US1658790A - System of teledynamic control - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 7, 1928.

J. H. HAMMOND, JR

SYSTEM OF TELEDYNAMIC CONTROL Original Filc'd 80. 15, 1913 mi we sees H Inventor:

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- fltiiys Patented Feb. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES JOHN HAYS HAMMOND, JR., F GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

SYSTEM OF TELEDYNAMIG CONTROL.

Appleation filed December 15, 1913, Serial No. 806,675.

This invention relates to a teledynamically controlled discharge system whereby a series of bodies detachably mounted upon a basahbody may be detached therefrom at intervals or in sequence by means responsive to radiant energy from a distance. Said basal body may be of any suitable character, but preferably is itself a movable body, such as a torpedo or an aeroplane, the movements whereof are controlled by radiant energy transmitted from a distant control station and preferably by electromagnetic waves.

The detachable bodies may likewise be of any suitable character, but preferably and as herein disclosed they are light bombs adapted to be discharged at intervals from the torpedo or other vessel or body whereon they are suitably supported.

The figure shows a receiving station on my system partly in diagrammatic form. It is to be understood that there is a corresponding transmitting station capable of sending out electric waves of any desired length and with any desired group frequency or amplitude-variation frequency.

In the figure, A is a receiving antenna, in circuit with the inductance coil L and variable condenser C, and grounded at E. This antenna circuit is tuned to the wave length of the corresponding transmitting station, and is coupled to the oscillation circuit L C, by means of the coils L and L The oscillation circuit L C comprises the inductance coil L and variable condenser 0 and is in tune with the antenna circuit and with the wave length of the transmitting station, and this oscillation circuit L C supplies unidirectional current impulses, by means of the stopping condenser D and rectifier R, to the coil L The oscillation circuit L C comprising the inductance coil L and variable condenser C is tuned to the wavegroup frequency or wave-amplitude-variation frequency of the corresponding transmitting station, and is inductively coupled with thecoil L by means of coil L. Circuit L C by means of the stopping condenser D and the rectifier R supplies unidirectional current impulses to the relay F.

The relay Fand the battery B, in circuit therewith, cause the electromagnet M to be energized. The movable core or plunger N of this electromagnet has attached to it a rod n, to which is fastened a stop I and a contact piece J, the latter being insulated.

Renewed July 13, 1927.

The spring S, which is also insulated, tends to pull the rod n and core N away from the electromagnet M. One pole of the battery B is connected to contact piece J and the other pole is grounded at E.

K, K and K are flexible or spring Contacts, connected respectively with s ark gaps in the ignition charges of exp osive, or fuses, at T, T and T and grounded at E, E and E respectively.

0, O and O are discharge tubes or chambers containing the bombs or projectiles P, P P respectively and the charges of explosive Q, Q Q respectively. U is a pipe connecting the tube or chamber 0 with a chamber G in the rear of the piston I-I thereof. The said piston is provided with a piston red h, which in its outward position projects far enough to prevent the stop I from moving past it. U is a pipe similarly connecting the tube or chamber 0 with the cylinder G In the cylinder Gr is a piston H having a piston rod h, the latter when in its outward position projecting far enough to intercept the stop I. Springs h" are provided to move said pistons in a direction away from the rod n of the plunger N of the electromagnet M, and to maintain the piston rods h' and h normally out of the path of the stop I. Each of said pipes U, U is provided with a check valve UK, and the cylinders G and G are provided at their outer ends with apertures g, and g respectively, to permit gases to escape slowly therefrom for a purpose that will appear hereinafter.

' Y Z is acircuit connected with relay F and battery B, and leading-to mechanism, such as a steering gear, or an engine control, or some other apparatus.

The system operates as follows :--When properly tuned electric waves, in wave groups or with amplitude variations of the proper frequency, are received by the antenna circuit A L C E, and the oscillation circuits L C and L C, the relay F is actuated, and the electromagnet M is energized. The core or plunger N is attracted and moves upward, carrying the rod n withit. Contact piece J thereupon makes connection with contact K, and current from the battery B flows through the spark gap in the ignition charge or fuse T and this charge is ignited and explodes the explosive Q. The bomb or projectile P is discharged from the tube 0, and at the same time the pressure due to .the explosion is transmitted through the pipe U to the cylinder G, thereby forcing the piston rod h to the left, so that it is in the path of movement of the stop I, and therefore prevents, for the proper period of time, the upward movement of the rod 11,-. The spent gases or pressure conveyed through the pipe U and confined by the check valve therein, gradually escape from the chamber (l through the aperture I and the spring b returns the piston H to normal position. removing its plunger rod h from the path of movement of the stop I. Unless it be desired to discharge the second bomb immediately. the transmitted electric waves are stopped by the operator at the transmitting station in time to de-encrgizc the electromagnet M before the contact J has moved up far enough to touch contact K, and the spring S then draws core N, rod a, stop I and contact J back to their original positions.

When it is desired to discharge the second bomb P the transmitting station again sends out electric waves, relay F and electromagnet M are again energized, and core N is again attracted. The rod 11. moves upward, and as the stop I is no longer held by piston rod 71, contact .I moves past the l'lcxible contact K and makes contact with contact K Thereupon current from the battery B flows through the spark gap in the ignition charge or fuse T and this charge is ignited and explo'dcs the explosive Q.

The bomb or projectile P is discharged from the tube 0 and at the same time the pressure due to the explosion is transmitted through the pipe U to the cylinder G, thereby forcing the piston H toward the left, so that its plunger h is interposed in the path of movement of the stop I, thus preventing sutticient' movement of the memer J to permit contact thereof with the contact K The spent gases or pressure con. veyed through the pipe U gradually escape from. the chamber G through the aperture 9 and the spring h returns the piston H to normal position, removing its plunger rod h from the path of movement of the stop 1. Unless it be desired to discharge the third bomb immediately, the operator at the transmitting station ceases transmitting electromagnetic waves in time to de-energize the electromagnet M before the contact J is moved far enough to touch contact K and. the spring S then draws core N, rod n, stop I and contact J back to their original po" sitions.

When it is desired to discharge the third bomb P the same procedure is gone through with, and as many bombs may be provided and discharged as is desired, it being understood that the corresponding pipes, cylinders, contacts and other auxiliary apparatus shall be multiplied as oftenas may be necessary. The illustration is largely diagrammatic and the contacts K, K and K may be placed any suitable or desired distances apart, and in practice the distant operator may cease the transmission of electromagnetic waves immediately upon the tiring of any bomb and thus mcvcnt the immediate firing of the next bomb.

In this manner. a vessel controlled by radiant energy, may be sent out at night among hostile ships, and whenever desired, a bomb can be discharged. which contains some suitable substance, such as calcium phosphide, that will give out light on contact with water, and so will illuminate the ships and enable a shore battery to direct its tire on the enemy. Many other uses can also he found for my invention. The second oscillation circuit If (I can be omitted, and the receiving circuits tuned only to the wave length of the transmitting station, and in; stead .of discharging light bombs from a moving vessel, I can discharge other bodies from a moving or a stationary body. The terms up and down and right and left used in describing my invention will naturally be changed with the arrangement of my apparatus; and in general I do not confine myself to the particular apparatus and mechanisms here shown, but changes and modifications, within the knowledge of those skilled in the art, may be made in the apparatus shown and described herein, without departing from the spirit of my invention, provided the means set forth in the following claims be employed.

Having thus described one illustrative embodiment of my invention. I desire it to be understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims:

1. In a teledynamically controlled discharge system, the combination with a receiving system for radiant energy comprising means tuned to a relatively high frequency, means tuned to a lower frequency and means responsive to signal variations and operative only as a result of the conjoint action of both of said tuned means, of means for detachably supporting a series of dischargeablebodies upon a movable body, and means controlled by said signal responsive means for discharging one of said detachable bodies.

2..In a teledynainically controlled discharge system, the'combination with a receiving system for radiant energy comprising means tuned to a relatively high frequency, means tuned to a lower frequency and, means responsive to signal variations and operative only as a result of the conjoint action of both of said tuned means, of

means for supporting a series of bodies upon discharging said separable bodies in a carrier and means controlled by said signal responsive means for releasing one of said bodies.

3. In a teledynamically controlled discharge system, the combination with meansfor detachably supporting a series of separable bodies upon a movable body, means gor re etermined sequence, and means control ed by the discharge of one of said bodies to retard the discharge of a succeeding body, of a receiving antenna circuit tuned to the wave frequency of radiant energy of complex wave form, and oscillation circuit inductively coupled to said antenna circuit and tuned to the wave roup frequency of the radiant energy, and an indicating device controlled by the conjoint action of said circuits for, operating said discharging means.

4. In a teledynamically controlled discharge system, means for supporting a plurality of projectiles upon a basal body, means for discharging said projectiles one at a time in predetermined sequence, and means for actuating said discharging means comprising a circuit tuned to the wave frequency of radiant energy of complex wave form and including a second oscillation circuit coupled to the said first mentioned circuit and tuned to the wave-amplitude-variation frequenc of the radiant energy.

5. In a te edynamic system of control, the combination with a plurality of utilities means tuned to a. lower frequency, a relay responsive to signal variations and operative only as a result of a conjoint action of both of said tuned means, said relay being arranged to control the actuation of said electromagnet, and means controlled by the, actuation of each of said utilities except the last to modify the action of said longitudinal member.

6. In a system of radiodynamic control the combination with a plurality of utilities arranged in predetermined sequence, of means for operating said utilities successively comprising radiant energy responsive means tuned to a relatively high frequency, an oscillation circuit coupled thereto and tuned to the wave frequency of the received radiant energy, means controlled by the conjoint action of both of said tuned means for initiating the actuation of said utilities, and means controlled by the actuation of each of said utilities except the last to modify the action of said conjointly controlled means.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

JOHN HAYS HAMMOND, JR.

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