Improvements in Mechanism for Launching or Discharging Torpedoes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Feb., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 16th Nov., 1893-Accepted, 16th Dec., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanism for Launching or Discharging
Torpedoes.
We, EDWARD WILLIAM LLOYD, formerly a Commander in the British Navy,
and CHARLES WESLEY HUTCHINSON, Engineer, both of the Firm of Sir W. G.
Armstrong Mitchell & Co. Ld., of Elswick Works, Newcastle on Tyne, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
For launching torpedoes from torpedo launching tubes we provide at the rear
end of the tube either in the door or other part an explosion chamber into which
the gases arising from the explosion of an impulse charge of explosive are first
received and from which they pass into the torpedo launching tube through orifices
so restricted as to prevent the escape of unconsumed portions of the explosive and
to sufficiently retard the escape of gas to produce such pressure in the chamber as
will ensure the speedy and uniform combustion of the explosive; and to admit the
gas into the launching tube at so moderate a pressure as to be uninjurious to the
torpedo.
The apparatus may consist of a hollow door hinged to the rear end of the launching
tube and having formed on it, to the rear, a small chamber to receive a metallic
cartridge case containing the impulse charge of explosive, such chamber opening
into the larger chamber formed by the hollow interior of the door and a passage or
passages formed through the front of the door through which the unconsumed
charge cannot be blown, but through which the products of explosion must pass
from the chamber into the launching tube.
The passage through which the gas flows from the chamber to the launching
tube, or gun, may consist of a large number of small holes, or may consist of a
small number of larger holes, or of a hole, suitably arranged, any or all of which
may have an adjustable or a fixed area of opening.
The cartridge chamber and the combustion chamber may be otherwise formed,
and otherwise attached to the launching tube.
1002
EDWARD W. LLOYD.
C. W. HUTCHINSON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanism for Launching or Discharging
Torpedoes.
We, EDWARD WILLIAM LLOYD, formerly a Commander in the British Navy,
and CHARLES WESLEY HUTCHINSON, Engineer, both of the Firm of Sir W. G.
Armstrong, Mitchell & Co. Ld., of Elswick Works, Newcastle on Tyne, 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:-
For launching torpedoes from torpedo launching tubes we provide at the rear
end of the tube either in the door or other part an explosion chamber into which
the gases arising from the explosion of an impulse charge of explosive are first
received and from which they pass into the torpedo launching tube through orifices
80 restricted as to prevent the escape of unconsumed portions of the explosive and
to sufficiently retard the escape of gas to produce such pressure in the chamber as
will ensure the speedy and uniform combustion of the explosive; and to admit the

page_text: gas into the launching tube at so moderate a pressure as to be uninjurious to the
torpedo.
The apparatus may consist of a hollow door hinged to the rear end of the
launching tube and having formed on it, to the rear, a small chamber to receive a
metallic cartridge case containing the impulse charge of explosive, such chamber
opening into the larger chamber formed by the hollow interior of the door and a
passage or passages being formed through the front of the door through which the
unconsumed charge cannot be blown, but through which the products of explosion
must pass from the chamber into the launching tube.
The passage through which the gas flows from the chamber to the launching
tube, or gun, may consist of a large number of small holes, or may consist of a
small number of larger holes, or of a hole, suitably arranged, any or all of which
may have an adjustable or a fixed area of opening.
The cartridge chamber and the combustion chamber may be otherwise formed,
and otherwise attached to the launching tube.
Figure 1 shows the inner face of a torpedo tube door A and Figure 2 is a section
of the same.
Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section of the tube and door to a smaller scale.
The door A is hollowed in shape as to form a combustion chamber B closed .by
the perforated plate C.
The cartridge or charge of explosive is placed in the smaller chamber D, and is
held there by the hinged door E.
When the charge is ignited, the products of combustion pass into the chamber B,
from whence the gases pass through the holes F in the plate C into the tube G.
The form of the passages for the escape of gas from the chamber B into the tube,
prevents the escape of the explosive otherwise than in the form of gas, or in such
small particles as will instantly be gasified. The restriction of the area of
passage
causes a considerable gas pressure and consequent high temperature of explosion
and combustion in the chamber B, and then admits the gas at a sufficiently reduced
pressure into the launching tube.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The combination of a launching tube, a chamber or chambers to receive an
explosive and an opening or openings from the chamber or chambers to the rear of
the tube so restricted in size that the pressure in the chamber or chambers shall be
materially greater than that in the tube.
2. The combination of a launching tube, a hollow door at the rear of the same
and an opening or openings leading from the hollow of the door to the tube so
restricted in size that the pressure in the hollow shall be materially greater than that
in the tube.
3. The combination of a launching tube, a hollow door at the rear of the same,
an opening or openings leading from the hollow of the door to the tube so restricted
in size that the pressure in the hollow shall be materially greater than that in the
tube, and a cartridge chamber opening at one end into the hollow door and closed
at the other end by a door.
Dated this 16th day of October 1802
EDWARD W. LLOYD.
C. W. HUTCHINSON.