The Electrical experimenter

852 ELECTRICAL EXPERIMENTER April, 1918
^TE5T PATENTS
Radio- tele graphic Recorder
( Xo. 1,251,473; issued to William
M. Bruce, Jr.)
A system for effecting a permanent
record of radio-telegraphic signals.
A telephone or radio receiver has its
diafram connected up mechanically
with a vibratory relay member, by
means of light threads as shown
The vibratory relay is kept in the
proper state of vibration by an electro-magnetic
self-interrupting device.
The vibratory relay armature closes
a tape recorder or sounder local circuit
thru a mercury cup contact.
The inventor states that to obtain
maximum results the vibratory relay
armature should be turned so that its
natural period coincides with the
periodicity of the current actuating
the receiver diafram.
Electric Zig-Zag Course Control
(Xo. 1,253,816; issued to Ernest E.
Hall.)
This ingenious anti-submarine
scheme for ships was described at
length in the October, 1917, issue of
this journal, together with later improvements
whereby the device is
caused to act automatically on the
vessel's steering gear and thus zigzag
the ship over a predetermined
course without the human element
entering into the operation. In the
present patent the zig-zag course is
plotted by the navigating officer, so
that each leg of the course, consumes
various increments of time. As each
successive leg of the course is sailed,
the helmsman removes the contact
plug on the clock and sets it for the
next lap. As each lap is run off,
the alarm bell rings, notifying the
helmsman to shift the clock contact
a lap ahead and also to shift the
rudder for the new direction.
Quenched Spark Gap
Xo. 1,1253,103; issued to Emil J.
Simon.)
Quenched spark gap design for application
in radio -telegraphy. The
design embodies a system of building
up the quenched gaps in units
of say two gaps, as here shown.
After assembly any number of units
can be placed end to end in a common
frame or holder, contact being
firmly establisht between the units in
the manner apparent. The patentee
prefers to make the gap plates of
brass or other suitable material,
having inset sparking surfaces of
electrolytic copper. These surfaces
are very close together, or about .01
.
inch apart. The plates of each gap
unit are held together by insulating
screw bushings. The plates are insulated
from one another by mica
or comprest paper rings.
Electric Hot-water Spigot
(No. 1,252,661; issued to Howard
K. Clover.)
An instantanious electric hot-water
spigot which can be attached to any
pipe outlet. It may be connected
with the nearest electric light socket,
or floor receptacle. A turn of the
handle at the top of the spigot is all
that is required to turn on the water,
close the electric circuit thru the
heating coil (disposed vertically, as
shown, in the chamber thru which
the cold water passes on its way to
the efflux nozzle) and get instant
Cold wafer
hot water. Another turn of the
handle, and the water is shut off, as
well as the electric current. By
turning the handle a certain way,
cold water may be drawn from the
spigot.
Automatic Telephone Fire Alarm
(Xo. 1,252,665 ; issued to Lee A.
Collins.)
Why not transmit an alarm of fire
directly over the telephone to "Central
" thought this inventor, and this
is what he actually does. It operates
on the principle that we do not have
to remove the receiver from the hook
-1
to communicate speech or other
sounds to Central. This being the
case the inventor proposes to rig up
a cord which, when burned or otherwise
severed, causes a weight to fall
—and wind up a drum which lifts
the telephone hook with its receiver.
Also an electric alarm bell
circuit is closed; thus Central hears
the bell.
Sunken Torpedo Indicator
(Xo. 1,252,877; issued to John B.
Barrett.)
Cable
orPope
Jprmg
I
Should the torpedo, as when used
for practise, etc., sink to the bottom
of the bay or river, a clever hydrostatic
lock functions, due to the
increased water pressure, opening
the retaining door and liberating the
'"float." This is attached to the torpedo
by a cable or rope; it also carries
a signal lamp ana battery so as
to be readily seen when it reaches
the surface of the water.
Electro-pneumatic Amplifier
(Xo. 1,253,533; issued to Harrison
W. Rogers.)
Qnpmroir
cuits. The voice waves from whichever
source they may come, actuate
a microphone or equivalent device,
which is connected in circuit with
a battery and the electric magnetic
winding on one leg of the polarized
reproducer, here illustrated. The
voice fluctuations cause corresponding
electric current fluctuations thru
the magnet coil mentioned, these in
turn acting on a balanced, pivoted
armature bar. This bar controls a
diafram air valve as the cut shows,
causing rythmical puffs of comprest
air to pass into a reproducing horn;
Audion Protective Circuit
(Xo. 1(252.502: issued to Herbert
E. Shreeve.)
4ud/on
ftermjsfot
-HUM! -
/ran mre
iff vacuum
/fes co//
Connected in circuit with the filament
and battery there is a thermostat
of usual construction, also a
COPIES OF ANY OF THE ABOVE PATENTS SUPPLIED AT 10c EACH.
f
ballast resistance element, as well as
a retardation coil. The ballast is
made of iron wire member in a
vacuum chamber, containing hydrogen.
This ballast acts to automatically
regulate the current in the circuit
in a well-known manner, once
it is heated.
Electric Ore Furnace
(Xo. 1,252,635; issued to John A.
Ward.)
In this furnace the ore body itself
is used as an electric heating element,
and further, the heat generated
by the controlling device is utilized,
thus eliminating the usual source of
waste. Conducting pencils are inserted
in openings in the furnace
wall at various heights as shown, any
or all of which may be connected in
circuit. The resistance coil (generating
heat) is wrapt around the furnace.
Below the crucible are the arcforming
contacts. The furnace is
filled with ore from the top; it is
started by closing the proper switches,
springing the arc at the bottom,
thence thru the resistance coil, and
thru whatever electrodes above the
arc that are connected in circuit.
Vacuum Regulation for Rectifiers
(No. 1,251,562; issued to H. A.
Newcomb.)
This patent provides a means for
regulating the degree of vacuum in
mercury vapor rectifiers, and similar
devices, employing a cathode of mercury
or some other reconstructing,
conducting material. The inventor
first heats the cathode by a Bunsen
burner for example; just sufficiently
to vaporize a small portion of the
mercury. By means of an adjustable
high-potential transformer 6, a highpotential
discharge of considerable
tltgh tension
trans
Bunsen Oarner
\tigh r ss
amperage is caused to flow between
the anodes and thru the current-conducting
bodies evolved from the
heated cathode. This H. P. discharge
causes intense local heating
of the anodes, serving to set free
occluded gases therefrom; thus lowering
the vacuum.