US1042562A - Indicating and protecting device. - Google Patents

Description

D. R. KNAPP.

INDIGATING AND PROTEGTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 29, 1908. 1,042,562. Patented Oct. 29, 1912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

COLUMBIA PLANQGRAPM ca. WASHINGTON. D, c4

D. R. KNAPP.

INDIGATING AND PEOTEUTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED DBG. 29, 190s.

1,042,562.- Patented o@n.`29,1912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0.. WASHINGTON, n. c.

D. R. KNAPP.

INDIGATING AND PROTEGTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED DBCLZS, 1908.

D. R. KN APP.

INDIGATING AND PROTEGTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED DBG.29, 1908.

commun PLAxccgrwn cn..wAsHlNu1-DN. D. L.

D. R. KNAPP.

INDIGATING AND PROTEGTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED 11120.29, 1908.

Pate/nted 0013.29, 1912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

Illll. l. IIJ

COLUMBIA FLANoGuAm-l co..w^smNGToN. D. c.

MUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID R. KNAPP, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

INDICATING AND PROTECTING DEVICE.

To al?, fai/mm t may concern.'

Be it known that I, DAVID It. KNAPP, a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Indicating and Protecting Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an indicating and protecting device used particularly in connection with gun turrets on war vessels, but is applicable to fortress guns and the like, and my objects are to provide and construct an indicating device that will indicate the train and elevation of one or more guns and, also, the fouling of any guns or turrets or guns and gun-fire.

1With these objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts, as will hereinafter more fully be described and pointed out in the claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, and in which` Figure l is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of the principal part of the device. Fig. 2 is a plan of the device showing` the location of the various parts. Figs. 3 and 4 are end elevation views of the movable members showing more details thereof. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of the device, showing principally the method of supporting, and also the manner in which the various motions are transmitted to, the device. Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are detail views showing the method of supporting the lower gearing. Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the general run of the transmission shafting. Figs. lO and l1 are, respectively, a plan and a sectional elevation of a structure einbodying features where turret structures are liable to foul or interfere; and Fig. l2 is a plan of a possible arrangement of an additional turret to the lower one as shown in Fig. l0.

This invention, as the accompanying drawings disclose, shows the apparatus as applied to turrets on war vessels.

In some war vessels a plurality of turrets are located on the center line of the vessel, the distance from center to center of turret being determined by the structural condition of the particular vessel, and that each turret consists of a properly armored revolving member in which are mounted two inde- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 29, 1908.

Patented 0ct. 29, 1912.

serial No. 469,896.

pendently operated guns. I may also state that the training motion, which is the revolving motion of the turret, is operated by an electric motor or other means, and that the elevating motion of each gun is operated by electric motors or other prime movers independent of the training mot-ion and independent of each other, and that these motors or prime movers are fixed in the turret and revolve therewith. Inasmuch as these turrets are mounted on the center line of the vessel, in order to obtain the maximum efficiency of gun-fire it is obvious that the guns of one turret will necessarily be mounted at a. higher plane than the other, as shown in Fig. 9. The guns as shown in Fig. 9 are shown for two turrets, and the guns may fire at any degree of their train, which is approximately 135 on either side of the center line, or a total of 2700. I may also state that the guns may elevate 15CJ from a horizontal plane and may depress 50, or a total range of deflection of 20o. If two turrets lying in the same plane, as shown in Fig. 1Q, should occupy the general position of the turret designated byl the reference number 109 in Fig. 9 of the drawings, there is created a possibility of one firing directly at the turret 100 as it passes across the center line, it being understood that the distance between the turret 100 and the adjacent turret would be suiiicient to allow the guns to train on either side of the center line. It is obvious that from the foregoing description of the location and general construction of these turrets there is great danger, upon the training and elevating, of the guns of one turret fouling with the guns of another, as shown in Fig. 2, and also great danger of the gun-fire from the guns of one turret fouling with the guns of another, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and of the turrets themselves fouling, and of the guns of one turret tiring directly at the adjacent turret. In times of peace and during target practice it may be feasible to dispense with the use of one or more turrets and place them in a position where they are out of the way; but in warfare this would seriously aifect the efficiency of gun-fire of a vessel. These conditions are mostly due to the structural conditions and arrangements of the turrets, they being entirely closed, which prevents an exterior view being had from within. The sighting is done, telescopically, by improved methods, Which also does not permit of an exterior vieuT being had iii proximity of the turrets.

My invention, therefore, consists in a device located in each turrent (so as to be under observation of the turret officer) that will indicate the true relation of the turrets and their guns, and thus give Warning upon any of the aforesaid dangers presenting themselves. A device of this character Will increase the efficiency of the vessel, due to the fact that the turret officer may at all times be cognizant as to the relative positions of the turrets, and thereby handle the operation of the same with celerity and accuracy and prevent a condition of self-destruction.

Referring to the figures of the drawings,

iii which similar numerals refer to like parts throughout the several vieivs, 1 designates a4 of) c);

member provided ivith the shoulder designates a bracket or support provided ivitli the removable cap 20, ivhich is adapted to embrace the said rounded portion ot they member 1, and thereby enables said member to turn freely in a horizontal plane on the support 2; S7 and 88 designate shafts in. fixed relation to the member 1 and uponv which are made to revolve the sectors of the.

worm Wheels 7 and 8.

3 and 4 designate worms in fixed relation ivitli the shafts 32 and 39, being provided with bearings 23 and 25, which are removably attaclied to the member 1 by the securing sereivs 24 and 26.

Mounted on the sectors 7 and 8 are the elongated members 11 and 12, which are made of some conducting material, but electrically insulated from said sectors by the:

insulation 89 and 90. The diameters of said elongated members 11 and 12 are proportioned to the diameter of the turret guns, ivhile the length from the center of the member 1 is proportional to the length of the guns; also, the distances between the centers of the elongated members are proportional to the centers of the guns in turrets. 15 designates a portion of member 11, and its dia-meter is proportioned to the diameter of the shot fired from said gun, While the length thereof is predetermined, as will be hereinafter described.

91 and 92 designate close Wound spiral springs which fit snugly over the elongated members 11 and 12, and said members are parted therein, each terminal of the spring being secured in a suitable manner to the separate parts. 1f said elongated members engage With any obstruction the spring ivill readily yield and prevent possible bending, and upon the obstruction being removed the members ivill assume their normal positions.

35 'designates a member provided with the frusto-conical shaped shoulder 21, and 93 designates a fixed support provided ivith they removable cap 19, which is adapted to embrace the said frusto-conical shaped shoulder. The member 35 is therefore free to revolve in a horizontal plane and it is supported by the support 93.

94 and 95 designate shafts which are rigidly attached to the member and upon which are made to revolve the sectors or ivorm Wheels 9 and 10. 5 and 6 designate Worm Wheels in engagement With said sectors, and are free to revolve in the bearing 33, which is removably secured to the meinber by the screws 34. Fixed to each of said sectors 9 and 10 are the elongated inembers 13 and 14, made of some conducting material, and Whose diameter is proportioned to the diameter of the guns and ivhose length from the center of the sector is proportioned to the distance of the muzzle of the guns from the center of the turrets. The members 13 and 14 are provided ivith the reduced portions 17 and 1S, the diameter thereof being proportioned to the gun bore or the shot fired therefrom, and its length being predetermined, as Will be hereinafter described.

Attached to the members 13 and 14 are the spiral close Wound springs 105 and 106, Which fit snugly over the said members and which are separated therein and attached to each terminal of said spring. This gives flexibility to the elongated members 13 and 14 for the purpose as heretofore stated for members 11 and 12. The members 13 and 14 are insulated from the member by the insulation 9G and 97.

37 designates a flexible shaft rigidly attached to the member 35 by the coupling 40.

36 and 38 designate liexible shafts ivhich are rigidly attached to the shafts of the Worms 5 and G by the couplings 39 and 41.

31 designates a flexible shaft rigidly attaclied to the member 1 by the coupling 2S.

30 and 32 designate flexible shafts rigidly attached to their respect-ive ivorm shafts by the couplings 27 and 29. t

84 designates a plate or foundation found in the rear of the turret and upon which the apparatus is secured by the pipe standards 52 and 53.

51 designates a suitable casing inclosing the apparatus, the base being adapted to be secured to the standards 52 and 53 by threaded engagement. The centers of the standards 52 and 53 are concentric with the centers of the members 1 and 35. The loivei' parts of said standards have the slot 71 therein, which enables ready inspection and repair to the apparatus at this point inside the standards.

G9 designates sleeves adapted to slide over the standards 52 and 53, and serves for a closure of said. slots 71.

The vertical centers betiveen the members 1 and 35 are proportioned to the vertical centers of the turrets, while the horizontal centers are proportional to the horizontal centers of the guns. It is obvious, then, that the relative positions of the members 1 and 35 are identical with the relative positions of the turrets.

rIhe end of each of the shafts 36, 37 and 38 is provided with a slot 67, which is adapted to engage with the pin 66 in the coupling 65.

64 designates a bearing removably secured to the plate 84 by the screw 86.

61 and 62 designate bearing caps removably secured to the bearing 611 by the screws 107 and 63.

85 designates a gear wheel fixed to the shaft 101, and which is adapted to revolve in the bearing 64 and terminates in the coupling 65.

It is obvious that the shaft 37, being fixed to the center of revolution of the member 35, can be made solid if so desired, as shown in Fig. 11.

108 designates a gear wheel in rigid relat-ion with the solid shaft 98, and which is adapted to revolve in the bearing 64 and terminates in the coupling 65. A similar arrangement is provided for the shaft 36. It is obvious that upon the revolving of the member 35 the fiexible shafts 36 and 38 will move in an arc of a circle, and the extra length of the shaft-ing required is provided for by the telescopic coupling 65. A similar arrangement is provided for shaft 31, attached to the center of member 1, as that provided for shaft 37 also, a similar arrangement is provided for shafts 30 and 32 as is provided for shafts 36 and 38. 70 designates a casing inclosing this gearing, which is removably secured to the plate or deck 84 by the screws 99. The shaft 37 is operatively connected to the turret turning gear of the lower turret through the gear 85. and is so designed that the member 35, which is rigidly attached to said shaft, will respond to the movements of the turret and move in unison therewith.

109 and 100 designate turrets, the location of which I have heretofore described, and turret 109 will hereafter be designated as the lower turret, while turret 100 will be designated as the upper one. The flexible shafts 36 and 38 are operatively connected to the respective gun elevating gear of each gun in the lower turret through the same method of gearing as stated for shaft 37, and said gearing is so designed that the members 13 and 14 will respond to the movements of the guns therein and move in unison therewith. It is obvious that the position of member 35, with the elongated members mounted thereon, will assume the same relative relation as the turret and the guns which they represent. The shaft 31 is operatively connected to the turret turning gear of the upper turret similar to that of the lower turret, and is so designed that the member 1, which is rigidly attached to said shaft, will respond to the movements of the turret and move in unison there-with. The flexible shafts 30 and 32 are operatively connected to the respective gun elevating gear o-f each gun in the upper turret, and the gearing is so designed that the members 11 and 12 will respond to the movements of the guns therein and move in unison therewith. It is obvious, therefore, that the position of member 1, with the elongated members mounted thereon, will assume the same relation as the turret and the guns which they represent.

In Fig. 9 I have shown the probable desired arrangement of shafting in a diagrammatic manner in a two-turret structure in which the indicator is located in the after end of each turret, near the turret officer, and under his observation, and in which the shaft 55 designates, the training or revolving shaft of the upper turret. This motion is transmitted by the shaft 78 to the shaft 31 of the indicator located therein, and by the shaft 77 to the same indicator shaft located in the lower turret. 56 and 57 designate independent gun elevating shafts, and are connected to the respective shafts 30 and 32 by the shafts 79 and 80. rIhe motion is also transmitted to the respective shafts of the indicator located in the lower turret by the shafts 75 and 76. It is obvious that the member 1 of the indicator in each turret, with the elongated members representing guns mounted thereon, will respond to the movements of the upper turret and move in unison therewith. 58 designates the turning or training shaft of the lower turret, and is connected to the shaft 37 of the indicator located therein by the shaft 81. The same motion is also transmitted to the similar shaft of the indicator located in the upper turret by the shaft 72. 59 and 30 designate the independent` shafts of the respective gun elevating gear, and are connected to the shafts 36 and 38 of the indicator located in the lower turret by the shafts 82 and 83. The same motions are transmitted to shafts 36 and 38 of the indicator located in the upper turret by the shafts 73 and 74. It is obvious that the member 35 of the indicator located in each turret, with the elongated members representing guns mountedthereon, will respond to the movements of the lower turret and move in unison therewith, and that the position of each turret and their respective guns will at all times be shown in true relation to each other. The top portion of the casing 51 is provided with the glass disks 54 (see Fig. 2) by which visual observation can be made at any time of the relative position of the turrets.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the insulated members 11 and 12 have connected therewith electrical conductors 110 and 102, while the insulated members 1B and llt have connected therewith the electrical conductors 103 and 104. Also, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11 ofthe drawings, the casing 117 has connected therewith an electrical conductor 120, and the elongated members 112 and 111 have, respectively, connected therewith the electrical conductors 12S and 129. These several electrical conductorsjust referred to form a part of supplementary electrical indicating circuits w iich are not detailed herein, as the same form a part of the subject-matter of a divisional application tiled ll'lay 15, 1910, Serial No. 561,003.

ln case the construction of the turrets is such thatl the turrets themselves would foul, as could occur in the arrangementshown in liig. 12, a design of the movable members in the indicating device will be in accordance with 10 and 11, in which designates` the standard which supports the casing 51. 111 and 112 designate the respective elongated members or models representing guns, and are constructed and connected similar to those of 11 and 12, and are mounted on the movable member 113 is a similar manner. 114 in Fig. 11 designates a solid shaft supported by the bearing 64, and free to revolve therein, and connected by gearing similar to that of the shaft 87, to its respectivo turret motion. rThe member 113, which is similar to the members 1 and 35, is rigidly lined to said shaft 114. 115 and 116 designate shafts operatively connected to their respective gun elevating gearing similar to shafts 36 and 38, and shaft 11-/1 is operatively connected to its respective turret turning shaft. 117 designates a casing xed to the movable member 118 by the screw 118, and is insulated therefrom by the insulation 1,19. 120 designates lead wire from the casing 117. lt is obvious that the members 1 ant B5 could be supported by a solid shaft similar to 1141-, and a casing similar to 117 could be provided on each. The said casing 117 is made of some conducting material and is proportioned to the respective turret as to the general structural dimensions.

lt will be assumed that the turrets as shown in the drawings are trained dead ahead, reference being had to Figs. 1 and 9. The turret otlicer of the upper turret gives the order to train t-he guns to the starboard side. rlhe shaft 55 revolves in a direction consistent to such movement, which motion will be imparted to shafts 78 and 77, which will in turn transmit said motion to the shafts 31 of the indicators or models located in each turret. rllhe vessel to be fired on may be at short range and a depression of the guns may be necessary. This motion can be transmitted during the revolution of the turret, and if such is the case the shafts 56 and 57 will revolve and impart motion to shafts 79 and 80, which will in turn transmit the motion to shafts 30 and 32 causing the worm and the worm wheel to revolve, which will cause a corresponding elevation or depression of the members 11 and 12. As aforesaid, the gearing is so proportioned that the indicator members move in unison, and the position determined by the member 1 and the members mounted thereon will be in true relation with the turret and its guns. @ne of these guns may be trained on a vessel at a great distance, the other may be depressed to train on a vessel for a short distance; the motions being independent, the members 11 and 12 will move independently. There will be no appreciable lostmotion between the moving members of the device and the corresponding instrument shafts connected therewith, but there may be some in the flexible shafting itself during transmission from the turret motions to the respective shafts. This may be made practically negligible by speeding up the flexible shafting at the driven end thereof, and correspondingly reducing the speed thereof at its transmitting end1 simply by the use of gears of the proper ratio. Assume the guns to be in the upper turret trained to the port side, firing at a vessel at shortrange, in which case the guns will assume a probably horizontal position. In the meantime orders are given to train the lower turret to the same side at an elevation at which it. was firing. The turret is immediately swung around at full speed and a condition will exist where the guns will foul, as shown in Fig. 2, causing disablement and probably irreparable damage. Both guns may be trained ahead, as shown in Fig. 1, and the order given to elevate the lower turret guns, in which case the upper turret guns will shoot off the muzzles of the lower; again, both guns may be trained to port, and if the lower turret guns are elevated there is danger of shooting off the muzzles of the upper turret guns. One or more of these conditions can take place in any of the 270o of train of either turret. The maximum danger length of gun-fire from the upper turret is designated by the reduced portion 15 of the member 11, which is similar for the member 12, and is determined by the intersection of a horizontal line representing gun-lire from the upper turret, and an are whose radius is the length from the center of the lower turret to the end of the guns. 1t will be understood that these elongated members representing guns and gun-fire can be made as large in diameter as desirable in order to give sufficient warning before the guns or gun-lire really interfere. While the members representing guns may engage, the guns do not engage, nor is it desired that they should, and these members are made suiiiciently large in diameter to determine these conditions.

17 and 1S designate gun-fire from guns 13 and 11i, and the maximum length is determined by training both turrets their eX- treme travel to the same side and then swing the upper turret around until the gun-fire from the loiver turret fouls the muzzle of the upper. Upon the engagement of any of the said members the springs attached thereto will readily yield and prevent possible bending of the members, and upon the disengagement thereof they Will assume their original position.

From the foregoing description it is obvious that the danger zones will be readily observed by the turret ofhcer, Who may give orders to prevent danger, and the position of any turret will at all times be indicated in one or all turrets.

In a manner heretofore described an arrangement of two or more turrets can be accomplished, the lengths of the members representing guns and gun-lire and turret, depending upon the particular type of vessel, and thus accomplishing the heretofore firstmentioned object of my said invention.

F rom the foregoing description it Will be observed that I have devised a simple and ecient system that is positive in its action, but I do not Wish to limit myself to the exact construction of the apparatus, as it is apparent that modifications can be made Without departing from the spirit and intent of my invention.

I claim,-

l. A system to indicate interference of guns for turrets, comprising in combination with the gun turrets and guns and the controlling means therefor, a plurality of revoluble member designating turrets, revoluble elongated members designating guns, and proportioned to the dimensions thereof, mounted thereon, and each of the said members operatively connected respectively with the turret and gun cont-rolling means so as to move in synchronism With the respective turret and gun motions, said indicating members occupying the same relative position as their respective turrets and guns.

2. A system to indicate interference of guns, gun-fire and guns for turrets, comprising in combination with the gun turrets and guns and the controlling means therefor a plurality of revoluble members designating turrets, revoluble elongated members designating guns, and proportioned to the dimensions thereof, plus a predetermined length representing gun-nre, mounted thereon, and each of the said members operatively connected respectively With-the turret and gun controlling' means so as to move in synchronism With the respective turret and gun motions, said indicating members occupying the same relative position as their respective turrets and guns.

3. A system to indicate interference of guns for turrets, comprising in combination with the turret turning gear and the gun elevating gearing a casing, a` plurality of members pivoted therein and adapted to revolve in a horizontal plane, said members operatively connected to the respective turret-turning gea-r, members representing respective guns pivotally connected to the aforesaid members and adapted to move in a plane at right angles to the aforesaid plane, and each of said members operatively connected to the respective gun-elevating gearing, and moving in synchronism therewith, said members also occupying the same relative position as their respective turrets and guns.

4. In a gun and gun-lire interference indicator for a plurality of turrets, in combination With the gun controlling means, movable members, representing guns, proportional to the dimensions of the guns and spaced apart in proportion to the distance between the vertical and horizontal centers thereof, and each provided With a predetermined elongated portion representing gunre, and means opera-tively connecting said members to their respective gun motions.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

DAVID R. KNAPP.

l/Vitnesses:

HOWARD E. CADE, JESSE H. RICHARDSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of IE'atents, Washington, D. C.

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