GB340327A - Improved means for damping rotational or oscillatory movement - Google Patents

Abstract

340,327. Gyroscopic apparatus. REID & SIGRIST, Ltd. and MOSS, D. G. K., Canbury Park Road, Kingston-on-Thames. Sept. 11, 1929, No. 27681. [Class 97 (iii).] Air damping-means for gyroscopes, or electrical or like delicate measuring instruments, are connected to the body to be damped so as to operate at a much higher speed than that of the body. Suction driving-means for an aircraft gyroscope are also shown. The damping-means comprise vanes or propellers rotatable in a casing containing air, or as shown in Fig. 2 there are air cylinders 35 having holes 36 and co-operating with pistons 32 driven by a crank shaft 21 connected by a toothed pinion 25 with a much larger toothed wheel or sector 20 connected to the gimbal ring 19 of the gyroscope. Two or more shafts 21 with their vanes or cranks may be journalled round the wheel 20. Friction gearing may replace the toothed form, when the wheels may be friction faced and the pinion may be adjustably spring or screw pressed into engagement. The gyroscope is driven whether the aircraft is stationary or not, independently or conjointly from three suction sources comprising a venturi 4, Fig. 3, in the exhaust pipe 5 of the propelling motor 6, a connection 7 to the induction pipe 8, and a venturi 9 in the slip stream of the main propeller. The gyroscope is completely enclosed in a casing 1 having a driving air inlet nozzle 16 and being in communication with a valve box 11 communicating through suction controlling valves 13, 14, 15 with the sources of suction. The valves may be manually controlled or may be automatic by being spring-pressed whereby increase in suction decreases the valve opening. By these means a decrease in engine suction will be counteracted by an increased exhaust suction and the gyroscope will maintain a constant speed. According to the Provisional Specification the damping-means are applicable generally for damping rotational or oscillatory movement.