Improvements in Apparatus for Ejecting or Launching Torpedoes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 5th May, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 5th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 10th Mar., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Ejecting or Launching Torpedoes.
I STÉPHAN DRZEWIECKI of 21 Boulevard Poissonnière Paris in the Republic
of France Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:-
The apparatus heretofore employed for the broadside ejecting or launching of
torpedoes is very defective. The arrangement usually employed in which rails or
guides are pushed out from the bottom or side of the torpedo vessel at right angles
to the latter to direct the torpedo presents serious disadvantages, the rails or guides
being rigidly connected to the vessel offer resistance to its progress and the said
guides being caused to move at the same rate as the vessel, the torpedo, on leaving
their extremities receives a lateral impetus or bias in the direction of motion of
the vessel which affects its course and renders it impossible to direct it with the
required precision. The gear is moreover of a complicated character and occupies
a large amount of space.
By means of my present invention these disadvantages are obviated. With
this object I employ for launching the torpedo a beam or guide hinged to a
sliding or movable frame placed in a chamber or recess in the side of the vessel.
This beam or guide being directed forwards in a position parallel with the keel of
the boat before the launching takes place is retained and released by any
suitable mechanism. When released the movement of the torpedo boat or vessel
and the resistance of the water cause the beam to rotate, or swing backwards and
outwards on a vertical pivot or axis the actual launching of the torpedo being
automatically regulated or timed in such a mauner as to cause it to leave the beam
when the latter has moved through a predetermined angle say 90 degrees for
example.
The aforesaid movable frame enables the beam when clear of the torpedo to be
transferred to a loading box or casing forming a continuation of the recess herein-
before referred to in order to receive a fresh torpedo. A sliding door or valve
separates this charging or loading box from the launching recess.
I will describe by way of example an apparatus for launching torpedoes
arranged in accordance with my invention without limiting myself as to the details
of construction.
This apparatus or launching gear is provided with a beam capable of swinging
on a vertical axis in a chamber formed in the side of the torpedo boat which
chamber can be closed by means of a door. The said beam is horizontal and
parallel with the axis of the torpedo and is provided with two pairs of jaws or
curved arms which embrace and hold the torpedo in position on the beam. The
latter is forked at the rear end and swings upon pins passed through eyes in the
extremities of the legs of the fork.
These two pins upon which the beam is capable of describing about half a revolu-
tion are attached to the extremity of a movable frame capable of being actuated
by a rack and pinion being guided by longitudinal rails. This frame is contained
in the chamber or recess in the side of the boat below the water line the entrance
being provided with a sliding door controlled by mechanism actuated from the
interior of the boat.
The forward end of the beam can be pushed out of the recess by means of a
lever one extremity of which is situated inside the boat the other extremity being
forked and engaging with a pin provided on the beam. When the forward
extremity of the beam is protruded the resistance of the water combined with the
motion of the boat causes it to swing outwards.

page_text: One end of a rope or steel hawser is attached to the beam the other end being
made fast in the interior of the recess. This hawser is placed in clips arranged at
the side of or above and below the beam and as the beam swings outwards it is
gradually pulled out of the clips but is retained at its two ends and arrests the
motion of the beam when the latter has swung outwards sufficiently. In the recess
the hawser is attached to a drum and by regulating the length of the hawser
by means of this drum the angle or direction of the beam when swung out
to the fullest extent can be regulated. When taut the hawser acts upon a
catch or latch which is attached to the beam and causes the curved arms herein-
before referred to, to open and release the torpedo which is then perfectly free in
the water with regard to which it has no relative initial velocity.
The said catch is in the form of a double hook hinged to the beam and acted on
by a spring or springs.
When pulled by the hawser the books act upon slides jointed to levers or arms
on rods or shafts arranged parallel with the beam and forming the axes of
oscillation of the aforesaid curved arms. Under the action of the said hooks
the curved arms are caused to open at the proper time and release the torpedo
and at the same time the propelling mechanism of the latter is released so that it
immediately commences to move in the line in which it is directed when disengaged
from the beam.
The boat continuing to advance the beam being supported by the taut
hawser now moves onwards with the boat without interfering with the motion
of the torpedo.
The beam is then drawn or swung back and returned to the recess by winding
the hawser on the drum of a windlass worked from inside the boat. This drum is
constructed to act on the hawser with a spring or yielding action being provided
for this purpose with a spring or a series of rubber balls in the interior of
the drum acting against radial arms or stops provided on the drum and on the shaft.
When the beam has been returned to the recess it may be charged with
another torpedo by opening a door or valve at the end of the recess com-
municating with a water tight chamber or charging box arranged in a line with
the recess in the interior of the boat and provided with a removeable cover firmly
secured with bolts and nuts.
The beam is transferred from the recess to the said chamber by means of toothed
pinions gearing with a rack on the lower part of the moveable frame hereinbefore
referred to which slides upon rails or guides arranged on the upper and lower sides
of the recess and of the chamber and engaging with projections formed upon the
said frame.
When the frame with the beam and windlass have been transferred to the
loading or charging chamber the valve or door is closed and the water is removed
from the chamber and the lid or cover taken off. The hawser is then unwound
from the drum and laid in the clips attached to the beam. The upper curved arms
for holding the torpedo are then raised by taking out the pins connecting them with
the releasing mechanism herein before referred to and a fresh torpedo can then be
placed between the said arms and the lower arms which are supported upon a guide
rail, after which the upper arms are lowered on to the torpedo so as to connect it to
the beam, the connecting pin is then replaced and a stirrup piece which releases
the hammer or motor of the torpedo when the latter is launched is fixed in position
after which the safety key holding the striker of the torpedo is attached to a chain
secured to the extremity of the frame.
The cover of the charging chamber is then tightly closed and the valve at the
end opened after which the frame with the beam and torpedo is moved back into
the recess in the side of the boat. The valve is then closed and the apparatus is
.ready for another launch.
The lower curved arın nearest to the head of the torpedo remains engaged with
.the guide rail on the bottom of the recess until the pin on the beam engages with.
the forked lever which serves to push the beam out of the recess. By these means

page_text: the beam is retained in the recess and cannot be moved outwards except by the
action of the lever being retained by the joint or hinge at the end and by the fork
on the lever.
All shafts or rods passing through the side of the boat work in glands or stuffing
boxes to prevent leakage. In order to eject or launch a torpedo at any angle
other than a right angle with the axis of the boat it is simply necessary to lengthen
or shorten the hawser by means of the windlass. To protect the beam from
excessive strain caused by the pressure of the water it may be provided with a
perforated semi-cylindrical hood or guard. At the moment when the torpedo
leaves the beam the latter is almost stationary owing to the resistance of the water
and the torpedo can consequently be directed with great precision. Owing to
the movement of the beam upon its hinge it exerts no pressure on the water and
after completing its movement it presents to the water a sharp angle formed by
wood slabs attached to each side of the iron bar or plate forming the core of the
beam.
Dated this 5th dow of Mo..1002
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Ejecting or Launching Torpedoes.
I, STÉPHAN DRZEWIECKI of 21 Boulevard Poissonnière Paris in the Republic
of France Engineer, 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 relates to improvements in apparatus for ejecting or launching
torpedoes from torpedo boats or vessels and consists in an improved arrangement
and construction of the launching gear whereby the course of the torpedo when
released from the vessel is enabled to be directed or regulated with great precision
and at any desired angle with the side of the vessel. The apparatus is morcover
so arranged as to offer little or no resistance to the progress of the vessel through
the water.
The apparatus heretofore employed for the broadside ejecting or launching of
torpedoes is very defective. The arrangement usually employed in which rails or
guides are pushed out from the bottom or side of the torpedo vessel at right angles
to the latter to direct the torpedo as it starts on its voyage presents serious
disadvantages, the rails or guides being rigidly connected to the vessel offer con-
siderable resistance to its progress through the water and the said guides being
caused to move at the same rate as the vessel, the torpedo, on leaving their
extremities receives a lateral impetus or bias in the direction of motion of the
vessel which affects its, course and renders it impossible to direct it with the
required precision. The gear is morcover of a complicated character and occupies
a large amount of space.
By means of my present invention these disadvantages are obviated. With this
object I employ for launching the torpedo a beam or guide hinged to a sliding or
moveable frame placed in a chamber or recess in the side of the vessel.
This beam or guide being normally secured in a position parallel with the keel
of the boat until the launching takes place is retained and released by any suitable
mechanism such for example as that hereinafter described. When released the
movement of the torpedo boat or vessel and the resistance of the water cause the
beam to rotate or swing backwards and outwards on a vertical pivot or hinge
the actual release or launching of the torpedo being automatically regulated or
tiined in such a manner as to cause it to be disengaged from the beam directly the
latter has moved through a predetermined angle say 90 degrees for example.

page_text: The aforesaid moveable frame enables the beam when clear of the torpedo and
returned to the recess to be transferred to a loading or charging box in the interior
of the vessel and forming a continuation of the recess in order to receive a fresh
torpedo. A sliding door or valve separates this loading or charging box from the
launching recess and another door or lid enables the torpedo to be introduced into
the charging box from the interior of the vessel.
And in order that my said invention may be fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to
the several figures on the annexed sheets of drawings the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents in elevation and partly in
longitudinal section a part of the side of a torpedo boat provided with torpedo
launching gear constructed according to this invention.
Figure 2 represents the said gear or apparatus partly in plan and partly in
horizontal section.
Figure 3 is a similar view to Figure 2 but shews the parts in a different position
the launching beam being represented as having been swung outwards so as to
stand at right angles to the side of the vessel.
Figure 4 represents in longitudinal vertical section the charging box or part of
the apparatus in which the torpedoes are attached to the launching beam.
Figure 5 drawn to a larger scale represents in transverse section taken on the
line 1-2 Figure 1 the part of the apparatus on which the launching beam is
hinged or pivotted.
Figures 5 and 5B represent in elevation and in plan respectively, partly in
section, details of the mechanism conuected with the pivot or hinge of the launching
beam represented in Figure 5.
Figure 6 represents in transverse vertical section taken on the line 3-4
Figure 1 the arrangement of the arms or claws by which the torpedo is attached
to the launching beam.
Figure 6 represents the said claws in end elevation.
Figure 7 represents in transverse vertical section taken on the line 5-6
Figure 1 the mechanism for effecting the longitudinal displacement of the frame
carrying the launching beam and Figure 7 represents a detail of this mechanism
hereinafter referred to.
Figure 8 represents in transverse section taken on the line 7-8 Figure 1 a
windlass and mechanism for controlling a hawser regulating the angle of the
launching beam.
Figures 8 and 88 illustrate in elevation and in horizontal section respectively
the said windlass which is situated upon the moveable frame at the opposite end to
that at which the pivot of the launching beam is placed.
Figure 9 illustrates in transverse vertical section taken on the line 9-10
Figure 1 the loading or charging box in which the torpedo is attached to
the beam.
Figure 9 represents the lid or cover of the said box in plan.
Figure 10 represents the charging box in transverse section the lid or cover
being open and the launching beam placed in position with its arms or claws open
for the reception of a torpedo.
Figures 11, 11 and 11 drawn to a still larger scale illustrate in elevation
(partly in longitudinal section) in transverse section and in plan respectively a
catch or hook employed for opening or releasing the arms or claws by which the
torpedo is secured to the beam.
The following description with reference to the annexed drawings of an
apparatus for launching torpedoes arranged in accordance with my invention is
given merely as an example showing how my invention may be carried out in
practice without limiting myself as to the details of construction.
As represented in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 the improved apparatus or launching
gear is provided with a launching beam C capable of swinging on a vertical axis

page_text: or hinge in a chamber a b c d formed in the side of the torpedo boat which
chamber can be closed as represented in Figure 7 by means of a door. The said
beam is placed in a horizontal position parallel with the axis of the torpedo
indicated at T (Figures 1 and 2) and is provided with two pairs of claws or curved
arms m m n n Figures 1 & 2, 6 and 7 which embrace and hold the torpedo T in
position at the side of the beam. The latter is forked at the rear end (Figures 5
and 5) and swings upon a hinge formed with two pins or pivots o passed through
eyes in the extremities of the legs of the fork. These two pins upon which the
beam is capable of describing about half a revolution are attached to the extremity
of a moveable frame M capable of being actuated by a rack and pinion p being
guided by longitudinal rails rr. This frame is contained in the chamber or
recess a b c d in the side of the boat below the water line the entrance being
provided with a sliding door z (Figure 7) controlled by mechanism connected with
the door at two points and actuated from the interior of the boat as indicated in
Figure 7.
The forward end of the beam can be pushed out of the recess by means of a
lever L working on an axis o' one extremity of which lever is situated inside the
boat the other extremity being forked as indicated in Figures 54 and 5 and
engaging with a pin i provided on the beam C. When the forward extremity of
the beam is slightly protruded by the action of this lever the resistance of the
water combined with the motion of the boat causes it to swing outwards and
backwards as represented in Figure 3.
One end of a rope or steel hawser v is attached to the beam C the other end
being made fast in the interior of the recess abcd. This hawser is placed in
clips e Figures 3 and 7 arranged at the side of or above and below the beam and as
the beam swings outwards it is gradually pulled out of the clips after which, being
made fast at its two ends, it arrests the motion of the beam when the latter has
swung outwards sufficiently as indicated in Figure 3. In the recess a bed the
hawser is attached to a drum t and by regulating the length of the hawser by
means of this drum the angle or direction of the beam when swung out can be
accurately adjusted or regulated. When taut the hawser acts upon a catch or hook/
(Figures 3 and 11") which is attached to the beam and causes the curved arms or
claws m m and n n' herein before referred to, to open and release the torpedo
(T Figure 3) which is then perfectly free in the water with regard to which it has
no relative initial velocity having received practically no impetus from the move-
ment of the vessel.
The said catch is in the form of a double hook or lever arm f hinged to the
beam C Figures 11, 114, and 11B, and acted on by a spring or springs which
tend to retain it in the position represented by Figure 11.
When pulled by the hawser Figure 3 the hooked lever arms fact upon slides f
jointed to levers or arms ² on rods or shafts gg' arranged parallel with the beam
and forming the axes of oscillation of the aforesaid curved arms or claws. Under
the action of the said lever arms the claws m m¹ and nn¹ are caused to open at the
proper tine (see dotted lines Figure 11) and release the torpedo and at the same
time the propelling mechanism of the latter is released so that it immediately
coinmences to move in the line in which it is directed when disengaged from the
beam. The boat continuing to advance the beam C being supported by the taut
hawser Figure 3 now moves onwards with the boat without interfering with the
motion of the torpedo T (Figure 3).
The beam is then drawn or swung back and returned to the recess a bed by
winding the hawser on the drum t of the windlass (Figures 3, 8, 8^, and 8)
worked from inside the boat by means of a crank and suitable interposed
gearing (Figure 8). This drum is constructed to act on the hawser with a springy
or yielding action being provided for this purpose with a spring or a series of
rubber balls & Figures 8 and 8B, in the interior of the drum acting against rad'al
arms or stops provided on the drum and on the shaft.
When the beam has been returned to the recess it may be charged with another

page_text: torpedo by opening a door or valve V (Figures 1 and 2) at the end of the recess
communicating with a watertight chamber of charging box a'b' c¹ d'arranged in a
line with the recess abed and provided with a removeable cover u Figures 1, 2, 4
and 9 firmly secured by transverse bars and with bolts and nuts.
The launching beam C together with the frame M on which the said beam is
hinged are transferred from the recess abcd to the charging box ab¹c'd' by
means of a toothed pinion p Figures 7 and 7 gearing with a rack on the
lower part of the moveable frame M which is guided by the rails or guides rol
arranged on the upper and lower sides of the recess and of the charging box and
engaging with projections formed upon the said frame.
When the frame M with the beam C and windlass t have been transferred to the
loading or charging box a'b'c' d' Figure 4 the valve or door V is closed and after
the water has been pumped out or removed from the charging box the watertight
lid or cover u is opened as represented in Figure 10 thus enabling the men in the
torpedo boat to obtain access to the launching beam and gear in the said box. The
hawser is then unwound from the drum t and laid in the clips e attached to
the beam C. The upper claws m and n for holding the torpedo are then raised by
taking out the pins / Figures 11, 11 and 11" connecting the slides f¹ with the
levers fixed upon the shafts gg of the claws m and n.
A fresh torpedo T Figure 10 can then be placed between the said claws mn
and the lower claws m'n which latter are supported upon a guide rail 8, after
which the upper claws are lowered on to the torpedo so as to connect it
to the beam, the connecting pins are then replaced and a stirrup piece & (Fig. 3),
which releases the hammer or motor of the torpedo when the latter is launched, is
adjusted in the proper position after which the safety key holding the striker of
the torpedo is attached to a chain secured to the extremity of the frame.
The cover u of the charging chamber is then tightly closed and the valve V at
the end opened after which the frame M with the beam C and torpedo T are
moved back into the recess a bed Figure 2. The valve V is then again closed
and the apparatus is ready for another launch.
The lower curved arm or claw ¹ nearest to the head of the torpedo remains
engaged with the guide rails Figures 2, 3 and 4 on the bottom of the recess until
the pin on the beam engages with the forked lever L which serves to push the
beam out of the recess. By these means the beam is retained in the recess and
cannot be moved outwards except by the action of the lever L being retained by
the joint or hinge o' at the end and by the fork on the lever L.
All shafts or rods passing through the side of the boat work in glands or
stuffing boxes to prevent leakage. In order to eject or launch a torpedo at any
angle other than a right angle with the axis of the boat it is simply necessary to
lengthen or shorten the hawser by means of the windlass t. The length of the
hawser when taut determines the position or angle of the beam C at which the
mechanism for opening the clays and releasing the torpedo comes into action.
To protect the torpedo from excessive strain caused by the pressure of the water
the beam may be provided at the end on which it oscillates with a suitably
perforated semi cylindrical hood or guard, which receives the pressure of the water
and protects the tail of the torpedo from the effect of the said pressure. At the
moment when the torpedo leaves the beam the latter is almost stationary owing to
the resistance of the water and the torpedo can consequently be directed with great
precision. Owing to the movement of the beam upon its hinge it exerts practically
no pressure on the water and after completing its movement upon its hinge or pivot
it presents to the water a sharp angle formed by wood slabs attached to each side
of the iron bar or plate forming the core of the beam.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of
my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In apparatus for ejecting or launching torpedoes a launching beam swinging

page_text: outwards and backwards upon a pivot or hinge and carrying the torpedo which is
released or separated from the said beam directly the latter has moved through a
predetermined angle capable of being adjusted according to the direction to be
given to the torpedo substantially as hereinbefore described.
16
2. In apparatus for launching torpedoes provided with a launching beam as
herein before described and claimed the combination, in the side of the torpedo
boat, of a launching recess a b c d open to the exterior and capable of being closed.
by a door with a charging box a¹¹¹d closed by a watertight lid or cover
opening in the interior of the vessel the said launching recess and the said charging
box being separated by a valve V for establishing or interrupting the communi-
cation between the said recess and box substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
3. The combination of the pivotted or hinged launching beam C with a movable
frame M placed upon rails for the purpose of transferring the said launching beam
from the launching recess to the charging box or chamber and vice versa
substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
4. In combination with the launching beam C a launching lever L for bringing
into action the said beam which under the influence of the resistance presented by
the water owing to a forward movement of the vessel automatically completes the
required movement upon its hinge substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
5. The arrangement of the launching beam C provided with movable arms or
claws mm and nn embracing the torpedo T being released and opened
automatically and simultaneously with the motor mechanism of the torpedo by the
action of a hawser which limits the amplitude of the movement of the beam, the
length of the said hawser being capable of adjustment substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
6. In combination with the launching beam C the arrangement of the hawser v
placed in clips e and having one extremity attached to a windlass drum t by means
of which the amplitude of the movement of the beam is regulated and upon which
the hawser is wound after launching the torpedo in order to cause the beam C to
return to the recess substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
7. In combination with the launching beam C a windlass for winding-up the
bawser vand provided with springs or buffers for deadening the shock substantially
as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
8. In combination with the launching beam C the special arrangement of the
claws mm' and nn' the lower claws m¹¹ being guided by rails in the charging
chamber whilst the upper claws mn are capable of being raised to admit of the
introduction of the torpedo substantially as hereinbefore described with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
Dated thin ich d
1004