System of radiodirective control

Abstract

Abstract 13,310. Hammond, J. H. June 7, 1912, [Convention date]. Drawings to Specification. Sound, controlling and actuating apparatus by. - The Specification as open to inspection under Section 91 (3) (a) describes methods of causing apparatus, such as boats, aircraft, vehicles, or revolving lighthouses, to move in a particular direction with respect to a source of radiant energy, such as a source of light or sound waves. Two or more receivers, such as selenium cells or microphones, are so placed on the movable body that, when both are equally affected by the radiant energy, the body faces towards the source of energy, but when one receiver is more strongly affected than the other, the body is caused to move until both receivers are affected equally. In the system described, two selenium cells are separated by a screen, and if the light from a distant source falls on both cells, two relays close circuits through two steering-solenoids respectively, thus keeping the steering-mechanism in its mid-position. If the source of light moves relatively to the body, one of the cells is no longer affected, with the result that only one solenoid is energized, and the steering-mechanism is moved in the direction to turn the boat &c. so that the cells are again affected equally. A similar differential method of controlling a turntable is described, the turntable being driven by a circular rack and a pinion geared to an electro-motor. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.

Inventors

• 👤 Jr John Hays Hammond

Bibliographic Details