GB121476A - Improvements in or relating to Torpedo Boats. - Google Patents

Abstract

121,476. Shearer, W. B. Dec. 10, 1917, [Convention date]. Torpedo boats.-Consists mainly in launching torpedoes under their own propelling-power from a flooded chamber in a torpedo boat. The torpedo boat shown comprises a chamber 1, Fig. 3, containing the propelling and controlling machinery and the person in charge, and a torpedo chamber 3 closed by a bow portion 5. The control chamber 1 is covered by a conical structure. 85, 86, 89 of steel with hinges at 88, 90. The torpedo chamber 3 is covered by a hinged deck 13 and contains bottom rollers 35 and a top hinged frame 20 with rails 29 for guiding the torpedo between them. Rails 38 extend beyond the rails 29 into the bow portion. The bow portion 5 is hinged at 80 ana is opened and closed by means of a link 61 connected to a rod 57, which is worked backwards and forwards by means of a nut 59<1> and handle 60. The opening of the bow portion floods the torpedo compartment 3, enabling the torpedo to start under its own power. When the bow portion is closed, the water in the torpedo chamber 3 is removed by bilges 95 which syphon the water out when the boat is in motion, or by a pipe 96 connected to a pump driven by the propelling-engine 2 of the torpedo boat. The torpedo, when locked agairst forward motion by the catch 42, is also checked against backward motion by a buffer 48 hinged to a bracket on a water-tight bulkhead 4 between the control chamber and the torpedo chamber. To permit, the hinged deck 13 covering of the torpedo chamber to be swung open, and the hinged guide frame 20 to be swung up to enable a torpedo to be loaded into the chamber 3. the rods 57, 47 are made with disconnectible joints 75, and the link 61 is made detachable from the rod 57. While the link 61 is uncoupled from the rod 57, the bow portion may be held closed by pinning another link 77 on the bow portion to a bracket 79 on the end of the deck of the torpedo boat beyond the hinged part of the deck. When not in use, this link 77 is swung forward and rests idly on the bow portion. The boat is balanced by air tanks 7, 8, Fig. 6, disposed along each side.