US3092717A - Disk computer - Google Patents

Description

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RES-"#18 June 4, 1963 J. M. BATCHELDER DISK COMPUTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 8, 1953 JOHN M. MTQHEEBEE ATTORNEY June 4, 1963 Filed April 8, 1955 J. M. BATCHELDER DISK COMPUTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIEA INVENTOR JOHN M. BATCHELDER ATTORNEY June 4, 1963 J. M. BATCHELDER 3,

DISK COMPUTER Filed April 8, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet :s

FIE. 5

IN VENTOR JOHN M. BATCHEL DER FIB8 BY June 4, 1963 J. M. BATCHELDER DISK COMPUTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 8, 1953 JOHN M. BATCHELDER United States Patent 3,092,717 DISK COMPUTER John M. Batchelder, 91 Albemarle Road, White Plains, N.Y. Filed Apr. 8, 1953, Ser. No. 347,631 8 Claims. (Cl. 235-615) (Granted under Title 35, US. Code (1952), sec. 266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

The invention relates to computers in general and more particularly to a device for anlyzing the functions of explodling type projectiles designed to burst above ground eve At present numerous calculations must be made for determining optimum conditions for detonating bombs under varying circumstances. Such calculations must take into account among other things, the bomb strength of the weapon used, altitude of drop and the effective distance or range. Then, too, for the extremely high explosive or atomic type weapons radiation effects, height of bomb burst, visibility, density, etc., must be computed. To accomplish this reference must be made to books containing charts and graphs. While this method will yield solutions to such problems, much time and effort are consumed in performing the various operations to arrive at the desired result.

In order to eliminate the disadvantages stated above it is an object of the invention to provide a simple .disc computer that will readily solve problems involving numerous variables.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device that will demonstrate the heat, blast and initial radiation effects of an atomic Weapon under varying burst conditions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device that will determine unknown conditions of burst when sufiicient determinant variables [are known.

A still further object is to provide a device that will permit the solutions of problems of the order Still another object of the invention is to provide a device that will permit a running solution for deter-mining the hypotenuse of a right triangle having a fixed ondinate or abscissa value and variable abscissa or ordinate value.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of front disc superimposed on the base disc of the device embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the front half disc, including the rotatable arm and front graduated slide of said device.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the reverse disc superimposed on the base disc of the device embodying the invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the reverse half disc; including the rotatable arm and reverse graduated slide of said device.

FIG. 5 is a top plan assembly view of the reverse side of the computer embodying the invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line 99 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a partial top plan view of the rear face of another computer embodying the invention.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 9, the device is structurally symmetrical and consists of a circular base disc or supporting plate 15; a circular front disc 17, in front of and of smaller diameter than the base plate and concentric with the top face of plate 15; a front half disc 21 of smaller radius than the front disc and concentric with said front disc 17, a circular reverse disc 19 in front of and of smaller diameter than the base plate and concentric with the bottom face of plate 15; a reverse half disc 23 of smaller radius than the reverse disc and concentric with said reverse disc '19; an indicator or rotatable arm 29 mounted on said front and reverse half discs and rotatable about the center of the base disc and front and rear disc members; an appropriate pivot 24, connecting the before said five members and for free and independent rotation about a common center.

Rotatable arm 29 is fixedly mounted at one end to half discs 21 and 23 by means of eight screws 33. The two halves of said arm are parallel to each other and to discs '15, 17, and \19. A spacer block 37 is inserted between the outer ends of the halves of arm 29 to maintain this panallel arrangement. Said spacer block is secured to the two arms by means of four screws 35, (see FIG. 9). Notch 38 of spacer block 37 is adapted to engage recess 36 in base disc 15, allowing arm 29 to rotate about said base disc. Two thin stainless steel masking plates 39 are inserted between spacer block 37 and the two arm halves to mask scales appearing on the outer circumference of base disc 15, and discs 17 and 19. (See FIG. 6.)

Two graduated scales or slides 25 and 27 made of plastic or other suitable transparent material are adapted for relative movement within grooves in the two halves of rotatable arm 29. (See FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 8.) Two cursors or hair-line riders 3 1 having hair-lines 32 are mounted on said rotatable half arms and are capable of movement radially inward and/or outward along rotatable arm 29. Said cursors are made of a suitable transparent plastic material.

Pivot 24 consists of two internally threaded T-shaped collars 47 coaxially about an internally threaded cylindrical collar 45 (see FIG. 7). Said T-shaped collars are held together by four screws 4-1 and serve to hold discs 15, '17 and 19 together. By proper adjustment of screws 41, sufficient friction appears between discs '17, 19 and 21 to keep said discs aligned about pivot 24. Two screws as hold half-discs 2 1 and 23 to discs 15, 17, and 19. Said screws provide means for adjusting the amount of friction between the discs so that any one of said discs can be rotated relative to one or more of the other discs without disturbing the setting of the other disc or discs.

Discs 15, 17, 19, 21 and 23 can be constructed of a suitable metal such as aluminium or aluminium alloy. As indicated in FIGS. 1 through 4, data curves and scales are etched on said discs and slides 25 and 27 and are utilized for performing computations.

The device as described utilizes nine scales and at least three graphs. The scales are represented by the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H and I respectively. The graphs are represented by the letters R, S and T. When the device is employed in connection with detonation type bomb explosions the scales and graphs have the following designation: V

A-KT yield in kilotons of energy B-KT yield in kilotons of energy OHeight of burst in feet D-Ground blast range in yards i l EGround heat and gamma range in yards FHeight of burst in feet G--Thermal energy in calories per centimeter squared (cal./cm. H-KT yield in kilotons of energy I-Initial gamma radiation in roentgens R-(Biast graph) blast overpressure in lbs/sq. in. S-('Heat graph) visibility measured in miles T-(Gamma graph) relative air density Tables I and 11 below are included to describe in detail the method for laying out the scales and graphs associated with the various elements of the invention described 15, 17, and 19 are It will be noted that the outside circular scales on discs graduated or marked to indicate the distance value along the ordinate and abscissa in either feet or yards. However, the actual spacing between grad- 5 nations increases in hypothenuse distance of any right triangle because the square of the hypothenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the ordinate and abscissa values of the triangle sides (H =X +Y above.

Table l Scales Title Function Type Range and units A Kiloton yield in KT Scale for setting reverse (ordinate) slide 27 Log to base 7250 KT.

according to the KT yield. 13 .d0 Scale for setting reverse disk 19 (abscissa) -do Do.

according to the KT yield. 0.... Height of burst in feet-.. Scale for reading ordinate of blast graph 350l7,000 feet. D Ground blast range in yds. Scale for reading ground range of blast do 100-8,000 yards. E Ground heat and gamma Scale for reading ground ranges of heat and Graduated according to N and anno- 5001l,000 yards.

range in yards.

gamma effects.

tatcd according to N.

F Height of burst in feet- Scale for setting height of burst in order to Graduated according to N /9 and anno- 1,000-30,000 feet.

translate slant distance to ground distance. tated according to N. G Thermal energy in cal./ Scale for reading amount of heat Log to base 10 1-100 caL/cmfl.

cm. H Kiloton yield in KT Scale for setting heat and gamma ordinate 7-250 KT.

according to KT yield. I Initial dose in roentgens Scale for reading amount of gamma dose ill-10,000 roentgens.

N Ordinate scale for laying on blast curv 1802,700 feet.

Abscissa scale for laying on blast curves 504,300 yards. Ordinatc scale for laying on heat curves .0l3.0 caL/cmfi.

Abscissa scale for laying on heat and gamma curves. Ordinate scale for laying on gamma curves Graduated according to N and annotated according to N.

Log to base 10 01l,000 yards.

.4420 roentgens.

Table II Origin description and position Notes Scales General location A Wide portion of upper reverse arm B Allong the circumference of reverse disk O Along center line of reverse slide 27 on the under side so that it can be read thru the slide.

D Along the circumference, 4-% in. from center on reverse face of base disk 15.

E A in. toward center from rim on front face of base disk 15.

F Circumference of front disk 17 G Scale runs parallel to and Me in. from centerline of front slide 25. Scale is on under side of slide and can be read through slide.

H Wide portion of upper front arm 29.-.".

I Scale runs parallel to and Me in. from centerline of front slide 25. The scale is on under side of slide and can be read through slide.

J Along a radius of reverse disk 19 K Along a circumference 4.250 in. from center of reverse disk 19.

L Along a radius of front disk 17 M Along a circumference of front disk 17-.-

N Along a radius of front disk 17 7 is M in. in from right edge of wide part of upper reverse arm; the scale continues toward center along the arm to 250 KT.

7 is placed on the reverse disk 19 arbitrarily and increases in a clockwise direction to 250 KT.

350 is X in. in from left end of reverse slide 27 on tmderside increasing to 17,000 as scale continues 0 cen er.

Scale originated at 100 (which is placed arbit rsagig) and continues counter-clockwise to 500* is 4% in. from center of base disk and increases in a counter-clockwise direction to 11,-

The 1,000 graduation of this scale is placed arbitrarily along the circumference of the front disk 1%.0 006111? scale proceeds counterclockwise to The 1 graduation is .972 in. above the origin of the I scale, the scale continues up the slide to the graduation. (See scale I to locate gamma scale origin.)

"7 is in. in from right edge of wide part of upper front arm 29; the scale increases to the left along the arm parallel to the slide centerline to 250 KT The 10 graduation is 54 in. above the slide end. The scale continues up the slide parallel to the centerline to 10,000. See information on scale G origin direction and position.

180 is 4.25 in. radially out from the reverse face center, on the radius 01' the reverse disk 19, at 50 of scale K. The scale increases continuing toward the center and ends with 2,700 which is .25 in. from reverse disk center.

The 50 of this scale is 182.394 clockwise from 7 of the B scale. This scale increases to 1,300 in a counterclockwise direction.

.01 is 4.25 in. radially out from the center and continues toward the center along the radius to 3.0" which is .25 in. from the center of front disk 17.

0 is 4.25 in. radially out from center and continues counterclockwise along this circumference to 11,000. 0 is 180 from 1,000 of the F scale.

".4 graduation is 4.25 in. radially out from center and continues along radius toward center to graduation which is .25 in. from the center of front disk 17.

The arrow for indicating the proper point on the A scale is positioned by setting 352.4 of the 0 scale over 184.5" of the K scale and placing the arrow on the slide so that it points to 7 of the A scale.

The arrow on the front slide 25 which points to the H scale is positioned by placing 1 of the G scale over .1 of the L scale and marking in the arrow to indicate 10 on the H scale; (check this by confirming locatio)n of 10 on I scale over 1" on the N sca e This scale does not appear on the device, it

is to be used to lay on blast curves.

This scale does not appear on the device, it

is to be used to lay on heat curve.

This scale does not appear on the device, it

This scale will not appear on the device, it

will be used to lay on gamma curves.

is to be used to lay on heat and gamma curves The ranges of the various scales are selected to provide maximum information within the most practical or useful limits of the graphs. For instance, the first number on the C scale is 350 because it is impractical or inadvisable to set off a bomb below this altitude.

In order to more fully .appreciate the extent to which the invention can be readily employed, a series of problems on the device shown in FIGS. 1 through 9 will be solved.

(1) Given:

(a) An area covering 1000 yard radius is to be attacked. (b) It is desired to cover said area with a blast overpressure of p.s.i. (pounds per square inch).

(2) Problem:

(a) What is the most economical yield to cover the area with a blast overpressure of 10 p.s.i.?

(1) Set the arrow on rear half disc 23 opposite the 1000 yard value on the D scale.

(2) Rotate blast graph disc 19 until the nose or peak of the 10 p.s.i. curve of graph R is under the centerline 49 of slide 27. The KT yield will then be indicated as 10 KT on the B scale opposite the KT index on the reverse face of base disc 15.

(b) What is the optimum height of burst for the 10 kiloton yield? (1) Set the index of reverse slide scale 27 opposite the 10 KT line of scale A on rotatable arm 29 and read the value opposite the nose of the 10 p.s.i., curve of graph R on the C scale of 1700 feet.

('1) Given:

(a) A 10 p.s.i., blast overpressure is optimized with a 10 KT yield by using a height of burst of 1700 feet.

(2) Problem:

(a) What are the ground ranges for blast overpressure of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 50 p.s.i.?

(1) Set the KT index on the reverse face of base disc opposite the 10 KT mark on scale B.

(2) Set the KT index of the C scale opposite the 10 KT mark on scale A.

(3) Set the hairline 32 of cursor 31 over the 1700 ft. mark on the C scale. (It will be seen that steps (1), (2) and (3) above have already been accomplished in the previous problem.)

(4) Rotate arm 29 until the point of intersection of hairline 32 and the centerline 51 of slide 25 is over the respective p.s.i., curve of graph R and read the respective ground ranges indicated by the ground range arrow on the D scale of 2,700, 2,100, 1,800, 1,400, 1,250, 1,000, 620, 325, 0, 0 yards respectively.

( 1 Given:

(a) A bomb having 100 KT yield is to be detonated at a height of 3500 ft.

(b) The visibility is miles and the relative air density is 0.6.

(2) Problem:

(a) To what ranges will 2 caL/cm. and 100 roentgens extend respectively? (1) Set the 3,500 ft. mark on scale F opposite its index on scale E.

(2) Set the KT index on slide opposite the 100 KT mark on scale H.

(3) Rotate arm 29 until centerline 49 of slide 27 intersects the 20 mile visibility curve of graph S at 2 cal/cm. on the G scale and read the ground range mark on scale E opposite the ground range arrow of 7600 yards.

(4) Rotate arm 29 until center-line 49 of slide 27 intersects the 06' relative air density curve of graph T at 100 roentgens on the H scale and read the ground range mark on scale E opposite the ground range arrow of 2700 yards.

(b) A ground target is at a range of 1800 yards. (c) A bomb having a yield of 9 KT is to be detonated at a height of burst of 2500 ft.

(2) Problem:

(a) To what significant amounts of heat and initial gamma radiation will the target be subjected? (1) Set the 2500 mark on scale F opposite its index on scale E.

(2) Set the KT index on scale 25 opposite the 9 KT mark on scale H.

(3) Set the ground range arrow on the 1800 yard mark on scale E and read the amount of heat on the G scale where the centerline 49 of slide 27 intersects the 6 mile visibility curve of graph S of 3 cal./cm.

(4) With the ground range arrow on the 1800 yard mark as in (3) above, read the initial gamma radiation on the I scale where the centerline 49 of slide 27 intersects the 1.0 relative air density curve of graph T of less than 10 roentgens.

(1) Given:

(a) A bomb having KT yield is to be detonated at a height of burst of 3000 feet.

(2) Problem:

(a) To determine the ground blast overpressure at a range of 2000 yards.

(1) Set the KT index of slide 25 on the 120 KT mark of scale A. (2) Set the KT index on base disc 15 opposite the 120 KT mark on scale B. (3) Place hairline 32 of cursor 31 over the 3000 foot mark on scale C. (4) Rotate arm 29 until the ground range arrow is opposite the 2000 yard range on scale D and read the blast overpressure of 10 p.s.i. under the 3000 ft. setting of hairline 32.

(1) Given:

(a) A bomb is detonated at a height of 4000 ft. giving a thermal energy of 12 cal/cm. at 2200 yards range.

(b) The horizontal visibility is 10 miles.

(2) Problem:

(a) To determine the KT yield of the bomb.

(1) Set the 4000 foot mark of scale F on its index on base disc 15.

(2) Set the ground distance arrow on the 2,200 yard mark on scale E.

(3) Move slide 27 in the groove of arm 29 until the 12 cal./cm. mark intersects the 10 mile visibility curve of graph S and read the yield opposite the yield index on the H scale of 45 KT.

From the solution of the problems above it is seen that a running solution for the hypothenuse of a right triangle can be obtained by simply setting up one fixed value for either the ordinate or abscissa and then reading off directly the various values of slant range or hypothenuse for various values of a non-fixed abscissa.

A modified form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Essentially the device is similar to the beforehand described device consisting of a base disc 59, a front disc 61, a reverse disc 63, a front half-disc 65 and, a reverse half-disc 67 and a rotatable arm 69. Said discs are superimposed upon the base disc and upon one another respectively.

Rotatable arm 69 is adapted for movement over discs 59, 61 and 63 similar to arm 29, of FIGURE 5. Pivot 71 consists of two members 73 and 75 respectively. Member 75 is adapted to screw into member 73 and thereby retain the discs in proper alignment with one another. By proper adjustment of screw member 75 sufficient friction will appear between the faces of said 7 discs so that any one of said discs can be rotated relative to one or more of the other discs without disturbing the setting of the other disc or discs.

Slidable scales 77 and 79 are adapted for movement in grooves of rotatable arm 69 similar to slide scales 25 and 27. An index 81 appears on said rotatable arm, said index being 180 degrees out of phase with the ground range arrow on half discs 21 and 23. This necessitates a 180 degree shift of the scales on the discs 61 and 63 from the corresponding scales on discs 15 and 17. It is also noted that scales A and H on rotatable arm 29 are relocated to the outer end of rotatable arm 69 as shown in FIG. 10.

The operation and use of the modified form of the invention is exactly the same as the hereinbefore described device. Solutions to similar problems can be obtained by utilization of this device.

A further modification of the devices described could be made to include the solving of such problems as the square root of A squared plus B squared plus C squared plus N squared. Such a solution can be attained by simply increasing the number of discs and successively repositioning the upper discs step by step by proceeding from A to N of the various values, beginning with A on the larger disc and ending with the value N on the uppermost or smallest disc and reading directly the final value opposite the setting of N to obtain the slant range or hypothenuse.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. A computer of the character described comprising a central disc, scale divisions on one side, other scale divisions on the opposite side, a first smaller disc rotatably mounted on one side of said central disc, scale divisions along the perimeter of said first smaller disc for cooperatnig with an index on said central disc, graphs on the face of said first smaller disc, a second smaller disc rotatably mounted on the other side of said central disc, other scale divisions along the perimeter of said second smaller disc for cooperating with an index on said central disc, other graphs on the face of said second smaller disc, a first half disc of smaller diameter than said first smaller disc rotatably mounted on said first smaller disc, a second half disc of smaller diameter than said second smaller disc rotatably mounted on said second smaller disc, an indicating arm mounted on said first half disc and constrained to rotate therewith, a second indicating arm mounted on the second half disc and constrained to rotate therewith, a graduated scale on said first indicating arm, a graduated scale on said second indicating arm, a graduated transparent scale member slidably mounted on said first indicating arm, a second graduated transparent scale member slidably mounted on said second indicating arm, and means to frictionally secure said discs to each other whereby one or more discs may be rotated without disturbing the position of one or more of the adjacent discs.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said frictional means is adjustable so as to vary the amount of friction appearing on the faces of any two adjacent discs.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein a member is disposed between said indicating arms and said central disc whereby the scales appearing on the central and small discs are protected when the indicating arms are over them.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein spacer means are inserted between the ends of said indicator arms to prevent said arms from rubbing on said central disc.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein cursor means are mounted on said indicating arms and adapted for sliding movement along said arms.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said half discs are connected together so that there is no rotation of one half disc relative to the other half disc.

7. A mechanical computing device comprising, in combination: a central disc having graduated scales on the front and rear sides thereof; a first member concentric with said disc and disposed adjacent the front side thereof, said member being rotatable about the common center and having a graduated scale and at least one family of curves marked thereon; a second member rotatable about said common center relative to said disc and said first member; a first radial member extending along a diameter of said disc and affixed to said second member for rotation therewith, said radial member having a radially slidable section and information markings thereon; a third member concentric with said disc and disposed adjacent the rear side thereof, said third member being rotatable about the common center and having a graduated scale and at least one family of curves marked thereon; a fourth member rotatable about said common center relative to said disc and said third member, said fourth member being disposed on the rear side of said disc; and a second radial member extending parallel to said first radial member on the opposite side of the disc thereto, said second radial member being affixed to said fourth member for rotation therewith, said second radial member having a radially slidable section and information markings thereon, said graduated scales, families of curves and informational markings being arranged so that the answers to certain preselected types of problems are obtainable by the proper movements of said disc and said members relative to each other.

8. A device as set forth in claim 7, and further including a transparent cursor slidably aflixed to each said radial member for designating particular points thereon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,843,978 Hensey Feb. 9, 1932 2,099,713 Willson Nov. 23, 1937 2,193,280 Gunning Mar. 12, 1940

Claims (1)

1. A COMPUTER OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED COMPRISING A CENTRAL DISC, SCALE DIVISIONS ON ONE SIDE, OTHER SCALE DIVISIONS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE, A FIRST SMALLER DISC ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON ONE SIDE OF SAID CENTRAL DISC, SCALE DIVISIONS ALONG THE PERIMETER OF SAID FIRST SMALLER DISC FOR COOPERATING WITH AN INDEX ON SAID CENTRAL DISC, GRAPHS ON THE FACE OF SAID FIRST SMALLER DISC, A SECOND SMALLER DISC ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID CENTRAL DISC, OTHER SCALE DIVISIONS ALONG THE PERIMETER OF SAID SECOND SMALLER DISC FOR COOPERATING WITH AN INDEX ON SAID CENTRAL DISC, OTHER GRAPHS ON THE FACE OF SAID SECOND SMALLER DISC, A FIRST HALF DISC OF SMALLER DIAMETER THAN SAID FIRST SMALLER DISC ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID FIRST SMALLER DISC, A SECOND HALF DISC OF SMALLER DIAMETER THAN SAID SECOND SMALLER DISC ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SECOND SMALLER DISC, AN INDICATING ARM MOUNTED ON SAID FIRST HALF DISC AND CONSTRAINED TO ROTATE THEREWITH, A SECOND INDICATING ARM MOUNTED ON THE SECOND HALF DISC AND CON-

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