GB188527A - Improvements in and relating to mechanism for resolving and compounding velocities - Google Patents

Abstract

188,527. Booth, C. H. Nov. 8, 1921. Course-recording apparatus.-In a device for resolving a velocity such as a ship's speed into two rectangular or other components, of the type in which a sphere is rotated at a speed proportional to the velocity, and speeds proportional to the components are taken from the spherical surface, the plane of the sphere's rotation is made to correspond with the direction of the velocity to be resolved. The sphere 1 is supported by a pair of driving wheels 2, 2A and by two pairs of driven wheels 3, 3A, 4, 4A, the planes of the three pairs of wheels being mutually perpendicular. The wheels 2, 2A, disposed at the extremities of a vertical diameter of the sphere. are journaled respectively in frames 8, 8A which are rotatable about that diameter in the main framework which carries also the bearings for the wheels 3, 3A, 4, 4A and for a shaft 7 carrying pinions 6, 6A meshing with gears 5, 5A secured to the frames 8, 8A respectively. The wheels 2, 2A are given a rotation proportional to the ship's speed as follows. The movement of the ship through the water is arranged to make and break a contact 29, Fig. 5, at a rate proportional to the ship's speed, and a solenoid 17 is thereby energized and de-energized at the same rate. The moving core of this solenoid is connected at 18 to a pair of bell-crank levers 16 each of which is arranged to actuate a spring-controlled plunger 15 carrying a pawl 14 which drives a ratchet wheel 13 secured to the wheel 2 or 2A. To make the plane of rotation of the sphere 1 to correspond with the direction of the ship's movement. the plane of the wheels 2, 2A is varied by rotation of the shaft 7 through worm gear from the shaft 11 of a step-by-step electric motor 12 connected to the repeater transmission 30, Fig. 5, of a gyroscopic compass. The shafts of the wheels 3, 3A are fitted with chain wheels connected by a chain 23 and their rotation is transmitted through bevel gears 32, 33, even gear wheels 34 and a screwed shaft 31 to a nut 35. The shafts of the wheels 4, 4A are fitted with chain wheels connected by a chain 24 and their rotation is transmitted through a feathered shaft 37 and bevel gears 38, 39 to a shaft 36 which is journaled in the nut 35 and is screwed to engage a nut 40 carying a pencil 41 which thus draws a record of the ship's course on a surface 42. An additional pair of wheels may be provided to bear on the sphere 1 for use in resolving the velocity into components other than rectangular.