US1907402A - Turn bank indicator and inclinometer - Google Patents

Description

May 2, 1933. J. P. FEDQR TURN BANK INDICATOR AND INCLINOMETER Filed July 14 1930 iNVENTOR r/M/I Rau/ f'a af.

ATTORNEY Patented ay 9 1193.3

JOHN PAUL FEDOR, OF NEW CASTLE, INDIANA TURN BANK INDIGATbR AND INCLINOMETER Application filed July 14,

This invention relates to a new and useful instrument that will act as a turn bank indicator and inclinometer, being primarily intended for use on aeroplanes, and being particularly useful in training student pilots, in night flying, flying through fog, flying at high altitudes, and at any time when there is no visible horizon.

A further object is to provide such an instrument that will also be useful on dirigibles, submarines, ocean-going vessels, surveyors instruments and other places where an instrument of this type can be employed to advantage. v

Further, it is an object to provide an instrument in which the degree of sensitivity may be varied to suit the user.

A further object is to provide against the effect of surging of the mercury in the cup particularly in the vicinity of the circuit closing points, whereby the accuracy and dependability of the instrument may be effected.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in' part be pointed outhereinafter.

To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends, the invention still further resides in the noveldetails of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all of which will be first fully described in the following de- 30 tailed description, then be particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of my device.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectioned ther bottom is provided with a concaved or curved groove portion 4, the purpose of which to 1930. Serial No. 467,946.

allow the mercury within the cup to flow at 1 right angles to the bottom of the surge-reduccup 1 is secured by countersunk cap screws 6. v

7 designates a series of surge-reducing or preventing tubes 7 composed of a suitable dielectric material and having bottom passages 8 whereby the mercury in the cup may also find its level in the tubes, and the tubes are further provided near their upper ends with air ports ,9 to communicate with the air space above the mercury in the cup.

A series of contact carrying plugs, equal in number to the number of tubes employed are provided, the plugs 10 being provided with contact points 11 and with mounting shanks 12, the latter carrying nuts 13 by which the plugs are secured in place. Each plug 10 projects into its corresponding surgereducing tube 7 and serves to hold that tube down on the bottom of the cup and in its proper location in the cup.

"It will 'be observed that the axes. of the several tubes 7 lie at right angles .to the bot tom of the cup and the various tubes and contact points are arranged in a circle around the axis of the cup and equi-distant from each other and from saidaxis.

Within the cup is a mercury displacing body 14 preferably in the nature of a float. This body 14 carries a rack rod 15 which passes through a suitable stufing box or gland 16 in the cover 2 and through bearing apertures in the adjusting shaft bearing and. gear box 17, the arrangement being such that the float 14 may rise and fall along a line parallel to the axis of the cup. 18 is an adjusting shaft which is mounted in suitable hearing apertures in the box 17 and which carries a gear 19 to mesh with the rack portion 20 of the rod 15. The gear box 17' is secured to-the cap 2 by screws 21 or is mountdon in any other suitable way. i 22 designates a series of light sockets carried by or mounted on the disk 5 in any convenient arrangement, preferably in the form of a circle around the ax-is'of the shaft 18.

The shaft 18 has bearing 23 in the dial disk 5 and it carries a' dial and knob 24 by means of which the shaft may be turned for the pur- .pose of raising and lowering the float 14.

The dial portion of the dial and knob member 24 is preferably graduated in degrees and fractions thereof.

The dial disk 5 may also be provided with holes 26 for mounting screws or bolts by which the instrument may be mounted on the instrument panel board of .the machine. or vehicle on which it is used.-

27 designates the battery or source of power, 28 a rheostat for turning off the power and regulating the same, and 29 indicates the circuit wires (see diagram, Figure 6), while 30 designates the mercury within the cup.

, The manner in which the invention is used is thought will be clear from the foregoing description and the accompanying drawing. It might be well, however, to say that by adj usting the float 14 to bring the mercury level close to the contact points 11 the instrument becomes more sensitive to tilting inclinations than when the mercury level is farther away from the points. That is to say, if it is desired to effect an indication when the machine has tilted ten degrees the float will be adj usted to bring the mercury level very close to the contact points when the cup is horizontal. When the angle of tilt is not to be indicated until it has passed twenty degrees or more the float is adjusted in such a position as to lower the mercury level correspondingly.

If desired, the lights, of course, may be shaded or shielded in any suitable way and when the instrument is to be used on aeroplanes the cup and cover will, of course, be encased in suitable insulating material so that the mercury will not freeze; or a fluid which will freeze at a lower temperature than mercury may be employed. These being mere mechanical expedients well known in the art are not illustrated in the drawing of my application since per se they are not of the essence of the invention. I

For straight commercial flying with experienced pilots, the dial 24, rack and gear can be eliminated and the height of the mercury in the bowl can be placed to a predetermined levelfor a predetermined degree of accuracy through the plugged hole 31.

As a turn bank indicator, the instrument will show when a true bank is made because the centrifugal force will hold the mercury level, and as an inclinometer, by determining at what angle the certain lights come into the circuit for a given height of mercury in the bowl. c,

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have provided in effect two instruments in one, in which easy and direct reading can be had, an instrument which produces an artifi cial horizon, an instrument that is useful for training "student pilots, night flying, flying through fog and storms, and an instrument that will indicate the horizontal position of a plane, surface or line.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it is thought the complete construction, operation and advantages of my invention will be clear to those skilled in the art to which it relates.

What I claim is:

1. An instrument of the character described, comprising as a unit a cup, a conducting fluid in the cup, a cover for the cup, :1 set of surge-reducing tubes in the cup having provisions to receive said fluid and to retard its flow into and out of the tubes, a set of contact points carried by the cup, one for projecting into and cooperating with each tube, a dial secured to the cup, aset of signals on the dial, one forv each contact point, electrical circuits for said signals and contact points, said tubes being arranged with their axes parallel to that of the cup and in a circle around the cups axis.

2. An instrument of the character described, comprising as a unit a cup, a conducting fluid in the cup, a cover for the cup, a set of surge-reducing tubes in the cup having provisions to receive said fluid and to retard its flow into and out of the tubes, a set of contact points carried by the cup, one for projecting into and cooperating with each 7 tube, a dial secured to the cup, a set of signals on the dial, one for each contact point, electrical circuits for said signals and contact points, said tubes being arranged with their axes parallel to that of the cup and in a circle around the cups axis, a'fluid displacingbody in the cup, a shaft having bearing in said dial, a combined knob and dial on the shaft, a rack rod on said displacing body and a pinion on said shaft to mesh with the rack of said rod for moving said rod in a direction to cause said fluid displacing body when moved to vary the level of the fluid in the cup.

3. An instrument of the characterdescribed, comprising as a unit a cup, a conducting fluid in the cup, a cover for the cup,

a set of surge-reducing tubes in the cup havin provisions to receive said fluid and to retar its .flow into and out of the tubes, a set of contact points carried by the cup, one for projecting into and cooperating with each tube, adial. secured to the cup, a set of si als on the dial, one for each contact point, e ectrical circuits for said signals and contact points, said tubes being arranged with their axes parallel to that of the cup and in a circle around the cups axis, said cu having an under curved annulus in its si e wall adjacent the bottom of the cup.

4. An instrument of the character described comprising as a unit a cup, a conducting fluid in the cup, a cover for thecup, va set of surge-reducing tubes in thecu p' having provisions to receive said fiu'idand to re- .tard its flow into and out of the tubes, a set of contact points carried by the cup, one for projecting into and cooperating with each tube, a dial secured to the cup, a set of signals on the dial, one for each contact point,

electrical circuits for said signals and condial on the shaft, 21 rack rod on said dis-- placing body and a pinion on said shaft to mesh with the rack of said rod for moving said rod in a direction to cause said fluid displacing body when moved to vary the level of the fluid in the cup, said cup having an under curved annulus in its side wall adjacent the bottom of the cup.

5. In an instrument of the character described, a cup having a removable cover, means securing the cover in place, a dial secured to the cup, an adjusting shaft bearing and gear box mounted on the cover, a shaft mounted in hearings in said box and dial and having a pinion within said box, a dialknob on the shaft, a conducting fluid in the cup, a series of circuit closing points carried by the cover and projecting into the box, a fluid level regulating body in the cup, a rack shaft secured to said body and meshing with said pinion, whereby the space betweien said points and fluid level may be varie 6; In an instrument of the character described, a cup having a removable cover, means securing the cover in place, a dial secured to the cup, an adjusting shaft hearing and gear box mounted on the cover, a shaft mounted inbearings in said box and dial and having a pinion within said box, a dial-knob on the shaft, a conducting fluid in the cup, a'series of circuit closing points carried by the cover and projecting into the box, a fluid level regulating body in the cup, a rack shaft secured to said body and meshing with said pinion, whereby the space between said points and fluid level may be varied, and means within said cup for resisting surging of the fluid.

7. In an instrument of the character described, a cup having a removable cover, means securing the cover in place, a dial secured to the cup, an adjusting shaft bearing and gear box mounted on the cover, a shaft mounted in hearings in said box and dial and having a pinion Within said box, a dial-knob on the shaft, a conducting fluid in the cup, a series of circuit closing points carried by the cover and projecting into the box, a fluid level regulating body in the cup, a rack shaft secured to said body and meshing with said pinion, whereby the space between said points and the fluid level may be varied, said cup having its side wall undercutadjacent the bottom of the cup.

8. In an instrument of the character described, a cup having a removable cover, means securing the cover in place, a dial secured to the cup, an adjusting shaft bearing and gear box mounted on the cover, a shaft mounted in' bearings in said box and dial and having a pinion within said box, a dialknob on the shaft, a conducting fluid in the cup, a series of circuit closing points carried by the cover and projecting into the -box, a fluid level regulating body in the cup, a rack shaft secured to said body and meshing with said pinion, whereby the space between said points and the fluid level may be varied, and surge-restraining tubes within the cup, one for each of said points.

9. In 'an instrument of the character described, a cup having a removable cover, means securing the cover in place, a dial secured to the cup, an adjusting shaft bearing and gear box mounted on the cover, a shaft mounted in bearings in said box and .dial and having a pinion within said box, a

dialknob on the shaft, a conducting fluid in the cup, a series of circuit closing points carried by the cover and projecting into the box, a fluid level regulating body in the vcup, a rack shaft securedto said body and meshing with said pinion, whereby the space between said points and fluid level may be varied, and means within said cup for resisting surging of the fluid, and surge-restraining tubes within the cup, one for each of said points.

10. An instrument of the class described, including as a unit, a cup, a conducting fluid in the cup, 'a cover for the cup, a set of tubes each extendingifrom the bottom of the cup to adjacent the cover, said tubes being arranged in a circle around the axis of the cup with the axes of the tubes parallel thereto, a set of contact points carried by the cover, one for each tube, said contact points projecting into their respective tubes, said tubes each having fluid passing apertures adj acent the bottom of the cup and having other apertures above the liquid level of the cup.

11. An instrument of the class described, including as a unit, a cup, a conducting fluid in the cup, a cover for the cup, a set of tubes each extending from the bottom of the cup to adjacent the cover, said tubes being arranged in a circle around the axis of the cup with the axes of the tubes parallel thereto, a set of contact points carried by the cover, one for each tube, said contact points projecting into their respective tubes, said tubes each having fluid passing apertures adjacent the bottom of the cup and having other apertures above the liquid level inthe cup, said points having portions plugging the ends of and cooperating to hold said tubes rigidly in place in said cup.

12. An instrument of the .class described, including as a unit, a cup, a conductin fluid in the cup, a cover for the cup, a set 0 tubes for extending from the bottom of the cup to adjacent the cover, said tubes being arranged in a circle around the axis of the cup with the axes of the tubes parallel thereto, a set' of contact points projecting into their respective tubes, said tubes each having fluid passing apertures adjacent the bottom of the cup and having other apertures above the liquid level in the cup, said tubes lying in proximity to the wall of the fluid chamber of said cup and said wall having a curved end cut portion at the bottom.

13, An instrument of the class described, including as a unit, a cup, a conductin fluid in the cup, a cover for-the cup, a set 0 tubes each extending from the bottom of the cup to adjacent the cover, said tubes being arranged in a circle around the axis of the cup with the axes of .the tubes parallel thereto, a set of contact points carried by the cover, one for each tube, said contact points projecting into their respective tubes, said tubeseach having fluid passing apertures adjacent the bottom of the cup and having other apertures above the liquid level in the cup, said points having portions plugging the ends of said tubes above said last named apertures and cooperating to hold said tubes rigidly in place in said cup, said tubes lying in proximity to the wall of the fluid chamber of said cup and said wall having a curved end cut portion at the bottom;

14. An instrument of the class described, including as a unit, a cup, a conductin fluid in the cup, a cover for the cup, a. set 0 tubes each extending from the bottom of the cup to adjacent the cover, said tubes being arranged in a circle around the axis of the cup with the axes of the tubes parallel thereto, a set of contact points carried by the cover, one for each tube, said contact points proj ecting into their respective tubes, said tubes each having fluid passing apertures adjacent the bottom of the cup and having other aper tures above the liquid level of the cup, a fluid level changing means carried by the cover and itself comprising a fluid displacing body within the cup surrounded by the circle of tubes, a rack rod secured to said body and passing through "a fluid-tight aperture in the cover and an operating shaft and pinion mounted on the cover to cooperate with said rod for the purpose of raising and lowering said fluid displacing body.

' 15. An instrument of the class described, including as a unit, a cup, a conductin fluid in the cup, a cover for the cup, a set 0 tubes each extending from the bottom of the cup to adjacent the cover, said tubes being arwith the axes of the tubes parallel thereto, a set of contact points carried by the cover, one for each tube, said contact points projecting into their respective tubes, said tubes 'each having fluid passing apertures adj acent the bottom of the cup and having other apertures above the liquid level in the cup, said points having'portions plugging the ends of said tubes above'said last named apertures, and cooperating to hold said tubes rigidly in place in said cup, a fluid level changing means carried by the cover and itself comprising a fluid displacing body within the cup surrounded by the circle of tubes, a rack rod secured to said body and passing through a fluid-tight aperture in the cover, and an operating shaft and pinion mounted on the cover to cooperate with said rod for the purpose of raising and lowering said fluid displacing body. JOHN PAUL FEDOR.

O5 ranged in a circle around the axis of the cup

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