Nikola Tesla Patents
that it allows a gradual leaking through of the current and a charging of the condenser at a slow rate. In any case it will be seen that, if the disturbances, of whatever nature. they may be, cause an appreciable diminution in the electrical resistance of the sensitive device, the current from the battery will pass more readily into the condenser, which will be charged at a more rapid rate, and consequently each of its discharges through the receiver, periodically effected by the special device before referred to which performs this function will be stronger than normally, that is, when the sensitive device is not acted upon by the disturbances. Evidently then, if the receiver be adjusted that it does not respond to the comparatively feeble normal discharges of the condenser, if they should occur, but only to those stronger ones which take. place upon the diminution of the resistance of the sensitive device, it will be operated only when this device is acted upon by the disturbances, thus making it possible to investigate and to utilize the latter for any desired purpose. 66 4 The general principle underlying my invention, and the operation of the various devices used, will be clearly understood by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 represent diagramatically typical arrangements of apparatus which may be used in carrying my method into practice. 5 Sub. a² In Fig. 1, C is a condenser to the terminals T and T' of which is connected a charging circuit including a battery B, a sensitive device a and a resistance r, all connected in series as illustrated. The battery should be preferably of very constant electromotive force and of an intensity carefully determined to secure the best results. The resistance I, 9 [This page retyped from microfilm for better readability - Ed. 419
