{
  "patent_number": "US 613809",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "Nikola Tesla's Remote Control System for Boats",
  "original_title": "Method of and apparatus for controlling mechanism of moving vessels or vehicles",
  "summary": "Nikola Tesla's 1898 patent for controlling a boat's movement and steering from a distance using radio waves and electrical signals.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent describes a system for controlling a vessel from a remote location using electromagnetic waves. A receiver on the boat detects these waves, which trigger a sensitive device—a cylinder filled with metal grains—to activate internal relays. These relays then control electric motors that handle the vessel's propulsion and rudder position. The system uses a clockwork mechanism to reset the receiver after each signal, ensuring it remains ready for the next command.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover modern digital radio communication protocols like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.",
    "Does not cover autonomous navigation systems that rely on GPS or onboard sensors.",
    "Does not cover systems that use infrared light for signaling.",
    "Does not cover software-based control algorithms."
  ],
  "filed": "1898-07-01",
  "granted": "1898-11-08",
  "expires": "1918-06-30",
  "status": "expired",
  "holder": "Individual",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/individual",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Tesla Nikola",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/tesla-nikola"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 15,
  "tags": [
    "telecommunications",
    "mechanical",
    "consumer_electronics"
  ],
  "abstract": "26,371. Tesla, N. July 1, [date applied for under Sec. 103 of Patents &c. Act, A.D. 1883]. Propulsion, controlling from a distance; steering from outside vessel.-Fig. 3 shows the application to a vessel having electromagnetic motors D, F, the former for propelling, and the latter for actuating the rudder shaft G<1> by the worm and spur gearing shown. The fixed shaft H carries an insulating- disc L having brushes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, secured to its underside, while the sleeve b, which is turned by the motor F, carries a disc having on its upper side two circles of contacts, of which the outer comprises two long plates 7, 8 and series of short plates 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. When an electrical disturbance passes to the receiver E<1>, conductor C', and sensitive device A', a flow of current is started through the relay a and electromagnet f, the armature f of which is fixed to the rock-shaft f<11> carrying an anchor escapement controlling the spindle g', which is driven by clockwork, geared so that for every oscillation of the escapement the spindle h is turned through half a revolution, and causes the device A<1> to be turned end for end and break the circuit. When the cylinder j on the spindle g<1> turns, it causes the brush J<1> to pass from insulation to touch, say, the contact j<1>. This operates the relay K<11>, and causes the motor F through the connection shown to turn the rudder to starboard and brings the brush 6 on to the plate 8 closing the circuit of the motor D. When the rudder reaches the desired position, the switch at the operating-station is moved, and causes another action of the relay a to shift the brush J' into insulation, so that the relays K<1>, K<11> are inactive. To steer to port, the switch is placed so that the brush J' comes in contact with the plate j<11>, and the relay K' causes the motor F to shift the rudder. A small motor m is arranged in the circuit and runs in one direction only ; normally its arm m<11> is prevented from moving far by the coiled spring m<1>, but, should the switch be turned rapidly, the lever m<11> comes in contact with the plate n, and the current of the main battery E passes through one or both of the coloured lamps on the standard q, according to the position of the brushes 3, 4 relatively to the insulating-segment 23 carried by the disc on the sleeve b to show the position of the rudder. The sensitive device A<1> consists of a cylinder c containing equal-sized grains of oxidized metal, and has a central rod which is bolted to the bracket e pivoted to the eccentric h<1> on the spindle h. While this spindle is rotated by the clockwork K, the spring i is wound up, and when one of the pins i<1> of the slotted lever h<11> is moved out of the path of the pin p by the eccentric h<1>, it allows the cylinder c to be reversed until its motion is arrested by the other pin i<1>.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/613809/tesla-remote-control-teleautomaton",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/613809/tesla-remote-control-teleautomaton/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US613809",
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}