Request for Information About Push-Button Device

[Clayton]

Gents;

We have a Japanese WWII push-button device and original paper sheet which we believe are instructions. There are three Japanese characters on the side of the push-button metal housing. Could anyone tell us what this object is?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Best regards to all,

Clay

[Clayton]

Another Photograph

[imperialjapan]

I think it says 'On-off valve.' Or maybe 'On-off switch.' (kaiheiki 開閉器) Not sure about the paper.

[Nick Komiya]

If this hardware is supposed to be the one in the attached diagram, it is a water pressure sensor that feeds pressure data to a ship's version of an odometer. It is designed to respond to the water pressure generated by forward movement to record the ship's mileage. To isolate water pressure coming from forward movement from that generated by depth, there are two water intakes, the depth pressure entering at one end of the piston, the aggregate pressure entering from the other end. Thus the action of the piston cancels out any influence of depth pressure and records pure forward movement only.

[Clayton]

Guys;

The paper came back from the war with the device but they actually may not relate to one another. This device seems to me to be more electrical in its operation.

Best regards,

Clay

[Nick Komiya]

In that case, I'm afraid there can be no further help. It can be a switch for anything.

[GHP]

Generator

I think it says 'On-off valve.' Or maybe 'On-off switch.' (kaiheiki 開閉器) Not sure about the paper.

Hi Rich,

You're right, "On-Off Switch". Literally, "on-off instrument/device".

開閉器 【かいへいき】 (n) a switch.

My wife looked over the instructions and read only about a third before I stopped her -- my note taking is not too good!

Anyway, the paper explains about a generator that helps measure the speed of a ship.

"In the bottom of the ship the propeller opening of the tube receives water. The propeller induces water like a windmill. The axle of the propeller along the line ..... [sorry, I wasn't fast enough!] ....The motor... water-powered electricity is generated. this electric propeller is in proportion to the speed of the ship. For this reason this small-sized generator can check the speed of the ship. ......"

This must have been from a manual (anything on the verso?) or a series of sheets -- Note, the image is "Illustration No. 34".

And where it says プロペラ "propeller" ... if you look at the top right illustration it looks more like the ancient water screws used to move water from a lower position to a higher position.


--Guy

[GHP]

Ah! Nick beat me to the punch! And he was much clearer.

--Guy

[Clayton]

It never ceases to amaze me why some veterans brought back such strange souvenirs. I was hoping this might be some bomb releasing switch or torpedo firing button and then it would me more understandable why this WWII veteran brought this device and paper home from the war. But it seems like its just a simple on/off switch for some unknown equipment.

Many thanks guys for your responses. Its generous fellow members such as yourselves who make the WAF such a great forum.

Thanks again and best regards to all,

Clay