Patent GB-273920-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in integrating apparatus for registering functions of angular movements
IPC: G01C21/20
Filed: 1926-08-23
Abstract: 273,920. James, R. W., (Holmes Navigating Apparatus Co., Inc.). Aug. 23, 1926. Counters affording several rates of actuation; movements counted independently of direction of moving part.-Apparatus for integrating functions of angles of operation with respect to time more particularly for determining the position of a ship in terms of latitude and longitude, comprises means for indicating the direction of any base line, and means responsive to angular movements of the indicating means for integrating and registering functions of the angular movements. The registering counters are actuated through a fr:ction disc and roller by a constant speed motor and are arranged in pairs, one or other being actuated in accordance with the angular movements to the right or left of the base line. A shutter is provided to conceal the numeral drums of the counter not in use. As applied to a ship's position indicator, Figs. 1 and 2, two compass cards 3, 3<a> are mounted on wheels 2, 2a secured to the opposite end of a rotatable shaft 1. On this shaft are rotatably mounted yoke members 4, 4<a> adapted to be secured to the wheels 2, 2<a> by set-screws 5. The yoke member 4 carries a pin 6 engaging a slot in a cruciform yoke 7 guided by grooved rollers 8 on a track 9. Mounted on the lower end of the yoke 7 is an irtegrating unit comprising a roller 11, shaft 12, and counters 13, 14, the roller 11 being maintained in contact with a driving disc 10 by a bar 15 and springs 16, 17. The yoke member 4<a> is provided with an arm disposed at right angles to the arm carrying the pin 6 of the yoke member 4 and a pin thereon engages a cruciform yoke 7<a>, similar to the yoke 7, and carrying a similar integrating unit. The driving discs 10, 10<a> are driven by a constant speed motor 19 and the motor drives a clockwork mechanism which indicates the correct time when the motor is operating at the correct speed. Each of the yoke members 4, 4<a> has an indicating pointer 25 which is set to the direction of the base line by rotating the compass cards and bringing the pointer into co ncidence with fixed points or lubber lines. The primary compass through a master compass and transmitting devices controls a step by step motor 23 driving the shaft 1 whereby the yokes 7, 7<a> position the rollers 11, 11<a> so as to cause a movement of the counters proportional to the sines and cosines of the angles relative to the direction of the base line. The speed of the motor 19 is so chosen that at the end of one hour the number registered represents the actual sine or cosine of the angle at which the device has been operating so that the components of the distance from the point of departure are obtained by multiplying these values by the speed of the ship. Each counter is provided with a shutter pivoted on the highest digit of the highest numeral wheel and operated automatically to oonceal the indications on the reversal of the counter driving shaft. When the apparatus is used with a gyro-compass having a rapidly oscillating rolling conductor means are provided to prevent the oscillations being communicated to the wheels 2, 2a. For this purpose the wheels 2, 2<a> are loose on the shalt 1 and arms 26 secured thereto oscillate between adjustable stops 23 on a member 29 carried by the wheels.