Mechanical Computers

[vrsculptor]

http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/14/us-navy-explains-basic-mechanical-principles-of-a-fire-control-c

Amazing, good project for Gearotic.

Roger

[danmauch]

 Interesti ng. A long time ago in a place far , far away I use to be a submarine ordnance machinist . One of my jobs use to be to install and align a two section Torpedo Data Computer, (TDC) . While I did not build them I got to see the insides of them. They too were amazing. Almost all the mechaisms used antibackl ash gears. Two gears placed upon one another with a groove cut with a  spring causing one gear to always keeping the lash out.
 The TDC would solve the math from input from the sonar or periscope reading and send the signals to the torpedo Gyro Setting Relulator ( nick named Great Shit it Returning) which in turn was connencte d mechnical ly to the gypro spindle on the torped tube which inserted an adjusting mechanism in the tordeo and would set the gyro angle into the torpedos guidance system.
Bringhs back fond memorys

Dan Mauch
www.camtr onics-cnc.com

[John S]

I'll bet you didn't get many customer returns from those Dan ?   

[danmauch]

 The problem with a torpedo returning back towards the submarine that fired it wasn't due to the submarine s fire control systems. They had safety measures to prevent 180 degree turns. The problem usually was with the torpedo. I am happy to say that after we overhaule d the torpedo tubes and their associate d fire control equipment that the submarine s would travel to Dabob bay in Washingto n state and would fire a variety of torpedos with dummy warheads. Any problems noted during these tests would be feed back to the shipyard as a black mark. On the other hand if everythin g went as it should we would receive letters of commendat ions for our work. Many of the submarine s I worked on gave me lightesr with the submarine s logo or plaques.

Dan Mauch
www.camtr onics-cnc.com