US2457095A - Rheostat with rectilinear slide - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 21, 1.948. F. P. sTRoTHER 2,457,095

RIVIESTAT WITH REC'ILINEAR SLIDE Filed Deo. ze, 1944` 2 'sheets-sheet 1 Dec. 21,1948. F. P., sTRo'rHER RHEos'i'AT WITH RECTILINEAR SLIDE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed D90. 26, 1944 Patented Dec. 2l, 1948 RHEosTA'r WITH REQTIL'INAR SLIDE Fred P. Strother, Minneapolis, Minn., assig'nor to Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a corpol'ationof` Delaware Application December 26, 1944, serial No. 569,693

`I`his inventionrclates to an improved gyroscope erecting and levelling apparatus and has for one of its principal objects the concurrent and selective delivery of electric energy from a common Source Ithrough -a plurality 0f parallel circuits to `operating members. ered through each parallel circuit or leg thereof Th@ energy delivwhich adjustable resistors are positioned, to en` ergize `a like plurality of operable members. The adjustable resistors may be arranged to deliver energyto the operable members throughout wide ranges so that operation of the members may be similar or may vary considerably in relation to each other. Moreover, the apparatus is so arrangedthat energy may be delivered to operate theV members at a high or low speed without altering or changing the settings of the resistors. Additionally, the ratio of` operation f the members at high vspeed is not necessarily the same as the ratio of operation of the members at low speed.

The improved control apparatus of -this invention may be used in conjunction with various kinds of members operated in pairs or equipment operated by the application of forces from more than one direction wherein the force delivered to one member or from one direction may differ from the .force delivered to the other member or from another direction. The present control apparatus is especially adapted to be used to operate the erect- Aing or levelling mechanism of gyroscopes. However, its use is by no means conned to such employment. As illustrative of the adaptability and one `of the uses of the improved apparatus it is herein shown and described in conjunction with the method and means for -stabilizinggyro devices disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 482,217, iiled April 7, 1943, which issued as Patent No. 2,417,573 on March 18, 1947.

It is understood that any body rotating, particularly at a fairly high angular velocity, about an axis tends to resist motion of that axis in any direction other than paralled to itself. The application of a force to the axis of the gyroscope tending to rotate it out of this position causes a phenomenon known as procession 0f the gyro-` scope, that is, it eifects a rotation of the axis of the gyr-oscope not in the plane of action of the force, but in a plane at an angle of 90 degrees with the plane of action of the force, the angle being measured in the direction of rotation of the gyroscope.

7 Claims. (Cl. 201-48) f 2 In my co-pending application, the axis of rotation of thefgyroscope is maintained in or moved toward its position of `orientation by the operation of electromagnetic means. The electromagnetic means comprises two-sets of elements positioned to rotate on axes at'right angles to each other and normal to the axis of rotation of the gyroscope. Thus, when the axis of rotation of the gyro moves from its Lplane offorientation'and from the plane of etherof the right angle axes, two forces are required to right the gyroscope. If the electromagnetic elements rotate on equal radii then equal input in'each electromagnetic element will result in equalforces applied to different sides'of the gyrosc'ope axis. However, the construction of a gyroscope having Aelectromagnetic elements positioned to operate on precisely equal radii would not-'only entail'slow, high precision work, but

would valso be' vextremely costly. The present structure solves this problem by the arrangement of resistors in each circuit which may be selectively adjusted so that the for-ces exerted againstzthe axis of the gyroscope may be precisely equal `althol'igh there may be considerable difference in the energy applied to and the moment ofthe electromagnetic elements. Additionally, the device maybe set so that control or recovery in one directionisy at a selectivelyvdiiferent rate than control or recovery movement in the other direction.

`In the operationA ofj gyro stabilizing or levelling devices, `especially those used in the control and v 'operation of planes and laviation equipment, it' is at times desirous and advantageous to make correction-s and alter settings lat a rapid rate and at other times to makek the same corrections and alterations'at amuch slower rate. For instance, at

the beginning of a bombing run, it is essential that thebombardier complete the setting of the gyro on a given course and range at the earliest possible prevent overcorrection and overcontrol.

moment. Accordingly, high speed responsive mechanism is here desirable and essential. However, after the course and range have been set the high speed mechanism could tend to cause overcontrol and'result in the ship proceeding on an erratic course. Accordingly, low speedv responsive mechanism is now desirable and essential to The improvedapparatus of this invention provides for both high and lowspeed operation.

Another object' of advantage and importance ofthe apparatus of this invention resides in the provision of means for applying a given force to a movable member infone direction and a different forceto the same member from -another direction.

Afstill further object of the invention is to'pro- .isan elongated contact member 21.

. toward low position.

vide means tending to maintain a movable member in a given position of orientation and for urging that member toward the given position at selectively different rates of speeds when the member is moved from its original position.

Additional objects of importance and advantage will become apparent as the following detailed description progresses; reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1 is a front elevational view of an electrical unit which embodies the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof; Figure 3 is an elevational view of the Ldevice shown in Figure 1 with thecover removed yand portions thereof broken away;

Figure 4 is a, vertical section taken on line 4-4 shown` in. Figure 5;

Figure'l` is similar to Figure 6 but shows the switch in high position; and

Figure 8 is a schematicwiring diagram showing the electrical circuitsand operable positions of` the control switch.

The reference number I0 indicates generally a ,casing comprising a base II, a back-plate I2, and

a cover I3. The parts may be secured together in any suitable manner `as for instance by screws I4.

The cover I3 is drilled to receive a shaft I6 upon Awhich is mounted an operating handle I1. Abutment members I8- formed on the surface of the coverfl3 provide stops-to limit the rotational `movement of the handle I1. The handle I1 is operably movable to off, lowand high positions.

4Journaled in the plate I2, in alignment with `the shaft I6, is-a shaft I9. Formed on theinr.wardly projecting end of theshaft I9Vand rotatable therewith isa cam 23. Peripheral portions ofthe cam 23 on opposed sides thereof are turned .axially of the shaft.y I9 to provide operating bosses .24. The bosses 24 arefadapted to` cooperate with lportions of the :shaft I6 to form a, releasable driving connection between the handle I1Y and the `cam 23. Projecting radially from the cam 23 and spaced one from the other are two fingers 25 to .which a dat insulating member 26 `is secured. From the foregoing it will be apparent that rotation of kthe handle I1 and shaft I6 rotates the shaft I9 and `cam 23 together with ngers25 and the insulating member, 26 within operating limits dened by abutment members I8.

the ngers 25 and electrically insulated therefrom The contact member 21 is adapted to rotate with the cam assembly for a purpose hereinafter more fully `28 to maintain the cam 23 and associated parts in oi .and low positions. Extending outwardly from the peripheral edge of the cam 23 and turned .at right angles thereto to engage a biasing spring 32 is an abutment 33. Theabutment33 and biasing1spring132icooperate to load Athecam when` it ismoved to high position and tends to urgeit Accordingly, when the handle I1 is` released while in high position it.will

`automatically return to low position. A stop member 34 is positioned ,in the path of travel Secured .to .the insulating member 26 at a point intermediate appear. conductors 31 and 38 and slidably engaging the flat insulating member 26 are contacts 43 and 44,

A'gagement with'contacts 46 and41.

on conducting member 6I.

,and,64 which provideelectrical connections be- .deringor in :any other suitablemanner.

of the biasing spring 32 to prevent that member from urging the cam 23 beyond low position.

Secured to the plate l2, in any suitable manner as for instance by screws 35, is an insulating and supporting block 36. The supporting block 38 carries a plurality of conductor blades 31, 38, 4I, and 42 which are spaced and insulated one from another. The lblades31,38,"4l,sand `Mare electrically connected to l `a. source of supply and resistance members as will hereinafter more fully Secured to the free end of the blade respectively. The contacts 43 and 44 are of considerable `length and are adapted to maintain the free ends of theblade connectors 31 and 38 spaced from vthe blade connectors 4I and 42, as is best shown in Figures 4 and 5. Secured to the free ends ofthe blade connectors 4I and 42 are contacts 46 and 41, respectively. Contact 46 extends oneach side oi blade 4I ands adapted when moved toward blade 31 to engagea contact.

i aligned therewith and carried bybladet31.

From the foregoing it will be apparentthat contacts 43, V 44, 46, and-41, andpermits these members to slidably engage the insulatingmember 26. Rotation of the cam 23 in a.cloclawise direction to low position, as shown in Figure 3, causes the leaf spring 28 to engage the lowermost dwell21 and also causes the elongated-contact member 21 to engage and raisethe contacts 43 and 44 from the `insulating member. 26. `Con tinued movement of the cam in a clockwise directionI yto high position moves the elongated Contact '121'` from beneath contacts 43 and'44 and `into en- In this `position, as shown in Figure 7, blades 4I andr 42tare Amoved to the left and contact member carried by blade'4l engages contact 48 carried'by blade 31. In this position, contact member 43` is raised from the insulating member 26, butcontact 44 may slidingly engage said member.

Secured to the base II and extendingupward- 1y toa point' closely adjacent the supporting .block `36 and blade connectors 31 and 38, fronrwhich `dinally therethrough and engagingl end members Secured to the end members 51 at a point intermediate the windings' 53 and 64 and extending parallel thereto isa nonconducting member 758. Secured to the end` members 51 intermediate each winding and the non-'conducting'member if58-are conducting `members or` snorting bars-59 and ABI. VSlidably positionedon the'conducting member 59 and having portions thereof slidably engaging the nonconductng member '58 and the resistance Winding'53 are Wipers 6l) and`62. Two similar Wipers G3 and 64 are likewise mounted The wipers150,..62.63.

tween resistance winding 53 and conducting memlected positions and may then be secured by-eol- `Theresistance Afwindingst53 and .54 A are alsoelectrieaily connected to blade connectors 38, 4|, and 42 as will hereinafter be more fully disclosed.

The improved device of this invention is illustrated in Figure 8 in conjunction with an erecting or levelling system of a gyroscope. The schematic arrangement shown in Figure 8 is illustrative only, as the device may be employed in various other arrangements. The arrangement of mercury switches 65 and 66 and course solenoids 61 and 68 and range solenoids 1| and 12 is similar to the arrangement shown `in my co-pending application, Serial No. 482,217, now Patent No. 2,417,573, issued March 18, 1947. In such an arrangement the mercury switch 65 is positioned and connected to energize solenoids 61 and 68 to correct deviation in course, and mercury switch 66 is positioned and connected to energize solenoids 1| and 12 to correct range deviation.

Operation Operation of the improved control of this linvention is as follows: assume for instance, that with the handle |1 in low position as shown yin Figures 1 and 8, the mercury switch 65 rotates clockwise to engage electrodes 13 and 14, a circuit is then established as follows: from a source of supply to terminal 8|), conductor 8 blade connector 31, contacts 43, 21, 44, blade connector 38, conductor 82, conductor 83, resistance 53, wiper 62, conductor 59, Wiper 60, resistance 53, conductor 85, flexible conductor 86, conductor 81. solenoid 6B, conductor 88, flexible conductor 89, electrode 14, mercury, electrode 13, conductor 90 to ground. If, in the meantime, mercury switch 66 also tilts, say clockwise, a parallel circuit is established as follows: from conductor 82 through a portion of resistance 54, wiper 63, conducting member 6|, wiper 64, a portion of resistor 54, conductor 92, iiexible conductor 93, conductor 94, solenoid 12, conductor 95, electrode 18, mercury, electrode 11, and conductor 96 to ground. In the event the mercury switches 65 and 66 are rotated in a counterclockwise direction, similar circuits are set up to the conductors 81 and 94. From this point the circuit including mercury switch 65, continues from conductor 81 through solenoid 61, conductor 91, ilexible conductor 98, electrode 15, mercury, electrode 13, conductor 90 to ground. And in the case of mercury switch 66 the circuit continues from conductor 94 through solenoid 1|, conductor 99, electrode 16, mercury, electrode 11, conductor 96 to ground. It is to be noted that circuits to a single mercury switch are alternative although parallel circuits to different switches may be established concurrently.

Assume now that the handle |1 is rotated clockwise to high position and that the mercury switches 65 and 66 are both rotated clockwise, a parallel circuit is established as follows: from terminal 80 through conductor 8|, blade connector 31, contacts 48, 46, blade connector 4|, conductor |00, conductor member 6|, wiper 64, portion of resistor 54, conductor 92, flexible conductor 93, conductor 94, solenoid 12, conductor 95, electrode 18, mercury, electrode 11, conductor 96 to ground. Concurrently with the establishment of the above circuit, the other leg of the parallel circuit is energized and may be traced as follows: from contact 46, through contact 21, contact 41, blade connector 42, conductors and 59, wiper 60, portion of resistance 53, conductor 85, flexible conductor 86, solenoid 68, conductor 88, iiexible conductor 89, electrode 14,'mercury, electrode 13, conductor 90 to ground. It is to be noted that this leg of the parallel circuit passes through but a limited if any portion of the` resistor 52. In the event mercury switches and 66 are rotated counterclockwise, the legs of the parallel circuits from the conductors 81 and 94 are altered respectively as follows: conductor 81 through solenoid 61, conductor 91, ilexible conductor 98, electrode 15, mercury, electrode 13, conductor 90 to ground. And from conductor 4-94 through solenoid 1|, conductor 99, electrode 16, mercury, electrode 11, conductor 96, to ground. It is to be noted that the two circuits leading to either mercury switch 65 or 66 cannot be energized simultaneously, although either circuit leading through mercury switch 65 may be energized concurrently with either circuit leading through switch 66. In all circuits, the return is through ground connected to conductor |04 to thesource. It will be apparent from the foregoing that herein is provided a control for parallel circuits wherein each leg of the circuit may be controlled and adjusted independently or relative to theadjustment of the other leg. Moreover, the arrangement includes means whereby a second parallel circuit may be controlled through portions of the same resistor element used in controlling the rst parallel circuit. Additionally, these parallel circuits may be adjusted relative to one another.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the improved device of this invention when used in conjunction with two controlled elements may be so adjusted that the operation of one element is relative to the operation of the other element. For instance, when the device of this invention is employed for controlling a gyro erectingv or levelling system that portion responsive to course deviation may be operated at a rate altogether diil'erent from the rate of operation of the range controlling'portion. Likewise, each may be operated at a high or low rate in which the relative speed of each portion may be selectively altered.

It will also be apparent to those skilled inthe art to which the improved device of this invention appertains, that numerous changes indesign and construction may be made without departing from. the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, the patent granted hereon is not to be limited to the precise embodiment or illustration here disclosed or in any other manner except as may be necessitated by the terminology of the appended claims when givenl the range of equivalents to which they may be entitled. Y

I claim as my invention: 1. In a control: a resistance winding; a shorting bar; a plurality of contact members slidably mounted on said shorting bar for making movable connection with said winding; a multi-position switch; an input connection; an output connection; means connecting one end of said winding to said output connection; means, including said switch in one of its positions, for connecting said input connection to the other end of said winding; and means, including said switch in another of its said positions, for connecting said input connection to said shorting bar.

2. In a control: a pair of resistance members; an insulating member; and a pair of conductive members; means mounting said members in spaced, generally parallel relationship substantially in a common plane so that said insulating member lies between said resistance members and so that said conductive members lie between said insulating member and said resistance members; and resilient contacting members slidable along said conductive members, each said resilresilient member in adjusted; position along,`

`sind conductive member.

k3.` In a control; a` pair of resistance members, `naniinsulating member, and a pair `of conductive members; means mounting said members i in Aspaced, generally parallel relationship substantially in a common plane so that saidl insulating Vmember lies `between said resistancevmernbers and so that said conductive members lie between said insulating member and said resistance memibers; resilient contacting members slidable` along i. said conductive members, each said resilient membercomprising a portion for electrically connectl ing said resistancemember and said conductive member and a portion for mechanically contactringsaid insulating member to maintain said re-v atlient member in adjusted position along said conductive member; and switchingimeanscon nected to said resistance means and said con- :ductive members for establishingr a plurality of :electrical circuits therethrough.

4. In a control, a switch having a plurality ci Contact making positions, a pair of resistance windings, means short circuiting any desired cenitral portion of each of said windings, an input l connection, a plurality of output connections; and

V,moans connecting said switch and said windings to provide a series circuit between said input connection and each of said output connections in each position of said switch, each said series cir `cuit in aflrst position of said switchV comprising both end portions of one of said windings, each said series circuit in a second position of said switch comprising one end portion only oi one of said windings.

V5. In a control. a switch having a plurality of contact making positions, a pair of resistance windings, a pair of slidable electrically connected contact means for making intermediate' connec- -Vtion with each of said windings, an input connection, a plurality of output connections, and means connecting said switch and said windings to provide a series circuit between said input conne@u -tion and each of said output connections in each Kposition of said switch, said series circuits in a rst position of said switch comprising portions of said windings and all of said Contact means, said series circuits in a second position of said switch comprising portions of said windings and one contact means only of each of said` pairs.

6.` A rheostat for controlling the energization oi Ian electrical device comprising an `input conductor, an output conductor, a resistance winding, afpairlof slidable membersmaking contact with saidwinding to subdivide it electrically into a number of portions, switch means movable into either of 'a pair 'of operative positions, electrical connections through whichmovement `of said switch into one of said portions completesa series electric circuit from said input terminal through said switch and `portions of said winding to said output-terminal and electrical connections through which movement of said switch into another of said positions completes a series circuit Yfrom said input terminal through said switch and one ofsaidfportions of said winding tosaid output terminal.

7. A rheostat comprising, in combination,

vswitch means including two sets of xed'contacts l windings, and said elongated conductor respectively to the remaining contacts of said sets, so as to provide a circuit of adjustable resistance between said input conductor and one of said output conductors in each` positionof said movable member of said switch means.

FRED P. STROTHER.

REFERENCES CITED The Vfollowing references are of record in the file ci this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 4669,362 Emmett -Mar. 5, 1901 1,157,028 Noble Oct, 19, 1915 1,587,996 Warren June 8, 1926 2,009,380 Berger \July 30, 1935 2,061,887 Wyman Nov.l 24, 1936 2,077,503 Winning Apr- 20, i937 2,177,832 Knos Oct. 31, 1939 2,301,704 Kempton Nov. 10, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 212,630 Switzerland Dec, 15,71940 OTHER REFERENCES Forsythe, Journal Optical Soc. Am., vol. VI, June 1922, page 376.

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