Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application 3rd Apr., 1890-Accepted, 7th June, 1890

page_text: or
the explosive in substantially the following manner, a layer of "Kieselguhr,
other compressible absorbent, is placed in the bottom of the box, then a stick of
explosive is cut, off the desired length, and placed centrally in the box, and the spaco
between it and the box is filled in with the absorbent, and also the space between the
cover and the explosive 17 and the absorbent 16.
These hoxes; where more than one is used, communicate with each other by means
of central openings 18 in the cover and bottom. These openings are closed by
securing a disc. of paraffin paper over them, to prevent leakage into the joint. between
the ends of the boxes, and outward to the inner surface of the cylinder. B...
This explosive carrier is inserted into the front end of the body, the disc flanges
forming a tight joint against the inner surface, and a wire 19 is secured at one end to
an eye upon the washer 12, and then the explosive carrier is drawn up to or against
'the inner surface of the plug 3. The wire passing-through the opening 5 is secured
upon the pin 7. This wire suspends the carrier adjacent to the front end of the shell;
keeping it in proper position during its storage and while being put into the cannon,
and up to the time when it receives the impetus of the firing charge of the cannon, and
this impetus instantly breaks this wire.
Then the body, released and moving independently of the carrier, is driven forward
compressing the air column between the breech and the carrier, until the inertia of
the carrier is overcome, when the body and carrier travel together.
The ports 14 operate to transmit the air compression into the chamber around the
periphery of the carrier and between the discs, and when this pressure has reached a
certain point, air will be forced, or drawn, through between the flange of the forward
disc and the inner wall of the body, into the chamber in front of the carrier,
reducing the vacuum, and, on account of the front disc fitting close, this disc regulates
-and controls the flow of air from the rear to the front, and thus regulates the back-
ward movement of the carrier, until the shell has acquired its full momentum, when
the carrier will lie adjacent to or against the breech of the body.
During all of this time, the periphery of the carrier is surrounded by compressed air,
and is supported and steadied thereby, and the flange of the rear disc being forced
outward against the inner wall of the body, its frictional contact is proportioned to
the air pressure; and it thus operates as an air brake.to regulate the forward move
ment of the body.
}
The open air chamber around the carrier operates to protect it from the heat of the
gunpowder.
The shell itself may be exploded by any ordinary. percussion cap, or fuse, or other
firing.device...
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 me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The combination, with the body of the shell, of the explosive carrying cylinder,
provided with flanged discs secured upon, and projecting beyond; its ends, and fitting
the bore of the body as set forth.
2. The combination, with the body of the shell, of the explosive carrying cylinder,
provided with flanged discs upon the ends, fitting the bore of the body, and means
for detachably holding the cylinder adjacent to the head of the shell substantially as
described.
3. The combination, with the body of the shell, of an explosive carrying cylinder,
provided with a solid flanged disc upon its front end, and a flanged valve, provided
with ports. through the flange, upon its rear end, substantially as described.
:
4. The combination, with the body of the shell, and the explosive carrying cylinder,
of the elastic washers secured upon the ends of the cylinder, and projecting beyond
them, and the flanged discs secured thereon, and projecting beyond the washers; and
fitting the bore of the shell as set forth.
5. The combination, with the explosive carrying cylinder, of a series of removable

page_text: boxes, fitting closely within the cylinder, and communicating with each other through
their ends, and a compressible absorbent packing around the explosives, within each
box, substantially as described.
6. An explosive carrying cylinder, suspended by flanged discs, secured upon and
beyond its ends, fitting the bore of the outer shell body, in combination with the outer
shell body, adapted to slide longitudinally over the cylinder, and discs, as set
forth.
7. The combination with the body of the shell, and the explosive carrying cylinder,
supported therein by flanged dises secured upon, and beyond, the ends and fitting the
bore of the body, of a series of removable boxes, fitting closely within the cylinder
and communicating with each other through their ends, and a compressible absorbent
packing around the explosives, within each box as set forth.
8. The combination with the body of the shell, and the explosive carrying cylinder,
supported therein by flanged discs, secured upon, and beyond, the ends and fitting the
bore of the body, and suspended detachably by a cord or wire, connected to the head
of the shell, and to the cylinder, of a series of removable boxes fitting closely within
the cylinder, and communicating with each other through their ends, and a compressible
absorbent packing around the explosives within each box as set forth.
9. The combination with the body of the shell, the explosive carrying cylinder
within it, the elastic washers larger than the cylinder, and secured thereon, and the
flanged discs larger than said washers, and fitting the bore of the body of the shell, of a
series of removable boxes, fitting closely within the cylinder, and communicating with
each other through their ends, and a compressible absorbent packing, around the
explosives, within each box as set forth.
10. The combination with the body of the shell, the explosive carrying cylinder
supported therein by flanged discs fitting the bore of the body, and secured upon and
beyond the ends of the cylinder, of a series of removable boxes fitting closely within
the cylinder, and holding the explosive, and communicating with each other, through
their ends, as set forth.
11. The combination with the body of the shell, the explosive carrying cylinder
supported therein by flanged discs fitting the bore of the body, and secured upon and
beyond the ends of the cylinder, and a cord or wire, detachably connecting the cylinder
to the shell body, of a series of removable boxes fitting closely within the cylinder and
holding the explosive and communicating with each other through their ends as set
forth.
12. The combination, with the body of the shell, of the explosive carrying cylinder,
the washers secured upon the ends thereof and projecting beyond their peripheries, the
flanged discs secured upon the ends of the cylinder, exterior to and projecting beyond the
washers, to fill the bore of the body, a cord or wire detachably connecting the cylinder
to the body and a series of removable boxes fitting closely within the cylinder
and carrying the explosive and communicating with each other through their ends as
Bet forth.
Dated this 21st day of March 1800
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.