Patent GB-444393-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to apparatus for automatically steering aircraft and other moving bodies
IPC: G05D1/02
Filed: 1934-08-16
Abstract: 444,393. Automatic control of a body in motion. SIEMENS & HALSKE AKT.- GES., Siemensstadt, Berlin. Aug. 16, 1934, No. 23688. Convention date, Aug. 16, 1933. [Class 38 (iv)] [See also Group XX] In apparatus for automatically keeping vehicles such as aircraft on a predetermined straight line course towards an objective, an absolute direction finder, such as a magnetic, inductive or gyroscopic compass is associated with apparatus which measures deviations and varies the set course through a correcting angle which compensates for drift. The rudder F of an aeroplane is controlled through a relay S from a turn indicator W or from an azimuth gyroscope K and a magnetic compass M associated with a wireless direction finding frame p<1> which is maintained perpendicular to the directional beam transmitted from the destination. The gyroscope rotates about a horizontal axis, and its casing is mounted by a horizontal shaft c<1> in a ring c carried by a vertical shaft c<2> rotatable in upper and lower bearings on the frame of the aeroplane. The upper end of the shaft c<2> carries an electrode e immersed in an electrolyte and movable between counter electrodes el, e<2> fixed in the adjustable casing g. Alternating current supplied to the central electrode e is rectified and divided differentially according to the adjustment of the shaft c<2> and electrode e between the electrodes el, e<2> which are connected to a differential indicating apparatus J and a rotary magnetic device D<1> acting on the relay S operating the rudder. The magnetic compass M, associated. with a similar differential electrolytic device, also supplies current differentially to a magnetic device D mounted on the ring c and tending to rotate the shaft c<1> and gyroscope so that it deflects about the shaft c<2> and thus follows the movements of the magnetic compass, but slowly, so as only to integrate the fluctuations of the magnetic needle. The casings g, M are adjusted by worm gearing from a shaft a which is rotated through a differential gear n either by the handle H when setting the course, or by a motor q which is supplied with current as required from an amplifier p<2> controlled by the wireless direction finder p<1> in accordance with deviations from the predetermined course. The direction finder p<1> is rotated about a vertical axis through differential gear u, either by hand in accordance with the scale v, or by the motor q. When commencing a journey, the casings g, M and the direction finding frame p<1> are adjusted in accordance with the desired course, the frame p<1> being perpendicular to the directional beam. Side drift results in the frame p<1> making a different angle with the beam so that current is supplied differentially to the motor q rotating it in one direction or the other whereby the frames g, M are rotated and the rudder F operated to correct the course. The motor q, also turns the direction finder p<1> until it is again perpendicular to the beam. When the frames g, M are being adjusted by the handle H, a brake A supplied with current through leads i checks movement of the gyroscope.