Patent GB-191015576-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or connected with Flying Machines.
Inventor: MEDEN ELOF HERMAN
IPC: B64C1/00
Filed: 1910-06-29
Granted: 1911-07-31
Abstract: 15,576. Meden, E. H. June 29. No Patent granted (Sealing fee not paid). Gyroscopic apparatus.-The planes for balancing a flying-machine about longitudinal and transverse axes are controlled by gyroscopic apparatus, which may be acted on by hand for steering vertically and horizontally. A gyroscope II, Fig. 1, controls lateral balance and horizontal steering, and a gyroscope III controls longitudinal balance and vertical steering. The rotating disk 46 of the gyroscope II is mounted in a frame 47 slightly inclined to the vertical and pivoted to the frame of the machines on trunnions 48<1>, 49<1>, Fig. 5. The axis of the disk 46 is in front of t h e line passing through the trunnions, so that the central position of the gyroscope is one of unstable equilibrium. When precession occurs, the gyroscope moves from its central position, and gravity acts to accelerate the precession. To drive the disk 46, the rim may be provided with a series o f turbine blades against which a current of compressed air is directed by a nozzle 55. The compressed air may be supplied by a pump driven from the motor of the flying-machine. In a modified form, the gyroscope is enclosed in a casing continuously exhausted of air, which enters the casing through the hollow trunnion 49<1> and nozzle 55, and impinges against the vanes on the rim. The frame 47 is provided with arms 51, to which are attached the cords 31, 30 connected respectively to the rudder 32 and to a part 75, Fig. 7, actuated by the control lever 29. The gyroscope III for obtaining longitudinal stability comprises two disks 58, 59, Fig. 6, driven in opposite directions about vertical axes in frame 60, pivoted to the fixed frame 62 about axes situated above the centre of gravity of the wheels and pivoted frames. The frame 60, 61 are geared together by toothed segments 66, 67, so that the gyroscope disks can only precess oppositely. The segment 66 gears by pinions 68, 69 with shafts 70, 78. A pinion 71 on the shaft 70 gears with a sector 72 pivoted on hollow trunnions 73, Fig. 7, in the bracket 74. An extension of the sector 72 carries the vertical pivot 76<1> of the control-lever 29. The shaft 78, Fig. 6, drives through worm gears 77, 79 a shaft 80 carrying a lever 36, Fig. 1, to which are connected the pulleys 35 around which are passed the cords 34 for actuating the elevator 33. When the machine tilts about a transverse axis so as to raise the front end of the machine, the gyroscope disks precess oppositely and turn the elevator downwards towards the front and also swing the control-lever 29 upwards through the gearing described. An increase or retardation of the precession obtained by controlling manually the movements of the control lever serves to bring back the machine to its normal position, or to introduce a force which prevents the machine from being displaced. The precession may be retarded by a brake comprising a piston 82, Fig. 6, connected by a piston-rod 81 to the segment 72 and moving in a cylinder 33, the ends of which are connected by a pipe 85 in which is a cock 84. The cylinder may be filled with air or liquid. According to the Provisional Specification, the gyroscope III may be mounted in the frame of the gyroscope II; and one disk of the gyroscope III may be driven from the other by bevelgearing.