Nikola Tesla’s “lost” patent

As I have shown in Tesla’s Free Energy part 2 there is one story that Tesla tells on 4 different occasions and in 1 patent application. This story is important to Tesla because it describes -using an analogy- how atmospheric electricity can be harnessed. As this patent was never granted its text is a bit more difficult to obtain. Yet as it is such an important text for those who wish to understand Tesla’s theories I will publish the full text here.

Patent Application 213,055, June 17, 1904, Production and Application of Electrical Force

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Be it known that I, Nikola Tesla, a citizen of the United States residing at New York, have made certain new and valuable discoveries and improvements in the production and application of electrical force, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming part of the same.
It is well known that through the sun’s heat water is evaporated and elevated to more or less considerable heights, where it remains in a state of delicate suspension, until disturbing influences arise which cause a condensation of vapour particles and their fall to the earth’s surface under the action of gravity. Thus all vegetation and animal life on this globe is sustained. The body of water maintained in the air is like a heavy weight in labile equilibrium, which to topple over it requires an amount of energy minute in comparison to that developed by its fall.
Evidently then if only that initial energy, small in amount but peculiar in quality, could be produced, this life preserving circulation of water could be controlled. But though this truth may have been long ago recognized nothing, so far as I am aware, has been developed which would offer even the slightest possibility for man to gain mastery of this process of nature.
In endeavouring to solve this al-important problem I have discovered that the condensation of aqueous vapour is or may be brought about, by certain electrical discharges or oscillations of transcending intensity, which produce sudden and excessive compressions and rarefactions in the atmosphere.
Basing myself on experimental facts and observations, I explain their action as follows: The air being compressed is heated above the temperature of the surrounding, and a portion of the heat thus evolved is instantly radiated away.
Rarefaction succeeding, the air is cooled, but only slightly, as some of the vapour in it condenses, this being attended by a liberation of latent heat and partial dissipation of the same, by radiation or otherwise. Upon the air being again compressed, the droplets formed are not re-evaporated, as this would require much more heat energy than consumed in their condensation, hence some of the heat generated is abstracted from the air as before. In the expansion following, the atmospheric gases are again cooled and more of the vapour is condensed. These actions are repeated in rapid succession, their effect being cumulative, resulting in a more or less copious precipitation of moisture. The energy used up in the compression and expansion of the air bears to the gravitational energy of the vapour condensed a relation not unlike that which exists between the energy required to pull the trigger of a gun and that stored in potential form, in the explosive. Obviously the trigger-mechanism may be more or less sensitive, so too the energy necessary to precipitate water and the quantity of the latter will vary greatly according to circumstances, admitting the correctness of the preceding explanation, the atmosphere subjected to sudden compressions and rarefactions will not be able to contain as much vapour as under normal conditions, and from this it might be inferred, that condensation will always result. But it must be borne in mind that the air is receiving continuously new heat from the surrounding media, which tends to counteract the effect of the discharges or oscillations. Although the direct rays of the sun pass quite freely through the vapour-charged air, the rays reflected from the earth’s surface are almost wholly absorbed. To be effective, the energy of the oscillations must, therefore, be supplied at an enormous rate, even though for a very short time. In the lightning discharges nature has provided an ideal means for precipitating moisture, and if electrical forces of such character could be artificially produced, an incalculable benefit to mankind could be secured through their intelligent control. Up to now such results have been thought unrealisable by any human agencies. Attempts to cause a fall of rain by firing bombs and guns have proved unsuccessful chiefly, I believe, on account of the limited activities thus obtainable amounting at most to a few thousand horsepower. But by gradual improvements of an electrical oscillator of the kind described in my patents Nrs: 645,576 and 649,621 which I have used in the transmission of energy without wires, I have have found it practicable to create in the atmosphere commotions, not only equalling, but by far surpassing in intensity those produced by lightning. Rates of many millions of horsepower are attainable with plants of very moderate size, by such means. I have thus made it possible to precipitate, at will, the vapour produced by the sun’s heat and thus thus draw unlimited quantities of water to any locality desired, for irrigation, power supply or other useful purpose.
In the drawings Fig. 1 represents schematically two resonating circuits such as described in my patents before mentioned and applications pending, more especially in my application serial number 90,2451. These circuits, as will now be understood, produce electrical oscillations of transcending intensity. Adjustable terminals T T’ may be provided between which the discharges may be made to pass in desired intervals, though this is not absolutely necessary, as the silent waves caused by the rapid and excessive variations of potential are likewise effective. It may be therefore sufficient to employ but one circuit such as illustrated.
Fig. 2 shows an arrangement for utilizing the fall of water precipitated by such apparatus, from a high reservoir R to a lower level for the purpose of driving dynamos as in a powerhouse P. The currents generated may be used in the production of the oscillations.

I claim as my invention:

1. The method of precipitating moisture, which consists in producing in the atmosphere electric discharges or oscillations of sufficiently high potential. To cause a condensation of the aqueous vapour contained therein, as set forth.
2. The method of abstracting water from the atmosphere which consists in producing electrical discharges or oscillations of sufficient intensity, to cause the precipitation of the moisture therefrom, as set forth.
3. The method of precipitating moisture which consists in generating electrical impulses or oscillations of high potential and causing thereby in the atmosphere sudden alternate compressions and expansions sufficient to effect a a condensation of the aqueous vapour held in suspension therein, as set forth.
4. The method herein described of precipitating moisture by electrical discharges or oscillations, and utilizing the energy of the precipitated water in its passage from a high to a low level, as set forth.
5. The method herein described of precipitating moisture by electrical discharges or oscillations, utilizing the energy of the precipitated water in its passage from a high to a low level, and using part of that energy in the production of the discharges or oscillations, as set forth.

In testimony thereof …
N.T.

Filed June 16 work 3.6
Marcellus Bailey
501 F street NW.