Year: 1898

page_text: We, WALTER JAMIESON, Consulting Electrical Engineer, Orangefield, Greenock,
Scotland, and JOHN TROTTER, Optician, 28, Gordon Street, Glasgow, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows;—
Our invention consists of a method or methods of applying to the steering of
torpedoes such electric waves of high frequency as are commonly termed "Hertz."
waves.
The word torpedo shall hereinafter signify any apparatus (self or otherwise
propelled) floating submerged or aerial, launched or directed against an object
and containing an explosive charge for destructive purposes, and of such a nature
that steering apparatus may be applied to it.
To carry out our invention various apparatus or combinations of apparatus may
be employed. The following describes one method by which our invention may
be duly carried out..
6i
23
There is placed in one of the chambers of the torpedo, an apparatus sensitive to,
or affected by, Hertz waves. Such apparatus may take the form of a
al relay
coherer," or other suitable form, so arranged as to be able to operate
when affected by the said "Hertz'
66
waves.
In circuit with the secondary ter-
minals of the relay, and arranged in "series," are,
1. A suitable battery of cells.
2. A commutating switch, hereinafter termed the selector.
3. An electro-magnetic apparatus, hereinafter described.
4. An electro-magnetic coupling.
The "selector" switch may take any suitable form;-such as a number of
metallic studs arranged in a circle, with revolving contact piece operated by an
electro-magnet, and so arranged, that the contact piece is shifted round one stud
further by the electro-magnet immediately on the cessation of the current in the
circuit; these studs being so arranged that at each shift round the direction of
the current through the electro-magnetic apparatus, and electro-magnetic coupling,
is reversed--or other form which may be deemed more suitable.
The electro-magnetic apparatus may be of any desired form which may be found
suitable, but preferably an electrc-motor coupled by means of the electro-magnetic
coupling mentioned above to the steering shaft. Alternately the electro-magnetic
apparatus could be of suitable gearing capable of being driven by the main pro-
peller shaft of the torpedo;-should it have such; the duration, extent, and
direction of such resultant motion being determined electrically.
The electro-magnetic coupling is operated in such a manner as to couple the
steering shaft to the rotating device or devices above mentioned only when the
electric current is passing through the coils which operate it.
To illustrate the operation of one of the methods described; when a torpedo
requires to be steered, electric waves of high frequency are generated by suitable
apparatus in the vicinity. These waves on reaching the torpedo affect the

page_text: ..
apparatus sensitive to them in such a manner as to close the secondary circuit of
the relay. This allows a current to flow through the selector," electro-motor,
and electro-magnetic coupling. The motor' thus revolves, drives the steering shaft,
and hence the rudder. On the cessation of the electric waves, the apparatus
sensitive to them loses its power of affecting the relay, (either of its own acord,
mechanically or electrically), the motor stops, the
selector" reverses the direc-
tion of the current, and the electro-magnetic coupling releases the steering shaft,
which, through water or air pressure on the rudder, or otherwise, flies back to
its position of rest or
65 zero. The torpedo is now ready to be steered in an
opposite direction; or in the same direction as before, if two wave impulses be
sent, in quick succession, the first to operate the "selector."
Dated this Second day of February 1898.
WALTER JAMIESON,
JNO. TROTTER.
Steering Torpedoes Electrically.
We, WALTER JAMIESON, of Orangefield, Greenock, in the County of Renfrew,
North Britain, Science Teacher and Electrical Engineer, and JOHN TROTTER, of
28, Gordon Street, in the County of the City of Glasgow, North Britain, Philo-
sophical Instrument Maker and Optician, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement; —-
This invention consists of a method or methods of applying to the steering and
controlling of torpedoes, electric waves or oscillations of high frequency. The
word "torpedo" shall hereinafter signify any apparatus (self or otherwise pro-
pelled) floating submerged or aerial launched or directed against an object and
containing any explosive 'charge for destructive purposes and of such a nature that
the steering apparatus may be applied to it. To duly carry out and achieve the
purpose of our invention, there is placed in one of the chambers of the torpedo an
apparatus sensitive to or affected by the said waves or oscillations. While many
forms of such may be used it has been found most convenient to use that form
known as a "coherer" or radio conductor" and consisting of a tube with two
metallic poles placed a short distance apart, the interspace being partially filled
with metallic filings of suitable metals or alloys. To one side of the coherer is
connected an insulated wire which projects outside the shell of the torpedo while
an earth connection is made to the other.
The coherer is placed in circuit with a sensitive relay and a voltaic cell. When
the coherer is affected by the electric waves its resistance greatly diminishes and
allows the cell to send a current through it to the relay which thus closes its
secondary circuit. As the resistance of the coherer is restored by vibration it
has been found most convenient to place the coherer near the propelling apparatus
of the torpedo in such a position that the vibration is not too great but sufficient
for the purpose required, as afterwards shown. In circuit with the secondary
terminals of the relay and arranged in series are:
(1) A suitable battery of cells.
(2) A switch of special design, hereinafter termed the "selector."
(3) An electro-magnetic apparatus hereinafter described.
A T

page_text: The "selector" switch may take any suitable form, such as a number of metallic
studs arranged in a circle, with revolving contact piece operated by an electro-
magnet, and so arranged that the contact piece is shifted round one stud further
by the electro-magnet immediately on the cessation of the current in the circuit,
these studs being so arranged that at each shift round the direction of the current
through the electro-magnetic apparatus and electro-magnetic coupling is reversed,.
or other form which may be deemed more suitable.
It has been found most convenient to use for the "selector" switch a metallic
tube split longitudinally, (the two sections being insulated) mounted on a spindle
and capable of rotating on bearings. On one end of the tube is fixed a disc with
four teeth cut therein in sets of two each at opposite diameters of the disc, one
tooth in the set of two being a little ahead of the other and extending only half
across the breadth of the rim of the disc.
The electro-magnetic apparatus may be of any desired form which may be
found suitable, but preferably an electro-motor coupled by means of the electro-
magnetic coupling mentioned above, to the steering shaft. Alternately, the
electro-magnetic apparatus could be of suitable gearing capable of being driven
by the main propeller shaft of the torpedo, should it have such; the duration;
extent, and direction of such resultant motion being determined electrically.
The electro-magnetic coupling is operated in such a manner as to couple the
steering shaft to the rotating device or devices above mentioned, only when the
electric current is passing through the coils which operate it.
To illustrate the operation of one method described: when a torpedo requires
to be steered electric waves of high frequency are generated by suitable apparatus
in the vicinity. These waves on reaching the torpedo affect the apparatus sensi-
tive to them in such a manner as to close the secondary circuit of the relay. This
allows a current to flow through the selector, electro-motor, and electro-magnetic
coupling. The motor thus revolves, drives the steering shaft, and hence the
rudder. On the cessation of the electric waves the apparatus sensitive to them
loses its power of affecting the relay (either of its own accord, mechanically, or
electrically), the motor stops, the selector reverses the direction of the current;
and the electro-magnetic coupling releases the steering shaft which, through water
zero. The
or air pressure on the rudder, flies back to its position of rest or
torpedo is now ready to be steered in the opposite direction, or in. the same direc-
tion as before if two wave impulses be sent in quick succession, the first to operate
the selector."
""
In order that our invention may be properly understood and readily carried into
effect, we have hereunto appended two sheets of drawings, of which,
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of the apparatus in the chamber of the
torpedo.
Figure 2 represents the apparatus for generating the waves.
Figure 3 is an end view of the selector switch.
Figure 4 is a modification of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.
Referring to Figure 1, A is the coherer connected at one terminal to an insulated
conductor a projecting outside the torpedo for receiving the electric vibrations
and having the other terminal connected to earth. B is a battery in series with
the coherer and with the relay C. The armature of the relay is in series with a
battery I electro-magnet E, two solenoids F and F and the selector switch G.
The selector switch may be constructed in various ways. As shown in Figure 1 it
consists of a tube in two parts g, g₁ which are insulated from one another and
capable of rotation on bearings. At one end of the tube there is a disc g³ having
four teeth, two at each end of a diameter. The pair at each end of the diameter are
placed one a little behind the other as shown in Figure 3. The tube is rotated by
means of a spring. On either side of the tube there are brushes g³, g, connected
respectively to the solenoids F and F as shown. The armature of the electro-
magnet E has a catch e which gears with the teeth on the disc g² of the selector
switch. The armature is kept back from the poles of electro-magnet E by a

page_text: spring and in this position the catch e engages with one tooth of the disc and
prevents the tube turning. When the current passes through the electro-
magnet the armature is attracted and the disc will rotate a little till the catch
engages in the second tooth at that part of the circumference. When the current
ceases the armature will spring back behind the first tooth and allow the disc to
rotate nearly half a revolution when one of the other pair of teeth will engage
with the catch and the position of the sections of the tube will be reversed with
regard to the brushes. The method of acting on the steering apparatus shown in
Figure 1 is by means of the two solenoids F and F¹. From each of the brushes
pressing on the tube of the selector switch a wire is taken to one or other of the two
solenoids and there is a common return wire to the electro-magnet E and battery 1).
The solenoids have each an iron core f and f¹ fixed to the rudder head direct or
to rods connected to the rudder. When an electric current traverses the coil of
the solenoid the core will be sucked in to the right or left according as the current
traverses the right or left coil.
A
The apparatus for generating the electric waves may take many forms.
convenient form is shown in Figure 2 consisting of three metallic balls H highly
polished, two small and one large, thoroughly insulated and having a small space
between each as a spark gap. To one of these small balls is connected a wire h
projecting a short distance above it, while an earth connection is made to the
other small ball as shown. The two small spheres are also connected to the
terminals of a powerful induction coil I capable of giving large sparks. By
means of a switch i an electric current may be supplied to the induction coil by
a suitable battery of cells when the high tension current thus generated will
spark across the air gaps between the spheres and generate the waves or oscillations.
These will travel in all directions from the point of generation.
"
Having now described the apparatus in detail let us describe the actual processes
involved in steering and controlling a torpedo. Let a torpedo containing suitable
combination of the apparatus mentioned be launched, say from a vessel containing
the necessary sending apparatus as described. Suppose the torpedo goes off its
course. Then by means of the switch mentioned above the induction coil is sup-
plied with electric current and waves or oscillations are generated as already shown.
These on reaching the torpedo pass into the projecting wire and thence reach the
"coherer." As heretofore mentioned this operates the relay closing its secondary
circuit. An electric current now flows through the
selector to one of the
solenoids For F¹, the iron core is sucked in to right or left and the helm is thus
turned. When the torpedo has attained a proper course, the switch is opened
and the waves cease. The vibration in the neighbourhood of the coherer restores
it to the original resistance, the current passing through it becomes weaker and
ceases to affect the relay, which therefore opens the secondary circuit and allows
the helm to fly back to midship position while the "selector is turned one half
revolution. The torpedo is now ready to be steered in the opposite direction to its
former one or it may be steered in the same direction provided two waves be sent
from the transmitting apparatus in quick succession. The first will operate the
selector but should be so short in duration as not to act on the solenoids; the
second wave may then be continued the necessary time.
Instead of the solenoids, F, F¹ for working the steering apparatus as shown in
Figure 1, we may employ other means, as for instance, a motor. This is shown
in Figure 4. The coherer, relay circuit, selector switch, battery and electro-
magnet are arranged as already described but the wires from the brushes are taken
to the terminals j, j of the field coils of an electric motor J and the armature
terminals, are connected respectively to the electro-magnet E and to one
section g of the selector tube. The spindle of the motor is connected through an
electric coupling K to the rudder. The electric coupling is provided to allow the
rudder to fly back to midship position as soon as the current ceases. To accomplish
this the steering shaft is in two pieces as shown in Figure 5 with flanges similar to
ordinary shafting couplings. The two sections of the shaft are allowed - some

page_text: slight end play. Round these flanges at a distance only sufficient to allow of
free rotation is placed a coil of wire of suitable gauge and in series with the motor.
When the electric current passes through it will couple the flanges together, but
on the cessation of the current the shafts will be uncoupled and pressure on the
rudder will cause it to fly to the midship position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
-
1. The application of electric waves or oscillations of high frequency for actuat-
ing apparatus for steering torpedoes, substantially as described.
2. The combination of a coherer with a relay circuit and a secondary circuit
containing a selector switch, battery, and electro-magnet forming an apparatus
capable of being acted on by electric waves of high frequency substantially as
described.
Dated this 6th day of December 1898
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow,
Applicants' Patent Agents.