US1517873A - Means for diverting a dirigible body from a predetermined straight course to a predetermined straight course parallel to its original course - Google Patents

Description

D 2, 1924-. 1,517,873 A. D. TRENOR MEANS FOR DIVERTING A DIRIGIBLE BODY FROM A PREDETERMINED STRAIGHT COURSE TO A PREDETERMINED STRAIGHT COURSE PARALLEL TO ITS ORIGINAL COURSE Original Filed April 15, 1920 3 SheetsSheet l fiiguz IN YE N 70*- Dec. 2 19240 A. D. TRENOR MEANS FOR DIVERTING A DIRIGIBLE BODY FROM A PREDETERMINED STRAIGHT COURSE TO A PREDETERMINED STRAIGHT COURSE PARALLEL TO ITS ORIGINAL COURSE Original Filed April 15. 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 NNN .R NNN \NN QNN .QNN m n v Q m M m Q a? Q w y A Q Q MN w .1 a h. SN mww N5 w M V! w mm. mm W N 935 @H awn 93 Q\ Mm EN Q QQ WE QM. km i mm mm w 0%? 1 E mnm F Dec. 1924- 1,517,873

MEANS FOR DIVERTING A DIRIGIBLE BODY FROM A PREDETERMINED STRAIGHT counss A. D. TRENOR TO A PREDETERMINED STRAIGHT COURSE PARALLEL TO ITS ORIGINAL COURSE Original Filed April l5 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 N mbm hm I w av mm MN mm.

QN RNN ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 2, 1924.

UNITED STATES,

, 1,517,873 PIATTENTH ZQFFICE.

ALBERT D. TRENOR, OF

MEANS FOR nrvnnrmo A DIRIGIIBLE BODY mom A rnnnn'rnnmmnn s'rnarenr counsn To A rnnnn'rnnmmnn srruuen'r counsn PARALLEL To us ORIGINAL COURSE.

Application filed April 15, 1920, Serial No. 374,206. Renewed April 27, 1923. i

To all whom it may concern:

Be it'known that I, ALBERT D. TRENOR, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of N ew- York, in the oountyand State of New York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in means for diverting a dirig'ible body from a predetermined straight course to a predetermined straight course parallel to its original course, of which the followingi's a specification.

Some of the objectsof; this invention are to provide means whereby a torpedo or other dirigible body may-be caused to deviate from its course, and, after following a; predetermined curve, be directed on a course which will be parallel to its original course but displaced from it selectively either to the right Or to the left by a predetermined distance; and to provide other improve ments as will appear hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of one course which the movable body may be caused-to follow while under the control of means constructed in accordance with this invention; Fig. 2 a side elevation of one form of mechanism constructed in accordance with this invention and installed in a torpedo; Fig. 3- a fragmentary plan view of a part of this mechanism; Fig. 4 a sectional elevation on line 4-4 of Fig. 3, some parts being omitted for clearness; Fig. 5 a transverse section'on line 55 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 a fragmentary end elevation of part of the mechanism shown in Fig: 2; Figs. 7, 8 and 9 depict in three different positions respectively a rotary'valve forming part of this invention; Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing an auxilliary mechanism constructed in accordance with this invention which may be added to that shown in Fig. 2 for causing the dirigiblebody to follow a-diiferent curve fromthat shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view of acourse which a dirigible body may be caused to follow when the mechanism shown'in Fig. 10 is opending in connection with that shown in Fig.2 I

v The form of this invention shown in Figs. 2 to 9 inclusive is provided to steer a torpedo or other diri'gible body on a predetermined varying course such for instance as is shown by the full line in Fig. 1, in which the body first proceeds under the control of agyroscope in the direction of the arrow upon an-approximately straight course 15. At a point 16, in response'to an impulse of radiant energy, the gyro control is disconnected and the rudders of the torpedo are turned hard toport. The torpedo immediately starts turning on a curve 17, which approaches the arc of a circle but which, due to the inertia of the torpedo, deviates slightly therefrom. After the torpedo has reached apoint 20, which is substantially at a predetermined distance 21 from the point 16 measured on the curve 17, the gyro control is automatically thrown in and the torpedo starts on a reverse curve 22 similar to 17. This eventually brings the torpedo back upon a course 24 which is parallel to the course 15 and displaced from NEW YORK, N. Y., AssIGnoit 'ro JOHN Hairs HAMMOND, .13.,

or GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

it by'substantia-lly a predetermined distance 25. As the curve 17 is a definite curve fora certain speed of torpedo and a certain throw of the rudder, the distance25, which separates the 'old from the new course, will be dependent upon the distance 21'and there fore by regulating the distance 21 any desired displacement 25 can be obtained.

In Figs. 2 to 9, one form of this invention is shown as arranged in the hull-of 30 of atorpedo providedwith two propellers 31 and 32, mounted respectively upon two tubularwhichis connected to a steering piston rod 41, which is rigidly secured to a piston 42 which reciprocates in a cylinder 43 and which is controlled by a valve 45. This valve is provided with two annular grooves 46 and 47. A pipe 48, which supplies compressed air, is controlled by the valve 45. A valve to a fixed bracket 95.

stem 49 secured to the valve 45 is rolonged and is arranged to reciprocate tirough a fixed bearing 50.

For automatically controlling the vertical rudders 35 and 36 the valve stem 49 is provided with a pin 52 fixed thereon which engages a slot 53 in an arm 54. I This arm 54 is rigidly secured to a shaft 56 arranged to oscillate in fixed bearings in a fixed bracket 57. The part of this shaft 56 below the bracket 57 is square-shaped in transverse section. Surrounding this square part and held against rotation with respect thereto is a member 60, which is arranged to reciprocate longitudinally of the square part of the shaft 56, the member 60 being provided with a central squared aperture in which the squared portion of the shaft 56 fits snugly but leaving the member 60 free to slide longitudinally of the shaft 56. The upper part of the member 60 1s provided with an annular groove 61 in which engages two diametrically opposed ends of a yoke 62. Integral with the lower part of this member 60 is an L-shaped member 64. One arm of this member 64 is connected to one end of a link 66, the other end of which is connected to one arm of, a similar L-shaped member 67. The member 67 is provided with an annular groove 68, in which engages two diametrically opposed ends of a yoke 69. This yoke 69 is rigidly connected to the yoke 62 ,by means of a member 70 which is terminally pivoted to two fixed brackets 71 and 72. The member 67 is rotatable and longitudinally slidable on a fixed cylindrical shaft 73 which is supported by a fixed bracket 74. The members 64 and 67 are arranged to be actuated by a palette member 75. This member 75 is carried by a member 76 but is free to oscillate with respectto said member v76 about an axis fixed with respect to the member 76 and extending diametrically thereof. The member 76 is arranged to reciprocate in fixed bearings 78, 79. The:

lower end of the palette member 75 is provided with two lugs 80 and 81 at different elevations. The lug 80 cooperates with a disk 82 and the lug 81 cooperates with a disk 83. These disks are-rigidly secured to a vertical gimbel ring 85 of a gyroscope 86.

The gyro mechanism is supported in nxed bearings 88, 89 in a fixed casing 90. The! yoke 62 is rigid with and forms partof a member 92, which is pivotally connected by a link 93 to a bell crank 94 which is pivoted A spring 96 normally holds the members 92 and 94 yieldingly in the position shown in Fig. 2. A vertical member 100 reciprocates in fixed bearings 101, 102 and carries a pin 103 rigid therewith, which is arranged to actuate alternately the two members 92 and 94. The member 100 is provided with an opening 105 and the valve stem 49 carries a pin 106 111 which engages a pin 112 fixed on a piston rod 115 to which is secured a piston 116, which reciprocates in a cylinder 117.

For automatically throwing the gyro 86 into control of the vertical rudders 35 and 36 a predetermined time after it has been disconnected in. response to a radio signal for selective steering, a cam-shaped member 118 is secured to the piston rod 115 and the whole is normally held in a central position by means of springs 119, 120. A bracket 121 is provided, in which the rod 115 has a sliding bearing. A lever 125 is pivoted at 126 to a fixed support 127 and one end of the lever 125 is yieldingly held in engagement with-the cam 118 by means of a spring 128. The other end of the lever 125 is provided with a yoke 128' which cooperates with a grooved member 129 which is rigidly secured to one end of a shaft 130. This shaft 130 is free to rotate and to reciprocate in the support 127 and carries at its other end an idler friction cone 131 rigidly secured thereto. This cone 131 is arrangefl to be reciprocated. into and out of engagement with two" main friction cones-132 and 133. One of these main cones 132 is rigidly secured to ashaft 134 rotatably supported at one end bythe support 127 and at its other end by a fixed bearing 135 and is provided with a worm wheel 1'36 rigid therewith which is driven bythe worm 137. The worm 137 is mounted on a shaft 138 which is rotatably supported in fixed bearings 139, 140, 141 and to which is rigidly secured a gear 145.' This gear meshes with an idler gear 146 which is rotatably supported by the bearings 140, 141 and meshes with a gear 147which is rigidly secured to the outer propeller shaft 34. To the outer-end of the shaft 138 is rigidly secured a bevel gear l48 whieh meshes with and drives a bevel gear 148. The bevel gear 148 is rigidly secured to an eccentric 149 which 15 rigid with a shaft 149' rotatably supported in the bracket 139. The eccentric 149 rotates .in the slotted end of the member 76 and when it is rotatedcauses this member to reciprocate in the bearings 78 and 79, thus reciprocating the palette member 75 with it. The lugs 80 and 81 of this member 75 cooperate with the disks 82 and 83, and the top part of the member 75 cooperates with the members 64 and 67 alternately. The friction cone 133 is rigidly secured to an oscillatory shaft 150 which is provided with a lug 151 rigid therewith and normally spring 153; The outer end of the shaft 150 carries a cam 155 which is rotatively adjustable with respect to the shaft 150 and which may be clamped in any position of adjust the cam 155.- An exhaust port 161' is pro:

vided in the top of the valve casing 159.

The valve casing 159 is oonnected'to a sup'-' ply of compressed air by means of a pipe 162, andthe valve casing 159 is connected by a pipe 163 to a fixed cylinder164in which reciprocates apiston 165 normally held at the right-hand end of the cylinder by a spring 166. A valve 167 rigid with the piston 165 is provided for controlling the admission and exhaust of the air from a fixed cylinder 168. The valve 167 is provided with two annular grooves 172-and 173, and is normally held in the position shown in Fig. 2 by the spring 166. A piston 174 reciprocates in the cylinder 168 and is secured to a piston rod 175, and is held at the left-hand end of the cylinder by a spring 175. The outer end of the rod 175 isrcut in the form of a rackwhich meshes with a gear '176 which is rigidly secured to a plate 177, and the gear 176 and plate 177 are loosely mounted on a shaft 177. A spring pressed pawl178 is pivotally secured to the plate 177 and engagesa four-tooth ratchet 179 rigid with the shaft 177 The shaft 177" is rigid and coaxial with a ro tary valve member 180 which rotates in a fixed valve casing 181 and is provided with two transverse apertures 182 and 183,, the former of which extends entirely through the valve and the latter of which extends half way through the valve. A longitudinal aperture 184 extending axially part way through the valve forms an exhaust from the apertures 182 and 183. The apertures 182 and 183 at suitable times, depending upon the position of the valve 180, cooperate with two pipes 188 and 189 which are connected to and communicate with opposite ends of the-cylinder 117. An annular groove 190 is provided in the rotary valve 180 and communicates with a longitudinal groove 191 provided in the valve, which at suitable times connects either the pipe'188. or 189 to a supply pipe 192 communicating with "the source of compressed air.

For selectively steering the torpedo either to the port or to the starboard, at the will of the operator, subject to the limitations hereinbefore described, the left-hand end of the valve 167 forms the core of a solenoid 195, the oppositeends of the winding of which are connected respectively by, wires .196 and 197 to any suitable wireless receivingapparatus 198. The latteris connected to and receives energy from an antenna 199 which trails behind the torpedo during its run, and which is arranged to respond to electroradiant impulses.

In the operation of the form of this invention shown in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive of; the drawings, the torpedo normally procee'ds on an approximately straight courseunder the control of the gyroscope'86 which acts through the palette member 75 which is continuouslyand rapidly reciprocated by means of the member j76'driven by the cocentric 149. The eccentric 149-is continuously rotated by theb'evel gears 148 and 148 and the gear train 145, 146 and 147 from the propeller shaft 34 of the torpedo.

If while under the control of the gyroscope 86, the torpedo should be diverted'to the right from the substantially strai ht course determined by the gyroscope, the ug 80 of the palette member 75 will strike the edge Of'the disk 82, thus rotating the palette member 75 through a small angle in a clockwise direction as seen in Figs. 3"and 5. V The palette member 75 will thus be caused to engage the member 64 and rotate it in a clockwise direction, thus rotating the arm 54 in the same direction. This-moves the valvestem 49 to the right, as seen in Fig. 2, thus allowi'ngair to fiow from the pipe 48 through the annular groove 47 into the lefts hand side of the cylinder 43, thus forcing the piston 42 to the right, whichturns the rudders 35, 36 to the left, thus returning the torpedo to its course. 7 v

f If, while under the control of the gyroscope 86, the torpedo should be diverted to the left, the. lug 81 would strike the edge of the disk 83, rotating the palette member 75 through a small' angle counter-clockwise. The palette member will thus be caused to engage the member 67 and rotate it in a counter-clockwise direction, which by means of the link 66 would rotate the member 64 counter-clockwise, as, seen in Fig. 3., This would'rotate the arm 54 counter-clockwise, thus moving the valve stem 49 to the left, as seen in Fig. 2, thus allowing compressed air to enter the right-hand end of the cylinder 43 to turn the rudders to the right thus returning the torpedo to its course. When it is now desired to have the torpedo follow the curved course 17 shown in Fig. 1, an impulseofjelectroradiant is sent from the distant control station, and 'is received on the antenna 199. This causes the wireless receiving apparatus 198 to function, thus energizing the solenoid 195 which pulls the valve 167 to the left, thus allowing compressed air to enter from the pipe 169 theright, which by means of the rack on,

the piston rod 175 rotates the'gear 176 which rotates the late 177 and the spring pressed pawl 178, w ich bymeans of the ratchet 179 turns the rotary valve 180'through a quarter of a revolution into the positionshownin Fig. 7. At the end of this impulse of electro-radiant energy, the solenoid 195 is deenergized and thevalve 167 isreturned to.

its initial position under the action ofthe spring 166. This allows the air inthe cylinder 168 to exhaustthroughthe groove 173, and the piston 174, rack 175, gear 176, plate 177 and pawl 17 8 are returnedby spring 17 5 to their initial positions leaving the 'ro-tary I 4 by means of the link 93 rotates the member I as 92 and its yoke 62 in a clockwise direction. This yoke 62 being rigidly connected to the yokef69 causes both members 60 and 67 to move down. Thus the arms 64 and 67 of these members move into inoperative positions with respect tothepalettemembe'r 7 5 and are therefore not influenced by the gyroscope. As the member moves down, the walls of the slot cooperate with the .pin 106 to cause the valve stem 49 to move to the right, thus turning, the vertical, rudders, as previously described, to the left. This causes the torpedo to run on the course 17. lVhen the piston'rod'115 was moved to the left, the cam-shaped member 118 moves from under the member 125, thus allowing it to be rotated in a clockwise direction by means of the spring 128, which forces the idler friction cone 131 simultaneously into engagement with the friction cones 132 and133, the cone 132 being driven at a fixed rate of speed from the propeller shaft 34 by means of the gears 147, 146 and 145 and the worm and wheel 137 and 136. This causesthe shaft 150 to be rotated at a speed which is proportional to the distance covered by the torpedo, the cam 155 bein so set that when the torpedo has travelle a predetermined distance 21 on the curve 17, the cam 155 will raise the valve 158, thus allowing air to pass from the supply pipe 162 through the annular groove 160, through the pipe 163 into the cylinder 164, thus moving the valve stem 167 to the left, which rotates the rotary valve 180, as previously described, through onequarter of a revolution into the position shown in Fig. 8. In this position, the pipes 188 and 189 are connected to'the exhaust 184 and the piston rod is returned to a central position under the action of the springs 119 and 120, the member riding up on the cam 118, thus moving thecone 131- out of engagement with the cones 132 and 133. The. shaft will therefore be returned to its initial position under the action of the coiled spring 153, the cam and the valve stem 158 returning to their initial position. The air in the cylinder 164 now exhausts from the pipe 163 and port 161' and the'valve stem 170 returns to its initial position under the action of the spring 166. This allows the air to exhaust from the cylinder 168 and the pist-on 174 .rack 175, gear 176, plate 177 and pawl 178, are returned totheir initial positions under the action of the spring leaving the rotary valve 180 in theposition shown in Fig. 8. The position of the cam-155 with respect to the shaft 150 is figured out beforehand and is set by means of the nut 156, so that the torpedo covers a distance 21' on the line 17 before the valve 158is operated, and by varying this adjustment the distance 21 can be varied and therefore the displacement 25 can be varied.

The returning of the piston rod 115 to its 9 initialposition also returns the member 100 to its initial position, thusgreturning' the pin 103 to a central position, and the members 94 and 92 will be returned to their initial position under the action of the spring 96. This causes the yokes 62 and 69 to be raised, thus bringing the members 64 and 67 back into operative positions and therefore bringing the torpedo under the control of the gyroscope. return to a course 24 parallel to its initial course under theaction of the gyroscope,

as described in the first part of the descrip-q This .course 24 is tion of the operation. displaced a distance 25 from the initial course 15, which is the desired distance. The rotary valve 180 is-now in a neutral position (Fig. 8) and the torpedo continues .upon the course 24 under the action of the gyroscope. If it should be esired to displace the torpedo a distance '25 to the right, thus bringing it back to its original course, an impulse of electroradiant energy is sent when the torpedo is at any position 210. This impulse turns the rotary valve 180 into the position shown in Fig. 9, thus allowing air to enter the pipe 188, moving the piston rod 115 to the right and the member 100 upward, and the pin 103 engaging with the member 92 depresses the yokes 62 and 69, thus d-is- 36 to the right on the course 211. The mem- I her 125, moving over the cam 118. throws the cone 131 into engagement with the cones 132 and 133, thus starting the rotation of the cam155. After the torpedo has travelled over the course 211 through a distance 212.

The torpedo will then startto I which is equal to the distance 21, the cam 155 operates the valve 158 to turn the rotary valve 180 into the position shown in Fig. 2. This returns the torpedo to gyro control, as previously described, and causes it to move over the curve 213 and return on the original course 15. By sending a suitable number of impulses, the torpedo may be caused to be displaced step by step any given amount either to the rightor to the left as may be desired.

In the modified form of this invention shown in Fig. 10,. the construction is the same in every detail as that hereinbefore described except that to retard the action of the steering mechanism when it is being selectively controlled independently of the gyroscope and in response to an impulse of electroradiant energy, a fixed cylinder 225 is provided between the hereinbefore described cylinder 43 and the hereinbefore described link 39. lhis cylinder is provided with. a piston 226 and pipes 227 and 228 communicating therewith. These pipes are connected to a'fixed valve casing 229, provided with a valve 230. The valve 230 is provided with two ports 233 and 234, the former and 228, the latter being a relatively very small opening of suitble size. The valve 230 is pivotally connected to a yoke 235 which is normally held against stops 236 by means of a spring 237. The two ends of the yoke 235 are'connected to piston rods 240 and 241, which are connected to pistons 242 and 243 reciprocating in cylinders 244 and 245. These cylinders are connected by pipes 247 and 248 to the pipes 188 and 189. The object of this modified form is to cause the torpedo to move over a course in the form of a' compound curve made up of curved portions approximating portions of a spiral.

In the operation of the modified" form of this invention shown in Fig. 10,"the torpedo normally proceeds, as shown in Fig.

11, upon a substantially straight course 251 undercontrol of the gyroscope 86. When so proceeding, asusming that the valve 180 should be positioned as shown in Fig. 2, if an impulse of electroradiant energy should be transmitted from, the control station when the torpedo happened to be at a point 253 of its course, the gyroscope would be rendered inoperatlve to control the torpedo and the torpedo would be steered towards the left in response this operation the'compressed air entering the pipe 189 passes into'the pipe248, thus moving the piston 243 upward, which causes the yoke 235 torotate about its opos'ite end, thus forcing the'valve 230 upward and bringing the port 234 into alignment with the pipes 227 and 228. The cylinder 225, being filled with oil, glycerine being the full size of the pipes 227 to the signal. During or other suitable fluid, acts asa dash-pot and causes the rudders 34 and 35 to be gradually thrown over and not suddenly, asis shown in Fig. 2. This causes the torpedo to follow along a curved path 252 approximately a portion of a spiral (see Fig. 11). After the torpedo has traversed a predetermined distance 254, the cam 155 operates to turn the rotary valve 180 into the position shown in Fig. 8, thus throwing the torpedo under the control of the gyroscope 86 and exhausting the air from the cylinder 245. The valve 230 then returns into its initial position as shown in Fig. 10 under the actionof the spring 237 and the torpedo is returned to a course 255 parallel to its original course 251 but displaced from it a distance 256, which can be calculated rotating the valve through 180 degrees fromthe position shown in Fig. 2, then upon receipt of a suitable signal of electroradiant energy by the antenna the gyro would be rendered inoperativeto control thetorpedo and the torpedowould be steered to' the right as a result of the'signal and would follow a. curved. path to the right until the torpedo is automatically placed again under control of the gyro and caused to proceed upon a substantially straight course parallel to its original course and spaced therefrom to the right a predetermined distance as hereinbefore described. 1

Having thus described this invention, I claim:

1. The combination witha dirigible body, of means carried thereby forpropelling the same, stabilizing means carried by said body and automatically operative to stabilize said body about a predetermined axis,

means'responsive to radiant energy for controlling the potentiality of said stabilizing means to stabilize said body, and means. controlled by said propelling means for automatically controlling the potentiality of said stabilizing means.

2. The combinat on with a dirigible body, of means carried thereby for propelling the same, stabilizing-means carried by said ody and automatically operative to stabilize said body about a predetermined axis, means responsive toradiant energy for varying the potentiality of said stabilizing means to stabilize said body,

and means controlled by said propelling means for automatically varying the potentiality means to control said body.

3. The combination with a dirigible body, of means carried thereby. for propelling the of said stabilizing.

same, stabilizing means carried by said body and automatically operative to stabilize said body about a predetermined axis, means responsive to radiant energy for rendering said stabilizing means inoperative to stabilize said body, .and means controlled by said propelling means to render said stabilizing means operative to control said body after said stabilizing means, in response to radiant energy, has been rendered inoperative to control said body.

4:. The combination with a dirigible'body, of means carried thereby for stabilizing said body about a given axis, means responsive to radiant energy for rendering said stabilize ing means either operative or inoperative to stabilize said body, and means carried by said body and automatically operative to restore said stabilizing means to an operative condition to stabilize said body after said stabilizin means, in response to radiant energy, has een rendered inoperative to stabilize said body.

5. The combination with a dirigible body, of stabilizing means carried thereby and automatically operative. to stabilize said body about a predetermined axis, means responsive to-radiant energy for controlling the potentiality of said stabilizing means to stabilize said body, and automatically operative means carried by said body and including an element automatically movable with respect to said body at a rate dependent upon the rate of movement of said body for automatically controlling i the potentiality of said stabilizing means. Y

6. The combination with a dirigible body,

of means carried thereby for propelling the.

same, stabilizing means carried by said body and automatically operative to stabilize said body about a predetermined axis, means responsive to radiant energy for controlling the potentiality of said stabilizing means to stabllize said body, and means controlled by said propelling means and also by said means responsive to radiant energy, and operative automatically to control the potentiality of said stabilizing'means.

7. The combination with a dirigible bod of means carried thereby for automatioal y stabilizing the same about a predetermined axis, means responsive to radiant energy and operative to vary the action of said stabilizing means and to rotate said body about said axis, and means carried by'j-said body and controlled by said second mentioned means for varying the potentiality of said stabilizing means after the potentiality of said stabilizing means has been varied by the action of an impulse of radiant energy, and after said impulse has ceased.

8. The combination with a dirigible body, of means carried thereby'for propelling the same, stabilizing means carried by said body and automatically operative to stabilize said body about a predetermined axis, means responsive to radiant energy for controlling the potentialit of said stabilizing means to stabilize said ody, and means arranged to operate after a predetermined time for automatically varying the potentiality of said stabilizing means to control said body.

9. The combination with a dirigible body,

body about a predetermined axis, means re-.

sponsive to radiant energy for controlling the potentialit of said stabilizing means to stabilize said ody, means including a cam controlled element for varying the potentiality of said stabilizing means, and means for rotating said cam at a rate roportioned to the rate of movement of said movable body.

11. The combination with a dirigible body, of means carried thereby for propellin the same, stabilizing means carried by said body and automatically operative to maintain the body on a given course, means responsive to radiant energy for modifying the course of th body for a predetermined extent of travel of the body, and means for causing the body to assume a course parallel to the original course.

12. The combination with a dirigible body, of means carried thereby for pro elling the same, a gyroscope carried by sai body and automatically operative to maintain the body on a given course, means responsive to radiant energy for modifying the course of the body for apredetermined extent of travel of the body, and means for causing the body to assume a course parallel to the original course. 7 V

13. The combination with a self-propelled dirigible body, of a steering device therefor, a gyroscope connected to the steering device so as to normally retain the course of the body, a radio receiving mechanism responsive to radiant energy for disconnecting the gyroscope from the steering device, and means operative after the body has been propelled to a predetermined extent with the gyroscope disconnected to connect the gyroscope to the steering device.

14. A system for controlling the operation of vessels at a distance by-radiant energy, including in combination a vessel to be propelled having a gyroscope to impart thereto a predetermined or definite direction of movement controlled means for transmitting radiant energy from a distance, means responsive to such radiant energy from the distance to release the vessel from the action of said gyroscope, and means operative only after the vessel is moved a predetermined distance while released from the action of the gyroscope to restore the vessel to control by the gyroscope.

15. A system for controlling the operation of vessels at a distance by radiant energy, including in combination a vessel to be propelled having a gyroscope to impart thereto a predetermined or definite direction of movement, controlled means for transmitting radiant energy from a distance, means responsive to such radiant energy from a distance to release the vessel from the action of said gyroscope, andto direct the bodily movement thereof, and means operative only after the vessel is moved a predetermined distance while released from the action of the gyroscope to restore the vessel to control by the gyroscope.

16. The combination with a movable body, of means to stabilize said body with respect to a given axis, means responsive to radiant energy, to modify the control of said body by said stabilizing means and to rotate said body selectively in either direction about said axis, and means operative upon a predetermined extent of movement in the selected direction to rotate said body in the opposite direction about said axis a substantially equal amount.

17. The combination with a-movable body, of means automatically operative to stabilize said body with respect to a given axis, and fluid actuated means responsive to radiant energy to modify the control of said body by said stabilizing means and. to ro-' tate said body selectively in either direction about said axis, and means operative upon a predetermined extent of movement in the selected direction to rotate said body in the opposite direction about said axis a substantially equal amount. I8. The combination with a movable body,

of means including a gyroscopeautomatically operative to stabilize said body with respect to a given axis, means responsive to radiant energy to modify the control of said body by said stabilizing means and to rotate said body selectively in either direction about said axis, and means operative upon a predetermined extent of movement in the selected direction to rotate said body in the opposite direction about said axis a substantially equal amount.

19. The combination with a movable body, of means automatically operative to stabilize said body with respect to a given axis,

means to modify the automatic operation of said stabilizing means and to rotate said body selectively in either direction about said axis, and means operative upon a predetermined extent of movement in the selected direction to rotate said body in the opposite direction about said axis a substantially equal amount.

20. The combination with a movable body, of means automatically operative to stabilize said body with respect to a given axis, meansto vary the automatic operation of said stabilizing means and to rotate said through substantially an equal angle about said axis.

Signedat New York, in the county vof New York and State of New York, this 14thday of April, 'A. D. 1920,.

ALBERT D. TRENOR.

rotate said body in the opposite direction

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