IM- PROVEMENTS IN PYROTECHNIC SIGNALS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN PYROTECHNIC SIGNALS." A communication from abroad by
Edward Francis Linton, of East New York, State of New York, United States
of America.
Sealed the 26th May 1876, and dated the 8th April 1876.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th April 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PYROTECHNIC SIGNALS." A
communication from abroad by Edward Francis Linton, of East New York, State
of New York, United States of America.
The present Invention relates to improvements in the class of signals known as
pyrotechnic night signals, and is designed to be used as such in connection with any
public or private system or code in which different colors or combinations of colors
are employed to represent numerals or letters, and whereby the characters thus
represented are rendered the media of intelligent communication. In the day time
any information which the code or system of signals is susceptible of imparting can
readily be spoken or conveyed, as is well known, by means of flags and the like, the
color or colors of which being different and each representing a certain numeral or
other character. When either of the flags representing the code is displayed or
any series of them in succession, the information they are thus caused to speak or
convey is intelligible and readily understood by all who have a key or are familiar
with the system or code in connection with which they are used; at night or when
it is dark, as a means of signalizing, flags and all kindred devices are of course
valueless, and consequently as a substitute, and for night signalling colored lights
or pyrotechnic signals exhibiting different colors or combinations of colors, said
colors corresponding with those of the day signals, have for a long period been
used; but, as fully demonstrated by practical experience, the class of signals now in
general use and known and recognized as pyrotechnical night signals are not only
for many reasons most objectionable, but on some occasions are entirely inadequate
Daina G71

page_text: to accomplish results which are most important and much desired. In the first
place the pyrotechnic night signals now in general use are what may be termed
stationary signals, that is, they do not project or throw to an altitude or distance
the composition through the burning of which their brilliancy is exhibited and their
color rendered discernible; and as a consequence the signal being held in the hand,
and being composed of compositions that in burning throw off a kind of lava, the
same frequently falls on the hand, inflicting a serious burn. Besides being a fixed
light of powerful illuminating properties when burned on the deck of a vessel, the
illumination produced would cause the signal to disclose surrounding objects in a
manner sometimes most objectionable; for instance, in time of war, the brilliancy
of the light would cause the full disclosure of the character of the vessel from which
the signal is fired; and again the fixed character of the ordinary night signal
renders it difficult and sometimes impossible to convey intelligence to a fleet in
rough weather with a high sea running; and again the fixed character of the signal
renders it altogether inadequate to convey any intelligence where one vessel is
separated from another by any point of land or other natural or artificial obstruction,
as, for instance, when one vessel is inside and the other outside of a harbor; and
again the ordinary night signal being composed of a slow burning composition,
much valuable time is lost when it is desired to signal rapidly, and much valuable
time is also lost when it is necessary to signal from a flag ship to each vessel of the
flect, especially is this the case when the flag ship is in the centre, and is surrounded
by the other vessels of the fleet, as signals under such circumstances have to be
exhibited forward and aft, and also at the sides of the ship to ensure their being seen
and recognized by the entire fleet; and another most serious and important
objection to the ordinary signal is that owing to the nature of its composition it is
very difficult to protect the same from deterioration through atmospheric influences.
Now the object of the present Invention is to produce a pyrotechnic night signal
equally brilliant as if not more brilliant than the signals now in general use, and one
which is entirely free from each and every one of the series of objections herein-before
enumerated. In my improvement the colored signal balls or stars being projected
far into the air, no lava is formed which can possibly fall and burn the hand. They
do not illuminate surrounding objects or the vessel from whose deck they are fired,
and the signal balls or stars being thrown several hundred feet into the air permit
of the signal being used successfully in a heavy sea or where land or other objects
intervene between vessels or parties employing the signals as media of communica-
tion. Their rapid discharge and the altitude at which their brilliancy is displayed
obviate the necessity of burning more than one for each subject of communication ;
and, finally, the construction of my signal is such as to secure absolute protection
from atmospheric action or chemical change.
In constructing my signal I utilize the well-known principle of the Roman
candle, and the nature of my Invention is found in connection with certain
essential and most important improvements in connection with the construction of
the stars, time fuses, the powder chainbers, the means of ignition, and the like, all
as herein-after described.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a signal constructed according to this Invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same.
Figures 3, 4, and 5 represent different views of one form of star signal made
according to this Invention.
Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 represent different views of another form of star
according to the said Invention.
A is the case, which is of cylindrical form, and may be constructed of any
suitable material. The relative proportions illustrated in the accompanying
Drawing, where the case is about eight inches in length and one and a half inches in

page_text: diameter, leaving a vertical annular chamber, say, of an inch and a sixteenth in
diameter, is well suited for a signal that is designed to contain three colored stars,
but there is nothing arbitrary about these dimensions, as they may be changed at
pleasure without in any manner effecting the principle of my improvements. B is
the plug of clay or other non-conbustible material, and is rammed or packed in the
case in the usual manner. C, C1, C2, C3, are time fuses, which may be constructed
of any of the compositions known to pyrotechnic chemistry as suited for the purpose
designed. The lower and upper time fuses C, C, may be of any desired depth
provided the depth of the lower one is sufficient to contain the powder chamber c,
and the depth of the upper one C³ is sufficient to provide such a quantity of the
composition as will ensure the ignition of the powder in the chamber c².
The dimensions or quantity of the composition which the intermediate time fuses
C, C, shall contain must be such as to ensure of their burning without igniting
the powder in the chamber below during such an interval as will be consumed by
the projected star in burning, and until its entire extinguishment occurs, and
then cause the ignition of the powder in the chamber below. D, D, are the
colored stars, and they are to be constructed of such compositions as will cause the
different signals to represent such colors or combinations of colors as will fully meet
the exigencies of the code or system in connection with which they are to be used.
What exactly these colors or combination of colors shall be the code itself will
determine, consequently this is no part of my Invention; nor is it necessary to give
a formula that will recite the ingredients necessary to produce stars representing
different colors or combination of colors, as from the earliest stages of the art all
who are familiar with chemistry as applied to protechny have known of these
compositions. But in constructing stars for night signals I have discovered that it is
necessary they should be exceedingly strong, and constructed if possible to do
away with all danger of their breaking or the composition becoming disintegrated.
Therefore I do away with the vertical annular channel for the quick match, which
in the stars of the Roman candle is invaribly at the centre, and which being used for
the purpose of ignition necessarily must extend through the entire star, and which
weakens the same at the point where the greatest force of the powder is expended
or exerted, and form the channels of ignition or for the quick match by providing
one or more vertical grooves at the lateral face or faces of the star. In Figure 3 a
star is shown having four of such grooves, as seen at d, d. Yet notwithstanding
the disadvantage for the reason stated, and others herein-after mentioned, and which
results from having the stars formed with an opening through their centre, there
are certain demands which the central opening of the stars of the Roman candle
meets, which for the purposes of pyrotechnic night signalling are most important,
as it lights the star within the body of the composition and in and around the centre
thereof, thereby affording a most sure guarantee that the star will not be blown
out in consequence of its rapid propulsion through the air. This of course is
essentially necessary in signals, as it is most important that each star discharged
should burn so as to ensure of there being no interruption in the continuity of the
system. Therefore in forming the stars in addition to the lateral channels d, d,
which serve to ignite the powder in the chamber below, I form or mould the star
with a small socket chamber at its centre, and which extends from its upper
surface down through the body of the composition to a depth, say, of a quarter or
half inch and which leaves the base of the star solid and firm to resist the shock of
the powder.
In the chamber d' of each star is inserted a piece of common quick match y,
previously dipped in a solution of gun and mealed powder. The gun causes the
section of the match y which is inserted into the chamber d' to adhere to its bottom
in a manner to insure its retention in the chamber, while the upper surface of the
match should project, say, about a quarter of an inch, as shown in Figure 5, and
the quick match being ignited by the time fuse, and burning down to the chamber
so ignites the star at its centre as to render it impossible to fail to burn, or being

page_text: once ignited to be blown out. Now the arrangement of grooves or channels d, d,
of ignition in connection with the form and arrangement of the powder chambers
into which they lead constitute the most important elements of my Invention, as
will presently be explained. c, cl, c, are the powder chambers, which may be
angular, as shown at ; curved, as shewn at c'; or semi oval, as shown at c, or of
any other form that possesses for ny purpose in use the advantages that are
secured through the employment of either of the forms mentioned.
star.
In Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 is shown another form of star in which the
same advantageous results are secured as in connection with the employment of the
star just described, and which, when desired, can be substituted therefor in con-
structing the signal. In the Figures last referred to the composition is moulded
into the form of a round body or ball G, and is formed with a belt groove or
channel, as shown at g which girdles or encircles the star, as shewn in Figure 6, or
the star may be formed with two or more of such channels running or extending in
opposite directions, as shown at g, g, Figure 7, and into which grooves or channels
may be secured quick matches g¹, g', the ends of the quick match being left free, as
shown in Figure 11, or the ends are twisted together so as to provide as it were a
centre wick, as shown in Figure 10; the object of these grooves or channels g, g,
either with or without the quick match is to secure the ignition of the powder in
the chamber below the star through the fire which the burning of the time fuse
above produces. The stars G, G, are also formed or moulded with ignition chambers
h, countersunk or socket shaped precisely in form and function similar to
the centre chamber d' in the star D first described. There may be one or more of
these chambers. When several are used, as shown in Figure 8, they may be inter-
spersed at intervals around the circumferential surface of the star, and at such
points as the judgment of the manufacturing pyrotechnist may deem best to ensure
the ignition of the composition, which composes the star within the body of the
same, and in a manner the most thoroughly to ensure the proper burning of the
These chambers h, h, if desired may be provided with quick matches secured
therein, as shown at i, Figure 9. Now it will be seen that the lateral or belt ignition
channels of the star lead to the powder chamber at the point where there is the
least quantity of powder, and owing to the form of the chamber the full force of
the powder is concentrated directly under the centre of the star, thus requiring a
very little powder to be used to ensure the desired projecting of the star in a
manner and to an altitude that ensure the results aimed at being attained in the
most satisfactory manner, and which at the same time owing to the smallness of the
quantity of powder used preclude all danger of explosion of the case or recoil, and
the star not having a central channel extending through the same no vent is pro-
vided through which any of the intense force of the powder might escape and be
lost. These powder chambers c, c', and care provided with thin walls or film caps
a, a, constructed of felt, rubber, or any other like suitable fibrous or elastic material,
and are provided with central openings or apertures b, b, as clearly shewn in
Figure 2, and the walls prevent the force of the powder charge from driving
the fire through the time fuse in a manner that would cause its being consumed too
rapidly while at the same time the central opening provides a means that ensures
its proper ignition. The dimensions of the case A are to be such as to leave
above the upper fuse C3 a chamber E, which is to contain powder for the ignition
of the signal, and the wall of which chamber serves as a barrel as it were to give
direction to the colored stars as projected. In a suitable opening cut through the
wall of the case A, and leading into the chamber E, is screwed a percussion tube
or cap nipple F. The chamber E may be filled or only partially filled, as shewn in
Figure 2, with powder. Any quantity of powder that is sufficient through its ex-
plosion to throw off the cap or top covering with which the case is provided and
to ignite the fuse below is all that is desired. The composition that forms the time
fuse, its wall, the powder, and the colored stars are all secured in the case A in the
usual manner. The tool or instrument with which the tamping of the time fuse com-

page_text: position is effected should have its head turned or be of the form which corresponds
with that which it is desired to give to the powder chambers c, c', and c³. After
these chambers are formed with the same tool or instrument the felt rubber or
other material which is to form the wall a of the respective chambers is readily forced
into its proper position. The case being properly filled and an air-tight cap or
covering being provided for its upper section, and a suitable air-tight cap or shield
F being provided for the percussion tube or nipple F, the entire surface of the
case may be coated with a solution of shellac or other waterproof composition
which will protect the interior from all moisture, air, or other injurious action of
the atmosphere. Now a signal has more particularly been described which contains
three stars, but of course whether it contains only one or two or even more than
three the same general principle will be observed in its construction. To fire the
signal the cap F has simply to be torn off, and a percussion cap is placed on the
nipple F, and which may be exploded by striking the same against the side of a
vessel or other inert body, or if desired the cap may be exploded by a hammer or
other device which, not being part of my Invention, is not shown on the Drawing,
but which the most ordinary mechanical skill if desired could tell how to apply.
The firing of the cap of course ignites the powder in the chamber E, the explosion
of which throws off the cap from the mouth of the case, and ignites the time fuse
C, which fires the quick match y, which ignites the star, and the time fuse C³ also,
through the channels d, d, and which for the purpose may if desired be provided with
a shaped quick match x, x, as shown in Figure 5, that ignites the powder in the
chamber c², and which exploding projects the star D, and at the same time through
the opening b in the wall a ignites the time fuse C, and which is designed to burn
a sufficient interval to allow the first star to ascend to its full altitude, and burn out
or become extinguished before firing the powder in the next consecutive chamber,
and so on until the stars are all exhausted.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. The colored star or stars D, for pyrotechnic night signals constructed
with one or more vertical lateral grooves or channels d, d, as and for the purpose
specified.
Second. The colored stars D, D, having channels for igniting the powder in the
chamber below, and a central chamber d for igniting the interior surface of the star
as above set forth, and for the purpose specified.
Third. The colored star or stars G, for pyrotechnic night signals of the form
of a cylindrical body or ball, and formed with one or more annular or belt
grooves or channels g, g, girdling or encircling the same, substantially as shown
in Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, and as above set forth, and for the purpose
specified.
Fourth. The round or ball shaped colored stars G, G, having girdle or belt chan-
nels for igniting the powder in the chamber below, and one or more chambers h for
igniting the interior surface of the star, as above set forth, and for the purpose
specified.
Fifth. A time fuse having a powder chamber of substantially the form shown,
the same being protected by a thin wall or film a of some suitable flexible
material, and having an opening or aperture b, as above set forth, and for the pur-
pose specified.
Sixth. The combination of one or more colored stars D, D, time fuses C, C¹, Ơ³,
having powder chambers, and a wall or film a, with a central opening b, as above
set forth, and for the purpose specified.
Seventh. A pyrotechnic night signal, consisting of a case A, having its lower
section plugged by a composition of some suitable non-combustible material, and its
upper section protected by a waterproof cap or covering, one or more colored stars
D, D, and one or more time fuses, formed with a countersunk powder chamber,

page_text: and a powder chamber E, and nipple or percussion tube F, the whole combined
and arranged to operate in connection with any public or private system or code of
signals, as above set forth, and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six.
Witness,
ROWLAND GEO. BROWN,
8, Southampton Bdgs.,
London.
WM. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)