US158501A - Improvement in torpedo-boats - Google Patents

Description

UNIT-ED STATESl PATENT FFICE.

HENRY F. KNAPP, OF NEW YRK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN TORPEDO-BATS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 158,501, dated January 5, 1875,' application filed September 23, 1873.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY F. KNAPP, ofthe city, county, and State of New York, have invented an Improved Torpedo-Boat, of which the following is a specication:

Figure lis a side elevation, partly in section, of my improved torpedo-boat. Fig. 2 is a top view, partly in section, of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both gures.

The object of this invention is to produce a selfpropelling torpedo for submarine purposes, that will retain its propelling power sutliciently long to be carried in a suitable direction, and any desired distance, against the object to be struck.

The invention consists in various new arrangements of parts in connection with the propelling apparatus, as hereinafter more fully described, and also in a new steering apparatus, which is to some extent self-acting, but which can be regulated from the shore or from any xed point, in order t0 cause the boat to be moved in any desired direction.

Ain the drawing is the body of the torpedo or boat, built of light metal, cigar-shaped, of

suitable length and width, and containing a small rotary or other engine, B, the shaft C of which extends through the forward part of the shell A and carries the propeller D, and beyond the propeller a percussion-torpedo, E, which is set on loosely, so as not to revolve with the shaft. The propeller is placed forward of the boat, so as to insure a straight and direct course, as in most cases it will be preferable to use it without a rudder, which for short distances' it is often possible to do. A buoy, F, connects by a stem, G, with the boat A, as shown, and serves to hold it suspended at a suitable distance below the waterline, the depth being regulated by the length of the rod G. The engine B receives its gas, that causes its action, through a long pipe, H, which is placed within the shell A, to completely or nearly ll the same, one end of the pipe communicating with the inlet-port of the engine, while its other end is closed. Near the inlet the pipe has a branch, a, that connects with a percussion-nipple or frictionprimer, I, which is applied, by preference, to the outside of the shell A, and can be operated by a hammer, for the purpose of starting combustion.

When the boat has been launched and placed in the desired direction, provided it is to be used without a rudder, the hammer on the percussion-nipple is caused to descend, which can be done by means of a string, b, reaching to such hammer, or by other suitable means, and combustion in the pipe H will then take place and the contents of the pipe gradually be consumed. The gas thus escaping from the pipe enters the ports of the e11- gine B, and causes, thereby, such engine to impart rotary motion to the shaft C and propeller D. The exhaust-pipe d of the engine extends downward through the shell A, and is theri bent backward, so that the escaping gas will aid the propeller D in moving the boat, the power of the engine being thus compounded.

The engine herein described, and the means for operating it and connecting it with the propelling apparatus form no part of this in- Vention, but are intended to form the subject of a separate application for Letters Patent, and are only described herein for the purpose of illustrating the mode in which I propose to carry out this invention.

For all practical purposes, this torpedo can be operated without a rudder; but if for any cause it should be necessary to have a rudder,

I arrange the same in the following manner: The body of the rudder J is pivoted to the stern of the boat, as shown, and one side of it is connected with the boat by a spring, L, having a certain tension and the tendency always to bear the rudder to one side, preferably to starboard. The opposite side of the rudder is, by a chain, f, or other means, connected with the piston g of a small air-cylinder, M, that is attached to the shell A, as shown, and a flexible table, N, extends from the air-cylinder to the shore or place whence the torpedo is started, and said flexible tubing is worked by an air-pump to move the piston up, and so that the helm follows the piston. This pump has a cock to permit escape of air to let the piston back again. This tube the torpedo drags after it from a coil of sufficient length. If the springL is not counteracted, the rudder will be pulled to the starboard by the spring L, and the helm of the boat will be directed to port. It' it is necessary to change from such course, it is only necessary to bloW into the tube N, and thus move the piston g so as to draw the rudder over toward port, and thus change the direction ot' the boat. By this arrangement, therefore, the boat may be fully controlled from shore, or from any point from which it has been started. In connection with the bow-propeller D, a stern-propeller may also be used, it1 desired.

The percussion-torpedo E may be of suitable construction` and is to be so arranged that it will be exploded Whenever it strikes an object. It may be charged with nitro-glycerine or other powerful explosive matter.

The steering-cylinder and piston, to avoid resistance in Water, may be placed on the inside ofthe shell A, and Work to the same advantage. The general arrangement of this torpedo-boat is also thoroughly applicable to other motive power, such as steam, carbonioacid gas, &c.

I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination ot' the propeller D and propeller-shaft C With the percussion-torpedo E, all arranged as specil'ed.

2. The rudder J, combined with the spring L and piston g, as and for the purpose described.

3. The combination of the llexible tube N With the cylinder M, piston g, rudder J, and spring L, all arranged as specified.

HENRY F. KNAPP.

Witnesses:

F. V. BRIEsEN, EDWIN H. BROWN.

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