US2551608A - Delayed arming device for mines - Google Patents

Description

y 1951 L. E. KISSINGER 2,551,608

DELAYED ARMING DEVICE FOR MINES Filed NOV. 15, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l F 1 94 67 2 68 e9 e5 33 i2 7 8 79 1 45 48 as 64 34 37 r 44 29 33 i 7 A. r p 4 35 v 83 42 36.

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22 24 23-- an ue/wtw L.EKESSZHQP May 8, 1951 L. E. KISSINGER 2,551,608

DELAYED ARMING DEVICE FOR MINES Filed Nov. 15, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 vuvn'fom L. EKissinger abbowaq Patented May 8, 19 51 UNITED STATES PATENT UFFTE (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G.- 757) 8 Claims.

This invention relates to an electrolytic time delay device for arming a marine mine.

In the laying of mines from surface vessels or submarines it is necessary that some means be provided for preventing the mine from becoming armed until after the mine laying craft has removed to a safe distance. When only a few mines are being laid, as in a narrow channel, a delay of a few hours would be sufiicient. However, when extensive operations are being conducted and mines are being laid over a large field, a time delay of as much as ten days may be desirable.

Heretofore various expedients have been employed to delay the arming of a mine. The most common expedient has been to utilize a plunger which, when depressed, closes a circuit to start the arming or timing clock in operation. The upper end of the plunger mounts a diaphragm which is exposed on its outer surface to the pressure of the sea water and under the plunger there is placed a soluble washer. Such washers are usually made in the form of a salt cake impregnated with shellac. The washer dissolves in time and the plunger is thereby released and, being acted upon by the pressure of the sea water impinging upon the diaphragm, is moved inwardly and.closes a switch to start the arming clock in operation and arm the mine. Such devices are simple in construction and operate very well but the time of operation is somewhat uncertain as it is difficult to predetermine the homogeneity of the washers and hence the rate of dissolution of same, particularly when the washers are made on a mass production basis and by semiskilled labor.

The object of the present invention is to provide an electrolytic mine arming device which is certain in operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrolytic mine arming device which requires no positive acts on the'part of the mine laying crew to initiate the operation of same.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an electrolytic mine arming device which has no electrolyte of its own but which utilizes the ambient sea water for this purpose.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an electrolytic mine arming device which is capable of a predetermined time delay in operation.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an electrolytic mine arming device which will necessitate little or no modification of the conventional mine casing for incorporation therein.

Other objects, advantages, and improvements will become apparent from the following descrip- Fig. 4 is a top plan view of'the structure shown in Fig. 3, the retaining plate for the cathode plate being removed in this view; and I i Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing a modification in which the time delay resistor in the electrolytic cell circuit is omitted, the'retaining plate for the cathode plate being likewise removed in this view.

Referring now to the drawings and to Figs. 1

and 2 in particular, there is here shown a con-' I0 having a hatch II therein in which the arming or timing clock is" ventional mine casing mounted, this clock being designated by the reference numeral 20 applied to the casing thereof.

A cylindrical wall I2 is mounted in the hatch hole and secured to the mine casing Ill by a joint l3.

The hatch is closed at its bottom by a plate I4 which is secured to the cylindrical wall l2 by a joint l5. The bottom plate M has a central bore l6 therethrough and a counterbore l1 extends from the lower face of the plate l4 approximately halfway through same; A hollow cylinder I8 is mounted in the counterbore I! in the" bottom plate l4, this cylinder-abutting on-itsfi upper edge the bottom wall of the count-erbore:-- The cylinder I8 is secured to the bottom plate I 45 by a joint 19. Joints l3,l5 and [9 may be made" by brazing, soldering, welding, or the like.

A yoke 28 mounts the electrolytic cell and supports the arming or timing clock 20. yoke has an integral top plate 29 formed with a peripheral rim 30 and an inwardly spaced annular raised rib 32. Circumferentially spaced and radially disposed reinforcing ribs 3| extend between the peripheral rim 3!] and the annular I rib 32 and are integral at their respective ends with same. place, circumferentially spaced holes 35 are formed in the ribs 3! and stud bolts 36 extend through these holes, these bolts being received at their lower ends in suitably threaded holes 39 in the bottom plate It. Nuts 37 and lock washers 38 are fitted on the upper ends of the stud bolts 36. The yoke gs has anintegral depressed cen- This In order to secure the yoke 28 in testing byinserting 'a rod-dike on the under face' of -theitop plateto securethez:

gasket iniipla'cei. and increase the: contact areal The depressed central web 4!! merges with an integral centrally disposed hub 50 which termi-iimates in an integral radially extending flange 52 which in turn is integral with a downwardly" depending circumferential skirt 56, vthea1atter being of the proper diameter to have a tight" fit" in the cylinder I8. 54 and 55 are provided in the radially extending flange 52 for a purpose which will appear here- Diametrically sp'acedi holesw inafter. The skirt 56 base a ricircumferentialc groove 51 therein for the reception of 'a packing ring or gasket, not shown. On the top of the depressed-"central=webr4ll thereis :iormed a concentrically -;disposedicircularx rib "-45. Arcuately spacedandx-radiallysidisposed reinforcing ribs .44 are integral at their inner endsfwith the circularrib-.45 andfat their sbottoms and. outer ends with the depressed. central:web-40: c A central bore 53" is =-formed::through= the fiange.r52 on. the central hub 50, a counterbore i throughi the- "central hub'i50, 1a 'counterb'ore' 49 =of increaseddiameter through the -depressed central -web'- lE3--,-- and 'a counterbore 4 46w-ofstill greaterdiameterthrough- 1 the circular rib 45, the central bore 53, and the r:

eounterbores 5 B14 9? and 4 providing :space" for therhydrostate mechanisms as: will be laterv described. The clookif! is securedrto the-skirt r56 on the'uyoke 28-nby studubolts 159 =which extend through?suitable' holes 581 in-the flange1-52and;-: thee-skirt 56=f andi havewnuts 560- oneithervend, washers :5 I being disposedeunderethe nuts B5 on the upper ends of the stumboltsl i Thai-arming"orvtimingEclockwZOis of the type generallyczdesc'ribed and illustrated" in the: co-

pendingiz-application of James :'B.: Glennon et -a1.,- Se'iial No. -395;230;'filed':May 26119415 for-Firing Mechanismfforza Submarine Mine. The casing ofttheaclock "is closed byfaa top platerZl through which 'the'asupportingfboltstiiil extend '1. The bottorn" ofcthecclo'ck casingizflltihassan 'integralE-boss 22 *form'ed thereonfwherein':there:is mounted" a I transparentcinspectionx plate 1 (not-i s-hown) which provides zforr viewingithe" .interior of the clock to determine theisequen'ce-s of the circuitfilosings forlrtwhich the clock def-arranged. 1 Also, forn'ied' oni the bottom of the casing of the-clock there is a second boss 23 through which'a cable 24 ex tends; this c'able 'carrying':thezcon'ductors to the" variouscomp'onentsi of the miner-arming"v andfir ing: circuits? A pluiiger 25"' extends through the when depressed", starts 1 the" clock*into= operation. A leaf spring zl is 'securedwat'one' end by a screw 4 serting a screw driver through the hole 54 in the flange 52.

A plate 52 is positioned centrally of the top plate 29 of the yoke 28 and this plate mounts the electrolytic arming cell 953. The plate 52 is formed with an" annulanrib "fifi on its-under f ace which rib fits within th'e rib-SE on the piate 29 when the plate 62 is in position. The plate 62 is held in place by screws which pass through suitable holes in arcuate bosses 64. formed on the periphery "of 'the'plate, the screws 55 being received'in suitable threaded holes 33 in arcuately spaced bosses 34, which latter are integral with the aniiular rib'fi on" the plate 29. Suitable lock washershfifi are placed under the heads of the screws 55." A central raised boss 68 is formed on therplatecfiZ andra central hole it: through. the platez The bo'ss -iifi is provided with a counterbore 6'! for the reception of the arming cell 98 andsthreads 59 :are: also provided on the :exterior of the boss: -=-'Ihe threaded exterior V 69 of the bossprcvides for the reception of a protective cap (not shown) which encloses the arming cell 51 duringvshipment and storage.-- A plurality of arcuately spaced and radially positioned-holes l i is :provi-deotin'the plate '52 adjacent the annular" rib 53 for-the admission'ofsea waterto the space'wbetween the-plate B2- and the depressed central web 4!? on-the yoke '28;

The principal 5 component ofthe hydrostat: mechanism is a plunger'rl5'which passes'throughthe central hole 16 in the plate 62, the-counter bore 46- through'the circular rib 45; the counterborefihthrough the centralhub 5t; and thecentral bore- 53 through the fiange 52 on the central hub:5El. -The p1unger l5'is threadedon its upper endat Hand-a cotter key'l'3- passes through a diametral: hole (not shown) in the upper end of 15 4 1 with resp'ect to the leaf springs A collar Hi-is "mounted around theaplung'er l5 and abuts the: plate'62 to limit the upwardmovement of the plunger; The collar-His secured to the plunger IS-icy a radially positioned set screw "59. In order toaform the collar :18 a female-pipe plug of suit able rdiameter may be reamed of its threads; I A washer 86 is positioned around the lower-square" sectionrzll of :th'epluhger and abuts the shoulder l5 intermediate 'thislsection andtthe'upper cylin'e' drical section of the plunger Positionedinter mediateth'e 'bottom'of the counterbore 5l=in the 26' to the top' plaiteti I and' the other "end of 'this spring-overlies the plunger-25: When-the clockcasing 2 0 is attached to the skirt 56 cm the een radially extending flaiige 52 on the'hub overlies the' spring securingscrew ZB 'and' the hole 55 in this flahge overlies-the plunger- 25? The arming cell 903 yoke -28,- -and" th clock 20"inay be removed bodily frdm the hatch! I 5 by unscrew ing the nuts3T fromthe'stud-bolts 36 and, when sd:-'removed';'th' plunger 25 inay be depressed for instrument tl'iibugh''"the"-holef55- in' the "flange 52;" likewise, th deaf spring 21 r'naybe" removed-for changing th' tensi'o'n' of-same; or for" replacement, by in-' nular'ridges il-being'providedon the bottom of this counterbore to secure the diaphragni against central 'hub'5ii and the washerreil'thereis a coiled corripr'ession spring 8! which'biasesthe plunger relationship, an enlarged convolution -84; 'concen trically formed'withvrespect to' the hole 83; this enlargied convolutio'n providing for downward movement of the plunger 15." The diaphragm 82 is gripped at its central portion around the" hole 83 between a washer 85 on the underside" oithcollarlfidrid the washer 85'. The periphery 'of the diaphragm 52 is secured on the bottom of-the counterbo're'45 inthe circular rib 45, an

creeping and increase the contact area. A ring nut 86 secures the periphery of the diaphragm 82 in place, a washer 89 being interposed between the ring nut and the periphery of the diaphragm. The ring nut 85 is secured in suitable threads 48 provided in the wall of the counterbore 48 through the circular rib 45, the nut being provided with cooperating threads 88 on its periphery and with cross slots 8'! on its top for the reception of a suitable wrench to facilitate insertion and removal of the nut.

Referring now to Fig. 3, this figure shows the electrolytic arming cell in cross sectional view, the cell being designated generally by the reference numeral 90 applied to the casing thereof, and the cell being mounted in the counterbore I51 in the boss 68 on the top plate 62. The casing 90 is in the shape of a ring orthimble With a central hole 9! therethrough. In the top face of the casing 90 there is formed a shoulder 92 concentrically positioned with respect to the hole 9|, this shoulder forming a space for the reception of the cathode plate I02. A cover plate 95 is mounted on the top of the casing 90 by screws 93 which project through the cover plate and into suitablethreaded holes on the casing 90.:

Washers 90 are interposed under the heads of the screws 93. The cover plate 95 has a central hole 96 therethrough, which registers with the central hole 9! in the casing 90 when the cover plate is in place, and a quadrant length arcuate slot 9! positioned radially intermediate the central hole BI and the periphery of the cover plate, for a purpose which will appear hereinafter.

A grommet or washer I of hard rubber or other suitable material is mounted on the upper end of the plunger I5, this grommet having a central bore 98 with internal threads 99 therein which threads cooperate with the threads I2 on the upper end of the plunger 75. The grommet I00 is secured against upward movement on the plunger I by the cotter key I3 which, as previously stated, extends through a cliametral hole (not shown) in the plunger.

The cathode plate [0.2 is preferably made of pure zinc but may be composed, if desired, of any metal suitable for the purpose such, for example, as pure iron and has a central hole IiII which is received in a suitable groove in the grommet I00, a plurality of radially positioned and arcuately spaced holes I03 being provided in the oathode plate for a purpose which will appear hereinafter, and a connector lug I04 at one point on its periphery.

Formed in and extending downwardly from the top face of the casing 99 there are two quadrant length arcuately shaped recesses I06 and I08, each having rounded ends. The adjacent ends of the recesses I05 and I08 are connected by a restricted channel I01, this channel being formed by an outward extension I 99 of the inner wall of the recesses. A niche I I0 is formed in the inner wall of the recess I06 adjacent the outermost end of the latter, the bottom of this niche constituting a shoulder II I ofiset from the inner wall of the recess I05, as shown in Fig. 3, and this niche providing space for the connector lug I04 on the cathode plate I02.

The anode of the electrolytic arming cell is formed by a silver cup H2 of arcuate shape and with rounded ends and an open top, this cup being positioned in the arcuate recess I08 in the casing 90 and secured therein by embedding in Wax I I3. The cup I I2 is filled with silver chloride II 4, this compound operating as a depolarizing 6 agent for the electrolytic cell. In the modification of Fig. 4 a metal encased resistor I I8 is positioned in the arcuate recess I06 in the casing and likewise secured therein by embedding in the wax H3. A conductor H6 extends through the restricted channel I0I between the arcuate recesses I06 and I08 and is connected at one end to the silver anode cup H2, as by soldering at I I5, and at the other end to the resistor I I8, again as by soldering at II I, this conductor likewise being embedded in the Wax II 3. Similarly, a conductor H9 extends from the resistor H8 to the connector lug I04 on the cathode plate I02, being secured thereto as by soldering at I05, and this conductor is also embedded in the wax H3.

In the modification of Fig. 5, the resistor I I8 is omitted, the conductor H6 from the silver anode cup I I2 being connected directly to the connector lug I04 on the cathode plate I02, again as by soldering at I05.

In assembly the cover plate secures the cathode plate I02 in place against the shoulder 92 in the casing 90, this cover plate gripping the cathode plate beyond the outline of the holes I03 in the cathode plate. The arcuate slot 91 in the cover plate registers with the arcuate recess I08 in the upper face of the casing 90, thereby exposing the silver chloride I M in the anode silver cup II2 to the action of the sea water.

In operation, mines embodying the electrolytic arming cell of the present invention are planted in the usual manner from either surface vessels, such as mine layers, or from submarines. While the electrolytic arming cell of the present invention can be used in mines dropped from aircraft, its primary purpose is to provide a time delay in the arming of mines planted from surface vessels, or submarines, so as to permit the laying vessels to safely come and go during several day of mine laying operations. When the mine is immersed in the sea Water the water enters the space between the top plate 62 and the depressed central Web 40 on the yoke 28 through the holes II in the said plate. The water exerts pressure on the diaphragm 02 which pressure is resisted by the coiled compression 8i but in addition the downward movement of the plunger I5 is prevented by the cathode plate I02 which is embedded in the grommet I00 on the plunger I5 and secured between the cover plate 95 and the casing 90 of the electrolytic arming cell. The sea water also enters the central hole 9! in the casing 90 of the electrolytic arming cell through the holes I03 in the cathode plate I02.

The sea water acts as an electrolyte for the arming cell and electrolytic action sets in, the difference in potential being approximately one volt in the case of a zinc cathode or one-half volt if an iron cathode is employed, and a current flows from the silver anode cup H2 to the cathode plate I02 through the conductor H6, resistor II 8, and the conductor H9, the cathode plate I02 being corroded away as this electrolytic action progresses. The electromotive force of the cell being fixed at approximately one-half volt or one volt, as the case may be, the resistance of the conductors H6 and H9 being negligible, the current flow will be determined largely by the value of the resistor H8, the maximum value of current flow being attained in the modification of Fig. 5 where the resistor I I8 is omitted and the silver anode cup H2 is shorted directly to the iron cathode plate I02 through the conductor H6. At some stage during the electrolytic action and the resultant corrosion awaybfthe cath'ode 'plate' "1 52 the plate will be fraptured and'the diaphragm 2and the'plunger act-'on zboth sides of the cathode plate, also function-lto reduce theeffectivearea of the cathode plate an'd the amount of the' plate to' becorroded away before the latter will be fractured.

Although the invention has been described and illustratedfasa delayed armingdevice for mines, it is obviously'cap'able of other uses, suchgior instance, as a sterilizingdevice' for depth charges and: torpedoes.

While there is'here shown and described a certain :preferred "embodiment of the invention,

many other' and varied forms and uses will: present themselves to those versed in the art without' departing from the spirit of 'the' invention,

and the invention; therefore'is not limited instructure or in'use except as indicated by the terms and scope of the appended claims.

The' invention herein "described and claimed may" be manufactured and usedby 'or for the Government of theUnitedStates' of America for' governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed as new and "desired 'to be secured byLetters'Patent of the United States is:

l.' In a marine mine having 'an' arming clock therein; a movable member adapted to start the" clock" into operation, an electrolyticarmin'g cell mounted in the mine casing; said electrolytic cell comprising a casing'with an aperture therein, an anode element mounted in a recess in said cell casing and exposed to the ambient sea Water; a plate-' like cathode element mounted in the "cell casing and secured thereto, a circuit connection between theanode and cathode'elements, a cover plate securing said cathodeelement in'position and havmg an aperture registering'with' the aperture in the cell casing anda second aperture registering with said anode element, a joint'member centrally mounted in said cathode element, said cathode element having a row of holes intermediate the firstnamed aperture in said cover plate and the joint'member, the coverplate, said row of holes, and'th'e jointmember reducing the area of the cathode elementexposedto the seawater, a biased member connected by the jointmemb'er tothe cathode element and initially'restrained by the cathode element against movement with respect to the" cell Casing/said biased member being arranged to move'the clock starting member'to a clock starting position when-the biased member is moved against the bias thereon, and

means responsive to th'e pressure of the sea water for moving said biased member to the clock'starting position when said cathode element is weakened sufliciently by electrolytic action and the sea pressure exceeds said bias.

2. In a mechanism of the character disclosed it Ithereon being shown in dotted val of timeafterthe mine is submerged withina body of water, the combination *of a' clock" arrangedwithin said mine forarming the mine apredetermined 'interval'of time after the-clock-isset in operation;- a 'movablemember for setting said "CIOCR' in operation when 'said member is moved from an initialpositionto a moved -posi tionya biasing member for yieldablyurging saidmovable member insaid initialposition, a normally inactive electrolytic cell includinga cathode element and an anode elementelectrically co nected togetherysaid'cell being constructed-and arrangedto become activated when wateri 'ad' mitted therein thereby causing saidcathode-element to corrode away a predetermined interval of -time'after saidcell becomes activated, means for admitting water within said cell as-the mineis submerged within a body of water, means in eluding said-cathode element for releasably locking said movable member in said initial position until saidcathode element has corroded away, and pressure responsive means arranged -in'=com'-- munication with the "surrounding --water whenthe -mine-is submergedtherein'for moving said movable member from" said initial position-tosaid moved position when a predetermined pres- I sure'i' applied to said pressure responsive means" and" when said cathode element has corroded:

away.

3. Ina marine mine having anarming c1ock-- therein ior-armingthe mine a-predeterminedinterval of time 'after'the-clockhas been setin' operation, the'combination ofa first movable member for setting said clock in 'operationwhem saidfir'stmember is moved 'from an initial position to a'move'd position, a biasing -member foryieldably urging said 'first'member'toward said" initial position, an electrolytic cell including a said initial position to said moved position when the water pressure on the second memberreac'hes' a predetermined value sufiicient to overcome the opposing force of said biasing member and when said cathode element has corroded away 'sufficiently to release said second member? 4. In a marine mine having an arming clock therein forarming the mine a predetermined interval of time after the'clockhas been set in operation, the combination of a movable member for setting the clock in operation when the mem-' be is moved from an initial'position to a moved position, a spring for yieldably urging said movable member into said initialposition, an'elec trclytic cell including a cathodeelementreleas ably connected to said'mova'bl'e member-and an anode element arranged within the cell, a circuit for connecting said cathode" element and said anode element together whereby 'a current-is caused to flow between said elements when water is admitted theretowithin said cell, means'for' admitting waterwithin-saidelectrolytic cell when the mine issubmerged therein for causing said for arm'ing a marine mine a predetermined inter cathode element to corrode away a predeternqinecl' length of time after current is caused to flow between said cathode element and said anode element, means including said cathode element for releasably locking said movable member in said initial position until the cathode element has corroded away by electrolytic action sufficiently to release the movable member therefrom, a resistance included in said circulit for limiting said current flow to a predetermined value suflicient to cause said cathode to release the movable member a predetermined interval of time after the current is caused to flow, and pressure responsive means arranged for communication with the surrounding water when the mine is submerged therein for moving said movable member from said initial position to said moved position when the movable member is released and the water pressure on said pressure responsive means reaches a predetermined value.

5. A mechanism for arming a marine mine comprising, in combination, an arming clock disposed Within said mine for arming the mine a predetermined interval of time after the clock has been set in operation, a lever for starting said clock in operation when the lever is, moved from an initial position to a moved position, an electrolytic cell including an anode element and a cathode element arranged for communication with the surrounding water when the mine is immersed therein, said cathode element being connected to said lever thereby forming a latch for releasably maintaining the lever in said initial position thereof, a circuit forming a connection between said anode and cathode elements and adapted to cause a predetermined current to flow therebetween in response to the electrolytic action of the sea water thereon, said predetermined current flow being sufiicient to cause said cathode element to corrode away to release said lever a predetermined period of time after the mine is submerged, and means responsive to a predetermined degree of pressure of the said water for moving said lever from said initial position to said moved position when said cathode element has corroded to release the lever.

6. In a marine mine having a clock therein for arming the mine a predetermined period of time after the clock is set in operation, the combination of an electrolytic cell including a cathode element and an anode element arranged for communication with the surrounding water when the mine is submerged therein, a circuit for causing a current flow between said cathode element and anode element when the mine is submerged whereby the cathode element is caused to corrode away by electrolytic action thereon a predetermined length of time after said current flow is started, a lever releasably locked to said cathode element prior to said corroding away thereof and arranged to be moved by pressure of the surrounding water when the mine is submerged and the lever is released from said cathode element,

said lever being constructed and arranged to set the clock in operation as the lever is moved by said water pressure from an initial position to a moved position, a spring for yieldably urging said lever toward said initial position whereby said lever is moved to said moved position when the Water pressure on said lever reaches a predetermined value.

7. An arming circuit for a marine mine comprising a circuit controlling means including an arming clock for arming said circuit a predetermined length of time after the clock has been set in operation, a lever for starting said clock in operation when the lever is moved from an initial position to a moved position, means for yieldably urging said lever into said initial position, an electrolytic cell including an anode element and a cathode element arranged for communication with the surrounding water when the mine is submerged therein, said cathode element being constructed and arranged to releasably maintain said lever in the initial position, a circuit including said anode element and cathode element for causing said cathode element to corrode away to release said lever a predetermined periodof time after the mine is submerged, and means respon sive to a predetermined degree of pressure of the surrounding water for moving said lever from said initial position to the moved position when said cathode element has corroded to release said lever.

8. In an electrolytic device of the character disclosed, the combination of an electrolytic cell including an anode and a cathode electrically connected thereto, a non-conducting casing for the cell, a movable element initially secured to a first portion of the cathode, means for securing a second portion of the cathode tothe casing, means for admitting sea water to said anode and to a third portion of the cathode intermediate said first and second portions when said device is immersed within the Water thereby to initiate corroding of said intermediate cathode portion by electrolytic action of the sea water thereon, said element being locked by the cathode in an initial position to said casing until said intermediate cathode portion has corroded sufficiently to sever said first and second cathode portions thereby to release the element for movement with respect to the casing, and means responsive to pressure of the surrounding water for moving the element upon release thereof.

LEWIS E. KISSINGER.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Leon Feb. 23, 1909 Number

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