Improvements relating to Turret and other Breech-loading Guns and their Mountings, and to Apparatus for Working such Guns.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 24th Dec., 1890-Accepted, 7th Feb., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Turret and other Breech-loading Guns
and their Mountings, and to Apparatus for Working such Guns.
We, JAMES HORNE and JOHN HENRY RICHARD WHINFIELD, both of
2 Victoria Mansions, in the City of Westminster, Engineers, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to turret and other breech-loading guns and their
mountings, and to apparatus for loading and otherwise working such guns.
Our said invention is partly designed to facilitate the loading of guns in which
the breech-block is provided with interrupted or segmental screw-threads adapted
to engage
with corresponding screw-threads in the breech, and also to facilitate the
opening and closing of the breech of such guns. Our improvements are, however,
applicable to guns having other forms of breech-block.
This part of our said invention comprises the combination, with a loading-tray
having a movable portion or section, of improved apparatus whereby the said
loading-tray may be moved to and fro behind the breech of the gun transversely
to the longitudinal axis thereof, and whereby, when the breech is open, the said
movable portion or section of the loading-tray may be inserted therein to form a
continuous guide during the ramming in of the projectile and powder-charge. It
some instances, we so construct this apparatus that it will also effect the opening
and closing of the breech of the gun.
In
Another part of our said invention is designed to provide for preventing the
transmission to the service-pipes, of the pressure produced in the hydraulic brake-
cylinder by the recoil of the gun.
We also provide improved means whereby liquid under pressure for running the
gun in or out, may be introduced into the brake-cylinder or cylinders without the
necessity for loading the discharge-valve with a spring heavier than is required to
hold the gun up, or keep the valve closed, when the gun is at the greatest angle
of elevation. We are thus enabled to reduce the strength of this spring to a
minimum.
Moreover we provide means whereby, when the liquid is under pressure for
running the gun in or out, the valve will be kept closed, thus preventing the
escape of the liquid under pressure into the exhaust."
Our said invention, moreover, comprises other improvements hereinafter mentioned,
whereby we provide for further facilitating the working of the gun.
In carrying our said invention into practice, we proceed as follows, that is to
say: For facilitating the loading of the gun, we employ a carrier arranged to
slide to and fro behind the breech of the gun transversely to the longitudinal
axis thereof, and provided with a bracket, on which is arranged a telescopic
loading-tray. In one form of our apparatus, the said carrier is also provided with
a bracket for supporting the breech-screw when out of the breech. We combine,
with the said carrier and loading-tray, suitable means whereby the sliding section
of the said tray, when in line with the gun, can be moved to and fro to insert it
in, and withdraw it from the breech. In some instances, we also combine, with
the said sliding carrier, suitable means whereby in the to-and-fro movement
thereof, a breech-block provided with interrupted screw-threads may be turned
about its axis to disengage it from, and effect its engagement with corresponding
interrupted screw-threads in the breech of the gun; and we provide suitable means
whereby the said breech-block, when disengaged from the screw-threads in the
breech, may be withdrawn from, and re-inserted in the gun. When the breech-
block is thus withdrawn, it is received by the bracket provided for the purpose.

page_text: The said carrier can then be caused to slide in one direction thus moving the
breech-block away from the breech and, at the same time, bringing the loading-
tray in line with the bore of the gun. After the loading has been performed the
said carrier is caused to slide in the reverse direction thus bringing the breech-
block behind the breech of the gun, in which it is then inserted and secured.
This part of our said invention is applicable to cylindrical or taper breech-block
which can be disengaged and removed from the gun and also in a modified form to
wedge or other shaped blocks which move transversely to the axis of the gun but
which are not withdrawn from the gun.
For effecting the various operations above mentioned we find it advantageous to
employ suitable hydraulic apparatus. For instance, we arrange beneath the afore-
said sliding carrier, a hydraulic cylinder which is fitted to slide to and fro between
suitable guides in a direction parallel to that of the carrier, and which is provided
with short shafts or studs, one on each side of the said cylinder. On these shafts
or studs are fitted to rotate suitable pinions, which are geared with racks secured
to, and movable with the said carrier. The said pinions are also geared with fixed
or stationary racks arranged beneath the same. By these means, the carrier will
be moved through the entire length of its stroke or travel by the movement of the
cylinder through a distance equal to one half of the length of such stroke or travel.
For inserting into the breech and withdrawing therefrom the breech-block and the
movable section of the loading-tray, we employ apparatus comprising a hydraulic
cylinder which is provided with pinions geared with fixed or stationary and movable
racks somewhat similar to those above mentioned, this cylinder being arranged at
right angles to the aforesaid cylinder. The said hydraulic cylinders are arranged
to travel, whilst the piston-rods are firmly secured in suitable supports and are made
with suitable passages for the admission and discharge of liquid to and from the
said cylinders. We sometimes employ, in place of the said cylinders and pistons,
screws and nuts, which nuts are provided with pinions carried in a similar manner
to those above mentioned upon shafts or studs. We provide for operating the said
screws by hand power or by hydraulic or other suitable mechanism.
For turning the breech-block about its axis in the to-and-fro movement of the
said carrier, we provide a rack which is fitted to slide in transverse guides on the
breech-end of the gun. This sliding rack is geared with a toothed segment formed
or fixed on a ring, which is secured to the breech of the gun, and which encircles
the breech-block, the said ring being provided internally with grooves or inter-
ruptions corresponding to the interrupted screw-threads on the breech-block. The
said breech-block will, therefore, turn with the said ring, but is, nevertheless, free
to move longitudinally into and out of the same. The said sliding rack is
operated by means of projections or arms on the carrier, so arranged that, in the
movement of the said carrier in one direction, one of the said projections or arms
will act upon the sliding rack and thus move the same in the required direction
to unlock the breech-block or disengage it from the screw-threads in the breech,
and, in the movement of the said carrier in the reverse direction, the other pro-
jection or arm will act upon the said sliding rack and thus move the same in the
required direction to cause the engagement of the breech-block with the screw-
threads in the breech.
Each of the movable racks of the apparatus for effecting the insertion and
withdrawal of the breech-block and of the sliding section of the loading-tray, is
made in two parts or sections, one of which is fitted to slide in guides in the
bracket supporting the corresponding cylinder, and the other of which is fitted to
slide in guides on the carrier, so that it can be moved to and fro therewith
transversely to the axis of the gun. The latter part of the rack is, however,
adapted to slide in the guides on the said bracket and to leave the guides in the
carrier, so that the latter can be traversed without the said sections of the racks.
The two parts or sections of each rack are so constructed that, when they are in
line with each other, they will be connected so that they can be moved together
away from and towards the breech of the gun by the aforesaid hydraulic cylinder

page_text: and the pinions carried thereby. The forward end of the section of the said rack
mounted upon the carrier, is adapted to engage with a hook on the breech-block for
the purpose of withdrawing the same from the breech. It is also adapted to engage
with the movable section of the loading-tray for the purpose of effecting the
insertion of the said section into, and its withdrawal from the breech.
We provide an automatic locking bolt or other suitable apparatus whereby,
while the sections of the rack are disconnected, longitudinal movement of the
cylinder and of the rear sections of the racks for effecting the insertion and
withdrawal of the breech-block and of the loading-tray, will be prevented. This
locking bolt or apparatus is so arranged that it will be automatically disengaged
when the engagement or connection of the sections of the racks is effected. We
also provide suitable means for preventing longitudinal movement of the forward
sections of the said racks, while these sections are being moved with the carrier
transversely to the gun.
In another form or modification of our apparatus, we provide any well-known or
suitable mechanism on the gun, for opening and closing the breech and for swinging
the breech-block clear of the breech to permit the insertion and withdrawal of the
movable section of the loading-tray, and we modify the construction of the
mechanism for operating the loading-tray as follows, viz. :-We provide a telescopic
loading-tray which is arranged to move to and fro transversely to the gun as
above described, and we combine, with this loading-tray, suitable means whereby
the movement thereof in one or the other direction transversely to the axis of the
gun, and the insertion or withdrawal of the movable section of the said loading-tray
can be effected by a simple movement of the hydraulic cylinder in the corresponding
direction. For effecting these movements of the loading-tray, we employ a spiral
shaft or a screw-shaft of rapid pitch, on one end of which is fixed a pinion. This
pinion is geared with a rack on the hydraulic cylinder. Another pinion is fitted
as a nut on the said screw-shaft and is arranged between two brackets or lugs on
the sliding carrier, so that it will move to and fro with the said carrier. The said
nut-pinion is geared, through the medium of another pinion, with a rack on the
movable section of the loading-tray. In the said brackets or lugs are fixed suit-
able nuts, in which the said screw-shaft works, so that the rotation of the said
screw-shaft alternately in either direction will effect the to-and-fro movement of
the said carrier. In this to-and-fro movement, the said nut-pinion engages with a
rib or feather on the guide-way for the carrier, which rib or feather is so arranged
that the said mut-pinion can only rotate when the loading-tray is in line with the
bore of the gun. Therefore, after the hydraulic cylinder has been moved in one
direction to bring the said loading-tray into this position, the continued movement
of the said cylinder will cause the rotation of the nut-pinion in the proper direction
to effect the insertion of the movable section of the said tray into the breech of the
Morcover the movement of the said cylinder in the reverse direction, will
first cause the rotation of the nut-pinion so as to draw the said movable section
of the tray out of the breech, and will then move the said tray with the carrier
from behind the breech to permit the closing of the latter. We prefer in this
case to employ breech-opening mechanism which is so constructed that the con-
tinuous rotation of a shaft in one or the other direction will effect the complete
opening or closing of the breech. We do not, however, confine ourselves to this
arrangement of mechanism, as our improvements are applicable in all cases where
the breech-block is arranged to move aside so as to permit of the loading-tray
being brought into the required position behind the breech of the gun.
gun.
It is obvious that we can, if desired, substitute for the hydraulic cylinders above
mentioned, other mechanism for effecting the various movements of the carrier and
loading-tray, and also those of the breech-block when the latter is arranged to
be operated by the mechanism employed for operating the carrier and loading-
evident that we can arrange the apparatus above described to
tray.
It is, moreover,

page_text: operate a loading-tray which is made without a movable section designed to enter
the breech of the gun.
We usually provide at the rear of the sliding carrier a fixed loading-tray, which
forms a prolongation of the tray on the said carrier, and which will be in line with
the tray in the ammunition-cage when the latter is brought into the loading position.
The projectile and powder-charge can, therefore, be pushed by the rammer from
the ammunition-cage on to the tray supported upon the said carrier, and thence into
the gun.
When cages are not used, this tray will serve as a platform on which
projectiles or charges can be placed prior to ramming the same home.
In heavy gun-mountings wherein the recoil is taken up by controlling the dis-
charge or displacement of liquid from a hydraulic brake-cylinder fitted with a piston
or ram, and wherein provision is made for effecting the movement of the gun upon
the slide by the admission of liquid under pressure on either side of the piston, the
pressure due to recoil is usually transmitted to the service-pipes, thus straining the
said pipes and their joints.
When we use, in our improved gun-mounting, brake-apparatus of the kind or
class above referred to, or similar to that described in the Specification of former
Letters Patent dated 27th June A.D. 1887, No. 9,125, or any other brake in which
water passes from one side of the piston to the other side thereof, we provide for
preventing the transmission of pressure from the space behind the piston in the
brake-cylinder into the service-pipe for running out the gun, by the introduction of
a non-return valve at the entry of the said pipe to the brake-cylinder. This valve
may be simply a non-return valve loaded with a spring to keep the valve open for
the purpose of exhausting when the gun is being run in on firing, the pressure due
to recoil will overcome the said spring and thus close the valve. We prefer, how-
ever, to use a valve constructed as hereinafter mentioned so that it will be kept
closed, under normal conditions, by a light spring. We so construct this valve that,
when fluid under pressure is admitted into the brake-cylinder for running the gun
in or out, the said fluid will also be admitted to a small cylinder fitted with a piston,
the rod of which forms a continuation of the valve-spindle. The pressure of the
fluid on one side of this piston will be unbalanced and will therefore effect the
opening of the valve, and permit the discharge of the fluid when running the gun
in, and the entry of the fluid under pressure when running the gun out. The said
piston is made of sufficient diameter to ensure the opening of the valve by such fluid
pressure notwithstanding any pressure which may exist in the brake-cylinder due
to the weight of the gun and its carriage when the gun is at its greatest or any
other angle of elevation.
When the brake-apparatus employed is so constructed that, in the operation
of running the gun in, the liquid passes from one to the other side of the piston, it
is necessary for effecting this operation to introduce fluid under pressure into the
brake-cylinder on the front side of the piston through the pipe for the discharge
therefrom of the liquid displaced in the recoil. To prevent the escape of the fluid
under pressure into the exhaust, we fit a non-return valve on the discharge-pipe and
connect the service-pipe with the said discharge-pipe at a point between the said
valve and the cylinder. This valve may be so loaded as to resist the pressure due
to the admission of liquid from the service-main into the cylinder in front of the
brake-piston this arrangement, however, entails the use of a strong spring and
thereby causes a greater pressure in the brake-cylinder during recoil, by reason of
the imprisonment of the liquid in the said cylinder until the pressure therein is high
enough to lift the valve against the force of the loaded spring. With the object of
reducing this pressure, we find it advantageous to construct the non-return valve in
such a manner that the load due to the spring shall be just sufficient to maintain the
gun in position at its greatest angle of elevation. For this purpose, we make the
non-return valve-box with a prolongation or extension in the form of a cylinder,
in which we arrange a suitable piston. This cylinder is connected at a point
in front of the said piston, with the pressure-main. The piston is made with

page_text: a central hole or cavity extending partly through it, in which the spindle of the
discharge or non-return valve can travel independently of the said piston. At the
moment of, or just before admitting fluid under pressure into the recoil-cylinder
through the service-pipe, the said fluid is allowed to act upon the front side of the
piston in the valve-box and thus move the piston towards the valve-seat until the
inner end of its recess abuts against the corresponding end of the valve-spindle.
The front side of this piston is of larger area than the face of the valve, therefore
the non-return valve will be held against its seat, thus preventing the escape of
fluid under pressure through the exhaust during the operations of running the gun
in and out.
If desired, we so construct the apparatus and connect the same with the service-
pipe for conducting the fluid under pressure to the recoil-cylinder, that the pressure
cannot be admitted to the said recoil-cylinder until the aforesaid piston has locked
the non-return valve to its seat in the manner above specified.
For this purpose, we sometimes prolong the piston in the form of a spindle
working through a stuffing-box, and we adapt this prolongation to serve as a valve
for preventing the admission of the pressure from the main until the piston has
moved sufficiently far forward to lock the non-return valve, when the said piston
will, by its movement, open a passage between the pressure-main and the recoil-
evlinder.
We sometimes modify the construction of this apparatus as follows, that is to
sayWe so construct and arrange the non-return valve that a still lighter spring
will be sufficient to keep the same to its seat with the gun at its greatest
or any other angle of elevation, except when the said valve is opened by the
discharge or displacement of liquid under the pressure due to the recoil. We attain
this object by so constructing the valve that the area thereof acted upon by the
pressure from the brake-cylinder is considerably reduced, whilst the full area of
discharge is maintained. This valve is made with a hollow cylindrical extension
which may partly enclose the spring, and one end of which forms a piston. This
piston works in a cylinder formed with the valve-box, and is so arranged that the
pressure due to the recoil will act upon one side of the said piston to lift the valve from
its seat. The space in the said cylinder on the other side of the said piston is con-
nected with a pipe, whereby it may be put in communication with the pressure-
main; therefore, whilst the pressure from the brake cylinder acts only upon an
annular surface on one side of the said piston, the service-pressure, when admitted to
the cylinder on the valve-box, acts on the entire area of the other side of the piston,
thereby keeping the valve to its seat and allowing the fluid under pressure, admitted
to the recoil-cylinder for the purpose of running the gun in or out, to perform this
operation without escaping through the exhaust; and, during the recoil, the back
pressure in the cylinder is reduced to a minimum.
According to a further modification of this part of our invention, we interpose in
the discharge-pipe, between the brake-cylinder and the non-return valve, a rotary.
or slide valve or other suitable valve or cock, which can be actuated by any con-
venient means provided on the mounting, for the purpose of closing the passage
between the discharge-pipe and the non-return valve. In this case, the spring
whereby the non-return valve is loaded need only be sufficiently strong to hold up
the gun on its slide at its greatest angle of elevation.
The said valve or cock is opened during discharge and closed when the pressure
is being used to run the gun in or out. We may so arrange this valve or cock that
it cannot be left closed after the service-pressure has been cut off from the brake-
cylinder.
Our automatic cut-off for hydraulic elevating gear is constructed as follows,
The controlling spindle of the distributing valve of the hydraulic press is
suitably connected to one arm of a lever pivoted at or near its centre to the short
arn of another lever, which is pivoted to a suitable bracket or other support, and
the long arm of which is provided with a toothed segment. This toothed segment

page_text: is geared with a pinion fixed on a shaft which works an automatic sight-bar. This
bar is so connected to the gun that its movement upward or downward will always
correspond to that of the gun.
The other arm of the lever coupled to the aforesaid controlling spindle, is
connected by means of suitable gearing to the controlling hand-wheel or lever on
the sighting-platform.
When the said controlling hand-wheel or lever is moved in one or the other
direction, the lever coupled to the said spindle is turned about its pivot, and the
distributing valve thus moved, and the gun raised or lowered as the case may be.
The movement of the gun, however, acting on the automatic sighting-bar and its
shaft, causes the lever provided with the toothed segment to make a corresponding
movement, carrying with it the pivot of the lever coupled to the controlling spindle;
this lever is thus caused to turn about its point of attachment to the rod whereby it
is connected with the aforesaid hand-wheel or lever, in such a direction as to move
the distribution-valve towards the central position and thereby cut off the supply of
liquid to the elevating press. The proportions of the various parts are so arranged
that a certain movement of the hand-wheel or hand-lever will ensure a corresponding
or proportionate movement of the gun, and the position of the gun will always
correspond to that of the hand-wheel or lever; the vertical pointing of the gun is
thus facilitated, for whether the movement to be given to the gun be small or great,
a proportionate movement has only to be imparted to the said hand-wheel or lever
and the gun will always come to rest when the required movement thereof has taken
place.
For very heavy guns, the distributing-valves for the hydraulic engines and
presses for working the gun require to be so large and cumbersome that hand-
power is not sufficient to manipulate the said distributing-valves, and it is necessary
to provide other means for operating them. For this purpose, it is usual to employ
an auxiliary hydraulic cylinder arranged to act on the main valves. The valve of
this auxiliary cylinder is small and can be easily worked by hand-power. We
provide for facilitating the manipulation or operation of such apparatus by so
constructing the same that the movement of the main valve will follow the move-
ment of the operating handle, and, as soon as the operating handle is released, the
movement of the hydraulic engine or press will be arrested. For this purpose, we
provide the following mechanism, riz. A hydraulic cylinder is arranged to work
the main distributing or controlling valve of the hydraulic engine or press; the
said hydraulic cylinder is movable longitudinally upon its piston-rod, which is
securely held in a suitable bracket or other support. The said cylinder is provided
with two racks, with which are geared two worms of large diameter. A spur-
pinion is formed with, or firmly attached to one of the said worms, and is connected
by means of another pinion and a suitable shaft to the said engine. The said
worms are fitted to slide along shafts on which they are mounted, and which are
parallel to the said hydraulic cylinder. The shaft of one worm is connected to the
operating handle and to the controlling valve of the hydraulic cylinder; the worm
on this shaft is free to slide longitudinally thereon but must rotate therewith. The
other worm, the shaft of which is connected with the engine, as above stated, is
coupled by means of links or in any other convenient manner to the main
distributing valve.
When the hand-wheel or operating handle is turned, the corresponding worm-
shaft is rotated and with it the worm. The said shaft being restrained from endwise
movement and the worm being in gear with the rack on the hydraulic cylinder, the
said worm is thus caused to travel longitudinally and, being connected to the
controlling valve of the hydraulic cylinder, opens the said valve, thereby causing
the hydraulic cylinder to travel in a direction opposite to that of the said worm
along its rack; one effect of this movement is that the said worm is carried back by
the cylinder, and, when the rotation of the said worm is stopped, it will be thus
moved back until the valve is closed and the movement of the hydraulic cylinder

page_text: arrested. To continue the motion of the hydraulic cylinder, as, for instance, when
the gun is to be trained through a large angle, the hand-wheel must be continuously
operated. Another effect of the longitudinal movement of the hydraulic cylinder
is that the other worm moving with the said cylinder operates the main distributing
or controlling valve and so starts the engine. The said engine being in gear with
the pinion formed on the worm, the said pinion is caused to rotate as soon as the
engine is started, and the worm, being free to slide along its shaft, is caused to
travel in a direction opposite to that of the hydraulic cylinder and to return to
its central position, thus stopping the engine. The said hydraulic cylinder must be
of sufficient length to allow of training the gun through a complete circle or
through any desired are of a circle.
It will be seen that the longitudinal movement of the hydraulic cylinder
continuously counteracts the motion of the worm acted upon by the hand-wheel;
and also that the rotary movement of the pinion and worm by the training engine
continuously counteract the motion given to the worm by the hydraulic cylinder.
Therefore, as long as the hand-wheel is being rotated, the training will continue,
but as soon as the hand-wheel is released the training will stop.
The said hydraulic cylinder may, if desired, be fixed and the piston movable; in
this case, a prolongation of the piston-rod is formed with suitable racks to gear with
the aforesaid worms.
When the mechanism is used in connection with the elevating press, the pinion
on the aforesaid worm is connected by suitable gearing to the shaft which operates
the automatic sighting-bar, and as soon as the sights are in alignment, the operating
handle is released and the motion of the press thus arrested.
It is sometimes preferable to use the following modification of the apparatus last
above described, that is to say -The hydraulic cylinder for actuating the main
controlling or distributing valve, instead of being formed or provided with racks, is
formed or provided with projections one on either side thereof, which will form nuts
for two screw-shafts. These screw-shafts are secured in bearings and arranged
parallel to the hydraulic cylinder. One of these screw-shafts is connected to the
hand-wheel at the sighting-platform, and to the controlling valve of the hydraulic
cylinder the other screw-shaft is connected to the main controlling or distributing
valve and also to the engine or press. On the end of each of these screw-shafts is
fixed a long pinion geared with another pinion on the hand-wheel shaft in the one
case, and on the engine shaft in the other case. When the hand-wheel is turned,
the screw-shaft in connection therewith is rotated the hydraulic cylinder being at
rest, the screw-shaft travels longitudinally through the nut formed on the said
cylinder, thereby opening the controlling valve of the cylinder, so that the said
cylinder is caused to travel in a direction opposite to that of the screw-shaft. This
movement of the cylinder has effects similar to those above mentioned with respect
to the apparatus comprising the racks and worms.
The cylinder may, if desired, be fixed and the piston movable, in which case a
cross-head is provided on the end of the piston-rod and has formed on it projections
to act as nuts for the said screw-shafts.
It is obvious that our improvements are applicable to various forms of gun-
mountings, and that, without departing from the nature of our invention, we can, if
desired, further modify the construction of our apparatus to adapt the same for any
particular form of mounting.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Turret and other Breech-loading Guns
and their Mountings, and to Apparatus for Working such Guns.
We, JAMES HORNE and JOHN HENRY RICHARD WHINFIELD, both of 2 Victoria
Mansions in the City of Westminster, Engineers, 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:-
Our invention relates to turret and other breech-loading guns and their mountings
and to apparatus for loading and otherwise working such guns.
Our said invention is partly designed to facilitate the loading of guns in which
the breech-block is provided with interrupted or segmental screw-threads adapted
to engage with corresponding screw-threads in the breech, and also to facilitate the
opening and closing of the breech of such guns.
This part of our said invention relates to the use of a loading-tray having a
movable portion or section in combination with improved apparatus whereby the
said loading-tray may be moved to-and-fro behind the breech of the gun transversely
to the longitudinal axis thereof, and whereby when the breech is open, the said
movable portion or section of the loading tray may be inserted therein to form a
continuous guide for the projectile and powder-charge during the ramming in of the
same. We also construct the apparatus that it will eflect the opening and closing
of the breech of the gun.
Our improvements are also applicable to guns having other forms of breech-block
than that above described.
Another feature of our said invention is designed to provide for preventing the
transmission to the service pipes, of the pressure produced in the hydraulic brake-
cylinder by the recoil of the gun.
We also provide improved means whereby liquid under pressure for running the
gun in or out without firing may be introduced into the brake-cylinder or cylinders,
and at the same time ensuring that the load on the non-return discharge valve shall
not cause more pressure on the front side of the piston when recoiling than that
required to hold the gun up at the maximum angle of elevation.
Moreover we provide means whereby when the liquid is under pressure for running
the gun in or out, the valve will be locked, thus preventing the escape of the liquid
under pressure into the exhaust.
Our said invention morcover comprises other improvements hereinafter set forth,
whereby we provide for further facilitating the working of the gun.
In the accompanying drawings we have shown how our said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section of a portion of the breech end of a gun
provided with our improved mechanism for facilitating the loading and for operating
the breech-block, shown in the position when the breech-block is unlocked and ready
for withdrawal.
Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line Figure 1 the mechanism being
shown in the position when the breech-block is locked.
Figure 3 is a plan of the same.
Figure 4 is a a rear end elevation of the transversely sliding carrier and loading
tray and breech end of the gun.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of the carrier and bracket shown in Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a forward end elevation of a stationary longitudinal bracket and
loading tray the locking bolt hereinafter described being shown in section.
Figure 7 is a side elevation of a portion of Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a rear end elevation of a modification of our invention for moving the
loading tray only, the breech-block being carried on a hinged carrier and actuated
by separate mechanism. The breech is shown closed.

page_text: Figure 9 is a plan of the same the breech being open and the block swung
clear, and
Figure 10 is a longitudinal central section of a portion of the breech end of the
gun and the loading tray the movable portion of the latter being in line with the
bore of the gun and the breech being open and
Figure 11 is a transverse section on the line. Figure 10.
Figure 12 is a longitudinal central section through the recoil cylinder of a heavy
gun mounting provided with valves hereinafter described.
Figure 13 is a plan of the same, the gun being removed, and,
Figure 14 is a rear end elevation.
Figures 15 and 16 are central longitudinal sections of non-return valves hereinafter
described; and
Figure 17 is a central longitudinal section of a valve constructed according to a
modification of our invention.
Figures 17 and 17 are central longitudinal sections in planes at right angles
to each other of a valve constructed according to a further modification of our
invention.
Figure 18 is a side elevation, and
Figure 19 an end elevation of our improved automatic control gear for the elevating
cylinders.
Figure 20 is a longitudinal central section, and
Figure 21 a plan of our improved automatic control mechanism for the training
engine.
Figure 22 is a section on the line y y Figure 21.
Figure 23 is a longitudinal central section of the engine working valve.
Figure 24 is a side elevation, and
Figure 25 a plan, partly in horizontal section through the centre of the hydraulic
cylinder, of a modification of our control mechanism for the training gear.
Figure 26 is a transverse section on the line y¹¹ Figure 25 and
Figure 27 is a longitudinal central section of a combined engine working valve
and starting and reversing valve.
Referring to Figures 1 to 11, A is the gun and B is the breech-block, the latter
being of the cylindrical type provided with interrupted or segmental screw-threads
that engage with corresponding threads in the breech. The said breech-block
when unlocked is withdrawable entirely from the gun. For facilitating the loading
of the gun and for operating the breech-block we provide apparatus as follows:-
that is to say a is a saddle or carrier (provided with ordinary guide-ways formed
by detachable strips a) mounted on a stationary bracket which is fixed at right
angles to the direction of the gun. The bracket & has flanges b¹ on its upper surface
which fit the guide-ways in the carrier a and form guides therefor in such a manner
that the said carrier a is capable of sliding to and fro in a direction transverse to
that of the axis of the gun. c is a portion of the gun platform on which the
bracket is fixed. The carrier a is formed with two curved bearing surfaces a² a³
one for supporting the breech-block B when withdrawn from the breech, and the
other for carrying a loading tray d. The said loading tray consists of two parts
the upper one of which is stationary and the lower one of which slides in grooves in
the bracket a³ between the stationary part and the said bracket. On the underside
of the carrier a we fit or form a pair of toothed racks a and a guide a³ for the
purpose hereinafter specified, and within the bracket and opposite the racks a
and guide a³ we form or mount, similar racks and a guide b³. For actuating the
carrier a we provide a hydraulic cylinder e having projections e¹ on opposite sides
and so constructed that one projection passes into and fits the guide a³ and the other
passes into and fits the guide the said cylinder being thereby guided while sliding
therein. We provide on each side of the cylinder e a trunnion or stude on which
is mounted so as to be free to rotate thereon a toothed pinion e³. The said pinions
are of such a diameter as to gear with the opposite racks a².
By these means,
when the cylinder e is moved to and fro the carrier a will also be actuated but its
13

page_text: speed and distance of travel will be double those of the cylinder. The piston e¹ of
the hydraulic cylinder is stationary, its rode being secured by a nute or other-
wise to the bracket b. The said cylinder e is provided with suitable inlet and outlet
pipes for the working fluid.
We form within the carrier a in the direction of the axis of the gun two sets of
guide-ways identical in all respects and both constructed to receive a slide which
may be placed in and slide along either set of guide ways as desired.
One-
set of guide ways is placed directly underneath the carrier bracket a² and the other
underneath the carrier bracket a³. The said slide is formed with a central guide 71
and two longitudinal racks ff on its lower face, and with a tooth like projection f³
on its
upper face at the forward end, the latter being arranged to work within a
longitudinal groove a in the brackets a² when the slide is placed in the guide ways
beneath the said bracket a² and in a longitudinal groove a in the bracket a³ when
the slide is placed in the guide ways beneath the bracket a³.
Behind the bracket and preferably bolted thereto in line with the bore of the gun
so that the whole of the apparatus is self-contained we provide another stationary
bracket on which is mounted a system comprising a hydraulic cylinder hand
racks, similar to the system above described. The said cylinder is mounted at
right angles to the aforesaid hydraulic cylinder e and in a vertical plane containing
the longitudinal axis of the gun produced and its object is to insert and withdraw
the breech-block. For this purpose the slide of this system is provided with a
hook or claw 2 at its forward end constructed to engage with a corresponding
claw on the rear end of the slide, the arrangement being such that the claw
permits of the disengagement of the two slides by the lateral movement of the
slide with the carrier a. On the outer end of the breech-block is formed a claw
or tooth B which when the breech-block is unlocked and the slide fis in line with
In this
the bore of the gun, engages with the aforesaid tooth 3 of the said slide.
position of the several parts of the mechanism as shown in Figure 1 the breech-
block is ready for withdrawal and by actuating the cylinder the withdrawal is
effected and the block placed upon the carrier bracket a². The cylinder e being
now actuated, the breech-block is moved laterally clear of the breech opening and
the carrier bracket a³ having the loading tray mounted thereon is brought in line
with the bore of the gun. When the slide is opposite the bore of the gun in either
of the two sets of guide ways, its guide and racks f² are respectively in line
with the guide and racks of the slide and form continuations thereof, so that
when the cylinder his actuated the slides and forming one combined slide, are
moved together and the portion of the slide, may be withdrawn entirely from the
carrier and moved over the bracket g. Moreover when the slide is moved
home entirely within the carrier a the said carrier may be moved laterally taking
the slide with it and withdrawing the same from engagement with the slide
The movable portion of the telescopic loading tray d which as above described is
constructed to slide on the bracket a³ is provided with two downwardly pro-
jecting flanges & Figure 1 that pass into the recess a² and will always be engaged
with the tooth 3 of the slide when the said slide is situated in the guide ways
beneath the bracket a³.
For turning the breech-block about its axis, we encircle the said block with a
The
ring which is mounted to turn in a bearing fixed to the end of the gun.
ring i is formed internally with grooves or interruptions corresponding to those of
the breech-block and the arrangement is such that the breech-block and ring must
turn together but the breech-block is free to move longitudinally into and out of
the said ring. For a portion of its external circumference the ring i is provided
with teeth which gear with a rack mounted to slide in transverse guides i
fixed on the end of the gun. On the carrier a are two projections at which engage
When the carrier a is
respectively with the opposite ends of the rack
moved to and fro therefore the breech-block is partially rotated or oscillated
on its axis.
The mode of operation of our improved apparatus is as follows.
When the

page_text: h
breech-block is locked in the breech, the parts of the mechanism are in the
position shown in the Figures 2, 3 and 4. To open the breech the hydraulic
cylinder e is operated and the carrier a thereby moved transversely to the gun
until the bracket is in line with the breech. This movement also actuates the
rack and causes the breech-block to turn, so that when the bracket a² has arrived
in line with the breech, the breech-block has become unlocked ready for with-
drawal, and moreover the claw 13 has been turned into engagement with the
tooth of the slide, and the slides and have been coupled together. The
hydraulic cylinder / may now be operated and the block thereby withdrawn from
the breech until it is supported entirely by the bracket a², this same movement
also withdrawing the slide clear of the carrier a. The next operation consists in
moving the cylinder e back to its original position thereby moving the block
laterally clear of the breech and bringing the loading tray in line with the bore of
the gun and the flanges d' of the loading tray into engagement with the tooth 3;
and the last operation consists in bringing back the cylinder so that the
slide is passed into the carrier a again but this time underneath the bracket a³,
and its tooth being in engagement with the projections d¹ of the loading tray
causes the tray to be slid forward into the breech opening, where it forms a guide
for the projectile and powder charge during the ramming in thereof. By
reversing the order of these four operations the loading tray is withdrawn and the
breech-block re-inserted and locked.
It is desirable to prevent movement of the rear cylinder and slides for with-
drawing the block when the two sections fare disconnected and also to prevent
the longitudinal movement of the slide when it is being moved transversely with
the carrier. To lock the slide we provide the means shown in Figures 6 and 7
viz. a locking bolt which is mounted in the bracket at right angles to the
slide and which is acted upon by a spring and thereby forced into
the groove formed by the claw or hook 2 of the said slide . When the
bolt projects into the said groove the slide his locked. For disengaging the
locking bolt, to permit of the movement of the slide when required we merely
provide that the hooked end or claw of the slide when the carrier a is moved
to bring the said slide in line with the bore of the gun, shall encounter the
projecting end of the locking bolt and force the said bolt out of the locking
groove. It is obvious that the reverse movement of the carrier a while carrying
with it the slide will liberate the locking bolt and allow the same to be pushed
into the groove by its spring thereby re-locking the slide 4. The slide is so
arranged that when moving transversely with the carrier a its rear end abuts on
the face of the bracket and thence the said slide cannot be withdrawn while
being traversed. Moreover when the slide is entirely withdrawn from the
carrier a and the latter is being moved without the slide, its forward end abuts
against the rear face of the carrier a so that movement of the slide is prevented
until the carrier a is at one or the other end of its traverse, that is to say until one
or other of the two sets of grooves for receiving the slide have been brought in
line with the bore of the gun.
In the modification of our invention shown in Figures 8 to 11, we provide for
moving the loading tray in the transverse direction and for advancing the said
tray into the breech of the gun by one continuous movement of a spiral shaft or
coarse pitch screw, and we arrange for opening and closing the breech by separate
and independent mechanism which may be of any ordinary or well-known type.
a is the carrier, the bracket on which the carrier slides and k is the actuating
spiral shaft or screw mounted in suitable bearings in the said bracket b. On
the said spiral shaft or screw k is placed a pinion nut which is mounted to rotate
in bearings in the bracket a. is a long tooth or feather formed or fixed on
the bracket and arranged to engage with the pinion nut in all positions of the
carrier a except when the carrier is in line with the bore of the gun as clearly
shown in Figure 11. In this position of the carrier the pinion nut is clear of

page_text: the feather and is therefore free to rotate while in all other positions of the
carrier it is in engagement with the said feather and thereby prevented from
rotation. The said pinion nut gears with a carrier wheel which in turn
gcars with a rack 2 fixed underneath the telescopic loading tray d. The
hydraulic apparatus for actuating the screw is mounted at one side of the gun
on the gun platform and comprises a cylinder and ram. The said cylinder is
mounted to slide in a fixed guide bracket and is provided on its lower side
with a rack which gears with a pinion 13 fixed on the shaft or screw k. The
ram or piston rod is secured to a fixed bracket .
The mode of operation of this apparatus is as follows. The breech having been
opened and the breech-block moved clear thereof, the cylinder is actuated to rotate
the shaft or screw and by reason of the engagement of the pinion with the
feather the said pinion cannot rotate and acts as a nut only and is caused to
travel along the screw moving the carrier a with it until the carrier bracket a³ is
brought in line with the bore of the gun. At this instant the boss of the pinion
nut is brought into contact with the shaft or serew bearing, the sliding movement
of the carrier a being thereby arrested. The pinion is simultaneously disengaged
from the retaining or holding feather 2 and is therefore now free to rotate without
further end wise movement, consequently it now turns with the screw k and causes
the loading tray to be extended and inserted into the gun. The reverse movement
of the hydraulic cylinder withdraws the loading tray and slides the carrier a back
again to its side position to allow of the re-insertion of the breech-block.
It is evident that we can arrange the apparatus above described to operate a
loading tray which is made without a movable section designed to enter the breech
of the gun.
Moreover we may modify our invention by substituting for the hydraulic cylinder
above mentioned other mechanism for effecting the various movements of the carrier
and loading tray, and also those of the breech-block when the latter is arranged to
be operated by the same mechanism.
The fixed loading tray d³ provided at the rear of the sliding carrier forms a pro-
longation of the tray on the said carrier when this latter is brought into the loading
position. The projectile and powder-charge can, therefore be pushed by the
rammer from the ammunition cage on to the tray d supported upon the said carrier,
and thence into the gun. When cages are not used, this tray will serve as a plat-
form on which the projectiles or charges can be placed prior to ramming them
home. Although we have hereinabove described our apparatus as applied to a
breech screw it is also applicable to a breech-block arranged to slide laterally
across the breech to open and close the same.
In heavy gun mountings wherein the recoil is taken up by a controlled discharge
or displacement of liquid from a hydraulic brake-cylinder fitted with a piston or
ram and wherein provision is made for effecting the movement of the gun upon a
slide by the admission of liquid under pressure on either side of the piston, the
pressure due to recoil is usually transmitted to the service pipes and causes very
injurious straining of the said pipes and their joints and fittings."
In Figures 12 to 17 we have shown our improved apparatus for obviating this
difficulty and also for preventing the escape of fluid through the waste pipe during
the running in and out of the gun without firing while allowing of a comparative
free outlet for the said fluid during recoil.
In these figures, A is the gun and C the gun slide. m is the recoil brake
cylinder m the piston; m² the piston rod; m³, m³ are non-return valves mounted
in the piston m². These parts are constructed and mounted substantially as
described in the Specification of prior Letters Patent No. 9125 A.D. 1887. To
the recoil cylinder near its rear end we connect a non-return valve a which is open
when the gun is being run in or out without firing, but is closed during recoil.
The construction of this valve is shown clearly in Figure 15. n is the valve
proper opening inwards; n² the valve spindle; and the valve seat. The spindle 2

page_text: is provided at its inner end with a small piston n' arranged to work within a
cylinder attached to the valve casing. Within the cylinder n is placed a spring nº
that is compressed between the cylinder end and the piston and tends to force
and maintain the valve against its seat. The rear or outer end of the cylinder n³
is connected by a pipe n' with a source of hydraulic power when running the gun
in or out without firing and open to exhaust when recoiling. Moreover there is
provided a service pipe n connected with the valve casing at a point above the
valve n', that is to say, at a point between the said valve and the piston. This
connection is open to the source of hydraulic power when running the gun out and
is open to the exhaust when running the gun in without firing. The fluid pressure
acting on the piston n' is sufficient to maintain the valve n' open during the running
in and out of the gun, that is to say, the force due to the service pressure acting on
the piston n is sufficient to open the valve n' against any pressure tending to keep
it closed and which may exist in the brake-cylinder when running the gun in. We
thus provide on the one hand for allowing the fluid to make its exit through the
said valve and pipe n when the gun is being run in without firing and on the other
hand for allowing the valve to close and thus keep any pressure due to the recoil
from passing into the pipe n, thereby preventing the service pipes being subjected
to excessive pressure.
With the brake apparatus shown in Figure 12 it is necessary for running the gun
in without firing that fluid under pressure be introduced into the brake-cylinder on
the front side of the piston. The introduction of this fluid is effected through the
same passage or thoroughfare which serves as the outlet for the fluid when the gun
is recoiling. In order therefore that the fluid when under pressure should not be
allowed to escape we place in the said escape passage or pipe a non-return valve of
special construction and we provide for keeping the same closed except when the
gun is recoiling.
o is the escape orifice leading from the front end of the hydraulic cylinder m and
discharging by a pipe o into a cistern o² which may be provided with a drain pipe o
leading to the centre pivot pipe of the gun mounting. A swivel joint o¹ is formed
in this escape pipe to allow for the movements of the gun when varying its cleva-
tion, and a ball and socket joint is arranged at the entrance to the tank o² for
the same object. In the passage o we place a non-return valve p the construction
of one form of which is clearly shewn in Figure 16. As above stated, the fluid
under pressure, for running the gun in, must be admitted to the front end of the
cylinder m through the passage o which forms the escape orifice during recoil.
The pipe o Figure 13 for admitting the fluid under pressure is connected to the
orifice o at a point between the non-return valve p and the hydraulic cylinder m.
In Figure 16 is the non-return valve proper, and p² the valve-box which is
formed with a cylindrical extension into which we fit a piston the area of
which is larger than that of the valve p². We connect the said cylindrical
extension at a point in front of the said piston with the service or pressure main by
a pipe so that the fluid pressure may be allowed to act upon the said piston p
during the running in and out of the gun without firing, while the said pipe is con-
nected to the exhaust during the recoil. We form the valve p' with a long
spindle extending into a central hole or cavity p' formed in the piston the
said piston being allowed a certain amount of free motion between the end of the
spindle and the end p of the cylinder. p is a spring which is compressed
between the piston p and the valve. We prefer to so arrange the stop valve for
admitting the fluid to the service pipe that the pressure is allowed to act through
the pipe on the piston p slightly in advance of the time at which it is admitted
to the hydraulic cylinder m. Any suitable or convenient arrangement may, be
adopted for this purpose.
The action of our improved valve is as follows:-When the fluid under pressure
is admitted to the cylinder m for the purpose of running the gun either in or out,
the pressure also existing in the pipe o acts on the face of the non-return valve p
and tends to open the same, but the fluid under pressure also acts through the

page_text: pipe on the face of the piston pt and forces the same against the end of the valve
spindle and the said piston being of larger area than the valve, the total pressure
acting to close the valve is greater than that tending to open it, and therefore the
said valve is held to its seat and leakage or waste therethrough during the
operation of running the gun in or out is entirely prevented. But the piston being
relieved from pressure during recoil the only resistance then to be overcome by the
outflowing fluid is that of the spring the strength of which in relation to the
area of the valve is sufficient only to hold up the gun at the highest angle of
elevation.
We are aware that it has already been proposed to employ a non-return
valve having a piston subjected to hydraulic pressure for keeping the valve
closed, but such piston has been made to form part of the valve spindle and
therefore has no movement independently of the valve as in our above described
non-return valve.
In some cases it is desirable to so construct the apparatus and connect the same
with the service pipe for conducting the fluid under pressure to the recoil cylinder
that the pressure cannot be admitted to the said cylinder until the aforesaid piston
has locked the non-return valve to its seat in the manner above set forth. For this
purpose the piston may have a prolongation in the form of a spindle working
through a stuffing box and adapted to serve as a valve for opening and closing the
thoroughfare leading from the service main to the recoil cylinder, the said valve
being so arranged that the piston must move a sufficient distance to lock the non-
return valve before the thoroughfare leading to the hydraulic recoil cylinder is
opened.
In the modification of our invention shown in Figure 17 we provide for reducing
the size and strength of the non-return valve spring. We form the said valve pl
with a hollow cylindrical extension p" the end p2 of which is a piston that works
in the cylinder 3. The retaining spring is partially enclosed by the said cylin-
drical extension and is compressed between the end of the cylinder and the
bottom of the said tubular extension. Moreover, as in the previously described
arrangement, fluid under pressure is introduced behind the piston p2 by a con-
necting pipe when the gun is being run in or out without firing, the said pipe 75
being however open to exhaust during recoil. In this operation the escaping fluid
from the recoil press enters the non-return valve box by the passage o and surrounds
the tubular extension p" and by acting on the annular area of the piston p12 which
alone is exposed to the pressure, compresses the spring and opens the valve, thus
forming a large and free communication with the discharge pipe o'. But when the
gun is being run in or out and the full fluid pressure required to perform these
operations is present in the orifice o, as above described, the same pressure is also
acting through the pipe on the rear of the piston 12, and this pressure having
the full area of the piston to act upon exerts a force tending to close the valve
greatly in excess of the force due to the pressure acting on the annular area which
tends to open the valve, and hence the valve remains closed and leakage is pre-
vented. As above described with reference to Figure 16 we may provide for
allowing the fluid under pressure to act through the pipe p slightly in advance of
the time that the pressure is brought to bear on the recoil cylinder, thus ensuring
the locking of the valve.
It is further obvious that when the gun is ready to recoil and consequently the
pressure is removed from the pipe the whole of the work required of the spring
is to resist the force due to the fluid pressure in the orifice o acting on the annular
area of the valve only. That is to say, it must be able to maintain the valve p
closed against a pressure tending to open it, which pressure is equal to the product
of the fluid pressure in the brake cylinder required to maintain the gun at its
highest angle of elevation multiplied by the annular area of the valve exposed to
the said pressure. And as this area is very small this product is small and therefore
a comparatively weak spring is sufficient for the purpose.
According to a further modification of this part of our invention, we interpose in

page_text: the discharge orifice between the brake-cylinder and the non-return valve a rotary
slide, or other suitable valve or cock, which can be actuated by any convenient
means provided on the mounting for the purpose of closing the passage between the
recoil cylinder and the non-return valve.
In Figures 17 and 17 we have shown a rotary valve for this purpose. * is the
rotary valve mounted in a suitable box between the discharge orifice of the front
end of the brake cylinder and the non-return discharge valve p'. is a gear
wheel on the axis of the rotary valve, which valve is opened and closed by this or
other suitable mechanism.
The said valve p* is opened during discharge and closed when the pressure is
being used to run the gun in or out. We may so arrange this valve that it cannot
be left closed after the service pressure has been cut off from the brake-cylinder.
Referring to Figures 18 and 19 which show our automatic cut off for hydraulic
elevating gear, is the distributing and controlling valve for the elevating
cylinder; is the inlet for fluid under pressure; 7 the exhaust opening; and 3
the outlet to the elevating cylinder. are the valve spindles which are
connected to a lever that is pivoted to a central bracket fixed on the
valve box.
Immediately above the controlling valve or in any convenient position with
respect thereto, is mounted on an axis a toothed segment 1.
This segment gears
with a pinion s secured on the shaft s¹ which works the automatic sights, the said
shaft being actuated from the gun slides by means of gear connected to racks on
the gun slides or on the gun. On a pin projecting from one side of the segment »
is pivoted a lever which is coupled at one end by a link to the lever of the
controlling valve, and at the other end by a link to the short arm of a bell crank
lever having its fulcrum on a pivot pin . The long arm of the said lever
forms the actuating or controlling lever which is conveniently situated with respect
to the sighting platform and is arranged to work between guides, its maximum
traverse being determined by stop pins fixed one at each end of the said guides.
When the handle or lever is moved to actuate the controlling valve for the
purpose of raising or lowering the gun as the case may be, the movement of the
gun, through the medium of the shaft s causes the toothed segment to make a
corresponding movement carrying with it the pivot of the lever This lever
is thus caused to turn about its attachment to the rod or link in such a direction
as to move the lever towards the central position and thereby cut off the supply
of liquid to the elevating press. The proportions of the various parts of this
apparatus are such that a given movement of the hand lever will ensure a corre-
sponding or proportionate movement of the gun, and the position of the gun will
always be the same relatively to that of the said lever.
For very heavy guns, the distributing valves for the hydraulic engines or presses
for training the gun require to be so large and cumbersome that hand power is not
sufficient to properly manipulate the said distributing valves, and it is necessary to
provide other means for operating them. For this purpose it is usual to employ
an auxiliary hydraulic cylinder arranged to act on the main valves. The valve of
this auxiliary cylinder is small and can be easily worked by hand power.
We
provide for facilitating the manipulation or operation of such apparatus by so con-
structing the same that the movement of the main valve will follow the movement
of the operating handle, and as soon as the operating handle is released the move-
ment of the hydraulic engine or press will be arrested. For this purpose we provide
the mechanism shown in Figures 20 to 22.
In these figures t is a hydraulic cylinder arranged to work the main distributing
or controlling valve of the hydraulic engine or press. The said hydraulic cylinder
is movable longitudinally upon its piston rod which is securely held in a bracket
or other support provided on the bed 13. The said cylinder is provided with two
longitudinal racks (one on each side thereof with which racks are geared two
worms ur, of large diameter. The axles or shafts
arranged to slide longitudinally in their bearings
of the said worms are
and on the said axles are

page_text: and
fixed on shafts
the shafts
being
fixed long spur pinions ³ ³ which gear with other pinions u
25
mounted in bearings the said axles or shafts
parallel with the cylinder t. The shaft is coupled to a hand wheel u at the
sighting station by which hand wheel the said shaft may be actuated as desired,
and the shaft is coupled to and arranged to be driven by the engine when a
hydraulic engine is used for training or to a rack fixed on the central tube or on
the platform when hydraulic presses and chains are used for training.
is the controlling valve of the hydraulic cylinder mounted on the bed ³. The
spindle of the said valve is coupled by links with a collar to fitted in a neck
of the worm shaft so that any longitudinal sliding movement of the said shaft
is transmitted to the valve spindle, while rotation of the shaft within the collar t
is permitted without affecting the valve.
10 is the main controlling valve or starting and reversing valve of the training
hydraulic engine or press. The said valve mounted on the bed 3 in line with the
worm shaft and the spindle t" of the said valve is coupled by links t¹ and a
collar with the said axle e' so as to move longitudinally therewith while per-
mitting free rotation thereof as described with reference to the shaft u' and links 18.
When the hand wheel u' is turned, the worm shaft is rotated, and with it the
worm, and the latter being in gear with the rack on the hydraulic cylinder is
thus caused to travel longitudinally along the said rack. This movement actuates
the controlling valve t of the hydraulic cylinder and opens the said valve thereby
causing the hydraulic cylinder to travel in a direction opposite to that of the
said worm along its rack. One effect of this movement is that the said worm is
carried back by the cylinder and when the rotation of the said worm is
stopped it will be thus moved back until the valve is closed and the movement of
the hydraulic cylinder arrested. To continue the motion of the hydraulic cylinder,
as for instance when the gun is to be trained through a large angle, the hand wheel
must be continuously operated. Another effect of the longitudinal movement of
the hydraulic cylinder is that the other worme is moved with the said cylinder
and caused to operate the main distributing or controlling valve 10 and so start the
engine or press. The said engine or press being in gear with the pinion ³, the
said pinion commences to rotate as soon as the engine is started and the worm
is thus caused to travel in a direction opposite to that of the hydraulic cylinder
and to return to its central position thus re-closing the valve and stopping the
engine. The said hydraulic cylinder t must be of sufficient length to allow of
training the gun through any desired are of a circle.
It will be seen that the longitudinal movement of the hydraulic cylinder con-
tinuously counteracts the motion of the worm imparted to it by the hand wheel u
and also that the rotary movement of the worm by the training engine or press
continuously counteracts the longitudinal motion given to the said worm by the
hydraulic cylinder. Therefore as long as the hand-wheel u is being slowly rotated
the training or horizontal adjustment of the gun will continue but when the said
hand-wheel is released the training will be discontinued.
The said hydraulic cylinder may, if desired be fixed and the piston moveable.
In this case, a prolongation of the piston rod is formed with suitable racks to gear
with the aforesaid worms. When this mechanism is used in connection with the
elevating press the pinion is connected by suitable gearing to the shaft which
operates the automatic sighting bar, and as soon as the sights are in alignment the
operating handle is released and the motion of the press thus arrested.
It is sometimes preferable to use the following modification of the apparatus last
above described that is to say, the hydraulic cylinder for actuating the main con-
trolling or distributing valve instead of being provided with racks is provided with
projections one on either side thereof which projections will form nuts for two
screw shafts.
This modification is shown in Figures 24 to 26. is the hydraulic cylinder which
is formed with two internally threaded projections at one end serving as nuts for
two screw-shafts w w that replace the worm shafts in the arrangement above

page_text: described. These screw-shafts are mounted to slide in bearings w² arranged parallel
with the hydraulic cylinder. The screw shaft w is provided with a pinion. 103 geared
to the hand wheel at the sighting platform, and the said shaft is coupled to the
controlling valve of the hydraulic cylinder; and the screw-shaft w¹ is provided with
a pinion geared to the engine or press, and the said shaft is coupled to the main
controlling or distributing valve. These connections are formed in a similar manner
to those above described and shown in Figures 20 to 22. When the hand-wheel u
is turned, the screw-shaft we in gear therewith is rotated and the hydraulic cylinder
being at rest, the screw-shaft travels longitudinally through the nut formed on
the said cylinder thereby opening the controlling valve of the cylinder so that the
said cylinder is caused to travel in a direction opposite to that of the screw-shaft.
This movement of the cylinder has effects similar to those above described with
respect to the apparatus comprising the racks and worms.
The engine working valve shown in Figure 23 is of ordinary construction and
need not be described here. In some cases however we may incorporate the starting
and reversing valve with the engine working valve in one box as shown in Figure 27.
In this case is the starting and reversing valve, the spindle w of which is coupled
by the aforesaid links with the worm shaft in the worm arrangement, or with
the screw-shaft w if the screw arrangement is used. The construction of the valve
is of the ordinary type.
The cylinder may if desired be fixed and the piston movable in which case a
cross head is provided on the end of the piston rod and has formed on it projections
to act as nuts for the said screw-shafts.
It is obvious that our improvements are applicable to various forms of gun
mountings and that without departing from the nature of our invention we can if
desired further modify the construction of our apparatus in detail to adapt the same
to any particular form of mounting.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that we claim the
improvements hereinabove described relating to guns and their mountings and to
apparatus connected therewith:-that is to say,
First. In an apparatus for locking and unlocking the breech-screw or sliding
breech block and for loading the gun, the employment, in combination with
hydraulic cylinders, of toothed racks and pinions arranged and operating as above
described so that by comparatively short to-and-fro movements of the said cylinders
the parts of the said apparatus are moved through the required distances for the
purposes specified.
Second. In an apparatus which locks and unlocks and removes and returns the
breech screw and which also moves the loading tray longitudinally and laterally by
hydraulic power, the arrangement of the hydraulic cylinder with its longitudinal
axis in a vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis of the gun produced beyond
the breech.
Third. The apparatus consisting of the parts herein described with reference to
Figures 1 to 7 constructed, combined and operating as above set forth and for the
purposes specified.
Fourth. The employment of a spiral shaft which by continuous rotation about its
axis moves the loading tray longitudinally and transversely for the purpose
specified.
Fifth. The spiral shaft, the pinion working thereon and the key or feather for
guiding the said pinion arranged substantially as described in combination with the
loading tray for operating the same as above set forth.
Sixth. The apparatus comprising the loading tray operated by the aforesaid
spiral shaft and pinion, and arranged in combination with a breech screw or sliding
breech block, and any suitable means for opening and closing the same substantially
as described with reference to Figures 8, 9, 10, 11 of the drawings.
Seventh. In the recoil brake apparatus the employment of a non-return valve
C

page_text: operating as set forth at the rear end of the brake cylinder as described with
reference to Figures 12 to 14 of the drawings for the purpose specified.
Eighth. The non-return valve constructed substantially as shown in Figure 15 to
operate as and for the purpose set forth.
Ninth. The non-return valve constructed as shown in Figure 16 to operate as
and for the purposes specified.
Tenth. The modification of the said non-return valve illustrated in Figure 17
wherein the discharge liquid acts on the piston to open the valve for the purpose
specified.
Eleventh. The recoil brake apparatus provided with non-return valves, operating
as described, at the front and rear ends of the brake cylinder, and the necessary
pipes and connections, all substantially as described with reference to Figures 12
to 17 of the drawings and for the purposes specified.
o
Twelfth. The rotary or slide valve interposed between the discharge orifice of
the brake cylinder and the non-return discharge valve as and for the purpose
specified.
Thirteenth. The automatic cut-off for the hydraulic clevating gear constructed
and arranged in combination with the gun slide and sights substantially as described
with reference to Figures 18 and 19 of the drawings and operating as set forth.
Fourteenth. The apparatus for operating the valve of the hydraulic training
engine or press constructed substantially as described with reference to Figures 20
to 22 of the drawings and operating as set forth.
Fifteenth. The modification of the said apparatus substantially as described with
reference to Figures 24 to 26 of the drawings.
Dated this 24th day of December 1890
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.