US1576367A

US1576367A - schneider

Info

Publication number: US1576367A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1926-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 1943-03-09

Description

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE FIRING AGAINST AERIAL OBJECTIVES Filed Jan. 5 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet l March 9 1 926 S E W 2 C E B O 1 5 b A In R a E u A d e 5 1 F E SCHNEIDER APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLlNG THE FIRING AGAIN '4 Sheets-Sheet 2 was FIRING TIVE s, 1922 4 Sheets-$hee E. SCHNEIDER APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AGALNST AERIAL OBJEC Filed Jan.

, llllll l 51:11::1s2

Patented Mar. 9, 1925.

sra

APPARATUS FOR CONTLROLEIINQ THE I Application filed January To all whom 2'2 may concern:

Be it known that I, Et'cnxn Scnxmomi, citizen of the Republic of France, residing at Paris, France, have invented new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Controlling the Firing Against Aerial Objectives twhich is fully set forth in the followingspecification.

This invention relates to an apparatus for directing and controlling the fire of antiaircraft guns against an aerial objective.

The problem of firing, against aerial objectives has been generally explained in U. S. Patent No. 1,345,697, dated July 6, 1920,.which discloses means for graphically obtaining the data necessary for directing, the fire of anti-aircraft guns. After said data has been graphically obtained by the use of said means, it was necessary for certain members of the fire control party to transmit the sameto the guns being controlled.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for directing and con trolling the fire of anti-aircraft guns which comprises means for mechanically and clcctrically recording and compounding ballistic data, when actuated by members of the fire control party. It includes means, operatively connected with the aforesaid means, for transmitting directly to indicators located adjacent said gun or guns, this corrected data including wiudagc corrections. The apparatus further includes means interposed between said indicators and the training and pointing mechanisms of the gun, or guns, whereby, when said gun, or guns, are laid to the proper angles of elevation and train, the pointers of said indicators will occupy certain predetermined positions.

hen compared with devices of this type which have been heretofore proposed. the apparatus forming the subject matter of this invention has the following novel and advantageous characteristics '-(1) It utilizes strictly exact formulae which, when automatically translated into mechanical operations, constantly give the exact values of all elements necessary for directing the firing.

(2) It combines, in one body, an appara- ..&SSIGNR TO inn '3 connected to members used for laying the gun in azimuth and elevation.

(3) it eliminates the personal equation which when the firing data is taken from -a plotting board and transmitted by members of the fire control party to the guns.

The following advantages result from the above arrangement:

(a) Any error in the designation of the objective is avoided when, as generally happens. there is not one single enemy aeroplane but squadrons of aeroplanes.

(b) As the operators which have to operate the corrcctor are alone required to fol-' low the objective, indirect firing may be effected, that is the data may be determined relatively to a fixed point which advantage is more particularly appreciable when high caliber guns are used which have to be bidden in shelters under conditions such that it would be diilicult for the operators of the gun to observe and to follow the objective.

(0) Only two operatives, a gun pointer and a gun trainer are required-at each gun for continuously and correctly laying the piece.

((1) The continuity of the pointing has for its consequence, as will be seen afterwards, an important simplificationin the formulae.

(a) The maximum of simplicity and strei'igth is maintained for the material. (4.) The Corrector gives also the indication of the vent dication necessary tor settlngthe-fuse), which is determined in a strict manner-by an improved process whichicon sists in taking into consideration the derivative, relatively to the time, "of the function represent- E'ZCHNEIDER 8t CIEL, 0F PARIS, STOCK CGMTPANY O3? FT..-:3NGE, AND JOSEPH LOUIE! (in other words the in f the 1a m q W mmmm the rmji tramsmissiof 5- 'aeem amnic' 715 the ""h E on smd. a 1

cannot 2 Ram is; made by hand my mavenver, the, (111-. cnnsiderably Sim worrs, the operaisnrs he objective, instead ages have only to 'ammissirm betwaan the cbjeativa be apparatus it is 1 new furmulse and. to 9mm formulm which new? and in in? in what manner these forumL-xa m 1 ,hanicaiiy imeTpreted.

nnmd (mi; the objective, mfivw HQ and that it is diiy em, Mum flue readings are mafia n m" the times ama the mi} be used.:

Wham me projectile reaches 4&9

Umrsximn [Z -6' 0f the fligMz,

indexes assigned to the u; fly; times 0, ccompzmying draw/h1g3; 155

gmjectinn of fin: eye in? v$203255 as as to adapt.

imam? 11%, D D are the distances from the 0bjecrlwc. v

a, a 0. are theangles of slte.

m 0) (a am; @116 azimuths measured from jB--A which is perpendicular to ZQ-Z v w (a a a o are the azimutlmi and zenithal angular sp%(1s,:-

811M511, ig the kmetic correction in direction, to be determined.

wrin -a is the kinetic cermction in site, be be detenninei is 3w Wirfl correction in cairection,

m, is the Wind correctiim in site,

W ia the spaed 0f the wind a}; is m2- :mgle batween he wind ami the Kine N S (an imaginary line running norm and math positlvely'measmired in a clockwise (iirectwn.

w is the angle beiween the direction of the fireixag; plane and the line N S measurgd as above,

V is aha-initial speed 0f the 'proiectila;

72 is the flmggnt elevation.

'2 is the inclmsition to be givan to the gun.

e is; the: fuaa;aiqtting.

1. Qwmimtian 0f sin 4%. In me wismgha E'Z' Z ssm 23m sin 0 (1) Tim triamglw Z AB' and Z' A'B give AJE am (W sm 0w- T 3' Z7 are horizontal projections; of p k 0 ifimch $451693? D f9, o mm 6 mm (2) iau; sisi connected to v'zi'ae mewmeaafi amigulm speeiby the relation:

film? v '0 D a f 3m. 9 I 0 m 3511f whnch gweza mm 0 E5 0 (3) 133 rogfiacing sin '6) in (2) by this value On the pther hand: 15".- mmaa:

9 (DIG): do; DI H D! i I H mm 1- '0 f tan a tan a, tan a,

fidasiiy, by replacing sin 6 in (1) by this va ina and we can Write:

direcfiion of the" tainted as will be seen hereinafter by utiliz- A I 111 a very simple conoid which has a surfoutmm 1s redwd to face that is curved in accordance with f (01 Sin f tan (ao+a) and f (0)' 25 ten a dt 0 O .t. Detemnmat'zon of sm 0'. The above formula 1s strictly exact and the correcting factor In the triangle B"Z Z": we have sin BZ Z 7 .5131 a: i z D2-1 2= (D,2' D/1) (7) Referring to Fig. 1 it is seen that D' D' whence: -4 -Z" E+EC=Vf cos 0 +D sin 6 tan 6. r T WDZDH 9 Substituting this value of n' 1)' in 7 H 005 0 We get: By substituting, this value of V in the I sin a: Vf,H cos D H sin 5 tan 1 first term of (8) and cos 01 S111 11 for r 1 2 l Z 2 D ;,H but on the other hand:

DIDZ fix V cos 6 (9) i d: D in the second term of (8) we get: 50

00S 61 D20 8 Y i I 5111 0-); m a n 5 COS 01 S111 a; but we' can write: By replacing tan 6 by this value in (11) 9 6 151 We get:

1 0" f I (Z63 \Ve have then: cos 4% 1 t (Q 1+ ta 0 13* 90 jrz 3111 C10 COS a0 cos 0 f n 0 i (it 0 O the ther hand:

n U (1 D By subst tuting this value in (l0) and sin 6 J5, M9 9981?" 0y noticing that in the second term lho 3; product i 1 a. 9, D20 (1(4) t 0 v sin a whence: may be written:

(1w I E (30$ 0: COS a tan 80= g:; sin a cos a (12) 5 6 5 (it 0 We .obt-ain:

v D de 5 t cos a cos a l1 o'f m Et 2K (005 a; $111 DQ't-ZJZKWETXSIH d \Ve ha 1%, however: and it may be admitted that:

11 H H- t :1 r mm; m? sin 0:; "fl 3) By substituting in (4) it comes:

Sin a =fz [ten ((1 0' tan [a a (1 5) In the particular case of a continuous correction being efi'ected which 15 practically according to the carried out in an apparatus present invention, since:

(1 11. m zm t zo (tan (1'0) tan (a0 {2 tan 0'0 20 which it comprises may be automatlcaliy obin the second term 01 may By substitnting in (13), We get:

ena e f: sin a This formula is strictly exact and the. two correcting factors which it comprises, that is l (axis) Oil) and

2 I E Bill 61;) C05 042 may, as will he seen hereinafter, be automatically obtained. The first one by means of a conoid formed according to f(a and f( r) and the second by means of a conoid formed according to f(a g and H8) (since e without any appreciable error be replaced by on 3. Determination of the wind 'cmrcozio'ns.

The two following well-known formulae have been used for Wind corrections:

(gin which F(H,a is an empiric function educed from firing tiables) and For applying the above formula: two conoids are used which are rotated according; to f(l D-!;I) and which are displaced along their axes through distances equal to F (H, (1 W and 0.00025 HW respectively.

The latter two quantities are in fact determined by means of two graphs on which are drawn the group of convergent lines respectively graduated in F (ii, a and in H according to their angular coeihcients. The said graphs are wound upon two drums the rotation of which is effected according to (W). The values of the products F (H, 41 and 0.00025 l-IVV are read along a gcnew ating line upon corresponding lines. The value of F (H, 0. is itself determined according to a special graph constructed as a function of an H and a 1;. The determination of f Both formulae (6) and which give 8 and 0' assume that tho dctern'iination of the duration f of the flight has been cll'ccted.

ZZZ

i (-%+a%) sin [mid-a a n iii-a cos 0: cos (2 2 (cos a sin a +2 the present invention, since: m l-1m 5 :9

) em 01 one or; (15) 0 i. p v

This determination will loo efiected means $5??- of a graph comprising a gnoup of curves corresponding to the various heights and. drawn as a function of the angle of site and of said durafzion.

As f is in fact a. function of H and oi? 5h future angle of site i1 +o, it will v l as, at the commencement of each ope by means of successive approx take as a first approximate v value corresponding to (1:0, in not introduce any complication ii. ization of the apparatus because a" be seen afterwards, all these calcula v will. be automatically effected.

5. Datum-motion 0 the o? the ace V I 1 l: di

will he automatically determined. and e will. be read on a gra 11 comprising a group 01 curves correspon ing to the various values m" e and drawn as functions oftho angle of site and of the duration f of the flight.

Theoretically the said reading should be made for the point which is determined by the duration fz f=+ia 2a).,

of the flight and by the angle of site.

ii 0 'lfz 7 ii tachometer eroes? however, no appreciable error will be introduced it the term fz is cancelled in the expression of the angle of site because for agiven d oration of the :tiight, the fllS9-SQilll1g varies very slowly only with the angle of site. It should be pointed out that when use is made olmechenicsl fuses the fuse-setting will be entirely ihdependent of the angle of site and that the simple relation will be then obtained.

The tangent elevation it, that is the angle through which the gun should be vertically displaced in addition to the future angle of site will be considered as being a function of the duration f of the light and of the future angle of site (LO-1L0 and will be automatically determined by means of a special conoid.

To simplify the drawings and explenw tion, the corrector has been illustrated in combination with a single gun having suitable indic 01's or pointing and training, but it will. be apparent that the correct-or may be used equally as Well with n plurelity of guns. In practice it would probably be desirable to employ the corrector to control the life of a battery of veral guns.

The invention Will be under 00d by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which liltcfrefcrence numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which;

Figs. 2- Rnd 2 show 1 atically the whole arrzmgeinent of the members of the scopes is obtained by controlling the pointing in elevation of said gun in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter. The two telescopes are of the periscope or bent type and are mounted at the ends of a common shaft 3 carried by two bearings 4. and 5 fixed to the casing which contains all the other members. In this casing, .which has not been illustrated, the various members are evidently grouped otherwise than they are shown in the diagram Where their distribution has been dispersed in such a. manner as to be projected for clearness of the drawing upon a, plane without having a superposition of members. The casing which supports the bearings, which have not been illustrated, of the various shafts illustrated in the diagram-ma rotate together with all the members whic 1 it contains, around a, vertical axis 6 intogral with a large worm wheel 7 fixed to the fixed stand of the'apparatu's.

The movement for training the whole arrangement is obtained by actuating a handle 8 which, through the intermediary of pinions 9 and 10, drives a Worm 11 which bears upon the fixed worm wheel 7.

The movement for pointing the two teleactuating a handle 12 which, through the intermediary of pinions l3 and 14, of a shaft 15, and pinions 16 and 1? drives a Worm 18 which rotates the worm wheel 19 keyed on the shaft 3.

The hendle 8 drives diary of a shaft carrying pinion 9, the armature 20 of a small magneto, one brush 21 of which is fixed Whilst the other brush 22 is displaced, as it will be hereinafter explained, proportionally to the values of 72. The electric voltage supplied by the armature 20 is evidently proportional to its angular speed r (if);

sole condition of the flux in corrector, their mechanical connections and th gap jggniy-ed, th id lta ay the electrical connections between the con l b d d r rtional to the angular rector and one of the guns of the battery di t b t e n the two brushes, that. is,

which is to be controlled by said corrector. & f lOWS details of one of the conoids. 1-5 i th f r p ible obtain a voltage Fi -l ind 5 are respectively a in oral. eleb t 9,1 d 22 whi h hack view of the mechanical for determining the setting or vation ant the fuse.

Fig. 6 shows the device displacing pointing handles.

Fig. 7 show the graph which gives ,7",

and e.

a gun and 2 is an elevating trainii'i teletrum of nope for through the interlinevalue of A volmgo which is proportional to i o proaloc;

is islicroforo ohmiooxi boiswocm' and 25.

i I 1 The ormolmzo 20 is coonoctcd to iii-o ends;

' tagonistio cou lo mtcndod to ho of a

rheomaa

265, 27 sn'angoel olon an arc of o. circle and or: which a moon lo contact 28 rubs which contactis automoiically carried (We? as ii will be explained heroinaftcr, in such 21 monnor that the arc 26, 28 shall be oonslomiy proportional to too (owl-o) ism :5

pointer 29 of o voll'mcter 30 connected between ills poimsfio, 28 will therefore be kicked through an angular distance promotional to iho product 4 ion (m -Fa) do on a it that is, an onyiar distance proporitional to 8 (ace fi "mu (6)). An operative will maintain pz'maicz- 29 (hiring the operstioooi the opossum, adjacent zero roduation by oobuoiing lionailo 31 which, tough the iota-medic of a. worm 32 causes the ma tation of the wheels; 33 to which is; fizcai at one end ov spiral spring oopplyiniiho onnoc false magnetic coop eop lied to limo from of the voltmeter 30. As he couple of ills ital is proportioool to its torsion it will soon that the number of revolutions of time lioodio 31 is'proportioml io 8.

The armolzuro 23 is conneoto the omli;

of a rhoostot 34, 35 armogofl along an arc The mro of the graduation of the voltmebcr 38 is represented by the pointer 39 and iiie said pointer is dlisploced as will be explained hoi'einoficr proportionally to If oqual cocficicnts of proportionality are adoptod, the angular distance between cos oz sio oz pic inicndod to balmico ilio o rotates according to (a).

mooo'i ihot is-pioporliomi to o" {soc formula i) operative will maioioln iiio pointer 3 C; posits the poio'tor 39 by ogierotiog lmnolc 410 which through time inioi'mcdimy of Worm 41, causes tho i'oiatioo of lalio'wii 42, to Wllidi is fixed one cool iii a spimi spring which su'oplios tho antagonistic cow couple applied to tho immo of ow meter 38. As lilo couple of the ml is proportional io its torsion iz soon "moi number of revolutions of iii c liomilc 23 proportional lo a.

The displacement of the oiovcb'ic oosiiact 28 is automoiicaliy obiaiood in film followhog manncr:--'llic saici is fixed at one enfi oi a lover integral Wliii pinion 43 gearing with o moi: 44: wli,-.. l1 is vorticolly dioploood and time lowci' omi of 'wvilich remains constantly applied against time on?- ifac of o. conoid V Iii ozulor that the (lisplocomoois of? 2 2 iheroforc iliosc of 28 shall he rooiorod proportional to too w Q volo' too it is sulficient to mount the coooidl in such a manner as lo couse its rotation togoizlioi" with the shaft 4&6 to take place as a function of a Whilst displacing it longitudimolly along 46 according to f o). The rototion of the shaft 46 is obiainci means of oworm Wheel $7 of a worm 48, plnions 49 and 50. shaft 51,

pin lions

52 and 1. 3 and a hamilc 12. The longitudinal displacement is obtained by means of a screw 53,

of pinions. 54. 55, 01 a shoixfi 56, of pinioos L 57, 58 and a handic 4:9 "Wi'IlCiL-Eif-S soon a oovc The clctoils of construction of conoicl are heroinaftcr by Way of example in tho description of Fig. 3. v

The displacement of the movable contact 36 is automatically ob'laincd in tlic'follow ing manner: The ssiil coniact is fifififi at one end of a lever integral with a pinion gem ing with a moi; 60 which is vertically displaced and the. lower oml of whicl'a zfsmoins' constantly applied against ills surface of a conoid 61. In order that the displacomonto of 60 anfi therefore i'hoso of oo shall be rendorcd proportional to sin a} i am m gether with the shaft46, which, as seen above, is driven in function of a whilst it is longitudinally displaced along 46 according tof (a). The longitudinal displacement is obtained by means of a screw 62, ofpinions 63, 64 and of a shaft 56 which, as seen above. rotate proportiomilly to a.

The displacement of the movable pointer 39 is automatically obtained by means of a rod which is vertically displaced and the lower end of winch remains constantly applied against, the surface of a conoid 66.

In order that the displacements of '39 shall be rendered proportional to 2 4 i sin a cos a vit is sutlicientto mount the conoid 66 in such a manner as to cause its rotation together with the shaft 46 which, as seen above. isv

to f,. The said displacement is obtained in the following manner: The brush 22 is integral with a: worm wheel 76 driven by a" worm 77 mounted on a shaft 78. On the other hand, the brush 25 integral with a 'worm wheel 79, is driven by a worm 80 mounted on the-same shaft-78. The said shaft 78 is operated by means of pinions 81, 82 of a shaft 83 and of pinions 84, 85, by a handle 86 which serves to drive the pointer 87 by means of a screw and nut on the graph 88 (which has been mentionedbefore with reference to the determination of f in such a mannegeas constantly to maintain the said pointer 87 upon the curve correspond ing to,the indicated height. The said curves are drawn by measuring vertically the angle of site and horizontally the corresponding value f the duration of flight and the graph 88 is riven as will be hereinafter explained in such a manner that the horizontal line passing through 87 shall correspond to the future angle of site a +a. It is seen that under these conditions the displacements of the pointer 87 will be equal to f, and that therefore the shaft 78 and the brushes 22 and 25 will indeed rotate proportionally to f,.

The graph 88 is drawn on a sheet which is wound upon two

rollers

89 and 90. The

upper roller 90 is driven by a shaft '92 integral with the satellites 93. 94 of a differential gear, one pinion 95 of which is actuated proportionally to a by means of a worm wheel 96, a worm 97 and a handle -10 whilst the other wheel 98 is driven proportionally.

to 0. by means of a .worm wheel 99, a worm 100, pinions 49, 50, shaft 51, pinions 52 and 13 and a handle 12. The graph sheet 88 is therefore driven by 02 proportionally to (l -+0. I v

The cloth on which are drawn the curves H which form the graph 88 is also provided with a'group of curves giving the fusesetting a, considered as functions of the'duration f, of the flight and of the site. The curves giving the fuse-setting r: are little different from those which give 7, and will therefore be almost equidistant and will be very little apart from the vertical line. These are excellent conditions for facilitating the readingof the fuse-setting which will be made, as previously explained, opposite the pointer 101 which is practically displaced on the same horizontal line' as 87 and which should be horizontally displaced an amount relatively to the latter.

To simplify the drawings and explanation, it will be assumed that the said result is obtained by means of a small magneto 102 operated by 86 (and which therefore can supply a tension equal. to

which is connected to a voltmeter 103 mounted on a carriage 104 driventogether with the displacement of 87. It isimmediately' seen that the displacement of 103 relatively to the graph would indeed be under these conditions equal to but that is only a theoretical arrangement which in practice will be replaced by the one illustrated in Figs. 4c, and 5.

The tangent elevation 'h, which is considered as a function of f and of a +o', is automatically given by a vertical dlsplacen'ient of the rod 105 the upper end of which is.

constantly applied against a conoid 106'. This conoid is mounted in such a manner to be capable of rotating with a shaft 107 according to f(a,,+o and inoreover'to be displaced along the said shaft according to according to the value 7' i=.,,{-1;-1f-h, that is, proportionally to z.

a? no olitein the inclination propolt o ally to the angle of tangent elevation v means of a pinion 220 which genre 1 i c rack fixed to the lower end of rod lllllch, as seen above, 18 displaced proportionally to h. The satellites 122 and of the differential gear cause the rota-- tion of the shaft 12% proportionally to irder to obtain the future azimuth un F8 measured from the direction which should he given to the gun when; the wind is new, a differential gear is used one pinion of which 125 is driven proportionaliy to hy means of a worm wheel 126, of a worm 127, of pinions 128, 129 of a shaft 134'), of pinions 131 and 9 and of handle 8, Whilst the other pinion 132 is driven proportionally to 8 by meansof a worm Wheel 133, a Worm 134C and handle 31 which, as seen above rotate proportionally to 8. The

satellites

135 and 136 of the differential gear cause'the rotation of the shaft 137, proportionully to the sum m +3 to which a constant K is added, as will he explained hereinafter.

The correction of the training for taking into account the influence of the Wind is automatically given by the vcrt-icftl displacement of a rod 138, the lowerfend of'which is constantly applied against the conoid 13.); this conoid is mounted in such a manner as to be capable of rotating together with the shaft 140 according to a function of lzi' lll and to be also capable of being displaced along the saio. shaft, according to F(H, (t The shaft 14-0 is driven by the satellites 141, 142 of a dificrential gear one pinion 143 of which is priven proportionally to a) by the worm wheel i l- 1. Worm 145, pinions 14-6, 147 ofthe shaft 13? which as seen above, rotates according to Ho), whilst the other pinion 148 is driven according to flip), by the worm wheel'l il), Worm 150 and handle 151 which -'is actuated by an operative, who is responsible for the indage corrections, in such a manner as to bring the indication 1/1 of the graduation drawn on 145 under a fixed pointer 152. The shaft 140 is thus rotated through an angle w-i/I, The longitudinal displacement is obtained by means of a screw 153,

pinimis

154, 155, shaft; 156.

pinions

157, 15 3 si'iaft 159, pinions 160, 161 and handle ,1 "Kai with a screw on which i; "nountno a pointer 153 which the i infects windage corrections we more oi? the 1nd correorene? such a manner as to ring the fixed pointer 22'? infront of the indication W on the gradnation of speeds 228 drawn on the periphery of the drum 164. The value of IMH, a is read upon a graph carrying drum 218 which is rotated by hand by means of a handle 219 in such a manner as'to bring the fixed pointer 220 opposite the indication H upon the graduation of altitudes 221 drawn on the periphcry of the drum. The reading is made 0 posite the pointer 222 which is automatical y driven according to a function of the angle of site along a generating line of the drum 218; the said automatic driving is obtainedby means or" a nut 223 mounted on Worm 48 which, as seen above, rotates according The value of F(H, 01 read. from the graph on the drum 218, designalcs the proper curve on the drum 164. Pointer 163 is maintained on this curve by means of handle 162, the longitudinal displacement of pointer 163 being, therefore, ro ortional to F(H, a ).W. The longitudina displacement of the pointer is transmitted by means of pinions 161, 160, shaft 159,

pinions

158, 157, shaft 156;.

pinions

155, 154, to the screw 153 which displaces the conoid 139 Ion itudinally proportionallyto F (H, a ).'W. onoid 139 is rotated as explained above, by shaft 140 according to the angle (or-ill), and the member 138 therefore dis laced proportionally to F ll, a W sin 211*!!0 that is, proportion-ally to So (equation (16)).

The correction of the angle of site for taking into account the influence of the wind is automatically given'by a vertical dispiacement or" a rod 165 the lower end of which is constantly applied against the conoid 166.

T he said conoid is mounted in. such a mannor as to be capable of rotating with the.

shaft 140 according to f(w=p) and also to be capable of being displaced along the said shaft according to a function of 0.00025 HVV. Ithas been previously seen how the shaft 140 is driven according to a function of o. The longitudinal displacement is obtained by means of a screw 167,

pinions

168, 169, a shaft 170, pinions 1T1, 172 of a shaft 173, of pinions 174, 175 and of a handle 176 integral with the screw on which is mounted a nut: carrying the pointer 177 which the operative Who makes the windage corrections brings on the curve of the graph 178 corresponding to the value H. c The graph. 178 is carried by a drum which 18 integral with the graph carrying drum 1.64.

The influen of the Wind on the duration f, of the flight is in Ze-CC'mPleX function which depends more particnlarly on 0' of the r angle of site and of f itself. Although it is not possible to establish any algebraical formula giving the value of the corresponding correction, it is immediately seen that this correction should be directly proportional to o and that it should diminish when the angle of site increases. This correction has therefore the general form of the function 1 provided on the shaft 92 but in order to simplify the drawings only a horizontal ruler 319 hasbeen illustrated in the diagram which ruler is fixed on to the upper part of the rod 165 and on which the lower end of the pointer 87 bears constantly, the said pointer being mounted in such a manner as to be capable of sliding freely in a vertical direction relatively to the carriage which displaces it horizontally.

It is unnecessary, as has alreadybeen pointed out, to bring a secondary correction or the order of size of 0- in the vertical position of the pointer 101 which gives the fuse-setting e.

The transmission, to the gun, of the data for firing'may be efiected as shown in the diagram by using the electrical apparatus for indicating and repeating movements at a distance, described .in my U. S. Patent No. 1,402,096, dated January 3, 1922. This electrical apparatus is basedon the known principle of Wheatstone bridge, that it comprises at each station a circular rheostat occupying an are equal to E1 of a circle and on which two movablediagrammatically opposite contacts are rubbins: the order which has been transmitted to the receiving station. is carried out there by operating the movable contact until the pointer in the voltmeter is brought back to zero.

In order to make a correction of an 01 der which has been transmitted, the transmitting rheostat maybe displaced relatively to its brushes and it is precisely this artifice which has been used for adding the Wl11ti ('0l'l0- tions to the main ,elements of the future angle of site and azimuth. For instance, the rheostat 179 which is provided for trans mission of angle of azimuth is-displaced according to a function of the windcm-reetion by. rod 138, rack 180, and two arcs 181 integral with 179. Also, in the same manner the rheostat 182 which is provided for the assess? transmission of the angle of site is displaced. according to a function of the wind correction by rod 165, rack 183, and toothed are 181 integral with The future angle of azimuth is transmitted by the displacement of

brushes

185 and 186 fixed on the worm wheel 187 which is driven by a worm 188 keyed on the shaft 137 which, a

positioning the corrector. the zero of the graduation 1n 4/ carried by the pinion 148 is brought in front of the pointer 152; then'the handle 8 is actuated in such a manner as to bring the zero of the periphe'al graduation which is common to the two conoids 139 and 166 in front of the pointer 281. The station, or corrector, is then directed towards the north by displacing it relatively to its stand and with out interfering with the pointing handle; lastly the large worm wheel 7 is fixed to the stand.

The gun 1.93 is trained by means of a. handle 194, a shaft 195 passing in bearings 196 fixed to the gun carriage 197 and carrying a pinion 198 gearing with the circular toothed member 199 fixed to the saddle. The shaft'lllo is also provided with a screw 200 'which causes a rotation of the wheel 201 carying the

movable brushes

202 and 203 of the rheo'stat 201 used a receiver of angles of azimuth. The gun trainer actuates the handle 191 in such a manner as to maintain the pointer of the voltmeter 205 at zero.

The pointing of the gun is effected by means of a handle .206, a shaft 207 carrying a 'worm 20S gearing with a toothed sector 3 9 fixed, to one of the trunnions 210 of the gun. The shaft 207 is also provided with a worm 211 which rotates the wheel 212 carrying the contacts 213 and 21 1 and the rheostats 215 used as an inclination receiver. The gun pointer actuates handle 206 in such a manner as to maintain the pointer of the volt-meter 216 at zero.

A storage battery 217 serves to feed the rh :ostat 179 182, 204 and 215.

The connections between the source 217 and the rheostats and the connection between the movable contacts and the'voltmeters are shown by the dotted lines. 7

Besides those which are shown in the/diagram there .are also electrical connections between the corrector and the guns which transmit the fuse settings and which antomatically fire the gun.

tit)

istrates by way of example detthe clonoid 45 of Fig. 1 which theplsces the rack 4.4 proportionally to of 2 in order to obtain and the driving carriage of the pointer 87. We find here again the ruler 219, rod 165 (Fig. 4), handle 86 and pointer 101, which serve to determine 6.

225 end illustrate two mechanical tachometers operated by the handle 86 and measuring i dfz s (it These two apparatus are of the known type which give a deviation, the. direction of which is always the same and the pointer of which locked in the zero position when the speed is nil. They are mounted in a common casing which is not shown and are alternately operated by VGI'tlCZll shafts 227 in such manner that according to the direction of rotation of the latter, one only of the two tachometers is put into service whilst the other is in the position of rest. The shafts 228 and 22.) operate, instead of she ordinary pointers, a, diii'erential gear 2230, the satellites ot' which carry the toothed wheel 231, g aring; with a rack 232 to which a pointer 3.01. is tixed. It is thus seen that the said pointer which for in its position of rest opposite 87 will in normal service displaced to the right to the left through a distance The driving of the shaft 227 is to be obtemed bv means of

pmions

233, 234, the smooth socket mounted on the screw reverse? 236, and the projection 237, the end of which engages in a groove 238 provided along a screw 23%. In order that 233, 234: shall remain in engagement it is necessary that 235 shall be driven together with displacement of the carriage 239 which supports 225 and 226. This displacement is obtained by a. bearing 240 integral with 239 which acts in one direction upon 23-l and in the other direction upon a collar 241 fixed to the sock ct 235. l

The displacement of the carriage 239 is obtained by means of a nut 24] fixed to 2219 and mounted on a screw 236.

The ruler 31.) receives horizontal displacements equal to Po through the intermediary of a rack 24-2, of pin-

ions

243, 244 and of a rack 24:) fixed to 165 (Fig. 4).

A rod 24-6 parallel to 236 and traversing a soclcet 247 fixed to 235) serves to support the whole arrangement and to prevent its rotation around 236.

For the

tachometers

225 and 226,- apparatus based on the following known principle will preferably be used:

A cloclvwork mechanism wound up by the rotation of a shaft 236 establishes during 11, seconds a. coupling between the said shaft and the wheel which is afterwards constantly brought into its starting position, 95

then coupled again during a period of seconds and so on. An escaping mechanism allows of maintaining the measure of the last angular displacement imparted to the Wheel. 'lhi's di'splaccmcnt is in fact proportional not to (if, as

during the duration T1,. Under the only condition that t shall be 'snmll enough there is no theoretical drawback in substituting for and on the contrary this solution has in practice the advantage o't' facilitating in a large measure the reading of the fuse-setting as the pointer 101 remains then movable 125 relatively to the carriage during t seconds.

The adoption of tachometers provided with clock work mechanisms and established as it has just been explained permits the in tervontion .at the desired moment of an opticel or acoustic signal for utijusting the regularity of the firingor preferably prorides for autoineticell operating an electric switch to actuate the tiling. In order to obtain the maximum-of etlicieucy it is necessary that the indication of the fuse-setting for the (re-H) shot be transmitted a little before the n shot has been fired in such a manner that the fuse setter shell have time to perform his work; it will therefore be necessary to provide for e-certaiu an ular gap betvvwn the escepeinent of the tachometers and the actuation of the firing mechanism. It seems useless to insist on the importence of these connections since the accurecy of the firing depends on them.

firing any of h nown electromagnetic devices may be in which the closing of t-switch, which should be laced on the corrector is automatically eiiected, end producee the mechanical dis lecoment which is necmry for the firing o the shot by means of el%tro-niegnets placed on each of the guns.

The t usosettings may be trensmittedby telephone or by an electric transmission of the some tyne as the one illustrated in Fig. 2 for sending the angles of elevation and azimuth to the gun. In the latter case, and whee use is nestle of? fuoe setting apgoaretus it will be preferable to mechanically interconnect the letter with the actuator 01 the receiving rhecstet. Wnenuse is made of mechanical fuses, the o eretion of the trensmitting rheostet will be mechanically connectcol to the handle 86 of Fig.

6 illustrates diiegrenunnticell a device which be used for ectuatin the handles 8 12 of the training 21ml elevetir echanisms.

2 11b institutes on electric motor having a, shaft which rotates two driving disks and by means of a worm 250 and e Worn-.1 iilieel 2'51, lieyed to a. shaft 252, on

which mounted said disks. Milled Whee 5 and 256 which frictionally e11- gage criving disks, and "which may be disp long the diameters of the letter,

15 of projections which enluomnl grooves formed In the t in such a manner as to be capable g around two axes perpendicular to th plane of the figure Whilethe

lower bearings

261, 262, lodged. in oval bearings allowing them to be displaced in the plane of figurea are subjected to the'action of in, 26% which maintain wheels 255 rict'iouel engagement with

plates

267, 268 on which are mounted the nuts 269, 270 integral with the forks 271, 272. It is seen that if the motor 248, rotates at constant speed, speeds will be obtained at 273, 27 which will be variable at will in amount and direction.

These ends of

shafts

273 and 274 are used foroperatinn the shafts on which are mounted the hamlles 8 and 12 of Fig. 2. The magnetos20 and 23 have been illustrated in Fi 6 and the shafts 1303.11 a11d 15-51 of Fig. 2. The

magnetos

20 and 23 are di rectly driven by 273 and 274 whilst the shafts 130-311nnd l551 are integral with satellites of difierentiul gears 275, 276 one pinion of which is driven by the

shafts

273, 274 whilst the other can be displaced by actustin the

handles

277 and 278 which are used or bringing back when necessary the images of the objective on the cross Wires of the telescopes l and 2 whilst the handles 265, 266 should serve only for fixing the images relatively to the cross wires by im parting to the telescopes angular speeds equal to those ofthe objective. lit will be noticed that the operation of 277 and 278 has no influence on the voltage of the

uiagnetos

20 and 23 and that the said aiirengenieut avoids all shocks in the Working of the corrector.

F ig. 7 illustrates the general arrangement of the curves giving distances ll according to a function of the angles of sites a 'o' and of the duration f of the fiiy'htand the fuse setting (2 considered as functions of f and of a t-a: 'The angles of sites have been measured vertically and the values of f horizontally. The curves COEIBSPOIlClll'lg' to the values of H have been (he on intull liucs and the curves corresponding to the value of c in dotted lines.

The operation of the corrector requires it crew of six men whose duties are as follows:

A trainer who uotuutes handle 8 in such :1 manner as to maintain the image of the object on the vertical wire of the cross Wires of the tclcscopc 1. This simple operation produces automatically the following results:

1. Theurnciturc 20 supplies a voltage dw cl) 2. The whole. of the eoparetus is driven proportional to Wires of the telescope 2, This silnple onerotion gives automatically the following results: V

,1. The armature 23 supplies a voltage which is proportional to doc) (it 2. The telescope 1 is carried along;- when pointing telescope 2 through the angle of site.

3. The zenithal displacemmt of the ohjective is transmitted to the gun (through 1.82) and to the conoids 45, 6t, ('36 and 106, to. the sheet of the graph, 88.

The third member of the crew of operatives actuatcs handle ill in such a manner as to maintain the pointer opposite a fixed point. This simple operation produces antomatically the following results:

1. The correction 6 is introduced (through 179) in the value of the angle of training transmitted to the gun.

2. The correction 6 is transmitted to the conoid 66 which gives the se ond term of the correction of the angle of site cos a sin a responding to the height H which is indicated and reads and announces from t to i seconds the setting of the fuse indicated by the pointer 101.

The operation of the handle 86 produces automatically the -following results:

1. The movable brushes and are displaced through an angle which is proportional to f 2. The value of 7' is transmitted to the conoid 106 which gives the tangent elevation h and transmits, in its turn, the latter value to the gun by The sixth member of the crew actuates handle 151 in such a manner to place the pointer 152 opposite the graduation corresponding to the value which is indicated for the angle t. He then rotates

drums

218, 164; and 178 to suitable positions and aetuates handles 162 and J76 in'sucyh a man-- ner as to maintain the pointers 162:, and 177v upon the curves corresponding to the value which is indicated. for W. e latter two operations displace longi tidinall through the desired distance, the Wind conoids 166 and 139.

Having now particularly described and. ascertained the nature of any said invention and in what, manner the same is to be performed I declare that what )1 claim is:

l. in a tire-control system having sighting means, training and elevating means therefor. and a gun provided with indicators which are tlCillfitQtl when the gun is trained and elevated, means 01"eiati; itji' connet-tell to said tirst-named training and elevating means 'l'or receiving the ans-lee of elevation and azimuth ot the objective from vsaid sighting means means including, conoids opcraiivel onnected nith said rcreiving means for determ ning kinetic corrcctious for the azimuthal and zenit ial velocity of said objective, Wind correction means including conoids operatively connct'lcti with said receiving means, and means operatively connected with rcceiaing means, kinetic correction means and Wind correction means for transmitti said cor ri-t-tions and angles to said indicates.

z. In a tire-control svstein having e ing; means, training ad elevating therefor, and a gun prodded with cators which are actuated. when the gun i trained and elevated, means operativelj connected to said first-harried trainingand ele- ,vatinc' means for receiving the angles of elevation and azimuth of the objective from r-ahi sighting means,means including a pluralit; ot' rheostats and conoids operatively connected with said receiving means for determining kinetic corrections for the azimuthal and zenithal velocity of said objective, wind correction means llClLldlIl a lurality of colloids and manually opera l ale members operativclv connected with said receiving means, means including rheostats having rotatable contacts opcratively conncctcd with said'receiving means, kinetic corlm'tion means, and Wind correction means, and means operatively connected. with said last-named rheostat for transmitting said angles and corrections to said indicators.

In a tire-control system having sight ingmeans and training and elevating means vtherefor, a movable graph having formed thereon a plurality of time of flight curves and a plurality of t'n'se setting curves. means including a. pair of rollers o )erativcly connecting said graph to said e crating means for movingthe graph according, to a tune. tion of the future angle of sight, indicator means for the time of flight and fuse setting curves, and means includinga rotatable handle for maintaining said indicators on selected curves, said apparatus being located at a distance from said gun.

L in a fire-control system having sigl1tling means, training and elevating means incision, and EL gun provided with indicators which are actuated when ihc gun trained 'ated of mugnctoes actuated i u Li-s llllQ' and PlQVF 'ng I and fi 'usl for each .i c mining said movement of said or licing such that g alien one of said pcuionul a the time of flight of iit'iron'isoid guns and to the angular sgeed of the objective US l.

int supplied by the other msgncto is .ziional to said time of fligjs and nithsl angular speed of inc ob3ecs i sight Leona; c-raining m c. cue-sting nsane for, and a gun prov ded Wish indicators are actuated, m1 is stained voted, IlEBGS fI me i ed so fli'i e meme? ope i function cl member engaging and operativel connected so Siiltl means, and opei'stivcly consaid rheosta with said indii appiarstus fox ,iti-aircraft guns w g fuse-setting Quin according to 2L function GI Y a projectile fired fTOHl oi said. guns f d l'lze future angle of siie n+3. c znotfnhlc carriage, a techonie e1 havii' policies mounted on said coTriage and mo flight means connected to sa s hornets? for displacing said carriagc 51;,1 such a manner said pointer will ocoupg a position, relat ve to one of said curves, corresponding to the duration of flight ihe pi'oieciilo: g

7. An apparatus r directing and con trolling the fire of anti-memoir guns cos-- tudinully displacing said in ii function. of the kinetic connection in site a, the movements of said COIlOl'dS sci-ving to move one' of said contacts through an distance propoziionel to and the other of said contacts through an angular distance proportloncl to sin a and u pair of volixnetex's electrically connected to said rhe'osists, the movement of cm of said contacts being such that the noedlc of one of said voltmeters is displaced through an angular distance proportional to the duration of flight of a projectile fired from one of said guns f the' azimuthal angulax; speed of a target i movement of the other of said con- .s lnces the needle of the second volt- .rough an angular distance pro or- 1o 7} the zcnithsl angular spec of ?j(3lii"'8 "mll'filfii t guns means for introduc- 0 inc sn of site correction e 5min piemsntsry term sin :1 cos on;

comprising a, movsbly mounted colloid, means for rotating said conoid sccoi'ding ioa function of s moons for longiizndinsl v moving said colloid according to a

I I l w m

2 or 2;, a voltmeter, and variable) zero 1min c an apparatus for controlling the lire ill? directin said electrical means, manually operable means for maintaining said pointers 'in predetermined positions, apparatus for applying windage corrections operatively con- 8 nected to said first-named training and elevating means, and means operatively connected to said indicators and to said firstnamed training and elevating means and said windage correction apparatus for actu- 1 ating said indicators in a manner opposite therefor, wind correction means comprising a plurality of drums having scales formed thereon, a pointer for each of said drums, manually operable means for maintaining said pointers and drums in desired relative 90 positions, a pair of movable oonoids which are displaced longitudinally by the actuation of said manual means according to' a function of the speed of the wind, the altitude of the target and the angle of site,

means for rotating said conoids, in accordance with the direction of the Wind, and

means operatively connecting said training and elevating means to said conoids.

112111 an apparatus for controlling and the fire of anti-aircraft guns. means Ior introducing a correction in the time of flight data made necessary by the wind, comprising a movable pointer, a movable conold, means for rotating said conoid 35 according to a function of tie angle of azimuth, means for longitudinah d1splacing said conoid according to a function of the speed of the Wind, and means interposed between said pointer and said onoid and so actuated by the movement of the latter for displacing the pointer through a distance proportional to said correction.

12. In an apparatus for directing and controlling the fire of anti-aircraft guns ineluding a training telescope and anveievating telescope, a pair of magneto armatures, means'for rotating said armatures and said telescopes at constant speeds, means for altering said speeds, and means including 5 differential gears for rotating said telescopes Without altering the speed of rotation of said armatures.

13. In an apparatus for controlling the fire of anti-aircraft guns, means for obtaining the differential coeflicient of the time of flight, f regarded as a function o1 time t, comprising two mechanical tacbometers, a differential gear positioned between said tachometers. and means connecting said gear 39 and said tachomdters in such a manner that the satellites of said gear Willbe displaced by said tacbometers, in amount and in direc-v tion, proportionally to the product of th time required for setting the fuse of a pro jectile to be fired from one of said guns and amass? the speed of variation of the duration of 14. In a firecoutrol system having sighting means and training and elevating means for said sighting means, and one or more guns, an armature actuated by said train ing means, means including a rheostatactuated by said training means for trans uniting to one of said guns an indication of the azii'nuthal displacement of the firing objective, an armature actuated by said elevating means, means actuated by said eleyating means including a rhcosrat for transmitting; to one of said guns an indication of the zenithal displacement of the firing objective, means for introducing into the transmitted angles of train and elevation a correction proportional to a function of the kinetic correction in azimuth, said means including a conoid for introducing said correction into the angle of elevation, means including a voltmeter for introducing into the transmitted angle of elevation a kinetic correction in elevation, means including a movable pointer for displacing the movable brushes of said arunitures proportional to the time of flight and for introducing intothe trausu'iitted angle of elevation a con-m tion proporticnal'to the co ent elcvutiw. and means including consuls ior'rota the resistance coils of said rlieosnits.

15. In a fire-control system having sight mg means, training and elevating means therefor, and a gun provided with indicators which are actuated when the gun is trained and elevated, an arn'iature actuated by 1d,

first'named training means, means inciudinn;

a, rheostat'actuated by said first-named training means-for transmitting: to one of said indicators an indication of the azim'utnnl displacement of the firing ch' iecti armature actuated by said first-named cine rating: means, means actuated by said named elevating means including a rho fiat for transmitting: to one of said indicators an indication of the zeuithai dispiaccmcnt of the firing objective, means for introducing into the transmitted angles of tr n and elcration a correction proportionai to a function of the kinetic correction in azimuth.

said means inciuding a conoid for i ITO ducmgsaid ('fi7"'-3Ci,1()i1 into the sonic ct eie vation. means including a voltmeter ifor introducing into the transmitted angie oi Qlo vation a kinetic correction in e "aiion. means includingmovable pointer ior placing the movable brushes of? s il uri turcs progiortionai to the time o for introducing? into the ol' el tion a correction 51c tangent elevation, and conoids for introchscing into angles of train and elevation a wind on tion.

16. In a fire-control. system buriavi; a u

, connected with said first-named training and elevating means, said electrical means includmg a plurality of rheostats and voltmeters having movable contacts, manually operable means for varying the position of said contacts, said manually operable means having operative connection with said firstnamed training and elevating means, means for determining fuse settings, manual meansoperatively connected to said mechanism, said last named manual means being operatively connected tosaid electrical means, means for introducing Windage corrections, connecting mechanism for said last named means and said first-named training and elevating means, and receivers operatively connected with said first-named training and elevating means and with said windage correction means.

17. In a fire-control system having sighting means, training and elevating means therefor, and a gun provided with indicators which are actuated when the gun is trained and elevated, a plurality of armatures operatively connected to said first-named training and'elevating means, movable brushes for said armatures, means for displacing said brushes proportionally to the time of flight of a projectile fired from said gun, correction means for the action of the wind and for the angular velocity of the objective, said last-named means including a plurality of conoids and rheostats operatively connectedwith said first-named training and elevating means and with said brushes, and means operatively connecting said rheostats with said indicators.

18. In a fire control system having a gun provided with' indicators which are-actuated when the'gun -is trained and elevated and which is adapted for controlling and directing the fire of said gun against an objective that is a united to travel in a straight line, at a constant altitude, and at a uniform speed from the moment that a shell is fired from said gun, a corrector located at a distance from said gun, comprising a plurality of armatures', rheostats having connection with the brushes of said armatures, means for varying the effective resistance of said rheostats, a plurality of rheostats having movable resistance coils, means operativcly connected with said first named rheostats for moving the contacts of said rheostats having, movable coils, and means for rotating said movable resistance coilsdncluding manually operable windage correction means.

19. In a fire-control system of the followthe-pointer type, having sighting means, training means therefor, and a gun provided with indicators at the gun, an armature actuated by said training means pro ortionally to the azimuthal angular spec of the objective a fixed brush for said armature, a movable brush for said armature, means for displacing said movable brush as a function of the time of flight f,,, a voltmeter in circuit with said brushes, a variable resistance in said circuit, means for adjusting said resistance proportionally to a function of the angle of site and the kinetic correction of site,

tan My tan ar means for maintaining the needle of said voltmeter at a constant position, a rheostat having movable coils in circuit with said indicators at the gun, said rheostat having a movable contact operatively connected to said last-named means, and means for moving said rheostat coils whereby a correction in. deflection is introduced for the action of the wind,

20. In a fire-control system of the followthe-pointer type, having sighting means, elevating means for said sighting means, and a gun provided with Indicators, an armature actuated by said elevating means proportionally to the zenithal angular speed of the objective cZa a fixed brush for said armature, a movable brush for said armature, means for displacing said movable brush as a function of the time of flight f,, a voltmeter in circuit with said brushes, a variable resistance in said circuit, means for adjusting said resistance proportionally to a function of the angle of site and the kinetic correction of site,

( o-HT) sin a an index for said voltmeter, means for adjustin said index, means for maintaining the pointer of said volgmeter in coincidence with said index, a rhe stat having movable coils in circuit with said indicators at the gun, said rheostat havin a movable contact operatively connected with said last-named means and said elevating means, means for correcting the movement of said contact for the tangent'elevation it, and means for moving said rhcostat coils thereby introducing a correction in elevation for the 'action of the wind.

Dated this 21st day of July, 1921.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

EUGENE SCHNEIDER.

sin