US1024424A - Torpedo-launching tube. - Google Patents

Description

E. SCHNEIDER. TORPEDO LAUNCHING TUBE.v

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 15, 1911.

1,024,424, 4 Patented 11111.23, 1912. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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E. SCHNEIDER.

' TORPEDO LAUNGHING TUBE. APPLIOATION FILED MAY 15, 1911.

Patented Apr. 23, 1912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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COLUMBIA PLANUGRAPH co.. WASHINGTON. D. c.

E. SCHNEIDER. TORPEDO LAUNGHING TUBE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, 1911.

Patented Apr. 23, 1912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

E. SCHNEIDER.

TORPEDO LAUNGHING TUBE.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 15, 1911.

Patented A111123, 1912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4. 1727.6,

COLUMBIA PLANouRAPH C0.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

E. SCHNEIDER.

ToRPBDo lLAUMEHNG TUBE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, 1911.

Patented Apr'. 23, 1912.4

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. o o o o a Z1 o 0 o o o (1- o D o EUGNE SCHNEIDER, or LE cREUzoT, FRANCE.

TORPEDO-LAUNCHING TUBE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 23, 1912.

Application filed May 15, 1911. Serial No. 627,160.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, EUGNE SCHNEIDER, a citizen of the Republic of France, residing at Le Greuzot, Sane-et-Loire, France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in or Relating to Torpedo-Launching Tubes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to torpedo launching tubes.

Heretofore the launching of torpedoes has been eected by giving to the torpedo launching tubes a suitable direction relatively to the torpedo boat on which they are carried and by maintaining the boat in a given direction during the operation. The maintaining of the direction ofthe tubes relatively to the torpedo boat and to the target aimed at necessitates two operators, one of whom operates the sighting mechanism and follows the moving mark, while the other operates the tubes; if long and dangerous maneuvers are to be avoided it also entails keeping the torpedo boat in a constant direction until the moment of launching and does not permit of the rapid alteration of the liring data. The support for torpedo launching tubes which forms the subject of the present invention obviates these defects.

With this object it comprises a carriage proper movable about its axis and upon the platform of which torpedo launching tubes are fixed. This carriage is characterized by the fact that a periscopic sighting apparatus is mounted thereon parallel with the axis of rotation of the carriage and that it likewise carries in or on a sleeve projecting beneath the platform a portion of the element-s of the training mechanism; one of the supplementary parts of this mechanism is carried by a fixed circular saddle upon which the carriage is able to run upon a circle of rollers that are interposed. The whole thus constitutes a support similar to a gun carriage with central pivot with eyepiece and means for operating the sighting and training mechanism, the whole projecting beneath the platform thereby enabling one and the same operator who is constantly sheltered to modify at any moment the direction of the tubes for reaching a movable target and this whatever the changes of direction of the torpedo boat may be.

In order that the said invention may be more clearly understood and readily carried into eect I will describe the same more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figures 1 and 2 are two sectional elevai tions on two planes at right angles passing through the axis of the support, showing one constructional form of the invention arranged for a single torpedo launching tube.

Fig. 3 is a partial plan corresponding to Figv 1. Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line AA 1n Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a sectional plan on the lines B B, C C in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a general longitudinal sectional elevation of another constructional form ofthe invention adapted for twin torpedo launching tubes. Fig. 7 1s a corresponding cross sectional elevation. Fig 8 1s a partial sectional plan on the line i- A 1n Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a partial elevation corresponding to Fig. 7 and showing in frontelevation the eyepiece of the periscopic apparatus.

' Referring to the construction shown in Figs. 1-5, the to-rpedo launching tube a of any known type is attached to the plat- Yform of the carriage proper and projectmg from the lower face of said platform are two vertical cylindrical and concentric members b Z2?. The member Z2 of larger diameter carries at its lower end t-he track b3 upon which the carriage rests on a ring of conical rollers c. Radiating ribs b4 connect the cylindrical members b b2 the plate b and the track b3. The member b carries two arms 57, the upper face of which is flush with the platform and upon which the tube a is fixed for example by bolting it by means of lugs Z on the assembling flanges a. By the intermediary of the ring of rollers the carriage proper rests upon a saddle e fixed to the deck and in a vertical cylindrical part e in which it is centered by a collar or projection?)5 cast with the track b3, a friction ring f of bronze being fixed to the said collar b5. The lubrication of this ring is provided for by means of a tube g (Fig. 2) opening to the exterior. A second crown be carried by the outer cylindrical member Z9 at its lower edge forms a hook for retaining the carriage proper upon the saddle and at the same time protects all the inner parts from bursting shells and the penetration of sea-water. The carriage proper b carries a certain number of the elements of the training mechanism for the torpedo launching tube a supplementary element of this mechanism being fixed upon the saddle and constituted in crown 72,. The latter meshes with an intermediate wheel z' (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) rotating freely upon a shaft y' carried by the carriage. The wheel 11 meshes' with a pinion 7c carried by a vertical shaft m upon which a worm wheel g is keyed. The shaft m is journaled in bearings n and 0 carried respectively by the inner cylindrical memberA b2 of the carriage and by the lower extremity of a metal sleeve fixed beneath this cylindrical member. The said sleeve itself carries a box p forming a supporting bearing for a screw 1' meshing with the wheel g and adapted to be operated by a hand wheel s provided with a handle s. By rotating the latter the wheel i is caused to run upon the toothed ring L by the intermediary of the transmission g m and the carriage proper and the tube a carried by it participate in this movement. -In vthe carriage there is likewise mounted a periscopic and panoramic sighting apparatus t .of known construction, the device t of which receives the luminous rays and may be operated by means of a hand wheel t2 within reach of the marksman. It will of course be understood that the carriage may be provided with various other accessories and in particular means for actuating the firing mechanism mounted on the breech of the tube a. p

In the construction shown in Figs. 6-9 the carriage proper carries only one of the elements of the training mechanism of the tubes a, that is to say the toothed ring h. The saddle e forms a bearing for the upper end of a shaft m upon which a pinion 7c directly in mesh with the ring v, is keyed. The lower end of the shaft m carries a worm wheel g and turns in a box p ixed to the boat and which forms supporting bearings for a screw 7 meshing with the said worm wheel. It will readily be understood that by operating the handle s'keyed upon the screw 1', the toothed ring L and consequently the carriage proper are caused to rotate by the intermediary of the transmission g m, 7c. The sighting apparatus t which as in the preceding example is a panoramic periscope is arranged in the axis of the support between the two tubes a which protects it against external influences. At its lower part in proximity to the eyepiece t3 the apparatus comprises a graduated conical drum u moving simultaneously with the carriage in a fixed casing o carrying an index fw.

The form of support described obviates the defects enumerated above and also the crowding of the decks with the circular track heretofore employed. Even in the caseof twin tubes the carriage does not exceed the width of the combined tubes.

-The marksman can always keep his eye fixed vupon the objective while thev commanderv ofthe torpedo boat can modify his direction in order to follow the best course. In particular the marksman can rapidly modify the training in accordance with fresh ring data (change of speed or direction of the objective) and arrange the torpedo launching tubes in the proper direction.

on said-carriage and means for operating said device below said platform whereby the sighting of the object and aiming of the torpedo tube is made independent of the direction of the vessels course.

2. In combination, a revoluble torpedo carriage adapted to be mounted on deck of a vessel comprising a platform adapted to support a torpedo launching tube and a sleeve depending from said platform and provided with training mechanism, a circular saddle for revolubly supporting said platform and havinga fixed rack engaging said training mechanism and a periscopic sighting device mounted on said carriage and having means for operating the same sheltered below said platform all arranged whereby the sighting of the object and aiming of the torpedo tube is independent o-f the direction of the vessels course.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EUGENE SCHNEIDER.

Witnesses H. C. CoxE,

It. DE SERELINGER.

Y Copies of this patent may be obtained for Vfive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents` Washington, 4I). C.

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