Referring to thewings
Year: 1888

page_text: I, JAMES WEIR GRAYDON, of the City of Washington District of Columbia, United
States of America, Gentleman, 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:-
Referring to the Drawings.
Figure 1, shows a longitudinal section of a high explosive shell, loaded in accord-
ance with my invention.
Figure 2, a transverse section of the same, on line x, r, of figure 1.
Figure 3, a detail view, showing the shell in the gun, with asbestos wads between it
and the propelling charge.
Figure 4, an enlarged detail view of one of the pellets or packages, with which
the shell is shown, 'in figure 1, as loaded.
Figure 5, a longitudinal section of a modification of the shell shown in figure 1,
such modification being adapted for use, where an extra length of shell is desired.
Figures 6, 7, and 8, similar sections of modifications of such elongated shell.
Figure 9, a longitudinal section of an armor piercing shell, with the packages or
pellets of high explosive with which it is loaded, of a different shape from and packed
in a more symmetrical manner than the pellets in the shell shown in the preceding
figures of the drawings.
Figure 10, a transverse section on line, y. y, of figure 9.
Figures 10, and 10%, detail figures, showing two forms of my high explosive pellets
or packages.
Figure 11. a longitudinal section of a shell, showing a still further modification of my
ance with my invention.
Figure 2, a transverse section of the same, on line x, r, of figure 1.
Figure 3, a detail view, showing the shell in the gun, with asbestos wads between it
and the propelling charge.
Figure 4, an enlarged detail view of one of the pellets or packages, with which
the shell is shown, 'in figure 1, as loaded.
Figure 5, a longitudinal section of a modification of the shell shown in figure 1,
such modification being adapted for use, where an extra length of shell is desired.
Figures 6, 7, and 8, similar sections of modifications of such elongated shell.
Figure 9, a longitudinal section of an armor piercing shell, with the packages or
pellets of high explosive with which it is loaded, of a different shape from and packed
in a more symmetrical manner than the pellets in the shell shown in the preceding
figures of the drawings.
Figure 10, a transverse section on line, y. y, of figure 9.
Figures 10, and 10°, detail figures, showing two forms of my high explosive pellets
or packages.
Figure 11. a longitudinal section of a shell, showing a still further modification of my

page_text: Figures 11, and 11b, detail views, showing different forms of pellets for filling the
tubes.
Figure 12, a transverse section on line, z, z, of Figure 11.
Figure 13, a detail view, showing on an enlarged scale, a portion of one of the
pellet loaded tubes to be used as shown in figures 11 and 12.
Figure 14, a similar view of a modified form of one of these tubes.
Figure 15, a longitudinal section of another form of tube, filled with separated
small portions of high explosive for use in the shell.
Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures.
The object of my invention is to provide improvements in high explosive shells.
My invention consists in the shell, constructed arranged and loaded as described
and in the construction arrangement and combination of the parts of the shell as
hereinafter specified.
Where, as heretofore, dynamite and other high explosives have been handled and
used in a mass or lump, there has been great danger of explosion, as, under certain
conditions and from shock the explosive was liable to be put into a too highly sensitive
condition.
It has, therefore, been attempted and found impracticable to load shells with masses
or bodies of dynamite or other high explosive and fire them from guns with any charge
of powder large enough to give the projectile any range.
That shells, for use in powder guns, cannot be safely loaded with high explosive as
they can be loaded with powder in one undivided body or mass, has in view of
numerous experiments, disastrous to the guns used, become a recognized fact.
The shock of starting and the heat from the burning of the propelling charge have
been the two principal causes of danger in high explosive shells.
With all high explosives, when loaded in a mass or body in the shell, the compression
of the rear portion of the charge against the rear end of the shell, when the latter
was started violently forward in the gun by a powder discharge, the vibration of the
charge throughout its mass, and the friction of its various parts have been so great
as to ensure premature bursting of the shell.
In the case of dynamite and other nitro-glycerine compounds the actively explosive
portion of the material is liable, under the influence of pressure from a blow or shock,
or when the explosive is stored for a long time to concentrate out.
This concentrating out, or collection of the nitro-glycerine, puts the explosive in a
dangerous and too highly sensitive state, for, as is well known, nitro-glycerine in its
liquid form, is very sensitive to any shock, friction or heat.
If a shell be loaded with a mass of dynamite and fired with powder, from a gun,
the shock of starting and the pressure towards the rear of the shell charge caused by
the inertia of the shell contents will cause the nitro-glycerine to concentrate out of
its absorbent.
The shell charge is thus put in a too highly sensitive and very dangerous condition
and is quite certain to be fired by any shock, by friction or by 360° of heat, reaching
any portion of the nitro-glycerine, before the projectile leaves the gun.
Where the shell is fired from a rifled gun its rotation tends by centrifugal action
to also cause concentration of the nitro-glycerine at the sides of the shell charge, in
contact with the walls of the shell casing, in the best position to be fired by friction
and by heat from without.
To prevent the concentration of the active portion of the explosive and the con-
sequent dangerous change in the nature of the charge I divide the charge within the
shell into a number of small portions, each entirely separated from the others.
A shell charge is thus in accordance with my invention divided, not only
longitudinally, but transversely, into a number of separate small portions of explosive.
With the mass of explosive so sub-divided and each small portion enclosed and held
separate from the others. there can be no concentration of the nitro-glycerine, either
at the rear end of the shell, due to shock and pressure caused by starting, or at the
sides of the shell charge, due to rotation of the shell.
In addition to thus guarding against the concentration of the nitro-glycerine or

page_text: active part of the explosive I also use means for preventing the penetration of heat
from without through the shell walls to the shell charge.
The means for and manner of doing this, and also of putting up or preparing the
shell charge will appear clearly from the following description and the accompanying
drawings.
In such drawings, A, designates the shell casing, which can be of any of the well
known forms and construction in use in service shells.
I show several forms of such shell casings, but do not limit myself to any one of
them.
For convenience in loading it is, however, desirable that, as is the case in the more
modern shells, there should be a good sized opening into the shell chamber, either at
the front or rear thereof.
In figure
of the drawings, I show in full lines the shell casing made with the
opening at the rear and such opening as closed with a plug, A¹.
In dotted lines in the same figure, I show a suitable arrangement for use where it
is desired to have the shell adapted to be opened at its front end.
The plug, A', for closing the rear end of the shell chamber is shown as screwed in
place and having a strong shoulder, a, abutting squarely against the rear end of the
shell casing.
If desired a smaller opening can, as indicated in dotted lines at a¹, be left in the rear
end of the shell casing to be closed by the plug, a².
The other forms of shell illustrated in the other figures of the drawings are shown
as having an opening at the rear, at least as large in diameter as the shell chamber,
and I prefer this arrangement, which is the most common one in service shells as
now made, especially those intended for piercing or securing penetration of armour.
The shell, as indicated in figures 1,5,and 11,can have two or more soft metal rings or
bands, a, a, of the usual well known construction, the rear one being preferably made
thicker than the others so as to take the rifling of a gun strongly while the other bands
act as guide rings.
These guide and gas rings can be changed in number and form as desired, without
departure from my invention.
In the armour piercing service shells for muzzle loading rifles which are substantially
of the form shown in figure 9, and comparatively short, the guide rings are sometimes
dispensed with and only the expansion gas ring to take gun rifling is employed.
In each shell, entirely surrounding the charge and intervening between it and the
shell walls, I place one or more layers, B, of material, non-conductive of heat,
perferably asbestos, or mineral wool.
This prevents any heat from without reaching the charge through the shell walls
and holds the parts of the charge out of contact with the latter.
The non-conducting layers can be applied to the inside of the shell chamber as a
lining, and the charge be then put in place within such lining, or the charge can be
made up outside of the shell and enclosed in the non-conducting material, ready to be
placed in the cell chamber as an explosive cartridge therefor.
For making the non-conducting lining or the envelope or casing of the charge I have
found asbestos felting, paper or cloth to be the best and most convenient, but I do not
limit myself to such, or any material. Mineral wool or any of the well known non-
conductors of heat can be used.
By thus surrounding the shell charge with non-conducting material I completely
guard against one of the great sources of danger in firing high explosive shells with
powder.
Even the intense heat of the burning of a propelling charge of black powder,
cannot reach the shell charge to fire it.
The lining, or charge enclosing casing of asbestos, also acts to prevent friction of
the contents of the charge, directly against the shell walls.
Whatever the non-conducting material is which is used it should of course be
in itself, not capable of being burned by the heat that it will be subjected to,

page_text: As dynamite and other high explosives are fired by 360° of heat it will be readily
seen that without some non-conducting material interposed between the shell charge
and the walls of the shell the charge is liable, in fact, very certain to be fired by heat
coming from the intense flame of a propelling powder charge in a gun.
Where the non-conducting material is placed as a lining in the shell it should
be, after the charge is in place, lapped at its ends, over the charge, as shown in
figure 1.
To make sure that the charge shall not come in contact with the walls of the shell
where the lining is lapped I contemplate filling in a space between the charge end and
the end of the shell chamber, with scraps or pieces of asbestos.
I also contemplate, where desired, placing asbestos or other wads, C C, of material
non-conductive of heat between the rear end of the projectile and the propelling
charge, C, in the gun as shown in figure 3.
As indicated hereinbefore, I guard against the danger from the shock of starting of
the shell by a powder charge, by dividing the shell charge up into a number of small
portions, each kept normally, entirely separate from the other.
Such sub-division of a charge of high explosive in accordance with my invention
as more fully described hereinafter, has been found by a long series of tests to
effectually prevent any shock or pressure due to the shock of firing the shell
from a powder gun from firing the shell charge or putting it into a too sensitive
condition.
When a nitro-glycerine compound, as dynamite, is put up in small portions, each
enclosed and separated from the other portions by an envelope or casing, the concen-
tration or squeezing out of the nitro-glycerine from the absorbent is rendered
impossible, even under great shock or pressure.
There are several ways and means of sub-dividing a charge of high explosive within
a shell in accordance with my invention.
The requisite amount of high explosive can be divided into small portions and each
portion be made up into a small pellet with a wrapping or envelope, either flexible
or inflexible as desired, or the mass of explosive can be divided up by suitable
partitions to foran separate cells, each containing and entirely enclosing a portion of
the explosive charge.
In figures 1 to 8, inclusive, I show the shell charge, D, as made up of small rounded
pellets, d, d.
Each of these pellets consists of a small portion of the explosive, d', enclosed in a
wrapper or envelope, d³.
For the envelope of the pellets I prefer to use paper, cloth, or other tough flexible
fabric, treated with paraffine, to prevent where a nitro-glycerine compound is used any
of the nitro-glycerine oozing out of the pellet or saturating the envelope.
I do not, however, intend to limit myself to paper, or other flexible material so
treated, or to flexible material at all.
Envelopes or casings of rigid or inflexible substance, such for instance, as card-
board, papier mache, or even thin metal can be used without departure from my
invention, but as indicated above I prefer the flexible paraffine treated envelopes.
In making up the pellets with such envelopes I usually, first enclose the small
portion of explosive in the paper or cloth envelope, tie up the opening with
string as shown in figure 4, and then dip the pellet in melted paraffine to hermetically
seal it.
Paper or cloth previously treated with paraffine can be used for the wrappers or
envelopes if desired.
Where rigid stiff material is used for the pellet envelopes it can be given the
desired shape on a former, or otherwise, and then filled with the explosive and closed
or sealed up.
The pellets, as made, are packed closely together within the non-conducting shell
lining or charge envelope within the shell.
Shells of ordinary length, and even those of a length largely in excess of that of

page_text: the projectiles commonly made and used in large guns can be safely thrown from a
gun with the ordinary service charge of black powder when they are loaded, as shown
in figure 1, with an undivided mass of my high explosive pellets or packages.
Still to meet a possible demand when projectiles of a large number of calibers in
length are used I contemplate sub-dividing the shell charge by means of transverse
partitions or diaphragms, as indicated in figures 5, 6, 7, and 8.
In such figures, B, designates the non-conducting shell lining or envelope
surrounding the whole charge, D.
Dividing the charge up into several small portions are the diaphragms, E, to be
varied in number as desired according to the length of shell used.
These partitions or diaphragms can be made of paper, wood, metal, or other suitable
material.
In figure 5, I show the partitions as provided with the perforations,e, e, for the free
passage of fire throughout the whole charge and as supported at proper distances from
each other by short tube sections, E', E'.
The rear one of these sections is supported by the rear end of the charge
chamber, while its forward end engages the rear side of the first division or
partition E.
The next tube section rests against such partition and with its forward end engages
the next partition or division.
This arrangement is carried out throughout the shell chamber.
If desired, disks or plates can be placed at the opposite ends of the series
of tube sections, E¹, E', so as to entirely enclose the end sections or portions of the
charge.
I contemplate making the tube sections and the division plates or partitions of
material non-conductive of heat, but do not limit myself to such material.
If they be manufactured of such material the non-conducting shell lining or charge
envelope described, might be dispensed with, but I prefer to use it.
Where the shell has a clear cylindrical charge chamber, with its end closed by a
plug, cap or head, as shown the removal of which leaves an opening, the full diameter
of said chamber, the whole divided charge can obviously, be made up within a tube
having the divisions or partitions fastened in place within it, and the loaded tube can
then, when wanted, be pushed into the charge chamber.
For supporting the several partitions or divisions used to divide the charge at proper
distances apart, various means can be employed.
In figure 6, I show the divisions supported against end thrust within the charge
chamber by a tube or rod, F, to which they can be attached or connected in any
desired way.
They can be rigidly fastened to the rod or tube, or be loosely placed thereon and
supported against rearward movement by suitable shoulders or collars on said rod or
tube.
Where a tube and not a solid rod is used, it can be empty and act merely as a
support for the charge divisions or as illustrated in Figure 7, it can be loaded with a
charge, F', of powder adapted to shatter the tube and the envelopes of the pellets,
throughout the divided charge and explode all of such charge at once.
For igniting the explosive within the tube, F, when the shell strikes an object I
have provided within the forward end of the tube a plunger, G, having on its forward
end a percussion primer or cap, g, and provided with one or more passages, g',
for allowing the fire from the primer to reach the body of explosive, F¹, and ignite
the same.
A spring, G', engaging the plunger, holds it normally rearward, as shown, but
allows it to travel forward of its own inertia to explode the cap or primer
against the shell chamber end when the shell strikes an object, which checks its
forward motion.
If desired, an abutment or stop for the plunger to strike its cap against can be
provided on the tube, as indicated in dotted lines at, f.
A light perforated flat partition or disk, f', can be placed within the tube, F, over

page_text: the end of the body of explosive therein, so as to prevent such body from falling
or sliding forward in the tube.
As indicated by dotted lines on a portion of the tube in Figure 7, the tube walls
can, if desired, be perforated to allow of free outward passage of fire from the fuse
charge, but I do not deem such perforations as necessary.
Where the shell charge is to be exploded, not by contact or percussion, but by a
time fuse, any of the ordinary forms of such fuse can be connected in any desired way
with the charge of explosive, F1, in tube, F.
At, H, in figure 7, I indicate in dotted lines one well known form of time fuse to be
ignited by fire from the propelling charge.
The inner end of the fuse composition can be connected with the explosive in the
tube, F, or can be adapted to blow through the non-conducting lining or wrapping, B,
into the tube end.
In figure 8, I show the divisions or partitions, E, E, as unsupported, but simply
placed within the shell charge so as to divide the safe up into several portions.
These loose partitions can be made of paper,wood, or other desired material, either
stiff or flexible.
Unsupported, the divisions or partitions separating the charge into several distinct
parts, prevent to a considerable extent, such compression of the rear portion of the
charge as would take place in an extra long charge in one mass, when the shell is
fired from a gun with black powder.
Such divisions, also, would prevent the contents of any of the small packages or
pellets which might get broken, from falling back to, or collecting at the rear end of
the shell chamber.
The supported divisions or partitions not only entirely separate the different portions
of the explosive charge, but they prevent the combined weights of the forward
portions from coming upon the rear portions when the shell is started suddenly and
violently by a strong propelling charge.
In figures 9 and 10, I show on an enlarged scale another shell, loaded in accordance
with my invention.
The pellets or packages of high explosive are of a different form from those shown
in the preceding figures and are packed in a closer and more symmetrical way.
The shell casing shown is such an one as has been used in the service armour
piercing shells for muzzle loading rifled guns.
Where the shell is not to be used for armour piercing its points and walls need not
be so thick and the capacity of the shell chamber can thus be largely increased.
The form of casing shown, however, is not essential in connection with the charge.
Casings of the other forms dimensions and lengths shown and described hereinafter
can be used as desired.
The high explosive pellets or packages, d, d, of which the charge, D, is made up are
packed together in disk like layers within the non-conducting shell lining or charge
envelope within the shell.
For economy in space the pellets are preferably made of the shape shown in
figure 10, so that they can be packed in concentric rings, forming together a disk-
like layer of a diameter just equal to that of the space within the non-conducting
envelope.
The pellets are not then quite square in cross-section, but have their sides inclined
slightly inward, toward each other, while their tops and bottoms are substantially
parallel. If desired, they can be made cubical in shape, or in the form of short
cylinders, as shown in figure, 10°, to be packed in concentric rings or layers, in the
same way as the pellets described just above.
For convenience and dispatch in loading the shells when desired for use, I can put
up the charge of pellets in the form of a cartridge to fit the shell chamber.
With this end in view the non-conducting material to protect the charge from heat
is made separate from the shell in the shape of a cylinder or tube and packed full of
the pellets.
The sides and forward end of such charge casing can be made of one piece and the

page_text: other end can be fastened or attached in place in any suitable way after the pellets
have been packed in place.
Or a continuous envelope or casing of asbestos or other non-conducting material
can be formed on and around the charge.
With the shell charges thus put up in cartridge form with enclosing envelopes or
casings, the shells can be kept unloaded until wanted for use and then can be most
quickly and expeditiously loaded by the insertion of the prepared cartridge.
Said cartridges, as made up, can be stored, handled and transported with entire
safety as the sub-divided high explosive, for the reasons set forth fully hereinbefore is
not, and cannot become dangerously sensitive to shock or pressure.
The charge of explosive in each cartridge will also be thoroughly protected from
heat by the non-conducting incombustible envelopes around it.
The wrappings or coverings of the pellets themselves can be of flexible or inflexible
material.
Where, flexible material is used 1 prefer paper or cloth, paraffine treated, as
described hereinbefore.
With stiff or inflexible coverings for the pellets none of the pellet contents will be
subjected to the weight of the other pellets.
Where the shell is a long one and the mass of pellets within of considerable length
and weight I contemplate dividing up the charge by one or more transverse partitions
or divisions in the manner and by the means fully set forth hereinbefore.
The pellet envelopes can be made of asbestos or other material non-conductive of
heat, and the non-conducting charge enclosing wrapper or casing within the shell can
then be dispensed with, but I prefer to use it without reference to the nature of the
pellet coverings.
Where the shell charge is divided up into small portions, with each portion enclosed
in a separate envelope so as to form a distinct pellet, all the pellets composing one
layer can be connected or fastened together.
An obvious modification of such arrangement would be to make a layer or sheet of
cellular structure of paper or other material and then after filling the cells with
explosive to close them up in any desired way so as to keep the contents of the
different cells separate from each other.
I regard such arrangement as being entirely within the scope of my invention as
covered in this application, as it secures the sub-division of the entire shell charge into
a number of small portions, wholly separate from each other.
This arrangement secures the desired small division of the mass of explosive of the
shell charge both longitudinally and transversely.
No figures are needed to especially show this modification just described, as the
appearance of the layers of explosive filled shells would be substantially the same as
that of the layers of pellets shown in figures 9 and 10.
A sheet of explosive filled cells, such as just described, can if desired, be rolled up
in spiral form, so as to make a package adapted to fit the shell chamber.
In figures 11 and 12, I show a shell with it's charge divided up in a different way,
and still in accordance with my invention.
In said figures 11 and 12, the shell casing, A, shown, is substantially the same in
shape as that illustrated in figures 5 to 8, inclusive.
Within the shell casing is the non-conducting shell lining or charge envelope, B. as
in the other shells described hereinbefore, and packed side by side, closely together
within such envelopes are the longitudinal tubes, I. I.
Such tubes can be of material non-conductive of heat of metal, paper, board, wood,
papier-mache, or any other desired material. While I prefer to make them of non-
conducting substance I do not limit myself thereto.
Whatever the material that is used for the tubes it should be such as will not be
liable to crumble under the shock of starting the shell from a gun, or to strike sparks
if one tube should rub on another.
If it be desired to prevent any heat of friction of the tubes on each other, they can
be covered or coated externally with paraffine.

page_text: Each tube is loaded with a quantity of dynamite or high explosive divided up into
a number of small separate portions.
Such small portions, d', of explosive are preferably each put up in pellet form with
an enclosing envelope, d, and the tubes packed full of the pellets so made. In
Figures 11, 11, I show two forms of pellets, one cylindrical and the other spherical.
Whichever form is used the pellet should be of a diameter equal to the bore of the
tube, so as to fit the latter closely.
I prefer to have the pellets cylindrical, so that a series of them packed end to end
will fit the entire space within the tube.
The envelopes of the pellets can be flexible, as of paper, or cloth treated with
paraffine, or inflexible, as of papier mache, paste-board, wood, or other stiff material
For the second form of pellet a flexible covering, such for instance, as paper or
cloth treated with paraffine can be advantageously used.
Where the tubes, I, I, exactly fill the space within the envelope or shell himing, B,
from end to end, they need not have closed ends, but I prefer to close over both ends
of each tube when it has been loaded.
As indicated in figure 13, each tube can be provided with a number of per-
forations, i, i, to admit the passage of fire from the charge of the exploding fuse.
Such fuse, as shown, is like that shown in figure 7, and fully described
hereinbefore.
The pellets with which the tubes are loaded can be packed in them without
attachment to the tube sides, but I propose fastening them to the respective tubes by
glue, cement or other means, so that each one shall be separately and independently
supported by its tube.
This construction and arrangement would keep each pellet free from any pressure
caused by the weight of the others.
If desired, the separate and independent supporting of each pellet can be secured by
crimping the tube, as shown in figure 14, or otherwise forming shoulders within the
tube, which will engage the ends of the pellets and hold them from any longitudinal
movement in the tube.
A modification of the arrangement where the pellets are attached to the tube or
otherwise held from longitudinal movement therein, would be a tube in which, as
shown in figure 15, there are cross-partitions, i¹, ¹, dividing the mass of explosive
filling the tube, up into small separate portions.
With the high explosive enclosed in tubes and the contents of such tubes divided
up into pellets or small separate portions, as shown and described, there is no danger
of exploding the shell charge by direct shock, as when said shell is fired from a gun
by a powder charge, nor is there any danger of friction of the different parts of the
charge against one another, or against the shell walls.
With the pellet envelopes or the pellet containing tubes made of asbestos, or other
non-conducting material, there is no danger of heat from the combustion of the powder
charge reaching the explosive of the shell charge, even if the non-conducting charge
envelope or shell lining is not used, but I prefer to use such lining or envelope
whatever the material of the tubes or pellet covers.
The tubes, I, I, are shown as cylindrical, but other shapes to pack more closely can
be used instead, without departure from my invention.
In figures 1 and 16, I show a contact fuse for firing the mass of explosive
pellets, which is different in some respects from that already described and shown in
figures 7 and 11.
It consists of an outside casing, K, formed of a funnel-shaped, or rearwardly
tapering tube of brass, copper, or other metal, the tube or hollow plunger, K', sliding
within the casing and the spring, K2, for holding the plunger normally rearward, as
shown.
On the forward end of the plunger is a percussion primer, k, or cap, and within its
body is a charge, k', of powder or quick burning explosive, sufficient to burst the
plunger tube, shatter the envelopes of the high explosive pellets and fire the whole
shell charge.

page_text: The rear end of the casing, K, is made cylindrical for a certain distance to embrace
and guide the plunger, K', so that in its movements it will always be substantially in
line with the axial centre of the fuse casing.
This fuse can be placed as shown in, figure 1, within the forward portion of the
shell charge with the large end of the casing, K, against the end of the shell chamber
or if such casing have its forward end closed, as shown in dotted lines at, h, it can be
placed at the rear of, or in any desired place in the charge.
The closed end of fuse casing, K, will then serve as an abutment against which the
primer, k, can be exploded when the plunger travels forward.
The operation of this fuse will be readily understood.
Being placed within the non-conducting envelope or shell lining, B, it is not
liable to be fired by heat from without, nor can it conduct such heat from without
the shell to the shell charge.
With the fuse in place and the shell fired from a gun, the loaded plunger, K',
remains rearward in casing, K, until the shell strikes some object which checks its
flight The plunger then travels forward and explodes the cap or primer, k, against the
end of the shell chamber or the abutment provided for firing the cap.
The powder charge of the fuse is thus ignited and exploding, shatters the dividing
media, holding the small portions of the shell charge separate and fires the whole of
such charges.
As with the explosive in the shell divided up as described and shown by me, the
shell does not explode instantly upon impact against an object, but can be made to
have considerable penetration before explosion of its contents, either form of fuse
described by me can by adjusting the stress of the spring which holds back the plunger
or by changing the amount of travel of the latter before the cap strikes and is fired,
be arranged to cause explosion of the shell when it has secured more or less of
penetration.
The time required for the tube or plunger, K', by reason of its inertia, to compress
the spring, K, and travel through the space intervening between the primer on the
plunger end and the end of the shell chamber, or the abutment in the fuse casing end
is of course short, but it is long enough to allow the projectile to enter a steel target
a very considerable distance before the shell exploding charge is fired.
The shell is just then at a position in the target or side of an armoured vessel
where the greatest amount of work can be done by the explosive, for, as is well known
to those familiar with the action of dynamite and other high explosives, in order to
produce any wrecking or tearing effect on upright metal armour such as that of vessels
there must be some penetration before the explosion takes place.
By a large number of trials with guns of various sizes I have found that high
explosive shells loaded in accordance with my invention can be fired from guns with
the ordinary service charges of powder, or with the powerful charges now used in the
modern high power guns without danger of premature explosion and that with the
shells made strong enough for armour piercing purposes I can secure the full
penetration of the shell due to its velocity and momentum before exploding the shell
charge.
I do not, as indicated hereinbefore, limit myself to any particular form of fuse
whether time or contact, but intend, whatever one of the well known or specially
devised fuses be used to have it provided or connected with a charge of powder or
detonating substance to shatter the divisions separating the different portions of the
charge and fire all such portions at once.
If the fuse is one fixed in, or projecting from the shell casing, asbestos or other
non-conducting material should be interposed between it and the shell charge.
The walls of the shell casing can be made smooth, so as not to tear the non-conducting
charge envelope, or the non-conducting material may be placed on or attached to
such walls.
If it be desired to secure initial explosion of the shell charge at its rear end the body
of explosive used with either of the fuses described can easily be arranged to
accomplish such obiect.

page_text: My invention is applicable to the loading of shells with any form of high explosive
such as a nitro-glycerine compound, any one of the grades of dynamite, explosive
gelatine, melinite or roburite.
I do not, in this application, claim broadly the method of putting up or preparing
high explosives for other purposes than for loading shells, as my method is broadly
covered in another application for patent now pending.
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. In an explosive shell the explosive charge within the shell casing divided up,
both longitudinally and transversely into a number of small portions, each enveloped
and held entirely separate from the other portions, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
2. In an explosive shell the explosive charge within the casing consisting of a mass
of pellets, each containing a small portion of high explosive surrounded and entirely
separated from the other portions of explosive by an envelope, substantially as and for
the purpose shown.
3. In an explosive shell the explosive charge within the shell casing composed of a
number of small pellets packed together, each pellet consisting of a small portion of
dynamite enclosed in an envelope, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4. In an explosive shell, in combination with the shell casing and the charge of
explosive, one or more layers of material non-conductive of heat entirely enclosing the
charge, substantially as and for the purpose described.
5. In an explosive shell, in combination with the charge of explosive, a wrapping
inade of asbestos around the charge and entirely enclosing the same substantially as
and for the purpose specified.
6. In combination with the casing of the explosive shell, a charge consisting of a
number of pellets or packages made of small portions of high explosive, each portion
enclosed by a flexible envelope to separate it entirely from the other portions,
substantially as and for the purpose shown.
7. A shell loaded with a mass of rounded pellets, each pellet consisting of a portion
of high explosive enclosed in a flexible wrapper or envelope, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
8. In combination with a shell casing, an explosive charge consisting of small
portions of high explosive wrapped in paraffine treated paper, substantially as and for
the purpose described.
9. In an explosive shell in combination with the charge made up of portions of high
explosive, each enclosed and separated from each other by wrappings or envelopes a
fuse for firing the charge provided with a quantity of explosive to shatter the dividing
envelopes of the separate portions of the shell charge, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
10. In an explosive shell in combination with the shell casing, having the charge
chamber, the lining of the material non-conductive of heat and the explosive charge
made up of small portions of explosive enclosed in envelopes, substantially as and for
the purpose shown.
11. In an explosive shell in combination with the shell casing, having the charge
containing chamber, the lining non-conductive of heat and the bursting charge made
up of separate small portions of dynamite enclosed in wrappings or envelopes,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
12. In an explosive shell in combination with the shell casing, having the charge
receiving chamber, the lining of asbestos within the same, the bursting charge of
dynamite separated into small portions, with each portion separately enclosed in an
envelope and a fuse provided with a charge of explosive to shatter the envelopes
enclosing the portions of dynamite and fire the whole charge substantially as and for
the purpose described,
13. A contact fuse for projectiles adapted to be put inside of and enclosed by the

page_text: projectile casing and consisting of an outer casing, in combination with a tube sliding
within the same, a primer on the tube and a spring engaging the tube so as to hold
the primer carrying end of the tube rearward, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
14. In a contact fuse adapted to be placed within the chamber of an explosive
projectile, the casing and the powder containing tube sliding therein, in combination
with the percussion primer on the tube, and the spring engaging the tube adapted to
hold the same rearward, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
15. In combination with the funnel shaped casing, the powder containing tube
guided and adapted to slide longitudinally within the casing, the cap or percussion
primer on the tube and the spiral spring surrounding and engaging the tube so as to
hold the same rearward in the casing, substantially as and for the purpose shown.
JAMES WEIR GRAYDON.
By Jensen & Son,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Patent Agents.

page_text: Date of Application, 1st May, 1888
Specification Accepted, 7th Dec., 1883
and in the Charges or Cartridges Made of such Explosives.
I JAMES WEIR GRAYDON of Washington in the District of Columbia, United
States of America, Gentleman, 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, reference being had to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Figure 1, shows a longitudinal section of one form of cartridge put up in accordance
with my invention.
Figure 2, a detail sectional enlarged view of one of the pellets used in making such
cartridge.
Figure 3, a longitudinal section of modification of the cartridge shown in
Figure 1.
Figure 4, a similar view of a still further modification of the cartridge showing
another way of putting up the explosive in accordance with my invention.
Figure 5, a transverse section on line, x, x, of Figure 4.
Figure 6, a detail view of one of the loaded tubes used in making up the cartridge
shown in Figure 4.
Figure 7, a detail view showing in longitudinal section another form of tube loaded
with a sub-divided charge.
Figures 8 and 9, detail views showing different forms of explosive pellets with
which the tubes can be loaded.
Figure 10, a longitudinal section of a cartridge with the pellets packed in layers
and of a different form from those shown in the other figures, and
Figure 11, a transverse section of such cartridge.
Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures.
The object of my invention is to provide certain improvements in the preparation
of high explosives for use and in charges or cartridges made of such explosive and
to this end-
My invention consists in the method of preparing the explosive and in the charge
or cartridge of explosive prepared in accordance with my invention as hereinafter
specified.
Where nitro-glycerine compounds, the various grades of dynamite, and other high

page_text: explosives are as heretofore handled and used in a mass or lump there is great danger
of explosion as under certain conditions and from a shock or blow the explosive is
liable to be put into a highly sensitive condition.
Where as in the case of the nitro-glycerine compounds the various grades of
explosive known under the broad term of dynamite the explosive consists of a liquid
or semi-liquid actively explosive and sensitive agent absorbed or held by an absorbent
it has been found that after long storage or when the explosive is subjected to
pressure, shock or blow the actively explosive agent will concentrate out of the
absorbent.
This concentrating out of the nitro-glycerine or other explosive-agent and the
collection of it together puts the explosive in a most highly sensitive state ready to
be exploded by friction or a slight blow.
It is the special purpose of my invention to prevent this dangerous change in high
explosives, either from long storing or transportation or from even great pressure or
a severe shock.
In carrying out my invention I effectually prevent the trying out or concentrating
and collecting of the actively explosive compound part or parts of the explosive by
separating the mass of explosive into small portions, each portion being enclosed and
held separated from the others by an intervening medium.
The most convenient and what I consider the best way to carry out my invention
is to divide the mass of explosive into a number of small portions and entirely enclose
each portion in a separate envelope so as to form an explosive pellet which can be
packed together with the others within a suitable wrapper or case to make a cartridge
or can be used or bandled loosely without any casing.
For the nitro-glycerine compounds I have found it best to use a flexible envelope
for the pellets made of paper treated with paraffine to make it impervious to the
nitro-glycerine of the compound.
After each pellet is made it can, if desired, be dipped in melted paraffine to
thoroughly seal it up.
While I prefer the paraffine paper for enclosing the separate small portions of
explosive I do not limit myself to such material, but contemplate making the envelopes
of the pellets of any other rigid or flexible material adapted to separate the contents
of the pellets from each other as long as the envelopes remain unbroken.
I have found by experience and severe trials that by enclosing any of the high
explosives, as for instance, dynamite, melinite and roburite, in small packages and
hermetically sealing each package so that in the ordinary course of handling or
transporting the package shall not become broken the explosives are rendered harmless
and safe to handle.
As long as the package remains unbroken there cannot be that concentration or
trying out of the active explosive ingredient which as stated above is liable to take
place where the explosive is handled or used in the bulk or mass, or in the cartridges
as heretofore made with their undivided contents.
In Figure 1, I show a charge or cartridge made up of a mass of my packages
or enclosed pellets, a, a, of high explosive packed together within an envelope or
casing, A.
Each of these pellets consists of a small portion of the high explosive enclosed by a
wrapping or envelope, a¹.
This is preferably of strong flexible material, as paper, linen, or other close-grained
material.
As shown best in Figure 2, the explosive can be enclosed in the wrapper and the
mouth of the latter can be tied up or fastened with a string.
The pellet can then be treated with paraffine to seal it.
If desired, the paper, cloth, or other material used for the envelope can be paraffined
before it is used.
I contemplate also, where desired, securing the enclosing of the small portion of
explosive with an envelope by dipping it in or coating it with some substance that will
form a tough non-absorbent covering around it.

page_text: Figures 1 and 4, are round or rounded, but they need
not be of such shape if it is desired to pack them more closely within a given space.
Any desired or suitable shape can be given them.
In Figure 3, I show a charge or cartridge made up like that shown in Figure 1,
except that a mass of pellets within the cartridge casing, A, is divided up into several
portions by transverse divisions or diaphragms, a³, a².
This arrangement can be used where cartridges of great length are wanted.
The divisions can be made to so separate the portions of the charge that the weight
of one shall not come upon another portion if the cartridge were subjected to great
shock longitudinally.
In Figures 4 and 5, I show another way of subdividing the charge or putting it up
in segregated small portions.
Tubes, B, B, of paper, papier maché, wood or other material are each loaded with
sub-divided mass of explosive and can then be packed within a suitable casing, A, or
used without any casing or envelope.
The tubes can be loaded with series of high explosive pellets, such as shown in either
Figure 8, or Figure 9, each of said pellets consisting of a small portion of explosive
enclosed in an envelope, a¹.
The pellets can be placed loosely within each tube one upon the other, or they can
be fastened to or supported against longitudinal movement by the walls of the tube.
As shown in Figure 6, the tube can be crimped so as to support the ends of the
pellets and hold them separate from each other.
mass of
The purpose of my invention can, however, be attained without making the pellets
first, and then filling the tubes with them by loading each tube with a
explosive separated into small portions by transverse partitions, b, b, fastened in place
within the tube.
In Figures 10 and 11, I show still another form of cartridge put up in accordance
with my invention.
The pellets are here shown so shaped that they can be packed in disk like layers
within the cartridge envelope or casing, A.
An obvious modification of this construction would be to make a mass of cells of
paper, papier maché, or other material and after filling them with the explosive duly
sealing or closing them up.
For the envelopes of the pellets or for the separating media of the cells described
above I contemplate using paper pulp, paste board, straw board, the pulp from which
straw board is made, or wood, but do not limit mysolf to such materials, as if desired
thin metal can be used instead.
My method of preparing explosives as set forth fully herein before makes their
transportation, shipping, storing and handling perfectly safe.
The explosive as put up by me cannot become dangerously sensitive because of the
concentrating out of this actively explosive component part or parts, either from long
standing or from pressure on portions of the explosive as heretofore where the
explosives have been stored or handled in undivided cartridges or large masses nor is
it at all sensitive to shocks which it can receive in handling or transporting.
Even the highest grades of dynamite or nitro-glycerine compounds when prepared
or put up for use in accordance with my invention are rendered perfectly safe to
handle and use and not liable to be fired even by such heavy shocks or blows as they
could not receive in ordinary handling or use.
While my method of putting up the explosive ensures the greatest safety from
accidental explosion the full force of the explosive in a charge or cartridge can
be obtained as desired by using an exploding fuse strong enough to shatter the
envelopes of the packages or pellets and fire their contents altogether.
With the ordinary blasting cap or fulminator in common use for firing dynamite
with or even without a small quantity of powder to assist the cap in breaking the
package envelopes the desired full force of the explosive for blasting or shattering can
be obtained.
•
The size of the packages or pellets can be considerably varied, but I prefer for

page_text: ordinary use where dynamite is employed to have them each contain about a half
cubic inch of the explosive.
If desired the envelopes or casings of the pellets can be made on some former
by hand or machinery and sealed or closed up in any desired way after being filled
with explosive.
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 method of preparing a cartridge of high explosive which consists in
separating the mass of explosive for the cartridge in all directions into small portions
enclosed and entirely separated from each other substantially as and for the purpose
described.
2. The method of preparing an explosive charge which consists in dividing the
amount of explosive for the charge into small portions, enclosing each in an envelope
to form a small pellet or package and packing the pellets so made together, substan-
tially as and for the purpose described.
3. The method of preparing a charge of high explosive which consists in separating
the mass of explosive into small portions and enclosing each portion in a flexible
envelope, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
4. The method of preparing a cartridge of high explosive which consists in
separating the amount of explosive to be used into small portions, enclosing each
of such portions in a flexible envelope so as to form a rounded pellet and packing such
pellets together within a suitable envelope or casing, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
5. An explosive charge consisting of a mass of small portions of high explosive,
each enclosed and separated from the other portions by a suitable dividing medium,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
6. An explosive charge consisting of a mass of pellets, each formed of a small
portion of high explosive enclosed in a flexible envelope, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
7. An explosive charge made up of a mass of rounded pellets, each consisting of a
small portion of explosive enclosed in a flexible envelope, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
8. An explosive charge consisting of a number of small portions of high explosive
separated from each other only by a flexible medium, each portion being entirely
enclosed by a flexible envelope, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
9. An explosive cartridge consisting of a mass of nitro-glycerine compound divided
up into a number of small portions, each enclosed and separated entirely from the
others by an envelope made impervious to the nitro-glycerine of the compound, such
enveloped portions being packed together within a suitable envelope or casing to form
the cartridge, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Dated this 4th day of August 1888.
CHRISTIAN ALBERT JENSEN.
By Jensen & Son,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Patent Agents.