GB123598A - Improvements in or relating to Means for Carrying and Dropping Depth Charges. - Google Patents

Abstract

123,598. Brooks, T. March 1, 1918. Torpedoes, locomotive.-Consists in arranging depth charges on torpedoes, or like bodies propelled by internal power or imparted momentum, in such a manner that the depth charges are released after a given time. In the form shown assembled in Fig. 3 and separated and in a plane at right-angles to Fig. 3 in Fig. 5, a depth charge a takes the place of the usual war head of a torpedo, the rear part c being as usual. The parts a, c are secured together by a central stem e on the part a fitting into a socket g on the part c and locked therein by a transverse wedge or bolt f, a conical joint d, d<2> being held water-tight by the wedging action of the bolt f. This bolt is expelled at a given moment by a cartridge h fired by a time fuse; at the same time, spring plungers i, j push the depth charge a away from the rear part c. Screw-plugged holes x<2>, x<3> give access to the fastening device. The nose of the depth charge is provided with a contact firing device as usual in torpedoes, and its base with a soluble plug for explosion at a given depth after release as usual in depth charges. The depthcharge may be carried by an ordinary torpedo, in addition to the charge which is exploded on impact in the usual way. Specification 14622/84 is referred to. The Provisional Specification states also that the motor of the depth-charge carrier may be driven by energy, e.g. electricity, supplied from a distance: or by means of wires coiled on drums in the carrier and operated from the shore : or may be operated or controlled by wireless means. Modifications in the arrangement and form of the depth charge are described. It is further stated that the steering-apparatus of the carrier may be automatically operated on the release of the depth-charge so that the carrier returns towards it starting-place.