Fig. 8.—MINE TRANSFORMER.
Two fuses are connected in multiple across the ends of the secondary terminals. These terminals are 10 inches in length, to allow ample margin for inserting fuses in the primer.
The transformer is of the step-down type and is rated at 22.5 watts, 60 cycles, 500 volts primary, and 14 volts secondary.
The mine circuit when normal is such that 80 volts should give only 30 mil-amperes, but a mine may be fired even when the circuit is so defective that 80 volts give 120 mil-amperes.
Furthermore, 150 volts D. C. may be applied to the primary without danger of explosion.
An explosion can not be produced unless the A. C. busses on the operating board are energized, and as long as the firing switch on the master block is open, there is no danger from accidental closing of switches in making mine tests or from short circuits in the mine.
Note.—In designing this transformer the following variations were considered: (a) Omitting reactance and tapping to ball seat beyond primary of transformer; (b) using a condenser; (c) using two sets of fuses, so as to be able to fire with either D. C. or A. C. All were eliminated, as they impaired either the safety, the simplicity, or the efficiency of the system.
The circuit closer.—This, when used with the buoyant mine, consists of the following parts: The cap, the spring plate, the distance ring, the steel ball, and the ball seat, which, when assembled, are mounted on the top of the mine transformer.
The ground mine case.—The form and details of construction adopted for the service pattern are the following ([see fig. 9]): The case is cast-iron, in form a segment of a sphere, of which the height is two-thirds of the radius. The bottom is nearly flat, with a central sand-hole plug to empty the casting. Six internal radial ribs are added to give additional supports to the top; the loading hole, 5½ inches in diameter (3 inches in old pattern), is at the pole and is closed by a compound plug. Before acceptance a hydraulic pressure of 100 pounds per square inch must be borne without developing leakage.