GB547555A - Improvements in or relating to control apparatus for air and water craft - Google Patents

Abstract

547,555. Automatic course control apparatus. SMITH & SONS (MOTOR ACCESSORIES), Ltd., S., and MEREDITH, F. W. Nov. 8, 1940, No. 16232. [Class 135] An automatic course control apparatus for air or water craft comprises a rate of turn detector responsive to changes in aerodynamic or hydrodynamic forces set up by rate of turn, means for integrating the response of this detector to provide a central effect corresponding to the deviation from course and means for applying that effect to the appropriate controls for rectifying the deviation. In the arrangement shown in the Figure static pressure or venturi heads 10 mounted on the wing tips are connected by pipes 11 to opposed chambers formed by diaphragms 13 clamped to end plates 15. The diaphragms are connected by a tubular member coupled by lever and linkage mechanism 17, 19 to a repeating apparatus 20 such as that described in Specification 526,101, whereby movements of the diaphragms are converted into a variable air pressure in a pipe 22 without appreciably loading the diaphragms. The pipe 22 leads to a servomotor control apparatus such as that described in Specification 534,527 which produces a movement corresponding to the response of the diaphragms and to the time integral of the response. This movement is transmitted to the ailerons to maintain the course and stabilize the craft in roll in the absence of side slip. The above movement may be applied to the vertical rudder in place of the ailerons. The elevators are operated by a servomotor 30 with follow up 33 controlled by an air-speed detector comprises a dual pressure head 38 static head or the pressure in an aircraft cabin may be used as the static pressure datum. Sideslip of the aircraft is controlled by a side-slip detector comprising a dual pressure head 38 associated with a servomotor 39 in the manner described in Specification 520,176. This servomotor is connected to the rudder 40.