Improvements in Armour Plated Turrets, and in the Machinery for Working the same and the Guns therein.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Aug., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Jan., 1896-Accepted, 11th Apr., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Armour Plated Turrets, and in the Machinery for
Working the same and the Guns therein.
I, JOSEPH ALBERT DEPORT, of 19 Rue de la Rochefoucauld, Paris, France,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in the construction of armour plated
turrets whereby the rapidity of the manoeuvre of the turrets and guns for firing is
increased while the construction is simplified.
According to my invention instead of manoeuvering such turrets and their guns
by means of hydraulic electric or other transmission from external motors, as is at
present the case, each turret is made to contain in itself the entire source of motive
power and the machinery required for manoeuvring, that is to say not only for
automatically running out the gun but also for elevating and pointing it, such
provision of motive power being supplied by the momentum of recoil of the gun
on firing.
For this purpose each turret is provided with hydro-pneumatic accumulators
charged in the first instance with a sufficient quantity of liquid under pressure.
These accumulators are connected through valved passages with the hydraulic
brake interposed between the gun and its carriage, and they receive and store up
at each discharge a certain quantity of the liquid compressed in the brake during
the recoil. From these accumulators channels extend leading the compressed
liquid to apparatus where the motive power is utilised for working the gun. The
liquid discharged from these apparatus is led back through valved passages to the
hydraulic brakes so as to replace the liquid forced into the accumulators. I
generally insure that the brake cylinder shall be entirely filled, by discharging the
liquid from the working apparatus as also the overflow from the accumulators into
a storage chamber from which it passes to the brake cylinder.
My invention also relates to various improved apparatus for sighting, pointing,
and for supplying the ammunition to the gun. The following is a general
description of the several constructions.
The turret which is of oval form flattened at the front end, is mounted on a
turntable in an armoured tubular base of smaller size than the turret, which
contains the elevator for the ammunition. The gun is carried in the turret by
upper and lower frames; it rests by means of slides upon the upper frame
centrally in which is mounted the hydraulic brake, beneath the gun, while on each
side of the frame are mounted two horizontal cylindrical hydropneumatic accumu-
lators. The front ends of the upper and under frames are both pivotted to the
same axis, which constitutes the trunnions of the gun, the rear part of the upper
frame being supported by the piston rod or plunger of a vertical hydraulic
cylinder carried by the under frame so that by admitting or discharging water
pressure to or from such hydraulic cylinder the upper frame together with the gun
can be raised and lowered in angular positions relatively to the lower one, the
front end being made to turn upon the said trunnions.
The rear end of the under frame is also supported by the plunger of a hydraulic
cylinder, fixed to the turret framing, so that by admitting or discharging water
pressure to or from this cylinder, the lower frame is raised together with the upper
frame and gun.
Upon the lower frame are mounted standards carrying the sights for the gun,

page_text: A
so that on adjusting both frames simultaneously, as last described, the gun is
adjusted through a vertical angle and the sights partake of that motion, this
adjustment being effected when the object aimed at rises or falls. On the other
hand when the upper frame and the gun are adjusted alone, as first described, the
gun is adjusted to a greater or less angle relatively to the sights which remain
stationary. This adjustment being effected for pointing the gun at the required
elevation for a certain range of fire.
The one sight standard on the lower frame carries a quadrant scale with pointer
having a downward directed arm that engages with a slotted arm projecting up from
the upper frame, so that when this and the gun are adjusted to a vertical angle
independently of the lower frame, the pointer will be moved to a corresponding
angle over the scale, which may either be marked to indicate the elevation in
degrees, or to indicate the range corresponding to that elevation.
The rotation of the turret for adjusting the gun through a horizontal angle, can
be effected by any known means such as a hydraulic motor actuating ratchet or
equivalent gear.
The platform carrying the turret consists of an annular plate which is supported
on a fixed base by a ring of conical rollers. In the base is formed an annular
recess constituting a hydraulic cylinder into which fits an annular plunger and
having at its upper end an annular plate carrying two ratchet rings the teeth of
which are inclined in opposite directions, and with which engage pawls worked by
small hydraulic cylinders carried by the first described annular plate forming the
platform, so that by working the one or the other set of pawls the platform is
rotated in the one direction or the other.
The said plate of the annular hydraulic piston also carries a ring of balls
engaging with grooves in the plate and in the underside of the platform. The
packing of the annular piston consists of rings of packing material, confined
between the piston and an annular gland fitting in a groove on the underside of the
piston. On forcing water under pressure into the annular groove of the base
containing the piston, the latter will be raised so as to lift the platform off the
conical rollers and support it on the ring of balls, thus affording greater freedom of
rotation of the turret.
For controlling the recoil of the gun and storing the surplus power I employ the
following arrangement :-
The hydraulic brake carried by the upper frame below the gun, consists of a
cylinder fixed to the upper frame, the front end of which cylinder is closed and.
which is connected by lateral passages and stuffing boxes to the before mentioned
hollow trunnions of the frames. Through the front end of the cylinder passes the
tubular rod of a piston which rod is attached to the under side of the gun.
Thus, during the recoil of the gun the piston attached thereto being drawn back
in the brake cylinder, forces the water contained therein through the before
mentioned side passages and hollow trunnions into the accumulator cylinders (which
are also connected to the hollow trunnions) until the piston passes the side openings
leading into the side passages, after which the piston compresses the remaining
water and squeezes it through narrow grooves in the cylinder to the other side of
the piston.
Into the hollow piston rod projects a stem fixed to the front end of the brake
cylinder and provided with a head behind which a narrow annular space is left
between the interior of the piston rod and the stem. The latter has a central
passage that communicates at one end with this annular space and at the other end
with the before-mentioned chamber supplied with water pressure so that after the
piston of the brake cylinder has been drawn back during the recoil as described,
the water pressure entering the said annular space through the central stem will
force the piston forward and will thus run the gun out again.
Water under pressure from the said chamber also enters the space in the
brake cylinder behind the piston to make good that which was forced into the
accumulator.
"
.L

page_text: At the rear end of the brake cylinder is a small passage leading from the interior
of the hollow piston rod to the atmosphere, so that when the piston is drawn back
during the recoil, the hollow. piston rod is filled with air. On the return motion
the said passage is closed by a valve, and the compressed air is forced through a
lateral passage into the breech end of the gun, where it serves to blow out the gases
of the fired charge.
The water under pressure stored as above described in the accumulators, is led
thence to the several hydraulic cylinders and apparatus above described for
manoeuvering the gun and the turret.
For supplying the gun with ammunition I employ either a single elevating
carriage or two such which are raised and lowered alternately. With these
constructions the gun is assumed to be charged through a hollow breech screw
after the lateral removal of the breech plug. The carriage for elevating the
ammunition to the hollow breech screw from below consists of a plate having three
hollows side by side for receiving respectively the projectile in the central hollow
and two half cartridges in the two side hollows. On the underside of this plate
are two laterally projecting rollers, and it is supported on the head of a stem, which
when in position for loading rests with a projecting part on a shoulder formed on
the breech end of the gun.
The stem has articulated downward extensions which work with rollers in fixed
grooved guides the upper parts of which are curved to a circular arc having its
centre at the centre of the before mentioned trunnions on which the upper and
lower frames and the gun turn in being sighted, so that the stem of the ammunition
carriage can slide up and down in the guides in following the angular motions of
the gun.
The grooved guides extend down from the curved part through the central shaft
of the turret base to the ammunition chamber below, so that the carriage after
delivering its charge descends along these guides to receive another charge.
The raising and lowering of the carriage is effected by attaching cords or chains
to the lower end of its stem, which cords pass over guide pullies on the gun frame
and down to a drum which is connected by clutch gear to a suitable motor running
continuously in the same direction in such manner that the drum can be turned in
either direction for raising or lowering the carriage or the motor can be thrown out
of gear when the carriage is stationary.
The ammunition carriage, when in position for charging, is held by the ropes
passing over guide pullies corresponding in position with the centres of the
trunnions, so that the ropes will hold the carriage in the same charging position
relatively to the gun in whatever angular position this may be adjusted to, so that
the loading can be effected in every position of the gun. When the carriage has
been lowered to the ammunition chamber, the grooved plate is run by means of its
rollers off the supporting head of the stem, on to a truck situated close by the
side thereof, which truck is then run on rails to the store of ammunition.
At the same time another grooved plate charged with ammunition is run on to
the supporting head from a truck on the other side of the elevator carriage, so that
no time is lost in supplying the charges.
When two ammunition carriages are employed, each ascends and descends in
separate grooved guides which are connected by a switch to a single upper part of
the guide so that as the empty carriage descends in the one guide the filled one
ascends in the other, each carriage being supported by separate hauling ropes
which however all pass round guide pulleys the centres of which correspond with
those of the gun trunnions.
On the rear end of the upper frame carrying the gun is fixed a hydraulic rammer
in line with the axis of the gun.
Dated this 22nd day of August 1895.
ABEL & IMKAI,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Armour Plated Turrets, and in the Machinery for
Working the same and the Guns therein..
I, JOSEPH ALBERT DEPORT, of 19 Rue de la Rochefoucauld, Paris, France.
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manne
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
•
My. invention relates to improvements in the construction of armour plated
turrets whereby the rapidity of the manoeuvre of the turrets and guns for firing is
increased while the construction is simplified.
According to my invention, instead of manoeuvering such turrets and their guns
by means of hydraulic, electric or other transmission from external motors, as is at
present the case, each turret is made to contain in itself the entire source of motive
power and the machinery required for manoeuvering, that is to say not only for
automatically running out the gun but also for elevating and pointing it, such
provision of motive power being supplied by the momentum of recoil of the gun on
firing.
For this purpose each turret is provided with hydro-pneumatic accumulators
charged in the first instance with a sufficient quantity of liquid under pressure.
The
These accumulators are connected through valved passages with the hydraulic
brake interposed between the gun and its carriage, and they receive and store up
at each discharge a certain quantity of the liquid compressed in the brake during
the recoil. From these accumulators channels extend leading the compressed
liquid to apparatus where the motive power is utilised for working the gun.
liquid. discharged from these apparatus is led back through valve passages to
the hydraulic brakes so as to replace the liquid forced into the accumulators.
I generally insure that the brake cylinder shall be entirely filled, by discharging
the liquid from the working apparatus as also the overflow from the accumulators
into a storage chamber from which it passes to the brake cylinder.
My invention also relates to various improved apparatus for sighting, pointing,
and for supplying the ammunition to the gun. The following is a general description
of the several constructions. .
In the following description I have assumed my invention to be applied to a
closed ship's turret having a gun of large calibre mounted on a sliding cradle, the
recoil taking place in a line parallel to the gun's axis. I have also assumed that
the loading of the gun is effected through a tubular breech screw such as described
in the Specifications No. 4571 and No. 7873 of 1895, whereby the withdrawal of
the breech screw for loading is rendered unnecessary.
These special constructions are, however, not essentially necessary for the
purposes of my said invention.
On the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 shews a vertical longitudinal section through the centre of the turret
parallel with the longitudinal axis of the gun, and also a vertical section through
the axis of the turntable and vertical passage for the supply of ammunition.
A is the armour plating of the turret fixed to the sheet iron shell A' and having
the porthole A', the turret being carried by a framing B B which also supports
the gun C on its carriage. The gun is provided with sighting and elevating
apparatus H', and the ammunition carriage P, R is the hydraulic rammer.
N is the vertical shaft through which the ammunition is raised from the
magazine below. N' is the armour plating thereof, N' the vertical framework
carrying the turntable M on which is fixed the framing B and which also carries
the guides O for the ammunition carriage and tube to which the guides are
attached by means of the transverse bearers O³.

page_text: Fig. 2 is a sectional plan of the turret shewing the plan of the gun, gun carriage
and platform, and also shewing two bydropneumatic accumulators fixed to the
carriage.
These accumulators rest on the main framing B of the turret platform and are
carried between the longitudinal beams B' thereof.
Fig. 3 is a part vertical section through the axis of the gun and of the hydraulic.
brake apparatus F situated beneath it.
Fig. 4 shews a transverse section through the axis of the trunnions.
Fig. 5 is a separate plan view of the hydraulic brake cylinder. Fig. 6 is a cross
section of the same on line 6-6 Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section on.
line 7-7 Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a similar view to Fig. 1, shewing the ammunition feed apparatus having
double feed channels and carriages, of which one descends while the other ascends.
Fig. 9 shews the charging table and carriage in the magazine at the lower end
of the vertical passage and
Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation of the carriage.
The turret is of ovoidal form with flattened front face, so as to reduce its weight.
as much as possible, while affording the necessary space in its interior for the
accumulators. It is arranged eccentrically to the centre of rotation in order that
the centre of gravity of the turret and its contents may coincide with the axis of
rotation as nearly as possible.
The carriage and the pointing, sighting and elevating apparatus are of peculiar
construction.
The carriage consists of a double frame D2 and D' Fig. 1, both of which are
pivotted to the trunnions E, and which can be separately actuated by the hydraulic
cylinders and d for effecting the sighting and elevation of the gun, and for
other purposes.
To the lower frame D³ are fixed the sighting uprights H' connected by the
cross piece H' Fig. 4, carrying one or two reflecting sights h, which are of the:
known construction.
When the cylinders are worked, the whole system of the gun and its
appurtenances and carriage is turned on the trunnions E, thereby adjusting the
gun without any motion relative to the sights, so that if the gun was in the first..
instance pointed at an object at the same level as itself and this object were to rise
or fall while remaining at the same distance, it would suffice, for maintaining the
pointing, to operate the hydraulic cylinders d in order to direct the line of
sighting on the object in its new position. The range of the gun on the other
hand will depend upon its inclination relatively to the line of sighting, but not on
the inclination of the latter. The inclination of the gun relatively to the line of
sighting which is the firing elevation, is indicated by a pointer i on a quadrant.
scale carried by the fixed upright H', the tail of the pointer being pivoted
to an axis on a sliding block; capable of sliding between vertical guides H
rigidly fixed to the frame D³.
The successive angular displacements of the two frames that can be produced by
operating on the hydraulic cylinder that is to say the inclinations of the gun
relatively to the lines of sighting, are transmitted with the necessary degree of
reduction to the pointers i causing it to assume corresponding angular positions on
the quadrant scale.
The latter can therefore be provided with a scale indicating either the firing
angle or the range.
For elevating the gun in the vertical direction for firing at an object at a given
distance, the cylinders are worked so as to bring the pointer to the division
indicating the desired distance, and then the cylinder d' is worked so as to direct
one of the sights on the distant object.
This special arrangement of the gun carriage, consisting in the employment of
two frames pivotting on the same horizontal axis, one of which carries one or more

page_text: Bights which are not displaced, for elevating the gun, and the above described
arrangement of the sighting pointers moving over quadrant scales for indicating
without loss of time the relative inclinations of the gun and the sighting lines is a
combination of parts which constitutes an essential feature of my invention.
The rotation of the turret for pointing in a horizontal direction is effected by
means of the revolving platform or turntable M by the agency of hydraulic
ratchet devices such as are described in the Specification to the application for
Patent of 19th April 1895 No. 7873 and indicated in dotted lines at L and L' on
Fig. 2, the working levers being indicated at and . They are supplied with
liquid pressure from the accumulators K.
The said hydraulic ratchets may however be replaced by other hydraulic
motors, such as a reversible Brotherhood engine, actuating the platform by means
of a chain passing round the periphery thereof.
The platform or turntable M is composed of an annular plate on which is fixed
the sheet metal frame B, and which constitutes the turntable resting upon the ring
of conical rollers M' which run upon the annular plate M' fixed to the upright
frames N. The plate M is formed with a deep annular groove in constituting an
annular hydraulic cylinder and containing an annular piston n on which are formed
the two circular racks c and c with oppositely inclined ratchet teeth, with which
gear the hydraulic ratchets L L', fixed to the upper plate or turntable M, the one
set of ratchets being in gear with the one circular rack arranged to produce
rotation to the right hand, and the others with the second circular rack which
produces rotation to the left hand. The annular piston carries on its upper face a
ring of balls o contained in circular grooves p' and p formed respectively in the
under face of the turntable and the upper face of the annular piston.
The hydraulic packing between the annular piston and its cylinder is formed by
means of a ring with upward projecting rib n' and two rings of elastic packing
material which by preference communicate with each other by means of holes
formed at distances apart through the rib n². These packing rings are subject to
the hydraulic pressure exerted in the space m below the ring n, so that if liquid
pressure be forced in, either from the accumulators or by a force pump, the
annular piston n and with it the turntable M will be raised so as to lift the latter
off the conical rollers, and support it solely on the balls o by which means a
greater degree of mobility for the horizontal rotation of the turret is obtained,
facilitating rapid adjustment in pointing.
Openings B Figure 2, are left at the sides of the platform for affording standing
room for the operatives that control the action of the ratchets.
As I have before stated, my improved construction of turrets is arranged to
provide for the limitation of the recoil of the gun, for effecting the running out
motion thereof, and the charging of accumulators with liquid pressure, whereby
the hydraulic cylinders are actuated, and the platform rotated for elevating and
sighting.
For these purposes, I employ a construction of bydraulic brake which is
interposed between the gun and its carriage or upper supporting frame, and is
arranged so as to discharge a portion of the liquid under pressure therein into the
accumulators during the recoil, such discharge being effected through passages or
tubes that are connected concentrically with the axis of the tubular trunnions E.
These connections correspond to similar tubes with valves with which are provided
the bydropneumatic accumulators, the joints being formed by stuffing boxes which
produce a fluid tight connection while allowing the turning of the pivoted frame
for vertical pointing.
I have assumed that the hydraulic brake employed is of the same construction as
that described in the Specification to my application for a Patent No. 7874 of
1895, and that the body of the brake apparatus F1 is secured to the frame D² and
its annular piston Q to the sliding cradle D' of the gun. The action is as
follows:-
During the recoil of the gun the annular piston Q and its tubular rod F

page_text: connected to the sliding cradle at D' are forced back by the recoil; the valves s of
the piston close, and the liquid contained between it and the brake cylinder is
forced out through lateral openings t into the pipes u.
Thence the liquid passes
through the trunnion joints F, and enters the pipes K' of the accumulators K, and
opening the valves K*, enters the accumulators. When the liquid ceases to be
forced in, the valves close, and retain the liquid under pressure.
The joint between the branches of the brake cylinder and the accumulators is
formed by stuffing boxes K³. The entrance of liquid in the accumulators ceases
when the piston has passed the lateral openings t. Beyond these openings discharge
grooves having a gradually decreasing section are formed in the sides of the
cylinder, for constituting an ordinary hydraulic brake with approximately constant
resistance, which gradually reduces the speed of the piston and parts attached
thereto during the remainder of the stroke, in causing the liquid to flow from the
front of the piston to the back thereof through the said grooves t¹.
The central fixed rod F' has a piston head p' working fluid tight in the tubular
piston rod F so that as the latter moves back during the recoil, a partial vacuum
is formed therein behind the head p³ causing the outer air to force open the valve f
and enter the piston rod. On the termination of the recoil, the running out of the
gun is effected by the action of the liquid under pressure flowing through the
central channel/1 which communicates constantly at its outer end with the accumu-
lators, such liquid tending to force the annular brake piston Q to travel forward
again.
Towards the end of the running out motion the liquid which had passed from
the back to the front of the piston Q is compressed, raises the valve 5, and passes
from the front to the back of the piston again, thereby reducing the speed of the
running-out-motion. At the same time the air which had accumulated in the
tubular piston rod F' during recoil motion is now compressed during the running-
out-motion, and escapes into the bore of the gun through the channel q raising the
valve G, as soon as the pressure of the explosion gases in the gun have sunk below
that of such compressed air. By this means the bore of the gun is automatically
cleared of the deleterious explosion gases, which would otherwise enter the turret
as soon as the breech was opened.
This discharge of air also assists in the regulation of the running-out-motion.
The void produced in the brake cylinder by the discharge of liquid into the
accumulators during the recoil is made good during the running-out-motion by
means of the pipe F with valve f³ Figure 3, through which liquid is drawn into
the brake cylinder from the receptacle F that receives the discharge liquid from
the several hydraulic operating apparatus. The filling is effected either simply
by the partial vacuum in the brake cylinder alone, or by the additional pressure
with which the liquid enters Fº.
I generally establish an equilibrium of pressure in the two accumulators K by
establishing a communication between them by a small passage.
The same also holds good with regard respectively to the two hydraulic
cylinders d and the two cylinders d*.
The cycle which the liquid under pressure performs in actuating the hydraulic
cylinders &c. is as follows:-
Starting from the accumulators the liquid is conveyed by pipes and passages to
distributors for each group of operating devices, as also to the hydraulic ratchet
apparatus, which have their own distributors. By means of these distributors the
flow of liquid under pressure to the various operating devices is regulated or
stopped. On issuing from the operating devices the liquid, which is then still
under considerable pressure is discharged through flexible or articulated pipes into
the receiver F from which it passes back into the brake cylinder to fill up the void
produced by the discharge into the accumulators, as described.
The liquid under pressure necessary for raising the turret can be taken either
from the accumulators, or be forced by a hand pump.
All the hydraulic apparatus are so arranged as to be capable of being worked by

page_text: a hand pump in case of need, as is also the hydraulic rammer R which is rigidly
fixed on the framing in line with the axis of the gun, and is not an articulated
rammer which requires to be adjusted before and after loading the gun, as is the
-case with the ordinary rammers for guns.
The manner of mounting the several parts which are fitted together in connection
with the hollow trunnions is as follows. The brake cylinder is held by its tubular
trunnions in the crosshead of the frame carrying the sliding cradle, where they are
secured by means of half collars d, other half collars being fitted below, and
these parts are secured by screwed sleeves E' which constitute the trunnions by
means of which the frame D' carrying the sliding cradle is supported on the head
piece D which is rivetted to the longitudinal beams B₁ forming part of the
framing of the platform. These trunnions also carry the second frame D³.
For effecting the supply of ammunition I employ either one ammunition
carriage or two thereof, of which one raises a charge while the other descends
empty.
Fig. 1 shews the arrangement with a single carriage and Fig. 8 that with two.
These arrangements are provided for enabling a rapid fire to be maintained.
I have assumed that the gun is provided with the arrangement for breech loading
with hollow breech screw.
The carriages P for the ammunition are shewn in elevation at Figs. 1 and 8 and
in vertical sections at Figs. 9 and 10.
They consist of a charging tray P₁ having three parallel grooves formed to
receive the projectile in the middle groove and two semi-cartridges in the two side
grooves.
This tray is provided with rollers the object of which will be explained
presently, and it is supported on a plate frame P which, in the position for
charging the cartridge, rests on a shoulder formed in the end surface of the breech
of the gun.
The arrangement for raising and guiding the cartridge carriage is such that
when in position for loading the gun, it will move with the latter when being
adjusted for pointing, without having for this purpose to act upon the raising
apparatus.
For this purpose the carriage P' has a curved downward extension P' adapted to
move in a circular are of which the trunnion E is the centre, and which has rollers v¹
running in fixed arc shaped guides also concentric to E. These guides form
extensions of the guides for the rollers on the carriage for raising the
ammunition from the magazine.
In the beams D' of the gun frame are formed are shaped grooves k (Fig. 2) for
receiving the guides which slide therein. To the extension P³ of the cartridge
carriage is pivotted a link P* provided with two lateral rollers which run in
the guides and to which are attached cables z by means of eyes y (Fig. 10). In
the arrangement with the single loading apparatus, Fig. 1, these cables pass over
guide pullies a carried by the frame D and pass round a ring mounted with ball
bearings on the trunnion E, from which they pass over guide pullies a¹ arranged
at the entrance of the vertical tubular passage for the cartridge lift, down which
the cables descend, suitably guided at convenient distances apart. At the lower
part of this passage the cables are coiled on an elevating winch which is driven by
a continuously running motor such as a dynamo, or steam turbine; or it may be
worked by hand.
Between the winch and the motor is provided a clutch apparatus which in one
position effects the raising motion for the cartridge carriage, in another, its descent,
and in the third, throws the motor out of gear.
The raising motion is effected in two stages. In the first period of the motion
the cartridge carriage is raised to the upper end of the tubular passage where it is
stopped at the entrance of the arc shaped part of the guide, in close proximity to
the gun.
This stoppage is effected automatically by the throwing out of gear of the winch

page_text: motor, such stoppage being easily effected in any known manner, as the said
position corresponds to a definite number of turns of the winch. The said upward
motion is preferably effected by the agency of the operators in the turret, through
suitable gear connected with the clutch of the winch. At the requisite moment
after the stoppage, the final raising of the cartridge carriage is effected, which
motion also corresponds to a definite number of revolutions of the winch, no matter
what the angular elevation of the gun and its frame may be, as the guide pullies a
over which the cables pass are carried by the gun frame and follow its motion
while the length of the cables from the winch to the trunnions E round which
they pass, is always the same, as is also that passing from the trunuions to the
rollers a.
The cartridge carriage cousequently moves with the gun at each adjustment
thereof always remaining in the loading position, and as the hydraulic rammer R
also always remains in the same relative position to the gun, at the end of the
frame D' the loading can be effected in any position of 'the gun without requiring
any special arrangement for the purpose.
The projectile is first pushed into the breech chamber, and then successively the
two semi-cartridges, these being first rolled over into the central groove of the
carriage. The operators then start the winch for the descent of the carriage,
provision being made for preventing the closure of the breech of the gun until
the carriage has descended to a point in which it leaves the way clear for
the recoil of the gun. After closing the breech the firing can be effected.
When the cartridge carriage arrives at the bottom of the tubular passage, the
tray P¹ is stopped by its rollers coming in contact with lateral rails (Fig. 9)
which support it while the carriage P' descends somewhat lower so as to be free of
the tray. The latter is then run laterally on the rails on to a table running with a
wheeled frame T¹ on rails on the floor T of the magazine, whereby the tray is run
to the ammunition store to be recharged. Another wheeled frame is provided on
the other side of the guides a¹ and carriage P' which frame has been previously
charged with the two parts of a cartridge and a projectile on a tray P' so that this
tray can be at once run in between the guides ¹ to be raised on the next ascent of
the carriage.
In the arrangement shewn at Fig. 8 for the duplex feed of cartridges, the
construction and mode of operating is mainly the same as above described, the
only difference being that there are two ascending and descending cartridge
carriages with their guides and raising and lowering cables z so that while the
one carriage is ascending with a cartridge the other is descending empty; the
vertical passage being for this purpose divided into two compartments O and O'.
The two sets of guides meet together at the upper end, where they are provided
with a spring switch S which is held in position by the bottom roller of the
extension P when the carriage is in the loading position, and thus ensures its
descent along the proper set of guides.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The use for working turrets and the guns therein, of a hydraulic brake
apparatus so arranged in combination with hydro-pneumatic accumulators that at
each recoil of the gun after firing, a portion of the liquid is forced from the brake
cylinder into the accumulators, the liquid under pressure thus stored up being
then utilised for working hydraulic cylinders and other apparatus for manoeuvring
the gun and turret, while the spent liquid discharged from the said apparatus is
made to pass back again into the brake cylinder, so that one and the same body
of liquid is made to travel through a closed circuit, substantially-as described.
2. In bydraulic brake apparatus such as is referred to in the preceding claim,
the use in combination with the brake cylinder of a receiver for receiving the
discharge liquid from the operating apparatus and the overflow from the
B

page_text: accumulators so that, while the expenditure of liquid pressure is variable, the
supply to the brake cylinder from such receiver may always be constant,
substantially as described.
3. The arrangement whereby the communication between the brake cylinder
which follows the vertical angular motion of the gun frame, and the accumulators
which are carried by the platform is always maintained constant, by effecting
such communication through the hollow trunnions of the gun frame, substantially
as described.
4. The use of a revolving gun platform or turntable supported by a ring of balls
upon the annular piston of an annular hydraulic cylinder, so that by raising such
piston, the platform is supported solely on the ring of balls, while on lowering
the piston the platform is supported by a ring of rollers, substantially as
described.
5. In an annular hydraulic cylinder and piston such as is referred to in the
preceding claim, effecting the liquid tight packing of the piston, by means of a
metallic ring with circular rib projecting into a circular hollow of the piston, on
each side of which rib is a ring of packing material that is rendered fluid tight by
the pressure of the liquid upon the metal ring, substantially as described.
6. A gun carriage consisting of the combination of an upper and a lower frame,
both separately revolvably mounted on the same horizontal axis, the lower frame
having fixed thereto standards carrying one or more sights which are independent
of the vertical angular motion or elevation of the gun, substantially as described.
7. The use for determining the elevation of a gun, of a fixed quadrant scale with
a pivotted pointer having a tail the end of which can slide in guides that follow the
angular motion of the gun for elevating so that the pointer in being thereby moved
over the fixed scale will indicate either the required angle of elevation, or the
required range, substantially as described.
8. Apparatus for supplying ammunition to guns consisting in the combination of
an ammunition carriage having three grooves for the reception of the charge, and
having a lower extension working in arc shaped guides whose centre corresponds
with the trunnion of the gun, and cables for raising and lowering the said carriage
which are passed round the trunnions of the gun frame and round guide rollers
carried by the part of the frame that moves with the gun, substantially as and for
the purpose described.
9. Constructing the ammunition carriage of two parts, the upper part being a
tray with three grooves for the parts of the charge, which can be slid on and off
the lower part so that the latter can be rapidly provided with a tray containing a
charge after the removal of the empty tray, substantially as described.
10. Constructing the upper gun frame carrying the sliding cradle of the gun,
with a fixed bydraulic rammer at its rear end which is consequently always in line
with the axis of the gun, substantially as described.
11. In apparatus for supplying ammunition, to guns from a magazine below, the
combination of an elevating ammunition carriage with removable tray carrying the
charge, and tables running on rails in the magazine on each side of the ammunition
carriage, the one table serving to receive the empty tray from the carriage
while the other supplies a filled tray to the carriage, substantially as described.
12. Constructing turrets of ovoidal form in plan with flattened front end; for
affording room for the hydro-pneumatic accumulators without requiring to increase
the diameter of the turret for that purpose, substantially as described.
Dated this 1st day of January 1896.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for Applicant.