Steadying the Rudders of Ships. IMPROVED RUDDER BRAKE OR APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING OR STEADYING
Year: 1885

page_text: Steadying the Rudders of Ships.
We, GAVIN M°COLL of Hawthorn Road Bootle in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer and WILLIAM BRUCE CUMMING of Oriel Road Bootle aforesaid Engineer
do hereby declare the nature of our said invention for AN IMPROVED RUDDER
BRAKE OR APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING OR STEADYING THE RUDDERS OF SHIPS
to be as follows:-
The invention is designed to prevent accidents to rudders in the event of the
steering gear becoming disabled; or during heavy racing caused by the non-
immersion of the propeller, to prevent that loose vibration which is the prime
cause of so many accidents to rudders during heavy weather, or what ultimately
develops into a disablement during good weather.
The apparatus consists of one or more cylinders, each fitted with a piston and
supplied or filled with liquid or fluid which passes through communicating pipes
from one end of the cylinder to the other end, or to the end of another cylinder,
the piston rods being attached to the rudder circle quadrant or bar.
In carrying out the invention and applying it to the rudders of ships or vessels,
one or more cylinders may be used according to the size of the rudder and the
resistance it offers in its passage through the water; as a result of our present
experiments however, we prefer to use two cylinders and the further description
will refer to an apparatus so fitted. These cylinders which are of small diameter
are so placed in relation to the perpendicular axis of the rudder and in a plane at
right angles thereto, that the piston rods may be connected to the bar, quadrant or
circle on the rudder head to which the steering chains are attached. As the circle
or quadrant is moved by the steering chains, the pistons are moved to and fro in
their cylinders, the travel of the piston in one being equal to the travel of the
piston in the other though in opposite direction. The corresponding ends of the
two cylinders are connected together by means of a small pipe or tube and through
it a communication is established between the two cylinders through which the
liquid or fluid passes from one to the other. The cylinders may be fixed or
oscillating, in the former case the pipes connecting the two may be led across from
one to the other without any special fittings or fixtures. In the case of oscillating
cylinders, we prefer to pivot the cylinders at one end, the other end resting on a
slide on which it is free to move to and fro as required by the movements of the

page_text: piston rod. The pipes from each end of the cylinder are led down to a swivel
joint on the axis on which the cylinder oscillates, a transverse pipe connecting the
two sets together. In order to compensate for any variation in the relative travel
of the two pistons consequent upon the movement of the cylinder, one or more air
vessels are placed on the transverse pipes, any undue increase of pressure com-
pressing the air in the vessel. On these pipes are also placed valves or cocks
whereby the communication between the cylinders can be controlled and the
resistance or velocity of the flow of the liquid regulated or stopped altogether.
We place a tank or reservoir in connection with the pipes to hold a supply of
liquid to make up for any leakage or loss. The connection with this tank should
be fitted with valves to prevent the return of the liquid to it. A force pump is
fitted to the tank in communication with the pipes or cylinders by means of which
the liquid can be forced in to the required degree of pressure.
When the apparatus is in operation, the fluid or liquid, preferably oil is forced
into the cylinders, and communicating pipes until a considerable pressure is
established in them. The movement of the rudder causes the pistons to move to
and fro in their cylinders forcing the liquid through the connecting pipes from one
cylinder to the other; the resistance in the flow of the oil being regulated so as to
be sufficient to prevent vibrations in the rudder consequent upon the motion of the
ship without materially increasing. the power necessary to move the rudder when
required. Should it become necessary through accident or other cause to brake the
rudder, or hold it stationary in any given position, the valves through which the
liquid passes are closed and the passage of the liquid stopped, thus any further
movement of the rudder is prevented until the valves are again opened.
Although one form in which the invention can be carried out is herein described,
it will be evident to engineers that one cylinder with communication between the
top and bottom may be used, or a greater number than two may be used coupled
together in pairs, or merely with communication between one end and the other,
also that the cylinders could be fixed to oscillate on central trunnions, the pipes
being attached with flexible joints, but we prefer the arrangement described.
Dated this 1st der of Anona 188K

page_text: Steadying the Rudders of Ships.
We, GAVIN MCCOLL of Hawthorn Road, Bootle, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer, and WILLIAM BRUCE CUMMING of Oriel Road Bootle aforesaid, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The invention is designed to prevent accidents to rudders in the event of the steering
gear or chains becoming disabled or breaking or during heavy racing caused by
the non-immersion of the propeller, to prevent that loose vibration which is the
prime cause of so many accidents to rudders during heavy weather, or what
ultimately develops into a disablement during good weather.
The apparatus consists essentially of one or more cylinders each fitted with a
piston and supplied or filled with liquid or fluid which passes through communi-
cation pipes or passages from one end of the cylinder to the other end or to the end
of another cylinder, the piston rods or connecting rods being attached to the rudder
circle, quadrant or bar.
In carrying out the invention and applying it to the rudders of ships or vessels,
one or more cylinders may be used according to the size of the rudder and the
weight or force of water acting upon it at present however, we prefer to use two
cylinders though it will be understood that the invention is not limited to that
number.
The invention will be best described by aid of the accompanying drawings, in
which:
Figures 1 and 2 are plan and sectional elevation respectively, of rudder circle
fitted with the invention when double cylinders are employed.
Figures 3 and 4 plan and sectional elevation respectively, of rudder circle fitted
with invention when a single cylinder is employed.
Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, A are cylinders of small diameter placed in a
plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the rudder or so that the piston
rods B may be connected to the bar, quadrant, or circle C, on the rudder head to
which the steering chains are attached (indicated in dotted lines d Figure 1). The
circle or quadrant on the rudder head will be of any ordinary construction, but pro-
vided with means, by which to connect or attach to it the piston rods B of the
cylinders A. The arms c may be forged with a swell on each to receive a pin b or
a cap or connecting piece may be bolted to each to carry the pin b. The connection
between the pin and the piston rod B may then be made in the manner shown.
D represents the position of the steam steering gear and the dotted lines & the
rudder or steering chains. The ends of the cylinder at each side of the piston are
connected or communicate the one with the other by means of a pipe. E, so that as
the piston is moved to and fro, the fluid at one side is forced through the port in
the cylinder into the pipe E and through it to the space on the other side of the
piston. F is a valve on the pipe E to regulate the resistance on the fluid as it
passes and the velocity of its flow. G is a supplementary tank to hold a supply of

page_text: the liquid with which the cylinders are filled. The tank G connects with the
cylinders through the pipe g, the liquid entering through a passage in the trunnions
upon which the cylinder oscillates. His a steam pipe the liquid being forced from
the supplementary tank G into the cylinder under pressure. When steam is not
to be had a small force pump will be fitted. The two cylinders are connected by
the pipe I through their respective trunnions, the pipe opening into the pipe E
which connects the back and front of the cylinders so that as the pistons move to
and fro a portion of the liquid flows from one cylinder to the other, as well as from
end to end of each cylinder. This is necessary when the cylinders are constructed
with the piston rod in one end only as the end through which the piston rod passes
will have a less space for the liquid, equivalent to the space occupied by the piston
rod. The connecting pipe I will not be required where a piston rod passing
through the piston and both ends of the cylinder is employed, or the difference
may be compensated for in other ways by the use of air vessels or the like.
Another slight difference in space is occasioned as the angular position of the
piston rod alters with the oscillation of the cylinder. To compensate for this one,
two, or more small air chambers J are placed on the cylinder or pipe.
We prefer to use oscillating cylinders in the manner shown, but if preferred, the
cylinders may be pivoted at one end, the other end resting on a slide on which it
is free to move to and fro as required by the movements of the piston rod. In this
case the pipes from each end of the cylinder would be led down to a swivel joint
on the axis on which the cylinder oscillates, a transverse pipe connecting the two
sets togther, or the cylinders may be fixed and the pipes connecting the two led
across from one to the other without any special fittings or fixtures.
In addition to the valves or stop cocks on the pipe E, valves may also be placed
on the connecting pipe J, but we do not consider this will be found necessary.
Where from want of space or other reason a single cylinder is required, or found
more convenient, we would prefer to arrange it in position over the rudder
circle C as shown in Figures 3 and 4. In describing these Figures similar
letters of reference will be used to describe parts which correspond with parts in
Figures 1 and 2.
A is the cylinder fixed firmly to a framework A¹ placed over or across the rudder
circle C. B is the piston rod projecting from each end of the cylinder A. The two
ends of the cylinder are connected as already described by means of a pipe or
passage E provided with stop cock or valve F. G is the supplementary tank or
reservoir for the liquid. g the pipe connecting it with the cylinder. H the steam
pipe for forcing the liquid under pressure into the cylinder. J¹ pipes or openings
through which the cylinder is filled with the liquid before the pressure is applied
through the supplementary tank G. K is a connecting rod, preferably made of
cast steel, which connects the arm of the rudder circle C with the piston rod B.
The connecting rod is mounted in a bearing L on one arm of the circle in which it
is free to turn for a required distance in either direction and also to slide in the
direction of the longitudinal parts of the arm. The connecting rod K. moves in a
longitudinal direction through fixed slides or bearings M. The ends of K are
turned up to engage with the piston rod B, the ends of which are clamped thereto,
by means of a cap k screwed to the connecting rod end The movement of the
rudder circle carries the connecting rod to right or left, the sliding and swivelling
motion in the bearing L allowing of its maintaining a position in the slides M
parallel to the piston rod B.
When the apparatus is in operation, the fluid or liquid, preferably oil, (glycerine
or other non-freezable liquid may be used instead of oil in cold climates) is run
into the cylinder A and communicating pipes E and I through the pipes J and J¹
until they are filled, and then the pressure of steam through the tank G, or a force
pump is brought to bear until a considerable pressure is established in them. The
movement of the rudder circle C to which the piston rods B are connected causes
the piston in each cylinder to move to and fro forcing the liquid through the
connecting pipes from one end to the other of the cylinder, or from one cylinder to

page_text: the other. The resistance to the flow of the oil through the pipes E or I is
regulated by the valve F, so as to be sufficient to prevent vibrations in the rudder
consequent upon the motion of the ship without materially increasing the power
necessary to move the rudder when required. Should it become necessary through
accident or other cause to brake the rudder, or hold it stationary in any given
position, the valves E through which the liquid passes are closed, and the passage
of the liquid stopped, thus any further movement of the rudder is prevented until
the valves are again opened. Instead of the passage through which the liquid
flows from one end of the cylinder to the other end, a passage may be made
through the piston. This would be covered by a valve fitted to a valve rod carried
through the cylinder covers at each end. The valve rod would be made to pass
through the valve so that by turning the rod the valve may be caused to open or
close the passage-a flat valve moving about the axis of the valve rod would be a
suitable form. The piston may be made in two parts bolted together with the
passage cut through both parts and the valve placed in a recess cut out in the centre
of the piston, or other suitable arrangement could be designed.
It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact form of
apparatus herein described, as it will be evident to engineers that a greater
number of cylinders attached to the rudder circle singly, or coupled together in
pairs may be used.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we wish it to be
understood that we make no claim for transmitting the motion of the steering
wheel to the rudder by means of an incompressible liquid, as we believe that such
has been tried, but that what we claim is:―
1st. A brake or apparatus for controlling or steadying the rudders of ships,
consisting of one or more cylinders filled with liquid having a piston therein, the
rod of which is connected to the rudder bar, quadrant or circle, and receives a
reciprocating motion therefrom, the liquid in the cylinder passing through a
narrow passage from one end to the other of the cylinders or from one cylinder to
the other at each stroke of the piston, substantially as described.
2nd. The use with a rudder brake or controlling apparatus of a cylinder
containing liquid, having a passage connecting the two ends and fitted with a
regulating valve through which the liquid passes at each stroke of the piston and
one or more air chambers to compensate for any inequality in the pressure in the
cylinder, substantially as described.
3rd. The combination with the cylinders and pistons of rudder_controlling or
brake apparatus of the tank G, the passages-E and I and the valves F, substantially
as and for the purposes described.
4th. The arrangement and construction of apparatus for braking and controlling
the rudders of ships, where one cylinder only is used, substantially as described
and shown in Figures 3 and 4.
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