US1134439A - Stabilizing apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

. S. CHESSHN'.

"STABILIZHJG APPARATUS.

APPLICATION min 51m29.190s.

E@ aegangsgrggsnr orrion.

ALEXANDER S'. CHESSIN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

STABILIZING" APPARATUS.

maniac.

T0 ali' whom t may concern Be it known that l, ALEXANDER S. CHES- snv, a subject of the Emperor of Russia, and resident of the borough of Manhattan, city, county, andState of New York, have invented certain new and usefullniprove-y ments in Stabilizing Apparatus, of which the following is a speciication.

.--My invention relates to gyrostatic de vic'es for preventing or reducing-the oscillations of bodies which are normally in a state of unstable equilibrium or subject to oscillations or vibrations.

d Thel invention is designed .especially to prevent or reduce the rolling of ships, but 1s capable of numerous otherV applications, as

for -instance to aeroplanes, or to naturally unstable vehicles such as bicycles or monorail cars, or to conveyances which althoughstable-arerliable to oscillate or vibrate.

I am aware that the employmenty of gyrostats for stabilizing purposes is not novel broadly, but my in'vention, described in detail hereinafter, oli'ers materialadvantages in construction and operation. More particularly, am enabled to steady the structure by means of a, single gyrostat, even when the vehicle is required to travel on curves. y v

Une of the features of my invention consists in so regulating precession the gyro stat that the stabilizing e'ect produced thereby, will adiust itself automatically to the varying conditions of disturbance. Further, l provide such a connection between the gyrostat and the structure to be steadied that any tendency to disturb the equilibrium of the structure is automatically and Ainstantaneously counteracted by the gyrostatic eil'ect.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing, in which-i- Figure l is a front elevation of a -gyrostat in which an external motor is employed, in accordance with my invention, for governing the precession; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same structure;. and Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a structure of the same-v character but differing slightly from the one shown in- Figs. l and 2.

A indicates the body of the structure to be steadied by the gyrostat, for instancea por- Specicationof Letters Patent.

` port B and frame D with axis ings F constitute a: carrier capable ofswing- .low-the" axis E (as part of .the frame Patented Apr. 6, 1915.

.application le May 29, 1909. Serial No. 499,181.

in the case 'of a ship would extend lengthwise ofthe hull. To this support the gyrostat l:frame- D is pivoted at E about a horizontal axis extending at right angles to lthe axis C, that is, transversely of the hull, in the specialV case mentioned. I have shown the axis C at a level considerably below that of the axis E, and this presents certain prac-l tical adynntages, but the two axes C, E might be arranged otherwise. I The bearings F of the axis E are adapted to engage plates orv contact members G, having guided vertical movement in suitable portions of the body A and varranged to yield, to a. lim'- ited extent, against the tension of the springs H. The plates or contact members G are' adjustable vertically, as by turning nuts M, so as to regulate the amount of play between said contact members and the bear- -rotary gyrostat member J, oAany sui-table construction. Usually this gyrostat member would consist of a heavy body. pr wheel combined with a motor (such as an' electric motor) for rotating it. The spindle I and member J constitute arotor, while-the sup- E and be'aring relatively to the body A. The carrier and rotor together constitute what l will call a gyrostat structure.

In order to make clear certain terms used in my claims which are, perhaps, too technical to be taken for granted, l will'here explain their meaning. If a body is free to turn about a single axis, it is said to possess one degree of rotational freedom.. if it is free to turn about two mutually perpendicular axes, it is said to .possess two degrees of rotational freedom. Ifit 1s free to turn about three mutually perpendicular axes, it is said to have three degrees of rotational freedom. No body can possess more than three degrees of rotational freedom. According to these denitions my rotor possesses three degreesof rotational freedom, its frame (as, D) possesses two degrees and,

finally, the support (as, B) possesses f one 4 degree. of rotational freedom.

' The center of gravity of Vthe structure formed-by' the rotary gyrostatanember J, its spindle I, and frame D, 1s generally ,be-

in Fig. '1,where the lower D is shown heavier than loo its upper part), but I do not w' 'h to restrict myself' to this specilic aifraiigeineiit. rThe ad vantage ot having the center ot' gravity below said. axis, consists in changing the equilibrium from an unstable one to a stable one in the particular case ot the body .A making a lturn about a vertical axis in the direction opposite to that in which the rotor of the gyrostat rotates.

In some cases, for instance, in heavy weather, it might be desirable to hold 'the `gyrostat in its extreme position until the ship is well on her way to the upright. position, to prevent the gyrostat from impediiig the returning swing ot the ship. Fig. Q shows an arrangement for this purpose. Each of the straps Q is secured at one end to the frame D, and at the other end to a spring-roller R ot the well-known character, to keep the `strapstaut and also limit their outward niovein nt. Each strap passes adjacent t-o a biahe shoe orI locking member S, which may be thrown into operative position by suitable lever niechanisnrT.

In order to positively give the gyrostat'a precession of predetermined speed, the following additional arrangement is provided: Theaxes or trunnions E (rigid with the frame D) are extended and carry mutilated gears E rigid with said trunnions. These gears are adapted to mesh with driving pinl ions G rotated continuouslyY by any suitable mechanism, such as driving belts Z. The two pinions G should rotate in opposite di-l rections, and the toothed portions of the twogearsE should occupy different' positions in such a manner that Fig. Q may be described as showing the gears E and G on one 'side of the device, or those on the other side, looking toward 'the center. It the body A swings transversely, the mutilated gear on one side will meshA with lits pinion G', yand the engagement of the bearing F on the same side with the corresponding contact plate G will relieve the pressure between the gear teeth. The precessional speed depends, of course, on the action of the meshing gears E', G. It will be obvious that by varying the speed of the driving pinion G, and the ratio between the diameter .and that oitV the mutilated gear, this precession might be Vgiven any desired value.' Of course, these moving driving devices such as gears G are driven at a .comparatively low speed, corre sponding to that ofthe desired precessionald motion. .Since this speed may be properly regulated, it follows that theprecession may be accurately-regulated and controlled, and since the moving driving' device suoli as gears G is driven continuously, so that they rotate even before being engaged by the mutilated gears E', 'it- .follows that 'the steadying effect takesv place instantaneously upon said Contact members or gears coming into engagement. In" the particular 'ea-se fditlerent tonnage, etc.

illustrated by Figs. l and 2, the precession produced by the moving driving device such as gears -G would be made over-normal.y

vsimply to the pressure of plate G against the bearing F. Ot course," the frame D is not allowed to .swing far enough to bring the teeth ot the gear G against the smooth portiouof the mutilated gear E', the Contactplate Gliavii'ig also the function of a stop for this purpose. The reactive forces re-l sulting from the precessional motion right the ship.

The precessional speed, governed by the meshing gears, may be adjusted to meet the` varying demands of more or less heavy roll ing due to varied conditionsV ot' the sea. the necessary reactive forces being greater in a heavy' than in a light sea; or to meet the changes Ain the ships tonnage which affect.

its rolling momentum; or to enable the saine apparatus to be transferred to a' ship of a The regulation of the precession may also be effected in a materially different manner, as for example in the construction shown in Fig. 3, in which a less rapid dampingot oscillation results.`

It is well known that the ma ximuni effect of the glvrostat in precessing normally, does not coincide in time with the maximum speed attained 'by the rolling motion of the ship (which speed generally reaches its maximum at the moment the ship passes through the upright position). It is therefore of advantage in some cases, to so proportion the pi'ecessional effect as to distribute it more uniformly over the period of one 4or more swings.' ln Fig. 3 the construction is the same as in F l and 2, except that the gears iP are toothed equally on both sides of` a vertical line drawn through their centers at the time the ship is in an upright position. The-purpose of this arrangement is to obtain a meshing of one gear E2 with the corroo responding pinion G during the outward swing, and a meshing of the other gear dur# ing the return swing, the precessional speed during both swings being generally made under-normal by properly regulating the speed of the driving pinions G.

claim as my invention:

- l. A gyrostat structure'coinprisiirga rotor mounted to turn about a normally ,Vertical axis, a.v frame in which said rotor is,jour

naled, and a support connected with said fra-me byfzanornally horizontal pivotal enunection, the coianhined-center ot' gravity of 4the rotor andtrame being belowltlie i of intersection of the rotor axis .With said (normally horizontal pivotal connection, in

in which lsaid rotor is journaled, a body con.

nected with the rameby a universal joint comprising a normally horizontal 'pivotal connection with the frame, the joint center' of gravity of the rotor and trame being be low the point oi intersection of the rot-or axis'vvith the said normally horizontal pivotal connection, and members carried by the body and normally out of. contact with the gyrostat structure but arranged `to engage one of the above mentioned elements of thegyrostat structure fvvhen said body swings l and to produce a procession ofthe rotor.

3. The combination of a carrier compris-` ing atrame and a support having a normally horizontal pivotal connection With the frame, with a rotor mrnaled in said frame, the combined center of gravity of the rotor and frame being below the point of intersection of the rotor axis' with said normally` horizontal pivotal connection, a body With which the support is connected by a non mally horizontal. pivotal connection, perpenl dicular to thetirst named pivotal connection, and members carried by the body and normally out of engagement with the carrier but adapted to engage the same When'` said body swings to 'produce a procession of the rotor.

Il. 'A gyrostat structure comprising a rotor mounted' to rotate about a normally vertical axis, a frame in Which said rotor is journaled, and a support having a pivotal connection with saidrame, the joint center of gravity of theprotor andframe beingvbelow the axis connectin the flameV with the support,jin. combination with a vbody' to which said support is pivoted, and -members ca'rried; by said'body and normally'out of contact with the-support but adapted toengage the same Whensaid body'swings and toI produce a procession' of the rotor.

i 5, Tbecornbination withabodymtagyrol stat struct-ure comprisinga support mounted tovswingv'relatively to the body, a iframe mounted en, sad`support-`toswing about an. axis at ii-ghaanglesfto'that of the support,

Y and a rotonmountedtoz'turn in said ,frame l.belosvgtbeaxiale1 A' l D suppone-and menlherscarried by said body v. :sertical axis, the.k joint' ceun tei" Off grat-litri? onnectirxg theframe with the and yielding and normally out of contact withV the gyrostat structure but adapted to engage the same 'when said body swings to produce av precession of the rotor.

6. The combination with a body, of a gyrostat structure comprising a carrier mounted to swing relatively to the body, and a rotor mounted to rotate in said carrier about a normally vertical axis, Contact vmembers carried by said body eccentrically with respect to the rotorl axis and normally out of contact with the gyrostat structure but adapted to engage it when-the body swings,

devices for checking the impact at the tlme 'of such engagement.

7. The combination with a body, of a gyrostat structure comprising a carrier and a rotor journaled therein, said'carrier ,being connected with the body .in such a manner as to give the rotor three degrees of rotational freedom, movable driving members carried by the body and normally out of contact with the gyrostat 'structure but adapted Ato engage portions thereof` .as the body swings, and means for moving said driving members.

Sz'he' combinationl of a gyro'statstructure comprising a carrier vanda rotor journaled therein, with a body with which said structure is connectedin such a manner as to give the rotor three degrees of `rotational freedom, contact members carried by rsaid body eccentrically with respect to the rotor axis and normally outof vContact With the gyrostat structure but adapted to engage portions thereof as the body swings, .and yieasng devices tor checking the impact at the time oi such engagement. i

9. The combination of a gyrostat structure ccmprisinga carrier and a rotor journaled therein, with a body-With which said structure isv connected in such a manner as to give the rotor three degrees of rotational freedom, Contact members carriedby rid body eccentrically. with respect to rote;

axis and normally out of Acontact with the gyrostat structure but adapted to engage portions thereoi` as the body swings, and yielding devices connected with said contact members for checking' the impact at the time of such enga ement.

10. The combinat'on of out "of engagement with the grostat Structure, but adapted to engage portions thereof as the body. swings to give the gyrostat a precessional. movement. l Q '11,; lhe combination of a body, a gyrostat structure connected therewith inl such a manner as to give the rotor of the gyrostat three, `eilefgrees of rotational reedomL-alid grovidedwith toothed engaging portions, and driving nime-ns carried by the body and normally4 out or' engagwant withysaid.

roo

y A a body, a gyrostat structure connected therewith and moving -devices'carried by the body and normally 4 toothed engaging portions, but adapted to v engage them as the body swings to give the gyrostat a preoessional movement.

12. The combination cfa body, a gyrostat structure connected therewith in such a manner as 'to give the rotor of the gyrostat three degrees of rotational freedom, and

I -provided vwith toothed engaging portions mounted to turn relatively to said structure,

'l to give the gyrostat a precessional movement.

-L' 13. The combination with a body, of a gyrostat structure connected therewith movably, and continuously driven actuatlng Y members carried b v said body 4and normally out of Contact with the gyrostat structure, said structure being provided with portions adapted to engage said actuating' members when the body swings, to produce a precession of the gyrostat.v

14. The combination with a body, of'a gyrostat structure connected therewith movably, and .continuously rotating actuating members carried by said body and normally out of contact with the gyrostat structure, said structure being provided with portions adapted to engage said actuating members when the body swings, to produce a precession of the gyrostat.

f 15. lThe combination, With a body, of a gyrostat structure connected therewith movably, and independently actuated, continuofusl'y moving means for automatically producing precession.

16. The combination, With the body, of a lrostat structure connected therewith, mova ly and independently actuated, continufusly moving means for producing precession of predetermined speed.

17. The combination with a body, of a gyrostat structure consisting of a support mounted to swing relatively to said bo'dy, a

'I gyrostat frame mounted on said support about an anis at right angles to that of the support, 'a gyrostat rotor mounted to rotate in said frame, movable driving members carried by said body and'nrmally outof contact with the gyrostat structure but adapted to engage the support when said"V body swings and f means for actuating said members to produce a preoession of the gyrostat.

18. The combination with a body, of a gyrostat structure consisting of a, support mounted to swing relatively to said body, a gyrostat frame mounted on said support to swing about an aXis at right angles' to that of the support, a gyrostat rotor mounted 'to rotate in said frame, and Contact members movable on said body and normally out of .:olitaotl with" the gyrostat structure but 'adapted to engage the said structure as the body swings and to the gyrostat.

19. The combination with a body, of a gyrostat Vstructure comprising a support mounted to swing relatively to the body, a gyrostat trame mounted on said support to swing about an axis at right angles to that of the support, a gyrostat mounted to rotate in said frame, and moving devices carried bysaidbody and normally out of engagement with the gyrostat structure but adapted to engage it as the body swings and to give the gyrostat precessional movement.

20. The combination `with a body, of a gyrostat structure comprising a support mounted to swing relatively to the body, a gyrostat frame mounted on said support to swing about an axis at right angles to that of the support, algvrostat mounted to rotate in said frame, the latter being provided with toothed engaging parts, and driving pinions carried by the body and normally out of engagement with said toothed parts but adapted to engage them as the body swings, .to give the vgyrostat'precessional movement.

21. The combination with a body, of a 1 produce a precessionpf vgyrostat structure comprising a support mounted to swing relatively tothe body, a

gyrostat frame mounted on said support, to

swing about an aXis at right angles to that of the support, a gyrostat mounted tofrotate in said frame, the latter being provided with toothed engaging parts, mounted to turn,

and driving pinions journaled on the body, and normally out of engagement with. said parts of the gyrostat structure but adapted to engage 4them as the body swings, to give the gyrostat aprecessional movement. l

22. The combination with a body, of a gyrostat structure comprising a support .mounted to swing relatively to the body, a

gyrostat frame mountedon sa-id support to swing about an aXis at right angles to that of the support, a rotor mounted to rotate in said'rame, driving members carried by said body and normally out of engagement with the gyrostat structure but adaptedrto engage the said structure, when the body swings, and contact members having yielding'devices for checking the impact at, the time of such engagement.

23. TheY combination with a body, of a gyrostat. structure comprising a support mounted to swing relatively tothe body, a

.gyrostat frame mounted on said support'to swing about an axis at right angles to that of the support, a rotor mounted to rotate in said frame, moving members carriedby the body and normally out of contact with the gyrostat structure but ladapted to engage the sameas the body swings, and locking devlces for temporarily preventing the movement of i YYOSilt structure relatively to the body. The combination'v With va body, of 3.3.1,??

the -2 to produce a precession of the gyrostat.

25. rlher combination, with a body, of a gyrostat structure connected therewith movably, and independently actuated continuously moving means for automatically producing precession and .for controlling the speed of said precession.

26. The combination of a body, a gyrostat structure connected therewith in such a manner as to give the rotor of the gyrostat three degrees of rotational freedom, moving members carried by the body and normally out of engagement with the gyrostat structure, but adapted to engage portions thereof as the body swings, and locking devices for temporarily preventing movement of the gyrostat structure relatively to the body.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specication in the presence of two subscrib- 25 ing witnesses. v

ALEXANDER S. CHESSIN. lfVitnesses:

J oHN LoTKA, Jol-1N A. KEHLENBEGK.

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