US2060202A

US2060202A - Torpedo

Info

Publication number: US2060202A
Application number: US705358A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr John Hays Hammond
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1934-01-05
Filing date: 1934-01-05
Publication date: 1936-11-10
Anticipated expiration: 1953-11-10

Description

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Nov. 10, 1936. J. H. HAMMOND. JR

TORPEDO Filed Jan. 5, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 10, 1936. J. H. HAMMOND, JR

TORPEDO Filed Jan. 5, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. l0, 1936. Y J. H. HAMMOND. JR

Patented Nov. 10, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT -OFFICE 10 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to the control of selfpropelled bodies and more particularly to a method and means for controlling the path of a torpedo and for detonating the war head of the torpedo under predetermined conditions.

More specifically, the invention provides for changing the path of a torpedo as it passes beneath a ship so as to cause the torpedo to strike the bottom of the ship, preferably at or near the center of the hull. Means is also provided to detonate the war head of the torpedo When it is closely adjacent the hull, in a position where the maximum damage may be eected.

This is accomplished by mechanism controlled by the influence of the hull when the torpedo passes in proximity thereto, which mechanism sets the vertical rudder of the torpedo to bring the torpedo up into engagement with the bottom of the hull. The mechanism may also control suit-w able timed means for detonating the explosive charge at a predetermined time after the actuation of the vertical rudder, preferably at the time the torpedo strikes the hull.

In one embodiment of the invention, the change in hydrostatic pressure on the top of the torpedo, due to the influence of the adjacent hull is utilized for the above purpose.

It has been found that, when a body travels thru the water, it causes the formation of a pressure wave, which produces denite pressures on different portions of the surface of the object, depending on the shape of the object and the speed at which it is travelling. While the body is travelling in deep water and at a uniform speed, this pressure distribution is constant. If, however, the body, comes into proximity with another body, this pressure distribution is materially changed, causing the pressures on certain areas of the body to change rapidly. This may be because of a pressure wave reflected from the second body or because of the reaction caused by the inlluence of the second body.

The present invention provides a mechanism whereby this change in pressure on a portion of the torpedofirst causes the torpedo to be directed sharply upward and then, after a predetermined interval of time, causes the explosion of the warhead.

The invention also provides a means whereby the detonation of the War-head of the torpedo is delayed a predetermined time after the torpedo has passed under the hull of the ship in order to allow the explosion to occur near the central portion of the vessel, where it would be most effective.

The invention also consists in certain new and original features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, the mode of its operation and the manner of its organization may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of the forward portion of a torpedo provided with one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 represents diagrammatically the afterbody of the same torpedo;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 1 of another modified form of the invention;

Fig. 6 diagrammatically illustrates the course of a torpedo attacking an enemy vessel. 25

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In the following description and in the claims, parts will be identified by specic names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 3, there is shown a waterborne body such as a torpedo having a water tight hull or skin 9, and arranged to be propelled in the usual manner by propellers I0 located at the after end. The hull 9 is provided with a transverse bulkhead Il, forming two compartments I3 and I4, the former being lled with 40 an explosive charge I5, such for example as TNT.

A hole is provided in the hull 9 at the top of the compartment I4. This hole is covered by a. diaphragm of flexible material I6 to which is attached a rod I'I which loosely passes through a hole in an arm I8, which is pivoted to a frame I9 secured to the bulkhead II. The arm I 8 is provided with a socket 20 into which lits the upper end of a rod 2I provided with a threaded portion which screws through the bracket I9. The rod 2| passes through a water tight bearing in a cupped shaped member 22 which is secured to the lower surface of the hull 9 at which point the hull is provided with a hole to allow access to the end of the rod 2 I. The lower end of the rod 2| is square-shaped as at 23 to receive a key or wrench for rotating the rod 2|.

A spring 25 surrounds the rod I1 between the arm |8 and the diaphragm I6. Pivotally connected to the lower end of the rod |1 is an arm 26 which is pivoted for rotation to the bracket I9. The arm 26 is provided with

lugs

21 and 28 at the respective ends, the former engaging a pin 29 which is carried by a plunger 38. This plunger is slidably mounted in the bulkhead l)Il and is provided with a collar 3|, secured thereto. Be-

tween this collar and the bulkhead is a compression spring 33. The end ofthe plunger 30 is formed into a firing pin which is adapted to explode a detonator 36 mounted in a frame 31 which is carried by the bulkhead II.

Slidably mounted in the frame |9 is a rod 48 to one end of which is pivotally attached an H- shaped nger 4I which is provided with a projection 42 which at suitable times cooperates with a projection 43 of the bracket I9. A collar 45 is secured to the rod 49. Between this collar' and the finger 4I is a tension spring 46 which normally holds the finger 4| in engagement with a projection 41 provided on the plunger 30. Secured to the other end of the rod 40 is a piston 48 which reciprocates in a cylinder 49. This cylinder is provided with a port 58, the flow of air through which is controlled by a needle valve The plunger 30 is provided with a lug 55 which cooperates with an arm 56 having an extension '51. The arm 56 is pivoted to a clock-work mechanism 58 and is provided with a projection 59 which rides on a cam 60 driven by the clock-work mechanism 58. This cam is provided with a notch 6I for receiving the projection 59 at suitable times. A spring |6I is secured to the clock-work mechanism 58 and engages the extension 51, tending to turn'it and the arm 56 in a. clock-wise direction.

'I'he cam 60 is secured to a shaft 62 which is driven at a predetermined rate of speed by the clockwork mechanism 58. To the shaft 62 is secured an arm 63 which normally engages a pin 64. A pin 65 is provided which at suitable times is engaged by the arm 63 for limiting the motion of the cam 60.

For automatically' starting the clock-work mechanism 58 a heavy weight |65 is secured to the end of a at spring 66, the upper end of which is fastened to the casing of the clock-work mechanism 58. The Weight |65 is provided with a projection 61 normally engaging a linger 68 which controls the starting of the clock-work mechanism. Engaging the end of the linger 68 is a spring 69 which is supported on a bracket 10.

The lug 28 of the arm 26 cooperates with a pin 14 carried by a valve spindle 15 which reciprocates in a valve casing 16. The valve spindle 15 is provided with two collars |15 and |16. `Between the collar I16 and the valve casing 16 is a compression spring |11. The valve spindle 15 is provided with a lug 11 which normally engages the extension 51. The interior of the Valve casing 16 communicates with a supply of fluid under pressure (not shown) by means of a pipe 18. Also communicating with the interior of the valve casing 16 is a pipey 19 which communicates with the interior of a cylinder located in the after body (Fig. 3). Slidably mounted in the cylinder 80 is a piston 8| which is operatively connected to an arm 82, pivo-tally mounted on the hull 9 of the torpedo at 83.

The torpedo is provided with the usual vertical and horizontal rudders and 86 respectively.

The latter are operated by means of a link 81 from the horizontal steering engine 88 which is supplied with uid under pressure from a pipe 89 and is controlled by a valve 90 operated in a well known manner from the depth control mechanism 9|. The horizontal steering engine 88 and the depth control mechanism 9| are of any standard construction which is well known in the art. Secured to the link 81 is a collar 92 which is 1ocated in the path of travel of the arm 82.

In the operation of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3, before the torpedo is fired, the rod 2| is turned, by means of a key or wrench, which fits over the head 23, an amount dependent upon the depth at which the torpedo is to run. This puts the spring 25 under a compression corresponding to the hydrostatic head at this depth, so that when the torpedo has reached this depth, the pressure on the outside of the diaphragm |6 will be equal to the pressure of the spring 25, thus causing the arm 26 to assume the position shown in Fig. 1.

When the torpedo is fired, the inertia of the weight |65 causes it to be moved backwardly relative tothe torpedo, thus disenga'ging the projection 61 from the nger 68, which is moved upwardly under the action of the spring 69, thus causing the clock-work mechanism 58 to start turning the cam 60 at a predetermined speed. After the cam 68 has rotated a suiiicient amount, the projection 59 of the arm 56 will drop into the notch 6| thus allowing the arm 56 to be rotated in a clock-wise direction under the action of the spring I6 This causes this arm to disengage the lug 55 of the plunger 30 and also causes the extension 51 to disengage the lug 11 of the valve spindle 15.

The'plunger 30 and the valve spindle 15 will then be held in the positions shown in Fig. 1 by means of the

lugs

21 and 28 engaging the pins 29 and 14 respectively. The torpedo now travels in this condition at its predetermined depth until it reaches a position adjacent to the hull of the enemy ship |02 as shown at |0| of Fig. 6. .When it has reached this position the reaction of the pressure Wave of the torpedo with the hull of the enemy ship |02 will cause a pressure change on the diaphragm I6, thus causing this diaphragm to be moved either in or out depending upon certain conditions, such as the speed and depth at which the torpedo is running and the shape of the enemys hull and the speed and direction at which the hull is traveling.

This motion will be communicated to the arm 26 causing it to be rotated in either a counter clock-wise or clock-wise direction depending upon whether the diaphragm |6 is moved in or out. In either case the

lugs

21 and 28 will move out of alignment with the pins 29 and 14 thus allowing the plunger 30 to move to the right under the action of the spring 33 and the Valve spindle 15 to move rapidly to the left under the action of the spring |11. This allows fluid under pressure to pass from the pipe 18 to the pipe 19 thence to the cylinder 80 (Fig. 3)' which causes the piston 8| to be moved to the left. This in turn rotates the arm 82 in a counter clock-Wise direction so that it engages the collar 92 thus forcing the horizontal rudders 86 into the hardup position. This causes the torpedo to follow the curved path denoted by the broken line |03 of Fig. 6 thus bringing the War-head into close proximity with the hull of the enemy vessel as shown at |04.

Since the plunger 30 has been released by the lug 21 it starts to move to the right but is restrained in this motion by means of the dash pot 49, the air in which is allowed to escape slowly through the port 50 under the control of the needle valve 5|. This slow motion continues until the projection 42 of the finger 4| engages the projection 43 of the bracket I9 at which time the nger 4| will be rotated in a counter clock-Wise direction, thus disengaging from the lug 41 which releases the plunger 30, thus allowing this plunger to be moved rapidly to the right under the action of the spring 33 until the firing pin 35 strikes the detonator 36, thus detonating the same and causing the explosive charge I3 to be exploded. This action may be timed to take place directly below V' and at the center of the hull of the enemy ship,

thus causing the maximum amount of damage to the enemy vessel. I

In the modied form of the invention shown in Fig. 4 the mechanism similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 has been given the same reference characters. The rod |1 in this embodiment, is connected to one end of an arm which is plvoted to the bracket I 9. 'Ihe other end of this arm is provided with a conducting segment I which is insulated therefrom and which selectively engages contacts ||2 and ||3 which are connected through the winding of a solenoid ||4 and a battery ||5 to a brush I I6 which engages a commutator ||1 provided with a conducting segment I |8. This commutator is mounted on a shaft I |9 of a clock-work mechanism |20. Secured to the shaft ||9 is an arm |2| which normally engages a pin |22. A second pin |23 is provided for limiting the movement of the arm 2| For automatically starting the clock-work mechanism a heavy weight |25 is secured to the end of a iiat spring |26, the upper end of which is fastened to the casing of the clock-work mechanism |20. 'I'he Weight |25 is provided with a projection |21 which normally engages a finger |28, controlling the starting of the clock-work mechanism. Engaging the end of the finger |28 is a spring |29 which is supported on a bracket |30.

Engaging the commutator ||1 is a second brush 3| which is connected through a solenoid I 32 to the conducting segment The core of. the solenoid ||4 normally engages a collar |35 mounted on a rod |36 to one end of which is attached a piston |31 which is slidably mounted in a cylinder |38. Between the collar |35 and the cylinder |38 is a compression spring |33. This cylinder is provided with a port |39, the flow of air through whichTs controlled by a needle valve |40. To the other end of the rod |36 is secured a block of insulating material 4| which carries a contact |42. This contact is connected through a battery |43 to a detonator |44 located in the explosive charge I5. The other side of this detonator is connected to a contact |45 which cooperates with the contact |42.

The core of the solenoid |32 normally engages the collar of the valve spindle 15. This valve reciprocates in the valve casing 16 which is connected to the two

pipes

18 and 19 as described in connection with Fig. 1. The pipe 19 communicates with the cylinder 80 shown in Fig. 3. 'I'he i rest of the mechanism is similar to that already shown and described in connection with Fig. 3.

In the operation of the modied form of. the invention shown in Fig. 4 the tension on the spring 25 is adjusted as described in connection with Fig. 1, and when the torpedo is fired, the clock-work mechanism is started operating,

thereby causing the commutator ||1 to be slowly rotated until the arm 2| engages the pin |23 at which time the segment ||8 will have engaged the brushes ||6 and 3| thus completing the circuit through the solenoids 4 and 32.

When the torpedo passes beneath an enemy ship the pressure reaction on the diaphragm I6 will cause it to be moved either in or out, thus causing the segment I to engage either the contact ||2 or the contact ||3. In either case, the circuit will be closed through the solenoids I|4 and |32 and the battery ||5 causing these solenoids to be energized. Solenoid |32 then releases the valve 15 which is rapidly moved to the left under the action of the springn |11. This allowsV fluid under pressure to enter the pipe 19, thus causing the horizontal rudders 86 to be thrown hard-up.

When the solenoid ||4 is energized, its core will be disengaged from the collar |35, thus allowing the rod |36 to be moved slowly to the right under the action of the spring |33. 'I'he speed of this motion is detennined by the setting of a needle valve |40. This continues until the contact |42 engages the contact |45 which closes the circuit through the detonator |44, thus exploding the charge in the war-head of the torpedo. This as already described in connection with Fig. 6 is preferably timed to take place when the torpedo is at the center and directly in contact with the hull of the enemy vessel.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 5 the rod |1 is connected to one end of an arm |50 which is pivoted 'to the bracket 9. The other end of this arm normally engages the ends of two arms |5| and |52 which are pivoted to two brackets |53 and |54 respectively. These brackets are mounted upon the bulkhead Slidably mounted in this bulkhead is a plunger |56, which is provided with a collar |51 secured thereto. Between this collar and the bulkhead is a compression spring |58. The end of the plunger |56 is formed into a ring pin |59 which is adapted to explode a detonator |60 mounted in a frame |6| which is carried by the bulkhead Pivotally connected to the plunger |56 is a T-shaped arm |62 which cooperates with two lugs |63 and |64 provided on the arms |5| and |52 respectively. Two springs |66 and |61 are carried by these arms and engage the T-shaped arm |62 tending to hold it in a central position. Operatively connected to the two arms 5| and |52 are two pistons |10 and |1| which r :iprocate in two cylinders |12 and |13. These cylinders are provided with ports |14 and |15 which are normally closed by spring pressed ap valves |16 and |11. The cylinders |12 and |13 are also provided with two ports |18 and |19 the openings in which are controlled by two needle valves |80 and |8I. Two compression springs |82 and |83 are mounted between the cylinders 12 and |13 and the arms |5| and |52 respectively.

For automatically starting the clock-work mechanism |81 a heavy weight |95 is secured to invention shown in Fig. the compression spring 25 is set as described in connection with Fig. 1. When the torpedo is fired, the clock-work mechanism |81 is started in a manner similar to that already described, thus starting the rotation of the cam |89. This continues at a slow rate until the projection |88 drops into the notch |84, thus allowing the arm |86 to drop out of engagement with the lug |85. This releasesy the plunger |56 which moves to the right a small distance until the projections of the T-shaped arm |62 engage `the lugs |63 and |64.

The mechanism remains in this position during the run of 'the torpedo. If thepressure on the diaphragm |6 should change gradually during this run due to the torpedo not maintaining uniform depth or due to the change of hydrostatic pressure caused by a large swell on the surface of the ocean, the arm'l 50 will be gradually rotated first in one direction, then in the other.

As it does so, the arms |5| and |52 will follow this motion keeping on contact with the arm |50. As ,long as the motion of the arm |50 is suiciently slow this action will continue, as the air in the cylinders |12 and |13 will escape through the ports |18 and |19 rapidly enough to allow the arms |5| and |52 to keep in engagement with the arm |50. It is thus seen, therefore, that as long as there are only gradual changes of pressure on the diaphragm I6, the firing mechanism will be held in an inoperative position.

When the torpedo passes beneath a ship, however, the change of pressure on the diaphragm I6 will be rapid, thus causing the arm |50 to move rapidly in one direction to the other, as for example, in a counter clock-wise direction. As this occurs, it will force` the arm |5| upward rapidly, as the air in the cylinder 62 is exhausted freely by me'ans of the flap valve |16. The arm |52, however, will not be able to follow this rapid motion due to the dash pot action of the cylinder |13 as the air can only enter this cylinder through the restricted port |19. It is thus seen that in this way the arms |5| and |52 will tend to be separated. If the change of pressure on the diaphragm I6 is sufficiently strong and rapid, it will cause these arms to be separated an amount great enough to allow the T-shaped arm |62 to slip between the lugs |63 and |64, thus allowing the plunger |56 to be moved rapidly to the right under the action of the spring |58 until the firing pin |59 strikes the detonator |60 which will cause the explosion of the charge |5 in the head of the torpedo.

A delayed action mechanism similar to that shown in connection with Figs. 1 and 2 may be connected to the plunger |56 if desired and a. valve 16 for controlling the horizontal rudders may also be connected to this mechanism in a manner similar to that shown in connection with Fig. 1.

Although only a few of the various forms in which this invention may be embodied have been shown herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to any specic construction, but may be embodied in various other forms without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a torpedo, depth control mechanism therefor, a pressure responsive device adapted to respond to hydrostatic pressure on the top, forward surface of the torpedo and means controlled by said pressure responsive device for setting said depth control mechanism into pullup position in response to changes in pressure caused by passage of the torpedo beneath the hull of a ship whereby said tropedo is caused to strike the bottom of the ship.

2. In a torpedo, a torpedo body, an explosive charge carried by said body, a detonator for exploding said charge, a horizontal rudder, a pressure-responsive device operative on the disturbance causedby the passage of the torpedo under an enemy vessel, means governed by said pressure-responsive device for operating said horizontal rudder into hard-up position and thereafter operating said detonator.

3. In a torpedo, a torpedo body, an explosive charge carried by said body, a detonator for exploding said charge, a horizontal rudder, a pressure-responsive device operative on the disturbance caused by the passage of the torpedo under an enemy vessel, means governed by said pressure-responsive device for operating said horizontal rudder into hard-up position and thereafter operating said detonator and a timing device for locking said rudder control and said detonator control for a predetermined period after the torpedo is launched.

4. In a torpedo, depth control mechanism, means to actuate the same to hard-up position, a detonator, means to actuate the same, a device responsive to passage of the torpedo beneath av ship adapted to initiate the operation of both of said actuating means, and means to delay the action of said second actuating means to permit the torpedo to come into proximity with the center of the bottom of the ship before detonation.

5. In a torpedo, depth control mechanism, means to actuate the same to hard-up position, a detonator, means to actuate the same, a device responsive to the pressure change caused by passage of the torpedo beneath a ship adapted to 'initiate the operaton of both of said actuating means, and means to delay the action of Said second actuating means to permit the torpedo to come into proximity with the center of the bottom of the ship before detonation.

6. In a torpedo, steering mechanism carried thereby, means responsive to rapid changes in the external pressure to actuate said steering mechanism, and means to prevent actuation of said steering mechanism by slow changes in the ,external pressure.

7. In a torpedo, an explosive charge carried thereby, means responsive to rapid changes in the external pressure to detonate said explosive charge, and means to prevent detonation of said explosive charge by slow changes in the external pressure.

8. In combination, a torpedo, depth control mechanism therefor, a pressure-responsive device in said torpedo responsive to changes in absolute hydrostatic pressure of the water surrounding the torpedo caused by passage of the torpedo beneath the hull of a ship, and means controlled by said changes in pressure whereby said torpedo is caused to explode while close to the foreign object.

10. In combination, a torpedo, a utility carried thereby, a pressure-responsive device in said torpedo responsive to changes in absolute hydrostatic pressure of the Water surrounding the torpedo caused by passage of the torpedo near a foreign object and means controlled by said pressure-responsive device for actuating said 0 utility in response to such changes in pressure.

JOHN HAYS HAMMOND, JR.