US2958281A - Hydrostat mechanism - Google Patents

Hydrostat mechanism Download PDF

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US2958281A
US2958281A US432454A US43245442A US2958281A US 2958281 A US2958281 A US 2958281A US 432454 A US432454 A US 432454A US 43245442 A US43245442 A US 43245442A US 2958281 A US2958281 A US 2958281A
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mine
hydrostat
switch
relay
secured
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US432454A
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Albert H Sellman
Robert H Park
Roger W Wallace
Charles A Hobbs
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C5/00—Fuzes actuated by exposure to a predetermined ambient fluid pressure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C14/00—Mechanical fuzes characterised by the ammunition class or type
    • F42C14/04—Mechanical fuzes characterised by the ammunition class or type for torpedoes, marine mines or depth charges
    • F42C14/045—Mechanical fuzes characterised by the ammunition class or type for torpedoes, marine mines or depth charges having electric igniters

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  • the present invention relates to mine iring control mechanisms in which a detonating device is moved into operative relation with respect to an explosive charge by the operation of a hydrostat in response to the pressure of the water within which the mine is arranged, the hydrostat also controlling the operation of certain switching devices in predetermined order of sequence thereby to energize certain control circuits whereby the mine is armed and caused to explode in response to the passage of a predetermined number of vessels within the vicinity of the mine in accordance with the setting of a selection device.
  • the clock may stop in certain cases, before the cycle of operations thereof has been completed as the result of the formation of rust or the presence of foreign matter within the gear train or escapement mechanism or by reason of thickened lubricant or damage to the clock mechanism during the handling, transportation and planting of the mme.
  • the detonator is actuated preferably by a lazy tongs arrangement in which a relatively small movement of the exible diaphragm of a hydrostat is multiplied suiciently to actuate the detonating device through a considerable distance and cause the detonating device to be arranged initially at a safe distance from the booster charge and inserted well within the charge as the hydrostat operates.
  • the hydrostat device is also provided with means adapted to operate a plurality of contact devices in predetermined sequential order thereby to close a plurality of electrical control circuits in predetermined time relation during the operation of the hydrostat and to render an additional switch device effective to ire the detonator and to explode the mine in the event that the hydrostat is actuated toward the initial position from the operated position thereof.
  • the hydrostat is also provided with a soluble washer adapted to prevent the operation of the hydrostat until the device has been planted within the water for a predetermined period ICC of time suiiicient to cause the soluble Washer to dissolve or soften.
  • a lock nut secured to the hydrostat having an aperture therein within which 1s disposed a removable rod or wire, hereinafter referred to as an arming wire, thereby additionally to prevent movement of the hydrostat until the arming wire has been withdrawn from the nut.
  • the hydrostat device of the present invention is adapted to control a mine ring mechanism, preferably of the type in which the mine is tired electrically by a change in the magnetic field adjacent the mine such, for example, as may be caused by the approach of a steel vessel or other preponderous mass of iron or steel within the vicinity of the mine and in which the firing of the mine is delayed until a predetermined number of such signals have been received.
  • One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of new and improved means for inserting a detonating device within an explosive charge and for closing a plurality of control circuits in predetermined sequential order concurrently therewith.
  • Another of the objects is the provision of new and improved means for initiating a cycle of operations of a mine tiring mechanism concurrently with the insertion of a detonating device into an explosive charge.
  • Still another object is the provision of means for exploding a mine in response to the withdrawal of the detonator from the explosive charge.
  • a still further object is the provision of an arming and control mechanism for a submarine mine which is simple in operation, economical to manufacture, and which possesses all of the qualities of ruggedness and reliability in operation.
  • Fig. l is a view partly in section of a submarine mine in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a view in elevation partly broken away of the hydrostat extending and switching mechanism employed with the mine of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is a sectional view partly broken away of the device of Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 5 is a view of one of the control switches and actuating means therefor;
  • Fig, 6 is a view partly in section of the device in a fully operated position, and;
  • Fig. 7 illustrates in diagrammatic form a complete system suitable for use with the present invention.
  • a submarine mine indicated generally by the numeral 10 comprising a casing 11 adapted to be sealed by a cap 12 secured thereto by the bolts 13, a suitable gasket 14 being provided preferably between the cap and the casing to insure a watertight joint therebetween.
  • the casing is provided with a well 15 to which is secured as by the bolts 16 a hydrostat device indicated generally by the numeral 17.
  • a gasket 18 is provided preferably between the hydrostat device and the bottom of the well to prevent the seepage or leakage of water within the casing.
  • the well is continued downward as at 19 thereby to form a chamber 20 within which is arranged a booster charge 21 having an aperture 22 therein adapted to receive a detonating device as the hydrostat 17 operates.
  • the portion 19 of the Well is preferably braced to the casing 11 as by the member 23 ⁇ secured thereto.
  • a chamber 24 Within the casing of the mine adapted to receive vand support the battery 25, a suitable pad or cushion 26 of material suitable for the purpose such, for example, as sponge rubber or the like preferably being arranged between the battery and the walls of the chamber to prevent injury or damage to the battery as the device is launched within the water.
  • a cable duct or tube 27 is provided between the chamber 24 and the chamber 20 within which is disposed a plurality of electrical conductors whereby an external electrical circuit is established to the switches controlled by the hydrostat 17.
  • the casing is also provided with a chamber 28 adapted to receive and support a mine firing mechanism 29, a suitable pad or cushion 31 being provided between the mine firing mechanism and the walls of the chamber 28 to prevent damage or injury to the mine firing mechanism during the handling, transportation and launching of the mine.
  • the cushion 31 is provided with an aperture 32 within which is disposed a cable 33 comprising a plurality of electrical conductors for establishing an external circuit to the Inine firing mechanism 29.
  • an induction or pickup coil 34 comprising a large number of turns of fine wire wound about an iron rod or a rod composed of material known in the art as Permalloy having a composition of substantially 121/2 percent iron and 871/2 percent nickel, the induction coil being suitably supported at each end thereof by a flexible cushion or pad 35 arranged within a suitable well within the member 36 secured to the casing of the mine and a similar well or recess secured to the partition 37 within the mine.
  • the casing 11 is provided with a recessed portion l38 having an aperture 39 therein for the induction of an explosive mixture 41 within the casing, a cover 42 secured thereto as by the bolts 43 being provided to seal the aperture.
  • a gasket 44 may, if desired, be provided between the cover and the bottom of the recessed portion 38 of the casing to prevent the entrance of water or moisture Within the casing of the mine.
  • an arming wire 46 having one end secured to the aircraft and the other end thereof passing through an aperture within the hydrostat device is employed preferably to prevent the possibility of the premature operation of the hydrostat until the mine has fallen free of the aircraft.
  • the hydrostat device 17 employed with the present invention comprises a support 47, Figs. 2 and 3, having a flanged portion 48 provided with a plurality of apertures 49 adapted to receive the bolts 16, Fig. l, whereby the hydrostat is securely clamped to the casing of the mine at the lower portion of the well 15.
  • the support 47 has secured thereto, in any suitable manner, a cap 51 thereby forming a chamber 52 to which water is admitted by a plurality of apertures 53 within the cap.
  • a recess or well 54 adapted to receive and support a soluble washer 55 of material suitable for the purpose such, for example, as a composition of salt, glycerine, glue and the like having an aperture therein within which is arranged the plunger or shaft 56.
  • the end of the shaft 56 is preferably threaded and provided with a wing nut 57, a suitable washer 58 being arranged between the wing nut and the soluble washer to prevent movement of the plunger 56 inwardly until the soluble washer has dissolved.
  • the wing nut is provided with a cylindrical projecting portion 59 adapted to project from an aperture within the cover 60 secured to the cap 51 in any suitable manner as by threading the parts together.
  • the cylindrical portion 59 of the nut is provided with a plurality of apertures 61 adapted to receive the arming wire 46, Fig. l, and additionally prevent movement of the plunger or rod inwardly until the arming wire has been withdrawn from the wing nut by reason of a shoulder 62 provided on the cover 60 in substantial abutting relation with the apertures 61 when the wing nut is in the position shown on the drawings.
  • the plunger 56 is bifurcated at the lower portion thereof and slideably supported within the support 47 and prevented from rotative movement with respect thereto by reason of a square or oblong aperture within the support 47 within which the member 56 is slideably fitted.
  • the support 47 is provided with a cylindrical portion 63 within which a piston 64 is arranged, the piston 64 being supported by a shoulder 65 on the plunger rod 56.
  • a flexible diaphragm 68 Secured to the piston 64 las by the nut 66 and washer 67 is a flexible diaphragm 68, a screw 69 being provided within the nut 66 thereby to maintain the nut securely in a clamped position.
  • the outer edge of the flexible diaphragm 68 is clamped in sealed relation to a shoulder 71 within the support 47 as by the clamping ring 72 threaded therein, 'a plurality of slots 73 being provided within the clamping ring for receiving a suitable clamping tool during the assembly of the device.
  • the cap 51 is provided with an aperture or bearing support 74 within which the plunger 56 is adapted to slid'e and a plurality of apertures 75 adapted to allow the passage of water therethrough from the chamber 52 to the soluble washer 55.
  • the lower end of the bifurcated portion of the member 56 is provided with a pin 76 passing therethrough and retained in the assembled position as by the cotter pins 77.
  • the pin 76 also passes through the arms 78 and 79 at the slotted portion 80 thereof, the arms being pivotally mounted upon the support 47 as by the pins 81 and 82 respectively, suitable projections 83 and 84 being provided for this purpose.
  • a U-shaped member 85 secured t0 the support 47 as by the screws 86 within which the bifurcated portion of the rod 56 is adapted to move.
  • a plurality of levers or links 87 and 88 operatively connected to the lever arms 78 and 79 as by the bearing pins 89 and 91, the links 87 and 88 being connected together in the manner shown on the drawing to form a lazy tong arrangement in which the links 92 and 93 are employed to complete the connection between the lazy tongs and the member 94 slideably mounted within the slotted portions 95 arranged within the U-shaped member 85 on opposite sides of the lazy tongs, a suitable pin 96 maintained in assembled position by the cotter pins 97 being employed preferably to transmit the motion of the lazy tongs to the member 94.
  • the member 94 is provided with a cylindrical portion 98 adapted to receive a detonating device 99 secured thereto as by the screw 101.
  • the detonator is held in the retracted position by the springs 102 and 103 secured to the arms 78 and 79 respectively, the other end of the springs being in engagement with the turned up portions 104 and 105 of the lower end of the member 85.
  • the movement of the spring is less than the degree of movement of the flexible diaphragm 68 and because of the relatively long springs and the small degree of movement thereof the pressure applied to the member 56 fby the springs is substantially uniform throughout the range of operation of the device.
  • the member 56 may be moved inward or outward, yas the case may be, without excessive friction or binding of the parts and thus yan arrangement is provided in which the device -is invariably reliable in operation in response to predetermined variations in the pressure of the water within which the device is submerged.
  • the lower er1-d of the member 85 is provided preferably with a projecting collar 106 secured thereto in ⁇ any suitable manner and having an aperture therein of suicient size to permit the passage of the detonator therethrough as the detonator is moved to the extended position.
  • 'I'he member 94 has secured thereto in any suitable manner as by the screws 107 a cam member 108 having an inclined portion 109 raised therefrom and a slotted portion 111 adapted to engage the projecting end 112 of a spring 113 secured to the switch device 114.
  • the switch 114 is secured to the U-shaped member 85 in any suitable manner as by the screws 115 and provided with a pair of contacts adapted to be moved into engagement with each other when a plunger 116 is actuated inwardly by the spring member 113.
  • the switch is provided with a pair of conductors 117 and 118 for establishing an external electrical connection -between the switch contacts and a terminal block 119, Figs. 2 and 4, secured to the member 85 as by the screws 121.
  • the plunger 56 there is also secured to the plunger 56 as by the screws 122 a support 123 having a screw 124 by means of which the U-shaped spring 125 having raised portions 126 and 127 thereon is affixed thereto and ⁇ adapted to engage the pl-ungers of the switches 128 and 129 respectively.
  • the switch 128 is adapted to close a pair or contacts momentarily in response to the engagement of the plunger thereof by the raised portion 126 of the spring 125 .as the plunger S6 begins to move the detonator into operative relation with respect to the booster charge.
  • the switch 129 has a pai-r of normally closed contacts maintained in the open position by the raised portion 127 of the spring 125 when the hydrostat is unoperated and adapted to cause the cont-acts thereof to be moved to closed position .after the plunger switch 128 has been actuated and released by the raised portion 126 of the spring 125 during the movement of the hydrostat to the operated position thereof.
  • the switches 114, 128 and 129 are connected together by suitable conductors in the manner illustrated on Fig. 7, the electrical connections to the switches including preferably terminals of the connecting or terminal block 119.
  • the member 94 it will be noted, .is provided with an ⁇ aperture 131 within which is disposed -a pair of electrical conductors within the insulating sleeve or cable 132 for establishing an electrical connection between the detonating device 99 and the terminals 133 on the terminal block 119.
  • the cable 132 it will be noted, is of suicient length to permit the movement 4of the detonating device from the initial to the tinal position thereof without interfering any way with the oper-ation of the device.
  • the tiring mechanism 29 comprises, among other elements, a sensitive detecting relay D, Fig. 7, having an operating coil DR adapted to reset the tongue of the relay to an initial position intermediate Ia pair of contacts.
  • a slow releasing relay P controlled by the relay D and adapted to actuate the stepping ma-gnet STP of a rotary stepping switch which may be of 'any type suitable ttor the purpose, in which the wiper is advanced successively into contact with la plurality of switch terminals selectively in accordance with the number of operations of the stepping magnet.
  • the switch comprises also a reset magnet RS .adapted to restore the wiper thereof to 1an initial position upon .energization of the reset magnet.
  • the terminals of the switch are wired to contacts of a selector switch SS having a contact member settable ,at will to any desired position thereby to establish an electrical circuit to a predetermined contact thereof.
  • Fig. 7 shows in diagrammatic lform a system comprising an arrangement of circuits and parts the.'efor suitable for use with the device of the present invention and in which the switch contacts 114, 128 and 129 .are employed for controlling the operation of the tiring control mechanism.
  • Relay D is a sensitive relay adapted to be operated in response to the electromotive force generated within the pickup coil 34 by reason of the current flowing through the winding DO thereof.
  • the armature or tongue of the relay is preferably adapted to remain in any position in which it has been set and it may be assumed, for the purpose of description, that the armature has been moved into engagement with one of the contacts associated therewith as a result of the handling, transportation or planting of the mine.
  • the manner in which the moving element or armature of relay D is restored to' an initial position intermediate the contacts of the relay will now be described.
  • relay P also closes a circuit from positive terminal of battery BA, conductor 140, winding of the slow operating relay SO, conductor 148, make contact and armature 147 of relay P, conductor 143, contacts of switch 129, conductor 142 and thence to the negative terminal of battery BA thereby causing relay SO to operate.
  • Relay SO by reason of the provision of a certain delay mechanism such, for example, as a copper slug arranged on the core of the electromagnet of the relay does not move the armature 149 thereof into engagement with its make contact until a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the operating circuit to the relay has been completed thereby to insure that the wiper of the stepping switch will be advanced to the next succeeding terminal of the switch bank before the operate circuit thereto is interrupted.
  • a certain delay mechanism such, for example, as a copper slug arranged on the core of the electromagnet of the relay does not move the armature 149 thereof into engagement with its make contact until a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the operating circuit to the relay has been completed thereby to insure that the wiper of the stepping switch will be advanced to the next succeeding terminal of the switch bank before the operate circuit thereto is interrupted.
  • the selector switch SS is set in position 2 whereby the first signal received by a passing ship or sweep wire, as the case may be, is ineffective to cause the mine to be exploded.
  • the passage of a ship, for example, within the vicinity of the mine causes a disturbance in the magnetic field adjacent thereto sufficient to generate an electromotive force within the pickup coil 34 and cause the relay D to operate.
  • a circuit is closed from the positive terminal of battery BA by way of conductor 140, armature and contact 144 or 145, as the case may be, of relay D, conductor 146, winding of relay P, conductor 143, switch contacts 129, conductor 142 and thence to the negative terminal of battery BA thereby causing relay P to operate and at armature 147 and make contact thereof apply negative battery to the stepping magnet STP and the winding of relay SO in parallel, the circuit being continued by way of conductor 140 to the positive terminal of battery BA.
  • the stepping magnet STP operates and advances the switch wiper to terminal 3 of the switch bank.
  • Relay SO operates and at armature 149 thereof closes an operate circuit to the reset magnet DR thereby resetting relay D to an initial unoperated position and causing relay P to release.
  • the release of relay P at armature 147 thereof interrupts the operate circuit to the stepping magnet STP and relay SO thereby deenergizing the stepping magnet and causing relay SO to release.
  • armature 149 of relay SO moves away from the make contact thereof, the reset magnet DR releases and relay D is again rendered responsive to signals detected by the pickup coil 34. The mine is now in an armed condition.
  • the signal picked up by the induction coil 34 is sufficient to energize the operate magnet DO of relay D and move the armature thereof into circuit closing position thereby applying battery from positive terminal of battery BA by way of conductor 140, armature and make contact of relay D, conductor 146 and thence to the winding of relay P, the circuit being continued by way of conductor 143, contacts of switch 129, conductor 142 and thence to the negative terminal of battery BA.
  • Relay P operates and at armature 147 thereof closes a circuit from positive terminal of battery BA, conductor 140, winding of the stepping magnet STP and relay SO in parallel, conductor 148, make contact and armature 147 of relay P, conductor 143, contacts of switch 129, conductor 142 to the negative terminal of battery BA.
  • the stepping magnet STP operates thereby advancing the switch wiper to terminal 3 of the switch bank.
  • the mine is exploded in response to the passage of a second ship within the vicinity of the mine it will, of course, be understood that the mine may be arranged, if desired, to explode in response to the approach or passage of the first ship within the vicinity of the mine, it being merely necessary to set the switch SS to position l.
  • the number of ships required to pass the mine before the mine is exploded is predetermined in accordance with the setting of the switch SS.
  • the cam member 108 has a raised inclined portion 109 adapted to engage the spring 113 and move the spring outwardly from the switch 114 as the detonator moves into the fully extended position within the booster charge.
  • This movement of the spring 113 is caused by the engagement of the extended portion 112 of the spring 113 with the inclined portion 109 of the cam member 108 at the lower cam surface thereof.
  • the extended portion 112 of the spring 113 is disengaged from the inclined portion 109 of the cam member, and the spring moves somewhat inward by reason of the resiliency thereof to the position shown in solid outline on Fig. 6.
  • the pressure of the water against the flexible diaphragm 68 is reduced suciently to cause the member 56 to be moved outward by the springs 102 and 103 thereby causing the cam member 108 to be moved to the position shown in dashed outline on Fig. 6 and the spring 113 to be moved to the position shown in dashed outline by reason of the engagement of the projecting portion 112 thereof with the upper cam surface of the inclined raised portion 109.
  • the present invention contemplates the provision of a new and improved hydrostatically operated device adapted to maintain a detonating device at a safe distance from a booster charge and insert the detonating device Within the booster charge and close a plurality of switching elements and control circuits in predetermined sequential order concurrently therewith, in which the arrangement of parts and the combination of instrumentalities employed is such as to insure reliable operation of the -device and in which the mine is caused to be self-destructive when the mine is raised toward the surface of the water suflicient to cause the pressure of the water against the hydrostat to be reduced to a predetermined value, thereby to prevent discovery of the operating mechanism of the mine by unauthorized persons.
  • a device of the character disclosed adapted to be arranged within a body of water, the combination of a casing, a exible diaphragm secured to said casing having one side thereof in communication with the water, a member connected to said diaphragm and movable therewith, a pair of lever arms pivotally connected to said casing and adapted to move said movable member outwardly to a predetermined initial position, means including a pair of springs connected respectively to each of said lever arms for yieldably urging said movable member and diaphragm outwardly to said predetermined initial position, a motion amplifying device operatively connected to said lever arms, a detonating device adapted to be moved to an extended position by said motion amplifying device in response to the pressure of the water against said diaphragm, a pair of normally open switch contacts secured to said casing, and means adapted to close said switch contacts momentarily during the movement of said detonating device by said motion amplifying means.
  • a device of the character disclosed for controlling the firing of a submarine mine the combination of a hydrostat, motion multiplying means, a pair of levers interposed between the hydrostat and the motion multiplying means, said levers having long and short arms with each of the long arms connected to the motion multiplying means and to said hydrostat, and a pair of elongated springs each fixed at one end respectively and connected at the opposite ends to the short arms of said levers for yieldably causing the levers to urge said hydrostat and motion multiplying means into an initial position, a detonating device operatively connected to said motion multiplying means and adapted to be moved thereby from said initial position to a moved position, an explosive charge arranged within the path of travel of said detonating device and at a safe distance therefrom when the detonating device is in said initial position, a control circuit, and means for energizing said control circuit during the movement of said detonating device from said initial position to said moved position.
  • a hydrostat in communication with the water, means for multiplying the degree of movement of said hydrostat, detonating means adapted to be moved by said multiplying means from an initial position to a moved position within said explosive charge in response to a predetermined pressure of the water against said hydrostat, a plurality of mine tiring control circuits, a selector switch,
  • a hydrostat having a ilexible diaphragm in communication with the water adapted to move through a predetermined distance as the hydrostat operates
  • a pair of levers having long and short arms for yieldably maintaining said diaphragm in an initial position
  • a pair of elongated spring members respectively connected to the short arms of said levers and adapted to move thro-ugh a lesser distance than the extent of movement of the diaphragm as the hydrostat operates
  • a detonating device and means connected to the long arms of said levers for causing said detonating device to move through a greater distance than the extent of movement of said diaphragm as the hydrostat operates.
  • a device of the character disclosed the combination of a casing, a plurality of levers pivotally secured to said casing, a plurality of springs respectively connected to each of said levers for yieldably urging the levers toward an initial position thereof, a flexible diaphragm having one side thereof in communication with the water, a movable member secured to the central portion of said diaphragm and operatively connected to said levers, a motion multiplying device operatively connected to said levers and controlled thereby, a detonating device, means for operatively connecting said detonating device to said motion multiplying device whereby the detonating device is adapted to be moved variably in accordance with the degree of movement of said motion multiplying device, a mine tiring control mechanism, means including a plurality of switch devices Iactuated by said movable member for rendering said mine tiring control mechanism effective during the movement of said flexible diaphragm from an initial position to an operated position, and means including -a pair of switch contacts controlled by said motion multiplying
  • a hydrostat device of the character disclosed the combination of means for causing the hydrostat to operate when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the device has been planted within a body of water, means including a plurality of levers operatively connected to said hydrostat device adapted to be actuated by -the hydrostat, a plurality of spring members respectively connected to each of said levers for yieldably maintaining said hydrostat in an initial position, an electro-responsive detonating device, motion amplifying means operatively connected to said hydrostat :and adapted to move the detonatv ing device through a much greater distance than the degree of movement of the hydrostat, a source of electrical power, means for closing a circuit during the operation of said hydrostat device in response to a predetermined pressure of the water, means effective when the pressure of the water has been decreased to a predetermined degree for closing a pair of co-ntacts as the hydrostat is reversely actuated by said spring members, and means including said circuit closing means for causing the deton
  • a ilexible diaphragm having one side thereof in communication with the water, a movable member secured to said diaphragm, a pair of levers operatively connected to said movable member, each of said levers having a spring secured thereto for yieldably urging the diaphragm against the water, lazy tongs operatively connected to said levers, a detonating device, means operatively connected to said lazy tongs for supporting said detonating device whereby the supporting means and detonating device are adapted to be moved by the lazy tongs to a fully extended position through a much greater distance than the degree of movement of said exible diaphragm, a source of power, a cam element secured to said supporting means, a switch device adapted to be engaged by said cam element as the detonating device is moved to said fully extended position, and means including a plurality of electrical connections for causing the detonating device to be tired by said source of power when
  • a hydrostat having a ilexible diaphragm in communication with the water, a member secured to said diaphragm and movable therewith, a casing having means for slideably supporting said movable member, a soluble washer in contact with the water and disposed about said movable member, said washer being adapted to prevent movement of the member and diaphragm until the washer is dissolved, means including an arming wire operatively connected to said movable member for additionally preventing movement of the movable member and the diaphragm until the arming wire has been withdrawn from the movable member, a pair of levers operatively connected to said movable member and pivotally mounted on said casing, said levers having relatively short projecting arms, a pair of retractile springs respectively secured to each of said arms and said casing, said springs being of sucient length to cause the flexible diaphraghm to be yieldably urged against the water with a substantially uniform degree of pressure throughout the movement of the
  • a hydrostat device in combination, a support, a flexible diaphragm secured to said support and having one side thereof in communication with a body of water, means including a pair of levers for yieldably urging said diaphragm against the water, a movable member secured to said diaphragm and operatively connected to said levers, said movable member being slidably supported within said support, a U-shaped member secured to said support on opposite sides of said movable member and having a slotted portion in each side thereof, means secured to said lever arms for multiplying the degree of movement of said movable member, a supporting member slideably supported within said U-shaped member at the slotted portions thereof, means for operatively connecting said sildeable member to the motion multiplying device whereby the slideable member is adapted to be moved by the motion multiplying device through a much greater distance than the degree of movement of the diaphragm, a detonating device secured to said slideable member and movable therewith, said detonating device
  • a hydrostat operatively connected to said hydrostat, means including a plurality of elongated retractile springs for yieldably urging said lazy tongs to closed position, a detonating device secured to said lazy tongs and adapted to be moved thereby to an extended position as the hydrostat operates, a plurality of circuit closing devices adapted to bc closed in predetermined sequential order during the actuation of said detonating device to said extended position, a terminal block supported by said hydrostat and having a plurality of terminal connections for establishing a plurality of electrical circuits to said circuit closing devices and to said detonating device respectively, a mine firing mechanism in electrical circuit with said terminal connections, and means included in said mine firing mechanism for exploding the detonating device in response to the approach of a vessel when the detonating device has been moved to said extended position by said motion multiplying means.
  • a device of the character disclosed the combination of a exible diaphragm having one side thereof in communication with the water, a movable member secured to said diaphragm, a pair of levers, each of said levers having a slotted portion therein, means for pivotally supporting said levers with the slotted portions thereof in substantial alinement with each other, a bearing pin secured to said movable member and disposed within said slotted portions of the levers, a pair of springs respectively secured to each of said levers for yieldably urging the diaphragm against the water, lazy tongs operatively connected to said levers, a detonating device, means operatively connected to said lazy tongs for supporting said detonating device whereby the supporting means and detonating device are adapted 4to be moved by the lazy tongs to a fully extended position through a much greater distance than the degree of movement of said exible diaphragm, a source of power, a cam element secured to said supporting means, a switch device

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Description

Nov. l, 196() `A. H. sl-:LLMAN ETAL HYDROSTAT MECHANISM Filed Feb. 26, 1942 INVENTORS WATTORNEY Nov. l, 1960 A. H. sl-:LLMAN ETAL 2,958,281
HYDRosTAT MECHANISM Filed Feb. 2e, 1942 s sheets-sheet 2v Nov. 1, 1960 Filed Feb. 26. 1942 A. H. SELLMAN ETAL 2,958,281
HYDROSTAT MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 C. HO BS ATTORNEY Nov. l, 1960 Filed Feb. 26, 1942 A. H. SELLMAN ETAL HYDROSTAT MECHAN'ISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS A. H. SELLMAN R. H. PARK R. W. WALLACE C. A. HOBBS ATTORNEY Nov. 1, 1960 Filed Feb. 26, 1942 A. H. SELLMAN ETAL HYDROSTAT MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 l n? "Wj IIB lll'l l "4 I IIII 1 m I3 O9 Ef los INVENToRs A. H SELLMAN R. H PARK R. W WALLACE c. Ho BY oRNEY United States Patent O HYDROSTAT MECHANISM Albert H. Sellman, Washington, D.C.; Robert H. Park, Pluckemin, NJ. (Corporation Road, Dennis, Mass.); Roger W. Wallace, Washington, D.C.; and Charles A. Hobbs, Atlanta, Ga. (R.F.D. 6, Charlotte, N.C.)
Filed Feb. 26, 1942, Ser. N0. 432,454
1`1 Claims. (Cl. 10218) (Granted under Title 35, U.S. Code (1952), sec. 266) This invention relates to submarine mine firing and control devices in which the mine is armed when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the mine has been planted within a body of water and in which the mine is automatically destroyed when the mine is raised toward the surface of the water. More specifically, the present invention relates to mine iring control mechanisms in which a detonating device is moved into operative relation with respect to an explosive charge by the operation of a hydrostat in response to the pressure of the water within which the mine is arranged, the hydrostat also controlling the operation of certain switching devices in predetermined order of sequence thereby to energize certain control circuits whereby the mine is armed and caused to explode in response to the passage of a predetermined number of vessels within the vicinity of the mine in accordance with the setting of a selection device.
In systems heretofore proposed for controlling the tiring mechanism of a submarine mine in which the firing of the mine is accomplished electrically by current from a source of electrical energy dispoesd within the mine, it is the general practice to perform the several switching operations necessary for energizing the various circuits by means of a clock mechanism having means provided therein for performing the various switching operations. Such systems require a rather expensive and complicated clock mechanism for performing the necessary switching functions and are not wholly reliable under all conditions of service for the reason that the clock may fail to start because of the storage of insuicient mechanical energy within the prime mover thereof or by reason of the failure of the starting mechanism to operate. Furthermore, the clock may stop in certain cases, before the cycle of operations thereof has been completed as the result of the formation of rust or the presence of foreign matter within the gear train or escapement mechanism or by reason of thickened lubricant or damage to the clock mechanism during the handling, transportation and planting of the mme.
In the system of the present invention the detonator is actuated preferably by a lazy tongs arrangement in which a relatively small movement of the exible diaphragm of a hydrostat is multiplied suiciently to actuate the detonating device through a considerable distance and cause the detonating device to be arranged initially at a safe distance from the booster charge and inserted well within the charge as the hydrostat operates. The hydrostat device is also provided with means adapted to operate a plurality of contact devices in predetermined sequential order thereby to close a plurality of electrical control circuits in predetermined time relation during the operation of the hydrostat and to render an additional switch device effective to ire the detonator and to explode the mine in the event that the hydrostat is actuated toward the initial position from the operated position thereof. The hydrostat is also provided with a soluble washer adapted to prevent the operation of the hydrostat until the device has been planted within the water for a predetermined period ICC of time suiiicient to cause the soluble Washer to dissolve or soften. There is also provided a lock nut secured to the hydrostat having an aperture therein within which 1s disposed a removable rod or wire, hereinafter referred to as an arming wire, thereby additionally to prevent movement of the hydrostat until the arming wire has been withdrawn from the nut.
The hydrostat device of the present invention is adapted to control a mine ring mechanism, preferably of the type in which the mine is tired electrically by a change in the magnetic field adjacent the mine such, for example, as may be caused by the approach of a steel vessel or other preponderous mass of iron or steel within the vicinity of the mine and in which the firing of the mine is delayed until a predetermined number of such signals have been received.
One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of new and improved means for inserting a detonating device within an explosive charge and for closing a plurality of control circuits in predetermined sequential order concurrently therewith.
Another of the objects is the provision of new and improved means for initiating a cycle of operations of a mine tiring mechanism concurrently with the insertion of a detonating device into an explosive charge.
Still another object is the provision of means for exploding a mine in response to the withdrawal of the detonator from the explosive charge.
A still further object is the provision of an arming and control mechanism for a submarine mine which is simple in operation, economical to manufacture, and which possesses all of the qualities of ruggedness and reliability in operation.
Still further objects, advantages and improvements will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of which:
Fig. l is a view partly in section of a submarine mine in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a view in elevation partly broken away of the hydrostat extending and switching mechanism employed with the mine of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view partly broken away of the device of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a view of one of the control switches and actuating means therefor;
Fig, 6 is a view partly in section of the device in a fully operated position, and;
Fig. 7 illustrates in diagrammatic form a complete system suitable for use with the present invention.
Referring now to the drawings on which like numerals of reference are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views and more particularly to Fig. 1 thereof on which is shown a submarine mine indicated generally by the numeral 10 comprising a casing 11 adapted to be sealed by a cap 12 secured thereto by the bolts 13, a suitable gasket 14 being provided preferably between the cap and the casing to insure a watertight joint therebetween. The casing is provided with a well 15 to which is secured as by the bolts 16 a hydrostat device indicated generally by the numeral 17. A gasket 18 is provided preferably between the hydrostat device and the bottom of the well to prevent the seepage or leakage of water within the casing. The well is continued downward as at 19 thereby to form a chamber 20 within which is arranged a booster charge 21 having an aperture 22 therein adapted to receive a detonating device as the hydrostat 17 operates. The portion 19 of the Well is preferably braced to the casing 11 as by the member 23` secured thereto.
There is also provided a chamber 24 Within the casing of the mine adapted to receive vand support the battery 25, a suitable pad or cushion 26 of material suitable for the purpose such, for example, as sponge rubber or the like preferably being arranged between the battery and the walls of the chamber to prevent injury or damage to the battery as the device is launched within the water. A cable duct or tube 27 is provided between the chamber 24 and the chamber 20 within which is disposed a plurality of electrical conductors whereby an external electrical circuit is established to the switches controlled by the hydrostat 17. The casing is also provided with a chamber 28 adapted to receive and support a mine firing mechanism 29, a suitable pad or cushion 31 being provided between the mine firing mechanism and the walls of the chamber 28 to prevent damage or injury to the mine firing mechanism during the handling, transportation and launching of the mine. The cushion 31 is provided with an aperture 32 within which is disposed a cable 33 comprising a plurality of electrical conductors for establishing an external circuit to the Inine firing mechanism 29.
There is also provided within the casing an induction or pickup coil 34 comprising a large number of turns of fine wire wound about an iron rod or a rod composed of material known in the art as Permalloy having a composition of substantially 121/2 percent iron and 871/2 percent nickel, the induction coil being suitably supported at each end thereof by a flexible cushion or pad 35 arranged within a suitable well within the member 36 secured to the casing of the mine and a similar well or recess secured to the partition 37 within the mine.
The casing 11 is provided with a recessed portion l38 having an aperture 39 therein for the induction of an explosive mixture 41 within the casing, a cover 42 secured thereto as by the bolts 43 being provided to seal the aperture. A gasket 44 may, if desired, be provided between the cover and the bottom of the recessed portion 38 of the casing to prevent the entrance of water or moisture Within the casing of the mine. There is also provided preferably a plurality of fins 45 secured to the mine casing in any convenient manner thereby to direct and steer the mine both in the air and in the water along a predetermined line of flight when the mine is launched from a craft such, for example, as an aircraft, vessel or the like.
When the mine is launched from an aircraft in flight an arming wire 46 having one end secured to the aircraft and the other end thereof passing through an aperture within the hydrostat device is employed preferably to prevent the possibility of the premature operation of the hydrostat until the mine has fallen free of the aircraft.
The hydrostat device 17 employed with the present invention comprises a support 47, Figs. 2 and 3, having a flanged portion 48 provided with a plurality of apertures 49 adapted to receive the bolts 16, Fig. l, whereby the hydrostat is securely clamped to the casing of the mine at the lower portion of the well 15. The support 47 has secured thereto, in any suitable manner, a cap 51 thereby forming a chamber 52 to which water is admitted by a plurality of apertures 53 within the cap. There is also formed within the cap 51 a recess or well 54 adapted to receive and support a soluble washer 55 of material suitable for the purpose such, for example, as a composition of salt, glycerine, glue and the like having an aperture therein within which is arranged the plunger or shaft 56. The end of the shaft 56 is preferably threaded and provided with a wing nut 57, a suitable washer 58 being arranged between the wing nut and the soluble washer to prevent movement of the plunger 56 inwardly until the soluble washer has dissolved. The wing nut is provided with a cylindrical projecting portion 59 adapted to project from an aperture within the cover 60 secured to the cap 51 in any suitable manner as by threading the parts together. The cylindrical portion 59 of the nut is provided with a plurality of apertures 61 adapted to receive the arming wire 46, Fig. l, and additionally prevent movement of the plunger or rod inwardly until the arming wire has been withdrawn from the wing nut by reason of a shoulder 62 provided on the cover 60 in substantial abutting relation with the apertures 61 when the wing nut is in the position shown on the drawings.
The plunger 56 is bifurcated at the lower portion thereof and slideably supported within the support 47 and prevented from rotative movement with respect thereto by reason of a square or oblong aperture within the support 47 within which the member 56 is slideably fitted. The support 47 is provided with a cylindrical portion 63 within which a piston 64 is arranged, the piston 64 being supported by a shoulder 65 on the plunger rod 56. Secured to the piston 64 las by the nut 66 and washer 67 is a flexible diaphragm 68, a screw 69 being provided within the nut 66 thereby to maintain the nut securely in a clamped position. The outer edge of the flexible diaphragm 68 is clamped in sealed relation to a shoulder 71 within the support 47 as by the clamping ring 72 threaded therein, 'a plurality of slots 73 being provided within the clamping ring for receiving a suitable clamping tool during the assembly of the device. The cap 51, it will be noted, is provided with an aperture or bearing support 74 within which the plunger 56 is adapted to slid'e and a plurality of apertures 75 adapted to allow the passage of water therethrough from the chamber 52 to the soluble washer 55. The lower end of the bifurcated portion of the member 56 is provided with a pin 76 passing therethrough and retained in the assembled position as by the cotter pins 77. The pin 76 also passes through the arms 78 and 79 at the slotted portion 80 thereof, the arms being pivotally mounted upon the support 47 as by the pins 81 and 82 respectively, suitable projections 83 and 84 being provided for this purpose. There is also provided a U-shaped member 85 secured t0 the support 47 as by the screws 86 within which the bifurcated portion of the rod 56 is adapted to move. There is also provided a plurality of levers or links 87 and 88 operatively connected to the lever arms 78 and 79 as by the bearing pins 89 and 91, the links 87 and 88 being connected together in the manner shown on the drawing to form a lazy tong arrangement in which the links 92 and 93 are employed to complete the connection between the lazy tongs and the member 94 slideably mounted within the slotted portions 95 arranged within the U-shaped member 85 on opposite sides of the lazy tongs, a suitable pin 96 maintained in assembled position by the cotter pins 97 being employed preferably to transmit the motion of the lazy tongs to the member 94. The member 94 is provided with a cylindrical portion 98 adapted to receive a detonating device 99 secured thereto as by the screw 101.
The detonator is held in the retracted position by the springs 102 and 103 secured to the arms 78 and 79 respectively, the other end of the springs being in engagement with the turned up portions 104 and 105 of the lower end of the member 85.
By employing relatively long springs 102 and 103 connected to the arms 78 and 79 iin the manner illustrated on the drawings, the movement of the spring is less than the degree of movement of the flexible diaphragm 68 and because of the relatively long springs and the small degree of movement thereof the pressure applied to the member 56 fby the springs is substantially uniform throughout the range of operation of the device. Furthermore, by employing two springs in the manner illustrated the member 56 may be moved inward or outward, yas the case may be, without excessive friction or binding of the parts and thus yan arrangement is provided in which the device -is invariably reliable in operation in response to predetermined variations in the pressure of the water within which the device is submerged.
The lower er1-d of the member 85 is provided preferably with a projecting collar 106 secured thereto in `any suitable manner and having an aperture therein of suicient size to permit the passage of the detonator therethrough as the detonator is moved to the extended position.
'I'he member 94 has secured thereto in any suitable manner as by the screws 107 a cam member 108 having an inclined portion 109 raised therefrom and a slotted portion 111 adapted to engage the projecting end 112 of a spring 113 secured to the switch device 114. The switch 114 is secured to the U-shaped member 85 in any suitable manner as by the screws 115 and provided with a pair of contacts adapted to be moved into engagement with each other when a plunger 116 is actuated inwardly by the spring member 113. The switch is provided with a pair of conductors 117 and 118 for establishing an external electrical connection -between the switch contacts and a terminal block 119, Figs. 2 and 4, secured to the member 85 as by the screws 121. There is also secured to the plunger 56 as by the screws 122 a support 123 having a screw 124 by means of which the U-shaped spring 125 having raised portions 126 and 127 thereon is affixed thereto and `adapted to engage the pl-ungers of the switches 128 and 129 respectively. The switch 128 is adapted to close a pair or contacts momentarily in response to the engagement of the plunger thereof by the raised portion 126 of the spring 125 .as the plunger S6 begins to move the detonator into operative relation with respect to the booster charge.
The switch 129 has a pai-r of normally closed contacts maintained in the open position by the raised portion 127 of the spring 125 when the hydrostat is unoperated and adapted to cause the cont-acts thereof to be moved to closed position .after the plunger switch 128 has been actuated and released by the raised portion 126 of the spring 125 during the movement of the hydrostat to the operated position thereof. The switches 114, 128 and 129 are connected together by suitable conductors in the manner illustrated on Fig. 7, the electrical connections to the switches including preferably terminals of the connecting or terminal block 119. The member 94, it will be noted, .is provided with an `aperture 131 within which is disposed -a pair of electrical conductors within the insulating sleeve or cable 132 for establishing an electrical connection between the detonating device 99 and the terminals 133 on the terminal block 119. The cable 132, it will be noted, is of suicient length to permit the movement 4of the detonating device from the initial to the tinal position thereof without interfering any way with the oper-ation of the device.
There is also secured to the U-shaped member 85 as by the screws 134 and studs 135 Ia plate o-r rguard 136 thereby to elfectively prevent dam-age or injury to the switch 114 `and spring member 113 thereof during the assembly 4and testing of the device. A similar plate or guard 137 preferably of insulating material is provided on the opposite side of the U-shaped member 85 and secured thereto as by the screws 138 and studs or spacers 139 thereby to protect the switch mechanisms 128 and 129 and the electrical connections of the terminal block 119 from injury or damage during the assembly of the device.
The tiring mechanism 29 comprises, among other elements, a sensitive detecting relay D, Fig. 7, having an operating coil DR adapted to reset the tongue of the relay to an initial position intermediate Ia pair of contacts. There is also provided within the firing mechanism 29 .a slow releasing relay P controlled by the relay D and adapted to actuate the stepping ma-gnet STP of a rotary stepping switch which may be of 'any type suitable ttor the purpose, in which the wiper is advanced successively into contact with la plurality of switch terminals selectively in accordance with the number of operations of the stepping magnet. The switch comprises also a reset magnet RS .adapted to restore the wiper thereof to 1an initial position upon .energization of the reset magnet. The terminals of the switch are wired to contacts of a selector switch SS having a contact member settable ,at will to any desired position thereby to establish an electrical circuit to a predetermined contact thereof.
The operation of the device will best be understood by a consideration of Fig. 7 which shows in diagrammatic lform a system comprising an arrangement of circuits and parts the.'efor suitable for use with the device of the present invention and in which the switch contacts 114, 128 and 129 .are employed for controlling the operation of the tiring control mechanism. Let it be assumed, by way of example, that the mine 10, Fig. 1, has been launched from an aircraft in tlght over a body of water :and that the arming wire 46 is withdrawn from the hydrostat element thereof as the mine falls away from the aircraft, the mine continuing its downward movement `along a predetermined line of flight by reason of the tins 45 secured thereto and that the mine has come to 4rest on the bed of the body of water. When the mine has been planted for a length of time sufficient to cause the soluble washer 55 to dissolve or soften to such a consistency that the pressure of the -water against the flexible .diaphragm 68 causes the plunger 56 to be moved inward, the raised portio-n 126 of the spring 125 momentarily actuates the switch 128. When this occurs, a circuit is clo-sed from the positive terminal of the battery BA, conductor 140, winding of reset magnet RS, conductor 141, switch contacts 128, conductor 142 land thence to negative battery thereby causing the reset magnet RS to operate .and restore the wiper of the stepping switch to the blank or normal position thereof in the event that the wiper had been previously moved from the blank position. An arrangement is thus provided in which the wiper of the stepping switch is invariably resting on 'the normal or blank position prior to the arming of the mine. As the hydrostat continues its movement inward the raised portion 126 of the spring member 125 moves away from the plunger of the switch 128 thereby opening the switch contacts and interrupting the circuit to the release magnet RS. The release magnet releases and the stepping switch Iis in readiness to start a cycle of stepping operations.
As the hydrostat continues to move inward the raised portion 127 of the spring 125 moves away rtirom the plunger or switch 129 thereby causing the switch contacts to move -into engagement with each other and apply negative battery to conductor 143.
Relay D, it will be recalled, is a sensitive relay adapted to be operated in response to the electromotive force generated within the pickup coil 34 by reason of the current flowing through the winding DO thereof. The armature or tongue of the relay is preferably adapted to remain in any position in which it has been set and it may be assumed, for the purpose of description, that the armature has been moved into engagement with one of the contacts associated therewith as a result of the handling, transportation or planting of the mine. The manner in which the moving element or armature of relay D is restored to' an initial position intermediate the contacts of the relay will now be described.
As negative battery is applied to conductor 143 by the operation of the switch 129, the following circuit is completed: positive terminal of battery BA, conductor 140, armature and contact 144 or 145 of relay D, as the case may be, conductor 146, winding of relay P, conductor 143, contacts of switch 129, conductor 142 and thence to the negative terminal of battery BA thereby causing relay P to operate and at armature 147 thereof apply negative battery to conductor 148 from whence the circuit is continued by way of the stepping magnet STP of the stepping switch, conductor and thence to positive 7 battery. The stepping magnet is energized thereby causing the switch wiper to be advanced to terminal 1 of the switch bank.
'I'he operation of relay P also closes a circuit from positive terminal of battery BA, conductor 140, winding of the slow operating relay SO, conductor 148, make contact and armature 147 of relay P, conductor 143, contacts of switch 129, conductor 142 and thence to the negative terminal of battery BA thereby causing relay SO to operate. Relay SO, by reason of the provision of a certain delay mechanism such, for example, as a copper slug arranged on the core of the electromagnet of the relay does not move the armature 149 thereof into engagement with its make contact until a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the operating circuit to the relay has been completed thereby to insure that the wiper of the stepping switch will be advanced to the next succeeding terminal of the switch bank before the operate circuit thereto is interrupted. As armature 149 of relay SO moves into engagement with the make contact thereof, a circuit is closed from positive terminal of battery BA, conductor 140, armature 149 and make contact of relay SO, conductor 151, winding of the reset magnet DR of relay D, conductor 143, switch contacts 129, conductor 142 and thence to the negative terminal of battery BA. The operation of the reset magnet DR causes the armature of relay D to be moved to a position intermediate the contacts 144 and 145 thereby interrupting the operate circuit to relay P and causing relay P to release. Relay P, it will be noted, is a slow release relay and for this reason, armature 147 thereof is not disengaged from its make contact until a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the operate circuit thereto has been interrupted.
As armature 147 of relay P moves away from its make contact, negative battery is removed from the stepping magnet and the winding of relay SO thereby causing the stepping magnet to be deenergized and relay SO to release. As armature 149 of relay SO moves away from its make contact positive battery is removed from the reset magnet DR thereby removing the restraint from the armature of relay D and causing relay D to be responsive to signals detected by the pickup or induction coil 34. The mine is now in a partially armed condition with the wiper of the stepping switch resting on contact 1 of the switch bank.
Let it be assumed, by way of example, that the selector switch SS is set in position 2 whereby the first signal received by a passing ship or sweep wire, as the case may be, is ineffective to cause the mine to be exploded. The passage of a ship, for example, within the vicinity of the mine causes a disturbance in the magnetic field adjacent thereto sufficient to generate an electromotive force within the pickup coil 34 and cause the relay D to operate. When this occurs, a circuit is closed from the positive terminal of battery BA by way of conductor 140, armature and contact 144 or 145, as the case may be, of relay D, conductor 146, winding of relay P, conductor 143, switch contacts 129, conductor 142 and thence to the negative terminal of battery BA thereby causing relay P to operate and at armature 147 and make contact thereof apply negative battery to the stepping magnet STP and the winding of relay SO in parallel, the circuit being continued by way of conductor 140 to the positive terminal of battery BA. The stepping magnet STP operates and advances the switch wiper to terminal 3 of the switch bank. Relay SO operates and at armature 149 thereof closes an operate circuit to the reset magnet DR thereby resetting relay D to an initial unoperated position and causing relay P to release. The release of relay P at armature 147 thereof interrupts the operate circuit to the stepping magnet STP and relay SO thereby deenergizing the stepping magnet and causing relay SO to release. As armature 149 of relay SO moves away from the make contact thereof, the reset magnet DR releases and relay D is again rendered responsive to signals detected by the pickup coil 34. The mine is now in an armed condition.
As a second ship approaches the mine the signal picked up by the induction coil 34 is sufficient to energize the operate magnet DO of relay D and move the armature thereof into circuit closing position thereby applying battery from positive terminal of battery BA by way of conductor 140, armature and make contact of relay D, conductor 146 and thence to the winding of relay P, the circuit being continued by way of conductor 143, contacts of switch 129, conductor 142 and thence to the negative terminal of battery BA. Relay P operates and at armature 147 thereof closes a circuit from positive terminal of battery BA, conductor 140, winding of the stepping magnet STP and relay SO in parallel, conductor 148, make contact and armature 147 of relay P, conductor 143, contacts of switch 129, conductor 142 to the negative terminal of battery BA. The stepping magnet STP operates thereby advancing the switch wiper to terminal 3 of the switch bank. When this occurs, a circuit is closed from positive terminal of battery BA, conductor 140, detonator 99, conductor 152, wiper of switch SS and contact 2 thereof, conductor 153, terminal 3 and wiper of the stepping switch, conductor 143, contacts of switch 129, conductor 142 and thence to negative terminal of battery BA, thereby causing the detonator to operate and explode the mine.
Whereas in the example assumed, the mine is exploded in response to the passage of a second ship within the vicinity of the mine it will, of course, be understood that the mine may be arranged, if desired, to explode in response to the approach or passage of the first ship within the vicinity of the mine, it being merely necessary to set the switch SS to position l. The number of ships required to pass the mine before the mine is exploded is predetermined in accordance with the setting of the switch SS.
The manner in which the mine is caused to explode in response to movement of the mine toward the surface of the water will now be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 7 of the drawings. Referring particularly to Fig. 5, it will be noted that the cam member 108 has a raised inclined portion 109 adapted to engage the spring 113 and move the spring outwardly from the switch 114 as the detonator moves into the fully extended position within the booster charge. This movement of the spring 113, as illustrated on Fig. 5 is caused by the engagement of the extended portion 112 of the spring 113 with the inclined portion 109 of the cam member 108 at the lower cam surface thereof. As the limit of travel of the detonator 99 within the booster charge is reached the extended portion 112 of the spring 113 is disengaged from the inclined portion 109 of the cam member, and the spring moves somewhat inward by reason of the resiliency thereof to the position shown in solid outline on Fig. 6. As the mine is moved upward toward the surface of the water the pressure of the water against the flexible diaphragm 68 is reduced suciently to cause the member 56 to be moved outward by the springs 102 and 103 thereby causing the cam member 108 to be moved to the position shown in dashed outline on Fig. 6 and the spring 113 to be moved to the position shown in dashed outline by reason of the engagement of the projecting portion 112 thereof with the upper cam surface of the inclined raised portion 109. When this occurs the plunger of the switch 114 is moved inward thereby operating switch 114 and closing a circuit, Fig. 7, from positive terminal of battery BA by way of conductor 140, detonator 99, conductor 152, contacts of switch 114, the circuit being continued by way of contacts of switch 129, conductor 142 and thence to negative terminal of battery BA thereby causing the detonator to oeprate and explode the mine.
Briey stated in summary, the present invention contemplates the provision of a new and improved hydrostatically operated device adapted to maintain a detonating device at a safe distance from a booster charge and insert the detonating device Within the booster charge and close a plurality of switching elements and control circuits in predetermined sequential order concurrently therewith, in which the arrangement of parts and the combination of instrumentalities employed is such as to insure reliable operation of the -device and in which the mine is caused to be self-destructive when the mine is raised toward the surface of the water suflicient to cause the pressure of the water against the hydrostat to be reduced to a predetermined value, thereby to prevent discovery of the operating mechanism of the mine by unauthorized persons.
While there is shown and described herein a certain specic embodiment of the invention especially suited for uses in the system of a submarine mine, many other and varied forms and uses will present themselves to those versed in the art without departing from the invention, and the invention is, therefore, not limited either in structure or in use except as indicated by the terms and scope of the appended claims.
The invention herein disclosed and claimed may be manufactured and used by and for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.
What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:
l. In a device of the character disclosed adapted to be arranged within a body of water, the combination of a casing, a exible diaphragm secured to said casing having one side thereof in communication with the water, a member connected to said diaphragm and movable therewith, a pair of lever arms pivotally connected to said casing and adapted to move said movable member outwardly to a predetermined initial position, means including a pair of springs connected respectively to each of said lever arms for yieldably urging said movable member and diaphragm outwardly to said predetermined initial position, a motion amplifying device operatively connected to said lever arms, a detonating device adapted to be moved to an extended position by said motion amplifying device in response to the pressure of the water against said diaphragm, a pair of normally open switch contacts secured to said casing, and means adapted to close said switch contacts momentarily during the movement of said detonating device by said motion amplifying means.
2. In a device of the character disclosed for controlling the firing of a submarine mine, the combination of a hydrostat, motion multiplying means, a pair of levers interposed between the hydrostat and the motion multiplying means, said levers having long and short arms with each of the long arms connected to the motion multiplying means and to said hydrostat, and a pair of elongated springs each fixed at one end respectively and connected at the opposite ends to the short arms of said levers for yieldably causing the levers to urge said hydrostat and motion multiplying means into an initial position, a detonating device operatively connected to said motion multiplying means and adapted to be moved thereby from said initial position to a moved position, an explosive charge arranged within the path of travel of said detonating device and at a safe distance therefrom when the detonating device is in said initial position, a control circuit, and means for energizing said control circuit during the movement of said detonating device from said initial position to said moved position.
3. In a device of the character disclosed for inserting a detonating device within an exlosive charge, the combination of a hydrostat in communication with the water, means for multiplying the degree of movement of said hydrostat, detonating means adapted to be moved by said multiplying means from an initial position to a moved position within said explosive charge in response to a predetermined pressure of the water against said hydrostat, a plurality of mine tiring control circuits, a selector switch,
means in one of said circuits for resetting said switch, means in another of said circuits for arming said detonating means, a plurality of switch devices respectively connected in said circuits, and means adapted to be actuated by said hydrostat during the movement of the detonating means from said initial position to said moved position for operating said switch devices in succession, thereby to energize said control circuits in predetermined sequential order.
4. In a device of the character disclosed, the combination of a hydrostat having a ilexible diaphragm in communication with the water adapted to move through a predetermined distance as the hydrostat operates, a pair of levers having long and short arms for yieldably maintaining said diaphragm in an initial position, a pair of elongated spring members respectively connected to the short arms of said levers and adapted to move thro-ugh a lesser distance than the extent of movement of the diaphragm as the hydrostat operates, a detonating device, and means connected to the long arms of said levers for causing said detonating device to move through a greater distance than the extent of movement of said diaphragm as the hydrostat operates.
5. In a device of the character disclosed, the combination of a casing, a plurality of levers pivotally secured to said casing, a plurality of springs respectively connected to each of said levers for yieldably urging the levers toward an initial position thereof, a flexible diaphragm having one side thereof in communication with the water, a movable member secured to the central portion of said diaphragm and operatively connected to said levers, a motion multiplying device operatively connected to said levers and controlled thereby, a detonating device, means for operatively connecting said detonating device to said motion multiplying device whereby the detonating device is adapted to be moved variably in accordance with the degree of movement of said motion multiplying device, a mine tiring control mechanism, means including a plurality of switch devices Iactuated by said movable member for rendering said mine tiring control mechanism effective during the movement of said flexible diaphragm from an initial position to an operated position, and means including -a pair of switch contacts controlled by said motion multiplying means for exploding said detonating device when said exible diaphragm is moved by said springs from said operated position toward said initial position.
6. In a hydrostat device of the character disclosed, the combination of means for causing the hydrostat to operate when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the device has been planted within a body of water, means including a plurality of levers operatively connected to said hydrostat device adapted to be actuated by -the hydrostat, a plurality of spring members respectively connected to each of said levers for yieldably maintaining said hydrostat in an initial position, an electro-responsive detonating device, motion amplifying means operatively connected to said hydrostat :and adapted to move the detonatv ing device through a much greater distance than the degree of movement of the hydrostat, a source of electrical power, means for closing a circuit during the operation of said hydrostat device in response to a predetermined pressure of the water, means effective when the pressure of the water has been decreased to a predetermined degree for closing a pair of co-ntacts as the hydrostat is reversely actuated by said spring members, and means including said circuit closing means for causing the detonating device to be operated by said source of electrical power in response to the closure of said pair of contacts.
7. In a device of the character disclosed, the combination of a ilexible diaphragm having one side thereof in communication with the water, a movable member secured to said diaphragm, a pair of levers operatively connected to said movable member, each of said levers having a spring secured thereto for yieldably urging the diaphragm against the water, lazy tongs operatively connected to said levers, a detonating device, means operatively connected to said lazy tongs for supporting said detonating device whereby the supporting means and detonating device are adapted to be moved by the lazy tongs to a fully extended position through a much greater distance than the degree of movement of said exible diaphragm, a source of power, a cam element secured to said supporting means, a switch device adapted to be engaged by said cam element as the detonating device is moved to said fully extended position, and means including a plurality of electrical connections for causing the detonating device to be tired by said source of power when the switch device is operated by said cam element in response to the movement of said supporting means from said fully extended position.
8. In a submarine mine, the combination of a hydrostat having a ilexible diaphragm in communication with the water, a member secured to said diaphragm and movable therewith, a casing having means for slideably supporting said movable member, a soluble washer in contact with the water and disposed about said movable member, said washer being adapted to prevent movement of the member and diaphragm until the washer is dissolved, means including an arming wire operatively connected to said movable member for additionally preventing movement of the movable member and the diaphragm until the arming wire has been withdrawn from the movable member, a pair of levers operatively connected to said movable member and pivotally mounted on said casing, said levers having relatively short projecting arms, a pair of retractile springs respectively secured to each of said arms and said casing, said springs being of sucient length to cause the flexible diaphraghm to be yieldably urged against the water with a substantially uniform degree of pressure throughout the movement of the diaphragm, a motion multiplying device operatively secured to said levers, a detonating device controlled by said motion multiplying device, said detonating device having an initial retracted position and an extended position, a plurality of switching devices, means secured to said movable member for operating said switching devices in predetermined sequential order during the movement of said detonating device to said extended position, a switch device including a pair of ring contacts adapted to re the detonating device, means effective when said detonating device has been moved to said extended position for establishing a control connection between said switch device and the motion multiplying device, and means actuated by said motion multiplying device for causing said tiring contacts to be moved to closed position and fire the detonating device concurrently with the movement of the detonating device from said extended position.
9. In a hydrostat device, in combination, a support, a flexible diaphragm secured to said support and having one side thereof in communication with a body of water, means including a pair of levers for yieldably urging said diaphragm against the water, a movable member secured to said diaphragm and operatively connected to said levers, said movable member being slidably supported within said support, a U-shaped member secured to said support on opposite sides of said movable member and having a slotted portion in each side thereof, means secured to said lever arms for multiplying the degree of movement of said movable member, a supporting member slideably supported within said U-shaped member at the slotted portions thereof, means for operatively connecting said sildeable member to the motion multiplying device whereby the slideable member is adapted to be moved by the motion multiplying device through a much greater distance than the degree of movement of the diaphragm, a detonating device secured to said slideable member and movable therewith, said detonating device being normally arranged within said U-shaped support when the ilexible diaphragm is unoperated by the pressure of the surrounding water, and an annular member secured to said U- shaped support within the path of travel of the detonating device and coaxially therewith for additionally guiding and supporting said slideable member when the slideable member and detonating device have been moved to a fully extended position by the pressure ofthe water against the flexible diaphragm.
10. In a submarine mine, the combination of a hydrostat, lazy tongs operatively connected to said hydrostat, means including a plurality of elongated retractile springs for yieldably urging said lazy tongs to closed position, a detonating device secured to said lazy tongs and adapted to be moved thereby to an extended position as the hydrostat operates, a plurality of circuit closing devices adapted to bc closed in predetermined sequential order during the actuation of said detonating device to said extended position, a terminal block supported by said hydrostat and having a plurality of terminal connections for establishing a plurality of electrical circuits to said circuit closing devices and to said detonating device respectively, a mine firing mechanism in electrical circuit with said terminal connections, and means included in said mine firing mechanism for exploding the detonating device in response to the approach of a vessel when the detonating device has been moved to said extended position by said motion multiplying means.
11. In a device of the character disclosed, the combination of a exible diaphragm having one side thereof in communication with the water, a movable member secured to said diaphragm, a pair of levers, each of said levers having a slotted portion therein, means for pivotally supporting said levers with the slotted portions thereof in substantial alinement with each other, a bearing pin secured to said movable member and disposed within said slotted portions of the levers, a pair of springs respectively secured to each of said levers for yieldably urging the diaphragm against the water, lazy tongs operatively connected to said levers, a detonating device, means operatively connected to said lazy tongs for supporting said detonating device whereby the supporting means and detonating device are adapted 4to be moved by the lazy tongs to a fully extended position through a much greater distance than the degree of movement of said exible diaphragm, a source of power, a cam element secured to said supporting means, a switch device adapted to be engaged by said cam element as the detonating device is moved to said fully extended position, and means including a plurality of electrical connections for causing the detonating device to be red by said source of power when the switch device is operated by said cam element in response to the movement of said supporting means from said fully extended position.
References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 913,524 Leon Feb. 23, 1909 1,372,617 Fullinwider Mar. 22, 1921 1,382,374 Maxim .Tune 21, 1921 1,844,575 Harrison Feb. 9, 1932 2,400,549 Glennon et al May 21, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS 297,514 France Feb. 22, 1900 263,985 Italy Apr. 10, 1929 297,182 Italy .lune 6, 1932
US432454A 1942-02-26 1942-02-26 Hydrostat mechanism Expired - Lifetime US2958281A (en)

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US913524A (en) * 1906-11-16 1909-02-23 Karl Oskar Leon Submarine mine.
US1372617A (en) * 1918-01-26 1921-03-22 Us Government Submarine mine
US1382374A (en) * 1917-08-30 1921-06-21 Maxim Hudson Method and mechanism for exploding submarine mines
US1844575A (en) * 1919-11-11 1932-02-09 John K M Harrison Mine
US2400549A (en) * 1942-02-03 1946-05-21 James B Glennon Mine firing device and control means therefor

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US913524A (en) * 1906-11-16 1909-02-23 Karl Oskar Leon Submarine mine.
US1382374A (en) * 1917-08-30 1921-06-21 Maxim Hudson Method and mechanism for exploding submarine mines
US1372617A (en) * 1918-01-26 1921-03-22 Us Government Submarine mine
US1844575A (en) * 1919-11-11 1932-02-09 John K M Harrison Mine
US2400549A (en) * 1942-02-03 1946-05-21 James B Glennon Mine firing device and control means therefor

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