Improvements relating to Machinery or Apparatus for the Manufacture of Explosives and for similar purposes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Feb., 18901
Complete Specification Left, 5th Nov., 1890-Accepted. 27th Dec., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Machinery or Apparatus for the
Manufacture of Explosives and for similar purposes.
I, HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM, of Crayford Works, Crayford, in the County of
Kent, and Victoria Mansions, in the City of Westminster, Mechanical Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the manufacture of explosives and to machinery or
apparatus therefor, and for similar purposes.
My said invention is chiefly designed to supersede the old method of manufacture
of explosives, in which the several ingredients are mixed by hand, compressed into
blocks, kept for some time to mature, and finally spun into lengths or strips and cut
into small pieces or grains, the various operations being effected in different
machines.
Ι
According to my present invention, I provide for the manufacture of explosive
compounds in a continuous manner in a machine or apparatus wherein all of the
required operations are effected automatically, the attendant merely having to keep
the said machine or apparatus supplied with the necessary ingredients and to collect
the grains of the explosive material or powder," as they fall from the said
66
machine.
In carrying my said invention into practice, I proceed as follows, viz. :-In the
manufacture, for example, of an explosive compound from gun-cotton or pyroxyline
by dissolving it by means of acetone or any other suitable solvent, I introduce into
the hopper of the machine the gun-cotton and the required quantity of solvent.
The gun-cotton and the solvent pass from the said hopper into a cylinder or
chamber, in which the ingredients are thoroughly mixed and the mass well kneaded
by means of fixed or stationary knives or blades and rotary knives or blades some-
what like those employed in mincing-machines. The rotary knives or blades are
arranged in the form of a worm or helix so that they force the material along the
cylinder or chamber away from the hopper, and through devices for forming the
said material into strips or threads and cutting the said strips or threads into small
pieces or grains.
My improved machine comprises a cylinder or chamber which is closed at one
end, this end being bored to receive one end of a shaft which extends longitudinally
through the said cylinder or chamber and is provided with suitable means for
imparting rotary motion to it. The other end of the said shaft is supported by a
suitable bearing in the cylinder or chamber. In the said cylinder or chamber are
arranged, at suitable distances apart throughout the length of the cylinder, a large
number of fixed or stationary knives or blades. On the said shaft are fixed a large
number of knives or blades so shaped that, on being placed in their proper relative
positions, they form a practically continuous worm or helix around the said shaft.
These knives or blades are arranged at suitable distances apart so that they will
work between the fixed or stationary knives or blades in the said cylinder or
chamber.
At the open end of the said cylinder or chamber, is arranged a roll which has a
number of circumferential grooves or channels, and the axis of which is at right
angles to that of the said shaft. A metal piece having corresponding grooves or
channels is firmly attached to the end of the said cylinder or chamber, so that,
when the said roll is rotated about its axis, the material will be forced out between
the grooves in the said piece and those in the said roll, in the form of strips or

page_text: threads. Another metal piece is attached to the said cylinder or chamber opposite
the aforesaid grooved piece, and is provided with projections or ribs which fit into
the grooves in the roll, so as to form a tight joint and prevent the escape of the
material between the said roll and this ribbed piece..
Above this roll is a shaft parallel to the said roll and upon which are fixed a
number of toothed discs or cutters, somewhat resembling circular saws; the
periphery of each of these discs when revolving moves in one of the grooves in the
said roll, so that, in the operation of the machine, the threads or strips of material
passing along the said grooves will be cut by the said teeth into small pieces or
grains.
The cutter-shaft and the roll are geared to the main-shaft of the machine, and
suitable provision is made for varying their relative speed so that the machine may
be adapted to cut grains of any desired size.
The ingredients of the "powder" or explosive material (generally in the form of
dried pulp) are placed in a hopper, any liquid that it is necessary to add, being
sprinkled on the pulp in the operation of filling the hopper. The mixed ingredients
fall into the interior of the machine, and, upon the screw or worm being set in
motion, are gradually forced along the bore of the cylinder in the direction of the
said grooved roll.
When the ingredients (which by this time, owing to the action of the liquid and
to the pressure derived from the screw or worm, have assumed a thick pasty form)
have been forced to the end of the machine, there being no outlet except through
the grooves in the said roll and in the metal piece attached to the cylinder, the
material is forced through these grooves in the form of threads or strips and carried
around by the roll till the teeth of the discs, falling into the grooves or channels,
divide the said threads or strips into small pieces or grains, the size of which can be
regulated by varying the relative speeds of the said grooved roll and the discs or
cutters as above specified.
I sometimes combine, with the apparatus above described, a tank or vessel for
containing acetone or other solvent and means for supplying the said solvent in
regulated or predetermined quantities into the said hopper. For instance, the said
tank is connected by a flexible pipe with a smaller tank, so that the small tank may
be filled with a suitable measure or quantity of the solvent according to the charge
of gun-cotton placed in the aforesaid hopper. The said tanks are also connected
with a pipe for admitting air as the liquid runs out of the smaller tank. A cock or
valve is provided for shutting off communication with the large tank when the small
tank is charged with the required measure of the solvent. Another small cock or
valve is also provided for opening and closing the communication with the hopper
of the powder-mill. A sliding joint is provided to allow the small tank to be raised
clear of the powder-mill when necessary, and a screw for securing the said tank,
either when in operation or when lifted clear of the hopper. The outer tube of
the sliding joint is supported by a suitable bracket or in any other convenient
manner.
Although I have described my improved machine or apparatus more particularly
as applied to the manufacture of explosives, it is obvious that the said machine or
apparatus is also applicable to the manufacture of other substances which require to
be worked in a semi-fluid or plastic state and formed into strips or threads or into
small pieces or grains.
Dated this 5th day of Fähruary 1800
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Machinery or Apparatus for the
Manufacture of Explosives and for similar purposes.
I, HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM, of Crayford Works, Crayford, in the County of
Kent, and Victoria Mansions, in the City of Westminster, Mechanical 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:—
My invention relates to the manufacture of explosives and to machinery. or
apparatus therefor, and for similar purposes.
My said invention is chiefly designed to supersede former methods of manufacture
in which the several ingredients are mixed by hand or otherwise, and then subjected
to various operations in separate machines.
According to my present invention, I provide for the manufacture of explosive
compounds in a continuous inanner in a machine or apparatus wherein all of the
required operations are effected automatically, the attendant merely having to keep
the said machine or apparatus supplied with the necessary ingredients and to collect
the grains of the explosive material or powder' as they fall from the said
machine.
66
وو
In carrying my said invention into practice I proceed as follows, viz. :-In the
manufacture, for example, of an explosive compound from gun-cotton or pyroxyline
dissolved by means of acetone or any other suitable solvent I introduce into the
hopper of the machine, the gun-cotton and the required quantity of solvent. The
gun-cotton and the solvent pass from the said hopper into a cylinder or chamber in
which the ingredients are thoroughly mixed, and the mass well kneaded by means
of fixed, and rotary knives or blades, somewhat like those employed in mincing
machines. The rotary knives or blades are arranged in the form of a worm or
helix so that they force the material along the cylinder or chamber away from the
hopper, and through devices for forming the said material into strips or threads,
and cutting the said strips or threads into small pieces or grains.
My said invention comprises moreover improved apparatus for supplying the
solvent in regulated or predetermined quantities into the hopper of the mixer.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a plan, partly in horizontal section, the cover or upper part of the
casing being removed, illustrating my apparatus for the manufacture of smokeless
powder.
Figure 2 is a plan of the said cover or upper part of the casing.
Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal central section on the line x x Figure 1.
Figure 4 is an end elevation, drawn to an enlarged scale of the apparatus shown
in Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a transverse section on the line y y Figures 1. and 3 drawn to the
same scale as Figure 4.
Figures 6, 7 and 8 are plans showing details of construction.
Figure 9 is a front elevation partly in section showing an improved tank for
holding the acetone or other solvent.
Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is the lower or main part of the cylinder or chamber of the mixer, and A' is
the top, cover, or upper part thereof, B is the chute, hopper, or feed aperture.
The lower or main part A is firmly secured to the top, cover, or upper part A¹
by bolts a or in any other convenient manner. The said lower or main part A and
cover or upper part A of the said cylinder or chamber are each closed at one end,
and these ends are bored out to form a bearing A2 to receive one extremity of a
shaft b which extends longitudinally through the said cylinder or chamber, and is
provided with suitable means hereinafter described for imparting rotary motion to

page_text: C
it. The other end of the said shaft 6 is supported by a suitable bearing c in a
cross bar or piece c¹ either formed on or firmly attached to a mouthpiece secured
by means of screws d to the open extremity of the said cylinder or chamber A.
In the said cylinder or chamber are provided, at suitable distances apart throughout
the length of the cylinder, a large number of fixed or stationary knives or blades e.
The said stationary knives or blades e are arranged to fit into slots provided in
bars which (as shown more clearly in Figure 5) slide into suitable grooves A³
formed partly in the lower portion A, and partly in the top or cover A' of the said
chamber. The shaft has also fixed thereon by means of screw threads 1
(Figure 3) or in any other suitable manner a large number of knives or blades g
so shaped that, on being placed in their proper relative positions, they form a
practically continuous worm or helix around the said shaft. The knives or blades
are arranged at suitable distances apart, or sufficient clearance is provided so that
they will work between the fixed or stationary knives or blades e. The mouth-
piece c² is provided with an opening or aperture 3 one end of which corresponds
with the dimensions of the said cylinder or chamber, and the other or outer end
whereof is of reduced dimensions.
g
At the open end of the said cylinder or chamber, and in the reduced part of the
aperture is arranged a roll, the gudgeons h' of which are supported in adjustable
bearings on the mouthpiece 2 and are provided with setting up screws. The
roll has a number of parallel circumferential grooves or channels 42, and its axis
is at right angles to that of the shaft b. j is a metal piece having corresponding
grooves or channels j¹ (more clearly shown in Figure 6) and firmly attached to the
mouthpiece in the end of the said cylinder or chamber A so that, when the roll h
is rotated about its axis, the material will be forced out through the aperture of
the said mouthpiece, and between the grooves or channels in the said piece j
and the grooves or channels 2 in the said roll in the form of strips or threads.
k is another metal piece or plate also attached to the mouthpiece c and opposite
the aforesaid grooved piece j, and provided with projections or ribs ¹ (more clearly
shown in Figure 7) which fit into the grooves 2 in the roll h so as to form a tight
joint, and prevent the escape of the material between the said roll and this ribbed
piece.
Above this roll is a shaft or spindle parallel to the said roll h, and supported in
suitable bearings m in the said mouthpiece c². n, n, are toothed discs or cutters,
somewhat resembling circular saws. The toothed discs or cutters n are firmly
secured upon the shaft or spindle in such a manner that the periphery of each of
the said toothed discs or "cutters when revolving, moves in one of the grooves h² in
the roll h, so that in the operation of the machine, the threads or strips of material
passing along the said grooves will be cut by the said teeth into small pieces or
grains. o is a plate having teeth or projections o' (more clearly shown in Figure 8)
and somewhat resembling a comb. The said teeth o' are arranged between the
toothed discs or cutters n and form scrapers to clean the sides thereof and remove
any of the material that might adhere thereto.
P
is a main or driving shaft supported in suitable bearings q on the lower part A
of the cylinder or chamber, and having at one extremity a pulley r for receiving
power by means of belt gearing from any suitable source.
The shaft or spindle is geared to one of the gudgeons of the roll / by means
of toothed wheels s, and the other gudgeon has fixed thereon a mitre or bevel
wheel t, gearing with another mitre or bevel wheel t' secured upon the main shaft p
of the machine. The said main shaft moreover is geared to the shaft or spindle 6
by means of a pinion u and a toothed wheel u. In some instances suitable
provision is made for varying the relative speed of the roll and toothed
discs or cutters n so that the machine may be adapted to cut grains of any
desired size.
In the manufacture for example of an explosive compound from gun-cotton, or
pyroxyline, by dissolving it by means of acetone or any other suitable solvent, I
introduce into the hopper or chute B of the machine the gun-cotton and the

page_text: required quantity of solvent. The gun-cotton and the solvent pass from the said
hopper into the above described cylinder or chamber, in which the ingredients are
thoroughly mixed, and the mass well kneaded, by means of the fixed or stationary
knives or blades e and the rotary knives or blades g, which are somewhat like those
employed in mincing machines. The said rotary knives or blades being arranged
as herein before mentioned in the form of a worm or helix, they force the material
along the cylinder or chamber away from the hopper or chute B.
When the ingredients (which by this time, owing to the action of the liquid and
to the pressure derived from the screw or worm, have assumed a thick pasty form)
have been forced to the end of the machine, there being no outlet except through
the grooves or channels 2 in the roll h, and the grooves in the metal piece j,
attached to the mouthpiece c², the material is forced through these grooves in the
form of threads or strips and carried around by the roll till the teeth of the discs or
cutters n falling into the grooves or channels 2 divide the said threads or strips
into small pieces or grains, the size of which can be regulated by varying the
relative speeds of the said grooved roll h and the toothed discs or cutters. n, as
above specified. Any of the said small pieces or grains which may adhere to the
roll will be removed by the plate k.
I sometimes combine with the apparatus above described a tank or vessel C such
as shown in Figure 9, for containing acetone or other solvent, and means for
supplying the said solvent in regulated or predetermined quantities into the said
hopper B. The tank or vessel C is supported upon a bracket C₁ secured to a
wall or other surface D or in any other convenient manner, and is provided
at its upper extremity with a suitable aperture (for convenience of charging the
same) closed by means of a screw plug E. The said tank C is connected by
a flexible pipe F with a smaller tank G so that, the small tank may be filled
with a suitable measure or quantity of the solvent according to the charge of
gun-cotton placed in the aforesaid hopper. The said tanks are also connected
with a pipe H for admitting air as the liquid runs out of the smaller tank. A
cock or valve F¹ is provided for shutting off communication with the large
tank E when the small tank G is charged with the required measure of the
solvent. Another small cock or valve G¹ is also provided for opening and
closing the communication with the hopper B of the mixer or powder mill.
H' is a sliding joint provided to allow the small tank to be raised clear of the
said mixer or powder mill when necessary, and H2 is a set screw for securing
the said tank either when in operation or when lifted clear of the hopper.
The outer tube of the sliding joint is supported by a suitable bracket I, or
any other convenient manner.
in
This apparatus is also applicable to the manufacture of other substances
which require to be worked in a semi-fluid or plastic state, and formed into
strips or threads or into small pieces or grains.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood
that I claim :-
First. The herein described method of manufacturing explosive compounds by
the employment of a machine or apparatus such as is herein described, and consisting
in feeding the necessary ingredients into a suitable receptacle in which they are
thoroughly mixed and kneaded, forcing the mixture through devices which divide
it into strips or threads, and then cutting the said threads into small pieces
or grains.
Second. The combination with a mixing or kneading apparatus having fixed
knives or blades, and rotary helical blades or knives, of a cylinder or roll having
circumferential grooves, and arranged at the discharge end of the said apparatus,
and a stationary grooved piece between which and the said cylinder the material
will be forced in the form of strips or threads, with or without toothed discs or

page_text: cutters for dividing the said strips into small pieces or grains, for the purposes
above specified.
Third. The combination, with a mixing or kneading apparatus, of a tank or
vessel for containing acetone or other solvent, and of suitable means for supplying
the said solvent in regulated or predetermined quantities into the hopper of the said
apparatus, for the purpose above specified.
Fourth. The improved apparatus constructed substantially as described with
reference to Figures 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings, and operating as and
for the purposes above specified.
Fifth. The improved apparatus substantially as described with reference to
Figure 9 of the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 5th day of November 1890.
HASELTINE, LAKE, & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.