Patent GB-191027871-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Apparatus for Maintaining the Equilibrium of and for Steering Aerial or other Vehicles.
Inventor: SPARMANN EDMUND
IPC: B64C1/00
Filed: 1910-11-30
Granted: 1911-11-30
Abstract: 27,871. Sparmann, E. Nov. 30. Gyroscopic apparatus.-Aerial machines, torpedoes, and the like are balanced by gyroscopic apparatus which directly controls, through cords or the like, the balancing member of the machine. Separate gyroscopes are provided for longitudinal and lateral stability, and the machine can be adjusted manually relatively to the plane of the gyroscopes, the resulting precessional movement turning the steering-members to assist in inclining the machine in the desired direction. Means are provided to counteract any adverse influence on one set of balancing members while the other set is being adjusted. The invention is described as applied to an aeroplane in which the planes T<1>, T<2>, Fig. 1, are warped for lateral balance and the elevator H is adjusted for longitudinal balance. The elevator H is connected by cords 3 to arms a of a gyroscope A, rotated in the direction of the arrow and pivoted on an axle 1. When the machine tilts longitudinally, the gyroscope precesses about the axis 1 and operates the elevator to restore equilibrium. The gyroscope B for controlling lateral balance is mounted on an axis 5 and connected by cords 6 to the tips of the main planes. When the machine is adjusted relatively to the plane of rotation of the gyroscope A for changing the normal longitudinal inclination of the machine, the gyroscope B remains in its position in space and the distance between the gyroscope axis b and the points on the machine around which the cables 6 are passed increases or diminishes and so would actuate the lateral balancing - planes. This involuntary actuation of the lateral stability members when the longitudinal inclination is adjusted, and the corresponding actuation of the longitudinal stability members when the lateral tilt is adjusted, are prevented (1) by substituting coupled gyroscopes rotating in opposite sense about parallel axes for the single gyroscopic wheel; (2) by providing for a movement of the controlling - lever of the balancing-devices equal to the relative movement between the gyroscope and the machine. (1) Fig. 12 shows gyroscopes A<1>, A<2> mounted on parallel axes 1, 2 and coupled by links g so that they can precess only in opposite senses. When the machine tilts forwards in the direction of the arrow 4, the gyroscopes precess oppositely and actuate the elevator H to restore equilibrium. When the machine tilts sideways, the gyroscopes, not being able to retain their position in space due to the links g, follow the lateral tilt of the machine. The opposing precessional thrusts on the axes 1, 2 are taken up by the supporting-frame. (2) A gyroscope B, Figs. 2 and 3, for lateral stability is rotated by a motor M in a frame 15 pivoted at 16 in a ring 17 carried on trunnions 18. The depending part of the frame 15 carries rollers R engaging with a yoke 19 secured to trunnions 5. The gyroscope A for preserving longitudinal equilibrium is similarly mounted in a frame 9 pivoted at 10 in a ring 11 carried by trunnions 12, the rollers R engaging with a yoke 13 carried by trunnions 1. The trunnions 12, 18 are provided with mechanism for adjusting the normal inclination of the machine longitudinally and laterally comprising nuts 21, 27 slidable on pins 22, 28 in guides in the frame 24 and engaging with steep-threaded screws 20, 27<1> on the trunnions 12, 18. A nut 26, slidable on a squared part 5<1> of the trunnion 5, moves axially with the nut 21 but is free to rotate independently of it. The nut 26 engages a screw 25<1>. secured to an arm 25,. which is loose on the trunnion 5 and connected to the lateral balancing members. A similar nut 29, slidable on a squared part of the trunnion 1, is rotatably mounted in a frame having guide projections 31 and engages a screw 14<1> carried by an arm 14 freely rotatable on the trunnion 1 and connected to the longitudinal balancing members. The nuts 27, 29 are interconnected so as to move together axially. The threads of the screws and nuts are of so steep a pitch that the screws cannot be rotated in the nuts by forces applied to the screws. In operation, when the machine tilts longitudinally, the precessional. movement of the gyroscope A about the trunnions 10 is communicated by the rollers R to the yoke 13 which rocks the trunnion 1. The trunnion rotates with the nut and screws 29, 14' and moves the arm 14 to adjust the elevator to restore the balance. The gyroscope B operates similarly to preserve lateral balance. When it is desired to adjust the longitudinal inclination of the machine for rising or falling, the nut 21 is moved axially on its guide projections 22. The gyroscope A prevents the rotation of the trunnions 12, so that the frame 24 and the machine moves around the trunnions 12 as the nut 21 is moved axially. The reaction on the trunnions 12 is carried by the pivots 10 and the gyroscope precesses about them to adjust the elevator in such a manner as to increase the rotational movement of the machine. The relative movement between the gyroscope B and the frame 24 adversely affects the lateral balancing members secured to the arm 25, and to counteract this movement the axial movement of the nut 21 produces a corresponding movement of the nut 26 which slides on the squared portions 5<1> of the trunnion 5 and rotates the screw 25<1> and arm 25 in the same direction as the machine has tilted. The nut 27 is similarly moved axially when it is desired to effect a change in lateral equilibrium, and the connexion between the nuts 27 and 29 ensures that the longitudinal equilibrium is unaffected thereby. The shafts 1, 2, 5 may be locked when the gyroscopic effects are not required. The self-locking screw bolt having so steep a pitch that a rotary force exerted on the bolt is unable to move the nut axially may be used with other types of automatic stability devices.