Fluid-pressure Vessel-steering Mechanism.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 11th June, 1895--Accepted, 20th July, 1895
Fluid-pressure Vessel-steering Mechanism.
I WILLIAM THOMPSON BOTHWELL, Restauranter, of 928 F Street N.W.
Washington D. C. United States of America, 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 :-
My invention relates to fluid-pressure vessel-steering mechanism, and it will be
understood from the following description and claims when taken in connection
with the drawing, in which:
Fig. 1, is a plan view partly in section, illustrating my improvements in a
vessel.
my
Fig. 2, is an enlarged, perspective view illustrating parts of mechanism.
Fig. 3, is a plan view partly in section, of parts of the mechanism.
Fig. 4, is a section taken on line u, v, of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5, is a plan view of the valve casing and handle.
Fig. 6, is a view of the valve stem and handle removed.
Fig. 7, is a view of the valve removed.
Fig. 8, is a view partly broken away, illustrating the valve casing and
appurtenances.
Fig. 9, is a perspective view of the valve.
Fig. 10, is a diametrical section of the valve casing and its appurtenances.
Fig. 11, is a section taken on line x, x, Fig. 10.
Fig. 12, is a section of the valve casing, etc. taken on the line u, u, of Fig. 13.
Fig. 13, is a section taken on the line y, y, of Fig. 12.
Fig. 14, is a section on line 2, 2, Fig. 15.
Fig. 15, is a section on line w, w, of Fig. 14.
Referring by letter to said drawings: A, indicates a part of a vessel;
B, indicates the rudder having a post C, and D, indicates the "auxiliary piston
cylinder," which contains piston E, to lock the rudder in various positions. Any
suitable rudder locking mechanism that is adapted to be actuated through the
medium of a piston may be employed, but prefer in practice to use the
mechanism illustrated, which comprises the hinged or loosely-connected jaws F,
which are supported around the rudder post and have straight branches a, bolts b,
extending through said branches, and a cam lever G, which is pivotally mounted
between the bolts 6, and is connected to one end of the rod c, of the piston E, as
illustrated.
H, indicates the pistou cylinder. This cylinder contains a piston 1, which is
fixed upon the rod J. The ends of the rod J are connected with the rudder,
preferably by the mechanism illustrated, which comprises the curved bar d', fixedly
connected to the rudder post C, and the chain e, connected to the bar d', and the
ends of the rod J, as illustrated.
K, indicates the storage reservoir which may be charged through the pipe f;
and L, indicates the casing of the valve M, through the medium of which com-
pressed air or other fluid is manipulated to operate the rudder locking piston E,
and the rudder moving piston I. The casing L, is placed in the pilot house of
the vessel and it is provided with ports g, g, for the connection of pipes N, N',
leading to opposite ends of the cylinder H, the port h, for the connection of

page_text: the supply pipe P, and the port i, for the connection of the pipe Q, leading to
the auxiliary piston cylinder D. The casing L, is furthermore provided at
points adjacent to the ports g, g', with exhaust ports j, j', and at points on
opposite sides of the port i, with exhaust ports k, k, and said casing also has the
recess or channel and the ports 1, 1, which latter communicate with the
interior of the casing at one end and are connected at their opposite ends with
the ports g, g, at an intermediate point of the same. These ports 1, 1, are
designed to communicate with the passages m, m', of the valve M, which intersect
each other and have branches m2, at their ends opening through the underside of
the valve; the casing ports g, y¹, are designed to communicate with the valve
port n, the ports g, g, and ports j, j, are designed to be connected by the
channels in the valve; the casing port i, and the exhaust ports k, k¹, are
designed to be connected by the channels p, p, of the valve, and said port i,
is also designed to communicate with the channel q, in the valve; and the
channel, in the casing is designed to communicate with the port n, and the valve
channel g.
The valve M, is provided with a handle S. This handle is preferably connected
to a stem R, which is adapted to engage an angular seat on the valve, as this
construction admits of the valve and handle being readily disconnected for the
purposes of repair. The handle S, carries a spring detent. T, and this detent is
designed to engage notches t, u, v, w, and, in the casing so as to lock the handle
and valve in various adjusted positions.
The handle S, is so arranged with respect to the ports or passages and channels
of the valve M, that said valve will occupy the position shown in Figs. 10, and 11,
when the detent T, is in the notch e, the position shown in Figures 12, and 13,
when the detent is in the notch u, and the position shown in Figures 14,
and 15, when the detent is in the notch t.
When the detent of the handle S, is in the notch v, and the valve is in the
position shown in Figures 10, and 11, fluid will be locked in the cylinder H, on
opposite sides of the piston, and fluid will pass from reservoir K, to the piston
cylinder D, so as to move the piston E, in the direction indicated by arrow and
thereby lock the rudder through the medium of the mechanism before described;
the course of such fluid being through the pipe P, the casing port h, the valve
port n,
the casing channel, the valve channel q, the casing port i, and the
pipe Q. When the handle S, is moved to the notch u, the valve recess p, will
connect the port i, and the exhaust port, and when the valve assumes the
position shown in Figs. 12, and 13, said channel p, will effect communication
between the port i, and the exhaust port A, so as to permit the fluid to pass
from the cylinder D, and release the ridder, and the fluid in the cylinder H, on
the left of the piston I, will exhaust to the open air through pipe N', port g', the
channel s', and the exhaust port, and at the same time fluid will pass from the
reservoir K, to the right end of the cylinder H, so as to move the piston I, in
the direction indicated by arrow and swing the rudder to starboard; the course of
such fluid being through the pipe P, the port h, the port n, the port g, and the
pipe N. When the handle S, is moved to the notch t, and the valve assumes the
position shown in Figures 14, and 15, the passage m', will connect the passages 1, l',
as shown. This will permit the air to circulate from one end of the cylinder H, to
the other so that there will be an equal pressure upon both sides of the piston
which will allow of a floating or idle swinging movement of the rudder, since the
pressure of the tide or waves against one side of the rudder added to the
pressure of the fluid on one side of the piston 1, will be sufficient to overcome
the pressure on the opposite side of the piston and move the same. It will be
obvious that when the handle is moved from the "locked" position to the notch w,
the valve M, will assume such a position that the valve recess p', will connect the
port i, and the exhaust port k, to relieve the pressure on the piston E, and unlock
the rudder, and at the same time the valve channel s, will connect the port g, and

page_text: the exhaust port j, to exhaust air from the right end of the cylinder H, while the
valve port n, will be brought over the port g, so as to enable the fluid to pass
from the storage cylinder or reservoir K, to the left hand end of the cylinder H,
and move the piston I, in a direction opposite to that indicated and move the rudder
to port.
By reference to Figures 8, 9, 14, and 16, it will also be observed that when the
rudder is to port, and it is desired to float it, it is simply necessary to move the
handle S, to the notch a, when the diametrical passage m, will connect
the passages 1, 1, so as to permit the air to circulate from one end of the
cylinder H, to the other as before described. It will furthermore be observed
that the rudder may be locked when it is to starboard; when it is to port, and
when it is in the position shown in Fig. 1, and when the valve handle S, is being
moved from the "locked position to the notch u, the recess p, of the valve will
connect the port i, and the exhaust port k, so as to relieve the pressure on the
piston E, and release the rudder, and that when the detent of the handle is seated
in the notch u, the recess p, will connect the port i, and the exhaust port k', so as
to hold the cylinder D, open. The same action takes place when the handle S, is
moved from the "locked position to the notch w, with the exception that the
recess p', first connects the port i, and the exhaust port A, and then the port i, and
the exhaust port k.
>>
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. The combination of a rudder, a piston cylinder H, a piston in said cylinder, a
piston cylinder D, a piston in said cylinder D, a source of fluid pressure supply,
a valve interposed between the cylinders H, D, and the source of supply and
adapted to effect communication between the source of supply and the piston
cylinder H, on opposite sides of the piston, communication between the piston
cylinder H, on opposite sides of the piston and an exhaust, communication between
the source of supply and the piston cylinder D, and communication between said
cylinder D, and an exhaust and suitable means adapted when actuated by the
piston of the cylinder D, to lock or hold the rudder against movement, substantially
as specified.
2. The combination of a piston cylinder H, a piston in said cylinder, a piston
cylinder D, a piston in said cylinder D, a source of fluid pressure supply and a
valve interposed between the cylinders H, D, and the source of supply and adapted
to effect communication between the source of supply and the piston cylinder H,
on opposite sides of the piston, communication between the piston cylinder H, on
opposite sides of the piston and an exhaust, a direct and unbroken communication
between opposite sides of the piston so as to permit fluid to flow from the space at
one side of the piston into the space at the opposite side thereof, communication
between the source of supply and the piston cylinder D, and communication
between said cylinder D, and an exhaust, substantially as set forth.
3. The combination of a piston cylinder H, a piston in said cylinder, a piston
cylinder D, a piston in said cylinder D, a source of fluid pressure supply, and a
valve interposed between the cylinders H, D, and the source of supply and adapted
to effect communication between the source of supply and the piston cylinder H, on
opposite sides of the piston, communication between the piston cylinder H, on
opposite sides of the piston and an exhaust, communication between the source of
supply and the piston cylinder D, and communication between said cylinder D, and
an exhaust, and also adapted to close communication with the cylinder H, on both
sides of the piston, simultaneously, at the same time that fluid is admitted to the
cylinder D, substantially as set forth.
4. The combination of a piston cylinder H, a piston in said cylinder, a piston
cylinder D, a piston in said cylinder D, a source of fluid pressure supply, and a

page_text: valve interposed between the cylinders H, D, and the source of supply and adapted
to effect communication between the source of supply and the piston cylinder H,
on opposite sides of the piston, communication between the piston cylinder H, on
opposite sides of the piston and an exhaust, a direct and unbroken communication
between opposite sides of the piston so as to permit fluid to flow from the space at
one side of the piston into the space at the opposite side thereof, communication
between the source of supply and the piston cylinder D, and communication
between the said cylinder D, and an exhaust, and also adapted to close communi-
cation with the cylinder H, on both sides of the piston simultaneously, at the
same time that fluid is admitted to the cylinder D, substantially as specified.
5. The combination of a rudder, a piston cylinder D, a piston in said cylinder, a
source of fluid pressure supply, a valve interposed between the piston cylinder and
the source of supply and adapted to effect communication between the same and
also adapted to effect communication between the piston cylinder and an exhaust,
and suitable mechanism adapted when actuated by the piston to lock or hold the
rudder against movement, substantially as specified.
a
6. The combination of a rudder, a piston cylinder D, a piston in said cylinder,
source of fluid pressure supply, means whereby the fluid may be let in and
exhausted from the cylinder, and suitable mechanism adapted when actuated by
the piston to lock or hold the rudder against movement, substantially as
specified.
7. In a valve for the purpose described, the combination with a casing having
ports or passages as g, g, h, and exhaust ports or passages as i, j, of a valve
arranged in the casing and having a port or passage n, adapted to effect communi-
cation between the port or passage h, and the ports or passages g, g¹, alternately
and recesses or channels adapted to connect the ports g, g', and the exhaust
ports i, j, substantially as set forth.
8. In a valve for the purpose described, the combination with a casing having
ports or passages as g, g, h, exhaust ports or passages j, j', and ports 1, 11, communi-
cating at one end with the interior of the casing and at their opposite ends with
the ports or passages g, gl, at an intermediate point in the length thereof; of a
valve arranged in the casing and having a port or passage n, adapted to effect
communication between the port or passage h, and the ports or passages g, g',
alternately, recesses or channels s, s', adapted to connect the ports g', and the
exhaust ports, and the diametrical, intersecting passages m, m', adapted to
connect the ends of the ports or passages 1, 1, substantially as specified.
9. In a valve for the purpose described, the combination with a casing having
ports or passages as g, g, h, and i, exhaust ports or passages as j, j', and k, and a
recess or channel 2, of a valve arranged in the casing and having a port or
passage n, adapted to effect communication between the port or passage h, and the
ports or passages 9, g', and the recess or channel k, alternately, recesses or
channels s, s, adapted to connect the ports g, g', and the exhaust ports j, j', a recess
or channel adapted to connect the port i, and the exhaust port k, and a recess or
channel 9. adapted to connect the recess or channel 2, and the port i, substantially
as specified.
10. In a valve for the purpose described, the combination with a casing having
ports or passages as g, g, h, and i, exhaust ports or passages as j,j', exhaust ports
or passages k, k', arranged on opposite sides of the port i, and a recess or channel k²,
of a valve arranged in the casing and having a port or passage n, adapted to effect
communication between the port or passage h, and the ports or passages g, g', and
the recess, alternately, recesses or channels s, s', adapted to connect the
ports g, g, and the exhaust ports j, j¹, recesses or channels p, p, adapted to
connect the port i and the exhaust ports k, k', and a recess or channel 7, adapted
to connect the recess or channel k², and the port i, substantially as specified.
11. The combination of a rudder having a post as C, loosely connected clainping
jaws supported upon opposite sides of the post, bolts taking through the said jaws,

page_text: a cam lever fulcrumed between said bolts and adapted to bear against one of the
jaws and clamp the same upon the post, and a suitable means for actuating said cam
lever, substantially as specified.
Dated this 11th day of April 1895
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.