Nikola Tesla - Free-Energy Devices

.122 INVENTIONS OF NIKOLA TESLA.illustrativeteresting experimentsof the behavior of the air betweencharged surfaces, the luminous streams formed by thecharged molecules appearing even when great thicknesses of tinbestinsulators are interposed between the charged surfaces.These luminous streams afford in themselves a very interestingstudy for the experimenter. With these rapidly alternating currentsthey become far more powerful and produce beautiful lighteffects when they issue from a wire, pinwheel or other object attachedto a terminal of the coil ;and it is interesting to note thatthey issue from a ball almost as freely as from a point,when thefrequency is very high.From these experiments we also obtain a better idea of theimportance of taking into account the capacity and self-inductionin the apparatus employed and the possibilities offered by theuse of condensers in conjunction with alternate currents, the employmentof currents of high frequency, among other things,making it possible to reduce the condenser to practicable dirnen-(sions. Another point of interest and practical bearing is thefact, proved by Mr. Tesla, that for alternate currents, especiallythose of high frequency, insulators are required possessing asmall specificinductive capacity, which at the same time have ahigh insulating power.Mr. Tesla also makes interesting and valuable suggestionin regardto the economical utilization of iron in machines and transformers.He shows how, by maintaining by continuous magnetizationa flow of lines through the iron, the latter may be keptnear its maximum permeability and a higher output and economyThis principle may prove ofmay be secured in such apparatus.considerable commercial importance in the development of alternatingsystems. Mr. Tesla's suggestion that the same result canbe secured by heating the iron by hysteresis and eddy currents,and increasing the permeability in this manner, while it may appearless practical, nevertheless opens another direction for investigationand improvement.The demonstration of the fact that with alternating currentsof high frequency, sufficient energy may be transmitted underpracticable conditions through the glass of an incandescent lampby electrostatic or electromagnetic induction may lead to a deinthe construction of such devices.^-parture Another importanti Iexperimental result achieved is the operation of lamps, and even\ 1.motors, with the discharges of condensers, this method affording