Improvements in Torpedoes.
Year: 1888

page_text: Improvements in Torpedoes.
1 ADOLF GRAF VON BUONACCORSI DI PISTOJA, of II Jägerstrasse, 26, Vienna, in
the Empire of Austria, 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 :-
My invention relates to improvements in torpedoes.
Fish-shaped torpedoes are generally driven by means of compressed air, which
hitherto has been utilized by allowing the same (like steam in steam engines) to enter
cylinders wherein the said air is allowed to expand and act upon pistons in order to
produce a rotary movement of the shaft of the two screw propellers which are
adapted to turn in opposite directions.
As the air on being admitted into, and exhausted from, the cylinders meets with
much resistance due to friction and changes in the width of the passages; as
furthermore much vis viva is continually absorbed by the successive reversals of the
movement of the pistons and distributing slide valves; as, again, a bevel wheel gear
must be interposed between the screw propellers for driving the same in opposite
directions; and as, finally, for ensuring a uniform speed of the engine, a regulator
of pressure is required which itself absorbs a portion of the motive power the useful
effect of the driving agent is essentially reduced so that the range of the apparatus
and the speed attainable are greatly restricted.
By the novel system hereinafter described, the cylinder and piston engine, the
bevel gearing and the regulator of pressure are dispensed with whereby possibility is
afforded for essentially simplifying the mechanism and increasing the useful effect of
the compressed air.
The principle upon which the novel system is based consists essentially in utilizing
the living force stored in the said air and susceptible of being set free at the escape of
the same in the form of jets of great velocity and density by causing these jets to
exert aerodynamic impacts upon the blades of the screw propellers instead of
causing pistons to be displaced by the static pressure of the compressed air.
It is in consequence of such a direct driving of the screw propellers by means
of the compressed air, issuing through passages formed within the blades, that, as

page_text: already stated, the cylinder-and-piston engine and the regulator of pressure can be
dispensed with, whereby the whole mechanism is essentially simplified and that a
better effect of the driving agent is obtained so as to increase the range and velocity
of the torpedo.
Moreover I am enabled by this invention to better utilize the inner hollow space of
the torpedo than heretofore. Thus all intermediate gear which hitherto was arranged
without the torpedo can now be arranged within the saine. The non-rotating axis of
the screw propellers is used, itself as a transmitting part between the immersion
regulation apparatus and the horizontal rudder or fin. Also instead of only one
sinking valve, several valves of greater diameter than heretofore and adapted to be
directly operated can be used, whereby the action of the device by which the torpedo
is sunk, in the case of having missed its aim, is greatly improved in certainty, and
the time required for filling the buoying chamber, that is to say, for causing the
torpedo to sink, materially shortened.
Furthermore by means of this invention it is rendered possible to make certain
parts of the torpedo shorter and to reduce its total weight in consequence whereof
the management of the weapon is facilitated.
In the choice of the curvilinear outlines of the improved torpedo I have
endeavoured, while maintaining the shape of least resistance and least liable to form
eddies to give a perfectly symmetrical shape to the air chamber and to place the same
as far ahead as possible, whereby, on the one hand, the manufacture of the said
chamber is rendered less costly and less difficult than heretofore, and on the other
hand, the equilibration of the torpedo is facilitated and thus the persistence of the
torpedo in its course, which directly depends on exact equilibration, materially
increased.
It will be seen that as far as possible all operating mechanisms and all transmitting
rods are arranged symmetrically and at the lowest points in order to reduce, to a
certain degree, rolling and stamping and to further in general the stability of the
whole apparatus.
In the following Specification the several operating parts of the torpedo as well as
their mode of acting will be successively described.
In order to facilitate the explanation of the accompanying drawings, it may ba
mentioned that Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of the complete torpedo shewing
the several operative parts of the same diagrammatically, while Figures 2, 3, 4, and 6
are views of details which are designated in the general disposition Figure 1 by the
corresponding Roman numerals II, III IV, V and V1.
Thus, Figure 2 is a sectional view of the point or nose of the torpedo with its
middle portion broken away, and having adjacent to its rear end the chamber,
Figure 3, with the apparatus for regulating the depth of immersion. The air
chamber K, Figure 1, separates the chamber, Figure 3, from the machine chamber,
Figure 4, which is separated by the ballast or sinking chamber K, Figure 1, from
the valve chamber, Figure 5, having immediately astern of it the vertical and
horizontal rudders and the screw propellers.
Figures 2 and 2 are a side elevation and end elevation respectively of the striking
head of the firing pin, this head being provided with arms formed into screw propeller
blades.
r
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the firing pin.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of this pin.
Figure 2 is a cross section on line .c, a Figure 2.
Figure 3 is a section on the broken line, c, Figure 3.
Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the pendulum of the apparatus
for regulating the depth of immersion.
Figure 4 is a section on the broken line e, e Figure 4.
Figures 4 and 4 show the two extreme positions of the piston which operates the
horizontal rudder, and of the distributing slide valve.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section corresponding to Figure 5.
Figure 5 is section on line
Figure 5

page_text: Figure 6 shows a portion of Figure 6 on an enlarged scale.
Figures 6 and 6 are sections on the lines a, and y, y, Figure 6ª, respectively.
In the first place I will describe the mode of rotating the screw propellers because
the same is the main characteristic feature of this system of torpedoes, and because
the other improvements could not, as already stated, be realized but for this
preliminary condition.
The driving air is compressed to from 70 to 90 atmospheres and it is enclosed, as
usual hitherto, in a cylindrical chamber or reservoir K, figure 1, having tapered ends
and provided with a conduit pipe p³, figures 4 and 5, rigidly connected to the
reservoir. Through this pipe p³ the compressed air may be allowed to stream into a
second pipe p, Figures 5, 6 and 6", pivotally but tightly connected to the first one
and surrounded by a concentric pipe g. In figure 5 the middle portion of the pipe p³
is broken away in order to show the parts below.
To the tube g are loosely mounted the two screw propellers A and B having their
blades curved in opposite directions, the blades of A being for instance portions of
right-handed screw-threads, and the blades of B, portions of left-handed screw-
threads.
In the nave of each screw is formed a conical chamber A¹ and B¹ respectively
which surrounds the pivot-tube q and into which the compressed air is allowed to
stream through several slots p¹, 91 and p², q³ respectively, formed in the sides of the
tubes or pipes p and q.
From the chambers A¹ and B', which do the office of intermediate air receivers,
and which, jointly with the moment of inertia of the revolving screw propellers,
suitably regulate the speed of the torpedo, the compressed air streams out through
the passages A2, A2, B2, B32 forme.i within the blades of the screw propellers and the
aerodynamic impact of the rapidly moving molecules upon the opposite elements of
the sides of the passages, as well as the recoil exerted in the opposite direction
of the movement of the said molecules, causes the screw propellers to turn in the
direction in which their blades are helically curved.
Owing to this construction, which is based upon the same principle as the reaction-
wheel or Barker's mill, the speed of either screw propeller is quite independent of
that of the other and merely depends on the area of the apertures through which the
compressed air is allowed to stream into the chambers A¹ and B'.
While it has been attempted heretofore partly to compensate in torpedoes the
deviating action of one screw propeller by the opposite action of a second screw
propeller revolving with the same speed in the reverse direction and to obtain a
straight course by means of special, movable vertical rudders, the unequal action of
both propellers, which hitherto has been looked upon as an annoying influence, is
utilized in this system for steering the torpedo in a straight line.
As the deviating action of either screw propeller increases and diminishes in the
same ratio as the speed of revolution of the said screws, the problem to be solved
merely consists in providing means for making the difference between the speed of
rotation of both propellers sufficiently great, that the more rapidly running one
compensates the deviating action of the other and the other straying influences,
exerted upon the torpedo. Now, as the speed of revolution directly depends on the
area of the aperture through which the air under pressure is allowed to stream into
the screw propellers, it is evident that by altering, this area, a corresponding steering
action will be exerted upon the torpedo.
The necessary changes of these areas are performed in the following manner: The
inner air pipe p, figures 6 and 6ª, has longitudinal slots p₁and p², figures 6 and 6,
formed in its portions corresponding to the seats of the propellers, and by suitably
rotating the tube p, the said slots may be caused to correspond with the slots q' and q
formed in the sides of the outer tube q and baving half the breadth only of the slots p¹
and p², either in such a manner that the air is admitted through the whole area of the
slots q' and q or so as to give passage to the air through a portion only of the said
As the slots q¹ and 9, the location of which answers to the seats of the screw
propellers are not arranged along one and the same generatrix of the cylindrical
area.

page_text: surface of the tube
the said slots will never register at once with the slots p¹ and p²,
and so one may, by turning the hexagonal head p*, figures 5 and 5ª, in the direction
of the arrow 1, figures 6 and 6, (in these figures the hexagonal bead p is shewn in
dotted lines) throttle the admission ports of the screw propeller A, while those of the
propeller B remain unchanged, or a reverse effect may be obtained by a partial
rotation in the direction of the arrow 2. In order to allow of the head pt being turned
in the wholly mounted torpedo, at the launching trials, a transverse slot p³ is formed
in the skin of the valve chamber, figures 5 and 5º, and through this slot a suitable
wrench can be introduced.
That it may be possible to take readings of the number of revolutions of both screw
propellers after trial launchings, either propeller is geared by means of a worm-
wheel A³ and B3 respectively, with a counter, indicated in figure 6 by the wheels A*
and B'.
The particular method of propelling the improved torpedo being thus specified,
there will yet be described hereinafter the means for firing and steering the same in
their succession from bow to stern.
Within the point or nose of the torpedo is arranged the percussion fuze which, at
variance with the constructions known hitherto, formis an independent apparatus of its
own and cannot be operated except after having moved a certain distance within the
water. As the function of this fuze is quite independent of the screw propellers as
well as of all other mechanisms of the torpedo, the exceedingly long transmission
rods, which, in certain of the known torpedoes, extend from stern to bow, are
dispensed with, and at the same time possibility is afforded of nearly tripling the
distance from the point of launching at which the torpedo has been rendered active
hitherto. To this end the rear end of the firing bolt a' which carries the firing
point a, destined to penetrate into the chamber of the initiative charge on the bolts
sliding backward, is provided with a helical groove a², figures 2 and 2d, into which
project small stop screws a screwed into the bell-shaped point or nose all of the
torpedo. These stop screws prevent the firing pin a' from being pushed backward (to
the right hand side in the drawings) and from firing the priming, unless the said pin a¹
is rotated a sufficient number of times to allow the points of the hindmost stop screws
to pass from the last spiral of the helical groove a³ into longitudinal grooves a¹, and all
branched off from the said last spire. To the front end of the firing pin a¹ is
secured the striking point at provided with four striking armis a³, figures 2ª and 26,
which are formed into screw blades of very great pitch in consequence whereof the
firing pin a¹ will begin to rotate as soon as the launched torpedo arrives in the water,
and so the firing pin will screw itself gradually into the fuze and after the torpedo
has run through a length of way solely depending on the pitch of the striking arms,
screw propeller and on the number of convolutions of the helical groove a², the said
pin a will be ready for firing the percussion priming.
2
If, for instance, the efficient angle of pitch of the screw propeller is a =
85° 42' 20",
the radius of the blades 50 and consequently the linear pitch tang a, then the
advance of the firing pin screw, at each revolution, would be with no slip, 4m, but, as
in this case the slip will be 50 per cent. at least, the advance must be increased to 8".
Now, if the torpedo is to be secured against premature explosions during the first 120m
of its course within the water, the helical groove in the rear end of the firing pin
must comprise 120: 8 = 15 convolutions, and the pin a¹ ought to be sufficiently
screwed out of the fuze that the stop screws a³ are engaged in the last convolution
of the groove. After this way has been run through by the torpedo, no further
obstacle will be opposed to the firing pin a' sliding backward and so on the point a¹ of
the torpedo striking against a sufficiently massive object, the firing pin a¹, which is
prevented from turning round its axis by the stop screws a³ engaged in the
longitudinal grooves a¹, and a", will axially move backward (to the right in the
drawings) and the point or needle a, on piercing the cap a which is provided with a
small hole, will fire the priming a, when the jet of fire thus produced rushes
through the ring ' and inflames the explosive a³. As usual, an initiative charge a³,
Figures 1 and 2, consisting of dry gun-cotton, enclosed in a sheet metal case, is
2

page_text: hereby caused to explode and in consequence of this detonation the bursting charge C,
consisting of wet compressed gun-cotion, likewise explodes. In figure 2 the middle
portion of the chamber containing the charge is shown broken away.
Astern of the chamber of the torpedo, which contains the charge, and separated
from the same by a narrow compartment D through which the water is allowed to
circulate, is arranged the chamber, figure 3, containing the initiative parts of the
mechanism for the regulation of the depth of immersion or for the operation of the
horizontal rudder.
The partition separating both chambers has a circular aperture of suitable diameter
formed in its centre, and this aperture is tightly closed by means of a metal
membrane 11, upon the outer surface of which, the water entering the chamber D
through the slot 2 of the skin, exerts a pressure, the amount of which depends on
the depth to which the torpedo is immersed below the surface of the water. The
carriage which is guided by the casing, supported by four arms is forced, by
means of the screw, with sufficient force against the coiled spring 6, that the
pressure exerted by the spring upon the inner surface of the metal membrane D',
counterbalances, while the torpedo is in the normal depth of immersion, the hydrostatic
pressure of the water exerted upon the outer surface of the membrane. With this
position of equilibrium, and provided that all transmitting parts are exactly set right,
the horizontal rudder and the parts by which the same can be operated, must be in
their mean position, from which they depart in either direction, when, in consequence
of a too great depth of immersion, the hydrostatic pressure prevails, or when
consequently on too small depth of immersion the hydrostatic pressure is overcome by
the spring. In the first case the membrane will he caused to bulge into the chamber
(to the right in the drawings), and in the second case in the opposite direction (to the
left in the drawings), and in both cases the tube 66 rigidly screwed to the membrane
and made in one piece with the tubular guide of the coiled spring will be displaced
endwise. By means of the rods 15, 15 and the lever arms 6, 610 mounted upon the
shaft, the displacements of the tube are transmitted with a force increased
according to the leverage upon the actuating rod of the immersion steering
mechanism.
In order to afford a perfectly hermetical closure of the end of the air chamber K
adjacent to chamber III (see figure 1) a second partition is provided between
these chambers and to this partition is screwed a casing into which extends the
front end of the rod 6 and wherein the said end is articulated to the lever arm 6:
the shaft projects out through a stuffing box arranged in the right hand side of
the casing and outside this casing it carries the lever arm bº.
:
The manner in which the movements of the rod are utilized for operating the
immersion steering mechanism will be described below, as in this place, the means
are to be explained by which the horizontal rudder or fin after having assumed an
inclined position under the action of the membrane, is immediately after brought
into its mean position again, this being required in order to prevent the torpedo
from moving in a circular path upward or downward according to the unvariable
angle which the fin forms with the horizontal and from jumping out of the water or
sinking down.
The device provided for this purpose consists of a pendulum el having its pivot at c
and suitably loaded by means of a weight c' (see the section Figure 3") this pendulum
deviating in a corresponding degree from its normal position, every time the torpedo
assumes (under the action of the deviated horizontal fin) an inclined position against
the horizontal. By means of the bolts c, which are connected together by a screw
socket the deviations of the pendulum are transmitted to the two armed lever c
pivotted at e and bearing at its free end against either of the two set screws 12, 613
arranged upon the tubular spring guide whereby the membrane D is brought
again into its normal position immediately after the torpedo has assumed an inclined
position under the action of the diving rudder.
น
In order to adjust, according to the forces opposed, the effect of the weight c²,
component of which repels the membrane into its normal position (see the diagram

page_text: figure 3b) possibility is afforded of altering the leverage by displacing the pivot bolts
of the transmission rods c', c within the slots of the lever arms c' and c. To this end
the screw socket is surrounded by a ring which is movable along a screw c³ (see
the detail views of these parts inside Figure 3). Thus, for altering the leverage it
suffices to turn the screw c, both ends of which rest in fixed bearings.
It is obvious that the membrane D' on being displaced by a difference of pressure,
will displace the pendulum c¹, but as the centre of gravity of the pendulum will at
this point move in a nearly horizontal path, the pendulum will oppose no appreciable
resistance to this displacement. Afterwards, however, when the torpedo assumes an
inclined position, under the action of the diving rudder which is operated by the
means hereinafter described, the pendulum will be so deviated from its vertical
position, that the force of its weight tending to return it into its vertical position,
urges the membrane into its mean position.
The device for returning the horizontal fin being thus described, the examination
of the further transmission of the movements of the membrane shall be resumed
hereinafter.
As the feeble impulsions imparted to the membrane by the variations, which
membrane undergoes the hydrostatic pressure according to the changes in the depth
of immersion, would be incapable directly of actuating the horizontal fin, they are
utilized for displacing a distributing slide valve, by means of which the compressed air
is admitted on either side of a piston, and under the action of the pressure of the air,
this piston operates the horizontal rudder. The said piston and slide valve are visible
in figures 4, 4", and 4°.
The actuating rod of the imersion steering mechanism extends through the air
reservoir K, within an air-tight tube, and inside the machine chamber figure 4 its
rear end is connected, by means of a screw coupling-box d, to the rod of a slide
valve f,, movable within the central hore of a small piston H; in consequence of
this arrangement all movements imparted to the rod are transmitted to the slide
-valve f¹, f2.
In order to admit of an exact adjustment of all the parts in their inean positions,
as hereinbefore explained, the transmission rod 11 and the rod of the slide valve are
connected together by a screw coupling d, which may be turned for suitably
lengthening or shortening the system of rods, and thereby moving the slide valve
forward or backward so as exactly to give the same its mean position.
The piston H is movable within a small cylinder H³, which it fits hermetically, and
which is closed at both ends, while its middle portion communicates, by means of
a curved pipe, with the air conduit leading to the screw-propellers. The piston H
and its two extensions, which do the office of piston-rods, are providing with an
axial bore, wherein moves the slide valve f1, 2 and into which lead the distributing
passages h, and 2-Through the pipe and the passage the compressed air
enters the annular groove H of the piston H, and thence passes through the
passages into the space between the two shoulders f1 and 2 of the slide valve.
This air cannot thus exert any action upon the piston, so long as the slide valve is
in its mean position shown in figure 4.
However, as soon as the torpedo descends beneath its normal depth of immersion,
and as the membrane is in consequence thereof bulging inward (to the right hand in
the drawings) the slide valve, will, under the action of the transmitting parts,
be moved in the direction of the arrow 1, figure 4, and will take the position shown
in this figure. Consequently the orifices of the passages and are at once put in
communication with the space between the shoulders and f of the slide valve, and
the compressed air is admitted through the passage into the space H¹, thereby
causing the piston H to move in the opposite direction to that indicated by the
aforesaid arrow.
On thus moving in the opposite direction of the slide valve","
the piston causes the orifice of the passage h to be closed by the shoulder f¹
(figure 4 shows the piston and the slide in this stage of their movement), whereby
the admission of air is immediately cut off again; in this manner a merely momentary
action of the air under pressure is afforded.

page_text: In the reverse case, vizt., when the slide valve makes a movement in the direction
of the arrow 2, figure 4, the orifices of the passages and ² are placed in com-
munication with the space between the shoulders and of the slide valve, thus
admitting the air under pressure through the passage into the space H2 and causing
the piston H to displace itself in the opposite direction to that indicated by the said
arrow 2.
The air under pressure still contained within the space H¹ is allowed to pass
through the channel into the tubular piston rod and thence out through an
aperture formed in the side of the said hollow rod. In the same manner, the
compressed air, which in the case illustrated by figure 4 is contained in the hollow
space H2, will escape through the passage 42 and the tubular piston ro:ł.
The movements of the piston H are transmitted to the rod k screwed to the same
and hermetically extending through the ballast chamber K', into the valve chamber,
figures 5 and 5, where its rear end is jointed to a lever arm keyed to a shaft 45-
The shaft carries also two arms and likewise keyed to the same and intended
to transmit, by means of the links ke, 46, the impulsions imparted to the arm k* upon
the tube 7. This tube 1 which is provided with a flange or head and with two pivot
pins extends rearward into the stern tube (figures 6 and 6), and its forked rear
end (see figure 64) is articulated to the link , by means of which the horizontal
rudder or fin T, having its pivot at T, is directly operated. As in all other connections,
the ink is so constructed as to be adjustable in length for the reason already
explained.
The diagrams below the figures 4" and 4 show the kinetic concatenation between
the movements of the membrane and those of the immersion steering fin.
The manner, in which the impulsions imparted to the membrane are transmitted
to the immersion steering fin being thus fully described, 1 will yet specify the
construction and operation of the other parts of the torpedo.
It is a matter of great importance, that the immersion regulating fin or horizontal
rudder of the torpedo should be inclined at a certain angle against the horizontal
during the first portion of the course of the torpedo, therefore the apparatus for
regulating the depth of immersion should begin to work after a given time only. In
order to meet this requirement, the screw coupling d, figure 4, by which the steering
rod is connected to the rod of the slide valve, has a nut screwed upon its
screw-threaded outer surface, and in an annular groove of the said nut d' is engaged
the lower end of an oval ring d², which is immovable in the direction of the axis of
the torpedo; and which, consequently locks the slide valve in the position given to the
same, and to which corresponds a certain position of the piston H and of the immersion
steering fin T. Now, when the locking ring d is moved vertically downward, it is
disengaged from the annular groove of the nnt d', and then no longer opposes
itself to the transmission of the movements of the membrane to the distributing
slide valve.
This downward movement of the locking ring takes place automatically under
the action of a rod d and a bell crank lever pivotted to the rear wall of the air
reservoir K and having articulated to its upright arm the unlocking rod. This
rod extends astern hermetically through the sinking or buoyant chamber K¹ and
the valve chamber V. figure 1, to the small timing wheel A, where it terminates in
the shape of a hook d', figure 5. The said timing wheel A* is rotated by means of a
worm wheel A3 fixed to the screw-propeller A and it carries a tappet pin do, which, on
the wheel A having made a certain portion of a revolution, engages the said hook d',
in consequence whereof the rod is drawn backward (to the right-hand in the
drawings) as the wheel A continues to rotate.
In order that, at launching exercises, the required upward deviation may be given
to the horizontal rudder as soon as the admission of air is cut off, thereby causing
the torpedo to rise, the following device is provided:
During the period of admission of air, the compressed air is free to pass through
the annular groove H' of the piston H (see figure 4) and through the pipe m into the
space of a cylinder M, wherein the piston m is forced forward in overcoming the

page_text: pressure of a coiled spring m².-By this means the lever m³ is brouglit into the position
shown in figure 4, and in this position the said lever does not interfere in any manner
with the movements of the piston H. However, on the admission of air being cut
off, the pressure of the spring m² prevails over the counter-pressure of the compressed
air, which gradually escapes from the space M¹, and so this spring forces the piston m
backward, whereby the hooked ends m¹ of the lever m³ are caused to press upon the
cross-pin m of the rod k. The rod & is thus moved forward and the required upward
deviation of the horizontal fin or rudder produced.
The actuation of the torpedo, that is to say, the opening of the cock L', figures 4
and 4, which controls the air conduit is performed as usual during the act of
launching by a lever L, which is moved from its position shown in dotted lines into
its position shown in full lines. The key of the cock is thereby turned 90° through
the medium of a link, and the spring 12, which bears against the square head 13 of
the plug of the cock, locks the said plug in its two main positions (in figure 4* the
cock L is visible in side elevation and the lever L in edge view).
The rod L³, which is connected to the lever J. by means of the slotted link *,
has for its purpose automatically to cut off, at launching practice, the admission of air
after a given time, by axially moving rearward (to the right-hand in the drawings)
and so bringing the lever L'into the position shown in dotted lines and closing the
cock L. It is necessary to use in this device a slotted link as the rod L³, occupies
before and after the launching the position shown in full lines in figure 4, while the
lever L is first in the position shown by dotted lines, when the link will be obliged
to take the position indicated by the dotted line l While the torpedo is passing
through the launching tube, the position of the lever L is reversed, the rod L³ remaining
stationary, and so the pivot pins at the ends of the parts I and L³ must pass near
each other, wherefore these parts cannot be connected by means of a link of unvariable
length.
In order that the rod L³ may be automatically displaced in a suitable manner, as
soon as the torpedo has run the desired distance the said rod extends hermetically
through the buoying chamber K' (see figure 1) into the valve chamber, figure 5,
where its end is connected to the locking socket n. While the torpedo is moving, the
locking socket n is held in its position against the pressure of a coiled spring n by a
pawl n but when the pawl n' is disengaged the said socket is thrown rearward (to the
right hand in the drawings) carrying along the rod L³.
The moment when the pawl n' shall be disengaged can be varied at will, within
certain limits, by means of the large timing wheel carrying the tappet pin t² destined
to displace the pawl; according to the angular distance from the pawl a given to the
tappet t, the disengaging of the said pawl will take place after a shorter or longer
time.
In its rearward movement (to the right hand in the drawings) under the action of
the spring n the locking socket n pulls along with it the drawing-rods of the sinking
valves V, figure 5ª, whereby the said valves, as the rods v are movable a certain rate
within sockets connected to the valves, are opened to their normal throw, so as to
admit of a rapid ingress of the water into the buoying chamber K, and of the torpedo
being consequently sunk in a short time.
As the opening of the valves must not take place except in the actual use of the
torpedo, it is required that, for launching practice, the connection between the locking
socket n and the valves V shall be interrupted. To this end the parts e, by means
of which the valves V are connected to the locking socket are guided in rings 2
formed at the ends of arms n¹ which are pivotted to a screw n³. In consequence of
this arrangement, the draw-rods v, r¹ can be raised at the same time by turning the
screw n³, when the hooked ends n³ of the said rods will be removed from the eyes n*
of the valves, and so the connection with these latter will be fully interrupted.
The air chamber is filled through a passage r figures 4 and 4, which unites at
with the air conduit z and is kept closed by a valve, figure 4, held to its seat by
the pressure of the air and by a coiled spring ². On filling the reservoir the screw
plug is replaced by the mouth-piece of the forcing pipe of the pump, this mouth-

page_text: piece being screwed down sufficiently for forcing downward the valve-rod and
thereby opening the valve, when the filling may be performed.
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:
1. A torpedo, the screw propellers of which are rotated by the aerodynamic impacts
and by the re-action of jets of a gas under high pressure, escaping through passages
formed in the blades of the screw propellers.
2. In torpedoes of the description referred to in Claim 1, two screw propellers
mounted on the same axis and whose velocity of rotation can be separately varied for
the purpose of steering the torpedo in a straight line.
3. In torpedoes of the description referred to in Claim 1, a hollow or tubular screw
propeller axis or pivot within which is located the transmission rod, transmitting to the
horizontal rudder or fin the impulsions received by the apparatus for regulating the
depth of immersion.
..4. In torpedoes of the description referred to in Claims 1 and 3 mechanism for
operating the horizontal rudder or fin, consisting of a flexible membrane upon one
surface of which acts the hydrostatic pressure of the water, and the movements of
which caused by the variations of the depth of immersion, are transmitted to the
distributing slide valve of a piston cylinder, adapted to be worked by air under
pressure, the piston of the said cylinder being connected, by means of suitable trans-
mitting parts, to a draw-rod located within the tubular axis of the screw propellers
and adapted to deviate the horizontal rudder or fin according to the throws of the
said membrane.
5. In torpedoes of the description referred to in Claims 1, 3 and 4, mechanism for
returning the horizontal rudder to its mean position immediately after having been
deviated, this mechanism consisting of a pendulum, which is biased relatively to its
normal position, when the torpedo assumes an inclined position, and which, returning
thereby the membrane into its mean position, also returns the immersion steering fin
or horizontal rudder.
6. In torpedoes of the description referred to in Claims 1, 3 and 4, the arrangement
of the rods of the distributing slide valve and of the piston in one and the same
straight line, and the interposition of a screw coupling between the slide valve and
its rod for the purpose of admitting of the relative adjustment of the said parts.
7. In torpedoes of the description referred to in Claims 1, 3 and 4, mechanism by
which an invariable upward deviation is given to the horizontal rudder as soon as the
admission of compressed air is cut off, this mechanism consisting of a piston, which a
coiled spring constantly forces towards one end of its cylinder and which is connected
to the draw-rod of the horizontal. rudder by unilaterally transmitting parts, the said
piston being displaced against the pressure of the spring by the compressed air which
enters the cylinder as soon as the compressed air is admitted to the screw propellers,
the said unilaterally transmitting parts being thus kept from acting upon the horizontal
rudder as long as admission of air is going on.
8. In torpedoes, mechanism by which the firing pin is prevented from being operated
until the torpedo has run a certain distance from the point of launching this mechanism
consisting in locking pins which radially penetrate through the point or nose of the
torpedo into helical grooves formed around the firing pin, and of screw propeller blades
fixed to the point of the firing pin, the said blades causing, while the torpedo is
advancing within the water, the firing pin to rotate, in consequence whereof the helical
grooves will successively screw themselves over the points of the locking pins, and on
the last locking pin being disengaged from the last convolution of the helical groove,
the firing pin will be set free and enabled to slide rearward for striking the
primer.
9. In torpedoes, mechanism for opening the sinking valves, this mechanism con-
sisting of rods articulated to the lock socket provided for cutting off the admission of
compressed air, and of slotted tubes hooked to the valves; the said rods being engaged
R

page_text: within the said tubes and having cross pins, which project through the slots in the
tubes so as to cause the lock socket on its being thrown backward, to carry along
the said tubes during the last portion of its way and thereby open the valves.
10. In torpedoes, a device for interrupting at will, the connection referred to in
Claim 9, between the lock socket and the sinking valves this device consisting of a
screw screwed into the skin of the torpedo so as to allow of its being turned from
without, and of arms pivotally connected to the inner end of the said screw and carrying
rings which surround the tubes hooked to the valves so as to enable these tubes to be
unhooked by screwing the said screw inwards.
11. In a torpedo, the described parts enabling the air reservoir to be filled and
suitably kept closed, the plug of the stop-cock being locked in either extreme position
by a plate spring, and the stop-lever being connected to the stop-rod by means of a
slotted link.
12. In a torpedo, a mechanism by which the horizontal immersion steering rudder
is locked in a downwardly inclined position for a given time after the launching, this
mechanism consisting of a nut provided with an annular groove and screwed upon
the externally screw-threaded screw coupling of the rod of the distributing slide valve
and of a ring movable in its own plane in one direction only and engaged in the said
annular groove, this ring being disengaged from the said groove for unlocking the
horizontal rudder, by means of a bell crank lever articulated to the ring and to a rod,
the hooked end of which is adapted to be carried along by a catch pin fixed to a timing
wheel, driven by one of the screw propellers.
13. In a torpedo, mechanism for producing under the action of the feeble impulsions
received by the initiative parts of the mechanism regulating the depth of immersion,
increased impulsions upon the horizontal rudder, this mechanism consisting of a cylinder
communicating with the air reservoir and containing a piston, in the axial bore of
which is movable a distributing slide valve, controlled by the said initiative parts; the
admission and exhaust port being so arranged in the central bore of the piston, that
each momentary admission of air caused by a displacement of the slide valve in a
given direction has the effect of displacing the piston in the opposite direction, where-
upon the piston remains at rest at either end of the cylinder, until another impulsion
is exerted upon the slide valve.