Patent GB-191511164-A (GB)
Title: Improved Revoluble Torpedo Discharging Apparatus.
Inventor: FAIRWEATHER WALLACE CRANSTON
IPC: F41F3/10
Filed: 1915-08-03
Abstract: 11,164. Fairweather, W. C., [Lake Torpedo Boat Co.]. Aug. 3. Launching, storing, and handling torpedoes.-Relates to revoluble torpedolaunching apparatus for use upon submarines, and comprises an arrangement in which the launching- tube may be turned to fire at various broadside angles, and also into a longitudinal position into water-tight engagement with a longitudinallymovable sleeve in the wail of the pocket or recess of the submarine, to enable the tube to be recharged from within the boat when submerged. Means for laying the tube, operating the piston and spoon carrying the torpedo, and draining the water from the tube are also described. Specification 30,542/09 is referred to. The torpedo tubes 17 are carried by a rotatable frame 16 in a pocket or recess 3 in the amidships portion of a submarine or submersible boat so that they can be turned to fire at various broadside angles, and also into the position shown, in which they are connected in a water-tight manner to ports in the hull of the boat, to enable them to be recharged, whether the boat is on the surface or submerged. The frame 16 is carried upon a platform 14 mounted upon rollers 11 running upon an annular track 10, the platform 14 being constrained by a fired flange 15 and the rollers 11 by radial arms extending from a loose hub 12. The platform 14 is rotated through the medium of a hollow shaft 13, Figs. 3 and 4, secured thereto and operatively adjusted by means of worm gearing 21 driven by an electric motor 23. The frame 16 is steadied by means of a stud 16<11> thereon engaging a bearing 18 attached to the superstructure 20. When the torpedo tube 17 has been turned into longitudinal alinement, a watertight connexion with the loading-port in the wall 5 of the recess or pocket 3 may be effected by the means shown in Fig. 10. In this arrangement, a tube 39 is fitted within a flanged opening 56 in the wall and is formed with a worm thread 40, upon which is mounted a toothed gear 43 held in position against the wall by stud bolts 44 passing through slots in the gear. The gear 43 may be rotated by means of a pinion shaft 46 operated by hand, such motion resulting in a longitudinal movement of the tube or sleeve 39, which is utilized to bring the flanged end 38 thereof into water-tight engagement with the flanged rim 36 on the muzzle end of the torpedo tube. The parts are rendered water-tight by a packing-ring 57<1> between the sleeve 39 and the flange 56, and a packing 37 in the flange 38. Inside the sleeve 39 is fitted a detachable door 50, which is pressed into engagement with the turned-in rim 48 of the flange 38 by means of a wheel 52 loosely mounted upon the hub 51 of the door, the wheel 52 being formed with bevelled peripheral lugs 53 adapted to engage corresponding lugs 55 on the door, and with other lugs 54 formed within the sleeve 39. To rotate the wheel 52, a transverse bar 59 fitted into slots 58 in the sleeve 39 is utilized as a fulcrum for a lever 59', the end of which is thrust between the spokes of the wheel. Rotation of the sleeve 39 is prevented by a key 64. A bore 60, 62 in the door, controlled by a cock 61, serves as a vent when the tube 17 is to be drained of water. The torpedo, within the tube 17, Figs. 3 and 4, is secured to a spoon extension 26 of the piston 25 by a band or strap 30, the ends of which are engaged by a key 28 provided with a head or lip 31 and fitting within a groove 27 in the top of the piston member. Blocks 33 prevent springing of the spoon. A stop 32 in the mouth of the tube engages the head 31 to release the band 30 as the torpedo leaves the tube. The piston is restrained from leaving the tube by a cushioning band 91 formed with slots through which are passed bolts 93 with clamping-nuts 94 and gaskets 95, Fig. 10. The pistons are operated by compressed air admitted through pipes 35, Fig. 8, from tubes 69, 70 communicating through concentric tubular passages 67, 68 in the hollow shaft 13, Fig. 4, with ports 78, 79 surrounded by air chambers 80, 81 mounted upon suitable brackets or standards. Control valves 83 connect the chambers with a suitable high-pressure air-supply source, and form the means whereby one or the other torpedo is discharged. The piston is normally held in position in the tube 17 by a catch or locking-pin 77, which is released automatically by the action of the compressed-air supply on a valve 72, Fig. 9, interposed between the tubes 69 or 70 and the pipes 35, the lift of the valve operating a crank-arm 74 to raise a similar crank-arm 76, Fig. 3, carrying the pin 77. The water entering the tubes 17 after the discharge of a torpedo may be drained away through passages 84 leading into an annular passage 66 outside the air passage 68 in the hollow shaft 13. A hand-operated valve 88 at the lower end of the shaft 13 serves tn close the draining- passage. From the shaft 13, the water may pass through a pipe 13<1> leading directly or through a suitable pump to the ballast or trimming tanks of the boat. A tripping-pawl 100, Fig. 3, pivoted to the spoon of the piston, sets the starting-gear of the propelling-mechanism as the torpedo is launched. In order to enable the piston to be pushed back after the discharge of a torpedo, vent valves 72<1> are provided in the valves 72 and cocks 80<1> in the air chambers 80, 81 respectively. The cocks 80<1> may be connected to a vacuum pump or tank. A trolly track (not shown) is provided to facilitate running a torpedo from the interior of the boat into the tubes 17. Ports or doors, as shown in Fig. 10, may be provided at both ends of the pocket or recess 3.