An Improvement in Rudders and Steering Gear for Torpedo Steamers.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1891
Complete Specification Left 23rd May, 1891-Accepted, 18th July, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in Rudders and Steering Gear for Torpedo
Steamers.
I, GERHARD SCHUTTE Jr. of Gerard Don Straat, 204, Amsterdam, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the construction and mounting of the rudder of a
torpedo steamer in such a manner as to avoid injury to it when going astern, and
to the gear for moving the rudder either on deck or from the steering room.
The rudder, instead of being hinged in the usual way to a stern post, so that it
can only turn about a quarter round in either direction, is, according to this
invention, made with an axis, mounted in bearings above and below the blade of
the rudder, so that this blade can turn quite round, and can, when the vessel is
going astern, be turned so as to present its edge in front of its axis. The lower
bearing for the rudder axis is formed in a strong bracket projecting astern from
the dead wood under the propeller, and the upper bearing is preferably a double
one formed in a bracket projecting astern under the deck. On the rudder axis is
fixed a grooved chain wheel from which an endless chain extends to the steering
room where it is passed several times round a pair of parallel grooved barrels, one
of which is worked by a steering wheel, the other having its axis mounted in
adjustable bearings so that it can be moved to take up slack of the chain. A tiller
lever is fitted loose on the rudder axis and is provided with a spring catch by
which it is engaged with the rudder axis when it is desired to steer on deck.
Dated this 9th day of March 1891.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in Rudders and Steering Gear for Torpedo
Steamers.
I, GERHARD SCHUTTE Jr. of Gerard Don Straat, 204, Amsterdam, 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 :-
This invention relates to the construction and mounting of the rudder of a
torpedo steamer in such a manner as to avoid injury to it when going astern, and
to the gear for moving the rudder either on deck or from the steering room.
The rudder instead of being hinged in the usual way to a stern post so that it
can only turn about a quarter round in either direction, is, according to this
invention, made with an axis, mounted in bearings above and below the blade of
the rudder, so that this blade can turn quite round, and can, when the vessel is
going astern, be turned so as to present its edge in front of its axis. The lower
bearing for the rudder axis is formed in a strong bracket projecting astern from
the dead wood under the propeller, and the upper bearing is preferably a double
one formed in a bracket projecting astern under the deck. On the rudder axis is
fixed a grooved chain wheel from which an endless chain extends to the steering
room where it is passed several times round a pair of parallel grooved barrels, one
of which is worked by a steering wheel, the other having its axis mounted in
adjustable bearings so that it can be moved to take up slack of the chain.
tiller lever is fitted loose on the rudder axis and is provided with a spring catch by
which it is engaged with the rudder axis when it is desired to steer on deck.
A

page_text: Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings is a side view of the stern part of a
torpedo steamer, and a part longitudinal section of the steering hold of which
Fig. 2 is a transverse section, Fig. 3 is a part elevation and Fig. 4 a part plan to
an enlarged scale shewing the mounting and working of the rudder.
The rudder A has its axis carried in a lower bearing B formed in a strong
bracket projecting under the propeller, and in a double upper bearing C, so that it
can be turned quite round, and can thus be directed with its edge forward, as
indicated by the dotted lines a, when the vessel is moving astern. The grooved
wheel D, which is fixed on the rudder axis is connected by chains which are led by
guide pullies to the steering hold and are there passed several times round the pair
of grooved barrels E. One of these is turned by the steering wheel F, the other
barrel is preferably mounted in sliding bearings so that it can be moved to tighten
the chain when required. The tiller lever G can turn loose on the axis of the
rudder but it is provided with a spring catch H which, when the lever is taken hold
of for steering, engages in a notch within the periphery of the wheel D, so that the
rudder can be turned by it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
Mounting the rudder of a torpedo steamer with its axis pivotted in bearings
above and below its blade so that its blade can be turned quite round, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 23rd day of May 1891.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.