GB287852A - Improvements in or relating to paravanes for submarines - Google Patents

Abstract

287,852. Ginocchio, M. March 26, 1927, [Convention date]. Mines, marine.-Relates to submarine mines 7 of the kind provided with tail fins 13 and depth-controlling vanes i, and adapted to be towed from a submarine as a weapon against another submarine. According to the invention, the mine is provided with a' sensitive firing- hammer device, in conjunction with a dashpot safety device and an electric firing circuit, and a flooding valve is provided under control of the towing cable. As shown, the release of the mine from a submarine liberates a spring plunger v, which lifts a member x by means of a lever w, and releases a dashpot n by means of a lever u. The member x frees a pendulum z pivoted at 4, so that, on the slightest impact, the pendulum z falls over and a weight 5 mounted on balls 9 strikes and breaks a tube 2 containing a bichromate solution which falls into and energizes a battery 8, thereby firing the mine. This firing, however, cannot occur unless the primer is armed, and this arming is performed by the dashpot n at the end of its stroke, when a shutter 11 swings out and closes a switch 10, and the primer p moves close to the detonator m, in readiness for firing when the battery 8 is energized. Premature energization of the battery is ineffective and spends itself after a short time. The towing cable is attached to a lever a connected to a spring-loaded valve b which floods the mine when the towing tension is suddenly slackened. The vanes i are braced together by a lattice frame, and the lower vane is made larger than the upper one to lower the centre of gravity.