Patent GB-1111962-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to control arrangements for shaft registration and speed control
Inventor: CRUM JOHN PATERSON
IPC: F16H35/00
Filed: 1965-04-24
Abstract: 1,111,962. Variable-ratio gearing. ALLSPEEDS Ltd. 25 April, 1966 [24 April, l965 No. 17377/65. Heading F2D. To maintain two shafts in phase, one shaft IS being driven direct from a power source 1PS, the other 2S being driven from a power source 2PS (or from the same power source), through a steplessly variable speed unit SVSU, first means 1ME are provided which, when the shafts fall out of phase, effect an impulsive adjustment to the gear ratio of the variable speed unit, e.g. of the friction roller type described in Specification 618,774 to cause a temporary adjustment in the speed of rotation of the second shaft, and second means 2ME are provided which, in response to a predetermined number of impulsive adjustments in the same sense, effect, e.g. by actuating a servomotor SMO, a permanent adjustment in the gear ratio of the variable speed unit to cause a permanent change in the speed of rotation of the second shaft. In a first embodiment, Fig. 2, the impulsive adjustment is effected on the gear ratio control shaft 21 of the variable speed unit via its gearwheel 20 which engages the lower run of an endless chain 19 on a carriage 22, to which are attached the operative parts 14, 15 of solenoids 12, 13. On the shafts falling out of phase, the respective solenoid is energized by a phase detector (see below). for a time determined by the amount shafts 1S 2S are out of phase, pulling the carriage 22 sharply to one side, rotating the shaft 21. On de-energizing the solenoid, the carriage returns to its original position, as does the shaft 21. The permanent change is effected in the gear ratio by a gear-wheel 11 engaging the upper run of the chain 19, and driven for a predetermined time by the servomotor in response to the second means 2ME. In an alternative embodiment, Fig. 4 (not shown), the gear ratio control gear (33) meshes with a worm (32) on an axially slidable shaft (31), rotated by the servomotor, impulsive adjustment being effected by fluid pressure acting on the divider (37) of a chamber (34) to move the shaft (31) and hence gear-wheel (33), in response to the out-of-phase condition of the shafts.  Means to detect the out-of-phase condition of the shafts may comprise micro-switches (1M - 3M), Fig. 5 (not shown), controlled by cams (52-54) on the shafts, and situated in the solenoid circuit. Fig. 16. Photo-electric cells may replace the micro-switches, and/or valve means to control fluid pressure may replace the solenoids, in the circuit. Also included in the circuit are stepping magnets (1S 2SM) which feed a uniselector (US), which counts the number of consecutive impulsive adjustments in the same sense, and activates the servomotor SMO through a self-resetting adjustable timer (TIM) to effect the permanent adjustment to the gear ratio. Alternatively, capacitors, which are partly charged by each impulsive adjustment, may be used, the voltage of the completely charged capacitor causing the striking of a trigger circuit. Alternatively, two electronic counting circuits may be used, one for each sense of adjustment.