IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRING OR DISCHARGING AND EXPLODING MISSILES UNDER WATER, AND IN CON- STRUCTING BUCH MISSILES
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Andrew Alexander at the Offico
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on 27th July
1864.
I, ANDREW ALEXANDER, of Millwall, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
FIRING OR DISCHARGING AND EXPLODING MISSILES UNDER WATER, AND IN CON-
STRUCTING BUCH MISSILES," to he as follows:
My Invention consists, first, in the employment of continuously exerted
motive power to propel a case containing a submarine mine, a torpedo, or
other destructive missile to the point of explosion under water. The power
may be obtained from the action of a screw moved by a spring or by the
reaction of compressed air or gas allowed to escape at the rear of a case
attached to the mine, case, or missile, or formed in a piece with it. I prefer
to employ for obtaining the power the reaction of the gas evolved by a supply
of slow burning or rocket composition when ignited escaping through apertures.
at the rear of the case containing the propelling charge. The missile may be
exploded either by percussion on striking the object at which it is fired, or by
causing the blow to open communication between the powder and the ignited
chamber in the rear of the case. Communication may also be made by a quick
burning train between the two chambers, so that the missile may be exploded

page_text: when the propulsive effort has been expended, should the missile altogether
miss the object at which it was fired.
The Invention consists, secondly, in applying a water-tight ball-and-socket
stuffing box to the guiding tube through which the missile is fired. Near its
outer end the guiding tube is formed with a circular projection to form the
ball of the ball-and-socket joint; this circular projection works in a socket
formed with flanges, which being bolted together form a tight joint, packing
being applied between the parts in any ordinary manner.
My Invention consists, thirdly, in an aiming apparatus consisting of a
mechanical connection, which may be applied in various ways, and by which
the guiding tube may be pointed in any direction within certain limits to
correspond with the aim taken through a small port above the water line. I
prefer to construct my aiming apparatus as follows:-On a horizontal rod
centred in the small port I fit ordinary sights. Below this rod is a horizontal
lever, secured thereto by a pin or otherwise; this lever is keyed to a vertical
shaft supported in brackets or bearings, and passing from the horizontal lever
to near the guiding tube, to which it is connected by a second horizontal lever
and links. The lengths of the horizontal levers are so proportioned that
whatever motion is given to the horizontal rod is communicated to the guiding
tube. Or the aiming apparatus may be arranged as follows:-A vertical
shaft fitted at its upper end with a hand wheel carries a bevil pinion in gear
with another bevil pinion on a horizontal threaded rod jointed to another
horizontal rod connected to the lower end of a vertical rod, which is again
connected at its upper end to another horizontal rod on which the sights are
fitted. The vertical shaft also carries at its lower end a bevil pinion in gear
with another bevil pinion on a horizontal threaded shaft connected to the
guiding tube; by turning the hand wheel to take a sight whatever direction is
given to the horizontal rod carrying the sight is also given by the bevil gearing
to the guiding tube.
My Invention consists, fourthly, in forming missiles to be fired under water
with spiral vanes on the exterior thereof to impart rotary motion thereto.
Fifthly, in forming apertures oblique to the plane of the axis of the missile
for the escape of gas at the rear of the case, whereby rotary motion is imparted
to the missile.
Sixthly, in employing piston rod insulated conductors passing through
stuffing boxes, and serving the double purpose of securing the case in the
guiding tube, and of firing the propelling charge. These insulated conductors
pass through stuffing boxes in the sides of the breech of the guiding tube
They are composed of a copper conductor surrounded by insulating material,

page_text: and enclosed in a brass or other tube.
They are pressed forward by springs,
When pressed forward they hold the
but can be drawn back when required.
case and maintain electrical communication between the copper conductor
and a similar insulated wire passing through the sides of the case.