GB1326020A - Self-steering gear for marine craft - Google Patents

Abstract

1326020 Self steering gear for boats D K DANIELS and J HOLDEN 30 Dec 1970 [31 Dec 1969] 63463/69 Heading B7V A self steering mechanism of the kind in which the position of a rudder 21 is controlled by movements of a wind vane 17, is characterized by the provision of means to vary the degree of movement of the rudder for a given movement of the vane. Vane 17 pivots about horizontal axis 16 when the vane is out of line with the wind direction and this movement is transmitted to the rudder 21 by link 29, lever 25 pivoted about horizontal axis 28, arm 39 and lever 31. The position of arm 39 along slot 40 being adjustable by releasing a lock nut (38, Fig. 2) and moving handle 34 to a new position. The rudder may be either a main or auxiliary unit and if the latter it can be mounted on the main rudder. The adjustment of velocity ratio can, according to a modification, be effected by variable eccentrics or cranks. Fig. 4 (not shown) illustrates a modification in which pivoting movement of an auxiliary rudder about axis 28, as a consequence of a change in direction of the boat, produces a corresponding correcting movement of the main rudder.