Improvements in Torpedoes Propelled and Steered by Electricity.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 21st Mar., 1891-Accepted, 25th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Torpedoes Propelled and Steered by Electricity.
I, BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of 23, Southampton Buildings, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention,
a communication to me by Winfield Scott Sims, residing at Newark, County of
Essex and State of New Jersey, in the United States of America, Inventor, to be
as follows:-
The object of the present invention is to produce a torpedo of the general
character described in the Specification of Patent No. 2614, May 25th 1883, which
shall be capable of more complete control and which shall be safer in certain
important respects than the torpedo described in said Specification.
The torpedo is composed of a metallic shell preferably circular in cross section,
and approximately cigar shape, supported below a float. The torpedo is propelled
by an electric motor by means of a dynamo or other generator located on the shore
or in any suitable support external to the torpedo.
A long cable containing two conductors insulated from each other, is coiled in a
section of the torpedo and is paid out as the torpedo advances. One of the
conductors of said cable is connected to the generator at one end, and on the boat
the opposite end of said conductor passes through a magnet of a relay controlling
the firing circuit, through the contacts of a polarized relay, through the steering
magnets, through the propelling motor to the shell of the torpedo. In this conductor
adjacent to the generator a switch by means of which the main current may be
reversed to operate the firing relay. The second conductor of the cable is con-
nected at the generating station with a battery and a reversing switch, and on the
torpedo to the magnet of the second or polarized relay referred to, and to the shell
of the torpedo. The two steering magnets are provided with armatures connected
by suitable rods or devices to a cross arm connected with the rudder post, whereby
when one magnet is energized the rudder is turned in one direction and when the
other magnet is energized the rudder is turned in the opposite direction.
So far as described, the apparatus is substantially as set forth in the Patent
above referred to. When this apparatus is used for a considerable period of time,
the contacts of the steering relay sometimes become roughened or fused; whereby
they stick together owing to the very heavy currents employed for propelling the
torpedo at a high speed, thus rendering it difficult or impossible to control the
steering relay for the purpose of directing current to one steering magnet or
the other.
According to the present improvement the contacts of this relay are shunted by
a resistance preferably about equal to the resistance of one steering magnet. In
the circuit of said resistance is a circuit controller and means are provided for
operating this circuit controller to throw the resistance out of circuit just after the
contacts of the relay have been moved apart. The resistance shunt thoroughly
protects the contacts from injury.
The shunt resistance referred to is not only in a shunt around the contacts of the
relay, but is also in a shunt around its steering magnet, and the circuit controller is
preferably operated by the steering magnet when partially energized by means of
an armature requiring less power to move it than the steering armature. A second
shunt or short circuit around the steering magnet is controlled by the armature of
the steering relay.
With this arrangement the operation will be as follows:
When the torpedo is in motion and it is desired to energize one of the steering
magnets, for example, the starboard magnet, the battery current is sent to line in

page_text: the proper direction to move the polarized relay armature to open the second shunt
above described. This leaves two paths for the current, one through the starboard
steering magnet, and one through the resistance shunting the relay contacts and the
steering magnet. The steering magnet is not energized sufficiently to attract the
armature connected to the rudder, but is sufficiently energized to attract the second
armature which operates the circuit controller in the resistance shunt, thus throwing
all the current through the starboard steering magnet and operating the rudder.
It will be understood that the contacts and shunts around the steering magnet on
the port side are the same as on the starboard.
In torpedoes of this class as heretofore constructed, there has been danger of
premature explosion owing to accidental reversals of the current, thereby doing
injury to the persons operating it.
In the present arrangement the firing circuit is preferably controlled by a relay
directly into the motor circuit, as heretofore, but a second circuit controller is
placed in the firing circuit, which circuit controller holds the circuit open or
inoperative until the propeller has made a number of revolutions, for example,
three hundred, or for a predetermined time, so that the torpedo shall have proceeded
to a safe distance from the operators before the circuit is closed.
It will be seen that by the arrangement set forth, all danger of losing control of
the steering apparatus by reason of fusion on the contacts of the steering relay,
and all danger of premature explosion of the torpedo is absolutely avoided, and the
normal resistance of the motor circuit is reduced.
Dated January 9th 1891.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Torpedoes Propelled and Steered by Electricity.
I, BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of 23, Southampton Buildings, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion, a communication to me from Winfield Scott Sims, residing at Newark, County
of Essex and State of New Jersey, in the United States of America, Inventor,
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 that class of torpedoes which are submerged or partially
submerged in the water, and which are propelled by an electric motor on the torpedo
by means of a cable leading from said motor to a generator on the shore or on any
suitable support external to the torpedo. The present invention is an improvement
on a torpedo heretofore described and used by the communicator, and the invention
consists in improved devices for controlling the torpedo motor and steering magnet
circuits, in means for controlling the firing or exploding circuit, and in certain
combinations and devices hereinafter described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawing, which illustrates the improvements,
Figure 1 is a view of the torpedo, the shell being in section.
Figure 2 is a diagram showing the circuits and general arrangement of devices
on the torpedo, the conductors extending from the torpedo to the shore, and the
generators and switches at the generator station.
Figure 3 is a plan view of the relay which is employed for controlling the circuits
to the steering magnets.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the steering magnets and a circuit
controller operated thereby.
Figure 5 shows a portion of a circuit controller.
1 is a float, in the shape of a boat, below which the torpedo 2 is supported by the
braces 3. This torpedo is made of a metal shell, preferably of copper, and nearly

page_text: cylindrical in cross section, being made up in sections of convenient length secured
together by suitable means. The forward brace 4 is preferably made with a knife
edge in order that it may cut ropes or other small obstructions against which it may
strike. The float carries two or any suitable number of signal balls, discs, or other
devices 5, supported
on pivotted rods 6. These serve to indicate the position of
the torpedo when the rest is entirely submerged. Should the torpedo strike a log
or other large obstruction when under way, the inclined edge of the brace 4 would
cause it to sink still further into the water, and the torpedo would pass under the
obstruction, the arms 6, being turned on their pivots, moving the signal balls or
discs so that they rest in the sockets 7 provided for them in the top of the float. 8 is
the electric motor for driving the propeller 9 by means of the shaft 10. The
armature shaft is extended and carries a worm gear 11, which engages with a
corresponding gear 12. This latter gear is provided with a projecting pin 13.
The wheel 12 is supported on a stud or shaft 12' (Figure 5) and can turn thereon.
1211 is a spring which presses a washer against the wheel. The position of arm 13
can be changed before the torpedo is launched by raising the wheel 12 against the
force of the spring, turning the wheel on the stud, and then moving it back into
engagement with gear 11. Adjacent to said wheel is a circuit controller consisting
of a stationary terminal 14 and a movable terminal 15. The terminal 14 is-con-
nected to a normally open contact 16 on the firing relay 17. The magnet 18 of
this relay is connected directly in the motor circuit, and the armature 19 is connected
to the fuse for exploding the charge of the torpedo. 20 is the cable connecting the
motor and the generator. This is coiled in one section of the torpedo and uncoiled
as the torpedo moves away from the shore. This cable carries two conductors (as
indicated at 21, 22, in the diagram). One conductor is comparatively small and
consists of several fine wires twisted together and surrounded by insulating material.
The other conductor, which is of greater capacity, consists of a larger number of
fine wires wound in long spirals around said insulated conductor, and are in turn
covered with insulating material. 23 is the chamber in which the explosive is
placed, and 24 is an electrically operated exploding device therefor of any suitable
construction.
Behind the motor are steering magnets 25, only one pair of magnets being shown
in Figure 1, but it will appear from Figure 2 that there are two magnets. These
magnets are rigidly supported, one on one side and one on the other side of the
shaft 10. In front of each magnet is a sliding armature 26, connected, by means of
a rod 27, to one end of a cross rod 28, which is rigidly connected to a post 29
carrying the rudder 30. 31 is a tube through which the cable passes as it is
uncoiled during progress of the torpedo.
Referring to Figure 3, 32 is a suitable base on which the electro-magnets 181,
the permanent magnet 33, its polarized armatures 34, 35, and the bar 36, are
mounted. The polarized armatures 34, 35, have extensions 37, 38, which are
preferably of brass, and retracting springs 39 normally hold said extensions against
the insulated binding posts 40, 41. 42 is an insulated binding post connected with
post 40, and 43 is a similar post connected with 41. 44, 45, are binding posts
carried by the arm 36, and 46, 47, and 48, are insulated binding posts on
the base.
Referring now to Figure 4, it will be seen that the steering magnet 25, in
addition to the armature 26 connected to the rudder, has a second armature 49.
This is smaller and more easily moved than the steering armature. It is carried
on a rod 50 pivotted with 51. At its outer end it carries an insulated sleeve 52, to
which is connected a binding post 53. 54 is a second binding post connected with
spring 55, which is adapted to bear on said sleeve, whereby posts 53 and 54 will be
connected, but when said sleeve is moved to the left, the circuit will be broken.
56 is a resistance coil, one end of which is connected to the post 42 and one end of
which is connected to the post 54. This resistance is usually made about equal to
that of one of the steering magnets.
In Figure 2, 57 is the dynamo supplying current to propel and steer the torpedo,

page_text: and is provided with a current reversing switch 58. 59 is a battery for controlling
the relay magnets 181, and is provided with a reversing switch 60.
The operation and the several circuit connections will now be described with
special reference to Figure 2.
When it is desired to propel the torpedo, the switch 58 is closed in such direction
that the current proceeding over conductor 22 will hold the armature 19 against its
back stop (that is, in the position occupied by the armature in the drawing,); the
current proceeds to post 42, where it finds two paths, one to post 40, arm 37,
wire 37', or, in the apparatus actually used, through the base to arm 38, post 41,
motor 8, and to earth. This branch divides near the post 40, one branch being as
above indicated and the other extending to the steering magnet 25 and to wire 371.
It will be seen that the steering magnets are thus short circuited. The second
branch is from post 42, through resistance 56, post 54, to wire 37'. It will be seen
that this resistance is in a shunt around the contact between the arm 37 and post 40.
Said resistance is for the purpose of protecting the contact at said point from the
destructive effects of heavy currents such as used for propelling torpedoes.
In torpedoes heretofore made, it has been found that the steering apparatus
becomes somewhat unreliable after the torpedo has been in operation for a short
time, owing to the fact that the contacts of the controlling relay, become roughened
by arcing or fusion and stick together, so that it is impossible to properly direct the
current to steer the torpedo.
When it is desired to energize the starboard steering magnet 25, the switch 60 is
turned on to the contacts in the proper position to energize magnet 18¹ to move the
pole S toward the right, thereby breaking the contact between 37, 40. This opens
the short circuit around the starboard steering magnet, but since the current from
the dynamo still has two paths, the said steering magnet is not energized sufficiently
to operate the rudder. It is however sufficiently energized to attract its armature 49,
thereby tilting the lever 50 and breaking contact between it and the post 54, thus
throwing the entire current through the starboard steering magnet, but since the
circuit through 37, 40, was broken first, the contacts were protected from injury.
If it were desired to energize the port steering magnet, the switch 60 would be
moved in the opposite direction, whereby the pole N of magnet 18' would be
moved to the right and the short circuit around the port steering magnet would
be opened.
Heretofore there has been danger of premature explosions of the torpedo, owing
to accidental closures of the circuit leading to the fuse. In order to prevent such
explosion before the torpedo has proceeded to a safe distance from operators on
shore, I provide the circuit controller 14, 15. The gear between the motor shaft
and the wheel 12 is so proportioned that the motor shaft makes a large number of
revolutions, for example, 300, before the wheel 12 moves far enough to bring
arm 13 against the moveable part 15 of the circuit controller, throwing the same
on to contact 14. If it should be desired to close the circuit before the motor had
made three hundred revolutions, the wheel 12 could be turned so as to bring the
After the
pin 13 to the position indicated by 131 before the torpedo was started.
circuit is closed between 14, 15, the charge of the torpedo can be exploded by
This throws the
reversing the current of the dynamo by means of switch 38.
armature 19 against contact 16, closing the branch circuit from the conductor 22
to 15, 14, 16, 19, to the fuse and to earth.
By the arrangement of circuits and devices above described all danger of losing
control of the steering apparatus by reason of fusion between the contacts 37, 40
and all danger of premature explosion is avoided and the normal resistance of the
motor circuit is reduced.
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. The combination with a torpedo, of steering magnets, a relay for directing

page_text: current through one steering magnet or the other, a shunt including resistance
around the relay contacts, and means for opening either shunt at will and after the
relay contacts are separated, substantially as described.
2. The combination with a torpedo, of steering magnets a relay for directing
current through one or the other of said magnets, shunts including resistance
around the relay contacts, and circuit controllers moved by the steering magnets for
opening said shunts, substantially as described.
3. The combination with a torpedo, an electric motor for propelling it, steering
magnets in the motor circuit, and short circuits around said steering magnets, of a
steering relay for controlling the short circuits and shunts including resistances
around the relay contacts, said shunts containing circuit openers operated after
separation of the relay contacts, substantially as described.
4. The combination with a torpedo, of an electrical exploding device in a
normally inoperative circuit, and a circuit closer in said circuit, and operated by
predetermined movement of the torpedo, substantially as described.
5. The combination with a torpedo, of an electrical exploding device, a relay for
connecting the current supply to a circuit extending to said exploding device, and a
normally open circuit controller closed after the torpedo has moved a predetermined
distance, substantially as described.
B. J. B. MILLS.
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.