Patent GB-579159-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to submersible watercraft driven by internal-combustion engines
IPC: F42B19/12
Filed: 1942-08-11
Abstract: 579,159. Torpedoes. HELMORE, W. Aug. 11, 1942, No. 11249. [Class 9 (ii)] In order to increase the range of a submersible watercraft, driven by an internalcombustion engine, a valve-controlled airintake pipe projecting above the hull of the craft is provided in addition to the compressedair supply in the craft for feeding the engine, and the craft is navigated by, means responsive to external control signals. The air intake 12 is provided with a rotary valve 16 and may be enclosed in an upstanding hood 19 pivoted at its base to the,hull of the craft so that it can be depressed to lie in a groove along the top of the craft. The hood is provided with a toothed arc 24 coacting with a rack 25 operated by a servomotor 26 under the control of a valve 29 operable by control 30 which is energized by a signal from a wireless receiver 31 connected by a lead wire to an aerial 33 mounted at the upper end of the hood. On launching, a pressure-controlled switch 8 closes an electric circuit 7 to the controller 30 which causes the servomotor to raise the hood and thereafter the switch is disconnected and the hood is controlled by wireless signals. Alternatively, or in addition, a time-control mechanism 100 is provided for erecting or retracting the hood and this mechanism may be pre-set by external signals, in case the wireless control direct, for the operation of the hood, is not possible. The sleeve valve 16 for controlling the air supply to the hood is mounted on a shaft 83 adapted to be rotated through gearing 34, 35 from a shaft 36 which in turn is operated through a lever and a universally-mounted rod 89 from a servomotor 38. This motor is 'energized from a battery 39 through two switches 41, 42 on the hood, connected in parallel with a spring-return solenoid 94 adapted to operate the motor valve 93. The switch 41 is operated by hydraulic pressure while the switch 42 is a water-contact one, so that the valve is closed either when a wave passes up the hood or when the vessel is submerged. The steering and depth control are regulated from a distant station or an aircraft, by wireless waves through the receiver 31 which operates gyro-mechanisms 49, 49a which control a rudder servomotor 50 and elevator servomotor 51, respectively. The gyro-mechanisms and the servomotors are operated by pressure air from a low-pressure reservoir and operate rudders 47 and elevator control fins 48. A time control may also be associated with the elevator fins so as to bring the vessel to the surface after a predetermined time, and means may be provided for pre-setting this time control prior to submergence by means of wireless signals. A pressure-responsive device 103 is provided to open the compressed-air chamber to the engine at a time interval after the closing of the air-intake valve. The throttle and carburetter may also be wireless-controlled through devices 58, 59, 60 responsive to three different signals. Rolling damping vanes 72 and gyro-controlled stabilising vanes 73 may be provided, and they may be projected out of recesses in the body after launching by means of the hood-raising motor. The hull may be formed in three sections, the forward section 75 forming the war-head, the mid-section containing the air storage reservoirs, wireless receiver 31, battery 39 and fuel tank 76, and the rear section the engine, propellers, rudders, elevators and control gear.