77. The submarine singal ejector is a device which is usually located in the control room of submarines, and extends through the shell of the vessel to the superstructure deck, so that the muttle is flush with the deckplates. It is designed to eject, by compressed air, submarine emergency identification signals clear of the vessel, when surfaced or sub-merged. The ejector mechansim is similar to, but smaller than, the conventional torpedo tube. It ejects the signals by air pressure from the 200-pound air line on submarines of the newer classes and from the 100-pound air line on submarines of earlier types. An au-xiliary air connection to the outboard section of the ejector permits the blowing out of water from the barrel after a signal has been fitted. This water is blown through a one-inch drain line into the control room bilge. A muzzle door and breech door are operated in the same manner as those of torpedo tubes. The muzzle door is of the swinging-gate type with circular valve discs. The breech door is also of the swinging-gate type but has a valve of the screw-down disc type and seals with a rubber gasket insert. The door operates by a horizontal operating lever. This lever has a cam so connected that it forms a mechanical interlock which allows only one of the two doors to operate at any one time and holds the submarine emergency identification signal in place by a spring stop until the breech door closes. The ejecting valve is of the quick-opening type and inter-locked with the muzzle door so that it is not possible to operate the ejector with that door closed. As the emergency identification signal passes through the barrel, the exten-sion of its tripping lever rides in a groove which extends throughout the length of the barrel to a point just inside the muzzle. There the tripping lever is drawn back and fires the primer of the signal as it leaves the muzzle. Details of construction of Submarine Sig-nal Ejector will be seen in Fig. 33.

Figure 33. – Submarine Signal Ejector

Operation

78. Before operating the submarine signal ejector, make certain that the ammunition is in perfect order, that in the removal of the signals from stowage they have not been drop-ped, and that the firing pin and tripping levers have not been forced, struck, or pulled. Be sure that the case of the signal is not dented and that the nose seal is intact. Place the signal carefully into the breech of the barrel, with the tripping lever in the groove. After the breech is closed, the muzzle door may be fired. After firing, close the muzzle door, blow out the barrel into the control room bilge, and make ready for the next load-ing. Fig. 33 shows the progressive operating procedure.

When firing this signal from the new Hydraulic Type Air-operated Signal Ejector, the follo-wing operating procedure should be followed:

(a) Load the signal in the barrel and push is forward toward the muzzle until the spring loaded detent drops down behind the signal. The detent is located about 9" from the breech end of the ejector.

(b) The safety pin should not be removed from the signal until the signal has been push-ed into the tube past the detent, and the breech door is about to be closed.

(c) For convenience in removing the safety pin ring, a lanyard may be attached to the ring prior to loading the signal in the tube.

Safety Precautions

79. In operation the submarine signal ejector the follown precautions must be observed:

(a) If it is found necessary to operate the ejector when the vessel is surfeaced, all pre-cautions must be taken to see that personnel on deck are well clear of the ejector muzz-le, and of the deck area on which the ejected signal light or parts might fall. It should be impressed on all personnel that when the signal projects the grenade, the recoil of the signal case is violent. If a signal lands accidentally on or near the deck, all personnel should stand clear of the rear end of the case, as well as the forward end, until after the grenade has been projected.

(b) When carrying or loading the signals, care must be taken never to point them directly toward or away from other personnel, and to stand clear of the ejector breech while loa-ding.

(c) When firing this signal from the new Hydraulic Type Air-operated Signal Ejector, the safety pin should not be removed until the signal has been loaded into the tube to a point beyond the spring detent.