PNEUMATIC REMOTE SPEED CONTROL DEVICE FOR MARINE ENGINE
United States Patent 3772937
A cam mechanism geared to the operating handle of a remotely located operator's speed controller for a marine engine, said cam mechanism including cam means operable by movement of the operator's handle to various positions for transmitting a corresponding degree of movement through a lever arrangement to the operating stem of a fluid pressure operable control valve device which remotely controls the speed of the engine.
US Patent References:
/1264162.html
Cozel et al. - April 1918 - 1264162
/1322692.html
Gruenfeldt - November 1919 - 1322692
/1264162.html
Cozel et al. - April 1918 - 1264162
/1322692.html
Gruenfeldt - November 1919 - 1322692
Inventors:
Takagi, Makoto (Tarumi-ku, Kobe, JA)
Nitta, Akifumi (Tarumi-ku, Kobe, JA)
Nitta, Akifumi (Tarumi-ku, Kobe, JA)
Application Number:
05/170452
Publication Date:
11/20/1973
Filing Date:
08/10/1971
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
The Nippon Air Brake Co., Ltd. (Kobe, JA)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
74/568R
International Classes:
B63H21/22; F16H53/04; B63H21/00; F16H53/00; G05G7/12
Field of Search:
74/491,568R,568M
Primary Examiner:
Kaufman, Milton
Claims:
Having now described the invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is
1. In combination with a lever system of the type for operating a control device, a cam mechanism comprising:
2. The combination, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said main cam follower is maintained in constant contact with said cam surface and said combination is further characterized by:
3. The combination, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said auxiliary means comprises:
4. The combination, as set forth in claim 3, further characterized by:
5. Speed control apparatus for operating a speed control device of a marine engine, said apparatus comprising:
6. Speed control apparatus, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said drive means comprises:
7. Speed control apparatus, as set forth in claim 5, further characterized by:
1. In combination with a lever system of the type for operating a control device, a cam mechanism comprising:
2. The combination, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said main cam follower is maintained in constant contact with said cam surface and said combination is further characterized by:
3. The combination, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said auxiliary means comprises:
4. The combination, as set forth in claim 3, further characterized by:
5. Speed control apparatus for operating a speed control device of a marine engine, said apparatus comprising:
6. Speed control apparatus, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said drive means comprises:
7. Speed control apparatus, as set forth in claim 5, further characterized by:
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many of the remote speed control apparatus for marine engines presently in use involve combined electrical-hydraulic or electrical-pneumatic apparatus which are characteristically complex in structure and are, therefore, inherently more susceptible to failure and requirement of more maintenance. Since much of such maintenance must be done at sea, it is desirable to avoid such contingencies if possible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a remote speed control device for marine engines characterized by a simplified structure which may be readily repaired and maintained and thereby provide dependable trouble-free operation.
The invention is intended to be arranged in the speed controller stand of a marine vessel and comprises a cam device including a rotatable cylindrical support member geared to the angularly displaceable operator's handle of the controller so as to be positionally rotated according to the position to which the handle is operated and biasing means for axially biasing said support member in one direction, said cylindrical support member having a plurality of cam elements arranged side-by-side on the outer cylindrical surface thereof and extending axially therefrom to form a step-like cam contour so that one of said cam elements, corresponding to the rotated position of the support member, is biased into contact with a conveniently disposed cam follower associated with a lever system which imparts a prescribed amount of motion (according to the particular cam element in contact with the follower and the force exerted by the biasing means) to an operating element of a control device, such as an operating stem of a fluid pressure operable control valve, for example, for effecting the desired rate of speed. The cam device also includes an auxiliary or tuning cam whereby the compression of the biasing means may be adjusted to provide a fine adjustment of the force exerted by said biasing means, through the cam element, on the cam follower.
In the drawing,
FIG. 1 represents, in outline, a speed controller stand for a marine vessel; and
FIG. 2 is a perspective view, in outline and on a larger scale than FIG. 1, of a cam device embodying the invention and for use with the speed controller shown in FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
An operator's remote speed control stand or station generally designated by the reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1 is normally situated on the vessel at a convenient location from which the speed of the vessel can be remotely controlled. The control stand 1 includes an angularly displaceable operator's handle 2 which is operable in a clockwise direction, as designated by the arrow in the drawing, from a neutral position N, in which it is shown, to an initial position SF for first starting the engine and then into a plurality of positions within a range, designated F in the drawing, for determining the forward speed of the vessel. From the position N, the handle 2 is operable in a counterclockwise direction, as designated by the arrow in the drawing, to an initial position SR for first starting the engine and then into a plurality of positions within a range, designated R in the drawing, for determining the reverse speed of the vessel.
A cam device, generally designated by the reference numeral 3 in FIG. 2, is mounted within the control stand 1 and comprises a shaft 4 rotatably journaled therein in suitable manner (not shown). A sprocket gear 5 is removably secured at one end of shaft 4 with an endless sprocket-type drive chain 6 (shown in broken line in FIG. 1) engaging said sprocket as well as a sprocket gear 7 coaxially secured to the operator's handle 2 for rotation therewith, so that rotation or operation of said operator's handle and sprocket gear 7 produces rotation of sprocket gear 5 and shaft 4 through said drive chain.
The cam device 3 further comprises a cylindrical support member 8 concentrically mounted by a plurality of spokes on a hub member 9 slidably carried on the shaft 4. The hub member 9, though fitting snugly on the shaft 4, is loose enough to permit axial movement of the hub and therefore of support member 8 on the shaft. The amount of axial movement of hub 9 and support member 8 is limited in one direction by a collar 10 fixed on the shaft 4 adjacent one end of the hub member and by a spring 11 compressed between the other end of the hub member and a collar 12 fixed on said shaft in axially spaced-apart relation to said other end of the hub member. The hub member 9 and support member 8 are keyed against rotation on shaft 4 by a key member 13, while spring 11 urges said hub member and support member in the direction toward collar 10.
The cylindrical support member 8 carries a plurality of block-like cam elements 14, 14', 14", etc., adjustably secured in side-by-side fashion on the outer cylindrical surface of said support member by a plurality of respective bolts 15, 15', 15", etc. screwing radially into the support member by passing through respective slots 16, 16', 16", etc. formed longitudinally in the cam elements. Each of the cam elements 14, 14', 14", etc., is of such axial length as to have one end thereof, when secured in adjusted position, project beyond an annular edge forming the rearward axial limit or end, as viewed in the drawing, of support member 8. The cam elements 14, 14', 14", etc., are additionally secured in their respective adjusted positions by a plurality of respective bolts 18, 18', 18", etc., screw-threadedly disposed, in coaxially aligned relation to the respective cam elements, in an annular shoulder 19 formed on and surrounding the cylindrical support member 8 adjacent the ends of the cam elements opposite the projecting ends thereof. With the cam elements 14, 14', 14", etc., in their respective adjusted positions, bolts 15, 15', 15", etc., are tightened down thereon, and bolts 18, 18', 18", etc. are snubbed up against the respective adjacent ends of the cam elements and then secured in place by respective lock nuts 20, 20', 20", etc. The cam elements 14, 14', 14", etc. are normally adjusted in such fashion, relative to each other, and with supprot member 8 and hub 9, form a main cam 21 having a step-like contour extending from the cam element at one end to the cam element at the other end, each of said cam elements corresponding to a position of the controller handle 2, and each, therefore, as will hereinafter be described, effecting a corresponding speed of the engine (not shown).
Although only one set of cam elements 14, 14', 14", etc., with respective to securing bolts 15, 15', 15", etc. and 18, 18', 18", etc., is shown, it should be understood that another set of such cam elements and securing bolts must be provided on the support member 8 and arranged so as to form a cam contour for controlling reverse speeds of the vessel's engine, said cam contour running oppositely to that of the one formed by the cam elements shown for the forward speeds.
A roller 22 rotatably carried at one end of a lever 23 makes rolling contact with an annular end surface 24 forming the extremity of support member 8 opposite annular edge 17. Lever 23 is pivotable about a fixed spindle or pin 25 and has a roller-type auxiliary cam follower 26 rotatably disposed at the other end opposite roller 22. Cam follower 26 makes rolling contact with the peripherally formed cam surface of a disc-type auxiliary cam or eccentric 27 which is carried by a shaft 28 for rotation therewith about a fixed axis. Thus, by angularly positioning the auxiliary cam 27 in a preselected position, lever 23 is accordingly rotated about pin 25, and roller 22, bearing against surface 24 of support member 8, exerts a neutralizing effect on the biasing action of spring 11 to a degree corresponding to the preselected position of said auxiliary cam and, therefore, the rotated position of lever 23 about pin 25. The axial position of support member 8 on shaft 4 is accordingly established.
The main cam 21 is provided for imparting motion to an operating mechanism such as a lever system, for example, by making rolling contact with a main cam follower 29 rotatably carried at one end of a take-off lever 30 of said lever system, the other end of said take-off lever being fixed to one end of a shaft 31 for effecting rotation thereof about a fixed axis, said take-off lever being disposed perpendicularly to the axis of said shaft. The other end of shaft 31 has one end of a perpendicularly disposed operating lever 32 fixed thereto for rotation therewith, the other end of said operating lever having affixed thereto means such as a plunger 33 adapted for engaging an operating element (not shown) of a control device (not shown), such as the operating stem of a fluid pressure operable control valve, for example, for controlling the speed of the marine engine (not shown). By suitable means, such as biasing means (not shown) follower 29 is biased into and maintained in rolling contact with the contour surface of main cam 21 at all times.
In operation, assuming it is desired to have the vessel move in a forward direction, the operator first moves the handle 2 to position SF for starting the engine and thereafter gradually moves the handle into the F zone to a position therein corresponding to the rate of speed at which it is desired to have the vessel travel. Angular displacement of handle 2 acting through drive chain 6, as above noted, causes rotation of shaft 4 and support member 8 accordingly until the particular cam element of the cam elements 14, 14', 14", etc. corresponding to the position occupied by said handle comes into contact with follower 29. Depending upon which cam element of the cam elements 14, 14', 14", etc. is in contact with follower 29, the speed control valve (not shown) is accordingly actuated through lever 30, shaft 31, lever 32, and plunger 33 to effect the desired speed of the engine.
Although, as above explained, the respective positions of the cam elements 14, 14', 14", etc. are individually adjustable, the cam action of the main cam 21 in its entirety may be finely adjusted by the auxiliary cam 27. Since lever 23 is pivotable about the fixed spindle 25, the force exerted by roller 22 on support member 8 in opposing relation to spring 11 and, therefore, the precise axial position of said support member (and thus the main cam 21) on shaft 4 is determined by the point of contact of the cam contour of auxiliary cam 27 with follower 26. Thus, if auxiliary cam 27 is rotated through shaft 28 until a high point of its cam contour is in contact with follower 26, lever 23 and roller 22 will exert a greater force on support member 8 (than would be so if a lower point of said auxiliary cam were in contact with follower 26) so that main cam 21 with cam elements 14, 14', 14", etc. is correspondingly shifted axially on shaft 4 in a direction toward follower 29. In this axially shifted position, each of the cam elements 14, 14', 14", etc., when in contact with the follower 29, produce a greater effect on the speed control valve through levers 30 and 32 than would be so if the support member 8 were shifted axially on shaft 4 in a direction away from follower 29 by rotating auxiliary cam 27 to a low point of contact with follower 26. Adjustment of auxiliary cam 27, therefore, provides for fine turning of the cam action of main cam 21.
Many of the remote speed control apparatus for marine engines presently in use involve combined electrical-hydraulic or electrical-pneumatic apparatus which are characteristically complex in structure and are, therefore, inherently more susceptible to failure and requirement of more maintenance. Since much of such maintenance must be done at sea, it is desirable to avoid such contingencies if possible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a remote speed control device for marine engines characterized by a simplified structure which may be readily repaired and maintained and thereby provide dependable trouble-free operation.
The invention is intended to be arranged in the speed controller stand of a marine vessel and comprises a cam device including a rotatable cylindrical support member geared to the angularly displaceable operator's handle of the controller so as to be positionally rotated according to the position to which the handle is operated and biasing means for axially biasing said support member in one direction, said cylindrical support member having a plurality of cam elements arranged side-by-side on the outer cylindrical surface thereof and extending axially therefrom to form a step-like cam contour so that one of said cam elements, corresponding to the rotated position of the support member, is biased into contact with a conveniently disposed cam follower associated with a lever system which imparts a prescribed amount of motion (according to the particular cam element in contact with the follower and the force exerted by the biasing means) to an operating element of a control device, such as an operating stem of a fluid pressure operable control valve, for example, for effecting the desired rate of speed. The cam device also includes an auxiliary or tuning cam whereby the compression of the biasing means may be adjusted to provide a fine adjustment of the force exerted by said biasing means, through the cam element, on the cam follower.
In the drawing,
FIG. 1 represents, in outline, a speed controller stand for a marine vessel; and
FIG. 2 is a perspective view, in outline and on a larger scale than FIG. 1, of a cam device embodying the invention and for use with the speed controller shown in FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
An operator's remote speed control stand or station generally designated by the reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1 is normally situated on the vessel at a convenient location from which the speed of the vessel can be remotely controlled. The control stand 1 includes an angularly displaceable operator's handle 2 which is operable in a clockwise direction, as designated by the arrow in the drawing, from a neutral position N, in which it is shown, to an initial position SF for first starting the engine and then into a plurality of positions within a range, designated F in the drawing, for determining the forward speed of the vessel. From the position N, the handle 2 is operable in a counterclockwise direction, as designated by the arrow in the drawing, to an initial position SR for first starting the engine and then into a plurality of positions within a range, designated R in the drawing, for determining the reverse speed of the vessel.
A cam device, generally designated by the reference numeral 3 in FIG. 2, is mounted within the control stand 1 and comprises a shaft 4 rotatably journaled therein in suitable manner (not shown). A sprocket gear 5 is removably secured at one end of shaft 4 with an endless sprocket-type drive chain 6 (shown in broken line in FIG. 1) engaging said sprocket as well as a sprocket gear 7 coaxially secured to the operator's handle 2 for rotation therewith, so that rotation or operation of said operator's handle and sprocket gear 7 produces rotation of sprocket gear 5 and shaft 4 through said drive chain.
The cam device 3 further comprises a cylindrical support member 8 concentrically mounted by a plurality of spokes on a hub member 9 slidably carried on the shaft 4. The hub member 9, though fitting snugly on the shaft 4, is loose enough to permit axial movement of the hub and therefore of support member 8 on the shaft. The amount of axial movement of hub 9 and support member 8 is limited in one direction by a collar 10 fixed on the shaft 4 adjacent one end of the hub member and by a spring 11 compressed between the other end of the hub member and a collar 12 fixed on said shaft in axially spaced-apart relation to said other end of the hub member. The hub member 9 and support member 8 are keyed against rotation on shaft 4 by a key member 13, while spring 11 urges said hub member and support member in the direction toward collar 10.
The cylindrical support member 8 carries a plurality of block-like cam elements 14, 14', 14", etc., adjustably secured in side-by-side fashion on the outer cylindrical surface of said support member by a plurality of respective bolts 15, 15', 15", etc. screwing radially into the support member by passing through respective slots 16, 16', 16", etc. formed longitudinally in the cam elements. Each of the cam elements 14, 14', 14", etc., is of such axial length as to have one end thereof, when secured in adjusted position, project beyond an annular edge forming the rearward axial limit or end, as viewed in the drawing, of support member 8. The cam elements 14, 14', 14", etc., are additionally secured in their respective adjusted positions by a plurality of respective bolts 18, 18', 18", etc., screw-threadedly disposed, in coaxially aligned relation to the respective cam elements, in an annular shoulder 19 formed on and surrounding the cylindrical support member 8 adjacent the ends of the cam elements opposite the projecting ends thereof. With the cam elements 14, 14', 14", etc., in their respective adjusted positions, bolts 15, 15', 15", etc., are tightened down thereon, and bolts 18, 18', 18", etc. are snubbed up against the respective adjacent ends of the cam elements and then secured in place by respective lock nuts 20, 20', 20", etc. The cam elements 14, 14', 14", etc. are normally adjusted in such fashion, relative to each other, and with supprot member 8 and hub 9, form a main cam 21 having a step-like contour extending from the cam element at one end to the cam element at the other end, each of said cam elements corresponding to a position of the controller handle 2, and each, therefore, as will hereinafter be described, effecting a corresponding speed of the engine (not shown).
Although only one set of cam elements 14, 14', 14", etc., with respective to securing bolts 15, 15', 15", etc. and 18, 18', 18", etc., is shown, it should be understood that another set of such cam elements and securing bolts must be provided on the support member 8 and arranged so as to form a cam contour for controlling reverse speeds of the vessel's engine, said cam contour running oppositely to that of the one formed by the cam elements shown for the forward speeds.
A roller 22 rotatably carried at one end of a lever 23 makes rolling contact with an annular end surface 24 forming the extremity of support member 8 opposite annular edge 17. Lever 23 is pivotable about a fixed spindle or pin 25 and has a roller-type auxiliary cam follower 26 rotatably disposed at the other end opposite roller 22. Cam follower 26 makes rolling contact with the peripherally formed cam surface of a disc-type auxiliary cam or eccentric 27 which is carried by a shaft 28 for rotation therewith about a fixed axis. Thus, by angularly positioning the auxiliary cam 27 in a preselected position, lever 23 is accordingly rotated about pin 25, and roller 22, bearing against surface 24 of support member 8, exerts a neutralizing effect on the biasing action of spring 11 to a degree corresponding to the preselected position of said auxiliary cam and, therefore, the rotated position of lever 23 about pin 25. The axial position of support member 8 on shaft 4 is accordingly established.
The main cam 21 is provided for imparting motion to an operating mechanism such as a lever system, for example, by making rolling contact with a main cam follower 29 rotatably carried at one end of a take-off lever 30 of said lever system, the other end of said take-off lever being fixed to one end of a shaft 31 for effecting rotation thereof about a fixed axis, said take-off lever being disposed perpendicularly to the axis of said shaft. The other end of shaft 31 has one end of a perpendicularly disposed operating lever 32 fixed thereto for rotation therewith, the other end of said operating lever having affixed thereto means such as a plunger 33 adapted for engaging an operating element (not shown) of a control device (not shown), such as the operating stem of a fluid pressure operable control valve, for example, for controlling the speed of the marine engine (not shown). By suitable means, such as biasing means (not shown) follower 29 is biased into and maintained in rolling contact with the contour surface of main cam 21 at all times.
In operation, assuming it is desired to have the vessel move in a forward direction, the operator first moves the handle 2 to position SF for starting the engine and thereafter gradually moves the handle into the F zone to a position therein corresponding to the rate of speed at which it is desired to have the vessel travel. Angular displacement of handle 2 acting through drive chain 6, as above noted, causes rotation of shaft 4 and support member 8 accordingly until the particular cam element of the cam elements 14, 14', 14", etc. corresponding to the position occupied by said handle comes into contact with follower 29. Depending upon which cam element of the cam elements 14, 14', 14", etc. is in contact with follower 29, the speed control valve (not shown) is accordingly actuated through lever 30, shaft 31, lever 32, and plunger 33 to effect the desired speed of the engine.
Although, as above explained, the respective positions of the cam elements 14, 14', 14", etc. are individually adjustable, the cam action of the main cam 21 in its entirety may be finely adjusted by the auxiliary cam 27. Since lever 23 is pivotable about the fixed spindle 25, the force exerted by roller 22 on support member 8 in opposing relation to spring 11 and, therefore, the precise axial position of said support member (and thus the main cam 21) on shaft 4 is determined by the point of contact of the cam contour of auxiliary cam 27 with follower 26. Thus, if auxiliary cam 27 is rotated through shaft 28 until a high point of its cam contour is in contact with follower 26, lever 23 and roller 22 will exert a greater force on support member 8 (than would be so if a lower point of said auxiliary cam were in contact with follower 26) so that main cam 21 with cam elements 14, 14', 14", etc. is correspondingly shifted axially on shaft 4 in a direction toward follower 29. In this axially shifted position, each of the cam elements 14, 14', 14", etc., when in contact with the follower 29, produce a greater effect on the speed control valve through levers 30 and 32 than would be so if the support member 8 were shifted axially on shaft 4 in a direction away from follower 29 by rotating auxiliary cam 27 to a low point of contact with follower 26. Adjustment of auxiliary cam 27, therefore, provides for fine turning of the cam action of main cam 21.