IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND MACHINERY FOR MAKING SHOT AND SHELLS FOR ORDNANCE
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred. Vincent Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughts-
man, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND MACHINERY
FOR MAKING SHOT AND SHELLS FOR ORDNANCE."-A communication from
abroad by John Blake Tarr, of. Fair Haven, in the State of Massa-
chusetts, United States of America.
Sealed the 21st February 1868, and dated the 28th December 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Vincent Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
28th December 1867.
I, ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby.
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF
AND MACHINERY FOR MAKING SHOT AND SHELLS FOR ORDNANCE," to be as
follows:-
The first part of this Invention relates to an improvement in the manu-
facture of steel spherical shot and shells for ordnance, whereby they are
rendered more perfect in sphericity and more effective in their destructive-

page_text: ness of walls and other objects against which they are thrown than shot or
shells hitherto made.
The Invention relates more particularly to spherical steel shot, solid shot,
and it is designed for rendering them so hard and dense that they will be
much less liable to break into fragments when suddenly arrested by a solid
body than the spherical or round shot bitherto made. It is well known that
steel shot which are produced by casting the metal in moulds are more or
less porous internally, which is caused by the metal cooling so much quicker
at and near the circumference of the shot than it does nearer the centre
thereof. This difference in cooling (and shrinking) not only renders the
metal weak and very liable to shatter into fragments when the shot are
suddenly arrested in their flight, but the unequal cooling will in many
instances cause an unequal shrinking, and leave the shot irregular or
spheroidal rather than perfectly spherical as they should be.
To remedy these objections in the manufacture of steel shot and shells,
and to produce the same so that they shall be homogeneous in density and
toughness throughout, the nature of the first part of this Invention consists
in subjecting spherical shot as well as spherical shells to powerful mechanical
compression while in a highly heated or plastic condition, at the same time
giving them such motion about their axes as will leave them spherically true
when finished.
And as one practical mode of carrying this part of the Invention into
effect cups or moulds are employed between which the shot and shells are
compressed and condensed, which cups or moulds are applied upon the ends
of rotating shafts having different speeds, one of which shafts is connected
to a screw, hydrostatic press, or other suitable mechanical power by which it
can be forcibly moved longitudinally, and a ball or shell condensed while
rotating between the said cups or moulds. It also consists in applying an
adjustable stop gauge to one of the ball cups, in such manner that when
the prope degree of compression and condensation of the ball or shell bas
been attained, the said gauge will prevent any further approximation of the
cups and also indicate that the work is complete.
The second part of the Invention relates to an improved method of and
machinery for polishing and smoothing spherical shot and shells, and it
consists in retaining the balls with emery or other suitable polishing substance
between cups which are applied upon vertical rotating shafts whose axes
coincide, and which receive different speeds so that the balls may be made
to receive irregular or oscillatory motion about their axes, and thus while

page_text: being polished they will remain spherically true or be rendered so by the
operation. In this machine as well as in the compressing machine one of
the shafts is made capable of receiving an end way motion while in rotation
by means of screw or other pressure, and for this purpose the shaft is made
to slide on its driving pinion.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alfred Vincent Newtou in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 27th June 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALFRED
VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirty-first year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, Her special licence that I, the said
Alfred Vincent Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Alfred Vincent 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 term 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 MODE OF AND MACHINERY
POR MAKING SHOT AND SHELLS FOR ORDNANCE," being a communication to me
from abroad, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Alfred
Vincent 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 Alfred Vincent Newton, do
bereby 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 Drawing hereunto
annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-

page_text: The first part of this Invention relates to an improvement in the manu-
facture of steel spherical shot and shells for ordnance whereby they are
'rendered more perfect in sphericity and more effective in their destructiveness
of walls and other objects against which they are thrown than shot or shells
hitherto made.
The Invention relates more particularly to spherical steel shot, solid shot,
and it is designed for rendering them so hard and dense that they will be
much less liable to break into fragments when suddenly arrested by a solid
body than the spherical or round shot hitherto made. It is well known that
steel shot which are produced by casting the metal in moulds are more or
less porous internally, which is caused by the metal cooling so much quicker
at and near the circumference of the shot than it does nearer the centre.
thereof. This difference in cooling (and shrinking) not only renders the
metal weak and very liable to shatter into fragments when the shot are
suddenly arrested in their flight, but the unequal cooling will in many
instances cause an unequal shrinking and leave the shot irregular or
spheroidal rather than perfectly spherical as they should be.
To remedy the above named objections in the manufacture of steel shot
and shells and to produce the same so that they shall be homogeneous in density
and toughness throughout, the nature of the Invention consists in subjecting
spherical shot as well as spherical shells to powerful mechanical compression
while in a highly heated or plastic condition, and at some time during the
operation of condensing the shot, giving them such motion about their axes as
will leave them spherically true when finished as will be hereafter explained.
And as one practical mode of carrying the Invention into effect it further
consists in arranging cups or moulds (between which the shot or shells are
compressed and condensed) upon the ends of rotating shafts having different
speeds, one of which shafts is connected to a screw hydrostatic press or other
suitable mechanical power by which it can be forcibly moved longitudinally,
and a ball or shell condensed between cups or moulds which will change the
planes of rotation of the balls, as will be herein-after explained. It also con-
sists in applying a stop gauge to one of the ball cups in such manner that
when the proper degree of compression and condensation of the ball or shell
has been attained the said gauge will prevent any further approximation of
the cups and also indicate that the work is complete.
-In Sheet I., Fig. 1 is an elevation of one side of a machine which is adapted
for condensing shot or shells; Fig. 2 is a top view of the same machine; Fig. 3
is a longitudinal section taken in a vertical plane through the centre of the
machine; Fig. 4 is an enlarged view in section of the two cups or moulds

page_text: between which spherical shot and shells are rolled and.compressed, showing a
solid shot in the act of being compressed; and Fig. 5 is a similar view of the
same parts showing a ball after it has been fully compressed. Similar letters
of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several Figures.
The frame of the machine consists of several standards A, A, A, A, which
are secured firmly to a solid foundation at proper distances apart and are
thoroughly braced and tied together by means of horizontal rods B, B, B, as
clearly shown in the Drawing. The several standards consist of arms
radiating from central hubs through which latter the three shafts C, C¹, and
D pass, as shown in Fig. 3. These three shafts are in a horizontal plane and
their axes all coincide. The two shafts or spindles C, 'C', have enlargements
a, a, formed on their inner ends, and in the .els of these enlargements
sockets are formed for receiving the shanks b, b', of cups or moulds c, c², as
shewn in Fig. 3. The shaft or spindle C has a spur wheel E keyed upon it,
which engages with a spur wheel F on a horizontal shaft F, which latter
receives motion from the main driving shaft G, as will be herein-after
described. The shaft C is not allowed to move end wise and its outer end
bears against an adjustable screw step c, which can be set up when necessary
to compensate for longitudinal play of this shaft caused by wear in the
operation of the machine. As there will be considerable pressure brought to
act in a longitudinal direction upon the shaft C it is desirable to resist such
pressure without considerable friction, for which purpose I employ the step or
abutment which may be made of hardened steel fitted to impinge against a
hardened steel block or washer in the outer end of that shaft. The shaft C¹,
has its bearings in one of the intermediate standards A and also in a bridge
block A', which latter is secured to and held in place by the two lowermost
braces B, B, of the frame. This shaft C¹ has a spur pinion G¹ keyed to it by
means of a feather and groove, as shewn in Fig. 3, which will allow the shaft
to receive an end wise movement, whether rotating or at rest. The spur
pinion G¹ gears into and is driven by a spur wheel J on the main driving
shaft G. This wheel J also gears into a spur wheel F on the shaft F which
carries the spur wheel F¹ for driving the pinion on the shaft. C. By this
arrangement the two shafts.C, C', will be rotated in opposite directions and at
different speeds. By changing the gearing the two shafts C, C', may be
rotated in the same direction at different speeds, or they may be rotated in
opposite directions, both having, the same speed or velocity. I prefer,
however, to adopt the arrangement above described and shewn in the
Drawings. On the outer end of the shaft C a coupling box g is. rigidly.
secured, to which the inner end of the shaft D is applied. Oue end of this

page_text: shaft D enters loosely through the head of the box g and has an enlargement
or shoulder h formed on it which couples the two shafts C, D, together so
that a longitudinal movement can be given to the shaft C¹ by moving the
shaft D longitudinally whether the former be rotating or not. The shaft D is
flattened on two sides a portion of its length and received between the forks
of a fixed bracket k, which bracket prevents shaft D from rotating. The
inner extremity of shaft D is made conical and fitted into a corresponding
cavity in the outer end of the shaft C, so that during the act of applying
endwise pressure to the latter shaft there shall be as little friction as possible.
I have represented in the accompanying Drawings two modes of moving the
two shafts C and D longitudinally; I do not contemplate employing both of
these.modes at the same time. One mode, and that which I prefer to adopt,
consists in bolting a very strong cylinder L of suitable length to the frame of
the machine, so that the shaft D shall partly pass into it, and in applying
upon that shaft within the cylinder La piston p; this cylinder I connect by
means of suitable pipes with a forcing pump or engine similar to those used
in the well-known bydrostatic presses. The other mode shewn detached in
Fig. 3 consists in forming a screw thread upon the outer end of the shaft D,
and applying a large fly or hand wheel upon it, so that by turning the hand
wheel the shaft D will be moved in the direction of its length..
I shall now refer particularly to Figures 4 and 5 for the explanation of the
cups or moulds within or between which the balls or shells are compressed
and condensed. These cups or moulds are both made exactly alike, and they
are applied to their respective shafts C, C', so that they can be readily
removed therefrom and others substituted in their stead for operating upon
different sized balls or shells. The concavities or cups may be produced in
the ends of solid heads by means of a drill which in form is the segment of a
circle corresponding in part to the diameter of the ball or shell which it is
desired to make, so that when the ball is finished it will fit snugly into those
portions of the cups or cavities made by such drill. It will be seen that the
outer terminations of the cups are made slightly flaring; this is done in order
to allow of the reception of balls by the cups before the balls are compressed
to the proper calibre or diameter as shewn in Fig. 4. In this Figure it will
be seen that the ball X only touches at two points i, i, whereas it will be seen
by reference to Fig. 5 that the ball fits snugly into those portions of the cups
or cavities which are concentric to its axis; this latter Figure represents the
condition of things when the ball is finished and ready to be removed from its
cups. Surrounding the cupped head c is an adjustable collar n, one end of
which extends a proper distance beyond the end of its head, and is notched in

page_text: order to allow of the free escape of scales which will fall from the ball during
the operation of rolling and condensing it. On the opposite cupped head c' is
a stop n¹ which may also be made adjustable if desired, and which is intended
to receive the projecting end of the collar n against it when the shaft C' has
been moved up a proper distance. The collar n with its ring stop n' form the
stop gauge for stopping further compression of the ball when it has been
properly centered and condensed in the cups as shown in Figure 5. In
making the cavities or cups in the heads c, c', and in applying these heads to
their respective shafts care should be had to have the cavities exactly coincide
with the axes of said shafts. The rotundity of the ball while it is in a highly
beated state and confined between the cups or moulds is effected by the
rotation of the ball between the cups or moulds in conjunction with the
pressure of the cups or moulds upon the ball, (that is to say) after
the ball has been rotated by the cups more or less to impart rotundity
to it the cups may then be set nearer to each other so as to compress the
ball more or less. The cup c¹ then being slackened or drawn slightly apart
from the cup c motion will then be so imparted to the ball as to change its
plane of rotation within the cups or moulis, thus presenting other parts
of the surface of the ball to the rotating and compressing effect of the cups
or moulds; this being done the cups are again tightened or set nearer to
each other to compress the ball as before stated. This operation is repeated
as often as may be required to make the ball not only perfectly spherical
but also cause its density and homogeneity to be the same throughout.
Thus produced the balls will require no further finish except that of polishing,
which may be done in the usual manner by rolling and attrition with emery.
powder or by means of a machine which forms the subject of the second part
of this Invention, and which will be herein-after described. In practice the
balls may be reheated preparatory to their being placed between the cups or
moulds, but this work would be greatly facilitated by removing the balls from
the moulds in which they were cast to the condensing cups while the balls
retained the requisite heat for compression. This will save the expense and
labor of reheating them after they have become cool. As each ball is finished
and brought to the proper calibre as above described the shaft C¹ with its
cup c¹ is moved back far enough to allow the ball to drop out. The ball may
then be caught by a spiral trough and conducted into a "pickle" and cooled.
Instead of having but two cups or moulds as above described three.
or more cups of proper shape and size might be employed for giving
motion to the balls; such cups would have to be applied to radial shafts
arranged at regular distances apart around a common centre. And. if.

page_text: desirable the cups may be arranged in gangs consisting of many pairs of
eups applied to shafts mounted in a single frame, thereby admitting of the
compression of a number of balls of the same or of different sizes at one and
the same time.
The second part of the Invention relates to an improved method of and
machinery for polishing and smoothing spherical shot and shells, and it
consists in retaining the balls with emery or other suitable polishing substance
between cups which are applied upon vertical rotating shafts whose axes
coincide and which receive different speeds so that the balls may be made to
receive irregular or oscillatory motion about their .axes, and thus while being
polished they will remain spherically true or be rendered so by the operation
as will be herein-after described.
In Sheet II., Fig. 6 is an elevation of one side of the improved polishing
machine; Fig. 7 is a vertical taken centrally through the same machine;
Fig. 8 is a section taken through the same machine in the horizontal
plane indicated by the line X, X, in Fig. 6, and Fig. 9 is an enlarged
sectional view of the polishing cups showing a ball between them.
A represents the horizontal bed of the frame of the machine, which bed is
elevated upon legs or standards that are bolted firmly down upon a floor or
foundation. This allows free access beneath the bed of the machine for
adjusting the step of one of the shafts or spindles, as will be herein-after
explained. Above the bed A³ are four central hubs A, A, A, A³, from
which arms radiate as shown in Figures 6 and 8, and through the ends of
these arms vertical posts D³, D³, D³, pass, which are suitably secured to the
several arms so as to form a strong and substantial frame for sustaining certain
shafts in upright positions. B³, B', and C³, represent three shafts which are
arranged in the same vertical line, so that their axes coincide and -are
sustained by the several horizontal bubs of the main frame, as shown in
Fig. 7. The lowermost shaft B³ is supported upon an adjustable hardened
metal step a³ beneath the bed A³, and to this.shaft a spur wheel E³ is keyed,
which engages with and receives motion from a corresponding wheel E' upon
a vertical shaft F. The upper end of the shaft B has a cylindrical enlarge-
ment 6s formed on it, in which a socket is made for receiving the shank c³ of
a cupped head G*. By means of the set screw the head G* can be secured
fast. The shaft B³, which is arranged directly above and in the same vertical
line with the shaft B³, also has an enlargement & formed on it, with a socket
in it for receiving the shank of a cupped head G³. This cupped head
corresponds in every particular with the head G* beneath it. The set screw e
is used for securing the upper head G³ in place to the shaft B'. The shaft Bo

page_text: is required to receive a vertical endwise movement as well as a rotary
movement. The rotary movement is imparted to it by means of a large
horizontal spur wheel H³ on a main driving shaft H', acting upon a pinion I*
secured to the shaft B5. The driving spur H3 also engages with a spur wheel
E upon the vertical shaft F4, and in this manner the two shafts B³, B³, are
rotated in opposite directions at different speeds, for the wheel 13 being smaller
than either of the wheels E, E, or E, the shaft B will receive the greatest
velocity. The wheel I is applied to its shaft by means of a feather and
groove, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, which will allow that shaft to receive a
vertical movement, whether it be rotating or not. . Upon the upper end of
the shaft B is a coupling box J³, keyed or formed on this shaft so as to turn
or move up and down with it. This box J has a hole bored through its
upper end for receiving through it the vertical shaft C³, which latter is
connected to the box J by means of the enlarged foot piece f³, that supports
the shaft B and allows it to rotate freely. A forked bracket g³, which is
secured to the bottom of the hub A', receives the flattened sides, of the
shaft Cs and prevents it from rotating, but allows it to move up and down.
The upper portion of the shaft C³ passes freely through the hub A5, and has a
screw thread cut upon it and upon this portion a large hand wheel L³ is placed,
the hub h of which rests upon the hub As, and is held down in place thereon
by means of a fixed tooth g', which enters an annular groove formed in this
wheel hub, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. The shaft B5 can be raised by
turning the hand wheel L³, and thus the balls may be removed from or put
into the cups in the heads G, G, at pleasure. Other means may be
employed for raising or depressing the shaft B³, and if desirable a spring might
be applied to it in such manner as would press the cupped head G³ down
upon the ball X with a yielding elastic force.
The enlarged view, Fig. 9, shews the construction of the cupped heads Gʻ, G³,
plainly. The ends of these beads are drilled out with a tool, which in form is
the segment of a circle, exactly equal in diameter to that of the ball for which
the cups are designed to receive, then by means of another tool the cups are
made slightly flaring, as shown at i, i. When the cups are dusted with emery
or some other suitable polishing substance, and a ball is placed between them,
as shewn in Figures 7 and 9, the ball will fit snugly into those portions of the
cups which are made to conform to its size and shape. When the machine is
started the ball will receive an irregular oscillatory motion about its axis in
different planes, thus bringing different surfaces in contact with the surfaces
of the two cups, which will keep up a constant rubbing action upon the ball
and effect the polishing and smoothing of its surface.
lu practice a flaring

page_text: ring or cup may be applied around the upper edge of the cupped head G', for
the purpose of holding the polishing powder and slowly feeding it to the cups,
or vessel containing the polishing substance may be applied to the frame of
the machine above the cups, and provided with a pipe leading to the lower
cup。
Having now set forth the nature of the Invention of "Improvements in the
Mode of and Machinery for Making Shot and Shells for Ordnance," as com-
municated to me from abroad, and explained the manner of carrying the same
into effect, I wish it to be understood that under the above in part recited
Letters Patent I claim,-
First. The compression and condensation of spherical shot or shells while
the metal thereof is in a highly heated or plastic state by means substantially
as described.
Secondly. The arrangement of machinery above described for effecting the
consolidation of spherical shot and shells.
And, thirdly. The machinery above described for polishing spherical shot
and shells.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Twenty-fifth day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFatt,
66, Chancery Lane.
A. V. NEWTON. (L.S.)