US1290829A

US1290829A - Torpedo.

Info

Publication number: US1290829A
Application number: US19763217A
Authority: US
Inventors: Georges J N Carpenter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1917-10-20
Filing date: 1917-10-20
Publication date: 1919-01-07
Anticipated expiration: 1936-01-07

Description

G. J. N. CARPENTIER.

TORPEDO.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20.19]?- 1,290,829. Patented Jan. 7,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I. W W" w I i T I I W GEORGES J'. N. CARPENTIER, WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

'I'ORPEDO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. '7, 1919.

Application filed October 20, 1917. Serial No. 197,632. 7

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEoRGns J. N. OAR- PENTIER, a citizen of the United States, re-

siding at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Torpedoes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to torpedoes, and more particularly to attachments for submarine torpedoes whereby the same may be conveniently and practically launched from aeroplanes or the like.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a means or an attachment to convert an ordinary submarine torpedo for the above usage, iwhich alteration or attachment may be easily and quickly accomplished. A further object is to provide an attachment of the above general character which will be reliable and efficient in use and operation. A further object is to provide an attachment of the above general character having relatively few parts which may be inexpensively manufactured and easily installed. A further object is to pro vide means for affecting the center of gravity of a torpedo before and after launching.

Other objects will be in part obvious from the annexed drawings and in part indicated in connection therewith by the following analysis of this invention.

This invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of parts and in the unique relations of the members and in the relative proportioning and disposition thereof; all as more com pletely outlined herein.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to comprehend the underlying features thereof that they may embody the same into the numerous modifications in structure and relation contemplated by this invention, drawings depicting a preferred form have been annexed as a part of this disclosure, and in such drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, of which Figure 1 is a semi-diagrammatic view showing the manner in which a torpedo may be launched from an aeroplane, and its course toward the target after launching.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the forward part of an'ordinary submarine torpedo with the attachment applied thereto.

Fig. 3 is an. enlarged detail view taken on the line 3'-3, Fig. r

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view taken longitudinally and centrally of the forward part of the torpedo with the attachment applied thereto.

Fig, 5 is a front elevational view.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and more particularly Fig. l, 5 indicates diagrammatically an aeroplane, or the like, traveling above the water toward the target, indicated by the sectional view of a boat 6. The aeroplane has launched a torpedo 7, which owing to the speed of the aeroplane will follow a trajectory substantially along the line indicated at 8. This line will vary with the speed and elevation of the aeroplane and may be easily calculated by reference to instruments carried thereby. After submergence, an attachment indicated at 10 automatically separates from the torpedo 7, as indicated, after which the torpedo will pursue its intended course toward the target 6.

In order that the objects sought to be obtained by the present invention may be more clearly understood, it may be noted that torpedoes of the submarine type now in general use have a center of gravity very closely coincident with the actual center. Thus, if an ordinary torpedo is dropped or launched from an aeroplane at a distance or elevation greater than fifteen feet, there \will be a tendency for such torpedo to turn over with respect to its transverse axis and land in a haphazard position in the water. Its future course under those conditions cannot, of course, be foreseen. The present invention is therefore directed to overcoming this objection by applying suitable means, such as a false nose or head, to the torpedo whereby its center of. gravity will be shifted forwardly of the actual center, and also at a point considerably lower than the central horizontal plane. Thus as the torpedo is launched,it will tend to follow its trajectory without turning on its transverse axis, or longitudinal axis, and will land in the water in approximately such desired position as will enable it to free its false nose and then continue toward the target under its own propelling means, as intended.

The attachment hereinafter described will automatically shift the center of gravity of the torpedo to the desired location with re spect to its actual center to accomplish the desired launching in a practical and efficient manner, and after launching to autoi65 lnosengsperniitting thei oap to fall awaydirem matically 'restore the center of gravity 7 e y itmey cont nu tsu szaylas intended suitable material having a relativelyii pluralitysof longitudinal strips-1Q of any tensile strength under normal cond=i=t16ns but1'adaptedfto lose such tensile strength idnnied-iately upon subnue'ngeiice; flidinany V blotting paper, :for example, wh ich mayf be considered a' semi-solnble fibreu's materiah V will-comply with sueh: requineinentsandis 'found =to be exceedingly cheap and p-ra cti'eal. Around the ends; of these longitudinal strip-s 12" there is provided atasteni'nig meansuvhieh tect "the internal mechanism is secured ho-"the under side of the body "of-the torzpede I is 'held in placerbymeansi ofa relatively broad-"strip -16 20f :pape'r-onother suitable be of th e saine or a'sin ilar 3 material :in the 15orn1- of a tape '16 adapted-to be wound" a plurality' of 'tiines around the cap i l-lat. the point or junction between theeap and the2:longitudinal -strips '13. second stni ofitape 14 is "also Wound aroundpppositeeh s of the longitudinal :s-trips 132 3116. their poi-nt of attachment to the body iof the toriped o l. After these parts'are assembled, a shield 15 of any "desired :length su' fficientto ipromaterial answering the requirements above setfo'rth. Theshie'ld is preferablyxofsuoh shape as to fit snugly to the -underflsidevo'f the "body o'f the-torpedo, andin the illustrw tionshown in the drawing i-s-substantial'ly 'U-shape cross-"section. The forward end of this shield is rigidly secured hy "means er I bolts'l 'z 'to the under siele efth cap, l he 1 cap and shield together Weigh-approximately one-hundred wounds, "i'tjw'ili thus be seen that in :atohpedo weighing- 'appi oxi- "iof the surrounding tapes" 1=4:, there ra 'b'lock l-8 having a lon gitudi nal' groove in mately ten or;twelve lmndred pounds, the center of ifi ra-vity lw ill' beshifted relativel'y forwardly and downwardly to an extent suf ficient; to lperm it the 'launeh ing of-the teripedo'from the aeroplane with 'th'e assuranee that such torpedo will sou-0w a true tnaffem tory intothe vmte'r- Withoutqtunning; orderto insure'the complete' 'severance which. slides az 'knife =or etting tool #20 adapted to she aotuatedaby d'fa "herd or wirefil secured in eany eoiivenientapawt of the ifiorwardendof'the nose 'orfs hiel ds the teiip'edois submenged,-= the leng itufilinal strips, 1 12 lbreak and the atapes and 5154 the jter ea; drawing the knife '20 longii u iale b'lelongit r Sl d t ereby vQ- lf g t "tapesonthe underside of meter-peso where thonof the water and insuring the completeseveranceof the'cap.

' *n ish'elieved that the methodof'use-and they are more or less protected from the gsoperationiefaazdevice of this character will be clear to those skilled in the art. It is suflicient to state-that the.torpedojsis preferably carried between the :p'onto'ons of a V hydrop la'rie with its longitudinal axis coin cident with thenorrnal :el ireetion of fiightlof' the'hydroplane. Anysuitable=fornrof re lea'sing means 'm'ay t'be rl'enrpleyed adapted; to

"drop the torpedoiinstantlyat bothtorward' and rear endsg whereupon it will folloiv, the 1usualitrajeetory, varying of :course With-the speed and 'e'lev a tioln Fat which the aeroplane is'- traveling, and also according to. its angle of travel with respectzito itlI'G hOTiZOH'C-ZLL' Thus by raising the forwardend of the aeroplane, thewtrajectory willbe muohwlonger V than-would occur ifthevtorw-ard e d-aoslithe "aeroplane were -Jpei=nted downwardly with respect toithehorizontal. This point should be "taken into consideration eluri'ngr -the launching together with =-=the1 approximate speed. 7 1 j :soon 'asithe torpedo fstrikeszthe. Water,

the bands holdingthe'cap; and shield; place willalmost'-- iiistantly loseqtheir tensile. -strength :and owing xto-ithe weight 1of;.-the

' shield =and.rthealmost a neutral buoyancy? :of

the atonpe'do an immediate separation will; occur. The toizpedo will iIlliIli'QQhlLbBhY right itselfiand seek its proper :level according to its setti'ng;andwvill'continue :i ts ourney};y

reasonv of its "gyroseopic control-'in-vsubstan tially the same vertieal-plane as;that of its l-aiinehmgttrajectory; j 1 1-,

: Ow ng *to the factfthat wthe height' which the torpedo is V launched varies to a oensi'derableextent, with a consequent-varia means'not herein showrnvshou ld loeprovided 'for' starting: the engine of the. torpedo ini mediate}? pon l--submengence. gathereby to avoid racing" oi -thegengiiie during its downward' fligg htiand sudden tion o ftlie same on suhmergencew From the aboveiit will begsee present invention provides a simple;- praci-' subsequent retard as 111 that the r tieal a and wautoniaticj ineans'ifor shiiting the oenterm f gravity of thej toiiptl'oi tekthe "de sired location mf-pe mit practical l'aerial:

- launchiuigifiand subsequent -'separati-OII gof the attaehmentwherby'thercenter ofigravity is restored to #the proper relative qoesitioh Ito ena ble' the torpedo topontinuefits {customary fsubmarine trave'h {j T With'out lf urth erw'analysis, 'theforeg oing willso rreveal theigistbf this invention that o thers eansby applyingeurrent knowledge readily adapt v arious=appl icat-ions without omitting certain features that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention, and therefore such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims.

I claim as my invention 1. An attachment for torpedoes oomprising a means for shifting its center of grai ity, including a hollow cap and a substantially U-shaped extension, semi-soluble means for attaching said member to a. torpedo and adapted to rupture when the torpedo is subadapted to fit over the forward end thereof to shift the center (ff gravity forwardly and downwardly, and means for securing said cap on the torpedo adapted to automatically release the cap when the torpedo is submerged to restore the center of gravity to its original position, said means being made of fibrous material.

8. In combination with a submarine torpedo, a member including a hollow cap adapted to fit over the forward end thereof to shift the center of gravity forwardly and downwardly, and means for securing said cap on the torpedo adapted to automatically release the cap when the torpedo is submerged to restore the center of gravity to its merged to release said member therefrom.

2. An attachment for aerial torpedoes comprising a weighted member and semisoluble means for attaching the same to the torpedo for shifting its center of gravity.

3. An attachment for torpedoes comprising a weighted member and means for attaching the same to the torpedo for shifting its center of gravity before submerging and automatically restoring the same immediately after submerging.

4. An attachment for aerial torpedoes comprising a false nose or cap, and semisoluble means for attaching said nose to the forward end of a torpedo for automatically shifting the center of gravity immediately on submerging whereby the same may be practically launched from aeroplanes.

5. In combination with a submarine tor pedo, an attachment therefor comprising a cap adapted to fit over the forward end of a torpedo, and means adapted to hold said cap in place and automatically release the cap when the torpedo is submerged.

6. In combination with a submarine torpedo, a hollow weighted cap adapted to fit over the forward end thereof to shift the center of gravity forwardly and downwardly, and means for securing said cap on the torpedo adapted to automatically release the cap immediately when the torpedo is submerged to restore the center of gravity to its original position.

7 In combination with a submarine torpedo, a member including a hollow cap original osition, said means including a plurality of semi-soluble strips of material securing the cap to the body of the torpedo, and means carried by the cap adapted to out said strips when the torpedo is submerged to assist in freeing the cap therefrom.

9. In combination with a torpedo, a hollow cap adapted to fit over the nose of said torpedo, a shield connected with the under side of the cap whereby the center of gravity of the torpedo is shifted forwardly and downwardly, and means for securing said cap and shield in place and adapted to automatically release the cap and shield as soon as the torpedo is submerged.

10. In combination with a torpedo, a semi-spherical hollow cap adapted to fit over the nose of said torpedo. a shield connected with the under side of the cap whereby the center of gravity of the torpedo is shifted forwardly and downwardly, means for securing said cap and shield in place and adapted to automatically release the cap and shield as soon as the torpedo is submerged, said means including a lurality of strips of blotting paper extending between the cap and shield and the body of the torpedo, and means adapted to cut the strips as the cap and shield leave the torpedo after submergence.

Signed at Washington this 29th day of September, 1917.

GEORGES J N. CARPENTIER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Wnhinxton, D. G."