Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Discharging Oil from Vessels or from Shore into the Sea in Stormy Weather.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Aug., 1891-Accepted, 19th Mar., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Discharging Oil
from Vessels or from Shore into the Sea in Stormy Weather.
We, EVERETT DASETA MOORE, Machinist, residing at No. 914 South Charles
Street, JAMES BLACK GROOME, Attorney at Law, residing at No. 2 East
Preston Street, ELIJAH JEFFERSON BOND, Attorney at Law, residing at
No. 529 North Charles Street, HARRY WELLES RUSK, Attorney at Law,
residing at No. 2109 East Baltimore Street, in the City of Baltimore and State of
Maryland, one of the United States of America, and WASHINGTON BOWIE,
Gentleman, residing at Olney in the County of Montgomery in said State of
Maryland, citizens of the United States of America, 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 invention relates to improvements in means or apparatus for saving life and
property during storms, in harbours, along the coast, or at open sea, by the discharge
of oil into the sea, whereby there is produced a smooth surface which is not broken
by the wind, as is usually the case when the surface of the sea is violently acted
upon by the wind.
The invention consists of an oil projectile and distributer filled with oil and
adapted to be placed in a suitable projecting device, and to be projected therefrom
to a distance, and having means secured to said projectile and distributer for
drawing it through the water, after said projection, so as to cause a discharge
of oil.
And it further consists of an oil projectile and distributer filled with oil which
is adapted to be fired or projected from a gun by any suitable means, said device
being provided with means for operating its valve or valves from a distance, and it
also consists of certain other novel features and constructions hereinafter described
and particularly pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings which illustrate the invention,
Figure is a vertical central section through the projectile and distributer ;
Figure 2 is a vertical central section showing the location of the parts when the
distributer is being drawn through the water;
Figure 3 is a vertical section of the projectile and distributer similar to Figure 1,
with a perforated casing around the device, to make the same lighter.
Figure 4 is a side elevation of the construction shown in Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a modification of the projectile and distributer shown in Figures 1, 2,
3, and 4.
Figure 6 is a detail view of the catch and spring for holding the catch on the
end of the valve rod when the valves are open and the wings thrown forward, as
shown in Figure 2.
Figure 7 is a side elevation showing the projectile and distributer in position in
a mortar ready to be projected.
Figure 8 is a longitudinal central section of a modification.
Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the several views.
In order to utilize the well-known property of oil for producing a smooth surface
on the water which has been broken by the action of the wind, we have constructed
an oil projectile and distributer in which, A, represents a shell usually cast, and
having at each end ports, B, having rubber or other suitable packings or seats B',
which ports opening into the oil chamber, A', are controlled by valves, C, con-
nected by valve rod, D, held in place by guides, G, usually cast with the shell, A,
and having brass or other suitable bushings.
Upon the rol, D, is a collar, E, against which and the rear guide, G bears a

page_text: spring, F, of sufficient tension to keep the valves in a closed position except when
the device is drawn through the water.
Upon the forward end of the projectile and distributer there in provided a
catch, H, held against the rod, D, by a spring, H', so that the catch, H, snaps over
the end of the valve rod, D, when the valves are opened by the inward movement
of the rod, D, and keeps the said valves open during the travel of the distributer
through the water.
From the front end of the shell, A, project standards, I, upon opposite sides.
The wings, J, are swung on the pivots, K, at the far ends of the said standards
and have the claws, L, bearing upon the end of the valve rod, D.
Around the shell, A, there may be arranged, as shown in Figure 4, a perforated
casing, M, and the space, N, between the casing, M, and shell, A, is filled with cork
to assist in floating the projectile and distributer.
This construction is especially useful at open sea between ships, while for coast
service we deem it expedient to make the specific gravity of the apparatus such
that it will sink beneath the surface of the water in order to avoid currents;
this, however, is immaterial, as we shall make it so as to float or not, as may
be advisable.
Upon one side of the device there is placed a rod, O, which may be cast with
the shell, A, and having a rubber seat, 01, at the rear end for the ring, P, to bear
against when said ring is at that end.
To the ring, P, is attached a rope, P¹, by means of which the distributer is drawn
through the water towards the shore or rescuing ship.
The oil is carried in the oil chamber, A', by means of sponges, cotton waste,
felt, or any suitable absorbing material.
In cases of necessity the projectile and distributer is placed in a mortar, Q, or
other suitable device, and discharged therefrom by powder, compressed air, or any
suitable means towards the ship in distress, carrying with it the rope, P1, and
rings, P.
When the projectile strikes the water, the rope is pulled toward the
shore or rescuing ship, the ring, P, running back along the rod, O, to its rubber
seat, O, so that the water against which the device is pulled passing under the
wings, J, throws them forward, as shown in Figure 2, throws the valve rod inward,
and opens the valves so that the water rushing in at the rear end drives the oil out
through the front of the distributer between the wings, J, to the water. These
wings, J, are preferably of sheet metal, but any other suitable material may be
used.
The valves are held open by the catch, H, held against the end of the valve rod
by spring, H.
Referring now to Figure 5, it will be seen that the construction therein shown is
adapted for carrying oil in bulk so that no sponges, felt or cotton waste are used
for absorbing the oil, and it consists of a shell, a, having at one end an opening, a',
leading into the oil chamber, a³. Through the opening, a¹, the chamber, m, is
passed into the oil chamber, a³, and at the end within the chamber, a², the suction
pipe, h, works on a swivel joint, said suction pipe having a weight, 7, on its free
end so as to always keep said end in the oil in case of the projectile turning in the
water. The other end, n², of the chamber, m, is screw-threaded so as to fit the
threads in the opening, a', and thereby make a tight joint.
Within the chamber, m, works the pump piston, n, having attached thereto a
hollow piston, n, sliding through the stuffing box, n', and secured thereto is an
arm, c, which is pivotally attached to the rocking lever, b, swinging on a pivot, k
mounted in standards, i. From the other end of the lever, b, a rod, d, pivotally
mounted upon said lever extends rearwardly and is secured to the collar, e, sliding
on the rod, o against the collar, e, a spring, f, bears so as to keep the end of the
"lever, b, to which the rod, d, is secured in a forward position and the piston, n, in
an inward position.
The rings, P, and the rope, P', slide along the rod, o, and when the distributer
is being drawn through the water, bear against, at each pull of the rope, P³, the

page_text: 1
collar, e, and when the rope is slackened, the spring, f, throws the collar, and with
it the rod, d, forward and the piston, n, inward.
The pulling and slacking of the rope actuates through the intervening mechanisor
the pump, so that the oil is drawn from the chamber, a³, through the suction pipe,
into the chamber, m, by the forward movement of the piston, n, and as the piston, n
is returned by the action of the spring, f, the oil passes through the port in the
piston controlled by the valve, na, and out through the hollow piston rod to the
water. The valve, L', controls the flow of the oil to the chamber, m, from
the chamber, a, through the suction pipe, h.
.
Referring now to Figure 8, it will be seen from the following description that
the construction therein shown is adapted for the automatic operation of the valves
before the projectile reaches the water.
Within the shell, A, is an oil chamber, A', at the rear end of which is a
partition, B, and at the forward end a partition, B, the said partitions having
ports, B, closed by valves, C, mounted on the valve rod, D, at the forward end of
which is the handle, D', for a purpose hereinafter described.
The rod, D, passes through the guides, G, which may be cast with the shell if
desired, or may be secured thereto by bolt, G2, passing through the guides into a
lug, G', cast with the shell. After the partition, B', has been screwed to its place,
as shown, the holes, S', are drilled, and the cap, S, screwed to its place, the ends
of the partition, B, and the cap abutting as shown, to distribute the shock through
the projectile as it is thrown from the projecting device.
In order to close the valves the handle, D, is drawn forward, compressing the
springs, R, R', and R2, until the rod, U, is in alignment with an opening in the
rod, D, into which it is forced against the tension of the spring, U₁, which bears
against a shoulder, U². The rod, U, extends through the cap, T', and has an eye
near its upper end through which eye and a projection, W, cast with the shell, the
key, V, passes, thereby holding the rod, U, in the opening in rod, D, and the
springs, U, R, R₁, and R², compressed and the valves, C, closed, the wire string or
rope, Y, extends back and is secured to the side of the mortar or other projecting
device, and as the projectile is thrown from the projecting device, the key, V,
drawn from the rod, U, and projection, W, so that the said rod, U, is drawn from
the rod, D, by the expansion of spring, U', and the valves, C, opened by the
expansion of the springs, R, R', and R2, and shoulders, r, and r, bearing upon the
backs of the valves, C, the springs, R, and R2, bear against valve, C, and
shoulders, r, and 3, and the spring, R, bears against guide, G, and shoulder, .
The projectile is filled with oil through the opening, A2, in the shell, which
opening is closed by a cap.
19
When the projectile reaches the water, it is drawn backward by means of a
rope, P, attached to rings, P, running along rod, O, at the rear end of which is a
sleeve, e, and its spring, f, and the valves, C, being open, the oil is driven forward
out through the channels, B³, in the head, the water having entered the
perforations, S, and forced the oil out through the said channels..
'
In case it should be impossible to throw the projectile, as for want of a mortar,
or powder, the distributer could be carried by a boat as near as possible to the ship
in distress and dropped overboard, and operated by persons at a distance or in the
boat, so that as the surface became smooth by means of the discharge of oil, the
distressed ship could be approached with safety and the people and property trans-
ferred to the shore or other ship, so that our invention is not only a projectile and
distributer but also a distributer adapted to throw oil into the sea when being
drawn through the water.
The device could also be used by a ship in the case of a storm, by projecting
the device ahead and then drawing it back towards the ship so as to make a smooth
surface on the water, through which the ship could sail.
We do not wish to confine ourselves to the exact construction shown, as the same
may be varied without departing from the spirit of our invention, but we intend to
claim broadly an oil projectile and distributer adapted to be placed in a suitable

page_text: projecting device, and to be projected therefrom, and to discharge oil as the
distributer is drawn through the water, after the said projection; for there has
never been, so far as we are aware, such an apparatus as set forth in this.
application.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manuer the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
1. An oil projectile and distributer projected from a suitable projecting device,
means for controlling the flow of oil therefrom, and a rope or its equivalent secured
to said projectile and distributer for drawing the distributer through the water
after the said projection, so as to operate said means and discharge the oil into
the water, for the purpose set forth.
2. An oil projectile and distributer projected to a distance by a suitable pro-
jecting device, and having an oil exit port controlled by a valve in combination
with a rope or its equivalent secured to said projectile and distributer for drawing
the distributer through the water, after the said projection, so as to operate said
valve and discharge the oil into the water, for the purpose set forth.
3. An oil projectile and distributer projected to a distance by a suitable pro-
jecting device, valves for controlling the flow of oil therefrom, after the projection,
and means secured to said projectile and distributer, for drawing the distributer
through the water, so as to operate said valves, and to cause the oil to pass to the
water, for the purpose set forth.
4. An oil projectile and distributer projected from a suitable projecting device, a
valve controlling the flow of oil therefrom, after projection, and means secured to
said projectile and distributer extending to the place from which the projectile was
thrown, for drawing the distributer through the water so as to operate said valves
and cause the oil to pass to the water, for the purpose set forth.
5. An oil projectile and distributer projected to a distance by a suitable pro-
jecting device, and having ports controlled by valves, and means secured to said
projectile and distributor operated at a distance after the said projection, for
drawing the distributer through the water so as to operate said valves and cause
the oil to pass to the water, for the purpose set forth.
6. An oil projectile and distributer projected to a distance by a suitable pro-
jecting device, and provided with means for controlling the flow of oil to the water,
after the said projection, and a rope secured to said projectile and distributer for
operating said means after the projection, so as to cause the oil to pass to the water
for the purpose set forth.
7. An oil projectile and distributer projected to a distance by a suitable pro-
jecting device, said projectile provided with inlet and outlet valves operated by the
action of the surrounding water as the distributer is drawn back through the water
by means of a rope secured to the distributer and extending to the place from
which the projectile was thrown, for the purpose set forth.
8. An oil projectile and distributer projected to a distance by a suitable pro-
jecting device, said projectile and distributer having secured thereto a rope or its
equivalent for drawing the distributer through the water, after projection, so as to
.cause a discharge of oil, said rope extending from the distributer to the place, from
which the projectile was thrown and towards which the distributer
the purpose set forth.
drawn, for
9. An oil distributer having water inlet and oil outlet valves, said valves
connected to wings on the distributer, and means for operating said wings, for the
purpose set forth.
10. An oil distributer having water inlet and oil outlet valves, said valves
connected by a valve rod to wings on the distributer, and means for operating said
wings to open said valves, for the purpose set forth.
11. An oil distributer having inlet and outlet valves, said valves connected by a
"valve rod to operating wings on the distributer, and a rope connected at one end to

page_text: the distributer and at the other end to the vessel or shore, adapted to operate said
wings and valves, for the purpose set forth.
12. An oil distributer having water inlet and oil outlet valves, said valves
connected by a valve rod to wings on the distributer, and means at a distance for
operating said wings to open said valves and to draw the distributer through the
water, for the purpose set forth.
13. An oil distributer provided with outlet and inlet valves, a valve rod con
nected to said valves, and means at a distance for operating said rod to open said
valves, and to draw the distributer through the water, for the purpose set forth.
14. In an oil distributer adapted to be projected either from a gun or by the
hand, the combination of the inlet and outlet valves, the valve rod connected
to the valves, and movable or hinged wings bearing upon one end of said rod
and connections between the vessel or the shore and the distributer for operating
said wings, for the purpose set forth.
15. An oil distributer having an oil chamber and an oil exit port controlled by
a valve and means for operating said valve from a distance, in combination with a
perforated casing surrounding the shell of the distributer, the space between the
imperforate shell of the distributer and the perforated casing being filled with cork
or its equivalent, for the purpose set forth.
16. A projectile and distributer containing oil and adapted to be projected to a
distance and having a valve controlling its oil exit port, and means for operating
said valve from a distance after said projection, in combination with a perforated
casing. surrounding the shell of the distributer, the space between shell and
perforated casing being filled with cork or its equivalent, for the purpose set
forth.
17. A projectile and distributer coutaining oil and adapted to be projected to a
distance and having water inlet and oil outlet ports controlled by valves and means
for operating said valves from a distance after said projection, in combination with
a perforated casing surrounding the shell of the distributer, the space between
the shell and casing being filled with cork or its equivalent, for the purpose set
forth.
18. An oil distributer consisting of a shell, the standards, the wings pivoted
thereou, the upper end of the wings bearing upon the end of a valve rod carrying
the inlet and outlet valves, in combination with means for operating said valves
from a distance, for the purpose set forth.
19. An oil distributer having the shell, the standards, the wings pivoted thereon,
the upper ends of the wings bearing upon the end of a valve rod carrying the inlet
and outlet valves, in combination with a spring catch adapted to snap over the end
of the valve rod to prevent the valves froin closing, and means for operating said
valves, for the purpose set forth.
20. An oil distributer having a spring catch on one end adapted to snap over the
end of a valve rod carrying valves to prevent the valves from closing, and means
for operating said valves, for the purpose set forth.
21. An oil projectile and distributer having the shell, the standards, the wings
pivoted thereon and the claws at the upper ends of the wings, in combination with
à valve rod carrying valves and adapted to be operated by the claws on the wings
bearing upon said rod, for the purpose set forth.
22. An oil projectile and distributer having the shell, the standards, the wings
pivoted thereon and claws at the upper ends of the wings adapted to bear upon the
end of a valve rod carrying the inlet and outlet valves, so as to operate the same,
in combination with a spring catch adapted to snap over the end of the valve rod
so as to prevent the valves from closing, for the purpose set forth.
23. An oil projectile and distributer adapted to be projected to a distance, having
a catch on one end adapted to snap over the end of a valve rod carrying valves.to
prevent the valves from closing, and means for operating said. valves, for the
purpose set forth.
24. An oil distributer having an oil chamber and ports controlled by valves, in

page_text: combination with a rod for receiving a ring to which is attached a rope for pulling
the distributer through the water, for the purpose set forth.
25. An oil projectile and distributer adapted to be projected to a distance and
having valves controlling the ports, in combination with a rod adapted to receive a
ring running along said rod, to which ring is attached a rope for pulling the
projectile and distributer through the water after the said projection, for the purpose
set forth.
26. An oil projectile and distributer adapted to be projected to a distance and
having ports controlled by valves in combination with a rod adapted to receive
a ring running along said rod from end to end, to which ring is attached a rope for
pulling the said distributer through the water after the said projection, for the
purpose set forth.
27. An oil projectile and distributer adapted to be projected to a distance, and
having an oil exit port controlled by a valve and means for operating said valve
from a distance, in combination with a ring secured to said distributer, to which
ring is attached a rope for drawing said distributer through the water, for the
purpose set forth.
28. An oil projectile and distributer having an oil chamber and suitable absorbing
material for absorbing oil, and having an outlet port controlled by a valve, in
combination with a ring secured to said distributer, to which ring is attached a
rope for drawing the distributer through the water after the said projection, for the
purpose set forth.
29. An oil projectile and distributer in combination with a suitable projecting
device, and provided with valves operated by suitable means, and means for
discharging the oil by drawing the distributer through the water after the said
-projection for the purpose set forth.
.30. An oil projectile and distributer in combination with a suitable projecting
device, and means secured to said projectile and distributer for drawing it through
the water after the projection so as to cause a discharge of oil, for the purpose set.
..forth.
31. An oil projectile and distributer having an oil chamber and adapted to be
projected to a distance, and a piston chamber within the oil chamber and connected
therewith, and means for actuating the piston to draw the oil into the piston
chamber upon the forward stroke of the piston, and upon the return stroke to force
the oil through the hollow piston and the hollow piston rod to the water, for the
. purpose set forth.
32. An oil projectile and distributer adapted to be projected to a distance, and
having a piston chamber within the oil chamber and a connection between the oil
chamber and the piston chamber working on a swivel joint, and means for actuating
the piston to draw oil into the piston chamber upon the forward stroke of the
piston and upon the return stroke to force the oil through the hollow piston and
hollow piston rod to the water, for the purpose set forth.
33. An oil projectile and distributer adapted to be projected to a distance and
having a piston chamber within the oil chamber and a valved connection between
the oil chamber and the piston chamber working on a swivel joint and having on
its free end a weight to keep said end immersed in the oil, and means for actuating
the piston to draw oil into the piston chamber upon the forward stroke of the
piston, and upon the return stroke to force the oil through the hollow piston and
hollow piston rod to the water, for the purpose set forth.
34. An oil projectile and distributer adapted to be projected to a distance, and
having a piston chamber within the oil chamber, a hollow piston working in said
piston chamber, a hollow piston rod connected at one end to the piston and at the
other end to a rocking lever, said lever being mounted upon a standard or standards
extending from the front end of the projectile, the other end of the lever being
: connected to a rod which extends rearwardly and is connected to a sleeve sliding
on a rod to which is attached the rope for actuating the pump from a. distance, for
the purpose set forth.
"';

page_text: 35. An oil projectile and distributer adapted to be projected to a distance and
having a piston chamber within the oil chamber, a hollow piston rod connected to a
hollow piston and at its other end to a rocking lever, from the opposite end of
which extends rearwardly a rod connected to a sleeve against which a spring bears
to force the piston to its inward position, said sleeve sliding on a rod to which is
attached the rope for actuating the pump, for the purpose set forth.
36. An oil projectile and distributer adapted to be projected to a distance by a
suitable projecting device and provided with valves operated by suitable devices
before the projectile reaches the water, and means secured to said projectile and
distributer for drawing it through the water so as to cause a discharge of oil, for
the purpose set forth.
37. An oil projectile and distributer adapted to be projected to a distance by a
suitable projecting device and provided with valves which are opened by suitable
devices as the projectile is thrown from the projecting device, and means secured to
said projectile and distributer for drawing it through the water so as to cause a
discharge of oil, for the purpose set forth.
38. An oil projectile and distributer adapted to be projected to a distance by a
suitable projecting device and provided with valves opened by springs as the
projectile is thrown from the projecting device, and a rope or its equivalent secured
to the projectile and distributer for drawing it through the water so as to cause a
discharge of oil, for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 11th day of
1001
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.