Improvements in and relating to Gun Mountings or Carriages.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 27th July, 1995-Accepted, 19th Oct., 1895
[Communicated from abroad by JEAN BAPTISTE GUSTAVE ADOLPHE CANET,
of 87 Avenue Henri-Martin, Paris, in the Republic of France, Engineer.]
Improvements in and relating to Gun Mountings or Carriages.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the
ature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to gun mountings and comprises various improvements as
hereinafter specified.
The said improvements relate partly to mountings such as those described in the
Specification of my former Letters Patent No. 23973 of 1892.
In the accompanying drawings Figures 1 to 6 illustrate improvements designed
to diminish the weight and cumbersomeness of mountings for twin guns.
Figures 7 to 9 illustrate improvements relating to the attachment of the hydraulic
brake pistons by their rods to the rear end of a gun, the brakes acting by
compression.
Figures 10 to 23 illustrate various forms and modifications of brake and
recuperator apparatus for gun mountings.
According to one part of the said invention I provide for supporting twin guns
in a top carriage or cradle so as to constitute a double barrelled cannon having only
one pair of trunuions supported upon a single chassis or lower carriage, the whole
being so constructed and arranged that the two guns are entirely as one with regard
to their training and elevation.
This part of my invention is illustrated in Figures 1 to 6.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the cradle taken through the axis of one of
the guns.
Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the cradle with one half in transverse section, and
Figures 3 and 4 are respectively a side view and a plan of the cradle and a
portion of the guns carried by it.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section and Figure 6 a vertical section of the valve box
hereinafter referred to.
The twin carriage or cradle within which the guns A are mounted has two
sleeves or tubes B cast in one piece or securely united. These sleeves are furnished
at their extremities with packing rings b, b through which the guns slide in the
recoil and return movements. The cradle is supported upon two trunnions B¹
about which it is turned for elevation. D D are two brake cylinders of the kind
referred to in the Specification of a prior Patent No. 9125 dated the 27th June 1887.
These brake cylinders may be cast in one piece with the double sleeved cradle or
attached to it by the flanges E which are secured together by bolts F. The piston
rods d of the brake cylinders extend forward and are secured to a bracket A' on
the gun.
In combination with the brake is a compresed air recuperator comprising a
cylinder G and a piston carried by a rod g. It is obvious that the brakes and
recuperator might be arranged at the sides of or above the gun if necessary or
desirable.

page_text: On recoil, the piston rods d moving with the gun enter the cylinders D displacing
the liquid, which, passing into the valve box H through the tubes I, opens the
valves J and entering by the passage K into the recuperator-cylinder drives before
it the recuperator-piston and consequently compresses the air. At the termination
of the recoil the air expands and forces back the liquid through the passages L
opening the valves M behind the brake pistons and returning the gun to battery.
The return movement may be checked or interrupted by means of the screw-plugs O
provided for controlling the valves M.
Another part of my invention which is illustrated in Figures 7 to 9 is particularly
described in connection with a single cannon but is applicable with slight modifica-
tions to a twin gun mounting of the type hereinabove described.
Figure 7 is a vertical longitudinal section of the cradle taken through the axis
of the gun,
Figure 8 is a rear elevation and
Figure 9 is a horizontal section through the axes of the brake cylinders.
This part of my invention provides for attaching the piston rods of the hydraulic
brakes to the rear end of the gun so that the brakes act by compressing the liquid
in their backward movement.
The mounting consists of a sleeve B provided with trunnions at or about the
point Bo, two brake cylinders D of that type in which there is a central fixed
rod P, and a recuperator cylinder G with a separating piston or disc G¹.
The brake cylinders and the recuperator cylinder communicate with each other
by two series of passages n, p, the latter series being provided with a valve q.
The brake piston rods d are united by a crosshead D' controlled by the central
rod D2 which is supported and guided in bearings at 61 and is attached to the
bracket A' at the rear end of the gun.
In the recoil the gun moves with it the rod D², the crosshead D' and the piston
rods d which enter the brake cylinders. The action of the brakes is the same as
that indicated with respect to Figures 1 to 6.
Another part of my invention is illustrated in Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13.
Figure 10 is a longitudinal vertical section of the cradle taken through the axis
of the gun.
Figure 11 is a rear elevation of the cradle with one half in transverse section.
Figure 12 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line 1. 1.of Figure 11.
Figure 13 is a horizontal longitudinal section on the line 2. 2 of Figure 11.
The brake cylinder D is solid or in one piece with the cradle sleeve and has a
central regulating rod P secured to a bracket B' on the sleeve. The brake consists
of the said cylinder D, a piston d¹ with its rod d and a movable plunger Q. The
said plunger carries a crosshead or bearing R, (Figure 10), against which the
springs Figure 12 exert pressure. These springs are placed upon the rods S
which extend and slide freely through the bearings at R and T and terminate with
plates or collars U which form abutments for a second series of springs s'. Two
plates T are connected by the rods t to the arms of the crosshead L and bear
against the springs s¹ so as to transmit to them a part of the stress exerted by the
gun in the recoil.
The gun in recoiling pulls the plates T which compress the columns of springs st.
The latter transmit the stress to the abutments U and through them and the rods S
to the series of springs s and thereby to the plunger. At the same time the liquid
passes from right to left of the brake piston by the orifices d² formed in the said
piston as shewn in Figure 10.
As the sectional area of the piston rod d is less than that of the plunger Q, the
latter enters the cylinder more slowly than the rod d moves out. Therefore
during the recoil the aforesaid columns of springs will be compressed, the force
thus stored being utilized for returning the gun to battery.
Another part of my invention is illustrated in Figures 14 to 16ª.
Figure 14 is a side elevation of a gun-mounting.

page_text: Figure 15 is a rear elevation of the same.
Figure 16 is a horizontal section through the axes of the brake cylinders.
Figure 16 is a horizontal section through a series of spring columns.
This mounting is characterized by a peculiar arrangement of columns of springs
which are used in place of an air recuperator. It is moreover characterized by the
arrangement of regulating apparatus on the exterior of the brake cylinder or
cylinders which apparatus according to a known law acts to regulate the area of
the passage of the liquid during the recoil.
The brake comprises three cylinders D D and V. The cylinder V has its
internal diameter varied throughout its length for the purpose of regulating the
sectional area through which the liquid can flow past the piston during the recoil.
The three cylinders communicate with each other by two series of passages v1, v2, v3
the passages 2 and 3 having a controlling valve loaded with a spring v.
Passages W form communication between the spaces on the forward and rear sides
of the pistons d. Screw plugs w are provided in these passages. The three
rods ddv are secured to the bracket A' on the gun.
The recuperator comprises two series of spring columns X each series containing
three columns of springs. One of the columns of springs in each series is placed
upon a rod fixed to a lug on the gun. This rod passes freely through the end
of the central cylinder 2 and has on one end a plate ³, which bears upon the first
column of the springs and these transmit the pressure to the cylinder 2. The
latter is formed solidly, that is to say in one with the two other cylinders y each of
which contains a column of springs arranged to exert pressure against end pieces or
abutments y connected by the rods y* to the bracket y² on the cradle B.
In the recoil the liquid flows through the cylinder V and forcing the valve v
from its seat, passes from the rear to the front of the pistons. At the same time
the rod a compresses the inner column of springs which acts through the cylinders
and the two other columns and compresses the latter equally between the cylinder
ends and the abutments y¹. At the termination of the recoil any movement in the
opposite direction will be impossible while the plugs w close the passages. W.
But as soon as the plugs are adjusted to open the said passages the liquid by the
expansion of the compressed springs returns to the space at the rear of the brake
pistons and consequently the gun returns to battery; or the gun can be arrested in
any intermediate position by closing at any desired moment the screw plugs w.
If desired I can dispense with all but one of the screw-plugs by arranging the
passages to unite in one channel.
Another part of my invention is illustrated in Figures 17 and 18, which shew
modifications of the brake and recuperator in a cradle mounting such as that shewn
in Figures 15 and 16.
In the apparatus shewn in Figure 17 the brake has three cylinders D D V, the
cylinder V serving, in the recoil, to regulate the sectional area for the flow of
the liquid. For this purpose I arrange in combination with the orifice at V₁
the central regulating rod v previously invented by me. The recuperator has two
cylinders G closed by two watertight partitions G2 and between these cylinders is
a third cylinder Y in which works the head of the regulating rod, the latter being
thereby guided and supported in the recoil.
The brake shewn in Figure 18 differs from that shewn in Figure 16 in that it
has no direct communication with the recuperator. The liquid can pass freely from
one to the other side of the brake pistons d'. The recuperator comprises three
cylinders G G2 G3. The two latter which contain the compressed air are isolated
by a movable watertight partition * from the other cylinder. A piston d³ is
connected with the brake piston by a rod d the transverse sectional area of which
is equal to the sum of the areas of the rods d d and v. Between the piston d³ and
partition g* is contained the liquid of the recuperator.
In the recoil the brake acts as above described; the piston driving the liquid
to the rear of the piston g* and compressing the air in the parts G² G³:
At the

page_text: termination of the recoil the expansion of the air causes the return of the gun to
battery.
The brake shewn in Figure 19 differs but slightly from that above described.
It comprises a brake-cylinder D, the piston d' with two rods d and d³ and the fixed
central regulating rod v secured at to a bracket or projection on the cradle. The
piston rod d is secured in the bracket A' of the gun.
The recuperator comprises a cylinder G containing compressed air and a piston G¹
with a rod extending through the cylinder cover. The recuperator cylinder G
communicates by the passage do with the brake cylinder D.
In the recoil the liquid forces open the valves and passes through the orifices
The diameter of
in the piston from the rear to the forward side of the same.
the rod as being greater than that of the rod d the liquid is forced through the
passage de to the rear of the piston G¹ and by its action on the latter compresses
the air in the recuperator. At the termination of the recoil the liquid behind the
piston G' is forced back through the said passage by the pressure of the expanding
air and returns through by-passes in the valves d to the space at the rear of the
piston d'. Figure 19 is an enlarged view of one of the said valves d' wherein
the by-passes above referred to are shewn by dotted lines.
Another part of my invention is illustrated in Figure 20 which is a longitudinal
section. The said brake has a single cylinder D the piston d of which is arranged
in combination with a central fixed regulating rod P which extends through the
piston into the hollow piston rod and controls the passage of the liquid in a well-
known manner, the piston being provided with small orifices d². The piston rod d'
is secured to the bracket A of the gun. The recuperator consists of three
telescopically arranged cylinders 91 92 9³ the cylinder gis formed on, or attached
to the brake cylinder; the cylinder g² is fitted to slide in the cylinder g' and the
cylinder g is fitted to slide in the cylinder g2 and is secured to the crosshead
which is connected by the rods g₁ to the bracket A¹. The brake cylinder D
communicates with the recuperator cylinder gl through the tube e f.
g*
In the recoil the liquid in the brake cylinder passes to the forward side of the
piston, the piston rod in moving out of the cylinder leaves space therein which is
filled by liquid entering through the tube e f from the recuperator cylinder g¹ and
At the same time the
the cylinder g² of the recuperator moves towards the rear.
cylinder g participates in the recoil of the gun but owing to the difference between
the area of the rod d' and that of the cylinder g the backward movement of the
cylinder gis quicker than that of the cylinder g. Consequently during the recoil
there will be a compression of the air in the cylinders 92 9³. After the recoil the
expansion of this air pushes the telescopic cylinders forward and causes the return
of the gun to battery.
Another brake of the type which has a central regulating rod in the cylinder is
illustrated in Figure 21 which is a central longitudinal section. In this modifi-
cation the brake cylinder piston, piston rod and regulating rod are similar to
those described with reference to Figure 20 but the brake cylinder D has no
communication with the recuperator. The latter consists of two cylinders g¹ g³
the first being fixed and the second being fitted to move therein and guided by a
central rod. The cylinder g¹ forms the air vessel the space within the cylinder g²
containing the liquid. A piston g³ on the end of a rod 9 is fitted to work in the
cylinder 2, the rod 9 being made hollow for the reception of the rod g' which is
fitted to slide freely therein.
In the recoil the liquid passes through the orifices d² from one to the other side
of the brake piston. At the same time the piston 9 acting on the liquid in the
recuperator forces the cylinder g² forward and consequently compresses the air in
the cylinder g'. After the recoil the expansion of the air causes the return of the
gun to battery.
Another brake of the type shewn in Figure 20 is illustrated in longitudinal
section in Figure 22. In this example of my invention the recuperator comprises

page_text: a fixed cylinder g' and a movable cylinder 92 attached to a rod 96 which extends
through the rear end of the cylinder and is secured to the bracket A¹ on the gun.
A movable watertight partition 9x separates the liquid in the cylinder g¹ from the
compressed air in the cylinder g². From this partition a central rod extends
rearwardly through the rod 9º.
In the recoil the vacant space left in the cylinder by the outward movement of
the rod d is less than the volume of the cylinder g2 that simultaneously enters the
cylinder ¹; the liquid therefore drives backward the partition G* thereby
compressing the air. The subsequent expansion of the air returns the gun to
battery.
In the modification of my invention shewn in Figure 23 which is a longitudinal
section, the recuperator forms a prolongation of the brake. The latter has a
cylinder 2, the diameter of which varies throughout its length as shewn for the
purpose of regulating the movement of the liquid in a well-known manner. The
piston has two rods 96 and 9'. The rod 7 is secured to the bracket A¹ of
the gun and the rod 9' which is of larger diameter than the rod 98, serves as the
plunger of the cylinder g³ that moves in the cylinder 92 and has a collar or head g
which constitutes the piston of the last named cylinder. The space in front of this
piston constitutes the air chamber.
In the recoil the liquid passes from the right to the left side of the piston 9' and
owing to the large diameter of the rod 97 the latter causes the liquid to flow into
the cylinder g2 behind the piston g* and force the cylinder g forward thereby
compressing the air in front of the piston 9*. Afterwards the expansion of the air
effects the return of the gun to battery.
It is obvious that in all of the above described arrangements or modifications of
my invention I may provide for returning the gun to battery either automatically
or by the aid of screw plugs or equivalent devices as shewn for example in
Figure 16 for regulating the movement as desired. Moreover I can provide for
supporting more than two guns in a single cradle such as any of those herein-
above described, or I can otherwise vary the apparatus within such limits as will
not exceed the scope of my invention as above set forth.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The improved cradle or frame constructed substantially as described with
reference to Figures 1 to 6 for supporting by one pair of trunnions on any suitable
chassis or under carriage two or more guns in such a manner that they can be
trained and elevated as a single gun.
2. The improvements substantially as described with reference to either of the
forms or modifications illustrated in Figures 7 to 9 whereby in mountings in which
the brake piston rods are attached to the rear of the gun I provide for the action
of the brake cylinders by compression.
3. The improvements relating to hydraulic brakes of constant volume sub-
stantially as described with reference to Figures 10 to 13 of the drawings.
4. The improvements relating to hydraulic brake and recuperator apparatus
substantially as described with reference to Figures 14 to 16 of the drawings
whereby I provide for placing the regulating apparatus outside the brake
cylinder.
5. The modification of these improvements described with reference to
Figures 17 and 18 of the drawings.
6. The improvements relating to the apparatus wherein the hydraulic brake is
isolated from the recuperator substantially as described with reference to
Figures 18 and 21 of the drawings.
7. The improvements relating to the telescopic arrangement of the parts of the
recuperator as described with reference to Figures 20 to 23.

page_text: 8. A gun mounting provided with brake and recuperator apparatus substantially
such as that hereinabove described with reference to either or any of the figures
of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 27th day of July 1895.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.