IMPROVEMENTS IN TORPEDOES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Ambrose McEvoy of 18 Adam Street Adelphi
in the County of Middlesex for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
TORPEDOES
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Ambrose M°Evoy
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th October 1883.
CHARLES AMBROSE M°EVOY of 18 Adam Street Adelphi in the County of
Middlesex "IMPROVEMENTS IN TORPEDOES"
This invention has for its object improvements in torpedoes. In torpedoes
intended to be anchored beneath the surface of the water and to be fired by ships
or vessels running against them, one of the means of ignition at present in use is
by providing a battery cell within the torpedo and placing liquid for charging
this battery cell within a glass tube cased in lead which is made to project from
the body of the torpedo.
A ship or vessel coming against the leaden tube bends it and breaks the glass
within thereby allowing the liquid to run down into the cell. The Battery then
at once becomes active and fires the fuse-It is the practice to provide the torpedo
with several of these charging tubes the better to ensure the requisite contact with
the passing vessel the circuit in which the fuse is contained is by wires extending
outside the torpedo and so long as these wires are separated the torpedo is safe to
handle. Now in torpedoes of this class I employ but a single tube and that
conveniently disposed in a cavity at the top of the torpedo; and in place of
relying on contact taking place between the tube and the passing vessel I provide
a weight upon the top of the torpedo chained to the tube. A blow struck by a
passing ship upon the torpedo however the torpedo may be hit overturns the
weight which then slides off the top of the torpedo and draging upon its chain
bends the leaden tube, breaks the glass within, and admits the charging fluid to
the battery. The weight I employ is in the form of a ring it is coned within and
rests upon a conical seat I keep it in place whilst laying the torpedo by means of
a flange of papier mache attached by screws to the top of the conical seat over the
ring weight. By this means I can render the torpedo inert for some hours after it
is laid or until the water has thoroughly saturated and softened the papier mache,
.
17

page_text: Or in some cases I make the weight to fit upon the top of the tube where it will
be carried safely so long as the torpedo is exposed to no violence but when the
torpedo is struck by a passing vessel the inertia of the weight causes the leaden
tube to be bent and the charge is fired. Whilst laying the torpedo I cause the
weight to be supported by a disc of papier maché forming a cover for the cavity
in which the tube is lodged. The papier maché cover is attached by screws and
the stem of the weight passes through a hole in its centre. Hence till the papier
maché is saturated and soft the weight is supported so that it cannot bend the
tube on impact.
According to another arrangement I cause the weight when displaced from the
top of the torpedo to operate mechanically in the following manner to fire the
charge: A small chamber is provided in which a firing charge is contained; on this
chamber there is a nipple armed with a percussion cap and covered with a thin
sheet of metal to exclude water. Immediately in front of the cap is a striker
supported by a coiled spring.-The stem of the striker terminates within a tube
which it fits and a hook also fitting the tube engages with the stem within the
tube. The weight is attached by a chain to the hook and when the weight falls
the hook is drawn down carrying the striker with it and compressing the spring.
The hook passes completely out of the guide tube and then disengages itself from
the striker which flying forward fires the cap.
For torpedoes intended to be fired by an electric current transmitted to them by
a cable containing an insulated conductor, I provide for the more ready connection
and disconnection of the cable with the fuse chamber as follows:-I turn back
the outer wires of the cable so as to expose a few inches of the insulated core at
the end to be connected. I spread the wires outwards and shorten them, they
then form a collar around the cable. I insert this end into one end of a double
ferrule of brass. The ferrule is divided in the middle by a diaphragm which is
perforated for the passage through it of the portion of the insulated core which
has been laid bare. The outer wires of the cable forming the collar abut upon the
diaphragm; a soft metal washer is laid upon the other side of them and then a
tubular plug through which the cable passes is screwed into the ferrule and the
ferrule thus becomes firmly locked upon the cable. The insulated core passes out
through the other end of the double ferrule, an india rubber ring and a tubular
plug screwed into the ferrule and compressing the india rubber forms a water
tight joint. The end of the insulated core projects through the plug and through
an insulating ebonite tip which is screwed upon the end of the plug. The core is
cut so as to expose the conductor the wires of which are spread out upon the
surface of the insulating tip. A metal cap is then screwed on to the end of the
tip, it presses firmly upon the conducting wires and forming a good electrical
connection.
The fuse chamber of the torpedo has a hole or passage through its base to receive
the end of the cable armed as already described. The hole is of two diameters
and the double ferrule upon the cable has an external flange which when inserted
into the hole in the base of the fuse chamber bears against the shoulder within the
hole and a tubular plug screwed into the wider part of the hole and bearing upon
the flange firmly secures the parts. A washer serves to render the joint
watertight.
Within the fuse chamber there is an insulated spring connected with the fuse
and the insulated metal cap on the end of the cable ferrule abuts against the
spring when the cable is attached to the torpedo and so the electrical connection
between the cable conductor and the fuse is established. By these arrangements
I am able to attach or detach the cable at any time without removing the fuse
chamber the connection being external.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Charles Ambrose M'Evoy in the Patent Office on the 10th April
1884.
CHARLES AMBROSE M°EVOY of 18 Adam Street Adelphi in the County of
Middlesex "IMPROVEMENTS IN TORPEDOES
"
This invention has for its object improvements in torpedoes.
In torpedoes intended to be anchored beneath the surface of the water and to be
fired by ships or vessels running against them one of the means of ignition at
present in use is by providing a battery cell within the torpedo and placing liquid
for charging this battery cell within a glass tube cased in lead which is made to
project from the body of the torpedo.
A ship or vessel coming against the leaden tube bends it and breaks the glass
within thereby allowing the liquid to run down into the cell. The battery
then at once becomes active and fires the fuse. It is the practice to provide the
torpedo with several of these charging tubes the better to ensure the requisite
contact with the passing vessel. The circuit in which the fuse is contained is
by wires extending outside the torpedo and so long as these wires are separated
the torpedo is safe to handle. Now in torpedoes of this class I employ but a single
tube and that conveniently disposed in a cavity at the top of the torpedo; and in
place of relying on contact taking place between the tube and the passing vessel
I provide a weight upon the top of the torpedo chained to the tube. A blow struck
by a passing ship upon the torpedo, however the torpedo may be hit, overturns the
weight which then slides off the top of the torpedo and dragging upon its chain
bends the leaden tube breaks the glass within and admits the charging fluid to the
battery. The weight. I employ is in the form of a ring it is coned within and rests
upon a conical seat. I keep it in place whilst laying the torpedo by means of a
flange of papier maché attached by screws to the top of the conical seat over the
ring weight. By this means I can render the torpedo inert for some hours after it
is laid or until the water has thoroughly saturated and softened the papier maché.
Figure 1 shews a vertical section of a torpedo constructed as above described.

page_text: L is a metal cap fixed on the top of the leaden tube H it is connected by a
chain M with the weight K. The drag upon this chain when the weight falls is
sufficient to bend the tube H and to break the glass vessel within it and this
results in the explosion of the torpedo as already explained.
In order that the torpedo may not become active for several hours after it is
placed in the water the weight K is held down upon its seat by the cover or ring
of papier maché N. This cover is secured by screws to the top of the cup like
piece F and the outer edge of this cover effectually prevents the escape of the weight
until the papier maché has been long enough in the water to become thoroughly
saturated but when so saturated it is soft and disintegrated and offers no resistance
to the escape of the weight.
Or in some cases I make the weight to fit upon the top of the tube where it will
be carried safely so long as the torpedo is exposed to no violence but when the
torpedo is struck by a passing vessel the inertia of the weight causes the leaden
tube to be bent and the charge is fired. Whilst laying the torpedo I cause the
weight to be supported by a disc of papier maché forming a cover for the cavity in
which the tube is lodged.
The papier maché cover is attached by screws and the stem of the weight passes
through a hole in its centre. Hence till the papier maché is saturated and soft the
weight is supported so that it cannot bend the tube on impact.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the upper part of a torpedo similar to Figure 1
but with this modification.
The leaden tube H is here contained within a head O which is placed loosely
over it. The tube does not support the weight of the head but it prevents it
from overturning so long as the torpedo has only the motion which is natural
to it in rolling about anchored in the sea; but when a ship or vessel comes into
collision with the torpedo, the inertia of the head causes the bending of the
leaden tube and the fracture of the glass or like vessel within it and the contents
run down into and charge the battery cell.
P is a disc or cover of papier maché surrounding the head O and securely holding
it in place even against a heavy impact until the papier maché has been softened
by long continued soaking in the sea water.
According to another arrangement I cause the weight when displaced from the
top of the torpedo to operate mechanically in the following manner to fire the
charge. A small chamber is provided in which a firing charge is contained, on
this chamber there is a nipple armed with a percussion cap and covered with a
thin sheet of metal to exclude water. Immediately in front of the cap is a
striker supported by a coiled spring. The stem of the striker terminates within
a tube which it fits and a hook also fitting the tube engages with the stem within
the tube. The weight is attached by a chain to the hook and when the weight
falls the hook is drawn down carrying the striker with it and compressing the
spring. The hook passes completely out of the guide tube and then disengages
itself from the striker which flying forward fires the cap.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of a torpedo constructed in this manner so that
the displacement of the weight from the top shall mechanically operate to fire the
charge.
Q is the weight lodged in the conical seating on the top of the torpedo and
prevented from escaping therefrom by the papier maché cover R as in Figure 1.
This cover as before described after a few hours soaking becomes soft and ceases
to oppose any resistance to the escape of the weight.
S is a chain connecting the weight with a hook T which is received into a guide
passage U provided for it in the lower part of the torpedo.
V is a striker surrounded by the coiled spring W. The striker is formed at
its lower end to engage with the hook T and so that it cannot become disengaged
from it so long as the interlocking parts remain within the guide passage U.
When the weight falls from the top of the torpedo it pulls down the hook T
and with it the striker V until the disengaging parts pass clear- of the guide

page_text: passage. The hook then escapes from the striker and the striker flies forward
by the operation of the spring W and striking upon a percussion cap explodes the
charge.
The striker does not come into actual contact with the cap but a plate of thin
flexible metal is interposed to insure the water tight joint.
X is the priming chamber containing the starting charge.
In torpedoes intended to be fired by an electric current transmitted to them by
a cable containing an insulated conductor I provide for the more ready connection
and disconnection of the cable with the fuse chamber as follows:-I turn back the
outer wires of the cable so as to expose a few inches of the insulated core at the
end to be connected. I spread the wires outwards and shorten them they then
form a collar around the cable.
I insert this end into one end of a double ferrule of brass. The ferrule is
divided in the middle by a diaphragm which is perforated for the passage
through it of the portion of the insulated core which has been laid bare..
The outer wires of the cable forming the collar abut upon a soft metal washer
in contact with the diaphragm and then a tubular plug through which the cable
passes is screwed into the ferrule and the ferrule thus becomes firmly locked upon
the cable. The insulated core passes out through the other end of the double
ferrule, an india rubber ring and a tubular plug screwed into the ferrule and
compressing the india rubber forms a water tight joint. The end of the insulated
core projects through the plug and through an insulating ebonite tip which is
screwed upon the end of the plug. The core is cut so as to expose the conductor
the wires of which are spread out upon the surface of the insulating tip. A metal
cap is then screwed on to the end of the tip, it presses firmly upon the conducting
wires and forming a good electrical connection.
The fuse chamber of the torpedo has a hole or passage through its base to receive
the end of the cable armed as already described.
The hole is of two diameters and the double ferrule upon the cable has an
external flange which when inserted into the hole in the base of the fuse chamber
bears against the shoulder within the hole and a tubular plug screwed into the
wider part of the hole and bearing upon the flange firmly secures the parts.
A washer serves to render the joint water tight.
Within the fuse chamber there is an insulated spring connected with the fuse
and the insulated metal cap on the end of the cable ferrule abuts against the spring
when the cable is attached to the torpedo and so the electrical connection between
the cable conductor and the fuse is established. By these arrangements I am able
to attach or detach the cable at any time without removing the fuse chamber―
the connection being external.
Figure 4 is a vertical section of the lower part of the torpedo adapted to be fired
by an electric current, transmitted to it through a cable.
b
a a is the outer shell of the torpedo, it receives within it the case 6 containing the
priming charge. The case b is, as heretofore, secured in its place in a screw socket
by a screw ring and washer.
c is the electric cable.
c' is the core of the cable which has been laid bare for a short distance.
care the outer wires of the cable, which have been bent outwards and shortened.
d is a double ferrule into which the cable thus prepared is inserted.
e is a tubular nut which when screwed home into the ferrule nips the ends
of the wires c against a soft metal washer which is interposed between them and
the diaphragm which separates the two sides of the double ferrule.
f is a perforated disc of india rubber inserted into the other chamber of the
double ferrule, it surrounds the core c' in the cable.
g is a metal plug also perforated for the core of the cable to pass through it.
When the plug is screwed down into the socket upon the india rubber disc it
compresses it and forms a perfect joint.

page_text: h is a cap of vulcanite, secured on to the top of the plug g, the core of the cable
passes through the cap and the bared conducting wires project from its ends.
i is a metal tip screwed on to the vulcanite, it makes an electrical connection
with the core c¹ of the cable.
The double ferrule and parts connected therewith are applied to the cable whilst
it is detached from the torpedo. When connection is required to be made the
double ferrule is inserted into the socket in the base of the priming case b with
an india rubber or other washer beneath its flange and the tubular nut ke is screwed
into the socket. The nut abuts upon the flange of the ferrule and forcibly
compressing the washer makes a sound joint.
When the cable is thus connected with the torpedo, the metal tip i abuts upon
a spring contact within the priming case b. A wire leads from the contact
piece and to the fuse, through the fuse the firing circuit is led in the usual
manner.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I claim :-
First. My improvement in torpedoes which are exploded by the bending of a
soft metal tube or case containing liquid enclosed in a vessel of glass or other
like material; consisting in connecting the said soft metal tube or case by a chain
or like connection with an external weight so arranged as to be displaced by the
collision of a ship or vessel with the torpedo.
Second. The combination in an electric torpedo of a battery cell in circuit
with an electric fuse, a vessel containing liquid to charge the said battery cell and
a head O which on collision causes the fracture of the said vessel substantially as
described in respect to Figure 2 of the annexed drawings.
Third. My improvement in torpedoes which are exploded by the displacement
on collision of an external weight; consisting in temporarily securing the said
weight with a cover of papier maché which remains rigid until softened by
prolonged soaking in water.
Fourth. My improvement in torpedoes which are exploded by the displacement
on collision of an external weight consisting in connecting the said weight with a
hook which can slide within a guide passage where it is made to engage with the
stem of a striker supported by a spring; the said parts operating together.
substantially as herein described.
Fifth. My improvement in torpedoes to be fired by an electric current consisting
in securing the end of the cable in a ferrule from which the extremity of the
cable core projects; such ferrule entering and being held with a water tight joint
in a hole or passage in the base of the fuse chamber of the torpedo, the conductor
of the cable then establishing an electrical connection with the firing appliance
substantially as described.
In witness whereof I the said Charles Ambrose M°Evoy have hereunto set my
band and seal this Tenth day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty four.