Patent GB-480365-A (GB)
Title: Automatic device for starting the propelling engines of torpedoes at a predetermined depth of immersion
IPC: F42B19/12
Filed: 1936-08-27
Abstract: 480,365. Torpedoes. SILURIFICIO WHITEHEAD DI FIUME. Aug. 27, 1936, No. 23546. Convention date, Aug. 27, 1935. [Class 9 (ii)] [Also in Group XXIX] Relates to a device for automatically starting the propelling engines of automobile torpedoes at a predetermined depth of immersion through the medium of a hydrostatic apparatus. According to the invention, the hydrostatic apparatus acts on an obturator which normally interrupts communication between a reservoir of fluid under pressure and a chamber in which this fluid is adapted to cause opening of the valve housed in the feed duct for the flow of motive fluid to the engine. As shown, the admission duct 1 for motive fluid at a medium pressure and the low pressure duct 2 connected to the engine communicate with one another by means of an opening normally closed by a valve 3. This valve is connected to a piston 4 movably mounted in an oil-containing chamber 5 in which is located a counter piston 6 which bears against a regulating spring 7, the two pistons being connected together with axial play by a double-headed rod 8. The action of piston 4 in order to open valve 3 is produced by the injection of oil under pressure at the desired moment between the pistons 4, 6 through passages 10, 11, 12 and 13 from a reservoir 9, the oil in which is acted on by the fluid of medium pressure through the passages 14, '15. Communication between the passages 12, 13 is, as shown, obstructed by a sliding distributer 16 having a throat portion 16‹ bounded by obturator rings 161. This distributer is under the control of a hydrostatic device so that the opening of the valve 3 takes place only when the torpedo has reached a predetermined depth of immersion. This hydrostatic device comprises a plate 17 mounted on a flexible partition 19 closing a chamber 18 and subjected to the hydrostatic pressure in opposition to a calibrated spring 20, the depth at which the functioning takes place being regulated by adjustment of the plate 17 and spring 20 by means of a nut 21 screwed on to the threaded rod 25 of the plate. The rod 25 is connected by a pivoted lever 23 to a distributer 26 comprising a throat portion 26‹ located beteeen two obturating rings 26<1> and sliding in a chamber 27 to suitable points of which passages 28, 29 are connected. The passage 28 is connected by a tube 30 to the duct 1 whilst passage 29 communicates with a chamber 31 in which is movably mounted, against the action of an adjustable spring 32, a piston 33 of which the rod 34 acts on a lever 35 pivoted at 36 and pivotally connected at 37 to a rod 38 which in turn is pivotally connected at 39 to the distributer 16. An elastic stop 40 mounted on the chamber 31 is provided with recesses 401, 40<11> adapted to co-operate with a projection 41 on lever 35. In operation, when the torpedo reaches a predetermined depth of immersion, the hydrostatic pressure on plate 17 causes the latter to move into the chamber 18 and, through the medium of lever 23, displace the distributer 26 so as to put the passages 28, 29 into communication with one another. The fluid under pressure coming from the duct 1 through pipe 30 then acts on the piston 33 so as to free the lever 35, the projection 41 thereon being moved from engagement with recess 40<1> in stop 40 into recess 40<11>. This results in displacement of the rod 38 and of the distributer 16 so that passages 12, 13 are put into communication with one another, oil under pressure of the fluid acting through passages 14, 15 being then transferred from reservoir 9 into the chamber 5 between the pistons 4, 6 so as to cause the opening of valve 3. The motive fluid now flows through the duct 2 to the engine which is consequently started.