Patent GB-191515245-A (GB)
Title: An Apparatus for Locating Submarine and other Boats by Auditory Vibrations.
Inventor: PASTORE VICTOR
IPC: G01S1/72
Filed: 1915-10-28
Abstract: 15,245. Pastore, V., Beaver, C. J., and Claremont, E. A. Oct. 28. Subaqueous sound signals; signals indicating proximity of vessels; self-lighting signals.-For detecting submarines or other vessels, a buoy submerged to a suitable depth is provided with one or more microphones and with means whereby, when the microphones are affected by auditory vibrations, an aural or visual signal is given at the spot which can be seen or heard in all directions. The signals may be in the form of flares having different colours, thus giving an indication of the particular microphone affected and of the direction from which the vibrations originated. Means for repeating the signal at predetermined intervals and for resetting the apparatus are also provided. The buoy a, Fig. 2, is anchored in a fixed position by means of chains c and, as shown, is provided with a number of flares f associated with each microphone e. The microphones e may be connected with firing and timing circuits as shown in Fig. 4, in which a pair of microphones e are connected in parallel with two resistances 2. Across mid-point connexions between the resistances 2 and microphones e is arranged a polarized relay switch, which is normally open, but the armature 7 of which is actuated to close one or other of two firing and timing circuits, according as one or other of the two microphones e is affected by the auditory vibrations. The firing-circuit includes pairs of terminals 27 connected to each flare and a corresponding series of contacts 31, one of which is normally closed and the others are closed at predetermined intervals by the timing-circuit. Thus, when the armature 7 is actuated, a first signal is given immediately, and at the same time the core 13 of a solenoid switch 10, 11 is attracted to close the timing-circuit. The timing-circuit includes a battery 14, a solenoid 12 adapted to hold the core 13 in its attracted position, a knuckle switch 13<a> closed by an arm 13<b> from the core 13, and an automatic interrupter comprising an electro-magnet 15 with a spring- controlled armature 19 adapted to operate a switch 16. A resistance 35 is arranged in parallel with the make-and-break circuit in order that a current may be maintained continuously through the holding solenoid 12. The rocking armature 19 actuates through a pawl 22, ratchet-wheel 23, and reduction gear 24, Fig. 5, a number of cams 25 which control, through levers 29, the contacts 31 for closing the firing-circuits. Each time a lever 29 is actuated, the knuckle switch 13<a> is opened by levers 33, 34 and the timing-circuit is broken. Thus, after the first signal is given, a second signal is given after a predetermined interval through the medium of the timing-circuit, and no further signal will be given unless the disturbing auditory vibrations are still active, in which case the armature 7 will again be actuated and so one or more further signals may be given. The flare may be constructed of a celluloid envelope h, Fig. 3, containing a quantity of potassium or like substance which gives a flame on contacting with the water. The neck of the envelope h is a tight fit in a socket m and contains a charge of explosive n adapted to be fired by sparking-plugs o. The force of the explosion drives the envelope from the socket m by which it is attached to the buoy a and at the same time causes a stopper q to be removed so as to admit water to the potassium &c. A weight s located in the neck of the envelope causes the flare to rise to the surface with the celluliod portion uppermost. The microphones e, instead of firing flares, may be arranged to fire a rocket or to release compressed air or gas for operating a siren.