CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHODS OF PRODUCING POWER FOR THE DISCHARGE OF WEAPONS AND MISSILES FOR WARLIKE AND OTHER PURPOSES in which said Letters Patent is
Year: 1847

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
CONNOR WILLIAM O'LEARY, of Tralee, in the County of Kerry, in the
Kingdom of Ireland, Corn Merchant, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria,
by Her Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Her United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Ninth
day of September, in the eleventh year of Her reign, did give and grant
unto me, the said Connor William O'Leary, my exors, adññors, and
assigns, and such others as I, the said Connor William O'Leary, my
exors, admiors, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term of years
therein mentioned, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and
authority, to make, use, exercise, and vend, within that part of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, Her
Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick upon Tweed, my Invention
of CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHODS OF PRODUCING POWER FOR
THE DISCHARGE OF WEAPONS AND MISSILES FOR WARLIKE AND OTHER
PURPOSES in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso,

page_text: requiring that I, the said Connor William O'Leary, shall particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and the manner
in which the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, to be enrolled in Her said Majesty's High
Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as, upon reference
being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the
said Connor William O'Leary, do hereby declare that the nature of my
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed
and carried into effect, is particularly set forth and ascertained in and
by this present instrument in writing, and the several Drawings here-
unto annexed, which Drawings are made to the scale marked thereon,
the same letters and figures of reference indicating the same parts
throughout the Drawings, that is to say:
My Invention relates, firstly, to certain improvements in the methods
of compressing atmospheric air for the purpose of discharging weapons
and missiles, which terms weapons and missiles I wish it to be under-
stood I apply to projectiles of every class; and I would here remark,
that although by means of the instrument known as the air-gun various
small weapons are discharged, still I am not aware that any attempts
have been made upon a larger scale to apply the powers of compressed
air to the discharge of projectiles, and that the arrangements which I
am about to describe may be varied in detail according to circumstances.
Referring to the Drawing N° 1, Fig. 1, is a sectional elevation of the
apparatus I employ for this purpose. A, is a cylinder of the construction
ordinarily employed in blowing machines, furnished with the piston C,
and the valves D, D', & E, E'; the action of these valves is also on the
same principle as those used in blowing machines. The valves D, D',
communicate with the atmosphere and supply the cylinder with air,
which in a compressed state is delivered through the valves E, E¹, to
the pipe or tube G, and receiver B, on the tube G. I place a safety
valve F, which may be of the lever kind, and regulated by an adjust-
able weight or upon the direct action principle, as represented detached
at Fig. 2; thus the compression of air in the receiver B, can always

page_text: be limited, and its pressure can never exceed that of the weight upon
the safety valve. By an ordinary screw joint F, I attach the pipe G,
to the pipe N, which is furnished with a valve I, acting in the ordinary
manner, and preventing the return of the compressed air from the
receiver B. By another screw joint I attach this pipe N, to the neck
of the receiver B', where is placed the cock or tap H, which I open
when the receiver is being filled and close as soon as it is charged with
compressed air. I connect the receiver B, to the gun by means of a
tube M, of equal diameter throughout, and able to bear the same
amount of pressure as the receiver, having near its junction with it à
cock or tap J, and near the other end, which is connected with the
gun, a cock or tap K, which by a simple arrangement of levers L, L, L;
are so connected together that the one is opened so soon as the other
is closed, and vice versa. The supply of air to the gun and its escape
from the receiver I can thus regulate with exactitude and precision.
When the receiver B, is charged, with compressed air I detach it from
the pipe N, by means of the screwed joint
the tap or cock H,
being previously closed, and screw-upon the neck B, the cap or lid Q;
as seen in Fig. 10, where a detached receiver is exhibited; another
receiver can then be connected with the cylinder A, and charged and
detached in a similar manner, and thus receivers charged with compressed
air may be removed for use to situations where it would be imprac-
ticable and impossible to work the cylinder with safety and success.
The tube M, leading from the receiver to the gun, is provided with any
necessary mechanical arrangement to regulate its elevation and depres
sion to the angle at which the gun may require to be discharged...It-
will also be evident that the cylinder A, being connected to any-con-
venient prime mover may be worked. horizontally, vertically, or at-any
desired angle, and that in addition to the double action principle on
which it is constructed it could, with a duplicate set of valves and
tubes, supply two receivers at the same time; or should one set of
valves and tubes meet with any injury the other set could always be
called into immediate requisition. Secondly, my Invention relates to
the application of my before described first series of improvements to
various machines in general and common use, which enables me greatly 3

page_text: to facilitate the compression of air for the discharge of projectiles. I
can thus in times of war, in cases of invasion or domestic troubles, arm
common place machines with the powers of destruction in an eminent
degree, employ them in ordinary times for a variety of useful purposes,
and have always at command a power on which I may safely rely for
terrible execution in war, for prompt assistance in signalizing danger,
assisting distressed vessels, and performing a variety of operations
required in every day life. Fig. 3, Drawing N° 1, illustrates my im-
provements applied to a locomotive engine, which I thus convert into
an instrument of war. Upon the driving axle of the engine a, or upon
any other convenient part, I place an excentric or crank b, gearing into
and working with an alternating motion the piston rod C, in the cylinder
A, as before described, which with the receiver B, and the whole appa-
ratus is placed upon the buffer board, or upon any other convenient
part of the engine, the guns being ranged upon the engine or elsewhere,
according to the positions which they are intended to occupy. The
driving wheels of the engine are, by any of the well known methods
employed by engineers, raised from off the surface of the rails, and the
engine being firmly secured from advancing or retrogressive motion
steam is admitted to the engine cylinders, and the rotation of the
driving wheels and axle a, causes the excentric b, to work the piston in
the cylinder A, thereby ensuring a constant supply of compressed air
to the receiver B, from which the guns are supplied. Fig. 4, shews
my apparatus attached to a windmill, which from its elevated position
will always command the defence of a country; the attachment is made
in any convenient manner and the guns discharged with compressed
air, as before mentioned. Fig. 5, Drawing N° 1, shews a portable gun
and carriage to which my improvements are applied; any motive power
may be employed for the purpose of working the cylinder, but I have
here shewn a small steam engine d; the details of the apparatus are
the same as those mentioned under my first series of improvements, but
the whole is so constructed as to be removed with facility by the troops to
any part of the field, constituting, in fact, a portable air cannon. Fig. 6,
hews this portable air cannon employed for the purpose of casting
a rope or line to a vessel in distress to some unapproachable position,

page_text: or for some military or other purpose; one end of the coil of rope e, is
made fast to the ground, or to some solid substance, while to the other
end f, which is inserted in the mouth of the cannon, is attached a ball
of the weight and size suited to the calibre of the gun, and so propor-
tioned to the charge of compressed air as to be sufficient to carry the
rope to its destination.
Having shewn the application of my apparatus for compressing air for
the discharge of weapons and missiles to various machines, it will be easy
to follow out its application to others, insomuch as it may be applied to
any motive power whatsoever, but it is on ship board especially that my
Invention may be successfully employed. In steam ships I connect my
apparatus for the compression of air to the engine in any convenient
manner, distributing the receivers in the vessel, as circumstances require
but so placing them, according to their capacity, that they may supply
compressed air to a certain number of guns, by which means warfare
may be carried on with the greatest precision. On board ships or vessels
where steam is not employed I place a toothed wheel upon the capstan,
connected by any convenient attachment to my apparatus for com-
pressing air. Upon motion being imparted to the capstan in the usual
manner, the cylinder before mentioned is immediately set at work and
the receiver supplied with a continuous reserve of compressed air,
which may be used as occasion requires for the defence of the vessel
by the guns, for casting a rope on shore, or for any other useful or
maritime purpose. It is impossible to calculate upon the extent to
which this Invention may be used at sea, as by it one man at a swivel
gun might sink an entire navy, inasmuch as a vessel thus provided for
attack and defence may carry a gun to throw a ball of half a ton
weight with ease and precision. In case of row boats attacking the
enemy's craft they might be filled with a number of detached receivers
of compressed air, which could be connected with the guns and
discharged as required, with deadly effect. In point of utility my
Invention offers many advantages superior to the use of gunpowder;
there is no longer that terrible risk of explosion, no apprehension of
danger from fire, nor are the seamen rendered so liable to accidents and
casualties. It also permits of the use of a class of vessels more con-

page_text: venient in form and size: for swift and easy navigation, inasmuch as
owing to the entire absence of concussion in guns discharged with
compressed air, cannons of any dimensions may be used, without
reference to the size of the vessel; and as one man will do the work of
several under the old system, the..safe control. of a whole broadside of
guns may be entrusted to comparatively few. mien. Thirdly, my
Invention relates to the use of heat in connection with' compressed
air, in order to increase its explosive powers in the discharge of pro-
jectiles, which
may be applied externally to the surface of the receiver
or the tubes connected with the gun; but I prefer the use of red hot
balls as a charge for the gun instead of the external application of heat,
as by this means. the ball is carried further, with equal precision, and
greater effect. Fourthly, my Invention. relates to the introduction of
a valve or valves in the breech and barrels of powder and other guns
discharged by the ignition of explosive compounds, thereby admitting
air to the barrel immediately upon and greatly increasing the effective
power of the discharge; I am also..thus enabled to remove all con-
cussion, and in a great measure to destroy the report.. In Fig. 7,
Drawing No.2, R, is a longitudinal section of a gun barrel to which
these improvements are applied. In the breech plug of the barrels, I
drill a longitudinal slot, and accurately fit thereon the valve T, which is
formed with a circular head and bevilled to sit true upon the face of
the slot. In the breech plugs, which is countersunk to receive it for
about half the length of the slot, this valve is of the three feathered kind,
as seen in section at Fig. 8, and depending from this is the small stalk
or spindle V, which working through the disc W, ensures the perfect
action of the valve. At the extremity of the spindle V, I place a small
knob or nut, which upon the discharge of the gun, or when its position
is: reversed, prevents the escape of the-spindle beyond the disc W, and
consequently. retains the valve from falling into the gun barrel, as seen
in Fig. 9, where the position of-the-valve T, upon the discharge of the
gun is shewn through the breech's, immediately above the valve T, and
on either side thereof, I drill the small holes y, y, through which, and
also through the opening-a, which is continued from the breech through
the stock of the gun a; air is admitted to the circular head of the valve.

page_text: The action is as follows:Upon the discharge of the gun the ignition of
the powder or other explosive compound causes a vacuum to be formed
in the barrel; immediately upon this taking place the air admitted
through the holes y, y, and opening a,.forces the valve T, open and
enters the gun barrel, destroying the concussion consequent upon the
discharge, and greatly increasing the projectile effect of the powder;
the danger from explosion: froni an overcharge is likewise greatly
diminished, as, the more perfect the vacuum 'in the barrel so will the
action of the valve also be more efficient. I find by placing another
valve, 2, working in à socket 2, dependent from the under surface of
the barrel R, and about midway between the breech and the muzzle,
acting in conjunction with the valve T, that in addition to the con-
cussion, the report, of the discharge is also entirely destroyed. This
valve, which is similar to the valve T; with the exception: of the spindle,
is not necessarily an adjunct to, but may used in connection with it, as
circumstances may require; neither is the exact form of the valve an
essential feature in this series. of. my improvements, which, although I
have shown attached to a common fowling piece; I propose to attach to
cannon and artillery of every kind.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention of certain improve-
ments in the methods of producing power for the discharge of weapons
and missiles for warlike and other purposes, I would have it to be
understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details herein
described, so long as the peculiar features or characteristics of my said
Invention, or of any part thereof be retained; but what I claim as new
and of my Invention is, firstly, the application of a cylinder or pump
and apparatus for the compression of atmospheric air for the discharge
of weapons and missiles for warlike and other purposes, as described;
secondly, the application of a cylinder or pump and apparatus, or any
similar contrivance, to any engine or machine worked by steam, air,
water, manual, or other motive power, for the purpose of compressing
air for the discharge of weapons and missile for warlike and other
purposes, as described; thirdly, the application of beat to air com-
pressed for the before men
mentioned purposes, whether by external applica
tion.or by the. use of red hot balls; fourthly, the application of a valve
or valves in the breech and-barrels of guns, cannons, and other descrip-

page_text: tion of artillery discharged by the ignition of gunpowder, gun cotton, or
any other explosive. compounds, whereby air is admitted to the barrel
immediately upon the discharge, removing the concussion resulting
therefrom, and greatly increasing its projectile effect. The whole of
which being, to the best of my knowledge and belief, new, and never
before practised in that part of Her Majesty's Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, called England, Her Dominion of Wales, and
Town of Berwick upon Tweed, I deliver this as my true and faithful
Specification of the same.
In witness whereof, I, the said Connor William O'Leary, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Second day of March,
One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
CONNOR W (L.S.) O'LEARY.
Signed, sealed, and delivered (being first
duly stamped) in the presence of
THOMAS BENNER,
Master Extraordinary of Her Majesty's
High Court of Chancery in Ireland.
Witness,
FRANCIS MCCARTHY,
of Tralee, in the County of Kerry,
Gentleman.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Second day of March,
in the year of our Lord 1848, the aforesaid Connor William O'Leary
came before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknow-
ledged the Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein con-
tained and specified, in form above written. And also the Specification
aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made for
that NOSA
Enrolled the Sixth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.