Improvements in the Method of and in Means and Appliances for Steering and Controlling Vessels in Air or Water.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Sept., 1891 -
Complete Specification Left, 1st June, 1892-Accepted, 13th Aug., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and in Means and Appliances for
Steering and Controlling Vessels in Air or Water.
I, THOMAS, MOr, of 8 Quality Court, London W.C., Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide means for steering and governing the
course of aviators, acrostats, torpedoes, and submarine vessels, for the purpose of
keeping such vessels in a horizontal or other required position, while travelling, or
otherwise under the influence of currents.
My invention consists in fitting vessels as aforesaid with planes and ruders,
the angles of which are governed by means of mechanism consisting of screws
meshing into idle, tangent or worn wheels; or toothed pinions meshing into
toothed racks or wheels, or mutilated wheels; or frictional gear possessing similar
functions.
The motions of the drivers may be continuous, and be driven by any suitable
power, such as the driving shafts of the propelling apparatus; or counter shafts
attached, thereto or driven thereby; or shafts driven by screw or other propellers
mounted for that purpose; or by any suitable power provided for the same purpose.
Or the power may be arranged to remain inoperative until required to operate upon
the rudders or planes.
When a screw and worm gear is employed for the purposes aforesaid, with
continuous motion, the driving shaft actuates a pair of idle worm wheels, by right
and left hand screws, so as to drive the same in opposite directions.
When one of
these worm wheels is stopped or retarded, it acts as a nut to the shaft, and imparts
thereto a longitudinal movement, which is communicated to the rudder or rudders,
plane or planes; such motion being continued until the vessel assumes the required
position, whereupon the arrested wheel is released, and the rudders and planes are
held at the required angle by means of suitable connectious with the mechanisin
the right and left hand screws being carried by a sleeve upon the shaft, with a
feather or other appliance for ensuring rotation.
;
When a combination of toothed racks or other connected gear as aforesaid' is
used, similar effects are produced by equivalent arrangements, the motion being
arrested until required to act.
The appliances employed to set the steering power in motion, consist of inverted
pendulums and pivoted vanes. The pendulums are fitted so as to have only a small
arc of vibration; and the pivoted vanes are preferably of a V form to secure
promptness of action.
When the vessel departs from the desired line of travel, the pendulum acts
upon a pinion or other gear so as to cause the steering power to act, and
thereby promptly alter the angle of the rudder or plane, until the vessel recovers
its line of travel, whereupon the pendulum causes the gear to resume its normal
condition.
The vanes act in a similar manner upon the mechanism, causing it to act upon
and alter the angles of the planes when necessary, so as to control the vessel as
required.
Horizontal rotary vanes on vertical axes may also be used for operating the
mechanism.
Electro magnets may also be used in connection with the mechanism, for
operating the same and governing the angles of the planes, as required.
Assuming that a vessel is being driven in a horizontal direction on an even keel,
and that the horizontal rudder at the stern is in charge of an inverted pendulum,
while the forward planes are in charge of vanes: If the head of the vessel should

page_text: rise, the pendulum would fall backwards, and cause the steering power to increase
the angle of the rudder, until the restoration of the vessel to its horizontal
position and vice versa.
:.
And in case the speed is sufficiently great to cause an upward motion of the
vessel, while on an even keel, the vanes would receive fluid pressure upon their
upper surfaces, whereby they would be deflected, and thereby bring about the
alteration of the forward planes to a finer angle; the head would then incline
downwards, and this would cause the pendulum to act upon the rudder planes in a
similar manner. By these means the necessary angles for supporting the vessel are
automatically obtained, and advantage is taken of increased speed by reducing the
angles, and, consequently, the resistance of the planes.
The angles required can at any time be altered by hand, as required, for starting
or stopping.
Analogous modifications of my invention render it suitable for controlling
aviators; aërostats supported by gas containers; torpedoes, and submarine vessels.
T
JALA 1001
GEO. DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.
!
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION..
Improvements in the Method of and in Means and Appliances for
Steering and Controlling Vessels in Air or Water.
I, THOMAS MOY, of 8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The object of my invention is to provide means for steering and governing the
course of aviators, aërostats, torpedoes, and submarine vessels, for the purpose of
keeping such vessels in a horizontal or other required position, while travelling, or
otherwise under the influence of currents.
My invention consists in fitting vessels as aforesaid with planes and rudders,
the angles of which are governed by means of mechanism consisting of screws
meshing into idle, tangent, or worm wheels; or toothed pinions meshing into
toothed racks or wheels, or mutilated wheels; or frictional gear possessing similar
functions.
The motions of the drivers may be continuous, and be driven by any suitable
power, such as the driving shafts of the propelling apparatus; or counter shafts
attached thereto or driven thereby; or shafts driven by screw or other propellers
mounted for that purpose; or by any suitable power provided for the same purpose.
Or the power may be arranged to remain inoperative until required to operate upon
the rudders or planes.
When a screw and worm gear is employed for the purposes aforesaid, with con-
tinuous motion, the driving shaft actuates a pair of idle worm wheels, by right and
left hand screws, so as to drive the same in opposite directions. When one of these
worm wheels is stopped or retarded, it acts as a nut to the shaft and imparts
thereto a longitudinal movement, which is communicated to the rudder or rudders,
plane or planes; such motion being continued until the vessel assumes the required
position, whereupon the arrested wheel is released, and the rudders and planes are
held at the required angle, by means of suitable connections with the mechanism;
the right and left hand screws being carried by a sleeve upon the shaft, with a
feather or other appliance for ensuring rotation.
When a combination of toothed racks and other connected gear as aforesaid is
used, similar effects are produced by equivalent arrangements, the motion being
, arrested until required to act.
The appliances employed to set the steering power in motion, consist of inverted
pendulums and pivoted vanes. The pendulums are fitted so as to have only a small

page_text: are of vibration; and the pivoted vanes are preferably of a V form to secure
promptness of action.
When the vessel departs from the desired line of travel, the pendulum acts
upon a pinion or other gear so as to cause the steering power to act, and
thereby promptly alter the angle of the rudder or plane, until the vessel recovers
its line of travel, whereupon the pendulum causes the gear to resuine its normal
condition.
The vanes act in a similar manner upon the mechanism, causing it to act upon
and alter the angles of the planes when necessary, so as to control the vessel as
required.
Horizontal rotary vanes on vertical axes may also be used for operating the
mechanism.
Electro magnets may also be used in connection with the meclianism, for
operating the same and governing the angles of the planes, as required.
Assuming that a vessel is being driven in a horizontal direction on an even keel.
and that the horizontal rudder at the stern is in charge of an inverted pendulum,
while the forward planes are in charge of vanes: If the head of the vessel should
rise, the pendulum would fall backwards, and cause the steering power to increase
the angle of the rudder, until the restoration of the vessel to its horizontal position;
and vice versa.
And in case the speed is sufficiently great to cause an upward motion of the
vessel, while on an even keel, the vanes would receive fluid pressure upon their
upper surfaces, whereby they would he deflected, and thereby bring about the
alteration of the forward planes to a finer angle; the head would then incline
downwards; and this would cause the pendulum to act upon the rudder planes in
a similar manner. By these means the necessary angles for supporting the vessel
are automatically obtained, and advantage is taken of increased speed by reducing
the angles, and, consequently, the resistance of the planes.
The necessary angles can at any time be altered by hand, as required, for
starting or stopping.
Analogous modifications of my invention render it suitable for controlling
aviators; aërostats, supported by gas containers; torpedoes, and submarine
vessels.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and
ascertained, reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which
similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, 3 is a shaft which is kept in rotation in the direction
of the arrow. 4 is a sleeve, rotating with the shaft 3. The sleeve has a right
hand screw or 'worm thread 5, and a left hand worm 6, meshing into the toothed
wheels 7 and 8. 9, 10, are sliding bearings in which the axles of the wheels 7
and 8 work. The bearings 9, 10, are fitted with springs 11 which draw the
wheels towards each other, as shown in Fig. 1, in which position their teeth
engage, so as to ensure simultaneous rotation, in the direction of the arrows. 12 is
a double ended lever, which is governed by an inverted pendulum or by steering
vanes. 13 is the forked end of a lever, which lever governs the angle of one
or more plane or planes, represented diagrammatically by the dotted line 14.
If the vessel is supposed to be travelling in the direction indicated by the
arrow 15, in a perfectly horizontal line, the wheels 7 and 8 revolve together as idle
wheels, and do not interfere with the angle of the planes 14.
But in case the
vessel should assume the direction indicated by the arrow 15 as shown in Fig. 2,
the lever 12 engages one of the teeth of the wheel 7, stopping its rotation. This
wheel is then thrown out of gear with the wheel 8. The wheel 7 then acts as a
nut to the worm 5, whereby the sleeve 4 is pressed forward, carrying the forked
lever 13 with it, and altering the angle of the plane 14, until the lever 12
resumes its horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 1. The wheels 7, 8 then also
resume the position shown in Fig. 1, acting as idle wheels until again required to
operate,

page_text: Referring to Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6, Fig. 3 being an elevation: Figs. 4 and 5 end
views of Fig. 3 on the line 1, 1 and Fig. 6 a plan view, partly in section, on the
line 2, 2, of Fig. 3. 16 is a shaft, driven by any suitable motive power, when at
liberty to revolve. 17 is a shaft attached to 16 by an universal joint at 18. 19 is
a double-toothed lantern wheel, fast on the shaft 17. 20 is a rod connecting the
shaft 17 with an inverted pendulum or steering vane or vanes by a joint at 21.
22, 22, are two segmental frames fast on the shaft 23. The shaft 23 is connected
with one or more plane or planes 14, so as to govern the angles of the same.
Teeth 24, 25, are fitted to the frame 22 with which the lantern teeth of 19
engage.
When the vessel is travelling in a perfectly horizontal direction, the pendulum or
the vanes (whichever may be controlling the rod 20) hold the lantern wheel 19 in
a central position, as shown in Fig. 4. The teeth of the lantern-wheel then become
engaged, on both sides, with the teeth 24, 25, (the latter being shaded) whereby the
shafts 16 and 17 are held fast and prevented from revolving. If, however, the
vessel deviates from its horizontal course, the rod 20 alters the position of
the shaft 17 and lantern wheel 19, and causes the lantern wheel 19 to become dis-
engaged on one side, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. The power applied to the
shafts 16 and 17 is then free to act and the lantern wheel operates the frames 22,
which, through the medium of the shaft 23, alters the angle of the planes 14 until
the vessel is restored to its horizontal position.
It is obvious that ordinary mechanical equivalents may be used for the several
arrangements above described and illustrated; and that the vessels may be steered
in horizontal or any other position, as required; also that the apparatus may be
adapted to secure transverse as well as longitudinal stability.
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 :-
1. The improvements in the method of, and in means and appliances for steering
and controlling vessels in air or water.
2. In means and appliances for the purposes aforesaid, the combination of a
rotating shaft 3, carrying a sleeve 4 rotating therewith; the said sleeve being
provided with right and left hand wornis meshing into worm wheels 7 and 8; the
said worm wheels 7 and 8 remaining idle until the required course of the vessel is
departed from, upon the happening of which departure, one of the wheels 7 or 8 is
caused to cease rotating, and to act as a nut to its worm; thereby altering the
angle of the plane or planes 14 and governing the course of the vessel, substan-
tially as herein before described and illustrated by Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.
3. In means and appliances for the purposes aforesaid, the combination of the
shafts 16 and 17, capable of rotating only when the vessel departs from its required
course the said shaft 17 being governed by a rod 20, and carrying the double
lantern whicel 19, meshing into the toothed segmental rack 22; the latter altering
the angle of the planes 14, and thereby governing the course of the vessel, substan-
tially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the
drawings.
4. The application and use of worm wheels, meshing into right and left hand
screws, driven by any suitable motive power, the rotation of the worm wheels being
governed by hand, by friction, or otherwise, substantially as and for the purposes
hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings.
5. The application and use of a power shaft, fitted with a lantern wheel or
wheels, gearing into segmental racks, or other bevel gear, or equivalent devices, so
arranged that motion is arrested until the vessel departs from its required course,
the position of the lantern wheel shaft, or equivalent shaft or shafts being governed
by hand or otherwise substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described
and illustrated by the drawings.
6. The application to vessels as aforesaid, having one, two, or more fixed plane or

page_text: planes, of some one or more of the aforesaid appliances, whereby the angle of the
vessel itself, and its fixed planes may be governed, substantially as hereinbefore:
described and illustrated by the drawings.
Dated 1st June 1892
GEO.
DOWNING,.
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.