No. 685,957. Patented Nov. 5, 1901. WN. TESLA. APPARATUS FOR THE UTILIZATION OF RADIANT ENERGY. (Apiction 8nd er, 24, 1901.) (Ho Model.) {|e Figl utr i FigA ell » fend Ee 3 vento) fate. Itiela_ Teal " Ye vane Syn by [eae Vege Yor dace sing Witnesses:10 15 25 30 35 40 45 5°. UNITED STATES PaTENT OFric NIKOLA TESLA, OF NEW YORK, N. Y. APPARATUS FOR THE UTILIZATION OF RADIANT ENERGY. SPECIFICATION forning part of Letters Patent No, 689,957, dated November 5, 1901. Applicaton fled March 21, 1902, Serial Yo, 62168, Wo model) To all whom it may concern: Beitknown that], Nixons Tasta, acitizen of tho United States, residing at the borough of Manhattan, in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain now and useful Improvements in Apparatus for the Utilization of Radiant Energy, of whieh the following is a specification, reference being had to the drawings accompanying and form- ing a part of the same. Tb is well known that certain radiations— such as those of ultra-violot light, cathodic, Roentgen rays, or the like—possess the prop- erty of charging and discharging conductors of electricity, the discharge being particn- larly noticeable when the conductor upon which the rays impinge is negatively electri- fied. These radiations are generally con- sidered to be ether vibrations of extremely small wavo lengths, and in explanation of the phenomena noted it has been assumed by ‘some authorities that they fonize or render conducting the atmosphere through which they are propagated. My own experiments and observations, however, lead ine to con- clusions more in accord with the theory here- tofore advanced by me that sourees of such radiant energy throw off with great velocity minuto particles of matter which are strongly electrified, and therefore capable of charging an electrical conduetor, or, even if not 80, may at any rate discharge an electrified con: ductor either by carrying off bodily its charge or otherwise. ‘My present application is based upon a dis- covery which I have made that when rays or radiations of the above kind are permitted to fall upon an insulated conducting-body con- nected to one of the terminals of a condenser | while the other terminal of the same is made by independent means to receive or to carry away electricity a current flows into the eon- denser so long as the insulated body is posed to the rays, and under the conditions hereinafter specified an indefinite accumu- Jation of electrical onergy in the condenser takes place. This energy after a suitable time interval, during which the rays are al- lowed to act, may manifest itself in a pow- orful discharge, which may be utilized for the operation or control of mechanical or elec- trical devices or rendered useful in many other way: In applying my discovery I provide @ con- denser, preferably of considerable electro- static capacity, and connect ono of its termi. nals to an instiated metal plate or other eon- ducting-body exposed to tho rays or streams of radiant matter, Ttis very important, par- ticularly in view of the fact that electrical energy is generally supplied at a very slow rate to the condenser, to construct the same with the greatest care, I ase, by preference, the best quality of mica as dielectric, taking every possible precaution in insulating the armatures, so that the instrament may with- stand great electrical pressures without Ieak- | ing aud may leave no perceptible electrifi- cation when discharging instantaneously. Tn practice I have found that the best results are obtained with condensers treated in the manner described in a patent granted to mo Febraary 23,1897, No. 577,071. Obviously the ‘above precautions should be the more rigor- ously observed the slower the rate of charg- jng and the smaller the time interval during which the energy is allowed to accumulate in the condenser. The insulated plate or con- ducting-body should present as large a sur face as practicable to the rays or streams of matter, [having ascertained that the amount of energy conveyed to it per unit of time is under otherwise identical conditions propor- tionate to the area exposed, or nearly so Farthermore, thesurfaceshould be elean and preferably highly polished or amalgamated. ‘Phe second terminal or armature of the con- denser may be connected to one of the poles of a battery or other source of electricity or to any conducting body or object whatever of such properties or so conditioned that by its means electricity of the required sign will be supplied to the terminal. A simple way of supplying positive or negative electricity to ‘the terminal is to connect the same either to an insalated conductor supported at some height in the atmosphere or toagrounded con- ductor, the former, as is well known, furnish- ing positive and the latter negative electric- ity. As the rays or supposed streams of mat- 55 60 65 70 85 9° 952 698,067 ter generally convey a positive charge to the | devieo d bo of such character that it will op- first condenser-terminal, which is connected | erate to close the eireuit in'which it isin. to the plate or conduetor above mentioned, I | eluded when the potential in the condenser ; usually eonneet the second terminal of the | hasreached a certain magnitude, the accumu. 70 5 condenser to the ground, this being the most | lated charge will pass through the elreuil, convenient way of obtaining negative elec- | which also includes the receiver R, and oper tricity, dispensing with the necessity of pro-| ate the latter, viding an artificial source. "Tn order to util- | In illastration of a particular form of ap- ize for any useful purpose the energy acou- | paratus which may be used in carrying ont 75 7 malated in the condenser, I furthermore con- | my diseovery I now refer to Pig. 2.” Tw this nect to the terminals of the samea eirenit in- | figure, which in the gonoral arrangement of cluding an instrament or apparatus which it | the elements is identical to Fig. 1, the devieo is desired to operate and another instrament | d is shown as composed of two very thin con or device for alternately closing and opening | ducting-plates ¢¢, placed in close proximity 86 35 the circuit. ‘This latter may be any form of | and very mobile, éithor by reason of extroine cirenit-controller, with fixed or movable parts | flexibility or owing to the character of their gr electrodes, which may be actuated either | support. Toimprove theiraction,they should by the stored energy orby independent means, | be inelosed in a receptacle, from which the My discovery will be more fully understood | air may be exhausted, ‘The plates {2 are 85 20 from the following deseription and annexed | connected in sories with a working clreult, Grawings, to whieh referenceisnow made, and | including a suitable receiver, whieh in thig in whieh caso is shown as consisting of an electromag- Figure 1 is a diagram showing the general | net M, a movable armature a, 1 relractile arrangement of apparatus, as ‘usually em-| spring’ b, and a ratchet-wheel w, provided 90 25 ployed. Fig. 2 isa similar diagram illustrat- | with a spring-pawl r, which is pivoted to-ar- ing more in detail typical forms of thedovices | mature a, as illustrated. When the radia. or elements used ia practice, and Figs. 8 and | tions of the sun or other radiant souree fall 4are diagrammatical representations of modi- | upon plate P, a etirrent flows into the con- fed arrangements suitable for special pur- | denser, as above explained, until the poten. 9 30 poses. tial therein rises sufficiently to attract and As illustrative of the manner in which the | bring into contaet the two plates f/f, and several parts or elements of the apparatus in | thereby close the cirenit connected to the two one of its simplest forms are to be arranged | condenser-termivals. ‘This permits a flow of and connected for useful operation, reference | current whieh energizes the magnet M, eaus- 100 35 Ismnde to Fig. 1, in which C is the condenser, | ing it to draw down the armature a and im, P the insulated plate or conducting - body | part a partial rotation to the ratehet-wheel which is exposed to the rays, and P’ another | w. As the current ceases the armature is plate ov conductor which is gronnded, all be- | retracted by tho spring b, without, however, APpdoined inseries, asshown. The terminals | moving the wheel 1. With the stoppage of 105 40 TT’ of the condenser are also connected to a | the current the plates £ # coase to beatiracted clrenit which ineludes a devico R to be oper- | and separate, thus restoring the cireuit to its ated and a cirenit-controlling device d of the | original condition, character above referred to. Fig. 3 shows a modified form of apparatus The apparatus being arranged as shown, it | used in connection with an artilicint soures. 110 45 will be found that when the radiations of the | of radiant energy, which in this instance may aun or of any other sonree capable of pro- | beanarcemitting copiously ultra-violet rays, Gucing the effects before described fall upon | A suitable reflector may be provided for ean. the plate Pan accumulation of electrical | centrating and directing tle radiations. A energy in the condenser C will result. ‘This | magnet R and cireuit-controller d ‘are. at- 115 50 phenomenon, I believo, is best exp | ranged as in'th previous figures; but in the Jollows: Tho san, as well as other sources of | present case the former instead of performing radiant energy, throws off minute particles of | itself the whole work only serves the purpose matter positively electrified, which,impinging | of alternately opening aud elosing/n, local upon the plate P, communicate continuously | circuit, containing a source of current Band 120 55 an electrical charge to the same. ‘The op- |a receiving or translating device D. ‘The posite terminal of ‘the condenser being con- | controller d, if desired, may consist of twe hected to the ground, which may be consid. | fixed electrodes separated bya minuto alr, red as avast reservoirof negativoelectricity, | gap or weak dielectric film, which breaks & Leche current flows continuously into the | down more or less suddenly when a definite. 125 60 condenser, and inasmuch as these supposed | difference of potential is reached at the toc Particles are of an inconceivably small radius | minals of the condenser and returns to ite or curvature, and consequently charged to a | original state upon the passage of the dis. relatively very high potential, this charging of | charge. the condenser may continue, as I have ac-| Still another modifieation is shown in Fig. 130 65 tally obsorved, almost indetinitely, even to | 4, in which the source 8 of radiant energy is the polut of rupturing the dielectric, If the | a'special form of Rocutgen tube devised by15 35 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 — 685,957 3 me, having bat one terminal k, generally of alaminium, in the form of half a sphere, with {Plain polished snrface on the front side, from which the streams are thrown of. Th nay be excited by attaching it to one of the {orminals of any generator of sufiiciently high gleotromotive foree; but whatever apparatus be used it is important that the tube bee, hausted to a high degree, asotherwiseitmight Drove entirely ineffective. ‘The working or Aischarge circuit connected to the terminals ‘TT’ of the condenser inelades in this c the primary p of a transformer anda circuit, controller comprising a fixed terminal oy brush # anda movable terminal in the shape of @ wheel, with conducting and inswlating segments, which may be rotated at an arbe trary speed by any Suitable means, Tn ins Quctive relation to tho primary wire or coil p is 4 secondary s, usnally of a much ereater number of tuins, to the ends of which is eon, nected a receiver R. The terminals of tho fondenser being connected, as indicated, one toan insulated plate P and the other’ to « grounded plate P", when the tube Sis excited Tays or streams of matter are omitted from {he samo, which convey a positive charge to the plate P and condenser-terminal T, while {grminal T’ is continuously receiving’ nega- {ive electricity from the plate P'. ‘This aa bofore explained, resultsin an accumulation of cleetrical energy in the condenser, which oes on as long as the cireuit including the primary pisinterrupted. Whenever the cis, cuit is closed owing to the rotation of the ferminal ?' the stored energy is discharged through the primary p, this giving rise in the Secondary s to indueed currents, whi ate the receiver R. It is clear from What has been stated above {hat if the terminal 1’ fs connected to a plate supplying positive instead of negative elec, tricity the rays should convey negative elec, Preity to plato P. The source § may be any form of Roentgen or Lenard tube; but it obvious from the theory of action that in order to be very effective the electrical im pulses exeiting it should be wholly or at least Praponderatingly of one sign. If ordinary Symmetrical alternating currents are on. ployed, provision should be made for allow. ang the rays to fall upon the plate T only during those periods when they are produc), ive of the desired result, Evidently if tho radiations of the source be stopped or inter. cepted or their intensity varied in any man. ner,as by periodically interrupting orrythii aay varying the enrrent exciting the source, there will be corresponding changes in. the action upon the receiver R, and thus signals may be transmitted and many other useful effects produced. Furthermore, it will be ni derstood that any form of cireuit-oloser which, will respond to or be set in operation when g predetermined amount of energy is stored in thecondensermay be used in lien of thedevice b oper- Specifically described with reference to Fig, 2 andalso that thespecialdetailsof construction and arrangement of the several parts of the apparatas may be very greatly varied with out departure from the invention. Having described my invention, what T claim is— J. An apparatus for utilizing radiant on- ergy, comprising in combination a condenser, ene armature of which is subjected to the ac tion of rays or radiations, independent means for charging the other armature, acireultand apparatus therein adapted to be operated or Controlled by the discharge of the condenser, as set forth. 2. An apparatus for ati ergy, comprisingin combination, acondenser, one armature of which is subjected to the ac. tion of rays or radiations, independent means for charging the other armatare, a local eit, cult connected with the condenser-terminals, selrenit-eontroller therein and meansadapted to be operated or controlled by the discharge of tho condenser when the local circuit Gs closed, as set forth. 3. An apparatus for ulilizing radiant en- egy, comprising in combination, a condenser, one terminal of which is subjected to the ae: tion of rays or radiations, independent means for charging the other atmature, a local eit, cult connected with the condonser-terminals, acireuit-controller therein dependent for op- gration on agiven rise of potential in the eon. Genser, and devices operated by the discharge of the condenser when the local cireuit is closed, as set forth. An apparatus for utilizing radiant en- ergy, comprising in eombination, acondenser, one terminal of which is subjected to the ae: tion of rays or radiations, and the other of which is connected with the ground, a eirenit and apparatus therein adapted to be operated by the dischargo of the accumulated energy in the condenser, as set forth. 5. An apparatus for utilizing radiant en- ergy, comprising in combination,a condenser, one terminal of which is subjected to the ac. tion of rays or radiations and the other of which is connected with the ground, a local clreuit connected with the condenser-tormi- nals, a cireuit-controller therein and means adupted to be operated by the discharge of the condenser when the local cizeuit is closed, as set forth. 6. An apparatus for utilizing radiant en- ergy, comprising in eombination,a condenser, one terminal of which is subjected to the ae, tion of rays or radiations and the other of which is connected with the ground, a local ciroult connected with the condenser-tormi- pals, a cireuit-controller therein adapted to bo operated by a given rise of potential in the condenser, and deviees operated by the dis, harge of the condensor when the local etreuig is closed, as set forth. 7 Au apparatus for utilizing radiant en- ze 80 85 90 95 100 105 no 5 125 130Ea 685,957 ecay, comprising n condenser, having one ter- | adapted to be operated By 8 es rise of po- ergy, comprising f eorth and the other to an | tential in the condenser, ns set forth elevated conducting-plate, which is adapted f ‘i fo receive the rays from a distant source of NIKOLA TESLA. 5 radiant energy, «local circuit counected with | Witnesses: the condonsor-terminals, a receiver therein, M. Lawson DyER, and a cireuit- controller therefor which 18! RicHaRp Donova’