Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Controlling the Mechanism of Floating Vessels or Moving Vehicles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 13th Dec., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 13th Dec., 1898--Accepted, 9th Dec., 1899
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Controlling the
Mechanism of Floating Vessels or Moving Vehicles.
I, NIKOLA TESLA, of 46, East Houston Street, New York, United States of
America, Electrician, 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:-
The problem for which the invention forming the subject of the present
application, affords a complete and practicable solution, is that of controlling
from a given point the operation of the propelling engines, the steering
apparatus and other mechanism carried by a moving object, such as a boat,
or any floating vessel, or carriage, such as an automobile, whereby the move-
ments and course of such body or vessel may be directed and controlled from
a distance, and any device carried by the same, brought into action at any
desired time.
So far as I am aware, the only attempts to solve this problem which have
heretofore met with any measure of success, have been made in connection
with a certain class of vessels, the machinery of which was governed by electric
currents conveyed to the controlling apparatus through a flexible conductor.
But this system is subject to such obvious limitations as are imposed by the
length, weight and strength of the conductor which can be practically used,
by the difficulty of maintaining with safety a high speed of the vessel or
changing the direction of movement of the same with the desired rapidity, by
the necessity for effecting the control from a point which is practically fixed,
and by many well-understood drawbacks inseparably connected with such a
system.
The plan which I have perfected involves none of these objections for I
am enabled by the use of my invention to employ any means of propulsion, to
impart to the moving body or vessel the highest possible speed, to control the
operation of its machinery and to direct its movements from whether a fixed
point or from a body moving and changing its direction however rapidly, and
to maintain this control over great distances, without any artificial connec-
tions between the vessel and the apparatus governing its movements, and
without such restrictions as these must necessarily impose.
In a broad sense, then, my invention differs from all of those systems which
provide for the control of the mechanism carried by a moving object and

page_text: are
governing its motion, in that I require no intermediate wires, cables or other
torm of electrical or mechanical connection with the object save the natural
media in space. I accomplish, nevertheless, similar results and in a much more
practicable manner by producing waves, impulses or radiations which
received through the earth, water or atmosphere by suitable apparatus on the
moving body and cause the desired actions, so long as the body remains within
the active region or effective range of such currents, waves, impulses or
radiations.
i
The many and different requirements of the object here contemplated, involving
peculiar means for transmitting to a considerable distance an influence capable
of causing, in a positive and reliable manner, these actions, necessitated the
designing of devices and apparatus of a novel kind in order to utilize to the
best advantage various facts or results which, either through my own inves-
tigations or those of others, have been rendered practically available.
As to that part of my invention which involves the production of suitable
waves or variations and the conveying of the same to a remote receiving
apparatus capable of being operated or controlled by their influence; it may
be carried out in various ways which are at the present time more or less
understood. For example, I may pass through a conducting path, preferably
enclosing a large area, a rapidly varying current and by electro-magnetic
induction of the same, affect a circuit carried by the moving body. In this case
the action at a given distance will be the stronger the larger the area enclosed
by the conductor and the greater the rate of change of the current. If the
latter were generated in the ordinary ways, the rate of change, and conse-
quently the distance at which the action would be practically available for the
present purpose, would be very small; but by adopting such means as I have devised,
that is either by passing through the conducting path currents of a specially
designed high frequency alternator or better still, those of a strongly charged-
condenser, a very high rate of change may be obtained, and the effective range
of the influence thus extended over a vast area, and by carefully adjusting the
circuit on the moving body so as to be in exact electro-magnetic synchronism
with the primary disturbances, this influence may be utilized at great distances.
Another way to carry out my invention is to direct the currents or dis-
charges of a high frequency machine or condenser through a circuit, one
terminal of which is connected directly or inductively with the ground and the
other to a body, preferably of large surface and at an elevation. In this case
of the circuit on the moving body be similarly arranged or connected, differences
of potential on the terminals of the circuit either by conduction or electro-
static induction are produced, and the same object is attained. Again, to secure
the best action, the receiving circuit should be adjusted so as to be in electro-
magnetic synchronism with the primary source as before, but in this instance
it will be understood by those skilled in the art that, if the number of vibrations
per unit of time be the same, the circuit should now have a length of con-
ductor only one half of that used in the former case.
Still another way is to pass the currents simply through the ground by
connecting both the terminals of the source of high frequency currents to earth
at different and remote points and to utilize the currents spreading through
the ground for effecting a receiving circuit properly placed and adjusted.
Again, in this instance, if only one of the terminals of the receiving circuit
be connected to the ground-the other terminal being insulated-the adjust-
ment as to synchronism with the source will require that under otherwise
equal conditions the length of wire be half of that which would be used if both
the terminals be connected or, generally, if the circuit be in the form of a
closed loop or coil. Obviously also, in the latter case, the relative position
of the receiving and transmitting circuits is of importance, whereas, if the
circuit be of the former kind, that is, open, the relative position of the circuits
is, as a rule, of little or no consequence.

page_text: Finally, I may avail myself, in carrying out my invention, of electrical
oscillations which do not follow any particular conducting path, but propagate
in straight lines through space, of rays, waves, pulses or disturbances of any
kind, capable of bringing the mechanism of the moving body into action from
a distance and at the will of the operator by their effect upon suitable con-
trolling devices.
In the following detailed description I shall confine myself to an explanation
of that method and apparatus only which I have found to be the most practical
and effectual, but obviously, my invention in its broad features is not limited
to the special mode and appliances which I have devised and shall here describe.
In any event, that is to say--whichever of the above or similar plans I may
adopt and, particularly, when the influence exerted from a distance upon the
receiving circuit be too small to directly and reliably affect and actuate the
controlling apparatus, I employ auxiliary sensitive relays or, generally speaking,
means capable of being brought into action by the feeblest influences, in order
to effect the control of the movements of the distant body with the least
possible expenditure of energy and at the greatest practicable distance, thus
extending the range and usefulness of my invention.
A great variety of electrical and other devices, more or less suitable for
the purpose of detecting and utilizing feeble actions, are now well known to
scientific men and artisans, and need not be all enumerated here. Confining
myself merely to the electrical as the most practicable of such means, and
referring only to those which, while not the most sensitive, are, perhaps, more
readily available, from the more general knowledge which exists regarding
them, I may state that a contrivance may be used which has long been known
and used as a lightning arrester, in connection with telephone switchboards
for operating annunciators and like devices, comprises a battery, the poles of
which are connected to two conducting terminals separated by a minute thick-
ness of dielectric. The electro-motive force of the battery should be such as
to strain the thin dielectric layer very nearly to the point of breaking down,
in order to increase the sensitiveness. When an electrical disturbance reaches
a circuit so arranged and adjusted. additional strain is put upon the insulating
film which gives way and allows the passage of a current, which can be utilized
to operate any form of circuit controlling apparatus.
Again, another contrivance capable of being utilized in detecting feeble
electrical effects, consists of two conducting plates or terminals which have
preferably wires of some length attached to them and are bridged by a mass
of minute particles of metal or other conducting material. Normally these
particles, lying loose, do not connect the metal plates, but under the influence
of an electrical disturbance produced at a distance, evidently owing to electro-
static attraction. they are pressed firmly against each other, thus establishing
a good electrical connection between the two terminals. This change of state
may be made use of in number of ways for the above purpose.
Still another modified device which may be said to embody the features of
both the former, is obtained by connecting the two conducting plates or ter-
minals, above referred to, permanently with the poles of a battery which should
be of very constant electro-motive force. In this arrangement a distant
electrical disturbance produces a two-fold effect on the conducting particles and
insulating films between them. The former are brought nearer to each other
in consequence of the sudden increase of electrostatic attraction, and the latter,
owing to this, as well as by being reduced in thickness or in number, are
subiected to a much greater strain which they are unable to withstand.
It will be obviously noted from the preceding that, which ever of these
or similar contrivances be used, the sensitiveness and, what is often still more
important, the reliability of operation is very materially increased by a close
adjustment of the periods of vibration of the transmitting and receiving circuits.
and, although such adjustment is in many cases unnecessary for the successful

page_text: carrying out of my invention, I nevertheless make it a rule to bestow upon this
feature the greatest possible care, not only because of the above mentioned
advantages which are secured by the observance of the most favorable con-
ditions in this respect, but also, and chiefly, with the object of preventing
the receiving circuit from being affected by waves or disturbances emanating
from sources not under the control of the operator. The narrower the range
of vibrations which are still capable of perceptibly affecting the receiving
circuit, the safer will the latter be against extraneous disturbances. To secure
the best result it is necessary, as is well known to experts, to construct the
receiving circuit, or that part of the same in which the vibration chiefly occurs,
so that it will have the highest possible self-induction and at the same time
the least possible resistance. In this manner I have demonstrated the prac-
ticability of providing a great number of such receiving circuits fifty or a
hundred or more each of which may be called up or brought into action
whenever desired, without the others being interfered with. This result makes
it possible for one operator to direct, simultaneously, the movements of a number
of bodies, as well as to control the action of a number of devices located on
the same body, each of which may have a distinct duty to fulfil. In the
following description, however, I shall show a still further development in this
direction, namely, how, by making use of merely one receiving circuit, a great
variety of devices may be actuated and any number of different functions
performed at the will and command of the distant operator.
It should be stated in advance, in regard to the sensitive devices above men-
tioned, which may be broadly considered as belonging to one class—inasmuch
as the operation of all of them involves the breaking down of a minute thick-
ness of highly strained dielectric-that it is necessary to make some provision
for automatically restoring to the dielectric its original, unimpaired insulating
qualities, in order to enable the device to be used in successive operations.
This is usually accomplished by a gentle tapping or vibration of the elec-
trodes or particles, or continuous rotation of the same, but in long experience
with many forms of these devices I have found that such procedures, while
suitable in simple and comparatively unimportant operations, as ordinary
signalling, when it is merely required that the succeeding effects produced
in the receiving circuit should differ in regard to their relative duration only,
in which case it is of little or no consequence if some of the individual effects
be altered, or incomplete, or even entirely missed-do not yield satisfactory
results in many instances, when it may be very important that the effects
produced should all be exactly such as desired and that none should fail. To
illustrate, let it be supposed that an official, directing the movements of a
vessel in the manner described, should find it necessary to bring into action a
special device on the latter, or to perform a particular operation, perhaps of
vital moment, at an instant's notice and possibly when, by design or accident,
the vessel itself or any mark indicating its presence is hidden from his view.
In this instance a failure or defective action of any part of the apparatus might
have disastrous consequences and such cases, in which the sure and timely
working of the machinery is of paramount importance, may often present
themselves in practice, and this consideration has impressed me with the
necessity of doing away with the defects in the present devices and procedures
and of producing an apparatus which, while being sensitive, will also be most
reliable and positive in its action. In the arrangement hereinafter described
these defects are overcome is a most satisfactory manner, enabling thousands
of successive operations, in all respects alike, being performed by the con-
trolling apparatus without a single irregularity or miss being recorded. For
a better understanding of these and other details of the invention as I now
carry them out, I would refer to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a vessel and mechanism within the same.

page_text: Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the same snowing the interior mechanism
in side elevation.
Figure 3 is a plan view, partially diagrammatical, of the vessel, apparatus
and circuit connections of the same.
Figure 4 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the controlling
mechanism.
Figure is an end view of the same.
Figure 6 shows the same mechanism in side elevation.
Figure 7 is a side view of a detail of the mechanism.
Figure 8 is a central sectional view on a larger scale of a sensitive device
forming part of the receiving circuit.
Figure 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of the system in its preferred_form.
Figure 10 is a view of the various mechanism employed but on a larger
scale and leaving out or indicating conventionally certain parts of well under-
stood character.
Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2, A designates any type of vessel or
vehicle which is capable of being propelled and directed, such as a boat, or a
carriage such as an automobile. It may be designed to carry, in a suitable
compartment B, objects of any kind, according to the nature of the uses to
which it is to be applied. The vessel, in this instance, a boat, is provided with
suitable propelling machinery which is shown as comprising a screw propellor C,
secured to the shaft of an electro-magnetic motor D, which derives its power
from storage batteries E, E, E, E.
In addition to the propelling engine or motor, the boat carries also a smaller
steering motor F, the shaft of which is extended beyond its bearings and
This latter is
provided with a worm which meshes with a toothed wheel G.
fixed to a sleeve b, freely movable on a vertical rod H, and is rotated in one
or the other direction according to the direction of rotation of the motor F.
The sleeve bon rod H is in gear through the cog wheels H¹ and H" with a
spindle G¹ mounted in vertical bearings at the stem of the boat and carrying
the rudder F1.
The apparatus, by means of which the operation of both the propelling and
steering mechanism is controlled, involves, primarily, a receiving circuit which,
for reasons before stated, is preferably both adjusted and rendered sensitive to
the influence of waves or impulses emanating from a remote source, the adjust-
ment being so that the period of oscillation of the circuit is either the same
as that of the source or a harmonic thereof.
The receiving circuit proper, diagrammatically shown in Figures 3 and 10,
comprises a terminal E¹, conductor C¹, a sensitive device A¹ and a conductor A"
leading to the ground, conveniently through a connection to the metal keel B¹
of the vessel.
The terminal E' should present a larger conducting surface and should be
supported as high as practicable on a standard D', which is shown as broken in
It is important to
Figure 2, but such provisions are not always necessary.
insulate very well the conductor C³, in whatever manner it be supported.
The circuit or path just referred to forms also a part of a local circuit, which
latter includes a relay magnet a and a battery a¹, the electro-motive force of
which is, as before explained, so determined that although the dielectric layers
in the sensitive device A¹ are subjected to a great strain, yet normally they
withstand the strain and no appreciable current flows through the local circuit.
But when an electrical disturbance reaches the circuit, the dielectric films are
broken down, the resistance of the device A¹ is suddenly and greatly diminished
and a current traverses the relay magnet a.
The particular sensitive device employed is shown in general views and in
detail in Figures 4, 6, 7 and 8. It consists of a metal cylinder c with insulating
heads, through which passes a central metallic rod c¹¹. A small quantity of

page_text: grains d of conducting material, such as an oxidized metal is placed in the
cylinder.
A metallic strip d', secured to an inclined post 11 bears against the side
of the cylinder c, connecting it with the conductor C₁ forming one part of
the circuit. The central rode is connected to the frame of the instrument
and so to the other part of the circuit through the forked metal arm e, the
ends of which are fastened with two nuts to the projecting ends of the rod,
by which means the cylinder c is supported.
In order to interrupt the flow of battery current which is started through
the action of the sensitive device A¹ special means are provided, which are
as follows: The armature e¹ of the magnet a, when attracted by the latter,
closes a circuit containing a battery 1 and magnet f. The armature lever fl
of this magnet is fixed to a rock shaft f¹¹, to which is secured an anchor
escapement g which controls the movements of a spindle g¹ driven by a clock
train K.
The spindle ¹ has fixed to it a disk g with four pins 611, so that for each
oscillation of the escapement the spindle g¹ is turned through one quarter
of a revolution.
One of the spindles in the clock train, as h, is geared so as to make one half
of a revolution for each quarter revolution of the spindle g'. The end of the
former spindle extends through the side of the frame and carries an eccentric
cylinder which passes through a slot in a lever h¹¹ pivoted to the side of
the frame.
The forked arm e which supports the cylinder e is pivoted to the end of
eccentric ¹, and the eccentric and said arm are connected by a spiral spring i.
Two pins ¹,, extend out from the lever 1, and one of these is always
in the path of a projection on arm e. They operate to prevent the turning of
cylinder with the spindle h and the eccentric. It will be evident that a half
revolution of the spindle h will wind up the spring i and at the same time,
raise or lower the lever 1, and these parts are so arranged that just before
the half revolution of the spindle is completed the pin ¹, in engagement with
projection or stop pin p, is withdrawn from its path and the cylinder c,
obeying the force of the spring i, is suddenly turned end for end, its motion
being checked by the other pin .
The adjustment relatively to armature f¹ or magnet f is furthermore so made,
that the pin is withdrawn at the moment when the armature has nearly
reached its extreme position in its approach towards the magnet, that is,
when the lever which carries the armature f¹, almost touches the lower one
of the two stops ss, Figure 5, which limits its motion in both directions.
The arrangement just described has been the result of long experimenting
with the object of overcoming certain defects in devices of this kind, to which
reference has been made before. These defects I have found to be due to many
causes as, the unequal size, weight and shape of the grains, the unequal
pressure which results from this and from the manner in which the grains
are usually agitated, the lack of uniformity in the conductivity of the surface
of the particles owing to the varying thickness of the superficial oxidized
layer, the varying condition of the gas or atmosphere in which the particles
are immersed and to certain deficiences, well known to experts. of the trans-
mitting apparatus as heretofore employed, which are in a large measure
reduced by the use of my improved high frequency coils. To do away
the defects in the sensitive device, I prepare the particles so that they will
be in all respects as nearly alike as possible. They are manufactured by a
special tool insuring their equality in size, weight and shape, and are then
uniformly oxidized by placing them for a given time in an acid solution of
predetermined strength. This secures equal conductivity of their surfaces and
stops their further deterioration, thus preventing a change in the character of
with

page_text: the gas in the space in which they are inclosed. I prefer not to rarefy the
atmosphere within the sensitive device, as this has the effect of rendering the
former less constant in regard to its dielectric properties, but merely secure
an air-tight inclosure of the particles and rigorous absence of moisture, which
is fatal to satisfactory working.
The normal position of the cylinder e is vertical and when turned in the
manner described, the grains in it are simply shifted from one end to the other.
But inasmuch as they always a through the same space and are subjected to
the same agitation, they are brought, after each operation of the relay, to
precisely the same electrical condition, and offer the same resistance to the now
of the battery current until another impulse from afar reaches the receiving
circuit.
of
The relay magnet a should be of such character as to respond to a very
weak current and yet be positive in its action. To insure the retraction of us
armature e after the current has been established through the magnet f and
interrupted by the inversion of the sensitive device c, a light rou k is sup-
ported in guides on the frame in position to be lifted by an extension
the armature lever and to raise slightly the armature e¹. As a feeble current
may normally flow through the sensitive device and the relay magnet a, which
would be suincient to hoid, though not draw the armature down, it is well to
observe this precaution.
The operation of the relay magnet a and the consequent operation of the
electro-magnet f, as above described, are utilized to control the operation of the
propelling engine and the steering apparatus in the following manner;
The
Un the spindle g' which carries the escapement disc y, Figure 4 and
Figure 6, is a cylinder of insulating material with a conducting plate or
head at each enu. From these two heads, respectively, contact plates or
segments, extend on diametrically opposite sides of the cylinder.
plate is in electrical connection with the frame of the instrument through
the head from which it extends, while insulated strips or brushes JJ bear
upon the free end or head of the cylinder and the periphery of the same
respectively. Three terminals are thus provided, one always in connection with
plate j', the other always in connection with the plate ", and the third
adapted to rest on the strips and in succession or upon the intermediate
insulating spaces, according to the position in which the commutator is brought
by the clock train and the anchor escapement g.
'KK", Figures 1, 3 and 10, are two relay magnets, conveniently placed in
the rear of the propelling engine. One terminal of a battery is connected
to one end of each of the relay coils; the opposite terminal to the brush J',
and the opposite ends of the relay coils to the brush J, and to the frame of the
instrument respectively. As a consequence of this arrangement either the
relay K or K will be energized, as the brush bears upon the plate j' or "
respectively, or both relays will be inactive while the brush J₁ bears upon an
insulating space between the plates j¹ and ".
While one relay, as K', is energized, its armature closes a circuit through
the motor F, which is rotated in a direction to throw the rudder to port. Un
the other hand, when relay K" is active, another circuit through the motor F
is closed which reverses its direction of rotation and shifts the rudder to star-
board. These circuits however, are at the same time utilized for other purposes,
and their course is, in part, through apparatus which I shall describe before
tracing their course.
The
The fixed rod H carries an insulating disc or head L, Figure 2, to the under
side of which are secured six brushes, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, Figure 3.
sleeve 6 which surrounds the rod and is turned by the steering motor F carries
a disc L', upon the upper face of which are two concentric circles of con-
ducting contact plates. Brushes 1, 2, 3 and 4 bear upon the inner circle of
contacts, while the brushes 5 and 6 bear upon the outer circle of contacts.

page_text: .
The outer circle of contacts comprises two long plates. 7 and 8 on opposite
sides of the disc, and a series of shorter plates, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 in the
front and rear. Flexible conductors, connect the plates 7 and 8 with the
terminals of the propelling motor D, and the poles of the main battery E are
connected to the brushes 5 and 6 respectively, so that, while the rudder is
straight or turned up to a certain angle to either side, the current is conveyed
through the brushes 5 and 6 and segments 7 and 8 to the propelling motor D.
The steering motor F is also driven by current taken from the main battery E
in the following manner. A conductor 15 from one pole of the battery leads
to one of the commutator brushes, and from the other brush runs a conductor 16,
to one of the contacts of each relay KK". When one of these relays, as K!!,
is active, it continues this circuit through a wire 19, through one field coil or
set of coils on the motor F, and thence to the brush 1. In a similar manner,
when the other relay K' is active, the circuit is continued from wire 18
through a wire 20, the second or reversing set of fluid coils and to brush 2.
Both brushes 1 and 2, at all times when the rudder is not turned more than
about forty-five degrees to one side, are in contact with a long conducting
plate 21, and one brush in any position of the rudder is always in contact
with said plate, aard the latter is connected by a flexible conductor 22 with
the opposite pole of the main battery. Hence the motor F may always be
caused to rotate in one direction, whatever may be the position of the rudder,
and may be caused to rotate in either direction whenever the position of the
rudder is less than a predetermined angle, conveniently forty-five degrees from
the centre position.
In order, however, to prevent the rudder from being turned too far in either
direction, the isolated plate 23 is used. Any movement of the rudder beyond
a predetermined limit brings this plate under one or the other of the brushes 1, 2,
and breaks the circuit of motor F, so that the rudder can be driven no further
in that direction, but, as will be understood, the apparatus is in condition to
turn the rudder over to the other side.
In like manner the circuit of the propelling motor D) is controlled through
brushes 5 and 6 and the segments on the outer circle of contacts of head L.
If the short segments on either side of the circle are insulated the motor D
will be stopped whenever one of the brushes 5 or 6 passes onto one of them
from the larger segments 7, 8.
It is important to add that on all contact points where a break- occurs, pro-
vision should be made to overcome the sparking and prevent the oscillation of
electrical charges in the circuits, as such sparks and oscillations may affect the
sensitive device. It is this consideration chiefly, which makes it advisable to
use the two relays KK" which otherwise might be dispensed with. They
should be also placed as far as practicable from the sensitive device in order
to guard the latter against any action of strong varying currents.
In addition to the mechanism described the vessel may carry any other
devices or apparatus as might be required for accomplishing any special object
of more or less importance. By way of illustration, a small motor m is shown
(Figures 1 and 3), which conveniently serves for a number of purposes. This
motor is shown connected in series with the armature of the steering motor F,
so that, whenever either one of the circuits of the latter is closed through
relays KK, the motor m is likewise rotated, but in all cases in the same
direction. Its rotation is opposed by a spring m³ so that in normal operation,
owing to the fact that the circuits of motor F are closed but a short time, the
lever m which is fastened to one of the wheels of clockwork M, with which
the armature of the motor is geared, will move but a short distance, and upon
cessation of the current return to a stop P. But if the circuits of the motor F
are closed and opened rapidly in succession, which operation leaves the rudder
unaffected, then the lever ml is moved to a greater angle, coming in contact
with a metal plate n, and finally, if desired, with a post n¹.

page_text: Upon the lever .mll coming in contact with plate n, the current of the
main battery passes either through one or other or both of the lights sup-
ported on standards qq, according to the position of brushes 3 and 4 relatively
to the insulating segment 23. But since the head L carrying the segments
is geared to the rudder, the position of the latter is in a general way determined
by observing the lights. Both of the lights may be colored, and by flashing
them up whenever desired, the operator may guide at night the vessel in its
course. For such purposes also the standards r are provided, which should be
painted in lively colors so as to be visible by day at great distances.
0
By opening and closing the circuits of motor r a greater number of times,
preferably determined beforehand, the lever m" is brought in contact with
post n', thus closing the circuit of the main battery through a device
Figure 10 and bringing the latter into action at the moment desired. By similar
contrivances, or such as will readily suggest themselves to mechanicians, any
number of different devices may be operated.
Referring now to Figure 9, which illustrates diagrammatically the system as
practised when directing the movements of a boat;
of
In this figure S designates any source of electrical disturbance or oscillations,
the generation of which is controlled by a suitable switch contained in box T.
The handle of the switch is movable in one direction only and stops on four
points ttuu, so that, as the handle passes from stop to stop, oscillations are
produced by the source during a very short time interval. There are thus
produced four disturbances during one revolution, and the receiving circuit is
affected four times, but it will be understood from the foregoing description
of the controlling devices on the vessel, that the rudder will be moved twice,
once to right and once to left. Now I preferably place the handle
the switch so that when it is arrested on points tt, that is, to the right or
left of the operator, he is reminded that the vessel is being deflected to the
right or left from its course, by which means the control is facilitated. The
normal positions of the handle are therefore at uu¹, when the rudder is not
acted upon, and it remains on the points uu, only so long as necessary.
Since, as before stated, the working of the apparatus is very sure the operator
is enabled to perform any such operations as provision is made for, without
even seeing the vessel.
The manner of using the apparatus and the operation of the several instru-
mentalities comprising the same is, in detail as follows; Normally, the plate L
is turned so that brush 2 rests upon the insulated segment 23, and brush 6
upon one of the isolated short segments in the rear of the circle. Under
these conditions the rudder will be turned to starboard, and the circuit of
and 6.
motor D interrupted between brushes
At the same time, only one
of the circuits of motor F,-that controlled by relay K-is capable of being
closed, since brush 2, which connects with the other, is out of contact with the
long segment 21.
Assuming now that it is desired to start the vessel and direct it to a given
point. The handle T is turned from its normal position on point to the
point on the switch box. This sends out an electrical disturbance which
passing through the receiving circuit on the vessel, affects the sensitive
device A' and starts the flow of current through the local circuit, including
said device, the relay a and the battery a This, as has been previously
O explained, turns the cylinder j and causes the brush J¹ to pass from insulation
on to the contact 11.
The battery, and the latter closes that circuit of the motor F which,
starting from plate 22, which is permanently connected with one pole of the
main battery, is completed through the brush 1, the field of motor F, wire 19,
5 the armature of relay K", wire 16, the motor m, the brushes and commutator
of motor F, and wire 15 to the opposite terminal of the battery E. Motor F
is thus set in operation to shift the rudder to starboard, but the movement

page_text: of plate L', which follows, brings the brush 6 back onto segment & and closes
the circuit of the propelling motor, which starts the vessel.
The motor F is permitted to run until the rudder has been turned suffi-
ciently to steer the vessel in the desired direction, when the handle T is
turned to the point u. This produces another action of the relay a and brush J
is shifted onto insulation and both relays K and K are inactive.
The rudder remains in the position to which it has been shifted by the
motor F. If it be then desired to shift it to port, or in the opposite direction
to that in which it was last moved, the handle T is simply turned to point t
and allowed to remain there until the motor F-which is now operated by
relay K¹, the circuit of which is closed by strips coming into contact with
plate has done its work.
The movement of handle T to the next point throws out both relays K³
and K, and the next movement causes a shifting of the rudder to port, and
so on. Suppose, however, that after the rudder has been set at any angle to
its middle position, it be desired to shift it still further in the same direction.
In such case the handle is moved quickly over two points, so that the circuit
which would move the rudder in the opposite direction is closed for too short
a time interval to produce an appreciable effect, and is allowed to rest on the
third point until the rudder is shifted to the desired position, when the handle
is moved to the next point, which again throws out both relays K' and K".
It will be understood that if the handle be held for a sufficiently long time upon
either point or t¹ the motor F will simply turn the plate L' in one direction
or the other until the circuits of motors D and Fare broken. It is furthermore
evident that one relay K or K will always be operative to start the motor F.
As previously explained, the longest period of operation of which the motor F
is capable under ordinary conditions of use does not permit the motor m to
shift the arm in into contact with the plate n. But if the handle T be turned
with a certain rapidity a series of current impulses will be directed through.
motor m, but, as these tend to rotate the motor F in opposite directions they
do not sensibly affect the latter, but act to rotate the nrotor m against the
force of the coiled spring.
The invention which I have described will prove useful in many ways.
Vessels or vehicles of any suitable kind may be used, as life, despatch, or pilot
boats or the like, or for carrying letters, packages, provisions, instruments,
objects or materials of any description, for establishing communication with
inaccessible regions and exploring the conditions existing in the same, for
killing or capturing whales or other animals of the sea, and for many other
scientific, engineering or commercial purposes.
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 improvement in the art of controlling the movements and operation
of a vessel or vehicle herein described, which consists in producing waves or
disturbances which are conveyed to the vessel by the natural media, actuating
thereby suitable apparatus on the vessel and effecting the control of the pro-
pelling engine, the steering and other mechanism by the operation of the
said apparatus, as set forth.
2. The improvement in the art of controlling the movements and operation
of a vessel or vehicle, herein described, which consists in establishing a region
of waves or disturbances, and actuating by their influence exerted at a distance
the devices on such vessel or vehicle, which control the propelling, steering
and other mechanism thereon, as set forth.
3. The improvement in the art of controlling the movements and operation
of a vessel or vehicle, herein described, which consists in establishing a region

page_text: of electrical waves or disturbances, and actuating by their influence, exerted at
a distance, the devices on said vessel or vehicle, which control the propelling,
steering and other mechanism thereon, as set forth.
4. The improvement in the art of controlling the movements and operation
of a vessel or vehicle, herein described, which consists in providing on the
vessel a circuit controlling the propelling, steering and other mechanism, adjust-
ing or rendering such circuit sensitive to waves or disturbances of a definite
character, establishing a region of such waves or disturbances, and rendering
by their means the controlling circuit active or inactive, as set forth.
5. The combination with a source of electrical waves or disturbances of a
moving vessel or vehicle, and mechanism thereon for propelling, steering or
operating the same, and a controlling apparatus adapted to be actuated by the
influence of the said waves or disturbances at a distance from the source, as
set forth.
6. The combination with a source of electrical waves or disturbances of a
moving vessel or vehicle, mechanism for propelling, steering or operating the
same, a circuit and means therein for controlling said mechanism, and means
for rendering said circuit active or inactive through the influence of the said
waves or disturbances exerted at a distance from the source, as set forth.
7. The combination with a source of electrical waves or disturbances and
means for starting and stopping the same, of a vessel or vehicle, propelling and
steering mechanism carried thereby, a circuit containing or connected with
means for controlling the operation of said mechanism and adjusted or rendered
sensitive to the waves or disturbances of the source, as set forth.
8. The combination with a source of electrical waves or disturbances, and
means for starting and stopping the operation of the same, of a vessel or vehicle,
propelling and steering mechanism carried thereby, local circuits controlling
said mechanism, a circuit sensitive to the waves or disturbances of the source
and means therein adapted to control the said local circuits, as and for the
purpose set forth.
9. The sensitive device herein described comprising in construction a recep
tacle containing a material such as particles of oxidized metal forming a part
of the circuit, and means for turning the same end for end when the material
has been rendered active by the passage through it of an electric discharge, as
set forth.
10. The sensitive device herein described, comprising in combination a recep-
tacle containing a material such as particles of oxidized metal forming a part
of an electric circuit, an electro-magnet in said circuit, and devices controlled
thereby for turning the receptacle end for end when said magnet is energized,
as set forth.
11. The sensitive device herein described, comprising in combination a recep-
tacle containing a material such as particles of oxidized metal forming part
of an electric circuit, a motor for rotating the receptacle, an electro-magnet
in circuit with the material, and an escapement controlled by said magnet and
adapted to permit a half revolution of the receptacle when the said magnet is
energized, as set forth.
12. The combination with a movable body or vehicle, of a propelling motor,
a steering motor and electrical contacts carried by a moving portion of the
steering mechanism, and adapted in certain positions of the latter to inter-
rupt the circuit of the propelling motor, a local circuit and means connected
therewith for controlling the steering motor, and a circuit controlling the
local circuit and means for rendering said controlling circuit sensitive to the
influence of electric waves or disturbances exerted at a distance from their
source, as set forth.
13. The combination with the steering motor, a local circuit for directing
current through the same in opposite directions, a controlling circuit rendered

page_text: sensitive to the influence of electric waves or disturbances exerted at a distance
from their source, a motor in circuit with the steering motor but adapted to
run always in the same direction, and a local circuit or circuits controlled by
said motor, as set forth.
Dated this 18th day of December 1898.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.