1/48 G7 Torpedos

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

If you have extra manifolds on hand, I’d love to purchase one from you

I'll check the sheds -- they're somewhere I hope. Will get back to you on this.

David

[Monahan Steam Models]

If you have extra manifolds on hand, I’d love to purchase one from you

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

A manifold would need to be made with tube connections for these specific valves as they are designed to be face mount. Can’t comment on the max cylinder pressure but these valves are rated for 15psi max. A pressure regulator would need to be used if you plan to use disposable Co2 cartridges. This is what I originally had in mind to charge the pneumatic torpedo system but I’m not sure if I am going to pursue that anymore.

I produced resin manifold blanks (already ported for those little solenoids). Could I fix you up with one?



David

[Monahan Steam Models]

A manifold would need to be made with tube connections for these specific valves as they are designed to be face mount. Can’t comment on the max cylinder pressure but these valves are rated for 15psi max. A pressure regulator would need to be used if you plan to use disposable Co2 cartridges. This is what I originally had in mind to charge the pneumatic torpedo system but I’m not sure if I am going to pursue that anymore.

[george]

David, After some searching I found the company that makes the miniature solenoid valves that you used in your meticulous crafted torpedo launchers that used this tech. Thank you again for taking the time to share the amazing work you’ve accomplished. I can see the fruits of the many hours you’ve spent developing these mechanisms.

Link to the solenoids:
https://www.theleeco.com/products/el...es/lhd-series/

I like these over the Clippard 7mm and 8mm miniature solenoid valves I was looking at earlier and considering using. They’re available in a voltage already compatible with the TCP unit for starters. No need to boost the voltage signal to use the Clippard units.

Ordered a few to test them out. Look forward to getting them in a week or so. Will still need to work out the designs for the pneumatic cylinders, linkages and launch valves with the basic desired functionality logic I posted earlier. The years I spent developing and producing miniature engines has got my brain working over time thinking of all the mechanical valve possibilities to make the logic work. Fun!

Can you tell me how is the solenoid actually connected to a pressure cylinder? If I wanted to operate two items? What is the Max. pressure the cylinder can be OR do you have to reduce the pressure going to the solenoid? I was thinking about another application where pellet gun disposable cylinders could be used as the pressure supply.

[Monahan Steam Models]

Made some progress on the the starboard side tubes and door mechanisms

[Monahan Steam Models]

Small update. Didn’t like how I had the torpedo shutter door linkage set up earlier so I redesigned it. The first design go around was a compromise. The real boats torpedo tubes muzzles did not have perpendicular squared off tube ends. Although the tubes ran mostly collinear with the keel, the tube end faces were angled inward towards the keel. This is how this boat’s tubes are designed. The real boats (typeVII) had their muzzle doors linked to their outer shutters. This is how I wanted to set up this boat originally but I’m working with a Arkmodels kit that was originally designed for their launcher unit that was never released. The kit’s torpedo shutters already has a tab in molded into place on the shutter doors.

The new design is also a compromise but functions like the real boat’s muzzle doors and shutters. I’ve designed half muzzle doors to work with the tabs molded into the kit’s shutter doors. Needed to to this for operational clearance purposes. The parts in the attached photo that are blue represent the kit’s molded features. Such as bulkheads and shutter door tabs.

Focusing on the door mechanisms for now until the rest of the bits show up to continue designing the rest of the mechanical stuff.

[Monahan Steam Models]

David, After some searching I found the company that makes the miniature solenoid valves that you used in your meticulous crafted torpedo launchers that used this tech. Thank you again for taking the time to share the amazing work you’ve accomplished. I can see the fruits of the many hours you’ve spent developing these mechanisms.

Link to the solenoids:

https://www.theleeco.com/products/electro-fluidic-systems/solenoid-valves/control-valves/lhd-series/

I like these over the Clippard 7mm and 8mm miniature solenoid valves I was looking at earlier and considering using. They’re available in a voltage already compatible with the TCP unit for starters. No need to boost the voltage signal to use the Clippard units.

Ordered a few to test them out. Look forward to getting them in a week or so. Will still need to work out the designs for the pneumatic cylinders, linkages and launch valves with the basic desired functionality logic I posted earlier. The years I spent developing and producing miniature engines has got my brain working over time thinking of all the mechanical valve possibilities to make the logic work. Fun!

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Holy crap you are a mad man and an absolute genius!!!

I hope you have your own private museum at your place with each one of these finely crafted mechanical gems on display to marvel at.

Seriously very nice work and designs!

The mechanical sequencing equipment you designed and built is impressive.

The TCP module in a few of your photos is the unit I got from Bob at Nautilus. I was thinking of using that as the brains behind the sequencing. The rest will need to be mechanical. Are those solenoid valves in your photos still available? Have not run across those in my past searches. The solenoid valves I was thinking of using were these from Clippard :

https://www.clippard.com/products/electronic-valve-8mm?

The valves in your photos would be interesting to look at if still available...

The little Clippard units are neat looking. Been a while since I flipped through their catalog.

The ones I was using were developmental units sent to me by Mr. Caswell, who kept source and technical speck's up his sleeve. Preparatory stuff. Only thing I knew about them was that they are expensive, worked fine with hydrocarbons, and only needed five-volts to actuate. Not available to me. Sorry.

You are too kind. You too have a very good set of hands, sir.

David

[Monahan Steam Models]

Quite a few have tried and come close ...but not as close as you have!- I'd say you're there. Although, I would reserve a torpedo or two and put a treble hook off the tail cone and an eye for some 5-10 LB test mono...

Good luck with the sequencing logic-that should be interesting!

Thanks Bob!!! I like your thinking with the treble hook!!! If I make extras when the time comes, I’ll probably be asking for your mailing address

[Monahan Steam Models]

Have you considered some sort of electrical/mechanical/pneumatic sequencer? A circuit driven sequencer, escapement or gas distribution valve to select and actuate the tubes?

Holy crap you are a mad man and an absolute genius!!!

I hope you have your own private museum at your place with each one of these finely crafted mechanical gems on display to marvel at.

Seriously very nice work and designs!

The mechanical sequencing equipment you designed and built is impressive.

The TCP module in a few of your photos is the unit I got from Bob at Nautilus. I was thinking of using that as the brains behind the sequencing. The rest will need to be mechanical. Are those solenoid valves in your photos still available? Have not run across those in my past searches. The solenoid valves I was thinking of using were these from Clippard :

https://www.clippard.com/products/electronic-valve-8mm?

The valves in your photos would be interesting to look at if still available.

This is what I have worked out so far for the type VIIC forward
launcher.



The rough plan for operation I’m envisioning is as follows. The TCP module sends a signal to the solenoid valve for a specific launch tube. The pressurized air is sent to the pneumatic cylinder on that tube. The cylinder has linkage connected to that tube’s outer torpedo shutter. After the first .150” of cylinder travel, the shutter door will be completely open. The remaining travel of the cylinder shaft will then at some point depress a poppet or schradder valve that will send a burst of air to the rear of the torpedo tube causing the piston inside the tube to push the torpedo out. Once the momentary burst of air is shut off, a dump valve will open allowing the spring loaded pneumatic cylinder to return travel and close the shutter door.

There is a few small problems I can for see with this design and I have a couple other design ideas too. Please let me know what you guys think!

[Bob Gato]

Quite a few have tried and come close ...but not as close as you have!- I'd say you're there. Although, I would reserve a torpedo or two and put a treble hook off the tail cone and an eye for some 5-10 LB test mono...

Good luck with the sequencing logic-that should be interesting!

[Monahan Steam Models]

Thanks guys, I think you can hear me cussing the fish out when they grab it. Feed them beforehand but they’re still *******s!

The next step is working out the launcher for each tube using a momentary signal to open the doors, confirm open doors, launch, confirm complete launch and then close each tube before the next tube launch cycle.

[trout]

your "fish" attaching your "fish" cracks me up!

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Thanks guys! I appreciate your feedback

Been wanting to get to the launcher build stage. Had to get the torps running good first before moving on to the next step.

The build parameters Im trying to work within for this next step is to use a single channel to send a momentary signal to fire each of the four bow tubes and the single aft tube individually with a momentary press of a button. This will require opening each bow door just before launching each tube and then closing each bow door immediately after. Thankfully the aft will just need to launch without the need for opening and closing doors.

I think I have worked out a way to make all this happen using the gas style launch module available from Nautilus Drydock’s and a rough idea for the mechanisms needed but I will find out the hard way soon!

Have you considered some sort of electrical/mechanical/pneumatic sequencer? A circuit driven sequencer, escapement or gas distribution valve to select and actuate the tubes?