Improved Means for Electrically Controlling a Ship's Steering Gear from the Magnetic Compass.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Jan., 1890-Accepted, 7th June, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Electrically Controlling a Ship's Steering Gear
from the Magnetic Compass.
GEORGE TWEEDY Machinist and Ironfounder Saunder Rake Works Chipping near
Preston Lancashire 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 by a combination of magnetism and electricity in connection with Steering
Apparatus, to provide for automatically keeping the ship on a required course, by
acting on the rudder when a deviation from that course occurs.
When a ship fitted with automatic quartermaster deviates from the predetermined
course, it causes one or other, of two contact pieces, to come in contact with a pointer
carried by the compass, which causes an electro-magnet to put one of a pair of catches
down; which sets the machine in motion, and which will immediately act on the
rudder, and at once rectify the deviation from the said course.
When a ship fitted with the automatic quartermaster, deviates from the pre-
determined course, she causes one or other of two contact pieces, A-A 1. to come in
contact with a pointer B. carried by the compass which causes an electro magnet C-C 1.
to put one of a pair of catches D-D 1. down into its respective catch wheel E-E 1,
which sets the machine in motion, by holding the respective worm wheel, attached to
each catch wheel, thus making the worm wheel F or F 1. act as a nut, and thereby
causing the worm G or G 1. itself to travel, either to the right or left hand, as the
case may be.
This travelling of the worin operates on a swivel lever H. which works the strap
forks J & J 1. The driving strap K. works on the centre pulley Z.
When the ship is sailing on its direct course, but as a deviation from that course
occurs, the strap travels on to either of the side pullies M or N. and sets the machine
in motion, thus bringing the ship back at once to its proper course, when the balance
weights 1-2 will then bring back the strap on to the centre pulley Z. thus leaving
the machine again at rest.
Attached to each pulley M-N is a pinion wheel O. P. respectively. O pinion
being attached to N pulley, and P pinion to M. pulley. These pinions gear into
wheels, working the chain wheel T. P pinion being geared direct into the wheel Q.
and Opinion into the carrier wheel R. which works into the wheel S. Thus working
the chain wheel, right or left handed, as required. The chain wheel T. is worked by
the friction clutch U. On the chain wheel is a projection V. which comes into
contact with a roller W. attached to slide Y. This slide works the clutch or friction
lever X. and thus releases the friction cone from the chain wheel. When the rudder
is hard over, either to the port or starbord side.
In cases, when the electricity cannot be applied, such as the time of starting or in
rivers, and narrow channels, etc. the machine can be used as an ordinary hand
steering apparatus. A hand wheel is attached to carrier pinion R. working into
wheel S. thus driving the chain wheel T. as aforesaid.
The electricity is obtained from an ordinary dynamo, driven either by the ships
engine or a donkey engine.
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 :-
--
The steering of ships at sea, automatically, by the aid of magnetism and electricity.