GB243316A - Improvements in gyroscopic stabilising apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

243,316. Schneider et Cie, and Fieux, J. Nov. 18, 1924, [Convention date]. Gyroscopic apparatus.-In apparatus for use on ships for diminishing rolling, and of the kind comprising one or more gyroscopes adapted to precess in response to rolling, the precession of the gyroscopes is damped by a double-acting hydraulic brake with constantly open orifices of flow, the section of which progressively decreases as the angle of precession increases. The Figures show a form with two gyroscopes 8 geared together for equal and opposite precession about vertical axes 9, 10. The lower trunnions 10 are supported in a tank comprising upper and lower compartments 1, 2, while, the. upper trunnions 9 are mounted in members 4 supported on the tank. The trunnions 10 extend downwards into the tank 2 and each carries a brake member consisting of a hub 11 and vanes 12 having orifices 12<a> adapted to be closed by members 13 mounted on a pivot 32 carried by the brake, the arrangement being such that when one orifice is open the other is closed. The brake members work in chambers closed at top and bottom by the tank and at its sides by a fixed member 14 and members 15 pivoted at 16, the shape of these members being such that as the brake moves into the chamber the area for escape of liquid decreases. The orifice 12<a> on the outwardly-moving side opens to reduce the back pressure. The members 15 can be rotated to vary the main braking effect by linking them to nuts 20 on a right- and lefthanded screw 17 mounted in bearings 18 and geared to a shaft 22 which can be rotated by hand, or automatically by two electric motors 24, 25 controlled by a trolley 26 on one of the casings 8 co-operating with conducting segments 27, 28 mounted on the support 4.