(No Model.)

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L. BAG-GER. PRIMER FOR IGNITING EXPLOSIVES.

‘N0. 359 ,491.

Patented Mar. 15, 1887. z

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WHEEESSEE 5

UNITED * STATES

PATENT Fries,

LOUISBAGGER, OF \YASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,DASSlGXOlt OF ONE-HALF TO AUGUST PETERSON, OF SAME PLACE.

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"PRIMER‘FOROIGNIITI'XNG exeLosives.

SPECIFICATION forming-part of Letters Patent No. 359,491, dated March 15, 18,87. , ‘Applied/tier] ?led January Ill, 1887. Serial No. ‘226,0l0. (No model.) _

T0 allpwhom it may concern.-v .

Be itknownthat I, LoUIs BAGGER, a citi "zen of the United States, and a resident of the

city of ‘Vashington, in the District of Colum

such cases, who're the primary object is to ex plode the shell at the ‘moment of contact with

the shipor other object aimed at, my improve ment assumes the form of an auxiliary device 5 5

for causing the explosion of the shell if it Device for Igniting Err-plosives and other Oom 7 drops into the water. bustibles; and Ido hereby declare that the fol Experience with target practice with heavy lowing is a full, clear, and exact description ordnance‘ has demonstrated the difiiculty'of '

_ 5 bia, have‘ invented a certain new and useful

of the invention, vwhich will enable-others squarely hitting a movable. target, such as an 60 skilled in the art to which it appertains to iron-clad vessel or other ship moving rapidly _. make and usethe same, reference being had to under steam, and it frequently happens that Q the accompanying drawings, which form- a the shell either falls a little too short of its mark 7 ‘part of this speci?cation. ‘_ ‘ or goes a little too far beyond it, or it may " My invention relates more particularly to drop into the water a little ahead or astcrn, in 65 r5v an improved method of igniting the explosive either of which cases it will simply sink to 10

charge in shells and torpedoes through thedi

the bottom without doing any damage either

rect action of the water in which the shell may to the ship directly aimed at or to surround ' drop, or in which the torpedo (whether sta ing boats. l '

tionary or/ movable) is immersed. It may also

, Now, by providing ashellwith my auxiliary 7O

beused with advantage,however, inlife-buoysL fuse, or “water-primer,” asIcallit, Ido not in life~rafts, or other life-saving apparatus; for the least interferewith the prompt erplosiou ‘ the‘ purpose, of igniting signal-lights, sound

of the shell by percussion if -it does strike the

ing high-water alarms,'and for numerous other vessel; but it‘, through failure of the percus~ purposes where it is desired to ignite an ex sion device to act, it should drop from the side 75 25 plosive charge or other‘ combustible material of the ship into the water without exploding, I

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' instantaneously through the direct action of ' or it‘, through error of aim or from other causes,

water; and for this’ purpose it makes no dif ference whether the water is salt or fresh, so

it should not hit the ship at all, but drop in th'c , water, then my method and device will cause,

that my invention is equally well adapted for' the shell to explode instantly the moment itfso 30 use on the open ocean and on inland lakes and rivers.

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reaches the water, scatteringits fragments over i’ a large area of water-surface, and. subjecting

In the accompanying drawings I have shown vessels ata considerable distance oven to the

my invention as applied to an explosive pro~ disastrous effects of the air-wave or concussion jectile and to an anchored or stationary tor resulting from the explosion of a charge of dy< 3 Ui 35 pedo, viz: ‘ ‘ ' 1 namite or other powerful explosive with which Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the shell may be charged on the surface of the a shell provided with my so-called “water water. If one of these shells should drop in‘

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primer.” Figs. 2, 3, and 4 illustrate some of the’wateriulhcmidst oi‘ a?olillaol‘ gunboats the di?'erent methods of protecting the water or torpedo-boats, for example, without hilling primer in the shell. ' Fig‘. 5 is a sectional de tail view of a fuse for shells, torpedoes, or other

any one of them, it will instantly explode and probably prove far more dcstruclivcthan if it purposes‘ equipped with my water-primer; had struck any one of the boats comprising the

and Fig. 6 is an illustration of my invention

as applied to a (stationary) torpedo. 45 Like lctterslof reference denote co rrespond ing parts in all the ?gures.

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At the outset I will state that one of the ad

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iicet. I accomplish this object byproviding the shell with an auxiliary or supplemental

fuse and priming the same with material which possesses a stronger chemical al'linil'y l'or oxy gen than the alliuily which exists between the

vantages of my improvement is that it may be two components 0t‘watcr—\'ix.,oxygen andhy

applied to all kinds of‘ explosive shells, with - drogen, (1L0) Ol'such materials severalarc out regard to whether‘these are equipped with known to chemistry, among others sodium, percussiofr-primers or with time~fuses. In (NaJ-strontiuin, (Sn) and potassium, (IL)

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359,491

The last-named metal is particularly adapted1 tected l'roi'natmospheric in?uence by a cover to my purpose, owing toits excessive chemical ing in the nature of a plaster, (shown at L,)

affinity for oxygen, andv as it is a commercial which may be removed when the shell is ?red; product which can readily be obtained I useit or it may be of material which will be iustan~ 70 in preference to other material. This material tancously dissolved when the shell touches is known in chemistry by the symbol “K,” water. For practical purposes, where this (equiv. 39, sp. gr. 0.865,) andis one of the most method is adopted for thepurpose of protect- ,

interesting alkaline metals. It is usuallyolr ing the water-primer, I have found that a piece tained by the so-called “Briinner process,” of canvas treated with a composition of paraf- . v. as improved by Maresca and Doriné, by the ?ne, rock-oil, and cement will answer the put" distillation of a mixture'of carbonate of po pose admirably, and will protect the water , tassiunr (K,OO,) and charcoal at a white heat’ primer for an indefinite length of time. ‘Vhen ’ in an iron retort. lt ?oats on water,which it the shell is ?red, this plaster can readily be 8o instantly decomposes on account of its great. torn off, so as to expose the primer to the ac aiiinity for oxygen, with the following reac tion' of the water. Again, in Fig. 4 I have tion: I§I,~l-2Il,O=9KHO—l-H,. The evolved shown the shell constructed with a primer con hydrogen is kindled by the heat developed by sisting of a complete fuse ?ttinginto the aper the action and burns with a violet or rose-col 20

ture D, into which it is not inserted until the ored flame as long as anymetal remains, while moment when the shell is to be ?red. I‘Vhere 85 the hydrate is retained in solution. , that construction is to be adopted, these fuses,

My so-called “ water~prinie1"’ consists in a primed with potassium, are kept separatefrom thin plug, disk, or ?lm of this material or its the shellspone being inserted in each shell as

equivalent, asshown at A on the-drawings. The letter B denotes the body of the shell,

it is required.

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In Fig. 4. I have indicated- by dotted lines

25 which may be of any desired shape or co11-_ (marked with adotted D,).how the fuse-channel I struction and charged with any suitable ex may be made to communicate with the per

plosive, and O is the usual percussion device cussion-primer instead of with the chamber E and primer, instead of which a tiine-fuse'may in the body of the shell, and in Fig. 2 I have 1 be used, if desired. The auxiliary fuse may‘ shown how the primer may be used in combi— 30 be made by simply boring a hole through the nation with-a time-fuse by drilling a hole, 1)’, shell, as at 1), leading to the chamber E, con which communicates with the time-fuse. Thus . '

taining the explosive material, and charging it will be seen that‘ my deviee'may be used in ,

this hole with gunpowder, gun-cotton, or any’ combination with a percussionfus'e or with a other suitable explosive. In my experiments~ time~fuse, if desired, instead of, using it in di I have used quickly-burning gunpowder with rect combination with the body of {mesh ll. very satisfactory results. The-hole and‘ fuse When the shell is to be used, but not be ore,

are then plugged or covered with athin disk‘ or

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the potassium primer is exposed by breaking

?lm of potassium, as shown at A, whieh,,to or removing the envelope in which it is in 105 protect it fromvoxidation, may be placed in a Should the shell drop into the water, 46 glass tube, G,'open on the'lower side, whercit closed. the chemical action of the exposed primer A -' ' ,is in contact with the powder in the fuse. If results in the instantaneous explosion of the the shells are to be stored for any considerable shell the moment the primer touches the water length of time before using, a thin ?lm or coat ‘through the chemical reaction hereinbefore '110 ing of parai‘?ne,‘ petroleum-paste, or similar referred to~that is to say, the primer is in 45 material containing a minimum of oxygen in stantly ignited, (or, to be more exa‘ct, it ignites its chemical composition may be applied‘ to thehydrogen of the water which is liberated the under side of the disk of potassium, as in dicated at H. .W'hen this is used it will effect

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by the chemical af?nity between the potas- ‘ slum and the oxygen of the water, or, as we

ually prevent oxidation of the under side of have seen, K, + 2H.,O = 2 KHO + Hv?the as the primer-disk, which is exposed to the gun heat beingmore than sufficient to ignite the powder in the fuse. ' fuse and explode the charge within the shell \ Instead of using the device shown in Fig. 1 even before this has been completely immersed for protecting the water-primer from the ac in the water. By graduating the thickness of 120 tion of the atmospheric air, other devices may the primer-disk, however, the fuse may be so be employed for the same purpose, and some constructed, if desired, that explosion will not of these are illustrated on Figs. 2, 3, and 4 of takeplace until the sh ell been fully im- ’

, the drawings.

In Fig. 2 I have shown a plug,

F, ?tting airtight in the aperture D and bear

mersed.

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In Fig. 6 I have outlined how my invention

' ing with its inner end against. the primer iii-4 may be applied for the purpose of-exploding a torpedo, the letter I denoting the body of be ?red, this plug is removed; or it may he the torpedo, and J the fuse, which may con made of material which will be‘fractured by veniently be constructed of a piece of gas-pipe the explosion‘ when the shell is ?red from the ?lled with any suitable material adapted to be cannon; or it may be of some soluble material used as a fuse. The upper part,J’,of the pipe which will dissolve instantaneously when the or tube J, however, is made of glass or other

60 serted in said aperture.‘ When the shell is to

‘ shell comes in‘ contact with the water. And,

,a’gaip, in Fig. 3 the potassium primer is pro

fragile material, and inside ofthis is placed a suitable quantityof the water-primer. I pre~

359.491

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fer to use a glass tube, like a barometer-tube, 4. The combination, with an explosive shell sealed at the top and ?lled or partially ?lled and aprimcrtherefor havinganigniting-charge with potassium, care being taken that the glass composed of potassium or an equivalent ‘ma tube is connected water-tight to the metallic terial having a stronger chemical af?nity for tube or fuse, so that water can only enter the oxygen than the a?inity which exists between device and ignite the potassium if the glass oxygen and hydrogen in the formation of tube is broken or fractured. This will happen, water, of an air and water proof covering for however, when a vessel passes over it and protecting such primer, as set forth. 75 touches the glass tube, which will then in 5. The combination, with a percussion stantly be broken, thus exposing the potas primer of any desired construction, of. an ig sium to the action of the water, when an in

niting device composed of material possessing

stantaneous explosion follows. If the torpedo a stronger chemical affinity for oxygen than and fuse are made properly, so as to be im the affinity which exists between oxygen and pervious to water, a torpedo of this construc hydrogen in the formation of water, whereby tion may beimmcrsed any length of time with such primer is exploded on contact of the ' out deterioratingitiu the least. And, again, it igniting device with water. is exceedinglyditiicult to pick up these torpe -tl. The combination, with a percnssion~ does by means of the so-eallcd “torpedo primer of any desired construction, of an ig 85 ?nders," because the least touch of a pole will niting device composed wholly or in part of 20 break off the glass end of the fuse, and thus the metal known as “potassium,” whereby the cause explosion of the torpedo, with the usual primer is detonated by contact of the igniting disastrous results. I desire it to be understood that the fore

device with water.

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7. The combination, with a percussion time 9O going illustrations of the applicability of my fuse of any desired construction, of an ignit invention cover only a few of the very many ing device composed of material possessing a

purposes for which this is adapted. It may stronger chemical a?inity for oxygen than the be used, among other purposes, on life-buoys, a?iuity which exists between oxygen and so that a roman-candle or signal-light will be.

hydrogen in the formation of water, whereby 95

ignited through the direct action of the water such fuse is ?red on contact of‘ the ?ring de a 30 the moment the huoy is thrown into the water; vice with water. or it may be used in the construction of shells 8. The combination, with a percussion time ?lled with a suitable combustible and adapted fuse of any desired construction, of an ignit to ?oat on the water and primed with one of ing device composed wholly or in part of the

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my water-primers,‘ so that the shell will take metal known as “potassium,”wliereby on con

35 ?re when it strikes the water, and when its tact of the potassium with water the fuse is contents become ignited and the burning shell ignited, as set forth. is ?oating around on the surface of the water 9. Afuseadaptedtobeignitedby contactwith it will serve as a light to expose the position water, consisting of any suitable combustible :05 of an enemy’ s vessels among which these shells material confined in whole or in part within a are thrown. The very many purposes where tube or other envelope and provided with a my water-primer may be applied to ad vantage primer or igniting device inclosed within or in warfare as well as in the peaceful arts covered by an envelope of suitable material,

will very readily suggest themselves, and do said primer or igniting device whereby the not require enumeration here. fuse is ignited being composed of material Having thus described my invention, 1 claim possessing a stronger chemical atlinity for oxy

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and desire to secure‘ by Letters Patent of the gen than the affinity which exists between oxy United States: ' ‘ gen and hydrogen in the formation of water. 1. A primer for igniting combustible or 10. A fuse adapted to be ignited by contact 115

explosive compounds, the igniting-charge of with water, consisting of any suitable com 50 which is composed of potassium or an equiva lent material having a stronger chemical af?ii

bustible material con?ned in whole or in part within a tube or other envelope and provided ity for oxygen than the a?inity which exists with a primer or igniting device inclosed between oxygen and hydrogen in the forma within or covered by an envelope of suitable

tion of water, whereby such primer is ignited material, said primer or igniting 55

on contact with water.

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device .

whereby the fuse is ignited being composed

2. The combination, with an explosive shell, wholly or in part of the metal known as of a primer or igniting device composed of “potassium.” . material possessing a stronger chemical af?n In testimony that I claim the foregoing as ity for ox 'gen than the affinity which exists be my own I have hereunto af?xed my signature 60 tween oxygen and hydrogen in the formation in presence of two witnesses. ' of water, whereby the shell is exploded on contact with water.

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or in partof the metalknown as “potassium,” whereby the shell is exploded on contact with water.

LOUIS BAQGGERV

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3. The combination, with an explosive shell, of a primer or igniting device composed wholly '

\Vi tnesses:

ARTHUR L. MoR'sELL, BENNETT S. JoNEs."