Patent GB-191115058-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Aeronautical Machines.
Inventor: DOUTRE ADOLPHE
IPC: B64C17/00
Filed: 1911-06-27
Granted: 1912-06-27
Abstract: 15,058. Doutre, A. June 27, 1910, [Convention date]. Balancing automatically. The longitudinal balancing plane or memher is actuated by a mass movable longitudinally of the machine under the control of springs when variations occur in the absolute velocity of the machine in order to preserve the equilibrium. The movable mass 27, Fig. 1, which may be an existing part of the machine, is suspended by four spring cords 28 and connected to the slide valve 30 of a compressed-air or other motor. On displacement of the valverod by the mass 27, air is admitted to one side or other of the cylinder 33 which is displaced on the stationary piston 31 through a distance equal to the movement of the valve. The cylinder is connected by the rod 34 to the balancing- plane. The control of the equilibrium of a flying-machine by the inertia of a mass responsive to changes in absolute velocity may be combined with a wind vane such as is described in Specification 20,694/08, which is responsive to changes in relative velocity. The masses 27, Fig. 2, are mounted on tubular guides 42 between springs 46, 47 and are connected together by a rod 49 secured to the piston 29 of the servomotor. The vane 1, set perpendicularly to the direction of travel, is connected by rods 40 to the guide-rods 42. Stops 44, 45 for the springs 46, 47 are secured to the guide-rods, and a spring 50 abuts against the fixed casing 43 and the stop 44 tending to move the vane 1 forwards. The Specification as open to inspection under Section 91 (3) (a) states also that the seat for the aviator may be used as the controlling-mass, and is mounted on slides and connected to the balancing-plane, or a rod may be attached to the back of the aviator and to the plane so that the involuntary movements of the aviator in trying to preserve his balance, are communicated to the plane. The balancing-plane 4, Fig. 2 (cancelled), is under the control of a pivoted vane 1 which is moved against the action of a spring 3 by wind pressure. The movements of the vane may be directly communicated to the plane or through relay mechanism. The manner of adjusting the balancing-plane depends on whether, in the type of machine to which the device is fitted, the gravitational restoring - couple is sufficient, excessive, or insufficient to bring back the machine into a safe position in case the relative velocity is greater or less than that at which the machine can safely travel. In the case in which the restoring - couple is sufficient, the balancing-plane opposes an increase in the angle of incidence of the machine due to an increased relative velocity, but is inactive when the velocity is reduced as the machine automatically moves into a position for gliding flight. The lever 7, Fig. 11 (cancelled), carrying the vane 1, is in this case connected to a link 8 having a slot 9 which engages the arm 11 of the plane 4. In the second case, in which the gravitational restoring-couple is excessive, the plane 4, Fig. 12 (cancelled), is moved as in the previous case when the velocity increases, and is moved in the opposite sense to compensate partly. the restoring-couple when the velocity decreases. The rod 7 of the vane carries a sector 13 gearing with a pinion having an arm 15 connected by links 16, 12 to the arm 11 of the plane 4. The arm 15 is set at an angle to the vertical, so that only a small movement of the plane 4 takes place when the vane tilts forwards due to the decrease in velocity. In the third case, in which the gravitational couple is insufficient, nil, or adverse, the plane 4 is moved in the same sense on both an increase and decrease of the velocity. To effect this movement, the plane 4 is connected to a rod 22, Fig. 13 (cancelled), having two abutments 20, 21 against which the rod 7 of the vane 1 bears when it is displaced. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.