Improvements in or connected with Brakes for Gun Carriages.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Jan., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 16th Oct., 1899-Accepted, 23rd Dec., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Brakes for Gun Carriages.
I, AUGUST REICHWALD, of 9, New Broad Street, in the City of London, Steel.
Iron, Metal. and Mineral Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention.
(a communication to me from abroad by the Firm of Fried. Krupp, of Essen, in
the Empire of Germany, Cast Steel Manufacturers), to be as follows:-
In fluid brakes for gun carriages of that type which are provided with a special
running out cylinder or accumulator, the latter is generally connected with the
recoil brake cylinder or cylinders by means of pipe connections, in which are
inserted valves for regulating the running out movement. This arrangement not
only occupies considerable space, but is also difficult to keep fluid tight on account
of the comparatively large number of joints. It also renders the brake very liable
to injury because in such a construction the important parts of the brake, (for
example, the valves), are unprotected and can be easily damaged say by pieces of
exploding shells.
Now the present invention has for object to rectify the said defects and to con-
struct a fluid brake of an extremely compact form, which has no pipes, and there-
fore few joints to be kept tight, which can be readily taken to pieces, and which
is not liable to damage by pieces of exploding shells.
The invention consists in arranging in line with the accumulator a separate
running out brake cylinder which communicates with the fluid space of the accu-
mulator.
I will now describe by way of example the invention as applied to a fluid brake
which is provided with two recoil brakes and one running out cylinder.
Two recoil brake cylinders and a running out cylinder are connected with the
gun cradle in which the gun barrel slides to and fro when the gun is fired, the
running out cylinder being connected with the recoil brake cylinders by means of
passages. The two recoil brakes are identical with each other and each of these
brakes consists of the recoil brake cylinder, a differential brake piston, and a brake
rod. The differential brake piston consists of a plunger piston which is fixed
to a horn of the gun tube and of a piston which slides in the interior of the brake
cylinder. An axial cylindrical hole of the differential brake piston and several
passages extending from this hole. establish communication between the spaces of
the cylinder that are situated on both sides of the piston.
Upon the cover of the brake cylinder in the axis of the latter there is fixed
the brake rod which diminishes in diameter continually towards the brake
piston; the free end of this brake rod projects into the axial hole of the differential
brake piston. All the cavities of the brake cylinder and of the brake piston
are filled with liquid.
In the running out cylinder there is located a running out piston which has a
tendency to be forced by the compressed air contained within a receiver of the
running out cylinder towards the cylinder cover. The running out piston is con-
structed in the form of a cylinder which in open towards the cover and which
contains a stationary brake piston, the latter being fixed to the cylinder cover.
space of the cylindrical interior of the running out piston which is closed by the
stationary brake piston, communicates by means of passages (which are provided in
A

page_text: the stationary brake piston and which are kept closed by means of a spring actuated
valve) with the open portion of the cylindrical interior of the running out piston.
The spring actuated valve which opens towards the aforementioned space, does not
however completely close the passages because the valve is formed with holes of
very small diameter.
All those cavities of the running out cylinder, the running-out piston, and of the
brake piston, which are situated towards the side of the cover, and also the passages
between the running out cylinder and the brake cylinder, are filled with fluid.
From the above described construction of the fluid brake the following will be
seen to be its mode of operation:-On the recoil of the gun barrel, the differential
brake pistons enter into the brake cylinders, whilst at the same time the axial
holes of the pistons pass over the conical brake rods: In consequence
of this, fluid passes from one side of each piston through the annular
intermediate space between the brake rod and the wall of the axial hole
and through the passages to the other side of the piston. By this means, in conse-
quence of the throttling which is experienced by the fluid is passing through the
annular intermediate space, energy of recoil is destroyed and consequently the
recoil movement of the gun barrel is braked.
On account of the conical shape of the brake rod this braking action on the
recoil, takes place in a continually increasing degree, the more the pistons move
into the brake cylinders. At the same time also energy of recoil is stored up,
because the liquid which has been displaced by the pistons and which has passed
on the other side of the same, passes in part into the running out cylinder with the
result of producing a movement of the running out piston, and consequently a
further compression of the compressed air contained in the receiver.
As the fluid forces back the running out piston it flows also through the
passages of the stationary brake piston, raises the spring actuated valve and enters
the aforesaid space. When the recoil movement of the gun barrel is terminated,
the compressed air contained in the receiver will again force the running out
piston towards the cover. The fluid contained in the running out cylinder then
flows back again into the recoil brake cylinders and has simultaneously the result
of pushing the recoil brake pistons out of the cylinders, and of bringing the gun
barrel back again into the firing position.
At the moment in which the recoil movement is terminated, the valve in the
running out brake piston is closed by the pressure of its spring, but a complete
shutting off of the aforesaid space from the other side of the stationary brake
piston, does not however take place, by reason of the holes provided in the spring
actuated valve. In consequence of this, when the running out piston moves for-
ward again, the fluid contained in the aforesaid space passes through the holes and
the passages to the other side of the stationary brake piston and in passing through
the holes the fluid is throttled and thereby a braking or retardation of the running
out movement of the gun is effected.
In some cases the holes of the valves may be dispensed with; in such case the
space for the flow which is necessary for the passage of the liquid from the space
to the other side of the stationary brake piston is then provided for by the
stationary piston being inserted with some play in the cylindrical bore of the
running out piston. This bore may also be made conical by making the diameter
of the cylindrical part of the running out piston larger at one end than at the
other, and by this means the braking of the running out movement may be
arranged to act at the commencement of the forward movement of the running
out piston to a less extent than at the termination thereof so that a uniformly
retarded running out movement can be obtained.
The constructions described may be modified in the following manner; the
brake piston need not be arranged as heretofore described, iz. stationary in a
movable cylinder, but is arranged as a movable piston is a stationary cylinder. Its
movement is effected by the running out piston, with which it is firmly con-
nected.

page_text: The mode of operation of these arrangements is exactly the same as that
described in reference to the first arrangement.
Dated this 24th day of January 1899
Improvements in or connected with Brakes for Gun Carriages.
I, AUGUST REICHWALD, of 9, New Broad Street, in the City of London, Steel.
Iron, Metal and Mineral Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
(a communication to me from abroad by the Firm of Fried. Krupp, of Essen, in
the Empire of Germany, Cast Steel Manufacturers), and in what manner the same
is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:
-
In liquid brakes for gun carriages of that type which are provided with a
separate running out cylinder or accumulator, the latter is generally connected
with the recoil brake cylinder or cylinders by means of pipe connections in which
are inserted valves for regulating the running out movement of the gun barrel.
This arrangement not only occupies considerable space, but is also difficult to keep
fluid tight, on account of the comparatively large number of joints. It also
renders the brake very liable to injury, because in such a construction the im-
portant parts of the brake, (for example the valves) are unprotected, and can be
easily damaged, say by pieces of exploding shells.
Now the present invention has for object to rectify the said defects, and to con-
struct a liquid brake of an extremely compact form, which has no pipes, and there-
fore few joints to be kept tight, which can be readily taken to pieces, and which
is not liable to damage by pieces of exploding shells.
The invention consists essentially in arranging co-axially to the accumulator a
separate running out brake cylinder which communicates with the liquid space of
the accumulator.
The accompanying drawings illustrate by way of example the invention applied
to a liquid brake which is provided with two recoil brakes and one running out
cylinder. Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through one of the recoil brakes.
Fig. 2 is a horizontal section. Fig. 3 is a cross section through the whole liquid
brake. Fig. 4 illustrates a construction of the running out brake piston, modified
as regards Fig. 2. Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate further modes of carrying out the
invention. All the figures correspond to the firing position of the gun.
The invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
The two recoil brake cylinders D, and the running out cylinder H are connected
with the gun cradle, in which the gun barrel slides to and fro, when the gun is
fired, the running out cylinder H being connected with the recoil brake cylinders 1)
by means of the passages Fig. 2. The two recoil brakes are identical with
each other, and each of these brakes consists of the recoil brake cylinder D,
the differential brake piston C C, and the brake rod F. The differential brake
piston consists of the plunger piston C which is fixed to the horn A of the gun
barrel B, and of the piston C which slides in the interior of the brake cylinder D.
An axial cylindrical hole c of the piston C C, and several passages el extending
from this hole c, establish communication between the spaces of the cylinder
that are situated on both sides of the piston C. Upon the cover f of the brake
cylinder in the axis of the latter there is fixed the brake rod F which diminishes

page_text: in diameter continually towards the piston C C₁; the free end of the brake rod F
projects into the hole c of the differential brake piston. All the cavities of the brake
cylinder and of the brake piston are filled with suitable liquid, such as water or oil.
In the running out cylinder or accumulator H there is located a running out
piston J, which has a tendency to be forced by the compressed air contained in
the space K of the running out cylinder H, towards the cylinder cover P. The
running out piston J is connected to, or forms part of a cylinder O which is open
towards the cover P and which contains the running out brake piston L, the latter
being fixed to the cylinder cover P. That part N of the cylinder 0 which is
closed by the brake piston L, communicates by means of passages n (which are
provided in the brake piston L and which are kept closed by means of a valve M)
with the open portion of the cylinder 0. The valve M which opens towards
the space N and is under spring pressure, does not however completely close the
passages because the valve M is formed with holes e of very small diameter.
The brake piston J is further provided with an axial cylindrical rod i which
passes fluid tight through the brake piston L, and which rod i serves solely to
indicate the movement of the running out piston J. All these cavities of the
running out cylinder, the running out piston, and of the brake piston,
which are situated towards the side of the cover P, and also the passages 2 are
filled with liquid.
From the above described construction of the liquid brake the following will
be seen to be its mode of operation:--On the recoil of the gun barrel in the direc-
tion of the arrow shewn in Fig. 1, the differential brake pistons C C¹, enter into
the brake cylinders 1), whilst at the same time the cylindrical holes e pass over the
conical brake rods F. In consequence of this, liquid passes from one side of each
piston C through the annular intermediate space between the brake rod F and the
wall of the hole c, and through the passages c to the other side of the piston C³. By
this means in consequence of the throttling which is experienced by the liquid in
passing through the annular intermediate spaces E, energy of recoil is destroyed
and consequently the recoil movement of the gun barrel is braked.
On account of the conical shape of the rod F this braking action on the recoil,
takes place in a continually increasing degree, the more the pistons CC¹ move into
the cylinders D. At the same time also energy of recoil is stored up, because
the liquid which has been displaced by the pistons C and which has passed to
the other side of the same passes in part through the passage into the running
out cylinder H with the result of producing a movement of the running out
piston J, and consequently a further compression of the compressed air contained
in the gas space K.
As the liquid forces back the running out piston Jit flows also through the
passages of the brake piston L, raises the spring actuated valve M, and enters
the space N. When the recoil movement of the gun barrel is completed by the
exhaustion of the potential energy of the gun, partly in frictional work in the
recoil brakes, and partly by compressing air in the running out cylinder, the com-
pressed air contained in the space K of the accumulator H forces the running out
piston J again towards the cover P. The liquid contained in the running out
cylinder then flows back again into the recoil brake cylinders 1) and has simul-
taneously the result of pushing the recoil brake pistons CC out of the cylinders D,
and of bringing the gun barrel back again into the firing position.
At the moment in which the recoil movement is terminated, the valve M
in the running out brake piston is closed by the pressure of its spring, but a
complete shutting off of the space N from the other side of the running out brake
piston L, does not however take place because the narrow holes e are provided in
the valve M. In consequence of this, when the running out piston I moves forward
again, the liquid contained in the space N passes through the holes e and the
passages to the other side of the brake piston L, and in passing through the
holes e the liquid is throttled and thereby a braking or retardation of the running
out movement of the gun is effected.

page_text: In some cases the holes e of the valve M may, as shewn in Fig. 4, be dispensed
with in such case the space for the flow which is necessary for the passage of the
liquid from the space N to the other side of the brake piston L, is then provided
for, by the piston L being inserted with some play in the cylindrical bore O of the
running out piston. This bore may also be slightly tapered by making the diameter
of the cylindrical bore 0 of the piston larger at 6 than at 62, and by this means
the braking of the running out movement will act at the commencement of the
forward movement of the running out piston to a less extent than at the termina-
tion thereof so that a uniformly retarded running out movement can be obtained.
In the constructions shewn in Figs. 5 and 6, the brake piston is not arranged as
heretofore described, stationary in a movable cylinder, but is arranged as a movable
piston L in a stationary cylinder 01. Its movement is effected by the running
out piston J, with which it is firmly connected. The two arrangements shewn in
Figs. 5 and 6 differ from each other, only in that at Fig. 5, the holes e¹ are provided
in the valve M, which holes are omitted in Fig. 6, being replaced by corresponding
play of the piston L in the cylinder 04 The mode of operation of these two
arrangements is exactly the same as that described in reference to Figs. 1-4.
In this case also the rod which is connected to the brake piston L' and the
running out piston, serves to indicate the position of the pistons.
The principal parts of the running out brake in both the modifications consist of
a cylinder with the bore 0 and a piston I, one of which parts is rigidly connected
to the accumulator cylinder and thereby to the cradle, while the other part is
connected to the piston of the accumulator cylinder.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In a liquid recoil brake for guns, the combination with one or more recoil
brake cylinders D, the accumulator cylinder H and the accumulator piston J of a
separate running out brake cylinder and a piston therein, one of these parts being
rigidly connected to the accumulator cylinder, the other parts being connected
to, the accumulator piston; a valve opening under the recoil pressure of the liquid
and freely admitting liquid into the space between the closed end of the running
out brake cylinder and its piston; and a contracted opening or openings for the
passage of the liquid in opposite direction between the two sides of the running
out brake piston, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
2. In a fluid recoil brake for guns, the combination with one or more recoil brake
cylinders D, the accumulator cylinder H and the accumulator piston J, of a separate
running out brake cylinder with the bore O and a piston L therein, said running
out brake cylinder being rigidly connected to or forming part of the accumulator
piston J while the running out brake piston L is rigidly connected with the accu-
mulator cylinder head P; a valve M in said running our brake piston L opening
under the recoil pressure of the liquid and freely admitting liquid into the space
between the closed end of the running out brake cylinder and its piston, and a
contracted opening or openings for the passage of the liquid in the opposite direc-
tion between the two sides of the running out brake piston, substantially as and for
the purpose specified.