Patent GB-502629-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to gyroscopic apparatus
IPC: G01C19/44
Filed: 1937-12-23
Abstract: 502,629. Fluid-pressure servomotorcontrol systems. ASKANIA - WERKE AKT. - GES. VORM. CENTRALWERKSTATT DESSAU UND C. BAMBERGFRIEDENAU. Dec. 23, 1937, No. 35671. Convention date, Dec. 23, 1936. [Class 135] In a cardan-suspended gyroscope for controlling one or more relays, the rotary movements of the rotor housing or spin axis carrier 1 relative to the cardan frame 3 are converted by means of a linkage into reciprocating movements in the direction of the main or outer axis of the cardan frame 3. The artificial horizon shown in plan in Fig. 1 comprises a rotor housing 1 maintained. vertical by air jets controlled by the usual pendulum slide valves 6. The rotor housing is mounted in bearings 2 in the frame 3 which is itself mounted in bearings 4. A pin 7 passing through an arcuate slot 8 in the frame 3 engages a lever 9 pivotal about an axle 11 carried by the cardan frame. A segment 13 on the lever 9 has a slot 14 engaged by a pin 15 on an arm 17 which moves with a further arm 18 about an axis 16. The arm 18 is connected to a rod 19 which can rotate about its own axis and transmit a to.and fro movement to a jet tube relay 20, such movement being limited to a small range governed by the angle alpha. A similar slotted segment 21 through an arm 22 controls a second jet tube relay 24. The two relays 20, 24 which control servomotors directly or through further relays are arranged in a housing 27 at the rear of the gyroscope housing 12, both housings being exhausted through a connection 30 and the relays and gyroscope being supplied with pressure air through a passage 36 fitted with a filter 31. The pressure differences produced by the relays are communicated to automatic control apparatus or to subsidiary indicating apparatus. An indicator 10 formed by the lever 9 moves over a disc 38 supported by the frame 3 and is visible through a glass panel 37. In the . artificial horizon shown in Fig. 4, the linkage connecting the rotor housing 1<1> to the jet tube 20<1> does not pass round the cardan frame 3<1> but through one of the main axis bearings 4. This linkage comprises a slotted disc 13<1> which operates an arm 171 on an axle 16<1> above the plane of the axes 2<1>-2<1> and 4-4<1>, the axle having an arm (not shown) connected to a rod 191 passing through the bearing 4 for connection to the jet tube 20<1>. The jet tube 24<1> and the indicator 10<1> are similar to those in Figs. 1 and 2. In a modification for the automatic steering of aircraft, a linkage such as that in Fig. 4 is used to transmit the rotor movements of the rotor housing to one of the relays. The outer or main cardan axis is in this case parallel to the transverse axis of the craft, movements about this axis being indicated by a drum visible through the front panel whilst movements of the spin axis carrier are transmitted through gears to a rotary indicator preferably in the form of an aircraft image. The gyroscope is supplied with air at a less pressure than the relays which control the rudder motors. In all forms, the indicating mechanism gives indications in the correct sense and the horizon bar simulates the apparent movement of the horizon to the pilot.