IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHELLS FOR ORDNANCE, AND IN THE MACHINERY EMPLOYED THEREFOR
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Denton Abel, of No. 28, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHELLS FOR ORDNANCE, AND IN THE MACHINERY
EMPLOYED THEREFOR." A communication. from abroad by Edouard Jean
Baptiste Delacourt, of Pont-sur-Saulx, Meuse, France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Denton Abel at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th September 1880.
CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of No. 28, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in
the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHELLS FOR
ORDNANCE, AND IN THE MACHINERY EMPLOYED THEREFOR." [A communication from
abroad by Edouard Jean Baptiste Delacourt, of Pont-sur-Saulx, Meuse, France.]
One part of the present Invention relates to an improved manufacture of
shrapnell shells or shells containing bullets or pellets. According to the present
Invention rings or crowns of bullets are formed, the balls of each ring being joined
together in casting, while the upper and under sides are flattened somewhat, so
that a series of such rings can be firmly cemented together upon each other. Every
alternate ring is by preference made of a somewhat smaller diameter. A pile of
such rings having been formed this is placed centrally within the mould for the
shell, and the body of the shell is then cast round the rings of bullets which thus
form an inner wall to the shell. Each ring of bullets may consist of two concentric
sets of bullets. According to another modification a sand core is formed with
grooves, in which the bullets cast separate from each other are secured, and the
body of the shell is then cast upon such core.
The bursting charge of shells constructed as above described is introduced in
the form of a cartridge, the case of which may be of metal, caoutchouc, or other
material, and which can readily be removed when desired without any danger,
such as is attendant on the unloading of ordinary shells. The advantages of shells
constructed as above described are that they are of greater weight than ordinary
shells of the same volume, that they contain more bullets, require a smaller bursting
charge, and in bursting divide into more uniform fragments. The copper rings
that are fitted in these shells should be of greater height than those ordinarily
used in order that they may be grooved. They should also be, by preference, cast
of the required form.
Another part of this Invention relates to the manufacture of shells generally,
and has reference, firstly, to the construction of the mould boxes for the cores of
such shells; secondly, to means for removing the crust of sand adhering to the
D...
11

page_text: shells after casting; thirdly, to means for removing the fins or inequalities left on
the outer surface after casting; and, fourthly, to machinery for boring and
countersinking the hole in the head of the shell, and for cutting the screw thread
on the interior of such hole. The mould boxes for the sand cores of shells, the
construction of which is at present very complicated and expensive, are according
to this Invention prepared in a very simple and inexpensive manner as follows:-
Upon a spindle is formed a sand pattern of approximately the configuration of the
core required, and this pattern is after drying placed in a lathe and turned to tho
exact configuration required. Upon this core is then moulded the pattern for the
mould box, which is made in two halves divided longitudinally in a line with
the axis of the core, strips of metal being introduced between the joints at the time
of moulding. The pattern being thus formed it is cast into a mould box, thus
giving a mould having the exact internal configuration of the core of the shell.
For removing the sand crust from the shells after casting a number of them are
placed inside a strong metal cylinder mounted on a horizontal axis, on which it is
made to revolve slowly so as to cause the shells contained therein in falling over
from side to side to rub against each other, whereby the sand will be effectually
removed.
For removing the casting fins and roughness from the surface of the shells a
cylinder mounted on a horizontal axis is employed, the surface of the cylinder
being formed of a mixture of caoutchouc and emery. The shell placed on a pluto
carried by the framing of the cylinder-has-its-surface-presented thereto, so that the
roughnesses_are_ground_off_thereby, no water being required for this operation,
which is advantageous in preventing rust.
For boring and countersinking the hole in the head of the shell a machine is
employed consisting of a framing, on the middle of which is a fixed double head
stock, in which is mounted a horizontal shaft having a fast and loose driving
pulley at the middle of its length, and provided at each end with a socket. In each
socket is inounted a tool consisting of a cylindrical boring tool, on which is fixed or
formed at some distance from its end a conical rose cutter for countersinking. On
each end of the framing is mounted a slide, upon which is secured by means of a
strap the shell to be operated upon. From each slide a rod extends to the middle
of the framing above the headstocks, where they both have rack teeth formed upon
them, with which gears a pinion, so that by rotating the pinion by a crank handle
the slides with their shells are (simultaneously advanced towards the tools. On
being brought in contact with the tool the front end thereof first bores the required
hole, and on the shell continuing to advance the rose cutter countersinks the front
end of the hole, after which the shells are moved backwards by reversing the motion
of the crank handle.
For cutting the screw thread in the said holes a machine is employed, similar in
construction to that just described. In this case the horizontal shaft carries a
screw tap at each end and pass through two sleeves mounted in the head stocks,
between which sleeves a double sliding clutch is mounted on the shaft, so that it
can be slid in gear either with the one sleeve or the other. The one sleeve is
driven by a toothed wheel from the mill shaft, and transmits its motion by a bevil
wheel to a bevil wheel on the other sleeve through an intermediate idle bevil wheel,
so that the two sleeves revolve continuously in opposite directions. Thus it will be
seen that by sliding the clutch in gear with the two sleeves alternately the shaft
with the screw taps will be rotated alternately in opposite directions. The threads
on the screw tap being both of the same hand, the rotation of the shaft in one
direction will cause the one screw tap to enter and cut the thread in the hole of
the one shell, while the other screw tap will at the same time screw itself out of the
hole of the other shell after having cut the thread thereon. As the forward and
backward feed of the slides carrying the shells is in this case effected automatically
by the action of the screw taps, the arrangement for effecting their motion
described in the first machine is in this case dispensed with.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Charles Denton Abel in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
March 1881.
CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of No. 28, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in
the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHELLS FOR
ORDNANCE, AND IN THE MACHINERY EMPLOYED THEREFOR." A communication from
abroad by Edouard Jean Baptiste Delacourt, of Pont-sur-Saulx, Meuse, France.
One part of the present Invention relates to an improved manufacture of
shrapnell shells, or shells containing bullets or pellets. According to the present
Invention, rings or crowns of bullets are formed, the balls of cach ring being joined
together in casting, while the upper and under sides are flattened somewhat, so
that a series of such rings can be firmly cemented together upon each other. Every
alternate ring is by preference made of a somewhat smaller diameter. A pile of such
rings having been formed, this is placed centrally within the mould for the shell,
and the body of the shell is then cast round the rings of bullets, which thus form
an inner wall to the shell. Each ring of bullets may consist of two concentric sets
of bullets. According to another modification, a sand core is formed with grooves
in which the bullets cast separate from each other are secured, and the body of
the shell is then cast upon such core.
The bursting charge of shells constructed as above described is introduced in the
form of a cartridge, the case of which may be of metal, caoutchouc, or other material,
and which can readily be removed when desired, without any danger such as is
attendant on the unloading of ordinary shells. The advantages of shells constructed
as above described, are that they are of greater weight than ordinary shells of the
same volume, that they contain more bullets, require a smaller bursting charge,
and in bursting divide into more uniform fragments. The copper rings that are
fitted in these shells should be of greater height than those ordinarily used, in order
that they may be grooved. They should also be by preference cast of the required
form instead of being drawn.
Another part of this Invention relates to the manufacture of shells generally,
and has reference, firstly, to the construction of the mould boxes for the cores of such
shells; secondly, to means for removing the crust of sand adhering to the shells
after casting; thirdly, to means for removing the fins or inequalities left on the
outer surface after casting; and, fourthly, to machinery for boring and counter-
sinking the hole in the head of the shell, and for cutting the screw thread on the
interior of such hole. The mould boxes for the sand cores of shells, the construction
of which is at present very complicated and expensive, are according to this
Invention prepared in a very simple and inexpensive manner as follows:-Upon
a spindle is formed a sand pattern of approximately the configuration of the
core required, and this pattern is, after drying, placed in a lathe and turned to
the exact configuration required. Upon this core is then moulded the pattern for
the mould box, which is made in two halves divided longitudinally in a line with
the axis of the core, strips of metal being introduced between the joints at the time
of moulding. The pattern being thus formed it is cast in a mnould box, thus giving
a mould having the exact internal configuration of the core of the shell.
For removing the sand crust from the shells after casting, a number of them are
placed inside a strong metal cylinder, mounted on a horizontal axis, on which it is
made to revolve slowly, so as to cause the shells contained therein, in falling over
from side to side, to rub against each other, whereby the sand will be effectually
removed.
For removing the casting fins and roughnesses from the surface of the shells, a
cylinder mounted on a horizontal axis is employed, the surface of the cylinder being

page_text: formed of a mixture of caoutchouc and emery. The shell placed on a plate carried
by the framing of the cylinder, has its surface presented thereto, so that the
roughnesses are ground off thereby, no water being required for this operation,
which is advantageous in preventing rust.
For boring and countersinking the hole in the head of the shell, a machine is
employed, consisting of a framing, on the middle of which is a fixed double
headstock, in which is mounted a horizontal shaft having a fast and loose driving
pulley at the middle of its length, and provided at each end with a socket. In
each socket is mounted a tool, consisting of a cylindrical boring tool, on which is
fixed or formed at some distance from its end a conical rose cutter for counter-
sinking. On each end of the framing is mounted a slide, upon which is secured
by means of a strap the shell to be operated upon. From each slide a rod extends
to the middle of the framing above the head-stocks, where they both have rack
teeth formed upon them, with which gears a pinion, so that by rotating the pinion
by a crank handle, the slides with their shells are simultaneously advanced towards
the tools. On being brought in contact with the tool, the front end thereof first
bores the required hole, and on the shell continuing to advance, the rose cutter
countersinks the front end of the hole, after which the shells are moved backwards
by reversing the motion of the crank handle.
For cutting the screw thread in. the said holes, a machine is employed similar in
construction to that just described; in this case the horizontal shaft carries a screw
tap at each end, and passes through two sleeves mounted in the head-stocks,
between which sleeves a double sliding clutch -is-mounted on-the-shaft,.so_that_it_
can be slid in gear-cither with-the-one-sleeve or the other. The one sleevo is
driven by a toothed wheel from the mill shaft, and transmits its motion by a bevil
wheel to a bevil wheel on the other sleeve, through an intermediate idle bevil
wheel, so that the two sleoves revole continuously in opposite directions. Thus it
will be seen that by sliding the clutch. in gear with the two sleeves alternately, the
shaft with the screw taps will be rotated alternately in opposite directions. The
threads on the screw tap being both of the same hand, the rotation of the shaft in
one direction will cause the one screw tap to enter and cut the thread in the hole
of the one shell, while the other screw tap will at the same time screw itself out of
the hole of the other shell after having cut the thread thereon. As the forward
and backward feed of the slides carrying the shells is in this case effected
automatically by the action of the screw taps, the arrangement for effecting their
motion described in the first machine is in this case dispensed with.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figs. 1 to 4 shew the before described improved construction of shrapnell shells.
Fig. 1 shews a longitudinal section of a shell, and Figs. 2 and 3 are cross sections
thereof at different levels. The crowns or rings of bullets a, a, which are of varying
diameter as shewn, are cast in one piece with flat dressed surfaces by which they
are cemented together; the pile of rings or crowns having been formed, the body
of the shell b is cast upon them. Fig. 4 shews a plan of another form of crown.
As before described, the bullets may also be cast separate from each other on a
sand core. In order to prevent ruptures of the shells on firing, and to avoid any
brittleness of the cast iron, the shells are by preference annealed after casting.
Figs. 5 to 10 shew the before described apparatus for the manufacture of shells
generally Figs. 5 and 6 shew respectively a longitudinal section and cross-section
of a mould box for moulding the sand cores of the shells.
For constructing these mould boxes according to the present Invention, a spindle
or bar a has formed on it a sand pattern 6 of approximately the shape of the
pattern for the core of the shell. This is then thoroughly dried, and is then turned
in a lathe to the exact configuration required. The sand pattern thus formed is
then employed for forming a mould for casting the two halves c, c, of the mould
box, before casting which two cast iron dividing plates d, d, are introduced into

page_text: tho mould, so as to produce two separate half moulds. By this means perfectly
accurate mould boxes are produced for the sand cores. The dotted lines in Figs. 5
and 6 shew the external configuration of the shell relatively to the core.
For removing the sand crust from the shells after casting, which is usually done
by means of files or metal brushes, entailing considerable expense, the shells are,
according to the present Invention, placed into a cylinder f, Fig. 7, which is caused
to rotate slowly by means of any suitable power applied through the toothed
wheel g fixed on the axis h of the cylinder. The shells are introduced into an
aperture at i, which is then closed by a cover, and by the rotation of the cylinder
they are made to rub one against the other in rolling over and over, whereby the
sand crust is readily removed. The aperture i is then opened again, and the shells
are removed.
For removing the casting fins and roughnesses, the shells are applied to a grind-
stone j, Fig. 8, composed of emery and caoutchouc, which is very light, and allows
the grinding to be performed dry, thus preventing rusting. The shell rests upon a
table while being applied to the grindstone, which receives rotary motion by
pullies, or by any other means.
Fig. 9 shews a side elevation of the machine for boring and countersinking the
hole in the head of the shell. It consists of a bed m, in the middle of which is
fixed a double headstock n carrying a horizontal spindle n' provided with fast
and loose pullies n², n³. On each end of the spindle is formed a socket n³ carrying
the tool holder n' To the latter is attached, firstly, a rectangular cutter n³ for
cylindrically boring the hole of the shell, and, secondly, a conical cutter nº for
countersinking tho outer end of the hole; the extremities of the tool holders are
utilised as centering bits. The cutters at the one end have their cutting edges in
the reverse direction to those on the other end, so that both sets may operate
while the spindle is rotating in one and the same direction.
The shells O, O¹, to be operated upon are mounted on slides o³, to which are
attached racks o genring with a pinion o, so that by rotating the latter by the
crank handle o¹ both slides with their shells are made to advance simultaneously
towards the cutters. The slides run freely on the bed m and are guided by fixed
guide rods o; the shells are secured upon them by means of hinged straps p and
screws. By this machine two shells can be operated upon simultaneously, thus
effecting a great saving in time and labor.
Fig. 10 shews a side elevation of the machine for cutting the screw threads in
the holes of the shells; it is similar in construction to the machine just described,
q being the bed; q¹, the double headstock; q², a spindle having loose bevil wheels
99, provided with clutch teeth by which they can be alternately geared with the
sliding clutch upon the spindle q². The wheel q' is driven by means of the spur
wheel q³ receiving motion from any convenient motor and fixed to or formed in one
with The motion of q is imparted to q³ in the contrary direction by the
intermediate bevil wheel q mounted upon a fixed stud on the headstock q'; thus
by sliding the clutch r in gear with the one or the other wheel q³, q, the spindle q³
will be rotated in one direction or the other; this spindle passes through the hollow
bosses of the toothed wheels, and carries sockets t at its ends in which are secured
the screw taps t¹.
The shells O, O', are mounted on slides u, u¹, guided by rods u³ as in the
previously described machine, the forward and backward motion of the slides
with the shells being effected by the action of the screw taps themselves; the one
tap screwing itself into the hole of the one shell, while the other screws itself
out of the hole of the other shell, thus effecting a continuous operation of the
machine.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent,
I claim,―
First. The improved construction of shells with crowns or rings of bullets,
substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4 of the Drawings.

page_text: Second. The method herein described of forming the mould boxes for the cores
of shells generally.
Third. Removing the sand crust from shells by subjecting them to frictional
contact against each other inside a revolving drum cylinder, substantially as herein
described.
Fourth. Removing the casting fins and roughnesses from shells by grinding by
means of grindstones composed of emery and caoutchouc.
Fifth. The use, for boring and countersinking the holes of shells, of a machine
constructed and operating as herein described with reference to Fig. 9 of the
Drawings, so as to operate simultaneously upon two shells.
Sixth. The use for cutting screw threads in the boles of shells, of a machine
constructed and operating as herein described with reference to Fig. 10 of the
Drawings, so that while one screw tap is being screwed into ono shell, a second tap
is screwing itself out of a second shell.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Denton Abel, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twelfth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
ART