Patent GB-161595-A (GB)
Title: Gyroscopic apparatus
IPC: G01C21/18
Filed: 1919-06-30
Abstract: 161,595. Gray, J. G. June 30, 1919. Addition to 130,69.7. Gyroscopic apparatus.-In apparatus as described in the parent Specification in which the axis of rotation of a gyroscope is erected into the vertical by the action of rotating masses, means are provided for eliminating the erecting action when the vehicle carrying the apparatus is subjected to turning motion. Figs. 1 and 2 show a form of apparatus comprising a plate 5 to which is attached a peg 6 bearing on a pedestal 7. The plate carries two gyroscopes 1, 1<1> each of which drives a system of vanes 4 through reduction gearing in casings 2. The reaction due to the rotating vanes causes rotation of the whole system in the direction of spin of the gyroscopes. Mounted on the plate 5 are an electromagnet 11 and a pillar 10 to which is pivoted an arm 9 having at one end a mass 8 and at the other end an armature 12. The electromagnet is energized when turning motion of the vehicle occurs, and the resulting movement of the mass 8 brings the centre of gravity of the system into coincidence with, or vertically below, the point of the peg 6. In the form shown in Fig. 3, two gyroscopes 101, 101<1> are secured to a gimbal-mounted frame 102. A spindle 104 is geared to the spindle of the gyroscope 101 and revolves slowly in the direction of spin of the gyroscope. The spindle 104 carries a sleeve 105 to which is attached a plate 106. The plate is turned by friction applied to the sleeve and carries a fixed weight 112 and a weight 110 which can be moved by an electromagnet 111 as above described. When a tilt occurs and the vehicle does not turn the motion of the plate is space-periodic. When turning motion occurs, the electromagnet is energized and the weight 110 is moved to bring the system into neutral equilibrium with respect to the gimbal axes; the motion of the plate 106 is then uniform. The form of erector shown in Figs. 7 and 8 comprises a series of balls 305 moving over a fixed plate 304 and constrained by apertures 306 in a plate 303 which is slowly rotated in the direction of spin of the gyroscope. Associated with each ball is an electromagnet 307 carried by the plate 303 and energized when the vehicle turns, so as to clamp the balls in the positions shown in Fig. 8 and thus to eliminate the erecting action. The erecting-device shown in Figs. 13 and 14 is intended for use on apparatus subject to rhythmic disturbances and comprises a rotating plate carrying four pairs of bottles etc.; the lower parts 704 of the bottles contain mercury and are connected by capillary tubes 703<1>, while the upper parts 705 contain oil and one connected by capillary tubes 703. The erector is cut out during turning of the vehicle by spinning the plate rapidly. The closure of circuits for the electromagnets or for speeding up the device shown in Figs. 13 and 14 may be effected by an auxiliary gyroscope which precesses when turning motion occurs, and carries a brush adapted to move over suitable contact segments. The Provisional Specification also describes an arrangement comprising two gyroscopes, the casings of which are pivoted on parallel axes in a rectangular frame, itself pivoted in a fork mounted on a vertical pedestal bearing. The axes of the gyroscopes are constrained to move relatively to the frame in a plane at right-angles to that of the frame and the gyroscope casings are geared together for equal precessions in opposite directions. The arrangement is such that the normal pcsition of the gyroscopes is that in which each makes an angle, for instance. 45 degrees, with the vertical. Attached to one of the casings is an erector so arranged that its plane is horizontal when the gyroscope-axis makes the desired angle with the vertical.