Improved Means for Discharging Ship Guns.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 13th July, 1895-Accepted, 30th Nov., 1895
Improved Means for Discharging Ship Guns.
I, LUDWIG OBRY, of Via Ghega 1. Triest, in the Empire of Austria, 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 object of the present invention is to render the flight of projectiles
discharged from ships' guns independent of the rolling or lurching notion of the
vessel and this object is attained by means of a device adapted to discharge the
gun at the exact moment when one or both of the main axes of the ship are in a
horizontal position.
According to the present invention the apparatus consists in a suspended
gyroscope-like mechanism, having its axis of rotation coincident with a vertical
line passing through the centre of gravity of the apparatus the relative motion of
the gyroscope and the vessel, being transmitted to a switch device arranged in the
electric conductors serving to discharge the gun, in such wise as to close the circuit
through the discharge conductors, at the precise moment when the axis of the
gyroscope is in a position of rest relatively to one or both of the main axes of
the vessel.
One form of carrying out the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying
six sheets of drawings forming part of this Specification and in which similar
letters of reference denote similar parts throughout the several views.
;-
Fig. 1 being a side elevation of the apparatus showing the external and internal
casings in section,
Fig. 2 a plan of the apparatus with the upper part of the casing removed,
Fig. 3 a side elevation seen from the left hand side of Fig. 1, the external casing
being removed and the internal one shown in section,
Fig. 4 a part side elevation of the mechanism seen from the right hand side of
Fig. 1,
Fig. 5 a side elevation seen from the right of Fig. 1, of the whole apparatus,
Fig. 6 a part front elevation of the apparatus, the outer casing being partly
removed,
Figs. 7 & 8 show detail views of the switch device in two positions,
Fig. 9 is a section of the dynamo serving to drive the gyroscope,
Figs. 10 & 11 are diagrams hereinafter referred to, and
Figs. 12 & 13 are two views of a slightly modified form of carrying out the
invention.
The apparatus as illustrated is arranged within a spherical casing consisting
of two parts M, M', advantageously screwed together and mounted on a base
plate in the manner well known in the art of making physical and mathematical
instruments.
A metal ring A (Fig. 2) is mounted within this casing on two diametrically
opposite pivots a, a, said ring A having further two pivots thereon extending
inwardly and arranged diametrically opposite each other on a line cutting the line
of the pivots a, a, at right angles in the same plane, on which said pivots a', a', is
suspended by means of its pole plates b, b, a small dynamo having its centre of
gravity lying below the line of suspension. Extending between the pole plates b, b,
and above the electro magnet B is a bridge piece serving as the upper bearing

page_text: for the motor shaft provided with a boring for lubricating purposes and
carrying the collector B2 in the usual manner and at its upper end the fly wheel V,
see also Fig. 9.
The distribution of weight as also the whole construction of the dynamo and
fly wheel are such as to bring the centre of gravity of the whole below the line of
suspension a, a, and within the axis of symmetry of the dynamo so that the
armature shaft b³ will, under the action of gravity retain a vertical position.
A bow C is pivotally mounted within the casing M, M', at c, c', Fig. 1, said bow
being suspended at points diametrically opposite cach other and at right angles in
the same plane to the line of suspension a, a of said ring A. The bow C is provided
with a slot c² in which a pin c attached to the lower part of the dynamo engages
so that any oscillation of the dynamo in a direction traverse to the line of suspension
of the bow C will be communicated to the said bow, whilst an oscillation of the
dynamo in a direction parallel to the line of suspension of the bow will have no
effect upon the latter, the pin e³ simply moving in the slot c of the bow. The
bow pivots c, e extend through the casing M and one of the same, c, carries a
pointer R outside the said casing, said pointer moving over a graduated sextant R²
fixed to the exterior of the casing. In a similar manner one of the pivots a carrying
the ring A extends outside the casing M, M', Fig. 3, and has mounted on its
projecting end a pointer S¹ moving as may be seen at Fig. 6, on a sextant S²
properly graduated and also fixed to the exterior of the casing M, M².
If now the apparatus hitherto described is mounted on board a vessel with the
suspension line c, e parallel to the longitudinal axis of the said vessel and presuming
that the armature shaft 63 preserves its vertical position then the pointer R¹ will
show the amplitude of the angle of oscillation at each roll of the ship, whilst
the pointer will register on its scale the angle of oscillation of the pitch of
the vessel.
As previously explained the shaft 7,3 will retain its vertical position on account
of the distribution of weight and its Cardanic suspension, as also by the aid of the
rapid rotation of the fly-wheel. The arrangement of the conductors for driving
the dynamo will now be described.
The dynamo is driven from a source of electricity independent of the apparatus,
the conductors of said source being attached to the contact screws I & II, Figs. 2
& 5. A shaft & extends through suitable sleeve in the inner casing M, M', and
carries at its outer end a switch lever D having at its inner end a drum d¹ of
vulcanite or other suitable non-conducting material provided with a conducting
surface extending over about 200 degrees of its circumference consisting of a metal
strip or the like.
At two points of this drum diametrically opposite to each other contact
springs d³, d, are arranged to bear, Figs. 1 & 4, said springs being mounted on an
insulated block d' attached to the lower half of the casing M, M. The clamping
screws I & II contacting with these springs d³, d³, are connected up in the
following manner;-11' is connected to the outside clamp II, Figs. 2 & 5, whilst
from the clamp I' and the outside clamp I conductors extend along the interior
wall of the casing nearly as far as the pivots of the ring A and from this point in
the form of easily flexible spirals or through a boring of the trunnions of the said
ring to the lower edge of the same, and along this ledge to the pivot a¹ of the
dynamo and either through a boring of the latter or by means of a flexible spiral
to the collector clamps in the manner well known.
From this description it will be evident that if the switch lever D is in the
position shown in Fig. 4 in which position both contact springs &³, d³ are in com-
munication with the conducting part d² of the drum d' the circuit will be closed to
the motor, ie. dynamo whilst in the position of the parts as shown at Fig. 5 only
one of the springs d³ rests on the conducting part of the drum and the circuit is
consequently broken.
When the circuit is broken and the apparatus at rest, it is advisable to prevent
the parts from unnecessary swinging in order to save wear and tear of the pivotal

page_text: connections, to which end the lever D is provided with arresting arms, which come
into operation immediately the circuit has been broken. The arresting arms
ƒ & fr
are rigidly attached to the end of the spindle by means of the boss F. Of these
two arms is specially formed to bear with its surfaces fagainst the corre-
sponding surfaces of the bow C above and below its pivot (Fig. 4) and thus prevent
the same from vibrating whilst the arm, the form of which may be seen from
Figs. 2 & 4, engages the ring A with its surfaces f³ at each side of one of its
pivots as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and prevent the same from moving on its
pivots. As soon as the lever D of the switch is thrown over to break the circuit
all the parts are arrested in the manner described.
I will now proceed to describe the manner in which the apparatus hereinbefore
described is connected up to the electric conductors serving to discharge the gun
and in which the contact devices act so as to close the circuit exactly at the proper
moment, i.e. when one or both of the main axes of the vessel are in the horizontal
plane. The mechanisms serving to effect this object are arranged below the
pivots of the ring A and bow C and are both substantially of the same construction
so that it will suffice to describe the arrangement of one only.
Figs. 7 & 8 show these mechanisms R & S in two positions. The block (or s)
is of non-conducting material is attached to the inside of the casing below the
spindle c of the pointer R' said block (or 84) being bifurcated at its upper part
at 2,2 (2) the shanks of said bifurcation being slightly adjustable with regard to
each other by means of a set screw 3 (83) having conical end and projecting
through the casing wall. By adjusting the position of this screw it will be obvious
that the distance apart of the upper ends of the shanks 2,2, may be slightly
varied. Hinged at their lower ends to the block are two contact springs
having their upper ends bent inwards towards each other after the manner of
calipers, these contact springs are normally held in the position shown in Fig. 7 by
means of light springs arranged on the block and bearing against projections of
the said springs respectively. The lower part of the contact springs is bulged
out to embrace, without however contacting with the pivot c of the bow C.
Extending upwardly between the top points of the springs r. r, is a vertical
tongue fixed on the pivot c and adapted to rock therewith when the bow C swings.
This tongue will push the contact springs in rocking and swing them on their
pivots alternately as shown at Fig. 8. If in a circuit conductors of which are
attached at III, IV, (Fig. 2) and extend from here to the clamping screws of the
contact springs r,, it will be obvious that such circuit will be closed at the
moment when the tongue is exactly at its vertical position and closes the circuit
by contacting with both the springs,
"
When the tongue is at its vertical position the amplitude of the angle of
oscillation caused by the roll of the vessel is―0.
Presuming the device R to be switched in the circuit of an electric current for
discharging guns, so that, as shown in the diagram Fig. 10, the source of
electricity Q and circuit breaker R are connected up in series and the firing pins
of the respective guns as also the switch belonging to each gun parallelly it will
then be obvious that each discharge will take place after the switch has been
closed, exactly at that moment in which the tongue r passes its position of rest with
regard to the transverse axis of the ship or as above stated when the amplitude of
oscillation caused by the rolling of the vessel is-0.
The apparatus S will if connected up in similar manner by means of the
clamps V, VI, (Fig. 2) have the same effect upon guns having their longitudinal
axis parallel or nearly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel, as the
apparatus R has upon broadside guns.
In the case of heavier kinds of guns, such as turret guns it is often advisable to
discharge the gun, according to its position at the time, either when the longitudinal
or transversal axis of the vessel is in the horizontal plane or when both are
simultaneously in this plane. In this case both apparatuses R & S must be
switched in the discharging circuit as shown in the diagram of Fig. 11, from this

page_text: diagram it will be seen that a single apparatus of the kind described is sufficient to
work all the guns of a ship.
In all this diagram the group of guns 1 is supposed to consist maiuly of broadside
guns, and is worked by the apparatus R alone; the group 2 consisting mainly of
bow and stern chasers, is worked by the apparatus S alone, whilst the group 3
consisting mainly of turret guns may be worked by the apparatuses R & S in
co-operation when the switches R° & S° of both apparatuses R & S are open or by
one or the other only of these apparatuses when one or the other of the switches is
closed. Having due regard to the slow burning capacity of gunpowder it may
appear desirable to iguite the charge a fraction of a second before the vessel has
attained a horizontal position for which purpose the conical adjusting screw ³ (s³)
previously described has been arranged.
By slightly withdrawing this screw the upper ends of the contact springs r², 72,
(s, s) may be advanced towards each other so that the point of the spring which
may be at rest shall extend slightly over the vertical line x-x (Fig. 8) or normal
horizontal position of the tongue r, thus on the return of the said tongue the
circuit will be closed slightly before the ship has reached its horizontal position.
Since the distance which the point of the spring extends over the vertical line x-x
may be regulated within certain limits by means of the screw (3) it will be
evident that the apparatus may be adjusted with great accuracy to discharge
a gun a certain desired time before the ship's axis attains its horizontal position.
Figs. 12 & 13 show merely a modified form of the fly wheel or gyratory
mass V which needs no further explanation being clearly intelligible from the
drawings.
In conclusion I will now recapitulate the manner of erecting and operating the
apparatus ;-
The apparatus is erected on board with the pivots c, c¹ parallel to the longitudinal
axis of the ship, the clamps I & II are connected up to the current generator,
those III, IV, V, & VI in the manner shown in Figs. 10 & 11 with the discharging
or ignition circuit.
When the switch lever D is in the position shown in Fig. 4 the gyroscope
is in a position of rest and the swinging parts of the apparatus are arrested
as specified.
On turning the switch lever to allow a current to pass into the apparatus the
dynamo will be set running at a high speed. This speed is of course dependent
on the power of the current fed to the dynamo but 1000 to 1500 revolutions will be
quite sufficient to insure the proper operation of the apparatus. The gyroscope
may consist of the armature B₁ together with the fly wheel V or of the
armature alone.
The pointers R & S will show the amplitude of angle of oscillation caused by
rolling and pitching of the ship and if any well known registering apparatus
is combined with these pointers the maximal and minimal roll or pitch may be
simultaneously registered.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what I
claim, is;-
1st. An apparatus for automatically discharging ships guns when one or both of
the main axes of the ship are in a horizontal position, consisting of a gyroscope
mounted so as to be free to retain its position irrespectively of the movements
of the ship, a switch device in the igniting circuit to the guns and means for
utilizing the relative motion of the ship and gyroscope to operate the said switch
so as to make contact when the vessel is in a horizontal position in the manner and
for the purpose substantially as described and shown.
2nd. The combination of a gyroscope, mounted so as to be free to retain
its position irrespectively of the movement of the ship, a switch device in the
iguiting circuit to the guns, and means for utilizing the relative motion of the ship

page_text: and gyroscope to operate the said switch when one of the main axes of the vessel
is in a horizontal position, substantially as described.
3rd. The combination of a gyroscope having a shaft 63, a dynamo to drive said
shaft, suspended in cardanic rings and having its armature keyed to the gyroscope
shaft, a switch in the ignition circuit to the guns and means for utilizing the
relative motion of the ship and gyroscope to operate said switch substantially as
described.
4th. The combination of a gyroscope having a shaft 3, a dynamo to drive said
shaft having pole plates b, b, a ring A to support said dynamo by means of
diametrically opposite pivots a', a', exterior diametrically opposite pivots a. a, to
said ring arranged at right angles in the same plane to the pivots a', a', a casing to
support said pivots a, a, which are fast on the said ring A, a switch in the ignition
circuit to the guns and means for operating said switch to close the circuit at the
moment specified from the pivot a, substantially as described.
5th. The combination of a gyroscope, a dynamo to drive same, a ring A to
support said dynamo as specified, pivots a, a, fast on said ring and a casing M, M,
to support said pivots, a bow C supported on pivots c, cl, in said casing and having
its line of suspension parallel to that of suspension of the dynamo, a slot c² in said
ring and a pin at the lower part of the dynamo to engage said slot in the manner
and for the purpose substantially as described.
6th. The combination of a gyroscope and a dynamo to drive same, a ring A and
means for supporting said dynamo in said ring as specified, pivots fast on said ring
and a casing M, M', to support said ring pivots, a bow C mounted as specified on
pivots fast on the same and a switch device R and S operated respectively by the
said pivots c & a and suitable connections between said switch devices and the
igniting circuit of the guns substantially as described.
7th. The combination of a gyroscope and a dynamo mounted as specified and a
stationary casing to contain same, a switch device to admit current to the dynamo
consisting of a spindle d penetrating the casing below the bow pivot, a drum d' on
the interior end of said spindle having contacting surface, contact springs d³, d³, an
insulated block d to support same and means for turning the spindle d to break
contact between the two said springs substantially as described.
8th. The combination of a gyroscope and a dynamo suspended within suitable
casing as specified, a spindle d having drum d with contact surface d², contact
springs d³, to touch said drum, and means in connection with said spindle
to arrest the motion of the suspended parts when the contact between the said
spring is broken substantially as described.
9th. The combination of a gyroscope and a dynamo to operate same and means
for suspending the parts as specified, a spindle d having switch devices d', d², d³, d',
a lever fast on said spindle to engage under the suspension ring A having arm fi
with surfaces 2 to contact with the sides of the bow C above and below its pivot
and arrest same substantially as described.
10th. The combination of a gyroscope and a battery to drive same and means for
suspending said gyroscope so that the same may be free to move irrespectively of
the movements of the ship a contact device connected with one of the pivots of said
suspending mechanism and consisting of two contact springs rl, ², bent inwardly at
their upper ends and pivoted to a stationary support at their lower ends, said
springs being bulged out at about or below their middle to embrace the said pivot
and a tongue on said pivot extending upwardly between said springs and
adapted to operate the same in the manner and for the purpose substantially as
described.
11th. The combination of a gyroscope and a dynamo to drive same said parts
being suspended in a stationary casing as specified and a switch device in connection
with said suspension mechanism and operated by one of the pivots thereof
consisting of the pivoted contact springs,, spring pressed towards each other,
a tongue r on the pivot of the bow C extending upwardly between said springs,
said springs being adapted to bear at their lower parts against a bifurcated upward

page_text: extension of the support block, a conical boring through said bifurcated part and a
screw having conical boring end to extend into said boring and adjustable from the
outside of the casing substantially as described.
12th. The combination of a gyroscope and a dynamo to drive same, means for
suspending the parts in suitable casing as specified, a switch device R operated by
one of the pivots of the said suspension means, and means for connecting up the
said switch and the source of electricity of the igniting circuit in series, and the
firing pins of the guns parallelly substantially as described.
13th. The combination of a gyroscope and a dynamo a ring A to support same
in suspension as specified pivots to said ring a switch device S operated from one of
the said pivots and means for connecting up the said switch device together with
the source of electricity of the igniting circuit of the guns in the said circuit in
series and the firing pins of the several guns parallelly substantially as described.
14th. In combination with a gyroscope and a battery and means for suspending
same as specified switch devices R & S operated from the suspension means of the
said parts and means for connecting up both apparatuses with the source of
electricity in the circuit for discharging the guns in series and at both sides of the
said source of electricity and means for connecting up the firing circuit parallelly in
the manner and for the purpose substantially as described and shown.
Dated this 12th day of July 1895.
F. BOSSHARDT & Co.,
4, Corporation Street, Manchester, Agents to Applicant.