GB314786A - Improvements in electro-magnetic apparatus for the observation and correction of travel of aerial and marine craft - Google Patents

Abstract

314,786. Vion, E. July 2, 1928, [Convention date]. Earth inductor machines; driving-arrangements; mercury collecting devices.-Apparatus for the observation and correction of the direction of travel in aerial and marine navigation comprises a member influenced by deviation from the correct course and operating an indicator proportionally to the time-integral of the deviation. As shown, an earth inductor is provided with a winding A, Fig. 1, and is rotated about an axis which is maintained vertical by gyroscopic action and by the action of gravity owing to the suspension of the inductor from a Cardan point B, C. The inductor is driven by a small air turbine A<1> which is actuated, when used on aircraft, by a Venturi device A<2> which creates a rarefaction in the casing D so that air from outside the casing impinges on the turbine A' through a nozzle d. The ends of the winding A are connected through mercury cups E, E' to the receiving device H. The mercury cup E rotates with the inductor armature and is shaped to prevent escape of mercury, which forms a peripheral ring e when rotating. Contact with this is made by a rod a<3>. The ends of the winding A are connected to a lever F and contact stud G, shown in Fig. 2, so that when the lever and contact engage, the winding A and the receiving device are short-circuited. The contact-breaker and stud are mounted on a plate J fixed to the spindle K and rotating with the winding A. One arm of the lever F engages a semicircular fixed cam L so that current is supplied to the receiving device H for half a revolution, the winding being then short-circuited for half a revolution. The cam L can be adjusted by the pilot in accordance with the desired course bv means of a handoperated disc M<2> through gearing M, M<1>. Two contact-makers F, G may be arranged so as to reverse the connections of the armature winding A at each half-revolution. The inductor may be provided with multiple windings and a corresponding number of contact-makers F, G for reversing the connections of these windings at the appropriate times.