Патент USA US2369456

_. Feb. 13, 1945.
J". H. HAMMOND, JR
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STEERING MECHANISM FOR VESSELS
Filed March 18, 1942
2,369,456
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_ Feb. 13, 1945. >
J, H. HAMMOND, JR
2,369,456
STEERING MECHANISM FOR VESSELS
Filed March 18, 1942
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3dorm HAvs HÁMMoND, JR.
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> Feb. 13, 1945.
J. H. HAMMOND, JR \
2,369,456
STEERING MECHANISM FOR VESSELS
`FIíled. March 18, 1942
4 Sheets-Sheet 3
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JOHN HAYs HAMMoND, JR..
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Feb. 13, 1945.
J. H. HAMMOND, JR
2,369,456
.STEERING MECHANISM FOR VESSELS
Filed March 18, 1942
4 Sheets-Sheet ’4
255
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256
252
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INVENTOR
J OHN HAvs VHAMMo No, JR.
BY`
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NEY '
` Patented Feb.`
1945
` 2,369,456
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l VUNITED STATES PATENTQFFICE
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` STEERING MECHIANISM FoR‘vEssELs ` y
" John Hays Hammond, Jr.,` Gluucester,"Mass`.l ‘l
Application Marchis, isßlayserial No. lisait?` Í ~ `
‘y solaires. y(c1. iis-sn
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This invention Í relates to variable pitch pro~>
Figure 4 is afragmentary section taken " on
pellers andhas‘ for‘an" object to provide‘mech
anism forV automatically varying the pitches of
line l-äoflFigure 3,
a plurality of propellers in accordance With'the
Figure 6" illustrates
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cause the pitches `of a plurality of` propellers‘to
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diagrammatically
the c
` iary propeller control.
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`Like reference characters denote like parts in
vary in such a manner as to assist in the‘steer
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courseof a vessel with and without the auxil
\ with the steering mechanism of the vessel to
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ofthe control apparatus', andl
operation
l The invention
of the steering
4provides
means.`
means ` in
` connection
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ing of the vessel.
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Figure 5 is `_an end elevation of the upper part
the several figures of the drawings.
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'lin the‘followin‘g description and in the claims
parts will be identified `by `speciilcünarnes` for
`
More specifically the invention` provides
means to control the pitches of` the propellers
convenience, but they;V are intended to be ` as
generic'in` their application to` similar parts as
`of a twin screw vessel so that when the vessel
is steered to port the pitch of the port propeller
the art willïperrnit;
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will be‘îdecreased and the `pitch of ‘the‘starboard 15 `In accordance withthe present invention, the'
propeller increased andl `when the ‘vessel «is ‘ port and starboard propellers are provided‘with
steered to starboard the :reverse action Will take
i
` pitch changing mechanisms having a follow up
indicator `and are connected for individual man
ual setting by‘control` handles mounted on a
place;
` In this manner the >manoeuvering of the ves
sel is greatly facilitated and the steering accel-`
erated. If desired, the steering maybe accom
plished entirely by varying the pitch of the pro
pellers `witho-ut‘the use of the rudder. Means
are also provided for varying the relationship
standard near the steering wheel. Provision is
`made for disconnecting the‘control by theman
ual control handles and connecting the` pitch
changing mechanisms for" automatic operation
by an element actuated with the‘rudder so that
`between the steering `mechanism‘and `the pitchï i
in. making a turn, thepitch of the outer propel
`- ‘
1er is increased and the pitch ofthe inner pro
The invention also‘provides means for`allow-;
`ing the rudder‘to `be `moved thru a predeter-`
' peller is decreased. 'Suitable linkage are pro
‘changing devices.
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mined adjustable angle either‘to port or star-_
‘i board before the propeller pitch changing mech:`
vided for Varying the ratio of the rudder move
`ment to that of the pitch changing mechanism.
30 `An adjustable lost motion device permits a lim~A
anism comes into action,` Means vare `also pro
vided for rapidlybhanging the propeller pitch
control mechanism from automatic `to manual
ited movement of the rudder as desired Without
bringing the pitch changing mechanism into op
`eration.ì Suitable clutches permit the steering
l control mechanism‘to be operatively disconnect»
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‘ The invention alsoconsists in certain new and 35 ed from the rudder and connected only tothe
or vice versa.
pitch changing mechanism so that steering can
original. features of construction and combina-1
beeiîected by thepropellers alone.
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tions of parts hereinafter‘set forth and claimed,
‘y Referring to the accompanying drawings, and
Although the novel features which are be
more particularly to` Figure 1, a diagrammatic
lieved to be characteristic of this invention will
-be particularly pointed out in the claims ap<` 40 layout of the propeller control " mechanism is
shown which includes a `rudder l0, a rudder con
pended hereto, the invention itself., `as to its ob
trol I|,ï port and starboard variable pitch pro
Iiects and‘advantages, the mode of i its operation
and the manner of its organization may be bet-` \ pellers IZP and IZS‘respectively, variable pitch,
mechanisrnsilSP and Í3S for varyingthe pitch of
ter understood by referring to the Vfollowing de
the propellers [2P and I2S respectively, two
scription taken \ in connection with theaccom e governor controlled prime movers MP and MS ‘
panying- drawings forming a `part thereof, in
for driving the propellers ‘I2P and I 2S, a hand
which;
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c steering wheel l5 for `manually operating the
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Figure l illustrates diagrammatically the sys
rudder'v I (l, gyro pilot 16‘ for steering the‘vessel
tem y for `controlling the» propeller» pitches, by 50 automatically and a control mechanism l1 for
,means 'of the` steering mechanism of ‘the vessel,
\ Figure 2 isalfront elevationpartly1 in section
of the control apparatus;` " " ‘y u
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`FiguzreßA is a transverse section of the con
trol apparatus taken» on line 3_1-3 of Figure 2,. m 65
varying the pitch of the propellers |2P'and 12S
in accordance with the throw‘of therudder I 0.
The gyro pilot ts is provicie‘d‘with a hans wheel' p ‘ `
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The propellers l IZP and 12S are provided with
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pitch mechanisms i3P and |3S, which may be
off any well known and standard construction
thread. Secured to ther upper end of the shaft
95 is a bevel pinion 96 which meshes with a bevel
gear 91 secured to a shaft 98. Mounted on the
shaft 98 is a knurled knob 99 and a pointer |00
such as thatl manufactured by the S. Morgan
Smith Company, of York, Pennsylvania, the de
mounted on the front of the case of the control
adjustable blades 20 and are Lattached to hollow
shafts 2| which are connected to the variable
which registers with a scale |0| (Figure l)
tails of which form no partof the present in
vention and are accordingly not specifically set
forth herein,
mechanism I1.
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Meshing with the worm 85 is a worm wheel |65
which is secured to a shaft |06 which has a bear
The mechanism in general com
ing in an arm |01 of the bracket 8|. Secured to
the shaft |00 is an arm |08 to one end of which
is attached a counter-weight |09 and to the
other end a pin |03 to which is pivotallycon
` nected the lower end of a link I I0. Mounted on
the bracket si is’a T-shaped block m to which
is secured two flat springs ||2 and | |3. Secured
tached to a nut 26 which is provided with inter
nal threads 21. Threaded into the nut 26 is a ‘ to the worm wheel |05 is a pin ||ii which is nor
'mally positioned between the two springs |12 and
member 28 which is attached to the slow speed
II3.
shaft 29 of a reduction gearing 30. The high
prises a rod 22 slidable longitudinally- within the
shaft 2| and connectedto control the pitch of
the blades 20. The rod 22 is prevented from ro
tating with respect to the shaft 2|v by means ofv \
a key 23 which slides in a keyway 2.5 cut in the
shaft 2|. The inner end of the shaft 22 is at
‘Secured to the link ||0 is a pin ||6 which
slides in a slot ||1 provided in the head of a
speed shaft 3| of this gearing is driven by a
motor 32.'
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The motor 32 is also 'connected to the high
speed shaft 33 'of a reduction gearing 35, the
low speed shaft 36 o'f which is connected to Sel
syn repeating motor 31. All of'this mechanism is 25
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with a‘threaded bore which is engaged by the .
threaded end of a rod |20. The rod |20 is pro- '
vided with a V-shaped groove |2| (Figure 2)
which is engaged by >a set >screw |22. This pre
vents longitudinal motion of the‘rod |20 but al
mounted in the casing 38'which forms part of
the drive shaft 2|.
T-shaped member IIB. The member I IS‘ís slid
ably mounted in a bracket `| |9 and is provided
'
Secured to a bracket 39 of insulating material
are three brushes 40, 4| and 42 Awhich engage
lows‘it to..be> freely rotated.
three slip rings 43,44 and 45, which are mount- .
|20 is a knurled knob |23 and a pointer |25
which registers with a scale |26 (Figure l)
edron but insulated from-the casing 38.
The
Secured to the rod
slip rings 43 and 45 are connected to the revers.
mounted on the front of the case of the control
ing windings of the motor 32 and the slip ring
mechanism
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-Secured to the upper end of the link ||0 is a
4'4 is connected to the return lead fromwthese
windings. The brushes 40, 4| 'and 42 are con
pin |30 which slides in a slot I3! provided in
Secured to the bracket 39 are‘ñve brushes
an arm |32 which is rotatably mounted on two
shafts |33 and |34 (Figures 2 and 4) which are
48-52 which engage ñve slip rings 53-51 which
journaled «in two brackets |35 and |36 (Figure
nected toV reversing‘relays 41B and 41S;
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2) mounted on a cross frame |31. Mounted on
are mounted on but insulated from 'the -casing
38. The slip rings 53--51 are connected to the 40 but insulated from the arm |32 is a segment |33
of conducting material (Figure 4) which is en
Selsyn motor 31. vThe brushes 48-52 are‘con
gaged by a brush |39 which is mounted onY but
nected to >control boxes 58P and 58S.
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insulated from the frame |31. Secured to the
`The rudder l0 is provided with the usual rud
segment |38 are two-brushes |40 and |4!. The
der quadrant 60 which is connected by means
brush |40 cooperates with two semi-circular con
of cables 6| and 62 to acable drum 63. The drum
ducting segments |42 and |43 which are mount63 is attached to a gear 65 which meshes with a
pinion 66 which is mounted on a shaft 61. - The
ed on one yside of a circular drumk |45‘of insu
lating material which is secured to the shaft |33.
shaft 61 is connected thru a clutch 63 to a bevel
The segments |42 and |43 are electrically con
pinion 69 which meshes with a bevel gear 10.
Meshing with the bevel gear 10 are three other V50 nected to two slip rings |46 and |41¿respectively
bevel pinions 1I, 12 and 13. The pinion 1I is. ' mounted on the periphery of the drum I 45. En
gaging the slip rings |46 and |41 are two brushes
connected thru a clutch 15 'and bevel gears l16
|43 and |49 which arek mounted on but insulated
to the hand steering wheel I5 and the pinion 12
from the frame |31.
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is connected thru a clutch 11 and bevel gears 18
to the gyro pilot I6.
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The brush |_4I cooperates with two semi-cir
The pinion 13 is connected _to a shaft 80 which
is rotatably mounted in brackets 8| and 82 (Fig
cular conducting segments which are mounted
theshaft 00. Attached to the upper end of the
shaft 30 is a bevel pinion 86 which meshes with
the frame |31.
Slidably mounted on the shaft |33 is a collar
| 51 which is provided with akey |58 which slides
in a'keyway |59 provided in the shaft |33, so that
the collarv |51 may slide longitudinally. on the
shaft |33 but cannot rotate with respect thereto.
The collar |51 is provided with a groove |60 which
is >engaged by ‘a piny (not shown) carried on the
endof an arm |6|. The arm |6| is secured to the,
lower end of the shaft |62 which has a bearing in
on one side of a circular drum |52„which is se
_cured to the shaft |34, and are electrically con
ures 2 and 3) in the control mechanism I1 and
nected to two slip rings |53 and |54 mounted on
is provided with a keyway 83. Slidably mounted
on the shaft 80 is a worm 85 which is provided 60 the periphery of the drum |52. The slip rings
|53 and |54 are engaged byvtwo brushes |55 and
with a key (not shown) which slides in the key
way 83 which causes the worm 85 to rotate with
|56 which are mounted on but insulated from
a bevel gear 81. The gear B1 is attached to a
shaft 88 to the outer end of which is secured a
pointer 8_9 which registers îwith a scale 90 (Fig
ure 1) mounted onthe front of the case of the
control mechanism I1 and'which is graduated
in degrees of rudder angle.
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Slidably mounted on the shaft 80 are two mem;
bers 9| and 92 which are also slidablyrnounted
on two rods 93 and 94 and which are threaded
on a shaft 95, the member 3| having a right hand
thread and vthe member'92'havíng a' left -hand
65
an extension of the bracket |35. . Secured to the
upper end of theshaft |62 is a segment of a worm
75 gear~.|63 which engages a‘worm |65.,secured to .a
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is turned counterclockwise which causes 'the
members 9| and 92 to move closer together.
" The clutch 11 is then opened and the rudder
| 0 is brought to a central position by turning
the hand steering wheel l5 in the usual manner.
The mechanism will now be in the neutral posi
tion as shown in Figure 3.
f - When it is desired to have the pitch changing
mechanism function in |conjunction with the rud
der the handle 241 is moved to the left into the
The knobs |68 and
position.shown in Figure 2, thus throwing the
` 2|| are turned so that the pointers |69 and 2|2
indicate the, normal pitch angles which have
been set on the port and starboard propellers.
By turning the knob |68 the worm |65 will be
switches 231 and 240 to the right and left respec
rotated, which in turn will rotate the worm wheel
and |56 to the 4reversing relay 41S.
tively, which connects the brushes |48 and |49
to the reversing relay 41P and the brushes |55 ,
' The 4vessel is now steered in the usual manner
|63. This motion will be transmitted by means
of the shaft |62 and arm |6| to the collar |51
which will be moved to the right and at the same
time rotated thru a small angle, as the pin |13
slides in the diagonal’slot |12. The rotation of
the collar |51 will be transmitted to the shaft
|33 by means of the key |58. »As the shaft |33
rotates it will rotate the drum |45. When the
pointer |69 indicates the pitch angle to which
by means> of the steering wheel I5, which acting
thru the bevelgears 16,\1|, 10 and 69, rotates the
pinion 66, which by means of the gear 65 rotates
the drum 63. The rotation of the drum 63, act
ing thru the cables 6| and 62, turns the rudder |0
in a well known manner.
During the operation the bevel gear 13 will be
rotated which will, by means of the shaft 80, ro
tate the worm 85. As the gear |05 is held in a
central position by means of the springs ||2 and
| I3 the worm 85 will merely slide along the shaft
pointerv |96has been set as above described, the y
insulation between Athe `segments -|42 and |43
will be under the brush | 40.
» By turning the knob 2|| the bevel pinion '208
80 until it comes up against one or the other of
the ' members 9| or 92 depending on whether
will be rotated, which, by means of the bevel gear
201 will cause a slight rotation of the differen 25 vthe rudder is turned to the port or starboard.
tial housing 206 which will, in a well known man
The amount that the rudder l0 may be'turned
from a central position without turning the
_ ner cause a small rotation of the shaft |34. As
the shaft |34 rotates it will rotate the drum' |52.
gear |05‘is determined by the spacing ofthe
When the setting of the pointer 2|2 corresponds
members 9| and 92, which, as already described, to that of' pointer 235 the insulation betweenl 30 is set by rotating the knob 99. In Figure 2 the
the semi-circular segments will be under the
members 9| and 92 are shown in a mean posi
_
tion, which, 'for example, may allow the rudder
peller pitch to the rudder throw, the knob |23
I0 to be moved'thru an angle of five degrees on
either side of the central position without aiîect
brush
| 4|.
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For varying the ratio of the change of pro
is turned until the pointer |25 registers the de
35
ing the gear |05.
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If the rudder l0 is turned more than five de
sired ratio on the dial |26. ' Thus for example,
if it is desired to have a high ratio of propeller
grees, say to port, the worm 85 will slide up along
pitch to rudder angle the kn`ob |23 is turned to
the shaft B0, when it is turned, until it engages
the member 9|,- which will prevent any further
the right, which will cause-the threaded shaft
|20 to be rotated in a clockwise direction-thus en
40 longitudinal movement of the worm 85.
When
the shaft 80 is rotated further the worm 85 will
tering the member ||8 which will be moved to
the left, as the shaft |20 is restrained from longi
tudinal movement bythe set screw» |22. As the
member ||8 moves to the left the link | I0v will
be rotated by means of the pin ||6 thru a small
angle in a counterclockwise direction about the
pin |03. The pin |30 will slide to the left in the
slot |3| so that the lever arm from the shaft |34
to the pin |30 will be less than the lever arm from
the shaft |06 to the pin |03, thus increasing the '
ratio of rotary movement between the shafts |06
and
|34.
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cause the gear |05 to start rotating in a counter
clockwise direction, as seen in Figure 3; -This
motion, acting thru`the lever |08, will cause the
link || 0 to be moved upward, which will by
means of the pin |30 cause the arm |32, segment
|38 and brushes |40 and |4| to be rotated in a
counterclockwise direction.
The brush |40 will `then engage the segment
|43 which will close a circuit from the battery
'246, switch 245, conductor 243, brush |39, seg
ment |38, brush |40, segment |43, slip ring |41,
brush | 49, switch 231, conductor 239, reversing
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If it is desired to decrease the ratio of change
of propeller pitch to rudder throw the knob
|23 is turned to the left, causing the member
|88 and the pin |30 to be moved to the right
to decrease the ratio of the rotaryfmovement
between thefshafts |06 and |34. As shown in
‘ Figure 3 the mechanism is set for a mean ratio.
In order to- vary the angle thru which the
' rudder may be turned before affectingthe pitch
relay 41P back to the battery 246. This will
operate the reversing relay 41P which will sup
ply current from the source 249 to the motor 32,
.
the rotation of which will be vtransmitted thru
the reduction gearing 30 to the member 28 which
will be rotated in such a direction as to cause
it to move out of the nut 26. As the member 28
is held fixed longitudinally this will cause the
nut 26v and shaft 22 to be moved downward to
of the propellers the knob 99 may be manipulated
decrease the pitch of the blades 20 of the port
until the pointer |00 registers the desired 'rudder
propeller |2P.
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throw on the dial |0l. Thus if it is desired to (i5
At the same time that the motor 32 rotates the
increase this angle the knob 99 is turned clock
member 28 it will, by means of the reduction
wise which by means of the bevel gear 91 and
gearing 35, rotate the Selsyn motor 31 thru a
bevel pinion 96, will cause the shaft 95 to be ro
. tated in a clockwise direction, as seen from above.
' fraction of a revolution.
This motion will be
repeated to the‘Selsyn motor |19, which by means
This rotation will cause the two members 9| and 70 of the bevel gears ITT-|18, will transmit the ro
tation to the drum |45 which will be rotated un
v92 to move apart, due to the right and `left
threads cut on the shaft 95, which will permit
til the insulation between the segments |42 and
|43 is under the brush |40 at which time the
the shaft 80 before it engages these members.
relay 41P will be operated to stop the motor 32.
If it is desired to decrease the angle the knob 99 75
At the same timethe brush |4I will engage the
the worm 85 to slide a greater distancer along
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>lower semi-circular »segment `onu‘the side
the
the curves‘zss andïèä'ß'oi Figure o; läy turning
drum |52, which in a manner similar to that Í‘just i
`the knob „l2-3 in a ocunter`-elockwise direction
"the opposite effect iS produced and the vessel will
described willenergize the reversingrelaylls.
As this relay is `wired up in ‘an opposite manner .
Itorri with a `greater radius as indicated by 'the
to that‘of the relayl‘lP,V itwill operate to supply
curves'251 and 258.
current from the source 269 to the motor `32' so
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If Ait is desired to use the gyl‘o pilot I6 the rud
‘der I0 isbro'ught‘to a central positioiiby‘me‘ans
as to cause the member 2_8 to move into the hut
¿26, which together with the shaft 22 will be‘inoved ` :er the steering wheel is andthe clutch it is dis
upward to increase the pitch of the blades '2liÍ yof
engaged. The fh‘and wheel I8 oi the gyro pilot
the starboard propeller I2S. ‘Thismotion is re-4
islbro'ught to a central position and the clutch
peated back to thedrum |52 by the Selsyn mo
‘il is engaged; The vessel is then steered by ina
tors 3T and 2I9 until the brush ‘Ill rests on the i " nipnlating the hand wheel la of the gyro pilot
insulation between the semi-*circular ‘segments
`ltin a well known manner ‘that need not be more
when the motor `32 will stop.
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`fully described herein. The steeringl ‘motion is
transmitted to theßsha‘ft 18u which operates to
e
It is thus seen ‘that when the rudder l0 is
turned to port thru an angle greater than that
set on the dial |0| the pitch ofthe port propeller
:vary .thepropeller n ehesas' already describedì ,
riso desired the vessel may be steered entirely;r
I2P will be decreased and the pitch of the star
bythe Iactionioi the `propellers without the use
board propeller I2S increased an amount pro'
therudder l0. in
case the rudder In is set y ` 'portional to the angle thru which the rudder IU 2o
ì
in a central îposition by means of the steering
is turned in addition `tothe angle set on the dial
wheel |15 and the clutch 68 is opened.. The knob
IUI. In this way,‘the turning `moment "to port
I es" is turned ihïaicounterecloclswise direction-ias i
ci the vessel is augmented by the vactlonof the
propellers, as the thrust of the port propeller I`2P
`is decreased due to the decrease of pitch andthe
thrust of the starboard propeller IZS is increased
dueto the increase or pitch.`
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far »as possibleî thus bringing the members 9|
and 92 into engagement with the `ritorno tlsa ‘The ‘
knob 123 is turned in a clockwise direction `as rarr
as possible, -thus giving the maximum `action of
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the propeller pitchchanging mechanism.
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AFigure 6 shows in a general Way the actionhof l ‘
the pitch changing mechanism on the turning
radius of the vessel. The curve 25| indicates the
course or the vessel when it is steered` to port
`Under these conditions when the .steering wheel
` I5 isturned theïshaftâû will be rotated thus rol
so
with the control handle 241 thrown `to tlre‘iright,
so that the propeller pitch changing mechanism
is inoperative and curve `2`52`shows the course ‘of
the vessel when it is steered to port, llolding‘the
"same rudder angle, but with the‘control handle
`2Il'l` thrown to `the left, so that the( propeller
pitch changing mechanism is operative. i It is
"seen `from‘these two `curves that’the vessel can
be manoeuvered much more rapidly with the use
of the propellerpitch changing mechanism in ad
dition "to the conventional action ofthe rudder.
"When the vessel is steeredto starboardthe
reverse action takes place and the pitch of the
t starboard propeller- |2s is decreased and the
pitch of the port propeller [2P is increased, this
toting the-worin c5 the vaction or which will be
immediately transmitted‘by the gear W5 and link
I||u to the brushes |46 and ¿4|5 which will, as
already described,` operate the pitch changing
mechanisms |3P1faiid 1|3s `at a maximum rate.
This will causen a turning moment ‘to be' produced
`which will steerftl'le vessel to‘po'rit `or starboard
4as desired. `Itisthus seenthatin case the rud
by the use ofthe propellerïpitch changing 'mecha
Áanism
alone.
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‘Ii it is` desired to put `the automatic pitch
changing mechanism out ci operation the handle
`241‘is“thrown to the rlghttlius throwing the
switchgztl tothe left and the switch 24u to the
l right. `This willrijjnalie the brushes |40 and |4|
inoperative and the brushes we and `2lb opera;
change of pitch being proportional to theangle
tive. ‘ 'lï‘he blades zufot the port and. starboard ‘
thru which the rudder I0 is turned in addition
>to the angle indicated on the dial IUI , the courses
`followed by the vessel when it is steered to star- f
to their normal pitchangles, as indicated by the
board without and with the propeller pitch con
in e, manner similar to that already' described
trol are indicated `by the curves 253 and `254 reg
spectiyely.
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As already stated the angle thru ‘which th
`rudder may be turned without bringing into `ao
tion the propeller pitch changing mechanism can
be Varied by turning the knob 9'9. If desired this
angle may be `decreased _tozero by bringing the
two members 9| `and 92 into engagement with
pr'opellers I zP‘andz 1| 2s `will: then be v brought back
poiiittersws and 235,.` this action ‘taking place
connection with vthe manual setting of
pro»
lbeller pitches, The pitches of. the propel-1ers |21#`
‘ and |25 may- `now be changed as Ydesiredfby maà
nipulating the handles |95 and 233 as already
descrilcfed.;` Under' these conditlons‘ïsteoring will
bouche-entirely by the action of the rudder lll.
4«ritter:the propellers |12P` and |253 «have been
.- ‘ openedr
set vat the
thusputting
Ádesired:pitch
the the
pitchswitch:
changing
245 mecha?
may be
the worm 85. ` lUnder these conditions the pro-l oo
peller'pitch changing mechanism will become op-`
erative as soon as‘the rudder I0 is turned from
its central position.`
"
`
‘ ‘
`
I The ‘rate at whi‘cllthe propeller pitch-changes`
in relation to the rudder'throw may be varied `by
turning the knob |23. If' this knob is turned 'in'
i a` clockwise direction so as to cause the member
I I8 to bef‘moved‘ to the left, as seen in' Figure 3,
the lever arm from the shaft |34 to _the pin |30
nismlsoompletely out of operation. The proe
pellets «will ‘then :act as‘propellers of ñxed pitch
~ and cannotbezchangeäïlrorn the bridge,
Aitnoughonly a'iew or the various `iornfis
` wliichthis invention may be einbodiedhave been
shownîherein, it is to be `understood that the iti
volition iis-»not limited to any speciñc construction
but might be embodied in various forms without'
departing `from the spirit or the invention: or the
Will be decreased, so lthat tl'le` Contacts H0 arid' 70
"'W'hättïisclaiined is!
‘
i
‘
rudder throw/*thus increasing the change* of the
l. A steering system for vessels `hai/ing port I
pitch of the ‘Propellers ïwllich‘in turn"` will iii-‘
`arid-Istarl‘coardvariable pitch propellers', compris- ‘
crease the:` turning moment of the vessel causing e
ing pitchïohangihg mechanisms connected re-V
it to turn with a" shorter' radius asfindicated `by 75 spectively‘fto‘lehange the-pitch diede-n. or said
‘scopeofltheîappendedclaims;
"IM will be moyed'thru a ‘greater angle for a given
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
6c
2,369,456
spectively to change the pitch of each of said
propellers, control circuits including reversing
propellers, individual actuating means for inde
pendentlyvactuating each of said pitch changing
mechanisms, joint actuating means for simulta
neously actuating both of said pitch changing
contacts connected to actuate said pitch chang
ing mechanisms, rotatable drums carrying said
mechanisms in opposite sense to increase the Cl ‘ contacts, a brush selectively engaging the con
tacts on each drum, a control arm carrying said
pitch of one of said propellers and to decrease
brushes, steering control mechanism connected
the pitch of the other of said propellers, steering
to shift said arm for selectively closing said con
,control mechanism connected to actuate said
tacts in accordance with steering requirements,
joint actuating means, and means selectively
connecting said individual actuating means or 10 and manual means to adjust independently the
setting of/each drum with respect to its brush
said joint actuating means to operate said pitch
for varying the pitch response characteristics
changing mechanisms.
I
of said propellers.
2. Af‘steering system for vessels having port
6. A steering Vsystem rfor vessels having port
and starboard variable pitch propellers, compris
ing pitch changing mechanisms connected re 15 .and starboard variable pitch propellers, compris
ing pitch changing mechanisms connected re
spectively to change the pitch of each of said
spectively to change the pitch of each of said
propellers, individual actuating means for inde
propellers, control circuits «connected to actuate
pendently actuating eachof said pitch changing
said pitch changing mechanisms, and manual y
mechanisms, manual control means for said in
dividual actuating means for setting said pitch 20 and automatic control means’for said circuits
.comprising a. pair of rotatable drums for each of
to a pre-determined value, joint‘actuating means
said circuits, reversing contacts for said circuits
for simultaneously actuating both of said pitch
carried Vby each of said drums, brushes selectively
changing mechanisms in opposite sense to in
engaging the contacts of each drum, steering
crease the pitch of one of said propellers and to
decrease the pitch of the` other of said propel 2.5 control means connected to shift one of said
brushes [for selectively closing said contacts in
1ers, steering control -mechanism connected to
actuate said joint actuating means automatical
ly for steering said vessel by said propellers, and
accordance with steering requirements, manual
`means connected to shift the other of said
brushes, switch means selectively connecting the
means selectively connecting said individual ac
tuating means or said joint actuating means to 30 contacts of one or the other of said drums to said
circuits, follow-up mechanism including re
operate said pitch changing mechanisms.
peaters actuated by each of said pitch changing
mechanisms to cause corresponding rotation of
3. A steering system for vessels having port
and starboard variable pitch propellers, com
prising pitch changing mechanisms connected
respectively to change the pitch of each of s'aid
propellers, individual pitch indicating means to
indicate the pitch 4setting of each propeller, re
both of said drums for breaking said circuits
When said pitch has been changed to the desired
value, and adjusting mechanism to adjust the
relative positions olf said drums for»~ varying the
pitch response characteristics of said propellers.
peater mechanisms actuated respectively by each
'7. A steering system for vessels' having a steer
of said pitch changing mechanisms and con
ing rudder and port `and starboard variable pitch
nected to actuate said pitch indicating means, 40 propellers,
comprising pitch changing mecha
individual actuating means for independently
nisms
connected
respectively to change the pitch
actuating each of said pitch changing mecha
of each of said propellers, pitch actuating means
nisms, manual control means for said individual
for simultaneously actuating both of said pitch
actuating means for setting said pitch to a pre
changing mechanisms in opposite sense to in->
determined value, joint actuating means for si
crease
the pitch of one of said propellers and to
multaneously actuating both of said pitch chang
Adecrease the pitch of the other of said propellers,
ingA mechanisms in opposite sense to increase
steering control mechanism connected to actuate
the pitch of one of said propellers and to de
said rudder and said pitch-actuation ‘means Vfor
crease the pitch of the other of said propellers,
steering control mechanism connected to actuate 50 automatically varying the pitch olf said pro
pellers inl a sense to aid the steering of said
said joint actuating means automatically for
vessel, lost motion mechanism between said steer
steering sai-d vessel by said propellers, and means
ingV control mechanism and said pitch actuating
selectively connecting said individual actuating
means or said joint actuating means to operate
said pitch changing mechanisms.
means to- permit a predetermined limited move
55 ment of said rudder from center position before
said pitch actuating means begins to operate,
4. A steering system for vessels having port
and starboard variable pitch propellers, com
and adjusting mechanism to adjust the amount
of movement of said -lost motion mechanism. `
prising pitch changing mechanisms connected
`8. A steering system for vesselshaving a steer
respectively to change the pitch of each of said
ing
rudder and port and starboard variable pitch
propellers, control circuits including reversing 60 propellers,
comprising pitch changing mecha
contacts connected to actuate said pitch chang
nisms connected respectively to change the pitch
ing mechanisms, rotatable drums carrying said.v
of each of said propellers, pitch actuating means
for simultaneously actuating both of said pitch
mechanisms in opposite sense to in
brushes, steering control mechanism connected 65 changing
crease the pitch of one of said propellers and to
to shift said arm for selectively closing said con
decrease the pitch of the other of said propellers,
tacts in accordance With steering requirements,
steering control mechanism connected to actuate
'and follow-up mechanism including repeaters
said rudder and said pitch-actuation means for
actuated by said pitch changing mechanisms to
contacts, a brush selectively engaging the con-I
tacts on each drum, a control arm carrying said
cause corresponding rotation of said drums for n
breaking said circuits when said pitch has been
changed to the desired value.
and mechanism to» disconnect said rudder from
said steering control mechanism to permit steer
5. A steering system for vvessels having port `
ing of said vessel solely by said propellers. '
and starboard variable pitch propellers, compris
V ing pitch changing mechanisms connected re
automatically varying the pitch of said propel
1ers in a sense to aid the steering of said vessel
75
9. A steering system for vessels -having Aa
2,369,456
‘
y
„7l
of said propellers, steering control` mechanism
pitch propellers, comprising pitch changing
connected to -actuate said rudder and said pitch
""m'echanisms connected respectively ‘to change
`actuation means‘for automatically varying the
the pitch of each of said propellerspitch actuat
pitch of said propellers in a sense to aid the steer--`
` ‘ing means‘for simultaneously actuating both off
`ing of said vessel, and-means varying the‘ratio
"said pitch changing mechanisms in opposite `
o-f movement of said pitch actuating means to
steering rudder and port and starboard variable
sense to increase the pitch of one of ysaid pro- "
said rudder.
pellers and to decrease the pitch of the other
`
JOHN HAYS HAMMOND, JR.