GB191209851A - Improvements in and relating to Torpedo Launching Apparatus. - Google Patents

Abstract

9851. Davison, G. C. April 28, 1911, [Convention date]. Launching torpedoes.-Relates to torpedo tubes designed for launching torpedoes under water from submersible torpedo boats in a direction other than that. of the moving vessel, and consists in so mounting the tube that it may be trained through friction gearing, which gearing allows the tube to be deflected when the torpedo protrudes therefrom and encounters the water resistance, thereby preventing binding of the torpedo in the mouth of the tube. The gyroscope for controlling the torpedo is started and its gimbal ring released prior to the torpedo protruding from the tube, so that the torpedo ultimately takes the direction of the trained tube. In the construction shown in Figs. 2 and 7, twin tubes Care mounted on a superstructure B on the hull A of a submersible boat, the tubes being carried by a turntable D mounted on rollers. A trunk E forming part of the turntable passes through a watertight bearing e and is rotatable within a housing F which receives compressed air by a pipe G and communicates with the trunk in any position by an annular port f. From the port f, air is led to balanced valves H which communicate by pipes h with the rear end of each tube. The valves H are actuated by air admitted to their lower surfaces, Fig. 8, from cylinders I the pistons i in which first release latches J to free the torpedo. The piston k in cylinder K operates a plug L which controls the air supply within the torpedo for setting the gyroscope ring in motion and releasing the gimbal ring. Hand-operated valves M first admit air from the housing F to the cylinders K, and then to the cylinders I, the valves H being opened immediately afterwards. The tubes are trained by means of worm gearing O, N, Fig. 7, actuated by the hand-wheel o, Fig. 2, the worm - wheel N carrying friction blocks n which engage the trunk E sufficiently for training, but allow the trunk to turn within the wheel when the tubes are deflected due to the torpedo protruding therefrom and meeting the resistance of the water. A cap P forms a closure for the tubes and is removed, when required, by rotating the hand-wheel p. In a modified arrangement, the tubes, operated as described above, are mounted beneath the deck of the superstructure B. In a further modification, shown in Fig. 9, the tube 1 is wholly within the hull 5 of the vessel, and is mounted in a universal joint 2, and trained by rack and pinion gearing 11, 13. Between the training-wheel 25 and the pinion 13 is a friction clutch to allow motion of the tube due to the protruding torpedo encountering the water resistance. A gate valve 7 is provided.