Patent GB-148296-A (GB)
Title: Auxiliary steering gear for aircraft
IPC: B64C13/00
Filed: 1920-07-09
Abstract: 148,296. Flettner A. Oct. 29, 1917, [Convcntion date]. Steering and balancing.-In aircraft steering- apparatus having small auxiliary planes for assisting the adjustment of steering-planes, means are provided whereby the steering-planes may be adjusted directly, either by the pilot or gyroscopic stabilizing-apparatus, if the auxiliary plane should prove ineffective. Fig. 1 shows an auxiliary plane a carried by arms b on the steering-plane c and adjusted by cables d<1>, d<2>, f<1>, f<2> and a lever e. If the air pressure on the plane a fails to produce the desired adjustment of the plane b, the lever e comes against one or other of stops h<1>, h<2>, so that the pilot may adjust the plane b directly. Fig. 2 shows another form in which the stop is constituted, by a quadrant g connected to the auxiliary plane a and co-acting with a stop-piece i, which is mounted on the lever l of the steering plane and is maintained in position by a rod B. In a further modification, a second auxiliary plane is provided on arms attached to the first plane a and carries the stop-quadrant g; or, in another form, the plane a is carried in front of the steering-plane, and the quadrant g engages projections on the lever l. Fig. 4 shows a further form in which the control wires are connected, to a lever A which actuates a lever B<1> on the arm l, the lever B<1> co-acting with stops h<1>, h<2>, and being connected to a second auxiliary plane a<1>. Springs C, D are interposed between the lever A and the arm l. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 (3) (a) comprises also the following subject-matter:-Fig. 1 (Cancelled) refers to a form in which the auxiliary plane carried by the arm B is actuated by means of toothed segments, one of which is formed on a lever A actuated by the pilot &c. The stops X, Y are provided on the arm B to co-act with the lever A. Fig. 8 (Cancelled) shows an auxiliary or balancing plane a which varies in size as it is adjusted about its pivot. In the case of wing-flaps, the auxiliary planes may be provided at the front edge of the main planes. Fig 7 (Cancelled) shows two arms carrying auxiliary planes a, a' and attached to the steering plane; in the case of the wing-flaps of a biplane, the upper flap may carry an auxiliary plane underneath, and the lower flap may carry one above. Fig. 9 (Cancelled) shows cables and segments for actuating an auxiliary plane a. A second auxiliary plane with segment may be placed to the rear of the larger actuating-segment, the two smaller segments being connected by crossed cables, so that, while they act in the same direction on the steering-plane, they counteract each other as to their effect on the machine when struck by squalls, Rods and levers may replace the segments and cables. Fig. 12 (Cancelled) shows two auxiliary planes a, a' arranged alongside each other and carried bv arms connected to move in opposite directions, so that they also counteract each other in squalls. The auxiliary planes may be surrounded bv planes forming an air channel open at front and rear to further protect from squalls. The steering and auxiliary planes may, as regards their weight, be counterbalanced by springs. The ordinary steering- wheels used for actuating, for example, the wing- flaps, may be retained, the auxiliary planes being actuated by a smaller wheel on the same axis. The two steering-cables leading to the auxiliary plane may be introduced through the hollow axis of the steering-plane from the same side of the axis. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.