US1233489A - Submarine escapement-tube. - Google Patents

Description

W. C. MCDOUGALL. SUBMARINE ESCAPEMENT TUBE.

APPLICATION F|LED APR. 28, 1915 Patented July 17, 1917.

2 SHEETSSHEETI W. C. MCDOUGALL.

SUBMARINE ESCAPEMENT TUB E.

APPLICATION FILED APH.28, 1915.

Patented July 17, 1917.

2 SHEETSSHE ET 2.

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sitar-s her one.

WILLIAM G. MGDOUGALL, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

' SUBMA'RINE ESCAPEMENT-TUBE,

To all whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that lNILLI M G. MoDoUeALL, citizen of the United States of America, residing at Hazelwood Station, Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and- State of Pennsylvania, has invented certain nlewand useful Improvements in SubmarineEscapemer t-Tubes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in submarines and moreparticularly to a submarine escapement tube, and the primary object of the invention is to provide an improved device of this character which will readily enable the occupants of a submer ed submarine to escape to the surface of the water one at a time.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of an apparatus involving the principle of a hollow inclosed tube lighter than water, which of a necessity,

rises to the surface of a body of water when its operating chamber;

disposed therein. 1

Still another object of. the invention resides in providing a device which is so con structedas to be crawn within the shell of the submarine after rising to the surface permitting one individual to escape therefrom and a further obj ect resides in providing an apparatus in connection therewith to enable the last occupant of the submarine to also readily escape without the help of others. I

A still further object resides in providing a device which is. simple and durable in construction, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, one which may be applied .to any submarine now in use and further one which will be very eificient and useful in operation. I 7

With these and other objects in view my invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be here nafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claims. r

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, i

Figure 1 is a detailed section through an apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view through the escapement tube. removed from Spe fi of Letters Patent. Patented July 17, 1917. Application filed April 28, 1915. Serial No. 24,467.

line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig.4 is a similar view as seen on the line L-d of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow; i

Fig. 5 is a section as seen on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 6 is a detailed section through a portron. of the operating means for one of the Flg. 3 is a transverse section seen on the gate valves, in the tube chamber.

a mouth or the like therefor, the purpose of which willbe hereinafter and more particularly set forth. Secured to and depend ing from the inner face of the submarine shell and surrounding the opening 2 therein is a tube-like chamber l which projects to a plane a short distance above the bottom of the submarine and the upper and lower portions of said chamber are formed of removable sections as designated at 5 and-6 respectively. In connection with these sections 5 and 6 are the laterally projecting tubular arms 7 and 8 respectively whichcarr the upper and lower gateyalves 9 an 10. These gate valves are of the usual or any preferred type used in connection with such apparatus and the same are carried on the ends of the operating rods 11, the actuation of which will be described hereinafter.

Thetubular arms 7 and 8 have the intermediate portions thereof provided with packed guide bearings 12 as clearly shown in Fig. l of thedrawings which slidably receive therein the operating rods 11. The outer ends of these rods 11 are threaded as shown at 13 and are engaged with elongated nuts 14, which are rotatably engaged with the outer. ends of the arms 7 and 8 as shown in detail in 'Fig- 6 0f the rawings. These jected from the shell 1. The gear1 6 at the lower portion of the apparatus, however, is

20. The gear 17 meshes with a similar pinion 21 on an additional operating shaft 22. The shafts 20 and 22 are supported on brackets 23 which are projected from the tube-like chamber 4, and the inner ends of said shafts and 22 project through packed bearings 24 on the chamber 4 to extend within thelatter, those portions of the shafts which project within the chamber being reduced and squared as shown at 25, fora purpose to be hereinafter and more particularly set forth. It will be seen that the gate valves 9 and 10 may be operated independently, within the shell of the submarine by a Zmere actuation of the shafts 20 and 22, and

crank arms 26 are provided for the actuation of saidshafts. 7

My invention primarily contemplates the provision of a device which through its own buoyancy may be ejected from the submarine to rise to the surface of the water, and in carrying out this idea, I provide a tube or the like 29. This tube is constructed of .metal of any desired size and weight accord ing to the predetermined pressure and the chamber 4, above described, forms a chamber for the reception of said tube.

This tube is of a size to enable a man of ordinary dimensions to readily enter the same, and the upper and lower edges thereof are bent inwardly to form annular flanges 28, the latter being provided with openings at predetermined points through which are.

disposed the longitudinal stay-rods 29. Se-

- cured to the upper projecting ends of the rods 29 by means of nuts 30 is a dome-like member 31 which may be formed of aluminum or other light'metal, the inner periphery of which is provided with a depending threaded flange 32. A plurality of openings are provided in the flange 28 for the purpose of riveting the dome 31 thereto, which openings are clearly disclosed in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Engaged with this threaded portion 32 is an externally threaded collar 33 which is designed to form a valve seat for a valve disk 34. The latter has a depending flange 35 provided at its upper edge adapted to seat upon an angular upper portion of the member 33, and mounted on this angular portion, last referred to, is a gasket 36,

whereby to provide an absolutely watertight connection between the seat and valve disk, as appears obvious from the showing in Fig. 2. The valve disk 34 is internally I threaded and has threaded into engagement therewith a cap member 37, the latter having a flexible connection 38 engaged therewith, which connection is alsoengaged wlth the dome-like member 31, to prevent the entire removal of the valve and the'cap member from the tube.

It is'obvious from the description of the upper closure of the tube 27 that the valve diskiscarried directly on the cap member and it may be here stated that the valve with the cap member is locked in place and removed from the inside. To lock the cap member with the valve in place, a stem 38 is provided on the cap member which depends therefrom and has its inner end threaded as at 39. A diametrical bar or strip 40 is provided at the upper end of the tube, being hinged at its one end as designated at 41 to the flange 28 and is locked in place at its other end by a locking member 42. This diametrical strip has a slot 4-3 centrally thereof, through which the stem 38 is disposed and a nut 44 is engaged with the threaded end 39 of the stem 38, which nut is adapted for engagement with the under face of the strip 40 whereby to lock the valve with the cap member thereon in place on the tube.

Entrance is had to the tube 27 from the bottom and the closure for the latter is somewhat similar to that described in connection with the upper end. The stay-rods 29 project through the lower flange 28 of the tube and are engaged by nuts 45 which tend to retain in place the annulus 46, the inner periphery of which is bent inwardly as shown at 47. However, this annulus 46 is further secured in place to the flange 28 by being riveted thereto as clearly shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. Threaded into engagement with this portion 47 is a collar which forms a valve seat 48 for the reception of a valve disk 49. This valve seat and disk valve 48 and 49 respectively are of similar construction to the members 33 and 34 described above and a gasket 50 is provided at this point. The disk valve 49 has its inner periphery also threaded and engaged with a cap member 51 through. the central portion of which is disposed a stem 52. This stem is rotatably supported. on a T bracket-like portion 52 also carried on the cap member and a packed bearing is pro vided in the cap member, through which the stem 52 is disposed. The inner end of the stem 52 is threaded and disposed through a slot in a hinged strip 54 supported on the inner walls of the lower portion of the tube 27, and a nut 55 is engaged with the inner end of said stem, whereby to draw the latter inwardly and correspondingly lock the valve with the cap member in place on the lower portion of the tube. It is apparent that this lower structure may be locked in place from the outside or inside, as desired, and for the purpose of looking it from the outside, a knurled head 56 is provided on the outer end of the stem 52.

It is obvious that when this tube member is properly closed from both ends, the same is substantially hermetically sealed,

and it is apparent that when submerged in water it will of itsown accord rise to the surface, which discloses the main object of the invention.- 7 However, it is apparent that but one individual at atime-may escape through this tube and" it ismecessary to withdraw the same fromthe submarine afteronce reaching-the surface and permitting the individual therein toescape. I have, therefore provided an apparatus for the withdrawal of the tube to its chamber, andin order to prevent the lower closure structure from becomingfouled, impeded or held in anyway when withdrawingthe tube in its chamberahood-57 is provided. This hood member is of-somewh-at' dome-like design andis offset in portions as shown at -58. The offset portions are provided with openings throughwhichare disposed the lower projecting threaded ends of the stay-rods 29 and nuts orthe like 59 are engaged therewith. This hoodi member is of course applied to the tube from within the submarine and cables 60 are provided which are also engaged with-the lowerendsofsaid-stayrods and heldthereto by means of the nuts 59. These cables are drawntogeth er just below the central portion of the hood and are combined into a-single cablewhich' after being drawn overrollers 61 and'62 atthe lower portion. of the tube chamber 4, is wound upon aereel'63'. Thisreel is mount edina casingfi tsecured-to the lower portion ofithe chamber 4, as clearly shown in 1 of the drawings. It is apparentfrom thisconstruction, therefore, that when; the tube reaches the surfaceof I the water and occupant releases himself therefrom the said tube may be withdrawn by operating the reel. 63 and the dome-like hood 57 will readily enter the funnel shapedmouthfiof thechamber 4, so that. said tube may be again positionedfor the entrance of a second individual. Inthis. connection it may bestatedthat a telephone 65 is provided in the tube 27, the connectingwire for which is through one ofcthe cables '60. Thus when the. tube reaches the surface. of the water and the occupantsis aboutxto escape. therefrom, he may notifythosewithin the submarine to withdraw. the tube. f

Secured to the. inner wall of the chamber l'adjacentthe. lower. end thereofare a plu. rality of supporting lugs 66. which. are adapted to be receivedinrecesses. or the like (notshown) in the lower portion. of the tube alternating with theaoft'sets 58Iin.thebhood 57. A small=pipe line 67- is also provided which leads. from: the shell: 1, through the wall a of the chamber. 4, and a hand operate ingvalve 6.8 is provided in connection therewith, whereby to admit waterto the chamberxlebefore releasing the tube therein. This. is for the purpose of testingthe connections at the. aclosures .of the, tube.

As lon-g-asthere is one person still remainingiin the submarineshell this apparatus may be operatedi fromv within said: shell, but when the man last to leave the shell enters the tube itbecomes necessary for him to closethetub'e and operate the valves from withinsaid tube. In order-to operate said gate valves 9 and 10 from with-in the tube, I have providedwhat may be termed wrench members 69 which have the heads. thereof mounted on the outer wall of 'thetube .and provided in sockets 70 for engagement with the squared ends 25 of the shafts 20and 22. Theheads of these wrench members are carried on stems which are rotatably mount ed in acked bearings 71 in the .wall of=the tube 2 the inner ends of said stems beingsquared :as shown at 72 for engagement with a hand wrenchto lee-carried within the tube by the last man to enter same. hen the tube 27 is supported on the member. 66, the sockets of the wrench members are at all times in the same horizontal planes with the ends 25 .ofthe shafts 20 and 22 so that said wrenches. may be readily engagedwith said squared ends, by merely positioning the wrenches inalinement therewith. and forcing the tube to .one side of thebch'amber l. Inorder to .force thetube toone side of the chamber 4,. a pair offhandi operated plunger members 72 are. providedonthe one side of'the tube 27, the samehaving threaded connection with the wall of the tube and asimilar pair ofplungers 73 are providedonthe opposite side ofthetube, to disconnect the wrenches 6.4 from the ends 25 of the shafts whenitis desired topermitthe tube to ascend. These plungermemblers operatein threaded. openings of. the, tube and; are mounted in connectionwith packing boxes 74 whereby to. provide watertight connections.

It is. well understood that: the pressure of. water varies according to the .depth be.- low the surface reached andas statedheretofore, I desire to construct a tube. 2701:. such metal aswillwithstand the pressure of. a predetermined amount. However, I' have provided. a water and pressure gage 75 on the tube 27 which will be of convenienceto those in the submarine.

In the normaljposition ofthe .device, the tube 27, with its closures properly applied thereto, is; held supported on the members 66 in the chamber 4:. and the gate valves. 9 and 10 are in closed position, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Should for any rea-. son.whatsoever the submarine be unable to rise to the surface of the water anditbecome necessary or desirable that: the occu-y pantsof said submarine escape therefrom,

this apparatus may be immediately and whereupon the hood .57 and the bottom closure of the tube is removed. A man then enters the tube head first and it will be seen that the diametrical strip or plate 54 at the lower portion of the tube being hinged at one end will immediately admit such person. The occupant stands erect in the tube and rests his feet on the flange 28 at the lower portion of the tube or on the inner edges of the members47 and 28. The valve disk 49 with the cap 51 thereon is then applied to the valve seatloy' the occupants of the submarine and the occupant of the tube fits the stem 52 through the strip 54 and in engagement withthe nut 55. The lower closure is then looked in place by turning upon the head 56 and in view of the gasket 50 between the valve disk and the valve seat, an air-tight connection at the lower portion of the tube is thus provided. It is assumed that the upper closure for the tube 27 has been properly applied prior to the entrance of the occupant therein, but in order to make certain of the matter said occupant operates on the nut 44 to draw the upper valve disk 34 and cap member 37 in closed water-tight connection. While this is being done by the occupant of the tube, the remaining occupants of the submarine apply the hood member 57 to the lower ends of the stayrods 29, whereby to cover the entire operating structure of the lower closure. It will be of course understood that in the applica tion of the hood 57 in place, the cables 60 are also properlyengaged to the stay-rods.

WVhen the occupant of the tube is safely locked therein, and ready to ascend, he so advises the occupants of the submarine through the medium of the telephone 65. The'submarine occupants thereupon open the valve 68 in the pipe line 67 whereby to admit water to the chamber 4, it being of course understood that prior to the opening of this valve, the gate valve 10 has been properly closed. The chamber 4 is thus illed slowly with water prior to the open ing of the valve 9 in order to test the connections at the top and bottom of the tube to make certain that same is entirely watertight. The occupant of the tube then advises the occupants of the submarine through the medium of the telephone as to the conditions and when all is ready the shaft 22 is operated from within the submarine to open the gate valve 9. The tube 27 will immediately start to rise through its own buoyancy, and in rising will draw upon the cables 62, which, as stated previously, are drawn together to form a single flexible connection which is wound upon the reel 63. Any tendency that this tube 27 might have to upset or otherwise reverse its position will be prevented by this cable connection which will have the same effect on the tube asatail tea kite. When the tube:

reaches the surface of the water, the domelike upper portion thereof will be above the surface of the water in view of its lightness and the occupant operates upon the nut 44 to release the connection on the stem 38. With his own strength he forces open the upper closure consisting of the valve disk 34 and the cap member 37, thus opening the upper end of the tube and in view of the various connections along the inner wall of the tube he may climb upwardly therein and make his exit through the upper opening. It is of course understood that every occupant of the tube is provided with a life belt so that upon reaching the surface, he may, if no assistance is awaiting, jump out upon the water and either swim ashore or swim to such assistance as may be found.

After the occupant of the tube makes his exit therefrom, he places the disk valve with the cap thereon back in place and through friction from its own weight the latter will fit tightly in position thereon. Just prior to the exit of the man from the tube, he advises the occupants of the submarine through the medium of the telephone that he is about to leave the tube and the occupants of said submarine allow a predetermined amount of time for the removal of the occupant of the tube. When this predetermined amount of time has expired, the tube is withdrawn by winding up on the reel (33. In this manner the tube is again drawn in the chamber 4 and seated upon the supporting member 66. The gate valve 9 is then closed by operating upon the shaft 22 and the gate valve 10 is opened by operating upon the shaft 20. Of course, a small amount of water in the chamber 4 will fiow through the submarine shell, but this may be readily pumped therefrom. By removing the hood and lower closure of the tube, the apparatus is then ready for the escape of a second occupant of a submarine. The operation is continued as above described until the last man remains in the submarine.

When the last man in the submarine desires to make his escape, the gate valve 9 of course is closed prior to the opening of the gate valve 10 whereupon the hood 57 and the lower closure of the tube 27 are removed. The tube 27 is then positioned so that the sockets of the wrenches 69 thereon are in position to register with the squared ends 25 of the shafts 20 and 22. The last man then enters the tube and draws in position the valvedisk 49 with the cap 51 thereon and the said valve disk and cap are locked in place from the inside by turning upon the nut 55. When the lower closure is properly locked in place by the turning of the nut 34, the occupant of the tube operates the hand plunger 7 2 to force the latter outwardly. By forcing outwardly, these plungers contact with the wall of the chamber 4: and force the tube 27 in a position toward the ends25 of the shafts 20 and 22. The tube having been properly positioned in the chamber prior to the entrance of the last man therein, the forcing over of said tube to one side of the chamber will enable said ends 25 of the shafts to fit within the sockets 70 of the Wrenches 69:- After positioning the tube so that the wrenches will look upon the squared ends 25 of the shafts, the plungers 7 2 are permitted to remain screwed tight against the wall of the chamber 4:, and the hand wrench which is carried within the tube by the last man is applied to the lOWer wrench 69 and operated so as to close the gate valves 10. The hand wrench is then applied to the upper wrench 69 of the tube which will cause the upper gate valve 9 to be opened, whereupon water rushes into the chamber 4. As this chamber 4 fills with water, the tendency will be to cause the tube 27 to rise, but in view of the frictional engagement of the plungers 72 With the Wall of the chamber 4;, as just mentioned, it will be impossible for the wrenches 69 to become disengaged from the ends 25 of the shafts 20 and 22, until such time as the plungers 7 2 are restored to their normal positions. The plungers 73, which. are provided for the purpose of disengaging the wrenches 69 from the ends of the shafts 20 and 22, are screwed outwardly into engagement with the wall of'the chamber 4, which operation forces the wrenches from engagement with the squared ends 25 of the shafts and the tube will rise to the surface.

, The tube is so constructed as to have its greatest weight at the bottom so as not to be top heavy, and thus all posslbility of upsetting or reversing itself w1ll be prevented. Of course, in the ascension of the tube with the last man therein, the cables are not applied, inasmuch as they can only be applled from within the submarine. When the tube with the last man therein reaches the surface of the water, he may make his exit therefrom as is done ordinarily and he may of course be assisted by the other parties who previously made their escape. It w1ll be seen that in the escape of the last man all operation is carried on from within the tube and this operation is equally as slmple and effective as though operated from outside the tube, and within the submarine.

I have described my apparatus as belng an escapement tube for submarmes, but 1t 1s readily apparent that the same may be used as an observing tube being earned by submarines as an auxiliary attachment and used in place of the Periscope in the event the p'eriscope on the submarine has been shot away, or when it is uncertain as to whether or not it would be sufficiently safe to rise near enough the surface of the water to use the periscope. It is a well known fact that the greatest danger to a submarine is when ascending to the. surface for the purpose of using the periscopc, for a hostile ship whiclr might be near at hand, would find it an-easy matter to rain the submarinebefore the latter could submerge, whereas, the tube with an observing apparatus adj acent theupper' end thereof, it will be pos sible" for the submarine to rest on the bed of the harbor and use this device as a means of obtaining the range of hostile ships, and in general in place of the periscope. Moreover, this device may be used as a means for dis charging torpedoes, it being assumed that the tube is equipped with the necessary apparatus therefor, and should a hostile craft appear, it would be a simple matter for the man in the tube to notify the man below in the submarine, through the medium of the telephone, whereby the tube may be submerged within a few seconds.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have provided a simple,inexpensive and eflicient means for carrying out the objects of the invention and while I have particularly described the elements best adapted to perform the functions set forth, it is obvious that various changes in the form, proportion and in the minor details of construction may be resorted to, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the principles of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an apparatus of the class described, a vertical chamber having gate valves at the upper and lower ends thereof, a tubular memberadapted for reception in said chamber, removable closures for the upper and lower ends of said tubular member, means for operating said gate valves from outside of the chamber and additional means for operating said valves from within the tube when the latter is disposed within the chamher.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, a vertical chamber, gate valves at the ends of said chamber, a tubular member adapted to be received therein, removable closures for the upper and lower ends thereof, means for locking said closures from within the tube, additional means for locking the lower closure from outside the tube, and means for operating the gate valves-at the ends of the chamber.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, a vertical chamber, gate valves at and lower ends thereof, a tubular member adapted to be received in said chamber, removable closures for the upper and lower ends of said tubular member, means for locking the closures from within the tubular member, additional means for locking the the upper by equipping lower closurefroln outside the tubular nieln- In testimony whereof I aflix my signatm'e ber, means for actuating the gate valves from in the presence of two Witnesses. outside the chamber and additional means WILLIAM C. MoDOUG-ALL. for actuating said Valves from WithiIlthG Witnesses:

5 tubularmember when the latter is disposed W. J. WHITE, Within the chamber. 7 P. LoWRY.

Copies of this patent may be obtainedfor five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). O.

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