IMPROVEMENTS IN TORPEDOES AND SUBMARINE VESSELS, AND APPARATUS THEREFOR
Year: 1885

page_text: · Apparatus therefor.
J, WILLIAM WELCH of 13 Kings Terrace, Southsea, in the County of Hants,
(Civil Engineer) do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN TORPEDOES AND SUBMARINE VESSELS, AND APPARATUS THEREFOR and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
The object of my Invention is Improvements in Constructing-Fitting-and
propelling Torpedoes-and Sub-marine Vessels,-for realizing a more efficient
and central control-in propelling-and directing their course-in straight-or
circuitous lines and for performing-Diving-and Ricochet operations-in avoiding
-or clearing themselves from Torpedo Nets-and other obstacles-in their track or
pathway.
In order that my invention may be fully and practically comprehended viz:-
I construct the Torpedoes or Vessels as follows-either of metal plates, or
sheets-or of wood-or composite materials.
The central or midship sectional area being determined-which may be circular-
elliptical or other form-as shewn on the Drawing A I-II-III.-and the length
of the structure agreeably with the carrying capacity desired.
°
I divide the length into three or four-or more seperate air-and water-proof
sections or compartments throughout the entire length, as shewn at BI-II
-III-III-at each end of the cylindrical structures, a fixed or revolving conical
or hemispherical terminal is attached ending in the centre at an angle of 45 degrees
-as shewn at C. C.
From the central parts of the ends-and through the centre of each of the air-
and waterproof sections a tubular space is provided-through these a tube or
pipe is inserted passing the whole length of the structure-with a nut and screw
fitting at each end, as shewn at D. D. whereby the sectional parts are seperately
and securely fixed together-and the hull of the Torpedo or Vessel thus formed.
Within the tubular pipe passing through the sectional compartments-the
propeller shafting is passed the entire length of the structure ending through the
conical or hemispherical ends, to which the propellers are attached at each end-
as shewn at E. E. when central propellers are only used.
But where desirable I place two propellers at the "stern" or after end-one on
each side of the structure at an angle of 45 degrees with the centre line of shafting
as shewn at F. F. thereby obtaining a compound action-in combination with the

page_text: "Bow" propeller-The propellers are made to act in hollow-conical-or spherical
form and the blades crossing tho axis of revolution at an angle of 45 degrees-the
surfaces acting within the diameter and circumference of the structure-The angle
of the blades may be varied to suit any number of degrees-agreeably with the
driving power.
The propellers are fixed directly to the ends of the shafting by ordinary means-
In some cases they are attached to moveable frames-or rudders-acting with a
universal joint, as shewn at G. allowing them to be trained at any angle of degrees
with the central line of the structure in a vertical or horizontal line-for steoring
and manouvering purposes.
In some cases at the leading end of the Torpedo, or Vessel-I apply piloting
guide rods, or striking plates, as shewn at H.-projecting sufficiently beyond the
end of the terminal of the structure to freely act or revolve in any position
below or above the centre line of the propeller shafting.
The guide rods or striking plates are fixed at any required angle of degrees from
the central horizontal line of the structure-or made to attain the necessary angle
of inclination by being acted upon in connection with the driving shafting, by
the application of eccentric-inclined plane-or other ordinary mechanical arrange-
ments for depressing--or elevating the end of the structure to the angle of incidence
required, which combined with the central power exerted by the direct pressure of
the propellers-producing compound progressive forces-whereby the Torpedo, or
Vessel is made to descend at any required angle-or in a vertical position for passing
down the face of netting or other surfaces-and when having cleared the same-
ascending to its normal position-and proceeding in its directed course-By theso
applications ricochet-and diving operations are performed.
The interior of the seperate air-and water-proof sections-or chambers are
made acessable through the ends of each by means of screw plates-and are
utilized for the following purposes.
•
1st In maintaining the required buoyancy, and regulating the depth of
floatation.
2nd For storeage of compressed air-generating gasscous-electric-or other
forces and mechanical' appliances for propelling and governing purposes.
3rd For reception of explosive compounds and materials and discharging
fitments.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed-I declare that what
I claim is
1st The constructing Torpedoes-and Submarine Vessels in sectional and
seperate fixed or moveable parts of cylindrical-or elliptical form-with conical
or hemispherical-or straight, revolving-or fixed ends-and securing them together
by an open tubular screw pipe, for receiving-and working the propeller shafting.
2nd The use of one or more propellers at each end of the Torpedo-or Vessel for
more efficiently propelling and guiding them in direct or circuitous lines.
3rd The application to the hulls of Torpedoes and Submarine Vessels, apparatus
for obtaining Diving-and Ricochet purposes-for avoiding and clearing themselves
from Torpedo Nets-and other obstacles in their track or pathway.