IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR TESTING THE STRENGTH OF BOILER TUBES, FLUES, OR Å NOEAT HO " Cor OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES AGAINST A COLLAPSING STRAIN
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samson Fox, of the Leeds Forge, New Wortley, Leeds,
in the County of York, Engineer, for an Invention of " IMPROVED
APPARATUS FOR TESTING THE STRENGTH OF BOILER TUBES, FLUES, OR
Å NOEAT HO
" Cor"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samson Fox at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th October 1881.
"
SAMSON Fox, of the Leeds Forge, New Wortley, Leeds, in the County of York,
Engineer. IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR TESTING THE STRENGTH OF BOILER
TUBES, FLUES, OR OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES AGAINST A COLLAPSING STRAIN."
My Invention relates to apparatus for testing the strength of steam boiler
tubes, flues, or other similar articles against a compressive or collapsing strain, the
condition of such test being as nearly as possible similar to that to which such
tubes, flues, or other articles are subjected when placed in position in a steam
generator or boiler. I provide a strong metallic vessel or cylinder, somewhat
larger in diameter and much superior in strength to the tubes, flues, or other
articles to be tested. On the ends of this cylinder I place strong metallic rings
which are secured thereto by bolts passing from end to end and through said
rings.
The junction of the said rings to the ends of the cylinder I make perfectly water
tight; these end rings may be changeable to suit the various sizes of tubes, flues,
or other articles to be tested. I sometimes prepare the tubes for testing by welding
on at each end a short piece of tube, somewhat larger in diameter than the tubes
themselves; these short parts I turn smooth to fit easily inside the aforesaid metallic
end rings of the testing cylinder, which latter are turned out to receive the
same.
An annular groove or recess is also formed in each of the metallic end rings of
the cylinder for the reception of a hydraulic packing leather, the turned part of
the tube or article to be tested, and the metallic end rings of the cylinder, perform
the same functions in relation to each other as those of a hydraulic cylinder and
ГР

page_text: 1am of the usual construction. I sometimes make the joint between the tubes or
articles to be tested and the inside of the metallic end rings of the cylinder by
flanging the ends of the said tubes or other articles outwards, and turning the
peripheries of these flanges to fit easily in the aforesaid metallic end rings, and
placing leather packing rings around the ends of the tubes immediately behind the
flanges in such wise that the action of the pressure upon the leather is the same as
when the leathers are placed in the aforesaid annular groove of the metallic end
rings. Or I may make the joints with the tube or other article to be tested by
forming an inside flange at each end of the same, providing a cylindrical ring for
each end; also with an internal flange to correspond with those on the tube, and
to which they are secured by bolts in such wise as to form perfectly tight joints.
The peripheries of these cylindrical rings I turn smooth to fit easily in the afore-
said end metallic rings of the testing cylinder (as in the case of the short pieces
welded on at each end of the tube proper, as previously described).
Around the interstices which are incidentally formed at the junctions of the
aforesaid end rings and the tube, I place leather collars of such section as to
ensure tight joints when under pressure during the testing operation.
Other forms of joints may be used that will admit of a slight movement
end wise of the tube or other article under operation, and during any variation
which may take place in the length of the same whilst under pressure.
When the tube has been placed in position within the cylinder, I, by a pressure
pump or other suitable means, apply within the said cylinder and around the tube
a cumulative pressure of water or other fluid, until the tube is either totally
collapsed or resists such an amount of pressure as is equal or superior to that to
which it will be subjected when it is placed in and becomes part of a steam
generator or boiler.
During the testing operation, as above described, both ends of the tube or flue
are open, thereby giving facilities for measuring and noting any change which
may take place in the configuration thereof by reason of the pressure applied
thereto.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Samson Fox in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th April
1882.
SAMSON Fox, of the Leeds Forge, New Wortley, Leeds, in the County of York,
Engineer. "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR TESTING THE STRENGTH OF BOILER
TUBES, FLUES, OR OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES AGAINST A COLLAPSING STRAIN."
My Invention relates to apparatus for testing the strength of steam boiler tubes,
flues, or other similar articles against a compressive or collapsing strain, the con-
dition of such test being as nearly as possible similar to that to which such tubes,
flues, or other articles are subjected when placed in position in a steam generator
or boiler. I provide a strong metallic vessel or cylinder, somewhat larger in
diameter than and much superior in strength to the tubes, flues, or other articles
to be tested. On the ends of this cylinder I place strong metallic rings which are
secured thereto by bolts passing from end to end and through said rings.
The junction of the said rings to the ends of the cylinder I make perfectly water
tight. These end rings may be changeable to suit the various sizes of tubes, flues,
or other articles to be tested. I sometimes prepare the tubes for testing by welding
on at each end a short piece of tube, somewhat larger in diameter than the tubes
themselves; these short pieces I turn smooth to fit easily inside the aforesaid
metallic end rings of the testing cylinder, which latter are turned out to receive
the same.
An annular groove or recess is also formed in each of the metallic end rings of
the cylinder for the reception of a hydraulic packing leather, the turned parts of
the tube or article to be tested and the metallic end rings of the cylinder perform
the same functions in relation to each other as those of a hydraulic cylinder and
ram of the usual construction, in that they prevent the escape of water between
them.
I sometimes make the joint between the tubes or articles to be tested and the
inside of the metallic end rings of the cylinder by flanging the ends of the said
tubes or other articles outwards, and turning the peripheries of these flanges to fit
easily in the aforesaid metallic end rings, and placing leather packing rings around
the ends of the tubes immediately behind the flanges in suchwise that the action
of the pressure upon the leathers is the same as when the leathers are placed in the
aforesaid annular grooves of the metallic end rings. Or I may make the joints.
with the tube or other article to be tested by forming an inside flange at each end.
of the same, providing a cylindrical ring for each end; also with an internal flange
to correspond with those on the tube, and to which they are secured by bolts in
such wise as to form perfectly tight joints. The peripheries of these cylindrical
rings I turn smooth to fit easily in the aforesaid end metallic rings of the testing
cylinder (as in the case of the short pieces welded on at each end of the tube
proper, as previously described).
Around the interstices which are incidentally formed at the junctions of the
aforesaid end (cylindrical) rings and the tube, I place leather collars of such
section as to ensure tight joints when under pressure during the testing
operation.
Other forms of joints may be used that will admit of a slight movement end wise
of the tube or other article under operation, and during any variation which may
take place in the length of the same whilst under pressure.
When the tube has been placed in position within the cylinder, I, by a pressure
pump or other suitable means, apply within the said cylinder and around the tube
a. cumulative pressure of water or other fluid until the tube is either totally .

page_text: collapsed or resists such an amount of pressure as is equal or superior to that to
which it will be subjected when it is placed in and becomes part of a steam
generator or boiler. During the testing operation, as above described, both ends
of the tube or flue are open, thereby giving facilities for measuring and noting
any change which may take place in the configuration thereof by reason of the
pressure applied thereto.
In the several Figures of the accompanying Sheet of Drawings the same letters
are used to denote like parts. Fig. 1 at A shews one half of the apparatus in end
elevation, and at B the other half in cross-sectional elevation; Fig. 2 is a side
elevation with both ends in section. C is the strong metallic vessel or cylinder
before referred to, which can be formed by bending a metal plate into a tubular
form and welding at the joint. This vessel is surrounded by a number of metallic
hoops D shrunk on hot, and each end of the vessel is faced up by turning; E, E,
are rings of metal, of which the inner peripheries are turned and formed with
recesses at F for the reception of hydraulic packing leathers G, G. In the inner
face of each ring E is formed a groove at H; these grooves receive the ends of the
metallic vessel or cylinder C; I are rings of leather to ensure tight joints between
the ends of the metallic vessel or cylinder and the end rings; J are bolts for
holding the cylinder and rings together; K is a corrugated tube in position for
being tested, L being a plain piece of tube welded thereto, and turned smooth
to fit easily within the ring E at one end; the other end of the tube may be
similarly provided, but in the Drawing I have illustrated an alternative method,
according to which the tube K, as shewn at M, has its end flanged inwards and
joined to a cylindrical ring N with internal flange N¹ by a series of bolts and
nuts O, a ring of leather P being placed between the surfaces of M and N'. As an
additional means of ensuring a water-tight joint I place a leather collar Q in and
around the external interstice incidentally formed at this part, and an enlarged
section of which is shewn in Fig. 4. It will be understood that both ends of the
tube may be fitted thus :-The ring N is turned to fit easily into the end ring E,
as is the plain portion of the tube in the other arrangement shewn at L, and above
described. Fig. 3 shews a method of making a water tight joint for the purposes
of my Invention by turning the ends of the tubes to be tested outwards so as to
raise flanges R all round; the peripheries of these flanges are to be turned to fit
accurately within the end rings E; behind each of these flanges, around and between
the body of the tube K and the inside periphery of the corresponding metallic end
ring E, I place a hydraulic U-shaped packing leather S, the action of which under
pressure is to prevent escape of fluid between R and E.
When a tube is to be tested it is placed in position, as shewn in Fig. 2, and the
joints are properly made fluid tight, then through pipe T, leading from a pressure
pump, or other means, such as previously referred to, the required pressure is
applied. A gauge V serves to indicate the amount of pressure to which the tube
is subjected. Plain flues or tubes, or other articles of a similar form, may be tested
in this apparatus.
Having described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner of carrying
the same into practical effect, what I claim as secured to me by the Letters Patent
herein before first in part recited is,―
1. The use for testing the strength of steam boiler tubes, flues, and similar
articles against compressive or collapsing strain, of an apparatus comprising a
metallic vessel surrounding the article to be tested, end rings, and connecting rods
or bolts, the arrangement being such as to form around the exterior of the article
to be tested an annular water-tight chamber or space enclosed by the said
surrounding vessel and end rings, wherein water under pressure can act upon the
exterior of the tube to be tested while its interior remains open to inspection,
substantially as hereinabove described and illustrated.
2. In an apparatus, such as referred to in Claim 1, for testing the strength of
steam boiler tubes, flues, and similar articles, against compressive or collapsing
strain, the method of establishing a water-tight joint between the end ring E, and

page_text: a tube to be tested by the use, in combination with the said ring and hydraulic
packing, such as G, of a plain piece of tube welded on to the end of the tube to be
tested, and turned to fit and move water tight within the said end ring E,
substantially as above described and illustrated in Fig. 2 of the Drawings.
3. In an apparatus, such as referred to in Claim 1, for testing the strength of
steam boiler tubes, flues, and similar articles against compressive or collapsing
strain, the method of establishing a water tight joint between the end ring E and
a tube to be tested by the use, in combination with the said ring E and hydraulic
packing, such as G, of an internally flanged sliding ring, such as N, secured to a
flange of the tube to be tested, substantially as above described and illustrated in
Figs. 2 and 4 of the Drawings.
4. In an apparatus, such as referred to in Claim 1, for testing the strength of
steam boiler tubes, flues, and similar articles against compressive or collapsing
strain, the method described with reference to Fig. 3 of the Drawings, of
establishing a water tight joint between the end ring E and the tube to be
tested.
5. The use, for testing the strength of steam boiler tubes, flues, and similar
articles against compressive or collapsing strain, of the apparatus_constructed,
arranged, and operating as shewn in and described with reference to Figs. 1 and
of the Drawings, whether the water tight joints between the end rings E and the
tube to be tested be made as referred to in Claim 2, or as referred to in Claim 3,
or as referred to in Claim 4.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samson Fox, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.
Witness to the signature of
the said Samson Fox,
THOS. E. CRAVEN, C.E.,
Patent Agent,
24, Victoria Chambers,
South Parade,
Leeds.
SAMSON FOX. (L.S.)