Patent GB-191423058-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Mines, Torpedoes and like Subfloating Bodies.
Inventor: ANDERSSON ARON
IPC: F42B22/08
Filed: 1914-11-25
Granted: 1915-07-08
Abstract: 23,058. Andersson, A., and Carlander, T. June 23, [Convention date]. Submarine vessels, special apparatus for manoeuvring.-Relates to mines, torpedoes, and the like sub-floating bodies provided with a piston, diaphragm, or the like controlled by an hydrostatic device, and actuated in one direction by a source of power in the sub-floating body and in the other direction by the pressure of the surrounding body tn maintain an oscillation of the body about a given mean depth. According to the invention, (1) the pressure of the surrounding water on the piston or diaphragm corresponding to the mean depth is substantially balanced by a spring or by a compressed gas, and (2) means are provided for locking the piston or diaphragm in its extreme positions during the intervals between the moments when the hydrostatic device comes into action. In the form shown in Fig. 1, the stem 4 of the diaphragm 1 is connected to a lever 3, which is pivoted at 3' and is connected to a spring 2 for balancing the given mean pressure on the diaphragm and to another lever 5 constituting the armature of an electromagnet 6. The inner end of the stem 4 has two branches 19, 19' co-acting with two spring arms 13. 12 worked by two spring pawls 17, 16 carried by the stein 15<1> of a. hydrostat 15. When the sub-floating body sinks below the given mean depth, the hydrostat is moved in by the external water pressure, the pawl 16 rides idly on the arm 12, which remains locked against a contact pin 8, and the pawl 17 deflects the arm 13 upwards, which action releases the branch 19 of the stem 4 of the diaphragm 1, and brings the arm 13 in contact with the pin 9, closing the circuit of the electro-magnet 6; the armature 5 is attracted to its magnet and forces the diaphragm 1 outwards, where it is locked by the lug 12<11> of the arm 12 catching behind the branch 19<1> of the stem 4 of the diaphragm, this at the same time breaking the electric circuit. When this occurs, the mine, after sinking a little more owing to its inertia, is caused to rise again, and, when again it passes the mean depth, this time in an upward direction, the hydrostat 15 is moved out by its spring 15<11>, and the arm 12 is raised, releasing the stem 4 of the diaphragm 1, which is moved in by the pressure of the external water, and is locked in the innermost position by the arm 13. The mine, after rising a little more owing to its inertia, again sinks, and the whole operation is repeated. In a modification, the electro-magnet is replaced by a spring motor, which is geared directly to the stem 4 of the diaphragm 1. and has an escapement controlled by an arm corresponding to the arm 13. In another modification, the diaphragm 1 is balanced directly by a compressed gas instead of by a spring, and the intermittently-applied force is also obtained from a compressed gas and acts on the stem of the diaphragm 1, which stem is then arranged as a piston within a cylinder, inlet and exhaust spring valves to and from this cylinder being controlled by arms similar to the arms 12, 13.