Patent GB-340105-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to gyroscopic stabilising apparatus
IPC: G01C21/18
Filed: 1929-11-22
Abstract: 340,105. Benthall, R. T. Nov. 22, 1929. Gyroscopic apparatus.-Relates to gyroscopic stabilizing-apparatus for vehicles &c. in which means are provided whereby, on the application to the vehicle of a disturbing force, the resultant precession of the gyroscope, is either assisted or opposed according as the vehicle is in unstable or stable equilibrium, and means are also provided for returning the gyroscope forcibly towards its undeflected position so as to annul the tilt of the vehicle. According to the invention, means for automatically returning the gyro towards its undeflected position is controlled in response to the movement of a mass which is free to move under the action of gravity when a tilt occurs. The apparatus shown is for use on a mono-rail vehicle and comprises two gyroscopes 1, 2 rotating about horizontal axes in opposite directions and mounted for precession about vertical axes 3, 4, the gyro-casings being connected by gears 7, 8 so that they precess equally in opposite directions. To assist the precession of the gyroscopes resulting from tilting of the vehicle, the lower ends of the casings are provided with cranks 10, 11 connected by a tension spring 9, the cranks being in their outer dead-centre positions when the gyroscopes are undeflected. The means for returning the gyroscopes to their undeflected positions consists of rack-and-pinion gear 13 arranged to rotate the gyroscope 2 about its axis 4 and operated by a piston within a cylinder 12 adapted to be supplied with air &c. under pressure under the control of valves 22, 23. The valves are provided with pins 20,'21 operated by a tappet 19 carried by a weight 14 secured to a rod 15 supported by rollers 16 so as to move laterally of the vehicle under the action of gravity when the latter tilts. The weight is restored to its central position when the tilt ceases by springs 34, 35 disposed on opposite sides of a collar 33 secured to a rod 31 which is connected by a lever 28 and link 27 to the rod 15. Means may also be provided to impart a permanent tilt to the vehicle to counteract a continuous disturbing force. This is effected in the form shown by augmenting the action of one of the springs 34, 35 so as to restore the weight 14 to its mid-position before the vehicle has resumed the horizontal. For this purpose the container 32 for the springs is carried by a support 36 which can be displaced by a screw 37 operated by a reversible motor 38. The motor is preferably controlled automatically by means of a stable gyroscope 40 precessing about vertical pivots 41 in response to tilting of the vehicle and carrying the movable contacts 42 of a reversing switch. In a modification, for restoring the gyroscopes 1, 2 to their undeflected positions, a reversible motor is employed under the control of the weight 14 and gyroscope 40. The motor is connected through worm gearing to a double dog clutch adapted to operate one or other of a pair of friction couplings according to the direction of rotation of the motor, the couplings transmitting the rotation to the gyro-casings.