Improvements in the Mounting and Working of Cannon.
Year: 1894

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Mounting and Working of Cannon.
We JAMES EASTWICK of 11, New Square, Lincoln's Inn, London W. Barrister,
and ILLIUS AUGUSTUS TIMMIS, of 2 Great George Street, Westminster,
London S.W. Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
The objects of our invention, are to increase the fire efficiency of heavy guns,
in number and accuracy of shots fired, in a given time.
Also to lessen the fire risk of the crew.
It is well known that heavy guns such as 10" and 12" are not classed under
the head of quick firing guns, and it is our object to make them, or even heavier
pieces, into quick firing guns, by the improved arrangements described hereinafter.
It is also well known that it requires the impact effect produced by a shot or
shell from a 10" (or even larger) gun to penetrate the belt armour of an ironclad,
and we maintain that if such a gun can be fired quickly, say several times in
a minute, the effect on an enemy's ironclad will be quite as effective in sinking her,
between the distances (or ranges) of 1000 to 200 yds., as a successful use of the ram,
and without the risks.
It is well known also, that at present it is considered necessary to arm a ship
with four heavy guns for the simple reason that the loading operation is so lengthy.
But our invention enables a gun to fire five and even more times more quickly than
at present, and therefore we need only use two guns, and even then can double (or
more) the number of shots fired in a given time.
It is also well known that at present it is necessary to disturb in some systems of
gun mounting both the training and elevation, and in all others the elevation of
heavy guns in order to load, thus making continuous aiming impossible, but by
our invention the aim may be kept continuously on the mark without reference to
anything else.
It is also well known that at present it is necessary to have a crew more or less
numerous close to the gun liable to be disabled not only by direct fire when the
shield or turret is pierced but also by the poisonous fumes of high explosives even
if the turret is not pierced while the service of the gun is liable to suffer not only
But by
by the crew being disabled but also by mistakes in working due to flurry.
our invention the whole crew may be withdrawn to the platform deck where they
will be practically secure from fire risks, and the chances of flurry or confusion
are reduced to a minimum.
In order to effect these improvements we fit a gun on a carrier running on a gun-
slide in any convenient way. We may attach to the front of the slide, or outside
the armour shield, an armour plate or collar fitting closely round the chase of the
gun and properly curved or bevelled so as to close completely the top and bottom
of the porthole in the shield or turret at all angles of elevation or depression and
may utilize its weight to counterpoise wholly or partially that of the gear hereinafter
described.
We fit the breech block (which we prefer to be helical, though this is not
essential) in a frame which is not hinged to the gun but slides when the breech

page_text: block is unscrewed, on suitable rollers in guides attached to the gun in any con-
venient way.
If a screw guard (see our Patent No. 18,442, of 1893) is fitted
in the breech it may be used to rotate the breechblock or be rotated by it.
When the gun is at the firing position and ready to be fired it is held in that
position either by springs, or by springs supplemented by a hydraulic brake or by
an electro magnetic brake or by all three together. If a hydraulic brake is used
any known and available system may be used and there are so many known ways
of effecting this that it does not need explaining.
If an electro magnetic brake is used we make it as follows:-
Within the gun carrier we make a number of sunk grooves circular or otherwise
into which we insert coils of wire (in series or parallel with each other) these
are the bobbins and we put an iron or steel face in front of them. The armature
is the metal of the gun slide. Or the bobbins may be in the slide and the carrier
the armature.
When the gun is in the firing position, the angle of elevation regulates the brake
effect which is applied to aid the springs in holding the gun at the firing point
and if desired at the end of the recoil. The gun when fired compresses a given
number or sets of springs which we call gun springs and also another set or sets,
which we call working springs.
During the recoil the gun also carries back with it one or more (say two by
preference) working cylinders and their pistons so that no work is done in or by
them during the recoil. Each working cylinder has three sets of ports, each set
consisting of flow and return ports, and is attached to and controlled by the
working springs, and the piston is attached to the gun or vice versa. When the
gun is at the end of its recoil or at any arranged point on the return the working
springs are held fast by a brake or clutch, hydraulic or magnetic, and the cylinder
also, but the gun is sent forward again and with it the piston above named by
the gun spring.
This action of the piston forces the liquid in the cylinder through the flow
ports of the first set of ports and into another cylinder hereinafter called the
loading elevator, and this raises the gun or lowers it from the firing elevation to
the loading elevation. The loading elevator consists of a hydraulic ram and
cylinder which are operated as just described but the means by which the loading
elevation is attained and varied are described hereinafter. The loading elevation
we prefer to be a slight muzzle depression because the charge is more easily forced
into the gun. But there is another reason why the first portion of the guns return
is utilized to take her to nearly a horizontal level, i.e., if the gun is fired at a high
elevation it requires enormous spring power (weight & cost) to run her out again
up an inclined plane the whole way, but by our invention this is obviated, and the
gun can be mounted in a smaller space. The gun is then during the first part of
her return and when the springs have their maximum of power, sent to a nearly
level position. Then the gun springs still send her on and at the same time force
the piston on, and displace more fluid from the cylinder through the flow ports of
the second set of ports. This fluid goes into a ram cylinder actuating the ram
which we call the unlocking ram, and which by suitable gearing unlocks the breech
block, and at the same time drives home the ram of a corresponding cylinder.
This ram we call the locking ram.
Then the gun travels on through its last stage out to its firing position (but at
the loading elevation) and the piston displaces the rest of the liquid in the cylinder
and sends it through the flow ports of the third set of ports into a long and small
diameter cylinder (or cylinders) thus actuating one (or more) long pistons which
carry the breech block on its slides out in a straight line to the rear of the gun to
such a distance as to leave room for a complete charge to come between the gun
and the breech block. If a cartridge case is used the old case is drawn out by the
breech block and dropped into a shoot below the gun. Then if necessary the wash
out takes place, and to effect this we force a jet of water at high pressure into the
gun (the breech threads or screws being protected by the screw guard, which fits

page_text: accurately into the threads) and we may finish the operation by a high pressure
injection of steam and air which cleanses and dries the gun and no dirt or water
comes out at the rear.
Meanwhile a fresh complete charge has been delivered in
two or more parts up a suitable tube or frame by means of an articulated endless
chain or band or other suitable means onto a trough.
The chain or other contrivance is actuated by an electro motor or by any suitable
mechanical gearing controlled automatically or at will. When the gun is ready
the trough is moved automatically or at will by an electro motor or other means,
from its position by the elevator, to a position between the gun, and the breech
block.
Then either automatically or at will the brake holding the working springs is
released and the working springs force the working cylinder forward to its normal
position.
The first portion of this stroke or motion of the cylinder as it passes along its
piston forces the liquid in it through the return ports of the third set of ports and
the breech block is run into the gun driving the complete charge into the gun.
Then the fluid is forced through the return ports of the second set of ports and the
locking ram is operated and the breech block is screwed in the breech and held
locked. Then the fluid is forced through the return ports of the first set of ports
and enters an elevating ram cylinder hereinafter called the firing elevator and
operates its ram and so gives the firing elevation to the gun automatically.
Thus there are separate rams and cylinders or clevators to give the firing and
the loading elevations.
These two elevators are each in communication with a compensating cylinder.
The inside capacity of the latter is regulated by set gear which is adjustable at all
times whether the elevator is in or out of gear, and is controlled by the officer in
charge. The two elevators are operated as follows.
When the fluid is driven as before described through the flow ports of the first
set of ports from the main cylinder (or cylinders) into the loading elevator, it first
fills its compensating chamber and then its own cylinder and the variation of
stroke thus produced sends the gun from any firing elevation to the given loading
elevation.
At the same time a corresponding volume of fluid is supplied to the other side
of the piston in the working cylinder through the return ports from the firing
elevator and its compensating chamber. The firing elevator is thus thrown out
of gear.
On the return stroke when the working cylinder is passing over its piston and
when the fluid in it is being forced through the return ports of the first set of ports into
the firing elevator, this elevator works in precisely the same way and sends the gun
to any required firing elevation, at the same time a corresponding amount of fluid is
supplied to the working cylinder on the other side of its piston through the flow
orts from the loading elevator and its compensating chamber.
The compensating chambers are fitted with loaded diaphragms which prevent
any vacuum.
When these operations are finished the gun is fired automatically, or at will by
the closing of the electric firing circuit.
After the charge, & breech block are run in, the electro-motor which operates
the charge trough and which is wound so as to work in two opposite directions,
carries the charge trough back to its position in front of the charge elevator. This
is done either automatically or at will and the electro-motor or other means which
operates the charge elevator delivers another complete charge onto the trough.
This again is effected either automatically or at will.
It must be borne in mind that when fluid is being forced through the flow ports,
of any set of ports the return ports of that set are open and receive the return
liquid, and vice versa.
Where pistons and cylinders (as in the case of the elevating cylinders) are
oscillating, and the fluid has to flow into, and out of them we prefer to use what is

page_text: known as armoured flexible hose, or pipes which are now regularly made, to stand
very great pressure.
Dated thin 17th dow of November 1801
JAMES EASTWICK.
I. A. TIMMIS.
We JAMES EASTWICK, late of No. 11, New Square, but now of No. 12, Old
Square, Lincoln's Inn, London, W.C. Barrister, and ILLIUS AUGUSTUS TIMMIS,
of No. 2, Great George Street, Westminster, London, S.W. Civil Engineer, 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:-
The objects of our invention are to increase the fire efficiency of heavy guns in
number and accuracy of shots fired in a given time, and also to lessen the fire risks
of the crew.
It is well known that heavy guns such as 10" and 12" guns are not classed under
the head of quick firing guns, and it is our object to make them or even heavier
pieces into quick firing guns by the improved arrangements hereinafter described.
It is also well known that it requires the impact effect produced by a shot or
shell from a 10" or even larger gun, to penetrate the belt armour of an ironclad,
and we maintain that if such a gun can be fired quickly, say several times in a
minute, the effect on an ironclad will be quite as decisive in sinking her at short
ranges as a successful use of the ram, and without the risks. And we further
maintain, that at longer ranges, say from 1000, to 2000, yards such a gun will be
far more sure of hitting than, and nearly as effective as, a torpedo.
It is well known also that at present it is considered necessary to arm a ship
with four heavy guns, for the simple reason that the loading operation is so lengthy.
But our invention enables a gun to fire, five and even more times as quickly than
at present, and thus we need only use two guns to fire double the number of shots,
or even more in a given time.
It is also well known that at present it is necessary to disturb in some systems
of gun mounting, both the training and elevation, and in most the clevation of
heavy guns, in order to load, thus making continuous aiming impossible, but by our
invention the aim may be kept continuously on the mark without reference to
anything else.
It is also well known that at present it is necessary to have a crew more or less
numerous close to the gun, liable to be disabled not only by direct fire when the
shield, or turret is pierced but also by the poisonous fumes of high explosives, even
when the turret is not pierced, while the service of the gun is liable to suffer not
only by the crew being disabled, but also by mistakes in working due to flurry.
But by our invention the whole crew may be withdrawn to the platform deck,
where they will be practically secure from fire risks, and the chances of flurry or
confusion are reduced to a minimum.
Our invention will be most readily understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Fig. 1. is a side elevation of a heavy gun as fitted for service according to our
invention with electric recoil brakes. The latter and most of the gearing not
shown.
Fig. 2. is a longitudinal section in part along line I-II Fig. 4.

page_text: We fit the gun on a carrier running on a gunslide in any convenient or available
way. We may attach to the front of the slide an armour plate or collar of any.
available form so as to close completely the bottom, or top and bottom of the port
hole, and may utilise its weight to counterpoise wholly or partially that of the gear
hereinafter described.
In the drawings, A. is the gun, B. the carrier, and C. the gunslide.
We fit the breech block (which we prefer to be helical, though this is not
essential) in a crosshead which is not hinged to the gun, but slides when the breech
block is unscrewed, on suitable frames or guides attached to the gun in any
convenient way.
If a screw guard (see our Patent No. 18442, of 1893,) is fitted
in the breech it may be used to rotate the breech block, or may be rotated by it.
In the drawings the cross head is shewn at D, and the sliding frames at E.
The gun is fitted with a screw guard which is indicated at F and rotates the
breechblock.
When the gun is at the firing position and ready to be fired, it is held there
either by springs, or by a hydraulic, or electro-magnetic brake, or by all three
together. If a hydraulic brake is used, any known and available system may be
adopted. But we prefer to use an electric brake of the type hereinafter described,
as being more quick in its action and more readily controlled, and we employ it
to keep the weight of the gun, or the greater part of it off the springs at any angle
of elevation.
In the drawings, electric brakes are shewn and they are indicated in Figs. 3,
and 5, at G.
2. MAIN ACTION.
The gun on being fired, sufficiently reduces the E.M.F. of or breaks the circuit
of, the electric brake, (if used) and compresses two sets of springs, one of which
we call gun springs, and the other we call working springs, these are shewn at H
and I respectively. It also carries back with it one or more (by preference two)
cylinders, which we call working cylinders, and which are shewn at K and their
Each working
pistons, so that during the recoil, no work is done in or by them.
cylinder is attached to, and moves with the gun, and its piston is attached to the
working springs or vice versa.
After the recoil the gun may be held by the electric brake or by hydraulic
means for any desired interval, so that it may be seen that it has fired properly.

page_text: Then at the commencement of or any prearranged point on the return, the working
springs are held fast by a clutch or brake, hydraulic or magnetic, and the pistons
also, hut the gun is sent forward again, and with it the working cylinders by the
gun springs, and thus the effect of a stroke of the piston is produced.
The hydraulic brake or clutch is shewn at V. in Figs. 3, 5, 7, and 10. Its
piston rod is attached to the crosshead M which forms the cap or head of the
springs I and is also attached to the piston of K. It will readily be understood
that the same effect is produced if the piston is attached to the carrier, and the
cylinder K to the springs.
Each working cylinder K has three sets of ports, each set consisting of flow and
return ports, and the action of the piston above described forces liquid through
the flow ports and admits it through the return ports consecutively. The flow
ports of each set are indicated in the drawings at a. b. and c, and the return ports
at d, e, and f.
At the commencement of the stroke the fluid passes through the flow ports a of
the first set, and into a main connected with the ram hereinafter referred to as the
loading elevator, and this brings the gun from any firing elevation to the proper
loading elevation; the means by which this is attained, and varied are described
bereinafter. At the same time the return port d admits fluid to the back of the
pistons in K from a main connected with the ram hereinafter referred to as the
firing elevator. The port a communicates by the passage a¹ and the sliding
jacket a with the main shewn at a³, and the port d communicates in like manner
by the passage d', and the jacket d with the main d³. The fluid admitted
through d finds its way through the piston by the passage d' the reason of which
is explained hereafter.
The loading elevation we prefer to be a slight muzzle depression, because then
the charge is more easily forced into the gun. But there are other reasons why the
first portion of the gun's return is utilized to bring her to a level slightly above
the horizontal. One reason is that if the gun is fired at a high elevation it requires
enormous spring power (weight, and room, and cost,) to run her out again up an
inclined plane the whole way and hold her there, but by our invention she is raised
to a position above the horizontal while the springs are still at their maximum
power or nearly so, and thenceforward she gravitates down an inclined plane, her
weight assisting the springs until she is again gripped by the electric brake.
Another reason is that by this means the chief part of the loading arrangements
are removed from the barbette to the shield or turret, and consequently the
barbette need only be large enough to afford clearance for the recoil at high angles
of fire.
During this first part of the recoil then the gun is sent to her loading position,
then the piston passes over and closes the ports a and d and so keeps her there
during the subsequent operations.
Next the gun springs still send her on and the effect of the piston stroke
continues. The back of the piston now uncovers the port e the fluid passes through
the port b. and the main into a ram cylinder, and actuates a ram which we call
the unlocking ram, (shewn at N, in the drawings,) and which by suitable gearing
unscrews the breech. The return fluid passing through e flows by the main e¹ from
a corresponding ram cylinder which we call the locking ram (shewn at O) and thus
permits the entry of that ram as the breech is unscrewed.
In the drawings the rams are shewn as pressing a flat bearing against a
projection on a lever attached to the screw guard. It is clear that cylinders with
pistons could be used instead of rains, and in this case the whole gear attached to
each working cylinder would be kept quite separate.
Then the gun travels on through its last stage out to its firing position, but at
the loading elevation. The piston has now passed over the port b. and so keeps
the locking gear in the unlocked position until the port is open again, and during
this last stage, it sends fluid through the flow ports c. of the third set into a long
and small diameter cylinder or cylinders, thus actuating one or more long pistons

page_text: which carry the breech block on the sliding frames out in a straight line to the
rear of the gun to such a distance, as to leave room for a complete charge to b
placed between the gun and the breech block.
In the drawings the flow mains leading to the long cylinders are shewn at c', and
a pair of long cylinders are indicated one being shewn at P. The breech block
when run out is in the position shewn at æ in Fig. 1.
The fluid displaced from the back of the pistons, goes through a return main and
the return port f to the back of the pistons in the working cylinders. In the
drawings this return main is shewn at f
If a cartridge case is used the old one is drawn out by the breech block by any
available form of extractor, and dropped into a shoot below the gun shewn at Qin
Fig. 1.
Then if necessary the wash out takes place, to effect which we force a jet of
water at high pressure into the gun, (the threads of the breech screw being now
protected by the screw guard which fits accurately into them,) and we may finish
the operation by a high pressure injection of steam and air, which cleanses and
dries the gun, and no dirt or water comes out at the rear.
Then the new charge is brought into position by the ammunition gear herein-
after described, and then, either automatically by the closing of the circuit 3,
hereinafter mentioned, or at will the hydraulic brake holding the working spring
is released, and the springs force the piston forward into its normal position
reversing the former operations, the return ports now acting as flow ports and the
flow ports as return.
Thus the first portion of the stroke forces the liquid through the port f and the
breech block is run into the breech driving the complete charge before it. Next
the liquid is forced through the return port e the locking ram is operated, and the
breech block screwed home and locked there. Then the fluid forced through
the port d into the firing elevator and operates its ram and so gives the firing
elevation to the gun automatically.
When these operations are finished the gun is fired automatically, or at will by
the closing of an electric firing circuit.
The passage d and the requisite length given to the piston in K. are introduced
to prevent any fluid passing to the firing elevator and disturbing the position of
the gun before the proper time.
It will be noticed that the long cylinders P, have no tail guides. The proportion
between the contents of these cylinders at the front and back of the piston is
maintained throughout the gear.
We may attain the effect of the piston ports in this gear by the use of piston
valves instead.
We are aware that the use of the breech block as a loader is not new, but what
is new in this part of our invention is, the use of moving cylinders provided with
piston ports or valves so as to combine the automatic adjustment of the slide to a
given level, the unscrewing and the running out, and the converse motions into one
operation which takes place wholly after the recoil is over so as to save the gear
from any undae shock, and prevent any risk of accident from the gun not firing
properly.
3. ELEVATING GEAR.
It will be seen from what has been already said that there are separate rams,
and cylinders, or elevators to give the firing and loading elevations.
These separate cylinders are in each case in communication with a compensating
cylinder or cylinders. The maximum capacity of the latter is regulated by set
gear which is adjustable at all times whether the elevator is in or out of gear,
and is controlled by the officer in charge. These two elevators are operated
as follows:-
When the fluid is driven as before described through the port a, into the loading
elevator, it first fills the compensating chamber, and then the cylinder of the

page_text: •
elevator, and the variation of stroke thus produced sends the gun from any firing
to the given loading elevation.
At the same time a corresponding volume of fluid is supplied to the other side
of the piston in K. through the return port d from the firing elevator and its
compensating chamber. The firing elevator is thus thrown out of gear.
On the return stroke when the fluid in K is being forced through d into the
firing elevator, this elevator works in precisely the same way, thus sending the gun
to any required firing elevation at the same time a corresponding quantity of fluid
is supplied to the cylinder K on the other side of the piston through the port a
from the loading elevator and its compensating chamber, and the loading elevator
is then out of gear.
The compensating chambers are fitted with loaded diaphragms which prevent
any vacuum.
It will be understood that there may be any number of firing and loading
elevators, and that these may be direct acting or inverted rams, and we may have
one or more compensating chambers to each ram without affecting our invention.
In Fig. 8. is shewn in diagramatic form the loading and firing elevators intended
to be fitted on each side of the gun as shewn in Fig. 1. on one side. Each elevator
is an inverted ram, and has two compensating chambers, one on the slide, one in
the mounting. This arrangement affords a direct and ready supply of fluid to the
working cylinders, while enabling the adjusting gear to be more easily worked,
and (in the case of that of the firing elevator,) connected with the sights.
In the drawings R is the firing elevator, S the loading elevator, T and T' are
the compensating chambers of R, U and U¹ those of S.
When the piston in K is in its normal position, T' and T¹ are full of fluid and the
diaphragms shewn at Ta and T'a are at the top of the chambers. If the plunger Tb
is forced home, the fluid displaced from T' cannot enter T which is full nor K,
because the initial power of the springs I is greater than the balance weight of the
gun, and slide; therefore it enters R and the breech of the gun is raised accordingly.
Then if Tb is withdrawn, the fluid flows out of R, the balance weight of the gun
being greater than those of Ta and T'a, in other words so long as the piston in K
is in its normal position, the breech and the gunslide follow accurately the move-
ments of Tb.
As To rises and falls, the piston in S rises and falls too with the slide, and fluid
flows into, or out of U and U¹ accordingly. At extreme muzzle elevation the
position will be shewn in Figure 8.
Then when fluid is forced through the port a, and the main a³ it first fills the
compensating chambers U and U₁ (if not already full) pressing the diaphragms Ua
and U'a against the tops of the chambers, and then the remainder goes to S and
brings its piston and with it the gun and slide to the required loading level.
Where the firing elevation of breech is above the loading elevation, the fluid
passing through a is not of itself sufficient to fill the compensating chambers, bat
the balance is supplied from S as the gun falls to the loading elevation.
The principle is that the volume required to fill S varies inversely as that
required to fill U and U', but the sum of the variants is always equal to the
constant volume supplied through a and a3.
Meanwhile a corresponding volume is supplied to the back of the piston in K
from T and T¹ through the main d³, Ta and T'a sink accordingly, and until that
volume is restored, any movement of Tb only takes effect on Ta and Ta', but not
on the gun and thus R is thrown out of gear, though the sighting may still proceed.
The plunger Tb may be connected with a dummy carrying the sights, and this
dummy may be sighted continuously without reference to the position of the gun.
On the return of the piston the fluid is forced back through the main d³, and
the firing elevator works in the same way, the fluid first filling up T and Ti and
then the remainder if any regulating the piston in R, at the same time the fluid
returning to K, through the port a and the main a3, throwing out of gear again.
The plunger Ub is fitted to provide for varying, and correcting the loading

page_text: elevation when required. The impact of the diaphragms on the tops of the
chambers is "cushioned" by air in the ordinary way.
Where pistons and cylinders are oscillating (as in the case of R and S we may
use what is known as armoured flexible hose or pipes which are now regularly
made to stand very great pressure.
In the drawings such hose is indicated at d³,
and a'.
follows:-
Within the gun carrier we make a number of sunk grooves circular or otherwise
into which we insert coils of wire in series or parallel with each other, these are
the bobbins and we fit soft iron or steel projections or faces in any convenient
way.
The armature is the metal of the gunslide, or the bobbins may be in the slide
and the carrier the armature. In either case the magnets and armature may if
required be insulated by non-magnetizable material so that the fields of the magnets
do not affect the compasses, and the rest of the gear is not magnetized. And in
either case a small amount of "play" is allowed to the armatures so that they do
not go home unevenly.
In the drawings two sets of brakes each attached to the slide in wake of the
trunnions are shewn at G, and the armatures are on the carrier.
The magnets are actuated from any convenient source of electricity, either the
lighting circuit of the ship or any special source.
The action of this brake is as follows:-
1. When the gun is in firing position on the slide a current is on which keeps
the whole, or the greater part of the weight off the spring..
2. On firing (which cannot be done unless and until everything is ready and
secure) the gun recoils and this motion switches in resistances, or switches out
elements and cells by which the current is sufficiently reduced, or broken to permit
the recoil to continue, and the springs to be compressed.
3. As the gun reaches the end of the recoil, all resistances are switched out, or
elements or cells switched in and the brake brings her to a standstill.
Then the current is switched off either automatically or at will, and the gun is
run forward by the gunsprings as before described. If the current is switched
off automatically it is done by a "dashpot
or other convenient means, so as to
provide for a proper pause in the working.
"
4. In the case of Nos. 1 and 2 and if desired No. 3 also, the current is further
regulated by a variable resistance switch actuated by the motion of the slide round
its pivot, so that the power of the brake varies according to the elevation.
We use any available form of switch, and there are so many that they do not
require description, and for this reason they, and the leads are not shewn in the
drawing.
In a design such as that shewn, we may place the switches near the points
marked for safety from injury and convenience of access. The switches and
circuits are in all cases duplicated to avoid accident.
The brake or clutch which holds the working springs may as hereinbefore
mentioned be either magnetic or hydraulic. In the latter case any available form
of hydraulic brake may be used which is capable of being controlled by a valve.
In the drawings is shewn at V in Fige. 3, 5, and 7 a simple form of electrically
controlled hydraulic brake which is shewn in more detail in Fig. 10. On the recoil
the piston a (Fig. 10.) is driven back and the fluid passes to the back of it,
through the main and the check valve c". During the last portion of the
stroke it flows through the open port d". Then this port allows a slight return
aiter which the piston, and with it the working springs are held until the valve e"
is opened by the electro magnet f" which is actuated by the ammunition gear as
B

page_text: 5. AMMUNITION GEAR.
Each charge is delivered in two or more parts up a suitable tube or frame, by
means of an articulated endless chain or band or other suitable contrivance into a
trough or split tube.
The chain or other contrivance is actuated by an electro-motor, or by any
suitable mechanical gearing controlled automatically or at will.
When the gun is
ready the trough is moved automatically or at will from its position in front of the
lift or frame into a position between the gun and breech block by an electro-motor
which is wound so as to operate in two opposite directions. Then the brake which
controls the working springs is released and the breech block traverses the trough
thrusting the charge before it.
The tube or frame is brought up near the centre of the are of training and the
whole gear goes round with the gun so that the training is as continuous as the
sighting. In Fig. 1. the tube is shown at W, and the trough at Y; the trough is
shewn in section in Fig. 11. A trough of this section is needed when the frame D
is below the axis of the gun: in this case the trough works on an overhead tramway
as shewn at Z in Fig. 1. The tube is deflected by an easy curve to the rear of the
gun and the trough is as nearly as may be tangential to the curve so as to avoid
any shock or drop to the charge.
The lift is as has been said actuated by independent power, electric or otherwise
as may be desired, but for automatic or self-regulative working it is to be controlled
by four electric circuits which work as follows:-
1. This is complete when the trough is in position by the lift, and is empty and
the lift is desired to work. Then when the powder and shot are delivered into the
trough the circuit is broken and the lift stops.
2. When the trough is filled and No. 1, is broken a contact N. 2, is made.
This circuit is complete when the breech block is held at a. Then the trough is
run sideways into position between the breechblock and the gun by the electro-
motor before referred to.
3. When the trough is in this latter position No. 2, is broken, and No. 3 made.
This actuates the magnet f" and opens the valve e" of the hydraulic brake, and
releases the working springs.
4. When the breech block enters the gun No. 3 is broken, and No. 4 made..
This runs back the trough to its place by the lift.
If a conical breech block is used the trough must be made to open in sections
so as to admit the passage of the breech block. The currents are derived from
any convenient source. As in the case of the brakes, and for the same reasons
the electro motor switches and leads are not shown in the drawings. We wish it
clearly understood that in this gear no motion commences until the previous
motions are complete and everything is ready.
6. DRILL, DISCONNECTING, UNSHIPPING.
a. Drill. For drill purposes the springs I, may be taken out, or thrown out of
gear, a hand hydraulic jack or winch connected with the inlets g" g" of the
hydraulic brake, and the crosshead of the piston in K, worked backwards and
forwards accordingly. This produces the effect of a recoil without the labour .of
working against springs.
b. Disconnecting. To disconnect the gear altogether the valve e" may be set
permanently open. To disconnect the unlocking and loading gear while leaving
the elevators working, valves are fitted which at one motion connect the mains b
and e¹ and the mains c¹ and f¹. This valve is indicated at A' in Figs. 4 and 6 and
is shewn in detail in Fig. 12.

page_text: c. Unshipping. In the design shewn in the drawings the gun is simply laid on
the carrier, and secured in any convenient way and the breechblock secured to the
holder; to unship all that is necessary is to unbolt the fastenings and lift off.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inveu-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is both separately and in combination :-
1. The use of moving hydraulic cylinders, provided with piston ports or valves,
and connected with two sets of springs, and with proper elevating gear so as to
combine the automatic adjustment of the gun slide to a given level, the unscrewing,
and the running out of the breech block, and the converse motions into one
operation which takes place wholly after the recoil is over substantially for the
purposes and in the manner hereinbefore described.
2. The use in connection with the working of heavy guns of electric brakes,
consisting of electro-magnets sunk in, and forming part of the carrier or slide
substantially, and in the manner and for the purposes, and controlled as herein-
before set forth.
3. An elevating gear, consisting of hydraulic rams or sets of rams, in connection
with adjustable compensating chambers so that a varying stroke is automatically
produced in the loading and firing levels of a gun, substantially as and for the
purposes herein before described.
4. An ammunition gear, consisting of a curved tube or frame, and trough,
controlled by electric circuits so as to be regulated according to the motions of
the gun substantially as, and for the purposes herein before set forth.
Dated this 17th day of August 1895
JAMES EASTWICK.
ILLIUS AUGUSTUS TIMMIS.