Improvements in Apparatus for Controlling Ships' Rudders.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Jan., 1887
Complete Left, 27th Oct., 1887
Complete Accepted, 28th Jan., 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Controlling Ships' Rudders.
THOMAS GEORGE STEVENS Bell Wharf Swanscombe Dartford, Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows
-
The apparatus consists of two connecting rods fastened to the rudder head by
various means leading to two disks fixed to the deck so that the movement of the
rudder causes the movement of the disks. The rudder can be controlled by means of
screw breaks applied to the two disks. By this method the rudder can be kept
perfectly still when a ship is riding at anchor which will prevent jarring and wearing
of pins. The movement of this apparatus scarcely takes any power off the rudder
or wheel.
THOMAS GEORGE STEVENS Bell Wharf Swanscombe Dartford, Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The apparatus consists of two connecting rods fastened to the rudder head by
various means leading to two disks fixed to the deck so that the movement of the
rudder causes the movement of the disks. The rudder can be controlled by means of
screw breaks applied to the two disks. By this method the rudder can be kept
perfectly still when a ship is riding at anchor which will prevent jarring and wearing
of pins. The movement of this apparatus scarcely takes any power off the rudder
or wheel.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Controlling Ships' Rudders.
I, THOMAS GEORGE STEVENS, late of Bell Wharf, Swanscombe,, now of Rectory
Cottage, Swanscombe, in the County of Kent, 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 :-
The apparatus consists of two connecting rods fastened to the rudder head by
various means leading to a disc or discs pivotted to the deck so that the movement
of the rudder gives a corresponding movement to the disc or discs. The rudder can
be controlled by means of a band lined with wood clasping the disc or discs. The
band lined with wood has two lugs with two pivot nuts through which a short shaft
passes into a right and left screw. The fixing of the rudder is caused by the move-
ment of the short shaft passing through the lug-nuts by a half revolution which may
be caused by a wrench or wheel.
By this method the rudder can be kept perfectly still when a ship is riding at anchor
which will prevent jarring and wearing of pins.
The movement of the apparatus scarcely takes any power off the rudder.
It is obvious that when the rudder head comes up through the deck of the vessel
that the same object may be attained by applying the friction band around a disc
fixed upon the rudder head itself.
The drawings hereunto annexed shew apparatus constructed as above described.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the friction mechanism applied to a disc or
wheel coupled as above described to the rudder head in such a manner that it turns
with it.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the friction mechanism applied directly to the
rudder head which in this case comes up through the deck of the vessel.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section of the friction mechanism.
Figure 4 is a vertical section taken longitudinally through the centre of the screw
spindle of this apparatus.
A is the disc or wheel and B a metallic band by which it is embraced-preferably
1 line the band with wood-C C are screw nuts-D D are metallic blocks secured
to the two ends of the band B-each block is formed with outwardly projecting
flanges which carry pivots C₁ on which the nuts C are free to turn. They may
either be pivotted to the ends of the band in the way shewn in the plan view
Figure 5 or in the plan view Figure 6-D¹ is a spindle with two screw threads
cut upon it one right handed and the other left handed. One of the screw threads
screws into one nut C and the other into the other nut-Preferably also as is shown
in the drawings I make the two screw threads on the spindle of different diameters
as is described in a Provisional Specification lodged by me No. 13271 in the year
1887 in order to allow of the parts of the apparatus being readily taken apart or put
together. The spindle is carried in a block or frame E which is fixed to the deck
of the vessel. One end of the spindle is made to project beyond the block to any
T

page_text: desired distance and any suitable attachment is secured to it to allow of the spindle
being readily turned.
Preferably I place the wheel or handle for turning the screw spindle in close
proximity to the steering wheel or mechanism used for controlling the turning of the
rudder in order that the steersman nay whenever he pleases give a partial turn to
the screw spindle and thereby more or less check the rudder or set it free.
In Figure 1 the disc or wheel A is shewn to be formed with two arms F projecting
from its opposite sides and these are coupled by rods G with corresponding arms on
the rudder head-instead of both rods G being used to turn one disc or wheel A each
rod might be coupled to and made to turn a separate disc or wheel. In most cases
however I prefer to use only a single. wheel A as shewn in the drawing.
Although in the drawings hereunto annexed I have shown only a spindle with a
right and left handed screw thread upon it for tightening the friction band around
the disc or wheel other screw mechanism might be used for the purpose as for example
one end of the band might be fixed and the other end coupled to a nut into which a
screw threaded spindle is screwed-or one or both ends of the band might be coupled
to a lever acted on by a screw spindle.
By using a friction band tightened by a screw around a disc or wheel on the rudder
head or a disc or wheel coupled thereto to turn with it the following advantages are
obtained.
1. Any desired amount of friction can be applied by the steersman to the turning
of the rudder and the rudder can be controlled at any time should the steering chains
or any part of the steering gear break down; and shifting of the 'steam gear to the
hand gear can be done with safety.
2. The rudder can be kept perfectly under control by one man in a heavy sea.
3. Wheel lashings are dispensed with.
4. The steering is made easier and not hazardous to life or limb, as it is impossible
for the wheel to overcome the steersman.
5. The apparatus is quick in its action, is durable, and is not complicated or
cumbersome.
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. In apparatus for controlling ships rudders in any position into which they may
be turned the combination of a disc or wheel on the rudder head or geared thereto
by connecting rods so as to turn with it and a friction band embracing this disc or
wheel and capable of being tightened around it by a spindle having a screw thread or
threads cut upon it substantially as described.
2.Apparatus constructed substantially as herein before described and illustrated
in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing annexed for controlling ships rudders in any position
into which they may be turned.
Dated this 02nd day of October 1987