Patent GB-436579-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to automatic course control devices for aircraft, marine vessels or vehicles
IPC: G01C19/00
Filed: 1934-01-08
Abstract: 436,579. Controlling aircraft automatically. SIEMENS & HALSKE AKT.- GES., Siemensstadt, Berlin. Jan. 8, 1934, No. 686. Void [Abridged as open to inspection under Sect. 91 of the Acts, July 9, 1934]. [Class 4] In automatic course control devices for aircraft, ships, or vehicles, a gyroscope 2 is mounted in a gimbal ring articulated by trunnions 3, 3<1> in a frame 1. By means of a remote control comprising a flexible cable 4, worm 5, and worm-wheel 5<1>, the gyroscope 2 of the gimbal ring are adjusted to the desired course. During this adjustment the gyroscope is clamped with its axis horizontal and is released when the desired movement has been effected, and a contact arm 6 on the trunnion 3<1> is maintained central between contacts 7 and 8. Thus if any divergence from the set course takes place the arm 6 engages one or other of the contacts 7 and 8 to close a circuit and switch in a motor 9 which through a rod 10 adjusts the rudder R to maintain the desired course. A clutch 4<1> facilitates disconnection of the remote control. Drift is corrected by maintaining a telescope 11 focused on the point towards which the vessel is being steered, consequent movement of the telescope moves a contact 12 over a contact path 13 which causes an auxiliary motor 14 to supplementarily adjust the gimbal ring and the gyroscope through worm gears 15, 5, 5<1> and in consequence causes the motor 9 to adjust the rudder. Small movements of the vessel about the stabilized course are transmitted to the telescope 11 by means of a motor 18 connected to a contact device 16, 17 operated from the rod 10 and which through worm gearing adjusts the contact device 13. In a modification, the telescope is replaced by a wireless direction finding frame 22 adjustable through a worm drive and a flexible cable 24 from a knob 25; an indicator 26, 25<1> showing the movement of the coil. On the spindle of the frame 22 a transmitter system is arranged and this includes induction windings in which there is no induction when the course determined by the frame agrees with the set course. Any adjustment of the frame however due to deviation from the course causes the motor 14 to be actuated through an amplifying device 20. A receiving device 27, connected to the transmitting device of the direction finder, indicates to the pilot the divergence of the direction finding course from the actual course being followed. The divergence may be determined by. direction finding from outside the vessel and the motor 14 may be dispensed with in which case the direction finding apparatus is directly connected through conductors 31 with the motor 9. The pilot may adjust the rudder in accordance with the correction indicated. The direction finding apparatus may control the automatic steering device as the sole direction indicator in which case other devices, e.g. a turn indicator measuring the angular velocity of the vessel may provide determinative steering values. The altitude of an aircraft may be controlled in a similar manner by a wind velocity meter.