Improvements in or relating to Navigable Vessels such as Self-propelling Torpedoes.
Year: 1892

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Navigable Vessels such as
Self-propelling Torpedoes.
I, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE of 46 Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
London, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention (which invention has been communicated to me from abroad by the
Société Anonyme des Anciens Établissements Hotchkiss & Co., of 21, Rue
Royale, Paris, France) and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to what are known as "self propelling torpedoes," in
which the torpedo is driven by a propeller actuated by a motor and an immersion
device by which the torpedo is caused to reach and maintain itself at a determinate
depth in the water after launching. And the invention relates more particularly
to depth regulating mechanism by which the torpedo is caused to reach and
maintain a predetermined depth in the water by automatically varying the action
of its immersion rudder; to the pendulum immobilizing connection between the
speed regulator and immersion device, whereby the latter is automatically locked
and released by the former and to various details of the same hereinafter more
fully set forth.
For the purposes of this application, the invention is shown as applied to a
self-propelling torpedo in which the motive power is derived from a fly wheel, such
as shown and described in the United States Letters Patent No. 121,052, granted
John A. Howell, dated November 21, 1871 to wit: a fly wheel to which a very
rapid movement of rotation is imparted by any power extraneous to the torpedo,
and the motor and depth regulating devices are shown located in the same order
and relation to each other as in the British Letters Patent, No. 1174, granted to
Howell & Paine, January 27, 1885, for a marine torpedo, but it is not intended
that their use be limited to such a motor or to such relation, as the depth regulating,
immobilizing or other devices may be used either separately, or in combination,
with any other suitable form of motor where such requirements arise. Neither is
the present invention limited to their use in a marine torpedo, as the said devices
may be used in other navigable vessels such as submarine boats in which such
requirements may arise.
The various disturbing influences to which a marine torpedo is subject on
launching and after having reached the water, which this invention is designed
to counteract, such as the vertical deflection of the torpedo from its proper course
at the desired depth, the rolling of a torpedo by gyroscopic force, and the shock,
given the delicate mechanism of the immersion device on its discharge and on
its first striking the water, will be more fully described in connection with the
particular device for counteracting the same.
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention:
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a "fly wheel torpedo," giving a general view of the
location of the various parts of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the tail of the torpedo on the line 2-2
of Fig. 3, showing the speed regulating mechanism;
Fig. 3 is a horizontal longitudinal section of the same on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section of the after section of the torpedo,
showing the immersion regulating device;
Fig. 5 is a top plan view partly in cross-section of the same on the line 5-5 of
Fig. 4 and

page_text: Fig. 6 is a vertical cross section of the same on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevation of the inner immersion impulse rack and
connections on the line 7-7 Figs. 5, 6 & 10;
Figs. 8 & 9 are vertical cross sections of the same on the lines 8-8 and 9-9
respectively of Figures 7 & 10;
Fig. 10 is a top plan view partly in section of the same on the line 10-10 of
Figs. 7, 8 & 9;
Fig. 11 is an enlarged horizontal longitudinal section of the same on the
line 11-11 Figs. 7, 8 & 9, & Fig. 12 is a horizontal longitudinal section of the
same on the line 12-12 of Figs. 7, 8 & 9;
Fig. 13 is a view partly in cross-section showing the immersion piston rod and
collar connection on the line 13-13 of Figs. 7, 8 & 9; and
Figs. 14 & 15 are detail cross sections of the horizontal or immersion rudder
spring connection on the lines 14-14 and 15-15 respectively of Fig. 2.
Fig. 1 represents a torpedo which may be considered for the purposes of this
description, as consisting of four sections, viz.: the charge section or head V, which
may be fitted either for service or practice in a well known way; the middle
section W which contains the motor, represented in this instance by a Howell
fly-wheel" shown in the drawing in dotted lines, and having a clutch connection
to its axle through a stuffing box in the torpedo shell, as more fully described in
the Letters Patent above referred to. The middle section is also fitted with the
necessary appliances for sighting the torpedo at the end of a practice run and with
a suitable automatic vertical profile register of the torpedo's course under water.
The after section X which contains the immersion regulator with its pèndulum
immobilizer attachment and rod connection to speed regulator, tiller rods and rod
connections to tail section and steady bearings of propeller shafts. Finally the tail
section which consists of the tail frame, cone, shaft sleeves and stuffing boxes
(reached from the outside of the torpedo) the fins and rudder frame. It also
contains the speed regulator, after shaft bearings, propellers and rudders. The
cone is secured to the tail bulkhead of the tail section, and the shaft sleeves are
secured to the tail section. The bulkhead has small stuffing boxes for the tiller
rods and the rod from the pitch frame.
The speed regulating mechanism (described and claimed in an application of
even date herewith), shown in Figs. 2 & 3, is located in the tail section of the
torpedo in a chamber open to the passage of the water, part of its mechanism
being exterior to the torpedo shell, as indicated in Fig. 1. It consists essentially
of a moving frame called a pitch frame connected with the propeller blades which
are revolubly mounted in their hubs in such wise that a movement of the frame
varies the pitch of the propeller blades. The frame is actuated by a stud engaging
in a cam groove of a cam plate, the gear of which is automatically thrown into
engagement with the torpedo shaft, on the torpedo striking the water. The angle
of the cam groove is so proportioned to the decreasing speed of revolution of the
propeller shaft that the pitch frame, in following the groove, proportionately
increases the pitch of the propeller blades and thus maintains the original speed of
the torpedo.
AA are the propeller shafts, A' is a worm loosely mounted upon one of the
shafts and having clutch jogs a¹ at one end. A' is a clutch collar, mounted on a
feather a² on the propeller shaft A and turning with the latter, but having a
longitudinal motion on the feather, so as to be thrown in and out of engagement
with the clutch on the worm A'. A³ is a trigger with an enlarged disc shaped head,
mounted in suitable bearings on the horizontal fin and having an eccentric shank a³
which works in a square faced collar a' in a groove a, on the clutch collar A, and
a second arm a°, having a post a' which fits in a socket in the worm A', preventing
the latter from turning, when the trigger is held forward by the spring A on its
shank. a is a spring catch to hold the trigger when thrown back. B is a cam
gear having a removable cam plate B2 with a cam groove b, and is operated by the
worm A through the cam gears B' B. C is the horizontally moving pitch frame

page_text: moving in suitable bearings c c secured to the tail section, and having a stud C¹
which engages with the eccentric cam groove 6 of the cam B. Rods C2 C
extending from the pitch frame C, are provided at their outer extremities with a
pitch fork c', having studs which engage with grooves in the cam collars C³.
which are mounted and slide longitudinally on feathers c on the propeller
shafts A, A. The cam collars C³ which have flat sides-(one for each of the
propeller blades D)-are connected to the latter by the blade lever C, one end of
which has a post c travelling in a transverse groove e in the cam collar side, while
the other end is securely fastened into the base of the propeller blade D. The
latter, which are screw threaded at their base d, screw into their seats d' in the
hub D', so that each blade is free to turn about its pitch axis, according as
the blade levers C are moved by cam collar grooves c. The hub D¹ is cut out to
allow for the angular throw of the blade levers C', as shown at d².
་
The operation of the speed regulating mechanism is as follows: When the
torpedo is placed in the tube ready for launching, the trigger A³ is held forward
by its spring A' and all of the mechanism is in the position shown in Figs. 2 & 3,
with the worm A' disconnected from the clutch collar A2, and therefore unaffected
by the revolution of the propeller shaft. The cam gear B and the pitch frame C
are at rest and the propeller blades D turned to their set pitch. When the torpedo
enters the water, the trigger A3 is thrown back by the impact of the disc head on
the water, and the trigger catches in the spring catch a. The turning of the
trigger withdraws its arm a from the socket in the worm A' and simultaneously
its eccentric shank a³ throws forward the clutch collar A into engagement with
the worm A¹; this in turn sets the gear B, B' in operation and the pitch frame C
being conducted slowly back by the progress of its stud C₁, in the cam groove b of
the cam gear B, pushes the revolving cam collar C³ towards the propeller hubs D';
thereby moving the blade arms C and turning the blades D to a higher pitch, as
the speed of the propeller shaft decreases.
F is a rod connection between the pitch frame C and the pendulum immobilizer
or locking device of the immersion regulating device, which will now be described.
The immersion regulating mechanism, which, as before stated, is contained in the
after section of the torpedo and is illustrated in Figs. 4 to 13 of the drawings;
consists essentially of a piston which determines, by hydrostatic pressure, the depth
of immersion of the torpedo, a pendulum which controls the vertical angle of the
torpedo's course, and an impulse rack and a palette, which latter actuated by the
piston and pendulum, either singly or jointly as the case may be, imparts to
the diving rudders, by means of the rack, an impulse and direction proportionate
to the deflection of the torpedo, either above or below the required depth, to
restore it to its proper course.
G Figs. 5 & 6 is the hydrostatic piston in a piston chamber, preferably located-in
or near the cylindrical or middle body of the torpedo. G¹ is the piston socket,
having an inner ring G2 bolted to the socket with a water tight rubber washer g.
Three arms g'g'g', secured to the ring G2 carry the inner adjustment screws 920³ g².
G³ is the elastic diaphragm, held in place by the outer ring G, on which are three
arms 93, 3, 93 which carry the outer adjustment screws g₁gg. The adjustment
screws limit the throw of the piston in and out, and also permit of the
adjustment of the piston rod G5 in relation to its longitudinal movement. The
piston rod G³ is attached to the diaphragm G³ in the following manner, which
permits the rod to turn freely, even if a little out of line, while at the same time
partaking of the movement of the diaphragm. A split ball nut 9, on the end of
the piston rod G³, fits into a cylindrical socket case Go, supported in the center of
the diaphragm G³ and having a flared opening 9 to allow of a lateral play of the
piston rod. A hollow cup Gattached to a nut 9' screws down within the socket
case G and over the split nut on the piston rod Go, thus forming a ball and
socket joint between the rod and diaphragm and preventing a longitudinal
movement of the piston rod, except following the movement of the piston. A
cap Go with a suitable washer screws down over the top of the socket case G*, to

page_text: prevent the entrance of water at this point. Over the piston chamber a cap G'
with apertures is formed as a continuation of the cylindrical body of the
torpedo, in order to receive the full pressure due to the depth of immersion.
The piston is easy to dismount, adjust and inspect. In order to set the piston G
and piston rod G' to the middle normal position for the predetermined depth at
which the torpedo is to run, the spring H is provided (Fig. 6) secured at the inner
extremity to one arm of the pivoted lever H', the other bifurcated arm h of
which presses against the piston G. The outer end of the spring is secured to a
nut H, through which passes a screw threaded adjusting rod H³, which stretches
or slacks the spring H by screwing through the nut H². The nut is prevented
from turning by a notch 2 in its side, which slides along the guide above it.
hare bearings in which the adjusting rod H³ is free to turn. A water tight
screw and washer H*, accessible from the exterior of the cylinder, is screwed into
the chamber H after the adjusting rod H³. The spring H is set at a tension to
correspond with the pressure exerted on the piston G by the column of water due
to the predetermined depth and consequently holds the piston at its outward
position, by means of the lever H', until the hydrostatic pressure equals the spring
tension and brings the piston to its middle normal position.
In order to determine for what depth the spring tension has been set, an
aperture is provided, covered by the removable cap H' through which a marked
gauge He can be passed and brought up against the nut H of the spring. The
gauge is marked for the tension at that point. In case a spring alters its tension
with time, it is a simple matter to mark a new gauge, using a push balance on the
piston face to determine the actual working tension. This is an additional
advantage gained by locating the piston in the side of the torpedo and the spring's
head opposite and easy adjustable, that the spring tension can be so readily tested
and the tension gauge verified, the elastic diaphragm of the piston be examined
and the throw of the piston or piston rod be adjusted, and that no water
chamber requiring bulkheads is needed. The position of the immersion spring
across the torpedo's body permits of a long spring (of great sensibility) and short
regulator chamber, an advantage in torpedoes propelled by compressed air, where
the space near the reservoir is limited.
Mounted on the piston rod G³ is a cam collar I (Fig. 13) having a transverse
cam slot i into which projects a pin g mounted on the piston rod, so that the longi-
tudinal motion of the piston rod G³ causes the collar to turn by the passage of the a
pin 98 in the slot i. The cam collar I is held from longitudinal motion on the piston
rod G by the support collars and in the cylinder frame (see Figs. 9). One
side of the bearing is cut away to enable the cam collar I to be connected by a
link I with one arm of a lever or angle guide 13 pivoted at it to the cylinder frame,
in such wise that the turning of the collar I as above described rocks the angle 4
guide 13 on its pivot. The angle guide I³ consists of a bar 1 pivoted as above,
having two flat light elastic strips or guide springs 15, 15 (see Figs. 11 & 12),
fastened to one end of the bar I' on each side and forming projecting ledges along
the inner face of the same. Small lugs ³ ³ on the guide springs 15 engage with
the sides of the bar I to prevent the approach of the free ends of the guide springs,
but allow them to separate or bend out. The groove thus formed on the face of the
angle guide I serves as a guide to a pin J projecting from a palette J pivoted
at j in a recess J in the horizontal or diving rudder tiller rod J³; the pin J projects
through a radial slot j³, in one side of the recess J of the horizontal rudder tiller
rod J³, which slot is of sufficient length to allow of a limited play of the palette J1 5
about its pivot. It follows that when the angle guide 13 is rocked by the link
and collar connections I2 I, the palette J is also rocked about its pivot through
the engagement of its pin J in the guide way formed by the springs I of the
angle guide 1³.
The palette J is also rocked about its pivot by the following device: On the 5
extreme end of the piston rod G³ is rigidly mounted at right angles thereto a forked
lever Go (Figures 6 & 7), which engages with a pin k secured to a cross head K*

page_text: vertically adjustable on the pendulum K mounted to swing in the direction of the
longer axis of the torpedo. When the pendulum K oscillates, the lever Go is
turned, the pin k sliding between the prongs of the fork. This causes the piston
rod Go to turn and with it the cam collar 1, the link 12, angle guide 13 and palette J',
as before stated. The swing of the pendulum K is delayed more or less and the
jar lessened by the spring stops k¹ set in a recess in the pendulum bob K¹ (see
Fig. 5) which bring up against the buffers k², k². In this way, the spring stops k¹
serve to adjust the angle of the pendulum with the torpedo axis, to produce the
pendulum action on the angle guide, as above described, when desired. The
pendulum action through its pink and piston rod lever Go is complete when
the pendulum is against the buffers kk; therefore the stronger the springs of the
stops k¹, the more the pendulum axis will tip before pendulum reaches the buffers.
kare the roller supports on each side of the bob.
It is thus scen that the palette J¹ mounted in the horizontal immersion rudder
tiller rod J³ can be rocked by the piston rod G³, the rod being actuated either by
its longitudinal motion, due to the in and out movement of the piston G, or by its
rotary motion due to its engagement with the longitudinally swinging pendulum K
and this without any effort of the piston or pendulum working one against the other.
But one may dominate the other in its effect on the angle of deflection given to the
angle guide 1 and consequently to the palette J'. This relative angular effect
is adjusted by the throw of the piston and piston rod G³ and the angle of the cam
slot, in the collar I, and by the throw of the pendulum K and the position of the
pendulum pink in the piston rod lever Go.
Movement is imparted to the tiller rod J' by the engagement of the palette J'
with the lower teeth 1 or of either one or the other of the two stepped impulse
racks L and L' (Figs. 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 & 11) which slide longitudinally in the frame L',
alternately approaching and receding from each other. The risers of these racks
stand at relative different levels facing each other. The racks are attached to
plates L3 L, and the plate L³ to a longitudinal connecting bar L'. The bar L'
and the plate L carry projecting pins with rollers 13 engaging at opposite points
in an oval peripheral cam groove in a cam wheel L, which is mounted on a
shaft L rotated by a worm gear L' meshing with a worm L mounted on the
propeller shaft A. The racks L L' are further maintained in line with each other
by a lug on the bar L' moving in longitudinal slots in the frame L' and
plate L (see Fig. 11). is a slot in the frame L2 to permit of the longitudinal
movement of the roller . It is thus seen that a half revolution of the cam
wheel L gives one complete impulse to the racks drawing them towards, each
other at the less diameter of the cam groove and separating them at the point of
greater diameter.
The impulse racks L L are caused to alternately approach and recede from
each other, so that, if during an impulse, when one end of the palette J' is engaged,
say with the rack L and it is carried in one direction, should the angle guide 1³
alter its position enough to tip the palette when freed from the rack L, the
other rack L' shall be in position at once to engage the other end of the palette
and no impulse be lost.
With the racks L L', at their normal downward position, the palette J' stands
underneath and between them and at level or at such angle as is given to it by the
piston G and pendulum K acting through the angle guide 13. As the racks are
drawn together by their pins 13, working in the cam groove 1 of the cam
wheel L', the palette J'engages in the first deepest tooth of the rack, if the palette
be tipped at a large angle and is pushed the full throw, or if it has a less
angle, it engages another tooth and transmits less movement to the horizontal
rudder tiller rod J³, in which it is mounted, and to the horizontal rudder. The
rudder effect is thereby graded according to the demand of the piston G and
pendulum K.
The teeth, on the racks are cut at a varying angle to allow for the angle of
the bevel on the end of the palette when tipped to each tooth (see Fig. 7). The

page_text: .horizontal rudder tiller rod J³ is connected to the rudder J' through an adjustable
-tension spring J (see Figs. 2, 14 & 15). It consists of a cylinder case J having
adjustable bearings * j through which slides the stem of the rod J³. The central
part of the cylinder has two or more projecting guides forming grooves j in which
slide the feathers j' secured to the rod J. Loose collars free to slide in the
⚫cylinder Je rest against the heads of the feathers on the rod J. Two springs J7 Ja
surround the tiller rod and abut against the bearings jj and the collars and .
When the rudder tiller rod J³ is pushed aft, the feathers carry with them the
plate and compress the spring J' against the bearing ; when the rod is pulled
forward, the spring J is compressed in a similar manner. The tension of the
springs is set by screwing in or out the bearings. In this way, the amount of
effort for up rudder or down rudder can be adjusted; and should the palette be
engaged with the rack for down rudder when the torpedo strikes the water, one of
the springs can yield and avoid shocks to the mechanism.
In place of the straight connection between the rod J³ and the rudder J³, a curved
knuckle connection J shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 may be provided, and
apertures in the rudder J' for adjusting the throw of the rudder.
To steady the pendulum K on entering the water and thereafter to prevent its
inertia from causing undue action on the immersion rudder, as the torpedo gathers
speed, an immobilizer attachment or pendulum locking device is provided at the
rod F controlled by the speed regulator, as already described. This consists
(see Figs. 4, 5 & 6) of a throw lever F1 pivoted to the cylinder frame and adjustable
in its throw by means of the link F2 pivoted to the pitch frame rod F and vertically
adjustable to the throw lever F by means of the pin f and holes f¹. The extremity
of the throw lever F1 carries a pin 2 which engages in the slot f³ of the lever
arm F³ of the cam buffer F, pivoted on one of the pendulum buffers ² (shown in
Figs. 4, 5 & 6 on the rear buffer of the pendulum). The peripheral edge of the
cam buffer F is of such shape that when the rod F is forward and the pitch
frame C at the beginning of the cam groove b, the cam buffer bears against the
bob K of the pendulum and the latter is chocked forward. As the pitch frame C
and rod F move aft, the link F2 pulls the throw lever F¹ back and the pin in
the slot of the lever arm F³ turns the cam buffer F and releases the pendulum.
The edge and periphery of the cam buffer can be varied to hold the pendulum in
any position of its throw at any time of movement of the pitch cam wheel B, and
to ease the pendulum back to its normal position.
The operation of the immersion regulating device is as follows: The spring H
.having been previously set at a tension corresponding to the hydrostatic pressure
at the depth at which the torpedo is intended to run and the pendulum K chocked
forward by the pitch frame rod F and its immobilizing attachment consisting of
the cam buffer F, as previously described, the torpedo is launched. After striking
the water, the shock to the immersion rudder being taken up by the rudder
spring J, the pitch cam groove has drawn back the pitch frame C and with it
the pitch frame rod F, releasing the pendulum K. The torpedo being above the
set depth, the piston G is out, being so held by the pressure of the spring H and the
lever H. The piston rod G is also thrown out and its pin gear end one of
the cam slot i of the cam collar I; this has turned the angle guide [³ so as to tip
the pallet J' mounted in the tiller rod J³ into engagement with the rack L' of the
impulse movement in such manner as to produce a certain amount of down rudder
-causing the torpedo to incline point downwards and dive; in so doing, the
pendulum K swings forwards and at a given angle to the torpedo axis, the effect
through its pink in the piston rod lever is to turn the collar I and the angle
guide I³ until the palette J' is thrown into engagement with the other rack L, in
such a manner as to produce a certain amount of up-rudder, thereby checking the
torpedo's dive and limiting said dive to any given angle.
It is evident that the turning effect of the pendulum K on the piston rod G³ and
collar I in the given angle of oscillation is greater than the turning effect of the
piston rod's longitudinal movement op the collar, due to the gradually increasing

page_text: depth, consequently that the movement of the pendulum dominates that of the
piston; it is also evident that in some point in the said oscillation of the pendulum,
the opposite effects of the out-piston and forward pendulum on the collar I &
consequently on the angle guide, must be equal and neutralize each other, so that
the palette J will lie in its normal position, as above described, and neither up nor
down rudder would occur, and that the torpedo can dive unchecked at such angle-
of its axis to the pendulum until the relative position of the piston and pendulum
changes, either by the torpedo's approaching near or passing its set depth and
consequent longitudinal movement of the piston rod, or by a change in the angle
of the torpedo's axis, and consequent rotation of the piston rod by the oscillation
of the pendulum.
When the torpedo is below the set depth and point downward, the turning effect
of the piston rod, the piston being now in, and of the pendulum (which is still
forward), on the cam collar of the angle guide are each to tip the palette J¹ into
engagement with the impulse rack L and produce a full up-rudder action. When.
the torpedo is above the set depth and points up, the opposite effect is produced
from that last described, i.e. the piston out and pendulum back operating to engage-
the palette with the rack L', to produce full down rudder movement.
When the torpedo is below the set depth and points up, the back pendulum
dominates the piston operating to engage the palette with the rack L to produce
up-rudder movement and the angle of unchecked rise can be likewise adjusted.
at will.
In this wise, the torpedo quickly arrives at its set depth, in which its axis, being
parallel with the surface of the water, and its piston in its normal position, the pin
of the piston rod is in such a position in the angle guide collar that the palette is
held out of engagement with the impulse mechanism and there is no further..
longitudinal or rotary movement of the piston rod tending to throw it into engage-
ment therewith, until any change in the immersion or angle of the torpedo axis
arises from any cause. While the total turning effect is produced on the angle
guide at certain angles of the torpedo axis above and below the set depth as
previously described, it need not be relatively transmitted to the palette J¹ and the
impulse rack which might cause a too great rudder movement, but the palette can
at the extreme throw desired, rest on the extended lower tooth of the impulse rack
(as shown in Figs. 7 & 11) or be otherwise stopped, while the angle guide continues
still to turn, one of its light guide springs yielding on the palette pin.
The guide springs I are so light that the angle guide is always free to assume
any new position due to the combined effect of the pendulum and piston, even when.
the palette is in engagement with the impulse mechanism, the palette pin J
sliding between the springs which yield easily if the angle changes while the
palette is engaged, but have sufficient strength to throw the palette with its pin,.
when released from the rack, instantly against the opposite spring, without
subsequent vibration and in readiness to engage the impulse rack for such effect on.
the rudder, as the angle guide defines.
The palette which is nicely balanced, the balanced angle guide and the light
piston rod in their bearings produce the only friction and work the pendulum and
piston have to perform in defining the position of the angle guide at each instant..
To this may be added the extremely small tension of the angle guide spring when
it yields during an impulse and until.the normal position is returned to.
It is also observed that the weight of the pendulum and the piston are never
opposed to, each other or bear any relation to each other as to effort, but only in
the angular effect on the small balanced angle guide, which is the directing lever of
the mechanism.
This work is extremely small, and hence a light pendulum and small piston can
be used, permitting the use of a long and comparatively light immersion spring of
great sensibility to small changes of hydrostatic pressure due to alteration of the
torpedo's depth.
It is evident that the piston and piston rod may be located in any part of the

page_text: torpedo body and its movement be communicated to the angle guide by suitable
lever connection, but it is preferable to locate it in the aft section and on the side
of the cylinder, for the reasons already stated.
It is also evident that in place of connecting the collar with the angle guide
by means of a link I, as shown in Figs. 7 and 10 to 13, the hub of the angle guide
may form the cam collar and by passing the piston rod G therethrough, impart
the requisite motion to the angle guide and palette, without departing from the
spirit of this invention.
Figs. 7 & 8 show an arrangement of pendulum and angle guide adapted to
actuate the rods of vertical rudders for steering a torpedo having the axis of
gyroscopic force at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the torpedo on an even
keel & consequently, in a straight course in the horizontal plane, the effect of
vertical rudders in such case being to restore the torpedo to an even keel when
rolled by a deflecting force, the gyroscopic force then keeping the torpedo in a
straight line as the line of least resistance to said force, as described in the United
States Letters Patent No. 121,052 granted John A. Howell, November 21, 1871,
above referred to.
M is a pendulum having a swing transverse to the longer axis of the torpedo.
M is the angle guide pivoted at m to the torpedo frame and having the guide
springs m¹, m³. M2 is the vertical angle guide lever secured to the same and
engaging the adjustable pin m² on the pendulum, by which movement is imparted
to the angle guide about its pivot. N is the palette pivoted to the tiller rod E of
the vertical rudders E' (see Fig. 2). N2 is the recess in the tiller rod E and n the
radial slot in the rod in which moves the pin n¹ of the palette which engages with
the guide springs m¹ m² of the angle guide M. n³ ³ are the upper teeth on the
impulse racks L, L' through which the impulse is imparted to the vertical tiller
rod E to actuate the same. The tiller rod E (see Figs. 2 & 3) connects by a pivoted
rigidly secured to the vertical rudder pivot Es of the
joint E with a lever arm E
vertical rudders E'.
The operation of this part of the invention is as follows: When the torpedo is
rolled by a force exterior to it acting upon its gyroscopic force, the transverse
swing of the pendulum M imparts a proportionate motion to the angle guide M',
which in turn communicates a corresponding angle to the palette N, causing it to
engage with the teeth n³ on the racks L L' to produce impulses of the vertical
rudders E E acting oppositely on said gyroscopic force, so as to roll the torpedo
back to an even keel, when the pendulum M becomes vertical and the angle
guide M' adjusted to prevent the palette N from engaging the impulse racks. The
amount of vertical rudder throw can be proportioned for any angle of roll.
00 are one form of return springs mounted on the tiller rods J³ and E and
compressed between a head o o on the rods and their bearings o¹, o¹ in the torpedo
frame (see Fig. 1), by which the rods and their rudders are brought into exact
normal relation; the resistance of the water also brings the rudders to their normal
position or near it, and the springs assure the exact position.
While the drawings show the graded impulse device, as applied to the control of
a horizontal rudder, it is evident that the same may be applied to a rudder set at
any angle to the normal horizontal plane of the torpedo or boat, without departing
from the spirit of this invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion (as communicated to me by my foreign correspondents) and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:
1-In a marine torpedo, the combination, with a rudder tiller rod, of a palette
pivoted thereon, a stepped rack adapted to engage with the palette to graduate
the impulse given to the tiller rod according to the angle given the palette, gear
for reciprocating the rack, a hydrostatic piston and suitable transmitting connections
between the piston and the palette, whereby the piston movement varies the angle
of the palette, substantially as described.

page_text: 2-In a marine torpedo immersion regulating device, the combination of a
hydrostatic piston, a longitudinally moving rod actuated by the piston, a cam collar
mounted on the rod, and having a transverse cam slot engaging with a pin on the
rod, a pivoted angle guide, having yielding spring guides as described, and a
suitable connection between the cam collar and angle guide, whereby the movement
of the piston varies the throw of the angle guide, substantially as described.
3-In a marine torpedo, the combination, with a rudder tiller rod, of a hydro-
static piston, a longitudinally moving rod, actuated by the piston, a cam collar
mounted on the rod and having a transverse cam slot engaging with a pin on the
rod, a pivoted angle guide having yielding spring guides, as described, a suitable
transmitting connection between the cam collar and the angle guide, a palette
pivoted to the rudder tiller rod and having a pin engaging between the yielding
spring guides of the angle guides, a stepped rack adapted to engage with the
palette, and gearing for reciprocating the rack, substantially as described for the
purpose set forth.
4-The combination, with a rod having a longitudinal motion, of a device for
communicating such motion to the rod, a cam collar mounted on the rod and having
a transverse cam slot engaging with a pin on the rod, a pivoted guide lever having
guide spring strips fastened opposite each other to one end of the lever and forming
a yielding guide extending along the face of the same, a suitable connection between
the cam collar and the angle guide, a palette pivoted to a rudder tiller rod and
having a pin engaging between the yielding spring guides and an impulse rack to
engage with the palette, and gear for driving the rack, whereby when the rod is
moved longitudinally, the palette is thrown into engagement with the impulse rack
and the impulse is communicated to the tiller rod, substantially as described.
5 In a marine torpedo, the combination, with a rudder tiller rod, of a duplex
palette pivotted thereon, impulse mechanism consisting of two stepped reciprocating
racks, the risers of which stand at relatively different levels facing each other,
mechanism for alternately causing the racks to approach and recede from each
other, a hydrostatic piston, and suitable transmitting connections between the
piston and the duplex palette, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6-In a marine torpedo, the combination with a rudder tiller rod, of a palette
pivoted thereon, a stepped rack adapted to engage with the palette, as described,
mechanism for reciprocating the rack, a pendulum and suitable transmitting
connections between the pendulum and the palette, whereby the movement of the
torpedo body relatively to the pendulum varies the impulse imparted to the tiller
rod, substantially as described.
7-In a marine torpedo, the combination, with a rudder tiller rod, of a duplex
palette pivoted thereon, impulse mechanism consisting of two stepped reciprocating
racks, as described, mechanism for alternately causing the racks to approach and
recede from each other, a pendulum and suitable transmitting connections between
the pendulum and the palette, substantially as described.
8 In a marine torpedo, the combination, with a rudder tiller rod, of a palette
pivoted thereon, a stepped rack adapted to engage with the palette at different
angles assumed by the latter, a pivoted angle guide having yielding spring guides
engaging with a pin on the palette, a longitudinally moving and rotating rod, a
cam collar mounted on the rod and having a transverse slot engaging with a pin on
the rod, a suitable connection between the collar and the angle guide, a hydrostatic
piston and transmitting connections between the piston and the rod to impart a
longitudinal movement to the latter, a pendulum and suitable transmitting
connections between the pendulum and the longitudinally moving rod, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
9-In a marine torpedo, the combination, with a rudder tiller rod, of a palette
pivoted, thereon, a stepped rack adapted to engage with the palette at the different
angles assumed by the latter, and suitable gear driven by a worm on the propeller
shaft to reciprocate the rack, substantially as described.
B

page_text: 10-The combination of the piston G, located in the side of the torpedo, the
piston rod G' secured by a ball and socket joint to the piston and having the
ping, the cam collar I mounted on the piston rod and having the transverse cam
slot i engaging with the piston rod pin, the pivoted angle guide I³ having the guide
springs II, as described, a suitable connection between the cam collar and the
angle guide, the palette J pivoted to the rudder tiller rod J' and having the pin J
engaging with the guide springs of the angle guide, the stepped reciprocating
racks L, L' mounted as described, the oval cam wheel L keyed to the shaft L® and
having the cam groove engaging at opposite points with the racks, rollers 11,
the worm gear L' mounted on the shaft L, and the worm L³ meshing therewith
and keyed to the propeller shaft A, substantially as described.
10
11 The combination with the impulse mechanism consisting of the stepped
reciprocating rack L, its plate L³ and longitudinal connecting bar L having the
lug 12, the stepped reciprocating rack L having the longitudinal slot for the lug /*
and it's plate L, the oval cam wheel L keyed to the shaft L and having the cam
groove engaging at opposite points with the rack rollers, the worm gear L'
mounted on the shaft Le and worm L8 meshing with and keyed to the propeller
shaft A, substantially as described.
12-The combination, with a hydrostatic piston located in the side of a marine
torpedo, of a spiral spring extending across the torpedo, a pivoted lever having one
arm bearing on the piston and the other arm secured to one end of the spring, and
a tension adjusting device attached to the other end of the spring and extending
into a chamber accessible from the torpedo side, substantially as described.
13 The combination of the piston G, the pivoted lever H' having a forked
arm resting on the piston, the tension spring H having one end secured to the
lever arm and the other end to the adjusting nut H2, the screw threaded adjusting
rod H' passing through said nut and extending into the chamber H³, the notch h²
on the nut H³ in engagement with the guide and the cap H* over the rod head,
substantially as described.
14-The combination with a hydrostatic piston tension spring extending across
the torpedo, its adjusting nut H2 and screw threaded adjusting rod H³ extending
into a chamber H³ located in the torpedo side and having an aperture * in its wall,
of the tension gauge H, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
15-In a marine torpedo, the combination, with a pendulum suspended therein,
of a pendulum immobilizing attachment, consisting of a pivoted cam buffer, a sliding
frame, suitable transmitting connection between said cam buffer and sliding frame, the
propeller shaft and suitable connection between the shaft and the frame to move
the latter, substantially as described.
16-The combination, with the pendulum K, of the pivoted cam buffer F, its
ongitudinally sloted arm F³, the pivoted throw lever F1 engaging therewith, the
link F pivoted to the pitch frame rod F and adjustably connected with the throw
lever, the longitudinally sliding pitch frame C, and gear, as described, for moving
the pitch frame, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
17-The combination, with a rudder tiller rod, of a cylinder case having
adjustable head bearings and a central longitudinally grooved body, the rod passing
through said bearings and having feathers sliding in said grooves and spiral tension
springs contained within said cylinder and located around said rod and between said
head bearings and the heads of the feathers on the rod, substantially as described.
18 In a marine torpedo, the combination with an automatic speed regulating
device, and an automatic immersion determining device, actuated by a pendulum, of
a pendulum immobilizing device, and transmitting connections between it and the
speed regulating device, substantially as described.
19 In a marine torpedo, the combination, with a propeller shaft having blades
pivotally mounted in the propeller hub, of a pitch regulating device for rotating the
blades about a pitch varying axis, a pendulum suspended in said torpedo, a pendulum
immobilizing device, a transmitting connection between said pitch regulating and

page_text: immobilizing devices, and mechanism driven by the propeller shaft to control the
pitch regulating device, substantially as described.
20-In a marine torpedo, the combination, with a propeller shaft having blades
pivotally mounted in the propeller hub, of a sliding frame, transmitting connections
between said frame and the propeller blades, a pendulum, a pendulum immobilizing
device, transmitting connections between said frame and immobilizer, a cam device
engaging with the sliding frame, and mechanism driven by the propeller shaft to
actuate said cam device, substantially as described.
1000
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham.