US2402024A - Torpedo director - Google Patents

Description

ass-+03 i QR Z 9 402 9 024 June 11, 1946. I CROOKE 2,402,024

TORPEDO DIRECTOR Filed Jan. 27, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 1- 5911 TARGET RE 0 v o owusuw INVEN TOR.

ATTORNEY.

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June 11, R E ook I TORPEDO DIRECTOR v Filed Jan. 27', 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR'.

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s imumya sfl June 1-1, 1946. 'R E. CROYIOKEI TORPEDO DIRECTOR Filed Jan. 27, 1940 I NV EN TOR.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY.

dearth Patented June 11, 1946 TORPEDO DIRECTOR Raymond E. Crooke, Great Neck, N. Y., assignor to Ford Instrument Company, Inc., Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 27, 1940, Serial No. 315,900

Claims. 1 This invention relates to a torpedo director and more particularly to a torpedo director based upon the use of rectangular coordinates.

The principal objects of this invention is to provide a. torpedo director to solve mechanically the 5 pedo settles down on its steady course. The line problem of directing the movement of the torpedo ac is obtained by extending in a reverse direction during the time of its run to the target, by the the line jc, which represents the path of the toruse of rectangular and particularly north-south, pedo after it has settled down, until it intersects east-west coordinates. at the point a the line representing the extended Another object is to provide a mechanism for center line of the firing ship. 0 is the point of incalculating the components of the curved path of tercept or advance position of the target, that is, the torpedo, that is, the path of the torpedo from where the torpedo hits the target. he is the run the time of firing to the time it settles down on of the target during the time of run of the torits steady course to the target, and for determinpedo. The spin axis of the gyro is set in the diing corrections required in the setting of th torrection of run of the torpedo and the angle that pedo mechanisms therefor. the spin axis makes with the direction in which Another object of the invention is to provide a. the torpedo is fired is the yro angle. In the ilmechanism based upon the use of north-south, lustrated case the torpedo is assumed to be fired east-west coordinates for solvin a torpedo diin the direction of the fore and aft line of the recting problem wherein the first part of the run ship. Gn is the angle of the straight portion of of the torpedo, which is in the form of a curve, the path of the torpedo with reference to north is analyzed with reference to the point where the a d G is the gyro angle of the torpedo. B is the line representing the straight path of the torpedo, compass bearing of the target from the periscope reversed in direction, intersects the extended cenof the own ship. The line ob represents the obter line of the ship. 5 served or generated range (R) of the target. The

Other objects of the invention will be apparent line 070, composed of a curved portion 05; and a from a consideration of this specification and straight portion :ic, represents the run of the tordrawings. pedo. The line ac represents the straight portion Heretofore the analysis of the various factors of the path of the torpedo, reversed in direction involved in the solution of the problem of directuntil it intersects the extended center line of the ing a torpedo to a target has been based upon ship, at the point a. For the purpose of this case components of movement of the target and torthe line ac is designated as advance range (R2). pedo relative to a base line such as the line be- In the description to follow, the north-south tween the firing ship and the target. When firing components of rate of movement will be referred torpedoes, as heretofore, corrections in gyro angle to only as north components or northings, it beto compensate for the curved part of the run of mg understood that the values would be the same the torpedo were obtained from tables and apfor like south components, with the n c nged. plied to the torpedo gyro settin as that angle was This also applies to the east-west components transmitted to the firing station. which will be referred to as castings.

In the present invention, with the system of 00- The various mechanisms used in the disclosed ordinates used, the corrections in gyro angle for embodiment of the invention may be divided into the curved part of the run of the torpedo is pritwo groups: (1) a component solver to resolve marily a function of gyro angle and the correcalong two selected coordinates the observed prestions are automatically applied, thus eliminating ent range and bearing of the target, two pairs of all delay and the possibility of personal errors. integrators the control members of which are set In the drawings: to the rate of movement of the firing ship and Fig. l is a geometric sketch showing the relatarget respectively along the coordinates, two tion of the factors involved in the problem of dimultipliers to determine the movement of the tarrecting a torpedo to a target; get along the coordinates during the time of run Figs. 2 and 3 taken together are a diagramof the torpedo, and a component solver to resolve matic sketch of an arrangement of mechanisms the distance 0a of the point a from the periscope to solve the problem indicated in Fig. 1. 0 along the selected coordinates; and (2) a vector Referring particularly to Fig. 1, 0 represents solver to analyze the values of the factors deterthe periscope of the firing or own ship proceedmined by the mechanisms of the first group to ing on a course Co. The target is represented at 5:; determine the advance range (R2) and the angle Gn, and two three-dimensional cam mechanisms to determine the time of run of the torpedo, and the distance 0.11 to the reference point a which is the point of intersection of the steady course of the torpedo, reversed, and the extended center line of the ship, or the direction of the launching of the torpedo, if the torpedo is fired other than along the course of the ship.

The purposes of the integrators are two-fold: (1) They are settable in accordance with the rates of movement of the ship and target along the selected coordinates and they integrate the rates so that by combining their outputs the components of range of the target relative to the ship along the coordinates are available at all times whether the ship is submerged or not; and (2) the components of range of the target relative to the ship as determined by the combined integrated rates are compared with the components of the successively observed ranges of the target relative to the ship as determined by a component solver set in accordance with the successively observed ranges and bearings of the target. Since the rates of change of the integrated components are the result of combining the known rates due to the movement of the firing ship with th unknown rates due to the movement of the target, it will be seen that when the generated components of range remain equal to the observed components of range that the rates set in as representing the components of rate of movement of the target are correct.

The combined outputs of the integrators which are adjusted to represent the integrated components of range of the target relative to the ship are combined with the outputs of a pair of multipliers which represent the components of movement of the target during the time of run of the torpedo and the outputs of a component solver which represent the components of position of the point a relative to the observing point. The combined components are then introduced into a vector solver which determines the advance range (ac) and the angle Gn.

It may appear inconsistent, at first glance, that the values of advance range (R2) and the angle Gn are used to obtain the time of run of the torpedo and that these values are themselves dependent upon the values of the time of run. However, in the system of mechanisms generating these values there are also other mechanisms settable independently, such as one of the three-dimensional cams previously referred to, one of the inputs of which is the speed of the torpedo, and the two multipliers previously referred to, one of the inputs of which is the rates of movement of the target along the coordinates. These other inputs have sufiicient effect upon the outputs relative to the regenerative effect of the output itself, that no difiiculty is experienced from this source.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the observed relative bearing of the target or periscope angle (P) is set up in the mechanism by crank I and shaft 2. This angle may also, if desired, be automatically set up in the machine by the use of a receiver motor 3, connected to an angle transmitter (not shown), controlling servo motor 4 which receives its power from electric leads 5 and 6. Indicating dial 2' shows the instantaneous values of P. The course of the firing ship (Co) is set up in the machine by crank 1 and shaft 8 or, if desired, may be set up in the mechanism automatically by the receiver motor 9, connected to a gyro compass transmitter (not shown), controlling servo motor [0, which receives its power from electric leads 5 and 6. The range of the target (R) as observed is set up in the machine by crank II and shaft l2. Indicating dial I2 shows the instantaneous values of R. The compass bearing of the target (B) is obtained by combining the compass course of the ship and the periscope angle P in differential [3. The compass bearing and the range are fed into component solver l4 through shafts l5 and Hi respectively from which are obtained in the conventional manner the east and north components of the observed range of the target, RE and RN respectively. These values are transmitted to one side, for example the pointers, of comparison dials I1 and IB by shafts l9 and 20, respectively. The two input shafts of this component solver [4, as is the case in all of the component solvers, are connected together through a differential I4 in order to rotate both shafts l5 and I6 and their corresponding plates upon a change in bearing, but to rotate only shaft I6 upon a change in range. The inherent characteristics of these component solvers are well known in the art.

The speed of the firing ship (So) is set up in the mechanism by crank 2| and shaft 22. Indicating dial 22' connected to shaft 22 show the instantaneous values of So. The compass course of the firing ship (C0) is fed into a component solver 23 by shaft 24 connected by shaft 25 to shaft 8. The ships speed (So) is fed into component solver 23 by shaft 22". Shafts 24 and 22 are connected together by differential 23'. The outputs of this component solver, the rate of castings and the rate of northings, respectively, of the firing ship, are taken off by shafts 26 and 21 respectively. These shafts are connected to the control elements of integrators 28 and 29 respectively. Constant speed motor 30 and driving shaft 3| are connected to the driving plates 32 and 33 of the two integrators 28 and 29 and to driving plates 32 and 33' of integrators 48 and 56, to be described later.

The estimated north and east components of the speed of the target are set up in the mechanism by crank 34 and shaft 35 through gears 36 and 31 for the northern component (JTn) and through crank 38, shaft 39, gear 40 and gear 4| for the eastern component (JTe). Gear 36 may also be brought into mesh with gear 42 to set the initial value of the integrated north component of range or to make corrections in the integrated north component of range. Corrections may be made to the integrated north component of range and the north component of speed of the target simultaneously by meshing gear 36 with both gears 42 and 43. Likewise, the initial setting of the integrated east component of range and corrections thereto may be made by meshing gears 40 and 44 or corrections in the east component of speed of the target may be made simultaneously by meshing gear 40 with both gears 44 and 45. Shaft 46 connected to gears 31 and 43 is connected to the control member 41 of integrator 48 the output of which, shaft 49, is connected to differential 50 where is added the movement of shaft 5| connected to gear 42. The third side of this differential 50 is connected by shaft 52 to differential 53 where is added the output of integrator 29 to produce in shaft 54 the integrated north component of range of the target and the firing ship. The output of differential 53, shaft 54, is connected to the other side or dial of the comparison dial I8.

Lure t hum The rate of target castings represented by the rotation of gears 4| and 45 is set up in the mechanism by connecting shaft 55 thereto. Shaft 55 is connected to the control member 51 of integrator 56, The output of integrator 56 is combined with the setting of gear 44, in differential 58 the output of which is transmitted by shaft 59 to differential 68 where it is combined with the output of integrator 28, which represents the integrated eastings of the firing ship. The output of differential 60 represents the integrated east component of range and is transmitted by shaft 6! and shaft 62 to the other side or dial of the comparison dial H.

In tracking a target, the operator by means of cranks 34 and 38, adjusts shafts 5| and 59 so that the arrows of the comparison dials l8 and I! are in positional agreement with the pointers driven by shafts 20 and I 9, respectively. The operator also by means of cranks 34 and 38 adjusts shafts 46 and 51 so that the combined integrated movement causes the arrows of the comparison dials l8 and I! to remain in positional agreement with the pointers as successive readings of observed range and bearing are obtained.

When this condition is obtained the value of the integrated north component of range represented by shaft 54 is equal to the observed value represented by shaft 20 and the value of the integrated east component of range represented by shaft 62 is equal to the observed value represented by shaft l9. Also the rate of northings and eastings, that is, the north and east components of target speed represented by shafts 46 and 55, are correct.

Shaft 46, the angular position of which represents the rate of northing of the target, is connected to one input of multiplier 63, the other input of which multiplier is connected to shaft 64 whose movement is in proportion to the time of run, the manner of obtaining of which will be described later. The output of this multiplier represented in Fig. 1 by bh is transmitted through shaft 65. Similarly, the rate of castings of the target, represented by the angular position of shaft 55, is set up in multiplier 66. The other input of this multiplier is shaft 64 previously described and the output of multiplier 66 is shaft 61. This output is represented in Fig. 1 by he.

These motions are transmitted to differentials 68 and 69 respectively, where they are combined with the north and east components 001 and ad respectively of the triangle cad by shafts 99 and 98 as will be described hereinafter. The output of differentials 68 and 69 are connected by shafts 68' and 69' respectively to the differentials 10 and H respectively where they are combined with the generated north and east components of range respectively of the target as represented by the movements of shafts 54 and 62 respectively. The outputs of these differentials I and II are. represented in Fig. 1 as ck and ak respectively which are the north and east components of position of the point of intercept 0 relative to the point a. These outputs are transmitted by shafts I2 and 13 respectively to the vector solver or analyzer 14 whose outputs are the advance range (R2) represented by the movement of shaft 15 and the angle Gn of the path of the torpedo with reference to north represented by the movement of shaft 16. Shafts l and 16 are connected together by differential 8| and shaft 16' to correct the rotation of shaft 15 for its rotation due to the rotation of the plate of analyzer 14, as is inherent in all analyzers of the plate type. Shaft 16 is connected by shaft 11 to differential 18 where its movement is combined with the course of the firing ship transmitted by shaft 19 connected to shaft 25. The output of differential I8, shaft 80, represents the gyro angle (G) and is transmitted to the gyro angle indicator and transmitter 83.

The advance range R2, which is represented by the rotation of shaft 15, is transmitted through differential 8|, as described, and shaft 82, to range indicator and transmitter 86.

From Fig. 1 it is seen that the distance run for any selected or fixed speed of the torpedo is substantially proportional to the advance range (R2) and differs from the advance range (R2) by the difference between the length of the curved path 09' of the torpedo and the distance gia. The length and character of the curved path 07' of a fired torpedo have been determined experimentally for various settings of the gyro angle and the said lengths have been tabulated and have been plotted in curves in their relation to the distances ja. As the distance a'a, shown in Fig. 1, is always less than the curved path 07' it follows that the run of the torpedo is equal to the advance range (R2) plus an additional distance which is equal to the difference in the length of the path 07' and the distance a'a. It is evident that the actual run may therefore be expressed as a direct function of range (R2) and the gyro angle (G) of the torpedo.

The apparatus used to determine the said additional distance consists of a three-dimensional or solid cam mechanism 88 the solid cam of which is rotated about the extended axis of shaft 89 in accordance with the gyro angle, as transmitted to shaft 89 by shaft 88. The cam follower carriage of the mechanism is moved parallel to the rotation axis of the cam in accordance with advance range (R2) by a threaded nut on the follower carriage engaging the threaded portion of shaft 81, which is driven by shaft 82. The anular position of the follower support arm of the mechanism with reference to the plane including shafts 81 and 89 is in accordance with the distance of the point of contact of the follower with the cam surface from the rotation axis. The surface of the solid cam is determined from the experimental data previously referred to and is of such form that for any value of gyro angle as represented by the position of shaft 89 and for any value of range as represented by the position of shaft 81, the angular position of the follower support arm will be in accordance with the corresponding additional distance.

This angular position of the follower support arm is transmitted to shaft 88' by a square bar on which the follower support arm slides, on the end of which bar is a toothed arcuate segment engaging a gear on shaft 88'. The advance range (R2) and the said additional distance are combined in differential 90, which is connected to shafts 81 and 88. The output of differential 90, shaft 64', therefore represents the actual length of the run of the torpedo.

Likewise from experimental data, the distance on. has been determined for torpedoes running at various speeds and fired with various gyro angles. These data are available in tables and in curves from which is constructed a three-dimensional or solid cam mechanism similar in principle and operation to cam mechanism 88 previously described.

The solid cam of cam mechanism 95 is rotated about the extended axis of shaft 84, which is connected to shaft 80, in accordance with the gyro angle (G). The cam follower carriage is moved parallel to the said rotation axis by a threaded portion of shaft 92 which is rotated to a position in accordance with the actual speed of the torpedo by handle 9|. Indicating dial 92' is connected to shaft 92 and shows the set values of the speed of the torpedo. The follower support arm is angularly moved in accordance with the distance of the point of contact of the follower with the surface of the cam and the said axis of rotation. The angular motion of the follower support arm is transmitted to shaft 93 by a square bar on which the follower support arm slides, on the end of which bar is a toothed arcuate segment engaging a gear on shaft 93. The shape of the cam is made such that the rotation of shaft 93 represents the distance act for any combination of torpedo speed and gyro angle.

The output of this three-dimensional cam mechanism '95 is transmitted to component solver 94 by shafts 93 and 96. The other input into component solver 94 is the compass course of the firing ship taken from shaft 25 and transmitted by shaft 91. Shafts 96 and 91 are connected together in the conventional manner by differential 91. The outputs of the component solver 94 represent the sides ad and ad of the triangle oad and rotate the shafts 98 and 99 respectively. These values are connected to differentials 69 and 68 respectively, referred to hereinbefore.

As previously described the shaft 64' represents the actual length of run of the torpedo for various condition of range and gyro angle of a torpedo having a, selected speed and if that is the only speed torpedo it is desired to use, shaft 64' may be directly connected to drive shaft 64 at a ratio such that shaft 64 represents time of run. If it is desired to provide for variations in torpedo speed a dividing mechanism I92 or other ratio changing mechanism may be introduced between shaft 64' and 64. The time of run for any speed is equal to the time of run for the selected speed modified by the ratio Of the selected speed to the actual speed. Therefore, since the selected speed is a constant the time of run for any speed may be obtained by dividing the time of run for the selected speed by the actual speed. Shaft 64 representing the length of run for the selected torpedo speed is introduced into the dividing mechanism I02 as the dividend at a ratio such that the input to the dividing mechanism represents time of run, shaft 92 representing the actual torpedo speed is introduced as the divisor and the resulting quotient is connected to drive shaft 64 which in tum actuates the multipliers 63 and 66 in accordance with the time of run for the actual torpedo speed.

In a mechanism of this type the power available in the outputs of component or vector solvers, three-dimensional cams and multipliers, is usually not sufficient for accurate operation of other mechanisms. Resort is had to a conventional follow-up mechanism, shown schematically as consisting of a motor M, connected electrically to power leads 5, 6, through a control switch I which receives its motion from a differential l0l geared in the shaft, the power of which is desired to be amplified. The motor is mechanically connected to the reproduced motion shaft and thereby to the third side of the differential. This follow-up mechanism is well known in the art and is not a part of the present invention.

I claim:

1. In a mechanism for determining the gyro angle setting for directing a torpedo from a firing ship to a target, means for resolving the range of the target into components of position along selected rectangular coordinates, integrating means including rate control members and output members moved at rates proportional to the setting of the rate control members, means for setting said rate control members in accordance with the rates of movement of the. firing ship along the coordinates, second integrating means including rate control members and output members moved at rates proportional to the setting of the rate control members, means for setting the rate control members of the second integrating means in accordance with the rates of movement of the target along the coordinates, means for combining the movement of the output members representing movement of the firing ship and target along each of the coordinates to position third output members, means to adjust said third output members to represent the components of relative position of the target and the firing ship measured along the selected coordinates, means for comparing the movement of the third output members with the corresponding components of position, multiplying means having input members positioned in accordance with the setting of the rate control members of the second integrating means and the time of run of the torpedo and output members positioned thereby to represent the distance traveled by the target along the coordinates during the time of run of the torpedo, means actuated in accordance with the speed and gyro angle of the torpedo for positioning an output member to represent the position of a reference point along the extended centerline of the firing ship, a component solver including an input vector and output component members positioned thereby, means for angularly positioning the vector in accordance with the course of the firing ship relative to the coordinates, means for adjusting the length of the vector in accordance with the position of the output member representing the position of the reference point, combining means having input members actuated in accordance with the position of the output members of the multiplying means and the position of the component members of the component solver and the position of the third output members to position output elements to continuously represent the components relative to the reference point of the position of the target at the end of the time of run of the torpedo, a vector solver having input component members and an output vector positioned thereby, means to position said input component members in accordance with the position of the output e1ements whereby the resulting angular position and length of the output vector represent the direction relative to the coordinates and the distance from the reference point to the point of intercept with the target, a cam mechanism actuated in accordance with the course of the firing ship relative to the coordinates and the angular position and length of the output vector to position an output member in accordance with the time of run of the torpedo to the point of intercept, and means to position the corresponding input members of the multiplying means in accordance with the position of the output member of the cam mechanism.

2. In a mechanism for determining the gyro angle setting for directing a torpedo from a firing ship to a target, a, component solver including an input vector and output component members positioned thereby, means for angularly positioning the vector in accordance with the bearing of the target from the firing ship measured relative to selected rectangular coordinates, means for adjusting the length of the vector in accordance with the range of the target from the firing ship whereby the position of said component members represent the components of position of the target relative to the firing ship measured along the coordinates, a second component solver including an input vector and output component members positioned thereby, means for angularly positioning the vector in accordance with the course of the firing ship measured relative to the coordinates, means for adjusting the length of the vector in accordance with the speed of the firing ship whereby the position of the component members represent the component rates of movement of the firing ship along the coordinates, means positionable to represent the component rates of movement of the target along the coordinates, integrating means including rate control members and output members moved at rates proportional to the position of the rate control members, means for positioning the rate control members in accordance with the position of the component members of the second component solver and the means positionable to represent the component rates of movement of the target, means combining the movement of the output members to represent relative movement of the firing ship and target along the respective coordinates, means for adjusting the position of the last mentioned output members to represent the relative position of the target and firing ship along each of the coordinates, means for comparing the position of the said output members with the position of the component members of the first mentioned component solver along each of the coordinates, means interconnecting the means representing the component rates of movement of the target and the corresponding comparing means, means for adjusting said interconnecting means to simultaneously adjust the means representing the component rates of movement of the target and the corresponding comparing means, multiplying means having input members positioned in accordance with the position of the means representing the component rates of movement of the target and in accordance with the time of run of the torpedo and output members positioned thereby to represent the components of distance traveled by the target during the time of run of the torpedo, means actuated in accordance with the speed and gyro angle of the torpedo for positioning an output member to represent the position of a reference point along the extended centerline of the firing ship, a third component solver including an input vector and output component members positioned thereby, means for angularly positioning the vector in accordance with the course of the firing ship relative to the coordinates, means for adjusting the length of the vector in accordance with the position of the output member representing the position of the reference point, combining means including input elements actuated in accordance with the position of the output members of the multiplying means, the position of the output component members of the third component solver and the position of the output component members of the first mentioned component solver and output elements the position of which represent the components, relative to the reference point along the corresponding coordinates, of the position of the target at the end of the time of run of the torpedo, a vector solver having input component members and an output vector positioned thereby, means to position the input component members in accordance with the position of the output elements of the last mentioned combining means whereby the resulting angular position and length of the output vector represent the direction relative to the coordinates and the distance from the reference point to the point of intercept with the target, a cam mechanism actuated in accordance with the course of the firing ship relative to the coordinates and the angular position and length of the output vector to position an output member in accordance with the actual length of run of the torpedo to the point of intercept, and means connecting the output member of the cam mechanism to the corresponding input members of the multiplying means at a ratio to convert length of run to time of run.

3. In a mechanism for computing the direction and length of run of a torpedo from a firing ship to a target, a component solver including an input vector and output component members positioned thereby, means for angularly positioning the vector in accordance with the bearing of the target from the firing ship measured relative to selected rectangular coordinates, means for adjusting the length of the vector in accordance with the range of the target from the firing ship, multiplying means having input members positioned in accordance with the rates of component movement of the target along the coordinates and in accordance with the time of run of the torpedo, said multiplying means having output members positioned by the input members to represent the components of distance traveled by the target along the coordinates during the time of run of the torpedo, combining means including input elements and output elements actuated thereby, means for positioning the input elements in accordance with the position of the output component members of the component solver and the corresponding output member of the multiplying means, a vector solver including input component members and an output vector positioned thereby, means to position said input component members in accordance with the position of the output elements of the combining means, whereby the angular position and length of the output vector represent the direction relative to the coordinates and the distance of run of the torpedo from the firing ship to the point of intercept, converting mechanism actuated in accordance with the course of the firing ship relative to the coordinates and the length and direction of the output vector to position an output member to represent the time of run of the torpedo to the point of intercept, and means to position the corresponding input members of the multiplying means in accordance with the position of the output member of the converting mechanism.

4. In a mechanism for determining the gyro angle setting for directing a torpedo from a firing ship to a target, a component solver including an input vector and output component members positioned thereby, means for angularly positioning the vector in accordance with the bearing of the target from the firing ship relative to selected rectangular coordinates, means for adjusting the length of the vector in accordance with the range of the target from the firing ship, multiplying means having input members positioned in accordance with the rates of component movement 11 of the target along the coordinates and in accordance with the time of run of the torpedo, said multiplying means having output members positioned by the input members to represent the components of distance traveled by the target during the time of run of the torpedo, means actuated in accordance with the speed and gyro angle of the torpedo for positionin an output member to represent the position of a reference point along the extended centerline of the firing ship, a second component solver including an input vector and output component members positioned thereby, means for angularly positioning the vector in accordance with the course of the firing ship relative to the coordinates, means for adjusting the length of the vector in accordance with the position of the output member representing the position of the reference point, combining means including input elements and output elements actuated thereby, means for positioning the input elements in accordance with the position of the output members of the multiplying means, the position of the output component members of the second component solver and the position of the output component members of the first mentioned component solver, a vector solver including input component members and an output vector positioned thereby, and means to position said input component members in accordance with the position ofthe output elements of the combining means, whereby the angular position and length of the output vector represent the direction relative to the coordinates and the distance from the reference point to the point of intercept.

5. In a mechanism for determining the gyro angle for directing a torpedo, means for generating movements in proportion to th movement of the firing ship along selected coordinates, means for generating movements in proportion to the movement of the target along the coordinates,

12 means for' combining the corresponding generated movements to position first output members, means to adjust the said first output members to represent the components of relative position of the target and the firing ship measured along the selected coordinates, computing means including input elements settable according to an interval of time and the rates of movement of the target along said coordinates, said computing means being operable to position output elements to represent the actual movement of the target along said coordinates in the interval of time, means actuated in accordance with the speed and gyro angle of the torpedo for positioning a second output member to represent the position of a reference point along the extended centerline of the firing ship, a component solver including an input vector and component members positioned thereby, means for adjusting the length and direction of the vector according to the position of the sec ond output member and the direction of movement of the firing ship relative to said coordinates, means for combining the vector components represented by the position of the component members and the positioned components represented by the first output members with the position of the output elements of the computing means to obtain new components of position of the target relative to the reference point along said coordinates, a vector solver, means to set said new components into the vector solver and thereby obtain a vector Whose length and direction represent the advance range from the reference point and the angle thereof to one of the coordinates, and means settable according to the direction of movement of the firing ship relative to said coordinates and by the length and direction of the vector of the vector solver to determine the said interval of time.

RAYMOND E. CROOKE.

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