GB724896A - Improvements in gyro-stabilised control systems for guns and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

724,896. Automatic control systems. METROPOLITAN-VICKERS ELECTRICAL CO., Ltd. April 14, 1949 [March 16, 1948], No. 7902/48. Class 38 (4). [Also in Groups XXI and XXXVIII] A gun and its sight are stabilized by a gyro 1 in traverse, Fig. 1, and in elevation, Fig. 2, the gun being displaced with respect to the sight by an " aim-off " angle adjustable in accordance with the range and velocity of the target and the velocity of the projectile. Manual controls 37, 28 are set in accordance with the angular velocity of the target, producing signals from gyro Selsyns 18, 19 and 16, 17 by precession of the gyro while torque motors 31, 32 and 24, 25 are energized. The controls 37, 28 also produce signals on potentiometers 53, 111 and 43, 111<SP>1</SP> for the control of the sight by amplifiers 50, 41 and servomotors 7, 6, and the eventual control of the gun by amplifiers 55, 47 and servomotors 5, 4. The signals on 111, 111<SP>1</SP> are modified at 108, 108<SP>1</SP> in accordance with the range of the target, provision for alternative projectile velocities being introduced by switches 110, 110<SP>1</SP> and 121; the latter effecting a correction for ballistic deflection in elevation. A correction for backlash between motor 5 and the gun in traverse is provided at 59. Potentiometers 53, 59, 104, 105, 106, 111, 112 and their counterparts in the elevation control are not normally adjusted during operation. The gyro may be mounted on the gun, in the gun-turret, or in the tank (or other vehicle) outside the turret; thereby responding to all movements of the gun, movements of the gun in elevation but not in traverse, or only to movements of the tank (or other vehicle). Range-setting-The inductors 108, 108<SP>1</SP> are ganged, Fig. 3, and set by a signal from a range-finder Selsyn 211, modified by signals produced by Selsyns 203, 205, 208, controlled respectively by the approach of the tank to the target, by the gunner, and by the tank commanders. Specifications 610,029, 611,046, 724,899 and 724,900, [Group XX], are referred to.