An Improved Method of Charging Explosive Shells.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Apr., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 1st Feb., 1892-Accepted, 12th Mar., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Charging Explosive Shells.
I, FRANK WILLIAM DODD, of 37 Walbrook, in the City of London, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
My invention relates to shells charged with gelatinous or other explosives.
When explosives are used as bursting charges for shells, it is desirable to fill the
shells completely with such explosives, in order that no movement of the charge
may be possible, and in order that no shock or friction may be caused by such
movement during the firing of the gun in. which such shells may be used. This is
more particularly the case with high-explosives, such as nitro-gelatine.. It is
further desirable that the shell may be charged with as little. manipulation, and as
quickly as possible. The chief object of this invention is to provide a convenient
safe and effective method of loading shells under such conditions.
My said invention may be advantageously carried into practice as follows:-I
construct a case of compressed paper, wood, india-rubber, or other suitable material,
to contain the solidly packed charge, and which may or may not be coated
internally with paraffin, varnish, or other material, in order to prevent absorption,
by the imaterial of the case, of any portion of the explosive charge. Furthermore,
this case is advantageously made of such external dimensions, that when it is
inserted into the shell there is a space between the outer surface of the case and
the inner surface of the shell, which space is filled by suitable plaster, asphalte, or
other material which may be poured in while in a liquid state, and which will set
firm and solid. It is preferable to use a composition which expands slightly on
setting, in order to ensure that the shell will be tightly packed when the plaster
has set.
I prefer to fill the above described case of compressed paper or other material,
with one homogeneous piece or mass of the explosive, which completely fills the
said case.
I secure by this invention, not only a form of charge which is safe and convenient
for storing and transporting before it is placed in the shell, but also an easy, safe,
and effectual method of loading the shells with such charges.
Dad da
ML 1901
FRANK WM. DODD.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Charging Explosive Shells.
I, FRANK WILLIAM DODD, of 37 Walbrook, in the City of London, 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 :-
This invention relates to shells charged with gelatinous or other explosives.
The object of the invention is to render the loading of explosive shells safer and
more expeditious than heretofore, and also to render such shells less liable to
explosion from shock or from friction between internal parts:
carry the invention into practice as follows:-I construct a case of wood,
compressed paper, india rubber, or other suitable material, of such form and size
that when inserted into the shell there is a small space left in all directions
between the outer surface of the case and the inner surface of the shell.
found that india-rubber is a very suitable material for this case and that a space
DO7
I have

page_text: of from three sixteenths to three eighths of an inch between the shell and the case
in all directions, is a convenient amount.
The case above mentioned is filled completely with the explosive which is to
form the bursting charge and is inserted bodily into the cavity of the shell through
an aperture provided for that purpose. 1 fill up the space between the case and
the shell by pouring into it any suitable plaster which will set hard and fix the
charge in the shell. The aperture through which the charge has been inserted is
then closed with a suitable cap or plug. It is very desirable that the composition
which is used to fill the space between the case and the shell should expand
slightly in setting so that the shell will afterwards be very tightly packed. I
have found plaster of Paris of good quality to be very suitable for this purpose.
If the case is of an absorbent material it should be varnished, or otherwise rendered
incapable of absorbing any part of the plaster or of the charge.
When loaded in the above-described manner, the shell is insensible to any ordinary
shock, and even when the bursting charge consists of nitro-gelatine it can be handled
with perfect safety. When fired from a gun the shell will be less liable to pre-
nature explosion, and when fired at a suitable velocity its decreased sensibility
enables it to penetrate iron or steel plates to a considerable depth before exploding
from shock. The explosive is put into the case through an aperture provided
for that purpose, and the aperture is afterwards closed and sealed up; consequently
the explosive is not exposed in the process of loading the shell.
The above described method of loading explosive shells will be better understood
by reference to the accompanying drawing in which
Fig. 1 is a section taken along the axis of the shell and
Fig. 2 is a section taken at right angles to the axis of the shell at about the
middle point of its length.
A is the body of the shell. The base of the shell is closed by the screwed cap B.
C is a case of india rubber, or compressed paper, or other suitable material,
having its base D made in a separate piece. The case C is completely filled
with the explosive which is to form the bursting charge F and its end D is fixed
in with india-rubber solution or other suitable means. This will usually be
done at the place where the explosive is manufactured.
Whenever it is desired to load the shell, the case C is inserted into it and
held in such a position as to leave an equal space in all directions between its
outer surface and the inner surface of the shell. The intervening space, marked E
in the drawing, is then filled by pouring in plaster of Paris or other suitable material
so as to completely fill the shell. The cap B is then quickly screwed on and the
plaster or other composition sets and fixes the charge.
It will be seen from the drawing that a case such as C might be adapted to
any chamber provided in a shell for the reception of a bursting charge, suitable
provision being made for its admission and for the admission of the surrounding
composition. The particular shell shown in the drawing is designed to carry a high
explosive and explode from shock after penetrating a hard body to a greater or
less distance no fuse, therefore, is necessary in this case.
. Having now particularly 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:
An explosive shell in which the bursting charge contained in a closed case is
surrounded by a plaster or other material which sets and expands and fixes the
charge.
Dated this 31st day of January 1892.
FRANK WM, DODD,