GB1270144A - Marine autopilot steering systems - Google Patents

Abstract

1,270,144. Automatic steering control. TOKYO KGIKI K. K. Sept. 2, 1969, No. 43418/69. Heading G3R. In a marine automatic pilot a heading indicator is coupled through a clutch to means which control the heading, this clutch being disengaged and another engaged to couple a course-setting means when it is desired to change the set course. In Fig. 2, a gyro-compass repeater (not shown) on a ship drives through gearing 35 a rotary member 8 carrying a compass card 11 so that the heading of the ship is indicated by an index mark on a plate 4 fixed relative to the ship. Member 8 also drives, through a friction clutch 9 closed by a spring 19, a shaft 12 carrying a bar magnet 22 so that an electrical signal dependent on heading is developed by a saturable magnetic device 25 and utilized with a rate feedback component to control the rudder so that a constant heading is maintained automatically. This heading is selected by pressing a knob 31 against a spring 34 to engage a friction clutch 16 and disengage clutch 9 so that magnet 22 may be rotated relative to the repeater compass until a pointer 17 indicates the heading selected. A shield 29 forms an annular viewing area for card 11 through a window 27. A limit switch 21 is operated by rotation of shaft 12 to raise an alarm if the heading error is excessive. A synchro may replace the saturable magnetic device and gears may replace the friction clutches.