GB700315A - Improvements relating to fire-control apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

700,315. Fire-control apparatus. FERRANTI, Ltd. Feb. 11, 1952 [Feb. 9, 1951], No. 3155/51. Class 92(2) A fire-control apparatus comprises a frame 10 mounted as shown so that it rotates about elevating and training axes, and carrying, in gimbal frames, a line-of-sight gyro 18 and a vertical gyro 19. The axis of the gyro 18 is maintained by a predictor, on the line-of-sight and pick-ups 20, 21, associated with the gyro are connected to motors 13, 16, to maintain the axis of the frame 10 in alignment with the axis of the gyro. The axis of gyro 19 always remains vertical. On a shaft 51 extending from the frame 10 is rotatably mounted a toothed disc 52, and on this disc is mounted a curved rail 54 which is centred on the centre point 17 of frame 10 and which is bisected lengthwise by a plane containing the line-of-sight axis. A carriage 55 is movable along the rail under the action of a motor 56 controlled from the predictor, the carriage carrying one part 58 of a pick-up whose other part 59 is carried by a bow 60 associated with the gun. This bow is pivotally carried by a bracket 61 which pivots about the training axis, and the part 59 is so associated with motors 62 and 63 for driving the bow and bracket respectively that the gun is trained and elevated to accord with the training and elevation of the imaginary line joining the part 58 with point 17. To effect this result it is necessary that the plane of the rail 54 is maintained in the imaginary plane containing the line of sight to the target and the line of flight to the target. This is achieved by a motor 65 mounted on a plate 64 and geared to the disc 52, the motor being controlled by the predictor. The plate 64 is mounted to rotate on the spindle 51 and is given rotational movements by a stabilizing motor 67 controlled by a pick-up 74, 75 associated with the gyro 19. Thus, any deviation of the frame 10 relative to the vertical results in rotation of the motor 67 by the pick-up 74, 75, the plate 64 then carrying the motor 65 round with it to rotate the disc 52 and rail 54 through the appropriate angle. A slot may be provided in place of the rail.