GB132301A - - Google Patents

Abstract

132,301. Jones, H. G., and Coleman, C. J. July 5, 1918. Aerial warface; torpedoes, locomotive.-Consists in providing torpedoes and automatic explosive aeronautical machines with devices sensitive to radiant heat, in order to steer them automatically towards a source of heat such as artillery, rapid firing guns, and aircraft engines. As shown, four thermopiles A, A<1>, A<2>, A<3>, are connected to energizing coils B, B<1>, B<2>, B<3>, pertaining to amplifying armatures C, C<1>, C<2>, C<3>, which are driven by a motor I and are connected to clutch coils D. D<1>, D<2>, D<3>, arranged in two pairs forcontrolling the engagement of clutch members E, E<1> with wheels F, F' driven by a motor G for setting horizontal and vertical rudders H, H<1> according to the direction of the source of heat received. The thermopiles may be provided with cylindrical lenses for focussing the heat on to the units of the pile, and may be protected from heat coming otherwise than through their lenses by screens of alum or by vacuum jackets. A time switch J is put in the circuit of the motors I, G to put the apparatus in action only after a given time, so that sources of heat near the starting point will be ineffective. The torpedo may be provided with means for firing it on impact or when its power is exhausted.