Patent GB-191517895-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Gyroscopically Controlled Torpedoes and Launching-tubes therefor.
IPC: F41F3/10
Filed: 1915-12-22
Abstract: 17,895. Crucible Steel Co., [Assignees of Shonnard, H. W.]. April 3, [Convention date]. Gyroscopic apparatus. -Relates to automobile torpedoes provided with power - operated, e.g. electric, gyroscopes of the kind in which the spinning of the gyroscope is effected while the gyroscope is locked, the unlocking being under the control of the operator and taking place when the launching-tube is accurately trained on the target as described in Specification 11,459/12; the gyroscope motor is contained within the torpedo. According to the present invention, the passage of current through the electricmotor gyroscope is controlled by means of a movable or sliding member capable of establishing or disestablishing electric connexions directly with conductors on the electric - motor gyroscope. The sliding member may also lock and unlock the gyroscope. In the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 5, a gyroscope of any known type, e.g. as described in Specification 101,225 is employed, comprising a three-phase alternating-current induction motor, in which the stator 1 is the motor inductor and the rotor 4, 5 is the gyroscope fly-wheel. By means of a spider 2 the stator 1 is secured to a housing 3 forming the inner gimbal; the rotor is mounted in bearings, 6, 6<a>; and the housing 3 is exhausted of air by means of a check valve 75. Current is led to the stator through three conductors 7, which are connected to contacts 8. The locking and unlocking of the gyroscope, and the making and breaking of the circuit, is effected by a single sliding member 10 carrying the locking-pin 13 and three spring-actuated conducting-rods 14 which are connected, by flexible conductors, binding-posts, busbars, &c. to three contacts in a disk 26 removably secured by a watertight joint to the torpedo shell. Springs 27 tend to move the slide 10 rearwards, to break the circuit and unlock the gyroscope, and by means of toothed gearing 29, 30 actuated by means of a shaft 28 and the usual angular wrench-cup, the slide is moved forwards. A spring detent 32 retains the slide in the forward position, the detent being withdrawn by mechanism 34, 35, 36 and a tripping- finger 37 in a recess in the torpedo shell. The finger 37 may be tripped by the initial movement of the torpedo in the tube, or by special means, such as a catch 40 and an electromagnet 38, 39, operated before launching. In a modification, the sliding member 10 is pasitivaly moved in both directions, and the conducting- rods 14 are not spring-actuated. The rearward movement of the slide is produced by means of a tripping-finger, corresponding to the finger 37, connected by links to a shaft geared to the slide, while the forward movement is produced from a shaft, corresponding to the shaft 28, connected by bevel-gearing to the shaft which is geared to the slide. The mechanism for completing the circuit from an outside source of supply through the launching-tube to the contacts 25 is described in Specification 17,897/15, and comprises a casing 41 on the launching-tube fitted with a spring-pressed piston 42 having three contact-rods 44 to which the conductors of a multiple cable 49 are attached. The piston may be moved outwards, to break the circuit, by means of handles 50, or by compressed air admitted through the conduit 51 before, or simultaneously with, the launching of the torpedo. A spring catch 54 retains the piston in the outward position. In the construction shown in Fig. 1, the means for controlling the spinning of the gyroscope and the launching of the torpedo are controlled by the sighting officer. The director 55 is adjusted, in known manner, to close an electric circuit when the target being sighted arrives at a predetermined point, and, in the construction shown, the circuit is utilized to control the admission of air to launch the torpedo and to unlock the gyroscope. The usual storage reservoir 58 is mounted on the tube 57 and communicates therewith by a valve 59 operated by a rod 60, bell-crank lever 61, and spring-actuated rod 62. A projection 63 on the lever 61 engages a lever 64 connected to the armature 65 of an electro-magnet 66. The conduit 51 is connected to the passage from the reservoir 58 to the tube 57. A switch 69 is provided to control the circuits 67, 68 for spinning the gyroscope. The electro-magnets 38 and 66 are placed in series and are provided with current from the supply conductor 67. The gyroscope may thus be spun at any time by operating the switch 67, and the torpedo is launched and the gyroscope unlocked when the director 55 closes the circuit 70 ,71, 71<a>.