Patent GB-191209479-A (GB)
Title: Improvement in Balancing Device for Flying Machines and the like.
Inventor: CONVERSE NEWTON BOOTH
IPC: B64C1/00
Filed: 1912-04-22
Granted: 1912-11-14
Abstract: 9479. Converse, N. B. April 27, 1911, [Convention date]. Balancing automatically. The lateral balancing-planes of a flying-machine are automatically operated by a continuously rotating shaft which is connected to the operating-mechanism of the planes by an electro-magnetic clutch, the circuit of which is closed by a mercury-switch when the machine tilts laterally. The movement of the driven shaft to operate the planes also serves to withdraw the contact pin from the mercury so that a step by step adjustment of the planes is effected. The planes at the two sides of the machine are so interconnected that the pressures on them are always equalized. The electric current is supplied by a generator 22, Fig. 3, driven by a pair of wind-actuated propellers and the rotor of the generator is geared to rotate two shafts 36 carrying the electromagnets 31. The energizing-coils 35, Fig. 12, are connected by wires 40 passing through the hollow shaft 36 to collector rings 42 which engage with spring-supported brushes 44 connected to wires 110, 111, Fig. 7, leading from the opposite poles of the generator. The wire 110 passes through a mercury switch 87 which breaks the circuit of the electro - magnet when the machine is in an horizontal position. The armature 46, Fig. 12, of the electro-magnet is slidably keyed to a shaft 47 and is normally pressed by a spring 48 away from a friction ring 59 of fibre secured to the casing 34 of the electro-magnet. The friction ring 59 prevents the armature from contacting with the magnet when it is energized and is made of fibre to prevent the armature from being held by residual magnetism. The shafts 47 carry a drum 66 around which is wound a cord 67 connected to the sheave of a pulley 103, Fig. 1, around which is passed a cord 104 connected to the upper one of a pair of balancing-planes on one side of the machine and to the lower plane of the pair on the other side. The outer end of the shafts 47, Fig. 1, is formed with a worm 68 gearing with a worm-wheel 69 mounted on a shaft 70 carrying a cam 74, Fig. 9, adapted to raise and lower a spindle 81 carrying the contact pin 83 of the mercury - switch. The switch comprises a tube 87 containing mercury and having a cusp 120 to prevent oscillations of the mercury. A tube 88 connects the upright ends of the tube 87 and contains oil or water with oil floating on the top so as to prevent air from dissolving in the water. In operation, when the machine tilts the mercury rises in one of the arms of the tube 87 and contacts with the pin 83 thereby closing the circuit of one of the electro-magnets which attracts its armature and connects the shaft 47 to the continuously rotating shaft 36. The shaft 47 winds up the cord 67 to actuate the planes for restoring equilibrium. The rotation of the shaft 47 also operates through the worm gear and cam 74 to raise the contact pin 83 whereby the circuit of the electro-magnet is broken and the pressure on the balancing-planes operates to bring them back to their inoperative position.