IMPROVEMENTS IN GEAR FOR STEERING SHIPS AND OTHER BODIES MOVED OR PROPELLED ON WATER OR LAND
Year: 1879

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to Frederic Bradley, of Kidderminster, in the County of
Worcester, Ironfounder, and Ernest Latham, of Birkenhead, in the County of
Chester, Engineer, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN GEAR FOR
STEERING SHIPS AND OTHER BODIES MOVED OR PROPELLED ON WATER OR
LAND."
· Sealed the 26th August 1879, and dated the 8th March 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederic Bradley and Ernest
Latham at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th March
1879.
FREDERIC BRADLEY, of Kidderminster, in the County of Worcester, Iron-
founder, and ERNEST LATHAM, of Birkenhead, in the County of Chester, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN GEAR FOR STEERING SHIPS AND OTHER BODIES MOVED OR
PROPELLED ON WATER OR LAND."
Our improvements have reference to steering gear in which steam or fluid
pressure or a vacuum is employed to actuate the tiller or like appliance, and
consists of novel arrangements and combinations of mechanism, efficient in
operation, simple in construction, durable in use, silent in action, and easily main-
tained in working order.
Under the first part, we combine cylinders with the tiller or like appliance by
rigidly attaching or securing such cylinders to the said tiller or like appliance, and
we actuate the pistons or plungers contained therein by means of fluid pressure
controlled in its motion by a valve or valves operated by hand. The pistons or
plungers, when moved, give motion to the tiller or like appliance through rods or
their equivalents attached or secured to ropes, chains, or the like. The said ropes,
chains, or their equivalents pass around pulleys fixed upon the tiller or like
appliance, and are secured to the deck or otherwise.
Under the second part, we construct a valve for controlling the motion of the
fluid which actuates the pistons or plungers in the cylinders above mentioned or in
cylinders otherwise arranged with a cylindrical or conical surface, and fit such valve
within a cylindrical or conical valve chest rigidly secured to and moving with the
tiller or like appliance. A lever or other suitable means is used to give motion to
the valve.

page_text: Under the third head, we employ for controlling the motion of the fluid which
actuates the pistons or plungers in the cylinders mentioned under the above first
head, or in cylinders otherwise arranged, a valve having a cylindrical or conical
surface fitted within a stationary valve chest, and we operate such valve by means
of the following novel arrangement of mechanism. To the spindle of the said
valve is attached, either directly or by a universal joint or equivalent means, an
operating shaft free to rock or vibrate in two planes at right angles to each other.
Motion in one plane is given to the said operating shaft by hand, and motion is
given thereto in the other plane by the traversing movement of the tiller or like
appliance. The motion given to the shaft by hand causes the valve to move so as
to admit fluid under pressure to the actuating cylinders; the motion given to the
shaft by the tiller or like appliance causes the valve to shut off the fluid from the
cylinders.
Under the fourth head, we employ in combination with cylinder and steering
apparatus or appliances, arranged and actuated substantially as described under
the above first head, a valve having a cylindrical or conical surface, fitted within a
valve chest free to move with any suitable portion of the steering gear, and we
operate the said valve by means of the novel mechanism described under the above
third head.
Under the fifth head, we combine with valves and mechanism constructed as
described under the above third and fourth heads, springs for causing the said
mechanism and valves to return to a neutral or central position.
Under the sixth head, we attach one end of the rudder or steering appliance to
the body to be steered by means of a universal joint, and we operate or give
motion to the said rudder or steering appliance by gear attached to the free end
thereof.
Under the seventh head, we combine together steering gear, more especially of
the class in which the motion of a piston or plunger, or pistons or plungers, is or
are communicated directly to the tiller or like appliance, and apparatus for equalizing
the resistance of the rudder, substantially as described in the Specification to
British Letters Patent No. 880, of the year 1876, granted to James Davies.
Under the eighth head, we combine the improved valve described under the
above second head with steering apparatus or appliances constructed as set forth
under the first head or in any ordinary or well known way.
Under the ninth head, we give motion to valves for controlling the motion of
fluid under pressure actuating steering gear by combining with the said valves the
operating appliances described under the above third head.
Under the tenth head, we combine the apparatus or appliances under the above
first head with a valve or valves for controlling the motion of fluid under pressure,
such valve or valves being constructed and arranged in any ordinary or convenient
manner.
Under the eleventh head, we combine the rudder arranged as set forth under the
above sixth head with steering gear constructed and operated substantially as above
set forth, or arranged in any well known or desired manner.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent and of
an Order of the Lord Chancellor filed by the said Frederic Bradley and Ernest
Latham in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th September 1879.
..
L+f.
FREDERIC BRADLEY, of Kidderminster, in the County of Worcester, Iron-
founder, and ERNEST LATHAM, of Birkenhead, in the County of Chester, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN GEAR FOR STEERING SHIPS AND OTHER BODIES MOVED OR
PROPELLED ON WATER OR LAND."
Our improvements have reference to steering gear in which steam or fluid
pressure or vacuum is employed to actuate the tiller or like appliance, and
consists of novel arrangements and combinations of mechanism, efficient in
operation, simple in construction, durable in use, silent in action, and easily main-
tained in working order.
Under the first part, we combine cylinders with the tiller or like appliance by
rigidly attaching or securing such cylinders to the said tiller or like appliance, and
we actuate the pistons or plungers contained therein by means of fluid pressure
controlled in its motion by a valve or valves operated by hand. The pistons or
plungers, when moved, give motion to the tiller or like appliance through rods or
their equivalents attached or secured to ropes, chains, or the like. The said ropes,
chains, or their equivalents pass around pulleys fixed upon the tiller or like
appliance, and are secured to the deck or otherwise.
Under the second part, we construct a valve for controlling the motion of the
fluid which actuates the pistons or plungers in the cylinders above mentioned, or in
cylinders otherwise arranged with a cylindrical or conical surface, and fit such valve
within a cylindrical or conical valve chest rigidly secured to and moving with the
tiller or like appliance. A lever or other suitable means is used to give motion to
the valve.
Under the third part, we employ for controlling the motion of the fluid which
actuates the pistons or plungers in the cylinders mentioned under the above first
head, or in cylinders otherwise arranged, a valve having a cylindrical or conical
surface fitted within a stationary valve chest, and we operate such valve by means
of the following novel arrangement of mechanism. To the spindle of the said
valve is attached, either directly or by a universal joint or equivalent means, an
operating shaft free to rock or vibrate in two planes at right angles to each other.
Motion in one plane is given to the said operating shaft by hand, and motion is
given thereto in the other plane by the traversing movement of the tiller or like
appliance. The motion given to the shaft by hand causes the valve to move so as
to admit fluid under pressure to the actuating cylinders; the motion given to the
shaft by the tiller or like appliance causes the valve to shut off the fluid from the
cylinders.
Under the fourth part, we employ in combination with cylinders and steering
apparatus or appliances arranged and actuated substantially as described under the
above first head, a valve having a cylindrical or conical surface fitted within a
valve chest free to move with any suitable portion of the steering gear; and we
operate the said valve by means of the novel mechanism described under the above
third head.
Under the fifth part, we combine with valves and mechanism constructed as
described under the above third and fourth heads, springs for causing the said
mechanism and valves to return to a neutrál or central position.
Under the sixth' part, we attach one end of the rudder or steering appliance to
the body to be steered by means of a universal joint, and we operate or give

page_text: motion to the said rudder or steering appliance by gear attached to the free end
thereof.
Under the seventh part, we combine together steering gear, more especially of
the class in which the motion of a piston or plunger, or pistons or plungers, is or
are communicated directly to the tiller or like appliances, and apparatus for
equalizing the resistance of the rudder, substantially as described in the Specification
to British Patent, No. 880, of the year 1876, granted to James Davies.
Under the eighth part, we combine the improved valve described under the
above second head with steering apparatus or appliances constructed as set forth
under the first head, or in any ordinary or well known way.
Under the ninth part, we give motion to valves for controlling the motion of
fluid under pressure actuating steering gear by combining with the said valves the
operating appliances described under the above third head.
Under the tenth head, we combine the apparatus or appliances under the above
first head with a valve or valves for controlling the motion of fluid under pressure,
such valve or valves being constructed and arranged in any ordinary or convenient
manner.
Under the eleventh part, we combine the rudder arranged as set forth under the
above sixth head with steering gear constructed and operated substantially as above
set forth, or arranged in any well known or desired manner.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation, Fig. 2 a plan, and Fig. 3 an end view of steering gear
specially applicable for use on board ship constructed under our Invention, and
illustrative of the first, second, fourth, fifth, and eighth parts thereof.
First Part. The steam cylinders 1, 2, are rigidly bolted to the tiller 3; 4, rudder
post; 5, 6, piston rods provided at their ends with pulleys 7, 8; 9, 10, are pulleys
attached to the tiller 3; chains 11, 12, are secured to the tiller at 13, 14, pass
around the pulleys 7, 8, on the piston rod, around the pulleys 9, 10, on the tiller,
and are secured to the deck or sides of the ship. The chains instead of being
secured to the tiller and passing around pulleys on the piston rods may be attached
direct to the piston rods. It will be seen that as one piston moves out the other is
carried in, and that the position of the tiller will depend upon the position of the
pistons.
Second Part. The valve chest 13ª (seen in section in Fig. 4) is rigidly attached to
and moves with the tiller 3; within the said valve chest 13a is fitted the conical
valve 14ª, which valve receives motion from the lever 15.
Fifth Part. To the end of the lever 15 and attached to the tiller are fitted
springs 16 which serve to retain the said lever and valve in a neutral position when
the said lever is not acted upon by the chains 17 leading to the steering wheel.
The strength of the springs 16 are so adjusted that the valves will not be opened
unless the work to be done is greater than can be easily performed by the
steersman.
Eighth Part. This part of our Invention is illustrated by the combination of the
valve described under the above second part with the steering appliances set forth
under the first part.
Third Part. Figs. 5 and 6 are plan views of steering appliances illustrative of the
third part of our Invention; Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the valve chest and valve;
1, 2, cylinders; 3, tiller; 13, stationary valve chest; 14, cylindrical valve. The
spindle 18 of said valve 14 is attached by means of the universal joint 19 to the
shaft 20. The said shaft 20 is free to be moved as shown by the arrows, or to be
rocked on its axis. In practice motion on its axis is given to the shaft 20 by hand
so as to admit elastic fluid into the cylinders. The motion of the tiller carries the

page_text: said shaft in one or other of the directions shown by the arrows, so as to close the
ports and shut off the elastic fluid from the cylinders.
Fourth Part. The valve operating appliances described under the above third
head are used in combination with steering gear constructed under the above first
head, in which case it is not necessary that the valve chest should be placed above
the axis of the tiller.
Sixth and Eleventh Parts. Fig. 8 illustrates the sixth and eleventh parts of our
Invention. The rudder 21 is attached to the stern of the ship or vessel by the
universal joint 22. 23, rods or bars attached to and operated by any suitable
steering gear, or by the steering gear above described for giving motion to the free
end of the said rudder.
Seventh Part. Steering gear as above described, or any well known or desired gear,
is arranged to operate conjointly with the equalizing gear constructed and disposed
substantially as set forth in the Specification to British Letters Patent No. 880, of
the year 1876, granted to James Davies.
Ninth & Tenth Parts. Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a valve which may with
advantage be operated by the appliances set forth under the above third part for
the purpose of controlling the fluid passing into the steering cylinders, and is the
valve we prefer to use in combination with the steering appliances described under
Figs. 1.
The steering gear herein described may act directly on the tiller which gives
motion to the steering appliances; or the said gear may give motion to an arm or
its equivalent so geared or connected to the tiller that the motion of the one shall
correspond to the motion of the other. The said tiller may be attached to a rudder
or like device for directing the course of ships or navigable vessels; or it may give
motion to a wheel or suitable appliance for regulating the direction which vehicles
or other bodies moving on land shall pursue.
We prefer that the two ends of the cylinders in which elastic fluid does not act
should be filled with liquid and connected by a way or passage, the sectional area
of which is capable of constriction or enlargement by means of a cock or valve,
the object being that the speed of motion of the pistons when acted upon by elastic
fluid may be regulated, and sudden strains or jerks avoided. The position of the
cylinders with regard to the tiller may be varied to suit circumstances, and in
Figs. 1, 2, and such cylinders may be secured to the tiller either above or below,
horizontally or vertically.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed so that others will be enabled to carry our improvements
into effect, what we claim is,―
Under the first part, the combination of cylinders, tiller, and appliances, operating
substantially as set forth.
Under the second part, the construction and arrangement of valves, substantially
as set forth.
Under the third part, appliances for actuating valves, operating substantially in
the manner set-forth.
Under the fourth part, the combination of parts set-forth.
Under the fifth part, the combination of valves and their actuating mechanism
with springs, substantially as set forth.
Under the sixth part, attaching the rudder to the body to be steered and
operating the same substantially as set-forth.
Under the seventh part, the combination of parts, substantially as set-forth.
Under the eight part, the combination of valves and steering appliances,
substantially as set-forth.
Under the ninth part, the combination of valves for controlling the motion of
fluid to steering engines with actuating mechanism, substantially as set-forth.

page_text: Under the tenth part, the combination of steering appliances as set forth under
the first part with valves operating substantially as set-forth.
Under the eleventh part, the combination of parts, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederic Bradley, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
FREDERIC BRADLEY. (L.S.)