GB426439A - Improvements in automatic course redresser for aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

426,439. Controlling aircraft. SOC. ANON. SVILUPPI AERONAUTICI (S.A.S.A.), 184, Corso Umberto I, Rome. Feb. 7, 1934, No. 3961. Convention date, Feb. 8, 1933. [Class 4] Automatic steering - gear for aircraft, in which indications of the course are transmitted from the compass to the rudder by means of electric contacts, photoelectric cells, or gyroscopic devices, through two electric circuits controlling the servometer through a system of lever and pawl devices, comprises two wheels 21, 2<11> continuously rotated in opposite directions by the aircraft engine or an electric motor through pinions 7 and endless screws 5<1>, 5<11> and a central grooved-pulley 1 loose on a shaft 4, and to which is secured by a pin 9 a ruddercontrol rope and two electromagnets 13<1> 13<11> mounted on the pulley 1 for controlling in clockwise or anticlockwise direction one or other of two pawls 16<1>. Movement of an indicator 42 closes a circuit through one or other of two adjustable contacts 43<1> 43<11> to energize respectively either one of electromagnets 44<1>, 44<11> and move a core causing a contact 35 to close a circuit to energize one or other of the electromagnets 13<1>, 13<11>. Energization of the magnet 13<1>, e.g. moves its core 121 to the left locking a lever 10<1> against the action of a spring 14<1> to release one end of a rocking pawl 16<1> mounted on the pulley and allow a spring 15<1> to rock the pawl to cause engagement with teeth 6<1> on the wheel 21 thus causing the wheel 2<1> and pulley 1 to rotate together until the pawl engages a stop 191 to disengage the pawl and allow the pulley to be brought to its initial position by springs. The pulley carries three electrically insulated brushes, one of which contacts continuously whilst the other two only contact until the pawls are unlocked. Simultaneous engagement of the pawls is prevented by means of two levers mounted one on each end of a spindle passing through the pulley and provided at their free ends with rollers bearing against and actuated by the levers 10<1>, 10<11>. A hand lever may be provided, which, when placed in one or other of two extreme positions closes a circuit through one or other of the electromagnets to effect steering of the craft.