Improvements in Pyrotechnic Signals for Use at Sea..
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Sept., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 31st May, 1889-Accepted, 6th July, 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pyrotechnic Signals for Use at Sea..
I, GEORGE TRENCH, of Standard House,, Faversham in the County of Kent,
England, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in pyrotechnic signals for use
at sea.
These signals are in the nature of shells; they are fired out of a tube or socket and
when a suitable altitude is attained a time fuse ignites a charge such as to give the
signal desired.
I now construct these signals as follows :-
I provide an outer cylindrical case preferably of tin plate and the lower end of this
case I close with a disc of sheet iron in which are two holes, one in the centre and the
other on one side.
Into the centre hole I insert a firing tube preferably of brass; this tube extends
up within the case and projects out at the top. Into the central hole in
the disc I insert from the outer side a time fuse consisting of a small tube rammed
with meal powder. On the end of the time fuse which projects through the iron disc
1 fix a detonator which is a copper tube similar to a percussion cap and similarly
charged. Then I place into the case a consolidated charge of composition which will
explode with violence (I prefer the explosive known as tonite). Over this charge I
place a felt wad and then I close the end of the case by a tightly fitting wooden plug.
Such is the arrangement where a shell bursting with a loud report is required but
where the signal is to be a light signal consisting of one two or more stars, then I do not
insert a detonator but I load the case with discs of rammed composition of a nature to
burn for a considerable time emitting a bright light of the color or colors required
either red white green or other color.
The charge for projecting the shell into the air is contained in a bag of water proof
fabric attached to the lower end of the case by water proof cement.
To fire the signal it is placed in a suitable socket and is fired through the brass tube
by a friction tube or otherwise. By placing the brass firing tube at the side of the
case I provide space for stars which are large enough to continue burning for an amply
sufficient time.
Datad this 3rd day of Sentembar 1888
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pyrotechnic Signals for Use at Sea.
I, GEORGE TRENCH, of Standard House, Faversham, in the County of Kent,
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 :-
This Invention has for its object improvements in pyrotechnic signals for useat sea.
These signals are in the nature of shells; they are fired out of a tube or socket and
when a suitable altitude is obtained a time fuse ignites a charge such as to give the
signal desired.
I now construct these signals as follows:
I provide an outer cylindical case preferably of tin plate and the lower end of this
case I close with a disc of sheet iron in which are two holes, one in the centre and the
مالينمممم

page_text: Into the side hole I insert a firing tube preferably of brass this tube extends up
within the case and projects out at the top. Into the central hole in the disc I insert
from the outer side a time fuse consisting of a small tube rammed with meal powder.
On the end of the time fuse which projects through the iron disc fix a detonator which
is a copper tube similar to a percussion cap and similarly charged. Then I place into
the case a consolidated charge of composition which will, explode with violence (I
prefer the explosive known as tonite). Over this charge I place a felt wad and then
I close the end of the case by a tightly fitting wooden plug. Such is the arrange-
ment where a shell bursting with a loud report is required but where the signal is to
be a light signal consisting of one two or more stars, then I do not insert a detonator
but I load the, case with discs of rammed composition of a nature to burn for a
considerable time emitting a bright light of the color or colors required either red,
white, green or other color.
The charge for projecting the shell into the air is contained in a bag of water proof
fabric.attached to the lower end of the case by water proof cement.
To fire the signal it is placed in a suitable socket and is fired through the brass.tube
by a friction tube or otherwise. By placing the brass firing tube at the side of the
case provide space for stars which are large enough to continue burning for an amply
sufficient time.
.
In order that my said invention may be fully understood and readily carried into
effect I will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a sound signal shell constructed in accordance
with my invention.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of a similar star signal shell.
Figure 3 is an elevation and
Figure 4 is a plan of the barrel or socket from which these signal shells are fired.
In Figure 1 a is a cylindrical case of tin plate. bis an iron disc closing the case at
its lower end; it has in it two holes and b². c is a brass tube inserted into the side
hole 6 and extending beyond the upper end of the case. d is the time fuse which is
attached beneath the central hole b². e is the detonator attached above the disc b and
also at the central hole. f is a consolidated charge of tonite. g is a felt wad and his a
wooden plug closing the upper end of the case over the wad. The tube c passes
through this plug. is a bag tied on at the lower end of the case a and containing a
powder charge.
+
Figure 2 is similar to Figure 1 except that the charge consists of moulded discs of
composition which does not explode but burns with a bright light.
The position of the tube c on one side of the case allows room for solid discs of
considerable dimensions such as will continue to burn for a sufficiently long period.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
A signal shell substantially as described and especially with the firing tube c at the
side of the case a.
71
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