elevation, the location of the apparatus must be determined with deference to the position of the stationary waves established by the generator, the effect evidently being greatest 365in a maximum and zero in a nodal region. On the other hand, if both plates be connected to earth the points of connection must be selected with reference to the difference of potential which it is desired to secure, the 370strongest effect being of course obtained when the plates are at a distance equal to half the wave length.
In illustration of the operation of the system let it be assumed that alternating 375electrical impulses from the generator are caused to produce stationary waves in the earth, as above described, and that the receiving apparatus is properly located with reference to the position of the nodal and ventral regions of 380the waves. The speed of rotation of the cylinder D is varied until it is made to turn in synchronism with the alternate impulses of the generator, and the position of the brushes b, and b′ is adjusted by angular displacement 385or otherwise, so that they are in contact with the segments S and S′ during the periods when the impulses are at or near the maximum of their intensity. These requirements being fulfilled, electrical charges of the same sign 390will be conveyed to each of the terminals of the condenser, and with each fresh impulse it will be charged to a higher potential. The speed of rotation of the cylinder d, being adjustable at will, the energy of any number of 395separate impulses may thus be accumulated in potential form and discharged through the receiver R. upon the brush k coming in contact with one of the segments f′. It will be understood that the capacity of the condenser 400should be such as to allow the storing of a much greater amount of energy than is required for the ordinary operation of the receiver. Since by this method a relatively great amount of energy and in a suitable form 405may be made available for the operation of a receiver, the latter need not be very sensitive; but when the impulses are very weak or when it is desired to operate a receiver very rapidly any of the well-known sensitive devices 410capable of responding to very feeble influences may be used in the manner indicated or in other ways. Under the conditions described it is evident that during the continuance of the stationary waves the receiver will be acted 415upon by current impulses more or less intense, according to its location with reference to the maxima and minima of said waves; but upon interrupting or reducing the flow of the current the stationary waves will disappear or 420diminish in intensity. Hence a great variety of effects may be produced in a receiver, according to the mode in which the waves are controlled. It is practicable, however, to shift the nodal and ventral regions of the 425waves at will from the sending-station, as by varying the length of the waves under observance of the above retirements. In this manner the regions of maximum and minimum effect may be made to coincide with any receiving station or stations. By impressing430 upon the earth two or more oscillations of different wave length a resultant stationary wave may be made to travel slowly over the globe, and thus a great variety of useful effects may be produced. Evidently the course435 of a vessel may be easily determined without the use of a compass, as by a circuit connected to the earth at two points, for the effect exerted upon the circuit will be greatest, when the plates P P′ are lying on a meridian passing440 through ground-plate E′ and will be nil when the plates are located at a parallel circle. If the nodal and ventral regions are maintained in fixed positions, the speed of a vessel carrying a receiving apparatus may be exactly445 computed from observations of the maxima and mininm regions successively traversed. This will be understood when it is stated that the projections of all the nodes and loops on the earth’s diameter passing through the pole or450 axis of symmetry of the wave movement are all equal. Hence in any region at the surface the wave length can be ascertained from simple rules of geometry. Conversely, knowing the wave length, the distance from the source455 can be readily calculated. In like ways the distance of one point from another, the latitude and longitude, the hour, &c., may be determined from the observation of such stationary waves. If several such generators of460 stationary waves, preferably of different length, were installed in judiciously-selected localities, the entire globe could be subdivided in definite zones of electric activity, and such and other important data could be at once 465obtained by simple calculation or readings from suitably-graduated instruments. Many other useful applications of my discovery will suggest themselves, and in this respect I do not wish to limit myself. Thus the specific plan470 herein described of producing the stationary waves might be departed from. For example, the circuit, which impresses the powerful oscillations upon the earth might be connected to the latter at two points. In this application475 I have advanced various improvements in means and methods of producing and utilizing electrical effects which either in connection with my present discovery or independently of the same may be usefully applied.480
I desire it to be understood that such novel features as are not herein specifically claimed will form the subjects of subsequent applications.
What I now claim is—485
1. The improvement in the art of transmitting electrical energy to a distance which consists in establishing stationary electrical waves in the earth, as set forth.
2. The improvement in the art of 490transmit-
