A Geostat or Instrument or Apparatus for Indicating Time or Position, and for Indicating and Maintaining Direction.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Jan., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 11th Oct., 1889-Accepted, 16th Nov., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Geostat or Instrument or Apparatus for Indicating Time or
Position, and for Indicating and Maintaining Direction.
I, EDMUND HUNT, of 87 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain,, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be as
follows, that is to say :-
My said Invention has for its object the construction of a geostat or instrument
which in consequence of a central part of it being kept without angular motion, or
approximately so, can be used for indicating time or position, the instrument or
apparatus or part thereof being also usable for indicating and maintaining direction.
In carrying out iny Invention I employ three gyroscopes the wheels of which
are kept continuously rotating by means of compressed air, or of electric currents,
or of toothed or frictional gearing. Each gyroscope wheel bas its axle pivoted in
diametrically opposite sides of a ring which is mounted in the centre frame of the
instrument, so that it can turn about an axis in its plane and at right angles to
the axle of the wheel. The three rings immediately carrying the wheels and which
are hereinafter termed wheel rings, are carried in the centre frame with their axes at
right angles to each other. If a cube is imagined with a diagonal coincident with
the axis of the centre frame then the three axes of the wheel rings will be coincident
with or parallel to three edges of the cube equidistantly situated around the
diagonal. The wheel rings may also be carried in other ways with their axes at
right angles to each other. The centre frame is pivoted so that it can turn about
its axis in a first large ring which by pivots at right angles to those of the centre
frame is connected to a second largo ring. The second large ring may be pivoted
to a third, the third to. a fourth, and in some cases the fourth to a fifth, the last
being pivoted to a fixed ring or stand. In a modification already constructed a
segment comprising a little more than a half ring is substituted for the second large
ring and is intended to maintain as nearly as possible a vertical position. The half
ring as it may be termed is placed with its pivot bearings for carrying the first large
ring at the ends of a horizontal diameter, and at its bottom it has attached to it
a rod or tube which extends downwards and has an adjustable counterweight on it.
At the neck or part where the half ring joins the rod or tube a roller bearing is
arranged so as to allow the half ring to rotate freely about a vertical axis. The
lower part of the roller bearing hereinafter termed the inner bearing ring is pivoted
to. an outer bearing ring and the latter is pivoted to the stand. By this modification
parts corresponding to three rings of a size large enough to encircle all the inner rings
and parts, are rendered comparatively small and convenient; and when compressed
air is used its transmission to the wheels is much facilitated.
The compressed air when used is led by means of a flexible pipe to the tube
carrying the counterweight and fixed to the half ring. This half ring; the first large
ring, the centre frame, and the wheel rings are made hollow; and at the several
pivots provision is made for preventing leakage of air with the least possible friction.
In most cases an inner tube fixed to one part has a long but easy bearing in an outer
tube fixed to the other part, and a lubricant is applied between the surfaces of such
viscosity as not to be blown out by the internal air pressure. Care is taken that all strains
due to air pressure are as equally balanced as possible, thus the air enters each wheel
ring at diametrically opposite points, and is led from the ring to the wheels on
opposite sides, through tubes surrounding the axles. Each wheel is by preference of
a form having a circumferential spherical zone and concave conical rides or faces.
Disks are fixed to each side of a wheel so as to enclose spaces into which the com-
pressed air is led and the air issues from reaction jet orifices near the circumference.
D .

page_text: Each tube for leading in the air from the wheel ring passes through a central hole in
the wheel disk without touching and a small disk is fixed on the inner end of the tube
so that there is a thin space between it and the wheel disk. When the wheel rotates
centrifugal action affects the film of air between the disks and prevents leakage of
uir. In this way there is nothing to resist the rotation of the wheel but the friction
of the axle pivots and the air.
I prefer to enclose each wheel in a pair of hemispherical shells fixed to the wheel
ring, and made by preference of glass in order that the air jets may not act irregularly
on the wheel rings or other parts, but may have a uniform sinooth surface to come
in contact with; and also in order that the final discharge of the air may be in
definite directions. The discharge outlets for the air are placed at the outside of the
wheel ring at the positions of the axle pivot bearings, there being at each position two
outlets facing opposite ways in the plane of the wheel ring and at right angles to the
axle. When any wheel ring is in its normal position air can escape by both outlets
at each place; but if any disturbing force takes effect on the instrument in a manner
tending through the gyroscopic action to turn any wheel ring about its. axis, then.
such turning of the wheel ring puts one of each pair of outlets under cover of a fence
fixed to the centre frame; and there ensues a reactionary pressure on the fence which
tends to counteract the disturbing force and to restore the wheel ring to its normal
position. Special jets of compressed air may he arranged to act on the fences instead
of or in addition to the air which has acted on the wheels. Or when the wheel rings
turn on their axes they may in doing so effect electrical contacts arranged to cause
electro-magnets to act so as to restore the wheel-rings to their normal-positions.
.
T
When using electricity to actuate the gyroscope wheels they may be made like any
suitable known kind of electro-motor, care being taken to counterbalance or neutralise
any strains unsuitably affecting the wheel rings or other parts; and similar precautions
must be adopted if toothed or frictional gearing is employed.
With three gyroscope wheels arranged as described not only should any external
disturbing force be counteracted but also any internal disturbing force duo to friction
of pivots or other causes.
Assuming it to be possible to construct and adjust the instrument so that it will
act as intended, then if the centre frame is placed with its axis parallel to the earth's
axis it should retain that position with approximate accuracy, but without rotating
like the earth, and, as the parts carrying the instrument rotate with the earth, an
index fixed to the stand will indicate time by the apparent relative motion of the
centre frame
For navigational and travelling purposes the centre frame will be enclosed in a
spherical shell made externally like a terrestrial globe, or in a skeleton shell made
with wires in the positions of latitude and longitude lines, and this shell will, by
suitable clockwork (which may be driven by a portion of the compressed air) be
turned round the centre frame at the rate of once every 24 hours. With this arrange-
ment the topmost point of the shell or globe will always (if the parts have been
properly adjusted at starting) correspond with the actual position of the instrument
on the earth, wherever the instrument may be carried to; and a pointer suitably
attached to the stand may be arranged to indicate it.
•
My gyroscopic apparatus differs essentially from any hitherto proposed for
analogous purposes in designing which rotation has been erroneously supposed to
resist change of plane of the rotating body. In my apparatus the gyroscopic wheels
are free to change their plans of rotation by the turning of their respective wheel
rings on axes in the planes, but at right angles to the wheel axles; and it is the frame
in, which the wheel rings can turn which is treated as the part the angular change of
position of which is to be prevented by the gyroscopic action.
Dated this Twenty-first day of January 1889.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Geostat or Instrument or Apparatus for Indicating Time or
Position, and for Indicating and Maintaining Direction.
I, EDMUND HUNT, of 87 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow in the County of Lanark
North Britain, Patent Agent, 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, that is to say :-
My said Invention has for its object the construction of a geostat or instrument:
which in consequence of a central part of it being kept without angular motion or,
approximately so, can be used for indicating time or position, the instrument or
apparatus or part thereof being also usable for indicating and maintaining direction.
A geostat as made according to one modification of my Invention is shown upon
two accompanying sheets of explanatory drawings figure, 1, sheet, 1, being a sectional
elevation, figures, 2, to 5, on sheet, 2, enlarged views of parts, and figure, 6, a plan
of the geostat as with outer rings and supports removed. In these drawings the same
reference letters and numerals are used to mark the same or like parts wherever they
are repeated.
In carrying out my Invention I employ three gyroscopes, G, the wheels, W, of
which are kept continuously rotating by means of compressed air, or of electrio
currents, or of toothed or frictional gearing. Each gyroscope wheel, W, has its axle
pivoted in diametrically opposite sides of a ring, R, which is mounted in the centre
frame, F, of the instrument so that it can turn about an axis in its plane and at right
angles to the axle of the wheel. The three rings, R, immediately carrying the
wheels, W, and which are hereinafter termed wheel rings, are carried in the centre
frame, F, with their axes at right angles to each other. If a cube is imagined with
a diagonal coincident with the axis of the centre frame then the three axes of the
wheel rings will be coincident with or parallel to three edges of the cube equidistantly'
situated around the diagonal. The wheel rings may also be carried in other ways
with their axos at right angles to each other.
-The centre frame, F, consists of three semi-circular brackets, F1, F2, F3, each
carrying a gyroscope, G, and fixed to a central tubular part, F4; and it is pivoted so
that it can turn about its axis in a first large ring, L, which by pivots at right angles
to those of the centre frame may be connected to a second large ring. The second
large ring, may be pivoted to a third, the third to a fourth, and in some cases the
fourth to a fifth, the last being pivoted to a fixed ring or stand. In a modification
already constructed and shown in the accompanying drawings, a segment, S, com-
prising a little more than a half ring, is substituted for the second large ring, and is
intended to maintain as nearly as possible a vertical position. The half ring, S, as it
may be termed is placed with its pivot bearings for carrying the first large ring, L,
at the ends of a horizontal diameter, and at its bottom it has attached to it a rod
or tube, T, which extends downwards and has an adjustable counterweight, C, on it.
At the neck or part where the half ring, S, joins the rod or tube, T, a roller or
ball bearing, B, is arranged so as to allow the half ring to rotate freely about a
vertical axis: The lower part of the roller bearing hereinafter termed the inner
bearing ring, M, is pivoted to an outer bearing ring, N, and the latter is.
pivoted to the stand, A. By this modification parts corresponding to three rings.
of a size large enough to encircle all the inner rings and parts, are rendered
comparatively small and convenient; and when compressed air is used its transmission
to the wheels is much facilitated.
The compressed air when used is led by means of a flexible pipe, D, to the tube, T,
carrying the counterweight, C, and fixed to the half ring, S. This half ring, S, the
first large ring, L, the centre frame, F, with its semicircular brackets and the wheel
rings, R, are made hollow; and at the several pivots provision is made for preventing
leakage of air with the least possible friction. In most cases, as shown in section at
the right-hand side of figure, 1, an inner tube, E, fixed to one part has a long but

page_text: easy bearing in an outer tube, H, fixed to the other part, and a lubricant is applied
between the surfaces, of such viscosity as not to be blown out by the internal air
pressure. As shown in figure, 1, the outer tube, H, is at its inner end fixed to the
inner side of the half ring, S; and this half ring has fixed to its outer side a hollow
horn, J. giving access for the air from the half ring to ports at the outer end of
the inner tube, E, which is fixed to the ring, L, the horn, J, having also an
adjusting pivot screw at its outer end. Care is taken that all strains due to air
pressure are as equally balanced as possible; thus the air enters each wheel ring, R,
at diametrically opposite points through tubes, E 1, fitted within horns, J', on the
semicircular brackets, F 1, F 2, F3, and is led from the ring to the wheels, W, on
opposite sides through tubes, K, surrounding the axles and shown in figure, 2, which
is a section of one of the gyroscopes. Each wheel, W, is by preference of a form
having a circumferential spherical zone and concave conical sides or faces, and is by
preference provided with six heavy screws, P, three being radial and three parallel
to the axis, for balancing it as accurately as possible. Disks, Q, are fixed to each
side of a wheel, W, so as to enclose spaces into which the compressed air is led
through the axial tubes, K, and the air issues from reaction jet orifices, U, near the
circumference. Each tubo, K, for leading in the air from the wheel ring, R, passes
through a central hole in the wheel disk, Q, without touching and a small disk is
fixed on the inner end of the tube so that there is a thin space between it and
the wheel disk. When the wheel rotates centrifugal action affects the film of air
between the disks and prevents leakage of air. In this way there is nothing to
resist the rotation of the wheel but the friction of the pivots and the air. A wheel, W,
is-shown-in-face-view in-figure, 3, and a disk, Qin-figure, 4.
I prefer to enclose each wheul in a pair of hemispherical shells, V, fixed to the
wheel ring, R, as shown in-figure, 5, and made by preference of glass, in order that
the air jets may not act irregularly on the wheel rings or other parts, but may have
a uniform smooth surface to come in contact with ; and also in order that the final
discharge of the air may be in definite directions. The discharge outlets, X, for the
air are placed at the outside of the wheel ring, R, at the positions of the axle pivot
bearings, there being at each position two outlets facing opposite ways in the plane
of the wheel ring and at right angles to the axle. When any wheel ring is in its
normal position air can escape by both outlets at each place; but if any disturbing
force takes effect on the instrument in a manner tending through the gyroscopic
action to turn any wheel ring about its axis, then such turning of the wheel ring
puts one of each pair of outlets under cover of a fence, Y, fixed to the centre
frame, F, and there ensues a reactionary pressure on the fence which tends to
counteract the disturbing force and to restore the wheel ring to its normal position.
The fences, Y, assume the form of flat semiannular plates and are shown as attached
to the horns, J 1, of the centre frame, F, by wires, Z. Special jets of compressed air
may be arranged to act on the fences instead of or in addition to the air which has
acted on the wheels. Or when the wheel rings turn on their axes they may in doing
so effect electrical contacts arranged to cause electro magnets to act so as to restore
the wheel rings to their normal positions.
When using electricity to actuate the gyroscope wheels they may be made like any
suitable known kind of electro-motor, care being taken to counterbalance or neutralise
any strains unsuitably affecting the wheel rings or other parts; and similar
precautions must be adopted if toothed or frictional gearing is employed.
With three gyroscope wheels arranged as described not only should any external
disturbing force be counteracted but also any internal disturbing force due to friction
of pivots or other causes.
Assuming it to be possible to construct and adjust the instrument with sufficient
accuracy so that it will act as intended, then if the centre frame is placed with
its axis parallel to the earth's axis it should retain that position with approximate
accuracy but without rotating like the earth; and as the parts carrying the instrument
rotate with the earth, an index fixed to the stand will indicate time by the apparent
relative motion of the centre frame.

page_text: For navigational and travelling purposes the centre frame may be enclosed in a
spherical shell made externally like a terrestrial globe, or in a skeleton shell made
with wires in the positions of latitude and longitude lines, and this shell will by
suitable clockwork (which may be driven by a portion of the compressed air) be
turned round the centre frame at the rate of once every 24 hours. With this
arrangement the topmost point of the shell or globo will always (if the parts have
been properly adjusted at starting) correspond with the actual position of the
instrument on the earth, wherever the instrument may be carried to and a pointer
suitably attached to the stand may be arranged to indicate it. In figure, 1, a clock-
work train, 7, is shown, arranged to be actuated by a reaction wheel, 8, supplied
through an adjusting valve, 9, (shown in figure, 6) from the axial tube, F4, of the
centro frame. This train, 7, by means of a worm acting on a worm wheel indicated
by a dotted circle turns s spindle, 10, which has on it a pinion gearing with a circle
of crown teeth indicated by a dotted line, 11, and formed or fixed upon a.segmental
spherical shell, 12. This sholl, 12, is fitted to turn loosely relatively to the centre
frame, F, and about the same axis; and it may carry a terrestrial-globe shell or have
longitude and latitude wires attached to it but which are not shown. A pointer for
indicating the highest point of the globe or shell may be carried by a light half ring
forming a continuation of the half ring, S.
The axial tubular part, F 4, of the centre frame, F, extends up only a little beyond
the points of attachment of the semicircular brackets, F 1, F 2, F3; and the opposito
or upper pivot of the centre frame is fitted to a piece, 13, fixed to the box of the
clockwork train, 7, which is connected by arms, 14, to the semicircular brackets. An
outer tubo, 15, fixed to the ring, L, encloses the axial tubo, F4, and a sufficiently
viscous lubricant is applied between the two to prevent leakage of air.
My gyroscopic apparatus differs essentially from any hitherto proposed for
analogous purposes in designing which rotation has been erroneously supposed to
resist change of plane of the rotating body. In my apparatus the gyroscopic wheels
are free to change their planes of rotation by the turning of their respective wheel
rings, R, on axes in the planes of, but at right angles to the wheel axles; and it
is the frame, F, in which the wheel rings, R, can turn which is treated as the
part the angular change of position of which is to be prevented by the gyroscopic
action.
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 I
claim is :-
:-
A geostat or instrument in which three gyroscopes with accessory parts are
combined and arranged substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-
before specified.
Dated this Tenth day of October 1889.
EDMUND HUNT.