Apparatus to Control the Rolling and Pitching Motions in Vessels, and thereby, inter alia, to Eliminate the Racing of the Screw in Vessels Propelled by Steam.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Dec., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 1st Sept., 1891-Accepted, 28th Nov., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus to Control the Rolling and Pitching Motions in Vessels,
and thereby, inter alia, to Eliminate the Racing of the Screw in
Vessels Propelled by Steam.
I, ANDREW WILSON, Fellow of the Institute of Chemistry of Great Britain
and Ireland, Public Analyst, Research Laboratories, Stirling do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
1. It consists firstly of apparatus, duplicated on the port and starboard sides of
any vessel or boat at or nearly amidships, by which a small percentage of the
engine power, or of the inertia of the moving vessel, or boat may be converted
into the force required to oppose or control the rolling motion of such vessel.
II. It consists secondly of similar apparatus duplicated on the port and starboard
bows, or stern or other position, by which a small percentage of the inertia of the
moving vessel or boat may be converted into the force required to oppose or control
the pitching motion of such vessel.
III. It consists thirdly of apparatus by which the application of manual or
other power is transmitted so as to effect the required movements in the first
and second mentioned apparatus for controlling or opposing the rolling and pitching
motions.
IV. It consists fourthly of apparatus by which an automatic action may be
substituted for manual control or opposition of the rolling motion.
V. It consists fifthly of apparatus by which an automatic action may be
substituted for manual control or opposition of the pitching motion.
VI. It consists sixthly of apparatus by which either one or both rolling or
pitching apparatus is put out of action in a smooth sea or when the vessel is moving
astern.
The apparatus under I. and II. are essentially similar, but from their applications
are referred to and described as roll or as pitch fins.
No. 1 Drawing shows (a) the elevation and (b) the sectional plan of the disc,
fin and cell while the 3rd figure shows a back view of the disc, and one half of the
friction rollers in position, the cell in this case being absent.
D.
disc
F, fin
cell
shaft
gland or packing box
n, nave
a, arms of roller guides
P, polygonal collars with arms (a)
p', collar to secure shaft
b, rolling ball bearings
f, leading edge of fin
t, tip or trailing do.
r, ribs of plate or disc
p³, thin parts of do.
f, flange of cell
cover of packing
9, groove in disc
"
"
cell
The fin is somewhat longer than the diameter of the disc the excess projecting
slightly at the tip or trailing or following end. The circular disc is plane or
slightly convex on its outer surface but shows on its inner surface an annular planed
face and annular shallow groove on and in which the rollers or balls move.
disc is strengthened by radial raised ribs on its inner face.
The
The fin, disc and shaft are preferably made in one solid casting or forging.
The fin plane on both flat surfaces but is of thicker section on the edge by which
it forms a continuation with the disc. It is rounded off on the outer leading edge
and at both outer and inner edges of the tip.
The shaft is of sufficient length to admit of the collar and crank being securely

page_text: attached on the inner side of the vessel and is also of sufficient length when
required to rest in a step or journal. The disc forms the cover of the shallow
circular cell, its shaft being passed through the stuffing box and watertight packing
in the centre of the cell into the interior of the vessel.
The plane annular surfaces and the annular grooves of both disc and cell are
directly opposite to each other when in position.
Between the disc and cell are six or more roller or ball bearings mounted on
arms projecting from a loose polygonal collar. This collar is placed on the shaft
before the latter is placed in position and by taking the strain prevents wear of the
water tight gland. The cell is flanged and secured by bolts or rivets on the inner
sides of the plates of the vessel. Clearance is allowed to a greater amount on the
"following
"than on the "leading" edge of the disc, the water being admitted to
the interior of the cell.
No. 2 Drawing. Figure 1 shows a modified form of fin and cell for the bows or
stern and in Figure 2 a rib or frame for receiving the cell and shaft of the roll fin
amidships.
T, tee or angle iron.
B2, hollow boss through which the shaft passes.
A, K, bends or knees in angle irons to receive cell.
No. 3 Drawing shows alternative forms of fins suitable for use in small vessels
or boats. Figure 1 stem or bow fin k, keel (2) fin, disc or shaft (3) fin shaft &c.
for small boat in plan and elevation.
The position selected for the cell or fin depends almost wholly upon whether
control of roll or pitch is desired, but it should also be so far below the waterline
as to secure depth, grip, constant immersion and an approximate plane surface for
fitting the cell.
For roll the most advantageous position is nearly amidship.
For pitch, at the bows or stern singly or conjointly.
The selected position unless special provision be made as in No. 2 Drawing
should not be over or on a rib angle iron bulkhead or any part of the framing, but
it may with advantage be near but not on a bulkhead.
To fix the cell describe a circle of a diameter equal to the size of the disc
selected making allowances for clearance and remove this portion of the plate.
The flange of the cell is made to fit accurately and rivetted in position.
The polygonal collar with arms and ball bearings are next placed on the shaft
and the latter is passed through the stuffing box. The stuffing and cover are
replaced from the inside and the keyed collar is secured to the shaft.
I. APPARATUS FOR THE ELIMINATION OF ROLL.
Roll fins. These are best placed amidships on the port and starboard sides.
Action. In the neutral position the fins meet with the minimum of resistance as
the vessel moves forward and in this case can neither produce nor prevent rolling
motion. As the surface of the fin is very slightly in excess behind the axis of
rotation a small force applied can produce rotation through an angle of 30 or 40°
on either side of the neutral position. On being released the fin will return
instantly to the neutral or inoperative position as the greater resistance reacts on
the tip or trailing half of the fin.
If the vessel list to port or depressing the tip of the port fin or on raising the tip
of the starboard fin the resistance of the now inclined fin or fins produces rotation
of the vessel on her longitudinal axis but in a direction opposed to the list.
No. 4 Drawing shows this diagrammatically.

page_text: V. APPARATUS. AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF PITCH.
No. 6 Drawing shows a tube T extending from (m₁) the iron cylinder, the centre
of which is vertically over the bisection of the line joining the leading extremity
of the two port or two starboard fins to the other similarly placed cylinder m₁.
The tube contains mercury and the cylinders are also filled with mercury to
or
of their capacity.
An iron weight nearly fitting the cylinder with small guiding runners to prevent
jamming and keep it well centred floats in the cylinder.
As the bows rise the weight in the bow cylinder descends while that in the stern
rises. The weights acts by crossheads to raise or depress the fin tips in the
required directions.
The bow and stern fins may be coupled by a connecting rod or may be connected
by the tube only, or may be minus one set of fins when the corresponding cylinder
will be without weight, connecting rods &c.
If direct action of the cylinders on the fins be too expensive the action of a
smaller tube and cylinder or cylinders affect the opening of a valve and by steam
or compressed air gives the required motion to the fins.
The mercury tube of iron may be taken in any direction regular or irregular
from cylinder to cylinder.
VI. APPARATUS FOR LOCKING THE FINS IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION.
This is required only when the vessel is steaming astern as the fins if allowed
to act in such a case would produce list. No rolling or pitching action would be
produced, but the list or alteration of trim would increase as the speed increased.
The hand lever for roll shows a lock arrangement in Drawing 5 and the lever
for pitch is similarly provided.
The automatic locking of the fins in the neutral position is effected by the action
of reversing the engine in which locked condition they remain until the engines are
again moving ahead.
Dated this Twenty-second day of November 1890.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus to Control the Rolling and Pitching Motions in Vessels,
and thereby, inter alia, to Eliminate the Racing of the Screw in
Vessels Propelled by Steam.
I, ANDREW WILSON, Public Analyst, Research Laboratories, Stirling, 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:-
The invention consists, firstly, of apparatus, hereinafter described as roll fins,
duplicated on the port and starboard sides of any vessel or boat, at or near amid-
ships, by which a small per centage of the inertia of the moving vessel or boat may
be applied to oppose or control the rolling motion of such vessel.
Secondly, of apparatus, hereinafter described as pitch fins, duplicated on the port
and starboard bows, or on the stern or other part of the hull, singly or conjointly,
by which a small per centage of the inertia of the moving vessel or boat may be
applied to oppose or control the pitching motion of such vessel.
Thirdly, of apparatus, hereinafter described as gearing, by which manual or
other power is transmitted so as to effect the required movements of the roll and
pitch fins.

page_text: Fourthly, of apparatus, hereinafter described, for automatic control of the roll
and pitch gearing, and for locking the roll fins in the neutral or inoperative position
when not required.
The roll fins (Drawing I., Fig. 1; II., Fig. 7), are approximately, though not
necessarily, of rectangular form. At the leading and trailing edges, marked
and t, the thickness of the fin or blade is reduced so as to diminish the resistance of
the water, when it is in the neutral or inoperative position. The thickness of the fin
increases towards the part by which it is attached to the shaft which is at a
distance of about two-fifths of the fin-length from the leading edge." "The trailing
surface of the fin is in excess of the leading surface in order that the reaction of
the water may maintain it in, or restore it to, the neutral position, unless when
brought into use by the gearing. The fin and shaft may be in one piece, or they
may be keyed, hinged, or otherwise secured to each other. The shaft S actuating
the fin moves on its axis about 30 degrees on each side of the neutral position,
giving the fin a total angular motion of about 60 degrees. The shaft passes
through a water-tight gland or stuffing-box G, and may be supported at the inner
end, when necessary, by a stud or pin Q. The crank C, if placed close to the
gland G, secures the shaft and fin in position, or they may be secured by a special
collar, Pa
:
:
"
For large vessels and larger sizes of apparatus the "fin and shaft
may be
conjoined with a disc (Drawing No. II., Figs. 6 to 8). This disc D forms the
cover of a cell C, carrying friction rollers or balls B. This arrangement is suitable
when an approximate plane surface is obtainable on the hull in the required
position, and when the wear and strain on the watertight gland would otherwise be
excessive. Fig. 3 shows a suitable position for a cell with friction bearings.
Fig. 6 shows the elevation, Fig. 7 the sectional plan of the disc, fin and cell, and
Fig. 8 a back view of the disc with one-half of the friction rollers in position, the
cell in this case being absent.
C, cell.
D, disc.
F, fin.
G, watertight gland.
P, collar with arms.
S, shaft.
a, arms of P.
b, ball bearings.
c, cover of packing.
f, flange of cell.
91, groove in cell,
929
$3
"
disc.
1, leading edge of fin.
t, trailing »
r, ribs of disc.
n, nave.
"
Pi, thin panels of disc.
P2, collar to shaft.
Drawings No. I., Figs. 4, 5, and No. III., Figs. 9 to 12, show some alternative
forms of roll fins.
For roll fins the most advantageous position is at or nearly amidships, and so far
below the water line as to secure depth, grip, and constant immersion.
The axes of both roll shafts should meet, if produced, in the longitudinal axis of
gravity under an average loading of the vessel.
The action of the roll fins, when in the neutral position, is nil as regards either
the production or reduction of roll, while the resistance offered by their edges and
surfaces is at a minimum.
Drawing No. IV., Figs. 14 to 16, shows this diagrammatically.
The under sides of the fins are shaded, and in each case the view is towards the bows.
Fig. 14, no list.-Fins neutral.
Fig. 15, list to starboard, requires the trailing edge of the starboard fin, down
and of the port fin, up. The water reacting on the under side of the starboard fin,
and on the upper side of the port fin, raises the starboard side and depresses the
port side of the vessel as long as the ship continues to move forward, and until
the deck is again horizontal, when the fins are permitted to return to the neutral
position.
Fig. 16, list to port, with the fins in the necessary position to correct this list.

page_text: shaft axis. The fin closes against the ship's side when the upper end of the stay is
moved upwards in the slot or grove G. The stay is locked either in the shut or
open position.
Fig. 13 is an enlarged section of the stay which is lozenge shaped.
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
I. The use of fins to control the rolling and pitching of vessels or boats in
motion.
II. The use of the pendulum apparatus as described for automatic control of
the rolling motion.
Dated this 1et dov of Sentember 1001
ANDREW WILSON.