Patent GB-191406588-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to the Control of Moveable Bodies, such as Torpedoes, from a Distance.
Inventor: HAMMOND JOHN HAYS
IPC: F41G7/00
Filed: 1914-03-16
Granted: 1915-04-16
Abstract: 6588. Hammond, J. H. March 16. Lamp and lamp-group code signals; indicator or visible signals; buoy, roadvehicle, aeronautic, and ships' course signals.-In a method of controlling from a distance, wirelessly or by wires, movable bodies such as torpedoes, torpedo boats, aircraft, and road vehicles, the movable body carries a source of light or other visual signal which is caused by gyroscopic or other means to point in a fixed direction, thus indicating its position to the controlling - operator, while being invisible to the enemy. The torpedo &c. also controls further guides such as a number of floats also carrying lights, which are lit only when the torpedo is moving in a certain direction. In a modification, the torpedo carries on two masts a number of lights directed towards different points of the compass, gyroscopic means being provided whereby only that source of light is operated which is directed in a predetermined direction. The visual signal carried by the torpedo &c. may consist of a reflector 48, Fig. 3, and lamp 28 carried by a circular framework 44 connected by gearing to gyroscopic apparatus 30. The frame 44 is mounted on bearings on the mast 20 so that it can move relatively to the torpedo. The lamp and reflector may rotate within a casing 26 secured to the mast 20, or may be secured to an elongated sleeve surrounding the mast. For use by day, the visual signal consists of a number of pairs of vanes a, a<1>, b, b<1>, c, c<1>, arranged as shown in Figs. 20 and 21, and controlled by gyroscopic apparatus as before. That portion of the vanes which is turned toward the controlling-station is coloured black and white, while the other parts of the vane are given a neutral tint. When the torpedo tows a number of floats carrying electric lamps, the circuits of these lamps may be controlled by commutators 84, Fig. 3, on the gyroscopic shafting. Two sets of brushes may be provided so that a rear set of lamps lights up when the torpedo moves away from the controlling- station, and a forward set when it is moving towards this station. The circuit of the lamps may contain a contact controlled by radiations so that they only light up when the operator wishes to see them. The floats consist of two hulls secured by triangular supports, which carry two lamps, separated by a vertical partition, and an horizontal screen is provided to prevent the light from being visible to the enemy. In the modification shown in Fig. 14, the lamps on a number of floats are lighted in succession so that when the torpedo turns, time is given to the floats to turn before their lamps light up, so as to prevent them from being visible to the enemy. The moving contacts 244, 246, 248, 250, connected to the lamps 72, 98, 100, 74 and carried by the core 256 of a solenoid, successively engage the fixed contacts 272, 274, 276, 278. The movement of the core 256 is retarded by a piston 262 and dash-pot, the ends of which are connected by a pipe 268 and an adjustable valve 270 so that the core 256 is moved to the left slowly but is released quickly. A contact-arm 182 controlled by the gyroscope 30 engages segments of the commutators 190, 206, thereby closing the circuit of the solenoid 224 in all positions and of the rear or forward lamps 72, 74 or 98, 100 according to the direction in which the torpedo is moving. The lamps 72, 74 or 98, 100 light up in succession due to the retardation of the switch.