Patent GB-191217930-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Mechanism for Controlling the Valves of Submerged Torpedo Tubes.
IPC: F41F3/10
Filed: 1912-08-02
Granted: 1913-08-05
Abstract: 17,930. Soc. A. Citroen et Cie. Aug. 2, 1911, [Convention date]. Combinations of interdependent valves. - Relates to means for operating the valves of the discharge tube and water - ballast chambers of a submerged torpedo tube, and consists in means controlled by a common operating-member, for opening and closing the cover of the discharge tube or the ballast chamber valves combined with (1) means for varying the mechanical advantage of the power transmitted to the cover in accordance with the varying resistance of the cover, (2) means for equalizing the power transmitted to the water - ballast chamber valves, and (3) means for alternatively locking the operating- mechanism of the cover in inoperative position when the operating-mechanism of the ballast chamber is being operated and vice versa. Fig. 1 is an elevation and Fig 3 a part plan of the device. The operating hand-wheel 3 rotates a shaft 4, which, besides actuating the planet pinion 21 of a differential gear, rotates a pinion 6 mounted on a screwed shaft 7 fixed to the casing 8. The boss of the pinion 6 carries an eccentric pin 9 engaging a fork 10, Fig 4, on a shaft 11, which actuates, through a link 12, a pivoted stirrup 13 actuating a cam 14. This cam operates a slide 15, carrying inclines controlling rods 17, which are adapted to release ball bolts 18 securing the gear-wheels 20, 20<1> on the shaft 19. The wheel 22, fixed to the wheel 20, gears with a wheel 29, Fig. 3, actuating, through chain gearing 30, a shaft 31 carrying a bevel-wheel gearing with the pinion 32 operating the planet pinion 41<1> of a second differential gear, the gear-wheels 34, 35 of which are mounted respectively on shafts 36, 37 controlling, through toothed sectors 40, 41 the operation of the valves V, V<2>, which serve for the discharge of the water from the tube 1 after the torpedo has left it. Between the planet pinion 41' and its shaft is mounted a clockwork spring 42, which ensures the simultaneous opening of the valves V<1>, V<2>. The radii of the sectors 40, 41 are determined in accordance with the relative resistance to opening of the valves V<1>, V<2>. The wheel 23, Fig. 3, fixed to the wheel 20<1> drives, through the wheel 24 and cardan shaft 25, a wheel 66 carrying a stud 26 engaging a diametral slot 26<1> in a disk 27 mounted on a shaft eccentric to the shaft of the wheels 26 and actuating the pinion 28 of a rack 2, to which is attached the cover V of the tube 1. Starting with the hand-wheel 3 in the position in which all three valves V, V<1>, V<2> are closed, the wheel is given a quarter-turn in the direction for opening the valves, during which the planet-pinion 21 is adapted to remain stationary. The pinion 6 is thereby rotated until, through the cam 14, it releases the bolt of the wheel 20<1>, but leaves the wheel 20 locked. The stud 9 then moves out of engagement with the fork 10. The shaft 4 is further rotated to actuate the planet pinion 21, and, through the wheel 20<1> and its attached train of gearing, opens the cover V. The cover is closed by reversing the motion of the hand-wheel, the valves V<1>, V<2> meanwhile remaining closed, and, when the cover is in the closed position, the stud 9 will have re-engaged with the fork 10. A similar set of operations of the hand-wheel in the reverse sense serves to open and close the valves V<1>, V<2>, the cover V remaining closed. The pin-and-slot transmission gear 26, 27 transmits power varying automatically in accordance with the variable effort required by the cover at different stages of the opening movement.