Improvements in or relating to electrical steering gears for ships

摘要

477,071. Automatic control systems. JOHNSTON, F., and REBBECK, F. E. Jan. 23, 1937, No. 2054. [Class 38 (iv)] [Also in Group XXXVIII] Steering.-In a Wheatstone bridge control system for steering ships comprising control and follower resistances 2, 9 which effect, through a Ward-Leonard system 15-18; the control of the rudder motor 13, additional means are provided for effecting automatic steering under the control of the compass. The compass needle 40 operates between two pairs of contacts 34, 39 connected respectively to relays 26, 27 which are arranged to shortcircuit parts A, B of the control resistance. Alternatively, the relays may short-circuit parts of the follower resistance. When the system is arranged for automatic steering, the contacts 5, 9 of the resistances occupy central positions and upon any deviation of the ship from the set course, the compass needle 40 short-circuits one or other section A, B to unbalance the bridge and thereby effect control of the rudder motor 13 until the ship is returned to its course.