Control system for ship's rudder and course - has operating handle with mechanical gear drive to potentiometers and microswitches in circuit with electromagnetic valves

摘要

The control system for a ship's rudder uses a control panel (1) comprising a rectangular base with a manual lever (9) which rotates a spindle (10) at right angles to the lever and equipped at the lower end with a crown and pinion gear (13,14) which transfers the rotation to a long shaft to which is attached at one end a geared drive to two potentiometer spindles (23,24), and along its length contact cams (26-31). The contact cams (26-31) cooperate with roller-ended operating arms (32-37) which actuate microswitches (38,39,40). The end of the shaft remote from lever (9) has another geared drive which moves a pointer (19) along a graduated angular scale. The potentiometers and microswitches form part of an electrical circuit which regulates the positions of hydraulic valves and pumps to change the position and speed of movement of the rudder. A memory unit is included which retains a record of the normal course. The control panel also has indicator lights (6,7,8) to reveal the positions of the microswitches.