Improved Steering Mechanism for Torpedoes.
Year: 1894

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Steering Mechanism for Torpedoes.
I, LUDWIG OBRY, of Via Ghega 1, Triest, in the Empire of Austria, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present invention consists of a steering device for torpedoes, which is
arranged after the manner of a gyroscope within the torpedo and is built up on
the principle that a body revolving on a free axis tends to preserve its plane of
rotation.
The gyroscope, which has its plane of rotation set parallel to the vertical
symetrical axis of the torpedo when the latter is introduced into the lancing tube,
is, by suitable means caused to rotate at a high speed at the moment the torpedo
is lanced or thrown.
In consequence of the above mentioned well known principal of the preservation
of the plane of rotation, all planes in which the gyroscope rotates during the
course of the torpedo will be parallel to the original position of the same, i.e.
to the direction of fire or to the plane of the mark aimed at, and any diversion
of the torpedo from its original course, will be accompanied by a corresponding
angular motion of the plane of rotation of the gyroscope to the symetrical plane
of the torpedo.
.
According to the present invention, this relative angular motion is employed
to operate a steering mechanism, by converting, by means of suitable mechanism
the angular motion of a lineal one, which is employed to actuate the valve motion
of a Servo-motor driven by compressed air, said motor in its turn operating the
steering gear of the torpedo.
The device consists mainly of three principal parts or mechanisms, viz. :--First,
the mechanism for setting the rotating body of the gyroscope in motion; second,
the means for automatically setting the fly wheel of the gyroscope to the symetrical
plane of the torpedo; and, third, the mechanism for converting and transmitting
the relative angular motion of the plane of rotation to the steering gear.
In annexed drawings
Fig. 1, Sheet I, is a side elevation of the whole apparatus in its position of rest,
Fig. 2 a front elevation, and Fig. 3, Sheet II, a plan of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4, Sheet III, shows a front and Fig. 5 a side elevation of the apparatus
when in position immediately previously to the introduction of the torpedo into the
lancing tube.
Figs. 6, 7, & 7 Sheet II, are details of the arresting and brake cam.
Fig. 8, Sheet IV, shows the rear end of a torpedo with the steering gear as also
the arrangement of the apparatus in the torpedo and the connection of the vertical
rudder or steering wings and the apparatus,
Fig. 9 is a detail of the crank for actuating the rudder,
Fig. 10 shows the rudder wings in side elevation,
Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a modified form of the apparatus, and Fig. 12 a
front elevation of Fig. 11.
Figs. 34 114 & 11³ are diagrammatic representations of the motion of certain
parts of the apparatus as hereinafter more particularly described.
As shown in Fig. 8, the whole apparatus is mounted on the bulkhead separating
the engine room from the ballast room and is carried by two brackets or
standards D & F. The gyroscope, which forms the main part of the apparatus, is

page_text: mounted in the fork D' of the standard D, the ring c being supported in the said
fork on the centre points 92, 92, and the inner ring on the points gl g₁ of the ring c.
The ring is provided at two points diametrically opposite, with bearings a³, a,
adjustable by means of screws a³, a³, which serves to support the axis a of the
rotating body or fly wheel A of the gyroscope.
In order to set the fly wheel A of the gyroscope in rapid. rotation, the spindle a
of the same (Fig. 2) is provided with a toothed pinion a', which is arrested in
a position parallel to a spindle mounted in bearings F¹ & D2 (Figs. 2 & 3)
and carrying a toothed segment d', at the moment at which it is to be startel,
so that the said segment being in the same plane as the pinion, may engage in
the same and start the fly wheel.
The spindle d² carries a spiral spring d wound on a suitable drum and having one
end attached to a pin d³ of the segment d' whilst the other end is fixed to a pin "
of the standard F. The spindle d² (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6 & 7) has furthermore rigidly
attached thereto a cam d, the periphery of which is eccentric (Fig. 1) said cam
having a pin d at one end. The spindle d² is provided with a square boring p³ at
the end nearest the torpedo casing, (Fig. 2) the latter being perforated at a point
opposite the spindle end and fitted with a stopper screwed into a suitable seating.
When the stopper 6 is in position in the side of the torpedo it presses against the
end of a red lying within the hollow spindle d², retaining the same in the position
shown in Fig. 2, so that the said rod 68 will also hold the spring pressed arm
pivoted at 10 in the position as shown at Fig. 2. The arm carries at its lower
end a cross arm and below the same a downwardly projecting nose 612, which
latter presses on the bracket of a segment arm pivotally attached to the
ring at 62. The segment arm is retained in the position shown in Fig. 1, by a
spring 3 mounted on the ring c, and carries at its free end a three sided horse shoe
shaped plate which loosely encircles the said ring c. The nave or boss of the
segment do keyed to the spindle d² is provided with a cam groove a' at that surface
of the same next the torpedo casing (Figs. 2, 6 & 7) in which groove the arm a³ of
the lever a engages, the said lever being pivoted in a bearing of the standard Fata,
the longer arm a of this lever has a hopper shaped mouth piece a at its free end.
A spring d is attached to the standard F (Figs. 1 & 3) and placed in such position
as to allow the pin de of the segment to enter a perforation d³ of the said spring
when the segment has attained a certain position as hereinafter more particularly
described. The spring d' is capable of being gripped by the hooked end d³ of an
angle lever do pivotally mounted at ", and having an upwardly extending arm ("
adapted to be grasped by one arm of a double armed lever 22 pivotally attached to
the bulkhead and having its upper end actuated by a sliding pin ¹ mounted in
suitable gland in the bulkhead and operated as hereinafter more particularly
described.
The fly wheel of the gyroscope and the setting and starting of the same take
place in the following manner :-
The stopper is removed from the torpedo by means of the key P having a
squared end to fit the boring p² of the said stopper, and as the stopper is withdrawn,
the rod will follow its motion, releasing the lever be, which will move in the
direction of the arrow 2 under the action of its spring pressing on it in the direction
of the arrow (Fig. 2) bringing the cross piece against the segment arni b
(see positions Figs. 4 & 5).
C
Thus if the ring c should have been in a position other than the normal one, it
will be returned to and retained in the latter by the pressure exerted on it by the
cross arm, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 & 3.
Simultaneously with the motion of the arm & in the direction of the arrow 2,
the segment arm will be pressed downward by the action of the nose 12 on the
bracket in the direction of the arrow 3 (Fig. 1) so that the shoe 6 of the said
arm will press on the ring 6 and retain the same in the position shown in Figs. 4 & 5.
If for instance the ring should have been in the position shown in dotted lines
at - Fig. 2, the shoe will immediately return it to its normal position. The

page_text: fly wheel or rotating body of the gyroscope is now in a position parallel to the
plane of symetry of the torpedo and it is now required to arrest the spindle a of
the same in this position so that it may be properly started by the segment d'. In
order to effect this, the key P which was used to withdraw the stopper 6° is inserted
into the squared recess at the end of the spindle and the toothed segment d¹
turned in the direction of the arrow 4 (Fig. 1). The angular movement of the
segment d' in order to bring its teeth into engagement with the pinion a' of the
spindle a will of course be accompanied by the corresponding movement of the
boss d of the segment d³ (Fig. 6) which keyed to the spindle d². This angular
movement Ox will cause the cam groove as to actuate the arm as of the lever a
and pull the said arm a nearer to the centre O (Fig. 6). The movement of the
arm a in the direction of the arrow 5 causes the lever a to move in the direction
of the arrow 6 and take up the position shown in Fig. 4 so that the extension at of
the bearing a² will be retained by the hopper shaped mouth piece a. The moment
the spindle a is arrested in the manner just described, the segment d' comes into
engagement with the pinion a² and remains geared with the same whilst the
spring d is being further stretched by the continued turning of the spindle. The
spindle d may he turned by means of the key P until the pin d of the segment d
passes under the inclined spring d7 (Fig. 74) and gliding along and simultaneously
raising the same, will be arrested by it as soon as the perforation d of the said
spring comes in position over the said pin d when the spring will regain its former
position.
When the mechanism is in this position as shown at Figs. 4, 5 & 7, the key P
is withdrawn and the stopper & replaced in the side of the torpedo. This will
have the effect of pushing out the lever which allows the segment 61 to return
to its former position under the action of the spring 63 so that with the exception
of the guide arm a the gyroscope is free to move in any direction the parts 66, 6, 61,
having returned to their former positions. The torpedo is placed in the lancing
tube with the parts in this position. The moment the torpedo is discharged, the
air hole lever (Fig. 8) will be thrown over from the position shown in dotted
lines to that in full lines, driving the slide pin in the direction of the arrow 6ª,
which communicates motion by the lever system 2, 10, & 12 and hooked end d of
the latter to the spring d pulling the same in the direction of the arrow 7 (Fig. 3)
and lifting it off the pin d of the cam d whereby the spring d is released, the
segment d flies back under the powerful momentary impulse imparting to the
spindle a of the rotary mass A a rapid rotary motion owing to the diameter of
the segment being so much larger than that of the pinion. In order to arrest the
segment in its almost momentary movement, in the position shown in Fig. 1, and
at the same time to deaden the concussion which would otherwise be imparted to
the apparatus, by the sudden stoppage of the rapidly moving mass of the segment,
the periphery of the cam d is made eccentric as previously mentioned and thus
gradually contacts with the cheek with increasing pressure so that the motion
of the spindle d' is gradually stopped. The brake block or cheek fis furthermore
pivotally mounted at f" and behind the same is arranged a caoutchouc or rubber
block mounted on a block f (Figs. 1 & 3). As soon as the cam ³ has been
arrested in its original position, viz. that shown in Figs. 1, 2 & 3, the cam
groove a will also have been shifted and have brought the arm as out of contact
with the extension a* of the spindle a.
Thus at the moment the torpedo leaves the lancing tube, the gyroscope is
entirely freed, the rotary mass is in rapid rotation, with its plane in the plane of
symetry of the torpedo as it was in the lancing tube.
Assuming now that the course of the torpedo is diverted by any cause whatever,
the plane of rotation of the body A remaining unaltered, the axis of the torpedo
will move or perform a certain angular motion, with regard to the plane of the
body A, and as far as the result is concerned it is immaterial whether the case be
considered in its actual state or whether the body A is considered to have altered.
its plane of rotation and the axis of the torpedo to have remained the same.

page_text: In view of these facts let it be supposed that the body A had moved from its
original position (Fig. 3A) into that shown in dotted lines. The relative angular
motion will be followed by the frame e and with it the crank c' which, takes the
position shown in dotted lines imparting motion to the slide rod e². To the latter
is attached the valve c³ of a Servo motor, which operates the piston rod in the
well known manner of these motors worked by compressed air and employed for
under water steering purposes so that the said piston rod will move the crank c
(Fig. 8) by means of the connecting rod e and with it the shaft c' of the rudders C¹, C'.
in the opposite direction to that in which the torpedo was diverted from its original
course.
In the modification shown in Figs. 11 & 12, the mass A of the gyroscope is set
in motion by means of a piston to which is imparted a sudden impulse by means of
compressed air, as the torpedo is leaving the lancing tube. For this purpose a
cog wheel is attached to the spindle 3 which engages with a rack m formed on
the piston rod m'. The position of the parts as shown in Figs. 11 & 12 is their
position of rest previous to and at the moment of their being set in action.
At the moment the torpedo is discharged, at which moment, as is well known,
the air reservoir is placed in communication with the driving motor of the torpedo,
the compressed air is also allowed to enter the cylinder M through the slot m³, to
which it is led by a secondary feed pipe branching off from the main pipe, su
that the piston m will receive a momentry impulse in the direction of the arrow 10,
compressing the spring m². The wheel m' and segment will also fly round in
the direction of the arrow 11, the motion continuing until the spring m³ is entirely
compressed and the segment after having performed an angular movement of
about 315 degrees has attained the position shown in Fig. 1, i.e. out of the way
of the rotating gyroscope. The parts tain these positions as long as an
approximative pressure of 30 atmospheres present in the pipe system leading to
the motor of the torpedo, or in other words until the ignition of the same, or
when experimenting as long as the torpedo is in motion. As soon as the pressure
in the main pipe system begins to sink the piston goes back under the pressure of
the spring m² gradually until it has regained the position shown in Fig. 11.
It is
now necessary to bring the parts back into their normal positions and to arrest
the end of the spindle a before the segment d'engages in the saine as described
with reference to Figs. 1 to 5.
In the modification shown in Figs. 11 & 12 this takes place in the following
manner :-
During the first part of the return movement of the piston m the eccentrich,
which at this stage of the operation occupies the position shown in Fig. 11, in
turning in the direction of the arrow 12 presses the lever into the position
shown in Fig. 12 and at the same time the lever previously mentioned is
depressed, so that the rings c & b are fixed in their normal positions. During the
further progress of the operation, the round part of the eccentric g, which had
previously been in the position shown in Fig. 11A, before the commencement of the
return movement of the parts, and which is also moving in the direction of the
arrow 12 contacts with the arm a³ of the lever a, pressing the same against
the action of the spring g into the position shown in Fig. 12 and retaining it
there during the whole course of the back movement through the angle, O, y
(Fig. 11) as also during the opposite forward movement. During the farther
course of the return movement of the piston m, the raised parts of the eccentric
will pass the lever h¹ so that the same will take the position shown in dotted lines
in Fig. 12 under the action of the spring b'.
In conclusion some of the advantages offered by the present construction, in
addition to the accurate steering, may be mentioned. As is well known, at the
present time it is very difficult to arrange broadside lancing tubes under the armon
deck, or in other words under the water-line, owing to the diversion of the torped
by the pressure of the water, which occurs in spite of the projections in the lancing
tube. The diversion is in some cases sufficient, in spite of the steering device

page_text: employed, to cause the torpedo to come round in a wide curve until it has again
reached the ship which launched it. Torpedoes, having the steering mechanism
hereinbefore described, cannot be diverted in this manner, as the same will always
return to the plane of direction of lancing, however great the diversion may have
been. The device further enables the torpedo being lanced, at a certain angle to
the direction of the lancing tube. In order to effect this it will be sufficient to
displace the slide, or to shorten or lengthen the slide valve rod in order to keep
the rotation plane of the gyroscope at a certain angle to the rudder. For instance
if the slide rod is shortened to correspond with the position it would take if the
plane of rotation of the gyroscope had been displaced 30 degrees, the direction of
the torpedo on entering the water, will be altered until the rudder has regained
its normal position, which will not take place, in consequence of the displacement
of the slide rod until the gyroscope has turned 30 degrees, and thus brought the
slide back to its original position.
Since however a turning of the gyroscope means altering the direction of the
torpedo 30 degrees, the torpedo will be lauced or launched in a direction at an
angle of 30 degrees to the direction of the lancing tube. This possibility of
launching torpedoes at any desired angle, goes to prove that by means of the
present device broadside discharges may be accomplished from the bow or stern
end of the ship. In this case the slide rod must be adjusted to correspond to a
turning of the gyroscope equal to 90 degrees.
Dated this 17th day of November 1894.
I, LUDWIG OBRY, of Via Ghega 1, Triest, in the Empire of Austria, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:--
The present invention consists of a steering device for torpedoes, which is
arranged after the manner of a gyroscope within the torpedo and is built up on
the principle that a body revolving on a free axis tends to preserve its plane of
rotation.
The gyroscope, which has its plane of rotation set parallel to the vertical
symmetrical axis of the torpedo when the latter is introduced into the launching
tube, is, by suitable means caused to rotate at a high speed at the moment the
torpedo is launched or thrown.
In consequence of the above mentioned well known principle of the preservation
of the plane of rotation, all planes in which the gyroscope rotates during the course
of the torpedo will be parallel to the original position of the same, i.e. to the
direction of fire or to the plane of the mark aimed at, and any diversion of the
torpedo from its original course, will be accompanied by a corresponding angular
motion of the plane of rotation of the gyroscope to the symmetrical plane of the
torpedo.
According to the present invention, this relative angular motion is employed to
operate a steering mechanism, by converting, by means of suitable mechanism the
angular motion to a lineal one, which is employed to actuate the valve motion of a
Servo-motor driven by compressed air said motor in its turn operating the steering
gear of the torpedo.
The device consists mainly of three principal parts or mechanisms, viz. ;-
First, the mechanism for setting the rotating body of the gyroscope in motion;

page_text: second, the means for automatically setting the fly wheel of the gyroscope to the
symmetrical plane of the torpedo; and, third, the mechanism for converting and
transmitting the relative angular motion of the plane of rotation to the steering
gear.
And in order that my invention may be more fully understood I have caused to
be appended hereunto four sheets of drawings marked with letters of reference
indicating like parts in the various figures.
Fig. 1, Sheet 1, is a side elevation of the whole apparatus in its position of rest,
Fig. 2 a front elevation, and Fig. 3, Sheet II, a plan of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4, Sheet III, a front and Fig. 5 a side elevation of the apparatus when in
position immediately previously to the introduction of the torpedo into the launching
tube,
Figs. 6, 7, & 7 are details of the arresting and brake cam,
Fig. 8, Sheet IV, shows the rear end of a torpedo with the steering gear as
also the arrangement of the apparatus in the torpedo and the connection of the
vertical rudder or steering wings and the apparatus,
Fig. 9 is a detail elevation of the crank for actuating the rudder,
Fig. 10 shows the rudder wings in side elevation,
Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a modified form of the apparatus, and Fig. 12 >>
front elevation of Fig. 11.
Figs. 34, 114, & 11 are diagrammatic representations of the motion of certain
parts of the apparatus as hereinafter more particularly described.
As shown in Fig. 3, the whole apparatus is mounted on the bulkhead separating
the engine room from the ballast room and is carried by two brackets or standards D
and F. The gyroscope, which forms the main part of the apparatus, is mounted
in the fork D of the standard D, the ring c being supported in the said fork on
the centre points 92, 92, and the inner ring on the points g', g', of the ring c. The
ring is provided at two points diametrically opposite, with bearings a², a², adjust-
able by means of screws a³, a³, which serve to support the axis a of the rotating
body or fly wheel A of the gyroscope.
In order to set the fly wheel A of the gyroscope in rapid rotation, the spindle a
of the same (Fig. 2) is provided with a toothed pinion a', which is arrested in a
position parallel to a spindle d2 mounted in bearings F1 and D2 (Figs. 2 & 3) and
carrying a toothed segment d', at the moment at which it is to be started, so that
the said segment being in the same plane as the pinion, may engage in the same
and start the fly wheel.
The spindle carries a spiral spring & wound ou a suitable drum and having
one end attached to a pin d³ of the segment d' whilst the other end is fixed to a
pin of the standard F. The spindle (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6 & 7) has furthermore
rigidly attached thereto a cam d, the periphery of which is eccentric (Fig. 1) said
cam having a pin d at one end. The spindle d is provided with a square boring /³
at the end nearest the torpedo casing (Fig. 2) the latter being perforated at a point
opposite the spindle end and fitted with a stopper 6 screwed into a suitable seating.
When the stopper 6 is in position in the side of the torpedo it presses against the
end of a rod 6 lying within the hollow spindle d², retaining the same in the position
shown in Fig. 2, so that the said rod will also hold the spring pressed arm 66
pivoted at in the position as shown at Fig. 2. The arm & carries at its lower
end a cross arm and below the same a downwardly projecting nose, which
latter presses on the bracket 6 of a segment arm b pivotally attached to the ring e
at 2. The segment arm is retained in the position shown in Fig. 1, by a spring ba
mounted on the ring e, and carries at its free end a three-sided horse shoe shaped
plate which loosely encircles the sand ring c. The nave or boss of the segment d³
keyed to the spindle d is provided with a cam groove a at that surface of the
same next the torpedo casing (Figs. 2, 6 & 7) in which groove the arm a of the
lever a³ engages, the said lever being pivoted in a bearing of the standard F at a',
the longer arm a of this lever has a hopper shaped mouth piece as at its free end.
A spring is attached to the standard F (Figs. 1 & 3) and placed in such

page_text: position as to allow the pin de of the segment d³ to enter a perforation of the
said spring when the segment has attained a certain position as hereinafter more
particularly described. The spring d is capable of being gripped by the hooked
end d of au angle lever do pivotally mounted at d", and having an upwardly
extending arm di adapted to be grasped by one arm of a double armed lever
pivotally attached to the bulkhead and having its upper end actuated by a sliding
pin mounted in a suitable gland in the bulkhead and operated as hereinafter
more particularly described.
The fly wheel of the gyroscope and the setting and starting of the same take
place in the following manner;-
The stopper is removed from the torpedo by means of the key P having a
squared end to fit the boring 2 of the said stopper, and as the stopper is withdrawn,
the rod will follow its mction, releasing the lever 66, which will move in the
direction of the arrow 2 under the action of its spring pressing on it in the direction
of the arrow 1 (Fig. 2) bringing the cross piece 6" against the segment arm b¹ (see
position Figs. 4 & 5).
Thus if the ring c should have been in a position other than the normal one, it
will be returned to and retained in the latter by the pressure exerted on it by the
cross arm as shown in Figs. 1, 2 & 3. Simultaneously with the motion of the
arm in the direction of the arrow 2, the segment arm will be pressed down-
ward by the action of the nose 6 on the bracket in the direction of the arrow 3
(Fig. 1) so that the shoe b' of the said arm will press on the ring band retain the
same in the position shown in Figs. 4 & 5. If for instance the ring b should have
been in the position shown in dotted lines at a-, Fig. 2, the shoe will
immediately return it to its normal position. The fly wheel or rotating body of
the
gyroscope is now in a position parallel to the plane of symmetry of the torpedo
and it is now required to arrest the spindle a of the same in this position so that it
may
be properly started by the segment d'. In order to effect this, the key P
which was used to withdraw the stopper 6 is inserted into the squared recess at
the end of the spindle d² and the toothed segment turned in the direction of
the arrow 4 (Fig. 1). The angular movement of the segment d¹ in order to bring
its teeth into engagement with the pinion a¹ of the spindle a will of course be
accompanied by the corresponding movement of the boss d of the segment d³.
(Fig. 6) which is keyed to the spindle d². This angular movement or will cause
the cam groove a to actuate the arm as of the lever a and pull the said arm aª
nearer to the centre O (Fig. 6). The movement of the arm as in the direction of
the arrow 5 causes the lever a to move in the direction of the arrow 6 and take
up the position shown in Fig. 4 so that the extension at of the bearing a² will be
retained by the hopper shaped mouthpiece aº. The moment the spindle a is arrested
in the manner just described, the segment d' comes into engagement with the
pinion a¹ and remains geared with the same whilst the spring d is being further
stretched by the continued turning of the spindle. The spindle d² may be turned
by means of the key P until the pin d of the segment de passes under the inclined
spring d (Fig. 7A) and gliding along and simultaneously raising the same, will
be arrested by it as soon as the perforation d of the said spring comes into
position over the said pin do when the spring will regain its former position.
When the mechanism is in this position as shown at Figs. 4, 5 & 7, the key P is
withdrawn and the stopper 6 replaced in the side of the torpedo. This will have
the effect of pushing out the lever L which allows the segment 1 to return to its
former position under the action of the spring 3 so that with the exception of the
guide arm a the gyroscope is free to move in any direction the parts 66, 6, 6,
having returned to their former positions. The torpedo is placed in the launching
tube with the parts in this position. The moment the torpedo is discharged, the
air hole lever (Fig. 8) will be thrown over from the position shown in dotted
lines to that in full lines driving the sliding pin z' in the direction of the arrow 6,
which communicates motion by the lever system 2, d10 & 12 and hooked end d of

page_text: the latter to the spring a pulling the same in the direction of the arrow 7 (Fig. 3)
and lifting it off the piu de of the cam d' whereby the spring d is released, the
segment d'flies back, under the powerful momentary impulse imparting to the
spindle a of the rotary mass A a rapid rotary motion owing to the diameter of
the segment being so much larger than that of the pinion. In order to arrest the
segment din its almost momentary movement, in the position shown in Fig. 1,
and at the same time to deaden the concussion which would otherwise be imparted
to the apparatus, by the sudden stoppage of the rapidly moving mass of the
seginent, the periphery of the cam d is made eccentric as previously mentioned
and thus gradually contacts with the cheek with increasing pressure so that the
motion of the spindle d² is gradually stopped. The brake block or check f is
furthermore pivotally mounted at f¹ and behind the same is arranged a caoutchouc
or rubber block 13 mounted on a block f (Figs. 1 & 3). As soon as the cam d
has been arrested in its original position, viz. that shown in Figs. 1, 2 & 3, the
cam groove a will also have been shifted and have brought the arm a out of
contact with the extension a' of the spindle a.
Thus at the moment the torpedo leaves the launching tube, the gyroscope is
entirely freed, the rotary mass is in rapid rotation, with its plane in the plane of
symmetry of the torpedo as it was in the launching tube.
Assuming now that the course of the torpedo is diverted by any cause whatever,
the plane of rotation of the body A remaining unaltered, the axis of the torpedo
will move or perform a certain angular motion, with regard to the plane of the
body A, and as far as the result is concerned it is immaterial whether the cause be
considered in its actual state or whether the body A is considered to have altered
its plane of rotation and the axis of the torpedo to have remained the same.
In view of these facts let it be supposed that the body A had moved from its
original position (Fig. 3A) into that shown in dotted lines. The relative angular
motion will be followed by the frame c and with it the crank cl which takes the
position shown in dotted lines imparting motion to the slide rod e². To the latter
is attached the valve c³ of a Servo moter, which operates the piston rod c in the
well known manner of these motors worked by compressed air and employed for
under water steering purposes, so that the said piston rod will move the crank c
(Fig. 8) by means of the connecting rod e and with it the shaft c' of the
rudders C, C, in the opposite direction to that in which the torpedo was diverted
from its original course.
In the modification shown in the Figs. 11 & 12, the mass A of the gyroscope is
set in motion by means of a piston to which is imparted a sudden impulse by means
of compressed air, as the torpedo is leaving the launching tube.
For this purpose a cog wheel m³ is attached to the spindle 2 which engages
with a rack m formed on the piston rod m'. The position of the parts as shown in
Figs. 11 & 12 is their position of rest previous to and at the moment of their being
set in action.
At the moment the torpedo is discharged, at which moment, as is well known
the air reservoir is placed in communication with the driving motor of the torpedo,
the compressed air is also allowed to enter the cylinder M through the slot m³, to
which it is led by a secondary feed pipe branching off from the main pipe, so that
the piston m will receive a momentary impulse in the direction of the arrow 10,
compressing the spring m². The wheel m' and segment d' will also fly round in
the direction of the arrow 11, the motion continuing until the spring m³ is entirely
compressed and the segment d' after having performed an angular movement of
about 315 degrees has attained the position shown in Fig. 1, .e. out of the way of
the rotating gyroscope. The parts retain these positions as long as an approxi-
mative pressure of 30 atmospheres is present in the pipe system leading to the
motor of the torpedo, or in other words until the ignition of the same, or when
experimenting as long as the torpedo is in motion. As soon as the pressure in the
main pipe system begins to sink the piston goes back under the pressure of the
spring m gradually until it has regained the position shown in Fig. 11.
It is now

page_text: necessary to bring the parts back into their normal positions and to arrest the end
of the spindle a before the segment d'engages in the same as described with
reference to Figs. 1 to 5. In the modification shown in Figs. 11 & 12 this
takes place in the following manner ;-
During the first part of the return movement of the piston m the eccentric h,
which at this stage of the operation occupies the position shown in Fig. 11B,
in turning in the direction of the arrow 12 presses the lever 66 into the position
shown in Fig. 12 and at the same time the lever previously mentioned is
depressed, so that the rings c & b are fixed in their normal positions.
During the further progress of the operation, the round part of the eccentric
which had previously been in the position shown in Fig. 11, before the com-
mencement of the return movement of the parts, and which is also moving in
the direction of the arrow 12 contacts with the arm a of the lever a', pressing
the same against the action of the spring g into the position shown in Fig. 12
and retaining it there during the whole course of the back movement through
the angle Oy (Fig. 114) as also during the opposite forward movement.
During the further course of the return movement of the piston m, the raised
parts of the eccentric will pass the lever so that the same will take the
position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 12 under the action of the spring 67.
In conclusion some of the advantages offered by the present construction, in
addition to the accurate steering, may be mentioned. As is well known, at the
present time it is very difficult to arrange broadside launching tubes under the
armour deck, or in other words under the waterline, owing to the diversion of
the torpedo by the pressure of the water, which occurs in spite of the projections in
the launching tube. The diversion is in some cases sufficient, in spite of the
steering devices employed, to cause the torpedo to come round in a wide curve
until it has again reached the ship which launched it.
Torpedoes, having the steering mechanism herein before described, cannot be
diverted in this manner, as the same will always return to the plane of direction of
launching, however great the diversion may have been. The device further
enables the torpedo being launched, at a certain angle to the direction of the
launching tube. In order to effect this it will be sufficient to displace the slide, or
to shorten or lengthen the slide valve rod in order to keep the rotation plane of
the gyroscope at a certain angle to the rudder. For instance if the slide rod is
shortened to correspond with the position it would take if the plane of rotation of
the gyroscope had been displaced 30 degrees, the direction of the torpedo on
entering the water, will be altered until the rudder has regained its normal
position, which will not take place, in consequence of the displacement of the slide
rod until the gyroscope has turned 30 degrees, and thus brought the slide back to
its original position.
Since however a turning of the gyroscope means altering the direction of the
torpedo 30 degrees, the torpedo will be launched in a direction at an angle
of 30 degrees to the direction of the launching tube. This possibility of launching
torpedoes at any desired angle, goes to prove that by means of the present device
broadside discharges may be accomplished from the bow or stern end of the ship.
In this case the slide rod must be adjusted to correspond to a turning of the
gyroscope equal to 90 degrees.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim, is;-
1st. A device for steering torpedoes consisting mainly of a gyroscope mounted
within the torpedo having a frame or ring e mounted in fixed bearings and carrying
a crank c', means for connecting the said crank to the valve rod c³ of a servo
motor driven by compressed air, a piston rod e and connection from the saine to
the crank c of the rudder or steering wing shatt c', so that a relative movement of
the plane of rotation of the gyroscope to the vertical plane of symmetry of the
B

page_text: torpedo will cause a displacement of the slide c³ and by means of the piston rod co
of the servo motor, a displacement of the rudder wings C, C¹, in the opposite
sense in which the relative angular motion of the plane of rotation of the gyroscope
took place, substantially as described.
2nd. The combination with a steering device for torpedoes of the kind covered
in Claim 1, of means for setting in motion the rotary body A of the gyroscope
consisting of a spring actuated toothed segment d' rigidly mounted on a spindle d²,
means for bringing the said segment into engagement with a driving pinion a¹ of
the spindle a of the rotary mass or body, and for disengaging the same when the
spring of the said segment has run down, a cam do fast on the said spindle d2 having
a pin and a spring d' suitably mounted and having a perforation d for the
reception of the pin de to arrest the said spring d in its stretched position,
substantially as described.
3rd. In combination with the driving mechanism of the rotary mass or body A
of a gyroscope as claimed in 2, a device for releasing the spring consisting mainly
of an angle lever do, d¹, having hooked end de embracing the end of the spring d',
a pivoted lever 2, pin 2, and tumble lever z to actuate said lever do, d³, at the
moment of discharge of the torpedo, substantially as described and shown.
4th. In combination with a gyroscope mounted in a torpedo, a sliding rod 68
mounted within the hollow spindle d, a spring pressed lever 6 pivotally mounted
across the end of the said sliding rod, a cross arm to said lever and downwardly
projecting nose 612, a segment arm 61 pivoted to the ring e and having horse she
shaped horizontal plate 64 to contact with the ring b when the said segment arm is
depressed, a bracket 6' to said segment arm on which the nose 612 rests and means
such as a stopper 69 to operate the sliding rod, substantially as described.
5th. In combination with a gyroscope mounted within a torpedo, means for
setting the same in motion consisting mainly of an air pressure cylinder M
connection from the same to the air main, a piston m to said cylinder having
rod m¹ with rack m and a toothed pinion on the spindle to engage said rack,
and means for returning the said piston to its original position, substantially as
described.
Dated this 16th day of Jul 1805
F. BOSSHARDT & Co.,
4, Corporation Street, Manchester, Agents to Applicant.