Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 9th July, 1887
Complete Left, 9th May, 1888
Complete Accepted, 6th July, 1888
We, RICHARD COPLEY CHRISTIE, MANASSAH GLEDHILL and HERBERT HANBURY
SMITH CARINGTON, all directors of Sir Joseph Whitworth & Co., Limited, of.
Openshaw, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to hydraulic brake apparatus for checking the recoil of gans
and regulating or controlling their return to the firing position.
The said invention comprises improvements in the apparatus described in the
Specification of former Letters Patent applied for on the 17th March A.D. 1885, and
dated 20th December A.D. 1884, No. 3452, whereby the return of a gun to its firing
position may be effected without imparting any shock or jar to the gun carriage or
mounting.
To attain this object according to the present invention, we combine, with the
brake cylinders, a third cylinder or other suitable receptacle which is fixed to the gun
carriage, and is provided with a piston the rod of which is attached to the front of t
chassis or frame. For convenience of description this cylinder and piston will be
hereinafter termed the compensating cylinder and piston. A pipe or passage is
provided for putting the brake-cylinders in communication with the compensating
cylinder. The said cylinders are completely filled with liquid. The transverse sectional
area of the compensating piston is equal to the collective area of the piston-rods of

page_text: the brake-cylinders. Therefore, during the recoil, the volume of liquid forced from
the brake-cylinders through the said pipe or passage into the compensating cylinder,
by reason of the progressive immersion of the piston-rods of the said brake-cylinders,
will completely fill the void produced in the said compensating cylinder, because its
piston will have been withdrawn a corresponding distance. The brake-cylinders and
the compensating cylinder are, therefore, always full of liquid whatever may be the
position of the carriage.
The communicating pipe or passage is provided with a valve loaded by a spring,
which valve is lifted, during the recoil, by the pressure of the liquid forced from the
brake-cylinders, so that it permits the passage of the said liquid into the compensating
cylinder. Under the action of its spring, the strength of which is suitably calculated,
the valve, as soon as the recoil ceases, is pressed against its seat and interrupts the
communication whatever may be the position that the gun and the carriage proper
occupy when they come to rest upon the chassis or frame; moreover, as the brake-
cylinders are full of liquid, no displacement of their pistons can take place, con-
sequently the carriage cannot make any abnormal sliding motion.
To permit the running out or return of the gun to the firing position after the
recoil, without imparting any shock or jar to the gun-carriage or mounting, we
arrange on the said communicating pipe a bye-pass or small branch passage provided
with a valve. By opening this valve, communication is established between the
brake-cylinders and the compensating cylinder, and the discharge of the liquid can
take place from one to the other; the carriage can, therefore, return to the firing
position; the speed of its return movement can, however, be controlled at will by
increasing or diminishing the opening of the valve in the said bye-pass.
This arrangement is applicable whether the carriage is placed upon an inclined
chassis or frame and returns automatically to the firing position under the action of
gravity, or whether this return is effected by the introduction of liquid under pressuro
supplied by an accumulator. In the latter case a tank and pipes serving for the
discharge and introduction of the liquid are provided.
It is obvious that more than one compensating cylinder may be used if desired.
In the foregoing description, it is assumed that the brake-cylinders and the com-
pensating cylinder are connected with the carriage proper and are movable; the
improvements are, however, applicable in cases where the piston-rods are movable and
the cylinders fixed, and also to various other combinations which can be employed for
ensuring the inverse relative motions of the cylinders or pistons of the brake and the
cylinder or piston of the compensating device. The liquid is, in some instances,
caused to pass from the movable cylinder or cylinders into the fixed cylinder
or cylinders through passages provided in the interior of the fixed piston rod
or rods.
When the above described improvements are applied to gun carriages or mountings
for use on a ship or vessel, the automatic action of the spring-loaded valve maintains
the gun and carriage proper in position at any point of the recoil, whatever inclination
the apparatus may assume by reason of the rolling motion of the vessel. To ensure
this result, the force of the spring must be greater than the pressure transmitted by
the liquid to the valve during such rolling motion, whatever may be the extent of the
latter.
In some instances, the hydraulic brake is provided with the devices hereinafter
described whereby the velocity of the return to the firing-position can be effectually
controlled, that is to say -The piston-rod is made hollow, and in this rod is arranged
another rod of smaller diameter and likewise hollow. The cylinder and the cavity of
the large rod communicate through suitable conduits or passages. A valve is provided
for putting the annular space between the two rods in communication with the conduit
or passage in the small rod. Another valve is, moreover, provided which permits
communication to be established through suitable orifices between the conduit or
passage in the small rod and the space in the cylinder at the rear side of the piston.
During the recoil, the liquid passes from the cylinder into the large rod and fills
the annular space between the two rods, pushes back the valve, and enters the space

page_text: within the two rods. At the termination of the recoil, tho weight of the gun puts
the liquid contained in this space under pressure, the said valve is closed, and the
carriage cannot make any motion, unless or until the controlling valve is opened
to permit the liquid to escape into the space in the cylinder at the rear side of the
piston.
This opening can be regulated at will, so that the return of the gun to the firing
position can be caused to take place with the desired slowness and regularity.
D
1 1
1
1067
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hydraulic Brake-apparatus for Ordnance.
We, RICHARD COPLEY CHRISTIE, MANASSAH GLEDHILL and HERBERT HANBURY
SMITH CARINGTON, all directors of Sir Joseph Whitworth & Co., Limited, of Openshaw,
Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers, 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 relates to hydraulic brake-apparatus for checking the recoil of guns
and regulating or controlling their return to the firing position.
The said invention is chiefly designed to improve the construction and increase the
efficiency of brake-apparatus of the kind or class described in the specifications of
former Letters Patent dated respectively 20th December A.D. 1884, No. 3452, and
27th June A.D. 1887, No. 9125.
To provide for controlling the running out of the gun, according to the present
invention, we combine, with the brake-cylinders, a device which we will hereinafter
term the compensating dovice. In this device liquid displaced from the brake-
cylinders in the recoil by the progressive immersion of the piston-rods, is received
and retained until its return to the brake-cylinders, or its discharge or escape, is
permitted by opening a valve. The running out or return of the gun to the firing
position will then take place under the action of gravity or otherwise, its velocity being
regulated by the extent of opening of the said valve.
Our said invention, moreover, comprises other improvements hereinafter set forth.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a side elevation of part of a gun-mounting provided with brake-
apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2 is a plan, partly in section on the lines, r, and ¹, ¹, Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the said gun-mounting.
Figure 4 is a side elevation, partly in vertical section.
Figure 5 a plan, partly in section on the line, y, y, and y', y', Figure 4, and
Figure
6 a rear elevation, illustrating a modification of the said invention.
Figure 7 is a longitudinal central section, and
Figure 8 a transverse section, illustrating a further modification of our said
invention.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is the base-plate or racer; B the turntable or under-carriage. (Care the
brake-cylinders, which are united by a transom C and form therewith the cradle or
top-carriage of the gun-mounting. This cradle or top-carriage is formed with
bearings in which the gun is mounted by means of its trunnions, and the said
cradle or carriage is arranged to move longitudinally upon slides D on the under-
carriage B of the said gun-mounting. E, E are the pistons of the hydraulic brakes,
the rods E of which are firmly fixed in brackets or bosses D' at the rear ends of
the slides D.

page_text: F is the cylinder of the compensating device, which is formed on, or firmly
attached to the top-carriage. This cylinder is provided with a ram or plunger G,
which is firmly secured at D in a transom at the forward end of the chassis, frame
or under-carriage B. Pipes H, H' are provided for communication between the
brake-cylinders C and the compensating cylinder F. These pipes connect the
cylinders C with a valve-box I, which is connected by a short pipe J with the com-
pensating cylinder F. The valve-box I contains a valve K loaded by a so-called
"Belleville" spring L or by other suitable means. In Figures 2 and 5, the pipe H
is omitted to show more clearly the parts beneath the same.
In the apparatus shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, a small bye-pass or branch passage a
is formed in the valve-box I and is provided with a regulating valve b. The stem of
this valve has fixed thereon a pinion c which is geared with a pinion d upon a shaft e
carried in bearings el formed with, or attached to the chassis or under-carriage B,
and extending through bearings formed or fixed on the cradle or top-carriage. The
pinion d is secured upon the shaft e by means of a key fitted to slide in a long key-
way in the said shaft, so that, although the said pinion must rotate with the shaft,
it is free to slide longitudinally thereon in the to-and-fro movement of the gun upon
the slides D. Therefore, whatever may be the position of the gun on the said slides,
the valve b can be controlled by turning the shaft e, which is provided, for this
purpose, with a lever f. By these means, the said valve can be adjusted while the
gun is moving upon its slides. Other suitable means may, if desired, be provided for
effecting the adjustment of the said valve whatever may be the position of the gun on
its slides. For instance an arm may be keyed upon the shaft e and connected by a
link with an arm or lever on the valve-stem.
The cylinders C, F and the pipes and passages connecting the same are filled with
liquid. By and during the recoil, the liquid in the brake-cylinders C in front of the
pistons E is forced to the rear of the latter, as in other well-known hydraulic recoil-
brakes, and a volume of liquid is displaced from the said cylinders by reason of the
progressive immersion of the piston-rods E. The liquid thus displaced is forced
through the pipes H, Hand, lifting the valve K, passes through the pipe J into the
compensating cylinder F.
The transverse sectional area of the ram or plunger G is equal to that of the two
piston-rods E' of the recoil-brakes. Therefore, during the recoil, the volume of liquid
which, as above described, passes from the brake-cylinders into the compensating
cylinder F will completely fill the void produced in the latter by its rearward move-
ment, because the said cylinder will have been, by such rearward movement, displaced
relatively to the rum or plunger G through a distance equal to that through which the
brake-cylinders are displaced relatively to their pistons. The brake-cylinders and the
compensating cylinder are, therefore, always full of liquid whatever may be the position
of the gun and top-carriage on the slides D.
At the termination of the recoil, the valve K closes under the action of its spring L
(the strength of which is suitably calculated) and interrupts the communication
between the brake-cylinders and the compensating cylinder, whatever may be the
position of the gun and top-carriage when they come to rest upon the slides Ď.
The liquid in the compensating cylinder, being retained therein, will then prevent
displacement of the said cylinder, consequently the gun and top-carriage will be held
in their recoiled position and cannot run out or return to the firing position until
communication is established between the brake-cylinders C and the compensating
cylinder F by opening the valve b. When this valve is opened, liquid can How from
the compensating cylinder into the brake-cylinders through the bye-pass a, and the
gun and top-carriage will, therefore, return to the firing position under the action of
gravity; the speed of this return movement can be regulated or controlled at will by
the adjustment of the valve b, so that no shock or jar will be imparted to the gun-
mounting at the termination of the return movement.
Our invention is applicable to gun-mountings wherein the gun and top-carriage are
placed upon an inclined chassis, frame or under-carriage and run out or return to the
firing position, under the action of gravity as above described; and also to gun-

page_text: .
mountings wherein this running out or return is effected by the reaction of springs or
by the introduction into the brake-cylinders of liquid under pressure supplied by an
accumulator or pump.
Figures 4, 5, and 6 shew the apparatus so constructed that the running out or
return of the gun to the firing position will be effected by the introduction of liquid
under pressure into the brake-cylinders. In this modification of our invention,
moreover, the running in of the gun will be effected by the introduction of liquid
under pressure into the compensating cylinder.
The piston-rods E' are made hollow or tubular and are connected by pipes M, M'
with a box or casing N in which is arranged a distributing valve of any suitable
construction. The rod or stem N' of this valve is coupled to the short arm 0* of a
lever pivoted at O' to the under-carriage B and provided with any well-known or
suitable dovice for retaining it in its central position or at either extremity of its
movement.
The ram or plunger G of the compensating device is also made hollow or tubular,
and is connected by a pipe P with the valve-box N. The valve-box N is connected by
pipes Q, R with suitable pressure and exhaust mains.
In the recoil, the liquid displaced from the brake-cylinders is forced into the
compensating cylinder F through the pipes H, H', valve-box I and pipe J as herein-
before described, and, at the termination of the recoil, the valve K closes and the gun
and top-carriage are retained in their recoiled position..
To run out the gun, the lever O is operated to move the distributing valve in the
box N into such a position that the cylinders C will be in communication with the
pressure-main and the cylinder F in communication with the exhaust.
If it is desired to run in the gun without firing the same, the lever O is operated to
move the said distributing valve into such a position that the cylinder F will be in
communication with the pressure-main and the cylinders C with the exhaust.
The slides D of the gun-mounting shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6 are inclined. It is
obvious, however, that the improvements illustrated in these Figures are applicable to
gun-mountings with horizontal recoil-slides.
Our present improvements are also applicable to gun-mountings wherein the gun
recoils upon a pivoted beam or slide which can be raised and lowered to effect the
vertical pointing or elevation of the gun; and to other gun-mountings whether the
gun he supported by trunnions or otherwise.
Moreover although we have, in Figures 1 to 6, shown gun-mountings so constructed
that the piston-rods will be in compression during the recoil, we wish it understood
that our invention can, in somo instances, be adapted to gun-mountings wherein the
piston-rods of the recoil-brakes are in tension during the recoil.
One peculiar feature of our invention consists in securing one part of the com-
pensating device, viz. :-the cylinder or the plunger, to the under-carriage and the
other part to the top-carriage so that, in the movement of the said top-carriage upon
the slides, the one part will be moved or displaced relatively to the other for the
purpose above specified.
In both forms or modifications of our apparatus hereinbefore describod, the brake-
cylinders and compensating cylinder F are connected with the top-carriage and are
movable therewith. Our improvements are, however, applicable with equal advantage
in cases where the cylinders are fixed and the pistons or plungers movable, and also
to various other combinations for ensuring the inverse relative motions of the cylinders
or pistons of the brake and the cylinder or plunger of the compensating device.
In some instances, provision is made for the passage of the liquid from the brake
cylinder or cylinders into the compensating cylinder or cylinders and vice versu through
the interior of fixed hollow or tubular piston-rods or plungers.
It is obvious that more than one compensating cylinder may be used if necessary or
desirable.
When the above described improvements are applied to gun-mountings for use on a
ship or vessel, the automatic action of the spring-loaded valve K ensures the retention
of the gun and top-carriage in position at the termination of the recoil, notwithstanding

page_text: the inclination of the apparatus by reason of the rolling motion of the vessel. To
ensure this result, the force of the spring L must be greater than the pressure trans-
mitted by the liquid to the valve K during such rolling motion whatever may be the
extent of the latter.
In the modifaction of our invention illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the hydraulic
brake-apparatus is provided with the devices hereinafter described whereby the gun
will be retained in its recoiled position and the velocity of its running out or return
to the firing position can be effectually regulated or controlled, that is to say:-Tho
piston E is formed with slots E through which extend taper bars E³ fixel in the
cylinder C, substantially as described in the said former specification No. 3452. Or
the said piston may be otherwise so constructed as to permit and control the flow of
liquid from one side to the other side thereof. The piston-rod E¹ is made hollow or
tubular and in this rod is enclosed another hollow or tubular rod S firmly secured in
the rear end of the cylinder C. The cylinder and the annular spice or cavity g
between the rod E' and the rod S are in communication through apertures or
passages g in the said rod E¹.
A valve is provided for controlling the communica-
tion between the said annular- space and the chamber, cavity or passage S in the
rod S. This valve is fitted to slide upon a reduced part of the rod S. An adjustable
valvejis, moreover, provided which closes the chamber or passage S', and whereby
communication may be established through suitable orifices at between the said
chamber or passage S¹ and the space in the cylinder C at the rear of the
piston E.
During the recoil, liquid from the cylinder C passing through the apertures g¹ into
the annular space y between the two rods, lifts the valve h from its seat and enters the
central chamber or space within the rod S. Liquid also passos the piston E into
the space behind the said piston. At the termination of the recoil, the valve closes
so that the liquid is retained in the chamber or space Sunder pressure due to the
weight of the gun and top-carriage or to force applied to effect the return of the gun
to the firing position by springs or otherwise; therefore the gun and top-carriage
cannot move unless or until the controlling valve į is opened to permit the liquid to
escape from the said chamber S' into the space in the cylinder at the rear of the piston.
The opening of this valvej can be regulated at will, so that the return of the gun to
the firing position can be controlled as desired. It will be seen that the rod S and
hollow piston-rod E' constitute a controlling device acting for the same purpose as the
compensating device herein before described.
The hollow rod E' may, if desired, be connected by a pipe T with an accumulator or
pump to permit the running in of the gun without firing the same.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to us
by our foreign Correspondent we wish it understood that we are aware that various
forms of apparatus have been devised for use in combination with hydraulic recoil-
brakes for ordnance for the purpose of regulating or controlling the running out or
return of the gun to its firing position after its recoil, we therefore do not claim
generally or apart from our improvements herein specified the provision or use of
means for accomplishing this result, but we claim :-
First. A brake-apparatus in which there is a pair of hydraulic recoil-cylinders
arranged in combination with a compensating device, one part of which device is
secured to the under-carriage and the other part of which is attached to and moves
with the top-carriage, as, and for the purpose, above specified.
Second. In a gun-mounting wherein the gun recoils upon a horizontal or inclined
slide, the combination, with hydraulic brake-cylinders from which liquid is displaced
during the recoil, of a compensating device having a cylinder or cylinders separate
from the brake-cylinders but connected and communicating therewith in such a
manner as to permit the recoil and control the return of the gun, substantially as, and
for the purpose, set forth.
Third. Providing the said apparatus with a bye-pass or branch passage and an

page_text: adjustable valve and means for operating the same in any position of the gun and top-
carriage on the chassis or under-carriage, as, and for the purpose, above specified.
Fourth. The brake-cylinders and compensating device connected by pipes or passages
with a distributing valve whereby either the said cylinders or the compensating device
may be put into communication with the pressure-main or with the exhaust-main,
substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
.
Fifth. A hydraulic brake-apparatus wherein, during the recoil, liquid is displaced
from the cylinder on one side of the piston into a chamber in which it is retained to
prevent the running out of the gun and whence it can be allowed to enter the cylinder
on the other side of the piston to permit and regulate the running out, as and for the
purpose, above specified.
Sixth. The gun-mounting provided with the brake-apparatus consisting of the parts
constructed and combined substantially as described with reference to Figures 1, 2
and 3, or to Figures 4, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings and operating as, and
for the purposes, above specified.
Seventh. The hydraulic brake-apparatus consisting of the parts constructed and
combined substantially as described with reference to Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings,
and operating as, and for the purpose, above specified.
1
CAL
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicants.