Patent GB-290203-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in gyroscopic stabilising-apparatus
IPC: G01C21/18
Filed: 1928-05-02
Abstract: 290,203. Marmonier, L. May 9, 1927, [Convention date]. Gyroscopic apparatus.-Apparatus for use on a moving body such as an aeroplane to establish one or more reference planes in order to effect the stabilization of the body or to control its direction, or to stabilize apparatus carried by the moving body, comprises four similar gyroscopes arranged in two pairs, the units of each pair rotating in opposite directions in the same vertical plane and the planes of rotation of the two pairs being at right-angles to each other. Of each pair one unit is able to process about a vertical axis, and the other about an horizontal axis. Such an arrangement can be used for stabilizing in both altitude and azimuth. In the form shown the gyroscopes 1 - - 4 are supported in a frame. 5 mounted on pivots 85, 86 in a ring 84 which is mounted on pivots 87, 88 in a ring 89. The ring 89 is in turn mounted on vertical pivots 90, 91 in the fixed frame 83. The gyroscopes 1, 3 are. pivoted in vertical rings 8, 14 and serve for stabilization in altitude, while the gyroscopes 2, 4 are pivoted in horizontal rings 11, 17 and serve for stabilization in azimuth. The system is provided with pendulous restraint which is adapted to become inoperative when the moving body is changing its speed or direction. The pendulous factor comprises masses 22, 23 constituting the cores of electromagnets 20, 21 and normally held out of the magnets by springs 26, 28, the magnets being adapted to be excited to withdraw the masses by the closure of switches operated by pivoted masses 33, 34 which are displaced owing to their inertia when changes of speed or direction occur. The mass 22 has a recess containing a weak spring 25 bearing on a sleeve 54 slidable on a rod 56, the sleeve operating a bell-crank 55 connected by a rod 57 to a lever 58 on the gyroscope 1. With the mass 22 in its operative position the pressure of both springs 25, 26 is transmitted to the gyroscope frame and reduces the reaction of the gyroscope; but when the mass 22 is attracted into the electromagnet 20 the gyroscope, is acted upon by the spring 25 only. A similar restraining device, connected to the gyroscope 3, is provided in connection with the mass 23. Electromagnet means controlled by the gyroscopes are also provided to exert torques to neutralize the effects of disturbances causing precession of the gyroscopes. These means comprise pairs of electromagnets 61, 65 and 69, 71 mounted about the vertical axis of the system with the axis 73, 74 of the magnets 61, 65 parallel to the axis 29, 30 of the system, and the axis 75, 76 of the magnets 69. 71 parallel to the axis 31, 32. The cores 63, 67 &c. are secured to the frame 5 and are normally held away from the magnets by springs 64 &c. When one of the electromagnets, such as 65, is excited the winding is drawn over the armature, the pair of magnets becomes unbalanced, and a torque is exerted about the horizontal. The excitation of the electromagnets is controlled by precession of the gyroscopes 1, 3, which effect the stabilization in azimuth, each of the gyroscopes being provided with a switch 78 co-operating with a contact roller 79 on a terminal 80<1>. For correcting deviations in azimuth there is provided a reversible motor 91 pivoted at 92 on the frame 83 and adapted to drive a worm wheel 93 which drives a conical wheel 94 which can be brought into frictional engagement with a wheel 95 by an electromagnet 96, the wheel 95 being fixed to the ring 89. The circuit of the motor 91 and magnet 96 is adapted to be closed by a switch operated by precession of the gyroscopes 2, 4. For effecting longitudinal and transverse stabilization of the moving body &c. there is provided a horizontal ring 117 of U-section in which engage rollers 113, 120 fixed to circular. brackets 119, 121 which are secured to the frame a. The ring 117 is mounted on pivots 125, 126 in a ring 122 pivoted at 123, 124 in the frame 83. Transverse stabilization is effected by a terminal 128 fixed to the ring 122 and carrying a contact roller 129 co-operating with a switch 127 connected by a lever 131 to a servo-motor. Longitudinal stabilization is effected by a lever 133 fixed to the trunnion 125 and operating a rod 134 connected to a lever 135, on the shaft 136 of which is a toothed sector 137 adapted to displace a grooved block 138 along its shaft 30. This block drives a sector 141 carrying a switch 144, 145 on which bears a contact roller on an arm 139 integral with an arm 142 connected to the servo-motor for longitudinal stabilization. Control in azimuth is effected by a switch 153 secured to the ring 89 and cooperating with a contact roller 154 on an arm 155 carried by the frame 83. Lubrication of the pivot bearings is effected by a drip feed oiler 147 on the frame 83 feeding through the shaft 148 at the lower end of which is a ball 149 supported by a receptacle 150 on the magnet 20, oil being discharged from this receptacle through conduits 151, 152. The ball arrests the flow of oil when the axis of the frame 83 does not coincide with that of the gyroscopic system. In the Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 (3) (a), two modified forms are described, one comprising four gyroscopes arranged in pairs as above described but with the units of a pair pivoted about parallel axes; this form is intended to provide a stabilized horizontal plane but does not effect any control in azimuth. The other form comprises only one pair of oppositely-rotating gyroscopes and is intended for defining a single horizontal line. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.