Patent US3559610A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3559610A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Antiroll facilities
Assignee: Association des Ouvriers en Instruments de Precision
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Filing: 1968-12-30
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Granted: 1971-02-02
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Expires: 1988-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A weighted rod and a coacting contact carrier frictionally entrainable by a mounting on a rolling craft generate timing signals in positions of maximum lateral excursions of craft with reference to a longitudinal axis, the rod being pivotally mounted aboard the craft on a shaft parallel to that axis so as substantially to maintain a vertical amplitude, position whereby two sets of contacts on these relatively movable members are alternately closed during respective amplitude. of the rolling motion. The timing signals control the operation of an antiroll system, specifically two stabilizer tanks on opposite sides of the craft which are alternately filled with and drained of water and which are supplemented by a further pair of tanks whose relative water volume is altered to balance deviations of the mean attitude of the craft from an upright position as likewise determined from these timing signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert Viollet
- 👤 Edmond Voillaume
- 👤 Francois Bouilhol
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:34
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/08; G05D1/0875; B; B63; B63B; B63B39/00; B63B39/02; B63B39/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
245 words
In a craft subject to rolling motion about a longitudinal axis and equipped with stabilizer means for counteracting such rolling motion, the combination therewith of: a reference member aboard the craft in the form of a weighted rod suspended from a mounting with a pivotal axis parallel to said longitudinal axis; a coacting member mounted aboard the craft for lateral angular entrainment thereby, said coacting member having a pair of arms bracKeting said rod; cooperating circuit means on said members for generating timing signals during predetermined relative positions thereof coinciding with maximum lateral excursions of the craft with reference to said axis, said circuit means including a first set of normally open contacts on said rod and on one of said arms and a second set of normally open contacts on said rod and on the other of said arms, said sets of contacts being alternately closable in symmetrical relative positions of said arms and said rod, said arms being provided with frictional bearing means supporting same for swinging movement about a line parallel to said longitudinal axis, the friction of said bearing means being low enough to let either of said arms come to rest against said rod upon an incipient swing of the craft to a respective side whereby the corresponding set of contacts remains closed for substantially half a rolling cycle; and actuating means connected to said circuit means for periodically making said stabilizer means effective in response to said timing signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
245 words
In a craft subject to rolling motion about a longitudinal axis and equipped with stabilizer means for counteracting such rolling motion, the combination therewith of: a reference member aboard the craft in the form of a weighted rod suspended from a mounting with a pivotal axis parallel to said longitudinal axis; a coacting member mounted aboard the craft for lateral angular entrainment thereby, said coacting member having a pair of arms bracKeting said rod; cooperating circuit means on said members for generating timing signals during predetermined relative positions thereof coinciding with maximum lateral excursions of the craft with reference to said axis, said circuit means including a first set of normally open contacts on said rod and on one of said arms and a second set of normally open contacts on said rod and on the other of said arms, said sets of contacts being alternately closable in symmetrical relative positions of said arms and said rod, said arms being provided with frictional bearing means supporting same for swinging movement about a line parallel to said longitudinal axis, the friction of said bearing means being low enough to let either of said arms come to rest against said rod upon an incipient swing of the craft to a respective side whereby the corresponding set of contacts remains closed for substantially half a rolling cycle; and actuating means connected to said circuit means for periodically making said stabilizer means effective in response to said timing signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a delay network for translating closure of either of said sets of contacts into corrective actuation of said stabilizer means substantially half a rolling cycle later.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination defined in claim 2 wherein said delay network includes first relay means connected to operate in response to closure of either of said sets of contacts, condenser means chargeable by said first relay means in the operated condition thereof, and second relay means connected for operation by a discharge current from said condenser means in the unoperated condition of said first relay means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination defined in claim 3 wherein said delay network further includes a charging circuit for said condenser means and a discharge circuit for said condenser means through said second relay means, said charging circuit having a time constant substantially twice that of said discharge circuit whereby said second relay means operates for substantially a quarter of a rolling cycle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The combination defined in claim 3 wherein said actuating means further comprises capacitive means for storing a charge applied thereto by said second relay means upon operation of the latter, controller means for said stabilizer means, and switch means controlled by said first relay means upon reoperation thereof for applying the stored charge from said capacitive means to said controller means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
The combination defined in claim 5 wherein one of said members is provided with a generator of variable voltage depending upon the heel angle of the craft with reference to the vertical, said capacitive means being connectable by said second relay means to said generator for varying said stored charge in accordance with said variable voltage, said condenser means having a discharge circuit through said second relay means with a time constant which is short compared with a rolling cycle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
The combination defined in claim 6 wherein said capacitive means comprises two pairs of identical capacitors and said generator includes two complementary voltage sources each connectable by said switch means to a respective capacitor of each pair at the end of a respective half-cycle, said controller means comprising two controllers for operating respective sections of said stabilizer means to correct listing to corresponding sides, each pair of capacitors being provided with a bridging voltage divider having two normally disconnected halves interconnectable by said switch means for transmission to a corresponding controller of the mean of the charges stored.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
The combination defined in claim 7, further comprising a comparison circuit connected to receive from said generator an analogue voltage proportional to the mean heel angle of the craft between successive lateral excursions, together with the output of one of said sources, and third relay means responsive to said comparison circuiT for transmitting an activating signal to either of said controllers in dependence upon the relative magnitude of said output and said analogue voltage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
The combination defined in claim 8 wherein said sections of said stabilizer means each comprise a main tank and an auxiliary tank, first valve means responsive to a corresponding controller for alternately filling and draining said main tank during part of a rolling cycle, and second valve means responsive to said analogue voltage for filling said auxiliary tank to an extent determined by said mean heel angle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination defined in claim 8 wherein each of said controllers includes a timing condenser chargeable at a controlled rate in the presence of said activating signal and signaling means responsive to a predetermined relationship between the charge on said timing condenser and the mean charge of the associated pair of capacitors transmitted thereto by said switch means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination defined in claim 10 wherein each controller further includes switchover means for modifying the magnitude of said mean charge prior to comparison with the charge on said timing condenser.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination defined in claim 7 wherein said complementary voltage sources comprise a pair of arcuate potentiometer tracks rigid with the craft and a pair of contactors on said rod respectively sliding along said tracks.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes at least one amplifier with a pair of transistors of opposite conductivity types having emitters interconnected by a low-impedance circuit and having collectors connected to points of fixed potentials.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-01 | 1974-08-03 | 1975-02-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-01 | 1978-08-03 | 1979-02-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-01 | 1982-08-03 | 1983-02-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |