Improvements in Gyroscopic Steering Mechanism for Torpedoes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 17th May, 1897
Complete Specification Leít, 17th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 17th May, 1898
Improvements in Gyroscopic Steering Mechanism for Torpedoes.
I, ALBERT EDUARD JONES, Manager of Works, of Fiume, in the Austro-Hungarian
Einpire, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved construction of gyroscopic steering
mechanism, more particularly adapted for automobile torpedoes, as described in the
Specification of English Patent No. 22296 of 1894 (Obry).
The invention comprises:
:-
1. A device for automatically rectifying the gimbal rings of the gyroscope, so as
to facilitate the locking of the system during the process of winding up and of
spinning the wheel.
2. Mechanism for locking the system and for releasing it, when the wheel has
been spun up.
3. Mechanism for spinning the wheel.
4. Mechanism for starting the spinning gear at the moment when the torpedo is
discharged.
5. A device for absorbing the momentum of the spinning mechanism, when near
the end of its stroke.
6. A steering engine adapted to be operated by the movement of the gyroscope
system relatively to the body of the torpedo.
7. The general arrangement of the complete mechanism, constructed in such a
manner, that it may be conveniently put into, or taken out of the torpedo through
a suitable port, and that the starting and steering mechanism are automatically
engaged and the air connection made by the act of putting the apparatus into the
torpedo.
1. The device for rectifying the gimbal-rings consists essentially of a lever with
two prongs; when the gyroscope is in action, the prongs only limit the swing of the
larger gimbal ring, when the same has made a swing of approximately 50° to one or
the other side of its normal position.
To rectify the gimbal rings, the lever makes a partial rotation, straddling the
larger ring and resting on two points equidistant from the centre of suspension of the
smaller ring, holding the system in such a position, that
2. By the act of rotating the segment in winding up the spinning mechanism, the
locking pin of the locking lever enters the hole of the fly-wheel suspension screw.
The gyroscope system is set free by the reverse movement of the segment in
spinning the wheel; when near the end of the stroke of the segment, a lug trips the
toe of the locking lever, forcing the locking pin out of engagement with the hole
in the suspension screw.
3. The mechanism for spinning up the gyroscope wheel consists of a spring-impelled
tooth segment engaging in the pinion of the fly-wheel axle.
In winding up, the segment is rotated against the power of the spring engaging
the pinion of the gyroscope wheel during said rotation until caught by the trigger
engaging with a lug projecting from the spindle of the segment.

page_text: 4. The mechanism for starting the spinning gear at the moment when the torpedo
is discharged, consists essentially of a push-rod operated by the air-admission lever of
the torpedo and communicating its motion through a suitable rock shaft to the
extremity of the lever forming part of the trigger.
5. The momentum of the segment is absorbed, when the segment is nearly at the
end of its stroke, by a stop-lever operating an air buffer piston sliding in a
cylinder.
6. The improvements in the steering engine relate to the distributing valve and
valve chest.
The passages in said valve and valve chest are all double, and symmetrically
disposed at the ends of a diameter ensuring perfect balance under heaviest air
pressure; the valve chest consists of a spring-seated cone carrying double cylinder
ports and double admission port.
A partial rotation of the said valve chest affords a ready means of adjusting the
position of the valve relatively to the position of the cylinder ports.
That is to say, it is easy to adjust the position of the valve chest, so that equal
movements of the larger gimbal ring to one or the other side of its normal position
shall give equal admission of air to one or the other side of the steering engine
piston.
Or the valve chest may be so adjusted, that this position of equality is reached only
when the main gimbal ring has rotated through a certain predetermined angle on
one or the other side of its normal position.
7. The apparatus may be conveniently fixed in the torpedo by screws bringing it
into close contact with lugs of the door frame; through one of which lugs the air
connection is made at the same time as the head of the steering engine piston rod
engages a claw of the steering rod and the extremity of the lever on the rock shaft
stands over the extremnity of the lever forming part of the trigger.
Dated thin 15th day of Ma. 1907
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Gyroscopic Steering Mechanism for Torpedoes.
I, ALBERT EDUARD JONES, Manager of Works, of Fiume, in the Austro-Hungarian
Empire, 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 certain improvements in the device for steering torpedoes
protected by Obry's British Patent No. 22296 of November 19th, 1894.
These improvements have reference to a novel arrangement for adjusting the fly-
wheel shaft in its normal position before starting; retaining such shaft in place
while in operation, and releasing the same after the rotary impulse has been
imparted to it; and furthermore these improvements extend to a novel air distributing
mechanism for the "servomotor."
An apparatus provided with these improvements is shown in the accompanying
drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus ;
Fig. 2 is a corresponding side elevation thereof, viewed from the left hand side of
Fig. 1; the spring barrel and spring, and the bell shaped driving segment wedged
thereon, being omitted for the sake of clearness.
Fig. 3 is a plan corresponding to Fig. 1.

page_text: Fig. 4 is a section along line x-x of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 represents the air distributing mechanism in a position corresponding to
that in which the apparatus is shown in Fig. 1; being a vertical section along
line y-y of Fig. 3, on a larger scale.
Fig. 6 is a corresponding horizontal section on line 2-z of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is a vertical section on line v- of Fig. 6 ;
Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are enlarged sections on lines
respectively.
.
.
.
1, . . 2 and .
3 of Fig. 5,
As will be seen from Figs. 1 to 4, the whole of the apparatus is mounted in an
annular frame M, which is firmly held in position on the rests or brackets m², m²,
(secured within the torpedo) by means of two lugs m' m' (Fig. 2).
In Figs. 1, 3 and 4 the brackets m² m² are not shown.
Integral with the annular frame M there are cast two pairs of arms m m, m m,
extending at right angles to the plane of the ring. Between one pair of arms is
supported the vertical gimbal ring p of the gyroscope system, which, at two points
situated in a diameter at right angles to its pivotal axis, carries adjustable points or
centres which serve for supporting the horizontal gimbal ring q; which ring, in its
turn, supports in the well-known manner between adjustable centres, the shaft of
the fly-wheel R, which also carries a small bevel driving wheel r¹.
Between the other two arms m, projecting at right angles to the plane of the
ring M, there is supported the shaft a of the driving mechanism, whereon a hollow
conical segment A is keyed, which is toothed at its annular base and is there in gear
with the driving wheel 71 of the fly-wheel.
This engagement, however, only takes place, when the shaft r occupies the position
shown in Figs. 1 to 4, and while the toothed segment A is turning its full part
towards the said shaft r.
An engaging pin p', provided on the upper side of the vertical ring p, enters
between the two prongs of the fork P (Figs. 2 and 3), which is clamped by means of
a screw p upon the shaft of the circular slide valve s serving to control the servomotor,
so that the strokes of the vertical ring directly control the way in which the air is
distributed in the cylinder S of the servomotor and also, consequently, the direction
of the strokes or movements of the side rudder operated by the said cylinder through
the medium of the piston rod S¹ (Figs. 1 and 3).
The manner in which the turns of the arm P, or the circular slide valve s, influence
the air distribution shall be described further on (to wit, in paragraph 3); while what
is hereinafter dealt with first of all are the following parts:
1. The device which serves to wind up the spring spindle, to hold the same
securely in the wound up condition, and to release it; and
2 The device serving to turn the gyroscope rings into their normal position prior
to commencing to wind up the spring; to retain such rings in place until the spring
runs out; and to release them after it has run out, in such a manner that the
gyroscope shall remain solely dependent upon the free display of the forces acting
upon the unrestrained fly-wheel shaft.
1. THE SPRING MOTOR AND THE MEANS FOR WINDING UP AND RELEASING THE SAME.
The spring motor consists of a barrel a supported between two arms m of the
ring M and carrying a spring A¹, one end of which is in the well-known manner
secured to the barrel a, while its other end is attached to the lower arm m.
On to the barrel a there is keyed the hollow conical segment A, the toothed lower
edge of which, as before mentioned, is in gear with the bevel pinion 1 (Fig. 4).
The lower end of the shaft a carried the toothed disc a', upon which there is
adapted to slide a tappet a², rigidly secured upon a shaft b supported between two
fork shaped ends of one of the arms m.
Upon the shaft b there is further keyed an arın b¹, to the end of which a horizontal
pin b2 is pivoted, the extremity of which pin protrudes through the perforation r

page_text: (Fig. 4) of a horizontal arm 72, which is keyed upon a vertical spindle c, supported
between two projections m³ cast integral with the ring M (Fig. 2).
Between the pivoted end of the pin 62, which is fitted with a collar or flange, and
the arm there is interposed a spring 68, which tends to turn the arm b¹ to the left
(as indicated by the arrow 4 in Fig. 4), and the arm 2 to the right (in the direction
of the arrow 5).
Owing to this tendency the tappet a² takes up its position in front of the tooth
of the disc a¹ (as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4), and while in this situation, hinders the
spring arbor from turning in the direction of the arrow 1 (Figs. 3 and 4).
On the vertical shaft d (Fig. 1), which, when the air valve lever is pulled off, is turned
in the direction of the arrow 2 (Figs. 3 and 4), there is keyed an inclined arm d¹
(Figs. 3 and 4), at the end of which there is provided a set screw d², the head of which
abuts against the end of the arm b¹ of the shaft b.
The said screw d² is so adjusted, that it will touch the lever b¹ in the position,
where the arm a² is at rest, when the air valve lever (not shown) which controls the
shaft d, is in its closing position.
2. THE DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING THE GYROSCOPE.
The device which serves to bring back the fly-wheel R to its normal position prior
to setting the apparatus in action, mainly consists of a lever f (Figs. 2 and 4), bent
at several points and terminating in a fork; such lever being pivoted to a vertical
arm m' integral with the supporting ring M, while the prongs f¹f¹ (Figs. 2 and 4)
of its fork, arranged parallel to its plane of rotation, engage one sectional area of the
vertical ring p of the gyroscope (as illustrated in Fig. 4).
At two points which are situated on a diameter perpendicular to its pivotal axis,
the sectional area of the vertical gyroscope ring p is limited laterally, by parallel
surfaces, Fig. 1 the distance between which equals the clear distance between the
prongs f¹ f¹ of the lever.
Towards its axis of oscillation, the section or width of the ring p becomes reduced,
so that, when the lever f is turned into the position marked in dotted lines in Fig. 2,
it encloses the reduced portion of the said ring p and enables it to swing out of its
normal position in either direction.
When, however, the lever f is moved from its dotted depressed position (Fig. 2)
into the raised position, one of the two prongs f f of the fork-should the ring p
happen to be out of its normal position-will strike one of the two sides of the ring p,
whereby it will-in proportion to the extent of its upward turn or stroke-restore the
said ring to its normal situation, wherein eventually it will retain the same.
Inasmuch as the prongs f1 f1 of the forked lever f project inwardly beyond the
sectional area of the ring p and extend into the space traversed by the horizontal
ring 9 (Figs. 2 and 4), so that they are situated on opposite sides of the axis of rotation
of such ring, they will-at the same time as the ring p turns-return the horizontal
ring g also to its horizontal position, which it should invariably retain.
When on the other hand it is desired to release the gyroscope system, it suffices to
turn the lever f just described, from its raised position, shown in full lines, to its
dotted depressed position (Fig. 2).
The arin fis turned by means of the arm f³ keyed on to the shaft or spindle b
(Fig. 4), the end of which arm f³ is connected with the said arm f by a draw rod or
link f².
The spring b³ which has been described above as acting upon the arm 6² of the
spindle b-imparts to the arm f³ a tendency to swing outwards in the upward
direction. Accordingly, the lever f will invariably take up its uppermost position, in
which it is shown in full lines in Fig. 2, so long as the spindle 6 is not otherwise
influer.ced.
But when the air valve lever is brought to the "open" position, and when as a
result of this movement-according to what has already been stated-the spindle d
receives a turn in the direction of the arrow 2, the arm b¹ will be turned by the
swinging arm d¹ in the direction of the arrow 3, and with it the adjusting lever ƒ also
will be turned downwards.

page_text: The parts f¹ hereinabove described merely serve (as already explained) for
turning the gyroscope back to its normal position. They are retained in place, while
the shaft or spindler is being operated by the arm 72, already mentioned, which is
pivoted at c, and the free end of which is provided with a point or centre which, while
the gyroscope occupies its normal position, engages in a corresponding recess in the
horizontal gyroscope ring 9 (see the position shown in Fig. 4).
"
Upon the vertical pivot or spindle c of the arm 2 there is keyed a tappet at
(Figs. 1, 2 and 3) which slides upon the outer surface of the "bell or segment A.
In the horizontal plane of the said tappet at a lug or incline a³ is formed on the
said bell A, in such a situation, that it cones to be located underneath the said
tappet at and turns the same in the direction of the arrow 6 (Fig. 3), when the
bell A reaches the last stage of its unwinding motion and thus moves out of gear
with the pinion r, owing to the fact that the portion of the bell A which is cut away,
has come to be situated above the spindle r.
In consequence of the turning of the tappet a' the spindle c, and with it the arm 72
carrying the centre point 73, is made to resist or counteract the action of the spring b³
and is pressed in the direction of the arrow 7 (Fig. 4) i.e. out of the centre recess of
the gyroscope ring q, which is accordingly released.
OPERATION OF THE MECHANISMS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPHS) AND 2.
To explain the operation, we will suppose that, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the
spring A¹ is wound up, the air valve closed and the two locking devices-viz. ƒ & f¹
on one side, and 2 and 3 on the other side, are in the operative position; in other
words, that the torpedo is in readiness to be launched.
As the torpedo is launched, the reversal of the air valve lever causes the spindle d
and arm d¹ to turn in the direction of the arrow 3, so that the screw d² strikes the
arm 6¹.
Owing to the rotary movement thus imparted to the arm b¹, and also consequently
to the spindle b, the following changes take place in the mechanism at the same
time :
1. The arm a² comes out of engagement with the toothed disc a¹, so that the
spring arbor a is released from its arresting device and the segment A turns in
the direction of the arrow 1 (Fig. 3), thereby imparting a rotary impulse to the
#pindle r.
2. The arm f³ swings downwards and moves the locking or arresting lever ƒ f¹
into the dotted position, Fig. 2, whereby the gyroscope system is released from
engagement with the said lever ƒ ƒ¹.
3. The arm 2 or the centre is, by the movement of the arm b¹ in the direction
of the arrow 5 (Fig. 4), under the action of the spring 63, pressed with added force
into the centre recess of the ring q and locks the spindle in position, whilst it
receives the rotary impulse from the segment A.
Whilst the spindler is being driven, no change takes place in the mechanism.
When the cut-away portion of the segment A at length comes to take up its
position past the pinion ¹, the tappet at is turned by the incline a³ in the direction
of the arrow 6, and with it the arm 2 in the direction of the arrow 7 (Fig. 4), so that
the centre releases the ring q, with the result, that the gyroscope remains fully
exposed to the free action of the forces that are exercised upon it.
At the same time with the incline a³, the stop a provided on the segment
comes into operation, and strikes the arm a loose upon the shaft a, the forked end
whereof protrudes through a slot in the cylinder S2 and grasps the piston provided in
the latter.
Under the action of the stop the piston a' is shifted to the right, and the air
cushion confined and compressed within the cylinder S2, acts as a brake upon the
segment A and brings the same to a stop, without any concussion.
To make the torpedo once more ready for firing, the air valve lever is first of all
move to the "closed" position whereby the swinging piece d¹ is made to return to

page_text: the position shown in Figs. 1 to 4. This places the spindle b entirely under the
influence of the spring 63 again, so that the arm a² comes to lie in contact with the
disc a', the lever f2 swinging upwards and restoring the gyroscope to its position of rest,
in the manner already explained.
The lever ², however, continues in the position to which it has moved in descending,
since the tappet at is still resting upon the incline a².
Now, when the spring A¹ is wound up by means of a square, key inserted into the
arbor a, or (in other words) when A is turned in the direction opposite to that to
which points the arrow 1, the tappet at in the first place slides off the incline a³,
whereby the arm 2 is conducted back to its stationary position.
As the operation of winding up the spring on the arbor a is completed, the
arm a² slides over the tooth of the disc a¹ and retains the spring arbor in the "wound
up" position.
The following is a description of the air distributing mechanism operated by the
motion of the ring r.
3. THE AIR DISTRIBUTING MECHANISM.
As will be seen from Fig. 1, this mechanism is mounted in the most elevated
position of the ring M carrying the gyroscope mechanism and mainly consists of a
balanced rotary valve or cock s, which in the manner above indicated, is operated
by a pin p provided on the vertical ring p of the gyroscope.
The plug or valves is held in place in the valve chest H by a shackle p², supported
by springs, and by two set screws p³ passed through the said shackle. The valve
chest is in the shape of a truncated cone H, provided with an axial cylindrical
perforation hand held in the depressed position by the springs p'; such cone being
fitted in a conical recess, on the inner surface of which terminate at different levels,
both the admission or inlet port and the channels 12 leading to the two sides of
the cylinder.
On the level of each of the three orifices 112 the cone H is provided on its outer
surface with an annular groove, h³, h¹ and h5, Figs. 8, 9 and 10, respectively.
On the level of the central groove h¹ (Fig. 9) there passes through the cone Ha
diametrical perforation h2, and in the place of the upper and lower groove h³ and h³,
respectively, there are similar diametrical perforations, h4 and he, respectively, which
are situated at 90 degrees to the perforation h².
Thus in the inner surface or the cylindrical perforation h of the cone H, there are
formed 6 apertures, situated on three different planes or levels, on two of which
levels the one above and the one below the intermediate level-the apertures are
situated in a plane at 90 degrees to the line connecting the two openings of the said
intermediate level.
The perforations of the intermediate level communicate with the inlet 1, while
those on the two other levels are connected to the cylinder channels or ports 11, 12.
The plug s air tightly fitted in the cylindrical bore h of the cone H is provided
with an axial perforation 8¹, open at the top, and on a level with the intermediate or
central groove h' of the cone H it is further provided with an annular groove t²
formed on its outer surface, with which the channels h² are in constant com-
munication.
This groove 2 is joined by four other grooves parallel to the axis of the plug 8,
the two diametrical grooves (Fig. 8) extending in the upward direction to the
level of the channels h', while the two others to to (Fig. 10) reach down to the level
of the lower channels ho.
The grooves extending upwards are situated in a plane which forms a pre-
determined angle-say 30 degrees to that of the downward grooves to to.
On a level with the perforation ho a diametrical perforation so extends through the
plugs, Fig. 10, the orifices of which perforation lie in the generatrices of the vertical
grooves t¹.
On a level with the perforation h a diametrical perforation & passes through the

page_text: said plugs (Fig. 8), the orifices of this perforation lie in the generatrices of the
vertical grooves to.
As will be seen, therefore, the plug or valve 8 is of a perfectly symmetrical
shape; its operation being as follows:-
The compressed air, travelling through the channel 1, enters the annular groove h¹
of H (Fig. 9) and through the two arms of the channel h², rushes into the central
groove 2 of the rotary distributing valve or plugs, and hence both into the two upward
grooves and into the two downward grooves to, to, both of which pairs of grooves
are formed on the surface of the said plug or valve 8.
So long as the valve 8 retains the intermediate position, represented in the
sections Figs. 8 and 10, the two channels h* and he leading to the cylinder remain
covered.
But the moment the said valve s is turned out of that position in the direction
of the arrow by the fork P which takes part in the motion of the gyroscope
ring p, the grooves t¹ move into coincidence with the channels ht, while the lower
perforation 8 comes to coincide with the channels h°.
The compressed air accordingly now flows through the channels h and the annular
groove into the channel 1, while at the same time the channel 12 comes into
communication with the atmosphere through the perforations h* h*.
Should the gyroscope swing in the opposite direction, and thereby cause the
circular valve s to be turned in the direction of the arrow 2, the air would also be
distributed in the opposite direction.
Thus, according to the mode of air distribution or to the direction of the
movement of the gyroscope p, the piston rod s¹ will be moved either backwards or
forwards, thereby operating the side rudder in the well-known manner.
For the purpose of accurately adjusting the valve chest H, adjusting screws p5 are
provided, which, resting as they do against the screw p³, enable the valve to be set
as required.
As will be understood from this arrangement, the compressed air is invariably
admitted and discharged through diametrically opposite points of the valve 8, so that
the valve is entirely balanced, and no resistance interferes with its rotary motion.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
In gyroscopic steering apparatus for torpedoes, of the type described in the Speci-
fication of Obry's Patent No. 22296/94.
1. A device for adjusting and holding the gyroscope, chiefly comprising a pivotal
lever f situated in a plane perpendicular to that occupied by the vertical ring p and
provided at its extremity with fork prongs f₁f which enclose one of the cross
sections the said ring p and extend into the range of oscillation of the horizontal
ring q on both sides of its axis of oscillation, the said lever f being pressed by spring
power into such a position, that its prongs f f enclose the vertical ring p along a
radius placed at right angles to its axis of oscillation and grasp the horizontal
ring on both sides of its axis of oscillation and press it against the latter, and means
for turning the lever f into the releasing position (for the gyroscope ring) when the
air-valve of the torpedo motor is being opened, substantially as described.
2. A device for securing the fly-wheel shaft r while in motion, or after the device
specified by Clause 1 has been set out of action, chiefly comprising a pivoted arm r²
provided with a coned saud or centre which in the normal position of the gyroscope
is pressed by a spring into a conical socket situated in the continuation of the axle r,
and a tappet a fixed on the bell-shaped segment A and adapted to displace the arm r²
from its normal position (mentioned above), after the spring axle a has run off, (or
the spring has been unwound) by acting on a tappet a fixed on the shaft c² of the
lever 2, substantially as described.
3. A device for retaining the spring-axle a, after the spring has been wound,
chiefly comprising an excentric or cam a¹ fixed on the shaft a and provided with a

page_text: tooth, an arm a² adapted to be pressed against the circumference of the cam a¹ by
spring power, and ineans for disengaging the arm a² from the cam a¹ against the
pressure of the spring, when the air valve is being opened, substantially as described.
4. A device or devices as specified by Clauses 1, 2 and 3, and comprising in addition
a second lever f³ adapted to disengage the lever f and fixed on a shaft b which also
carries the arm a², a spring 63 situated between the lever b¹ fixed on the shaft b
and the lever 2, and adapted to press the levers a² and finto their working positions,
and a vertical shaft d, together with oscillating arm d¹², adapted to transmit the
motion of the air valve upon the shaft b or the levers f³ as by acting on the lever b¹,
substantially as described.
5. A brake or buffer for intercepting the shock produced by stopping the
driving segment A, chiefly comprising an arm a5 which is loose on the shaft a, a
lug or tappet formed or mounted on the segment A, so as to act on the arm as
during the last stage of the unwinding of spring A', and a piston a movable in
a cylinder S2 and adapted to be operated by the said arm, substantially as
described.
•
6. A valve casing for a balanced oscillating valve, chiefly comprising an axially
perforated truncated cone H, an outer casing in which terminate the cylinder
ports and the inlet canal at different levels, so that the extremity of the inlet
canal is situated between those of the cylinder ports 1112, the cone H having at the
level of the said canals 11 12 annular grooves h³ h¹ h5 and diametrical ducts h¹ h² ho,
of which the upper and the lower ducts h ho are situated in the same vertical or axial
plane, substantially as described.
7. balanced oscillating valve or cock fitted into the bore h of the valve casing H,
and serving to distribute the compressed air, said valve consisting of an axially
perforated cylinder s having at the level of the air inlet h² an annular groove t², from
which two diametrically opposite grooves t t extend upward, and two diametrically
opposite grooves to to extend downward, the grooves t t being situated in an axial
plane which forms an angle with the axial plane containing the downward extending
grooves to to, said balanced valve containing moreover two diametrical perforations 84 86
at the level of the inner mouths of the ducts h he mentioned in Clause 6, the mouths
of the upper bore 8 being situated in the continuation of the upward extending
grooves, while the mouths of the lower bore 80 are situated in the continuation
of the downward extending grooves to to, substantially as described.
Dated this 17th dose of 3M 1000
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
Agents, 37 and 39, Essex Street, Strand, London.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
Agents, 37 and 39, Essex Street, Strand, London.