IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BRONZE GUNS AND OTHER ORDNANCE
Year: 1886

page_text: I JOSEPH WHITLEY of Railway Works Leeds, Engineer and Founder do hereby.
declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
BRONZE GUNS AND OTHER ORDNANCE, and in what manner the same is to be
performed,, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
Whereas hitherto Bronze Guns and other Ordnance have been formed out of one
casting my improvements consist in the construction of Bronze Guns and other
Ordnance especially those of large calibre of parts so as to form a complete Gun.
To accomplish this object I cast a barrel portion of the required diameter and
length and then roll press forge draw or otherwise manipulate the same so as to
give still greater density unto it. I then form an outer hoop or hoops as in the
présent case of constructing Steel Guns and having prepared those in like manner
as the barrel. I press or contract the same upon the barrel portion and when required
I place other outer hoops prepared in like manner in consecutive order.
In constructing very large Ordnance I prefer to contract all the hoops upon the
barrel portion in consecutive order under the influence of a powerful refrigerating
medium in the barrel which also I prefer to supply under Hydraulic or other
pressure having an inlet and outlet pipe Or the refrigerating medium may be
pulverized ice pressed in by screw or other pressure the water when formed
flowing up a pipe rising from the bottom of the barrel so as to prevent the dis-
turbance of the temper or crystalline substance of the barrel proper by the heat
being transmitted to it by which means the hoops are enabled to take a more
powerful grip.
When I require to make still stronger Ordnance I form the barrel portion as
above and then place Bronze discs upon the barrel with or without an inner hoop
or hoops with an outer hoop or hoops upon the discs to give extra strength to the
same.
In placing the discs in position I, cast forge or screw locking collars upon the
barrel part hoop or hoops so as to form thrust bases intermediately in the total
length of the discs.
Instead of casting the respective barrels and hoops as heretofore in loam or ingot
moulds for the manufacture of Steel Guns I prepare special moulds for the
respective parts to enable me to give great density homogenity and tensile strength
to each part forming the Gun or other Ordnance by this means the whole of the
parts forming the Gun or other Ordnance can be separately treated.
By this means I produce a Gun or other piece of Ordnance of much greater
density homogenity and tensile strength than has ever yet been produced,

page_text: is known to exist in the purest make of Steel.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING.
A represents the barrel which may be formed out of one or more parts, in the
form of hoops and of any suitable material, but which by preference I form of
Bronze, in one piece.
B. represents a series of discs which are prepared of like material and otherwise
in like manner to the barrel portion and which are pressed or contracted into
position as shown on sketch..
C. represents locking collars or thrust bases screwed upon the barrel proper
intermediately in the total length of the discs.
D represents the screw bases to receive the locking collars.
E represents the trunnion hoop with hollow trunnion, which also is by preference
of Bronze and treated-in like manner to the rest of the parts.
F's are covering hoops for the purpose of protecting the outer edges of the discs
and giving still greater resistance to the total gun.
"
G's represent pipes fixed so as to convey water of a low temperature as a
refrigerating medium to and from the barrel during the process of fixing the discs
and shield hoops upon the Gun at completion.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is,
1. The construction and substitution of Bronze Guns and other Ordnance for
and in the place of Steel ones substantially as herein before described.
2. The construction of Bronze Guns and other Ordnance having discs or hoops
or both to give greater strength substantially as herein before described.
3. The introduction of locking nuts collars or other stays as base supports when
discs are used substantially as hereinbefore described.
4. The placing of an outer covering upon the discs to give extra strength and
protection to the same substantially as hereinbefore described.
5. The contraction of hoops or discs upon the barrel portion under the influence
of a refrigerating medium substantially as herein before described.
6. The varying of the material thicknesses and density of the hoops or discs
substantially as herein before described.
7. The casting of the base portion required for the breech gearing upon one of
the hoops substantially as herein before described.
8. The right to manufacture Bronze Guns and other Ordnance substantially as
herein before described.
Dated this 24th day of September 1886.