Apparatus for Communicating from a Rotating Body, such as a Turret or Turntable, Movements Independent of that Rotation.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Aug.,
4000
Complete Specification Left, 3rd May, 1900-Accepted, 9th June, 1900
Complete Specification Left, 3rd May, 1900-Accepted, 9th June, 1900
Apparatus for Communicating from a Rotating Body, such as a Turret
or Turntable, Movements Independent of that Rotation.
We, ARTHUR TREVOR DAWSON, of Vickers Sons & Maxim. Limited, of 28,
Victoria Street, Westminster, in the County of London, Superintendent of
Ordnance Works, and JAMES HORNE, of Vickers, Sons & Maxim, Limited, of
Barrow-in-Furness, in the County of Lancaster. Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:
When the centre of motion of a rotating turret or turntable is accessible, it is
not difficult to communicate from the rotating body movements to parts which
are not themselves in rotation, these movements being the same whatever position
the rotating body assumes. But when, as is often the case on shipboard, a
hoist shaft is attached to and revolves with the turret, this shaft extending deep
down in the vessel no convenient access can be had to the centre of rotation or
to gear which could pass down through it from above.
Our invention relates to means of communicating movements in such cases
from the revolving turret to valves or other gear stationary in the vessel, these
movements being independent of and unaffected by the rotation of the turret.
It is to he understood, however, that though we describe apparatus according to
our invention especially suited to the case of a revolving turret or turntable for
guns on shipboard, such apparatus is also applicable in other cases where move-
ments have to be communicated from a rotating body which shall be independent
of the rotation.
Taking, by way of example the case of a turret or turntable on shipboard having
a hoist shaft extending down from it and revolving with it, we combine indicat-
ing apparatus on the turret with means of communicating independent motion
from it, that is to say, we fix at a convenient level below the turret floor a
horizontal circular rack having internal teeth with which gears a pinion fixed
on a vertical spindle within the wall of the hoist shaft, so that as the turret and
hoist shaft revolve, the pinion is made to revolve as it travels along the rack,
and the spindle works an indicator on the turret shewing its position relatively
to the fore and aft line of the vessel. On the same spindle with the pinion is
another equal pinion gearing with another equal rack which, however, is not
fixed but can move round in its own plane, being preferably carried on rollers. As the
second pinion is free to rotate, it has no effect in turning the second rack when it
revolves with the turret, but when it is made to turn more or less round upon its
spindle so that it has a certain amount of rotation independent of that which it would
have in merely running round the rack, then it necessarily imparts movement to the
rack, and that movement, which can be communicated to valve or other gear,
is the same whatever be the position to which the turret may be turned, because
it is entirely due to the independent rotation communicated to the second pinion.
This rotation may be communicated in various ways, for instance a sleeve con-
nected to the pinion may be slid along inclines on the spindle, or the pinion may
itself be caused to slide along inclines of the spindle, it being in this case made of
sufficient depth to remain always in gear with the second rack.

page_text: According to a modified arrangement applicable in cases where the turret
cannot make a complete revolution, a bracket projecting from the hoist shaft
carries a bearing for a horizontal rocking spindle, this bearing being capable
of turning on a vertical axis. The spindle is journalled in another bearing
provided in a stationary part of the vessel, this bearing being also capable of rotation
on a vertical axis and such that the spindle can slide through it. On the end
of the rocking spindle next the hoist shaft is fixed an arm which, by a rod
worked from above the floor of the turret, this rod passing up through the vertical
axis of the bearing, is moved causing the spindle to rock. At the farther bearing
of the spindle there is mounted a corresponding lever arm fitted on the spindle
with a key and groove so that it must turn with the spindle while the spindle
can slide through it. This lever arm is mounted between checks which prevent
it from moving with the spindle, but according as the spindle is rocked by the
oscillation of the lever arm next the hoist shaft, so is this other lever arm caused
to oscillate correspondingly. As the hoist shaft, rotates between limiting stops,
so the spindle sweeps round with it, sliding lengthwise as the bracket on the
hoist shaft travels round in its circular path.
f
Where it is of importance to economise space, the rocking spindle may be
made in telescopically sliding parts.
Dated this 21st day of August 1899.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.
Apparatus for Communicating from a Rotating Body, such as a Turret
or Turntable, Movements Independent of that Rotation.
We, ARTHUR TREVOR DAWSox, of Vickers Sons & Maxim, Limited, of 28,
Victoria Street, Westminster, in the County of London, Superintendent of
Ordnance Works, and JAMES HORNE, of Vickers, Sons & Maxim, Limited, of
Barrow-in-Furness, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to he
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:
-
When the centre of motion of a rotating turret or turntable is accessible, it is
not difficult to communicate from the rotating body movements to parts which
are not themselves in rotation, these movements being the same whatever position
the rotating body assumes. But, when, as is often the case on shipboard, a
hoist shaft is attached to and revolves with the turret, this shaft extending deep
clown in the vessel no convenient access can be had to the centre of rotation or
to gear which could pass down through it from above.
Our invention relates to means of communicating movements in such cases
from the revolving turret to valves or other gear stationary in the vessel, these
movements being independent of and unaffected by the rotation of the turret.
It is to be understood, however, that though we describe apparatus according to
our invention especially suited to the case of a revolving turret or turntable for
guns on shipboard, such apparatus is also applicable in other cases where move-
ments have to be communicated from a rotating body which shall be independent
of the rotation.
Taking first the case of a turret or turntable on shipboard having a hoist shaft
extending down from it and revolving with it, we combine indicating apparatus
on the turret with means on communicating from it independent motion to parts

page_text: on the stationary structure of the vessel as we shall describe referring to Fig. 1
which is an elevation, Fig. 2 which is a plan and Fig. 3 which is a part section of
so much of the turret and apparatus as is necessary for explanation of the inven-
tion.
In cases where the turret can make only a part of a revolution, we employ
modified apparatus of which Fig. 4 and Fig. 4 together form a side elevation,
Fig. 5 is a plan, Figs. 6 and 7 are sections on the lines 6-6 and 7-7 respectively
of Fig. 4.
Referring first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the indicating shaft a on the turret is
connected by gearing to a vertical shaft 6 on which is a pinion c gearing with a
stationary circular rack d, so that as the turret revolves proportional movement is
transmitted to the indicating shaft a. Below the stationary rack d there is
another circular rack e supported on rollers f so that it is free to revolve con-
centrically with the turret. A pinion g free on the shaft b gears with this rack.
Through slots in this pinion pass arms h projecting up from a sleeve i which is
fitted to slide on inclined keys on the shaft b. From the arm j of a rocking
shaft on the turret, motion can be communicated through rods and levers as
shewn, to the sleeve i, raising or lowering it as the case may be and so causing
it and the pinion g to turn partly round independently of any rotation of the
shaft b. So long as the sleeve i remains in a fixed position on the shaft b, how-
ever much the turret may revolve, the pinion g rotates along with the pinion c
while both revolve with the turret along the racks d and e, no motion is imparted
to the rack e; but when by moving the sleeve i, the pinion g receives an inde-
pendent partial rotation, it moves the rack e, and this movement is communicated
by links and levers 7 to pull and push rods m connected to the parts that have to
be moved.
Referring now to Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive, n is a tubular rocking shaft having a
square sliding shaft within it. It can revolve in bosses p and q on arms which
can turn on vertical axes the one in a bearing in a bracket r projecting from
the turret, the other in a stationary bearing s. Centrally through these bearings
are fitted to slide vertical rods and which are connected through levers v
and to arms and y, the one fixed on the square inner shaft, the other y
keyed on the shaft n. The rod t being moved up or down by a lever z worked
from the turret, the shaft n is caused to rock, and communicates the movement
oft to the rod u, which is adjustably connected to a lever 1 having a bevil segment
gearing with a like segment on an upright shaft 2 on which is fixed an arm 3
having jointed to it the pull and push rods 4 and 5.
When the turret is turned partly round so that its bracket is in such a
position as that indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 5, the shaft n through which
the square shaft slides telescopically has to take the oblique position indicated by
the dotted lines joining the centres of the vertical bearings in r and s, but the
shaft is not thus rocked in its own axis and therefore it communicates no motion
to the rods 4 and 5 unless it he rocked by the movement of the lever 2.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is: -
1. In combination with a turret or like revolving body, a vertical shaft mounted
thereon and carrying two pinions the one fixed on the shaft and gearing with
a stationary circular rack, the other gearing with a moveable rack and capable
of being turned partly round on the shaft by a sleeve sliding on inclined keys,
this sleeve being connected to an operating lever on the turret, and the moveable
rack being connected by a lever and pull and push rods to objects to be moved
independently of the rotation of the turret, substantially as described with
reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
2. In combination with a turret or the like capable of only partial revolution,
a horizontal rock shaft fitted to rock in bearings which can turn on vertical axes,

page_text: the one in a bearing in a bracket projecting from the turret, the other in a
stationary bearing, the said shaft having arms connected to rods passing through
the centres of the vertical bearings, so that on the one rod being moved from the
turret, the shaft is rocked, and the other rod thus moved gives motion by pull
and push rods to objects to be moved independently of the rotation of the turret, 5
substantially as described with reference to Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.