Nikola Tesla Patents
capable of being modified in its electrical resistance or other property by the action of the disturbance's emitted from the source. To the terminals of the condenser I connect the receiver which is to be operated, in series with another device of suitable construction which per forms the function of periodically discharging the condenser through the receiver at, and during such intervals of time as may be best able for the purpose contemplated. This latter device may merely consist of two stationary electrodes separated by a feeble dielectric layer of minute thickness, but sufficient to greatly reduce or practically interrupt the current in the circuit under normal conditions, or it may comprise terminals, one or more of which are movable and actuated by any suitable force, and are adapted to be brought into, and out of contact with each other in any convenient manner. The sensitive device may be any of the many devices of this kind which are known to be affected by the disturbances, impulses or effects propagated through the media, and it may be of such a character that normally, that is when not acted upon, it entirely prevents the passage of electricity from the generator to the condenser, or it may be such 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 be-7This page retyped from microfilm for better readability - Ed.] 467
