Title

Paulson's Torpedo

In

Engineering

Imprint

vol. 39, 6 February 1885, p. 145

Description

Accession No.2383

Abstract

Mr. R. Paulson, of Boon Hills, Langwith, Notts. had designed a new form of self-propelling and steering torpedo in which the motive power was liquefied carbonic acid (carbon dioxide) which was contained in a cylinder and allowed to drip into an intermediate chamber from which it passed through a small orifice to the nozzle of an injector, the water inlet of which was in direct communication with the sea. The gas rushing through the nozzle forced the water, which condensed it, into a combining cone, from which it was led at a very high velocity to two rotary motors or turbines operating twin screws. A flexible diaphragm connected by links and levers to two balanced fins mounted on a transverse shaft regulated the depth at which the torpedo ran and it was steered in a direct or straight course by means of a mariner's compass. The shell of the torpedo was made of compressed paper pulp, which was both light and strong and had no effect on the compass needles. It was made in three sections bolted together when required for use; the front section contained the charge, the firing mechanism, and the two compasses situated within the charge; the middle section contained the battery and the cylinder of liquefied gas; the rear section contained the intermediate chamber, the injector, the motors and the mechanism for regulating the depth at which the torpedo is propelled. In order to render the weapon more effective, it could be controlled over part of its course by means of an electric cable paid out as the torpedo progressed, and by which the current from a battery on shore or on a ship to steer the torpedo on any desired course. When the cable was completely paid out it was automatically detached, and the self-steering apparatus came into operation.

Related entries

Inventions

• The Paulson Torpedo (c. 1885 - )