An Apparatus for Ascertaining Automatically when the Pro of a Heavy Gun has for any
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 26th June, 1897-Accepted, 30th Oct.,
1897
An Apparatus for Ascertaining Automatically when the Proper
Elevation of a Heavy Gun has been Given for any Desired Range.
ARTHUR REGINALD GEORGE BEAL H.M.S. "Pembroke " Chatham Assistant
Paymaster Royal Navy. do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and' ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
1. A reservoir (marked R on drawing) to contain any coloured fluid or mercury.
2. A metal tube (marked T on drawing) which may be of any length the par-
ticular mark of gun may require.
3. A tube of glass (hereafter called the indicator) or other transparent material,
like an ordinary thermometer but graduated in yards for distances instead of for
temperatures. This tube is situated at the side of the breech of the gun; it is
encased in a metal covering to preserve it from breakage. The covering to havo
a slit cut down it to enable the tube to be seen inside.
The reservoir R to be connected by the tube T to the indicator I so that the
liquid from R can readily flow up the indicator I.
The indicator I to be fixed into the rear, or breech, end of the tube T nearly at
right angles but slightly inclined out of the perpendicular towards the muzzle of
the gun to which the apparatus, as will be explained, is to be attached. Thie
manner of fastening the indicator I into the tube T to be that the end of the
tube T shall be turned upwards and bent past the perpendicular until it slightly
inclines towards the muzzle of the gun. The turned up end to have a thread to
take a screw. A short piece of metal tube, to screw into the upturned end of
tube T, to be lined with india rubber to be fitted to the base of the indicator I.
The india rubber to come between the inside of the short metal tube and the base
of the indicator to preserve the latter from fracture by concussion.
The apparatus, to be attached to the gun either by screws or by bands, as may
be considered desirable.
The apparatus to be so fixed to the gun that when the gun is laid for point
blank range the liquid in the indicator will be at O.
On the breech of the gun being depressed, the liquid from the reservoir It will
flow up the indicator and if the indicator has been properly graduated the height
of the liquid in it will indicate when the correct elevation has been given for any
desired range.
In the case of a ship rolling at sea or pitching, the motion of the ship would.
correspond to the act of lowering or elevating the breech of a gun and all the
Captain of the gun would have to do would be to watch the indicator until the
liquid ran up to the required range and to fire.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The combined construction and arrangement of the various parts substanțially
as described and illustrated herein.

page_text: 2. In apparatus for ascertaining the level of a gun: an adjustable reservoir
and indicating tube containing a suitable fluid, carried upon the gun for the
purpose of enabling. the elevation or movement of same to be noted.
TYL
cell
T
1007
E. EATON,
Agent for Applicant.