Improvements in Means and Mechanism for Propelling, Steering, Exploding, and Manoeuvring Torpedoes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 24th June, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 17th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 24th June, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means and Mechanism for Propelling, Steering,
Exploding, and Manoeuvring Torpedoes.
I, GEORGE READ MURPHY of 287 Vauxhall Bridge Road London Gentleman
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in means and mechanism for controlling,
steering, regulating, exploding, and indicating the course of surface or submarine
torpedoes, and has for its object further improvements in the means and mechanism
described in my applications No. 19270, A.D. 1889, and No. 3173 A.D. 1890, for
her Majesty's Royal Letters Patent.
The above mentioned improvements refer more particularly to :
(1) The buoyancy chamber.
(2) The means for indicating the course of torpedoes.
(3) The mode of winding the cable.
(4) The manner of conveying the electric fluid to the motor.
(5) The use of springs for steering purposes.
(6) The fins for maintaining surface torpedoes near the surface of the water.
(7) The float.
A moving cage or stand for the torpedo.
(9) A roller catch for guiding the cable.
(1) Referring to the first heading the fore part of the torpedo is divided
longitudinally into two equal compartments, viz. an explosive chamber, and a
buoyancy chamber. The former explodes as already described in the Specifications
accompanying the above mentioned applications either when striking against an
obstacle or when operated directly by one of the motors. The buoyancy chamber
is controlled by a spring which is depressed by the water as the torpedo rushes
through it at high speed, and discloses an opening allowing the admission of water
in this chamber, which consists of compartments controlled by a valve permitting
the water to enter but preventing its egress. This buoyancy chamber has for its
object to maintain the equilibrium of the torpedo as the compressed air escapes
therefrom.
(2) The compressed air chamber follows from fore to aft the two chambers
above described, and contains an inclined and curved tube enabling the torpedo to
be exploded at will. This tube is likewise used when the hydrostatic valve is
arranged in front of the above chamber, and its front part passes over a tin
containing phosphide of calcium or other similar or suitable compound placed in
the buoyancy chamber. Each end of the tube is closed by a piece of parchment,
vellum, or other suitable material, which when the torpedo has assumed a certain
speed is broken by the water allowing water to pass into the phosphide of calcium
tin, hence producing smoke or flame which is carried above the surface of the water
by the tube aforesaid, thus clearly indicating the course of the vessel, the said tube
is carried by a fin of ordinary construction.
(3 and 4) The cable is arranged to be paid out from the starting point of the
torpedo, or from the torpedo onward, and is usually wound at the said point in
layers, the first layer being coiled within a tub or cylinder in such a manner, that
when the inner end of the cable reaches one end thereof, it is bent in the shape of
an S and coiled the reverse way along until it reaches the outside of the said cylinder
when it is hooked over and coiled again in the former direction; and so on until the
tub or cylinder is full. Or I may coil the said cable upon a core one end of which
carries a toothed wheel in gear with another wheel actuated by a spring which thus
unwinds the cable from the core, the ends of the said cable being insulated by

page_text: means of brushes rotating upon copper or other rings from which power is
transmitted to the motors by suitable wires. The cable is paid out after a bulb is
released by a catch, when the pull on the cable exceeds a predetermined limit, or
when the air cock is at full speed as described in the Specifications above mentioned.
(5) The three electric motors which are operated by the three wire cables (sec
above mentioned Specifications) effect directly by means of levers or of springs,
the first the steering, the second the raising to the surface and exploding of the
torpedo, while the third starts, stops, and regulates the speed of the latter vessel,
paying the cable out or not according as required. The spring mechanism which
allows the torpedo to be controlled by very small cable is of simple construction
and actuated by a suitable bevil or other gearing. It may also be actuated by
means of a cam wheel.
(6) I provide a fin on the top of the torpedo which by operating a servo-motor
of ordinary construction directly or through the medium of a dash pot actuates
side or tail fins for the purpose of keeping the torpedo in a straight course.
This
improvement is applicable to torpedoes moving so near the surface of the water
that the fin projects partly out of it. When the torpedo reaches the surface of the
water, the weight of the top fin causes the servo-motor to operate the side or tail
fin whereby the vessel is lowered, while on the contrary when the vessel is too
deeply immersed, the top fin has a tendency to raise to the surface, whereby the
servo-motor operates the fin in such a manner as to cause the torpedo to rise.
(7) My improved float has the form of a vessel, similar to a torpedo, but is only
provided with a compressed air, or other motive power chamber; the above
described fins and servo-motor, for an ordinary high speed engine, and, stopping
spring fins. This float is so arranged that before the torpedo supported thereby
starts, two wings protrude from the same. When the torpedo travels, it pulls the
leash or rope attaching it to the float, and so causes the above wings to recede
within the latter and the engine to work, but when the float travels faster than the
torpedo, the tension on the rope is decreased, the engine stops, and the wings are
expanded. This arrangement allows the torpedo to pass below netting or other
obstruction and to maneuvre almost unhampered by its float.
(8) I make use for the purpose of mooring the torpedo and its float at any
distance from the land of a cage or dock connected with the operating station, by a
cable enclosed in a leaden or other suitable tube. This cable releases the torpedo
and enables it to be worked from the cage as well as from land or from a ship. In
this case the torpedo cable is coiled in the float in the same manner as in the tub or
cylinder aforementioned.
(9) Mechanism is likewise provided for guiding the cable which passes over a
suitable wheel or pulley, and between the same and another wheel, carried by a
pivotted frame, the position of which can be adjusted by a rod the front end of
which is linked or articulated to the said frame. The rear end of this rod carries
a spring capable of being suitably contracted or expanded between a fixed and a
movable stop, by means of a two armed lever pivotted upon a post and provided
upon its rear end with a knob. The front arm of the lever is bent and grips the
movable stop aforesaid.
As my improvements are capable of some modifications without departing from
the principle thereof, I do not restrict myself to materials, or dimensions, or to the
precise form or placement of the several parts thereof.
Dated this 24th day of June 1890.
RAYNER & CASSELL,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: compartments, and with an inlet valve at the top and another at the bottom, to
admit water which is stored in the lowermost compartment. V is an ordinary
spring valve.
As the torpedo is propelled forward the pressure of the water upon
the valve V overcomes the power of its spring so that water enters B' as shown in
Fig. 1, passes through the various compartments aforesaid, and acts as ballast or
compensating means for the loss of weight caused by the exhaustion of the
compressed air.
The method illustrated in Fig. 2 is somewhat different. In this case a double
diaphragm B connected to the compressed air chamber is coupled by a rod to the
piston valve 13 which moves in a cylinder open to the sea at the top. As the
compressed air becomes exhausted the piston descends and admits the water.
The course of the torpedo may be indicated in the following way. H is a tin
of Holmes or other similar compound over which the tube T stands, covering it
at T. As the torpedo moves forward the water enters at T carries away the gas
proceeding from the tin H through the tube T and is forthwith shot to the surface.
Fis a fin supporting the tube T. H¹(Fig. 1) is an ordinary hydrostatic chamber,
C the cable chamber and E a compartment containing an ordinary engine.
The torpedo shown in Fig. 3 differs from that shown in Fig. 1 in so far that it
has no hydrostatic valve and pendulum, but maintains a constant depth close to the
surface by the aid of the following arrangement. The fin F is provided with a
buoyant part F3 (Figs. 3 and 4) which, when the torpedo dips too much below the
surface of the water, operates the fin F through the dashpot D and the servo-
motor S which is of usual construction (Fig. 5) and causes the vessel to ascend
close to the surface again, whereas should the torpedo rise, so that the part F3
protruded out of the water, the weight of such part would act upon the fin F¹
and bring the torpedo back in its normal position.
The locomotive float shown in Fig. 4 is designed to be attached to a torpedo and
provided with its own separate propelling engine, this float operating in such a
imanner that when the torpedo moves forward it pulls upon the attachment cable
connecting it to the float and thus draws in the transverse fins W. of the float
(Figs. 13 and 134). This releases the motive power in the latter which now moves
forward and thus practically ceases to be a drag upon the torpedo the pull being
only so great as is necessary to keep the engine at work and the fins withdrawn.
Fig. 21 shows a float provided with an almost rigid attachment K. K¹ having but a
slight play, this float is so constructed that when the torpedo moves forward, it pulls
upon the attachment K. K' and releases the motive power which now propels the
float, the latter thus assisting in its own progress. In some cases the float may
be thus utilized to assist the propulsion of the torpedo. The attachment above
mentioned may be rendered absolutely rigid, the engine being operated by electric
power carried through the bar L, in a similar manner as for the torpedoes shown
in Figs. 1 and 2.
S
The cable which is conveyed to the shore through the tube G¹ (Figs. 1 & 2)
is usually wound in fat, sawdust or other similar material in the manner clearly
shown in Figs. 6 and 7 which are respectively a plan and an end view illustrating
two modes of coiling a cable according to my invention.
Figs. 8 and 9 show a cable R wound upon a spindle carrying at one end a
pinion meshing with a gear wheel which is operated by a coiled spring P,
the gear wheel being held by a spring bolt which can be drawn out by loosening
the cable, this being effected by releasing the brake illustrated in Fig. 14. The
cable is wound by turning the spindle (Fig. 8) by means of a suitable handle
not shown in the drawing.
The brake above mentioned is designed to act upon the cable G, this cable being
held by the pulleys QQ, whose axes are fixed to the ends of the arms a. a of the
tongs O, under the action of the spring P, secured to the arms a', a' of the tongs ().
These arms aa are connected at their extremities by a toggle joint R to the
centre of which is fixed a string or wire attached at e to the valve shewn in
Fig. 15, and which controls the admission of compressed air to the engine. When
"

page_text: this valve is opened, a pull is applied to the string or wire c and the cable GIS
released. This air valve needs no description, being of known construction and
forming no separate feature of my invention.
The cable is wound in the manner above described as well on land as in the
torpedo, so that it can be paid out from land as well as from the torpedo.
&c.
Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate in side and in end view the mode of insulating the
cable wires conveying the electric fluid to the motor. The wires p. p' .
each ending in a brush are inserted in tubes or holders 9 q¹.
etc. bearing at
an angle upon the commutator discs or discs d d d mounted on a common
shaft s.
For the purpose of steering the torpedo, that is to say of actuating its rudder, I
use the spring mechanism shown in Figs. 12, 12, 12B, 12, 12º.
M is the electric motor which may be replaced by a solenoid or other contrivance
generating electricity and the shaft S. of which revolves alternately in one sense
and in the other according to the nature of the current and thus causes a cord C
passing over the pulleys p and attached at each end to the stopping devices B, to
be wound thereon or unwound therefrom. P and Pare springs, coiled in opposite
directions, and held by the stopping device B. G is a coupling clutch sliding to
and fro in a groove or on a projection of the axis A as shown in Figs. 12 and 12ª.
and gearing either with the sleeve b or with the sleeve mounted on the shaft A
and to which one end of the springs P or P is respectively rivetted.
B (Figs. 12, 120, 12, and 12") is a catch having either the segmental shape and
bent up ends shown in Fig. 12° or the straight form shown in Fig. 12; its object
is to allow the wheel R furnished with one tooth (Fig. 12°) to accomplish one half
a revolution or the ratchet wheel R (Fig. 12B) to accomplish one or more revo-
lutions at a time. w is a bevil wheel mounted on the axis A and gearing with
another similar wheel having half the diameter of the former. The wheel te¹ is
centrally furnished with a tapped perforation wherein engages the screw threaded
end of the steering rod r. Supposing the arrangement shown in Fig. 12c to be
utilized, when the spindle S revolves in the direction to wind up one member and
slacken the other member of the cord C, the device B is drawn back and its end
releases the tooth t of the wheel R, which turns in the direction of the arrow and
accomplishes half a revolution, its tooth t being then momentarily stopped by the
end C is a second cord passing from the lever L on pulleys beneath and round
the shaft S. The winding of the cord C' on the spindle S causes the inner end of
the clutch lever L to move to the left hand side, whereby its outer end moves the
clutch G in gear with the sleeve b. and causes the spring P to impart a motion to
the wheel R which accomplishes half a revolution as above stated, and imparts a
similar motion to the bevil wheel w. which in its turn causes the wheel wc' to accom-
plish a whole revolution and to move the rod a predetermined distance forward.
The spindle turning in a reverse sense i.e. so as to unwind the cord, the device B is
released, and the wheel R allowed to complete its whole revolution, while the clutch is
still in gear with the sleeve b. until it assumes again the position shown in Fig. 12°.
The unwinding of the cord causes now the inner end of the clutch lever L to be
moved to the right hand side and to bring the clutch away from the sleeve b. and in
gear with the sleeve which causes the shaft A to turn in a reverse sense to that
indicated by the arrow in Fig..12%, so that its tooth comes to abut first against
the under side of the bent end of the device B.
The motion of the wheel R being transmitted to the wheel c. the latter causes the
wheel w to accomplish a whole revolution aiso in a reverse sense which moves
the steering rod r backwards, the same distance as it was moved forward during
the first half revolution of the wheel to'. The motion of the spindle S being now
reversed again the wheel R. will as before terminate its whole revolution, when the
cord C is fully relaxed and before the clutch has entirely left the sleeve bl; the
cycle of operations continuing subsequently in the same manner.
Figs. 19 and 20 are respectively a side view. and a plan of mechanism for guiding

page_text: the cable, the first view showing the mechanism in an open and the second in a
closed position.
ZZ are two adjoining pulley wheels the first of which is mounted upon an axis
fixed to the frame or plate p and revolving loosely thereon, while the second wheel
is also loosely mounted on an axis, carried by a crank lever pivotted at O upon
a bracket fixed to the plate p. The short arm of this lever is articulated to a
connecting rod pivoted at upon a bolt 6 capable of sliding to and fro within
guides and go. A spiral spring Y2 is coiled upon the free end of the bolt between
a shoulder g of the latter and the guide y" against each of which, one end of this
spring Y' bears.
"'
A key Y furnished with a knob k pivots at m upon a bracket n fixed to the
plate p, and is provided with a square enlargement e, which is arranged to engage
with the shoulder g' for the purpose of maintaining the pulley wheel Z2 in a raised
position as shown in Fig. 19. By depressing the knob the bolt is shot forward,
under the action of the spring 1, and the wheel Z2 is closed against the wheel Zi
and maintained in that position by the spring. The cable can then be efficiently
guided between the two wheels Zand Z²
Figs. 16, 164, 16B, 17 and 18 illustrate one method of anchoring torpedoes under
water for the purpose of using them as submarine mines.
The torpedo To is secured as shown in Fig. 17 by the weighted arms a a a¹ a' of
a cage shown in plan in Fig. 16 in end view in Fig. 164 and in side elevation in
Figs 16, 17 and 18. The cage consists of a pedestal A. carrying two brackets & to
which the four arms a a and a' a' are pivotted at o and furnished with projections p
bearing upon the tripping levers t. The latter are pivotted to the brackets and
bear, when the arms a a' are closed over the sides of the torpedo (Fig. 17), upon a
bar (Fig. 16) which is withdrawn when the motor M is put into action, causing
the arms to open and the torpedo to leave the cage and ascend to the surface of the
water as shown in Fig. 18. O is a buoy attached to the torpedo To and containing
an extra supply of cable which is connected with the shore or ship by means of the
cable T.
The torpedo T° may also be anchored to a fixed buoy B as shown in the diagram
of Fig. 22, O being the buoy containing the extra supply of cable, and № the
motor which has for its object to sever at a given moment the connection between
the torpedo To and the fixed buoy B.
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 :-
1. In torpedoes, the arrangement of a buoyancy chamber or part designed to
admit water as ballast or compensating means for the decrease of compressed air in
the compressed air chamber of the said torpedo for the purpose of maintaining the
buoyancy of the vessel substantially as herein described and shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3
and 5 of the accompanying drawings.
2. In torpedoes the arrangement of a longitudinal fin supporting a tube allowing
for the escape of gas from a tin of Holmes or other compound for the purpose of
indicating the course of the torpedo, substantially as herein described and shown in
Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.
3. In torpedoes the methods of coiling the cable and insulating the wires
substantially as hercin described and shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the
drawings.
4. In torpedoes the arrangement of spring mechanism for controlling and steering
the vessel by means of an electric motor arranged constructed and operating sub-
stantially as herein described and shown in Figs. 12, 124, 128, 12" and 12 of the
accompanying drawings.
5. The combination with torpedoes of a locomotive float rigidly attached thereto
or not, and carrying its own motive power and engine, wherein the valve regulating

page_text: the admission of such power and the stopping fins are operated by the tension
exerted upon the connecting cable substantially as herein described aud shown in
Figs. 4, 13, 134 and 21 of the drawings.
6. In torpedoes, the means for controlling the paying out of the cable sub-
stantially as herein described and shown in Figs. 14 and 15 of the accompanying
drawings.
7. The method of anchoring torpedoes within extensible and collapsible cages or
frames controlled by electricity, substantially as herein described and shown in
Figs. 16, 164, 16, 17 and 18 of the drawings.
8. In combination with torpedoes the means for guiding the cable substantially
as herein described and shown in Figs. 19 and 20 of the drawings.
9. The method of anchoring torpedoes to a fixed buoy wherein the connection
between the torpedo and the buoy is severed by electricity substantially as herein
described and shown in Fig. 22 of the drawings.
10. The improvement in means and mechanism for propelling controlling and
steering torpedoes arranged, constructed and operating substantially as herein
described and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 17th dor of Suril 1801
RAYNER & CASSELL,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.