Patent GB-144628-A (GB)
Title: Method and apparatus for indicating the geographical location or movement of bodies and for control by wireless
IPC: G01S1/02
Filed: 1920-06-02
Abstract: 144,628. Conners, W. W. June 12, 1919, [Convention date]. Course-recording apparatus. -Relates to a wireless method of determining the relative bearing of a transmitting and a receiving station, and hence when two transmitting stations are employed, finding the position of the receiving- station. This position is automatically shown on a map by a moving indicator, the movements of which may record a vessel's course. The principle of the method consists in sending out from each transmitting station a directive wireless beam which rotates through a predetermined arc at a uniform rate. Simultaneously non-directive radiations of a different frequency are emitted so as to indicate the times at which the rotation begins and ends. These times, together with the time at which the rotating beam crosses the receiving - station, serve to determine the bearing. Calibrating-means for checking errors are provided. The transmitting-station (not shown) comprises a coil rotated together with a commutator by clockwork, so that a directive beam of say 1200 metres wave-length is emitted in regular impulses and in a uniformly rotating direction while the coil turns through a predetermined arc, such as N-W-S, but the beam ceases to be emitted during the remainder of the rotation. A second commutator driven in unison with the former causes the precisely simultaneous emission from a non-directive or uniformly radiating aerial of waves of say 600 metres. The circuits of the receiving-apparatus are shown in Fig. 3, but amplifiers may be added to the apparatus shown. The circuits are so arranged (as described below) that the arm 88, Fig. 7, of the watt-meter 35 moves at a uniform speed clockwise from the moment that the non- directive waves are received by the aerial 16 until the moment that the directive beam crosses the station. The watt-meter 35 then ceases to register, and the arm of the other watt-meter 28 moves counter-clockwise until the non-directive radiations cease. The arms 88 are periodically depressed on to contacts 89 and the resistances 99 are such that when the above operation has taken place, the arms 88 have moved over complementary sections of their total range, and so co. operate to close the circuit of one of the magnets 93, which thereupon attracts a pointer to indicate the required bearing, since the movements of the two arms 88 are proportional to the arcs into which this bearing divides the total arc traversed by the rotating beam. Zeroizing means for the watt-meters are provided. The watt-meters 28, 35 are connected respectively in the plate circuits of the audions 26, 33, the circuits of the aerial 16 being so tuned that these audions respond to the non-directive waves. The grid-circuits contain condensers 30, 37, and resistances 31, 38 so arranged that on receipt of radiations the negative charge accumulating on the grid interrupts the plate current and stops the corresponding wattmeter. So long as the switch 17 is drawn to the right by its spring 19, the watt-meter 28 is thus kept out of action during the receipt of the non- directive waves, but when the directive beam crosses the station the magnet 22 is energized as described below, the switch 17 is consequently moved to the left, and the watt-meter 35 is then interrupted by the grid action while the wattmeter 28 begins to register. Arrangements are made for short-circuiting both watt-meters during the time that no radiation of any kind is being received-e.g. the arc N-E-S. The magnet 22, referred to above, is energized through the action of the coherer 56, on receipt of the directive radiations, to which the circuits associated with the coil 40 are tuned. An audion 43 and amplifiers are used, wherein the grid-circuit contains a potentiometer in parallel with condensers 45, 46 as shown. Telephone receivers 54 are provided. The magnet 22 is de-energized as soon as the non- directive radiation ceases, for the plate-current of the valve 33 then flows again and energizes the magnet 31 which attracts the decoherer lever 59. The switch 17 thus returns to contact 18. If desired, magnets 108 may be arranged in connexion with clock-work to note the times at which radiation is received. Means for checking and adjusting the accuracy of the apparatus comprises at the transmitting station means for emitting directive waves of a third wave-length, such as 2400 metres, in a direction which reciprocates through a small arc, the centre of which coincides with a predetermined fixed bearing and is reached by the 1200 and 2400 beams at the same instant. When the receiving station passes through this standard beam, the fact is indicated coarsely by the effect on the telephone 68, which is connected to a system associated with the coil 62, tuned to a standard or 2400 metres beam, and containing a rectifying-crystal 65. The crossing of the 1200 metres beam is indicated by a click in the telephone when the switch 17 passes the contacts 70. For finer comparison of the two beams a magnet having an armature 83 is provided. The 2400 metres beam energizes the coil 82 through the rectifying system 78 &c. connected with the aerial coil 76. The 1200 metres beam energizes the magnet coil 81 through the rectifying system 73 &c. connected with the aerial coil 71. A loud click is given in the receiver 68 when the armature 83 moves to the right on receipt of the standard 2400 metres beam, but when the armature moves to the left on receipt of the 1200 metres beam, a click softened by the resistance 87 is heard. If the beams coincide there is no click. Errors thus detected are eliminated by adjusting the condensers 55 and 58<1> so as to retard or hasten the responsiveness of the magnet 22 to the 1200 metres beam. The position of the receiving station may be automatically indicated on a map as shown in Fig. 6 by the intersection of pointers 94, 100 pivoted at points corresponding to two transmitting stations using different wave-lengths. These pointers may positively position a tubular slider 101 which carries cross hairs and fits in slots in the arms 94, 100. This slider may be used for automatic steering by placing it between conducting strips 102 connected respectively to steering- motors 104, 105, to the other side of which the slider 101 is connected. The slider may close a circuit as at 107 to perform any desired operation. The travel of the slider 101 may be timed, or a cord 112 may be passed over a pulley 111 which operates a speedometer. The slider may carry a pencil to record the course. The automatic steering-means described may be applied to the con. trol from outside of aerial torpedoes and the like, as by varying the time of starting of the noudirective radiation.