Patent GB-106299-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Torpedoes, Aircraft or the like.
Inventor: KING WILLIAM JOSEPH HARDING
IPC: F41G7/00
Filed: 1916-04-18
Abstract: 106,299. King, W. J. H. April 18, 1916. Sound, controlling and actuating apparatus by.-Relates to aircraft and torpedoes provided with controlling devices sensitive to sound emanating from an enemy craft so arranged as to cause the aircraft or torpedo automatically to hunt the enemy. According to tne invention, the propelling engine of the aircraft or torpedo is stopped intermittently while the hearing devices are put into action ; the aircraft or torpedo may be also provided with sound. ing devices adapted to produce an echo from the enemy when the enemy is silent like a motionless submarine or a drifting airship. Several sound receivers may be used, or a single one which is rotated and carries contacts for closing various controlling circuits. Damping-devices may be added to varv the sensitiveness of the sound receivers. The usual gyroscope is put out of action while the sound or light receivers are in action. Mesns are provided to adjust the time when this sound or light control shall begin, and to stop the motor until the receivers are affected'by the presence of the enemy. In the form shown for torpedoes in Fig. 1, the supply valve 6 of an auxiliary motor 7 is opened at the appointed time by clockwork or by 'gearing 2 from the main engine 1. The shaft 8 of the motor 7 drives two disks 9, 24 through worm gearing. Pins 10, 12 on the first disk slide a valve 11 in the supply pipe of the main engine to control the intermittent stoppages, and rock a valve 14 to control the speed during the intermittent action. The speed during continuous running is adjusted by another valve 15. Pins 23 on the second disk 24 in conjunction with the tail 20 of the valve 11 allow a spring switch 22 to fall on contacts 27 closing the circuit of microphones such as 28, Fig. 2. The slide valve 11 may also close the circuit of a bell 37 just before the microphone circuits are closed. When a microphone is actuated, it energizes a solenoid 29 which rocks an anchor 30, allowing a disk 31 to be rotated half a revolution by a spring, and thereby to deflect a rudder 33. These parts return to the initial position when the microphone ceases to be actuated. In a modification, the microphones control the rudders through a Wheatstone bridge and a reversing switch. The shaft of the motor 7 also drives a cam 17 through bevel gearing 16, and this cam works a pair of jaws 18 for clamping the gyroscope 19 out of action while the microphones are in circuit. When the slide valve 11 is released by the pin of the disk 9, it is returned to the initial position by a spring 34, restarting the main engine 1, and the whole cycle of operations is repeated. To stop the engine when no sound is received, the slide valve 11 is checked by a pin 43 before it completes its stroke. The pin 43 is driven up in the path of the slide 11 by a screw connexion with a wheel 42 driven by another wheel 41, which is itself driven by a rack on the slide 11. When sound is received by a microphone 45, it energizes a solenoid 46 which pulls a double armed lever 40 drawing the wheel 41 from the slide 11. A spring 44 then withdraws the pin 43, allowing the slide 11 to complete its stroke and the intermittent action to proceed. The lever 40 may be rocked to put the wheel 41 in and out of gear by means of a bell crank 39, which is set by hand, or is controlled by a pin 49 on an adjustable friction disk 47 driven by clockwork or by gearing from the propeller shaft, in order to put the wheel 41 in gear after a given travel of the torpedo. When a torpedo or aircraft is provided with both hearing and seeing devices, the seeing-devices may be put in action when the engine is running and the hearing-devices are out of action, or the seeing-devices may be continuously in action. When seeing-devices are used. the ratchet-wheel 41 is definitely held out of action when once put out of action by the receiver 45. This is done by a spring 55, Fig. 4, adapted to engage a flat part 40a on the double-armed lever 40; the spring 55 is put in and out of action according to the setting of the cam 56.