US2361949A - Torpedo carrier and discharger - Google Patents

Description

Nov- 7, 1944- J. D. LANGDON TORPEDO CARRIER AND DISCHARGER Filed Jan. 20, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. J8 5 BY 33 ms A D Langdon @Kufif? Nov. 7, 1944. J, LANGDQN 2,361,949

TORPEDO CARRIER AND DISCHARGER Filed Jan. 20 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR J se D. Lon don (j@ O 6 HI ORNEY I Nov. 7, 1944.

J. D. LANGDON TORPEDO CARRIER AND DISCHARGER 4 Sheets-Sh eet 3 Filed Jan. 20, 1942 m H RIG N m5 R n 0 q T Dg e J. D. LANGDON TORPEDO CARRIER AND DISCHARGER Filed Jan. 20, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 sse D. Langdoh ,0. Face ATTORNEY INVENTOR Patented Nov. 7, 194 4 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,361,949 'ronrano CARRIER AND DISCHARGER Jesse D. Langdon, Downey, Calif. Application January 20, 1942, Serial No. 427,997 7 Claims. 91. 114-47) My present invention relates, to torpedo carriers and dischargers, and more particularly to a torpedo carrier and discharger of the submersible dirigible type. 1

My invention is directed particularly to a torpedo carrier designed to be controlled and operated by one or more men and is designed to be submersible and to be equipped with all the necessary apparatus for its propulsion either above or bneath the water, and for the firing and sighting of torpedoes carried thereby.

In carrying out my invention I provide a torpedo carrier in the form of a hull made up of the necessary structural elements, but preferably having as a skeleton inner body, a frame formed of a plurality of longitudinal extending rigid members between adjacent pairs of which is stretched a flexible resilient or elastic skin made,

for example, of rubber or rubberized fabric. When the torpedo carrier is resting on the surface or only slightly beneath the surface of the water, the flexible or elastic skin is inflated to such a degree as to enable the carrier to float on the surface and to present a full line appearance; the inflated skin serves as a cushion against damage to the carrier by depth charges or the like and minimize danger of collapsing of any hollow metal or other container of the carrier when the carrier has been submerged, the resilient or elastic material being flexed inwardly by concussion,

thereby protecting the entire structure from damage.

My improved torpedo carrier is primarily designed for carrying one or two torpedoes, and as the torpedo carrier is relatively small, and as.

compared to the torpedo carrier, the torpedo is relatively large, it isapparent that the discharge of the torpedowill seriously upset the balance of the torpedo carrier. I have, therefore, arranged balancing means for trimming the ship after the discharge of the torpedo so asto keep the torpedo carrier on an even keel, regardless of the presence or absence of the torpedo.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a central, vertical, longitudinal section through one form of a torpedo carrier embodying my invention. 1

Fig. 2 is a vertical, sectional end elevation taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical, sectional elevation taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a View of a modification of my invention.

Fig. 5 is a vertical, sectional elevation taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a profile view of a preferred form of the invention, and 1 Fig. 7 is a transverse section of Fig. 6 at 1-1.

Referringto the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, l0 designates a plurality of substantially U-shaped members of steel or other rigid material, extending longitudinally as shown in Fig, 3, and being connected at their forward ends to a nose II and at their rear to a sternblock 12. The form generally outlined by the members l0 is an elongated cigar-shaped skeleton or body between which are flexible and resilient plates I3. The longitudinal edges of the plates are inturned and housed within the U-" shaped members Ill as shown in cross section in Figs. 2 and 3. The lowermost member ID is located at the bottom of the vessel and inserted into the U-shaped-member ID at the bottom is a keel 14 for affording stability to the vessel.

Within the confines of the vessel is all of the mechanism and machinery for operating the same, as well as compartments for such mechanism, together with, a torpedo tube or tubes for housing one or more torpedoes and a control c0m partment. Referring to Fig. 2, it will be noted that extending across the width of the body and secured to the upper longitudinal members, [0 is a deck or platform I5 and that such deck or platform forms the deck of a control cabin or cage IS. The vessel is, provided with a hatch ll having transparent panels I8 therein, through which an observer seated within the control cabin I6 may look forward and to either side of the vessel to observe the course thereof. Within convenient reach of the operators position is provided the usual telescoping periscope IQ for use when the vessel is submerged. Within the cabin l6 and rearwardly of the operators position therein is arranged a storage cabinet 20 provided with doors 2| for the storage of food, medicine, etc. Resting on the deck I5 and rearwardly of the sup- 1 ply cabinet 20 is arranged a high pressure air tank 22.

Immediately below the deck l5 and secured to the underside of such deck by hangers 23 is a torpedo tube 24. The forward end of the torpedo tube 24 extends through the nose H and has formed integral therewith at it forward'end an annular flange 25 which is secured to the front face of the nose H and a passage 26 of a diameter equal to the diameter of a torpedo butless than the internal diameter of the torpedo tube 24. Within the torpedo tube 24 which acts as an elongated ,cylinder is slidably mounted a piston 21 provided on its front face with a toggle clutch member 28 and having attached to its rear face one end of a cable (preferably steel) 29, which cable is slidable in a gland 36 in the end 3| of the torpedo tube 24.

The cable 29 is attached, one end to the reel or winch 3| and the other end to the rear face of the piston 27. The reel 3| is secured to a shaft 32 rotatably mounted in side frame members 33, see Fig. 3. These side frame members are shown mounted on top of an air pressure tank 34, secured in position on the frame members l6 or otherwise supported from movement. Secured to one end of the shaft 32 is a gear 35 which meshes with and is driven by a similar beveled pinion 40 secured to a propeller drive shaft 4| suitably mounted in bearings 42, and driven by the diesel motor or equivalent as set forth more fully hereinafter.

The interior of the torpedo tube 24 is in communication with the interior of the high pressure tank 22 through the conduit 42. In the conduit 42 is arranged a control valve 43 by means of which the connection between the high pressure tank 22 and torpedo tube 24 may be controlled at will. Mounted within the torpedo tube 24 is the torpedo 44 provided at its front end with the releasable war-head 45 and at its rear with the rudder 46 and propellers 41. The propellers are mounted on the propeller shaft 48 and on such propeller shaft is mounted the member 49 which cooperates with the toggle clutch members 28 that are mounted on the piston 21.

On the bottom of the torpedo carrier substantially amidships and on the platform 56 is mounted a prime mover as a Diesel engine which is provided with a drive shaft 52 that may be directly connected to the drive shaft of an air compressor 53. The air compressor 53 is connected to the high pressure tank 22 through conduit 54 and to the pressure tank 34 through conduit55. The conduit 55 has mounted thereon a control valve 56 to enable the operator to shut off thefcompressor 53 from the tank 34. A similar valve may be inserted in the conduit 54, though 'I have not shown such, as it is ordinarily not necessary. Mounted on the drive shaft 52 ofthe Diesel engine 5| 'is a beveled pinion 51 which meshes with and "drives a corresponding beveled pinion 58 secured to the lower end 'of a shaft 59. The upper end of the shaft 59 is rotatably mounted in abearing in the lower part of a clutch box 69. Also rotatably mounted on the clutch box 68 is the lower end of a shaft 6| which has secured to its top enda beveled pinion 62 which meshes with and drives the propeller shaft 5| which is provided on its front end with the beveled pinion 63. 'Associated with the clutch box 66 is the clutch lever 64 by means of which the power from the Diesel engine 5| may be utilized to drive the propeller shaft 5| or render the same idle. I

The anterior propeller shaft 4| terminates at a clutching device (not shown) butlocate'd within the air turbine casing 65. As part of the clutch mechanism referred to but not shown is a member to which is secured the forward end of the shaft 66 and which shaft passes through a, stufling box 61 at the rear end of the hull and has secured to its after end the propeller 68.- Pivotally mounted on the aft end of the hull is a rudder 69 which may be controlled-from the operator's compartment-.16 in any suitable or desired manner.

Within the turbine casing65 is'the usual turbine operated by air under high pressure from the high pressure tank 22 which is conveyed to the rotor of the turbine through the conduit 10, a valve controlling the flow of air and in turn operable from the operators compartment l6. Mechanism not shown connects the rotor of the turbine within the casing 65 through the stated clutching device with the posterior propeller shaft 66.

As is usual, when the vessel is on the surface of the water, the turbine is out of commission and the propeller 69 is rotated from'power generated from the Diesel engine 5|. Simultaneously therewith the Diesel engine 5| operates the compressor 53 to maintain the high pressure tank 22 charged and also the tank 34 charged. When the vessel is under water and the Diesel engine can no longer be run with safety, the Diesel engine is placed out of commission and the propeller 68 is rotated by the turbine within the casing 65 from power derived from the air under pressure. within the high pressure tank 22.

Assuming that the torpedo carrier is to pass through the operation of taking on a torpedo, air will be forced into the torpedo tube 24 to move the piston 21 therein outwardly until such piston abuts the flange 25. Because of the difference indiameter between the opening 26 and the flange 25 and the outer diameter of the piston which is the same diameter as the inside of the torpedo tube 24, the piston 21 will be stopped at this point. A. torpedo 44 will now be backed up manually until the member 49 carried by the tail shaft 48 thereof will come into engagement with the toggle clutch 28. When this occurs, the operator, by throwing the clutch 38 see Fig. 3, will cause the reel 3| to be rotated to wind up the cable 29 thereon and draw the torpedo 44 into the torpedo tube 24 until such torpedo assumes its position within the torpedo tube shown in Fig. 1.

When it is desired to discharge the torpedo, the operator will open the valve 43 thereby permitting air under pressure to fiow into the torpedo tube 24 behind the piston 27, forcing the torpedo 44 outwardly and simultaneously opening the toggle arms 28 so as to free the torpedo 44 from the piston 21.

In the status succeeding the discharge of a torpedo from the torpedo tube 24 and the piston 21 has been moved to the discharge end of the torpedo tube, the torpedo tube and its piston 21 may be employed for effecting rapid submerging of the torpedo carrier, namely, as a means for drawing water into the torpedo tube 24, which "operation requires that the discharge end of the torpedo tube be under the surface of the 'water, a factor of high strategical value. In general, the torpedo tube 24,- in the absence of carrying the torpedo, may be employed as a water container to such extent of its volume as may be desired by corresponding movement of its piston within the torpedo tube, for trimming the ship. 1 I

Referring now'to Figs. 4 and 5, which show another embodiment of my'invention, 80,"8| and 82 designate bottom frame members arranged parallel to each other'and extending transversely of the hull 83, To the bottom frame members'8ll, 8| and 82 is s'ecured'a-bottom plate or plates 84, forming thereby a fiat floor for the bottom ofthe hull-83. "Also, by reason of the arrangement of the members 88, 8l and 82, there is provided in theb'ottom'8'4a pluralityof steps 85 and 86, thereby providing a-hydro'plan'e bottom formation for the null 83. Arranged parallel with the bottom and spaced above and parallel to the bottom are longitudinals 81 and between the longitudinals 81 and the outer lateral edges of the members 89, 8| and 82 is stretched the side plating 88. of resilient material, such as rubber. Extending between the members 81 and arranged substantially parallel to the bottom 84 of the hull is a deck 89 which defines in association with the bottom 84 and side plating 88 a hold or compartment, or series of compartments, in which is housed the operative machinery for the device. The deck 89 is enclosed throughout its entire width and length by a hood or covering 99, and which in association with the deck 89 defines ach'amber in which islocated a control room together with various tanks for holding particularly air under pressure. The con-. trol room is located at the forward end of the deck 89 and is designated by the reference numeral 9|. At the rear of the hull 83 is arranged the usual rudder 92 and the propeller 93 which is mounted on a shaft 94 extending through agland at the rear of the hull 83, and having its forward endmounted in a. bearing 95 and provided with a gear 96. p

In the lower end of the hull 93 is arranged a torpedo tube 91 in which is slidably mounted a piston 98 having attached to its forward end a toggle clutch member 99 and having attached to its rear one end of a cable I99 which is mounted on a reel I9I. Ordinarily mounted within the torpedo tube 91 is a torpedo I92 provided with the usual rudders I93 and propellers I94, and the propeller shaft of such torpedo is provided with a device I95 which is associated with the toggle clutch members 99 on the piston 98. When the torpedo I92 is in position,the no se I96 of the war-head thereof may project slightly beyond the hull 83 and I have arranged therefor a gasket I9'I of resilient material which will maintain a water-tight joint between the war-head and the hull 8'3.

Mounted on the top of the cross frame members 89 and 8| is a platform I98 provided with a slideway I99 extending longitudinally of the platform and parallel with the length of the hull 83. On the platform is a prime mover such as a Dieselengine H9 and a compressor III. The engine I I9 is directly connected through its driving shaft I I2 to the compressor III and the compressor III is connected to but slidable longiv tudinally with respect to a hollow shaft I I3 rotatably mounted in a hanger bearing 1 I4 depending from the under side of the deck 89. Also, the engine H9 and compressor III are rigidly connected together by spacing rods II5. Mounted on the after end of the platform I99 is a cylinder II6 closed at both ends by cylinder heads (not shown) and in one of such cylinder heads is an opening in which is slidably mounted a piston rod III, the forward end of which is attached to the rear end of the base of the compressor III and the rear end of which is attached to a piston (not shown) slidably mounted within the cylinder IIB. Mechanism of the usual type is arranged under the control of an operator within the operating compartment 9| for passing air under pressure to either side of the piston within the cylinder II6 atwill, to thereby render it possible for the operator in the control compartment 9I to move, as a unit, the engine 9 and compressor III longitudinally in either direction on the slideway I99 on the upper surface of the platform I98. This mechanism is essential because of the small size of the entire apparatus and the unbalancing which must necessarily occur when atorpedo IN is either discharged from the torpedo tube 91oz drawn into such tube.

The operator under such circumstances therefore in order to maintain the hull 83 in balance will move the engine H9 and compressor III either forward or aft of the hull in order to maintain the hull in balance. I

Secured to the shaft H3 is the forward end of a shaft II8, which is rotatably mounted in a bearing formed in the cross frame member 82. This shaft H8 is provided adjacent the hanger bearing II4 with a beveled pinion II9 which meshes with and drives a beveled gear I29,

mounted at the top of a shaft I2I, and by means of which power is transmitted to the reel I9I,

the power being imparted to the reel I9I so as to rotate the same at willto draw the piston 98 by means of the cable I99 rearwardly when it is desired to draw a torpedo I92 into the torpedo tube 91. I

At the rear end of the shaft H8 is a gear I2I, whichmeshes with and drives a gear I22 attaehed to the rotor shaft of an air turbine I23,

and which shaft has at its rear end a gear I24, which meshes with and drives the gear 96 attached to the forwardfend of the posterior propeller shaft 94. Because .of the usual and known construction, and as explained in connection with Figs. 1, 2 and 3, thevarious tanks for compressed air and the various controlj'valves for the different mechanisms above described have not been shown in further detail in connection with Figs. 4 and 5. This omission is for the sake of simplicity of showing and description, and it is believed that the method of operation of the various devices by control devices. located within convenient reach of the operator within the control compartment 9| will be readily understood from the hereinabove description of the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

It is understood also that in connection with Figs. 1, 2 and 3, there is provided naturally diving vanes for inducing an upward and downward motion of the bulls in the water, in addition to the steering mechanism 92. tion is shown in- Figs. 4 and 5 where I25 designates a shaft mounted in suitable bearings I26 in the shell of the hull, and having attached to its outer endsand without the hull the diving vanes I21. Secured to the shaft I25 intermediate its ends is a worm wheel I28 with which meshes a Worm I29 attached to the lower end of a column or shaft I39, such shaft being provided at its upper end with a wheel I3I within convenient reach of an operator within the control compartment 9 I. Such a mechanism as described in Figs. 4 and 5 will of necessity be provided in the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, but, for simplicity of showing, such mechanism has been omitted in such Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Figs. 6 and '7 show a preferred formof the hull wherein the structure comprises a substantially cigar-shaped metal body 9911 which is the full Th'e ballonets I59 are arranged within the cas- 8 ing I 3-88 partially surroundingthe cigar-shaped Such a constr'ucbody 9% and are inflated in the same manner as described to inflate the compartments within the fiexible'panels 13 of Figs. 1 to 3 and panels 88 of Figs. 4 and 5. The other elements embodied within the other forms of hull shown by Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are identical and designed to be arranged in the same relative positions as of the other forms of the invention in 'order to balance and trim the hull.

The outer flexible casing 53-48 is forced and held to form by inflating bal'l'onets 150. In case of the puncturing of one or more of the ballonets I50, the other ballonets are designed to enlarge automatically to fill the space due to the collapse of the other ballonets.

In order to submerge the form shown in Figs. 6 and '7, the air or gas is withdrawn from the ballonets I 58 in the same manner as described to collapse the panels l3 as of Figs. 1-3 and 88 as of Figs. 4 and 5.

Whereas I have described my invention by reference to specific forms thereof, it will be understood that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A submersible vessel combining an inner hull comprising a supporting frame, an outer flexible hull substantially surrounding said inner hull and made of material flexible enough to deform and capable of assuming original form after being deformed, said outer hull subject to being inflated for surface navigation and deflated to submerge the vessel, and ballonets encased within said outer flexible hull and capable of holding said outer flexible hull to form.

2. A submersible Vessel comprising a rigid framework of mutually spaced structural members defining a skeleton frame, flexible, impervious sheet material secured to and extending between successive structural members to provide fleXibleside-plating enclosing the vessel; a rigid deck internally of said vessel to subdivide the same, air compressor means for generating gaseous pressure within the hull to permit the said flexible side plating to be expended against the water pressure externally of said hull or partially collapsed by said water pressure according to the buoyancy requirements of said hull, and drive means for said air compressor.

3. A vessel according to claim 2, in which the compressor means may be shifted laterally of said hull to trim the vessel.

4. A vessel according to claim 2 in which the compressor means and drive means therefor are articulated and may be collectively shifted within the hull to adjust the center of gravity thereof.

5. A vessel including a skeleton frame of rigid structural members joined at their front ends to a common rigid nosepiece and at their opposite ends to a common rigid stempiece, a flexible hull plating comprising resilient flexible sheet material secured to said structural members and means for controlling the cubical content of said hull by gaseous pressure generated within said hull to expand said flexible hull or to permit the controlled collapse thereof under the water pressure externa'liy of said hull.

- 6. A vessel according to claim 5, in which the vessel includes a torpedo tube, means for discharging the torpedo, and means for introducing water into the torpedo tube for compensating for the weight of the discharged torpedo to trim the vessel.

'7. A vvessel comprising a rigid framework dean inner hull, an outer plate, of flexible, material secured to and extending around said inner hull, inflatable means disposed between said inner hull and said flexible outer plating, and means within the vessel for controlling the inflation of said inflatable means.

JESSE D. LANGDON.

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