AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF PROJECTILE
Year: 1885

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, CHARLES WELLS, of 18, Walker Terrace, Plymouth, in the County of Devon,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "AN IMPROVED
CONSTRUCTION OF PROJECTILE," and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of my invention is an improvement in the construction of projectiles
used in warfare, and relates more particularly to a system of. manufacture, by
which their power of penetration is increased, without increasing their weight, or
the quantity of their respective charges.
It is a well-know fact, that the penetration of metals, masonry, and other
materials used in construction, by a harder substance, is considerably facilitated by
the use of a suitable lubricant, the selection of the proper lubricant for any par-
ticular purpose being, of course, dependent upon the nature of the material to be
penetrated.
In carrying out my invention, I provide for the projectile carrying a proper
lubricant, by forming indentations in its nose, or fitting the latter with a cap,
which indentations, or cap, are to be filled with the proper lubricant before firing
the projectile.
The selection of the exact shape of the indentation, or whether indentation or
cap be employed, will, naturally, depend upon the consistency of the lubricant
employed, it being evident, that where the centrifugal force generated by the
rotation of the projectile would be likely to throw off the lubricant, a cap must be
used, which would, however, be shattered at the moment the projectile strikes, and
the lubricant exposed and scattered on the sides of the hole which the nose of the
projectile makes. Or, both indentation and cap may be used.
In order that my invention, and the means by which the same is to be carried
into practical operation, may be thoroughly understood, I will proceed to describe
the same in detail, referring in so doing to the accompanying drawings, which are
to be taken as illustrative, only, of my invention, and not as limiting its application
to the devices shewn in the figures.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a projectile intended to carry a thick lubricant in
the grooves a.
•
Figs. 2 and 3 are, respectively, sectional, side, and front elevation, in which the
grooves b, to receive the lubricant are slightly inclined.

page_text: Figs. 4 and 5 are, respectively, half front and sectional side elevation, shewing a
projectile with grooves, or perforations c. D is a metal cover to prevent the
scattering of the lubricant. It is shown as entering a groove d, to ensure its not
being displaced by any handling or transport to which the projectile is likely to be
subjected before being loaded into the gun.
Fig. 6 shews the perforations e, closed by screw plugs f.
Figs. 7 and 8 are, respectively, part transverse section and horizontal elevation,
shewing expanded perforations g, closed by screw plugs h.
Fig. 9 is a sectional side elevation, shewing a method of forming a cavity i, for
carrying a liquid lubricant, by the use of a cap j, the sides of which are flatter
than the sides of the nose of the projectile. The cap is first filled and then fixed
on the nose by screws k, or similar simple device.
Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate the use of a loose double cap 1, with a central space m,
for the lubricant, which is intended to be, sent out of store loose, and to be
attached to the projectile as may be required. Screws n, or other simple device,
such as swaging the edge of the cap into a groove, as shewn in Fig. 5, may be
adopted, if considered necessary, to prevent any displacement, of the cap before the
projectile is in flight.
Fig. 12 illustrates the use of recessed spring catches o, to hold the hollow cap 1,
of Figs. 9 and 10.
Fig. 13 illustrates the use of lubricant chamber p carried on the extreme-nose of
the projectile. This position will result in the scattering of the lubricant upon the
surface struck, before penetration is effected.
The caps hereinbefore mentioned may be made of any suitable material or metal.
I wish it to be distinctly understood that I do not confine myself to the exact
devices as they are illustrated in the accompanying figures, as it is clear that these
admit of considerable variation and adaptation, without departing from either the
essence or substance of my invention; but, having described and ascertained the
nature of my said invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
I declare that what I claim is
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1. The use of a lubricant contained in cavities formed in the nose of a projectile,
to facilitate its penetration into the material of the object at which it is fired,
substantially as described with reference to the accompanying figures.
2. The combination of lubricant cavities of any plan or section; and safety
cap d; substantially as described with reference to the accompanying figures 5
and 9.
3. The combination of lubricant; and hollow cap; substantially as described
with reference to the accompanying figures 11 and 12.
4. The combination of lubricant; cavity e, or g; and plug f; substantially as
described with reference to the accompanying figures 7 or 8.
Dated this 7th day of July 1885
Dated this 7th day of July 1885
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Patent Agents,
22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.