IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING THE EXPLOSION OF TORPEDOES OR OTHER EXPLOSIVE CHARGES
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Ambrose McEvoy, of 4, Piccadilly, W.,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS
FOR EFFECTING THE EXPLOSION OF TORPEDOES OR OTHER EXPLOSIVE CHARGES."
Sealed the 27th June 1871, and dated the 3rd January 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Ambrose
M°Evoy at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 3rd January 1871.
I, CHARLES AMBROSE M'EVOY, of 4, Piccadilly, W., do hereby declare
the nature of my Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS
FOR EFFECTING THE EXPLOSION OF TORPEDOES OR OTHER EXPLOSIVE CHARGES," to
be as follows:-
.
"
'One part of my Invention has reference to that class of "torpedoes
known as self-acting electric "torpedoes." When these torpedoes are
in the water and are struck by vessels passing over them, or forced into
contact with vessels at anchor or under weigh, the shock causes the
electric circuit within them, until then open, to be closed, thus exploding
the torpedo.

page_text: My present improvement consists in providing for such torpedoes a
new and simple circuit closing or firing arrangement that may be
transported separate from the torpedo, and attached and detached
separate from its explosive charge. For this purpose I attach a metal
ball to a wire spring, and secure them in the inner centre of a hollow
cylinder of wood or ebonite, having a metal ring inserted in and
attached to the inner surface of one of its ends, so that the metal ring
may partly surround the metal ball without touching it. To one end
of the spring carrying the metal ball, I attach an insulated wire
intended for connection with one of the poles of a suitable battery or
other electrical machine. To the metal ring I attach another wire
having an electric fuze attached to it; this wire is intended to have an
earth or other connection with the other pole of the same battery. This
circuit closing arrangement thus prepared I insert in the end of a
metal tube with the priming for igniting the charge in the torpedo.
The other end of the metal tube is fitted with a screw coupling, or other
joint for securing it to the torpedo. To the end of the tube containing
the circuit closing arrangement I attach a thin metal bridge which is
in constant contact with the apex of the metal ball, whilst the ball
remains in its central position. When the torpedo is ready for use, and
its wire connections with the battery made, a current of electricity from
the firing battery to test the insulation and continuity of the wires may
be sent through the torpedo without firing it, the electric fuze in this
case being out of circuit, but when the torpedo receives a shock the
metal ball is thrown from its central position, breaking contact with the
metal bridge, and making contact with the metal ring, thus changing
the direction of the electric current and firing the torpedo. This
arrangement of the metal bridge in connection with the circuit closer
described will apply to a number of torpedoes connected with one wire,
any one of which on receiving a shock will be exploded without firing
the others or preventing them from being fired afterwards in succession
in the come wo

page_text: Another part of my Invention relates to self-acting electric ramming
or projecting torpedoes, and consists of an improved circuit closing
arrangement for the same. For this purpose I employ a hollow metal
bushing having a thin metal dome, in the hollow part of this bushing
I screw a metal plug, in which I insert two wire terminals, one of
which has a metallic connection with one of the poles of an electric
battery, the other terminal having a metallic or other connection with
the other pole of the same battery, and has also attached to it an electric
fuze for firing the charge in the torpedo. A recess is formed in the
centre of the metal plug to receive a metal spindle, which has a vertical
movement in it. To the metal spindle is attached an insulated metal
bridge, for conducting the electric-current from one terminal to the
other. The insulated metal bridge is prevented from touching the
terminals by a spiral spring which supports the spindle. When the
torpedo receives a sufficient shock to crush in the metal dome the spindle
is forced down and the insulated bridge brought in contact with the
terminals, thus closing the circuit and firing the torpedo. A metal cap
having a set screw on its side to hold it in its position on the bushing
is provided to protect the thin metal dome from injury during
transportation.
Another part of my Invention relates to the formation of temporary
joints or connections for insulated or other electric wires used for
torpedoes and other purposes.
My present improvement consists in employing two or more metal
discs made to screw together. The ends of the wires are run through
holes in these discs and turned over, so that when the discs are screwed
tightly together a strong joint is formed, and perfect electric continuity
of wire secured. When it is required to employ this metal joint under
water I insert it, in a case of wood or ebonite, in which there are two
The case is
pieces of india-rubber packing and an ebonite washer.
formed in two parts made to screw together, and when tightly screwed
up the india-rubber packing is compressed so as to prevent the possibility
of water or moisture entering the interior of the case, thus perfectly
insulating the metal joint within.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Charles Ambrose McEvoy in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 3rd July 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
AMBROSE M°Evoy, of 4, Piccadilly, W., send greeting.
'
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Third day of January, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto the said Charles Ambrose McEvoy, Her
special licence that I, the said Charles Ambrose M°Evoy, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Charles
Ambrose McEvoy, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time, and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING THE
EXPLOSION OF TORPEDOES OR OTHER EXPLOSIVE CHARGES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Charles Ambrose M° Evoy, my execu-
tors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their,
or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to
be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Charles Ambrose McEvoy, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
One part of my Invention has reference to that class of torpedos
known as self-acting electric "torpedos." When these torpedos are in
the water and are struck by vessels passing over them, or forced into
contact with vessels at anchor or under weigh, the shock causes the
electric circuit within them (until then open) to be closed, thus
exploding the torpedo.

page_text: My present improvement consists in providing for such torpedos a
new and simple circuit closing or firing arrangement that may be trans-
ported separate from the torpedo, and attached and detached separate
from its explosive charge. For this purpose I attach a metal ball to
a wire spring and secure them in the inner centre of a hollow cylinder
of wood or ebonite having a metal ring inserted in and attached to the
inner surface of one of its ends, so that the metal ring may partly
surround the metal ball without touching it. To one end of the
spring carrying the metal ball I attach an insulated wire intended for
connection with one of the poles of a suitable battery or other electrical
machine. To the metal ring I attach another wire having an electric
fuze attached to it; this wire is intended to have an earth or other
connection with the other pole of the same battery. This circuit closing
arrangement thus prepared I insert in the end of a metal tube with the
priming for igniting the charge in the torpedo. The other end of the
metal tube is fitted with a screw coupling or other joint for securing it
to the torpedo. To the end of the tube containing the circuit closing
arrangement I attach a thin metal bridge which is in constant contact
with the apex of the metal ball whilst the ball remains in its central
position. When the torpedo is ready for use, and its wire connections
with the battery made, a current of electricity from the firing battery
to test the insulation and continuity of the wires may be sent through
the torpedo without firing it, the electric fuze in this case being out
of circuit, but when the torpedo receives a shock the metal ball is thrown
from its central position, breaking contact with the metal bridge, and
making contact with the metal ring, thus changing the direction of
the electric current and firing the torpedo. This arrangement of the
metal bridge in connection with the circuit closer described will apply
to a number of torpedos connected with one wire, any one of which on
receiving a shock will be exploded without firing the others or
preventing them from being fired afterwards in succession in the same
way.
Another part of my improvement consists in inserting and firmly
attaching to the torpedo a metal tube having its inner end closed and
outer end open. The object of this tube is to separate the explosive
charge in the torpedo from the electric arrangement which it is intended
to receive. The priming in the inner tube being sufficient to rupture
both tubes and ignite the explosive charge in the torpedo.

page_text: Another part of my Invention relates to self-acting electric ramming
or projecting torpedos, and consists of an improved circuit closing
arrangement for the same. For this purpose I employ a hollow metal
bushing having a thin metal dome, in the hollow part of this bushing
I screw a metal plug, in which I insert two wire terminals, one of which
has a metallic connection with one of the poles of an electric battery, the
other terminal having a metallic or other connection with the other pole
of the same battery and has also attached to it an electric fuze for firing
the charge in the torpedo. A recess is formed in the centre of the metal
plug to receive a metal spindle which has a vertical movement in it.
To the metal spindle is attached an insulated metal bridge for con-
ducting the electric current from one terminal to the other. The
insulated metal bridge is prevented from touching the terminals
by a spiral spring which supports the spindle. When the torpedo
receives a sufficient shock to crush in the metal dome the spindle
'is forced down and the insulated bridge brought in contact with the
terminals, thus closing the circuit and firing the torpedo. A metal
cap having a set screw on its side to hold it in its position on the
bushing is provided to protect the thin metal dome from injury during
transportation.
Another part of my Invention relates to the formation of temporary
joints or connections for insulated or other electric wires used for
torpedos and other purposes.
My present improvement consists in employing two or more metal
discs made to screw together. The ends of the wires are run through
holes in these discs and turned over, so that when the discs are screwed
tightly together a strong joint is formed and perfect electric continuity
of wire sccured. When it is required to employ this metal joint
under water I insert it in a case of wood or ebonite, in which there
are two pieces of india-rubber packing and an ebonite washer. The
case is formed in two parts made to screw together, and when tightly
screwed up the india-rubber packing is compressed so as to prevent the
possibility of water or moisture entering the interior of the case, thus
perfectly insulating the metal joint within...
B
And that my Invention may be fully understood and carried into
effect I will now describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shews a metal tube a, a, having its lower end 6 arranged for
a screw coupling to attach it to a torpedo or to a tube in a torpedo.
Through the centre of the end 6 of the tube a, a, two insulated wires
c and d pass. The point at which these two wires enter the tube is
rendered water tight by means of dissolved gutta percha or other suitable
cement. In the upper end of the tube a, a, is inserted a hollow ebonite
case e which. has its upper end open and its lower end closed. In the
lower end of the ebonite case e is fixed. a straight wire spring f which has
attached to its upper end a metal ball g. In the upper end of the ebonite
case e is inserted a thin metal ring which ring partly surrounds the
metal ball g without touching it. To the lower end of the straight wire
spring is attached one of the insulated wires d, the other end of the
same wire being intended to connect with a battery or other electrical
machine. To the thin metal ring is attached one end of a wire i, its
other end being secured to the tube a, a, at k. To the wire i is attached
the electric fuze 1. One end of the insulated wire c is attached to the
tube a, a, at m, the other end being intended to connect with other
torpedoes or not as may be required before the return of the current to
the battery, which it may do by wire or earth connection after leaving
the torpedo.
Crossing the upper end of tube a, a, is shewn a thin metal
bridge n which has its ends soldered to the tube a, a, at o, o, and its
centre in contact with the apex of the ball g. The space p, p, in the
tube a, a, is intended to contain priming which is ignited by the clectric
fuze and in turn explodes the torpedo. The priming is introduced into
the tube a, a, through the aperture q in the side of the tube. Tubes
thus prepared with circuit closing arrangements composed of the cbonite
case e, straight wire spring f, metal ball g, metal ring h, and electric
fuze l, also the priming and insulated wires c and d or tubes containing
only the electric fuze priming and insulated wires I denominate "electric
tubes." When a torpedo fitted with a tube containing the circuit closing
arrangement described is charged and moored in the water and connection
made with the electric battery, a current of clectricity entering the
torpedo by way of the insulated wire d will pass from the metal ball g
across the metal bridge n and return to the battery by way of the insu-
lated wire c, which may or may not conduct it through other torpedoes
before reaching the battery. Whilst the metal ball y retains its central
position and has its apex in contact with the bridge f, an electric current
.

page_text: of any strength may be sent through the torpedo for the purpose of testing
the insulation and continuity of the wires without firing it, the electric
fuze being out of circuit, but when the torpedo receives a shock the
metal ball g¹ is thrown from its central position and breaking contact
with the metal bridge n makes contact with the metal ring ⁄ thus firing
the torpedo by directing the current through the electric fuze. This
arrangement will apply to a number of torpedoes similarly constructed
and connected in one circuit. A current of electricity may be sent
through all of them at the same instant without firing any of them; at
the same time securing the explosion of any one of them on its receiving
a shock. To effect a proper connection of a number of torpedoes in
circuit as described, insulated wire d of the electric tube is connected
with the battery, and insulated wire e is connected with insulated wire d
of the second torpedo, &c., continuously through the circuit, the current
returning to the battery by earth or wire connection.
Figure 2 shows a metal tube a, a, having its lower end 6 arranged for
a screw coupling to attach it to a torpedo or a tube in a torpedo. An
insulated wirer enters the end 6 of the tube; the point at which it
enters being made water-tight by means of screw nut d, and rubber
gland e. To the wire c is attached two electric fuzes g, 9, after which
the end of the wire is soldered to the side of the tube a, a, at h. The
space i, i, in the tube a, a, is intended to contain sufficient priming to
rupture the tube and explode the charge in the torpedo, which priming
is introduced into the tube through its stoppered end k. Electric tubes
thus prepared without circuit closing arrangements in them are intended
for firing torpedos that require to be fired at will, or torpedos connected
with those having circuit closers in them. When employed in torpedos
connected with those having circuit closers in them wire c is connected
with wire c of the circuit closer, but when employed in torpedos to be
fired at will wire c is connected directly with the battery.
Figure 3 shows a section of a self-acting circuit closer for ramming
or projecting torpedos. Letters a, a, shew a metal bushing having its
upper end closed by a thin metal dome b and a metal plug c screwed into
its lower end. A metal spindle d is shown supported on a spiral spring e
inserted in recess fin the plug c. A thin insulated metal bridge g is
attached to the spindle d'under which are two terminals h, h, of insulated
wires i, i. One of the wires i, i, is intended to connect with the battery
and the other to have attached to it the electric fuze and to have earth

page_text: or other connection with the battery. When a torpedo fitted with this
closer is projected against a vessel or receives a shock sufficient to crush
in the thin metal dome 6 the spindle d is forced down until the metal
bridge g is brought into contact with the two terminals h, h, thus closing
the circuit and firing the torpedo.
Figure 4 shows a metal cap for protecting the thin metal dome b, the
set screw a* serves to keep the cap in position over the dome during
transport or handling.
Figure 5 shews a torpedo a having in it a tube b, b, which tube has
its upper end closed and its lower end firmly secured to the torpedo at
C, C. An electric tube d is shown in the tube b, b, and secured to it by
screw coupling at e. The tube b, b, is intended to separate the charge
in the torpedo from the electric arrangement, and is made large enough
to receive the electric tube, the priming in the electric tube being
sufficient to rupture both tubes and explode the charge in the torpedo.
By the employment of tube b, b in a torpedo the electric arrangement
may be tested, stored, and transported separate from the charged torpedo
and attached and detached without interfering with its charge.
g
Figure 6 shews a section of a joint or union for connecting and
insulating the joints of electric wires. An ebonite case in two parts a, a,
is shown screwed together at b, two rubber packings c, c, two metal
discs d, d, and one ebonite washer 9 comprise its parts. In forming a
joint with this arrangement the insulation is stripped from the ends of
the two wires, and one of the metal discs is slipped on the end of each of
the wires, and the strands of wire turned over on the face of the discs.
The two discs are then screwed tightly together so as to prevent the
possibility of the wires drawing out under a strain. One part of the
ebonite case with one of the rubber packings and ebonite washer are run
on one of the wires before the disc is attached and the other part of the
case with rubber packing run on the other wire. After the discs are
screwed together the parts of the case are screwed up so as to compress
the rubber packings sufficiently to prevent water or moisture reaching
the metallic connection in the case.
Figure 7 shows a plan of the face of one of the metal discs with the
strands of electrio wing tunned
AYAN An

page_text: Having now described and ascertained the nature of my Invention
I would have it understood that what I claim is,--
First. The circuit closing or firing arrangements substantially as
shewn and described by Figures 1, 2, and 5.
Second. Separating the explosive charge from the electric arrangement
by means of a tube as shewn and described with reference to Figure 5.
Third. The circuit closing arrangement for self-acting electric ramming
or projecting torpedos substantially as described with reference to Figures
3 and 4.
Fourth. The mode described of forming the temporary joints or con-
nections for insulated or other electric wires substantially as shown and
described with reference to Figures 6 and 7.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Ambrose McEvoy, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Third day of July, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.