Patent GB-238242-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to automatic controlling means for marine and air craft, torpedoes and the like
IPC: G05D1/02
Filed: 1925-08-06
Abstract: 238,242. Bonneau, E. E. J., and Bonneau, E. A. M. Aug. 7, 1924, [Convention date]. Steering and manoeuvring automatically.- Automatic means for controlling the steering and depth of motion of marine craft comprises a device which may be set to correspond with the desired result and a controlling-member which, by the automatic variation of an electric resistance controlling a servo-motor, effects the desired result and corrects any deviation therefrom. In one form, the card 1, Fig. 1, of a magnetic or gyroscopic compass is provided with a hollow cylinder 2 having an aperture 3 through which a beam of light from a lamp 4 may be projected. Surrounding the card are two series of symmetrically disposed selenium cells 5, 6, the cells in each series being connected in parallel, One pole of each cell is connected to a common conductor 7 in series with a battery 8. The other pole of each cell in series 5 is connected to a conductor 9 and thence to one side of a differential relay 10 and to the other side of this relay the other pole 1 the series 6 is connected. The device comprising the selenium cells is set with its axis of symmetry in the direction of the required course, and, so long as the beam of light controlled by the compass coincides with this axis, the balance of the relay is maintained, whilst any deviation causes the beam of light to fall wholly on one series of selenium cells whereby the balance of the relay is upset and the servo-motor is caused to operate the rudder or other control device to restore the direction. In an embodiment of this arrangement, the differential relay 10, Fig. 2, operates the coils of a two-way switch 20 connected up to a servo-motor 24 which operates by cables 25 a beam 26 arranged to actuate the rudder 27<b> by cables 28. Hinged pedals 29, 30 are fitted so that the pilot may assume control by operating the beam with his feet, having first operated the switch 38 which slackens the cable 25. Alternatively a semi-automatic control may be assumed by the operation of the pedals with which are associated switches 32 and 33. The course setting device is contained within a casing 41, Fig. 3, and comprises a differential gear connected up with the servo-motor by means of worm-gear 56. Secured on the spindle 43 of one of the differential members is a sleeve 45 carrying an index 46 and operating handle 47. The spindle 43 is also surrounded by a pulley 48 connected by means of rope gear with the ring of selenium cells, the pulley being fast with the casings 52 of the intermediate members of the differential gears. In operation the index 46 is set to graduation on the scale 42 corresponding to the desired course and the ring of selenium cells is simultaneously turned to the desired position, the servo-motor is thus brought into operation and continues to operate the rudder until the index 51 on the pulley wheel 48 is coincident with the index 46. Alternatively the compass card 1, Fig. 1, is supported on a conducting liquid and is fitted with segments 12, 13 connected by a conductor 14 of negligible resistance. In the place of the selenium cells, insulated segments 15, 16, 17 are employed, and are connected up to a differential relay as shown. If the segments 12, 13 take up an unsymmetrical position relatively to he segments 16, 17, the resistance of the paths 18, 19 become unequal and the servo-motor is called into play to correct the deviation.