US701802A - Smokeless powder and method of compounding same. - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. DENTON AND JAMES PREAS, OF JOHNSON CITY, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNORS OF ONE-THIRD TO ELLIOTT C. KIRKPATRICK, OF JOHNSON CITY, TENNESSEE.

SMOKELESS POWDER AND METHOD OF COMPOUNDING SAME..

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 701,802, dated June 3, 1902.

Application filed March 8, 1902. Serial No. 97,295. (No specimens.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JAMES A. DENTON and JAMES H. PREAS, citizens of the United States, residing at Johnson City, in the county of Washington and State of Tennessee, have invented new and useful Improvements in Smokeless Powder, ofwhich the following is a specification.

Our invention is designed 'for the production of an improved smokeless powder which has all of the advantages of the smokeless powders now in use and overcomes certain of the disadvantages therein, in that there is less danger of explosion by concussion or friction than in otherexplosives of a similar nature.

The invention resides in a novel composition of ingredients by which the powder is produced and in the method of compounding the same.

Om-improved powder is made of the following ingredients in about the proportions named: chlorate of potash, two ounces; wheat -flour, one ounce; boiled linseed -oil, one-fourth ounce; chrome-yellowpowder, one dram. The chlorate of potash which constitutes the explosive base is first mixed with the necessary quantity of linseed-oil, and the two are thoroughly ground together. The chrome-yellow powder, which serves as a colorin g agent for the powder, is then mixed with the chlorate of potash and linseed-oil. Afterward the necessary quantity of wheat-flour, with sufficient water to make the mass of about theconsistency of bread-dough,isadded. These ingredients when all are combined are thoroughly mixed and commingled with each other, and the mixture is then allowed to dry. The same is afterward crushed or ground up into granulated form to constitute a com mercial smokeless powder. This product explodes with equal force and penetrating effect to any explosive of a similar nature with which we are familiar, and the method of manufacturing the same is simpler and can "medium.

sults in the final product as above set forth are due to the use of the linseed-oil and the preliminary mixture of the same with the chlorate of potash which constitutes the explosive base. This oil serves to coat the various particles of the chlorate of potash with a film which protects each of said particles against the abrasive and heat-producing effects of said particles on each other. The danger of accidental explosion is therefore reduced to a minimum. The linseed-oil also assists the chlorate of pot-ash as an explosive It gives density to, protects, and preserves the granules. It decreases the volume of vapor given oif by absorbing the same. It aids in producing a quicker action of the powder. It aids in producing deeper penetration. It decreases the residuum from the explosion. It acts as a lubricant, thereby pared substantially as and in the proportions set forth.

2. The method of producing smokeless powder, which consists in grinding and mixing I chlorate of potash and boiled linseed-oil with each other, incorporating therewith wheatflour and water in sufficient quantities to ob- J. A. DENTON. .LH. PREAS.

V itnesse H. H. DYER,

M. B. MOOARTT.