Improvements in Artificial Horizons for Observation Purposes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Sept., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 19th June, 1894-Accepted, 4th Aug., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Artificial Horizons for Observation Purposes.
A communication from abroad by JOSHUA NICKERSON ROWE and Charles
EUGENE CRANE, Engineers, both of Seattle, King's County, Washington,
United States of America.
I, PHILIP MIDDLETON JUSTICE of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
Middlesex, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to artificial horizons and sea levels and it has for its object
to provide means whereby an artificial horizon can be produced and maintained
which shall preserve its horizontal relations, regardless of the position in which it
is used, so that even when used on ships and other places where the base is liable
to be moved at various inclinations, the artificial horizon will still maintain its
proper position for observation.
In carrying out this invention use is made of the gyroscopic principle which is
applied to the horizon, so that the instrument may be termed a gyroscopic artificial
horizon, and it embodies the feature of construction and arrangement having the
mode of operation substantially as hereinafter more particularly pointed out.
Referring to the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 is a vertical section showing an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2 is a horizontal transverse section showing one means of operating the
device.
It is well known that in taking astronomical, nautical, or other observations, such
for instance as firing guns at sea, it is often desirable and necessary to make use of
what is termed an artificial horizon, and heretofore it has been common to use a pan
or dish of mercury, the surface of which forms the artificial horizon, and while this
is effective in many instances, especially where it can be placed on
a .solid
foundation so as not to be subject to jars, jolts, or other disturbances, in many
places it is impracticable to use the device with accuracy, and especially on ship-
board or other moving bodies which would produce a jar and cause a disturbance of
the surface, or cause an inclination of the plane of the surface. It is with the view
of providing a device which can be used under all conditions, and especially on
ship-board that this improved gyroscopic artificial horizon is made. In carrying
out the invention use is made of a reflector which is preferably in the form of a
circular plate having a reflecting upper surface, and this surface may be of glass,
metal, or other material, which will preserve a uniform, plane, reflecting surface
under all conditions. This reflector is arranged and mounted so that a rapid rotary
motion may be imparted to it by suitable mechanism, and then it can be so
supported that when the driving mechanism is detached from the plate, the plate
will continue to rotate and maintain its proper horizontal plane, regardless of the
position or inclination of the supporting device, depending upon. the well known
gyroscopic principle.
Thus in the drawings there is shown the plate A carrying the reflecting surface a
as being provided with a cone B, on its under side, and arranged to normally rest
upon and fit the exterior of the male cone C, so that when the parts are in position
the disc will be rotated by friction, and while this is the preferred construction it is
evident that other means of connecting the parts may be substituted, it being only

page_text: necessary to provide means which shall be capable of imparting a rapid rotary
motion to the disc, and to be easily separated therefrom, so that the disc can
continue its rotation in the proper plane.
In order to furnish a support for the disc a spindle D is shown preferably of
hardened metal, passing through the hollow shaft C₁ of the male cone, and having
a pointed end d, and this is arranged to fit in on the underside of the disc which is
preferably hollow or recessed as at a³, the curve of the recess being larger than the
curve point of the spindle so as to permit the spindle to be inclined with relation
to the disc without affecting the plane of rotation of the latter. This spindle is
provided with some suitable means whereby it may be raised and lowered at the
proper time, and a convenient device is shown in the form of a lever E pivoted in
the frame as at E', and having a handle E'.
Some suitable mechanism must be provided by which a rapid rotary motion may
be imparted to the disc through the medium of the cones or connecting devices, and
while various mechanisms may be used, there is shown what has been found to be
an exceedingly simple and practical device. Thus the shaft C' of the male cone is
provided with a pinion G, and meshing with this pinion is a gear wheel G¹ mounted
on a suitable stud or bearing S, and connected with the gear wheel G' is a
pinion G³, and this in turn meshes with the large gear wheel G³ mounted on a
suitable stud or bearing St. Connected to this gear wheel G³ is a roller G, and to
this roller is attached one end of a strap or chain H, the other end of which is
shown as attached to the forward end of the lever I which is pivoted at I¹ on
the frame, and is provided with a handle 12. The inner end of this lever is
preferably of segmental shape as shown, although of course it is not necessary to so
construct it.
It will be seen that when the handle I' is moved to the position shown in dotted
lines, the strap H will cause the wheel G to be rotated, and this through the
multiplying gear will transmit a rapid rotary motion to the male cone C, and this
through its friction with the female cone will cause the disc to rotate at a high rate
of speed. In order that the parts may operate easily the gears are preferably
mounted on their shafts with interposed ball or other frictional bearings. As soon.
as the disc attains the proper speed by varying the handle E2, the disc is operated
by the spindle D, and is supported on its end, and continues to rotate and operate
as a gyroscope to maintain its horizontal plane, regardless of the inclination of the
frame and its operating mechanism, and the proper observations can readily be
made.
The whole device can be mounted on a suitable frame J which may be made of
any suitable material, form or shape, and is provided with an inclined roof I
preferably of transparent material to protect the disc or reflector from wind, dust,
and other elements, and permit its ready and convenient use, and the top J¹ may be
removable by being hinged or otherwise formed.
It will thus be seen that a substantial gyroscopic artificial horizon is provided
which may be used on vessels or other moving bodies, and which will maintain a
proper horizontal position regardless of the movements of the ship, and the whole
is simple, and cheap of construction, and effective in operation.
While there has been described and illustrated what is considered to be the best
embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that it is not limited to the
precise features of construction and arrangement shown, as it is evident that the
details could be varied by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit
of the invention.
Dated the 27th dow of Santomhar 1202

page_text: Improvements in Artificial Horizons for Observation Purposes.
A communication from abroad by JOSHUA NICKERSON ROWE and CHARLES
EUGENE CRANE, Engineers, both of Seattle, King's County, Washington,
United States of America.
I, PHILIP MIDDLETON JUSTICE of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents, 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 artificial horizons, and it has for its object to provide
means whereby an artificial horizon can be produced and maintained which shall
preserve its horizontal relations, regardless of the position in which it is used, so
that even when used on ships and other places where the base is liable to be moved
at various inclinations, the artificial horizon will still maintain its proper position
for observation. In carrying out the invention use is made of the gyroscopic
principle which is applied to the horizon so that the instrument may be termed the
gyroscopic artificial horizon, and it embodies the feature of construction and
arrangement having the mode of operation substantially as hereinafter more
particularly pointed out.
Referring to the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a vertical section showing an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2 is a horizontal transverse section showing one means of operating the
device.
Fig. 3 is a detail showing a modification.
It is well known that in taking astronomical, nautical or other observations, such
for instance as firing guns at sea, it is often desirable and necessary to make use of
what is termed au artificial horizon, and heretofore it has been common to use a pan
or dish of mercury, the surface of which forms the artificial horizon, aud while this
is effective in many instances, especially where it can be placed on a solid
foundation so as not to be subject to jars, jolts or other disturbances, in many
places it is impracticable to use the device with accuracy and especially on ship-
board or other moving bodies which would produce a jar and cause a disturbance
of the surface, or cause an inclination of the plane of the surface. It is with the
view of providing a device which can be used under all conditions, and especially
on ship-board that this improved gyroscopic artificial horizon is made.
In carrying out the invention use is made of a reflector which is preferably in
the form of a circular plate having a reflecting upper surface, and this surface may
be of glass, metal, or other material which will preserve a uniform plane, reflecting
surface under all conditions. This reflector is arranged and mounted so that a
rapid rotary motion may be imparted to it by suitable mechanism, and then it can
be so supported that when the driving mechanism is detached from the plate, the
plate will continue to rotate and maintain its proper horizontal plane regardless of
the position or inclination of the supporting device, depending upon the well known
gyroscopic principle.
Thus, in the drawings there is shown the plate A carrying the reflecting
surface a, as being provided with a cone B on its under side, and arranged to
normally rest upon and fit the exterior of the male cone C, so that when the parts
are in position the disc will be rotated by friction, and while this is the preferred
construction it is evident that other means of connecting the parts may be
substituted, it being only necessary to provide means which shall be capable of
imparting a rapid rotary motion to the disc, and to be easily separated therefrom
so that the disc can continue its rotation in the proper plane.

page_text: In order to furnish a support for the disc a spindle D is shown, preferably of
hardened metal, passing through the hollow shaft C¹ of the male cone, and having
a pointed end d, and this is arranged to fit in on the underside of the disc which is
preferably hollow or recessed as at a³, the curve of the recess being larger than the
curve point of the spindle so as to permit the spindle to be inclined with relation
to the disc without affecting the plane of rotation of the latter. This spindle is
provided with some suitable means whereby it may be raised and lowered at the
proper time, and a convenient device is shown in the form of a lever E pivoted in
the frame as at El, and having a handle E'.
Some suitable mechanism must be provided by which a rapid rotary motion may
be imparted to the dise through the medium of the cones or connecting devices, and
while various mechanism may be used there is shown what has been found to be an
exceedingly simple and practical device. Thus the shaft C' of the male cone is
provided with a pinion G, and meshing with this pinion is a gear wheel G¹ mounted
on a suitable stud or bearing S, and connected with the gear wheel G¹ is a
pinion G2, and this in turn meshes with the large gear wheel G³ mounted on a
suitable stud or bearing S'. Connected to this gear wheel G³ is a roller G', and
to this roller is attached one end of a strap or chain H, the other end of which is
shown as attached to the forward end of the lever I, which is pivoted at 1' on the
frame, and is provided with a handle I. The inner end of this lever is
preferably of segmental shape as shown, although of course it is not necessary to
80 construct it.
It will be seen that when the handle I' is moved to the position shown in dotted
lines the strap H will cause the wheel G to be rotated, and this through the
multiplying gear will transmit a rapid rotary motion to the male cone C, and this
through its friction with the female cone will cause the disc to rotate at a high rate
of speed, and in order that the parts may operate easily the gears are preferably
mounted on their shafts with interposed ball or other frictional bearings. As soon
as the disc attains the proper speed by varying the handle E the disc is operated
by the spindle D and is supported on its end and continues to rotate and operate
as a gyroscope to maintain its horizontal plane regardless of the inclination of the
frame and its operating mechanism, and the proper observations can readily be
made. The whole device can be mounted on a suitable frame J which may
be made of any suitable material, form or shape, and is provided with an inclined
rocf I, preferably of transparent material to protect the disc or reflector from
wind, dust, and other elements, and permit its ready and convenient use, and the
top J¹ may be removable by being hinged or otherwise formed.
In Fig. 3 there is shown a modified form in which the hollow shaft C' is provided
with a male cone having a recess in its central portion, and the spindle D is
provided with a crescent-shaped extension d', while the plate A has a downward
extension d2 embracing the extension d' and operating to prevent the plate flying
off when rapidly revolved.
It will thus be seen that a substantial gyroscope artificial horizon is provided
which may be used on vessels or other moving bodies, and which will maintain a
proper horizontal position regardless of the movements of the ship, and the whole
is simple and cheap of construction, and effective in operation.
While there has been described and illustrated what is considered to be the best
embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that it is not limited to the
precise features of construction and arrangement shown, as it is evident that the
details could be varied by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit
of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me from abroad by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A gyroscopic artificial horizon comprising a reflector, means for imparting

page_text: rotation thereto, and means for supporting it in its rotating position, substantially
as described.
2. A gyroscopic artificial horizon, comprising a reflecting disc, mechanism for
so imparting rotation to the disc, a support centrally arranged with relation to the
rotating mechanism, but independent thereof, and means for raising the central
support and disc, so that the latter may continue its rotation while supported,.
substantially as described.
3. A gyroscopic artificial horizon comprising a reflecting disc, a driving
mechanism, frictional connection between the disc and driving mechanism, a.
support centrally arranged with relation to the driving mechanism and independent
thereof, and adapted to raise the reflecting disc from the frictional contact with:
the concentric driving mechanism and support the disc in its rotating position,
substantially as described.
4. A gyroscopic artificial horizon comprising a reflecting disc, having a cone:
projecting from, its underside, a driving mechanism, a cone connected to said
mechanism and adapted to engage the cone on the disc, and means for separating
the cones, substantially as described.
5. A gyroscopic artificial horizon comprising a reflecting disc, a driving
mechanism, cones connecting the disc and driving mechanism, and a spindle for
elevating the disc mounted in the hollow shaft of the driving mechanism,.
substantially as described.
6. The combination with the rotating reflecting disc, of a multiplying gear and
means for driving the same, connections between the gear and the disc whereby
the latter is rotated, and a spindle adapted to engage the underside of the disc and.
disconnect it from the driving gear, substantially as described.
7. The combination with the reflecting disc having a cone on its under surface
and a central recess, of a multiplying gear connected to a male cone, a spindle.
passing through the shaft of the male cone, and having a pointed end, and means.
for raising the spindle to elevate the disc, substantially as described.
8. The combination with the rotating reflecting disc, of means for rotating the
disc, a supporting device for the rotating disc, and an inclined roof above the disc,.
substantially as described.
10 1
CT
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