MENTS IN TORPEDOES APPLICABLE TO OTHER VESSELS
Year: 1884

page_text: I RICHARD PAULSON, Engineer, of 7 Arundel Street, Strand, London, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention for IMPROVE-
MENTS IN TORPEDOES APPLICABLE TO OTHER VESSELS, to be as follows:-
The first object of this Invention is to render it possible to automatically steer
torpedoes when launched, and insure that they shall go direct twords any given
point or object, and to render them less a source of danger in actual use.
In carrying out the ablove, I place in each torpedo a well ballanced magnet,
or ordnary mariners compas; underneath or where most convienient I place an
adjustable dial, having small wire projections thereon which are in communication
with an electric battery, or it may be stored electricity, or the needle of the compas
itself may be connected with this battery or other scource of power, and by means
of a magnet, or magnets; so long as the ponts on the dial or the needle are in
contact cause a certain amount of power to be exerted, which being made to act
upon the rudder, or other steering gear, causes the torpedo to be turned either to
the right or left: Thus, should the torpedo be required to take a direct course due
west, the dial being properly fixed any variation of the torpedo out of the direct
line would cause the needle of the compas to move also, which on its coming in
contact with the wire points would compleat the circuit and exert power to steer
the torpedo streight again, which would cause the needle to move back to its
former position, between the points on the dial: The steering my be accomplished
by causing the propeller shaft to be drawn slightly out of line, either to the right
or left, or as circumstances require. Instead of the usual compressed air as the
motive power, I prepose to use occasionally any of the well known chemical
mixtures that on being brought in contact with water, liberate a gas and this
being forced through a tube, preferably in the form, of and on the principal of one
or more injectors, might cause a strong current of water to be discharged and be
utilised to propel the torpedo :-For the sake of lightness, I may also make and
construct, as far as possible, the torpedoes of compressed paper or any sutable
substance: Further a balanced magnet may be so placed and arranged, that when
it came within the attraction of such a large body of iron as a modern or armour
plated ship (and which the torpedo might otherwise pas) the attraction might thus
exert sufficient influence as to cause the head of the magnet, or needle, to incline in
the direction of the ship, and thus aid in steering the torpedo twords it; but should
[Price C71

page_text: the torpedo miss the object aimed at, it is desirable after it had been in the water
a given time, to either cause it to sink, or fall in pieces and thus prevent any danger
to a passing friendly ship: For this purpose I may so arrange that the propeller
shaft shall be made hollow, and by means of springs cause a valve, or valves, to
open and admit water, as soon as the motive power ceased to be exerted, or I may
make the blades of the propeller of spring steel, with or without, a roughened
surface, or the blades may be secured to spring steel or elastic metal arms, so that
according to the force or pressure thereon a different pitch is given to the propeller
blades, which movement may also be utilized to regulate the speed.
It is readily understood that I may apply any of the before mentioned improv-
ments to a larger vessels than torpedoes and. that such might them be made to act
as fire ships, or otherwise-I may also make the attraction of a passing vessel,
cause the magnetic needle to vibrate and explode the charge placed in a stationary
or other torpedo.

page_text: I RICHARD PAULSON of Boon Hills Langwith, in the County of Nottingham;
previously of 7 Arundel Street, Strand, London, Engineer: do hereby declare the
nature of my Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TORPEDOES; APPLICABLE TO
OTHER VESSELS, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The first part of this invention has for its object the automatic directing or
steering of torpedoes, so that when launched they shall go to the point to which
they are directed without further care or supervision.
In carrying out this object I place in the head or other suitable part of the vessel,
a mariners compass; the needle of which is connected to a powerful battery, or
other source of electric energy. Upon the same axis as that of the needle I place a
dial of non-magnetic material marked with the points of the compass and capable
of movement upon its axis without disturbing the position of the needle. This dial
carries two copper, brass, or silver studs electrically insulated from each other, and
from the needle. Each of these studs is clectrically connected with the coils of an
electro-magnet, so that when the needle touches either stud, the soft iron core of the
coils connected with that stud becomes a powerful magnet and capable of exerting
force in a certain direction; while the other if similarly connected, attracts aú
armature in the opposite direction; one only acting at any given time; and thus
capable of moving the tiller of the rudder directly, or by the intervention of any
convenient form of power.
Before launching the torpedo, the dial is set to the bearings of the object aimed
at, and the studs, which are conveniently made removeable, are set upon the (tial in
such a manner that the needle points freely between them when steering direct for
the object, but should any slight deviation occur, immediate contact with one of the
studs takes place, the rudder is moved so as to bring the vessel again upon her
course, when the contact is broken and the rudder is brought back to its normal
position by spring, or other suitable pressure.
In some instances, vessels are steered by means of a propeller, which is so
arranged that it may be moved upon a flexible or universal joint, so that the pitch
of its blades are altered; or that a deflection upon either side of the axis of the
vessel will affect its course; or an upward or downward movement in a verticle
plane, will to some extent alter its line of immersion.
It will be seen that the operation of the needle, as previously described in
controlling the movement of the rudder, may, in the same manner, be directed upon
the propeller when thus arranged for steering, and with a similar result. By having
an adjustable spring pressure in connection with the back of an india rubber
diaphragm, fixed in a convenient part of the vessel, any pressure of the water, due
to its depth, may be made to act upon the vertical position of a balanced propeller
by electro-magnets; in a manner similar to that described for steering.
Should the torpedo, from any cause, be diverted so that it might pass within a
short distance of a vessel aimed at, the attraction that the mass of iron of the ship
would have upon a balanced magnetic needle is made use of as follows. A large
needle, properly balanced and electrically connected, is hung so that if attracted to
any given degree from its normal position, it will short circuit, or cut out, the
connection between the steering needle and the studs; in a way well understood by
electricians; and act upon the rudder or propeller without regard to the position of
the steering needle, and turn the torpedo towards the point of attraction, which is
afterwards fired by any of the methods in use.

page_text: This needle, which I also call the firing needle, may be made to electrically
explode the torpedo should the latter be running over a ground mine, or, if when
submerged, it should be passed over by an iron vessel. In this case the needle,
being balanced so as to be capable of a slightly vertical motion is so arranged that
if above or beneath a certain amount of magnetic material, the needle is deflected
to a corresponding extent, and electric contact is made between an upper or lower
electrical conductor, in a similar manner to that of the studs and the steering needle;
when the circuit being complete the charge is exploded.
To avoid undue magnetic influence upon the needles, I prefer, as far as possible,
to use non-magnetic material in the construction of the torpedo and its fittings.
Without confining myself to any particular substance, I will mention phospher
bronze, compressed paper, wood, and waterproofed canvas; some of the inaterials
being combined with others as desired; the temporary nature of the torpedoes
service being considered.
Compressed air is sometimes used for the purpose of propelling torpedoes, but
without limiting myself to any particular kind of motive power, I prefer in some
cases to make use of the powerful pressure obtained by the combination of certain
chemical materials and the generation of gas thereby; as for example, that obtained
by the mixture of sulphuric acid and marble dust or lime.
These materials if placed in separate vessels, are caused to mix in suitable
proportions at the time of discharging or starting the torpedo, by lifting or moving
a valve for the purpose. The containing vessel must be capable of withstanding a
high pressure, and the gas produced is made to act upon a body of water taken
into the vessel through suitable openings and discharged therefrom through nozzles
on the well known principle of the injector or ejector, and thus by its reaction to
propel the vessel.
Water thus acted upon by the pressure of gas may be applied direct to the
propelling of the torpedo as indicated, or caused to act upon a suitable mechanical
inotor such as a turbine or water wheel, which is arranged to work a propeller for
the same purpose. The blades of this propeller may be made in any of the usual
ways, or formed of thin sheet steel with a certain amount of elasticity, or attached
to the shaft by springs having the same effect.
In order to avoid the risk of a spent torpedo coming in contact with, and
destroying, a friendly vessel, I arrange a valve in a suitable part of the vessel,
weighted or loaded with a spring in such a manner that when under weigh the
pressure of the water keeps the valve closed, but when the vessel stops, the valve
opens, the water enters, and the torpedo is gradually sunk.
It is to be understood that the part of this invention which relates to steering
is applicable to the steering and directing of other vessels than torpedoes; the
power of the magnets being caused to act, for instance, upon a balanced steam
valve, or weight; or to work an electric motor; so as to throw into action a steam,
hydraulic, or other form of power steering apparatus; thus keeping the vessel upon
her course without the necessity of skilled supervision.
Fig. 1. is a vertical section, and Fig. 2, is a sectional plan of a torpedo; the same
reference letters indicating similar parts. A, shows the outer shell or skin of the
torpedo; N. S. the steering needle; C, C, the explosive charge; D, is the electric
battery; E, E, the chamber to contain the chemicals required for the motive
power; F, the valve regulating the discharge of the force generated by the chemical
combination and acting through the nozzles G, G, upon water brought into the
vessel through suitable orifices. The water being forced under the pressure
generated is made to propel the vessel direct through one or more injectors or
ejectors acting upon the well known jet principle. In the drawing, however, the
water is represented as acting upon a screw wheel H, to revolve the propeller I,
the whole being mounted within a hollow shaft J, which is balanced and hung
upon a ball and socket joint, or its equivalent; so as to respond to the magnetismn
of the electro-magnets K, K, through the armature L, or equivalent device, attached
to the screw shaft J; or, the directing nozzles when propelled by a water jet; or

page_text: the rudder. M, is the diaphragm, fixed in a suitable place, and adjusted by the
screw and spring O, so as to act upon the propeller, and regulate the immerson of
the vessel through the movement of the armature L.
D, is the battery, or other source of electric energy supplying current to the
electro-magnets and the circuit connections. The steering needle N. S. is shown
between the two studs Q, Q, which are set according to the course as described.
The firing needle is not shown, but is similar in arrangement and action; the
electrical contact being between an upper and lower contact surface, instead of side
surfaces; as previously explained.
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 method of steering vessels substantially as described.
2. The method of propelling vessels, substantially as described.
3. The using of chemical compounds for producing the propelling motive power
for torpedoes, substantially as described.
4. The method of firing torpedoes or explosive charges, substantially as described.
5. The method of regulating the depth or immersion of a vessel, substantially as
described.
6. The combination of steering and firing needles, acting substantially as
described.
7. The arrangement for sinking a spent torpedo, substantially as described.
8. Constructing a torpedo and its propellers substantially as described.
9. The combination of parts whereby a vessel may be automatically steered or
directed, when acting substantially as and for the purpose described.
10. The combination of two sets of magnetic needles with electrical connections,
and a source of electricity, operating substantially as described.
11. The combination of chemical gases acting upon water, with one or more
injectors or ejectors for propelling vessels substantially as described.
Dated this 30th day of September 1884.