IMPROVEMENTS IN PILE FROM WHICH TO MANUFACTURE TUBING, SHAFTING, COLUMNS, AXLES, AND KINDRED HOLLOW OBJECTS IN METAL, AND A NEW AND USEFUL METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME FROM PILE."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Albert Lawrence Murphy, of the City of Philadelphia,.
State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Manufacturer, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PILE FROM WHICH TO MANUFACTURE
TUBING, SHAFTING, COLUMNS, AXLES, AND KINDRED HOLLOW OBJECTS IN
METAL, AND A NEW AND USEFUL METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME
FROM PILE."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Albert Lawrence Murphy at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th July 1881.
ALBERT LAWRENCE MURPHY, of the City of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania,
United States of America, Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PILE FROM WHICH
TO MANUFACTURE TUBING, SHAFTING, COLUMNS, AXLES, AND KINDRED HOLLOW
OBJECTS IN METAL, AND A NEW AND USEFUL METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE
SAME FROM PILE."
་
My Invention relates in general to the manufacture of metallic tubing from
hollow piles.
The object of the Invention is the production of a metal pile, adapted con-
veniently by the method hereinafter set forth, to be rolled to form a seamless
homogeneous welded tube.
The metal most profitably employed in the formation of the substance of the pile
is puddled iron, as, by such employment, it becomes possible to manufacture a tube
direct from puddled iron, thereby avoiding the former necessity of an intermediate
conversion of the puddled metal into skelp or kindred manufactured product.
The gist of the Invention lies in the construction of a pile from which to make
metal, preferably iron, tubing by first taking a hollow metallic core of the desired
length of the pile, and by then building around and upon said core pieces of metal,
preferably puddled iron, to form the substance or body proper.
The advantage of employing a core are, first, that such core forms a permanent
basis upon which to build the pieces composing the pile; and, secondly, that it
forms when the pile has been rolled to its ultimate dimensions, a smooth inside

page_text: lining to the resulting finished tube, the core, during the rolling operations, being
gradually reduced and extended thereby although existing at every stage of the
reduction as an inner lining.
My Invention, so far as it relates to the pile, consists essentially of a pile, fagot, or
composite skelp so to speak consisting of pieces of metal arranged about and bound
upon a continuous hollow central metal core, approximately of the length of the pile,
so as to form a hollow composite pile which is adapted to be beated to a welding heat
and rolled down in a suitable rolling apparatus to form a tube of given dimensions
proportionate to those of the pile.
In the practical manufacture of these piles many constructions can obviously be
resorted to, as many forms of core, either tubular, or cylindrical, triangular,
hexagonal, octagonal, polygonal, or square, may be employed, and as likewise
an almost infinite variety of arrangements of the metal about the core may be
adopted.
I prefer that the core should be a hollow tube or other cylindriform metallic body,
as such form is best adapted to effectuate my Invention in the most economical
manner, and in the Drawings I have illustrated cores of tubular form only. I do
not however restrict myself to such form, as other forms, as above stated, will
enable the practising of the Invention.
I also prefer that the substance of the pile upon the core should be made up
from separate straight pieces of metal (best puddled iron) arranged lougitudinally
or in an approximately longitudinal direction upon said core, but I do not restrict
myself to such arrangement, as the pieces may not be separate and may be arranged
transversely to the core, helically, or in annular form thereupon, or in an almost
infinite variety of ways, some of the best of which I have illustrated in the
Drawings and described in detail in this Specification. Thus, for instance, starting
with a hollow section of metal of the desired length and best of uniform bore and
diameter, many pieces of iron of irregular form may be arranged longitudinally
there about, and bound thereto, as shown in Figure 6, or else one, two, three, four,
or more layers of curved pieces of metal may by arranged as shown in Figures 7,
8, and 10; or again, straight and not curved sections may be employed, as shown in
Figures 9 and 12. The gist of the above constructions lies in the arrangement of
separate and distinct pieces of metal of any suitable form, best in an approximately
longitudinal direction, about a hollow central metal core and their fixed union so as
to form a pile or composite skelp, which, when subjected to a welding heat, will
be adapted to be rolled down through suitable apparatus to form a tube.
'
While on the other hand starting with a suitable hollow section of metal as a
core, a series of rings of metal fitted to the core may be arranged in contact there-
upon, as shown in Figures 13 and 14; or a single piece of metal may be wound
spirally upon the core, as show in Figure 15; or a second piece may be wound
spirally upon the first spirally wrapped piece, represented in Figure 15, as shown
in Figure 17; or a combination of rings and longitudinally placed separate pieces
upon the same core may be effected, as shown in Figures 18 and 19; or a series of
separate small pieces pieced, so to speak, that is to say, butted or lapped together
at their meeting ends, may be bound upon the core so as to constitute in effect
a pile composed of separate single pieces, all of the same length as shown in
Figure 20 or a series of seginental pieces or broken rings may be arranged as
shown in Figure 21; or the pile may be made up of flat pieces or "muck bars"
of various widths, and arranged in great part end on against the core, as shown in
Figure 22; or else the pieces may assume the shape represented in Figures 23
and 24, or may assume any kindred contour.
In the accompanying Drawings,
Figure 1 represents in perspective a pile of puddled iron of a form employed by
me, bound together with metal bands; Figure 2 represents in top plan view a
convenient form of apparatus for the rolling out of my pile into tubing, the benches
being shown shorter than in practice.

page_text: through one set of rolls; Figure 5 is an inverted sectional detail showing the
construction of the mandrels; Figure 6 represents in end view a pile composed of
many irregularly shaped pieces of iron arranged as they happen to come about a
central core, and bound thereto by a band; Figures 7 and 8 represent in end view
piles composed respectively of three and of four layers of curved pieces of iron, the
curvature of each piece corresponding to that of every other piece, so that when
arranged about the core they lie snugly upon the latter and upon each other, and
form a compact or solid pile without interior interstices. The pieces in these last
arrangements are piled in such manner that they break joint, as is very clearly
shown in the Drawings. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the pile of Figure 7.
the pile being tied by wire. Figure 10 represents in end view a pile composed of
a single layer of curved pieces, which, from their general dimensions, have cach the
section of a keystone or screwback; they are shown arranged about a central core;
and bound thereto by bands of sheet metal. Figure 9 represents in end view a
pile composed of many variously sized straight pieces arranged to break joints, and
bound by iron rope about a central core. Figure 12 represents in perspective the
pile of Figure 9. Figure 13 represents in vertical central sectional elevation, and
Figure 14 in perspective a pile composed of a series of annuli arranged in
sufficient number and in contact upon a core. These rings may be of any desired
proportions, may be bent by suitable machinery to the desired diameter; and if
desired, more than one series may be employed.
Figure 15 represents in side elevation, and Figure 16 in end elevation, a pile
consisting of a piece of metal wrapped helically upon a core from end to end
thereof. Figure 17 represents in vertical central sectional elevation a pile com-
posed of two helices or spiral coils wrapped one above the other endwise of the
core, and preferable in reverse directions. Figure 18 represents partially in
perspective and partially in section a pile consisting of a series of annuli arranged
in contact upon the core, and covered by a series of separate longitudinally placed.
pieces arranged to the depth of a single layer, although more than a single layer*
may, if desired, be superimposed upon the rings. Figure 19 is a similar view of
a pile composed of rings and longitudinal pieces, the rings being upon the outside
and the separate longitudinal pieces inside or next to the core. Figure 20 represents
in perspective a pile composed of a series of separate pieces of different lengths
longitudinally arranged and pieced, so to speak, or butted or lapped together at
their meeting ends, and bound upon the core in such manner as to constitute in
effect a pile composed of a series of separate single pieces, all of the length of the
core.
Figure 21 represents in perspective a pile composed of a series of segmental
pieces or broken rings suitably arranged upon a core, and adapted to be connected
therewith by any suitable means. Figure 22 represents in perspective a pile com-
posed of a series of flat pieces or "muck bars," of widths proportioned to adapt
them to form when butted against the core a solid pile, whose exterior configuration
may be that of a parallelopipedon, or such other solid form as is preferred. In
this construction the pieces abutting against the core occupy planes at right angles
to a plane, whose axis coincides with that of the core. Figures 23 and 24
represent perspective piles composed respectively of two and of four pieces of metal,
rolled or forged to the shape represented and bound upon their respective cores.
These forms are adapted to be rolled down through rolls having suitably con-
formed passes to form circular tubes, or if desired, they may be first hemmed or
forged into cylindrical shape, and then reduced as hereinafter set forth.
Similar letters of reference indicate.corresponding parts.
In the Drawings depicting the piles B* represents the binding devices; C* the
core, and P* the longitudinal pieces of which certain of the piles are in whole or in
part composed. R* represent the rings of metal in the forms of Figures 13, 14, 18,
and 19. S the spirally coiled pieces in the forms of Figures 15, 16, and 17.
Tx the short pieces of the form of Figure 20.- Ux the segmental pieces of that of.

page_text: Figure 21. V* the flat pieces or muck bars of the form of Figure 22, and W*
the pieces placed about the cores of the forms of Figure 23 and 24.
In practice I find it to be convenient to make the hollow central support or core
of a section of ordinary iron tubing. I do not however restrict myself to tubing
strictly, but contemplate the use of sheet metal cylinders or other kindred cores of
any fit form as hereinbefore set forth.
In practice bands of metal are convenient to secure together such forms of a pile
as require to be tied up, but wire, wire rope, or other binding material or devices
may be employed.
The process of forming the pile is simply to arrange the pieces in the desired
manner, and when necessary bind them in place upon the core.
When curved pieces are employed, they are previously rolled or otherwise shaped
to the desired curvature.
There are placed around the core as many pieces as are necessary to make the
pile of the size and weight required.
My Invention, so far as it relates to the method of reduction of the pile to a tube,
column, shaft, axle, flue, or the like, is effectually carried out by the apparatus
. herein below described, although other forms of apparatus employing mandrels will
effectuate the successive reduction and condensation over mandrels in which such
method consists. The following is a description of a convenient form of rolls for
accomplishing the above consolidation and reduction, although many other forms of
apparatus may be employed.
It is to be understood that the pile is first heated to the proper welding heat.
A represents a foundation or bed plate, upon which are erected a series of
housings B, which support a series of sets of reducing rolls.
The apparatus illustrated is a six-set-series, each set two high, being numbered
from one to six, and the pass of each succeeding set smaller than that of the set
immediately preceding, so that whereas the pass of set number one (1) is adapted
to take the pile as first heated and impart to it its first reduction, the pass of
number six (6) is of such size as to impart the desired dimensions to the finished
tubing made from the successively reduced pile. The rolls are driven by means of
toothed wheels C, to which motion is imparted from underground shafting, or the
like, in the usual manner. D are mandrels supported upon mandrel brackets E in
such manner that their balls F are properly placed and retained centrally within
the pass of the sets to which the mandrels are respectively applied. G are shifter
bars (Figure 6) enclosed within the stems of the mandrels, which latter are made
hollow. The shifter bars are controlled by hand levers H, so that they can be
shifted after the passage of the tube to project or throw the balls, which simply rest
in place by means of stems I from off the mandrels. The pile is manipulated to
the successive passes in any manner well known to rolling mill men, and not
therefore requiring description here. Each set of rolls is of course driven indepen-
dently of every other and at different rates of speed. J are benches arranged back
of each set of rolls and provided with carrier rolls K.
These benches vary in length proportionately with the diameter of the pass of
the set with which they are respectively connected, that of the first set being, for
instance, five feet, while that of the finishing set is, for instance, twenty feet. The
carrier rolls K are so arranged as to carry the pile as the latter emerges upon the
mandrels in its successively reduced condition. The mandrel brackets E are of such
resisting power as to hold the mandrels rigidly against the pile as it is forced upon
them.
Although the nomenclature employed might indicate otherwise, the balls F are
the mandrels proper, the devices employed to sustain and operate the ball being
merely auxiliary thereto.
By my Invention a finished tube, flue, axle, column, or shaft can be formed direct
from puddled iron, thereby saving the cost and the intermediate step of finishing
puddled iron into sheets or skelp prior to its manufacture into tubing.

page_text: The last pass of the set is adapted to produce a tube of the desired length,
diameter, and thickness.
It is obvious that the construction of the pile represented in Figures 1, 7, and 8
is a good one for the manufacture of welded tubing of the better grades, inasmuch
as such pile is itself of such solid construction as to be without interior interstices,
and to be without joints in the same line, so that the product of the pile is a
seamless tube, thoroughly homogeneous, and well consolidated in fibre.
It is also obvious that while the best construction of pile is that in which the
core is of the length of the piled pieces, yet that if the core be either slightly longer
or shorter than the pile the resultant product, after its ends have been cut off, will
yet be the same.
Having thus described my Invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters
Patent,
1. The method of making seamless iron tubing direct from pieces of puddled
iron, which consists in successively reducing and condensing over mandrels in a
suitable rolling mill a hollow pile composed of pieces of puddled iron arranged about
a hollow core, substantially as set forth.
2. The method of making seamless metal tubing direct from a piece or from
separate pieces of metal, which consists in successively reducing and condensing
over mandrels, in a suitable reducing and condensing apparatus, a hollow pile
composed of a piece or of separate pieces of metal arranged and affixed, substan-
tially in any manner hereinbefore indicated, about a hollow core.
3. The method of making seamless iron tubing direct from pieces of puddled
iron, which consists in successively reducing and condensing over mandrels, in a
suitable rolling mill, a hollow pile composed of a piece or of pieces of puddled iron
or other metal longitudinally or otherwise affixed to a hollow metal core of
approximately the length of the pile, substantially as set forth.
4. A pile for the manufacture of tubing, consisting of a piece or pieces of puddled
iron arranged about, or arranged about and connected to, a hollow central core, so
as to form a hollow composite pile which is adapted to be rolled down to form a
tube or kindred hollow article.
5. A pile for the manufacture of tubing, consisting of one or more pieces of metal
arranged and affixed, substantially in any manner hereinbefore indicated, about a
hollow core, so as to form a hollow composite pile which is adapted to be reduced
and condensed to form a tube or kindred hollow article.
6. A pile for the manufacture of tubing, consisting of pieces of metal arranged
longitudinally about and connected to a continuous hollow central metal core of
approximately the length of the pile, so as to form a hollow composite cylinder
which is rolled down to form a tube.
In witness whereof, I, the said Albert Lawrence Murphy, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Twentieth day of June, A.D. 1881.