Nikola Tesla - Free-Energy Devices

194 INVENTIONS OF NIKOLA TE8LA.same direction, and it is desired that the converted currentsshould also he of one direction, the resistance of the dischargingcircuit should, of course, be so chosen that there are nooscillations.In operating devices on the above plan I have observed curiousphenomena of impedance which are of interest. For instanceif a thick copper bar be bent, as indicated in Fig. 128, and shuntedby ordinary incandescent lamps, then, by passing the dischargebetween the knobs, the lamps may be brought to incandescencealthough they are short-circuited. When a largeinduction coilFIG. 128.isemployed it is easy to obtainrendered evident by the different degree of brilliancy of thelamps, as shown roughly in Fig. 12S. The nodes are never clearlydelined, but they are simply maxima and minima of potentialsalong the bar. This is probably due to the irregularity of the arcbetween the knobs. In general when the above-described planof conversion from high to low tension is used, the behavior ofthe disruptive discharge may be closely studied. The nodes mayalso be investigated by means of an ordinarv Cardew voltmeter