Construction of Shells for High Explosives.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Jan., 1892-Accepted, 14th May, 1892
Construction of Shells for High Explosives.
1, JOEL GILBERT JUSTIN, of Syracuse, New York, United States of America,
Gentleman, 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 :-
My invention relates to the construction of shells for high explosives, which are
adapted to be fired from cannons or fire-arins.
My object is to improve the construction of the shell, with the view of increasing
its utility and preventing premature detonation of the explosive; in that I provide
it with a pivotal bearing between the casing and explosive carrier; in that I
provide a sabot expander which ensures the taking of the rifling; in that I provide
a detachable anchorage connection between the carrier and casing; in that I
provide it with a detonating mechanism operated by the traverse of the carrier in
the casing in that I provide means for delaying the detonation; and in that I
line the whole carrier and cover the detonator with a lining of yielding material,
such as soft wood, to reduce the lateral vibration, and in that I also provide it
with a full length explosive carrier, normally in pivotal contact with the casing.
:
My invention consists in several novel features of construction and operation
hereinafter described and which are specifically set forth in the claims hereunto
annexed.
It is constructed as follows: reference being had to the accompanying drawings,
in which
Fig. 1, is a longitudinal section of the shell, complete, except that the detonator
is shown in elevation.
Fig. 2, is an enlarged sectional detail of the ball and "cul-de-sac " anchorage
joint, between the point, or casing, and the explosive carrier.
Fig. 3, is an enlarged sectional detail of the firing and detonating mechanism,
showing a fuse inserted into the channel between the cap or primer, and the
detonator.
Fig. 4, is a longitudinal section of a shell, showing the explosive carrier elongated
and some other differences of detail construction.
Fig. 5, is a transverse section of Fig. 4; on line ww.
Fig. 6, is an enlarged detail of the firing pin located within the wall of the
carrier and projecting above a shoulder of the carrier.
"A" is a cylindrical body or casing of the shell, provided with a breech
piece-1, having a groove-a-adjacent to the body, and a central cavity or
recess, adapted to receive and hold a block-c-shown in the drawings as having a
concave outer face, but it may be of other form.
This block is preferably of anti-friction metal or of wood or analogous material
and forms a part of the pivotal bearing between the carrier and the casing.
The breech of the casing is exteriorly rabbetted as shown, and the sabot ring-2-,
of soft material, is mounted therein, so that it projects, as a flange, and its
inner face is beveled as at--and--is a circular beveled-edge swage plate
fitting within and against the bevel of the sabot, and secured in position, detached
from the breech by pins or screws as shown, which lie partly in the breech and
partly in the sabot, which serve as additional means for securing the sabot.
When the shell is fired, the sudden impact of the powder gas upon the swage-
plate, forces it forward, expanding the sabot, so that it will properly take the rifling,
said plate operating as a sabot expander.

page_text: "C"is the point of the shell, rabbetted and threaded exteriorly, and screwed into
the front end of the casing, so as to create the inwardly projecting shoulder-g9.
In the apex of the concavity of the point, I bore out the cul-de-sac-p-having
a constricted neck as shown, and beveled outwardly to create a wide and flaring
mouth.
+
"B" is the explosive carrier comprising a tubular body, having a solid base-9-
and a concave cap-k-rabbeted interiorly, as at-m-, below the shoulder or
shelf n-around it, and threaded to screw onto the end of the casing.
This cap increases the capacity of the carrier.
Upon the dome of this cap I secure a shaft, upon which is a ball--, said ball
and shaft being slitted, as shown, so that the ball section can be sprung inwardly
when the ball is forced through the neck into the cul-de-sac-p, and by re-
expansion after such entrance, its bearing upon the neck will detachably anchor
the carrier to the point of the shell, constituting a longitudinal detachable anchorage,
from which the carrier will be detached by the withdrawal of said ball from the
cul-de-sac, when the shell is fired, and the casing begins its forward travel and
rotation around the carrier as hereinafter described.
Around the body of said ball shaft I place a sleeve-y, of soft metal, or
easily broken material, which normally regulates the extent of the entrance of the
ball into said cul-de-sac, and maintains the space between the cap and the inner
wall of the point.
Upon the base of the carrier, I secure by screws the flexible disk-10-, the
flanged disk-11-of leather, and the metallic plate-d'--having a central con-
vexity, this latter plate holding the flanges of the disk-11-into position.
Upon the shelf-n-upon the carrier, I secure an annular ring-11*-of leather,
flanged outwardly as shown, and upon this ring I secure another annular ring-10*—
(of metal) which holds and protects the leather ring and its flanges.
Upon the carrier secure the guides-s-, and through them, the shelf--and
the rings thercon, I insert the firing-pin---, which projects above said rings, and
extends down nearly to the base of the carrier.
A tubular nipple-r-, is screwed into the base of the carrier, is adapted to
receive a cap or primer, and opens inwardly into a diametrical channel-, in
said base, and opens into the central recess――therein.
Into this recess screw the detonator consisting of a base-20-, and a
cylinder-21-closed at its upper end, and screwed onto said base, said base
having a tubular and threaded stem which enters said recess.
In this base 20-is an enlarged powder chamber-22- which opens into the
barrel above it, in which the ball-23-is placed, fitting closely like a rifle ball.
The cylinder 21-receives the priming charge of explosive, as nitro-gelatine,
enclosed in a wooden box-24-, which is rigidly confined therein.
The whole carrier is lined with soft wood, or analogous yielding material-25-,
provided with a cover-26-, having an inwardly projecting cylinder-27-of like
inaterial, which encloses the detonator.
When this lining box is packed with the explosive, all in one mass, a recess is
left to receive the cylinder-27-when the cover is put on it is inserted into the
carrier. Then the cap is inserted into the point so as to force the ball into the
cul-de-sac," and then the point is screwed down, which leaves the carrier
detachably anchored in the point, and suspended longitudinally therefrom, while it
is also laterally supported by the flanged disks.
When the shell is fired, the sudden impact of the powder gas upon the swage-
plate forces it in, expanding the sabot so that it takes the rifling of the cannon
perfectly.
As the shell moves forward the rifling imparts a very rapid twisting rotation to
the casing, which also travels forward over the carrier, creating what I term a
spirally angular rotation.
Part of my invention consists in confining this rotation to the casing as long as
possible, and preventing its transmission to the carrier as long as possible. If it

page_text: were at once transmitted it would create a very dangerous friction of the particles
of explosive upon each other and upon the enclosing walls.
The casing maintains this forward spirally angular rotation until the pivotal
connection is created between the convex base and the block-c-, when the
rotation loses its spiral and angular movement, and the casing spins upon this pivot,
and will do so a long time before the rotation overcomes the inertia of the carrier.
Also the central thickening of the pivot plate--reinforces the base of the
carrier against the sudden impact of the air cushion behind it, and either alone or
in conjunction with the adjacent parts, will prevent any inward compression or
flexure of the base and buckling of the body of said carrier, wedging it in the
casing and causing it to rotate with it, thus increasing the danger of premature
detonation.
During this forward travel of the casing over the carrier, the air cushion between
it and the base of the carrier is graduated by the ports-14, in the flanged disks,
or by the ports-30-in said base, or both, in such manner that the air does not
solidify, and there is no concussion when the casing and carrier meet to form their
pivotal bearing.
When the shell strikes an object and its flight is arrested, the momentum of the
carrier impels it forward, and the ball enters the "cul-de-sac," the soft metal
ring-y-is smashed, bringing the firing pin into contact with the shoulder, exploding
the primer, which ignites the powder previously filled into the channel and recess,
and the larger charge in the chamber-22-, and the explosion of this shoots the
ball 23 with high velocity from the barrel through the box into the explosive
therein with sufficient concussion to detonate it, and this rends the cylinder and
detonates the whole charge of explosives from the rear, directing the explosive wave
against the target.
In this manner the whole of the explosive is detonated, and none of it is charred,
burned or wasted, and I realize the maximum force.
As an additional protection against premature detonation, by the firing-pin
accidentally striking the primer, I insert a small pin-29-into the firing-pin, and
then, when the firing-pin strikes the shoulder, as aforesaid, the small pin is sheared
off by the adjacent guide, releasing the firing-pin.
"
In Figs. 4, 5 and 6 I show a modification of construction, in that the cap screws
inside of the body of the explosive carrier in that the firing-pin--is inserted
partly within the body of the carrier, and between it and the lining-25-lying in
a groove cut in both, and guided thereby, and the location of the primer is changed
accordingly in that the carrier is not detachably anchored, but the ball-
operates to prevent premature explosion until it has fully entered the "cul-de-sac
and the collar-y-is smashed; in that the explosive carrier is nearly full length
of the shell and is normally in pivotal contact with the block-e-and consequently
there is only simple rotation of the casing around the carrier, and no forward travel
of the casing nor spiral or angular rotation, but when the shell strikes, the carrier
travels forward in the casing to effect the detonation by the firing-pin; and in that
I use annular rings, one flanged upon the base of the carrier instead of disks, ng
in Fig. 1.
By screwing the cap into the carrier, changing the firing-pin as above described,
and dispensing with the outside guides, I increase the diameter of the carrier and
its capacity to the maximum, especially when I clongate the carrier also.
The interval of time between the striking of the shell and the detonation, as
above, is the interval of delayed explosion, which is quite sufficient to give great
penetration of the point prior to the detonation.
Also by using a slow burning fuse in the channel-, the actual detonation
can be still further delayed, so that the shell can penetrate an object before it
takes place.
By this invention, I believe, that I am the inventor of the following broad
principles, viz. :
The forward angular rotation of the casing over the carrier,

page_text: The delayed detonation.
The expansion of the sabot by a plate.
The enlargement of the carrier to fill the point.
The lateral supporting of the carrier in the casing, with the base of the carrier
in normal pivotal contact with the casing.
The normally pivotal contact of the carrier and casing, and the lateral and
longitudinal supporting of the carrier in the casing in pivotal engagement as
aforesaid, and that I am accordingly entitled to vary the construction of any or all
of the parts, so long as the same results are produced.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
claim is
__
1 An explosive carrier and an outer shell-body enclosing it and laterally
separated therefrom, both being constructed and combined to permit, when the
shell is fired, of change in the relative positions of the parts and of their retaining
the new relations until the flight of the shell is arrested, substantially as specified.
2: An explosive carrier and an outer shell-body enclosing it and laterally
separated therefrom, both being constructed and combined to permit, when the
shell is fired, of change in the relative positions of the parts and of their retaining
the new relations until the fight of the shell is arrested, and means whereby air
may pass within the shell-body between it and the carrier, substantially as
specified.
3: An explosive carrier and an outer shell-body enclosing it and laterally
separated therefrom, both being constructed and combined to permit, when the
shell is fired, a change in the relative positions of the parts and of their retaining
the new relations until the flight of the shell is arrested, and means for detachably
holding the cylinder adjacent to the head of the shell, substantially as specified.
4: A shell consisting of the casing, provided with a concave seat in its breech,
in combination with the explosive carrier within said casing, provided with a base
having a central pivot to rest upon said seat.
5: In a shell, the casing provided with a concave seat, in its breech, in com-
bination with the explosive carrier, within said casing, provided with a base having
a central pivot adapted to engage with said seat, and the flanged disk upon and
supporting the carrier in the casing..
6In a shell, the casing provided with a groove, in its breech, in combination
with the explosive carrier and the Hanged disk upon the rear end of said carrier.
7: In a shell, the easing provided with a groove in its breech, and a concave
seat within said groove, in combination with the explosive carrier provided with a
base having a central pivot, and the flanged disks upon and supporting the carrier
in the casing.
8-In a shell, the combination with the casing provided with a groove in its
breech, and a pivot seat within the groove, of the explosive carrier having a central
pivot adapted to fit into said seat, and a flanged disk adapted to enter said groove,
and the metallic plate under the disk, of larger diameter than the carrier, and means
to secure the pivot, disk and plate to the carrier.
9In a shell for high explosives, the combination, with the point, the casing
and the explosive carrier, of a cul-de-sac in the cap, and a ball coupling connected
to the carrier entering it.
10 In a shell for high explosives, the combination with the point, the casing,
and the explosive carrier, of a cul-de-sac in the point, a ball coupling connected to
the carrier entering it, and a ring of soft metal between the carrier and point.

page_text: 11 In a shell, the combination, with the point, and the casing, of an explosive
carrier within it, extending forward and substantially filling said point.
12: In a shell, the combination, with the casing, of a point provided with a
threaded flange fitting into and creating a shoulder within the casing, for the
purposes set forth.
13-In a shell, the combination, with the explosive carrier, of a yielding lining
within it, provided with a removable cover to the lining.
14 In a shell, the combination, with a casing, and explosive carrier, of a point
inserted into the casing and creating a shoulder therein, of a firing pin mounted
upon said casing and adapted to engage with said shoulder, and a primer in the base
of the carrier and connections therefrom to the chamber within said carrier.
15 :—In a shell, the combination with the explosive carrier, of the firing-pin
mounted in guides thereon, a primer in the base of said carrier, a detonator within
said carrier, and connections between said primer and detonator.
16 In a shell, the combination, with the explosive carrier and the guides
thereon, of a firing-pin in said guides, and a pin in said firing-pin adjacent to a
guide.
17 In a shell, the combination, with the sabot, of a sabot expanding plate
mounted within it.
18 In a shell, consisting of a casing and an explosive carrier within it, the
combination therewith, of a detonator within said carrier adapted to be exploded
by the travel of the carrier in said casing.
19 In a shell, the combination, with a detonator and a firing-pin, of a time
fuse between them.
20In a shell, the combination, with the explosive carrier, the detonator within
it, the firing-pin exterior to it, and the primer in the base of said carrier, of a fuse
between said detonator and said primer.
21 In a shell, the combination, of the point, the casing, the explosive-carrier
detonating mechanism, and means to retard the forward travel of the carrier in the
casing to affect the detonation.
22-In a shell, the combination, with the casing, the point creating a shoulder
within it, and the explosive-carrier mounted therein and detached therefrom, of a
firing-pin mounted upon said carrier and between it and said casing, a detonator in
the carrier and a detonating mechanism between said firing-pin and detonator.
23 A detonator consisting of a powder chamber, a barrel opening therefrom,
a ball therein, and a chamber closely confining a charge of explosive, and means to
ignite the powder in its chamber, in combination, as set forth."
24: The combination, with the explosive-carrier, of a detonator comprising a
chamber closely confining a charge of explosive, a powder chamber, a ball adapted
to be shot into the explosive in the chamber therefor, and means to ignite the
powder in its chamber.
25 In a shell, the combination, with the casing, the point and explosive
carrier, of a detonator, within said carrier, containing a primary charge of explosive
and a powder charge adapted to shoot a ball into said primary charge.
26: In a shell, the combination, with the explosive-carrier, of a detonator
within it and means to detonate it.
27-In a shell, the combination, with the explosive-carrier, of a detonator
within it, and adapted to be detonated in the rear thereof.
28-In a shell, the combination, with the explosive-carrier, of a detonator
within it, and means to detonate it, and delay the detonation thereof.
29 In a shell, the combination with the casing, of an explosive carrier normally
in pivotal contact with it.
30: In a shell, the combination with the casing, of an explosive carrier laterally
supported therein and normally in pivotal contact therewith.
31-In a shell, the combination with the casing, of an explosive carrier laterally
and longitudinally supported therein, and normally in pivotal contact therewith.
32 In a shell, the combination with the casing, and explosive-carrier, of a

page_text: firing-pin inserted between the carrier and its lining, and a primer in the base of the
carrier.
33 In a shell, the combination with the casing, of an explosive carrier laterally
supported by frictional bands around it, and longitudinally supported in frictional
and pivotal contact with the casing.
34-In a shell, the combination with the casing, of an explosive carrier within
and disconnected therefrom, and normally in pivotal contact therewith.
:-
35 In a shell, the combination with the casing, of an explosive carrier within
and disconnected therefrom, and normally in pivotal contact therewith and laterally
separated therefrom.
36 In a shell, the combination with the casing, provided with an inward
shoulder, and the explosive carrier within it, of a firing-pin within the carrier and
projecting beyond it.
Dated this 19th day of January 1005
FELL & WILDING,
1, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicant.