GB131960A - - Google Patents

Abstract

131,960. Schneider et Cie. Jan. 17, 1918, [Convention date]. Launching torpedoes.-Consists in interlocking the mechanism for opening the front door of a torpedo tube with the mechanisms for releasing and ejecting the torpedo, so that the launching is performed automatically by the single operation of opening the door. In the form shown, the front door B is hinged at B<1> and is worked through a sector B<2> and a rack d by a piston C in a cylinder E supplied with compressed air under con'trol of a valve H. A tail rod F fixed to the piston C has a shoulder F<2> for tripping a bell-crank L, L<1> for removing a retaining catch L' from engagement with the torpedo Q in the tube A as the door reaches its open position. The tail rod has also a collar F' for tripping a launching lever j<1>, j<2> which actuates a valve i controlling the main valve I admitting compressed air from a tank I<1> to the tube A behind the torpedo Q as soon as the door is fully open. When the door is in the closed position, the tail rod is locked by a pawl M on the rod in conjunction with a spring-controlled lever N, N<1>; and this lever is in its turn locked by a bell-crank O, O<1> until the handle G of the valve H is swung to the left for supplying compressed air to the cylinder E behind the piston C and connecting the front end of the cylinder to exhaust for opening the door. Provision is made to work the apparatus by hand by means of (1) a spindle r geared by a sector R to a rack F<3> on the tail rod and (2) a handle S for the launching lever j<1>, j<2>; the collar F<1> is then preferably removed, and a ring s<1> is attached to the launching lever and embraces the tail rod F to prevent the opening swing of the launching lever until the front door is open when a notch F<4> in the tail rod comes opposite the ring s<1>.