US2247111A - Acoustical projectile - Google Patents

Description

, Patented June 24, 1941` Aoous'rIoAL rnomo'rmn' John c. vnowheioi, 1Hastings on Hudson, and Frederick A. Lindley, Jr., Lynbrook, N. Y.; .said Lindley assigner to said Batchelor Applcation'Juiy 10, 1937, Serial N o. 152,936

' (ci. 1oz-26) `5 Claims.

Our invention relates to methods of and apparatus forproducin'g sound waves at a point remote from a control point, which sound waves `have a desired psychological, physiological, destructive or other effect' upon their auditors',l or

instruments or other objects upon which ltheyare incident.

.More specifically, our inventionrelates to methods of and apparatus for producing sounds at a distance from a control point for the purpose oi.' communication, signalling or, such as in the case of warfare and the like, for the pur.-

for example, a parachute adapted to maintain the projectile in a substantially suspended con-1 dition in the atmosphere when it is `desired that the sound'be radiated from such a point.

In still another form, our invention may bee come a naval torpedo projectile adapted to produce and -radiate sounds either into the water or the air, the former being, for example, for the purpose of disabling hydrophonic receiving equipment by -superimposing waves of high intensity over other waves being received by the hydrophonaand the latter being for'the purpose oi having deleter'iouseiiects on the morale of opposing ltroops, andofor 'other purposes.

One object of our invention is to providea -projectile or .other automobile vehicle not requiring the presence of'a localV operator, which we include in the scope of the word projectile, adapted to be set in motion .from a given point and, at a predetermined time, either during its motion, upon-its arrival at its Adestination or both, to produce, for a predetermined and relatively protracted period, sound waves of either a pure or complex character having pronounced psychological, physiological or other effects in order to accomplish the required mission of the projectile'or vehicle.

In accordance with our invention, we have pro-` vided a projectile adapted to`-be set in motion toward an objective which is at a point remote from th .origin of the projectile, and, having incorporated in itself a sound generating device, a source of power for operating that sound generating device and means for releasing the power from the power source and communicating it tol the sound generating device at such' time as the emission of sound from the projectile is required.

A specific embodiment of our invention'may take the` form, for example, of an artillery projectile adapted to be red from a conventional artillery piece and further adapted, after a predetermined time, to produce,.,for a -protracted period, pure orl complex sound waves of prof nounced psychological feiectwhich may be, for

example,l a deleterlouseffect on the, morale of .the troops against whoml the projectile is used.

In` another form, our invention may ,be an aerial bomb projectile adapted-to' b e droppedby aircraft or the like and provided, in a manner similar to the above described artillery projecpose, for example, of harassing personnel within the range of the radiated sound. A second characteristic of this aspect of our invention is the' ability to produce sounds of a characterwhich effectively prevent the possibility of their being excluded from hydrophonic receiving equipment,

so that the disabling of that equipment is rendered complete. A further-characteristic of one form of this aspect of our invention is the ability to produce sounds of 'a particular character which are undistinguisha-ble from the sounds produced by another instrumentality, which lat.`

ter sounds it is desired to conceal, the sounds produced by the projectile being preferably of an intensity greater than those produced by that' instrumentalitywith the result that the illusion of the existence of that instrumentality at a -point where it doesv not in fact exist may be Certain further purposes, objects'and modes of v application ofour invention will appear in the ldescription lwhich follows', and still .further applications of the methods and apparatus herein disclosed will become immediately evident to those skilled in the'art.

. view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 taken 1 ony the'li'nel-fk Figure 3 isa longitudinal sece structed in accordance-With our invention; Fig- In order to describe certain embodiments of our invention more iully,.attention is directed to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 .represents a longitudinal sectional-view of 1an artillery projectile constructed in accordance with our invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional tional view 'of an aerialbomb projectile conyurea is a. partially, sectional view of` a naval tile, with sound generatingy meansadapted to` be rendered operative at a predeterminedtime` at orzatter the departure of the bomb from the carrying vehicle. lThe projectile.- when. desired; is

'torpedo projectileof our inventionj and Figure 5 isl a partially sectional view of a-modied form of thetorpedoI projectile shown in Figure 4.

Referring to Figure 1, a-shell-casing i of any v .suitable'type is providedhaving 'the rotating provided with fall-arresting means such asf band 2 and the contact fuse 3. A cavity el is pro v vided containing the powder charge 5 adapted to l il nu the terminal ring Il when other ga's be fired at the point 6 by a iiame projected along the tube 'I from the explosive material 8 when struck by a iiring pin 9 upon contact of the fuse 3 with asolid object. The safety pin- Ill is'provided through the sta Il of the ll'irlg ,pin 9 i0 ure, we have provided, about the forward portion of the shell casing I, a secondary casing l2 of relatively thin material adapted to be lspread open and split at the region I3 when the fuse 3 strikes a solidobject i Y of the fuse 3 into the region I3 or the casing I2. Upon partial opening of the casing I2, th'eentrancev of earth or the like into the easing 4I2 as the the earth will still further force-open the casing shell continues. to penetrate with suiilcient force to drive I2 and will at the same time 'arrest the progressof the projectile into the earth by the expansionv of the casing I2. Thus, we have provided means eiiective to minimize the shock vof impactof the projectile and to maintain asubstantial'portion of the back part of the 'projectile abovethe surface of the earth when the projectile comes to rest.

l It will be recognized' that, even though the-projectile may come to rest 'at a point materially beneath the surface of the earth, a suihcient pit will have been dug about the projectile by the spadesformed by the split casing I2 'to 'enable sounds to .be radiated eectively from the Iprojectile. l

The powder charge 5 consists, in the embodimentnshown, of a plurality of discrete sections adapted to be burned successively from the point 6 where the burning is initiated, starting with the section I E and burning through the sections numbered consecutively from t6 to 2o, inclusive. The sections-are preferably of various vdegrees of arcani throat 24 'of the nozzle 25 through which the gas from the combustion is allowed to expand. The stationary blades -of a turbine, which includes the rotor 21 having the movable blades 28., form a continuation of the nozzle 26 and impart to the gas a large component of outwardly radial velocity and a relatively small component of .tangential velocity whereupon the gas impinges the movable blades 28 to 'which is imparted the tangential component ofthe velocity of the gas; The gas is then permitted to emerge periodically from 'the ports 29. .The gas emergingr4 from the ports 29 has velocityvariations with respect to time such that the pressure on the atmosphere adjacent the ports 29 risesat a substantially constant rate to a maximum, whereupon it falls', also at a substantially constant rate,` to a, minimum, with the result that complex sound waves are generated in the region-oi;v the 'ports 29 and radiated into the surrounding atmosphere.

It will be recognized that ,the form of the ports 29 'need not always be the forms' herein shown, but various shapes may be provided for the generation of any desiredacoustical wave form.

The direction of the tangential velocity component imparted to the gas by the stationary v blades 26 is preferably in a direction correspondresult between the casing t and th-rotor 2l with density in order that the speed oi burning will be` 'diiierent for different successive sections, withthe result that the gases of combustion are yielded at various rates to lproduce a variable .power to use as the burning charge 5 a material which produces, upon burning, certain appropriate noxious or toxic gases or vapors so that approach to the projectile'while in operation is effectively prevented. Thus, means may be incorporated when desired to ensure the complete utilization of the 'potential noisemaking ability of the pro'- lectilewith relatively complete immunity from interference by-personnel against whom the pro,- jectile is being course, that any to generate and appropriate means may be used yield gas during the burning of l the actuating charge in any projectile produced in accordance with our invention, and the charge mechanism is used used. It will be recognized, of

respect to the casing I when thelatter is set into rotation about its longitudinal axis by the ac'ion upon the rotating band 2 of the riing oi. he tube of the piece by which the projectile is fired. Thus, we have introduced a further assurance that the rotor 2l will be 4effectively started. by the gas from the combustion ofthe charge 5. It will be recognized that any slow rotation of the rotor Zl with respect .to the casing t will operate ,l to insure the provision of a direct exit path for the gas at sometime when the spaces between the' stationary blades af'thos'e between the movable blades 2a andthe ports 29 will be in complete registration to permit radial discharge ofthe gas.,

The rotor 2li is carried in the sleeve bearings tif? which permit relat'lvely'free rotation of the rotor 2l', and the ball bearings l3|) and 3l are provided to receive the axial thrust of the rotor.

Referring now to Figure 3, it may be seen that we have introduced .certain modifications-in the projectile shown. in that the projectile lis aerial bomb anda Figure 1, particularly in adapted to be used 'as an 4 to prevent damage to the projectile upon impact with the earth.v The casing l' is provided having the powder charge t -in the cavity t and a contact fuse 32 is provided having' the safety pin 33 and the ring' pin 3d adapted, upon impact of the fuse 32 with a solid object, to strlkefthe explosivematerial' 35 which projects a :dame 'along 'the tube -l'to the point t in the section I5 of the powder charge o to Aignite that charge.' Thecontact fuse t2 may, when required, bejreplaced-by a time or combination i'use to initiate the production of sound. at any required time. l The throat. 24 is provided,- through which expansion oi' the gas of combustion isfpermitted into the nozzle 25'from which itis permitted to vrotor 2l and emerge'irom the ports 5 will not necessarily be of a gas-yielding type yielding means are included. .Adjacent the point 6 at' which'the combustion of theclia'rg'e is 'initiated is located the` 75` expand further through thev stationary .blades 6 and to p'ass 'the movable blades 28,-on Athe y 29 to pro-A duce sounds in a manner more fullydescrlbed in reference'to-Figure 1.

The stabilizing' blades to maintain the propferndirection. of night 'oi' different type of arresting l' as :are further-'provided theY 1 be emitted directly inte the water.

hicle, and still further, a parachute 31 is disposed in the cap 38 which is attached-to the portionl 89 of the casing I by the pin 80 provvidedyvvlththe -ring di adapted to 4be attached by any. suitable cord to the launching mechanism from which thebomb is dropped. In this manner, 'the pin 40 is withdrawn fromits posinal mechanism upon limpact with the earth. It"

will be recognized, of course, that the retracting force of the parachute 31 must not be suiiicient to prevent the operation ofv the contact fuse 32 upon impact with the earth if such afuse is used. Conversely, in the. event that this typeV of .arresting Ameans is used in"theepresence of a time fuse and it is desired that the sound be radiated from -a point above the ground, any desired degree of retracting force may be given to the parachute to ensure the retention of the i parachute above the earth for the required time.

It should be further recognized that the parachute means in this embodiment may be resuch substitution. It'v willbe further recognized that in all forms of our invention, any appropriate type' of fuse and arresting mechanism may equally well be used to replace the contact fuse --8 and the spade brake l2 as shown-inA the em- "jectile adapted to be transmitted through water. .A casing 42 is provided in the generali'orm of a torpedo having driving means lcomprising a bomb projectile in its fall from the carrying-vel interruptor 48, a variable frequency interruptor which may be of a motor driven type and adapted to vary the frequency of interruption over a relatively wide range so that the frecuency of the sound emitted by the diaphragm 50 into the adjacent water is changing -continn uously and in accordance with a random schedule in order to preclude the possibility of electrical or other filters being used toexclude sounds coming fromV the,V projectile from sound receiving means which it isl desired to disable by our apparatus. y

For use-in certain applications of our invention, we have found particular utility to lie in an apparatus of'this general type having an interruptor 48 which is capable of producing a particular type of complex wave which is subplaced by the spade arresting means of Figure 1 should conditions indicate the desirability of motor and a power source, and indicated generally by the blockf43, adaptedto drive the propellers 44 through the power transmitting means 45. Suitable stabilizers, rudders and other control apparatus may be provided in accordance with any form of the known or future art to ensure the arrival of the projectile at its required A destination.

In one form of this embodiment of our invenvtion wherein it is desired to have the sound generating means rendered operative at the moment of arrival of the projectile at its destination, weV have provided switching means. 4B in connection with the motor and power source 43 and adaptedl to 'be closed at the time when the motor is rendered inoperative, in a manner such that the sound producing mechanismvis simultaneouslyA rendered operative.

In the embodiment shown in' Figure 4, the.l

sound producing mechanism comprises a,source oi.' power. such as the battery 41 connected 4through the switch means 46 with the interruptor 48 which may be of any known type adapted to alternately and successively interrupt and close the circuit at any desired speed such as, for.- example, 280i) interruptions per second, and further connected in series with the sound 1generatingmeans. 6g including the diaphragm .i0 adapted to establish direct contact with the water beneath the projectile so 'that sounds may In a. preierred form o! our invention, we utilize as the point the projectile is permitted to generate and 4 radiate. its own characteristic sounds.- In thisv instance, the latter sound will preferably be oi an intensity substantially greater than the sound ygenerated by the ship or the like, with the result Y that the illusion may be created that the ship is at a point where it in fact does not exist..

It will be recognized that the embodiment shown in Figure'4 may be operated in a position in which theldiaphragm 50 is on the upper surface of the projectile and suiiicient buoyancy may be provided to ensure, that the upper portion will be exposed to theatmosphere in a manner such that sounds from the diaphragm 50 may be radiated directly into the atmosphere for any desired tactical purpose.

A further modiiication of the embodiment shown in Figure 4 :is shown in Figure 5 in which we have provided a vcontact operated-switch 5| adapted, upon impact with any solid object, to close the circuit lwhi-ch includes the battery 41,

- the interruptor I8 and .the sound generating jectiles, .but more broadly it lies in the concept ofusing, for example, harassing sounds in military and naval operations, and it will be recognized that broadly diierent means are possible within eulgencies of the tactical situation. For example,

' in .the broeder aspect, we do 'not with te be 11mited to any particular source of energy for the sound producing means. We have shown in certwin embodiments a relatively slow burning explosive mixture4 adapted v.to yield explosive gases .whichfl upon expansion, actuate a sound producing mechanism. Inother'- embodimenis, we have shown electrical means for-generating sounds and the choice betweenathe -shown means or modiilcations thereof lies entirely in the consideration of the tactical emplognnent' oi.' our projectiles.

, gas to said port,

type of device for producing sounds from' a source of power using expansive gases, we do :not wish to 'be precluded, should the tactics of-the situa.- tion require it, from the use of whistles and horns of 'various types provided 'they vare actuated by a self-,contained source .of -power which is capable of utilization independent of the motionof the projectile. Still further, it will be understood that our invention may bemade capable of pin--` ducng any. type of disturbance which follows the laws of acoustics, and'is not limited merely toj are audible to the human disturbances which ear.

We claim:

l. A projectile comprising a, housing provided with 'at least one port wherethrough gas may emerge therefrom, a source of gas under pressure Within safid housing, and-control means for alternately and successively opening andciosing said port to permit periodic release from said housing to produce periodic acoustical Waves adjacent said projectile.

.2. A projectile comprising a, .housing provided 'with at leastnne port`wherethroug'h gas may emerge therefrom, a source of gesunder pressure within said housing, means for conducting said and control means for alternately and vsuccessively opening said port at a substantially constant 'rate andthen closing Said port at a substantially constant rate to produce uniformly rising and falling gas pressure external to and adjacent said por-t.

3. A projectile comprising a. housing provided with et leest one pont Wherethrough eas man emergetherefrom, s, charge within said housing of said gas 2,247,111 Moreover, although .we have shown a preferred adapted when burned to riem gas' underfx'i'essur' e1 at a plurality of different subsi-,snugly constant rates for successively different :interval-s, and 'congl ftrol means for alternately andjsuccessiveiy opening and closing said port to permit said' 'g-as to. emerge from said housing in a. succession of dis-A crete impulses' during each of saiddntervals to produce periodic acoustical Waves.' ,L

4. A projectile comprising a-housin'g", a source l v of energy within said housing; means for 'translating energy from said source insto pressure im- 4 pulses external .to said housin-ggmeansfor conducting' sa'id energy to said translating means,

, 'and variable control mean's'so arranged andconf,

structed as .to periodically interrupt the deliveryl of said energy to said -iranslating{means ,in.v accordonce with a. predetermined periodic complex schedule to produce recurrent complex pressure waves.- l

I5. A projectile compri-sling e. housing, a source of enefgy within said housing, 'means for translating energy from said source into pressure-impulses exteral to said housing, meansorconducting said energy .to said translating means, A

and variable control means so arranged and constructei as, to periodically restrain'the delivery' of said energy to said translating means in acconi-ance with a predetermined vschedule corre: spending to the waves emitted from. e. vehicle, from the group including e, ship, a' submarine and an aircraft, whereby said pressure impulses are modulated into sounds i'mitative of said vehicle. l Y, l

JOHN C. BATCHELQR. A. Je.

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