Improved Apparatus for Raising Ammunition for the Supply of Quick Firing. Guns, also for Storing the same for Ready Use.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Jan., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 12th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 7th Jan., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Raising Ammunition for the Supply of
Quick Firing. Guns, also for Storing the same for Ready Use.
I, JOSIAH VAVASSEUR of London Ordnance Works, Bear Lane, Southwark in
the County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
=
The powder charges for quick firing ordnance are in metallic cases which fit the
chamber of the gun the base of the case is enlarged to facilitate extraction and
provision is made in the centre of the base for ignition. If the powder charge and
projectile are united then the forward end of the case is closed by the projectile-if
separate the case is usually closed by a metallic lid.
From the form and method of construction of the cases-they have considerable
stiffness in the longitudinal direction, and of this I take advantage.
From the top of the handing room adjacent to a ships magazine I provide a
vertical armoured tube preferably of cylindrical section passing up to the deck or
to a position convenient for the service of the guns. I make the tube of as small a
diameter as possible-not exceeding twice the diameter of the largest cartridge to
be lifted through it-which is sufficient to allow of guides or adjustable bars to be
fitted within it. The tube being thus kept of comparatively small bulk is less likely
to be hit or damaged by adverse fire. It at the same time very effectively protects
the cartridges that may be in it.
The cartridges are served in the handing room on to a bench or a pivoted table,
base downwards cach upon a loose disc or block which may be of hard wood and
each is in succession passed on to the head of a ram or plunger working from below
upwards-the axis of which coincides with that of the tube above it. The stroke
of the ram is made slightly in excess of the combined length of the case and
projectile, or the case, alone with the separating block. When fully raised the
under side of the block will be about on a level with the under side of the tube-on
which at this part are fitted spring catches or stops. These catches or stops are
forced apart by the rising block and then close below it to keep up both it and the
superposed cartridge in the tube when the ram is lowered for the next lift. On the
next cartridge case being raised its upper end pushes up the block and load already
in the tube and so on with each successive lift until the tube is full and the
topmost one can be taken away for use and others following corresponding to the
feeding from below.
When the tube is full, the weight of the load causes the catches to descend
somewhat, the catches being carried by a counterpoised lever or part or in other
equivalent manner, so that when the full load is upon the catches there is not room
to insert another cartridge beneath the tube.
The armoured tube is provided with tightly fitting covers above and below and
thus forms an efficient and safe magazine from which a ready supply can
immediately be obtained; means being provided so that if necessary a number of
cases may be got up by appliances at the upper end of the tube apart from the lift
below.
The ram may be worked either by hand or power according to circumstances.
If by hand the plunger may be raised either by winch gear with pinion and rack or
by pivoted levers-any convenient part of the load may be counterbalanced to
facilitate working.
If by steam, hydraulic compressed air or other power, an extension of any system
already in use may be employed. Or I make use of the power due to the head of
water in which the vessel floats by conveying the water to a cylinder with piston,

page_text: above which is a rod or plunger for raising the charges through the length of its
stroke as before described. This hydraulic cylinder may be either single or double
acting if single the weight of piston and rod would be made suitable for lowering
with sufficient rapidity between each lift.
The exhaust water would be discharged into the bilge and be pumped out of the
ship in the usual manner.
Dated thin 19th If T
1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Raising Ammunition for the Supply of
Quick Firing Guns, also for Storing the same for Ready Use.
1, JOSIAH VAVASSEUR, of London Ordnance Works, Bear Lane, Southwark,
in the County of Surrey, Engineer, 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:—
The powder charges for quick firing ordnance are in metallic cases which fit the
chamber of the gun; the base of the case is enlarged to facilitate extraction and
provision is made in the centre of the base for ignition. If the powder charge and
projectile are united then the forward end of the case is closed by the projectile, if
separate, the case is usually closed by a metallic lid.
From the form and method of construction of the cases, they have considerable
stiffness in the longitudinal direction, and of this I take advantage.
From the top of the handing ram adjacent to a ship's magazine I provide a
vertical armoured tube preferably of cylindrical section passing up to the deck.or
to a position convenient for the service of the guns. I make the tube of as small a
diameter as possible, not exceeding twice the diameter of the largest cartridge to
be lifted through it which is sufficient to allow of guides or adjustable bars to be
fitted within it. The tube being thus kept of comparatively small bulk is less likely
to be hit or damaged by adverse fire. It at the same time very effectively protects
the cartridges that may be in it.
The cartridges are served in the handing room on to a bench or a pivoted table,
base downwards each upon a loose disc or block which may be of hard wood and
each is in succession passed on to the head of a ram or plunger working from below
upwards the axis of which coincides with that of the tube above it. The stroke
of the ram is made slightly in excess of the combined length of the case and
projectile, or the case alone, with the separating block. When fully raised the
under side of the block will be about on a level with the under side of the tube, on
which at this part are fitted spring catches or stops. These catches or stops are
forced apart by the rising block and then they close below it to keep up both it and
the superposed cartridge in the tube when the ram is lowered for the next lift.
On the next cartridge case being raised its upper end pushes up the block and load
already in the tube and so on with each successive lift until the tube is full and the
topmost one can be taken away for use and others following corresponding to the
feeding from below.
When the tube is full, the weight of the load causes the catches to descend
somewhat, the catches being carried by a counterpoised lever or part or in other
equivalent manner, so that when the full load is upon the catches there is not room
to insert another cartridge beneath the tube.
The armoured tube is provided with tightly fitting covers above and below and
thus forms an efficient and safe magazine from which a ready supply can
immediately be obtained; means being provided so that if necessary a number of
cases may be got up by appliances at the upper end of the tube apart from the
lift below.
The ram may be worked either by hand or power according to.circumstances;

page_text: If by hand the plunger may be raised either by winch gear with pinion and rack
or by pivoted levers, any convenient part of the load may be counterbalanced to
facilitate working. Or I may work the ram by men stepping upon a moving foot
plate to overcome the balance weight, and taking their weight. off, to let the
counterweight act.
If it be desired to work by steam, hydraulic, compressed air, or other power,
an extension of any system already in use may be employed.. Or I make use of
the power due to the head of water in which the vessel floats by conveying the
water to a cylinder with piston, above which is a rod or plunger for raising the
charges through the length of its stroke as before described. This hydraulic
cylinder may be either single or double acting, if single the weight of piston
and rod would be made suitable for lowering with sufficient rapidity between
each lift.
The exhaust water would be discharged into the bilge and be pumped out of
the ship in the usual manner.
The last mentioned method is shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.
This figure represents a section of a ship and shows the armoured receiving
tube A partly in section.
The top of the armoured tube A projects above the deck B on which the gun to
be supplied with ammunition is carried.
The armoured tube A is shown full of cartridges C, C, C with loose discs P, P
between them, the whole being supported by the spring catches D, D.
The catches D, D are carried by a frame attached to an inner tube E the whole
being counterpoised by weights FF. The catches allow the cartridges to be
pushed up between them, but will not allow them to return. When the tube A is
full, or one cartridge more than full, the weight of the column of cartridges C, C
causes the inner tube E to descend and then no more cartridges can be placed
beneath the tube A until the frame and tube E have ascended again in consequence
of the removal of a cartridge from the top of the column.
G is a hydraulic cylinder containing the piston H working the ram
I. The
hydraulic cylinder G is supplied with water from outside the ship by means of, the
pipe K and valve as shown or like apparatus may be worked by a high pressure
water system where such is in use on the ship.
If the tube A and the column of cartridges therein be of considerable height,
shutters to close downwards automatically may be fitted at intervals in the tube in
order to cut off communication with the magazine.
Figure 2 is a side elevation and shows an arrangement to be worked hy manual
power.
Figure 3 is an end elevation of part of the same.
A is the lower end of tlie tube through which the cartridges are passed up.
D, D are catches which as in Figure 1 are pressed inwards by springs. They are
however in this case also pivotted at DD and are supported in their working
positions by means of springs D² D². When the tube A is full of cartridges or one
cartridge more than full, the weight of the column overpowers the springs D' and
the catches then cannot retain more cartridges. Beneath the tube A is a turn
table Lon which the cartridges C are arranged ready to enter the tube A. By
turning the table Leach cartridge in succession is brought to the entrance of the
tube; it then stands immediately over the ram M. A rack and pinion raises the
ram when the crank handles N N are turned. The entire column of cartridges
rises with the ram, the fresh cartridge passes into the tube A and is retained by
the catches. OO are counterpoises which descend as the ram M rises and so the
labour in lifting is lessened.
Figure 4 is a side view partly in section and shows a modification. Here the
ram M is raised by means of a lever Q which also carries a counterpoise.
Figure 5 is a front elevation and Figure 6 is a plan showing the turntable Land
the lever Q.

page_text: Figure 7 is a side elevation and Figure 8 is a front elevation of another arrange-
ment for raising the cartridges by manual labour.
Figure 9 shows to a larger scale the lower end of the receiving tube A and the
catches D which in this case are somewhat differently arranged; they move
horizontally in guides and are connected to the pivotted arms D³ which are coupled
to a rod D¹. Around the rod there is a coiled spring which at one end bears
against an abutment upon the tube A. and at the other against a collar on the rod.
The catches yield to the upward pressure of the ram, the spring being compressed
and immediately the disc P passes the catches they return and enter beneath the
disc in consequence the reaction of the spring. The ram M in this arrangement
has projecting arms M' M' and a frame R is provided which can slide up and down
on the socket in which the ram M is contained. The frame R is connected with
the counterpoise S by cords passing over pulleys so that the men working the
apparatus by stepping upon the frame R can lift the counterpoise S to the position in
which it is shown in Figure 7. R' R' are catches upon the frame R which are
so balanced that when the frame is brought down they engage with the arms M² M'.
When the men take their weight off the frame R it is raised by the counterpoise
taking the ram M with it. The cartridge which has previously been placed in
position upon a table and immediately over the ram is thus thrust into the tube A.
When the cartridge is raised sufficiently high the catches R' R' strike upon the
adjustable stops T T and are thereby released and the ram falls. Attached to
the frame Rare rods R2, R2, they work through guides R' and upon them at R', R',
are collars supporting springs R'. Discs R, R, rest loosely on the upper ends
of the springs and as the frame R reaches the upper end of the stroke the discs R
strike the guides R³ and the upward movement of the frame and the descent of
the counterpoise is gradually checked.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inveu-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. Apparatus, substantially as described, for supplying ammunition to guns, and
consisting of a receiving tube with retaining catches at its lower end and a ram
thrusting the cartridges upwards into the tube.
..2. Apparatus in accordance with the preceding claim and with catches so
arranged as to prevent the overfilling of the receiving tube.
3. Apparatus substantially as described and represented by the annexed
drawings.
Dated this 11th day of October 1892.
JOSIAH VAVASSEUR.