Patent GB-190516238-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Apparatus for Launching Torpedoes from Vessels.
Inventor: MORIARTY THOMAS JOSEPH
Filed: 1905-08-09
Granted: 1906-08-09
Abstract: 16,238. Moriarty, T. J. Aug. 10, 1904, [date applied for under Patents Act, 1901]. Torpedo b o a t s ; submarine vessels; magazines.- T o r - p e do magazines, particularly those for submarine vessels, are in direct communication with the sea, the torpedoes b e i n g floated in superposed positions in the magazine, which is provided with one or more launching-tubes in the bows of the vessel, and with means for expelling the torpedoes. Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a magazine fitted with two expulsion tubes; Fig. 4 is a plan and Fig. 5 an elevation of the magazine to a larger scale. The torpedoes T are c h a r g e d into the magazine 4 through doors 11 in the deck of the boat, and are lowered into position by endless conveyers 30. When the torpedoes are in position, hinged guides 12 are swung on their axes 13 to embrace them lightly. The middle and forward guides at each side are connected by links 28, 29, forming, when closed together, T-shaped guides for projections t<3> on the torpedoes, the upper and lower of which are in alinement with the two expulsion tubes 2. Forward movement of a torpedo is checked, while the doors 3 of the expulsion tubes are closed, by a pivoted arm 43a engaging the warhead t of the torpedo and supported by a bolt 108 which is withdrawn by a bell-crank lever 110 when the doors are opened, the opening being effected by rotating the doors, by means of suitable gearing, about the axes A. The torpedo, when the bolt 108 has been withdrawn, is moved into position for expulsion by means of a hook 54 carried by a rackbar 55 sliding in a guide'49. A crank 53 is provided for rocking the bar 49 to engage the hook with the tail of the torpedo, and a hand-wheel 58<a> and pinion 56 are provided for running the torpedo out. The torpedo is stopped.in its second position by sliding stops 43, which block the path of the projection t<3>, the stops being withdrawn when necessary by a lever 47, crank-shaft 44, and suitable link-work. In moving outwards, the hook 54 strikes and rotates a crank 67 and thereby swings the pivoted ejector E into position in rear of the torpedo. The ejector is provided with a piston actuated by compressed air admitted through the main valve 107 and a second valve 102, the latter being opened automatically, when the door is opened, by a rod 101 connected through a crank-shaft 100 with the flexible rod 99, connected to an eye 98 on the door. The rod 101 is also connected by a lever 105<a> and crank 106 with an arm 80, to swing the latter into the path of the starting-lever t<2> of the torpedo motor. When the valve 107 is opened, the torpedo is expelled through the tube 2, premature rotation of the war-head being prevented by the arm 43<a>, which is finally lifted by the body of the torpedo into engagement with a latch 117, and held out of the path of the propeller blades. The magazine communicates with the sea through the valve 6, but, when cleared of water, access may be gained to the magazine through the man-holes 125.