US988590A - Explosive. - Google Patents

Description

GERSHOM MOORE PETERS, OF CINCINNA KINGS MILLS, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO TH OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

TI, AND MILTON FLETCHER LINDSLEY, OF E KING POWDER COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI,

EXPLOSIVE.

No Drawing.

and State of Ohio, both citizens of the 5 United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Explosives, of

which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

The invention relates to explosives designed as substitutes for dynamite of ap proximately 70% to 80% strength. mite, which is the most generally known and used of high explosives, is objectionable in many respects. It freezes at forty-five degrees temperature, and when frozen is not explosive or capable of being detonated, but must be thawed out before using, which is a very troublesome operation, and also very dangerous. Many serious accidents have resulted from the use of dynamite on this account. In hot weather, the nitro-glycerin in the dynamite is liable to exude from the absorbent, which causes great risk and uncertainty in handling it. If dynamite be not properly made and properly neutralized, a condition which is very likely to result because of ignorant or careless employees, decomposition is likely to set in, resultin frequently in most frightful accidents. Then again, a sudden jolt or jar may set off the best dynamite, often Without any cause or explanation. All these objectionable features are intensified as the per cents. of strength are increased, so that when dynamite is made to contain a relatively large amount of nitroglycerin it exudes more readily, is more sensitive, and is much more powerful in its destructive energy.

Dynamite, in its higher per cents. of strength, is also very violent and very shattering and destructive in its effects. It cannot be fired without serious damage and injury to a mine. Often in open air. the concussion is such as to endanger life and building, and to be exceedingly annoying because of flying fragments, shocks to the earth and air, and loud reports. Black powder is also objectionable for many reasons. It cannot be used in hard and diflicult work as it is not of suflicient strength. In mining operations, when a charge is increased in order to get additional strength,

Dyna- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed .Tune 6, 1907. Serial No. 377,490.

Patented Apr. 4, 1911.

it not only badly shatters the coal, but throws down the roof, sides and timbers by its concussion. It also produces a great deal of smoke and offensive gas, which interferes With the work going on, and on account of the large amount of flame it generates, it is liable also to set off the natural gas which collects in mines and so produce great destruction of life and property.

It is the object of the invention to furnish an explosive of the highest strength, which shall be safe to handle and transport, which will not freeze, or exude, or spontaneously detonate, will be adapted to do the most difiicult work in blasting, which is practically flameless, comparatlvely noiseless and smokeless, which will not emit injurious and offensive gases, and which will not be objectionable because of the shattering or throwing of fragments, or the causing of disturbances by concussion at points distant from the place of blasting.

The preferred formula contains the following ingredients in substantially the proportions stated:

Nitrate of ammonia 30% Nitro-cellulose 30% Chlorate of potassium 30% Mirbane oil 10% This formula, when the ingredients are of normal strength and quality and prop erly combined and fired, will produce about three fourths the explosive effect of a like quantity by weight of the commonly termed 75% dynamite.

Nitrate of ammonia, being very rich in gas, is a powerful explosive, as also is nitrocellulose. Nitro-cellulose is readily sensitive to detonation, besides furnishing the carbon necessary for completing combustion. Chlorate of potassium is both highly explosive and detonative. Mirbane oil is also explosive and detonative, besides furnishing by means of its oily substance, a protection to the other ingredients from the deteriorating eifects both of moisture and atmosphere. It also gives a plastic consistency to the explosive when formed in mass, by which it may be more easily handled and packed in cartridges.

The nitro-cellulose is preferably made of wood pulp reduced to dust, nitrated, and

thoroughly neutralized and dried. The

nitrate of ammonia and the chlorate of potassium are also thoroughly pulverized and dried. proportions substantially as stated are then thrown together in a mixer, such as commonly used for this purpose. The mirloane oil, in substantially the proportion stated, is then poured over these materials in the mixer, after Which all are thoroughly mixed or incorporated into a homogeneous sub stance which rendered plastic by the aid of the mirloane oil. The mass of explosive thus formed is then packed in cartridges or paper containers, which are thoroughly Water-proofed and carefully sealed. It is then ready for use and may be easily detonated by the ordinary primer used in firing dynamite.

This explosive has been found in actual use to be not only very powerful but very safe to handle, is free from danger of explosion by fire, emits little or no flame, smoke or gas, and causes comparatively little report or concussion.

These two ingredients in the We claim:

1. An explosive compound consisting of a thorough intermixture of approximately thirty per cent. of nitrate of ammonia, thirty per cent. of nitro cellulose, thirty per cent. of chlorate of potassium, and ten per cent. of mirbane oil.

2. An explosive compound consisting of an interinixture of nitrate of ammonia, nitrocellulose and chlorate of potassium in substantially equal proportions, With mirloane oil in sufficient quantity to render the Whole plastic.

In testimony whereof We have signed our names to this specification, in the presence of the subscribing Witnesses, on this 3d day of June A. D. 1907.

GERSHOM MOORE PETE-RS. MILTON FLETCHER LINDSLEY.

Witnesses:

ELnoN R. JAMES, A. M. BEEKLEY, En FROHLIGER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gommissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G.