Patent GB-304084-A (GB)
Title: Method of and means for controlling the movements of ships or any other mechanisms by wireless telegraphy
IPC: G05D1/00
Filed: 1917-12-11
Abstract: 304,084. Ryan, C. P. Dec. 11, 1917. Selective distant control systems.- Relates to the wireless control of ships &c. in which resonance relays are selectively operated by correspondingly timed groups of waves to control the engines, steering-mechanism, &c. The transmitter comprises a commutator having a number of sections 5, 6, 7, Fig. 1, with a different number of conductors in each, so that the main transmitter circuit may be intermittently closed at a frequency determined by the closure of one or other of the keys 8, 9, 10. The commutator is driven at a constant speed by a motor 2 and a governor 3 which has an indicating pointer 4a moving over a segment 4b. At the receiving station a crystal receiver or a coherer receiver described later repeats the impulses to a relay 17, Fig. 8. which may be tuned to the spark frequency, controlling the circuit of a series of resonance relays 19, corresponding to the several controls, and a slowacting relay 18. The relays 19 control corresponding relays 20 which have holding windings 21 in series with control magnets 23 for the steering mechanism, &c. A relay 29 in series with the two magnets 23 shown in Fig. 8 controls the motor 25 of the steering mechanism. The circuit of the control magnets 23 &c. is closed by a relay 30 controlled by the slow-acting relay 18. Steering and propelling mechanism. The tiller is attached to a socket 31, Figs. 3 and 4, in a frame movable on guide rods 31<a>. By energizing one or other of the magnets 23, one or other of the grips 24 is caused to engage the endless chain 27 driven by the motor 25, thus moving the helm to port or starboard. For starting and stopping the propelling engines, the magnet 32, Fig. 6, controls a clockwork movement 33 having two stopping positions, in one of which the magnet 50 closes the ignition circuit 49 and the magnet 34 opens a switch 35 to de-energize magnets 36, 37 which control the auxiliary services of the port and starboard engines. In the other stopping position, the ignition circuit is opened and switch 35 closed. Control of selecting relays by received waves. In order to reduce interference by an enemy, impulses of different wave lengths tuned to the same note frequency may be sent alternately and conjointly control the receiving relay. Alternatively, a combined crystal and coherer control may be used, the control being shifted from the sharply tuned crystal receiver to the coherer receiver by a switch actuated by a prolonged signal, the change being indicated by a signal visible from the controlling station. The rectified impulses from either type of receiver are amplified and led to a vibrating reed relay or to a telephone receiver, the diaphragm of which is engaged by a reed in circuit with a contact-making relay,. which may control the resonance relays and the slow-acting relay in various ways described in detail. Control arrangements involving the use of synchronous apparatus at both stations. The seconds hand pinion of a clock at the control station may carry a disc, half red and half green. A similar clock at the controlled station carries a cam which closes a relay circuit for half the revolution of its pinion. Signals sent while the red part of the disc shows moves the vessel to port whilst signals of the same frequency sent while the green part shows move the vessel to starboard. Construction of coherer. The filings of soft Swedish iron are of the size of coarse sand. The coherer tube is made of toughened glass and is slightly exhausted, the air remaining being dried. Construction of relays. The moving coil of the coherer relay rocks on a horizontal axis and carries a nickel arm which dips into a pot containing mercury, the pot being similar to an unspillable ink pot. The whole relay is immersed in liquid paraffin and hermetically sealed in an iron case. The tuned relays may be of the construction described in Specification 11106/13, [Class 40 (v), Wireless signalling &c.].