US2503748A - Hydraulic periscope elevating system - Google Patents

Description

INVENTOR.

ERNST 0. KOLLMORGEN BY f Mii-Lun,

E. o. KoLLMoRGEN HYDRAULIC PERISCOPE ELEVATIFNG SYSTEM Filed Aug. 22, 194e T PRESSURE PER/SCOPE HO/ST :SELECTOR April 11, 195o HE/GHT` @AHORA/5v5.

Patented Apr. l1, 1950 Y HYDRAULIC PERISCPE ELEvA'rINol SYSTEM Ernst 0. yKollmorgen, Molillxwntain` Lakes, NeJ., as-

YsignorV to Kollmorglend-Optical Corporation, Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August 22, 1946;- Serial No; 692,223

(CII J88'-'69`) 9 Claims.

Y l .'.This'invention relates to elevating mechanisms 'for-submarineperiscopes and it relates particu- `'larly :to animproved hydraulic elevating system y .,vvhereby'the periscope of a submarine may be :elevated or retracted andthe length of the periscope variedas'l desired. 1

The periscopes of submarines are ordinarily elevated or retracted by meansr of a-hydraulic vsystem which usually includes a pair of hydraulic "lift cylinders or jacks which are suspended overheadon opposite sides of the periscope and are connected by means of a yoke to the periscope. Theyoke includes a bearing in whichvthe periscope is mounted so that it can be rotated about its axis: j H Y f i Periscopes can be constructed in a plurality of sections lincluding a tip section which can-be projected and retracted With'respect to the body of the periscope. In this way, the overall length of the periscope can be varied to compensate for the `height of waves and the depth of the vsub- -marine and the like.

-It hasbeen'impractical to use hydraulic systems for both elevating and retracting the periscope-bodily and also extending and retracting the movable section of the periscope; Thereason for this is that the rotary mount `for the periscope makes it diicult to provide a leak-proof joint or connection between the `source of hydraulic pressure and `the .periscope itself, While maintaining lfreedom of, rotation of the periscope.A

v Inaccordance Vvviththe present invention an "el'evating mechanism is-provided Whichk is operf able :by hydraulic pressure'and in which hydraulic -gfluidfmay be conducted AVfrom the lifting mechanism'into the periscope for -projectingfand reytracting the sections of the periscope Without danger of leakage of hydraulic fluid and without the use-of complicated leak-proofnttings or con- `'nect'ions. y More particularly, an elevating system is pro- )vided wherein a hydraulic` jack or Alift cylinder is mounted co-axially withthe periscope and the l periscope is mounted directly on the piston rod of the jack whereby as the pistonrod is projected, i

tracted telescopically into 'the main periscope;A

.tube o rfbarrel. VThe tip section of the periscope may-be projected and retracted by means of a hydraulic-jack.

Hydraulic fluid is led through the piston rod of the projecting and retracting cylinder tothe jack within the periscope and maybe controlled by means of a suitable selector valve. In this vvay,v rotary connections between the periscope and-the source of hydraulic pressure are eliminated Withoutrestricting the movement of the periscope in any Way.

For a-betterunderstanding of the presentinvention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which v Figure 1 is a View in side elevation of a typical periscope and an elevating system therefor; the

fwell for receiving the periscope being illustrated diagrammatically; l

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the periscope disclosed in Figure 1 and with the periscope fully extended; and

Figure 3 is a view in vertical section and partly broken view of the periscope and its elevating mechanism,v illustrating details of construction and showing the control valves diagrammatically. l"The form of periscope I0 chosen for purposes ofA 'illustration includes a conventional optical system, which is not illustrated inasmuch as the .optical system does not form a part of the present invention.

The periscope l0, as illustrated, may include a main body tube or barrel l l of generally tubular or cylindrical form which contains the optical system and other elements to be described. The barrel Il may be supported for axial and rotary movement in liquid-tight guides in the hull of the submarine in the usual Way. The periscope lll further' includes a tip section l2 of tubular form which is mounted slidably in the barrel' ll and can be extended and retracted at will.

In accordance with the present invention, the

periscope llly is mounted on a piston rod I3 which yis connected rigidly to a piston I4 that is roitatably and axially movable Within the jack cylinder l5. The cylinder l5 is provided with fluid inlet and return ports I6 and I1 at its opposite ends, these ports being connected by means ofa suitable four-port selector valve I8 of conventional construction to a conduit I9, whichsup` plies hydraulic fluid under pressure, and to a suitable return conduit 20 by means of which the hydraulic iiuid can be discharged from the cylinder; The selector valve I8 may be ofthe rotary valve type or of the four valve poppet type which is so arranged that when the valve control handle is moved to one position, the pressure line I9 is connected to the conduit I'I, and the conduit I6 is connected to the return conduit 20. The position of the valve can be reversed so that the pressure line I9 can be connected to the conduit It while the conduit II is connected to the return line 20. The valve, when allowed to move to an intermediate position, disconnects the pressure line I9 and the return line 20 from the conduits I6 and II and from each other so that the liquid present in the cylinder I5 is trapped on opposite sides of the piston I4, thereby locking the piston in the position it has assumed in the cylinder. When the selector valve I8 is actuated to supply hydraulic uid from conduit I9 to the inlet port II, the piston I4 is forced upwardly, thereby elevating the periscope I while any-fluid present in the cylinder above the piston I4 is discharged through the port I6, and through the selector valve I8, to the return conduit 20. An anti-frictionbearing Illa maybe mounted in the cylinder I 'or on the piston I4, as shown in Figure 3, to facilitate rotation of the periscope when it is elevated.

In order to lower the periscope Ii), the selector valve I8 may be actuated to connect the port I6 lwith the fluid supply conduit IS and the port II to the return conduit 20, whereby the piston I4 is -forced downwardly, retra-cting the periscope into the perisc-ope well 2l `which is formed within the hull and keel of the submarine.

It will be understood that diierent types of hydraulic lift cylinders may be used than that disclosed in the drawings and described above and, if desired, a cylinder may be provided with a piston lock to lock the piston against axial movement at the upper end of its stroke, as is conventional in many diierent types of hydraulic jacks and lift cylinders now produced.

The piston'rod I3 preferably is formed of concentric tubes i3d and 31). The inner tube I3b `extends entirely through the piston I4 and com- -municates with thecylinder below the piston I4.

The outer tube i3d is provided with a port Szi which communicates with the interior of the cylinder I5 above the piston I4. The inner and outer tubes I3aand @3b are connected to a four-port selector valve 22,1ike the valve I8 described above, mounted-within the periscope barrel I I and having a control handle which is operable from the exterior of the barrel il. The valve 22 has a port which is connected by means of a conduit '23"to the upper ends of the cylinders 24 and 24 which are used for projecting and retracting the tip section I2. The lower end of the tip section I2 is connected by means oi' piston rods 25 and `25 lto the lpistons E6 and 2t which are slidable space above the pistons 26 and 25 to retract the tip section I2 or to the space below the pistons 26 and 26 to project or elevate the tip section I2. Thus, when hydraulic fluid is supplied to the inlet I'I of the cylinder I5, the piston I4 and the periscope I0 are lifted simultaneously. At the same time hydraulic fluid under pressure is delivered through the tube [3b to the selector valve 22, After the periscope Ii) has been elevated completely with the tip section I2 retracted, the tip section I2 can be projected either completely to the top of the barrel II or to any intermediate position with respect to the barrel II. Any fluid present above the pistons 26 and 26 is 4discharged through the conduit 23, the selector valve 22, the outer tube ISa to' the return port I6 of the cylinder.

If the tip section I2 has been projected too far, the selector valve 22 may be actuated to direct the uid from the tube ESI) into the cylinders 24 and 24 the pistons 26 and 26', thereby forcing the tip section I2 downwardly to a desired position. With the selector valve 22 in a neutral position with all ports closed, the tip section is retained in position because of the presence of fluid trapped on opposite sides of the pistons 26 and 26'.

In order to prevent the piston i4 from dropping in the cylinder I5 as the tip section lI2 is projected or retracted, the piston llock referred to above may be provided, or the size of the cylinders I5 and 224 and 24 may be so proportioned that flow of fluid 4into the latter cylinders will not lower the pressure in the cylinder I5 suinciently to permit the periscope I0 to drop bodily.

It will be apparent lfrom the preceding description that an elevating mechanism has been pr-ovided which permits elevation and retraction of the entire periscope lI 0, and also independent adjustment of the tip section I2 with respect to the barrel Il. In this way, the elevation of the periscope, necessary to permit proper visi-on, can be obtained without extending the periscope too far above the water where it might be detected.

-It will be understood, of course, that the periscope may be vof any desired type and can be m-odied -substantially without departing from the invention.

housing for projecting said extension and retracting it relatively to said housing, a hydraulic jack for elevating and retractingr said periscope, said jack having a hollow piston rod xedly connected to said housing in axial alignment therewith for supplying fluid from the interior of said jack to said hydraulic motor and supporting said periscope, and valve means carried by said housing for controlling the supply of'fluid from said jack to said hydraulic motor to project and retract said extension.

2. A periscope elevating system comprising a periscope having a lower housing and a relatively longitudinally movable extension, a reversible hydraulic motor for projecting saidextension and retracting it relativelyto said housing, a hydraulic jack below said housing, said jack having a cylinder, apiston 4and a hollow piston rod coaxial with and vxed to said periscope for elevating and lowering said periscope bodily, said rod having passages therein communicating with said cylinder on opposite sides of said piston for supplying `huid-from said cylinder to said hydraulic motor and returning fluid from said hydraulic-motor to yhydraulic jack having a cylinder, a piston and a piston rod, said rod having a first passage therein communicating with the interiorlofsaid cylinder on onev side of said -piston and a second passage therein communicating with the interior of said cylinder on the opposite side of said piston, means atI opposite ends of saidcylinder forsupplyinghydraulic iluid to Yand withdrawing" it from said cylinder and passages, a periscope mo'untedlonsaid piston rod for movement there- Withjsaid-periscope having an axiallyniov'a-ble extension, a second hydraulic jack in said periscope to move said extension axially, ports in said second jack to introduce and discharge fluid to actuate the jack to move said extension in either direction, and means including a valve for selectively connecting one of said passages to one of said ports and the other passage to another of said ports to actuate said second jack in one direction, and to reverse the connection between said ports and passages to actuate the second jack in the opposite direction.

4. An elevating system for a periscope having an outer tubular housing and a telescopically related and relatively movable extension, comprising an elongated hollow cylinder, a Ipiston slidably mounted in said cylinder for reciprocating and rotary movement, a piston rod nonrotatably connecting said piston and said housing for elevating and retracting said periscope and communicating with said cylinder, said piston rod having passages therein connected with said cylinder at opposite sides of said piston, a reversible hydraulic motor in said housing connected with said passages, and valve means interposed between said hydraulic motor and said passages for connecting, disconnecting and reversing the connections between said motor and said passages for controlling said hydraulic means to elevate, stop and retract said extension.

5. A periscope elevating system comprising a hydraulic jack having a cylinder, and a piston and piston rod movable axially of and rotatable relative to said cylinder, means for selectively supplying hydraulic fluid to and discharging it from said cylinder on opposite sides of said piston to move said piston and piston rod axially of said cylinder, a periscope fixed to said piston rod for bodily movement therewith, said periscope having an axially movable extension, a reversible hydraulic motor for moving said extension axially, separate passages in said system rod communicating with saidcylinder on opposite sides of said piston, and xed connections, including a selector valve for starting, stopping and reversing the motor, interposed between said passages and said motor for supplying hydraulic fluid from said cylinder to said reversible motor.

6. A periscope elevating system comprising a hydraulic jack having a cylinder, and a piston and piston rod movable axially of and rotatable relative to said cylinder, valve means for selectively supplying liquid to and discharging liquid from said cylinder at either side of said piston to move said piston and piston rod axially of said cylinder, a periscope xed to said piston rod in axial alignment therewith, said periscope having an axially movable telescoping extension and reversible hydraulic means for moving said extension axially inether' direction, passages extending through said piston rod for supplying yliquid-fromsaid cylinder at one'side of said piston to said hydraulic-means and discharging liquid from said hydraulic means to saidV cylinder at vthe other side ofy said piston, and valve means 1vinterposed--between said passages and said hydraulic means for controlling the direction of operation of and to stop said hydraulic means 'to movesaid extension axially and to retain it in axially moved position. I

-7. A periscopeelevating system comprising a hydraulic jackA having a cylinder, and a piston and `piston-rod movable axially of and rotatable relative to said cylinder, valve means for selectivelyl supplying liquid to said cylinder to move lsaidi'pistonL and piston rod axially of said cylinder,

a periscope xed to said Ipiston rod in axial alignment therewith, said periscope being rotatable with said piston and said piston rod relative to said cylinder, said periscope having an axially movable telescoping extension and hydraulic means for moving said extension axially between projected and retracted positions, passages in said piston rod for supplying liquid from said cylinder at one side of said piston and withdrawing it from said hydraulic means to the cylinder at the opposite side of said piston, and a selector valve for controlling the supply of liquid to and discharge of liquid from said hydraulic means to move said extension axially and retain said extension in any desired axially moved position.

8. In an elevating system for a periscope having a lower tubular housing, a tubular extension telescopically mounted in said housing for axial movement relative to said housing and means supporting said housing for axial and rotary movement; the combination of a first hydraulic jack having a cylinder, a piston reciprocable and rotatable in said cylinder, means for supplying liquid under pressure selectively to the cylinder of the rst hydraulic jack on one side of piston and discharging liquid from the cylinder on the other side of said piston to move said piston in either direction, a piston rod fixed at one end to said piston and at its other end to said housing, whereby said housing, piston and piston rod are xedly connected and reciprocable and rotatable as a unit relative to said cylinder, separate passages in said piston rod communicating with the interior of said cylinder on opposite sides of said piston, a second hydraulic jack in said housing having relatively movable piston and cylinder elements connected to said housing and said extension for moving the extension axially relative to said housing in either direction, a selector valve on said housing, and xed conduits connecting said passages to said selector valve and the latter to said second jack to supply iluid pressure from the cylinder of said rst jack to the second jack under the control of said selector valve.

9. An elevating system for a periscope having a lower tubular housing, means supporting said housing for axial and rotary movement, and a tubular extension telescopically mounted in said housing for axial movement relative to said housing; the combination of a reversible hydraulic motor mounted in said housing and having a driven element connected to said extension for moving said extension axially, ports in said motor for receiving liquid under pressure and discharging liquid to drive said element selectively in either direction, a selector valve connected to said ports for controlling supply of liquid to and discharge of liquid from said ports to control the direction of movement of said element and said extension, a hydraulic jack having a cylinder and a relatively rotatable and axially movable piston and piston rod, means xedly connecting said housing to the outer end of said piston rod in axial alignment therewith, a pair of passages in said piston rod, one of said passages communicating with the cylinder on one side of said piston and the other passage communicating with the cylinder on the opposite side of said piston, means for supplying fluid sel-ectively to the lcylinder on one side of the piston and discharging liquid from the cylinder at the other side of said piston to project and retract said piston rod and said housing, and connections between said passages and said selector ERNST o. KOLLMORGEN.

REFERENCES' CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 15 1,175,609 1,313,534 ,1&65365 Name Date Evered Jan`- 30, 1894 Ridgeway June 213', 1903 Bailey sept. a. .1.9112 Cottrell s 11- Mar. 14, 1916 Hoiman l Aug. 19, 19,19

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