Improvements in Disappearing Gun-carriages and Actuating Mechanism therefor.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 20th Dec., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Disappearing Gun-carriages and Actuating
Mechanism therefor.
I, JOHN JAMES EDWARD HENRY PAYNE, of Springfield, in the County of
Sangamon and State of Illinois, United States of America, Inventor, do hereby
declare the nature 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 improvements in that class of gun-operating devices or
carriages employed in the disappearing system wherein the gun is normally con-
cealed within a pit or behind protecting walls, and is elevated bodily when it is to
be discharged, and it consists in the new and improved means for effecting the
desired movements of the gun, to elevate the latter for discharge and retract it
for loading and concealment, all as hereinafter fully described and pointed out in
the claims.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure is a side elevation partly in section of an apparatus embodying my
improvements.
Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section through the cylinders.
Figure 3 is a side elevation showing a slightly modified form of connection.
Figure 4 is a detail view of the connection Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a detail showing modified arrangement of valve.
Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cartridge.
Similar letters of reference in the several figures indicate the same parts.
The letter A designates the gun; B the frame or support; and C devices for
controlling the movement of the gun.
In the example given, the controlling devices are shown as two links or sets of
links C pivotally connected at opposite ends, and at more or less remote points, to
the gun and the frame, so that, as the gun is elevated or depressed by the actuating
devices, it will be caused to move in parallel planes.
Any other approved form or construction of supports for sustaining and controlling
the movements of the gun may be employed in lieu of those shown.
The adjustment or "training" of the gun may be accomplished by the application
of any
of the well known forms of adjusting devices connected to or operating upon
the frame, or through the gun supports to change the direction of the axis of the
gun when in firing position.
In operating guns of this kind, it has heretofore been proposed to employ hydraulic
or pneumatic actuating devices for effecting the elevation of the gun, but the
mechanism required therefor has proved more or less cumbersome and ineffective,
particularly when applied to portable guns, owing to the somewhat complicated
apparatus required for producing and maintaining the requisite pressure, and the
comparatively slow movement attained.
To obviate these and other practical difficulties attending the use of such appa-
ratus I have devised my present improvements, wherein the pressure of the gases
generated by the combustion of slow burning powder or other equivalent materials,
in a closed chamber is made use of as a motive power, and is caused to operate,
through the agency of suitable actuating or connecting devices, to elevate the gun
or other body to be moved.
For the purpose of illustrating one mode of applying my said invention in
practice I have shown in the drawings an improved form of apparatus consisting,
essentially, of a cylinder or chamber provided with a movable member, such as a
piston 2, through which the pressure of the gases within the chamber is transmitted,

page_text: either directly or indirectly to the gun, the latter being mounted upon suitable
supports as described, permitting or controlling the movement.
Communicating with the interior of the cylinder or chamber 1 is a second or
combustion chamber 3, within which the slow burning powder is introduced and
consumed.
As shown in the drawings, the cylinder 1 is pivotally supported upon the
frame B, its lower end being formed or provided with a transverse trunnion or
semi-cylindrical pin 4 adapted to be inserted in a bearing 5 in the lower member b
of the framework.
The piston 2 is provided with a piston rod 6 whose upper end is connected to the
movable gun. In Figures 1 and 2 this connection is made through a cross head 7
pivoted in the forward links C, and in Figures 3 and 4, through a head 8 provided
with a transverse and semi-cylindrical journal 9 adapted to be inserted in a
bearing 10 on the gun.
Suitable stops or retaining devices may be employed for limiting the outward
movement of the piston, such for example, as flanges 11 detachably secured to the
end of the cylinder 1.
The combustion chamber or powder receptacle 3 is preferably formed integral
with or secured to the cylinder 1, with which latter it communicates through a port
or opening 12, said port being controlled on the side towards the cylinder 1 by a
valve 13 opening inwards or towards said cylinder. The removable valve support 14
is seated within the cylinder 1.
The port 12 may be cast in the cylinder, and if bored, an opening 15 may be
formed in the opposite wall of the cylinder for the insertion of a boring or drilling
tool, said opening being afterwards closed by a screw plug 16.
One or more drainage openings 17× Fig. 3 may also be formed in the lower
section of the cylinder, said opening being reduced near the inner end, to form a
shoulder for the reception of a metal disk 17 smaller than the larger outer portion
of the opening. An elastic packing disk is inserted behind the disk 17 and the
whole clamped tight by a screw 18, to form a gas-tight joint.
In the upper or outer end of the cylinder one or more openings or vent holes 19
are formed, the location being such that when the piston reaches the outer extreme
of its movement in one direction, it will uncover the vent and permit the gases to
escape; and in order to regulate the escape of the gases contained in the cylinder,
and thereby determine the time the gun shall be held in elevated position and the
rapidity of its return motion, an adjustable throttling valve is applied to the
opening 19, such for example, as that formed by a screw 20 supported in position to
approach or enter the vent hole.
The powder, of a slow burning variety, is preferably introduced into the com-
bustion chamber in the form of a cartridge 21. The cartridge is composed of a
hollow case 22 of metal, paper or other suitable material and is provided
with a removable cap or head 23 having an opening or receptacle 24 for the
detonating or other material for igniting the powder within and at one end of the
cartridge.
At the bottom or rear end of the combustion chamber is arranged a loose fitting
piston or washer 25 backed by a spring 26, and the outer end of said chamber is
closed by a removable cap or plug 27 carrying the firing pin 28.
The passage or port 12 through which the gases are conducted to the cylinder 1
communicates with the combustion chamber at or near the outer end in proximity
to the head of the cartridge.
When the cartridge is inserted within the combustion chamber, the spring is
but partially compressed and serves to hold the cartridge against the plug and
in position to be engaged by the firing pin. As soon as the powder within
. the cartridge is ignited, the gases generated at the outer end operate to force the
cartridge shell further back so as to fully uncover the opening leading to the
pressure cylinder 1, by which operation the spring is still further compressed, and
when the powder has been consumed and the plug is removed from the mouth of

page_text: the combustion chamber, said spring operates to project the cartridge case to such
an extent that it can readily be grasped and withdrawn.
It is desirable that some means be provided for relieving the pressure in the
combustion chamber after the slow burning powder has been consumed, preliminary
to the insertion of another charged cartridge. To this end a vent or opening 30
is formed through the wall of the passage 12 and said vent is provided with a
movable valve or plug for quickly opening and closing communication between said
passage 12 and the atmosphere.
One such form of adjustable valve is shown in the drawings, the same comprising
a plug 31 fitted to close the opening 30 and secured to a block 32 guided, as by
pins 33, to reciprocate towards and from said opening.
The block 32 is provided on either side with rounded bearings 34 to receive
the bifurcated end of a lever 35, the latter being provided with a spring 36 or
equivalent device for holding the plug 31 tightly against the opening 30 to prevent
the escape of the gases.
The opening 30 is of relatively small area, and the spring is of such power that it
will retain the plug in position to close said opening under ordinary pressures, and
when it is desired to relieve the pressure within passage 12, the lever is operated
against the pressure of the spring to withdraw the plug and thus permit the gases
to escape.
Instead of employing a horizontal valve 13 and spring for closing the passage
between the combustion and pressure chambers, a valve such as shown in Figure 5
may be used in which case the spring may be dispensed with, the weight of the
valve being sufficient to hold it closed."
When the gun is depressed or in its lowest position, the piston in cylinder 1 is
below the opening or vent 19, and the gases entering the cylinder operate under
full pressure to raise the gun to firing position; but as soon as the piston uncovers
said opening the gases begin to escape, thereby relieving or diminishing the pressure
in a degree proportional to the size of the opening.
Should it be desired to obtain a quick return of the gun, the escape vent or
opening is enlarged by the adjustment of the throttling valve, to permit the rapid
and free escape of the gases from within the cylinder 1, and if a slow return is
required, the orifice is reduced and the gases permitted to escape slowly, thereby
effecting a more gradual reduction in pressure.
The weight of the gun and its attachments is sufficient to effect its return when
the pressure in the cylinder is sufficiently reduced, a pneumatic check or cushion
being formed to receive the thrust of the gun, when the pressure has fallen
sufficiently to allow the piston to cover the escape vent.
The cylinders may, if desired, be provided with water jackets as indicated at 50
for cooling the metal, and water may also be introduced within the cylinders for
the same purpose.
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. In a gun operating device, such as described, the combination with the gun
and movable supports therefor, of an actuating mechanism adapted to be set in
motion by the gases generated by the combustion of powder, the same comprising
a pressure chamber provided with a movable section or piston and a combustion
chamber or cylinder communicating with the pressure chamber; substantially as
and for the purpose.described.
2. In combination with the gun and its movable supports, a pressure chamber or
cylinder provided with a movable member or piston connected to the gun and a
vent opening beyond said movable member, when the latter is normally retracted;
a combustion chamber; and a passage leading from said combustion chamber into
the pressure chamber through which the gaseous products are conducted; substaŋ-
tially as described.

page_text: 3. The combination with a gun and its movable supports, of a piston connected
to the gun; a pressure chamber for said piston provided with a vent closed by the
piston when retracted and uncovered or opened when said piston is moved to elevate
the gun; a closed combustion chamber communicating with the pressure chamber,
and a valve controlling the passage between said combustion and pressure
chambers, as and for the purpose set forth.
4. The combination with the gun and its movable supports of the piston con-
nected to the gun; a cylinder for said piston provided with an inlet passage and a
vent opening normally closed, and opened by the advance of the piston; a
combustion chamber communicating with said inlet passage and a throttling valve
for the vent opening; substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5. The combination with the gun and its supports, of the actuating devices for
elevating the gun, said actuating devices comprising a pressure cylinder having a
throttled vent and an inlet passage; a piston connected to the gun and working in
said compression chamber; a combustion chamber communicating with the inlet
to the compression chamber; and a valve controlling said inlet passage substantially
as described.
6. The combination with the gun mounted upon links and guided thereby, of a
pressure cylinder or chamber pivotally supported to oscillate in the plane of the gun,
said cylinder being provided with inlet and vent openings; a piston connected to
the gun and reciprocating in said pivoted cylinder; and a closed combustion chamber
containing powder, said chamber communicating with the inlet opening of the
pressure chamber; substantially as described.
7. The combination, substantially as described, of the gun mounted upon pivoted
links, the piston connected to the gun and reciprocating in a pressure cylinder, the
latter pivotally supported to oscillate with the gun, and a combustion chamber
connected to and oscillating with the pressure cylinder, as and for the purpose set
forth.
8. The combination with the gun and its movable supports of a pressure chamber;
a piston connected to said gun and adapted to reciprocate within said chamber;
a combustion chamber communicating with said pressure chamber and provided
with a spring and a movable plug; and a cartridge located within the combustion
chamber between the spring and plug; substantially as described.
9. In combination with the combustion chamber communicating with the pressure
chamber, and provided at one end with a movable plug or cap, a yielding ejector
within the combustion chamber and engaging the cartridge inserted therein to press
it towards said plug or cap; substantially as described.
10. In a gun operating device such as described, the combination with the piston,
combustion chamber and pressure chamber, of the vent communicating with the
interior of the combustion chamber and a movable valve or plug controlling said
vent; as and for the purpose specified.
11. In a gun operating device such as described, the combination with the piston,
the combustion and pressure chambers and the valve controlling the passage leading
from the combustion to the pressure chamber, of the vent for relieving pressure in
the combustion chamber and a movable valve or plug controlling said vent.
12. In a gun operating device, such as described, the combination with the
combustion chamber, the pressure chamber and the passage leading from near one
end of the combustion chamber to the pressure chamber, of a cartridge provided
with a movable plug and detonator at one end, and a yielding pressure device
engaging said cartridge and operating to hold it projected and to permit it to be
retracted when the powder is ignited.
-
13. In combination with the combustion chamber provided with a movable plug
at its outer end, and a spring seated piston at its inner end, the passage leading
from the outer end of said combustion chamber to the pressure chamber and the
cartridge case provided with a removable head; substantially as described.
14. In combination with the passage connecting the combustion and pressure
chambers and provided with a vent, the plug guided to reciprocate towards and

page_text: from said vent and a lever and spring controlling the movements and position of
said plug substantially as described.
ليمو
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1
1
1000
F. W. BARKER,
Applicant's Agent.