Tesla's Recent Patents

Nikola Tesla has received several patents for a "Method of Intensifying and Utilizing Effects Transmitted Through Natural Media." In one of his systems Tesla varies the potential point or region of the earth by imparting to it intermittent or alternating electrifications through one of the terminals of a suitable source of electrical disturbances which, to heighten the effect, has its other terminal connected with an insulated body, preferably of large surface and at an elevation. Electrifications communicated to the earth spread in all directions, reaching a circuit which generally has its terminals arranged and connected similarly to those of the transmitting source, and which operates upon a highly sensitive receiver. Another of Tesla's methods is based upon the fact that the atmospheric air, which behaves as an excellent insulator to currents generated by ordinary apparatus, becomes a conductor under the influence of currents or impulses of enormously high electromotive force. By such means air strata, which are easily accessible, are rendered available for the production of many desired effects at distances. Although either method may be employed, it is obviously desirable that the disturbance should be as powerful as possible and should be transmitted with a minimum loss. The loss reduces greatly both the intensity and the number of the co-operative impulses, and since the initial intensity of each of these is necessarily limited, only an insignificant amount of energy is thus available for a single operation of the receiver. Furthermore, the energy obtained through the co-operation of the impulses is in the form of an extremely rapid vibration and unsuitable for the operation of ordinary receivers. To overcome these limitations of the two methods mentioned, Tesla reproduces arbitrarily varied or intermittent disturbances or effects; transmits these disturbances through the air to a distant receiving station; utilizes the energy derived from such disturbances at the receiving station to charge a condenser; and uses the accumulated potential so obtained to operate a receiving device.

The apparatus which is employed at the receiving station consists in the combination of a storage device included in a circuit; connection points at a distance from the source of the disturbances and between which a difference of potential is created by such disturbances; a receiving circuit connected with the storage device; a receiver included in the receiving circuit, and a mechanism for closing the receiving circuit at any desired moment, thereby causing the receiver to be operated by the energy with which the storage device has been charged.

In another method the energy stored is not, as in the preceding instance, obtained from the energy of the disturbance effect transmitted from a distance, but from an independent source. The method in general consists in charging a storage device with energy from an independent source, controlling the charge of the device by the action of the effects or disturbances transmitted through the natural media, and coincidently using the stored energy for operating a receiver. A condenser is used as the storage means.

The invisible radiations of the spectrum and of vacuum tubes are generally considered to be vibrations of extremely small wave length. These radiations possess the property of charging and discharging conductors of electricity, the discharge being particularly noticeable when the conductor upon which the rays impinge is negatively electrified. It is usually held that these radiations ionize or render conducting the atmosphere through which they are propagated. Tesla's own experiments lead him, however, to conclusions more in accord with the theory he has already advanced, in which he holds that sources of such radiant energy throw off with great velocity minute particles of matter which are strongly electrified, and therefore capable of charging an electrical conductor, or, even if not so, of discharging an electrified conductor either by carrying off bodily its charge or otherwise.

Tesla has taken out a patent based upon a discovery which he has made, that when rays or radiations of this kind are permitted to fall upon an insulated conducting body connected with one of the terminals of a condenser, while the other terminal is made by independent means to receive or carry away electricity, a current flows into the condenser so long as the insulated body is exposed to the rays. Under certain conditions an indefinite accumulation of electrical energy takes place. This energy after a suitable time interval, during which the rays are allowed to act, may manifest itself in a powerful discharge, which can be utilized for the operation or control of mechanical or electrical devices or rendered useful in many other ways. The radiant energy is directed upon an elevated conductor, connected with one of the armatures of the condenser, positively electrified by the invisible radiations. The electricity is carried off from the other armature by connecting it with the ground. The accumulated energy is discharged through a suitable receiver.