US413113A - Hungary - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) a sneak-sheet 1. I ADOLP GRAP VON BUONACGORSI DI PI$TOJA.

AUTO-MOBILE TORPEDO.

No. 413,113. Patented 001;. 15', 1889.

r@ 6% w a, a

. (No Model.) 5 SheetsSheet 2.

ADOLF GRAF VON BUONACGORSI DI PIST OJA.

AUTO-MOBILE TORPBDO- No. 413,113. Patented Oct. 16; 1889.

5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

ADOLF GRAP- VON BUONAGGORSI DI'PISTOJA.

AUTO-MOBILE TORPEDO.

Patented Oct. 15, 1889 5 Sheets-Sheet; 4.

(No Model.)

A'DOLF GRAF VON BUONACCORSI DI PISTOJA.

AUTO-MOBILE TORPEDO Patented Got per (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5. ADOLP GRAF VON BUONMHORSI DI PISTOJA.

AUTO-MOBILE 1* .tPEDO.

UNITED STATES.

' 'ATENT OFFICE.

' VIENNA, AUSTRIA- AUTO-MOBILE TQRPTEDO.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 413,1 13, dated October 15, 1889.

Application filed .April 18, 1888. Serial No. 271,047. (No model.) Patented in Germany February 24, 1888.110. 49,124; in France February 24, 1888, No. 188,945; in Belgium March 12, 1888, No- 81,008: in England March 20, 1888, No. 4,297; in Italy March 31, 1888, $111, 23,135 and XLV, 431; in Portugal May 17, 1888, No. 1,244; in Norway May 28, 1883, N0. 934; in- Austria-Hungary June 26, 1888,11'0- 8,093 andNo. 21,102, and in Spain June 30, 1888, No- 8,035.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ADOLF GRAF VON Boole Vol. XXII, No. 23,135, and Vol. XLV, No. 431,

dated March 31, 1888; in Spain,-No. 8,035, dated June 30, 1888; in Portugal, No. 1,244, dated May 17, 1888; in England, No. 4,297, dated March 20, 1888, andin Norway, No. 934', dated May 28, 1888 g) and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will e11 able others skilled in the art, to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal axial schematic section of a torpedo constructed according to my invention; and Figs. 2 to 16 are detail views, drawn to an enlarged scale, of which Fig. 2 is a vertical axial section of that part of the torpedo immediately in rear of the charge-chamber and in front of the reservoir for the motive fluid; illustrating the devices that control the movements of the horizontal or immersing rudder or fin through the medium of the hydrostatic pressure of the ambient-water. Fig. 2 is a detached detail view of a portion of said mechanism. Fig. 3 is a section on line 00 0c of Fig. 2, the hull or shell of the torpedo being broken away. Fig. 4 is a diagram of the pendulumand parts connected therewith.

Fig. 5 is an axial seotion'of that part of the torpedo immediatelyin rear of the reservoir or storage-chamber for the motive fluid, i1lustrating the main distributing-valve and a portion of the shifting devices thereof, the intermediate mechanism controlled by the hydrostatic pressure and controlling the horizontal or immersing rudder. section on line as x of Fig. 5. Figs. 7 and 9 are axial sections of the piston-cylinder and the piston that controls the immersing-rudder; and Figs. 8 and 10 are diagrams illustrating the operation and effect of the piston upon its. connections and the immersing rudder when said piston is in the position shown in Figs. 7 and 9, respectively. Fig. 11 is an axial section of that part of the torpedo immediately in rear of the immersing or sinking chamber, illustrating the conneetionbetween the rod of the piston shown in Figs. 5, 7, and 9 and the propeller-shaft; also a portion .of the shifting mechanism for the distributing and sinking valves; also the devices for timing the operation of i said shifting devices. Fig. 12 is a horizontal axial section of the forward chamber, shown in Fig. 11, illustrating the mechanism for shifting the sinking-valve and disconnecting the valve rods or spindles therefrom. Fig. 12 is aseetion on linex a; of Fig. 12. Figs. 13and '14 are axial sect-ions of the tail end of the torpedo, illustrating the pro pcllers and immersing-rudder, a portion of the vertical rudder and of the propellers being broken away in Fig. 14; and Figs. 15 and 16 are sections taken on lines 00 a; and y y,

respectively, of Fig. 14, the hexagonal headthe operative parts in a substantially .uni-

Fig. 6 is a form manner'throughout the length of the torpedo, and to simplify or compact said mechanisms as that they may be contained withinthe torpedo-shell, thereby materially reducing the cost of construction and increasing the eificiency of the torpedo.

To these ends the invention consists in the general construction of the torpedo and the arrangementv of the operative mechanisms within the shell thereof; in means for con trolling the operation of the immersing-rudder through the medium of the hydrostatic pressure of the ambient water; in the combi- 'nation, with the mechanism for controlling the immersing-rudder, and with the distributing and sinking valves, of shifting mechanism controlled by the propeller, and timing and synchronizing devices operating so that as the distributing-valve is closed the sinking-valves will move off their seats, and the mechanism that controls the immersing-rudder thrown out of' operation; in means for 1 locking the immersing-rudder out of operation, and in combination therewith of a timereleasing mechanism controlled by the pro-' peller, and, lastly, in details of construct-ion and combinations of mechanisms and parts,

' substantially-as hereinafter fully described, and as specificallymointed out in the claims.

The torpedoes to which the invention re- 4 lates have heretofore been driven almost exclusively by meansof compressed air utilized in the same manner as'steam is that is to say, by admitting the air to a piston cyl-.

inder or cylinders and drive a piston or pistons by the expansive power of the air, the reciprocating motionof the piston or pistons being converted into a rotary motion by connection of thepiston-rod to a crank-shaft, the motion of the latter being transmitted by suitable gearing to the propeller -.shafts in such a manner as to cause the propellers to revolve in reverse direct-ions.

ln order to better maintain the torpedo-in its coursethat is to say, in order to counteract the variable action of a single screwpropellertwo such propellers have been used and the driving mechanism so arranged as to revolve the propellers in reverse directions. This mode of propulsion presents great disadvantages, in that considerable space is required for the accommodation of the pistoncylinders, the connections between their pistons and thedriving-shafts, the governors, the slide-valyes that "control the operation of the ,pistons, and for the gearing between the driving and propeller shafts, a comparatively great amount of power being necessary to' overcome the inertia of these mechanisms.

Barker reaction-wheel. to the propulsion of v the torpedo the airengines, their controllingvalves and governors, the crank-shafts, the connections between said shafts and the power-pistons, and the gearing between the crank and propeller-shafts are dispensed with, a single shaft carrying both propellers and serving at the same time as a conduit for the motive fluid being employed, and this shaft is connected directly with the compressed-air reservoir, which occupies nearly 'o'n'e-halfthe length of the shell of the to.r-, The principle involved in the novel pedo. v Y application of power-whereby the mechanism referred to can be dispensed with consists in applying the power directly to the propellers, so that the live force,'instead of the static pressure of the compressed air, is made available and utilized, and in admitting the compressed air in the form of jets of great velocity and density to the points where the power is to be applied, the air acting by aerodynamic impact upon the blades of the screw-propeller. It is evident that by such an application of the motive fluid the" range of speed of the torpedo is very materially increased, while the inner space of the tor pedo can be utilized to greater advantage, in that all the operating mechanisms may be arranged or contained within the torpedo-shell, instead of having to locate a great portion of such mechanism-on the outside of such shell, as has been the case heretofore.

Inasmuch as the propeller-shaft is anonrotating one, the said shaft may itself be used as a duct for the motive fluid, as above stated, both to the propellers as well as to other mechanismsas, for example, the mechanism or intermediate mechanism that .governs or controls the depth of immersion of the torpedo and automatic cut-oif devices, there being sufficient space'left for the use of a plurality of sinking or immersing valves instead of a single one, as has been the case heretofore, and such valves may be operated directly instead of indirectly, thereby increasing the efficiency of the mechanism employed for sinking the torpedo in case it should miss its aim, and such mechanism maybe made to operate automatically and at the proper time, while the time required for filling the ballast or sinking chamber is materially shortened.

As a means for controlling the depth of immersion of the torpedo during its course through the water, I utilize the hydrostatic pressure of the ambient water, so that any variation in-the depth of immersion will cause the correspondingly varying hydrostatic pressure to operate the immersing rudder to maintain the torpedo at a given depth during its course through the water.

In the choice of the outlinesof the torpedo it is the aim to preserve that form which presents the least resistance to motion through the water and has the least tendency to the formation of eddies, and at the same time to give to the compressed-air chamber a per- 'had to .Fig. 1. form approximately that of a fish, with a fectly symmetrical form and to locate the same as near the bow or head of the torpedo as possible, thereby'reducing the labor and cost of the construction of the air-chamber v and facilitating the distribution of the weight referring to the accompanying drawings.

The general construction and arrangement of the torpedo are as follows, reference being In outline the torpedo has a view to reduce to a minimum the resistance to its motion through the water.

The striking head or bow of the torpedo is indicated by the letter Af, and B is the chamber that contains the explosive charge;

(J, achamber to which the ambient water has free access, and through which it has free circulation through the medium of ports D and to an opening in the rear wall D of which chamber is secured the diaphragm D, that controls the horizontal or immersing rudder or flu T, hereinafter called the immersing-ruddei that serves to regulate the degree of immersion of the torpedo.

D isthe chamber or compartment thatcontains the mechanism through which the vibrations or pulsations of the diaphragm D are transmitted to the immersing-rudder or to intermediate devices.

E indicates the reservoir for the compressed motive fluid, air being preferably used' as a motive power.

F indicates the compartment or chamber that contains the intermediate mechanism controlled by the diaphragm D and the transmitting mechanism, also the distributingvalve and its shifting mechanism; G, the ballast or sinking chamber or compartment; H,

the chamber or compartment that contains the mechanism for shifting the sinkingw'alves;

- and I, the compartment in which is arranged the actuating mechanism that impels the sinking and distributing valve shifting mechanisms, and outside of which are arranged the timing wheels for timing the operation of the valve-shifting mechanisms and for automatically releasing the mechanism that controls the immersing-rudder,\vhich vs heels constitute the only mechanism located outside of the shell of the torpedo. Y

The entire shell of the torpedo is constructed of comparatively light. materialas sheet met-alexcept the reservoir for the compressed air, which is of course of suflicient weight and strength to resist the necessary pressure and to whose ends the bow and stern portions of the torpedo are secured. This reservoir E is of perfectly symmetrical form,

its general outline being in conformity to the outline of thetorpedo, and 1s located as near ing mechanism which I have made the subent, in rear of which is located the charge plosive charge. The operation of the firing mechanism, as described in said application, is timedto the distance the torpedo is to travehand inorder to adjust the firing mechanism accordingly it is necessary that the or propellers be" known, to which end I propropel-lers, as will hereinafter appear. In rear of the'charge-chamber is thewater- D so as to freely admitthe ambient water therethrongh. 1

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 2, 3, and 4, to an opening in the front wall D of chamber D is secured a diaphragm D, constructed of sheet metal,and preferably corflexibility thereof, said diaphragm being exposed to the-hydrostatic pressure of the Waure of the ambient water when the torpedo is immersed. V Tothe diaphragm D is rigidly secured a cylindrical guide-casinglfl, in which is concentrically arranged atube b that con tains an adjusting rod b. The rod b has at its outer or front end a head b fl that lies within a tubular extension of the-casing b extending through the diaphragm D, and .being hermetically closed liy a screw-cap 12 that also serves to connect the diaphragm to the casing 12 The rear or inner end of the rod b is connected with a stationary casing 12 and is free to revolve in itsbearings in both casings b and b, and is screw-threaded at threaded portion workingin a correspondingly-threaded opening formed in the rear Wall of a hollow adjusting-nut b that is contained and free to slide in casing b. Around 12 one end of which abuts against the outer wall of easing b and the other against the outer wall of the adj usting-nut b, through which wall the tube 1) passes freely. To the inner end of the tube b within the nut 12 is secured a cross-head b and to the latter are connected the rods 11 of a cross-head pivoted to the free end of a radial arm b mounted on one end of a shaft b that has its hearings in a tight casing b, and carries within said casto a transmitting-rod b.- This rod b is contained in a tube It, whose ends are screwed into the opposite heads e 6, Figs. 2 and 5,

cape of air from the said reservoir a second head b is provided in chamberD, to which number of revolutions of'the screw propeller compartment 0, that has ports or openings rugated to increase the superficial area and that end which is within casing 12 its screw-' ing a second radial arm b that is connected the bow thereof as possible, to which bow is attached the firing mechanism, which may be of any desired construction and arrange ment, though I prefer the construction of firject-matter of a separate application for patchamber B, or chamber that contains the ex- 7 5 vide a registering mechanism operated bythe thereto, and to permit its free circulation ter in chamber C -that is to say, to the pressthe inner tube b of casin 1) is coiled a s rin of the air-reservoir E, and to prevent all esissecured a suitable coupling, to which the casing b is screwed, as shown, and through which the rod 6 passes freely. The rod 1) serves to transmit the movements of the diaphragm D to the horizontal rudder through the medium of intermediate mechanism, to be described hereinafter.

By means of the screw-rod b nut 19, and spring I) the pressure exerted upon the diaphragm D, and through the latter upon the levers Z)? 12 may be counterbalanced by a .proper adjustment of the rod, so that as long scribed. In the first case the spring 6 over comes the pressure of the water upon.the dia phragm, and in the second case the pressure 'of the water upon the diaphragm overcomes the tension of the spring, thus causing the tube b and easing b to move -to the left or the right, thereby moving the levers in corresponding directions, sufficient space being left in the screw-cap (9 to permit this move ment, the rodb remaining stationary. The amplitude of the movements of the rod 1) will .depend upon the leverage exerted thereon, or, in other words, upon the length of levers 19 b andmust in all cases be suflicient to actuatethe devices controlled by said rod, irrespective of the amplitude of the displace. ment of the diaphragm D under, hydrostatic pressures, and this amplitude of motion of the diaphragm, if insufficient, may be amplified through the medium of the levers 3') 19 as will be readily understood. The casing b is rigidly connected with the shell of the torpedo by means of four arms b formed thereon or connected therewith, and on or with" segmental brackets Z9 The normal position of the immersing-rud- 'der T, Figs. 13 and 14, is a horizontal one to prevent the torpedo from traveling in a circular path and to assist in guiding it in a straight course, from which position the rudder is displacedby the variations in the hydrostatic pressure upon the diaphragm .to

of the horizontal rudder.

I slotted and has connected thereto a rod that from left to right, as shown in Fig. 4, it will move the casing b and through the latter the diaphragm D in a-reverse direction, or from right to left, and consequently also the rod I),

through the intermediate mechanism b (2 1) b 19 5 described, the reverse being the case when the pendulum swings from right to left.

In the use of the mechanism described for returning the diaphragm D into the position from which it is moved by a variationin the hydrostatic pressure, to which the diaphragm and themechanism controlled thereby has been adjusted, it is necessary to provide means for adjusting or regulating the effect of the pendulum-weight 0 a component of which acts upon the diaphragm through the mechanism described, according to the resistance opposed to the action of said weight, in' order to prevent detrimental action upon the diaphragm. This I effect by-adjust-ing the leverage exerted by the pendulum, and to this end the connecting-rodC is made adjustable vertically on the pendulum c, and the actuating-lever c and said rod 0 is adjustable as to length to permit of the adjustment of the relative vertical position of the lever and pendulum. To these ends the connecting-rod'C is made in two sections c and c screwed into a sleeve 0. The sleeve is loosely held in a ring 0 in which works a screw-rod c (see detail view in Fig. 2,) said screw-rod being revoluble in fixed bearings. By revolving the screw-rod in one or the other direction the pivot-pins of the rod 0, which lie in a slot formed in the pendulum-arm and the lever 0 respectively, may be elevated or low- -.ered to vary the leverage accordingly, and by screwing the sections c and c of the rod G into or out of the sleeve 0 the relative vertical position of the lever G and pendulum c can'be adjusted, the vibrations ofthe-pendulum being limited by screws one of which is shown in Fig. 2.

As the feeble impulses imparted to the diaphragm D by the variations in the hydrostatic pressure in chamber 0 cannot beconveniently amplified to such an extent as to operate the immersing-rudder directly, I employ intermediate mechanism, as hereinbefore indicated', which I will now describe, and which is contained in the chambers F, G, H, and I, astern of the air-chamberE.

It has hereinabove been stated thaVwith a view to simplify the construction of the operating mechanisms and increase the efficiency of the torpedo, and with a view to economize space and admit of the more uniform distribution of theweight, I have as a means of propulsion applied the principles of the reaction-wheel.

Inasmuch as the propelling mechanism will form the subject-matter of a separate appli- 1 cation for patent, it will not be necessary to the distributing-valve, or, preferably, a stopcock L.

To the main .2 is connected a pipe 10 by means of a suitable coupling, and in such' manner as to admit of the rotation of said pipe, and to the pipe 10 is rigidly connected the distributingpipe p, said pipe havf ing a squared coupling-head 10, Figs. 11 and 12, so that by the application ofa key or wrench introduced through the aperturep",

radial arm Fig. 12, the said pipe 10, with pipe 10 may be rotated to adjust the area of the deliveryports, through which the compressed air is delivered to the reaction screw-propellers A and B, Figs. 13 and 14. The pipe 10 serves as a bearing for the tubular propeller-shaft g, on which are loosely mounted the propellers A and B, said shaft being provided with delivery-ports, the position of pipe 19 within shaft q determining the port area of said shaft, as indicated in Figs.'l5' and 16. The shaft qhas an endwise orlongitudinal motion on its tubular bearing 10, and it'is closed at its rear end by a screw-plug Q, that is connected by a link k? with the immersingrudder T, arranged-in the immersion-tube T The link 108 is a compound link, or composed of two sections united by a coupling-sleeve 10 into which the link-sections are screwed,

so as to provide for an adjustable connection between the immersion-rudder and'the propeller-shaft g, which here performs the function of tiller, the link being connected to a radial arm on the immersing-rudder'shaft T. Ithas been stated that the propeller-shaft q, that operates the' immersing-rudder T, is

movable lengthwise on its tubular bearing, (the pipe 19.) This movement is imparted to the shaft by the diaphragm'D', through intermediate mechanism, the forward end of shaft q being provided with trunnions 10 to which are connected radial arms k keyed to or formed on a shaft 70 that has its bearings in bracket-arms 70 secured to the rear wall of the sinking-chamber G, Figs. 11 and 12, said trunnions projecting through slots formed in a sleeve I0 secured to the rear wall of chamber or compartment H, to the outer end of which sleeve is screwed the head 19 of the bearing or pipe 9 by means of endless male and female screw-threads formed in and on the sleeve-bearing and pipe-head, respectively, as shown in Fig. 12. The shaft W has a third le to which is connected a pistonrod 10. I

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 5 to 1G, inclusive, the rear end of the transmitting-rod b, whose forward end is adjustably securedfby means of an interiorly-screw- 4 threaded-coupling-link b to the radial arm 6 on shaft 1) of the mechanism actuated by the diaphragm D, Fig. 2, is likewise connected with a valve stem or spindle f by means of an interiorly threaded coupling sleeve d, saidvalve-spindle forming substantially a continuation of the transmitting-rod I).

I have hereinbefore described the means for adjusting the diaphragm to a given hydrostatic pressure, and in order that the valve-- rod and the immersing-rudder connections may be adjusted accordingly to properly position the valves and rudder the connections between said rudder and the propeller-shaft and between the transmitting-rod b -and the valve-spindle f must also be made adjustable, and these adjustments may be readily made through the means above stated. The spindle f carries two cylindrical or disk valves f f2, that perform the function of slide-valves and slide in the axial bore of a piston H, contained' in a piston-cylinder H To prevent escape of airfrom the piston-cylinder, and at the same time guide the valve-rod and allow it to slide freely within the piston, the'latter is provided atboth ends with a tubular extension that extends through a stuffing-box in the cylinder-heads, and to the left extension is screwed the rod is, that imparts longitudinal motion to the propeller-shaft q, said rod being partially hollow and provided with an exhaust port or ports m. The piston isa solidcylinder,-in which are formed the axial cylindrical passage for thevalves and their spindle, the distributing-passages h,leading from the axial bore or passage to opposite ends of the cylinder, the diametral admis-' sion-pass'age h, and a port and passage H leading to an-auxiliary eylinder M, the ad-' mission-passage being connected with the compressed-air-pipe section ,2, preferably by means of a coiled pipe h connected with the diametral passage through the screw-cap h. It will be seen that the movements of the rod Z9 in either direction are transmitted to the valve-rod f, and the said rod will move either fromright to left or from left to right, according to the movements of rod 12 under the influence of the diaphragm D ,the initial position of the valves being shown in Fig. 5, the valves closing both ports of the distributingpassages k h. g It will be seen that wh en the valves are in their initial positions, as de-' scribed, the compressed air from the distrib-- uti'ng-pipe ,2 has free access to the space between said valves in the axial bore of the cylinder, but not to the ends thereof until the valve-rod is movedby the diaphragm and,in-. termediate mechanism to uncover said ports, and as the air exerts its pressure upon the valves equally in opposite directions said valves are equilibrated, so that they will move under the slightest vibrations or pulsations of the diaphragm. In this position of the. valves the compressed air'has also free access to the cylinder M. Now, if the valve-rod is moved from left to right, Fig. 7, the port or passage h 'is uncovered. The air coming through it passes through h to the rightend of the piston-cylinder, driving the piston H and piston-rod is from right to left, and therebyimparting to the propeller-shaft q a movement in a reverse direction or from left to right-that is to say, the translation. of motion of the connecting-rod b is such that the shaft q will move in the same direction as said connecting-rod. This movement of the shaft q will tilt the immersing-rudder T so as to incline upwardly, (see Fig. 8,) the torpedo at once taking a downward course; but as soon as the torpedoassumes a position in a plane at an angle to the horizontal the pendulum will swing in that angle and return the diaphragm into its normal position, there- 'by returning the spindle .to its normal position. The air will be exhausted from the right-hand end of the cylinder .11 through connecting-rod k and port vm, and as the immersing-rudder will again be free to assume its normal position it will carry with it the piston H, or move it from left to right, the parts returning to their initial or normal positions. A reverse movement of rod 1), or in a direction from right to left, will result in a reversal of the movements above described, and shown in Figs. 9fand 10.

It is of importance that the im'mersingrudder T should be inclined at a certain angle to the horizontal during the first portion of the course of the torpedo in order that it may descend into the water; and to this end it is necessary that the immersion-regulating mechanism should be held against operation until the torpedo has reached a given depth.

To this end the coupling-sleeve d, Fig. 5, thatconnects the transmission-rod b with the valve-rod f, carries a nut d screwed thereto,

- said nut having a peripheral groove in which lies the lower end of a locking-ring (1 which is preferably of oval or elliptical form, said ring being formed on a vertical rod d, whose vertical movements are guided by brackets c1 screwed into the head of the air-reservoir, said ring locking the valve-rod, and consequently all the mechanism cont-rolling the same, as well as the mechanism controlled thereby, into their normal position, to which they were adjusted before launching. When the ring is moved downward out of engagement with the nut 01, the parts referred to are free to be controlled 'by the diaphragm D. This downward movement of the locking-ring is effected automatically through the following instrumentalities: The rod d is pivoted to a bell-crank lever d to which is also piv oted a rod (1 that passes through a tube Z extending through the ballast or immersing chamber G, and thence through chambers H r and I to the tail or stern'of the torpedo, where it terminates in a hook 61 that liesin the path of a pin d projecting from the side of the registering worm-wheel A. of screw-propeller A, as shown in Fig; 11. 'As the pro peller A revolves, the worm-wheel A also revolves, saidwheel meshing with-- a worm thread on the propeller-4111b A and when the pin d engages the hook d of rod 01 said rod is drawn backward, thereby moving the rod (1 downward.

At launching exercises, in order to impart to the rudder T' the required upward inclina tion to cause the torpedo to rise or jump up C as soon as the admission'of air is automati cally cut off, as hereinafter explained, I employ the following devices: As above stated, during the period of the admission of air to the piston-cylinder said air is free to flow through the port and passage H of piston H, Fig. 5, thence through pipe m to the right end of a cylinder M, in which is a springactuated piston m the spring m being coiled on the piston-rod at the left of the piston and antagonizes the air-pressure in space M of cylinder M. The piston-rod is connected to a lever m whose hook-arm m engages a' pin projecting from the transmitting-rod It. So long asthe air is not cutofi from the space between the valves f f the pressure exerted upon the piston will hold the lever in the p0 sition shown in Fig. 5; but as soon as the air is. cut off the piston is thrown from left to right by the spring m and consequently the piston-rod lo and piston H are moved from right to left, thereby imparting to the rudder the position shown in diagram Fig. 10. Of course in practical or effective use this mechanism is thrown out of operation by disengaging the lever from the pin m shown that in launching exercises, in order to bring the torpedo to the surface, it is necessary that means should be providedto automatically cut off the com municationbetween the. compressed-air reservoir and the supply- It has, however, been pipes for the operating mechanisms. In service or practical use of the torpedo it also becomes necessary that this communication should be cut off after.the torpedo has completed its course, and that the sinking-Valves be simultaneously shifted oif their seats, as

and for the purposes fully described in a separate applicationfor patent, and I do not desire herein to claim said mechanisms, except in so far as they co-operate with those mech anisms that form the subject-matter of this application. i a

As hereinbefore stated, the means for ad mitting the compressed. air to and cutting it off from the supply-pipes consist of a stopcock L, interposed in thesupply-main z. 4 the plug Z of the stop-cock issecured a radial arm U, that: is connected by a link 1 to the arm L of athree-armed lever L, whose arm L is bent at right angles and terminates in a turned-up lip-l When the distributing-cock is closed, the lever L lies in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig.5, and when said stopcock is open it lies in theposition shown in full lines in said figure. The stop-cock is an- 413,113 I v i tomaticall y shifted from the position shown in dotted lines to that shownin full lines inFig. during the act of launching, and it is shifted from. the position shown in full lines to that shown in dotted lines by means of the fol-- lowing instrumentalities: To the third arm L of lever L is connected a chain or a slotted link 1*, and to said chain or link is connected a rod-L that extends through the same tube. Z that contains-the rod d, that serves to release t-he valve-rod f, hereinabove described.

The rod L is connected with a sleevejor cylinder -n, loosely mounted on the boss K on the front wall of the chamber 1, to which the sleeve 79 is secured, that serves as a bearing for the propeller-shaft q, and on a cylinder K secured to said boss and to the rear wall of chamber I. In the space between the cylinder k and the sleeve or cylinder 11. is arranged a coiled springn the tendency of which is to throw the sleeve n backward, and as the .rod L3 is connected with said sleeve and with the lever L of the stop-cock said lever is shiftedfrom its position shown in full lines to that shown in dotted. linesqin' Fig. 5, thereby cutting oi the communication between the reservoir E and the supplypipes. V c

The operation of the sleeve is timed to the distance the torpedo is to travel as follows: The hub A of the propeller A has a wormthread formed thereon, with which meshes a worm-wheel A, whose arbor carries av pinion and the supply-pipes.

15 that meshes with the timing and registering wheel 25, from the face of which projects a pin 1?. The sleeve n is held against the stress of its spring a by a detent 11], whose. outer arm projects through the torpedo-shell into the path of the pin t ,which latter, when -it comes in contact with the detent-arm, tilts the same and releases fthe sleeve n. The

sleeve 71 and rod L are thrown backward by-the spring a, thereby shifting-the lever the supply pipes the sinking-valves are also moved off their seats, so that. in case the tor pedo should miss its mark it m'ayat'on'ce be sunk. This is effected as follows, said mechanism being actuated by the cylinder 12 and timed by the timing and registering wheel t' above described: a

V V .are the sinking-valves, having their seats formed in the partition or rearhead of the sinking or ballast chamber G, astern of the chamber containing the mechanism for operating the admission-valve, and part of which chamber G is shown in Figs. 5, 11, and

12. The valves V V are heldto their seats by means of a spring "0 and are connected with.

the spring-actuatedsleeve n by means of tubular rods 1) and rods '41, which latter have a slight independent m otioii within the tubular rods 1;, so that during the first portion of the rearward movement of the sleeve 42, the rods '0 will move independently of the rods '0, and then with said rods to'fully move the valves V off their seats, which latter corresponds to I the closure of thecut-oii valves, so that both the cut-off valve and the sinking-valves will operate simultaneously. This is desirable, in

' fact, necessary, in order that-the course of the torpedo may be arrested and the torpedo si: multa'neously sunk, for if the sinking-valves were to operate after the cut-off valve the torpedo would necessarily travel a distance corresponding with the interval between the operation of said valves,fwhile if the cutoff valve were to operate sooner than the sinkingvalves the torpedo would be liable to drift or rise to the surface.

Inasmuch as it is not desired to sink the I torpedo, except when actually used for offensive purposes, it is necessary for torpedo practice to provide means for malntalnlng the valves on their seats, and this is effected by disconnecting the valve-operating rods'u from the" actuating-tube n in the following manner: The connecting-rodsc v are guided in rings 92*, formed at the end of arms of ash ifting-fork n, pivotally connected with a screw n that works in a boss n secured to the torpedo-shell, said screw being provided with a squared head projecting into the enlarged bore of the boss, 'and so as to lie-accessible from the outside. the proper direction the rods 1; '0 are lifted, being hooked to the valve-heads, their hooked ends a being thus lifted out of the eyes n,

By rotating the screw. in

secured to said heads, thereby disconnecting the valves from their'operating-rods.

Inasmuch asthe distributing and sinking valves are operated simultaneously and timed to the distance to be traveled by the torpedo,

and inasmuch as the firing mechanism, as

herein'above referred to, is preferably timed IIO likewise, it is necessary to ascertain the number of revolutions of thepropellers under a given. pressure of air and within a given time or for a given distance traveled by the torpedo. To this end the hubs A of the propellers A Bare provided with a worm-thread withwhich gears a registering-wheel A Figs.

11, 13, and 14; or, if desired, the'timing-wheel t, Fig. 11, that is driven from- ,the propeller A, may be used as a registering-wheel to indicate the revolutions of the said propeller.

As hereinbefore described, theim'mersingrudder is operated by the-rpropeller-shaft,

Having described my invention, what I claim is v 1. In a torpedo, the combination, with an immersing-rudder and a diaphragm exposed to the hydrostatic pressure of the ambient water, of a cylinder connected to-the supply of motive fluid, a valve for said cylinder controlling the admission and exhaust of said motive fluid and connected to be operated by the motion of said diaphragm, and a piston insaid cylinder and connected to operate said rudder, substantially as described.

3. In a torpedo, the combination, with an immersing-rudder and a diaphragm exposed to the hydrostatic pressure of the ambient water, of a pneumatic cylinder, a compressedair supply connected to said cylinder, a controlling-valve for the same having its rod connected to be actuated by said diaphragm, and

a piston within said cylinder and having its.

rod connected to operate said rudder,.substantially as described.

4, In a torpedo, the combination, with an' immersing-rudder, a diaphragm exposed to the hydrostatic pressureof the ambient water, and a propeller, of an intermediate transmitting device having a power-supply, means connectedto said diaphragm for controlling said power-supply a locking device engaging said controlling means, a tripi'mechanism for said locking device and having its gearing engaged with and operated bysaid propeller,

and operating means connected to said trans-' mitting device and t0 said rudder, substantially as described.

5. In a torpedo, the combination, with an immersing-rudder, a diaphragm exposed to the hydrostatic pressure of the ambient water, and a propeller, of a cylinder connected with the supply of motive fiuid, 'a valve for said cylinder controlling the admission and exhaust of said motive fluid and connected to be operated by the motion of said diaphragm, a locking device engaging the rod of said valve, a trip mechanism for said locking device and having its gearing engaged with and operated by said propeller, and a piston in said'cylinder connected to operate said rudder, substantially as described.

6. In a torpedo, the combination, with an immersing-rudder, a diaphragm exposed to the hydrostatic pressure of the ambient water, and a propeller, of a pneumatic cylinder,

a compressed-air supply for .said cylinder, a

controlling-valve for the same, having its'rod connected to be actuated by said diaphragm, a locking device engaging the rod of said valve, a trip mechanism for said locking device and having its gearing engaged with and operated by said propeller, and a piston within said cylinder and having its rod connected to operate said rudder, substantially as described.

7. In a torpedo, the combination, with animmersing-rudder and automatic operating mechanism for thesame, of a locking device which engages saidoperati'ng mechanism, and.

a tripping mechanism for said locking device and'operated and controlled by the propelling mechanism of the torpedo, substantially as described.

8.. In a torpedo, the combination, with an "immersing-rudder and an automatic operating mechanism for the same, which consists of a diaphragm exposed'to the hydrostatic pressure of the ambient water, and devices for communicating the'movement of said diaphragm to said rudder, of a locking device which engages said devices, and a trip mechanism for saidlocking device and operated from .a time mechanism, substantially-as described.

9. In a torpedo, the combination, with an immersing-rudder, a diaphragm exposed-to the hydrostaticpressure of the ambient water, and a .pneumatic transmitting device having its piston-rod connected to operate said rudder and having its valve-rod connected to said diaphragm and formed with'a groove o'rrecess, of a rod sliding in suitable guides and-formed with a ring which engages said groove or recess from below, abell-crank having one arm pivoted to said rod, a rod pivoted to the-other arm of, said bell-crank, and

pelling mechanism of the torpedoand having a pin .upon its face which engages the hooked end of said rod, substantially as described.

10. In a torpedo, the combination, with an immersing-rudder, a diaphragm exposed to .a disk connected to be revolved by the prothe hydrostatic pressure of the ambient wa-' 'ter, a pneumatic transmitting device having its piston-rod connected to operate said rudder and having its valve-rod connected to said diaphragm and formed with a groove or recess, and a'screw-propeller formed with a worm upon its hub, of a rod'sliding in guides and formed. withxa ring which engages 831d groove or recess with its lower end, a bell-.

crank having one arm pivoted to said rod, a connecting-rod having one end pivoted to the other arm of saidbelLcrank and formed with a hook at its other end, and a cogged disk engaging the worm upon the propeller and provided with a pin upon its face for engaging said hook, substantially as described.

11. In a torpedo, thecombination, with an immersing-rudder and a diaphragm exposed to the pressure of the ambient water, of a pneumatic cylinder having an inlet-pipe and a central annular port, a piston in said cylinder having an axial bore, and channels extending 4O arm of said lever, substantially as described.

from the middle of said bore to the end of the piston, a valve connected to said diaphragm and reciprocating within the central bore of said piston, and a rod secured to said piston and connected to said rudder, substantially as described.

12. In a torpedo, the combination, with an immersing-rudderand a diaphragm exposed to the pressure of the ambient water, of a pneumatic cylinder having an inlet pipe at its midand connected to be operated by said diaphragm, and arod secured to one of the extensions of said piston and connected to operate said rudder, substantially as described. 13. In a torpedo, the combination, with an immersing-rudder, a diaphragm exposed to the hydrostatic pressure of the ambient water, and a pneumatic transmitting apparatus for operating said rudder, of a casing secured to the middle of said diaphragm, a lever having one arm pivoted to said casing, and a valve-rod for said transmitting apparatus having its end pivoted to the other arm of said lever, substantially as described.

14. In a torpedo, the combination, with an immersingerudder, a diaphragm exposed to the hydrostatic pressure of the ambient waier, and a pneumatic transmitting apparatus for operating said rudder, of a casing secured to the middle of said diaphragm, a pendulum connected to said casing, a lever having one arm pivotally connected. to the end of said casing, and a valveerod for said transmitting apparatus having its end pivoted to the other 15. In a torpedo, the combination, with an immersing-rudder, a diaphragm exposed to the hydrostatic pressure of the ambient water, and a pneumatic transmitting apparatus for operating said rudder, of a casing secured to the middle of said diaphragm and formed with a tube through its axis, a hollow nut sliding in guides and having said tube projecting into it, guides for said nut,a spring coiled around said tube and bearing against said ,nut and the outer closed end of said casing,

a rod secured to said closed end of the easing and passed through said nut and adj ust ably secured to the guides for the same, rods secured to the endof said axial tube, a lever having one arm pivoted to the united ends of said rod, and a valve-rod for said transmittially as described.

casing secured to the'center of said diaphragm and provided withlugs upon its upper side, a'

slots of said lever and'pendulum, substan- 17. In a torpedo, the combination, with an immersing-rudder, a diaphragm exposed to the hydrostatic pressure of the ambient Water a pneumatic transmitting apparatus for operat- I ing said rudder, and a valve-rod connected to control the operation of said apparatus, of a casing secured to the center of saiddiaph ragm I and. provided with lugs upon its upper side, a lever having one arm adj ustably connected to nected to said valve-rod,.two set-screws in the lugs of said casing, a lever having a long slotted upper arm and a short lower arm projecting between the ends of said set-screws, a pendulum having a longitudinal slot, a setscrew projecting toward said pendulum to said casing and the other arm adj ustably conlimit its play, screw-threaded rods having scribed.

18. In a torpedo, the combination, with a screw-propeller and the immersing-rudder,-ot endwise-movable propeller-shaft connected with and controlling the operation of the rudder by such movement; substantially as de-' scribed.

19. In a torpedo, the combination,witl1areaction screw-propeller and the immersingrudder, of a tubular endwise-movable pr opeller-shaft connected with and controlling the operation of the rudder by its longitudinal movement, substantially as described.

20. In a torpedo, the combinatiomwith a reaction screwpropeller and the immersingrudder, of a pipe for supplying compressed air to the propeller and a tubularpropeller-shaft mounted and movable endwise on said pipe, said shaft being connected with and controlling the operation of the rudder by its longitudinal movement, substantially as described.

21. In a torpedo, the combination, with a reaction screw-propeller, the immersing-rudder,- a diaphragm exposed to the hydrostatic pressure of the ambient water, and a pipe for supplying compressed air to the propeller, of a tubular propeller-shaft mounted and movable endwise on said pipe, a connection between the shaft and rudder, andtransmitting mechanism connecting the diaphragm with the propeller- D, of the compressed-air main, the cut-off valve connected to and operated by said diaphragm, the piston-cylinder H connected with said main, the piston H, having annular passage H, and the piston-rod 70, provided with a radial pin m of the piston-cylinder M, a pipe connecting one end of said cylinder with the cylinder H and the piston-passage H the spring-actuated piston m, and lever m connected With saidpiston m and engag- 1o ingthe pin m on piston-rod 70, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I a-ffix my signature in presence of two witnesses. ADOLF GRAF VON BUONACCORSI DI PISTOJA. Witnesses:

EDMUND J USSEN, OTTO SCHIFFER.

Images