Year: 1888

page_text: [Communicated from abroad by JEAN BAPTISTE GUSTAVE ADOLPHE CANET, of
91, Avenue Malakoff, Paris, France.]
We, RICHARD COPLEY CHRISTIE, Manassah Gledhill and HERBERT HANBURY
SMITH CARINGTON, all Directors of Sir Joseph Whitworth & Co., Limited, of
Openshaw, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus for checking or controlling the recoil of guns
and for running out the same or effecting their return to the firing position by energy
stored up during the recoil.
The said invention is very advantageously applicable to gun-mountings wherein the
gun is supported by a carriage arranged to slide upon a horizontal chassis. It is also
applicable to other gun-mountings, especially those in which springs are used to return
the gun to the firing position, and in which any length of spring projecting beyond
the main frame is objectionable.
In gun-mountings as heretofore constructed wherein the running out of the gun,
after its recoil, is effected by the stored-up energy of springs or recuperators without
the aid of gravity, these springs or recuperators require to be of great length to
permit the recoil of the gun through the desired distance. In many cases, the said
springs or recuperators are of such length that they project to an undesirable extent
beyond the chassis or frame of the gun-mounting.
The object of the present invention is to provide for shortening the space occupied
by such springs or recuperators without diminishing the distance through which the
gun can move in its recoil.

page_text: For this purpose, we employ two or more springs or recuperators, or sets of springs
or recuperators, so arranged that one will afford a movable bearing or abutment for
another, that is to say, the force of the recoil will be transmitted to one spring or set
of springs through the medium of another spring or set of springs.
The said invention is conveniently and advantageously carried into practice as
follows, that is to say -In the sides or cheeks of the chassis or frame are fixed two
rods upon which are placed sets of so-called "Belleville" springs or suitable spiral
springs. A cross-head is provided which is bored at its extremities and fitted upon
the said rods so that it can slide thereon. The said cross-head carries midway between
the aforesaid rods another rod, upon which is placed a set of so-called "Belleville "
springs or a suitable spiral spring. A cap or disc is fitted upon the extremity of the
central rod and secured thereon by means of nuts, or in any other suitable manner;
the said cap or disc serves as a stop or abutment for the spring or springs on the central
rod. These springs are enclosed in a sleeve or cylinder formed integrally with or
firmly attached to the top-carriage and closed at its forward end. Or other suitable
provision is made for connecting the top-carriage with the spring or set of springs
through which the force of the recoil is to be first transmitted. When, at the moment
of firing, the said carriage recoils upon the chassis or frame, the said sleeve or cylinder
is carried with it and compresses the central springs. These springs, acting upon the
aforesaid cap or disc, draw back the central rod and the cross-head, which compresses
in its turn the springs upon the side rods, so that the stroke or extent of the recoil
remains the same as heretofore, but, its action being transmitted simultaneously to two
sots of springs arranged parallel to each other and one of which affords a movable
abutment or point of support for the other, the length of the springs necessary to
store up the energy for returning the gun to the firing position can be greatly
diminished.
At the moment the recoil ceases, the springs react and run out the gun and top-
carriage to the firing position. Suitable devices may, however, be applied for retaining
the gun in the recoiled position if required.
It is evident that, by multiplying the number of sets of springs and movable abut-
ments or points of support, we can reduce the length of the springs to one-third, one-
fourth or other fraction of the length which they require to have in gun-mountings
provided with recuperators as heretofore constructed.
Springs, buffers or cushions are preferably provided for diminishing the concussion
at the termination of the return movement of the gun.
The said invention is applicable to gun-mountings in which recoil-presses are used
in combination with recuperators wherein a piston is arranged to work in a cylinder
and is acted upon by the fluid pressure generated by the recoil so as to store up
energy in springs and subsequently utilize such energy for running out the gun.
Dated this 4th day of January 1888.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: We, RICHARD COPLEY CHRISTIE, MANASSAH GLEDHILL, and HERBERT HANBURY
SMITH CARINGTON, all Directors of Sir Joseph Whitworth and Company, Limited,
of Openshaw, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for checking or controlling the
recoil of a gun, and for storing up energy during such recoil, to be utilized for
running out or returning the gun to its firing position.
Our improvements are very advantageously applicable to gun-mountings of the kind or
class wherein the gun is supported by a cradle or top-carriage arranged to slide upon
a chassis or frame under the control of hydraulic brakes, and having combined there-
with springs which are compressed during the recoil and which, by their reaction,
effect the running out or return of the gun to the firing position. The said improve-
ments are, however, also applicable to other gun-mountings wherein the running out
of the gun, after its recoil, is effected by the stored-up energy of springs acting as
recuperators.
In such gun-mountings, as heretofore constructed, the recuperator-springs must of
great length in order that the gun may recoil through a distance sufficient to allow
its motion to be gradually arrested or checked by the brakes. In some instances, the
said springs are of such length that they project to an inconvenient and objectionable
extent beyond the chassis or frame of the gun-mounting.
The main object of the present invention is to provide for diminishing the length of
the space required for the recuperator-springs without diminishing the distance
through which the gun can move in its recoil.
For this purpose, we substitute for a spring which exerts the whole of its elastic
resistance in a single straight line, one which exerts such resistance with the same
effect in two or more parallel lines. Or, in other words, we divide the length of a
spring into two or more portions or sections and arrange the same parallel, and in
such relation, to each other that they exert the same force as, but occupy a shorter
space than, the undivided spring, that is to say, we do not propose by our said
invention to diminish the length or extent of a spring in the sense of diminishing the
number or length of the elastic portions or elements of which the spring is composed,
but, instead of arranging these elastic portions or elements in one continuous straight
line, we place them in two or more parallel lines without changing their relation to
each other in respect of their combined action or effect. And in carrying our
invention into practice, we arrange the separate springs or sections of a spring in
such a manner that one forms the bearing or abutment for another, so that the force
of the recoil will be transmitted from one to the other.
In the accompanying drawings, we have shown one form of gun-mounting having
applied thereto apparatus constructed according to our invention and comprising three
springs, or a spring divided into two sections, one consisting of a single spring and
the other of two springs, all arranged parallel to each other.

page_text: Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in vertical longitudinal central section, and
Figure 2 a plan, partly in horizontal section on the line e, a, Figure 1, the parts
being shown in the firing position.
Figure 3 is also a plan, partly in horizontal section on the line a, c, Figure 1, the
parts being shown in the recoiled position, and,
Figure 4 is a rear elevation, partly in transverse section on the lines a¹, and a², a²,
Figure 1.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is the base-plate or racer; B the chassis, frame or under-carriage; C the cradle
or top-carriage, in which the gun D is supported by its trunnions D¹, suitable
hydraulic brakes being provided for counteracting or resisting the recoil.
a, a are rods having heads a¹ and secured in lugs or brackets B¹ formed on the
sides, transoms or cheeks of the chassis or frame B. Each of these rods a is
combined with a spring 6, which preferably surrounds the rod, and, at its rear end,
bears or abuts against a ring or collar a² held upon the said rod by a nut a³, whereby
the initial compression of the spring & may be regulated as desired.
b
e is a cross-head:
or cross-bar, which is fitted to slide upon the rods a. d is a rod which from its head d¹
extends through the centre of the cross-head c and through a sleeve or cylinder e
formed with, or firmly attached to, the cradle or top-carriage C. The rod d is
combined with a spring which surrounds the said rod and bears or abuts at its rear
end upon an adjustable cap or disc which is secured on the rod by locking nuts d³, d³
or by other convenient means, the said spring f being enclosed and protected by the
said sleeve or cylinder e as shown.
We prefer that the springs above mentioned should be formed of the well-
known Belleville" discs or washers, but spiral or other springs will serve our
purpose.
b
The two springs form virtually one section, and the spring of the other section of
the recuperator, that is to say, the two springs combined as shown with the spring j
produce in the recuperator the same effect of force or resistance as would be produced
by the addition to the spring of a number of discs or washers equal in elastic force
to the two springs arranged parallel to each other. And it is desirable that the
strength or resistance of each of the springs b should be about one-half of that of the
spring, and that the length of each spring should be about double that of
the spring, or that the number of discs of each spring should be about double
the number of those of the spring f.
When the gun is fired, the top-carriage C recoils therewith under the control of its
brakes upon the chassis or frame B, carrying with it the said sleeve or cylinder e and
thus compressing the central spring. At the same time, the force of the recoil, being
transmitted through this spring and through the cap or disc g to the central rodd,
causes this rod, by its head, to pull the cross-head backward, thereby compressing
the springs 6 upon the side rods a, the heads a of which, bearing against the brackets B;
hold the said rods so that their collars a support the ends of the said springs during
the compression of the latter, the position of the parts, at the termination of the recoil,
being shown in Figure 3.
The recuperator-springs fact in combination with the hydraulic brakes in
checking or controlling the recoil of the gun. When the recoil ceases, the said
springs b, unless restrained, will react and run out the gun and top-carriage to the
firing position. If desired, however, suitable devices may be provided for retaining
the gun in its recoiled position for any required length of time, and for then releasing
it by hand.
The forward ends of the springs 6 form bearings, abutments or points of support for
the cross-head c and consequently for the spring f, which bearings or abutments
themselves move and thus permit the backward movement of the sleeve e with the
gun and top-carriage in the recoil.
The movement of the sleeve or cylinder e relatively to the cap or disc g, and the
movement of the cross-head e relatively to the bearings or abutments a will, together,
be equal in length to the recoil-movement of the gun. Therefore, although the entire

page_text: recuperator-apparatus is so arranged that it does not project beyond the chassis or
frame, it allows the gun to recoil through the desired distance.
In the gun-mounting shown in the drawings, we use, for retaining the gun in its
recoiled position, a spring bolt or catch adapted to enter one or other of the
notches C, C in the underside of the top-carriage, according to the distance through
which the gun and top-carriage recoil. The bolt or catch his coupled to a leverj which
is pivoted at j to the chassis or frame B, and whereby the said bolt or catch may be
withdrawn from the notch to permit the running out of the gun.
Suitable means are provided for diminishing the concussion at the termination of
the running out or return movement of the gun. In the drawings, we have shown
buffers or cushions for this purpose, formed of "Belleville" discs or springs and
placed upon the rods a between the cross-head e and the lugs or brackets B¹.
It is obvious that the arrangement of the recuperator-springs relatively to each
other can be somewhat modified whilst retaining the principle of our invention. Also
that the top-carriage may, if desired, be otherwise connected with the spring through
which the force of the recoil is to be first transmitted. It is, moreover, evident that
our invention is applicable to gun-mountings in which recoil-brakes are used in
combination with recuperators having a piston arranged to work in a cylinder and to
be acted upon by fluid pressure generated by the recoil so as to store up energy in
springs and subsequently utilize such energy for running out the gun.
By increasing the number of springs or sections and movable bearings, abutments
or points of support of the recuperator-apparatus, we can reduce to a corresponding
degree the length of the space occupied by the said apparatus without diminishing its
efficiency.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to us by our
foreign Correspondent, we wish it understood that this invention does not comprise a
series or group of springs which exert their force or resistance independently of each
other as in the case of two or more spiral or other springs arranged side by side each
supported by a fixed bearing or abutment, whereas in our springs, the parallel
arrangement of the parts or sections is, in all cases, combined with the continuity of
the elastic or resilient action from one to the other end of the series of discs, coils or
other elements of the spring, and we claim :-
First. A spring having "Belleville" discs or plates, or spiral coils or other clastic
or resilient elements, arranged in parallel lines or series, and so connected that the
force or pressure exerted upon one part will be transmitted to the other part or parts
of the spring, as, and for the purposes, specified.
Second. In a gun-mounting, a recuperator-spring consisting of two or more parts
or sections arranged and acting in parallel lines between the gun or top-carriage and
the chassis or under-carriage, in such a manner that the longitudinal space in the
mounting occupied by the said spring is short relatively to the extent or range of
action of the spring or the recoil of the gun, as above set forth.
Third. The recuperator-apparatus comprising the central and the two side springs
arranged parallel to each other, the central spring being enclosed in, and acted upon
by, a cylinder or sleeve formed or fixed on the top-carriage, and being held by a rod
carrying a cross-head which extends to, and acts upon, the side springs, the latter
being mounted upon, and supported by, rods which are connected with the chassis or
under-carriage, all substantially as, and for the purpose, specified.
D
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicants.