Improvements in Steering-gear for Ships and Vessels.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Nov., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 28th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 18th Oct., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steering-gear for Ships and Vessels.
I, THOMAS GEORGE STEVENS, of Esther Villa, Swanscombe, in the County of
Kent, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object improvements in steering gear for ships and
vessels, and relates to gear for steering from the bridge or other midship or forward
position.
The arrangement of the gear is such that the rudder head and pintals are relieved
of the weight of the arc which the rudder.head now usually carries. Also such that
a shorter movement is required of the steering rods ropes or chains than is now usual.
Also such that the rudder is free to yield if struck by a sea, returning immediately to
its previous position.
I provide upon the deck, preferably a short distance in rear of the rudder head, an
upright stud axis and on this axis I mount a lever with arms extending on either side
almost to the bulwarks and here the arms are connected with the steering rods, ropes
or chains which are led forward as usual to the steering engine when steering by
steam. Upon the rudder head I fix a short lever or yoke and the ends of this lever
or yoke I connect by two links or connecting rods one on either side with the lever
previously mentioned on the axis in rear of the rudder heads I make the connections
with the lever at such a distance from the axis that the angular movement of the
rudder may exceed that of the lever. 1 do not employ rigid links or connecting
rods but such as are elastic and extensible.
I make the links or connecting rods in parts; one part, say that which is attached
to the yoke on the rudder head, consists mainly of a cylinder whilst the other part,
say that attached to the lever consists mainly of a rod provided with a piston. The
piston is received into the cylinder with strong steel springs on either side of it. The
springs are held in place by a cover with which the cylinder is provided. The springs
tend to hold the piston in a central position in the cylinder but they will yield to any
strong strain.
In some cases in place of the lever I employ an are such as is now commonly
employed but I mount it upon the stud axis and not on the rudder head.
Steering ropes or chains are attached to the arc and they are led forward passing
around guide pulleys.
Dated this 28th day of November 1889.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steering-gear for Ships and Vessels.
I, THOMAS GEORGE STEVENS of Esther Villa, 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 be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention has for its object improvements in steering gear for ships and
vessels, and relates to gear for steering from the bridge or other midship or forward
position.
The arrangement of the gear is such that the rudder head and pintals are relieved
of the weight of the arc which the rudder head now usually carries. Also such that
a shorter movement is required of the steering rods ropes or chains than is now usual.
Also such that the rudder is free to yield if struck by a sea, returning immediately to
its previous position.

page_text: Figure 1 of the annexed drawings is a plan of steering gear arranged in accordance
with my invention.
I provide upon the deck, preferably a short distance in rear of the rudder head, an
upright stud axis a and on this axis I mount a lever 6 with arms extending on either
side almost to the bulwarks and bere the arms are connected with the steering rods,
ropes or chains which are led forward as usual to the steering engine when steering by
steam. Upon the rudder head c I fix a short lever or yoke d and the ends of this
lever or yoke I connect by two links or connecting rods e e one on either side with
the lever previously mentioned on the axis in rear of the rudder heads I make the
connections with the lever at such a distance from the axis that the angular move-
ment of the rudder may exceed that of the lever. I do not employ rigid links or
connecting rods but such as are elastic and extensible.
The Figures 2 of the drawing show details of this link or connecting rod.
I make the links or connecting rods in parts; one part, say that which is attached
to the lever consists Dainly of a cylinder whilst the other part, say that attached to the
yoke on the rudder head consists mainly of a rod provided with a piston. The piston
is received into the cylinder with strong steel springs on either side of it. The springs
tend to hold the piston in a central position in the cylinder but they will yield to any
strong strain.
f is the piston and piston rod, g is the cylinder and h h the springs. The cylinder
I make preferably with a longitudinal division and the parts are, beld together by
bolts passing through flanges. ii are joint pins which are easily removed to allow of
hand steering gear (which is usually provided) being brought into use. Spring links
or connecting rods coupled with the yoke on the rudder head as here shown may be
employed in other arrangements of steering gear.
In some cases in place of the lever I employ an are such as is now commonly
employed but I mount it upon the stud axis and not on the rudder head.
Steering ropes or chains are attached to the arc and they are led forward passing
around guide pulleys.
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 1
claim is :-
1. The combination substantially as described consisting of the stud axis a
lever b thereon actuated by the steering rods, ropes or chains; the yoke d on the
rudder head c; and the links or connecting rods e e coupling the lever b with the
yoke d.
2. In the arrangement the subject of the preceding claim connecting the links or
connecting rods ee which couple the yoke d with the lever b with the said lever ba
such a distance from the axis a that the angular movement of the rudder exceeds
that of the lever.
3. The use in steering gear of elastic and extensible links or connecting rods e
jointed to the yoke d on the rudder head and coupling the same with mechanism by
which the rudder is moved.
Datedth: 20th ...
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