IMPROVEMENTS THE MECHANISM FOR WORKING HEAVY GUNS OR ORDNANCE
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for
Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS THE MECHANISM
FOR WORKING HEAVY GUNS OR ORDNANCE."-A communication from
abroad by James Buchanan Eads, of St. Louis, in the State of
Missouri, United States of America.
Sealed the 25th May 1869, and dated the 24th March 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward
Newton at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 24th March 1869.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Oflice for Patents, 66, Chancery.
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
THE MECHANISM
FOR WORKING HEAVY GUNS OR ORDNANCE," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a method of storing up the power developed
in the recoil of large guns so that it may be afterwards used at the will
of the operator in running the gun into battery, or in raising it above
[Price Sd.]

page_text: a parapet or other defences to admit of firing over the same; and like-
wise in lifting the shot to the gun so as to facilitate the loading of the
same.
It also consists in combining the aforesaid devices or their equivalents,
when used for accomplishing the aforesaid results, with a turret either
fixed or rotary,..
It likewise consists in the combination of a radius bar with the gun
itself in such a manner that the desired vertical range of the gun may
be given when the gun is in position for firing, and yet restore the gun
as it recoils to the proper position for loading without reference to the
direction in which it was discharged, and in the combination of the
radius bar with two levers so as to support the gun on the levers and
the radius bar, and thus dispense with the use of the ordinary gun
carriage for its support, by which arrangement simplicity of construction
is attained more fully and greater immunity from derangement of the
parts is secured more completely. These desirable objects are attained
by using an air cylinder in connection with the levers for upholding
the gun so that air; when in its natural density may be compressed in
the cylinder by the force of the recoil of the gun acting on a plunger or
piston which moves in the cylinder, and by retaining this air while thus
compressed the power developed by the recoil is stored up and may be
released at the will of the operator for the purposes aforesaid. To raise
the shot to the gun the levers which support the latter are caused to
raise a counterweight while the gun is being raised to the firing position
and this weight is held when thus raised by a check.
After the yarn is
discharged and recoils to the loading position and is ready to receive
the slot the check is removed and the counterweight by its descent is
made to elevate to the bore of the gun a ladle or receiver in which the
shot has been placed. When the ladle has been relieved of the shot its
connection with the counterweight is severed and the ladle then
descends by its own weight ready to receive another shot. Where the
gun is simply run into battery without being elevated above the parapet
the usual gun carriage is retained, and this moving on slides or a chassis
is made to elevate a counterweight, and by the descent of the latter
the raising of the shot is accomplished by similar devices to those
described; the recoil of the gun in this case is taken up by a direct
connection between the gun carriage aforesaid and the piston or plunger.
"As compressed air will escape through more minute openings than

page_text: water will this escapement is avoided by using a proper quantity of
water, oil, or other fluid in the cylinder and by having a small chamber
above and in connection with the cylinder into which the air and a
portion of the water is to be forced by the recoil acting against the
plunger. This chamber is made without joints in its upper parts and it
may be located in the plunger for convenience, the valve retaining the
air is at the lowest part, and as the valve will be covered with water at
each recoil after the air has been driven into the chamber the air cannot
escape until the valve is opened. To prevent the escape of the air
through the packing of the valve rod the latter is made to pass through
a tube extending from the top of the air chamber down close to the
valve and the packing around the valve rod is placed at the lower end
of the tube, which end will be covered by the water at each recoil of
the gun. The tube may be cast as a part of the chamber to avoid air
joints at its junction with the top of the clamber. If the valve be of
large dimensions a small piston may be used in the tube instead of the
packing and to this piston which will be placed at the bottom of the
tube the valve will be attached. As the top of the tube will be open the
pressure on the valve will be balanced by that against this piston, and
by attaching the valve rod to this piston the valve will be opened with
The packing of this small piston and of the plunger will be
similar to that used for hydrostatic presses. By lessening or increasing
the quantity of water in the cylinder the gun may be stopped in its
recoil at the same point when lighter or heavier charges of powder are
used. The power developed by the recoil may be stored up by means of
springs coiled round drums or round an axle. When the devices before-
mentioned are used in connection with a turret they are placed upon a
platform which may be made to rotate with or independently of the
turret. When used for land batteries they may be mounted upon a
centre pintle platform, or on a carriage with the pintle or centre of
rotation at one end of the same, so as to admit of such horizontal
training of the gun as may be desired. One or more guns may be
inclosed in the same furret and worked by the devices as described.
ease.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Edward Newton in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 24th September 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fourth day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-second
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said William Edward Newton, Her special licence
that I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Edward
Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the time therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MECHANISM FOR WORKING HEAVY GUNS OR ORDNANCE,"
being a communication to me from abroad by James Buchanan Eads, of
St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, United States of America, upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Edward Newton, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or
their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Edward Newton, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is
to say)-
This Invention consists of a new method of storing up the power
developed in the recoil of large guns, so that it may be afterwards used
at the will of the operator in running the gun into battery, or in raising

page_text: it above a parapet or other defences to admit of firing over the same;
and likewise in lifting the shot to the gun so as to facilitate the loading
of the same.
It also consists in combining the aforesaid devices or their equivalents
(when used for accomplishing the aforesaid results) with a turret either
fixed or rotary.
It likewise consists in the combination of a radius bar with the gun
itself in such a manner that the desired vertical range of the gun may
be given when the gun is in position for firing, and yet restore the gun
as it recoils to the proper position for loading without reference to the
direction in which it was discharged, and in the combination of the
radius bar with two levers so as to support the gun on the levers and the
radius bar; and thus dispense with the use of the ordinary gun carriage
for its support, by which arrangements simplicity of construction is
attained more fully and greater immunity from derangement of the parts
is secured more completely. These desirable objects are attained by
using an air cylinder in connection with the levers for upholding the gun,
so that air when in its natural density may be compressed in the cylinder
by the force of the recoil of the gun acting on a plunger or piston which
moves in the cylinder, and by retaining this air while thus compressed
the power developed by the recoil is stored up and may be released at
the will of the operator for the purposes aforesaid. To raise the shot to
the gun the levers which support the latter are caused to raise a counter-
weight while the gun is being raised to the firing position and this
weight is held when thus raised by a check. After the gun is discharged
and recoils to the loading position and is ready to receive the shot the
check is removed and the counterweight by its descent is made to elevate
to the hore of the gun a ladle or receiver in which the shot has been
placed. When the ladle has been relieved of the shot its connection
with the counterweight is severed and the ladle then descends by its own
weight ready to receive another shot. Where the gun is simply run into
battery without being elevated above the parapet the usual gun carriage
is retained, and this moving on slides or a chassis is made to elevate a
counterweight, and by the descent of the latter the raising of the shot is
accomplished by similar devices to those described. The recoil of the
gun in this case is taken up by a direct connection between the gun
carriage aforesaid and the piston or plunger. As compressed air will
escape through more minute openings than water this escapement is

page_text: prevented by using a proper quantity of water, oil, or other fluid in the
cylinder, and by having a small chamber above and in connection with
the cylinder into which the air and a portion of the water is to be forced
by the recoil acting against the plunger. This chamber is made without
joints in its upper parts, and it may be located in the plunger for con-
venience. The valve retaining the air is at the lowest part and as the
valve will be covered with water at each recoil after the air has been
driven into the chamber, the air cannot escape until the valve is opened.
To prevent the escape of the air through the packing of the valve rod,
the latter is made to pass through a tube extending from the top of the
air chamber down close to the valve, and the packing around the valve
rod is placed at the lower end of the tube, which end will be covered by
the water at each recoil of the gun. The tube may be cast as a part of
the chamber to avoid air joints at its junction with the top of the
chamber. If the valve be of large dimensions a small piston may be
used in the tube instead of the packing, and to this piston, which will be
placed at the bottom of the tube, the valve will be attached. As the top
of the tube will be open the pressure on the valve will be balanced by
that against this piston, and by attaching the valve rod to this piston the
valve will be opened with ease. The packing of this small piston and of
the plunger will be similar to that used for hydrostatic presses. By
lessening or increasing the quantity of water in the cylinder the gun
may be stopped in its recoil at the same point when lighter or heavier
charges of powder are used. The power developed by the recoil may be
stored up by means of springs coiled round drums or round an axle.
When the devices before mention are used in connection with a turret
they are placed upon a platform which may be made to rotate with or
independently of the turret. When used for land batteries they may be
mounted upon a centre pintle platform, or on a carriage with the pintle
or centre of rotation at one end of the same, so as to admit of such
horizontal training of the gun as may be desired. One or more guns
may he enclosed in the same turret and worked by the devices as
described.
In the accompanying Drawings Fig. 1 is a plan of a turret inclosing
the devices for working the gun; Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the
turret with a side view of the gun cylinder, levers, and other devices for
working the gun; Fig. 3 is an end view of the same; Fig. 4 is
a sectional elevation through the longitudinal axes of the gun and
cylinder,

page_text: The
A represents the gun which is shewn in Figures 3 and 4 in an elevated
position for firing over the turret 1. In Fig. 2 the gun is shewn at rest
after recoil, and below the top of the turret I. The gun is upheld on the
levers B, B, and the radius bar. The levers B, B, are supported on
the frame C, which also supports the recoil cylinder D through its
trunnions d, d. The plunger E works in the cylinder D through the
packed joint at e, and is hollow, being open at the lower end.
plunger is attached by its trunnions f, f, to the levers B, B, and as the
levers are secured to the frame C at their lower ends by the axle J and
to the trunnions of the gun at their upper ends they force the plunger E
into the cylinder as the gun recoils. The lower part of the cylinder
being filled with water the air in in the plunger (which is hollow) and in
the upper part of the cylinder is compressed by the descent of the
plunger, and at the same time the thickness of the walls of the plunger
causes the water to rise in a corresponding ratio within the cylinder and
to fill the entire lower portion of the plunger and to enter the upper or
contracted portion of it, which upper or contracted portion or chamber
is closed by the valve K. The force exerted by the fall of the gun from
the height at which it is fired to the level at which it is brought to rest,
and the force of the recoil will compress the air to a degree which may
be accurately calculated or may be ascertained by experiment, and by SO
proportioning the quantity of water in the cylinder, accordingly the
stroke of the plunger may be shortened or increased, for it must be
evident that if there be a larger volume of water in the cylinder it will
be forced into the air chamber L, Fig. 4, with a given stroke of the
plunger sooner than with a lesser quantity. Hence a given stroke of
plunger will produce a greater density in the air if the volume of water
be increased; therefore, when heavy charges are fired by the gun the
requisite pressure of air may be produced without altering the length of
stroke simply by increasing the quantity of water in the cylinder, and
thus the gun may be brought to rest at the same level (whether the
charges be light or heavy), and thus facilitate the rapid loading of the
piece. The air chamber will bear such relative proportion in size to
the area of the cylinder as will ensure its reducing the original volume
of the air to the required degree of density, and also admitting
sufficient quantity of water above the valve, as to insure the valve and
the lower end of the tube M, through which the valve rod passes, being
covered with water to prevent the leakage of air. In Fig. 3 this tube is
represented as containing a piston to balance the pressure upon the
a

page_text: valve K to which it is attached. The valve is opened after the gun is
loaded and ready to be raised by the lever Q, Figures 1 and 3, fixed on
the shaft P, and moving the cam or lever R, also on the shaft P. The
gun is checked from going out too rapidly by an enlargement on the
lower end of the plunger, which when the latter is nearly out retains a
small quantity of water in momentary confinement between this enlarge-
ment and the gland or packing of the cylinder and the walls of the
plunger and the cylinder. The centre of gravity of the gun falls beyond
the axle on which the lower ends of the levers rest when the gun is
ready for firing, and this insures its going out to the full stroke of the
plunger every time, and serves to increase the length of the stroke of
the same, and to prevent the gun from falling back by any casualty before
firing.
The radius bar F, Fig. 2, is attached to the gun by the pivot at G,
and to the slide H, which moves between the curved bars S, S. The
curve of these bars forms arcs of circles, the centre of which is the
pivot G. When the gun is at rest its position will not be altered by
raising or lowering the lower end of the radius bar by shifting the
position of the slide H, but it is evident that if the slide H be raised or
lowered it will effect a corresponding change in the height of the pivot G
when the gun is raised above the turret, and will thus alter the vertical
direction of the gun when in the firing position and still return it..
constantly to the same position for loading. The slide H may be moved
by the elevating screw T by means of the connecting strap U, which is
pivoted at V to H, and at its upper end to a nut moving on the screw
and in slotted openings. By an index finger on the nut and a graduated
scale on the hollow column containing and supporting the screw the
index may be made to shew the elevation of aim of the gun.
The axle J, Fig. 2, has fixed upon it a collar Z, having a lateral
projection or pin which causes the segmental wheel Y, Y, to move with
the axle when it is turned in one direction, but not in the other. The
segmental wheel rotates freely upon the axle J. The levers supporting
the gun are secured to this axle and cause it to make a partial rotation
when the gun is raised. This partial rotation is imparted by Z to the
segmental wheel, and one of its segments is thus made to raise the
counterweight, which is attached to a cord secured to the periphery of
the segment. The other segment has a toothed periphery, and turns the
pinion y which is fixed on the axle X, Fig. 2. On the middle of this

page_text: axle is placed the chain wheel g having a chain on its rim, the lower
end of which is secured to the upright support n at its lower extremity,
and on the upper end of this support is secured a ladle p to receive the
shot. By turning the wheel g in one direction the chain will be wound
around it, and the upright n will be raised with the shot to the gun. The
axle X turns freely within the nave of the wheel g in one direction, but
when turned in the other it causes the wheel to rotate with it, because
of the action of a clutch h, Figs. 1 and 3, secured on the axle so as to
release the wheel in one direction, but secure it in the opposite one.
When the weight is raised by the one segment Y the movement of the
other segment simply causes the shaft X to turn within the wheel g
without moving it. When the gun recoils and the weight is relieved of
the support of the collar Z (which turns back with the recoil) it would
immediately cause the axle X to be rotated in an opposite direction, and
the wheel g to raise the vertical support n, but the latter is held down
by a pawl or stop t acting against the projection won n. When the
gun has been made ready to receive the shot (which has been previously
placed in the ladle p) the pawl is released, and the counterweight
descends, causing the toothed segment Y to rotate the pinion and axle X,
and the clutch h by locking into the wheel g causes it to wind up the
chain, and thus the shot is elevated. The counterweight having
descended, and the shot having been placed in the gun, it is only
necessary to disengage the clutch h from the wheel g, when the weight
of the ladle p and its support will cause them to descend ready to receive
another shot, and thus all the parts are in readiness to repeat the same
operation again. The clutch is disengaged from the wheel g by the
sliding bar a, a. The trunnions of the cylinder may be dispensed with
by curving the axes of the bore of the cylinder and plunger, so as to
conform to the circle described in part by the movement of the pivots f, f,
the centre of the circle being the axle or pivot J.
Fig. 5 represents a modification of the arrangement just described, and
will also accomplish the objects of the Invention. In this instance the
cylinder is placed horizontally, and a solid plunger is used to force the
air (together with a small quantity of water) into a chamber connected
with the cylinder, where it is retained (by a similar arrangement of
valves and valve rod packing) until required to raise the gun into
position. The plunger is connected with the lower ends of the levers
by connecting rods, so that it is forced into the cylinder by the move-
ment of the levers below the axle upon which they rotate, instead of

page_text: above it, as in the preceding Figures.
In either case an opening com-
municating with the atmosphere so as to admit it freely within the
cylinder (when the plunger is out) will be made to supply any air that
may possibly have escaped. Such an opening is shewn in Fig. 3 and 4,
at b, b, where an opening is made through the gland of the cylinder out-
side the packing.
A corresponding opening in the plunger when it is
drawn out to its fullest extent admits air freely, while the opening is
closed by the first movement of the plunger as it is carried by it at once
within the packing.
Fig. 6 represents a method of storing up the recoil by means of springs
coiled around drums on the axle J. The drums are firmly secured to
large cog wheels C¹ working into pinions D¹ on the axle I, which also
carries ratchet wheels K, which are prevented from turning in one
direction by the pawls E¹. These various parts will be seen on the front
elevation, Fig. 6. The lower end of the springs F, F, is shewn attached
to the jointed bar L', by which it is secured to the frame or carriage C.
The other end of the spring is secured at d, d, to the wheel C. The
bolt H' passes through the large cog wheel and the levers B, B, so that
they must all turn together. When the gun is in the firing position
the resistance of the springs may be increased by withdrawing the
bolt H', and applying cranks to the axle, by which the wheels C¹ may
be rotated independently of the levers, and the ends of the springs
at d, d, may be drawn further round. A number of holes a, a, through
the large wheels C¹ are arranged to receive the bolt H', and when the
proper degree of tension is obtained on the springs F the bolt is passed
through those corresponding with the holes in the levers, and is there
secured. When the gun is discharged it falls from its elevation, as
shewn at A, and assumes the position shewn by red lines at A, the
radius bar and levers assuming in the movement the positions shewn.
The rotation of the cog wheels C¹ by this movement causes the rotation
of the ratchet wheel K¹, and when the recoil of the gun is arrested this
wheel is prevented from turning back again by the pawl E', and the
gun is thus held down until it is reloaded, after which the pawl E' is
released, and the gun is restored to the firing position by the force of
the springs F. Its outward movement may be checked by elastic buffers
against which the levers may be stopped. Elastic buffers may also be
a descent of the gun from
The shot lifting apparatus
placed beneath the gun to prevent too great
excessive charges of powder or other cause.
may be attached to the axle J in the same manner as in Figures 1, 2, 3,

page_text: and 4.
A greater number of springs F may also be used by placing some
of them within the frame C on the axle J, or by increasing the capacity of
the drums around which they are shewn coiled on the ends of the
axle J.
Having now described the Invention which has been communicated
to me by my foreign correspondent, and having explained the manner;
of carrying the same into effect, I claim as the Invention secured to me
by Letters Patent, as aforesaid,
First. The combination of a turret, with devices to enable the gun to
be elevated above the turret wall to the firing position by the stored up.
force of the recoil, as herein set forth.
Second. The combination of devices for raising the shot to the bore of
the gun by the stored up force of the recoil, as herein set forth.
Third. The combination of a gun with a cylinder in which the
atmosphere at its natural density is compressed by the force of the
recoil of the gun, and the power thus developed is stored up to be used
at the will of the operator for running the gun into battery or for
elevating it above the level at which it is brought to rest after recoil, as
herein set forth.
Fourth. The combination of a radius bar with a gun and its supports
for the purpose of controlling its vertical direction when raised to the
firing position, and restoring it in recoil to the proper position for
loading.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, the Twenty-fourth day of
September, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and sixty-nine.