means of the metallic bridge P, against which
they are firmly held by the two spiral springs V, Figure 2. These two keys when
depressed come in contact with the pedestal C (Figures 1 and 2), which constitutes
the copper pole of the battery.

page_text: The said keys are pivotted at their rear end in such a manner that during their
movement towards the pedestal C the parts N, N¹, remain stationary whilst the parts
K, K', turn, and during the return movement of the said keys towards the bridge P
the parts N, N¹, move and the parts K, K', remain stationary.
a, a, b, b¹, Figure 3, represent four levers movable upon steel points; the arms of
these levers extend beneath four springs D, D¹, E, E¹, Figure 1. The levers a and
a² are connected together, as will be seen, by a common metallic support, and are
insulated from the levers b, b', which are also mounted upon a single support. a, a¹,
are in constant metallic communication with the key A. 6, 61, communicate in the
same manner with the key B. The two springs D, D', are in communication with
the bridge P. The two springs E, E¹, are in communication with the zinc discharge
post.
The zinc discharge post is designed to furnish a zinc contact for the discharge or
reversal of the current, that is to say, such a degree of current from the same battery
as will be considered necessary for the requirements of the line.
The spring X' is in communication with the copper pole of the battery, the
spring X communicating with the zinc pole of the said battery. These two springs
X, X¹, may be removed from their support in order to regulate the extent of move-
ment of the lever I. This moveable lever I is constructed of steel, and extends at
its front end below the two keys A, B, and at its rear end between the two springs
X, X', and is in constant communication with the bridge P. The said lever I, which
is intended to serve as the commutator for the battery, is when in a state of rest
held firmly against the spring X¹ by means of a spring plate, not shewn in the
Drawings.
The slide O, Figure 1, which is arranged at the front of the apparatus, serves as
the commutator to prepare the line for the transmission or reception of messages,
and the said slide O is in direct communication with the line through the line
post.
The button S communicates with the key A, and the button R communicates
with the receiving post.
In this manner, if the slide O is forced into contact with the button S, the line
will be in contact with the key A, and the apparatus will be prepared for trans-
mission; but if, on the contrary, the slide O is brought into contact with the button
R, the line will be in communication with the receiving post, and the apparatus will
be prepared for the receipt of messages.
The six posts have inscriptions upon them which denote their purpose.
In order to more fully understand the operation of my improved manipulator it
is necessary to further bear in mind the following points, namely:-
First, that a, a', have metallic communication with the key A, and that b, b¹, com-
municate in the same manner with the key B.
Second, that D, D', form part of the bridge P
Third, that E, E¹, furnish the zinc pole for the reversal of the current.
Fourth, that the movable lever I forms part of the bridge P, and that this lever
is constantly held in a state of rest against the spring X (Figure 2), which is the
copper pole of the battery, whilst the zinc pole of the same battery is furnished by
the spring X.
Fifth, that the movement of the lever I in passing out of contact with the spring
X into contact with the spring X has for its object to connect the copper and zinc
poles of the same battery alternately with the bridge P in such a manner that the
bridge P will always be in connexion with the zinc when one or the other of the
two keys A, B, are pressed against the post C, which is constantly the copper pole
of the battery, and will always be in communication with the copper when
one or the other of the said keys are out of contact with the said post or
pedestal C.
Sixth, that the lever I is arranged in such a manner that it will only be acted
upon and put in motion by the two keys at the moment preceding the contact of

page_text: the keys with the post C, and consequently each of the keys will move out of contact
with the said lever when they move out of contact with the post C.
Seventh, that N, N', and K, K', Figure 1, when they are at rest are very nearly
but never absolutely in contact with the springs D, D¹, E, E¹.
The operation of the said apparatus is as follows:-When it is desired to transmit
messages the key A, for example, is depressed with the following results:-When
the key A (Figures 1 and 2) leaves the bridge P, its pivoted end N comes in con-
tact with the lever a; as this pivoted end is not a movable point during the
downward movement of the key in coming in contact with the lever a, it causes
the latter to vibrate, and consequently to press in its upward movement the spring
D until the moment the key is pressed into contact with the post C. At this instant,
the end of the key having left the lever a, the latter also leaves the spring D after
having made a short contact with it, which contact is for the purpose of avoiding
an absolute isolation of the cable during transmission. At the same moment also
the key A comes in contact with the lever I, and drawing it down in the direction
of its movement, it compels the said lever to pass out of contact with the spring
X and into contact with the spring X at the same time that the key comes into
contact with the post C, thus throwing a current from the copper into the cable.
As soon as the key A is released it is quickly drawn towards the bridge P by the
spiral spring V; the key first leaves the lever I free to return to the contact X¹,
and immediately afterwards encountering through the jointed end K. the lever a¹,
it causes the latter to rock and to establish by its movement contact with the spring
E, that is to say, with the zinc pole of the bettery.
Supposing that the lever a¹ forms part of the key A, as above described, it will
be readily understood that the said key A, which has thrown into the cable a current
from the copper by its contact with the post C, immediately afterwards throws a
current from the zinc through its contact with the spring E.
The operation of the key B is exactly the same as that described with respect to
the key A. Thus it will be seen that each key by its forward and return move-
ments furnishes five perfectly distinct contacts as follows, namely:-1st. The contact
between the lever a and the spring D to follow the line to the earth until the end
of the movement of the keys towards the post C.
2nd. The displacement of the lever I and its contact with the spring X, designed
to furnish the zinc pole for the bridge P.
3rd. The contact between the key and the post C for admitting the current from
the copper.
4th. The return movement of the key and the return of the lever I to the spring
✗' to replace the zinc pole by the copper pole in connection with the bridge P.
Fifth. The contact of the lever a¹ with the spring E (zinc pole), designed to effect
the reversal of the current in the line.
I wish it understood that I do not limit myself to the special arrangements shewn
in the Drawings, as I may modify the same and obtain other analogous mechanical
arrangements, which by the simple downward and return movement of two arms or
parts of a lever without clockwork, wheels, or other complicated arrangements,
permit the following objects to be attained, that is to say :-
1st. The direct transmission of messages without the necessity for previous labour
for such transmission, or any special instruction to the employées of submarine tele-
graph companies.
2nd. The transmission of a discharge current without employing a special
battery, which ensures the very important advantage that there is no risk of
throwing into the cables a stronger current than is suitable for their proper preser-
vation, since, the same battery serves to produce the line current and also the
discharge current.
3rd. The possibility of dividing the said single battery in such a manner as to be
able to impart to the line or discharge current the intensity which the service of the
lines may demand.
4th. The possibility without danger to the cables of augmenting (in the case of a

page_text: very rapid transmission) the force of the discharge current, since the galvanometer
will indicate that the current which passes through the contacts designed for the
discharge does not exceed the quantity of the current admitted to the line.
5th. The certainty that the effects of induction, which are so detrimental in long
cables will be avoided; as the contacts always succeed each other without the least
solution of continuity, the current in the cable is never interrupted during the
transmission.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th February
1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR REVERSING
ELECTRIC CURRENTS, CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH SUBMARINE
TELEGRAPHS." A communication from abroad by the Count Emile Siccardi, of
Paris, France.
This Invention has for its object a current reversing apparatus or manipulator for
use in submarine telegraphy, and with cables of any length or resistance. It may
also be employed with the devices known as the syphon recorder, or the receiving
mirror of Sir William Thomson. Its special purpose is to render the signals always
perfectly clear upon one or the other of these instruments, whatever may be the
length of the line, by a constant reversal of the currents.
This reversal of the current is obtained in the said apparatus by a peculiar
arrangement with only a single battery, that is to say, the one which is designed to
produce the signals.
In the accompanying Drawing,
Figure 1 is a plan of the said apparatus.
Figure 2 is a front view, and
Figure 3 is an end view of the same.
The entire apparatus is fixed upon the base or tablet E*, B°. The two keys or
knobs A and B, Figure 1, are arranged, the first in communication with the button
or stud S, and the second with the earth terminal. These two keys or knobs have
communication with each other only when at rest by means of the metallic bridge
P, against which they are firmly held by the two spiral springs V, Figure 2. These
two keys, when fully depressed, come in contact with the pedestal or block C,
Figures 1 and 2, which constitutes the copper pole of the battery.
These two keys are jointed or pivotted at their rear end in such a manner that
during their movement towards the pedestal C the parts N, N¹, remain stationary,
whilst the parts K, K¹, turn, and during the return movement of the said keys
towards the bridge P the parts N, N', move, and the parts K, K', remain stationary.
a, a¹, b, b¹, Figure 3, represent four levers movable upon steel points; these levers

page_text: have arms or bars which extend beneath four springs D, D¹, E, E¹, Figure 1. The
levers a and a¹ are connected and communicate with each other, as shown, by a
common metallic support, and are insulated from the levers b, 61, which are also
mounted upon a single support. The levers a, a', are in constant metallic commu-
nication with the key A. The levers b, b', communicate in the same manner with
the key B. The two springs D, D¹, are in communication with the bridge P. The
two springs E, E¹, are in communication with the zinc discharge post.
The zinc discharge post is designed to furnish a zinc contact for the discharge or
reversal of the current, that is to say, such a degree of current from the same battery.
as will be considered necessary for the requirements of the line.
The spring X is in communication with the copper pole of the battery, the spring
✗ communicating with the zinc pole of the said battery, as shewn in Figures. I and
2. These two springs X, X', may be removed from their support in order to regu-
late the extent of movement of the lever I. This movable lever I is constructed
of steel, and extends at its front end below the two keys A, B, and at its rear end
centrally between the two springs X, X', and is in constant communication with the
bridge P. The said lever, which is intended to serve as the commutator for the
battery, is, when in a state of rest, held firmly against the spring X' by means of a
spring or elastic plate not shewn in the Drawing.
The slide O, Figure 1, which is arranged at the front of the apparatus, serves as
the commutator to prepare the line for the transmission or reception of messages,
and the said slide O is in direct communication with the line through the line post.
The button S communicates with the key A, and the button R communicates with
the receiving post.
In this manner, if the slide O is forced into contact with the button S, the line
will be in contact with the key A, and the apparatus will be prepared for trans-
mission, but if, on the contrary, the slide O is brought into contact with the button
R, the line will be in communication with the receiving post, and the apparatus will
be prepared for the receipt of messages.
The six posts or terminals have inscriptions upon them which denote their
purpose.
In order to more fully understand the operation of my improved manipulator it,
is necessary to further bear in mind the following points, namely,-
First. That the levers a, a¹, have metallic communication with the key A, and
that the levers b, b¹, communicate in the same manner with the key B.
Second. That the springs D, D¹, form part of the bridge P.
Third. That the springs E, E¹, furnish the zinc pole for the reversal of the
current.
Fourth. That the moveable lever I forms part of the bridge P, and that this lever
is constantly held in a state of rest against the spring X¹ (Figure 2), which is the
copper pole of the battery, whilst the zinc pole of the same battery is furnished by
the spring X
Fifth. That the movement of the lever I, in passing out of contact with the spring
X¹ into contact with the spring X, has for its object to connect the copper and zinc
poles of the same battery alternately with the bridge P in such a manner that the
bridge P will always be in connection with the zinc when one or the other of the
two keys A, B, is pressed against the post C, which is constantly the copper pole of
the battery, and will always be in communication with the copper when one or the
other of the said keys is out of contact with the said post or pedestal C.
Sixth. That the lever I is arranged or regulated in such a manner that it will
only be acted upon and put in motion by the two keys at the moment preceding
the contact of the keys with the post C, and consequently each of the keys will
move out of contact with the said lever when they move out of contact with the
post C.
Seventh. That the parts N, N,' and K, K¹, Figure 1, when they are at rest are
very nearly but never absolutely in contact with the springs D, D', E, E¹.
The operation of the said apparatus is as follows, that is to say:-When it is

page_text: desired to transmit messages, the key A, for example, is depressed with the
following results:-When the key A leaves the bridge P its pivoted end N comes
in contact with the lever a; as this pivoted end is not a movable point during the
downward movement of the key in coming in contact with the lever a, it causes
the latter to vibrate and consequently to press in its upward movement the spring
D until the moment the key is pressed into contact with the post C. At this
instant the end of the key having left the lever a the latter also leaves the spring
D, after having made a short contact with it, which contact is for the purpose of
avoiding an absolute isolation of the cable during transmission. At the same
moment also the key A comes in contact with the lever I, and drawing it down in
the direction of its movement it compels the said lever to pass out of contact with
the spring X and into contact with the spring X at the same time that the key
comes into contact with the post C thus throwing a current from the copper into
the cable.
As soon as the key A is released it is quickly drawn towards the bridge P by
the spiral spring V; the key first leaves the lever I free to return to the contact
X and immediately afterwards encountering through the jointed end K the lever
a', it causes the latter to rock and to establish by its movement contact with the
spring E, that is to say with the zinc pole of the battery.
Supposing that the lever a¹ forms part of the key A as above described it will
be readily understood that the said key A which has thrown into the cable a
current from the copper by its contact with the post C, immediately afterwards
throws a current from the zinc through its contact with the spring E.
The operation of the key B is exactly the same as that described with respect to
the key A. Thus it will be seen that each key by its forward and return move-
ments furnishes five perfectly distinct contacts as follows, namely:-
1st. The contact between the lever a and the spring D to follow the line to the
earth until the end of the movement of the keys towards the block or post C.
2nd. The displacement of the lever I and its contact with the spring x designed
to furnish the zinc pole for the bridge P.
3rd. The contact between the key and the block C for sending the current from
the copper.
4th. The release of the key and the return of the lever I to the spring X¹ to
replace the zinc pole by the copper pole at the bridge P.
5th. The contact of the lever a¹ with the spring E (zinc pole) designed to effect
the reversal of the current in the line.
I do not limit myself to the special arrangements shown in the accompanying
Drawing, as I may modify the same and use analogous mechanical arrangements
which by the simple depression and rise of two arms or parts of a lever without
clock work wheels or other complicated arrangements permit the following objects
to be attained, that is to say:-
1st. The direct transmission of messages without the necessity for previous pre-
preparation or any special instruction of the employées of submarine telegraph
companies.
2nd. The transmission of a discharged current without employing a special
battery, thus ensuring the highly important advantage of avoiding all danger of
sending into the cables a stronger current than is consistent with their proper
preservation, since the same battery serves to produce the line current and also the
discharge current.
3rd. The possibility of dividing the said single battery in such a manner as to be
able to impart to the line or discharge current the intensity which the service of
the lines may require.
4th. The possibility of augmenting without danger to the cables in the case of a
very rapid transmission the force of the discharge current while the galvanometer
indicates that the current which passes through the contacts designed for the
discharge does not exceed the quantity of the current admitted to the line.
5th. The certainty that the effects of induction which are so detrimental in long

page_text: cables will be avoided, for as the contacts always succeed each other without the
least solution of continuity the cable can never be isolated for a single instant
during the transmission.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. A manipulator for submarine telegraphy provided with or consisting of
two keys A, B, communicating alternately with one of the discharge terminals and
the earth as above described and for the purpose specified.
Second. The combination of two keys A, B, with four jointed levers a, a¹, b, b¹,
(communicating electrically two by two with each other and with the said keys)
and with four springs D, D, E, E', the two first communicating with the bridge P
upon which bear when at rest the keys A, B, and the two others communicating
with the zinc terminal of the current as above described and for the purpose
specified.
Third. The arrangement of the lever I in contact with the bridge P extending
at its front end to and below the keys A, B, and at its rear end centrally between
the two springs X, X', communicating respectively with each of the poles of the
battery, the said lever I being kept when at rest against the spring ✗' as above
described and for the purpose specified.
Fourth. The arrangement of the slide O which in combination with the buttons
S, R, (whereof one communicates with the key A and the other with the reception
terminal) serves as a commutator as above described and for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The combination of the parts forming the manipulator or current reversing
instrument for submarine telegraphy substantially as above set forth and for the
purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
W. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)