Improved Apparatus for Effecting the Transmission of Electric Energy to Torpedoes, Mines, or other Objects capable of Moving or of being Moved.
Year: 1884

page_text: Improved Apparatus for Effecting the Transmission of Electric
Energy to Torpedoes, Mines, or other Objects capable of
Moving or of being Moved.
We, LOUIS GOLDBERG, of Love Lane, in the City of London, Merchant, and
ALEXANDER LESLIE FYFE, 56, Loughborough Park Brixton, in the County of
Surrey, Electrician do hereby declare the nature of our invention for "IMPROVED
APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING THE TRANSMISSION OF ELECTRIC ENERGY TO TORPEDOES,
MINES, OR OTHER OBJECTS CAPABLE OF MOVING OR OF BEING MOVED," to be as
follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for effecting thé
transmission of electric energy to torpedoes, mines, or other objects capable of
moving or of being moved, and relates more particularly to that class of torpedo
where it has been proposed to propel or steer them by means of the electric energy,
that is to say, either by means of an insulated wire (or wires) connecting the
torpedo with the torpedo boat, or actuated through the intervention thereof. It
has been suggested that there should be a coil of such insulated wire for the
transmission of the electric current, in order to enable the paying out of the
necessary quantity of wire of a length, and at a speed, equal to the travel of
the torpedo, and that too, without any interruption of the current to the motor,
steering, or other mechanism contained therein.
It has been a most noticeable coincidence, that, in all the various constructions
of torpedoes, with but one or two exceptions, they have been accompanied or
characterised by machinery of the most elaborate and costly construction, which,
upon the explosion of the torpedo, is completely destroyed.
In some instances it has been proposed to have the paying out coil, or cable,
within the torpedo, and the example more particularly in view is that of a very
recent date, known as the "William's Electrical Torpedo," in which such is the
case; but it is utterly impracticable to accomplish this paying out of the cable, by
the means heretofore adopted, at the same velocity as that at which the torpedo is
propelled, that is to say, in those cases where the cable is contained within the
torpedo and passing out at the underside, the free end or ends thereof being
connected either on shore or to some other object from which the torpedo was
projected.

page_text: Now in the specification of the Letters Patent granted to us N° 3846 A.D. 1883,
a method is proposed for a thoroughly practical means of accomplishing the object,
viz., of transmitting the electric current to movable bodies, and consists in arranging
the cable on a suitable drum either on the torpedo boat, or on shore, and, in some
instances within the torpedo itself.
The free end, or ends, of the cable are connected to a metallic ring secured at
each end of the axis of the drum, whilst a contact brush or plate, or equivalent
contact device, provided with a terminal, bears on the said ring or axis, whereby
the supply is directed through the coil to the torpedo.
We propose to use similar means to those set forth in our former patent, but as
it is obvious that, on the firing or directing of the torpedo, a projectile from the
tube would cause a too sudden pull upon the cable or cables, we, in some cases to
obviate this difficulty, arrange that the movement of the torpedo should rotate the
drum, and we interpose a barrel, or other conveniently shaped spring, between the
axis and the drum, whereby the jerk and sudden strain is taken and cushioned by
the spring, so, as the pressure increases, to gradually communicate the same to the
drum. In this case, a short length would be freed in the first instance, to allow of
the distance that would be taken up by the spring, before running at a surface
speed equal to that of the projectile.
We propose that there may be any number of reels on the torpedo boat, or on
shore, corresponding with the number of torpedoes or similar projectiles it may be
required to direct or propel, or even, in some cases, to effect their explosion
electrically by the aforesaid means.
Instead of a spring arrangement for cushioning the sudden pull as before
described, a small auxiliary engine, or other gear, may be employed for starting at
or about the same time as the firing of the torpedo from the tube or tubes.
We, in some cases, propose to employ the festoon principle described in our said
patent, but in those examples where the wire is contained within the torpedo, on a
reel or otherwise, we propose to pass the same through the propellor shaft, made
tubular for the purpose, to facilitate the necessary speedy delivery of the cable.
It is obvious that between the source of electricity and the drums carrying the
cable, an electrical device, or devices, may be interposed for the controllable resistance
or circuit reversing gear, as in some cases may be found necessary, more particularly
in actuating the rudder for directing the course of the torpedo.
T
1004

page_text: Improved Apparatus for Effecting the Transmission of Electric
Energy to Torpedoes, Mines, or other Objects capable of
Moving or of being Moved.
We, LOUIS GOLDBERG, of Love Lane, in the City of London, Merchant, and
ALEXANDER LESLIE FYFE, of 56, Loughboro' Park, Brixton, in the County of
Surrey, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of invention for "IMPROVED
APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING THE TRANSMISSION OF ELECTRIC ENERGY TO TORPEDOES,
MINES, OR OTHER OBJECTS CAPABLE OF MOVING, OR OF BEING MOVED," and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:--
This invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for effecting the
transmission of electric energy to torpedoes, mines, or other objects capable of
moving, or of being moved, and relates, more particularly, to that class of torpedo
where it has been proposed to propel, or steer, them by means of electric energy,
that is to say, either by means of an insulated wire (or wires) connecting the
torpedo with the torpedo boat, or actuated through the intervention thereof. It
has been suggested that there should be a coil of such insulated wire for the
transmission of the electric current, in order to enable the paying out of the
necessary quantity of wire of a length, and at a speed, equal to the travel of
the torpedo; and that, too, without any interruption of the current to the motor,
steering, or other mechanism contained therein.
It has been a most noticeable coincidence, that, in all the various constructions
of torpedoes, with but one or two exceptions, they have been accompanied or
characterised by machinery of the most elaborate and costly construction, which,
upon the explosion of the torpedo, is completely destroyed.
In some instances it has been proposed to have the paying out coil, or cable,
within the torpedo, and the example more particularly in view is that of a very
recent date, known as the "Williams' Electrical Torpedo," in which such is the
case; but, it is utterly impracticable to accomplish this paying out of the cable, by
the means heretofore adopted, at the same velocity as that at which the torpedo is
propelled, that is to say, in those cases where the cable is contained within the
torpedo and passing out at the underside, the free end, or ends, thereof being
connected either on shore, or to some other object from which the torpedo was
projected.
Now in the specification of the Letters Patent granted to us N° 3846, A.D. 1883,
a method is proposed for a thoroughly practical means of accomplishing the object,
viz., of transmitting the electric current to movable bodies, and consists in arranging
the cable on a suitable drum, either on the torpedo boat, or on shore, and, in some
instances, within the torpedo itself.
The free end, or ends, of the cable are connected to a metallic ring secured at
each end of the axis of the drum, whilst a contact brush or plate, or equivalent
contact device, provided with a terminal, bears on the said ring or axis, whereby
the supply of electricity is directed through the coil to the torpedo,

page_text: In order that my invention, and the means by which the same may be carried
into practical effect, may be thoroughly understood, I will proceed to describe the
same in detail; referring in so doing, to the accompanying figures, which are to be
taken as part of this specification, and read therewith, and in which, like parts are
marked, throughout, with the same reference letter.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of a torpedo, shewing the chamber enclosing the motor A.
In this example, it is provided with a small pulley, a, driving by belt (or other
means) on to another or larger pulley, b, provided with a worm, c, engaging with a
worm wheel or segment, d.
On the axis of this toothed segment d, and on the exterior of the shell of the
torpedo, is attached a pair of levers e. f shewn in section with reference to another
example at Fig. 2. By connecting rods, g, secured to the corresponding arms from
the axis of the rudder, B, the steerage of the torpedo is effected by rotating the
motor in the one or the other direction. C is the engine chamber; D, the com-
pressed air and buoyancy compartment; and, E, the explosive compartment, as well
as that device which determines the depth from the surface of the water at which
the torpedo is required to travel.
In Fig. 2, the armature of a motor A, is shewn on a vertical axis, h, having, at
its extremity, a small wheel, h¹, gearing into the toothed segment, h², to the axis of
which the levers, e, f, are connected. The motor shewn in this Figure is a well-
known form, but we lay no claim to any particular motor, or mechanical device,
for effecting steerage, as this can obviously be effected in ways other than those
shown. The reel of wire by which the electric current is transmitted uninter-
ruptedly to the torpedo, during the paying out of the necessary quantity of wire,
of a length and at a speed equal to the travel of the torpedo, is similar to that
described in our former patent, N° 3846, and may either be used for the purpose of
propulsion or of steerage, or in some cases, even of both. Fig. 3 is an elevation of
a torpedo tube, and with reel, G, attached to the tube, F, by means of the movable
bracket, H, which can advantageously be raised at will by the handle I, to allow of
the uncovering of the end of the tube for the purposes of inserting a torpedo.
current is directed by the switches or contacts, k, or other
equivalent device to the core. Fig. 3A is a plan of the reel and connecting bracket.
We propose to use similar apparatus to that set forth in our said former patent,
but as it is obvious that the firing or directing of the torpedo, or projectile, from
the tube, would cause a too sudden pull upon the wire, or wires, we, in some cases,
to obviate this difficulty, arrange that the movement of the torpedo should rotate
the reel, and we interpose a spiral, or other conveniently shaped spring between the
axis and the reel, whereby the jerk and sudden strain are taken up and cushioned
by the spring, so that as the pressure increases it will gradually communicate the
same to the reel.
The or
-
In this case a short length would be freed, in the first instance, to allow of the
distance that would be taken up by the spring before running at a surface speed
equal to that of the projectile.
We propose that there may be any number of reels on the torpedo boat, or
on shore, corresponding with the number if torpedoes, or similar projectiles, it may
be required to direct or propel, or even in some cases to effect their explosion,
electrically, by the aforesaid apparatus.
Instead of a spring arrangement for cushioning the sudden pull as before
described, a small auxiliary engine, or other gear, may be employed for starting at
or about the same time as the firing of the torpedo from the tube or tubes.
In Fig. 4, the reel is shown of a conical form and contained within the torpedo
tube, and this reel may be either fixed or stationary, as its shape allows of the
ready paying out of the wire. This method may be adapted to the enclosure of
the wire and passing it out through the propeller shaft, J, as shewn in Fig. 5..
By this means the electric current may be directed to the electro-magnet of an
electro-motor, the armature thereof forming part of the hollow propeller shaft.
A single or double wire may be used, as found most practicable, in the former case

page_text: the return current could be from the casing of the torpedo to earth, a diagram of
which is shewn at Fig. 6, in which is the battery, or other source of electricity,
and, y, y, the + and wires to the respective terminals on the switch board, x.
W is a handle making contact with either one or other of the said terminal plates,
thus directing a current to the motor or other device within the torpedo.
The return is effected from the casing of the torpedo to earth, and returns to the
Bwitch board, x, by either of the wires, v, or, vl, connected to rocking pieces u, u²,
which are moved to make contact with the plates t, t', simultaneously with the
manipulation of the handle, W, for that purpose by means of the insulated bell
crank lever 8, 8', connected thereto as shewn in Fig. 7. G is the reel of wire ;
and, k, is the contact piece.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is
1. The transmission of an electric current uninterruptedly through a reel or reels
during rotation, to a torpedo, mine, or other object capable of moving or of being
moved, by electricity, or other means, for the purpose of electrically controlling the
rudder, or for other purposes, in the manner and by the means hereinbefore set
forth with reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 3, 4 and 5.
2. In combination with an apparatus for the transmission of electric energy to
torpedoes or other moving or movable bodies, of any of the types referred to in
claim 1, the use of the switch devices described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7.
Dated this 13th day of August 1885
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Patent Agents,
22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.