Patent GB-230835-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in torpedoes
IPC: F42B19/06
Filed: 1925-03-11
Abstract: 230,835. Aliquo, F. March 15, 1924, [Convention date]. Torpedoes, locomotive.-Relates to gyroscopic steering gear provided with devices for suspending the normal steering action of the gyroscope and causing a torpedo to travel in a circular course when it is subjected to abnormal deviations in the wake of a ship, safety means being added to prevent the above operation until the torpedo has travelled a certain distance from its launching point, as described in Specification 165,034. According to the invention, (1) the safety device is so arranged and controlled that it returns to its starting point if the torpedo is subjected to abnormal deviations before the gear has been armed by the safety device, whereby the period of safety is increased; and (2) a valve in the device for causing the torpedo to travel in a circular course is adapted to be stopped in either of three positions to determine the direction in which the torpedo shall take the circular course. As shown in Fig. 1, two valves B, C are worked by the gyroscope A. The valve B controls the servomotor F and steers the torpedo in a straight course and the reciprocating movements of the piston rod 19 of the servomotor rotate a ratchet wheel 17 step by step until a notch 72 releases a lever 23 from engagement with the stem 25 of the plug 26 of the valve D interposed between the valve B and the servomotor F. When this release has occurred and an abnormal deviation of the torpedo causes the valve C to admit air pressure to a pipe 9, the valve plug 26 is shifted to the left and reverses the connections between the valve B and the servomotor F with the result that the torpedo is steered in a circular course. According to the invention, a trip device G is inserted between the valve D and the servomotor F. An admission of air pressure into the pipe 9 by the valve C, due to any premature, abnormal deviations, causes the spring plunger 12 to be pushed to the left and thereby to rock a pawl 16 out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 17 which is then returned to its starting position against a stop 29 by means of a spring 28, and must begin anew its step-by-step movements before it releases the lever 23. When it is desired that the circular course shall begin only if abnormal deviations occur simultaneously in two different planes, two valves B<1>, B", Fig. 7, are used instead of the valve C above. Simultaneous action of both valves B<1>, B<11> is required to allow air pressure to pass from source 46 to pipe 9 leading to valve D; but action of either valve B<1>, B<11> admits air pressure to pipe 9<1> leading to the trip device G. The valve D may be replaced by the valve H, Fig. 3, which is provided with a screw 50 which can be adjusted to three different positions to stop the valve plug 26 in three different positions when thrown to the left by air pressures from the pipe 9. In one position of the valve H, air pressure coming by pipe 60 or 61 from either side of valve B is directed through valve H and pipe 68 to the left of the servomotor F; consequently the torpedo always turns in the same direction whatever the nature of its abnormal deflection. In a second position of the valve H, one side of the valve B is connected as before through pipe 68 to the left of the servomotor, and the other side of the valve B is connected through a pipe 71 to the right; and the torpedo takes a circular course in the same direction as the abnormal deflection. In the third position of the valve H, the connections between the sides of the valve B and servomotor F are reversed; and the torpedo turns in the opposite direction.