Improvements in Apparatus for Charging Metallic Cartridge Cases with Liquefiled Carbonic Acid Gas, and in the Construction of such Cartridge Cases.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 13th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 15th Nov., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Charging Metallic Cartridge Cases
with Liquefiled Carbonic Acid Gas, and in the Construction of
such Cartridge Cases.
I, PAUL GIFFARD of 1 Boulevard St. Denis, Paris, France, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
--
In the Specification of a prior patent No. 11050 of 1889 I described an invention
which was based on the combination with various forms of guns of cartridge cases
charged with liquefied carbonic acid gas.
The present invention consists chiefly of apparatus whereby the charging of the
cartridge cases with liquefied carbonic acid gas can be effected in a very rapid and
certain manner.
The invention also comprises certain improvements in the cartridges themselves to
adapt them to the method of charging.
The cartridge case is formed of a bar of hammered soft steel of great strength
having for example a resistance of 80 kilogrammes per square millimetre and capable
of an elongation of 20 per cent. without rupture. This bar is bored from end to end
and its front end is closed by a cap of the same steel screwed and soldered thereon.
Its rear end contains the parts for charging and discharging the liquid gas. These
parts comprise a steel stopper with a central square hole whereby the screwing and
unscrewing of the stopper are effected without affecting the external form which is
essential having regard to the important action which it fulfills in the charging of the
liquid gas. This metallic stopper carries upon a cone on its inner end a washer of
two thirds hardened caoutchouc and against this washer is placed a washer of black
Siamese horn which washer fits for only half of its thickness on the cone of the
stopper; the two washers are coated with a mastic composed of equal parts of yellow
wax, pitch and tallow; by the screwing of the stopper into the end of the cartridge
case the caoutchouc washer enters a conical part formed at the rear end of the cartridge
case. This cone imparts its form to the caoutchouc and horn washers and thus pro-
duces a hermeticity which is rigorously absolute. Against the horn washer which is
perfectly smooth bears a metallic valve of concave form, the concavity producing a
first circumferential line of contact with the horn, and when the internal pressure acts
on the valve a surface contact which increases in direct proportion to the pressure
exerted. By this combination of parts 1 effect absolute hermeticity while the horn
washer is indestructible and there is great sensitiveness to the blow by which the valve
is subsequently opened.
In a modification the valve has a central projection with its side inclined. The
horn washer is dispensed with and the caoutchouc washer is made thicker. Two lines
of contact between the valve and the washer are obtained viz.:-at the circumference
and at a certain point of the incline of the projection.
The valve in both modifications carries a strong coiled spring fitting at its rear end
on the valve and at its front end to the centre of a metal guide which bears against a
shoulder formed in the cartridge case. The metal guide has a central hole for the
passage of the gas.
The cartridge case is cylindrical internally and has a conical part in front of the
valve chamber, this conical part being for the object of facilitating cleaning so as to
remove small filings or other matters which may get into it. The interior of the
cartridge case is strongly nickelled and thus made inoxidizable.
The apparatus whereby the cartridge case charged with the liquid carbonic acid

page_text: gas, comprises a reservoir of iron or bronze previously filled through a channel with
carbonic acid gas either pumped therein or produced by chemical reaction. The
inlet and outlet valve is constructed in an analogous manner to that of the cartridge
case already described. A stopper screwed into the thickness of the metal of the
mouth of the reservoir carries two washers of two thirds hardened caoutchouc forced
into a conical part of the mouth. The valve of concave form is forced against the
second washer by a coiled spring which itself bears on a guide fixed to the bottom of
the valve chamber. The upper part of the apparatus has a stuffing box of semi-
hardened caoutchouc through which passes a metal rod fitted with a handle for
operating it. The rod bears against the valve and is screwed into a metallic cover
fixed in the mouth of the reservoir. It is thus sufficient to turn the handle in order
to open the valve. The closing of the reservoir may be effected either automatically
or mechanically.
The reservoir having been filled with liquid carbonic acid gas I place it in a vessel
of hot water at a temperature of from 40° to 50° Centigrade.
The cartridge case to be charged has an outer screw for fixing it to the apparatus
which connects it with the liquefied gas reservoir. This apparatus is formed of a
bronze block in which the end of the cartridge case is screwed. The outer end of the
stopper of the cartridge case is of special form, which form is of great importance.
This form is such that an annular space is left around the inner circumference of a
washer of supple caoutchouc fixed at the end of a chamber formed in the bronze block
against which washer the stopper of the cartridge case is screwed. Rigorously
absolute hermeticity of the connection of the cartridge case to the charging apparatus
is thus produced because the caoutchouc washer bears against the angle of a curve on
the rear end of the stopper making a circumferential line of contact and moreover the
annular space allows the gas to enter the interior of the washer which it dilates in
proportion to the pressure produced and thus causes absolute hermeticity. At the end
of the chamber into which the stopper at the cartridge case end is screwed is a
passage which conducts the gas from the channel leading from the reservoir. A screw
makes a joint with the reservoir, this joint being absolutely hermetic owing to the
washer of supple caoutchouc.
The bronze block portion of the charging apparatus has a steel rod with a taper or
conical end. This rod is screwed on the upper part of the apparatus and has a milled
disc for turning it. The rod with its cone hermetically closes the communicating
passage at the time of the charging and when the charging has been effected the cone,
the rod being rapidly unscrewed for the purpose, causes the instantaneous disengage-
inent of the gas enclosed in the connecting parts and therefore the automatic closing
of the valve of the cartridge case takes place. The gas in the connecting parts escapes
into the atmosphere by an outlet hole.
The reservoir having been placed in a vessel of hot water of about 50° Centigrade
the temperature being always equal and maintained by a jet of steam for example and
the cartridge case having been fixed to the apparatus connected with the reservoir the
cartridge case is immersed in cold water of about 15° Centigrade and always kept at
this temperature.
The rod before described with its conical end closes the passage to the outlet leading
to the atmosphere and it is sufficient to open the valve of the reservoir to allow the
liquid carbonic acid gas to pass in the gaseous state into the cartridge case where it
becomes liquefied owing to the difference in temperature and fills at once all the
capacity of the case. When this filling has been effected it is sufficient to quickly
open the disengaging gas outlet, the rod of the reservoir having been previously
unscrewed; the gas contained in the connecting parts then escapes into the atmo
sphere by the outlet hole and thus permits of the automatic closing of the cartridge
case. The filling having been completed the cartridge is simply unscrewed from the
apparatus. The apparatus can be arranged to charge either only a single cartridge
case or a row of cases at the same time.
The same external screw thread of the cartridge case which serves to fix it to the

page_text: charging apparatus equally serves in combination with an obturating washer to fix it
to the breech chamber of a gun.
Dated this Third day of Inly 1890
J. C. MEWBURN,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Charging Metallic Cartridge Cases
with Liquefied Carbonic Acid Gas, and in the Construction of
such Cartridge Cases.
I, Paul Giffard of 1 Boulevard St. Denis Paris, France, 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:
In the Specification of a prior patent dated 9th July 1889 No. 11050, is described
an invention which was based on the combination with various forms of guns of
cartridge cases charged with liquefied carbonic acid gas.
The present invention consists chiefly of apparatus whereby the charging of the
cartridge cases, with liquefied carbonic acid gas can be effected in a very rapid and
certain manner.
The invention also comprises certain improvements in the cartridge cases them-
selves to adapt them to the method of charging.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of one of the improved cartridge cases.
Figure 1 is a fractional section of a modified construction and
Figures 2 and 3 represent the charging apparatus.
The cartridge case is formed of a bar of hammered soft steel of great strength
having for example a resistance of 80 kilogrammes per square millimetre and capable
of an elongation of 20% without rupture. This bar is bored into the form shown
at A in Figure 1. Its front end is closed by a cap a of the same steel screwed and
soldered thereon. Its rear end contains the parts for charging and discharging the
liquid gas. These parts comprise a steel stopper B with a central square hole whereby
the screwing and unscrewing of the stopper are effected without affecting the external
form which is essential having regard to the important action which it fulfils in the
charging of the liquid gas. This metallic stopper carries upon a cone on its inner end
a washer c of rds hardened caoutchouc and against this washer is placed a washer c¹
of black Siamese horn which washer fits for only half of its thickness on the cone of
the stopper. The two washers are coated with a mastic composed of equal parts of
yellow wax, pitch and tallow. By the screwing of the stopper into the end of the
cartridge case the caoutchouc washer enters a conical part 6 formed at the rear end
of the case.
This cone imparts its form to the caoutchouc and horn washers and thus
produces a hermeticity which is rigorously absolute. Against the horn washer c¹
which is perfectly smooth bears a metallic valve S of concave form, the concavity
producing a first circumferential line of contact with the horn, and, when the internal
pressure acts on the valve, a surface contact which increases in direct proportion to
the pressure exerted. By this combination of parts absolute hermeticity is effected
while the horn washer is indestructible and there is great sensitiveness to the blow by
which the valve is subsequently opened.
In the modification shown in Figure 1 the valve has a central projection & with
its side inclined from 1 to 2. The horn washer is dispensed with and the caoutchouc
washer c is made thicker. Two lines of contact between the valve and the washer are
obtained namely at and 2.
y,
-The valve S in both modifications carries a strong coiled spring S¹ fitting at its rear
end on the valve and at its front end to the centre of a metal guide D which bears
against a shoulder formed in the cartridge case. The metal guide D has a central
hole for the passage of the gas...
1+

page_text: The cartridge case is cylindrical internally and has a conical part T in front of the
valve chamber this conical part being for the object of facilitating cleaning so as to
remove small filings or other matters which may get into it. The interior of the
cartridge case is strongly nickelled and thus made inoxidizable.
Referring now to Figures 2 and 3 which represent the apparatus whereby the
cartridge case is charged with the liquid carbonic acid gas R Figure 2 is a reservoir
of iron or bronze filled with carbonic acid gas which is pumped therein through the
channel C, or produced by chemical reaction. The inlet and outlet valve is con-
structed in an analogous manner to that of the cartridge case already described. The
stopper B screwed into the thickness of the metal carries two washers of 3rds bardened
caoutchouc forced into the conical part 6'. The bronze valve S of concave form is
forced against the second washer by the coiled spring S¹ which itself bears on the
part G fixed to the bottom of the valve chamber. The upper part of the apparatus
has a stuffing box V of semi-hardened caoutchouc through which passes a metal rod T
fitted with a handlet for operating it. The rod T bears against the valve S and is
screwed into the metallic cover D fixed on the reservoir. It is thus sufficient to turn
the handlet in order to open the valve S. The closing of the reservoir may be effected
either automatically or mechanically.
The reservoir having been filled with carbonic acid gas I place it in a vessel of hot
water E at a temperature of from 40 to 50° C.
The cartridge case to be charged has an outer screw 6 Figure 1 for fixing it to the
apparatus which connects it with the gas reservoir. This apparatus is shown in
Figure 3 and is formed of a bronze block M in which the end of the cartridge case is
screwed as shown. The outer end of the stopper of the cartridge case is of special
form as shown in the drawings which form is of great importance. This form with
the aid of the washer n of supple caoutchouc fixed at the end of the chamber n' formed
in the bronze block produces rigorously absolute hermeticity of the connection of the
cartridge case to the charging apparatus because the caoutchouc washer n bearing
against the angle of the curve on the rear end of the stopper makes a circumferential
line of contact whilst the annular space d allows the gas to enter the interior of the
washer which it dilates in proportion to the pressure produced and this causes absolute
hermeticity. At the end of the chamber into which the stopper at the cartridge
case end is screwed is a passage F which conducts the gas from the channel (leading
from the reservoir R. A screw N makes a joint with the reservoir this joint being
absolutely hermetic owing to the washer of supple caoutchouc.
The charging apparatus Figure 3 has a steel rod O with a taper or conical end.
This rod is screwed on the upper part of the apparatus and has a milled disc for
turning it. The rod O with its cone hermetically closes the communicating passage F
at the time of the charging and when the charging has been effected the cone, the
rod O being rapidly unscrewed for the purpose, causes the instantaneous disengage-
ment of the gas enclosed in the connecting parts and therefore the automatic closing
of the valve o fthe cartridge case takes place. The gas in the connecting parts escapes
into the atmosphere by the hole o¹.
The reservoir R having been placed in a vessel of hot water of about 50° C. the
temperature being always equal and maintained by a jet of steain for example and
the cartridge case having been fixed to the apparatus connected with the reservoir
the cartridge case is immersed in cold water of about 15° C. and always kept at this
temperature.
The rod O with its conical end closes the passage F and it is sufficient to open the
valve of the reservoir R by turning the rod T to allow the carbonic acid gas to pass in
the gaseous state into the cartridge case where it becomes liquefied owing to the
difference in temperatures and fills at once all the capacity of the case. When this
filling has been effected it is sufficient to quickly open the disengaging gas outlet
Figure 3, the rod T of the reservoir having been previously unscrewed; the gas con-
tained in the connecting parts then escapes into the atmosphere by the hole o¹ and
thus permits of the automatic closing of the cartridge cases. The filling having been
completed the cartridge is simply unscrewed from the apparatus. The apparatus can

page_text: be arranged to charge either only a single cartridge case or a row of cases at the
same time.
The same external screw thread of the cartridge case which serves to fix it to the
charging apparatus equally serves in combination with the obturating washer n to fix
it to the breech chamber of a gun.
It will be understood that the opening of the cartridge case when fitted to the gun
is produced by a striking pin worked or controlled by a trigger and acted upon by a
strong spring or other power. The blow produced by the pin upon the valve S opens
the cartridge and the gas passes therefrom into the gun.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. For the purpose of charging metallic cartridge cases with liquefied carbonic acid
gas, a carbonic acid gas reservoir having an opening fitted with a powerful spring
valve opening inwards and having a device to open said valve, in combination with an
apparatus by which the cartridge cases can be connected with the said reservoir in
order that such cases may be charged from the reservoir substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
2. In the apparatus which connects the cartridge case with the charging reservoir,
a conical ended rod such as O adapted to close and open the upper end of a passage
such as F forming the connection between the channel leading from the charging
reservoir and the cartridge case, in combination with an outlet such as o' leading to
the atmosphere, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. The supple washer (n) on the rear end of the cartridge case in combination
with the annular space (d) around the inner circumference of said washer whereby
hermeticity of the connection between said cartridge case and the charging apparatus
is ensured, as set forth and shown.
4. The combination of parts whereby the mouth of the charging reservoir R is
hermetically and automatically closed as set forth.
5. The concave valve S in the cartridge case in combination with the washer c¹
which is fitted for only part of its thickness on a conical part of the stopper B as and
for the purpose set forth and shown in Figure 1.
6. The modified arrangement of the valve S in which its face has a central pro-
jection with inclined sides, as and for the purpose set forth and shown in Figure 1bis.
Dated this 13th day of club. 1900.
КОДИЛИDOL
J. C. MEWBURN,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agent.