Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Inserting and Removing Tubes in the Construction and Repair of Ordnance.
Year: 1887

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Inserting and
Removing Tubes in the Construction and Repair of Ordnance.
I, MANASSAH GLEDHILL, Director of Sir Joseph Whitworth & Co., Limited, of
Openshaw, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to novel apparatus for the insertion and removal of the liners
or inner tubes of ordnance and which, in case of injury to such liners or inner tubes,
will greatly facilitate their removal and their replacement by new liners, the said
apparatus being chiefly designed for use in connection with the guns described in the
provisional Specification accompanying my application for Letters Patent No. 9561
filed on the same day as this my present Specification.
According to my said invention I construct a special form of hydraulic apparatus
which apply to the breech end of the gun and connect with the end of the liner,
and with a pump in such a manner that, when the pump is operated, the pressure
obtained thereby will act to start the liner from its tube, so that its renoval from
the gun can be easily effected. Moreover, the said apparatus affords the means for
forcing into its tube a new liner to replace the one removed. The said hydraulic
apparatus comprises a cylinder in or upon one end of which is cut a screw-thread
to fit a corresponding screw-thread in or on the gun. This cylinder is fitted with a
piston which is made tight by cup-leathers or other suitable means; and a disc or
plate also furnished with cup-leathers is placed within the cylinder to bear against
the breech end of the gun; or, instead of screwing the cylinder on the gun and
using the disc, I can make the end of the said cylinder solid and fit it on the end
of the gun. The piston has a tubular extension which is fitted to slide through a

page_text: :
hole in the said dise or in the end of the cylinder, and which is attached by screw-
threads or by a screw-nut or otherwise to the withdrawing bar or tube, which
extends through the piston and has at its inner end a screw-threaded socket
designed to engage with the end of the liner when the liner-nut is removed from
the same.
When this apparatus is to be used, the withdrawing tube is screwed on the end
of the liner in place of the nut. The hydraulic cylinder is tightly screwed or other-
wise secured upon the end of the gun, and is connected with the pump so that the
water forced by the same will enter the cylinder between the piston and the aforesaid
disc or cylinder-end; the pump being then operated, the pressure exerted upon the
piston forces it rearwardly away from the breech of the gun and thereby starts the
liner from its tube.
I sometimes combine with the above described apparatus a rod which passes
through the piston and extends to the muzzle end of the gun to engage with the
end of the liner by means of a collar--or-nut-on its end. By these means I am
enabled to increase the power applied for withdrawing the tube. The said rod is
connected with the piston so that, as the piston moves away from the breech under
the hydraulic pressure as above specified, force tending to withdraw the liner is
simultaneously exerted at both ends of the same.
In some instances, the hydraulic cylinder has two compartments and is provided.
with two pistons, that is to say, it has in one compartment a piston provided with a
withdrawing tube to be connected with the breech end of the liner, and, in the
other compartment, a piston to be connected with the aforesaid rod extending to
the muzzle, the latter piston is arranged in the outer or rearward compartment of the
cylinder and the said rod extends therefrom through the withdrawing tube to the
muzzle of the gun.
When my improved apparatus is to be used for the renewal or replacement of the
liner of a gun, I substitute for the aforesaid withdrawing tube a rain or head whose
end surface is designed to bear against the end of the liner. when the saine has been
inserted into its tube. The "hydraulic cylinder is then connected to the pump so that
the water enters the cylinder between the piston and the outer or rear end of the
cylinder the pump being then operated, the pressure acts to drive the liner home
into the tube.
;
In withdrawing the liner, to prevent upsetting the muzzle end of the same, I some-
times provide a nut to replace the muzzle locking-nut when' the aforesaid rod is used
for withdrawing the liner.
Instead of attaching the withdrawing bar or tube to the liner by screwing it upon
the threads from which the liner-nut has been unserewed as aforesaid, 1 sometimes
cut a thread in the liner at or beyond the inner end of the shot-chamber, for the
reception of the screw-threaded end of the withdrawing bar.
For cutting this thread in the liner I employ the following apparatus, viz. :-A
tubular bar one end of which is inserted to the required depth within the liner and
carries a cutting tool. The said bar has on its outer or rear portion a screw-thread
which works through an internally screw-threaded plug or nut which is rigidly secured
in the liner-tube behind the liner. On the said bar outside the nut is fitted a worm-
wheel geared with a worm the shaft of which is provided with a handle or handles
whereby the said worm-wheel and the hollow bar can be operated.
As the movement of the tubular bar is controlled by the screw-thread in the afore-
said fixed plug or nut, it follows that, when the said bar is rotated and the tool carried
thereby roperly adjusted, the said tool will cut in the liner a screw-thread
corresponding with that in the said plug or nut. Within the tubular bar is fitted
a block or head which is capable of sliding end wise in, the said bar and which is
connected by a light shaft or rod within the said bar to a hand-wheel at the outer
end of the bar. This end of the said rod or bar is screw-threaded and 'the hand-
wheel forms a nut, by turning which the said rod can be moved endwise in either
direction to cause the cutting tool to project into its cutting position or to withdraw
the same within the bar.

page_text: If a liner cannot be withdrawn in one piece by my improved apparatus, I sometimes
cut the said liner into short pieces or lengths by removing the said fixed plug or nut
and replacing it by a plug or nut without internal threads; the aforesaid block or
head can then be rotated without imparting endwise motion thereto. Moreover I
substitute for the screw-tool in the said block or head a suitable tool for cutting an
incision around the liner from the interior to the exterior thereof. In some instances,
I find it convenient to cut one or more longitudinal incisions in the liner to facilitate
its withdrawal.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Inserting and
Removing Tubes in the Construction and Repair of Ordnance.
I, MANASSAH GLEDHILL, Director of Sir Joseph Whitworth & Co., Limited, of
Openshaw, Manchoster, in the County of Lancaster, 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:-
My invention relates to novel apparatus for the insertion and removal of the liners
or inner tubes of ordnance, which apparatus will be specially advantageous in cases
where, in actual service or practice, the liner is worn out or otherwise injured, as it
provides very simple means for withdrawing the said liner and replacing the same by
a new liner.
The said apparatus is chiefly designed for use in connection with the guns described
in the specification of my Letters Patent, No. 9561, bearing date the same day as
the Letters Patent for my present improvement; it may, however, he used in
connection with other guns in which an inner tube or liner is enployed.
According to my said invention I construct a special form of hydraulic apparatus
which I apply to the end of the gun and connect with a pump in such a manner that,
under the pressure obtained thereby, the said apparatus can be caused to act either to
force in or draw out the liner, that is to say, I can use the said apparatus in the con-
struction of a gun to force the liner into its place, or in repairing a gun to start the
liner from the tube in which it is inserted, so that its removal from the gun can
be easily effected, or to force into the said tube a new liner to replace the one
removed.
In the accompanying drawings :
Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section of a gun constructed according to
my said former specification, ready for the insertion of the liner or inner
lining.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal central section of the said gun with the liner therein,
showing hydraulic apparatus, constructed according to my present invention, for
forcing in the said liner.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal central section, drawn to an enlarged scale, of part of the
said gun showing a modified form of the said hydraulic apparatus.
Figure 4 is a similar view showing the said hydraulic apparatus adapted for with-
drawing the liner from the gun.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal central section, also drawn to an enlarged scale, showing
another form or modification of my hydraulic apparatus adapted for withdrawing the
liner.
Figure 6 is a longitudinal central section of part of the said gun, showing a
further modification of my hydraulic apparatus adapted for withdrawing the said
liner,

page_text: apparatus for forming a screw-thread in the liner forward of the chamber of the
gun to facilitate the withdrawal of the said liner as hereinafter described.
Figure 8 is a rear elevation of the said cutting apparatus.
Figure 9 is a transverse section on the line c, c, Figure 7, drawn to an enlarged
scale.
Figure 10 is a sectional elevation, also drawn to an enlarged scale, showing part of
the liner, and parts of the said cutting apparatus adapted for cutting or dividing the
said liner circumferentially or transversely into pieces or lengths to facilitate its
removal.
Figure 11 is a transverse section on the line a¹, ., Figure 10.
Figure 12 is a longitudinal central section of part of the gun, showing in side
elevation the said apparatus adapted for cutting the liner longitudinally to facilitate
its removal, and applied to the breech end of the gun.
Figure 13 is a rear clevation of the said apparatus, and
Figure 14 is a front elevation thereof, showing also the liner.
Figure 15 is a longitudinal central section showing the said cutting apparatus
applied to the muzzle end of the gun, and
Figure 16 is a transverse section on the line c,, Figure 15, some of the parts
being removed.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
The "
A," "B," "B" and "C" tubes or hoops of the gun are indicated
respectively by these letters, a is the liner or inner lining of the gun.
The said. hydraulic apparatus comprises a cylinder b in or upon one end of
which is cut a screw-thread to fit a corresponding screw-thread in or on the breech
end of the gun, upon which, when the apparatus is to be used, the said cylinder
is fixed. This cylinder is fitted with a piston e which is made tight by cup-
leathers or other suitable means. The said piston has fitted therein or attachel
thereto by screw-threads or by a screw-nut or otherwise the forcing-in ram or the
withdrawing bar hereinafter referred to, either of which can be removed and
replaced by the other as required.
When my improved apparatus is to be used for the insertion of the liner in the
construction of a gun, or in the renewal or replacement of the liner of a gun, 1 use
the ram or head d, which, in the apparatus shown in Figure 2, fits into a tubular
extension of the piston, and the forward end surface of which ram or head is
designed to bear against the rear end of the liner, as shown, when the said liner has
been inserted into its tube. The piston e is formed with another cylindrical or tubular
extension which is fitted to slide through a hole in the cylinder end, and is kept
tight therein by a cup-leather or other suitable means. To force the liner into its
place in the tube A, the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the pump so that the
water enters the cylinder between the piston e and the outer or rear end of the
cylinder. The pump being then operated, the pressure acts to drive the liner home
into the tube.
In Figure 3, the piston is made without the extension e* above described and the
ram or head d passes through the said piston and into the extension thereof.
When the apparatus is to be used for withdrawing the liner, I use the withdrawing
bar or tube e, Figure 4, which has a screw-threaded socket el designel to
with
engage
the end of the liner a when the liner-nut is removed from the saune. A disc or platef
furnished with cup-leathers is fitted within the cylinder to close the forward end
thereof. This disc or plate bears against the breech end of the gun when the cylinder
is screwed thereon. The extension of the piston e is fitted to slide in a hole in the
said disc or plate f, and the withdrawing bar or tube e is passed through the said
extension and screwed into the piston e, so that it forms the rod thereof.
Instead of screwing the cylinder on the gun and using the said plate to form the
end thereof, I can make the said cylinder with its end solid or in one piece with its
body and screw or otherwise fix the said cylinder on the end of the gun, as shown in
Figure. 6.

page_text: The said har or tube e is screwed on the end of the liner a in place of the nut.
The hydraulic cylinder is tightly screwed or otherwise secured upon the end. of the
gun and is connected with the pump so that the water forced by the same will enter
the cylinder between the piston c and the aforesaid dise or cylinder end; the pump
being then operated, the pressure exerted upon the piston e forces it rearwardly away
from the breech of the gun and thereby starts the liner from the tube A.
It will be seen that the piston shown in Figure 3 for inserting or forcing, in the
liner may be used in the cylinder shown in Figure 4 for withdrawing the liner, the
position of the said piston being reversed and the withdrawing bar e being substituted.
for the ram d.
I sometimes combine with the above described withdrawing apparatus, a rod.g,
Figures 4 and 5, which passes through the piston e and tube e and extends to the
muzzle end of the gun, where it is provided with a head g¹ (Figure 5) or with a collar
or nut, which engages with the end of the liner a as shown. The said rod g is con-
nected with the piston c by a screw-nut or otherwise, so that, as the said piston
moves away from the breech under the hydraulic pressure as above specified, force
tending to withdraw the linor a is simultaneously applied at both ends of the same,
that is to say, to the breech end through the tube e and to the muzzle end through the
rod g. By the use of this device I am enabled to apply at both ends of the gun force
tending to extract the liner, and I avoid or greatly diminish the danger of separating
and pulling away the rear portion from the forward portion of the liner and leaving
the latter fast in the tube, which, although not probable, is possible when the with-
drawing force or pull is applied only to the breech end of the said liner.
In some instances, the hydraulic cylinder has two compartments 1, 2 and is
provided with two pistons c, c², as shown in Figure 5, that is to say, it has in the
compartment a piston provided with a withdrawing tube e to be connected with
the breech end of the liner as above described, and in the compartment b² a piston c
to be connected with the rod g extending through the withdrawing tube e to the
muzzle of the gun. The connection of the piston e with the tube e is effected by
means of a screw-nut, and that of the piston c² with the rod g by means of a screw-
nut g³.
The apparatus shown in Figure 5 can, if desired, be used for inserting or forcing in
the liner as shown in Figure 2.
To prevent "upsetting" or enlargement of the diameter of the muzzle end of the
liner, I sometimes provide a nut to replace the muzzle locking-nut when the rod g is
used for withdrawing the liner.
Instead of attaching the withdrawing bar or tubo e to the liner by screwing it upon
the threads from which the liner-nut has been unscrewed as aforesaid, I sometimes
cut a thread in the liner at or beyond the inner end of the chamber of the gun, as
shown at h in Figure 6, for receiving the screw-threaded end g³ of a withdrawing bar
or rod y and thus securing the said rod to the liner. This device will be advantageous
if the liner should be found to be injured and weakened in the part forming the
chamber.
In the apparatus shown in Figure 6, the rod y is screwed into the piston. c, and a
plug 9, is screwed into the breech end of the gun in place of the breech-plug-ring,
for the purpose of guiding the piston c and rod 9. This plug g' is formed with a
recess into which the liner can be drawn, so as to increase the space through which
the said liner may be moved backward by the said piston and rod.
For cutting this thread in the liner, I employ apparatus which is to be inserted in
the bore of the gun and which is provided with mechanism adapted to be secured in
or upon either end of the gun for operating a cutting-tool. This apparatus is shown
in Figures 7, 8 and 9; it comprises a hollow or tubular bar j one end of which carries
the cutting tool k. The said barj bas on its outer or rear portion a screw-thread j¹
which works through an internally screw-threaded-plug or nut rigidly secured in the
place of the breech-plug-ring, behind the liner a. The said bar outside of the nut
has a worm-wheel me secured thereon by means of keys n fitting into longitudinal
grooves or key-ways in the said bar. The worm-wheel m is geared with a worm.o,

page_text: the shaft o¹ of which is provided with a handle or handles p, whereby the said worin-
wheel and the hollow barj can he operated. Or the said shaft may be driven by
means of a steam-engine or other motor.
As the movement of the tubular bar is controlled by the screw-thread in the fixed
plug or nut, it follows that, when the said bar is rotated and the tool k is properly
adjusted, the said tool will cut in the liner a a screw-thread corresponding in pitch
with that in the said plug or nut !.
The cutting or chasing tool k
fittel in a block, head or holder and is held in
position by a square threaded screw which engages with a corresponding female thread
in the said tool and is arranged to be rotated, to feed the said tool outward or withdraw
it from its cutting position, by means of a worm-wheel geared with a worm
fixed on the shaft or rol k² and actuated by a hand-wheel %. This hand-wheel is
marked or graduated on its periphery so that the tool can be adjusted to the 500th
part of one inch to regulate the depth of thread.
The tool can be readily taken out for regrinding, as follows, that is to say, the tool
is moved in as far as it will go. The point of the tool will then be clear of the
tube the screws y' are then taken out and the tool and holder k¹ withdrawn
together.
To ensure the return of the tool and holder to the proper positions when inserted
after re-grinding, a stop is fixed in the tube j and a slot. k corresponding to the
said stop and having a wide entrance is formed in the tool-holder k to engage with
the said stop. The said tool and holder are thus guided to the right position for the
tool being run out through the hole in the tube j and the chasing continued.
In some instances a gun will be greatly deformed by firing, so that the extraction
of the liner as a whole or in one piece will be impracticable. If this is the case, or
if, for any other reason, I consider it undesirable to pull out the entire liner at one
operation, I can, before commencing to pull out the said liner, cut the same into short
tubular sections or lengths. For this purpose 1 replace the said internally screw-
threaded plug or nut by a plug or nut without internal threads; the aforesaid block,
head or holder can then be rotated without imparting endwise motion thereto.
I substitute for the screw-cutting or chasing tool k in the said block or holder, a
tool k, Figures 10 and 11, suitable for cutting an incision around the liner from the
interior to the exterior thereof. In the modification of my cutting apparatus shown
in Figures 10 and 11, I employ a screw-threaded rod r. which engages with a corre-
sponding female thread in the tool and is arranged to be rotated, to feed the said
tool outward or withdraw it from its cutting position, by means of a worm-wheel >
geared with a worm fixed on the shaft or rod . By means of this apparatus, I
can separate or nearly separate the liner into two or more parts and pull out these
separate parts one after the other by applying my improved hydraulic apparatus
thereto, that is to say, by forming a screw-thread in each piece or section of the liner,
inserting the screw-threaded withdrawing rod y and applying hydraulic pressure
thereto as above described.
In some instances; I find it convenient to cut one or more longitudinal incisions in
or through the liner to facilitate its withdrawal, such incisions will allow the liner
to contract in diameter so that it becomes comparatively loose or slack in the liner-
tube and can then be readily withdrawn as above described.
I modify my cutting apparatus as hereinafter described with reference to Figures 12
to 16, to adapt it for cutting these longitudinal incisions, that is to say, I mount a
circular saw or cutter on a shaft s fitted to rotate in suitable bearings in the block
or holder . A worm-wheel s¹ is also fixed on the said shafts and is geared with a
worm s² keyed upon a shaft t so that it will rotate therewith but can inove end wise
or longitudinally thereon. This shaft is driven by hand or by a steam-engine or other
suitable motor through the medium of the gear-wheels t,, for the purpose of rotating
the saw or cutter u is a screw-threaded rod which has fixed thereon a pinion u¹
geared with a pinion 3 on the shaft. This rod works in a tapped hole or nut in the
block or holder k¹ and is arranged to be rotated through the medium of the pinions t³; ul
for the purpose of feeding the cutter, longitudinally as required. Pinions t*; u² are

page_text: Preferably also mounted upon the shaft and rod u and are geared one with the
other. These pinions are keyed upon the said shaft and rod in such a manner that
they will rotate therewith but can slide longitudinally thereon. Suitable bearings
may, if desired, be inserted in the gun for supporting the shafts or rods t, u at
intervals.
The mechanism for driving the cutter being self-contained, it is obvious that it
can be applied either at the breech or at the muzzle of the gun. The rods or shafts
may therefore be made about half the length of the hore, if desired, and the cutter
be inserted first from the breech end and then from the muzzle of the gun..
To permit the application of the driving mechanism at either end of the gun the
ring or nut is screw-threaded internally and externally so that it may be screwed
into the breech end of the "A" tube as shown in Figure 12, or upon the muzzle
end of the liner as shown in Figure 15. v is a bracket which is secured by bolts or
otherwise to the ring or nut 7, and which supports the driving mechanism.
I prefer, moreover, to provide a plain bush or plug fitting into the bore of the gun
and having through it two holes for the reception of the ends of the shafts t, u, so as
to form an end support and bearing for the said shafts.
"
The bracket is open at the sides so that the saw & can be changed when necessary
by simply drawing the block and parts carried thereby into the said bracket and
withdrawing the saw and inserting another saw through the side of the said bracket.
A series of saws gradually increasing in diameter and thickness will be used until an
incision of the requisite size or depth is cut in the liner.
The cutter can, moreover, be quickly taken out for re-grinding and can be readily
replaced.
I have herein before described the construction and operation of my improved
apparatus more particularly with reference to the insertion and removal of the liners;
it will be understood, however, that the said apparatus is equally applicable for the
insertion and removal of the tubes of built up guns.
It is obvious that the hydraulic apparatus might be applied to the muzzle of the gun
if desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me
by my foreign Correspondent I wish it understood that I do not claim generally or
irrespectively of the improvements hereinabove described the application of hydraulic
power for inserting or withdrawing the liners of guns; but I claim :-
First. A hydraulic apparatus so constructed that the cylinder thereof can be screwed
upon or otherwise attached to the end of the outer tube or hoop and its piston can
be appied to or connected with the liner and operated to force the same into or start
it from the liner-tube, substantially as above set forth.
Second. Constructing or providing the piston rod or withdrawing bar of the
said hydraulic apparatus with a screw-threaded socket to take the place of the liner-
nut and thereby connect the said rod or bar with the liner for withdrawing the same,
as above set forth.
Third. The modification of my invention wherein the piston of the said cylinder
has a withdrawing bar or rod which extends to and engages with the muzzle of the
gun, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Fourth. The hydraulic apparatus comprising the ram constructed and fitted or
secured in the piston, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Fifth. The combination, with the bydraulic cylinder and piston, of a disc or plate
provided with a cup-leather or other suitable means for tightly closing the end of the
said cylinder, and adapted to bear against the end of the gun, substantially as, and
for the purpose, set forth.
Sixth. The piston constructed substantially as described so that it can be used in
combination with the ram in one cylinder for forcing the liner into the liner-tube,
and with the withdrawing bar or bars in another cylinder for withdrawing or starting
the liner from the said tube, as above specified.

page_text: Seventh. The hydraulic apparatus having a cylinder with two chambers and pistons
for simultaneously applying force to the breech end and to the muzzle end of the
liner, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Eighth. The modification of my invention wherein I cut a screw-thread in the liner
and connect the withdrawing bar or rod thereto forward of the chamber of the gun,
substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Ninth. For facilitating the extraction or withdrawal of the liner, the employment
of apparatus applied to the breech or to the muzzle of the gun and operated to cut
or divide the liner while in the gun either transversely or longitudinally, as, and for
the purposes, set forth.
Tenth. The improved method of extracting or removing the liner from a gun in
separate tubular sections or lengths, substantially as above set forth.
Eleventh. For cutting a screw-thread or a transverse or longitudinal incision in the
liner in the gun, the apparatus having a block, head or holder carrying a cutting tool
to be inserted in the bore of the gun and connected with suitable operative and feed
mechanism at either end of the gun, substantially as described and as shown in
Figures 7, 8 and 9 or Figures 10 and 11, or Figures 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 of the
drawings.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.