US2401853A - Aerial torpedo - Google Patents

Description

Jun 11, 1946- R. AL'BAILEY ,AERIAITI "IORPEDO Filed June 23, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 11, 1946. R. A. BAILEY AERIAL TORPEDO Filed June 23, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOA June 11, 1946. R. A. BAILEY AERIAL TORPEDO Filed June 23, 1941 s Shets-Sheei; s

INVENTOR v Patented June ll, 1946 stares 2,401,853 AERIAL TORPEDO Robert A. Bailey, Burbank, Calif., assignor, by

mesne assignments, poration,

to Lockheed Aircraft Cora corporation of California Application June 23, 1941, Serial No. 399,290

Claims.

craft fire range and thereafter glide into contact with the target while the carrier airplane remains outside or above the effective range of defensive fire.

It is an object of this invention to provide an airframe to interchangeably sustain, in gliding flight, either a standard water-borne seh propelling torpedo or an equivalent aircraft type demolition bomb; the assembly of torpedo or bomb and airframe being launched from a. suitable carrier airplane such as a bomber or torpedo plane at a safe distance from the objective, and which will then proceed on its glide path along a predetermined heading. The angle of glide and the heading may be pre-set, or under remote radio control from the carrier or other airplane, as may be desired. In this manner, the carrier airplane does not have to approach the objective and thus combines safety with the advantage of surprise attack, since the glide can be'launched beyond visual and sound range of the objective. When remote control of the gliding angle and heading is used the accuracy of aim will be greatly improved over conventional bombing practices, since the carrier airplane may climb out of antiaircraft range while continuing on the course set for the glider.

It is a further object vide an aerial torpedo of this invention to procomprising a conventional readily applied to and released from a. standard v vide an airframe for the water-borne self-propelled torpedo equipped with a detachable airframe arranged to be released from the torpedo before the latter reaches the water whereby the torpedo can finish the balance of its run at the desired depth below the'water surface without being hampered or thrown oii course by trailing fragments of the airframe.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an airframe of the class described that can be applied to' a standard torpedo or bomb and which can be controlled by rudder and elevator mechanisms remotely energized to govern the angle of glide and heading of the torpedo or bomb after release thereof. Alternatively, the airframe rudder control may be by means of an automatic gyro pilot carried by the airframe, in which case the glidin angle and heading would be predetermined before release from the carrier airplane.

It is another objectof this invention to provide an airframe to be interchangeably applied to naval torpedoes or demolition bombs, which air- 2 for ready assembly and attachment to the torpedo or bomb at the field from which the carrier airplane operates, the airframe being stored and shipped in a compact knock down condition.

It is also an object of this invention toprovide an airframe of the type described, that can be torpedo or bomb, the air pressure on the wings assuring prompt separation upon release, without damage to the delicate propulsive mechanism of the torpedo.

It is another object of this invention to provide an airframe of the type described, having a release mechanism operable at a predetermined elevation above water or land for releasing the airframe from its associated torpedo or bomb; in the case of a torpedo assuring a clean entry into the water for self-propulsion thereof in a. normal manner.

It is a, further object of this invention to pro- Q purpose described that can be economically constructed from commercially available materials as distingu shed from high grade specialized aircraft materials, since the airframe is destroyed as an incident of its use.

Other-and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawings.

This invention, in its preferred forms, is illus trated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

' In the drawings- Figure I represents a sequence of events in the release of an aerial torpedo embodying the features of this invention; A representing the torpedo suspended below a carrier airplane prior to release, B showing the torpedo in free gliding flight, C representing the airframe as stripped olf the torpedo by the shock of the paravane striking the water, and D showing the torpedo just prior to entering the water.

frame can be constructed in sections arranged Figure 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the aerial torpedo of this invention, with portions of the surface broken away to show the equipment and mounting means for the airframe.

I Figure III is a. fragmentary enlarged front view of the torpedo and airframe showing the toggle linkage detached by the shock of the paravane striking the water.

Figure IV is a. view of the paiavane partly broken away to show the reel for the suspension linkage therefor.

Figure V is a. diagrammat c showing of the trate its application to a naval torpedo, the water-borne and self-propelled character of which makes it desirable to provide means for detaching the airframe prior to its entry into the water. In the case of a bomb intended for use against land structures or the superstructure of vessels,

it might be unnecessary to release the bomb from the airframe, although in special circumstances it might be desirable to do so. In either case the. basic structure of the airframe is unchanged, the paravane being omitted, if not desired, in the case of a bomb.

A standard naval torpedo ID has been shown; this type of water-borne self-propelled torpedo having its own power plant driving counter-rotating propellers II, and a self-contained control system for rudders i2 and elevators l3.--Normany the torpedo power plant does not function until the torpedo strikes the water or submerges therein.

An airframe is arranged to support the torpedo in proper gliding attitude, wings i4 being arranged as separate panels comprising a stressed skin shell i5 of plywood, the nose i6 of which is preferably preformed to shape, while the balance of the shell can be sheet plywood glued and nailed in place. Front and rear spars l1 and I8 are provided in the wing, and the airfoil shape of the shell is maintained by three or more ribs, an inboard rib I3 providing for wing attachment fittings, a center rib 20 located at the juncture of the tail boom with the wing, and an outer rib 2| at the wing tip, the latter being externally shaped to form a rounded wing tip. The spars and ribs may economically be made as solid parts of lumber of commercial structural grade, while the shell may be of commercial grade plywood, since the entire airframe is classed as expendable material, since it is destroyed as an incident of its use. I

It will be evident that the arrangement may be a high, mid, or low wing assembly, considering the torpedo or bomb as the fuselage. I have chosen to illustrate a low wing arrangement wherein wing attachment plates 22 link the wing spars beneath the torpedo, and therefore carry the flying load. Straps 23 are each pinned at one end to shackles 24, attached to the wing spars, and embrace 'the torpedo or bomb, having threaded rods 25 welded to the free ends thereof to be tightened against a U member 26 provided with pins 21 adapted to be engaged by a standard army bomb shackle and release mechanism. Two sets of straps are provided, respectively aligned with the two wing' spars, and the U member 26 may be extended as desired to locate the torpedo and attached airframe in proper balance relative to the bomb shackle of the carrier airplane. It will be understood that the center of gravity-of the torpedo or bomb is properly located relative to the center of lift of the wing in order to pro-' vide proper gliding balance without undue load on the horizontal surfaces of the empennage.

It will be noted that the wing panels have been described as strapped directly to the torpedo or bomb.- The wings in turn support an empennage by means of twin tail booms 28, the forward ends 1 of which are bolted to the center ribs 2' of the wings. These booms 28 are conveniently made as hollow box beams by the use of plywood side panels glued'to top and bottom cap strips, and at their outer ends carry a horizontal stabilizer 29 and twin vertical stabilizers 30, conveniently formed of sheet plywood with rounded edges and bolted to the booms. The horizontal stabilizer in turn hingedly supports an elevator 3i while twin rudders 32 are hinged to the vertical stabilizers.

Due to the proposed method of rudder control, rudder tabs 33 are provided, which are directly controlled and in turn energize the rudders proper.

The wing attachment plates of the separate wing panels may conveniently be hinged or pinned together if the airframe is not to be released from the torpedo or bomb, but for quick release purposes I have shown a toggle latch release mechanism adapted to provide positively synchronized release of the front and rear spar attach- -ments when a paravane 34 is subjected to shock,

as by striking the water. The toggle latch mechanism comprises straps 35 pinned to the attachn'ient plates 22 on each wing spar, the pairs of straps on aligned spars extending past the center and having hook-like ends 36. A central longitus dinal rod 31 extends between each pair of hook ends 36 and over-center toggle-like members 38 .wedge between the rod and each of the strap hooks,'the two members 37 on one side of the rod being welded thereto to assure synchronized release of both the front and rear spar toggle links.

A suspension cable 39, for the paravane 34, is

looped over the rod 31 and wired in place adjacent one toggle link; a frangible wire 40 being used, the strength of which is sufficient to safelylock the toggle against the drag of the paravane until 'it strikes the water orother obstacle. In order that the paravane can be nested with the torpedo and airframe, while they are suspended from the bomb release mechanism of the carrier airplane, the suspending cable 39 is initially wound up on a reel 4| within the body of the paravane 34. The reel is provided with an adjustable spring loaded brake 42 which is preferably adjusted to allow the pull of the paravane to gradually unreel the cable. In order to hold the paravane in place, until the bomb release mechanism is operated, a pin 43 looks the reel and is pulled out by a frangible cord or wire 44 attached to the bomb shackle or carrier airplane.

The paravane 34 is necessarily heavy in order to hang down rather than to trail out behind, so

that in order to add to its downward pull, and

. thus correspondingly reduce its required dead weight, it is formed as a two part cast iron shell with inverted sheet metal wings 45 applied thereto, the wings both adding a downward pull, and causing the paravane to dig intothe water to increase the shock of contact.

Whether or not radio control of the rudders and elevators is to-be used, I propose to use an automatic gyro controlled unit for operation of the rudder tabs 33. As shown diagrammatically in Figure V, this consists of a McGuire safety pilot as manufactured by Instrument Design, Inc" of Dayton, Ohio, wherein a modified rate of turn gyro 48 is mounted at an angle so that any movement about the vertical or longitudinal axes affects the gyro to produce corrective rudder action. This apparatus comprises a venturi 41,

preferably located below the wins. for supplying vacuum power through a regulating valve 48 and boost valve 49 to the, gyro control and thence through conduits 50 and 5i to a power cylinder cially available gyro pilot just described is also equipped with a timed rate of turn control, advantage of which is taken by the radio control.

A remote radio control can conveniently be provided to control both the McGuire safety pilot for turns in either direction; and to control the elevator. A remote control unit provides four broadcast channels by modulating the carrier of the transmitter. A receiver 55 in the wing is provided to pick up the signals from the transmitter,- delivering the selected frequency through the proper band pass filter, to determine the direction of turn or change of gliding angle; suitable signals utilizing the energy of a battery 56 to selectively actuate solenoids 51 to influence the rate of turn control of the gyro 46. Other radio signals s erve to energize a reversible electric motor 58 which operates" the elevator 3|, 'thus changing the gliding angle of the airframe. This arrangement permits a, remote operator to impose turns and changes in the glide path to compensate for initial inaccuracies in setting and releasing the airframe, as well as wlndage or movement of the target.

In the operation of a dirigible aerial torpedo such as has been disclosed herein, the airframe is initially assembled from its knocked down components, and adjusted to the torpedo or bombit is to carry. If a. paravane is to be used therewith it is secured in place with its cable wound up on the drum. The complete torpedo and airframe is then suspended from a. standard army can swing off to one side after releasing the airframe, remaining beyond the defensive fire limit while watching the progress of the aerial torpedo. It will thus be seen that I have invented an improved and simplified dirigible aerial torpedo that can be remotely controlled by radio if de sired and that can interchangeably carry naval torpedoes or demolition bombs, the carrying airframe being applied to standard torpedoes or bombs and being releasable therefrom if desired. Having thus described my invention and the presentpreferred embodiments thereof, I desireto emphasizethe fact that many modifications may be-resorted to in a manner limited only by a just interpretation of the following claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a releasable torpedo carried by an airplane, glider wing and an empennage forming a unit for application to said torpedo, a harness adapted to clamp said wings and empennage to said torpedo, said harness including a bomb shackle to suspend the torpedo from said airplane, overcenter toggle release mechanism associated with said harness, means associated with said mechanism adapted to trail behind and below said glider and a connection between-said means and mechanism adapted to release the mechanism when the trailing means strikes an obstacle. l

2. In combination with a releasable torpedo carried by an airplane, glider wings and an empennage forming a, unit for application to said torpedo, a harness adapted to clamp said wings and empennage to said torpedo, said harness being arranged for quick release from the torpedo toggle locking mechanism associated with said harness, a paravane associated with said mechbomb release mechanism on the desired carrier airplane, the reel release pin wire being fastened thereto also. If a single bomb or torpedo is to be carried it is conveniently nested under the central fuselage in the case of conventional aircraft, and in .the case of large aircraft additional aerial torpedoes may also be supported beneath the wings thereof. reaches the desired position for releasing the aerial torpedo the latter assumes a predetermined glide path, the paravane being released to trail therebeneath until it strikes the water and jerks the toggle free from the wing straps. Upon release of the toggle the wings fold upwardly to free the torpedo, since the high wing loading results in a sudden release adequate to assure against damage to'or disturbance of the balance of the torpedo, and the latter enters the water clea1nly,"nose slightly down because of the gliding 8. 8 e.

If the paravane is omitted, as ln'the case of a demolition bomb for land targets, the wings remain on the bomb until it strikes the target. An advantage of such a gliding approach is that the bomb may strike against a side wall rather than a reinforced roof, thus doing more damage.

It will be appreciated that in either case the carrier airplane can safely remain beyond the range of defensive anti-aircraft fire since the bomb or torpedo is released at a distance determined by its gliding angle and the heighth of the carrier plane. If the carrier plane intends to When the carrier airplane strikes an obstacle.

anism adapted to trail behind and below said glider and a connectibn between said paravane' and the toggle locking mechanism adapted torelease the mechanism when the trailing paravane 3. In combination with a releasable torpedo carried by an airplane, glider wings and an empennage forming a unit for application to said torpedo, a harness adapted to clamp said wings and empennage to said torpedo, quick release mechanism associated with said harness. a para- 3 vane associated with said mechanism adapted to trail behind and below said glider, a connection between said paravane and mechanism adapted to release the mechanism when the trailing paravane strikes. an obstacle, and means for suspending said paravane from said glider comprising a cable, a reel iorsaid cableupon which the cable is adapted to be wound prior to release of the glider, means for maintaining the cable in wound condition while the glider and torpedo are attached to the airplane, means for releasing the cable when the glider and torpedo are released from the airplane, and braking means for said reel adapted to limit the rate of unreeling of said cable whereby to prevent premature release of the glider from the torpedo when the cable unwinds to its limit.

4. An aerial torpedo including mounting means ported by outrigger booms from said wings. ad-

control the torpedo or bomb in flight it can either Justable directional and elevator control surfaces carried by said empennage, and operating mechfor said control surfaces carried in said wings and connected to said surfaces through said outrigger booms.

5. An aerial torpedo comprising a normally water-borne self-propelled torpedo, a detachable harness clamped thereto, wings and an empennage secured to said harness, a trailable paravane suspendable below said harness, and toggle latch means for said harness having a trigger connected to said paravane and adapted to be unlatched thereby when said paravane strikes the water, whereby to release said torpedo prior to 5 entering the water.

ROBERT A. BAILEY.

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