IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SENSITIVE ELECTRIC FUZES AND DETONATORS AND IN THE EXPLOSIVE COMPOUND (PRIMING MATERIAL) EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1884

page_text: I PAUL WARD of 24, Woodlands Park Road, Greenwich in the County of Kent,
Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SENSITIVE ELECTRIC FUZES AND DETONATORS AND IN
THE EXPLOSIVE COMPOUND (PRIMING MATERIAL) EMPLOYED THEREIN to be as
follows -
This invention has for its object to provide an extremely sensitive Electric Fuse
easy of manufacture, cheap, reliable, and in which the chance of an accidental
explosion occurring during the course of manufacture is reduced to a minimum.
According to means and materials hitherto employed in manufacturing such
Fuzes and Detonators, certain expensive chemicals and materials have been"
employed, and also the methods of preparing the composition were expensive as
regards time employed, and were to a certain extent dangerous in the manipulation
of same. Further such Fuzes deteriorated in course of time owing to certain
chemical and galvanic actions going on within the Fuze itself, which rendered it
un-reliable and useless after a certain time. Such Fuzes were also, owing to the'
materials employed in their composition, of one quality of explosiveness, i.e. very'
mild, and if required to be used for properly exploding any of the "Nitro' com-
pounds a special and expensive detonator had to be mechanically attached thereto
in order to effect an explosion.
"
The special object of my present invention is to provide materials, methods and
manipulations, whereby the above-mentioned defects or objections are overcome.
In effecting the object of my invention I employ (preferably) small inexpensive
wire, known commercially as "bonnet wire" (about 26 B. W. G.) of iron, copper, or'
other conductor of electricity, suitably covered or insulated with cotton, silk, or
other non-conductor of electricity. This wire I cut into lengths suitable for the
purpose for which the Fuze is to be employed. I then bend the lengths of wire in
their middles (so as to form a small closed loop at the middle) to which is given
several twists, or turns, so as to twist the wire upon itself. The loop herein before.
mentioned is then cut, or the top nipped off so as to expose, or bare, the conducting
wire to a necessary extent and the un-ravelled insulating fibre may be cut or burnt
off so as to leave a portion of the wire quite bare,
י,
7

page_text: Or, I form the wire into an open loop, or bend, and bring the two free ends
evenly together which I may, or may not twist, as found desirable. The lengths
of wire formed as above described, I employ for the purpose herein-after described
with or without (as may be necessary) a coating of paraffin, or other wax or gum
to render it un-hygroscopic, and in the case of iron wire being used to prevent
rust, the wires formed as above described I term the simple armature, and the
safety armature respectively.
The explosive compound (or priming material) which I employ, is made by
mixing together in the manner herein-after specified the following ingredients, in
about the following proportions, more or less, as may be found necessary for the
various purposes for which the Fuze may be employed, vizt―
Carbon
Amorphous Phosphorous
Chlorate of Potash
Sulphur.
-
2
lbs
1
lb
0.75
. . 0.33
with the addition of Alcohol, Benzol, and Bi-Sulphide or Chloride of Carbon.
The Amorphous Phosphorous and chlorate of Potash are ground separately in a
mortar or other vessel, the Amorphous Phosphorous is then wetted with Alcohol.
I then add the Chlorate of Potash and grind the two ingredients together under
sufficient Alcohol to keep the mass from clogging, when this has been done for
about five minutes, Sulpher (which has been previously moistened with Carbon
Bi-Sulphide) is added and the whole mass is again ground for about five or ten
minutes. I then add Carbon, Coke or Lamp-black-in powder, and the whole is
again ground for a short time.
When sufficient spirit has evaporated from the mass to allow of its being taken
out in compact masses, it is placed on filtering or blotting paper, and is allowed to
dry; and is gradually warmed, (not more than 150° F.) and reduced to a powder
by a paper Knife, or other suitable instrument. The above powdered composition
is then tipped into a dry, and slightly warmed receptacle which is about three
parts full of quill end, or small tubes formed of glass, or metal, suitably coated
internally to prevent contact with the powder or armatures.
The receptacle is then covered; and is agitated or shaken about for a short time,
thereby introducing an approximately equal and small quantity of the composition
into each quill or tube (about one fifth grain) in a loose state. A quill containing
the powder is then taken out and the free end of a wire armature, formed as above
mentioned is inserted into the quill or tube thereby driving home the powder to
the bottom, or closed end, of the quill, or tube, and holding it there in close contact
with the exposed ends of the armature. I then dip the same into just melted
paraffin wax in order to hermetically seal the head of the Fuze. To further protect
the quills or tubes they may be coated (by dipping) with a compound of paraffin
and damar, or other gum, or other suitable protecting covering.
And when to be used for sub-aqueous purposes, I dip the Fuzes after the first
coat of paraffin into Portland, Roman or other hard, cement, and afterwards dip
them into a varnish.
t
P
Instead of employing the composition in the form of powder as above described,
I can use the composition in the form of paste, by which method never more than
the small quantity necessary for each Fuze (about 10 grain) is manipulated in a
dry state. In order to do this, after the mixture has been made in the mortar, or
other vessel, as above described, I add a necessary quantity of Benzol, or any other,
suitable volatile liquid, in order to slightly cake together, in a mechanical manner,
the mixture when quite dry, to protect it from disintegration, during the subsequent
processes of manipulation without, detracting from the sensitiveness of the com-
position. Having thus made a paste of a suitable consistence, I dip the exposed
metallic ends of the armature, hereinbefore described, into the said paste to ca
suitable depth, and withdraw it at once, when a small quantity of the composition.
will be found to be situated between, and in close contact with the exposed metallic,

page_text: ends which is allowed to dry spontaneously, or by the aid of a water bath, or other
suitable means. I then, if necessary, dip it again into the paste, or in other pastes
(as hereinafter mentioned). After the composition has dried on the armature I dip
it into a protective covering as herein before mentioned, with or without placing a
quill or tube over it as may be thought fit..
".
The Fuzes above described may be made more or less violent according to the
quantities and mode of mixing, and by the substitution of some Lead Nitrate for
some of the Chlorate of Potash..
>
T
-
In order to obtain a combined Fuze and Detonator, I dip the Fuze, after the
priming of the sensitive composition above described, into a detonating paste made
of an intimate mixture (under a fluid) in the required proportions of Amorphous
Phosphorous and Chlorate of Potash, but I may use any other detonating composition.
I repeat these dippings as many times as may be necessary to suit various require-
ments, and I afterwards protect the Fuze head in the manner hereinbefore
mentioned.
By the use of my "Safety Armature" I protect the Fuze, absolutely, from being
fired by accidental means, such as lightning, induced currents etc, which are now
so dangerous to existing Fuzes.

page_text: 86
I PAUL WARD of 2 Holcroft Terrace, Fulham S.W. (formerly of 24 Woodlands
Park Road, Greenwich) do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SENSITIVE ELECTRIC FUZES AND
DETONATORS AND IN THE EXPLOSIVE COMPOUND (PRIMING MATERIAL) EMPLOYED
THEREIN, 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 to provide an extremely sensitive Electric Fuze
easy of manufacture cheap, reliable, and in which the chance of an 'accidental
explosion occurring during the course of manufacture is reduced to a minimum..
According to means and materials hitherto employed in manufacturing such
Fuzes and Detonators certain expensive chemicals and materials have been employed
and also the methods of preparing the composition were expensive, as regards time
employed, and, were, to a certain extent, dangerous in the manufacture of same.
Further such Fuzes deteriorated in course of time, owing to certain chemical and
galvanic actions going on within the Fuze itself, which rendered it unreliable and
useless after a certain time.
Such Fuzes were also, owing to the materials employed in their composition, of
one quality of explosiveness (i.e) very mild, and if required to be used for properly
exploding any of the "Nitro" compounds a special and expensive detonator had to
be mechanically attached thereto in order to effect an explosion.
The special object of my present Invention is to provide materials, methods, and
manipulations whereby the above mentioned defects are overcome.
In effecting the object of my Invention I employ (preferably) small inexpensive
wire known commercially as bonnet wire (about No 26 B: W: G:) of iron copper
or other conductor of electricity suitably covered or insulated with cotton silk or other
non-conductor of electricity. This wire I cut into lengths suitable for the purpose
for which the Fuze is to be employed. I then bend the lengths of wire in their
middles (so as to form a closed small loop at the middle) to which is given several
twists or turns, so as to twist the wire upon itself.
The loop herein before mentioned is then cut, or the top nipped off so as to
expose or bare the conducting wire to a necessary extent, and the unravelled
insulating material may be cut or burnt off so as to leave a portion of the wire
quite bare.
Or, I form the wire into an open loop, or bend, and bring the two free ends
evenly together, which I may or may not twist as found desirable. The lengths of
wire formed as above described I employ for the purpose hereinafter described with
or without (as may be necessary) a coating of paraffin or other wax or gum to
render it non-hygroscopic, and in the case of iron wire being used to prevent rust.
The wires formed as above described I term the simple armature & the safety
armature respectively.
The explosive compound (or priming material) which I employ is made by mixing
together (in the manner hereinafter specified) the following ingredients in about
the following proportions, more or less, as may be found necessary for the various
purposes for which the Fuze may be employed (i.e):-
-

page_text: The amorphous, phosphorus and Chlorate of Potash are ground separately in a
mortar or other vessel. The Amorphous Phosphorus is then wetted with alcohol.
I then add the Chlorate of Potash and grind the two ingredients together under
sufficient alcohol to keep the mass from clogging, when this has been done for
about five minutes, sulphur (which has been previously moistened with Carbon
Bi-Sulphide) is added and the whole mass is again ground for about 5 or 10 minutes.
I then add Carbon, Coke, or Lamp-black, in powder, and the whole is again ground
for a short time (about ten minutes).
When sufficient spirit has evaporated from the mass to allow of its being taken
out in compact masses it is placed on filtering, or blotting paper, and is allowed to
dry, and is then gradually warmed (not more than 150° F :) and reduced to a
powder by a paper knife, or other suitable instrument.
The above powdered composition is then tipped into a dry and slightly warmed
receptacle, which is about three parts full of quill ends (or small tubes formed of
glass or metal suitably coated internally to prevent contact with the powder or J
armature) which is then covered, and agitated, or shaken about, for a short time,
thereby introducing an approximately equal and small quantity of the composition
into each quill or tube (about one fifth of a grain) in a loose state.
A quill or tube containing the powder is then taken out and the free end of a,
wire armature, formed as above mentioned, is inserted into the quill or tube,
thereby driving home the powder to the bottom, or closed end of the quill or tube,
and holding it there in close contact with the exposed ends of the armature. I then
dip the same in just melted paraffin wax in order to hermetically seal the head of
the Fuze. To further protect the quills or tubes they may be coated (by dipping)
with a compound of paraffin and damar, or other gum or suitable protective
covering. And when to be used for sub-aqueous purposes I dip the Fuze, after
the first coat of paraffin, into Portland Roman or other hard cement, and afterwards
dip them into a varnish.
Instead of employing my composition in the form of powder, as above described,
I can use the composition in the form of paste, by which method never more than
the small quantity necessary for each Fuze (about one tenth of grain) is manipulated
in a dry state.
In order to do this after the mixture has been made in the mortar, or other
vessel as above described, I add a suitable quantity of Benzol or other suitable
volatile liquid, in order to slightly cake together in a mechanical manner the
mixture when quite dry, to protect it from disintegration during the subsequent
processes of manufacture without detracting from the sensitiveness of the
composition.
Having thus made a paste of a suitable consistence I dip the exposed metallic
ends of the armature hereinbefore described into the said paste to a suitable depth,
and withdraw it at once, when a small quantity of the composition will be found
to be situated between and in close contact with the exposed metallic ends, which
is allowed to dry spoutaneously, only the aid of a water bath or other suitable
means. I then, if necessary, dip it again into the paste, or other pastes, (as herein-
after mentioned). After the composition has dried on the armature I dip it into a
protective covering as before mentioned, with or without placing a quill or tube
over it, as may be thought fit.
The Fuzes above described may be made more or less violent according to the
quantities and mode of mixing, and by the substitution of some Lead Nitrate for
the some of the Chlorate of Potash.
In order to obtain a combined Fuze and Detonator I dip the Fuze after the
priming of the sensitive composition, above described, into a detonating paste made
of an intimate mixture (under a fluid) in the required proportions of Amorphous.
Phosphorus & Chlorate of Potash, but I may use any other detonating com-
position. I can repeat these dippings as many times as may be necessary to suit
various requirements, and I afterwards protect the Fuze head in the manner
herein before mentioned.

page_text: By the use of my safety armature I protect the Fuze absolutely from being fired
by, accidental means such, as lightning, induced currents etc. which are now so
dangerous to existing Fuzes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and the manner in which the same is to be carried into effect I declare
that what I claim is:-
f
(1) The construction, and the method of constructing electric' Fuzes, substantially
as herein set forth.
(2) The Explosive Compounds (Priming Material) employed in Electric Fuzes,
and the method of preparing the same, substantially as herein set forth.
(3) The combination of a Fuze and Detonator substantially as herein set forth.