Improvements in Apparatus for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Nov., 1895-Accepted, 14th Dec., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
I, ULRICH PRUSSE, of 28 Neue Taschenstrasse, Breslau, Lieutenant (retired), 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:
Although the frequent recurrence of catastrophes arising from collisions of vessels
has served to continually stimulate anew the endeavours to find a suitable means
for preventing these terrible calamities, no one has hitherto succeeded in con-
structing an arrangement which would fulfil this purpose in a perfectly sure and
reliable manner. Hence captains were obliged to trust to the watchfulness of
the human mind. which unfortunately is but too easily disturbed by external
influences, so that in the moment of danger the requisite safety measures will fail to be
taken at the right moment. Considering the alarming speed with which accidents
happen, any delay, even if but involving the loss of a few seconds only, may prove
fatal, while by a timely stoppage, or alteration of the course steered, the vessels might
almost invariably be saved. It therefore appears absolutely imperative that this
function should be no longer left to a human agency which may prove unequal to
such emergencies, but to an automatic arrangement, not susceptible to external
influences of whatever kind. The purpose of the present invention is to ensure this
object, by means of a jib fixed to the stem of the vessel and which is connected
with an electric motor acting upon and turning the rudder, so that, as the jib
touches against any obstruction, a dynamo connected with the electromotor aforesaid
will be set to work, thus sending a current through the coils of the electromotor, and
thereby causing the rudder to be shifted. The result of this arrangement is an
exceedingly rapid alteration, effected quite automatically, of the course steered by the
vessel, which will thereby avoid the danger at a sufficiently early moment, even under
the most critical circumstances. The effect of this safety arrangement may be further
enhanced by connecting with the aforesaid dynamo, a second electro motor which will
reverse the ship's engine, thereby reducing the speed of the vessel, and thus gaining
time for the vessel to obey the helm.
The annexed drawing. illustrates the general arrangement of the new safety
appliance, in one form of execution.
Fig. 1. shows the jib in section.
Fig. 2. is a ground plan to Fig. 1.
Fig. 3. represents the connection of the jib with the arrangement for turning the
helm.
Figs. 4 & 5 elucidate the alteration of the vessel's course through the action of the
safety appliance when set to work.
Figs. 6 & 7 illustrate a further improvement introduced in this safety appliance.
The jib, consists of several telescoping tubular sections a, b, c, and is pivoted on a
pin k. fixed to a frame-work fastened to the stem of the vessel. The stays, or struts, n.
serve as supports, and rest on the bracket or support 6. It appears expedient to have
the jib thus hinged or pivoted; so that it may be hoisted to an upright position, when-
ever (as for instance in calm and bright weather) there appears to be no need of the
safety appliance in order to secure the vessel against collision. In this event, the
telescoping parts of the jib are folded up and hoisted by means of a winch so as to
occupy a vertical position on the stein of the vessel, thus taking up little space on
board, and offering no obstruction whatever in manoeuvreing the vessel and the like.

page_text: Part c. of the jib (that is the extreme section) has télescoped into it a pull-out rod d,
which may be conveniently fitted, at its foremost end, with a rubber pad e.
C
From the dynamo A. fitted up on board, a connecting wire leads to the jib, which
by means of a pin / inserted between two copper plates m. is brought into circuit. The
sections a, b, and c of the jib itself are made of conducting material, but part c is
insulated at g so that the circuit is broken at this point. However, by means of the
contact springs, a contact may be made by pushing back the rod d. which has at its
bindmost end a conducting projection p. In this case the circuit will be closed, the
current passing from through y and back to the dynamo. Rod d. is fitted with a
wedge-like catch h, by means of which, on being pushed back, it is held fast in this
position by the spring, so that the contact at 9 cannot again be broken of its own
accord.
By means of the circuit, r, the dynamo A. is connected with the electro-motor D.
which, as soon as the first mentioned circuit is closed at 9, will cause the helm to
turn. In order to accelerate the alteration of the course, another electro-motor B.
may be inserted in the circuit a, e, for the purpose of reversing the ship's engine.
The winch serving for hoisting up the jib when not in use may be conveniently
coupled with an electro-motor C. connected by a circuit with the dynamo A. so
that the jib may be hoisted up automatically as soon as the circuit x, y, z is closed.
In this event the pin is gradually withdrawn from between the copper plates m, so
that eventually the circuit is broken automatically. This of course will not occur
until after the electro-motor D. has acted sufficiently long to alter the course of
the vessel. The alteration of the course takes place in the manner shown in Figs. 4
and 6.
Section of the jib may also be fitted, if required, with lateral branches carrying
obliquely-placed rods d, with rubber pads e¹, 2, and by means of which the
circuit, y, z, will also be closed, in the event of a lateral impact. These lateral rods
may be preferably connected with the motor D. in such a way as to cause the helm
to be turned to the side opposite to that on which the rod, struck by the obstacle, is
placed.
The circuit x, y, z, may further be fitted with an alarm inserted therein, and by
which the attention of the crew may be attracted without delay.
With the aid of the arrangement just described we may also ensure that two vessels
approaching each other (both being fitted with this new arrangement) may both be
acted upon simultaneously, by providing the vessels thus fitted with a circuit-wire r
surrounding the hull, and which is joined to the circuit x, y, z. (compare Figs. 6 & 7).
Now as soon as the extremity of the safety appliance of one vessel touches wirer of
the other vessel, both vessels will be brought into circuit with each other, the circuit
being completed by the sea water acting as a return-conductor. Hence the circuit
leading to dynamo A¹ of the second vessel will likewise be closed, thus causing the
course steered by this vessel, also, to be altered. If desired, the electric connection
thus established between the two vessels might be utilised for transmitting
telephonic or telegraphic messages between the vessels. In order to ensure in all
cases an electric contact between the safety appliance of one vessel and wire r of
the other vessel, rod d may be fitted with a vertical contact stud s.
In the event of a simultaneous alteration of the course of both vessels when
approaching each other, the risk of a collision appears totally precluded, but even
if one vessel only is fitted with the safety appliance, the change of course of the
vessel brought into contact ensues so quickly, as to obviate a collision even when
steaming at the highest speed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed,. I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A safety arrangement for ships, for the prevention of collisions, consisting of a
jib (a. b. c) with contact rod (d), fitted to the stem of the vessel and connected by a
circuit-wire with an electro-motor (D), which serves to turn the helm and is con-
nected with a dynamo (A) erected on board, the circuit of the said electro-motor (D)
1

page_text: being broken owing to an insulated place (9) on the jib, but being closed as soon
as the contact-rod is pushed back, through impact against any obstacle, whereby the
electro-motor (D) is inade to turn the helm of the vessel.
2. In the safety arrangement characterised under (1) for vessels, the arrangement
of a circuit wire (r), connected with the dynamo (A) and the electro-motor (D), and
which is fitted to the hull of the vessel, for the purpose of establishing an electric
connection between two vessels approaching each other, as soon as the contact-rod of
one collides with the hull of the other, the sea water completing the circuit, and
for the purpose of thus effecting a simultaneous shifting of the helms of both
vessels.
3. In the safety appliance characterised under (1) for vessels, the insertion, in the
circuit (x. y. z), of an electro-motor (O) working a winch for hoisting up the jib, for
the purpose of effecting an automatic hoisting up of the jib (a. b. c.) after the safety
appliance has been duly set to work.
Dated this 5th day of November 1895.
J. E. EVANS-JACKSON & Co.,.
Agents for the Applicant.