Patent GB-134245-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Automobile Torpedoes.
IPC: F42B19/06
Filed: 1918-06-14
Abstract: 134,245. Whitehead Torpedo Works, Ltd., Lees, E., and Ridsdale, H. W. June 14, 1918. Gyroscopic apparatus. - Relates to steering-devices adapted, after a predetermined run, to steer a curved or other course, in order to give the torpedo another chance of hitting the target, for example as described in Specification 6736/07, [Class 9, Ammunition &c.]. According to the invention, means are provided for causing relative movement between the steering valve and its seating without affecting the setting of the gyroscope. In the form shown in Fig. 1, the valve plug B is moved by the vertical gimbal a<2> of the gyroscope a through spurgearing A<2>, B<2>, and the valve seat b' is moved by an eccentric C<1> on the propeller shaft through a pawl and ratchet C, c, and a gear-train c<1>, c<2>, c<3>, C<2>, C<3>. The pawl C of this mechanism is thrown out of action with the ratchet wheels by a screen D<2>, which is moved by a spring d<2x>, when a tongue d<2> is released by a plunger D' controlled by a cam D, a tappet device c<x>, C<x> and a sector C<xx> being provided to move the screen back to enable the plunger D' again to catch the tongue d<2>, when the moment comes to stop the drive of the valve seat. The cam D is made with alternate teeth d<3> and depressions d<4> according to the path desired. The action of the cam is suspended until the torpedo has run a predetermined distance, in the following manner: The eccentric C on the propeller shaft rocks the bell-crank F<3> geared to the sector F<2> carrying a pawl f<2>, which moves a wheel F<1> by slow steps, this motion being transmitted by spur gearing to a wheel F locked to another wheel G by a pawl f. When the predetermined run is completed, the pawl f comes against a stud e, and being thereby deflected away from the tooth g releases the wheel G, which is swung back against a stop g<2> by a spring G<1>. This backward rotation is transmitted by means of a pawl h to a wheel H which turns a small pinion H<2>, and the rotation is continued by a spring H' as soon as its point of attachment h<2> to a pinion H<2> passes the dead centre. The wheel H has an extension H, to which the spring F of the doublearmed pawl f<2> is attached; the position of this pawl is therefore reversed as soon as the spring passes the dead centre. The wheel F' is then driven in the opposite direction, and this drive is then transmitted to cam D through gear-wheels F<1>, F, and pawl f<2>, which latter ran idly when the motion was in the other direction another pawl f<xx> then holding the cam at rest. The run before which the cam comes into play is determined by adjusting the angular position of the stud e by rotating the wheel, carrying it by means of gearing worked from the outside of the torpedo by a spindle E<1>. Mechanism may be provided whereby any one of a number of cams may be selected for action; and the mechanism for determining which cam shall operate may be interlocked with the spindle E<1>. One of these cams may be plain to give a straight run throughout. Means may also be provided for adjusting the mechanism to steer the torpedo to left or right as desired. In another form of apparatus, the valve plug is adjustable relatively to the vertical gimbal by means of gearing driven by a spring or by compressed air used also for spinning the gyroscope.