Improvements in Apparatus for Launching Torpedoes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus for Launching Torpedoes.
I, HENRI LOUIS JOSEPH CLEMENT TURC, of Castans, par Cannes (Aude), France,
Naval Sublieutenant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to an apparatus designed to be arranged in combination
with torpedo launching mechanism comprising an arm that supports the torpedo
and is pivoted at one of its ends to the side of the vessel so that it is turned
about its point of attachment as a centre by the resistance of the water after
it has been moved a slight distance away from the side of the vessel, the torpedo
being discharged when the arm has arrived in the position corresponding to the
aiming angle.
In the apparatus heretofore employed, the side of the ship is provided, below
the water-line, with two longitudinal chambers placed end to end, one of these
chambers communicating permanently with the exterior, whilst the other chamber
can be put into and out of communication with the first chamber. The mounting
of the torpedo on the arm is effected in the second chamber, and the combined
arm and torpedo is then brought into the first chamber, where the torpedo is
discharged. The charging chamber, which has become filled with water during
its communication with the discharging chamber, is then shut off from the latter
and emptied. Such apparatus necessarily comprises two chambers which are in
line with each other and the total length of which is equal to twice that required
to accommodate a torpedo.
Now in apparatus according to this invention, by the use of what I term a
rotary lock, only a single chamber capable of accommodating a torpedo is re-
quired: consequently, the space heretofore required is reduced by half.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings is a diagrammatic cross section of such
a torpedo-launching rotary lock;
Figs. 2 to 8 inclusive represent an example of torpedo launching apparatus
according to this invention,
Fig. 2 being an external elevation,
Fig. 3 a horizontal section corresponding to the line 3-3 of Fig. 2,
Fig. 4 an elevation taken from the inside of the vessel,
Figs 5, 6, and 7 cross sections corresponding respectively to the lines 5-5,
6-6, 7-7 of Fig. 3, and

page_text: Fig. 8 an end view;
Fig. 9 is a diagram representing the arrangement of several torpedo-launching
apparatus in one boat.
In a torpedo-launching lock there is fixed in a suitable place to the side A
of the vessel a cylinder B in which are formed two opposite longitudinal
apertures of sufficient size to allow of the passage of the torpedo and its appur-
tenant parts. One of these apertures b (Fig. 1) is inside the vessel, and the other
aperture 6 is formed by the intersection of the side A of the hull of the vessel
with the cylinder B. Inside the cylinder B there is carefully fitted another
cylinder C, which is capable of turning and has a single aperture c, which is equal
in size to the apertures 6 and 61. It will be understood that by rotating the
cylinder C, the interior of this cylinder can be placed into communication either
with the interior of the vessel by means of the aperture b, or with the exterior
by means of the aperture 6', without its being possible for there to be any direct
communication between the interior and the exterior of the vessel if the arc
be greater than the arc y. Each half rotation of the cylinder B has only the effect
of allowing a volume of air equal to its capacity to pass from the vessel into the
sea, or reversely, an equal volume of water to pass from the sea into the vessel.
The torpedo T (Figs. 2 and 3) and its launching arm, as also the accessory parts,
are contained in the cylinder C. For the purpose of charging it with the torpedo,
the cylinder C is placed into communication with the vessel, and for launching
the torpedo, the cylinder C is caused to communicate with the exterior; it will
be seen that with such a torpedo-launching lock the same chamber serves for
charging and for launching a torpedo, thereby reducing the necessary space to
a minimum.
Inside the cylinder C there is arranged an arm D which pivots on a vertical
axis dat one of its ends and by which the torpedo is held.
For the purpose of
launching the torpedo, the arm D is moved slightly out of its turned-in position
in such a manner as to project slightly on the out-side; then, as
the vessel is under way, the arm continues to pivot in consequence
of the resistance of the water and the discharge is effected when the arm has been
moved through a suitable angle. Various mechanical arrangements may be
employed for effecting this operation; the apparatus shown by way of examplo
in Figs. 2 to 8 inclusive is constructed as follows;
-
To the internal surface of the cylinder C, and at one side of the free end of
the arm D, there is arranged a lever E which is pivoted at its end e. This lever
is formed with a slot el in which engages a knob fixed to the movable part of a
press F, of which the piston f is fixed, and the cylinder f¹ is movable when a
suitable fluid under pressure, as compressed air for example, is supplied through
the duct f, the cylinder f' is pushed outwards and it serves to move the arm E
from the position 1 into the position 2 and thereby to bring the arm D into such
a position that it can be engaged by the relative current of water and be thereby
caused to continue its movement.
On moving out, the arm E disengages a bolt G whose function is to secure the
arm D in position when it has completely moved into the cylinder. The supply
of air to the cylinder is controlled by means of a cock or slide valve H, which
serves, on the one hand, for the duct f2 for causing the movable cylinder to move
in one direction (for launching), and, on the other hand, for a duct f³ for effecting
the return of the movable cylinder and returning the arm E into its position 1.
The angle of rotation of the arm I about the point d determines the direction
of firing of the torpedo, and is consequently variable. For the purpose of effect-
ing this movement exactly to the required angle, there is attached to the arm D
a cable I of suitable non-extensible nature, which passes over a guide pulley i
secured to the side of the cylinder and is wound up in the helical groove of a
drum J, which constitutes a nut for a screw K, which is secured at its ends k, k.
The pitch of the screw K is equal to that of the groove of the drum J so that the
cable I will always be opposite to the groove of the drum J. Upon the screw K

page_text: there is mounted another nut-like sleeve L which is provided at its end nearer
to the drum J with a projection that forms a stop, against which a projection j
of the drum can strike when the drum moves along on the screw A. The
sleeve L is surrounded by a sleeve L' relatively to which it is capable of moving
longitudinally, whilst, for the purpose of rotation, it has a feather-and-groove
connexion therewith. The sleeve is mounted in two bearings fixed to the
cylinder C in such a manner that it can only turn on its own axis. At one end
it carries a worm wheel that gears into a worm M, which is operated through the
medium of suitable intermediate toothed wheels m by means of an air motor M².
When the arm D is pushed outwards, it pivots about the point d, and rotates the
drum J, which moves forward along the screw h, to the extent allowed by the
position of the screw-threaded sleeve L. When the projections and at the
ends of the drum and the sleeve meet, the unwinding of the cable 1 is interrupted
and the arm D is then rendered stationary at a certain angle. It will be under-
stood that this angle can be varied by imiting the forward movement of the
drum J by the position of the sleeve L so that in order to cause the arm D to stop
at the proper aiming angle, it is sufficient to cause the sleeve to make à
determined number of revolutions. A suitable counter m' provided on the motion-
transmitting parts m will enable this to be done with all desirable accuracy.
When the drum J and the sleeve L have come into engagement and the length
of the cable necessary for aiming has been unwound and the torpedo discharged,
all that is necessary, for the purpose of winding up the cable and causing the
torpedo-launching apparatus to move back, is to cause the operating mechanism
to rotate in such a manner that the sleeve L, which is in engagement with the
drum by means of the projections and j, will move the drum with it and
thus effect the winding-up of the cable. When the cable is completely wound
up, and the parts have been returned into place for a fresh launching operation,
the sleeve L is caused to turn in the contrary direction; the sleeve L then becomes
disengaged from the drum J, and is returned to its initial position for the purpose
of effecting a fresh aiming operation.
For the purpose of causing the interior of the cylinder C to communicate either
with the ship or with the exterior, it is partially rotated by means of an air or
other motor O, whose motion is transmitted through the medium of suitable
gearing to two worms P which engage with two worm wheels fixed to the
cylinder Cat its two ends. It will be noted that the use of worm gearing pre-
vents the mechanism from running back, and insures the fixity of the actuating
parts in all positions.
I will now recapitulate the method of effecting the launch of a torpedo. The
cylinder having been turned to establish communication with the interior
of the vessel, the torpedo is mounted on the arm D, and the cylinder C is then
turned in such a manner as to communicate with the sea. Then the sleeve L
is actuated by the motor M', so as to fix the length of cable that will be unwound,
and consequently the aiming angle. At the word of command, the torpedo is
moved outwards by operating the cock H. When the torpedo has been launched
the motor M', which is controlled by the valve m², is set going, in order to rotate
the drum J, and, by winding up the cable, to move the arm D in again. At the
same time, the valve II is operated for the purpose of moving the lever E back
again. When the apparatus has been moved back into the cylinder C, the latter
is turned through 180° by means of the motor and the torpedo-launching
apparatus is charged anew.
Rotary-lock torpedo-launching apparatus according to this invention has the
advantage of requiring only a small space; the space occupied being thus as
little as possible, a greater number than usual of launching apparatus can be pro-
vided on a torpedo-boat.
Fig. 9 illustrates diagrammatically in section, a boat containing four launching
apparatus. For torpedos of 0.450 metre in diameter, and 5 metres in length, it
is necessary to have a cylindrical space only six metres long and 350 metres in

page_text: diameter at its base. This space can also contain three reserve torpedoes, so that
a total storage of seven torpedoes is obtained.
It will be noted that, in consequence of the small space required, my invention
enables launching to be effected athwartships in very narrow boats, or in the
compartments of existing boats.
A great advantage of a rotary torpedo-lock according to this invention is that
it is impossible to produce a free through water-passage however clumsily the lock
may be operated.
Improvements in Apparatus for Launching Torpedoes.
I, HENRI LOUIS JOSEPH CLÉMENT TURC, of Castans, par Cannes (Aude), France,
Naval Sublieutenant, 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 an apparatus designed to be arranged in combination
with torpedo launching mechanism comprising an arm that supports the torpedo
and is pivoted at one of its ends to the side of the vessel so that it is turned
about its point of attachment as a centre by the resistance of the water after
it has been moved a slight distance away from the side of the vessel, the torpedo
being discharged when the arm has arrived in the position corresponding to the
aiming angle.
In the apparatus heretofore employed, the side of the ship is provided, below
the water-line, with two longitudinal chambers placed end to end, one of these
chambers communicating permanently with the exterior, whilst the other chamber
can be put into and out of communication with the first chamber. The mounting
of the torpedo on the arm is effected in the second chamber, and the combined
arm and torpedo is then brought into the first chamber, where the torpedo is
discharged. The charging chamber, which has become filled with water during
its communication with the discharging chamber, is then shut off from the latter
and emptied. Such apparatus necessarily comprises two chambers which are in
line with each other and the total length of which is equal to twice that required
to accommodate a torpedo.
Now in apparatus according to this invention, by the use of what I term a
rotary lock, only a single chamber capable of accommodating a torpedo is re-
quired; consequently, the space heretofore required is reduced by half.
Fig. 1 of the drawings filed with my Provisional Specification is a diagrammatic
cross section of such a torpedo-launching rotary lock and
Figs. 2 to 8 inclusive represent an example of torpedo launching apparatus
according to this invention,
Fig. 2 being an external elevation,
Fig. 3 a horizontal section corresponding to the line 3-3 of Fig. 2,
Fig. 4 an elevation taken from the inside of the vessel,
Figs. 5, 6 and 7 cross sections corresponding respectively to the lines 5 -5,
6 and 7--7 of Fig. 3, and
Fig. 8 an end view:

page_text: Fig. 9 is a diagram representing the arrangement of several torpedo-launching
apparatus in one boat.
In a torpedo-launching lock there is fixed in a suitable place to the side A
(Fig. 1) of the vessel a cylinder B in which are formed two opposite longitudinal
apertures of sufficient size to allow of the passage of the torpedo and its appur-
tenant parts. One of these apertures bis inside the vessel, and the other aperture &
is formed by the intersection of the side A of the hull of the vessel with the
cylinder B. Inside the cylinder B there is carefully fitted another cylinder C,
which is capable of turning and has a single aperture which is equal in size to
the apertures and b. It will be understood that by rotating the cylinder C,
the interior of this cylinder can be placed into communication either with the
interior of the vessel by means of the aperture b, or with the exterior by means
of the aperture b¹, without its being possible for there to be any direct com-
munication between the interior and exterior of the vessel if the chord be greater
than the arc y. Each half rotation of the cylinder C has only the effect of allow-
ing a volume of air equal to its capacity to pass from the vessel into the sea, or
conversely, an equal volume of water to pass from the sea into the vessel. The
torpedo T (Figs. 2 and 3) and its launching arm, as also the accessory parts, are
contained in the cylinder C. For the purpose of charging it with the torpedo,
the cylinder C is placed into communication with the vessel, and for launching
the torpedo, the cylinder C is caused to communicate with the exterior; it will
be seen that with such a torpedo-launching lock the same chamber serves for
charging and for launching a torpedo, thereby reducing the necessary space to a
minimum.
Inside the cylinder C there is arranged an arm D which pivots on a vertical
axis dat one of its ends and by which the topedo is held. For the purpose of
launching the torpedo, the arm I) is moved slightly out of its turned-in position
in such a manner as to project slightly on the outside; then, as the vessel is
under way, the arm continues to pivot in consequence of the resistance of the water
and the discharge is effected when the arm has been moved through a suitable
angle. Various mechanical arrangements may be employed for effecting this
operation the apparatus shown by way of example in Figs. 2 to 8 inclusive
is constructed as follows:-
To the internal surface of the cylinder C there is pivoted at e, at one side of the
free end of the arm D), a lever E, which is formed with a slot el in which engages
a pin fixed to the movable part of a press F, of which the piston f is fixed, and
the cylinder f is movable when a suitable fluid under pressure, as compressed
air for example, is supplied through the duct f, the cylinder f¹ is pushed out-
wards and moves the arm E from the position 1 into the position 2 and thereby
brings the arm D into such a position that it can be engaged by the relative
current of water and be thereby caused to continue its movement.
On moving out the arm E disengages a bolt G whose function is to secure the
arm 1) in position when it has completely moved into the cylinder. The supply
of air to the cylinder is controlled by means of a cock or slide valve H, which
serves, on the one hand, for the duct for causing the movable cylinder to move
in one direction (for launching), and, on the other hand, for a duct f3 for effecting
the return of the movable cylinder and thereby returning the arm E into
position 1.
The angle through which the arm D is rotated about the point & determines
the direction in which the torpedo will be fired, and it is consequently variable.
In order that the arm D may be rotated exactly through the required angle,
there is attached to it a cable I of suitable inextensible material, which passes
over a guide pulley i secured to the side of the cylinder C and is wound up in the
helical groove of a drum J, which constitutes a nut for a screw K, which is mounted
at its ends kk so as to be incapable of moving longitudinally. The pitch of the
screw K is equal to that of the groove of the drum J so that the cable I will
always be opposite to the groove of the drum J from which it is to be unwound.

page_text: On the screw K there is mounted another nut-like sleeve L which is provided at
its end nearer to the drum J with a projection that forms a stop and against
which a projection of the drum J can strike when the drum moves along on the
screw K. The sleeve L is surrounded by a sleeve L' relatively to which it is
capable of moving longitudinally whilst, for the purpose of rotation, it has a
feather-and-groove connexion therewith. The sleeve L is mounted in two bear-
ings fixed to the cylinder C in such a manner that it can only turn on its own
axis. At one end it carries a worm wheel that gears into a worm M (Fig. 5),
which is, operated through the medium of suitable intermediate toothed wheels m
by means of an air motor M. When the arm ) is pushed outwards, it pivots
about the point d and rotates the drum J, which moves forward along the
screw K, to the extent allowed by the position of the screw-threaded sleeve L.
When the projections and at the ends of the drum and the sleeve meet, the
unwinding of the cable I is interrupted and the arm D) is then rendered stationary
at a certain angle. It will be understood that this angle can be varied by
limiting the forward movement of the drum J by the position of the sleeve L;
therefore in order to cause the arm D to stop at the proper aiming angle, it is
sufficient to make the sleeve L perform a determined number of revolutions. A
suitable counter m³ provided on the motion-transmitting parts m will enable
this to be done with all desirable accuracy. When the drum J and the sleeve L
have come into engagement and the length of the cable necessary for aiming has
been unwound and the torpedo discharged, all that is necessary, for the purpose
of winding up the cable and so cause the torpedo-launching apparatus to move
back, is to make the operating mechanism to rotate in such a manner that the
sleeve L, which is in engagement with the drum J by means of the projections
and j, will move the drum J with it and thus effect the winding-up of the cable
When the cable is completely wound up, and the parts have been returned into
position for a fresh launching operation, the sleeve L is caused to turn in the
contrary direction; the sleeve L then becomes disengaged from the drum J, and
is returned to its initial position for the purpose of effecting a fresh aiming
operation.
In order to cause the interior of the cylinder C to communicate either with the
ship or with the exterior, it is partially rotated by means of an air or other
motor, whose motion is transmitted through the medium of suitable gearing
to two worms P, which engage with two worm wheels fixed to the cylinder (
at its two ends. It will be noted that the use of worm gearing prevents the
mechanism from running back, and insures the fixity of the actuating parts in
all positions.
I will now recapitulate the method of effecting the launch of a torpedo. The
cylinder having been turned to establish communication with the interior of
the vessel, the torpedo is mounted on the arm D, and the cylinder (' is then turned
so as to communicate with the sea. Then the sleeve L is actuated by the
motor M¹, so as to fix the length of cable that will be unwound, and consequently
the aiming angle. At the word of command, the torpedo is moved outwards by
operating the cock H. When the torpedo has been launched, the motor Mi,
which is controlled by the valve m², is set going, in order to rotate the drum J,
and, by winding up the cable, to move the arm 1 in again. At the same time,
the valve H is operated for the purpose of moving the lever E back again. When
the apparatus has been moved back into the cylinder C, the latter is turned
through 180° by means of the motor and the torpedo-launching apparatus
is charged anew.
Rotary-lock torpedo-launching apparatus according to this invention has the
advantage of requiring only a small space: the space occupied being thus as
little as possible, a greater number than usual of launching-apparatus can be
provided on a torpedo-boat.
Fig. 9 illustrates diagrammatically in section, a boat containing four launch-
ing apparatus. For torpedoes of 0.450 metre in diameter, and 5 metres in length,

page_text: it is necessary to have a cylindrical space only six metres long and 3'50 metres
in diameter at its base. This space can also contain three reserve torpedoes,
so that a total storage of seven torpedoes can be effected.
It will be noted that, in consequence of the small space required, my invention
enables launching to be effected athwartships in very narrow boats, or in the
compartments of existing boats.
A great advantage of a rotary torpedo-lock according to this invention is that
it is impossible to produce a free through water-passage however clumsily the
lock may be operated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. For the purpose of launching torpedoes, the combination of an arm which
is adapted to carry a torpedo and is pivotally connected to the vessel, of a rotary
lock consisting of two cylinders, of which one is fixed and provided with two
opposite apertures, whilst the other is movable and has a single aperture, so that
in turing the movable cylinder within the fixed cylinder the movable cylinder
uncovers only one aperture at a time, the said rotary lock offering a chamber
to contain the torpedo and the launching parts, and adapted to communicate
either with the interior of the vessel for the purpose of charging, or with the
exterior for the purpose of launching, on rotation of the movable cylinder,
substantially as described and shown.
2. Torpedo-launching apparatus constructed, arranged, and operating sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and shown in Figs. 2 to 8
inclusive of the drawings filed with my Provisional Specification.
Dated 11 1
1000
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.