Patent GB-146712-A (GB)
Title: Stabilizing mechanism
IPC: B64C17/00
Filed: 1919-06-25
Abstract: 146,712. Gibson, C. W. June 25, 1919. Torpedoes, locomotive.-Relates to automatic lateral and longitudinal balancing-devices mainly for aircraft, but also for torpedoes, and consists in the provision of an electric control system having a gravity switch and a gravity inertia switch so arranged that, if the gravity switch is closed by tilting, the balancing mechanism is operated, but, if the gravity switch is closed owing to the inertia of the movable portions of the switch, the gravity inertia switch automatically opens the circuit and prevents the balancing mechanism from operating. Means are also provided for direct hand control. or for control by a hand switch through the electric circuits with the automatic switches cut out of circuit. The automatic switches comprise masses of mercury P, Q. contained in channels in a circular support S freely mounted on the axle z, the channel R for the gravity switch being annular, and that of the gravity inertia switch comprising an annular portion T with horizontal and vertical branches U, W, connected by inclined ways V. The support S is adjustably connected to a plate also freely mounted on the axle z and formed with a part circular rack Z, gearing with a pinion Y and on the drum C loosely mounted on the axle hand carrying the cable D operating the lateral balancing members. The drum C may be clutched by electro-magnetic means operated by the automatic switches to either of two rotating disks F, G which are driven in opposite directions by belts f, g and pulleys d, e, or by gearing, from a motor a. The gravity switch P is provided with constantly immersed electrodes 22, 23 and a pair of electrodes 16, 17 slightly above the mercury level on each side of the switch, each electrode 16, 17 being in circuit with the gravity inertia switch, which is normally closed, and with one of the electric magnets H, I and the electric generator M. When the machine tilts, one of the electrodes 16, 17 makes contact and the corresponding electro-magnet H, I is energized, thereby clutching the drum C to one of the rotating disks F, G. The clutch, Fig. 7, comprises fingers i carried by the drum C, and a hooked lever J pivoted on each disk F, G, and having an integral arm k connected by toggles l, m, to the disk, the joint of the toggles being linked to an armature K sliding on guides o on the disk and bearing against the core of the electro-magnet, the armature being held in its inoperative position by a spring p. A second sliding armature q may be linked to the armature K to increase its efficiency. The gravity inertia switch has two normally immersed electrodes 14, 15, near the axle z and in communication with electrodes 19, 18 respectively; just above the mercury at the outer edges of the switch. If the gravity switch P is closed on account of inertia due for example to lateral shock, the inertia of .the mercury in the switch Q will cause one of the electrodes 14, 15 to break contact, thereby preventing the stabilizing mechanism from being set in operation. The electrodes 19, 18 ensure that the inertia switch remains closed even when the machine tilts to such an extent that the contact is broken at 14, or 15. A second pair of electrodes 20, 21 higher above the mercury level of the gravity switch P than 16, 17 ensures the circuits being eventually closed if the normally closed gravity inertia switch is for any reason out of action. A hand-lever N pivoted at w is provided with contacts y for throwing the automatic switches in or out of circuit, and carries projections x engaging under a double-acting handswitch L, Figs. 6 and 9, when the automatic switches are in circuit. When the automatic switches are thrown out of circuit these projections x are withdrawn and the machine may be controlled by the hand-switch through the electric relay mechanism. A hand-lever 49 and two pivoted levers 50, 54 are carried by the switch support S, either of the levers 50, 54 being arranged to open a switch X. The lever 50 provided with a dog 52 engaging a rack 51 on the plate carrying the rack Z so that the relative positions of the switch support and rack plates may be adjusted to enable the machine to progress at any desired tilt or inclination. If the switch X is opened by the lever 54, the balancing members may be operated by hand by means of the lever 49. Longitudinal balancing devices are controlled by similar apparatus. The movement of the balancing-devices is limited by including in the circuits adjustable contacts 6, 11 engaging with contact plates 7, 12 carried by the support S, so that excessive movement of the support breaks the circuits.