Patent GB-478799-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to direction indicating means for use in land, air or water craft
IPC: B60Q1/34
Filed: 1937-07-02
Abstract: 478,799. Electric signalling and control systems. ASKANIA-WERKE AKT.-GES. VORM. CENTRALWERKSTATT DESSAU UND C. BAMBERG-FRIEDENAU. July 2, 1937, No. 18459. Convention date, July 2, 1936. Addition to 475,372. [Class 40 (i)] [Also in Groups XXIX and XX] A direction-indicating device as claimed in the parent Specification in which an azimuth gyroscope associated with a relay is supervised by means, such as a magnetic compass, responsive to directional changes with respect to a field of force and associated with a second relay, is provided with means whereby the secondary elements of the relays may be adjusted to their neutral positions with the azimuth gyroscope in any position. In the form shown the relays are of the pneumatic type and comprise semicircular baffles 6 rotatable between pairs of opposed nozzles mounted in rotatable casings. The casings are adapted to be simultaneously rotated by an electric motor 13 acting through worms 7, 107 mounted on shafts 7<1>, 107<1> connected by an electromagnetically operated coupling 15. The shaft 7<1> is in two parts adjustably coupled together by a coupling 20 and is connected by bevel gearing with an indicator 14. Pipes 108<1> leading from the relay actuated by the gyroscope are coupled through a rotary selector valve either with conduits 108 leading to opposite sides of a diaphragm actuating a switch 110 or with conduits 208 leading to the opposite sides of a diaphragm 209. Movement of this diaphragm operates a pivoted jet tube to control the movements of a power device 213 adapted to actuate a rudder 214. With the selector valve in the position shown and the switch 17 in the dotted position operation of the baffle by the vertical gimbal of the gyroscope, causes the switch 110 to move on to one or other of the contacts so causing the motor 13 to turn in the appropriate direction to turn the nozzle-carrying members to the neutral position and at the same time operate the indicating disc 14. When the switch 17 is in the full line position the electromagnetically operated coupling is energized to release the coupling and at the same time the adjusting motor is put under the control of a diaphragm - actuated switch controlled by the relay operated by a magnetic compass 3. With the switch 17 in this position the normal supervisory control of the gyroscope by the magnetic compass acting through switch 10 electromagnets 5 and armature 105 on the horizontal gimbal is interrupted. To bring the two relays into phase after starting up with the gyroscope in any position the switch 17 is put in the dotted position so causing the motor 13 to be operated to restore the gyroscope relay to its neutral position. The switch 17 is then moved to the full line position causing the uncoupling of the two relays and energizing the motor to restore the magnetic compass relay to its neutral position and thus bring the two relays into phase. On restoring the switch 17 to its former position and with the selector valve in the position shown the apparatus operates to indicate on the dial any variation in the direction of movement. With the valve 18 in the alternative position the device will operate the rudder in the sense to correct such departure. With the valve 18 in this position a switch 18<1> operated with the valve completes a circuit through a pair of push-actuated switches whereby the direction of travel may be altered. If the relays and indicator are rotated by synchronous followup motors then during phase adjustment it is only necessary to switch off the motor associated with the gyroscope relay. If they are mechanically coupled the adjustment may be effected by hand by means of a differential gear in a similar manner to that described in the parent Specification for taking into account the compass compensation error.