Patent GB-191415777-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to Gyroscopic Mechanism.
Inventor: GORDON JOHN WILLIAM
IPC: G01C21/18
Filed: 1914-07-01
Granted: 1915-07-01
Abstract: 15,777. Gordon, J. W. July 1. Gyroscopic apparatus. -In gyroscopic mechanisms, the axes of ' forced precession ' and ' free precession ' are automatically interchangeable the interchange being effected by changes in the speed of revolution of a field frame carrying the gyrostat and determined by the tension of a spring or other secondary motor. The terms ' forced precession ' and ' free precession'are used in the same sense as in Specification 18,101/13, to which reference is made, and mean respectively rotation of the axis of spin in planes perpendicular to and containing the axis of the applied couple. Fig. 1 shows a gyroscopic fly-wheel to which the invention is applied. A field frame b is secured to the shaft a which is controlled by tne fly-wheel, and has pivots f<1>, f<2> upon which the gyrostat, comprising a frame c and rotating wheel d, may turn. The pivot f<1> is elongated and one end of a coiled spring i is secured to it, the other end of the spring being secured to a pin k on a plate m which turns about the axis of the pivot f<1> and is connected by a pin n and arm o to the gyrostat. The spring allows a certain amount of free precession of the gyrostat to occur about the axis f<1>, f<2> when the shaft is running at the desired speed. When this speed is exceeded, the further free precession compresses the spring and its reaction about the pivot axis f<1>, f<2> causes this axis to become the axis of forced precession with consequent free precession about the shaft axis and a reduction of the speed of the shaft. Shonld the speed of the shaft fall below the normal, the spring acts to change the axes of precession as before but the precessions take place in the opposite directions and the speed of the shaft is increased. The spinning of the gyroscope may be maintained in any convenient manner. As shown, a wheel r is carried by a free-wheel clutch mounted on a pillar t so that it may rotate only in the opposite direction to the shaft a. As the shaft rotates, a wheel w rolls on the wheel r which is stationary and turns a mitre-wheel x gearing with a mitrewheel on a shaft 2 carrying a wheel 3. The wheel 3 drives a wheel 8 through an idle wheel 4, the wheel 8 operating bevel-wheels 9, 10 to turn the gyroscope d. The invention is also embodied in an apparatus called a gyro-turbine. This apparatus differs from the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 in that the driving-means shown is dispensed with, and a cylinder, electric motor, or other source of power operating a crank on the pivot f<2> is provided. Suitable means for driving the gyroscope d are provided, and the free-wheel mechanism, and spring i with the parts associated therewith are retained. The axis of the field frame b is loaded and driven through the apparatus, interchange of the precession axes being effected by the spring or by the primary motor when it is of the doubleacting type. A gyroscopic punch is also described comprising a field frame b with a gyrostat, as shown in Fig. 1, from which the driving-means and spring i &c. are removed A punch is provided in connexion with one or both of the pivots f<1>, f<2> and comprises a rod 15, Fig. 4, operated through an eccentric 17, a crank, or the equivalent on the pivot, the material to be punched being placed between the punch 15 and an anvil 18. The apparatus is rotated in one direction about the axis of the field frame to effect the punching-stroke and reversed for withdrawal of the punch. When the revolution of the punch about the axis of the frame b is an objection, connecting-mechanism communicating the power of the gyrostat to any desired place may be provided.