Patent GB-190704839-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Ships' Steering Apparatus.
Inventor: LIVINGSTON THOMAS LINTON
Filed: 1907-02-28
Granted: 1908-02-27
Abstract: 4839. Livingston. T. L. Feb. 28. Steering - gear. - Relates to steering- gears of the kind described in Specification No. 10,921, A.D.1898, [Abridgment Class Ships &c., Div. I.], in which two driving- means are provided for operating the rudder, both of which are always in gear and may be brought into operation either separately o r simultaneously. The modifications comprise means whereby the stop-nut on one motor is actuated by operating the other motor, in such a manner that the travelling stop-nuts in connexion with each motor always correspond with each other and the angle to which the rudder is moved. The pedestal used in connexion with this form of apparatus is fitted with a hollow control shaft 1, Fig.l, through which passes a solid shaft 3, having the upper end screwed and fitted with a nut 5. The circumference of the nut 5 is fitted with recesses for the reception of blocks which project through slots in the tubular extension of the shaft 1. Rotation of either of the shafts 1, 3 causes vertical movement of the nut 5. A projecting pin on the nut engages a sloping slot in the cylinder 13, which is free to rotate on the shaft 3. A pointer 10 is attached to the cylinder 13 and indicates the relative movement of the shaft 1 and the shaft 3, and the angular position of the rudder. The travelling stop-nut 27, Fig. 4, is provided with gear teeth, engaging with similar teeth on a pinion 29 fitted to slide on the parallel shaft 23. Links 34, held in place by collars 35, retain the nut and spur wheel constantly in gear. Rotation of the shaft 23 causes a corresponding movement of the nut 27. The solid shaft 3 of the pedestal and the grooved shaft 23 of one motor is actuated by the control shaft of the other motor, thus enabling the stationary motor to be brought into use at any angle of the rudder. The control shaft 1 on the starboard pedestal operates the shaft 40, Fig. 8, through the bevel-gears 37, 39, and the shaft 47 is similarly operated by the port pedestal. One control shaft 40 or 47 is locked when steam is admitted to the motor of the other. When steering by hand, both shafts are locked. When steam is admitted to the starboard engine, the control shaft 47 is lock ed and the shaft 40 released. Rotary motion of the shaft 1 causes the pointer 10 to be turned in one direction, and a similar movement of the pointer on the port pedestal is effected by gearing similar to the gearing 86 ; the nut 27 and the wheel 29 are also moved, the shaft 23 being held stationary. A similar movement of the nut on the port engine is effected by means of the spur wheel 87, 88 which rotates the screwed shaft 46<a> moving the toothed nut 65<a> and carrying with it the rack 63<a>. Rotation of the nut 65<a> is prevented by a pinion fixed on the shaft 64, which is only operated from the hand steering-gear. The rack 63<a> operates a train of wheels, the last one of which rotates the vertical grooved shaft of the port engine and, through this shaft, the stop-nut. A similar action takes place when the port pedestal is operated. The hand steering-gear is connected with the stopnuts by the shafts 69, 64, and sets them simultaneously in a position corresponding to the angle of the rudder. Modified forms of pedestals are described in which both hand and steam power may be used. In these forms, special buffer stops are described which prevent undue strain on the stopnut mechanism when the hand power is used. Specifications No. 14,639, A.D. 1902, [Abridgment Class Weaving &c.], and No. 11,639, A.D. 1907, are referred to.