US554862A - Means for recording and reproducing impulses - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

w. H. COOLE'Y. MEANS FOR RECORDING AND RBPRODUGING IMPULSBS.

Patented Feb. '18, 1896;

M.PHUTOUTIID.WASNING UNITED STATES AATETNT Grrrcn.

\VILLIAM H. COOLEY, OF BROGKPORT, NEW YORK.

MEANS FOR RECORDING AND REPRODUCING IMPULSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 554,862, dated February 18, 1896.

Application filed April 16, 1889- $erial No. 307,506. (No model.)

To 0L whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. CooLEY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Brockport, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Recording, Reproducing, and Telegraphing impulses, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is the recording of any impulses capable of producing vibrations in a diaphragm or other equivalent device in such a manner and upon such a recording-surface that such original impulses may be reproduced at any desired place and time or number of times and telegraphically transmitted between any two stations in telegraphic communication with each other. The nature of the record of such impulses consists in changing the conductivity of the recordingsurface along the line or surface of the record effected thereon and also in changing the frictional resistance of such recording-surface with the record thereon in moving contact with another suitable bearing surface or spring.

An important feature of my present invention consists in the combination, with such recording-surface and means for producing undulations in an electric current caused to pass therethrough, of a diaphragm and a spring connected therewith and pressing upon such moving recording-surface, with a record thereon of such a nature that the friction between such spring and moving surface shall be varied exactly according with such electric undulations, which are also caused to pass through such moving surface and spring.

The accompanying drawings represent such portions only of apparatus for recording, reproducing, and telegraphically transmitting impulses, according to my invention, as are necessary to illustrate the essential features thereof. They are as follows:

Figure 1 is a face view of my recording apparatus. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the same at right angles with the plane of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows -a modified form of the stylus O and the record produced thereby in a view similar to that seen in Fig. 2. Figs.

l, 5', and 10 illustrate modified forms of my record. Fig. 6 is a side view, and Fig. 7 a

top View, of my apparatus for reproducing such impulses from such record, with the rim supporting the diaphragm in either figure shown in a central section taken parallel with the plane of such figure. Fig. 8 shows the pulley H of Figs. 6, 7, and 9 in a top or plan view. Fig. 9 shows, in similar view to Figs. 6 and 7, in a plan or top view a modification of my invention.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several figures.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, E is a roller, around which there is caused to pass continuously, by means of any suitable mechanism, (not -shown,) a band or fillet of paper R. This fillet R maybe of paper, and preferably should be glazed only on that side intended to receive the record, which may be effected by means of a suitable fluid contained in a vessel D and supplied by a suitable tube or capillary fiber d either to the point of stylus G or to a brush or pad 0 attached thereto. This stylus O is reduced in thickness at its upper end and secured, as seen in Fig. 2, to a projection on the upper edge of the annular seat B and actuated from a diaphragm A, secured to such seat B and by means of a rod a projecting axially from the center of the diaphragm A.

When the fluid from the vessel D is supplied directlyto the point of such stylus, the record then, as seen at r in Figs. 3 and 5,will be in the form of a sinuous line; but when such fluid is supplied to the brush or pad 0, axially disposed'with regard to roller E and with its sharp edge bearing against the fillet R thereon, then it is important that such fillet should be protected throughout its entire length, and over, say, about one-third of its width, as indicated in Figs. 3, 4, and 5 by the continuous straight unrecorded portion r. As indicated in Figs. 2 and 4, this may be effected by means of the thin protecting-strip 6, supported from and secured to the pins 6 and 6 This brush or pad 0 shouldbe so adjusted that at all times during the vibration of stylus 0 some portion of its length shall bear against or rest upon the protecting-strip 6. Thus it will be seen that the record in this case takes the form of a surface constantly varying in width, and with such or surface.

variations all on one side, the other side being straight. The fiuid with which such record is written should consist of any suitable, but highly volatile insulating-varnish, and also one that is impervious to the action of the liquid with which such band or fillet is afterward to be saturated.

For a recordingsurface any suitable thin and tough paper may be used, and for a recording fluid photographers eollodion or varnish may be used, or gutta-percha or indiarubber dissolved in chloroform, or a varnish of parafiine may be used. It is desirable that such record should lie wholly on the surface of such paper.

To aid in rapid recording and to prevent blurring or injury to the record, a secondary band or fillet l in passing over the roller L,

i as seen in Fig. 1. is immediately superimposed upon the recorded side of the band or fillet R by being passed together with it between the rollers Z and P. This filletl R, after the record thereon has been effected in the manner described, when it is desired to reproduce and to telegraphically transmit such recorded impulses to any distant station, I saturate with any suitable conducting solution of such a nature that when such fillet is moved in contact with a suitable springthe amount of frictionbetween such spring and fillet shall be varied by changes in the potentialof an electric current caused to pass through such fillet and spring. For this purpose any suitable electrolytic or similarly operating material, as a solution of pyrogallic acid and chloride of sodium, may be used. This solution willbe, absorbed through such fillet except along the line or surface of the record thereon, and thus render such: filleta seiniconductor of electricity except along such line The paper fillet, it willibe understood, readily absorbs the electrolytic solution and becomes a conductor of electricity directly through it at all points from one side or surface to the other, except alongithe. surface of the record in insulating-yarnish. .To reproduce and transmit the originalimpulses recorded on such fillet R, such fillet, after being treated in the manner just described, is caused,asseen in Figs. 0 and 7, by means of any suitable mechanism ,(not shown) to pass continuously over a roller ll with the unrecorded side of such fillet next to such roller. This roller II, as will. be seen by reference to Fig. 8, is formed of an insulatingcylindcr Ii suitably secured toia platinumfaced conducting-cylinder h.

A spring f has its free end bearing upon the straight-edged unrecorded portion 7' of the fillet R, while the other end of this spring f is secured to the center of the diaphragm F, seated against the annular rim G.

distant station.

also pressing upon this band or fillet R, as seen in Figs. 6 and 7, is the spring N, composed of any suitable semiconducting material, having its bearing-surface reduced to a fine edge and also having secured thereto on one edge thereof the conductive strip a. The portions N and n are both secured to the metallic rod or pin a. This spring N is arranged, as seen, to bear only upon that portion of the band or fillet R that is left free and unprotected to receive the record, and this band or fillet R in passing over-the roller 11 should be so adjusted that a portion of the record 0' at the straight edge thereof shall come over the conductive cylinder h.

For the semiconductive portion of the spring N compressed felt saturated with any suitable conducting liquid is preferable, although any suitable semiconducting substance may be used. Spring f should be of copper, with its bearing or wearing. surface platinumtipped.

The current :from a :batteryK, as seen in Fig. 7, is caused, bynieans of wires 1, 4, 5 and .6, to traverse the primary of inductoriuin it any suitable receiving-instruinent T, rod 01/,

and varying lengths or distances through both the semiconductivemediunrN and the fillet R, (such varying distances according ex,- actly, it will be seen, with the record 9",) thence through roller h and againthrough the portion 0', of 111110 fillet R and through the spring f in contact therewith.

:The varying distances which the battery K is caused to traverse through the semiconducting medium of which such filletR is itself composed when saturated in the manner described, caused by the varying widths of the .insulating-surface of the record on such-fillet R causing the'current to traverse varying widths of the semiconducting body of the 'fillet R in orderto reach spring N, produce variations ornndulations in the potential of such cnrrent,.aeeording exactly with the recorded impulses, which, it will of course be readily understood, will thereby be readily reproducedin any suitable receiving-instrument T, whether locatedat the same or any The variations or undulationsin thepotential of the current from battery Kprodueed in the manner just above described are still furtherinereased by the current ofsuch battery having to pass varying distances through the semicon ducting-spri n g N by reason of the varying widths of the insulating-record on fillet R, in order to pass from the conductive strip n to the semiconductive and unrecordedportion of fillet R, or such receiving instrument, instead of bei nglocated directly in the circuit of battery K, may be, as seen at T, by means of wires 2 and 3 located in circuit with the secondary of inductoriuni 1. Again, these variations in the potential of battery K, caused in the manner described,varyithe friction between the spring f and the portion 1' ofthe fillet R in a manner according exactly with the recorded impulses thus causing such diaphragm F to vibrate in a manner to reproduce such impulses. Thus it will be seen that the recorded impulses are reproduced in diaphragm F, and telegraphically transmitted and reproduced in either or both the receivers T and T. When, however, it is not desired to telegraphically transmit such impulses, it is necessary then that the record 0" should be of such a nature that the friction between such record 1" and the spring bearing thereon should very materially differ from the friction between such spring and the unrecorded portion of such fillet'R. In this case the protected portion of such fillet B may be greatly reduced in width, or entirely dispensed with, as seen in Figs. 9 and 10, while the spring f bearing on such fillet should be greatly increased in breadth and positioned as seen at f in Fig. 9.

It will of course be readily seen that variations in the width of the record produce variations in the friction between spring f and the fillet R according exactly with .the recorded impulses,which are thereby reproduced in vibration of the diaphragm F, added to and harmonizin g with those produced in the manner already described and explained in connection with the description of Figs. 6 and 7. When it is desired to write such record in the form of a sinuous line rather than a surface varying in width, I coat over that side of the band or fillet intended to receive such record, except that portion thereof which is protected bythe strip e,w1'th collodion, and in this case the record is written with sulphuric acid diluted according to the texture of the paper and the thickness of the collodion coating. This kind of a record is seen in Figs. 3 and 5, and is used in substantially the same way just described.

The band or fillet Z above described, when used, should be so proportioned in width and should be so adjusted that the record 0" shall always be entirely covered thereby, and also so that no portion of such band or fillet Z shall ever come in contact with the protected portion 0' of the fillet R, and for this purpose it is even preferable that the extreme edge of the recorded portion r at the straight side thereof should not be covered by this band or fillet Z. If in place of a record of the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5 there be used a record consisting in a series of dots or disconnected lines or surfaces, it will readily be seen that the diaphragm F will receive impulses exactly according with such dots or disconnected lines or surfaces.

I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to the particular substances and material, a few only of which are herein described, nor to the special forms or arrangements, as their equivalents may be used in carrying out my invention.

\Vhat I claim isthe line or surface of such record, means for passing an electric current transversely through such recording-surface at successive points therein, longitudinally of such record, and thereby opposing to such electric current varying resistances, by varyin g the length of the path which such current is caused to traverse through a resisting medium in or upon such recording-surface.

3. In combination with a recording-surface having a record thereon, changing in conductivity along the line or surface of such record, means for passing an electric current transversely through such recording-surface, and also through a resisting medium external thereto and in contact therewith at successive points longitudinally of such record, and thereby opposing to such electric current varying resistances, consisting in variations in the length of the path which such electric current is caused to traverse through such resisting medium exactly according with such record.

4. In combination with a recording-surface consisting of a resisting medium having a record thereon, changing in conductivity along the line or surface of such record, means for passing an electric current transversely through such recording-surface and through a resisting medium external thereto and in contact therewith at successive points longitudinally in such record, and for opposing to such electric current varying resistances, consisting in variations in the length of the path which such electric current is caused to traverse through a resisting -medium in or upon such recording-surface and also a resisting medium external to such recording-surface.

5. In combination with a recording-surface consisting of a resisting medium having a record thereon, changing in conductivity along the line-or surface of such record, means for passing an electric current transversely through such recording-surface and through a conductor in contact therewith, at successive points longitudinally of such record, and thereby opposing to such electric current varying resistances, consisting in variations in the length of the path which such electric current is caused to pass through a resisting medium, and also means for maintaining a frictional contact between such recordingtions in the length of the path which such surface and a conductor, such recording-sureurrent is caused to traverse tlnrongh a reface consisting of or containing an electr0- sisting medium.

lytie or other analogous material, suehthat WM. II. COOLEY. 5 such frietion'between'such recording-surface Witnesses:

and eonduetorshall vm'ywvith changes in the AARON MILLER,

potential of such current, produced by Vitliit- E. M. KNIFFEN.

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