Improvements in Means and Apparatus for Controlling the Steering and other Mechanism of Torpedoes and the like from a Distance and for Analogous Purposes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Improvements in Means and Apparatus for Controlling the Steering
and other Mechanism of Torpedoes and the like from a Distance
and for Analogous Purposes.
We, JAMES TARBOTTON ARMSTRONG, of Moorgate Station Chambers, Moorfields,
London, E.C., Electrician, and AXEL ORLING, of the same address, Electrical
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:--
This invention relates to means and apparatus for controlling mechanisms from
a distance without the use of wire or other like connection, and is more particu-
larly adapted for steering torpedoes, and for operating their pistol releasing and
locking mechanism, so that the course of a torpedo and its firing apparatus may
be under the control of those on board the sending ship or station after the said
torpedo has been launched.
To effect this purpose we employ a beam of light kathodic X or other suitable
rays, which we project from the controlling ship or station in such a manner
hereinafter described, as to influence a selenium cell and so improve the con-
ductivity of a distant closed electric circuit of which the said selenium cell
forms a part.
By these means a larger current is permitted to flow through the coils of an
electro-magnet which is energised by the said closed circuit, enabling it to attract
an armature and close a relay circuit.
By imparting a suitable number of short impulses to this relay a second relay
is closed through one or other of two solenoids which operate the valve of a
servo-motor of well-known construction in one direction or the other so as to effect
the required steering, while a long impulse or a short and a long one will close
the said second relay through one or other of two electro-magnets whose common
armature renders the firing apparatus (which is of the usual well-known con-
struction) inoperative when it is attracted by one of the said electro-magnets and
releases it when it is attracted by the other.
We will now proceed to more particularly describe our invention with the aid
of the accompanying drawings in which like reference letters indicate correspond-
ing parts:
Fig. 1 illustrates a transmitter forming part of our improved apparatus and
Fig. 2 is a transmitter key.
Fig. 3 shows diagrammatically our receiving apparatus and controlling
mechanism, and Fig. 4 is a modified construction of the same.
Figs. 5 and 6 show a selenium cell in sectional elevation and plan respectively.
Figs. 7 and 8 are details to be hereinafter referred to.
Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation, and a detail on a larger scale, of the pistol
controlling mechanism, taken on the line AB in Fig. 3.

page_text: Fig. 10 is a modification.
Fig. 11 shows a modified construction of pistol controlling mechanism.
Figs. 12, 13 and 14 are respectively a side, left-hand and right-hand elevation
of a modified form of break wheel and
Fig 15 shows in elevation a torpedo fitted with our controlling apparatus.
Our transmitting apparatus, which comprises a light kathodic X or other
suitable ray projector (see Fig. 1) is located on board the sending ship or station
and is capable of being manipulated so as to project a beam of rays or to emit
waves in the desired direction and for this purpose the apparatus shown in
Fig. 1 consists of a projector 1 of any well-known construction which is provided
with an electric arc lamp, X ray or other vacuum tubes or other suitable well-
known means (not shown) of producing the said rays.
The projector has trunnion bearings 2 journalled in a yoke 3 formed at the
top of a pillar 4 which is in turn journalled in the stand 5.
A worm and sector are provided at 6 to effect the vertical adjustment, and a
worm and wheel at 7 by means of which the horizontal adjustment may be
effected and any desired direction given to the projected rays.
.
A sighting telescope S is also provided to enable the said rays to be directed
with accuracy at a small distant object.
A suitable transmitting key (Fig. 2) may be used with the transmitter, con-
sisting of a base 14 of insulating material provided with a finger 15 adapted
to be turned in the direction of the arrow 16 by means of a handle 17 and to close
a transmitting circuit (not shown) through a series of contacts 18 one or more
times according to the angle through which it is turned. Instead of closing a
circuit the said handle may rotate an opaque disc 19, shown by dotted lines,
provided with openings, 20, before the projector so as to produce flashes. In
either case a ratchet wheel and pawl 21, prevent rotation in the wrong direction,
while the finger 15, may co-operate with a dial to indicate the result produced in
the receiving apparatus.
Our receiving and controlling apparatus (Fig. 3) which is located upon the
torpedo, or in proximity with the mechanism it is intended to control consists
primarily of a closed electric circuit, 22, which derives its current from a
battery, 23. This closed electric circuit 22, is provided with a selenium cell, 24,
(Figs. 5 and 6) and is adapted to energize an electro-magnet, 26, which, when a
sufficient current is permitted to flow through its coil attracts a spring controlled
armature 27 which constitutes with the contact, 28, a relay closing device.
The magnitude of this energizing current is regulated by the varying resistance
of the said selenium cell, 24, (Figs. 5 and 6) which is of suitable well known
construction, consisting of a series of brass copper or other suitable metal strips
or plates, 29 and 30, which are separated from each other by pieces of mica or
other suitable insulating material. 31; every alternate strip 29, being connected
with one terminal, 32, and the other strips, 30, being similarly connected with the
other terminal, 33, while the said strips 29 and 30 are connected to each other
by means of a selenium surface, 34, whose conductivity is improved when under
the influence of light, kathodic, X or other suitable rays, the whole being con-
tained in a non-conducting casing, 35..
When the relay, 40, is closed, energy will be supplied by the battery, 41, to
the two electro-magnets, 42 and 43, but owing to the movement of the arma-
ture, 44, being retarded by means which will hereinafter he described. the
magnet, 42, first attracts its armature, 45, which is provided with a pawl, 46
adapted to co-operate with a ratchet wheel, 47, and turn a break wheel, 48, by
which the two shunts, 49 and 50, from a normally closed second relay circuit
are controlled.
If this first relay circuit, 40, be closed for a sufficient period to enable its other
magnet, 43, to attract its armature, 44, the pivotted finger, 51, carried by the
armature lever, 52, will reverse the two-way switch, 53, causing the said

page_text: second relay circuit which derives its current from a battery, 54, to be completed
through the alternative course provided by the two branches, 55 and 56.
This finger, 51, is normally held in a central position by the spring, 57, and
engages one or other of the notches 58 and 59, formed on the switch 53, (Figs. 3
and 7) into which it is guided by the inclined sides of a central tooth, 60, which
is alternately shifted from one side to the other of the finger's path by the opera-
tion of the switch.
In this way the electro-magnets, 61 and 62, which are respectively fed by the
branches, 55 and 56 are alternately energized and caused to reciprocate a common
armature, 63, which is located between their poles.
This armature, 63, (Figs. 3 and 9) is supported at the end of a pivotted
arm, 64, and is provided with a hole, 65, through which the firing pistol, 66, is
free to pass only when the said armature, 63, is in contact with the pole of the.
magnet, 62.
The means employed to retard the movement of the armature, 44, consists of
a toothed sector, 67, applied to the end of the armature lever, 52, adapted to
gear with a pinion, 68, and drive a fly wheel, 69 whose inertia has first to be
overcome.
The break wheel, 48, (Fig. 8) is composed of a suitable insulating material, 70,
and is provided with a metal rim, 71 and 72 at each edge of its face. These rims
are provided with fingers, 73 and 74, which extend alternately from one rim
towards the other, across a central zone of the insulating material, but do not meet.
The angular distance between these fingers, 73 and 74, is double the pitch of
the ratchet wheel teeth, so that when the break wheel, 48 is operated tooth
by tooth the central brush, 75, will at each alternate impulse be opposite an
insulated space between a finger extending from each of the rims, 71 and 72,
which rims will through their respective fingers, 73 and 74, be brought alternately
into metallic contact with the said central brush, 75, at each intermediate
impulse.
Each of these rims, 71 and 72, is in metallic contact with a brush 76 and 77,
which are respectively connected with the solenoids 78 and 79, through one or
other of which the current will flow when the central brush, 75, is in contact with
one of the fingers.
These solenoids, 78 and 79, are arranged in line, and when energized act upon
a common core 80, which is located between them and is normally maintained in
a central position by springs, 81.
This core, 80, operates the valve, 82, of a servo-motor, 83, by which means
the small pressure applied to its valve causes a considerably greater force to be
applied in the same direction to the mechanism it is desired to actuate.
When the solenoid. 78, is energized the core, 80 the valve-rod, 84, to which
it is attached, and the valve, 82, of the servo-motor, S3, are moved in the direction
of the arrow, 85, whereby compressed air or other suitable medium under pressure
derived from any convenient source (not shown) which is admitted to the valve
chamber 86, by the pipe, 87, annular space, SS, around the piston, 89 and
channel, 90, is admitted through the port, 91, to the space, 92, in front of the
piston, 89, while the space 93, at the back of the piston is open to exhaust through
the other port 94, and the hollow piston stem, 95.
. When the other solenoid, 79, is energized, the valve, 82, is operated in the
reverse direction and the compressed air or other medium is admitted to the
back of the piston, 89, by the port, 94, while the front exhausts through the
other port, 91, and the perforated hollow piston rod, 96, which is connected by
a link 97, or other suitable well known means to the rudder, 98 or other
mechanism it is desired to control.
It will now be seen that if only short impulses be imparted to the first relay
circuit, 40, the armature, 45 alone will be operated and will in turn actuate the
break wheel, 48, tooth by tooth in such a manner that every alternate impulse

page_text: will cut out both of the shunts, 49 and 50 which energizes the solenoids, 78
and 79, that operate the valve of the servo-motor, while the intermediate impulses
alternately cut them in to effect the steering.
When it is desired to operate the pistol controlling device, assuming that both
the shunts, 49 and 50, are cut out, it is necessary to impart one short and one long
impulse to the said first relay circuit, 40, the result of which is to turn the
break-wheel, 48 through the distance of two teeth so as to bring the next insulated
space under the brush, 75, (in order that the steering may not be effected) but
the last impulse being a long one the armature, 44, is given time to move under
the influence of its magnet's (43,) attraction causing the lever, 52, to descend and
the pivotted finger 51 to enter one of the notches, 58 or 59 to reverse the
switch, 53, and effect the desired change in the pistol controlling mechanism
in the manner hereinbefore described.
From the foregoing it will be understood that the second relay is normally
closed the current flowing from the battery, 54 along the conductor, 99, through
one of the branches, 55 or 56, and the coil of its magnet 61 or 62, (according to
which was last cut in by the two-way switch, 53, whose position is maintained
by the friction produced by the spring. 100, shown in Fig. 7) and back to the
battery by way of the conductor, 101. In this way the pistol controlling
device, 63 is maintained in its proper place by the continued energizing of
the magnet that last attracted it.
When either of the solenoids, 78 or 79, is energized, a portion of the current
derived from the same battery, 54, flows through the shunt, 102, taking one of
the alternative courses, 49, or 50, opened to it by the break-wheel, 48, in order
to energize that solenoid which will through the servo-motor, effect the desired
correction to the steering, whereafter one short impulse will cut it out.
Instead of using a two-way switch of the kind shown at 53, we may employ a
break-wheel substantially like the one shown at 48, to be operated by a pawl in
the place of the finger, 51.
According to a modification, both the relay circuits are normally open, in which
case the friction put upon the two-way switch, 53, (Fig. 7) by the spring, 100 is
reduced by means of the nut, 103, enabling the spring of the contacts 104 to
break the circuit directly the armature 44 and the finger 51 are returned to their
normal position (shown in Fig. 3) by the spring 105 on the demagnetisation of
the magnet, 43.
When this arrangement is employed the pistol controlling device is maintained
in the position to which it was last attracted by a spring arrangement (Fig. 9)
consisting of a short link, 106, pivotted at one end to a stationary pin, 107, and
provided with another pin, 108 at its opposite end which passes through a slot, 109,
in the arm, 64, and is acted upon by a spring, 110, in a manner to keep the arma-
ture, 63, normally in either of its extreme positions.
In Fig. 10 is shown another means of retarding the movement of the arma-
ture, 44, consisting of a plunger, 111, which enters a cylinder, 112, when the
said armature is attracted, its movement being retarded by the contained air
which either escapes around the plunger or through a small hole, 113. The
quick return may be effected by providing the plunger, 111, with an inwardly
opening valve, 114.
According to the modification shown in Fig. 4, our receiving and controlling
apparatus consists of a closed electric circuit having a selenium cell, 24, and a-
magnet, 26, adapted, when a sufficient current flows through its coil, to close a
relay circuit as before.
This relay circuit, 40, is in this case provided with only one magnet, 42, which,
when energised attracts its armature, 45, and by means of a pawl, 46, and a
ratchet wheel, 47, rotates a break wheel, 115, tooth by tooth.
This break wheel, 115, (see Figs. 12 to 14) consists of a metal drum, 116, having
a flange, 117, which is insulated from its spindle, 118, as shown at 119.
Upon this drum, 116, is a sleeve, 120, of insulating material, through which

page_text: extend the studs, 121, 122, 123, and 124, which are in metallic contact with the
said drum, and are arranged in different planes of rotation, around its circum-
ference at angular distances apart equal to twice the pitch of the ratchet teeth
by which it is rotated.
Against this break wheel, 115, bear five brushes, 125, 126, 127, 128, and 129,
the first of which 125 makes contact with the drum, 116, continuously through
the flange, 117, while the others are at alternate impulses of the electro-magnet, 42,
brought one after the other into metallic connection with the said first brush, 125,
through their respective studs and the drum whereas at intermediate impulses
each brush is insulated from the others.
The brush, 125, is connected with one pole of a second relay battery, 54, by
means of a conductor, 102, and when the stud, 124, is in contact with the
brush, 129 a circuit is completed through the shunt, 49, the solenoid, 78, and
conductors, 130 and 101, back to the battery. If the break wheel 115, be now
turned through the distance of one tooth, none of the studs will be in contact
with any of the brushes and the second relay circuit will be broken, if it be
turned another tooth the stud, 123, will make contact with the brush, 128, and
the circuit will this time be completed through the shunt, 50, the solenoid, 79,
and back to the battery by way of conductors, 130 and 101. The next impulse
will again break the circuit and the fourth will bring the stud, 122, into contact
with the brush, 127, when the current will flow along the conductor, 56, through
the solenoid, 131, and through the conductor, 101, back to the battery where
after the circuit will again be broken by the next impulse and another impulse
will bring the stud, 121, and brush, 126, together completing the circuit through
the conductor, 55, solenoid, 132, and conductor 101 back to the battery..
If the transmitting key shown in Fig. 2 be used with this apparatus one
rotation of the finger, 15, will close a transmitting circuit eight times or flash
eight beams of rays so as to act upon the selenium cell in the receiving circuit
an equal number of times, causing it to actuate the break wheel, 115, as often
through the ratchet wheel, 47, whose eight teeth will rotate it once.
With such an arrangement the position of the finger 15, of the transmitting
key would indicate the position of the break wheel, 115.
In this arrangement the solenoids, 78, and 79, operate the servo-motor valve
as before, and two magnets 61, and 62, may actuate a pistol controlling apparatus
substantially as described with reference to Figs. 3 and 9.
In such a case, it would be necessary to re-set the pistol controlling apparatus
every time the steering was controlled in order to correct any wrong effect that
might result from the said magnets, 61, and 62, being momentarily energised
while the break wheel is being rotated to cut in the shunt that feeds the solenoid
that will effect the desired alteration to a torpedo's course.
An alternative means is shown in Figs. 4 and 11 by which such resetting is
rendered unnecessary.
According to this arrangement solenoids, 131, and 132, are employed instead
of electro-magnets.
These solenoids are wound on hollow bobbins, 1833, whose interiors are closed
at their outer ends by a wall 134, which may be perforated.
When it is desired to actuate the pistol controlling apparatus the proper solenoid
must be energised long enough to enable its core, 135, to drive out its contained
air, whereafter the said core will be maintained in that position by the spring
arrangement shown in Fig. 11, consisting of the pivotted pin, 136, adapted to
slide in the pivotted block, 137, against the resistance of the spring, 1:38.
Should either of these solenoids be momentarily energised during the rotation
of the break wheel, 115, no alteration in the position of the pistol controlling
apparatus will result, and similarly, as in the other constructions, the momentary
energising of the solenoids 78, and 79, is immaterial as any deflection of the rudder
is immediately corrected by the spring, 81, which returns the core, 80, to its
central position.

page_text: When applying our invention for the purpose of controlling the steering gear
and firing apparatus of torpedoes, the transmitter (Fig. 1) is located on board
the sending ship or station and the torpedo is provided with a set of vertical
rudders, 98, (Fig. 15) substantially similar in construction to the horizontal
ones, 139, now used, while the whole of the receiving and controlling apparatus,
except the selenium cell, 24, is contained with the mechanisms to be controlled,
within the body of the torpedo, the pistol controlling apparatus being located in
the explosive head, between the pistol and the detonator.
The selenium cell, 24, is supported outside the torpedo, preferably inside a
box, 140, either under the water, as shown in Fig. 15 by full lines, or above the
surface at the end of a spar, 141, as shown by dotted lines in the same fig.
The box, 140 is made of a material that is opaque or impervious to the rays or
waves, such as iron, but has a transparent side of glass, aluminium or other
suitable material which is directed towards the stern of the torpedo, so as to
only admit rays or waves emanating from the sending station or ship.
A light or other means, 142, of showing the torpedo's course to the senders is
also provided.
When a torpedo has been launched and it is desired to vary its course or actuate
its pistol controlling device a beam of rays is projected, towards the torpedo so
as to influence its selenium celi, 24, and so enable the receiving circuit, 22, to
energize the magnet, 26, and make and break the first relay circuit, 40, as required
to produce the desired result in the manner substantially herein before set forth.
We may obviously apply our invention to the controlling of other apparatus
for which purpose the break wheel, 115, may have more than four studs which
co-operating with a suitable number of brushes may distribute energy to a corre-
sponding number of solenoids, 131, and 132, substantially as described with
reference to Figs. 4 and 11.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that we
desire it to be understood that we lay no claim to apparatus for transmitting,
receiving, or utilizing Hertzian radiations or electro-magnetic waves, but what
we do claim is :-
1. The means and apparatus for controlling the steering and other mechanism
of torpedoes and the like consisting of a transmitting apparatus, comprising a
ray projector located at the controlling station, and a distant closed electric receiv-
ing circuit provided with a selenium cell, or other suitable variable resistance
whose conductivity is improved when under the influence of the transmitted rays
or waves whereby a sufficient current is permitted to flow through the coils of an
electro-magnet as long as such influence lasts to enable it to attract its armature
and close a relay circuit, substantially as described and for the purposes set
forth in the specification.
2. In a system of the kind referred to in Claim 1, a receiving and controlling
apparatus comprizing a closed electric circuit provided with a selenium. cell,
or other suitable variable resistance whose conductivity is improved when under
the influence of the transmitted rays or waves whereby a sufficient current is
permitted to flow through the coils of an electro-magnet so long as such influence
lasts to enable it to attract its armature and close a relay circuit adapted to
actuate one or more break-wheels or other switches whereby one or more other
relays are operated and caused to energise one or more magnets or solenoids and
through them actuate the mechanism or mechanisms to be controlled directly or
through the agency of one or more servo-motors or other auxiliary appliance
substantially as described and for the purposes set forth in the specification.
3. In a system of the kind referred to in Claim 1, a receiving and controlling
apparatus comprising a closed electric circuit provided with a selenium cell, or
other suitable variable resistance whose conductivity is improved when under the
influence of the transmitted rays or waves whereby a sufficient current is per-

page_text: mitted to flow through the coils of an electro-magnet so long as such influence
lasts to enable it to attract its armature and close a relay circuit adapted to
energise two magnets the armature of one of which is retarded so as to render it
responsive only to long impulses while the armature of the other magnet responds
to every impulse and actuates a break wheel whereby a second relay may be
caused to energise one or other of two solenoids and operate the steering gear or
other mechanism to be controlled through the agency of a servo-motor, while a
long impulse actuates the other armature by which a two way switch is actuated,
and the said second relay is caused to energise one or other of two electro-
magnets and through it operate a pisto! controlling device or other mechanism
substantially as described and for the purposes set forth in the specification.
4. In a system of the kind referred to in Claim 1, a receiving and controlling
apparatus comprising a closed electric circuit provided with a selenium cell,
or other suitable variable resistance whose conductivity is improved when under
the influence of the transmitted rays or waves whereby a sufficient current is
permitted to flow through the coils of an electro-magnet to enable it to attract
its armature and close relay circuit which in turn energises another magnet
whose armature actuates a break wheel adapted to co-operate with a series of
brushes by means of which one or more relays may be completed through one or
more of a series of shunts and one or more solenoids or electro-magnets energised,
substantially as described and for the purposes set forth.
5. In receiving and controlling apparatus of the kind referred to in the preced-
ing claims, the use of solenoids or electro-magnets the movement of whose cores
or armatures is retarded so as to render them non-responsive except to impulses
of suitable duration, substantially as described and for the purposes set forth.
6. In receiving apparatus of the kind referred to in the preceding claims, the
use of a box or the like adapted to contain the variable resistance or collecting
surface the said box being composed of a material that is opaque or impervious
to the influencing rays or waves but provided with a transparent side or aperture
through which rays or waves coming from a given direction may pass so as to
influence the variable resistance, substantially as described and for the purposes
set forth.
7. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting means and apparatus
for controlling torpedo and other mechanisms from a distance without the use of
wire or other like connections, substantially as described in the specification and
llustrated by the drawings.
JAS. T. ARMSTRONG,
AXEL ORLING.
Applicants.