Improvements in the Manufacture of Pellets or Plungers for Percussion Fuzes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Apr., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 30th Dec., 1890-Accepted, 31st Jan., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Pellets or Plungers for
Percussion Fuzes.'
We, ANDREW NOBLE, a Companion of the Bath, late Captain in the Royal
Artillery, Manufacturing Engineer, and GEORGE STUART, Engineer, both of the
Elswick Works, Newcastle on Tyne, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
The pellet consists of three parts, namely:-a lead pellet, a tube, and a needle of
brass or other metal.
The tube is cut to required length and one end closed in partially.
The lead is cast in rods in a metal mould, it is then drawn through a die to give
correct diameter, the rod is then cut into suitable lengths for pellets.
The lead pellet is enclosed in a die through the ends of which a hole is pierced
to guide a punch.
The die containing the pellet is placed under a press and a hole punched through
the centre of the lead pellet.
The needle is crimped on three or more sides.
The needle is placed in the lead pellet. The pellet of lead containing the needle
is then placed on its side in a half die, the upper half of die being brought down by
a press crushes the lead sideways into the crimped notches.
In addition to the lead being crushed into the notch the die makes the lead pellet
perfectly cylindrical and of uniform density.
The lead pellet containing the needle is then pressed into the tube and the end of
tube is then closed in.
1 1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Pellets or Plungers for
Percussion Fuzes.
We, ANDREW NOBLE, a Companion of the Bath, late Captain in the Royal
Artillery, Manufacturing Engineer, and GEORGE STUART, Engineer, both of the
Elswick Works, Newcastle on Tyne, 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 pellet consists of three parts, namely:-a lead pellet, a tube, and a needle of
brass or other metal.
The tube is cut to required length and one end closed in partially.
The lead is cast in rods in a metal mould, it is then drawn through a die to give
correct diameter, the rod is then cut into suitable lengths for pellets.
The lead pellet is enclosed in a die through the ends of which a hole is pierced
to guide a punch.
The die containing the pellet is placed under a press and a hole punched through
the centre of the lead pellet.
The needle is crimped on three or more sides.
The needle is placed in the lead pellet. The pellet of lead containing the needle
is then placed on its side in a half die, the upper half of die being brought down by
a press crushes the lead sideways into the crimped notches.

page_text: In addition to the lead being crushed into the notch the die makes the lead pellet
perfectly cylindrical and of uniform density.
The lead pellet containing the needle is then pressed into the tube and the end
of tube is then closed in.
In order that our said invention may be fully understood and readily carried into
effect we will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the tube for the pellet; it is preferably of
brass.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the needle also preferably of brass.
Figure 3 is a side view of the cylindrical rod of lead for forming the body of the
pellet.
Figure 4 shews a piece or plug of suitable size cut from the leaden rod.
Figure 5 shews a longitudinal section of the leaden plug perforated.
Figure 6 shews the plug with the needle inserted and ready to be pressed between
dies.
Figure 7 is an end elevation of the dies with the leaden plug between them.
Figure 8 shews the dies closed by pressure.
Figure 8 is a section on the line A B in Figure 8.
Figure 9 shews the leaden plug with the needle now fixed within it, inserted into
tube which is to envelop it; this tube is represented in section as in Figure 1.
Figure 10 shews the pellet after the lead has been driven home into the tube and
the tube has been contracted at its rear end by pressure with suitable tools.
Figure 11 shews the pellet when finished and when superfluous lead has been cut
away so as to expose the needle point.
This method of construction results in great uniformity of grip of the lead on the
needle thereby ensuring safety with certainty of action. These pellets or plungers
are suitable for use in Hotchkiss and other percussion fuses.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is:
A pellet or plunger consisting of the three parts the plug, the needle, and the
enveloping tube; combined together substantially in the manner herein described.
Dated this 24th day of December 1890.
A. NOBLE.
G. STUART.