GB582841A - Improvements in or relating to aerial bombs - Google Patents

Abstract

582,841. Aerial bombs launched from aircraft. BURNEY, SIR C. D. April 19, 1939, Nos. 11745/39 and 2306/40 (divided out of 582,842), 2307/40 (divided out of 582,843), 2308/40 (divided out of 582,842), and 2309/40 (divided out of 582,844). [Classes 9 (i) and 9 (ii)] [Also in Groups XXIX and XXXIII] A bomb released from aircraft is equipped with aerofoil supporting surfaces, movable flight-control surfaces, and gyroscopic or other automatic control means for the movable surfaces to produce a bomb which glides down with controlled flight at a predetermined angle. The control of the glide is preferably effected by one or more gyroscopes through servomotors arranged in the tail of the bomb'and operating upon the rudder or the elevator ailerons. In some cases, the wings are fitted with a gyroscope or with mercury oscillators to effect automatic control of their ailerons. By trailing an aerial paravane or miniature inverted aeroplane, the bomb may be given horizontal flight after a predetermined inclined glide. The change occurs automatic. ally when the paravane is impeded by striking the ground thereby changing the tension in its supporting cable and operating servomotors which actuate the elevator ailerons. The simplest form is shown in front view in Fig. 3, the torpedo-shaped bomb carrying, at its centre of gravity, the wings 2 by straps 7 and, at its tail, elevators 4 and rudders 5 controlled by gyroscopic mechanism. The front of the bomb carries the explosive charge 1. Fig. 6 shows the servomotor mechanism in the tail for actuating rudder fins 5a and elevator fins 4a under the control of a gyroscope 31. The power is derived from a slipstream propeller 10 driving an oil pump 42 feeding the piston-and-cylinder motors 46, 48 the valves of which are connected to the " wander " and " topple " take-offs of the gyroscope, and the pistons of which are linked to the fins. Any two of the controls for direction, roll and angle of glide may be effected by a single gyroscope rotating in an axial or transverse plane or all three controls by using two gyroscopes rotating in planes at right angles, or a single gyroscope with its axis inclined to such planes. Fig. 9 shows a bomb fitted with a trailing paravane 51 of the kind described in Specification 582,840, the cord 59 of which, when the paravane trails the ground, actuate a valve 26 to admit air under pressure from a reservoir 9 to a power cylinder 15 actuating the elevator fin 16 to produce horizontal flight. When the bomb is used for practice purposes, the valve 26 may also admit air to a power cylinder 44 for rotating a shaft 40 to unlock the interrupted threads 42 retaining the explosive head 1. Fig. 15 shows the paravane cable 59 connected to a catch 78 for releasing a spring-controlled sleeve valve 48, Fig. 15a, causing a power cylinder 44 to actuate the elevator fin 43, the consequent movement of the bomb to horizontal flight serving to defiect the axis of the gyroscope 42. This gyroscope, which during inclined flight automatically controls the inner valve 47 by an arm 73, now continues its control during horizontal flight. The fixed valve casing 49 is connected to an air-pressrue reservoir 46 and to opposite ends of the power cylinder 44 by enlarged ports which permit of free flow of air notwithstanding movements of the sleeve 48. In a modification, the paravane cable serves to rotate the casing of the gyroscope. Fig. 21 shows a modification in which the angle of glide may be varied before launching by a pendulum 93 controlling the valve 92 of a follow-up servomotor actuated by oil pressure derived from a propeller-driven pump 94. The servomotor acts to set the force of a spring 88 which balances the upward air pressuie on the pivoted supporting wings 2 acting at the point P. After launching, the pendulum is automatically locked and a set line of glide is maintained. Means for effecting the release of the bomb from the carrying aircraft clear of the propeller slip stream is provided. Specifications 582,842 and 582,844 also are referred to.