US1292668A - Torpedo. - Google Patents

Description

I. A. WEAVER.

TORPEDO. APPLICATiON FILED 050.26. 1911.

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TORPEDO.

APPLICATXON man maze. 1917.-

1 292,668. Patented Jan. 28, 1919.

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l. A. WEAVER.

TORPEDO. APPLICATION FILED DEC-26, 1917- Patented Jan. 28, 1919.

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I. A. WEAVER.

TORPEDO.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-26. 1917.

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Patented Jan. 28,

I. A. WEAVER.

TORPEDO.

APPLICATION HLED DEC-26.1917.

Patented J an. 28, 1919,

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TORPEDO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 28, 1919.

Application filed December 26, 1917. Serial N 0. 208,749.

To all whom it may concern 'Be it known that I, IRA A. WEAVER, a citi- The improved device is intended to destroy or sink the object aimed at either by direct impact therewith or by distributing bombs or shells and automatically exploding them sufficiently near thereto to produce the desired results. To this end the preferred form of the new and improved torpedo is of a magazine type and discharges a series of shells or bombs at intervals during its flight or travel which soon afterward explode, whereby any object, such as a vessel or submarine in their immediate neighborhood is practically certain to be demolished or seriously and possibly irremedially crippled. T he time period over which the shells or bombs are fired or discharged from the torpedo is capable of regulation just prior to the launching of the torpedo from the vessel,

whereby, after the range of the object to be destroyed is determined, the timing device is set and the torpedo starts on its journey of destruction distributing and exploding its shells or bombs over a' redetermined area in the neighborhood of such object. Preferably, though not necessarily, the shells or bombs explode below the surface of the water to act on the enemy submarine whether the latter is submerged or riding on the surface. This is particularly true with-modern submarines which are not required to rise to the surface to discharge their torpedoes. Such undersea vessels are difiicult to hit or consitute a difficult target to destroy with the ordinary torpedo because they are ordinarily pointed directly toward the ship in discharging their torpedoes. A submerged submarine can be put out of action with a relatively small amount of explosive set off beneath the water, whereas, the torpedoes used by the submarines to blow up other vessels must carry a heavy charge of high explosives to make certain that a striking of the vessel will cause its immediate destruction. The

ordinary torpedoes which have not hit their mark are more or less dangerousto handle in their retrieving or recovery, because of their unexploded charges, whereas, with my improved magazine torpedo if it fails to directly hit its target, although it may possibly have destroyed the object aimed at by reason of the discharged shells, it will come to the surface and may be handled with safety since it then contains no explosive and may be used repeatedly.

The attainment of these and other desirable objects by the improved device will be readily understood by those skilled in this art from a consideration of a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and throughout the various views of which like reference characters refer to the same parts.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows the under-water flight or travel of the torpedo and its trail of exploding shells as well as the vessel from which the torpedo was originally launched, the depth at which the shells from the torpedo will explode, and the intervals between the explosions, as compared with a submarine of ordinary size;

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the width of the torpedos destructive area and the difliculty a submarine would encounter to escape demolition by altering its course, particularly, if more than one torpedo is launched and especially when such launching occurs from opposite ends of the vessel;

Fig. 3 shows the relatively-large cross-sectional area in which the torpedo is effective, although not scoring a direct hit and illustrates the action of one of the exploding shells on an adjacent submarine in such area;

Fig. at is a horizontal central section through the forward portion of thetorpedo, one magazine tube being shown in section, the other in plan;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the same portion of the torpedo on line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan section of an intermediate portion of the torpedo;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section through the corresponding partof the appliance;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section through the launching appliance for the torpedo and illustratesthe tail portion of the latter 1n plan' Fig. 9 shows the same parts in. vertical section;

Figs. 4, 6, and 8 should be placed end. to;

mechanism shown in the center of Fig; 11;

Fig. 13 illustrates the compressed-air distributing-valve controlling the discharging of the shells;

Fig. 14 shows one of the shells in cross-' section;

Fig; 15' is an end elevation of such'shell; Fig. 16 is a front View on a small scale of the torpedo as a whole; and

Fig. 17 is a plan View of the torpedo showing one of the shells being discharged and the magazine-tube cover-plate blown off.

From the illustrations in these drawings, and from the following description of the improvementsapplied to the torpedo, it will be clearto those skilled in this art that such torpedo may be substantially of the usual construction, having in the main casing or shell 21 a forward,,compressed-air compartment 20" (which is provided, with front and rear'curved end'walls 22, 23, respectively) connected through a reducing-valve 24; to a turbine 25 operating a shaft 26 which drives the propeller 27 the compressed-air constituting the source of power for driving the parts and propelling the torpedo through the water. 7

Mounted longitudinally in any approved manner in the forward portion of the compressed-air chamber 20 and in thesame horizontal plane are apa'ir of magazine tubes 28 and 29 on opposite sides of the center of the torpedo, the rear of each tube being closed by'a dished end-plate 30, the front end portion of each tube being curvedsomewhat outwardly as shown in Fig. 4, and slightly upwardly as indicated in Fig. 16. Each tube is adapted to hold a plurality (in the present instance, five) of'eXplosive shells or bombs 31 intended to be-projected from the tube and torpedo in succession at intervals', the shells of the two tubes being discharged either alternately or simultaneously,

as may be best. Possibly the course of the torpedo could be more accurately maintained if the two shells are discharged from the pair of tubes at th'e same time, but, inasmuch as their projection occurs within a few seconds of each other, if dischargedal ternately, first from one tube and then the other, it'is believed that a straight course of the torpedo could be held without difficulty. I I

As is indicated in Fig. 4:, the mouth of each of these tubes is closed by a plate 32 shaped to conform to the exterior contour of the corresponding part of the torpedo and internally provided with a curved arm 33 by which the plate or closure is ordinarily held closed over-the mouth of the tube, the inner end of such arm cooperating with a shoulder "34 0n-a pivoted catch or lock 34; located in a slot-in the tube and fulcrumed at 35, being provided with a rounded or beveled forwardlyextended part 36 in ad- Vance of the fulcrum. Such catch also has a rear portion 37 bearing against the front face of the foremost explosive shell in the 1nagazine-tube,"thus aiding in locking these shells in position, the shells abutting against one another. In addition, arm 33 may have a rearward extension 33 engaging the firing hammer or triggerof' the first or front shell in the tube.

In order to simultaneously unlock the two cover-plates 32 and the corresponding rows of shells, I provide the nose of thetorpedo with a'longitudinal shaft 38 equipped exteriorly of the propeller in advance of the nose with a small propeller'39. Shaft 38 is threaded for a portion of its length, such threaded part being accommodated in a fixed or stationary bearing or nut 40', so that as the shaft revolves it also necessarily travels bodily longitudinally or rearwardly'. The inner end of the shaft has a beveled collar 41 which normally holds the two lock levers or catches 34 in locking engagement with thecorresponding' cover-plate arms and end shells. This shaft also is provided with an oppositely-beveled collar 42 fixed thereto, which, when it travels rearwardly with the shaft engages the forward ends 36' of the two lock levers '34 separating them and bringingtheir opposite or rear ends nearer together, thus unlocking the covers and'the shells, which .action is new permitted by reason of the previous unlocking rearward travel of the collar 41. Itwill, therefore, be appreciated that soon after the torpedo enters the water and has become headed in its course of travel, the little front propeller water pressure bearing against; them.

At the proper time, the shells from ea h tube are ejected therefrom by reason of the introduction of compressed-air into the tube behifid thm u air is so controlled by a distributing-valve that" at equal time in tervals the shells are shot out of the tube singly and in succession until the magazine iso is empty. To effect this result, each tube has a plurality of pipes connected to it and communicating with its interior at spaced points just to the rear of the shells, the air in each pipe governing the discharge of its particular shell just ahead of the point where it delivers its air to the tube, it being understood that each shell fits the magazine tube in a substantially air-tight manner. In the drawings these pipes have been characterized 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, the air pipe 50 governing and causing the discharge of the first shell and the other pipes conveying the compressed-air for the expulsion of the other shells in sequence.

At their rear ends, these pipes, as shown in Fig; 10 are connected to corresponding passages 55 of a header 56 extended through a central aperture 57 of the partition wall 23 and held in air-tight connection therewith by suitable packing and a nut 58. To the rear face of this header 56 a steel disk 59 is secured by a screw 60 or other appropriate means, such steel face-plate having ten ports 61 to inclusive in register and in communication with the ports of the member 56 and its associated distribution pipes.

By means of screws 71 or other suitable means a valve cover member 72 is fastened to the nut 58, such member 72 containing a rotary disk valve 73 having a port 74c, which, during its rotation establishes communication with the ten ports in succession, thus causing the ten shells to be discharged in sequence, although as will be readily understood, by providing the valve member 73 with two ports instead of one the shells may be discharged in pairs simultaneously. The chamber or cavity of the valve cover member 72 is connected by a pipe 75 with the reducing-valve 24 so that such single reducingvalve may be used both in association with the turbine and with the discharge of the shells. If desired, however, a separate valve of this character might be employed, although this is ordinarily not considered necessary.

Obviously, under ordinary circumstances, the valve 7 3 should be so positioned that its port 74 is closed and is between two of the ports 61 to 7 0 inclusive, as illustrated in Fig. 13, and it is furthermore clear that to conserve the air supply the rotary action of this valve should be intermittent, the registering with any one of the stationary pipe ports being of short duration, the valve port again temporarily remaining stationary and closed between the next two header ports. This interrupted rotation or intermittent action of the valve is secured by certain mechanism driven from the propeller shaft, which will now be described.

As is shown in Fig. 10, the valve cover member 72 has mounted thereon a gear-cas- 83 (Fig. 10) projecting through the turbine 25 and connected to and driven by the hollow propeller-shaft 26. Pinion 81 is in mesh with the teeth of a gear on a shaft 85 equipped with a pinion 86 (Fig. 11) in mesh with the teeth of a gear 87 on a shaft 88 suppliedwith an intermittent pinion 89 loose thereon and having clutch-teeth 90 (Fig. 10) projecting from one side thereof. The other or companion clutch member 91 is integral with a worm 92 and an annularly-grooved extension 93, this combination member being keyed to shaft 88 so as to be rotated there by, but also slidable thereon. The intermittent pinion 89 coiiperates with an intermittent gear 94 on the rear end of the shaft 95 on the front end of which shaft is the rotary-valve 73, such shaft extending rearwardly through a stuffing box 96 into the gear casing 80, as shown, the front end of the shaft having a bearing in member 59.

It will be understood, therefore, that whenever the propeller-shaft is revolving and the clutch members are in operative association, the valve will have an intermittent rotation, bringing its port successively into communication with the various pipes for the discharge of the shells in sequence, the propelling medium for the latter being the compressed-air controlled by such valve and passing from the compressed-air reservoir 20 through the reducing valve 24 pre liminary to distribution.

It is necessary, of course, to have a timing mechanism to govern the moment when the clutch shall be thrown into action, thus initiating the discharge of the shells, and this timing device should be adjustable before. the torpedo is launched from the vessel so as to determine with certainty when the torpedo shall begin projecting its shells. This mechanism will now be described.

Worm 92 is constantly in mesh with and drives a worm-wheel 100 on a cross-shaft 101 carrying near its other end a pinion 102 (Figs. 10 and 12) in mesh with a gear 103 (Figs. 10, 11, and 12) on a parallel shaft 104 rotatably mounted in a suitable bearing (not shown) in the gear-casing. The reduced cylindrical outer end 105 of such shaft is fitted in a similarly-shaped cavity in the end of another 'alined shaft 106 carrying at its inner end a finger 107 engaging a recess. 108 in a disk 109 spring-pressed into facewise frictional engagement with gear 103 whereby the turning of shaft 106 will shift the disk 109 angularly with respect to the gear, the latter necessarily being held against rotation therewith because the worm-wheel 100 cannot drive the worm-wheel 92 which is in. mesh with its teeth. On a shaft 110 (Fig. 12) an arm 111 is fixed having a de-v pending end ortoe 112 adapted to ride'on the cylindrical surface of disk 109 and be pulled into'the'peripheral notch 1130f the latter under the action of a coil contractile spring 114 when the notch comes under the part 112. At its other end cross-shaft 110 has'a yoke 115 (Figs. 10, 11, and 12)"operatlvely associated with the grooved part 93' of the combination clutch-element. When, therefore, the tooth or toe 112 drops into the notch 113, the clutch members will'be shifted together into operative power-transmitting relation. As long, however, as the part-112 rides on the periphery of the disk, the two elements of the clutch will be maintained separated in inoperative position.

In order to turn the disk 109 more or less,

. with relation to its driving-gear 103 so as to vary the time when the"airvalve comes into'action for the expulsion of'the series of shells, shaft 106 is equipped with the bevel-gear 116 the teeth of which are in mesh with those of a similar gear 117 on 'a'longitudinal shaft'118 extending'rearw'ardlyout through the shellor casing of the torpedo and there, at the point" 119 (Fig.7), de

tachably coupled by a slot and pin connection to a hollow'shaft 120 'revolubly m'ounted, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, in". the launching tube 121. At its rear end shaft1120 has a turning handle 122' and an assoc'iated graduated timing dial 123 by which thebe- 'ginning' of the discharge of shells can be regulated just previous to the sending of} the torpedo on itscourse of destruction.

The design of the shells'or bombs is' entirely immaterial as any suitable explosive appliance ofthis generalcharacter could be employed to advantage."

v way ,Of suggest on, however, Figs. 14' and '15 illustrate 'a shell which may be used conveniently in a magazine torpedo of this novel'typ'e; Such shell comprises a metal casing 130 desirably be formed of pressed steel V the: shells may fit snugly in the magazine tubes and be projected therefrom by compressed-air efliciently, each shellat its rear end is provided with a='1eather'cu packing 134 maintained in placeagainst the end of the shell by'a pressed steel disk "135 seeiired' to the shell by screws 186, 136,and havinga 123, so as to cause the mea rears/army extend d sleeve 13? slotted longi tu'dinally at; 138' and adaptedto; hold the shells proper spaced relation and protect'their firing mechanisms, the slots being" provided for thea'ccommodatinn (if the-trig gers 'or firing hammers. Each shell at its front end is equipped with" such a trigger or firing hammer 140 pivotedat 1 41 on" the protruding 'port'ionof "a casting 142 screwed or' otherwise fitted in the front" end w'all "of the shell and accommodating internally a spring 143 acting on the tailil 44 of'the trigger or hammer and adapted, when permitted, to swing such pivoted memberon its fulcrum into operative relationwith the percussion or detent cap- 145'; A tube 146 leads rearwardl'v from the cap in the front end of the shell to a chamber147 at the rear end filled with slow-burning powderi, The cap 148 for such'b'ack' chamber would, therefore, be blown ofli and additional movement given the shell beforeexploding'. The shell proper would, o'f course, containanadequate supply of a high explosive and-thetimingof the shellis such that'it' would eXplode-a' few' seconds'after leaving the" torpedo and after it had passed "sufiici'entlybeyond the path of travel of the torpedo. Before-the shells are inserted in the magaz'in'e'tubes the hammers or triggers-140 are prevented from striking the caps by reason'of safetyblocks 149 positioned between the two parts As the shells are inserted'in the :tubes these blocks are removed, but the triggers or hammers are held in inoperative position by' reason of their tails engaging "the inner faces of the tubes. I

The operation of this appliance takes,

place practically asfollows:

Assuming that the position or range of the submarine or other object to, be destroyed 'has'been determined, the "operator turns the handle 122 of the timing device v indicated by the dial the proper amount, as

expulsion of the first shell from the torpedo in the neighborhood of such object, the remaining shells thereafter being fired tervals of time between them,- it being merely necessary for the gunner to establish the time whensu'ch delivery of shells shall begin. This turn'ing of the handle 122 rotates shafts 120 and'118, gears 117 and 116, shaft 106, finger 107, and disk 109, the associated gear 103 at this time being stationary because not driven'by the torpedo propeller whose rotation does not begin until the launching. Thisaction carries the notch 113-avvay from the tooth or toe 112 a definite amount and fixes the time interval which it will take for such notch to' be brought into automatically at definite inregister with the-tooth, thus uetermmingfthe beginning of the rotation ,of the compressed:

air I distribution-valve 73. As soon as the torpedo-moves outwardly in its lau'nchin'g "100, shaft :101, pinion 102, gear 103, and

the associated disk 109 held against the face of the gear under frictional action. At the same time the finger 107, shaft 106, gears 116, 117, and shaft 118 may turn idly with the disk. When, however, the disk notch 113 comes under the toe or finger 112, arm 111 swings down under the action of spring 114, thus rocking shaft 110 and the yoke 115 which causes the sliding of the now constantly-rotating clutch-member 101 into operative engagement with the theretofore idle clutch-member 98 forming a part of intermittent pinion 89. Such pinion and gear 94 are now rotated, the latter intermittently, effecting a similar turning of shaft 95 and valve 73, thus causing its port 74 to pass from its inoperative position, shown in Fig. 13, to a corresponding inoperative position between the two ports 61 and 62, where it will be temporarily stationary until moved on by the next intermittent action thereof to a position between ports 62 and 63, etc. In thus traveling, however, it temporarily establishes communication with these various ports and through the associated header and distributing pipes causes the successive expulsion of the shells, first from one tube and then from the other.

. Previous to this, however, the two shellmagazine tube-covers have been released by reason of the turning of the small shaft 38 through the action of its propeller 39, thus causing the shaft to travel bodily rearwardly, the disk 41 unlocking the catches holding the covers, and the disk or collar 42 positively swinging the catches to effect their release and that of the rows of shells. If these tube-covers are held in place by the action of the water after being thus unlocked, the discharge of the first shells dislodges them, leaving the front ends of the tubes open for the subsequent discharge of the remaining shells. As soon as each shell leaves its tube, its hammer or trigger is released and automatically fires the shell, the explosion actually occurring after the shell has traveled some distance from the torpedo, as shown, for example, in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. i

The torpedo travels beneath the surface of the water but the explosions of its shells cause a spouting of the water above its surface so that the gunner can readily determine whether or not a hit has probably been made, and if not, one or more other torpedoes can be launched to carry out the desired results. If the torpedo makes a direct hit the concussion or impact causes the explosion of all of the shells and the torpedo itself is destroyed, but if the torpedo does not make a direct hit, the object desired to be destroyed can, nevertheless, and probably will be sunk by the action of one or more of the shells, the torpedo passing on unharmed and susceptible of recovery after it has delivered its destructive trail of shells. The time intervals between the expulsion or discharge of the shells from the torpedo are so arranged that the shells will be distributed a distance apart relative to the length of the submarine or other object to be destroyed that its destruction will be practically certain if within the effective field of action of the torpedo and its shells. The unharmed, exhausted, retrieved torpedo can be again charged with compressed-air and its magazine tubes filled with shells and cover-plates applied, whereupon it is again ready for action.

This invention is not limited or restricted to the exact and precise details of construction presented in this application because these may be varied within a considerable latitude without departure from the substance and essence of the .invention and without the sacrifice of any of its substantial benefits and advantages. The number of magazine tubes and the number of shells which they contain, as well as the manner of discharging them either simultaneously or alternately from the tubes, is quite immaterial. The shell discharging means and the distribution of the power thereto may be modified in many respects. The timing mechanism is susceptible of many changes or modifications and still embody the principle of this invention. As to the shells themselves they may be of any suitable type or character.

I claim:

1. An aquatic torpedo equipped with means to accommodate and automatically forcibly project a plurality of explosive shells or bombs therefrom at predetermined intervals during the travel of the torpedo, in combination with means to explode said shells or bombs at definite periods after leaving the torpedo, substantially as described.

2. An aquatic torpedo equipped with means to accommodate and automatically forcibly project a plurality of explosive shells or bombs therefrom at predetermined intervals during the travel of the torpedo, in combination with means to explode said shells or bombs at definite periods after shells or bombs therefrom at eav the torpedo, and diustabl rmean controlling the initiation of the delivery of the shells cribombs from the torpedo, substantially as described.

Al aqu i to ped q ippe Wi h means to accommodate ,and automatically forcibly project a plurality of explosive v H redetermined intervals during the travel or the torpedo, incombination vvith means to explode'said shells or bombs at definiteperiods after leavl's' h rpcs e and m an o t o ng the initiation "of thedischarge of the shells or mb 17mm th torpedo: adjus ble, before t l unc ng of th t pedo bs ntially 1'An. aq a .t r ed q ipped wit means to "accommodate and automatically c bly ,P 'bJ' Q 1 p u ali y o expl e shells" or bombs therefrom somewhat side- Wi Q t brp do a Predete n i ral d in t a lf the lat e c ma q wi hme n t 1 sxplq 'ai s e or bombs at definite periods. after leaving the torpedo, substantially as described.

' 5. v aquatic torpedo equipped With means to accommodate and automatically forcibly project a plurality of explosive shells or bombs therefrom iforwardlyland somewhat ,sidevvise. of the torpedo at predetermined intervals during the travel of the torpedo, in combination With'means toex- 'plode" shellsor bombs at definite periods after leaving the torpedo, substantially eemed:

Al aquatic t r ed qu p ed t me s 3 [a m oda an au omatic ly dr b Pr je a pl l ty of e p si e he l gb mb l efrw Som a 1* wardly andsidewise as wen as forw-ardly'jof th'ej torpedo at predetermined intervals dur- V in'gi the-travel of .thetorpedo, in combinameans to accommodate and automatically substantially as described.

a t m nsl s i bd i a d h lls 1 imb a de e e 'i d ief e l vin the torpedo, substantially as described.

5 A qu t c t rp d equip e With forcibly project a plurality of explosive shells or bombs therefrom in diverging directions at predetermined intervals during the trav'el of the torpedo, in combination with means to explodesaidfshells or bolnbs at definite periods after leaving torpedo,

'8. "torpedo equippediwith means to ac-. commodate and to [discharge one or more explosive shells or bombs therefrom by the,

samesource of motive-power used-for pro F ll the im de s b tan ia a 1 sasbee. Y

torpedoequipped with means to acseamen-t em or more explosive shells and compressed-air means to discharge such shell orashsns therefrom, substantially as dewl A torp d vin shell tubev th ough which an explosive shellfi's adapted to be discharged from the torpedo incombination with; a cover-plate forthe discharge end of such tube, means to lock said'cover-plate in position, and means to unlock stantially as described. v

11, A torpedohaving a shell tube. through which an explosive shell is adapted, tofbe discharged from the torpedo in combination d.- lock, sub

With aIcover-platefor the discharge end of such tube, means to lock said cover-plate in pos n, n m an qont tcl e y th t avel of the torpedo to unlock;saidloclgsubstana y a gde c ibed.

,Ato pedbhaving a's l tu thr s wh ch an exp' c esh i ptedto discharged mm th torpe i mbinati n with co e -P ate c t w dis l a g nd. o uch t bs, m ans to 'l cksaid cove epla i PQs i0n, nd.-Pr pelle f mean to n bck s id .o k,f bst i ia ly a i be j 13-. A wrn doi a c a shelltub thr u h Wh an automatical y expl s She-1111s adapted'mbe discha ged m the te p do in'eonibination with means to prevent firing off the slf'ell until itfhas left the torpedo,

1 substantially as. described.

'14. A torpedo having a shell tube through hich a xplosi ll quipped it r ng hamm i adapte to be d ha frornthe torpedo, and-means to prevent said r ngh m ie e exple n e l ui the "latter has left said tubei'substantially V as described.

A torpedohaving a shell tubejthrough which an explosive shell equipped v'vith a firing h m is ad pt d t f d j s arse from e rped i .cem in t en "wi ineansbearing onthe inner face of; said tube preventing the actionfof said firinghainmer until the shell hasl eft'the tube, substantially as described. n

16. aquatic torpedo having a tube through whichpan explosive shelhor shells is ad'apted to-be discharged from the,tor-- pedo,"expanding-gas means to forcibly pro ject the shell or shells fromsaid tube, in

- combination With meansto locksaid shell, or

' shell orshells "inthe tube, and propeller actuated means to unlock said lock, substantially as described. I

19. A torpedo having a shell tube from which one or more shells is adapted to be discharged from the torpedo, in combination with a cover-plate for the discharge end of said tube, means to lock said cover-plate in place, means to lock said shell or shells in said tube, and means common to both of said locking means adapted to unlock them, substantially as described.

20. A torpedo having a shell tube from which one or more shells is adapted to be discharged from the torpedo, in combination with a cover-plate for the discharge end of said tube, means to lock said cover-plate in place, means to lock said shell or shells in said tube, and means controlled by the travel of the torpedo and common to both of said locking means adapted to unlock them, substantially as described.

21. A torpedo having a shell tube from which one or more shells is adapted to be discharged from the torpedo, in combina tion with a cover-plate for the discharge end of said tube, means to lock said cover-plate in place, means to lock said shell or shells in said tube, and propeller means common to both of said locking means adapted to unlock them, substantially as described.

22. A torpedo having a plurality of shell tubes from which shells are adapted to be discharged from the torpedo, in combination with a cover-plate for the discharge end of each of said tubes, means to lock each of said cover-plates in position, and means common to all of said cover-plates to unlock said locking means, substantially as described.

23. A torpedo having a plurality of shell tubes from which shells are adapted to be discharged from the torpedo, in combination with acover-plate for the discharge end of each of said tubes, means to lock said coverplates in position, and propeller means com mon to all of said cover-plates to unlock said locking means, substantially as described.

24. An aquatic torpedo having a plurality of shell tubes each adapted to accommodate a plurality of explosive shells and constructed for the discharge of such shells in different directions, in combination with means to automatically forcibly project the shells from said tubes at predetermined intervals during the travel of the torpedo, and means to explode said shells at definite periods after leaving the torpedo, substantially as described.

25. A torpedo having a magazine shell tube from which the shells are adapted to Copies of this patent may be obtained for five be expelled in succession, said shells fitting the tube in a substantially air-tight manner, and means to deliver compressed-air to the rear of the shells in succession to effect their expulsion in sequence, substantially as described.

26. A torpedo having a magazine shell tube adapted to contain a plurality of shells and from which such shells are adapted to be expelled in succession, means to project said shells in sequence from the tube comprising a compressed fluid distributing valve and means to actuate said valve intermittently, substantially as described.

27. A torpedo having a magazine shell tube from which the shells are adapted to be expelled in succession, said shells being equipped With firing devices and with means to protect the firing devices of the next shells in the magazine, substantially as described.

28. A torpedo having a magazine shell tube from which the shells are adapted to be expelled in succession, means to project the shells from the tube in sequence, each shell having a cap adapted to be blown olf after the entry of the shell into the water, substantially as described.

29. A torpedo having means to accommodate and discharge one or more explosive shells and an adjustable timing device determining the time of such discharge comprising means in the torpedo and cooperating means on the launching appliance of the torpedo, substantially as described.

30. A torpedo having a shell tube adapted to accommodate a plurality of explosive shells, means to forcibly expel the shells automatically from the torpedo through said tube in succession, and means to explode said shells at predetermined eriods after their discharge from the torpe o, substantially as described.

31. A torpedo having a shell tube adapted to accommodate a plurality of explosive shells, and means to forcibly expel the shells from the torpedo through said tube in sucoession, said expelling means using the same force of motive power used to propel the torpedo, substantially as described.

32. A compressed air propelled torpedo having a shell tube adapted to accommodate a plurality of explosive shells, and compressed air means to forcibly expel the shells from the torpedo through said tube in succession, substantially as described.

IRA A. WEAVER.

cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). G."

Ill

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