US1127403A - Gyroscopically-controlled torpedo. - Google Patents

Description

E. F. CHANDLER.

GYEOSOOPIGALLY CONTROLLED TORPEDO.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21, 1912.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

ED'HARD F. CHANDLER, OF BROOKLYN,

NEW YORK, ASSIG-NOR TO CHANDLER DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

GY'ROSGOPICALLY-CONTROLLED TORPEDO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

Application filed November 21, 1912. Serial No. 732,738.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD F. CHANDLER, a citizen of the United States, residing in Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new; anduseful Improvement in Gyroscopically-Controlled Torpedoes, of which the following is a specification;

The present invention relates to a method and means applicable to any-form of automobile device such as a torpedo, submarine boat, aircraft or in fact any self propelling, self steering vessel or vehicle intended to be despatched over a horizontal course, in a predetermined direction and in which the gyroscopic effect of a fly-wheel supported on ahorizontal axis in gimbal rings is used to control the rectilinear course of the device.

Owing to the extensive use of the gyroscopic steering means in torpedoes and as the basic application is the same irrespective of the nature of the device to which it is applied I have for convenience shown my invention as applied to a torpedo of the well known automobile variety. As iswell known the direction in the horizontal plane, taken by the torpedo (or other device having a gyroscopically governed helm) will be that direction to which the axis of said fly wheel relates at the moment the fiy-whe'e'l is set free to exercise its gyroscopic influence upon the steering mechanism of the torpedo and the course, in the horizontal plane will be in said direction so long as the gyrosco ic influence of the fly-wheel maintains said ywheel in its original plane of. rotation with respect to the longitudinal axis of the torpedo.

Heretofore the gyroscopes used in torpedoes and other devices for controllingthe steerin mechanism have been oftheimpulse type. hatis' to say, the gyroscope fly.-- wheel is spun and the spinninge'ner is discontinued; before the weapon is launc ed.

This is objectionable as the duration of they spin, and the consequent gyroscopic influ-- ence gradually decreases as the weapon nears its mark, very often resultii' torpedo deviating from its direct course. This is overcome to some extent, in model- I ately long range weapons, by providing a larger fly-wheel, and spinning same by pow erful external means,-;-nevertheless aside from the mechanical disadvantages of this system, it is stillnecessai'y to discontinue the spinning energy before the weapon is launched, with the result that in extreme long range work, the gyroscopic influence decreases as the distance traveled increases.

Now to overcome these faults and to provide ameans whereby an automobile device may be steered over courses of extreme length is one of the important objects of this inventionand I accomplish my purpose by employlng the well known electric-motor-gyro- .scope, to control my steering mechanism.

By this means, it is possible to start my spinning operation at will and as the source of energy for spinning the gyroscope flywheel is carried within the torpedo, I do not discontinue the spinning energy but continue to supply same, so that the velocity of the fly-wheel remains practically constant, throughout the run of the weapon. The operation of automatically unlocking the gyroscope, does not interrupt the supply of energy, as in other types of gyroscopically controlled steering devices. Another 'feature of my invention is in the fact, that my torpedo is entirely independent of the launching tube, this makes it possible to shoot the torpedo from alongside of a boat when it is only necessary to start the gyroscope spinning, while the torpedo is at rest in the water, and at the instant that the weapon is properly pointed, to release the gyroscope and start the propelling motor.

of a torpedo afterbody shown in its relative osition in a section of a launching tube. in the igb2 is achart showing the constant speed, spinnin curve as s made by my gyroscope.

Fig. 3 1s a chart showing the decreasing speed, spinning curv'e as is made by impulse spun 'gyroscopes, in which the spin is init1- ated before the launching and unlocking impulse is applied. Fig nisachart showing the decreasingspeed spinmngpurve as is no made by impulse gyroscopes of the Whitehead variety, in which the gyroscope is at rest, until the launching im ulse is initiated.

The afterbody. is at 1. ithin the afterbody is the'torpedo propelling means which may be any type or form of motive means best adapted to the purpose. Power is transmitted from saidmotor by the shaft 24, to the two oppositely rotating propellers 23 and 23. This propelling means is entirely independent of, and apart from my steering means, as will appear later.

At 2 is a frame,-support1ng the gyroscope fly-wheel 3, which is suspended in gimbal rings-4: and 5. Passing throughthe frame 2, is a latch 6 opposed by a spring 7, which is shown as being compressed between the latch head and the frame 2. Said latch. 6, is shown in engagement with the gyroscope gimbal ring 4, and is held'in said engagement by the latch pawl 8. The pawl 8, is

operatively connected with the tripping lever 10, so that when the torpedo 1S e ected from the-launching tube 12, the pawl 11, which is in the path of 10, will engage same causing the gyroscope latch 6 to'be released, thus allowing said gyroscope to balance freely in its gimbals. This latch 10, is common to all torpedoes and is ordinarily connected with the throttle valve and, when opened by engagement with 11, during the launching period, starts the propelling ,motor, but as this phase of the torpedo mechanism is foreign to my present invention, I have not shown its functions in detail. Between latch 10 and latch pawl 8 I have provided a connecting rod 9, but it is understood that I may use anywell known means of communication between these points, such as electrical means, or fluid pressure means, etc., without departing from the spirit of my invention.

In my invention I employ a gyroscope, which is in fact an electric motor, suspended in gimbal rings. The fly-wheel forming one of the elements of an electro-motor andthe gimbal ring 4, the other. Electrical energy is transmitted to said motor elements, over insulated leads carried by the frame 2 and fed to said motor-gyroscope through the me dium of the gimbal pivots, in any approved manner and according to the specific design of the apparatus employed. At 13, is the source of electrical energy, for running the gyroscope motor and may be 0% any suitable nature. At 14' is shown a circuit closing means which may be of any suitable design,

said circuit closing means being adapted to completethe flow of energy from and between the source 13, and the gyroscope, so that by completin said circuit, the gyroscope will be cause to spin and will continue to spin so long as energy is supplied by 13, without said circuit is again opened manually, at 14.

1,12aeoe As is well known, and as above explained, the yroscope having been brought up to spec and then released, will retain the directionto. which the axis of said fly-wheel relates at the moment the fly-wheel is set free to exercise its gyroscopic influence. This being the fact, it is possible to communicate this influence. to a suitable motor means, which is connected operatively with the hori- Zontal'course steering rudders, whereby any movement about the horizontal axis of the said gyroscope, will set up a counteracting effect at the rudder, the result being that the automobile device, is steered over a horizontal course closely approximating the direction impressed upon the gyroscope at the said time of unlocking. In my drawing 22 and 22 show the usual horizontal course steering rudders, same being ri idly connected together by a common cran shaft 21. 20 represents any convenient form of prime mover, for actuating the same, the function of which is governed by the gyroscope. 19 represents a source of power for operating the said motor means 20, though the source of power need not be independent but can be drawn from 13, orfrom the source supplying the propelling motor of the torpedo, itself.

In my drawin I have indicated two wires (in dotted 111188). connecting the rudder motor 20 with the gyroscope, though it is my purpose to employ any suitable means whereby rotation of my gyroscope,'about a vertical axis, will be communicated to said rudder motor, thus causing it to shift said rudders from one side of" the longitudinal axis of the torpedo, to the other, as said torpedo deviates from the direction retained. by said gyroscope. 1

It willbe seen that I provide an automatic steering'means, whereby automobile devices may be despatched over a course the length of which is only limited by the energy carrymgcapacity of the device as a whole, and which ,Wlll by means of the gyroscopic delot vice employed, and the method of employing i. samegreatly increase the accuracy in excurrents, the earths rotation, etc. i

To better illustrate the advantage o ti my method over that of the other so called; long distance torpedoes, and gyroscopically con trolled automobile devices, in: general, I .refer to the charts Figs. 2, 3 and 4, in which A represents a period of time previous to launching the torpedo, B, represents the pe- I riod betweenthe time that theejecting impulse isinitiatedand the gyroscope is unis possible to decrease the sizeof the menace locked, and D, in each case represents-the duration of the resulting spin.

In Fig. 2 which shows the results obtained with my invention, the advance spin may be initiated before the torpedo is placed in the launching tube. The action of unlocking, as shown has no effect on the spin, which continues at maximum, to the end of the course, or in fact until the supply ofenergy is exhausted.

Fig; 3 shows the result obtained with mechanically or otherwise spun impulse type gyroscopes, which though spun up, at any time previous to receiving the launching impulse, must nevertheless, require a specifically equipped launching tube, and as the energy is discontinued at the time of unlocking, the spin naturally decreases as the distance in creases, as shown.

Fig. 4 shows the result obtained with the W'hitehead type equipment, in which the gyroscope is idle until the dischargingimpulse is initiated, whereu' on the maximum spin must be reached an the gyrosco e released, within the period marked B, wit the result that the speed decreases as the weapon nears its mark.

A. serious objection to devices attached to the torpedo tube, for spinning the gyroscope from without the torpedo body, is in the possibility of same becoming fouled from con tact with salt water, etc. Another objection being that inorder to gain sufiiciently over the older type of gyroscopes, the parts must be greatly enlarged, which consequently adds unnecessary weight. With my invention it roscope, if desired even below that o the Whitehead, and as it is possible to inclose my entire mechanism within a sealed case it is im ossible for same to become fouled from oi or grit, and drafts of mr or tenn .perature may be prevented from influencing my gyroscope by thus incasing same. The nature of my invention is suchthat the gyroscope may be placed in the head of the torpedo, w ich is not possible with any other known type of gyroscopic steering gear, owing to their construction. Also the extreme long range made ossible by my invention makes it invaluab e for use in connection with shore controlled devices of the wireless class, where the gyroscope steers the automobile device, and the operator at a convenient station, corrects the run of the weapon, or causes certain functions of the same, at the desired time, as for instance, causing same to discharge a torpedo, etc.

What I claim is:

1; In a gyroscopically controlled torpedo, the combination of a torpedo body, a gyroscope therein contained, and elotric means for inning said gyroscope to the proper speed, said means being also used to subsequeatly maintain said speed.

2. In a gyroscopically controlled torpedo, the combination of a torpedo body, a gyroscope therein contained, propelling means for said body, and electric means independout from said propelling means, for spinning said gyroscope to the proper speed, said means being also used to subsequently maintain said speed.

3. In a gyroscopically controlled torpedo, the combination of a torpedo body, a gyroscope therein contained, and electric means, also contained within said body, for spinning said gyroscope to the proper speed,- said means being also used to subsequently maintain said speed. 7. M

4. In a gyroscopically controlledTorpedo, the combination of a torpedo body, a gyroscope therein contained, means for spinning said gyroscope to the proper speed previous to the launching of the torpedo.

5. In a gyroscopically controlled torpedo, the combination of a torpedo body, a gyroscope therein contained, and means for spinning said gyroscope to the proper speed previous to the launching of the torpedo, said means being also used to subsequently maintain said speed.

6. In a gyroscopically controlled torpedo, the combination of a torpedo body, a gyroscope therein contained, means for spinning sai gyroscope to the proper speed, said means being also adapted to subsequently maintain said speed, and means for starting said spinning means previous to the launching of the torpedo.

. In a gyroscopically controlled torpedo,

the comb tion of a torpedo body, a gyroscopyzi n contained, means for spinning the oscope to the proper speed previous g) launching, and means for freeing the gyroscope from its fixed relation before the torpedo leaves the directing influence of the launching tube, said spinning means being also used for subsequently maintaining the speed of said gyroscope. 1

v 8. In a gyroscopically controlled torpedo, the combination of a torpedo body, a gyro scope therein contained, means for spinnin the gyroscope to the proper speed previo to launchin means for free the gyrosco e from its fixed relation be ore the torpc 0 leaves the directing influence of the launching tube, said spinning meam being also used for subsequently maintaining the s d of said gyrosco e and steering means f l said torpedo y controlled by said 87 oscope. I 9. In a gyroscopically controlled torpedo,

V the combination of a torpedo body, propelleaves the influence of the launching tube, said spinning means being showed for maintaining the speed of said gyroscope, and gyroscope controlled means or steering said body.

10. In a gyroscopically controlled torpedo, the combination of a torpedo body, a gyroscope therein contained, locking means for mamtaining the same in a fixed relation, electric means for spinning said gyroscope previous to launching independently of said locking means, means for freeing the gyroscope from said locking means before the torpedo leaves the directing'influence of the launching tube, said spinning means being also used for maintaining the speed of said gyroscope after launching.

11. In a gyroscopically controlled torpedo, the combination of a torpedo body, a gyrosco e therein contained, locking means for maintaining the same in a fixed relation, means for spinning said gyroscope previous to launching independently of said locking means,'said means being adapted to subsequently maintain the speed of said gyroscope after launching, and means for freeing the gyroscope from said locking means before the torpedo leaves the directing influnce of the launching tube.

.12. The combination of a torpedo body, a gyroscope therein contained, locking means for maintaining the same in a fixed relation, electric means for spinning said gyroscope to the proper speed previous to launching and for subsequently maintaining said speed, an means for freeing the gyrocsope from sa 6. locking means before the torpedo leaves the directing influence of the launching tube.

13. The combination of a torpedo body, a

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finances V roscope therein contained, locking means for maintaining the same in a fixed relation, electric means for spinning said gyroscope to the proper speed previous to launching and for subsequently maintaining said speed, means independent from said looking means for setting said electric means the operative condition, and means for freeing the gyroscope from said locking means said gyroscope from the locking means be-.

fore the torpedo leaves the directing influence of the launching tube, means independent of said locking and propelling means for setting said spinmng means in the operative condition, and gyroscope controlled means gor 1szteering said body; substantially as set ort 15. In a gyroscopically controlledtorpedo,

and in combination with a torpedo body and a gyroscope controlling the same, spinning 7 means for said gyroscope adapted to be operated independently from the launching of. said torpedo, said spinning means being subsequently used to maintain the speed of said gyroscope.

EDWARD F. CHANDLER.

Witnesses: I 4

DIGBY W. CHANDLER,

E. FLORENCE CHANDLER.

Washington, 3). 0.,

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