IMPROVEMENTS IN GYROSCOPIC APPARATUS FOR USE IN NAVIGATION GEODESY AND ASTRONOMY
Year: 1884

page_text: I VICTOR FALKNER of 2 Gloucester Road Southport in the County of Lancaster
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN GYROSCOPIC APPARATUS FOR USE IN NAVIGATION GEODESY
AND ASTRONOMY," to be as follows:---
$6
The invention relates to apparatus whereby points of compass, local time and
latitude, and longitude may be ascertained and is based mainly on the well known
fact that rapidly rotating discs or masses oppose resistance to movement of their
planes or axes of rotation.
The invention consists essentially in providing dises or masses with spindles at
right angles to each other on bearings so suspended or carried that the point of
suspension may move without altering the axes of rotation of the discs or masses;
and in imparting to the said discs a rapid rotary motion by means of power applied
through the axes of rotation. In practice I suspend the rapidly rotating discs or
masses within an exhausted spheroidal or suitably shaped shell in vertical and
horizontal gymbals connected to an outer shell or case. The said outer shell is
supported on a suitable standard or table. Motion is given to the discs or masses
by means of pistons cylinders and gearing actuated by fluid pressure. The said
apparatus is provided with appurtenances hereafter mentioned for the purposes
specified.
The cylinders are secured to the inner shell and the piston rods actuate toothed
or friction wheels in gear with the discs or masses so as to cause the said discs or
masses to rotate at a high velocity-Passages from the cylinders lead through the
inner shell into the space between it and the outer shell and the passage of air or
fluid to and from the cylinders is governed by valves or by causing the cylinders
to oscillate. Fluid under pressure is supplied to the space between the two shells
by means of pipes tubes or the like connected to a suitable source of power such as
a reservoir or motive power engine.
Indexes, Indicators, maps, charts and other references are provided as hereinafter
mentioned to facilitate the observations and uses specified.
When my new apparatus is used in navigating a vessel or at sea. I prefer to use
a duplication or other multiplication of the apparatus hereinbefore described fixed
to a frame or table hung in gymbals and so balanced as to relieve them as much
as possible from the vessels motion.
133
Over a compass dial and other devices (such as a moveable pointer) fixed inside
the outer shell or to the vertical gymbal, a sight glass is affixed in convenient
position for viewing latitudinal and meridianal lines, divided scales, mappings or
other devices on the surface of the inner shell.
An
To set the Instrument a portion of outer shell or cover is removed and the index
the innan hall in the plane of shouting in brought under the ninton on other

page_text: device, and held in that position until the engine has run sufficiently long to
impart the requisite velocity to rotating masses, and till the desired time (preferably
noon on the day of starting) has arrived. The axis of the inner shell passing
through its pivots or poles is at the time of setting brought parallel to the Earths
axis of rotation, and will maintain its parallelism, and rotate on its poles or pivots
wherever carried on the Earths surface as long as the masses are caused to rotate
with sufficient velocity. The position of the axis of the said inner shell will show
the points of the compass or they may be shown on a dial fixed either on the outer
shell or on the vertical gymbal: The rotation of the earth occuring once diurnally
will be indicated by meridianal lines and pointer devices on the inner shell. The
length of day indicated will be twenty four solar hours or thereabouts when the
apparatus is stationary or moving north or south, and will be shorter or longer
when the apparatus is moving East or West.
The apparatus may be so marked and set that the meridian it is on at noon will
correspond to the meridianal line marked on the inner shell, the apparatus will in
this manner indicate local time.
The latitude is constantly indicated by the angle formed by the axis of the inner
shell with the earths surface or with a vertical to it.
The longitude may be found by comparing the rate of rotation of the inner
sphere with a Chronometer.
The inner shell may have its surface coated with wax or similar substance, in
addition to the markings and mappings aforementioned. On the outer shell or
other suitable portion of apparatus, a chronometer may be fixed, to register dates
and the working of the apparatus at desired times, and such chronometer may be
connected by suitable gear to a point or marker made to impress or mark the
coating of the inner shell each day at noon or at other desired times. The
apparatus may be inaintained in a vertical position by means of a gyroscope fixed
to the carrying standard or table in such positions that its centre of gravity is in
the same point as that of the standard or table or thereabouts.
When the improved apparatus is used for Geodetical purposes, it may be
constructed either in unity in duplicate or as desired, the markings and indicating
devices, being the same as for navigating and the whole may be carried in a case
or receptacle hung in gyınbals inside another, and containing an engine or reservoir
of power or such means of driving rotating masses as are found fitted. The
apparatus may be transferred from place to place either going or at rest, when
carried in motion, it will indicate points of compass, local time, latitude and
longitude by comparison with indicating devices and chronometers after the manner
of and in a similar way to the apparatus, arranged for navigating. When transferred
at rest, and set approximately and going at any point for a sufficient time, it will
indicate points of compass and latitude, the poles or pivots of the inner shell
tending to rotate or rotating about their true axis of setting diurnally.
'
For astronomical purposes the apparatus is preferably constructed in unity, and
the vertical gymbal supported by an upright stand or pedestal driven by either
hand power or a suitable engine or source of power. It may be used to ascertain
solar time when the sun is obscured or in general, to show the rotation of the
earth, Position of the earths axis, the latitude, or it may be used to ascertain any
curvilinear motions of the Earth or solar system. The indicating devices may be
the same as for navigation or geodesy or may be altered so as to be specially
suitable,

page_text: "
I VICTOR FALKNER of 2 Gloucester Road Southport in the County of Lancaster,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN GYROSCOPIC APPARATUS FOR USE IN NAVIGATION GEODESY
AND ASTRONOMY," and in what manner, the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The invention relates to apparatus whereby points of compass local time and
latitude and longitude may be ascertained and is based mainly on the well known
fact that rapidly rotating discs or masses oppose resistance to rotary movement of
their planes or axes of rotation.
The invention consists essentially in providing discs or masses with spindles at
right or suitable angles to each other in bearings so suspended or carried that
the point of suspension may move without altering the axes of rotation of the
discs or masses and in imparting to the said discs a rapid rotary motion by means
of power applied through the axes of rotation. In practice I suspend the rapidly
rotating discs or masses within an exhausted spheroidal or suitably shaped shell
carried in vertical and horizontal gymbals connected to an outer shell or case. The
said outer shell is supported on a suitable standard or table. Motion is given to
the discs or masses by means of pistons, cylinders, and gearing actuated by fluid
pressure.
The cylinders are secured to the inner shell and the piston rods actuate toothed
or friction wheels in gear with the discs or masses.so as to cause the said discs to
rotate at a high velocity. Passages from the cylinders lead through the inner shell
into the space between it and the outer shell and the passage of air and fluid to and
from the cylinders may be governed by valves by causing the cylinders to oscillate
or as I prefer by varying the pressure of the fluid in the outer case, fixing cylinders
and using links. Fluid under varying pressure is supplied to the space between
the two shells by means of pipes, tubes or the like connected to a suitable source of
power such as a reservoir or motive power engine.
Indexes, indicators, maps, charts, and other references are provided as hereinafter
mentioned to facilitate the observations and uses specified.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figs 1 and 2 are vertical sections at right angles to each other of apparatus
under my invention, and fig 3-is a plan of the driving cylinder.
1 is the outer casing secured to the hollow pillar 2 bolted to the base plate 3,
4 is a sight glass secured to the top of the outer casing, 5 is a vertical gymbal ring
carried by the spindle 6. which passes down the hollow pillar 2, rests on the end
bearing 7 at its lower end and is supported at its upper end by the anti-friction
wheels 8. 9 is a cap attached to the top of the vertical gymbal ring 5 and provided
with guide bars 10 along which an index finger or pointer 11 is free to be moved
by the adjusting screw 12 carried by the outer casing. 13 horizontal gymbal ring

page_text: carried by anti-friction bearings on the vertical gymbal 5. 14 internal shell carried
by antifriction bearings from the horizontal gymbal 13. 15 cylinders secured to
the inner shell. 16 pistons, 17 guide rods, 18 connecting rods attached to the
ratchet cranks 19, 20 ratchet wheels secured to spindles 21 carried in bearings 22,
23 springs for retaining the pistons after being forced out. 24 ways leading from
the cylinders to the space between the outer and inner shells. 25 toothed wheels
secured to the tops of the spindles 21 and gearing with wheels 26 on shafts 27 in
bearings 28 of the frame 29 secured to the inner shell, 30 wheels on shaft 27 which
gear with pinions 31 on the shafts 32 in bearings 33, 34 toothed wheels on shaft 32
which take into the pinion 35 on the shaft 36 carried in bearings 37. On the
shaft 36 is an internal friction wheel 38 which gives motion to three friction
pulleys 39 on shafts 40 carried in bearings 41. 42 friction wheels on 40 which
gear with the pulley 43 on the main spindle 44, carried in bearings 45 and to which
is attached the disc 46 to be rotated on a vertical axis. 47 friction pulley on
main shaft which rotates in contact with the faces of the discs 48 which are carried
on horizontal spindles 49 carried in bearings 50 in the frame 29. 51 orifice in the
outer casing through which the fluid is acted on to obtain the desired fluctuations of
pressure either by a hand pump or otherwise.
It will be obvious that toothed gear may be used instead of friction gear or
vice versa and that the framework bearings spindles and other parts are made and
connected together in any usual way.
When my new apparatus is used in navigating a vessel or at sea I prefer to use
a duplication or other multiplication of the apparatus hereinbefore described fixed
to a frame or table hung in gymbals and so balanced as to relieve them as much as
possible from the vessels motion.
Over a compass dial and other devices (such as a moveable pointer) fixed inside
the outer shell or to the vertical gymbal a sight glass is affixed in convenient
position for viewing latitudinal and meridianal lines divided scales mappings or
other devices on the surface of the inner shell.
To set the instrument a portion of outer shell or cover is removed and the index
on the inner shell to the place of starting is brought under the pointer or other
device and held in that position until the engine has run sufficiently long to impart
the requisite velocity to the rotating masses and till the desired time (preferably
noon on the day of starting) has arrived. The axis of the inner shell passing
through its pivots or poles is at the time of setting brought parallel to the earths
axis of rotation and will maintain its parallelism and rotate on its poles or pivots
whenever carried on the earths surface as long as the masses are caused to rotate
with sufficient velocity. The position of the axis of the said inner shell will show
the points of the compass or they may be shown on a dial fixed either on the outer
shell or on the vertical gymbal. The rotation of the earth occuring once diurnally
will be indicated by meridianal lines and pointer devices on the inner shell. The
length of day indicated will be twenty four solar hours or thereabouts when the
apparatus is stationary or moving north or south and will be shorter or longer when
the apparatus is moving east or west.
The apparatus may be so marked and set that the meridian it is on at noon will
correspond to the meridianal line marked on the inner shell, the apparatus will in
this manner indicato local time.
The latitude is constantly indicated by the angle formed by the axis of the inner
shell with the earths surface or with a vertical to it or may be shown on a scale
attached to horizontal gymbal.
The longitude may be found by comparing the rate of rotation of the inner shell
with a chronometer.
The inner shell may have its surface coated with wax or similar substance in
addition to the markings and mappings aforementioned. On the outer shell or
other suitable portion of apparatus a chronometer may be fixed or an electrical
contact may be made with a chronometer to register dates and the working of the
apparatus at desired times and such chronometer may be connected by suitable

page_text: gear to a point or marker made to impress or mark the coating of the inner shell
each day at noon or at other desired times to form a registering automatic log. The
apparatus may be maintained for marking or permanently in a vertical position by
means of a gyroscope fixed to the carrying standard or table in such position that
its centre of gravity is in the same point as that of the standard or table or there-
abouts.
When the improved apparatus is used for geodetical purposes it may be constructed
either in unity in duplicate or as desired, the markings and indicating devices being
the same as for navigating and the whole may be carried in a case or receptacle
hung in gymbals inside another and containing an engine or reservoir of power or
such means of driving rotating masses as are found fitted. The apparatus may be
transferred from place to place either going or at rest: when carried in motion it will
indicate points of compass, local time, latitude and longitude by comparison with
indicating devices, and chronometers, after the manner of and in a similar way to
the apparatus arranged for navigating. When transferred at rest and set approxi-
mately and going at any point for a sufficient time it will indicate points of compass
and latitude, the poles or pivots of the inner shell tending to rotate or rotating about
their true axis of setting diurnally.
For astronomical purposes the apparatus is preferably constructed in unity and.
the vertical gymbal supported by an upright stand or pedestal driven by either
hand power or a suitable engine or source of power. It may be used to ascertain
solar time when the sun is obscured or in general to show the rotation of the earth,
position of the earths axis, the latitude or it may be used to ascertain any curvilinear
motions of the earth or solar system. The indicating devices may be the same as
for navigation or geodesy or may be altered so as to be specially suitable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the saine is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
First. Apparatus consisting of internal and external shells connected by gymbals ;
rotating discs or masses, and driving appliances within the internal shell substantially
as herein setforth.
Second. Apparatus in which discs or masses are caused to rotate in vacuo within
a shell by means of gearing receiving motion from pistons actuated by variable fluid
pressure substantially as setforth.
Third. Maintaining a vacuum within the inner shell of apparatus constructed
under my invention substantially as setforth.
Fourth. The combination of an outer shell, an inner shell carried on gymbals and
containing cylinder and piston mechanism, driving gear and rotating discs or masses
all working in vacuo substantially as setforth.
Fifth. In combination with inner and outer shells driving appliances and rotating
discs or masses, indicating or recording mechanism substantially as setfortb.
Sixth. The combination with apparatus under my invention of gyroscopes for
maintaining the said apparatus in position substantially as setforth.
J. T. KING,
Per J. Johnson, Agent.