Patent GB-149439-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in means for controlling the rolling of ships and the gun fire of warships
IPC: B63B39/04
Filed: 1919-05-13
Abstract: 149,439. Jackson, P. R., (Sperry Gyroscope Co.). May 13, 1919. Rolling motion of ships, controlling.-The rolling of ships at sea is controlled by gyroscopic apparatus arranged to maintain a rocking or rolling motion of predetermined magnitude, the apparatus automatically increasing the rolling motion when it is below that predetermined and decreasing the roll when it is in excess of the predetermined amount. The invention is stated to be specially applicable to warships and enables the guns to be fired at any desired point in the roll. Two gyroscopes 1, 2, spinning on horizontal axes arranged athwartships are coupled together for equal and opposite turning about vertical axes by means of a link, and, being responsive to the roll of the ship, are utilized as a master governor for the main stabilizing-gyroscopes 31, 32. The gyroscopes 1, 2 are centralized by means of springs and are fitted with contact pieces 19, 19<1> controlling the electric circuit which controls the stabilizing-gyroscopes 31, 32. The main gyroscopes are mounted on horizontal spinning axes 33, 34 within casings 35, 35<1> which are pivoted about vertical axes 36, 36<1> to the framework 37 of the ship. The gyroscopes rotate in opposite directions and are placed with their spinning axes athwartships. The planes of rotation may be oscillated in opposite directions by gears 39, 40, from a motor 41 through continuously rotating bevel-wheels 42, 43 and a clutch 45. This clutch 45 is operated by electromagnets in circuit with the controlling-gyroscopes 1, 2. When the gyroscopes are acting to roll the ship, the shaft 44 is rotated in a direction to apply a torque on the gyroscopes 31, 32 in the opposite direction to the natural precession caused by the rolling of the ship. To effect this motion, contacts 27, 28 on gyroscope 1 are placed in circuit with an electrc-magnet 150 which actuates the reversing-switch 151 in the circuit between contacts 19, 19<1> and magnets 47, 48, so that as long as the ship is exceeding a predetermined amplitude, the apparatus will act as a stabilizer, but when the limit is not exceeded the circuit through the magnet 150 will be broken and the switch 151 rotated by the spring 152 to cause the apparatus to roll the ship. Automatic means for firing guns &c. at a predetermined point in the roll of the ship is incorporated as part of the gyroscopes 1, 2. The centralizing- pins 16<1> of the springs 19, 19@ are normally spaced a short distance from the projection 17 on the outer ring of the gyroscope with which they contact, permitting a slight precession to take place in either direction before contact is made and a circuit completed through contacts 130, 130' ring 17, and the ends 131, 131' of the pins 16<1>. One pair will close the firing circuit at one end of the roll, and the other pair at the other end of the roll. Contacts 131, 132 and 131', 132<1> may be utilized to fire the guns when the ship reaches its maximum velocity of roll, for which purpose springs may be adjusted since the roll is of a definite amount. The switch 133, Fig. 8, is closed by the control officer and is kept closed bv the hook 135 until a current flows through the circuit when it is released by the magnet 136. The connexion between the master and stabilizing-gyroscopes may be by means of fluid actuated apparatus instead of electrical apparatus. Such an. arrangement, for use with compressed air and utilizing a series of piston valves for controlling the gearing between the motor 41 and the gyroscopes 31, 32, is described in detail in the Specification.