Nikola Tesla U.S. Patent 511,916 - Electric Generator Patent Wrapper Page 33

40 We believe that this reason, if we state it corectly, will not be insisted upon as it is manifestly unjust and contrary to established principles of law. Anot ter objection to the claims is that the words of limitation free to move under the action of steam etc" do not distinguish applicant's engine, This objection we may consider first. In any engine provided with a speed goverhor, a fly wheel, or other rotating part of considerable inertia, the movements of the piston are controlled or modified by such parts, either as to length of stroke or speed or both, The pist on is moved by the pressure of steam, but it cannot be said to be free to move under such influence as its movement is subject to another influence, viz: that of the governor or like device. If the fly-wheel or the governor be dispensed with, and the pist on disconnected from the moving system of inertia the piston, would be "free to move", under the action of steam pressure applied to it and with suitable provision for controlling the direction of such pressure it would be free to reciprocate, It seems to us that no language could express more clearly the distinction be tween an engine provided with means for its regulation and control, and one in which these parts are entirely wanting. We may say that we find it impossible to determine from an examination of the drawing and specification to -2