US2948247A - Two-seater submarine vessel - Google Patents

Description

Aug' 9, 1960 D. l. REBlKor-'F 2,948,247

TWO-SEATER SUBMARINE VESSEL Filed sept. 16, 1958 2 Smets-sheet 1 www Aug. 9, 1960 D. REBlKor-'F 2,948,247

TWO-SEATER SUBMARINE VESSEL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 16, 1958 Alll Dmifralnnmm Rdf-mf United States Patent y 2,948,247 Y 'TwosEATER-sum' ARm DimitriIssiewifehnebikdiwsBlvd.creampie, Cannes, Alpes Maritimes, .France Filati separa, 195s,'seir. No."161,3`66 claims priority, applicatidnimme rspt. r116, .19*7" s'claims. `(cl. 114-16) l -Lightweight submarine vehicles for :divers equipped with. independent respiratory apparatus rare ik'nown .1in which the equipped diver is immersed in the 'Water 1in direct -contact therewith, carried on Ia water-tight shell with which he :forms a'unit, this `shell enclosing, protected from the water, driving means actuating an "external 7propulsion system and supporting diving' controls 'oper- :ated `Aby the pilot by 4means of Ahis vhands andfeet.

These vessels rare fgen'era-lly of tapered :torpedo form vand th'e enclosed vdrivingzmeans are usually aceumulato'rs and Fan electric motor. .They can lbe enclosed the -pilot .in-a casing which is fat least :partially transparent and not watertight, -and'which can 1be=opened`toiperniit -access of the pilot and may or ."may not be provided with temporarily inilatable iloats, by which the assembly fis tilted hydrodyna'rnieally.

Such single-seater vessels permit aigreat varietyof yevolutions in the waterfsince theyare :piloted #more :in the manner of an aircraft cap-able v4pf assuming 'more -positions than a conventional submarine, fwhichfloes :not readily exceed positions slightly inclined with .respect to the horizontal.

-It is desirable, especially for rthey training of new pilots, -to be able to use a ltwo-seater apparatus-withdal vcontrols, lin which the pupil can see Aand fsense rthe The -arrangement of the lsingle-seater 4machine cannot Y `beconverted into a two-seater machine for'this purpose, and on -the other handit is ydesirable that the changeover from a two-seater to a single-seater --machine fdoesnot essentially change the'manner in which the pilot is` sup- ,ported by the machine and the manner in whichthe latter Iis piloted. l

The object of the presentiinvention Ais to .provide fa suitable two-seater vessel.

The invention provides a two-seater submarine vessel or independent divers, which vessel is constituted by two similar strearnlinedshells keach carrying one of VthediverS in known manner, ,particularlycharacterised in that `these two shells are disposed substantiallysymmetrically with respect to one another on each side of a vplane `andare connected to one another'by atleast one transverse brace or strut lat the front, the two shells being Xed at lthe rear end by cross members disposed between fthe said symmetrical shells `and 'a third streamlined shell disposed with 'its planeV of symmetry coinciding with the rst said plane, this third 'shell containing a propulsion-unit 'of the assembly which is provided in known manner with diving ailerons 'at the "frontwand steering and diving `governors at the rear, these governors beingadapted to be ycontrolled simultaneously by the two divers -acting manually in known mann'er on fthe device controlling the ailerons at the front, Aand fthe other idiving means at the IeT, fld With Vthe feet 'll "the Steeili'g els "Of 'the vessel.

The description of one embodiment of such a vessel,

rits control means and -la preferred assembly :is given by way of non-limitative example, accompanied by diagramfmatic drawings,in which:

4Figure,1:showsatwo-seater submarine vessel according =to theinventio'n seen :in side elevation;

Figure .Y2 safcorresponding Iplan view;

Figure 3 is a iirst transversesecton on the line A-Y-A of Figure l1;

FigureV 4 ris la second transverse 'section Von the line 4B=B -ofFig'ure Al;V

xFigure-5 :isfa third transverse section on the V'line C-C o-f lFigures l and 2.

AFigure 6i-is' a 'fragmentarytransverse elevation, partly .inrseetion, showing a manual *,control 'of-.the inclinations of the-front aileronseand-ofthe rear depth governors;

Figure 7 is a plan vie'W,;pa`rtly in section-corresponding to :Figure 6;

Figure 8 isa transverse section von the `line D--D of Y -fFigure 6.

The symmetrical torpedo-'like shells 4are -vshown here .at itz-and 1b respectively -without :the diverstridi'n'g them, A'who-are stretched out :in known manner with the arms of handlebars 2 underneath them, which they push under :the armpits while keeping the curved portionsof said lhandlebars `facing forwardly. The divers -a're also held lrm `.and pushed yby supports which are advantageously obtained -by bicycle saddles 3 xed one oneach torpedo .substantially Aperpendicular to the :latter and -with the ,pointed end vfacing fthe said torpedo, .symmetrically in .parallel vertical fpl-anes, by means of supports 4 held on 4the =iloat of `vtorpedo form by clips 5 of known type. rlhesevsupports 'are fhere :tapered-tat 6,. The diver `holds the jsaddle 4 between his vthighs and thus @forms-one with the torpedo. n v

As the :handlebars `zand -thesupports -4 are iixed by `clips 5,.,they are :readily adjustable .to `the height of the divers.

AThe .two .torpedorshells v1a and 1b are-connected at .the front end by a streamlined vcross-.rneniber 7 with -its ends 8 widened to adapt V-i-t :to -thecorresponding shell and provided with openings 9 through which extend clips or.straps 11 on the corresponding shell -for tightening theassern-bly. At therear end, each torpedo shell .carries a rudder bar '12 adapted to be actuated by Vthe feet of the corresponding diver.

Each rudder bar 12 is locked 4to .a control ,pulley |13 tand isiixed for turning movement -on ashaft -14 carried vertically lin a 'support 15 on the corresponding shell.

Disposed between the similar 4shellslaand .1b. in their rplane of symmetry is a third streamlined .shell 16, which is shorter than the `other two and which contains'the propulsion motor, for example Ian 'electric motor, and carries at lits rear end the propulsion propeller 17 (Figure 5) `driven thereby, the saidpropellerbeing `protected in .known manner infa streamlined guard ring 18 secured by radial iins 19 `of the shell 16, and carrying in rearward extensions `the spindle -21V-of a -conventional rudder 22 and -the spindle v23 of a conventional depth governor or .hydroplane T24.

The centra-l shell V`1A6iand the lateral shells 1a and A1b are secured together so as to formv a unit by two braces .formed with openings at 25 -and hav-ing shoes 26 and `2'7, adapted respectively to be applied vto the corresponding ,parts "of the symmetrical shells 1a and 1b Aand of the shell 1`6.

The assembly is secured, for example, by clips or collars =ZIttand l29 respectively'encircling the fsaidshells and passing through the1openings2'5 to lock 'the `shoes '26 and '-27 o'n these shells.

The rparts 'cross L'menibers 25a at the front fand `at the rear 'of openings-`25 connecting shoes`-26 and 27 are advantageously of streamlined section.

At the front, the arrangement of the depth ailerons or hydroplanes is of the differential control type 1n a manner known per se and comprises a single aileron of horizontal axis disposed externally on the outer Side of each torpedo shell relatively to the assembly on the two shells.

These ailerons or hydroplanes are indicated at 31a Aand 31b respectively in Figure 3 and are actuated differentially in known manner by a device such as that shown, by means of a fork forming a control stick with two handles 32a and 32b, which are gripped by the two divers respectively. 1

This control stick .30 is fixed to .a U-shaped member 33 (Figures 7 and 8) which is pivoted about an axis in the plane of symmetry provided by journal screws 34 formed with shoulders and screwed with interposed washers 35 into a transverse sleeve 36 which itself turns about the cylindrical part 37 of the pin of the hydroplane 31b, which is provided with a fork 38d for fixing the said hydroplane and a shoulder 39b.

This cylindrical shaft -37 is journalled in a tubular Vpart 41 welded transversely on the shell 1b.

This tubular part `41 is disposed with its outer end 42 serving as a stop for the shoulder 3911 on the one hand Vand with its inner end -43 serving as a stop, except for clearances, for the `sleeve 36 turning'on the shaft 37 which traverses it.

After having traversed thering 36, the extension of the shaft 37 serves as a pivot for a sleeve 44 which enclosed it and holds the ring 36 (Figure 6) except for longitudinal play.

The sleeve 44 is held so that it is free to turn on the shaft 37 by headed screws 45 screwed into this sleeve, the heads of the screws penetrating without being jammed into a circular groove 46 formed in the shaft 37 towards the end thereof. The ysleeve 44 is extended coaxially by the pin 47 rof the hydroplane 31a which journals in a tubular member 48 forming a bearing and welded on the shell -1a between the shoulder 49 of the shaft 47 and an external stop ring 51 held by a pin on the shaft 47.

Towards the rear end, the U-shaped member carries fixed on its surface an elongated plate 52 forming a beam or bar oscillating about the shouldered screw 314 and carrying at its ends opposed and symmetrical slide slots 53a and 53b with an axis perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the double control stick 30.

Sliding in the slideways 53a and 53b are rectangular cages 54a and 54b, respectively, provided with upper and lower guide grooves in contact with the straight guiding portions of the corresponding slideways 53a and 53b. The rectangular cages 54a and 54b each carry a swivel joint 55a and 55h, respectively, so as to rotate therein. These swivel joints are formed with a bore into which extend freely, with reduced clearance, cylindrical fingers 56a and 56b, respectively, with a shoulder and threaded extension.

The finger 56a is screwed and locked by its shoulders in a radial hole of the sleeve 44, with which it is thus fast without contacting the shaft 37. The finger 56b is fixed in a similar manner on and through the shaft 37. Disposed in a plane symmetrical with the plane in which 56b turns about the shaft 37 in relation to the plane of symmetry of the assembly, the finger 56b passes with its cylindrical portion into a sectorshaped slot 57 formed through the wall of the fixed `tubular part 41 so as to permit a sufi'cient circular displacement of the said finger, driving the shaft 37 in rotation.

The manner of operation is clear. When the double control stick 30 is inclined from front to rear or vice versa along the sector indicated by the arrow (Figure 8), the rotation of the plate 52 not turning about the shaft 34 causes the shafts 37 and 47 and thus the hydro:

4 planes 31a and 31b to rotate about equal angles and in the same direction.

On the contrary, a transverse rotation according to the sector shown by arrows50 (Figure 6) by 30 and 33 driving the bar 52 about the same fixed axis 34, causes for example a downward rotation of the shaft 37 and an equal rotation in the upward direction of the shaft 47, with consequently equal and opposite inclinations of the respective cheeks of the hydroplanes 31a and 31b.

Any displacements of the control stick 30 will impart to the two hydroplanes inclinations about their axes, the differential result of components of rotation in the two longitudinal and transverse rectangular planes, received by the control stick 30.

In order to obtain the conjugation in rotation in opposite directions of the hydroplanes 31a, 31b and of the plane 2'4 of the rear depth governor or hydroplane under the influence of the longitudinal components of the displacements of the double control stick 30 about .the shaft 37, a connecting rod 58 is operated, this acting on a lever 59 connected by cables 60 to a lever 62 giving a rotational movement to the plane 24, by pivoting it on a shaft extending through a hole 61 in the end of a part 62 fast with the rotating sleeve 36 (Figure 3).

The end of thepart 62 carrying the hole 61 is cranked and arranged so as to provide in the suitable transverse plane a lever having its fixed axis coaxial with that of 37 and driving the connecting rod S8 under the sole inuence of the rotations of the sleeve about the axis 37 vThe movement of the rocker bars 12 is conjugated by the passage of an endless cable 63, which is wound around the pulleys 13 and, between these latter, by the run of the cable to the rear of these pulleys, on a fixed receiving pulley 64 turning with its shaft in the plane of symmetry of the apparatus on the shell 16 and connected for example by a rod 65 disposed between an arm 66 fast with the pulley 64 and a lever 67 keyed on the shaft 21 of the check 22 of the steering governor (Figure 5).

A loose return pulley 68, the shaft of which is fixed parallel to and in front of that of the pulley 64 on the shell 16 permits at the same time as a displacement of the bars toward the front of their axes of rotation, the free return of the feel of the divers without contacting the front run of the cable 63 connecting the pulleys 13.

The shells 1a and 1b will be able to serve as storage means for accessories other than the motor contained in the shellV 16, more especially propulsion accumulators in the general case where this motor is an electric motor.

They may contain all other accessories of the submarine vessel or equipment carried by it and carry all the control members not shown herein, connections by insulated cables or fluid-tight tubes being provided between these lateral shells and the central shell.

Without `departing from the invention, many modifications can be incorporated into the embodiment of such a two-seater submarine vessel, while remaining within the scope thereof. Instead of the double control stick which has been described, it is possible to use two conjtrol sticks connected to one another, for example, by a deformable parallellogram device for `connecting them in their transverse movements.

In any known manner, one of the control parts on which the hand of the pupil can act and of the control system by rudder bars actuated by the said pupil can be disconnected from this control system by the instructor in order that the latter ensures thathe alone is in control.

It will also be possible to provide the shutting-off of the motor controls which normally will be actuated by each 0f the two divers. These arrangements are especially to be provided in the case where the second diver is essentially only a passenger for a journey or a submarine exploration, but is not a trainee pilot or a second pilot. v f

What I claim is:

1. A first and second seater submarine vessel comprising two streamlined shells each adapted to be mounted by a diver, means interconnecting said shells at the front end thereof, a third streamlined shell disposed between said two shells at the rear end thereof, means connecting said third shell with said two shells, propulsion `means disposed in said third shell, hydroplanes mounted at the front of said vessel, steering and diving planes mounted at the rear of said vessel, common manually operable control means coupled to said hydroplanes and said diving planes first and second handles connected to said control means, each of said handles adapted to actuate said control means, said first handle extending closer to said lirst shell than said second handle and said second handle extending lcloser to said second shell than said rst handle and two sets of operating pedals coupled to said steering planes one of said sets mounted to said rst shell and the other of said sets mounted to said second shell. n

2. A two-seater submarine vessel comprising rst and second streamlined shells each adapted to be mounted by a diver, means interconnecting said shells at the front end thereof, a third streamlined shell disposed between said two shells at the rear end thereof, means connecting said third shell with said two shells, propulsion means disposed in said third shell, hydroplanes mounted at the front of said vessel, steering and diving planes mounted at the rear of said vessel, common manually operable control means coupled to said hydroplanes and said diving planes and common operating pedals coupled to said steering planes, support means mounted on said iirst and second shells and adapted to be gripped hetween the thighs of said divers.

3. A Vessel as described in claim 2, said support means comprising bicycle-saddles disposed transversely of said first and second shells, the narrower portion of said saddles being directed toward said rst and second shells.

4. A two-seater submarine vessel comprising first and second streamlined shells each adapted to be mounted by a diver, means interconnecting said shells at the front end thereof, a third streamlined shell disposed between said two shells at the rear end thereof, means connecting said third shell with said two shells, propulsion means disposed in said third shell, hydroplanes mounted at the front of said vessel, steering and diving planes mounted at the rear of said vessel, common manually operable control means coupled to said hydroplanes and said diving planes and common operating pedals coupled to said steering planes, said interconnecting means 6 having end portions shaped partially to embrace said shells, Xing clips encircling said shells and said end portions and adapted to be tightened whereby said end portions are clamped against said shells.

5. A two-seater submarine vessel comprising rst and second streamlined shells each adapted to be mounted by a diver, means interconnecting said shells at the front end thereof, a third streamlined shell disposed between said two shells at the rear end thereof, means connecting said third shell with said two shells, propulsion means `disposed in said third shell, hydroplanes mounted at the front of' said vessel, steering and diving planes mounted at the rear of said vessel, common manually operable control means coupled to said hydroplanes and said diving planes and common operating pedals coupled to said steering planes, said connecting means comprising a pair of shoes, each adapted respectively to embrace partially one of said rst and second shells and said third shell, cross members interconnecting said shoes and fixing clips encircling said shoes and said first and second shells.

6. A two-seater submarine vessel comprising rst and second streamlined shells each adapted to be mounted lby a diver, means interconnecting said shells at the front end thereof, a third streamlined shell disposed between said two shells -at the rear end thereof, means connecting said third shell with said two shells, propulsion means disposed in said third shell, hydroplanes mounted at the front of said vessel, steering and diving planes mounted at the rear of said vessel, common manually operable control means coupled to said hydroplanes and said diving planes, pedal control means mounted to a rear portion of each of said shells, each of said control means comprising a rudder bar, a pair of pedals ai-lixed to said rudder bar, a control pulley pivotally mounted to said shells, said rudder bar being xedly secured to said pulley, an endless cable traveling between the control pulley pivotally mounted to said rst and second shells, a rudder pulley secured to a rear portion of said third bar, said rudder pulley engaging said endless cable, said rudder pulley being connected to said steering planes whereby as either set of said pedals are Irotatably displaced said steering planes are displaced.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,303,266 Dougan May 13, 1919 2,722,021 Keogh-Dwyer Nov. 1, v1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,148,743 France June 24, 1957

Images