Improvements in or relating to Explosives.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Mar., 1897-Accepted, 15th May, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Explosives.
I, MARTIN VAN LOOK, of 85 Mauritiuswall, Cologne in the Kingdom of Prussia,
German Empire, Manufacturer, 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:—
The quantities of the CaC, which have gradually become generally known,
have convinced me, who am a retired artillery man, that there can be no explosive
filling more suitable for missiles of every kind than the subject of this invention.
Without the contact of air and water it is absolutely harmless, but as soon as it
meets with air or water it becomes highly explosive and an explosive substance of
the most terrible kind. It thus goes without saying that we have at our command
the power of making use of CaC, as a filling for explosive substances. The
explosion is caused by the contents of a water receptacle being driven by the
action of the fusce into the box containing the CaC. The water receptacle must
be in a suitable casing and be connected with the fuse, the receptacle containing
the water and that containing the CaC, being both placed in the missile. In the
same manner air is driven into the CaC, box either from a box containing
compressed air, or the air from outside flows in. Owing to the action of the water
gas is generated very rapidly, great heat being produced at the same time, and
then owing to the addition of air oxygen and hydrogen gas which explode most
easily when containing one part of gas to twelve parts of air. The gas thus
formed either explodes of its own accord or is made to explode more quickly by
the thin flame of the fuse the explosion taking place with a force and violence
hitherto totally unknown.
The explosive missiles can be used by field and foot-artillery as well as by
marine and coast and naval artillery and also for torpedoes, etc. It is furthermore
not improbable that CaC, may be used for rifle bullets and especially for explosive
bodies for mining and for general use. When used for the last mentioned purposes
it is doubtless that CaC, will prove more efficient than dynamite. Explosions,
hitherto unknown in their terrific effect take place and by the addition of some
suitable substance to CaC, or by suitably encasing the same, all danger in its use
may be obviated, and when it is enclosed in an air-tight and water-tight casing it is
already entirely unaffected by shocks, blows, oscillation or fire and may be thus
applied without danger for the uses mentioned above.
It is quite impossible to describe all the different applications that may be made
of CaC, as they may be counted by the hundred, wherefore the description of the
principle is sufficient to enable every expert to choose a form suitable for his
special purpose.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
The application of CaC,, as a filling for explosive bodies of every kind, as well
as for explosive purposes in general, and as a substitute for gunpowder.
M. VAN LOOK,
Per W. H. Beck,
115 Cannon Street, London, E.C., Agent.