Improvements in and relating to the Laying and Firing of Ordnance.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Man, 1900
Complete Specification Left, 11th Dea., 1899-Accepted, 10th Feb,, 1900
Complete Specification Left, 11th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 10th Feb., 1900
[Communicated from abroad by THEODORE MARSHALL FOOTE, of 503, Tompkins
Avenue, in the Borough of Brooklyn County of Kings and City and State of
New York, United States of America, Inventor.]
Improvements in and relating to the Laying and Firing of Ordnance.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in and relating to the laying and firing
of ordnance and refers to means controlled by the sighting telescope or its equiva-
lent, whereby the piece is laid when the said telescope is aimed at the object to be
fired at, and means for controlling the firing mechanism.
These means comprise a motor or motors, preferably an electric motor or
motors, and also a clutch or clutches. A clutch operates in two directions or
there may be two reversely operating clutches. Such clutch or clutches may
advantageously be magnetic. In any of the examples of my invention I contem
plate providing for moving the ordnance in all directions except lengthwise. The
operation of the clutch or clutches is governed by a controller or controllers, and
the latter are operated by the telescope.
An effective way of carrying out my invention is to provide, in connection
with a piece of ordinance to be laid, one means which, when operated, will move
the said piece vertically, and another means which when operated will move the
sand piece laterally. With these means I may provide, for moving the ordnance
vertically, a magnetic clutch which is capable of operating in two directions,
and in the means for producing lateral movement I may provide a similar clutch.
The electric motors operate constantly, and through the medium of the clutches,
they are coupled to the devices through which the proper motion will be trans-
mitted.
In suitable position to the ordnance, I place the sighting telescope, supporting
the latter so that it will be adjustable vertically and laterally, and I employ a
controller for each clutch, both controllers being operated in due course as the said
telescope is moved in its different directions. To lay the piece of ordnance, the
sighting telescope is aimed at the object to be fired at. As this is done the con-
troller or controllers will operate the clutch or clutches, and thereby adapt the
motor or motors to move the piece of ordnance into position for firing.
The controller or controllers must be of such construction that one part of each
controller used is connected with the sighting telescope while the other part of
each controller used in connected with the piece of ordnance. The normal position
of the two parts of each controller used, relatively to each other, is such that the
circuit in which it is included is open. The circuit of each controller used also
includes the magnet coils of the clutch or clutches belonging to that controller
Therefore, as the sighting telescope moves its part of the controller the
•

page_text: circuit of such controller will be closed and hence the magnets of the correspond-
ing clutch will be energized to permit that clutch to couple the corresponding
electric motor to the means for moving the piece of ordnance. As the piece of
ordnance moves it causes its part of each controller used to move with it, and as
the controller part of the sighting telescope is held stationary after the telescope
is fixed on the object to be fired at, that part of the controller moving with the
ordnance will at some time be in such position relative to the ordnance that its
circuit will be again open. The magnets of the clutch or clutches will then be
inoperative and the ordnance will then be held from further movement.
A firing circuit is preferably also provided for the ordnance. This circuit
includes a firing key which may be under control of the operator of the telescope.
During the laying of the piece of ordnance the firing circuit is preferably held
open by the controllers operated by the sighting telescope. When the piece of
ordnance is laid for firing, the firing circuit will be closed as regards the con-
trollers. If any controller governed by the sighting telescope should be operated
by the said telescope to have the position of the piece of ordnance changed, the
firing circuit would be immediately opened and hence the gun prevented from
being "fired."
Dated th 15th of Vouch 1200
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the
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 means for positioning ordnance preparatory to its
being fired, and also to a means for firing the ordnance piece after it is positioned.
This invention comprises a motor or motors, preferably an electric motor or
motors, and also a clutch or clutches. A clutch operates in two directions or
there may be two reversely operating clutches. Such clutch or clutches may
advantageously be magnetic. In any of the examples of my invention I contem-
plate providing for moving the ordnance in all directions except lengthwise. The
operation of the clutch or clutches is governed by a controller or controllers, and
tue latter are operated by the telescope.
An effective way of carrying out my invention is to provide, in connection
with a piece of ordnance to be laid, one means which, when operated, will move
the said piece vertically, and another means which when operated will move the
said piece laterally. With these means I may provide, for moving the ordnance
vertically, a magnetic clutch which is capable of operating in two directions,
and in the means for producing lateral movement I may provide a similar clutch.
The electric motors operate constantly, and through the medium of the clutches,
they are coupled to the devices through which the proper motion will be trans-
mitted to the piece of ordnance.
in suitable position to the ordnance, I place the sighting telescope, supporting
the latter so that it will he adjustable vertically and laterally, and I employ a
controller for each clutch, both controllers being operated in due course as the said
telescope is moved in its different directions. To lay the piece of ordnance, the

page_text: sighting telescope is aimed at the object to be fired at. As this is done the con-
troller or controllers will operate the clutch or clutches, and thereby adapt the
motor or motors to move the piece of ordnance into position for firing.
A firing circuit is preferably also provided for the ordnance. This circuit
includes a firing key which may be under control of the operator of the telescope.
During the laying of the piece of ordnance the firing circuit is preferably held
open by the controllers operated by the sighting telescope. When the piece of
ordnance is laid for firing, the firing circuit will be closed as regards the con-
trollers.
I will describe an arrangement of mechanism embodying my invention, and
then point out the novel features in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly
in scction of a mechanism for positioning and firing an orduance piece embody-
ing my invention and showing in diagram electric circuits which control such
mechanism. Figure 2 is a top view, partly broken away, of Figure 1. Figure 3
is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a clutch device used in the mechanism.
shown in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on
the line of Figure 3; and Figure 5 is also a transverse sectional view taken
on the line 5-5 of the same figure. Figure 6 is a detail elevational view of a
portion of a telescope and adjacent parts. Figure 7 is a top view of Figure 6, and
Showing a portion of an ordnance piece trunnion, and its connection to the teles-
cope. Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 6.
Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the
drawings.
A represents a turret, B an ordnance piece, heavy gun or cannon, that is mounted
by its journals in a carriage C, which carriage is located within the turret.
Ine ordnance piece is adapted to be moved in two opposite directions, vertically
and laterally, the movement in a lateral direction in this instance being accom-
plished by revolving the turret. If desired, however, the carriage may be
revolved so as to move the ordnance piece in the opposite lateral directions.
The vertical and lateral movements may be made either separately or simul
taneously. Should the ordnance piece be moved vertically and laterally simul-
taneously, the direction of movement of the ordnance piece would be oblique
to the vertical and horizontal planes of movement of the ordnance piece.
Drepresents a telescope so mounted that it can be adjusted vertically and laterally
or in a direction oblique to either its vertical or lateral planes of adjustment, and it
is by the adjustment of the telescope that a mechanism or mechanisms are set in
operation to position the ordnance piece for firing. The telescope may be
mounted in the following manner to have the vertical, lateral and oblique adjust-
ments. The telescope is rigidly held in a cradle that is carried by a bail d.
The bail is pivotally mounted in a second bail , and the bail is provided with
a projection fitting within a sleeve or socket formed in a standard d18. The
standard may be secured to any desired support, as, for instance, the carriage C.
I wish it understood that I do not limit myself to having the telescope adjacent the
ordinance piece, as it is possible to locate the telescope at some distance away from
the ordnance piece.
The mechanism employed for moving the ordinance piece in either a vertical or a
lateral direction, or in both directions, is preferably electrically controlled. As the
telescope is adjusted in any direction, it actuates a controller or controllers to
close or open a circuit or circuits of a device or devices which control the opera-
tion of the positioning mechanism. The form of controller preferably employed in
the vertical adjustment consists of a metallic ring in two sectious,,, (which
sections are carried by a disc ), and a contact finger d. The disc of one
controller is loosely mounted on the extended trunnion of the bail d³, and is
operatively connected with the trunnion of the ordnance piece. Insulation is
placed between the two rings sections and the disc do, and insulation de is also
placed between their ends. A projection & integral with an arm d*, that is

page_text: the
loose on the trunnion , carries the contact finger do. The end of the contact
finger is adapted to rest normally over the insulation, between the ends of
the ring sections so that the circuit of which the contact finger forms a part, will
be open; and the said finger do is adapted, when the telescope is adjusted
vertically, to travel over one or the other of the ring sections, and thus close
ordnance
the circuit which controls the mechanism for moving the
As this
piece vertically.
mechanism is operated,
trunnion of
the ordnance piece turns, and through the medium of a connecting rod E, and a
coupling, the disc is made to turn with the trunnion until the insulation
again comes under the end of tho contact finger do, when the circuit will become
broken and the mechanism of that circuit stopped from operating. It will be seen
that the controller herein before described constitutes a device, which, when it is
actuated by the telescope, will cause a micchanism to operate to position the ord-
nance piece for firing, and also will act to cause the mechanism to cease operating
when the ordnance piece is moved to a position parallel or approximately parallel
with the telescope. In this manner, the telescope may be fixed on an object and
held fixed while the mechanism is operating to move the orduance piece to be
pointed at the same object, and when the gun is pointed at the object, the
imechanism will cease operating. It will be seen also that the slightest move-
ment of the telescope actuates the controller, and the slightest actuation of the
controller causes the mechanism to operate to further position the gun. In this
manner the ordnance piece is accurately pointed at the object. The orduance piece
will then be at the proper elevation for firing. The vertical adjustment of the
telescope does not, however, always give the exact elevation of the ordnance piece,
as for example, when a projectile or shot is to be thrown a long distance. The
ordnance piece in such cases should not be in parallelism with the telescope but
should be inclined above the longitudinal plane of the telescope when it is
sighted upon an object. This is preferably accomplished by means of a pinion i
carried by the arm *, and a disc or segment of a disc that is calibrated
according to the elevation desired for the orduance piece to send a projectile an
ascertained distance. The disc or segment of disc is fastened or connected in
any desired manner to the cradle, and when the telescope is adjusted vertically,
the disc or segment of disc will move with it. The pinion d" and the teeth on
the part serve as a connection between the part and the arm d*, thus enab-
ling the telescope to move the arm with it. The arm d, however, can be
moved independently of the telescope owing to its being loose on the trunnion d.
When the distance of the object to be fired at is ascertained, the pinion is made
to travel over the calibrated wheel until it reaches the point on the scale of the
wheel indicating the ascertained distance. The pinion travelling over the
part d carries with it the arm d* and contact finger do, which is then moved
over one or the other of the ring sections. The circuit will then be closed, and the
mechanism for moving the gun vertically, permitted to operate. As the ordnance
piece moves, its trunnion turns the disc to bring the insulation beween the ring
parts under the end of the contact arm to break or open the circuit, as hereinbefore
described. The mechanism then stops operating, and the orduance piece is held in
this position. The telescope is then adjusted vertically (should it be necessary) to
be fixed on the object, and as it is moved the contact finger is again moved onto
either of the ring sections to again close the circuit and permit the mechanism
to work, thus accurately putting the ordnance piece in position with regard to
its elevation. The connecting rod E is preferably provided with a universal joint.
This permits of the disc being operated in the vertical adjustment of the
ordnance piece, should the telescope be adjusted laterally to bring the ordnance
piece in range in that direction before its vertical adjustment.
This same form of controller is preferably used in connection with the mechanism
for moving the ordnance piece in a lateral direction. The contact finger d¹³ of
the controller is carried by a projection on the bail, so that as the telescope
is adjusted laterally, it will travel over either of the ring sections d¹, dand

page_text: thus close the circuit of the device that effects the operation of the mechanism
for moving the ordnance piece laterally. The ring sections of the controller aro
secured to a disc d's, carried by a sleeve d surrounding the standards. When
the contact finger is moved over either section of the ring the circuit of the device
effecting the mechanism for moving the ordnance piece laterally is closed, thus per-
mitting operation of this mechanism. In this instance, the carriage is fixed
to the turret which is made to revolve. As the carriage is revolved with the
turret, and the telescope held fixed on the object, the disc will travel under the
end of the contact finger until the insulation between the ring section comes
under its end. When this occurs, the circuit will be broken, thus controlling
the device to effect the stoppage of the mechanism. The ordnance piece will then
be parallel to the telescope. A calibrated wheel or segment and pinion, as des-
cribed in connection with the disc do, will also be provided in connection with the
disc de The calibrated wheel, in this instance, is used to move the disc to com-
pensate for the speed of the object to be fired at, as well as the support carrying
the ordnance, and also for windage.
The devices for controlling the operation of the mechanisms for moving the ord-
nance piece vertically and laterally, are electrically controlled. Each device
preferably comprises two electrically controlled clutches, J, J', and each clutch
comprises a revolving gear with its attached casing, carrying the operating
magnets loosely mounted on a power shaft K, and a friction pulley keyed on said
shaft. The magnets of each clutch are preferably included in separate circuits,
which circuits are opened and closed by one of the controllers when actuated by
the adjustment of the telescope. The circuits of both electrical devices are prefer-
ably the same, so that a description of the circuits, as, for instance, the circuits
of the electrical device controlling the mechanism for moving the ordnance piece
vertically will apply to the circuits of the electrical device controlling the mechan-
ism for moving the ordnance piece laterally. The circuits of the electrical device
controlling the mechanism for moving the ordinance piece vertically may be as
follows: A wire f leading from one pole of a battery is connected with the
contact finger, while the other pole of the battery is connected by wires f¹, f,
with the ring sections d, on the disc. Electro magnets f³, fi are included
in the connections f¹, f, so that when the contact finger do is moved onto either of
the ring sections,, either maguet will be energized according to which
ring section the finger rests upon. Movable arms f, f, which serve as arma-
tures for these magnets, form part of two other circuits which are opened or closed
by their armatures, according to which magnet f³, ft, is energized.
'
"
The magnet in the circuit of each part of each controller and its movable arma-
ture serves as a make and break. "I wish it understood that any other form
of make and break that would serve the same purpose may be employed. It will
be seen also that the make and break constitutes means which, when operated,
will control the mechanism for positioning the ordnance piece for firing. One part
of the make and break could be operated by the telescope and the other part by
the ordnance piece. The armatures fe, are connected by a wire g or other
conductor, and this wire is connected by a wire or conductor g¹ with one pole of a
battery G. The other pole of the battery G is connected by a wire g³ with one ter-
minal of the wiring of the magnets of one of the electric clutches, while a wire g³
connects the same pole with one terminal of the wiring of the magnets of the other
electric clutch. A wire is connected with the other terminal of the electro
magnets of the clutch with which the wire g is connected, and with a contact
point with which the armature engages when attracted by its electric
magnet f. The same wiring and arrangement is provided for the other magnets
of the clutch. It will be seen therefore, that either of the electrical clutches will
be operated according to whether the contact finger is on the ring section (ª
or . The same arrangement of circuits is provided in connection with the con-
troller of the electrical device controlling the mechanism for moving the ordnance
piece laterally and the same form of electric clutches is used.

page_text: In Figure 1, I have shown the two circuits connected by means of a wire or other
connection extending between two contact points h³ that are included in the
separate circuits. This wire forms part of the firing circuits A. The firing
key H is preferably located on the telescope, so that when the ordnance piece has
been properly positioned, it can be fired from the telescope. The firing circuit
includes a firing device 43 on the ordnance piece, a battery h, and two contact
points and which are also included in the circuits of the two controllers
actuated by the telescope. It will be seen that to have the firing circuit complete,
the armatures f³ and f in each of the circuits will have to be in engagement
with the contact points and he in the two circuits. These armatures are only
in this position when the contact finger of each controller is on the insulation
between the ring sections. As the telescope will always be fixed on the object,
should it be moved either vertically or laterally, either armature for fo in either
circuit will be attracted to its magnet and the firing circuit broken. It will thus be
seen that the ordnance piece cannot be fired until it is ranged directly on the
object. The clutches J, J¹ are geared to a dynamo or other motor I, which when
the ordnance piece is being used, is operated continuously. The driving shaft
of the dynamo motor carries two pinions, i, i, and a gear of the clutch J is in
direct engagement with the pinion, while the gear of the clutch J' is in
engagement with the pinion through the medium of the intermediate gear.
With this arrangement, the gears j, j of the two clutches will be revolved in
opposite directions. The two gears, are loosely mounted on the shaft K which
is journalled in standards k. Each gear j, j carries a cylindrical casing,
which casings are so arranged at their meeting edge as to afford a bearing for
each other. In each casing a support is provided for the electro magnet L
contained therein. The armature for the magnets in each part of the clutch is
pivotally hung from one end of a link which is hinged at its other end to the
gear. It will be seen, therefore, as the gears j, j, are rotated, the magnets with their
armatures are carried with them. A band carried by each gear j, j surrounds
a friction pulley M in each part of the clutch, and each band is made to embrace
the pulley it surrounds by the armature of the maguets in that part. A roller or
other device jo carried by the link may be used to force the band against the
pulley. When, therefore, the armature of the magnets in either is attracted, the
pulley M in that part will turn with the gear. The pulleys № are fast on the
shaft K so that as either pulley M is turned, the shaft will be turned. On the
collar of each gear, j, j, is fixed a sleeve of insulation, and fixed on these sleeves
are two rings. The terminals of the electro magnets L comprised in each clutch
are connected with these rings. Contact fingers carried on a projecting part of
cach standard engage with these rings, and it is with these fingers that the
wires, and y', of each circuit are connected. Springs j" hold the links
normally against stops (see Figure 3).
The ends of the shaft K of the electrical device which controls the mechanism
for moving the ordnance piece vertically, are provided with pinions which
mesh with gears carried by a shaft . This shaft is journalled in the stand-
ards which may be extended for this purpose. Pinions 10 engage with the
racks that are affixed to the gun.
The shaft of the electrical device which controls the means for moving the ord-
nance piece laterally is provided with a bevel pinion on one of its ends, which is
in engagement with a bevel gear . The bevel gear is provided with a pinion
engaging with teeth provided on the turret. If desired, the mechanism for
moving the ordnance piece may be connected directly with it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is:--
1. The combination of an ordnance piece, an adjustable sighting means and
mechanism adapted to be put in operation by said sighting-means for nointing

page_text: the ordnance at an object, such operation continuing after the sighting means is
directed upon an object, and said mechanism including means for causing it to
cease operating when the ordnance piece is pointed at the object.
2. The combination with an ordnance piece, mechanism and a motor for moving
sand ordnance piece to a firing position, an electrical device connected with
the mechanism for controlling the operation of said mechanism, an electric circuit
and source of current for said device, a controller for said circuit, and means
for actuating said controller.
3. The combination with an ordnance piece, mechanism for effecting its move-
ment vertically, an electrical device for controlling the same, mechanism for
effecting its movement laterally, an electrical device for controlling the same, a
circuit for each of said electrical devices, a make and break in each circuit, the
actuation of which governs the operation of the device included in its circuit, and
a telescope adapted when adjusted vertically to actuate one make and break, and
when adjusted laterally to actuate the other make and break.
4. The combination with an ordnance piece, means in connection therewith
for moving it to firing position, an electrically controlled device connected with
said means for controlling the operation thereof, said device comprising two
clutches, and each clutch comprising a part which carries operating magnets and
is loosely mounted on a power shaft, a friction pulley keyed to the power shaft, and
a friction band for operatively connecting the loose part with the friction pulley.
5. A device for sighting ordnance as represented in the drawings.
Dated 12y of December 1899.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.