US1588932A

US1588932A - Art and apparatus for warfare

Info

Publication number: US1588932A
Application number: US716614A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert S Blair
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1924-05-29
Filing date: 1924-05-29
Publication date: 1926-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 1943-06-15

Description

'June 15 1926.

R. s. BLAIR ART AND APPARATUS FOR WARFARE Filed May 29, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 anw/wtoz W Z 6% x x v Q9 R June 15 1926. 1,588,932

R. s. BLAIR I ART AND APPARATUS FOR WARFARE Filed May 29, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 15, 1926. 1,588,932

R. s. BLAIR ART AND APPARATUS FOR WARFARE Filed May 29, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 //6 f 7 4 4 \Z Q /d r A r 7 M4 /0/ v t M //0 mi l m0 a //4 m6 -\W vwv Patented June 15,-.1926.

PATENT caries.

ROBERT S. BlLAIB, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT.

ABT AND APPARATUS FOR WARFARE.

Application med Kay 29, 1924. Serial in. 716,614.

This. invention relates to warfare and more particularly to torpedoes or mines and the art or methods of operating the same.

One of the objects ofthe invention is to provide a .device of the above general nature adapted to operate reliably to disable an enemy vessel. Another object is to provide a practical device of the above nature capable of traveling accurately and without human control to strike an object. Another object is provide such a device adapted to travel toward and strike a vessel moving in any course. Another object is to provide a device of the above nature adapted 1 to be maintained in readiness and automar tically launched at the. proper 'time to strike and disable a vessel. Another object is to provide a practical and eflicient art of disabling' enemyvessels which may be conveniently and effectively carried on. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, arrangements of parts and in the several steps and relation and order of each of the same to one or more of the others all as will be illustratively described herein, and the scope of the application of 80 which will be indicated in the following claims. V

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown one-or more various possible, embodiments of the several mechanical features I! of this invention Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the device the section being taken along a lateral plane. I

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section in a 60 vertical plane.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatice representa tion of electric circuit shown in Figures 1 and 2. a

Figure 4 is a section taken substantially 4 along thelineof Figure 1 showing a modified jormof certain parts.

Fig re is. se pn along the ofgFigure-A. Figure.

form of valve mechanism employed in the pa atusj ffigieeal and 2.

Figure 7 is a section substantially along the line 7-7 of Figure 6.

Flgure 8 is a sect on along the line 88 of Figure 6 with certain added parts to bring out their relative positions.

Figure 9 is a section through an anchorlug means not shown in preceding figures.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 6 on a larger scale and showing parts omitted from Figure 6.

Figure 11 is a detail of certain parts shown in Figure 10. 1

Figure 12 is an enlarged view of a circuit-closing mechanism shown in Figure 1.

Figure 13 is a section along the line 1313 .of Figure 12.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referringnow to drawings in detail, there is diagrammatically shown a casing 10 having preferably the general outlines of a marine torpedo. The head 1O thereof is adapted to contain an' explosive charge which, upon the torpedo striking an object, is adapted to explode in the usual manner with destructive force. At the rear end of the torpedo is a propeller 11 adapted to be diven by suitable driving means to propel the torpedo through the water. As illustrative of a suitable means, there is shown a motor 12 adapted to be driven by compressed air contained within a storage reservoir or tank 13. The supply of compressed air to the motor 12 is controlled by avalve mechanism indicated gen- Figures 1 and 2 of the orally at 14 in Figures 1 and 2, which valve mechanism will be later described in detail. The motor 12 is adapted to rotate the propeller ,11 through a drive shaft 15, these parts may be of any well-known type.

For controlling the direction of travel of the torpedo through the water, there are.

provided at-the rear end thereof, apairof being not shown in detail, since theying the two opposite parts of. the pivoted strength tend to hold the rudder 18 in rudder 17 serves as a depth controlling rudder. The rudder 17 is preferably hinged on ,longitudinal vanes 19, as shown in Figure .1, and (as shown in Figure 2) its position is controlled by an .arm 20 wh ch is rigidly connected to a pin 21 extendlng through the torpedo casing 10 and connectrudder blade 17.' A pair of springs 22 of equal strength tend to hold the rudder 17 in central position, as shown in the drawing.

The rudder 18 is pivoted upon a non--v of the arm 24 connected to the urudder.,18-.

is positioned between a pair of electro-mag nets 26 and 27 The position of the rudder 18 is therefore controlled by these electromagnets and when one is energized to a greater extent than the other the rudder is swung to one side or the other. As shown 1 in Figure 2, the arm 20' connected to the rudder 17 is positioned at its forward end between a pair of .electromagncts 28 and 29. --The position of the rudder 17 is there fore controlled-by these electromagnets 28 and 29, and when one is energized to a greater extent than the other, the rudder 17 is swungto one side or the other. The electromagnets. 26, 27, 28 and 29 may thus control the direction of movement .of the torpedo in'both a horizontal plane and a vertical plane. I

' Positioned forward of the compressed air tank 13 is a storage battery 30, one terminal of which is connected through a lead wire 31 to the coil ,of the e'lectromagnet 26, through a-- lead wire 32 to the coil of the electromagnet 27, through a lead wire 33 with the coil of the electromagnet 28, and through a lead wire 34 with the coil of the electroimagnet 29. The other terminal of the battery 30 is connected by .a lead. wire 35 with an armature 36, and by alead wire 37 with an armature 38. The armatures '36 and 38 are pivoted at their centers as indicated at 39 and 40 respectively. F

The pivoted\armature 36 is provided" at its ends with a pair of contact points 41 and 42. The contact 41 is adapted to make contact with theterminal of a lead wire 43 which passes to the, wincling of the electromagnet 27. When the armature 36 is swung therefore so that contact is made at 41, a circuit is completed from the battery 30 through the electromagnet' 27, energlzlng this magnet, tending to draw. the arm 24 in this direction. The contact point 42 on the armature 36-is adapted to make con-.

tact with the terminal of a lead wire 44 42, 45 and 46.

which is connect'ediwith the windingofthe.

electromagnet 26. When the armature 36 is swung therefore so that contact is made .at 42, a circuit is completed from the bat- -20 toward itself, moving the rudder 17.

The contact 46 is adapted to. make contact with-the terminal of a lead wire 48 which is connected with the winding of the electroinagnet 28.. When the armature 38 there-' fore is swung so that contact is made at 46,-a circuit is completed from the battery 30 through the. electromag'net 28 which is thus energized and tends to draw the arm 20 to swing the rudder 17. It,will thus be seen that the direction-of movement of the torpedo in both a vertical-plane and horizontal plane may be controlled by making and breaking the contact at the points 41,

Positioned forwardly of the armatures 36 and 38, is a battery 49. One terminal of the battery 49 is 'connected through switch mechanisms, which will later-be described in detail, thence through a lead50 and by separate parallel leads 51, 52, 53 and 54 respectively with the terminals of

microphones

55, 56, 57 and 58 respectively. The

other terminal of the battery- 49 is connected througha coil 59 and lead 60 withthe other terminal of the microphone 55, I

through a coil 61 and lead 62 with the other terminal of the microphone 56,.through a."

coil-63 and lead 64 with the other terminal of the microphone 57, and through a coil 65 and lead 66 with the other terminal of the'microphone 58. The .coi1 59 is positioned about a core 67 forming part of the armature 36 so that when this coil is energized the armature 36 is swung to make;

contact at 42. The coil 61 is positionedabout a core 68. forming part of the ar-- mature 36 so that when this coil is energized, the armature 36-is swung tomake contact at 41. The coil 63is' positioned about a core 69 forming part of the .armature 38 so that when this coil is energized, the armature 38 is swung. to make contact at 46. The, coil 65 is positioned about a core 70 I forming part of the 'armature 38' I so that when this coil is energized the ar- Q mature 38 is swung to make contact at 45.

The microphones. 55, 56,.- 57 and 58 are.

positioned adjacent the forward end of the torpedo, preferably in recesses therein, as

shown, and are responsive to vibrations scribed. It will be seen that sound waves striking the microphone 55, for example, cause. a current to flow through the coil 59 which swings the armature 36, making contact at 42. This energizes theelectromagnet 26 which swings the rudder 18 to direct the torpedo in the direction from 'which the sound waves are proceeding. In

like manner sound waves striking the microphone 56, efi'ect a turning of the rudder 18 to steer the torpedo toward the source of these sound waves, and sound waves striking the

microphones

57 and 58, efiect a turning of the rudder 17 to steer the torpedo toward the source of ,these sound waves.

Thus the torpedo propelled through the water by the motor 34 is automatically steered toward a source of sound. The torpedo will thus travel toward a moving vessel the propeller of which creates a disturbance in the water and will follow the vessel even though it travels in' a'changing course until it strikes the vessel and explodes. When the torpedo is moving in the proper course, directly toward its target, the

microphones

55, 56, 57 and 58 being symmetrically disposed, receive the same intensity of sound wave from the target and the torpedo proceeds in a straight path toward the target. Immediately, however, that the position of the source of sound changes with respect to the direction of movement of the torpedo, the rudder controlling mechanism is operated to correct the direction of travel.

For the sake of simplicity in construction,

the two armatures 36 and 38 may be substituted, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, by a single plate 71 which is adapted to be attracted by electromagnets 59", 61*, 63 and 65, in'place of the coils 59, 61, 63 and 65 respectively. This armature plate 71 may be loosely mounted, as shown in Figure 5, upon a fixed supporting-shaft 72. The action of these parts is substantially the same as above described with regard to the armatures 36 and 38 of Figures 1 and 2, and their operation will readily be understood 'from the above.

v Referring now to Figure 6, there is shown the compressed air reservoir 13, the motor 12 preferably p0 and a supply pipe 73 adapted to lead the compressed air from the tank to the motor to drive the latter. Interposed in this supply pipe 7 3 is a valve mechanism which is adapted to open and close to intermittently cut oil the supply of compressed air to the motor. This valve mechanism may take the form of a worm wheel 7 4 supported within a casing 7 5 and driven by a worm 7 6 secured upon a shaft 77 which is driven by suitable mechanism within the motor 12. This worm wheel 74 has a circular segmental slot 78 therein which is adapted to register with the passage through-the pipe 73. Thus, as the worm wheel 7 4 is slowly rotated, during its period of rotation when the sl ot 78 is in reglstry with the pipe 73, power is delivered to the engine 12, but during the interval when the unslotted portion of the wheel registers with the pi e73, the power supply is cut off. Duringt is latter interval, while the power supply to the engine is out oil, the inertia of the moving torpedo is suificient to maintain its movement through the water, and the propeller 11, during this interval, turns the engine over to keep the Wheel 74 in rotation until the slot 78 again comes into registry with the supply pipe 73. The driving power being thus intermittently cut off from the motor 12, the vibration occasioned .by the drive is intermittently interrupted, and during this interval of interruption of the engine vibration, the nicrophones are afforded an opportunity to listen free from local sound waves from the torpedo itself to more efliciently pick up the sound waves from the target and properly direct the course of the torpedo.

Referring again to Figure 1, one terminal of the battery 49, as was mentioned above, is connected through certain switch mecha nisms to the lead 50. One of these switch mechanisms is connected in series between the'lead 50 and the battery 49. through a pair of

leads

79 and 80. As shown in Figures 6 and 8, there is mounted adjacent the face of the gear wheelj74, a block of insulating material 81, which may be supported in any suitable manner." Supported upon this block 81 are a pair of

contact members

82 and 83 which are thus insulated from each other. The lead 80 is connected to the con tact 83 and the lead 79 is connected to the contact 82 so that, without electrical con nection between the

contacts

82 and 83, the circuits through the battery 49- and

microphones

55, 56, 57 and 58 are broken.

. Mounted upon the face of the wheel 78 is a circular segmental contact strip 84 which is insulated from the wheel 74, as shown in Figure 6, and slides in a circular slot through the casing 75 as the wheel 74 rotates. This contact strip 84 is adapted to bridge the two

contacts

82 and 83, making electrical connection therebetween as it roj in;

tates thereover, thus closing the microphone circuits. The contact strip 84 is of such length and is'so positioned upon the wheel 74, that the microphone circuits are open when the slotted portion 78 is in registry with thesupply pipe 73, and the microphone circuits are closed :when the unslotted portion of the wheel 7 4 is in registry with the feed pipe 73. Thus, during the intervals when the engine 12 is being driven, the micropliones are inoperative, and during the; intervals when the power supply to the enf glue is cut oil, and the engine vibrations cease, the microphones are operative to direct the path of the torpedo. In this manner an accurate steeringby the listening microphgnes toward the target of the torpedo is V This torpedo maybe launched in the usual manner, or. it may be anchored in readiness to automatically start toward a target such ,as the vibratingpropeller of a vessel. The engine of the torpedo being positioned 'ad jacent the rear end thereof, the rear end is heavier than the forward end, so that the torpedo resting in the water tendsnormally' to assume an endwise vertical position, as

I indicated in Figure 9. In this figure there is shown a simple form of anchoring means. Through the non-rotating extension 23, upon which the rudder 18 ispivoted, is formed a transverse openin a 85. Through this 0 ening extends a rod 86 which is pivote at one end 87 to a housing 88. This housing 88 may be firmly anchored .as by means of The upper wall of claws 89, for example. the housing 88 is formed preferably by a light cover- 90, for example of sheet-metal forming a water-tight closure. The rod 86 at its'end opposite thehinge 87 issprung downwardly and interlocked with the housing 88 and the cover 90 and 91 in such manner that when the cover 90 is blown-outwardly, as will bedescribed, this endof the F rod 86 and '91 is released.

. Positioned in the wall of the housing 488 r is a microphone 92 which is responsive to vibrations from the exterior. This microphone 92 is connected to a storage battery 93 and a coil 94 contained within the housing 88. Also within the housing 88 is a secondary circuit comprising a coil 95 adjacent the coil 94 and sparking points 96, In the liottom of the housing 88' is positioned a charge of. explosive material 97' adjacent to which are positoned the sparking points 96.

Thus when the microphone 92 is properly affected by vibrations from .the exterior, a. ourrent is induced-in thelseco'ndary coil 9'5'causing a spark at the points 96 and exploding the charge 97. This results in a blowing out of ."the cover 90, releasing the end of the rod 86 at 91, .as above described..- This, as will be seen, releases the torpedo from its ancho rage.

.'-.When the torpedo is thus anchored, it is desirable that the circuits through the mi- .

crophones

55, 56, '57 and 58 be normally opened in order to avoid unnecessary dis- 0 l arging of. the battery 49. Referring'again' to Figure 1 the forward terminal of the battery 49'is seen to be connected through a 1ead'125 to the contact member 129 of a switch mechanism the other contact me1nbe1"*"- 130 of which is connectedbya lead 126 with the lead 79. This switch mechanism is actuated by a diaphragm 128 positionedinthe from the exterior. These more-clearly, and in larger etail, in Figures 12 and 13. Referring to these figures, the sound responsive diaphragm 128 hasconnected' thereto. a 'light.arm- 131, the end of casing 10 and exposed to sound vibrations arts are shown;

. which engages the periphery of a wheel 132.

This wheel 132 is rotatablymounted upon a stationary shaft 133 which may be of .light construction and fixed and supported in-an'y suitable manner. Theperiph'ery of. the wheel- 132 is provided with fine ratchet teeth with which the end of the arm 131 coacts. The

arm' 1 31.may .beiof light resilient material,

for example a lead spring which bears lightly upon the periphery of the wheel. Sound vlbrations striking the diaphragnr128 result in-a rapid vibration of the diaphragm which transmitted] through the arm 131 tothe.

ratch et wheel 132 rotates the ratchet wheel in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 12.

When the torpedo is at anchorage," be1ng in an upright end-wise position, these parts are as illustrated in Figure 12. The ratchet toothed periphery of the wheel 132 is flanged over as shown at l32 'in Figure 13 and this peripheral flange- 132 is provided with an internal gear 134. Rotatably mounted upon the shaft 133 is a second wheel 135 which is positioned within the flange 132 and has about its periphery gear teeth similar to, and positioned opposite the internal gear 134.

. Inter'posed between the wheel 135 and the the inner surface of the hub 135 and the 1 surface of the collar 137 is a hair-spring 139.

The two

contact members

129 and 130 to I which are connected the respective leads and 126, as shown in, and above described with regard tozFigure 1 are positioned'adjacent the contact arm 138. Normallygwhile the torpedo is at anchorage the parts "are in the P95131011 shown in Figure 12, there being no connection between the contact members I Q 129 and and hence-noconnection between the

leads

125 and 126. so that the circuits throughthe

microphones

55, 56, .57 and 58 138 across the

contacts

129 and 130 completin the microphone circuits.

ormally the gear 136 is preferably positioned with respect to the center of rotation of the-

wheels

132 and 135 substantially as shown in Figure 12. When the diaphragm 128 is afiected by vibrations from the exterior as by those from the propeller of a vessel, its vibrations are transmitted through the arm 131 and rotate the wheel 132 in the direction indicated by the arrow. This rotation is comparatively slow and the small gear 136 is not rotated thereby about its own axis, but serves temporarily as a fixed-connection between the wheel 132 and the wheel 135 rotating the latter with the former and in the same direction: In order to insure the non-rotation of the small gear 136 about its own axis at this stage, it is provided with an air vane 140 secured to an axial pin 141 thereon. This rotation of the wheel 135 with the wheel 132 through the hair-spring 139 turns the collar 137 moving the contact arm 138 into contact with the

members

129 and 130, making electrical connection therebetween. The circuits through the microphones are therefore closed and the microphones'are rendered operative to control the torpedo.

Providing the vibrations which affect the diaphragm 128 as above described to close the circuit between the

contacts

129 and 130 are not sufiicient to effect the release and launching of the torpedo, and providing these vibrations thereafter cease, a means is provided for again opening the circuit at the

contacts

129 and 130 and restoring the parts to normal position with the battery 49 on open circuit. Mountedupon the wheel 135 is a smallweight 142 which, assoon as the vibratory drive from the diaphragm 128 to the wheel 132 ceases, rotates the wheel 135 back in a counter clockwise direction. The

arm 131 prevents the wheel 132 from rotatng in a counter clockwise direction, but dur- 1ng such rotation of the wheel 135 the gear 136 rotates slowly about its axis permitting relative rotation of the two wheels. As the wheel 135 thus rotates counter clockwise the contact arm 138 is moved again to the position shown in Figure 12 and the parts are in position to again close the circuit upon vibration of the diaphragm 128.

Thus, when the torpedo is placed at anchor, the listening

microphones

55, 56, 57 and 58 are inoperative. As soon however as the diaphragm 128 is vibrated in response to. vibrations such as those proceeding from thepropeller of a vessel, contact is made between the

leads

125 and 126 by the contact arm 138 completing the microphone circuits and rendering them opera-' tive to control the torpedo. When the torpedo has been released from its anchorage and automatically started toward its target, as will presently be described, the torpedo assumes a lateral position substantially as shown in Figure 2 in moving through the water. As shown in Figure 12, there is preferably provided a small casing 143 which may be spherical in shape andinto which projects a'wire 144 from the lead 125 and a wire 145 from the lead 126. Within this casing is provided mercury 146 which more than half fills the casing, surrounding the wire 144, but not the wire 145" when the torpedo is in endwise position at anchorage. \Vhen the torpedo assumes a lateral position moving through the water the mercury 146 assumes a different osition within the casing 143 surrounding both the

wires

145 and 144. Electrical connection is therefore made through the mercury through the

leads

125 and 126 short circuiting the

contacts

129 and 130. Thus after the torpedo is launched and is moving through the water, the contact arm 138 is no longer relied upon to maintain the electrical connection between the

leads

125 and 126 to render the microphones ,operative.

When the torpedo is at anchor, as above described, the gear wheel 74 is so positioned that the contact strip 84 thereon bridges the

contacts

82 and 83 closing thereat the circuits of the

microphones

55, 56, 57 and 58. The supply pipe 73 to the motor 12 is thus closed, the motor being at rest and the propeller 11 stationary. The parts are shown in this position in Figures 10 and 11. In Figure 10, there is also shown a mechanism for automatically starting the propulsion of the torpedo from its anchorage, which mechanism is omitted in Figure 6, for the sake of clarity in the drawings. There is shown a by-pass pipe 98 for the feed pipe 73 connected thereto at either side of t e gear vwheel 74. \Vithin this pipe 98 is a valve 99, for example, of the butterfly type shown. Thus when the valve 99 is opened regardless of the gear wheel 74 closing the main passage to the engine 12, a supply of compressed air is admitted to the engine. This is employed in starting the torpedo from anchorage, as will be described.

The parts, as shown in Fi ures 10 and 11, are in what may be terme starting position, that is their osition when the topedo is at anchor. As as been mentioned, the contact member 84 is bridged across the

contacts

82 and 83 so that the circuits of the microphones ,55, 56, 57 and 58 are closed thereat. The valve 99 is operated by a lever 100 which is normally held in closing position by a pivoted latch 101 and a spring 102. Connected across the

contacts

82 and 83 by magnet 105. This magnet 105 is positioned so that when energized, it attracts the latch 101 lifting the latch away from the valve controlling lever 100.

Connected to the contact 83 is a lead 107 passing to one end of a second electromagnet 108, from the other end of which "passes a lead- 106 to acontact member or brush 106.

' closed position, but is not ofsufficient strength to overcome the pull of the magnet 108. A spring 109 tends tohold the latch 101 down, but is not of suflicient strength to overcome the pull of the magnet 105 when the latter is energized.

Normally the torpedo being anchored and the water about the

microphones

55, 56, 57 and 58 being substantially free from sound vibrations, the microphones are on open circuit and inoperative, the circuitclos'ing mechanism shownin Figures 12 and 13 being open. As soon, however, as sound waves, as from the propeller of a vessel,

- afi'ect the diaphragm 128 causing the arm 138 to move against the

contact members

129 and 130, the microphones are rendered operative. These sound waves afiecting one or more of the microphones cause current to flow therethrough from the battery49. This current energizes the

electro'magnets

105 and 108. The electromagnet 105 liftsthe latch 101 and the electromagnet 108 thereupon immediately opens the valve 99 and the engine upon alever 112 pivoted at 113. This lever 112 1s urged to in a counterclockwise 12 started. The coil of the electromagnet 105 is connected through a pair of contacts 110 and 111, the contact 111 being carried direction by a spring 114 to break the circuit of the electromagnet 105, but is normally restrained from such swinging by contact with a lever 115 pivoted at 116., This lever 115 is pivoted at 117 to the latch 101. Upon the latch 101 moving upwardly under the urging of the magnet ,105, as above described, the right-hand end of the lever 115 4 moves downwardly, permitting the lever 112 to slip thereover under theur e of the spring 114 and to swing to the otted line position, breaking the circuit of the magnet 105-. The ,latch 101 therefore immediatelydrops to its normal position. i

v At this point the electromagnet 108 is op-- V erative tohold the valve 99 open. The engine 12 is therefore driy n and the gear wheel 74 starts-to rotate.

As soon as the gear wheel '74 rotates until the contact strip 84-. moves out of engagement with the contact meniber106, the electromagnet 108 is de-energized. This permits the spring 102 to draw the valve 99 to closed position, the top" of the lever 100 slipping beneath the latch 101 and the latter again dropping into locking position. Itwill be seen-that there-.

after further energizing of the coil 108, when the contact strip 84 again moves into engagement with the contact 106, will be I ineifective to open the valve 99' against the action of the latch 101. The breaking of engagement between' the contact strip 84 and the contact 106? occurs just as the slotted portion 7 8 of the gear wheel '74 moves into registry with the pipe 73. Thereafter the by-pass pipe 98 is inoperativeand the torpedo is driven, as above described, with intermittent propulsion of the motor.

' Preferably the

microphones

55, 56, '57 and 58 are made more sensitive than the microphone 92, which acts to cause the release of the anchoring means. Thus before, the torpedo is released, the

microphones

55, 56,

57 and 58 'may operateto start the driveof the motor and the rotation of the propeller and to adjust therudders 17 and 18 so as to properly direction the torpedo before it is released. As shown in Figure 9, the opening 85 through which the anchoring rod 86 extends, is preferably enlarged at each end so that a this directioning of the torpedo, while still anchored, may take place. The torpedo having been released from its anchorage by the, microphone 92 operating, as a has been described, will thereupon travel toward its target with a high. degree of accuracy. e From the above it will be seen that there are herein provided an art and apparatus for carrying on the'same which embody the features of this invention and attain the ob jects thereof, and that the same are 'well adaptedto meet the requirements of practical operation. It may be here noted that the term torpedo as employed herein is to be interpreted in a broad sense throughout to comprehend generally devices of the nature of a torpedo or other projectile adaptedto move throughthe water or air to strike a target with destructive effect.

As many possible embodiments may be made of they mechanical features of the above invention and as the art herein described might be varied in 'various parts all matter herein set forth or shown'in the accom anyin I claim-as my invention:-

1. 'In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo, means for propelling said torpedo, means responsive to [without departing from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood that all drawings is to be interpreted l as i ustrative andnot in a limiting sense.

sound vibrations adapted to control the direction of movement of said torpedo, and means adapted intermittently to render ineffective said propelling means during movement of said torpedo.

2. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo, means for propelling said torpedo, means responsive to sound vibrations adapted to control the direction of movement of said torpedo, and means adapted intermittently to render said controlling means ineffective during movement of said torpedo.

3. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo, means for propelling said torpedo, means responsive to sound vibrations adapted to control the direction of movement of -iid torpedo, means adapted intermittently to render said propelling means ineffective during movement of said torpedo, and means adapted to render said controlling means effective while said propelling means is ineffective and to render said controlling means ineffective while said propelling means is eifective.

4. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo, means for anchoring said torpedo, and automatic means adapted to cause said'torpedo at anchorage to point toward a target.

5. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo, means for anchoring said torpedo, and means responsive to sound vibrations adapted to cause said torpedo at anchorage to point toward the source of said vibrations.

6. In-apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo, means for anchoring said torpedo, and means adapted upon the approach of a vessel to cause said torpedo at anchorage to point toward said vessel.

7. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo, means for anchoring said torpedo, means adapted upon the approach of avessel to cause said torpedo at anchorage to point toward said vessel, and means adapted subsequently upon the closer approach of said vessel to release said torpedo from said anchoring means.

8. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo, means for anchoring said torpedo, means contained within said torpedo and normally inoperative adapted to propel said torpedo, means adapted upon the approach of a vessel to render operative said normally inoperative propelling means and means adapted subsequently to release said torpedo from said anchoring means.

9. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo, means.

for anchoring said torpedo, means contained within said torpedo and normally inoperative adapted to propel said torpedo, sound responsive means adapted to steer said torpedo toward a source of sound, means adapted upon the approach of a vessel to render operative said normally inoperative propelling means, and means adapted subsequently to release said torpedo from said anchoring means.

10. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo, means for anchoring sald torpedo, means contained -within said torpedo and normally inoperative adapted to propel said torpedo, sound responsive means normally inoperative adapted to steer said torpedo toward a source of sound, means adapted upon the approach of a vessel to render operative said normally inoperative sound responsive means and to render operative said normally inoperative propelling means, and means adapted subsequently to release said torpedo from said anchoring. means.

11. The herein, described art which consists in launching a self-propelled torpedo, subjecting the path of movement thereof to control by vibration responsive means, and intermittently interrupting the propulsion of said torpedo during movement thereof.

12.'The herein described art which consists in launching a self-propelled torpedo, intermittently interrupting the propulsion of said torpedo during movement thereof, and subjecting the direction of movement of said torpedo to adjustment by vibration re sponsive means during interruption of said propulsion. a

13. The herein described art which consists in launching a self-propelled torpedo, and intermittently and substantially simultaneously interrupting the propulsion of said torpedo and subjecting the direction of movement thereof to adjustment by means responsive to sound vibrations proceeding from its target.

14. Theherein described art which consists in anchoring a torpedo, and subjecting the position of said torpedo at anchorage to adjustment by vibration responsive means that here in described, in combination, an

electric circuit, a switch in said circuit, a diaphragm adapted to be exposed to sound vibrations and responsive thereto, and a rotatable member adapted to be rotated by vibrations of said diaphragm and adapted to control said switch.

17. In apparatus of the general nature oi that herein described, in combination, a torpedo, sound responsive means adapted to controlthe direction of movement of said torpedo, and a second sound responsive means 19. In apparatus of the general nature of that herein described, in combination, a torpedo, an electric circuit normally inope'rative adapted when operative to control the movement of said torpedo, and a mechanically operated device responsive to sound vi brations adapted to render said electric circuitioperative.

20. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo, means for anchoring saidtorped0,'means contained within said torpedo and normally inoperative adapted to propel said torpedo, means for steering said torpedo, means responsive to sound vibrations adapted to control said ,steering means to guide said torpedo toward a source oi sound, means responsive to.

sound vibrations adapted to renderoperative said normally inoperative propelling means, and means responsive to sound vi-- brations adapted to release said torpedo from said anchoring-fmeans, said first two sound responslve means being more sensitlve than said last'sound responsive means.-

21. In apparatus of the character de-' scribed, in combination, a torpedo, means for propelling sald torpedo, electrical means normallyinoperative adapted to' start the actuation of said propelling means, means for steering said torpedo, sound responsive electrical means adapted to control said steering means to guide said torpedo toward a source of-sound,

a and mechanically operated means responsive two electrical means operative.

normally inoperative 22. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo, means contained within said torpedo and normally inoperative adapted to propel said torpedo, means responsive to sound vibrations adapted to propel said torpedo, means responsive to sound vibrations adapted to start said propelling means, means responsive to sound vibrations adapted to steersaid torpedo toward a source of sound, and means adapted at intervals to interrupt and re-start said propelling. means during movement of said torpedo. 1

23. In, apparatus of the character described, in combination, a torpedo, a motor therein, a propeller at the rear end of said torpedo adapted to be driven bysaid motor v to propel said torpedo, means at the rear end of said torpedo adapted to steer said torpedo, sound responsive means adjacent the forward portion of said torpedo connected to control said steering means and adapted to steer-said torpedo toward a source of sound, and means adapted at'intervals during movement of said torpedo to interrupt the drive of said motor.

24'. In apparatus of the character 'described, in combination, a torpedo, amoto'r therein, a propeller at the rearend of said torpedo adapted to be driven by said motor to propel said torpedo, means at the rear end of said torpedo adapted to steer said torpedo, sound responsive means adjacent the forward portion of said torpedo connected 4 to control said steering means and adapted to steer said torpedo toward a source of sound, means adapted at intervals'during movementof said torpedo to interrupt the drive of said motor and means adapted to render said sound responsive. means operative while said motor vdrive is inoperative and to render said sound responsive means inoperative 'while said motor drive is operative.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 27th day of -May, 1924. r to sound vibrations adapted to render said ROBERT s. BLAIR. it