US1275317A

US1275317A - Device for destroying submarines.

Info

Publication number: US1275317A
Application number: US17507217A
Authority: US
Inventors: Marcus C Stearns
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1917-06-16
Filing date: 1917-06-16
Publication date: 1918-08-13
Anticipated expiration: 1935-08-13

Description

M. C. STEARNS. DEVICE FOR DESTROYING SUBMARINES.

APPLICATION mg!) JUNE [6. 1911.

1,275,317. Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

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1Wmr :QQQQQ 5 mmmm F liu l l/VVE/VTOR ATTORNEY M. C. STEARNS. DEVICE FOR DESTROYING SUBMARINES.

APPLICATION FILED mu: l6. 1911.

1 ,275, 3 1 '7. Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

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M. C. STEARNS. DEVICE FOR DESTROYING SUBMABINES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16. I9!!- 3 SHEETSSHEET 3 Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

-fiFi INVE/VTUR Wan-444 C m BY W W ATTORNEY rrrzns a1. mwmrma. wunmumm uv c.

MARCUS C. ST'EARNS,

OF NEW YORK, -N. Y.

DEVICE FOR. DESTROYING SUBMARIN ES.

Application filed June 16, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, MAncUsQS'rEAnNs, acitizen of the United States, and residing in the borough of Manhattan of the city of New York, have invented certain new and useful. Improvements in Devices for Destroying Submarines, of which the followingis ,a specification, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

This invention relates to devices for destroying submarines in which a contact mine is intended to be released and set by the presence of. a submarine and to be exploded uponcontact. therewith by the submarine. In devices of this general character it. is desirable that ,the contact mine be maintained in safe condition against premature explosion until the immediatepresence of a submarine in the waters about the mine makes it. desirable ,for the mine to be set for explosion by contact therewith of the submarine. It ,is further desirable in devices of this character that they be readily visible upon the surface of the water by surface-going steamers so long as they are out of use, so that such steamers may, by observation, carefully avoid contact with them. Taking into account this requirement, theimproved devices are adapted to float upon the surface of the water over an extended area, the many mines being bound togetherisoas to form a network of vast area with which a submarine will necessarily contact when emerging in sucharea. In addition to the general advantages noted the improved device also provides for the automatic release of a signal upon contact of the submarine with the setting-devices for the contact mines so thatthe presence of a submarine in the immediate waters will be indicated to patrols. A better understand ing of the manner of incorporating the-improved principles described in a system of greatarea will be better understood in connection with the detailed dGSCIlPtlOlhOf the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a schematic view in plan of a network of mines laid out in accordance with the present plan.

Fig. 2 is a View showing the manner in which the vast floating network will be maintainedin position upon .the surface of thewater.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented A11g.13, 1918.

Serial No. 175,072.

.a manner in which it is proposed that the destroyingmines will be set by a submarine.

Fig. 5 is a detail view .in section on a large scale of one of the mines showing .it in its normal safe condition, taken on-the plane indicated by the line 5-5 of F igp9.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are detail views of the manner of connecting the :mine releasably to its retaining cable.

Fig. 9 is a detail view in .forrone of the mines.

Figs. .10, 11 and 12 indicate somewhat conventionally the course taken by amine after engagement of its retaining cable by a submarine iupon emerging.

.As indicated most clearly in the first .four figures it is proposed that the :improyeddevices shall be floated on the surfaceof the wateriand extend over-a comparatively great area, their operation being dependent upon the emerging ofa submarine in their par.- ticular zone. Fig. 4 shows, for instance, that when a submarine commencestoemerge when under the vast networkof mines .proposed, its periscope orother superstructure will engage the cables forming the network now to be described.

As shown in Fig. 1 the network :is comprised of ,a series of spider-web squaresof the general form shown in :Fig. 3, in which four stout cables o are connected to large floats b by which the .cables and :their attached mines are floated. These spider web squares may be of any convenientarea de pending upon manufacturing considerations, and maybe connected one to another in any desired number depending upon the particular areaof the sea which it is-thought suflici'ent to protect. Each one of the squares thus formed has its spider-web structure formed of smaller running cables 0 extending through rings a carried on the stout cables and fixed in position thereon normally by frangible connections, these smaller cables being extended toward the center of the square where there may be a stout ringd through which all of the smaller cables 0 may pass. As'will appear later, it is desirable that :the smaller cable-c formingthe spider-web in each square should .be of .a single running strand so that ardisturbance plan of a jacket of itatany portion of its lenght will tend to pull it through the various rings for a greater part of its length and tear such rings, through their frangible connections from their fixed anchorages onthe stout,

cables and permit them to slide freely along such stout cables.

ing engages one of the smaller running cables 0 with its periscope or other elevated structure in some-such manner as is' indicate'cl in Fig'i l. V

Referring now to Fig. 5 for detailed description'of the character of the mine used,

itjwill be seenithat this'mine is attached firmly. to athe cable a atits bottom. Each cable has: attached to it a great number of these IPJDBS, asissho'wn in Figs. 1 and 3.

V'Each mine being like every Other mine, a

*closedbya spring-latch f so as'to insure thebuoyancy of the mine and cause it to float in a substantially vertical position above its retaining cable 0 andwith its 'upper end somewhat above the suri'aceot the sea. .The'form of retaining device for the mine is immaterial although that shown in detail inIFigs. 6-8 will servethe purpose. As shown therein there are two spaced lugs .g' atfixed to the cable 0 and carrying :a long rodJz; the ends of which .rest in grooves'z' formed in proximate faces of slotted arms of bracket/r secured to the bottom of the mine. 'The slot 70 in the ends otthe arms k communicates witlr the grooves d sc that when the'arm's 7c rotate about the cable cthrough an angle-ct 180 the slots 70 are broughtinto-line with the retaining" rod h so that the arms may become disengaged from the rod and the minethereby' be releasedtromthecable. The mine is attached to: the cable c by'ine'ans of a small cable Z one end'oi KWhichLis secured loosely to the cable "betweenthe'lugs 9', the other end of which'is' attached-to the bracket 7c. This cable Z passes over the latch f for the cover 7 so that when the-cable c is pulled violently the lugs-g will in turnimpress a pull on the cable'l suflicient to' trip the latch 7"" and per mit the cover 7 under the influence of a spring f to fly open. Normally,the 1nine in its upright floating position is incased completely in a'cylindrical jacket on which protects the capse and prevents accidental contactthercwith by any portion of the improved'destroying" devices or by any vessels on the surface. Within the cover 7" of the mine maybe inclosed:conveniently suitable signaling devices intended: to indicate 130117116 7 This is the condition created whenever "a. submarine upon emergpatrol the presence of a submarine. These signaling devices .may be of any desired absolute indication of the ,eXactlocation of the submarine. There may also be a rocket flare p'or other light'signal carried within the cover 7 and this signal maybe set off by frictional engagement of a cap Won the edge of the cover with the headof the :latch f, upon release of the latter. 1

i From theforegoing description of the details of construction the intended mode of operation of the improved destroying devices should be clear. Normally, the vast network of cables is supported near the surtaceiotlthe sea by thelarge float b. -The buoyancy of the mines c at thistime is such as to maintain'them in vertical position above their retaining cables and somewhat above the surface ofthe 'seafth'e air-tight closure of the mine by the cover f serving to preserve this buoyancy. 'If a submarine now emerges within the zone'covered by the cables or, in

deed, attempts to pass under thesecables in proximity thereto, the periscope or other superstructure will engage one'of the lighter cables 0 in one'ot the squares and exert such atremendous pull on this cable as to communicate, in turn, a pull on the latch string Z of many of the mines of the square. When the latch f is tripped in each such mine the cover. 7 will fly open under the action of the spring 7, the openingbeing accompanied by ignition of the rocket p by engagement of the cap f withthe'nose 0f the latch f. This signal will give the first indication of the presence of'a submarine. When the cover-1 is lopen the balloon n within the cover will V be tree'to rise and, being united permanently with the mine 6, will maintain its position directly over the square in which the submarine is operated. Upon the opening of the air-tight cover the mine and casing, will, of 'course', lose its buoyancy andtend -to sink being of greater specific gravity than water. Itwill then rock about its retaining cable 0 until it is'in the depending position shown in Fig. 10, when the slots 70 in the re taining arms 70 will become disengaged from the retaining rod h, thereby permitting the mine to fall bodily away from the cable;

termined by its securing cable Z and hang depended as shown in Fig. 12. In this con dltlon," with thecasing mremoved and m th1s position some distance below the surface :of :the sea, :the many mines :thus released by beneath the square from which the mines are thus 'released will most certainly bring :it into contact withcaps e .of one or *more of these mines and thereby insure its des'truction. The signals given upon the releasegof 'each such mine in the storm of the balloon a and the rocket p will attract theattention of patrols and bring them immediately to the scene :whether it'be night or day,- so that even i should =.thesubmarine fail to "contact with one of the: mines .itspresence will "be known withlcertainty and,being thuslocated, the chances of its ultimate'destruction hecome great. a a i When *the mines are-floating in their normalpositions entirely-incased by their jackets m they will be visible tosurface-going vessels and so may be avoided and their danger of premature explosions by any disturbing elements is minimized by the presence of 1 the jackets. Theparticu'l-armeans employed for setting the mines "in conditionand in position for explosion are such as practically to require the presence of an undersea boat operating *insomesuch' manner as has been described. The two elements then of safety to surface-going craft bound on legitimate business and certainty of operation as against undersea craft are thus embodied in the one construction.

The scope of the invention will appear from the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device for destroying submarines comprising a running cable, means to float the cable, a mine secured to the cable, and devices for releasing and setting the mine adapted to be actuated by engagement of a submarine with the running cable.

2. A device for destroying submarines comprising a running cable, means to float the cable, a mine secured to the cable, devices for releasing and setting the mine adapted to be actuated by engagement of a submarine with the running cable, and a jacket in easing the mine and dislodged upon release of the mine from the cable.

3. A device for destroying submarines comprising a running cable, means to float the cable, a mine secured to the cable, an air chamber formed in the mine to float it, devices for releasing the air from said chamber adapted to be actuated by engagement of a submarine with the running cable, thereby permitting the mine to sink below the cable for contact by the submarine.

4. A device for destroying submarines comprising a running cable, means to float the cable, a mine secured to'the cable, an air hamber formed in the mine to float it, devices for releasing the air from said chamberiadap'ted to be actuated by engagement of a submarine with the running cable, thereby permitting the mine to sink below the cable for contact by thesubmarine, and a jacket iincasingthe mine and dislodged upon release of the mine from the cable.

:5. A device fordestroying submarines comprising running cable, means to float the cable,: -a=:mine secured-torthe cable, an independent flexibleconnection between the. cable and the mine, an airchamberformed in the mine-to:float. it,idevices fol-releasing the air fromsaid chan'ibenadapted to be actuated by enga'gement of a submarine with therunning cable thereby permitting :the mine to sinkbelow the cable for contact by the submarine, said flexible connection serving to arrest themovement-of the mine ata'predetermineddepth below the surface. s

- 6: A device -fo'r destroying submarines comprising a runningrcable, means to float the cable,--a mine secured .to the cable, an .air chamber formed in .the mine to float it above the-cable, said/securing means for themine being releasable automatically when the mine sinks below .the cable, devices for releasing the i air from said chamber adapted to be actuated by engagement of a submarine with the running cable thereby permitting the mine to sink below the cable for contact by the submarine, an independent flexible conrIiCblOIl between the mine and the cable for arresting the movement of the mine at a predetermined depth.

7 A device for destroying submarines comprising a running cable, means to float the cable, a tubular mine secured to the cable, an air-tight cover hingedly supported 011 one end of the tubular mine to form an air chamber to float the mine, a latch for holding the cover closed, and a connection between the latch and the running cable whereby when the running cable is moved by engagement therewith of a submarine the latch will be released to open the cover and permit the mine to sink.

8. A device for destroying submarines comprising a running cable, means to float the cable, a mine secured to the cable, an air chamber formed in the mine to float it, devices for releasing the air from said chamber adapted to be actuated by engagement of asubmarine with the running cable, thereby permitting the mine to sink below the cable for contact by the submarine, and a balloon attached to the mine and released simultaneously therewith to mark its position.

9. A device for destroying submarines com prising a running cable, means to float the cable, a mine secured to the cable, an air chamber formed in the mine to float it, devices for releasing the air from said chamber adapted to be actuated by engagement of a submarine with the running cable, thereby permitting the mine to sink below the cable the mine;

forvcontact by the submarine, and ai rocke-t flare ignited automatically upon release of the center, floats to support. all of;;the

squares, mines attached-"to each: running cable, and? devices for. releasing Y and setting the minesadaptedtoibe actuated by engage ment of a submarine with their; respective running cables.

- "11.A .deviceufor destroying comprising :a running cable,emeans .to-fioat the cable, an explosivemine secured tothe cable and having exposed caps on -itssides,-1a metal. jacket incasing the mine and open at its lower end and adapted itoslip off-the mine when the latter reverses,itsposition and sinks: below the cable, and devices; :for releasing the mine from thecable adaptedto be 7 actuated by engagement of asubmarine with the moving cable topermit the mine to sink for contact therewith .bygthe, sub;- marine. V 11 :V- ii; '51

12. 'A device for. destroying-submarines g m s this patent may be ebtained inr flve each; r I wa nz unexp oded; :mine

comprising a; running cable, means to float adapted toil-be actuated by engagement of, a

submarine with the running ,cable; thereby permitting. the ,minesfhaying such released chambers to? sink belowthei cable, for; contact the chambersrfof a' pluli-a-lity- 0fsaid;,mines V with Dine? or; more iofisuc'h released, mines by e :;1

the submarine; and: means for v recovering the comprising Z-af; series; of 9 squares; interlocked and .1each-c0mpr1s1ng-four, stout Gables, -;r unsqul rea-i qm'inesj; attached 130; each; runnnig i cable ldeyices -for releasing and setting :a vpluralityje of? Such mines adapteda to be actuated 'bYQengagement 19f aisubmarinecwith their respectiverunn ng cables; and means for; re- 7 coveri the. unexphd difmin s 1 J Jlh s. pecific tip s gnedt is: 11th day -01 .MAiieIis ,of