Patent GB-579816-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to the stabilising and steering of aerial torpedoes or bombs
IPC: F42B17/00
Filed: 1941-02-11
Abstract: 579,816. Gyroscopic apparatus clinometers. WILSON, W. G. Feb. 11, 1941, No. 3220/42. Divided out of 579,807, [Group XXI]. [Classes 97 (ii) and 97 (iii)] [Also in Group XXIX] An aerial torpedo or bomb is fitted with a gyroscope operating a valve device for controlling the supply of pneumatic pressure to stabilising and controlling devices, whereby the torpedo or bomb is maintained on its course. The Figures show the invention applied to an aerial torpedo such as that described in Specification 579,807. The gyroscope 17 comprises a rotor turning on an axis coaxial at starting with that of the torpedo and mounted in ball-bearings in an inner gimbal ring which in turn is mounted in ball bearings in an outer gimbal ring 19 pivotad in fixed brackets 20. The ball-bearings on the inner ring are carried by pins 22, 23, of which the pin 22 is engaged by a recess in a locking lever 24 secured by an electromagnetically operated catch 43, while the other pin has a universal connection with a lever 28 universally pivoted on a link 70. The lever 28 carries an intercepting baffle 48 formed as part of a sphere concentric with pivot 47 and adapted to control the passage of air from nozzles 49 into nozzles 52. The nozzles are narrow radially as compared with their circumferential length and the receiving nozzles 52, are somewhat larger than the transmitting nozzles 49. The nozzles are supplied with air by a pipe 51 connected to a box 37 connected by a pipe 38 to an aperture in the nose of the torpedo. Opposite pairs of nozzles 52 are connected by pipes 53 to bellows or piston and cylinder power devices for operating the rudder and elevator respectively. In Fig. 2 the rudder 55 is activated by a see-saw lever 57 connected by cables 58 passing through guide tubes 66 in the torpedo and connected to a lever 59 supported by a link 61 pivoted to a fixed bearing 63. The lever 59 has lateral arms 64 engaging conical end plates of bellows 54 connected to a pair of pipes 53. A third arm on the lever 59 is connected by links 67, 69 and bell-cranks 68 with the link carrying the pivot 47. Before launching the torpedo, the gyroscope rotor is run up to speed by a vane wheel 29 acted on by air jets from a series of nozzles 33 supplied from an external source through a valve 36 and pipes 35, 38. The vane wheel is axially movable on the rotor spindle and has clutch teeth normally held out of engagement with corresponding teeth on the rotor spindle by magnetic attraction between the vane wheel and inner gimbal ring, but moved into engagement by the action of the air jets. Just before launching the magnet 45 is energized, this releases the catch and allows the spring 42 to close the valve 36 and releases the locking lever from engagement with the pin 22. Thereafter relative movement between the torpedo and the gyroscope rotor moves. the baffle 48 to permit air to pass to one or other of the bellows to operate the associated control surface in the direction to return the torpedo to its course. A time mechanism preferably worked by the air stream, may be introduced to alter the position of the fulcrum 47 so as to make a slight angle of descent on to the target at the correct range. To prevent roll, ailerons are fitted and actuated by power devices controlled by a curved baffle 481, Fig. 4, working between jets 49, 52. The baffle 48<1> is carried by a lever 84 connected by a link 83 with a floating lever 82. This lever is connected with the ailerons by a link 85 and with a damped pendulum 80 at 81. This pendulum comprises a cylindrical vessel eccentrically pivoted at 78, partly filled with liquid and fitted with a series of radial baffles 79. A second gyroscope may be used in place of this pendulum.