Improvements in Torpedoes.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 1st Aug., 1889-Accepted, 21st Sept.,
1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Torpedoes.
I, ANNIBAL LÉGÉ, of Nos. 31, and 32, Kirby Street, Hatton Garden, in the county
of Middlesex, Scientific Instrument Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in that class of torpedoes for which Letters
Patent No. 7703, of 1886, were granted to me. Such torpedoes are not self-
propelling but are constructed to be drawn or towed through the water by chains,
cords or other suitable means.
The torpedo is of any suitable form or shape, but I prefer it to be somewhat in the
form of a fish, and I. by preference, construct the same of one of the peculiar brass
alloys, which are distinguished in the market by the trade mark "Delta Metal," on
account of its strength and quality of resisting the action of sea water.
At each side of the torpedo a longitudinal directing fin or blade, which fins
or blades are respectively fixed on the opposite ends of a spindle passing transversely
through the body of the torpedo. The said spindle is arranged to partially rotate
so that the angle of the before mentioned fins or blades may be varied, that is to
say, they may be held parallel with the longitudinal axis of the torpedo or may be
inclined either upwards or downwards at any desired angle within certain limits
and a blade or tail, mounted upon a horizontal axis at the tail of the torpedo and
capable of vertical movement, is so connected with the said transverse spindle,
that, when its fins or blades are arranged in a horizontal position, the tail blade will
be held in the same position but when the side fins or blades are inclined upwards
the tail blade will be inclined downwards and vice versa. Within the torpedo is or
are arranged one or more closed air vessels, or pressure chambers, of flexible material,
the water having free access to the interior of the torpedo and around the exterior
of such chamber or chambers. A spring arm fixed on the said transverse spinale is
caused to bear on the top of the said pressure chambers and these parts are so
is not
adjusted in relation to each other that when the torpedo is not immersed, or,
immersed to the desired depth below the surface of the water, the side fins or blades
will be inclined downwards and will thus cause the torpedo to dive to a greater
depth and as the same continues to. descend the increased pressure of the water
'will
chamber or chambers and the arm being caused, by the
the pressure
compress
action of the spring, to follow the descent of the top of the pressure chamber the fins
or blades will, by the consequent partial revolution of the spindle, be caused to
gradually assume a horizontal position. Shoula the torpedo descend to a greater depth
than is required the increased pressure of the water will still further compress the
pressure chamber or chambers and the side fins or blades will then be inclined
upwards and cause the torpedo to ascend towards the surface of the water.
The revolving action of the spindle and the corresponding movement of the side
fins may be limited by means of an adjustable stop, such for example, as an eccentrically
pivoted dise arranged in such a position that an arm projecting from the said spindle
will bear against the edge thereof, whereby the revolution of the spindle will be
arrested the point of arrest being determined before placing the torpedo in the water
In some cases; 1 effect
by turning the said disc on its pivot to the necessary extent.
the same object by means of a pin or stop with which the said arm comes into contact
at the desired time and this pin is so arranged that its position may be varied according
to circumstances.
At the tail of the torpedo is mounted a rudder which may be set at any desired
angle to counteract the effect of any adverse current in the water through which it
is to be towed or drawn

page_text: The head of the torpedo which contains the discharging mechanism is so connected
with the body that it may be easily detached therefrom whereby the explosive
charge, which is contained in a inetal casing, can be readily inserted in, or removed
from, tlie torpedo at will.
The striker or hammer of the discharging mechanism is normally locked by a
spring bolt, with which the chain or cord for drawing or towing the torpedo is so
connected that, on the torpedo being caused to travel, the said striker will be released.
The interior of the torpedo; except the chamber for the explosive charge and the
hend which contains the discharging mechanism, is filled with cork or other suitable
light material or it is formed with water-tight compartments. I also arrange a lining
of cork or watertight compartments around the said chamber in order to give the
necessary buoyancy to the torpedo. A weighted keel serves to maintain, under
ordinary circumstances, the torpedo in its proper floating position.
The fins, rudder and tail blade are protected by guard rods or frames.
It will be readily understood from the above description, that it is not necessary
to make the cases of torpedoes, constructed in accordance with this invention,
water-tight.
The chain or cord to which the torpedo is connected may be caused to travel by
any suitable means, and, when a windlass is employed for that purpose, I prefer to so
construct the same that on any temporary check to the chain or cord the drum of the
windlass will give thereto, thereby avoiding the breaking of the chain or cord.
also arrange in connection with the windlass or other source of power a suitable
instrument to indicate the speed at which the chain or cord is travelling.
Dated this First day of November 1888.
1 may
VAUGHAN & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Torpedoes.
I, ANNIBAL LEGE, of Nos. 31 and 32, Kirby Street, Hatton Garden, in the County
of Middlesex, Scientific Instrument Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
My said invention relates to improvements in that class of törpedoes for which
Letters Patent No. 7703 of 1886, were granted to me. Such torpedoes are not self
propelling but are constructed to be drawn or towed through the water by chains cords
or other suitable means.
The torpedo is of any suitable form or shape, but I prefer it to be somewhat in the
form of a fish, and I, by preference, construct the same of one of the brass alloys which
are distinguished in the market by the trade mark "Delta Metal," on account of its
strength and quality of resisting the action of sea water.
At each side of the torpedo is a longitudinal directing fin or blade, which fins or blades
are respectively fixed on the opposite ends of a spindle passing transversely through
the body of the torpedo. The said spindle is arranged to partially rotate so that the
angle of the before mentioned fins or blades may be varied, that is to say, they may
be held parallel with the longitudinal axis of the torpedo or may he inclined either
upwards or downwards at any desired angle within certain limits and a blade or tail,
mounted upon a horizontal axis at the tail of the torpedo and capable of vertical
movement, is so connected with the said transverse spindle, that, when its fins or
blades assume a horizontal position, the tail blade will be held in the same position
but when the side fins or blades are inclined upwards the tail blade will be inclined
downwards and vice versa. Within the torpedo is or are arranged one or more closed
pressure chambers, of flexible material, the water having free access to the interior of
the torpedo and around the exterior of such chamber or chambers. A spring aru
fixed on the said transverse spindle is connected with the top of the said pressure

page_text: chambers and these parts are so adjusted in relation to each other that when the
torpedo is not immersed or is not immersed to the desired depth below the surface of the
water, the side fins or blades will be inclined downwards and will thus cause the
torpedo to dive to a greater depth and as the same continues to descend the increased
pressure of the water will compress the pressure chamber or chambers and the arm
being caused to follow the descent of the top of the pressure chamber, the fins or
blades will, by the consequent partial revolution of the spindle, be caused to gradually
assume a horizontal position. Should the torpedo descend to a greater depth than is
required the increased pressure of the water will still further compress the pressure
chamber or chambers and the side fins or blades will then be inclined upwards and
cause the torpedo to ascend towards the surface of the water.
The revolving action of the spindle and the corresponding movement of the sido
fins may be limited by means of an adjustable stop such for example as an eccentrically
pivoted disc arranged in such a position that an arm projecting from the said spindle
will bear against the edge thereof, whereby the revolution of the spindle will be
arrested the point of arrest being determined before placing the torpedo in the water
by turning the said disc on its pivot to the necessary extent. In some cases, I effect
the same object by means of a pin or stop with which the said arm comes into contact
at the desired time and this pin is so arranged that its position may be varied
according to circumstances.
At the tail of the torpedo is mounted a rudder which may be set at any desired angle to
counteract the effect of any adverse current in the water through which it is to be
towed or drawn.
The head of the torpedo which contains the discharging mechanism is so connected
with the body that it may be easily detached therefrom whereby the explosive charge,
which is contained in a metal casing, can be readily inserted in, or removed from, the
torpedo at will.
The striker or hammer of the discharging mechanism is normally locked by a spring
bolt, with which the chain or cord for drawing or towing the torpedo is so connected
that, on the torpedo being caused to travel, the said striker will be released.
The interior of the torpedo, except the chamber for the explosive charge and the
head which contains the discharging mechanism, is filled with cork or other suitable light
material, or, it is formed with watertight compartments. I also arrange a lining of
cork or of watertight compartments around the said chamber in order to give the
necessary buoyancy to the torpe.to. A weighted keel serves to maintain, under
ordinary circumstances, the torpedo in its proper floating position.
The fins, rudder and tail blade are protected by guard rods or frames.
It will be readily understood from the above description, that it is not necessary
to make the cases of torpedoes, constructed in accordance with this invention,
watertight.
The chain or cord to which the torpedo is connected may be caused to travel
by any suitable means, and, when a windlass is employed for that purpose, I
prefer to so construct the same that on any temporary check to the chain or cord
the drum of the windlass will give thereto, thoreby avoiding the breaking of the
chain or cord. I may also arrange in connection with the windlass or other source
of power a suitable instrument to indicate the speed at which the chain or cord is
travelling.
And in order that my said invention may be more clearly understood and readily
carried into effect I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which the same letters of reference indicate like parts in
all the Finuere

page_text: .
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of a part of the same, drawn to an enlarged
scale.
Figure 4 is a transverse section thereof.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical section of part drawn to an enlarged scale..
Figure 6 is a transverse section thereof and Figure 7 is a plan thereof.
Figure 8 is a longitudinal vertical section of the tail.
Figure 9 is a plan thereof with part of the casing broken away, and
Figure 10 is a rear end view thereof.
Figure 11 represents a longitudinal vertical section of a modified form of torpedo,
and Figure 12 is a transverse section thereof.
Figure 13 represents a longitudinal vertical section of a torpedo illustrating a
further slight modification.
Figure 14 is a transverse section, and
Figure 15 is a horizontal section thereof.
The principal object of this invention is to provide the torpedo with means for
automatically retaining it at a given level beneath the surface of the water.
For this purpose, at each side of the torpedo a is arranged a longitudinal directing fin
or blade d, which fins or blades are respectively fixed on the opposite ends of a shaft
or spinale d', passing transversely through, and supported in bearings a within the
body a of the torpedo.
The transverse shaft or spindle d¹ is capable of partial revolution, so that the angle
of the fins or blades & may be varied, that is to say, they may be held parallel with
the longitudinal axis of the torpedo a, or may be inclined either upwards or down-
wards at any desired angle within certain limits, and a tail or blade e mounted
upon a horizontal axis c at the tail of the torpedo, and capable of vertical
movement, is so connected as hereinafter described with the transverse spindle d',
that, when the fits or blades d. assume a horizontal position, the tail c. will be held
in a similar position, but, when the side fins or blades d. are inclined upwards, the
tail e will be inclined downwards, and vice versa.
Within the body a. of the torpedo is arranged a pressure chamber, or a group of
pressure chambers d, of flexible material, the water having free access
interior of the torpedo and around the exterior of such pressure chambers d³.
to the
Upon the transverse spindle d is fixed an arm d², and, around such spindle d' is
coiled a spring d³, which at its centre, is fixed to the spindle d' with a tendency to
revolve the same, whilst at its ends, it is fixed to worm wheels d, into which take
worms d³, whereby the power exerted by such springs d³ may be regulated.
The arm d² is, at its outer end, connected' by a pin joint with a screwed spindle dª,
upon which works a regulating nut d', which is connected with the top of the group
of pressure chambers 8, so that the arm is caused to exert a spring pressure to
extend such group of pressure chambers d.
The tail blade of the torpedo is fixed upon each end of a horizontal spindle c',
passing transversely through a trunk e', and furnished with an offset c², which is, by
a link c³, connected with a lever ef, mounted upon a centre of motion es at its lower
end, and, at its upper end, connected by a link c with a vertical arm d, fixed upon
the transverse spindle d', so that any movement imparted to the fins d. by the pressure
chambers d, will also be conveyed to the tail blade c., but in reverse order, that is to
say, when the side fins d. are inclined upwards, the tail blade c. will be inclined
downwards, and vice versa.
The side fins d., the pressure chambers &, and other parts must be so adjusted in
relation to each other that when the torpedo is not immersed, or is not immersed to
the desired depth below the surface of the water, the side fins d will be inclined
downwards, and the tail blade c. will receive the opposite inclination, thus causing
the torpedo to dive to a greater depth; but, as the same continues to descend, the
increased pressure of the water will compress the pressure chambers do, and the
arm being caused to follow the descent of the pressure chamber or chambers d³,
the side fins or blades d. and the tail blade c. will, by the consequent partial revolution.
of the spindle d', be caused to gradually assume a horizontal position.

page_text: Should the torpedo have descended to a greater depth than the parts are regulated
for, the increased pressure of the water will compress the pressure chamber or
chambers d until the side fins or blades d. are inclined upwards, and the tail blade c.
downwards, thus causing the torpedo to ascend towards the surface of the water until
the desired point of equilibrium is reached.
The revolving action of the spindle d' and the corresponding movements of the side
fins d. and other connected parts are limited by means of an adjustable stop, such as
a snail wheel do. (Figures 5. 6 and 7) against the edge of which the vertical arm d³
of the spindle will at certain times take an abutment, whereby the revolution of
the spindle d' will be arrested, the point of arrest being determined before placing
the torpedo in the water by turning the snail wheel or stop do upon its centre of
motion to the necessary extent.
At the tail of the torpedo and formed with an opening therein to receive the
trunk c, is a rudder g., which is fixed upon a vertical spindle g', passing trans-
versely through and mounted with capability of revolving in the trunk c'; and
upon this spindle is fixed a worm wheel g' which is taken into by and receives
notion from a worm g³ mounted in the trunk c'.
By these means the rudder g. may be set at any desired angle within certain limits
in order to counteract the effect of any cross current in the water through which
the torpedo is to be towed or drawn ; and, in order to protect the rudder 7. and tail
blade c. from injury by contact with any object which may lie in the course of the
torpedo, a frame h. is employed to surround those parts. .
The side fins d. are similarly protected by guard rods or links i. jointed thereto at
one end and at the other end connected to rails with capability of sliding thereon
and thus giving to the movements of the fins d.
The head b. of the torpedo which contains the discharging mechanism is connected
with the body a. by means of a screw joint or otherwise so connected therewith
that it may be easily detached therefrom whereby the metal cylinder containing the
explosive charge can be readily placed in position in the body a. of the torpedo or
removed therefrom at will.
The firing pin f. of the discharging mechanism is normally locked against accidental
movement by means of the nosef of a latch or bolt which is normally held in
engagement with the disc of the firing pin f. by means of springs which are
coiled around a spindle fixed to the framing b. and at their outer ends fixed to such
spindle whilst their inner ends are connected to lugs f forming part of the bolt or
latch
chain e after being passed around the
so that upon the torpedo being caused
will be withdrawn from the disc f' of
The end of the towing or drawing rope or
pulley e is connected to the bolt or latch
to travel the nose of the latch or bolt
the firing pin thus leaving such firing pin free to act by impact with any object
When however the traction ceases, that is to say, when the towing line or chain e
is slackened or if the line or chain e. parts and the torpedo gets adrift the nose
the latch or bolt f' will again automatically engage the disc f¹ of the firing pin f.
and the torpedo will be rendered harmless.
of
As an additional security when handling the torpedo before launching, the nose
of the firing pin is provided with an annular groove to receive a forked boit or
pin k. whose limbs are shaped to fit the firing pin f. and snap thereon with a
slight spring pressure thus effectually preventing any movement of the firing pin f
until the torpedo is launched and the pin k. is withdrawn by means of the cord or
chain k, when the firing pin f. is subject to the locking bolt or latch f as before
explained.
With the exception of the space occupied by the cylinder j. containing the explosive
charge and the head b. which contains the discharging mechanism the interior of the
torpedo is filled with cork or other suitable light material or is formed with water-
tight compartments, and I also preferably arrange a lining of cork or other suitable
material or of watertight compartments around the charge cylinder j. in order to give
the necessary buoyancy to the torpedo.

page_text: A weighted keel a² may be employed to assist in maintaining the torpedo in its
proper floating position and to prevent rolling.
It will be readily understood from the foregoing description that it is not necessary
to make the cases of torpedoes constructed in accordance with this invention
watertight.
In the modification represented at Figures 11 and 12. the parts generally are
similar to those herein before described, but the pressure chambers and co-acting
parts are somewhat differently arranged.
In this example the pressure chamber or chambers d are arranged horizontally at
the upper part of the torpedo the arm of the spindle d' is dispensed with and the
arm dis arranged vertically to correspond with the altered position of the pressure
chambers and instead of the spring d³ being coiled around the spindle d', it is
at one end connected with the arm and at the other end connected with a rod d
which is connected with an adjusting screw d³ in such manner as to allow of the
necessary rotary motion of such screw and to prevent such motion being communi-
cated to the spring d³.
The arm is at its upper end connected to a rod or wire attached to the series
of compression chambers d the last one of which is connected by a similar rod to
a bell crank lever de acted upon by a regulating screw d serving to regulate the
tension of such chambers.
The spring d³ drawing towards it the arm d' causes such arm ² to exert a pull
upon the pressure chamber and the traverse of such arm in this direction is
regulated by a pin or stop which is tapped to receive a screw d" by means of
which it receives the necessary adjustment, a stud 12 upon the upper end of such
pin or stop do passing through a slot in the case of the torpedo and serving to indicate
upon a divided scale the degree of such adjustment.
Or the snail wheel do described with respect to Figures 5. 6 and 7 might be
employed in lieu of the device above described.
The example given at Figures 13, 14 and 15 is very similar to that represented at
Figures 11 and 12 but in this case the pressure chambers d are arranged horizontally
at the rear of the metal cylinder j. containing the explosive charge in order to afford
space for an increase in the size of the explosive charge and allow of the more ready
adjustment of the balance of the torpedo and in order to facilitate the communication
of the arm d with the tail blade c. an additional arm is interposed between the
pressure chambers do and the arm d² and has connected to its upper end the rod or
wire from the arm d² and a link d* from one end of the pressure chambers d³, whilst
the other end of such pressure chambers is, by a similar link d**, connected with a
pendant arm or lever which has hinged thereto a nut de which is acted upon by
the regulating screw .
The rod or wire giving motion to the tail blade c. is connected to the lower part of
the arm d²*.
The chain or rope e. to which the torpedo is connected may be made fast to a steam
vessel and the torpedo may thus be towed through the water or such chain or
rope e may be drawn forward or caused to travel by any other suitable means and
when a windlass is employed for that purpose, I prefer to so construct the same
that on any temporary check being offered to the chain or rope e. the drum of the
windlass will give thereto thereby avoiding the breaking of the chain or rope. I have
not however thought it necessary to describe a device of this character as such devices
are well understood.
I also arrange in connection with the windlass or other source of power a
suitable well known instrument to indicate the speed at which the chain or rope e. is
travelling.
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. The improvements in torpedoes substantially as herein shown and described.

page_text: 2. A torpedo adapted to be towed or drawn through the water and provided with
longitudinal moveable side fins or blades operating in manner substantially as herein
shown and described and for the purpose stated.
3. A torpedo adapted to be towed or drawn through the water provided with
longitudinal moveable side fins or blades and whose specific gravity is so regulated by
means of watertight compartiments or a lining of light material that when in motion
such torpedo will rise towards the surface of the water in manner substantially as
bercin shown and described.
4. A torpedo adapted to be towed or drawn through the water and whose specific
gravity is rendered the same as or slightly greater than that of the water provided
with longitudinal side fins or blades fixed upon a transverse spindle which is normally
sprung in one direction and under certain conditions is acted upon by a pressure
chamber or chambers to give the required inclination to the side fins or blades all in
manner substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.
5. A torpedo adapted to be towed or drawn through the water and whose specific
gravity is rendered the same as or slightly greater than that of the water provided
with a tail blade mounted upon a transverse horizontal axis connected with a transverse
spindle, carrying side fins in such manner that when the side fins are inclined down-
wards the tail blade will be inclined upwards and vice versa all in manner substantially
as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.
6. A torpedo adapted to be towed or drawn through the water and whose specific
gravity is rendered the same as or slightly greater than that of the water by means
of watertight compartments or a lining of light material provided with longitudinal
side fins or blades d. fixed upon a transverse spindle d', arm d² acted upon by a pressure
chamber or chambers d spring adjustable stop acting against an arm or
projection from the spindle d' and moveable blade c. arranged to move with the fins or
blades d. all in manner substantially as herein shown and described and for the
purpose stated.
7. A torpedo adapted to be towed or drawn through the water and whose specific
gravity is rendered the same as or slightly greater than that of the water, provided
with a rudder g. fixed upon a spindle g and capable of regulation by means of worm
wheel and worm g³ substantially as herein shown and described.
8. A torpedo adapted to be towed or drawn through the water and whose specific
gravity is rendered the same as or slightly greater than that of the water provided
with side fins d. and tail blade c. protected respectively by guards i. h. in manner
substantially as herein shown and described.
9. A torpedo adapted to be towed or drawn through the water whose specific gravity
is rendered the same as or slightly greater than that of the water, provided with a
readily detachable head b. to allow of the cylinder j. containing the explosive charge
being placed in position or withdrawn at will substantially as herein shown and
described.
10. A torpedo adapted to be towed or drawn through the water whose specific
gravity is rendered the same as or slightly greater than that of the water, provided
with a latch or bolt normally sprung in one direction to engage a disc or
projection on the firing pin f. and at its lower end connected with one end of the
towing chain or rope e. in such manner that when such rope or chain is set in
motion the latch or bolt will be withdrawn from engagement with the firing pin f.
substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.
Dalth: day of sonst 1880
VAUGHAN & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.