Patent GB-191514654-A (GB)
Title: An Improved Method of Automatic Steering and Apparatus therefor.
Inventor: ROSE SYDNEY ASTON MERSEY
IPC: F42B19/01
Filed: 1915-10-16
Abstract: 14,654. Rose, S. A. M. Oct. 16. Steering and manoeuvring automatically.- Relates to automatic steering-gears controlled by a magnetic compass or the like and by the distance travelled so as to steer a predetermined irregular course. According to the invention, controlling contacts, mounted on a rotary support and co-operating with the magnetic compass, are automatically and successively moved by a contact setting number,' which is itself controlled automatically by a distance setting member,' when the required distance in a given direction has been travelled and the direction is to be changed. In the form shown in Fig. 7, two pairs of contacts b', b<2> are used one at each end of a contact member ' a<1> fixed to a magnetic compass a, which is mounted between limiting stops a<2> on a base b pivoted to a support e. This support is itself pivoted to a shaft h<1> driven through gearing h, i by a spring j around a spindle i<1>. If preferred, the support e may be carried directly by the spindle i'. The contacts b', b<2> and the contact member a<1> are connected respectively through slip rings B, B', B<2> and brushes C, C', C<2> to the two ends of a polarized relay D, Fig. 11, and one terminal of a battery E. The relay D serves to control the steering gear by means of solenoids f<l>, f<2> and contacts F<1>, F<2> in the circuit of a battery G. The spindle i<1> of the wheel i carries a ' contact setting member ' comprising a number of superposed arms k' .. k<5>, Figs. 6 and 7, adjusted to various angular positions corresponding to the desired successive directions of travel, and clamped in the adjusted positions by a nut l over a cover l' concentric with a dial m, Fig. 9, on the lid n of the apparatus. These arms are released and stopped in succession by a stopping device ' comprising a corresponding number of pawls z<1> .. z<5>, worked in succession by staggered teeth y<1> .. y<5> on a cylinder y, which is driven step by step by gear wheels x<2>. x', ratchet-wheel v, and pawls w<1> .. w<5>, the levers t<1> .. t<5> carrying these pawls being rocked in succession by a distance setting member ' comprising arms q<1> .. q<5> on a spindle q. This spindle is driven from the propelling engine through a worm gear o. The arms q<1> .. q<5> are set to various angular positions corresponding to the successive distances to be travelled in the successive directions, and are clamped in the adjusted positions by a nut rover a cover r<1> concentric with a dial s on the lid of the apparatus. To obtain a circular path at any given moment, contact springs J<1> .. J<5> are arranged behind the stopping pawls Z<1> .. Z and connected to slip ring C and plugs H<1> .. H<5>, which may be bridged over to plugs K<1> .. K<5> or plugs L' .. L<5> connected respectively to the slip rings C', C<2>. The deflection of the pawls z<1> .. z<5> then close the circuit of the relay D in the given direction at the given time, and this causes the steering gear to be held over in the given direction to steer a circular path. To maintain a circular path at the end of the predetermined irregular path, the last pawl z<5> is held over by a long projection y<6> on the cylinder y. The apparatus may be put out of action by locking the wheel i by a rod i'.