Scientific American Supplement, No. 417, December 29, 1883Various
Science
Scientific American Supplement, No. 417, December 29, 1883
Various
Science -- Periodicals
ascertained that they do in no way interfere with each other; therefore,
the direction of the lines proceeding from each spiral can be distinctly
traced. For when the two spirals are placed parallel to each other at
a distance of 3 ft. apart, and connected to independent batteries and
transmitters, as shown in Plate 7, each transmitter having a sound
perfectly distinct from that of the other, when the circuits are
completed the separate sounds given out by the two transmitters can be
distinctly heard at the same time by the aid of a telephone; but, by
placing the telephone in a position neutral to one of the spirals, then
only the sound proceeding from the other can be heard. These results
occur in whatever position the spirals are placed relatively to each
other, thus proving that there is no interference with or blending of
the separate lines of force. The whole arrangement will be left in
working order at the close of the meeting for any gentlemen present to
verify my statements or to make what experiments they please.
In conclusion, I would ask, what can we as practical men gather from
these experiments? A great deal has been written and said as to the best
means to secure conductors carrying currents of very low tension,
such as telephone circuits, from being influenced by induction from
conductors in their immediate vicinity employed in carrying currents of
comparatively very high tension, such as the ordinary telegraph wires.
Covering the insulated wires with one or other of the various metals has
not only been suggested but said to have been actually employed with
marked success. Now, it will found that a thin sheet of any known metal
will in no appreciable way interrupt the inductive lines of force
passing between two flat spirals; that being so, it is difficult to
understand how inductive effects are influenced by a metal covering as
described.
Telegraph engineers and electricians have done much toward accomplishing
the successful working of our present railway system, but still there
is much scope for improvements in the signaling arrangements. In foggy
weather the system now adopted is comparatively useless, and resource
has to be had at such times to the dangerous and somewhat clumsy method
of signaling by means of detonating charges placed upon the rails.
Now, it has occurred to me that volta induction might be employed with
advantage in various ways for signaling purposes. For example, one or
more wire spirals could be fixed between the rails at any convenient
distance from the signaling station, so that when necessary intermittent
currents could be sent through the spirals; and another spiral could be
fixed beneath the engine or guard's van, and connected to one or more
telephones placed near those in charge of the train. Then as the train
passed over the fixed spiral the sound given out by the transmitter
would be loudly reproduced by the telephone and indicate by its
character the signal intended.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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