Improvements in and relating to the Construction of Sheet Metal Pipes and their Bends, Joints, and Fittings, Specially Applicable for Conducting Air for Ventilation, or other Fluids for other purposes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 6th June, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 5th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 10th May, 1890
PROVISIONAL
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Construction of Sheet Metal
Pipes and their Bends, Joints, and Fittings, Specially Applicable
for Conducting Air for Ventilation, or other Fluids for other
purposes.
I, JAMES MILLEN ADAM, of 40, St. Enoch Square, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as follows:-
This Invention comprises a new construction, and improved method of constructing
hexagonal or other geometrical or polygonal sections of sheet metal pipes, and their
bends and fittings, all smooth on the inner surface and without lap or other projecting
longitudinal joints on the inside, so as not to obstruct the passage, but having all
these or other joints flanged outwards, which improvementswill be especiallyapplicable
for pipes conducting pressure air for air blast or exhaust ventilating and other
purposes:
The straight pipes and plain bends, by my improvements would be formed of any
desired geometrical or polygonal section, preferably hexagonal out of long flat sheets,
the flat surfaces giving great convenience in fitting service bends or branch pipes to
these, and permitting the use and more convenient fitting of flush valves controlling
these branches, making practicable the formation of perfectly curved and symmetrical
bends and taper pieces without contortion of section, also simplifying and cheapening
the manufacture of such by reducing the hammer work, and the loss in cutting the
material hithertounavoidable in the formation of bends or tapers of cylindrical section,
and enabling each section of the sheet metal for the pipe to be either creased in dies
at the angles, or flanged or rolled in rollers. The longitudinal joints are formed by
flanging the edges of the sheets outwards thus removing an important frictional
obstruction from the interior, whether the pipe be formed of one sheet in the girth or
perimeter or of several, and in the latter case having the effect of stiffening
the pipe, the flanges or angles forming radiating girder like longitudinal ribs
or ridges, so that lighter sheets may be generally used and few supports rendered
necessary. These flanged joints are closed by simple compression with or without the
use of a cement or packing, one flange being preferably formed deeper than the
fellow or contiguous flange over which the outer edge would be bent and clasped to
make a tight joint without rivets or bolts. But these joints may however in some
cases be rivetted, soldered, brased or secured in any other convenient manner at the
flanges or angles.
The pipes would be formed in straight lengths with either socket or flanged ends,
preferably the latter for air pipes and for convenience of replacing portions of a range
of piping. The socket joints would be soldered at the end corners and jointed or
cemented and secured by connecting the longitudinal flanges made to project or over-
lap for that purpose. The end flanged joints would be either connected in the manner
described for the longitudinal flange joints or specially by means of separate clasps
or clips formed of strong sheet steel or other metal folded firmly to grasp the
respective flanges of each end face or flange of the pipe, and insertion or packing
and jointing material or cement might if required be secured between the flanges.
By this means a length of piping may be instantly removed for examination or repair
and replaced without destruction of its parts or disturbance of any other portion of
the piping. These pipes would by one arrangement be made in separate plates for
each face or flat side of the pipe, or in one plate for two or more faces, and they may
be made and used in part geometrical or rounded sections for special positions, as on
board ship ventilation, against bulkheads and corners, as well as in complete sections
of hexagon, pentagon, or other polygonal section, the essential features of this new

page_text: construction of pipes and bends being the absence of internal laps, fastenings, or
projections, and the direction of all butts or grooves or sectional forms, being constant
along the line of motion whether in straight lines or bends, thus giving the least
possible obstruction or friction or eddy. In connection with this new or improved
construction of pipe I introduce a very simple and more perfect branch valve
consisting of a plate, partly flanged, hinged to a spindle at the back corner of the
junction of branch to main, controlled by a crank handle on the outer end of the
spindle, and so constructed that when closed it shall not obstruct the free passage of
main blast, but lie in a line with it over and closely fitting the orifice of the branch at
the tangential junction, and when open shall direct the proper proportion of the blast
into the branch.
For ventilating purposes on board ship or close places, where air requires to be
distributed or exhausted over a considerable surface for ventilating or cooling purposes
with the least possible draughts, this construction of service pipe also lends itself to
having one or more sides or part of a side or plate of the pipe formed of perforated
sheets with rows of round or other holes at equally divided intervals apart, and fitted
with corresponding perforated and divided plates outside sliding over this between
the flanges, and shifted by a hand screw or lever for a short distance, to regulate and
give the full opening of all the holes, or any portion of the same.
For forced ventilation and distribution of cold air in iron works or other hot places,
a form of expanding adjustable nozzle air spreader of similar polygonal structural
form to the piping, is used fitted on the end of each service pipe, to distribute the air
equally over a given space, or direct it in any direction at will by means of a trumpet
shaped funnel, with a fixed or adjustable cone fitted within the wide expanding end
nozzle, and having fixed or movable serrated lips, vanes, or fauners, at the edge of the
openings of the funnel and cone controlled by means of rods, levers, or screws, to
direct and distribute the currents of air outwards towards the parts to be cooled.
For forced ventilation in iron works or such other situations where the whole air is
subject to being overheated or vitiated, I introduce a jet or jets of water above the
lower bend of the main pipe and preferably pointing vertically at the angles of the
pipe, so that the spray drops shall play vertically in the direction of the current of
air, and fall back through and against the blast, cooling and purifying the air, the
water escaping into traps formed for it so as not to obstruct the free passage of the
blast.
The traps to be formed by substituting a plate of finely perforated sheet metal on
the lower face of the bends, jacketed on the outside by a solid plate forming a trap
receptacle with proper outlets.
Dated this 6th day of June. 1889.
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Construction of Sheet Metal
Pipes and their Bends, Joints, and Fittings, Specially Applicable
for Conducting Air for Ventilation, or other Fluids for other
purposes.
I, JAMES MILLEN ADAM, of 40, St. Enoch Square, Glasgow, Lanarkshire,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement in writing, reference being had to the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
This Invention comprises a new construction, and improved method of constructing
hexagonal or other geometrical or polygonal sections of sheet metal pipes, and their
bends and fittings, all smooth on the inner surface and without lap or other
projecting longitudinal joints on the inside, so as not to obstruct the passage, but
having all these or other joints flanged outwards, which improvements will be

page_text: especially applicable for pipes conducting pressure air, for air blast or exhaust and
for ventilating and other purposes, and for facility of packing and transit in
sections.
The straight pipes and plain bends, by my improvements may be formed of any
desired geometrical or polygonal section, preferably hexagonal out of long flat sheets,
the flat surface giving great convenience in fitting service bends or branch pipes to
these, and permitting the use and more convenient fitting of flush valves of special
form controlling these branches, and making practicable the formation of perfectly
curved and symmetrical bends and taper pieces without contortion of section, also
simplifying and cheapening the manufacture of such by reducing the hammer work,
and the loss in cutting the material hitherto unavoidable in the formation of bends
or tapers of cylindrical section, and enabling each section of the sheet metal for the
pipe to be either tereased in dies at the angles or flanged or rolled in rollers. The
longitudinal joints are formed by flanging the edges of the sheets outwards thus
removing an important frictional obstruction from the interior whether the pipe is
formed of one sheet in the girth or perimeter or of several, and having the effect of
stiffening the pipe, the flanges or angles forming radiating girder like longitudinal
ribs or ridges, so that lighter sheets may be generally used and fewer supports
rendered necessary. These flanged joints are closed by simple compression with or
without the use of a cement or packing, one flange being preferably formed deeper
than the fellow or contiguous flange over which the outer edge would be bent and
clasped to make a tight joint without rivets or bolts. But these joints may however
in some cases be rivetted, soldered, brazed, or secured in any other convenient
manner at the flanges or angles. The pipes would be formed in straight lengths
with either sockets or flanged ends, preferably the latter for air pipes and for
convenience of replacing portions of a range piping. The socket joints would be
soldered at the end corners and jointed or cemented and secured by connecting the
longitudinal flanges made to project or overlap for that purpose. The end flanged
joints would be either connected in the manner described for the longitudinal flange
joints or specially by means of separate clasps or clips formed of strong sheet steel or
other metal folded firmly to grasp the respective flanges of each end face or flange
of the pipe, and insertion or packing and jointing material or cement might if
required be secured between the flanges. By this means a length of piping may be
instantly removed for examination or repair and replaced without destruction of its
parts or disturbance of any other portion of the piping. These pipes would by one
arrangement be made in separate plates for each face or flat side of the pipe, or in
one plate for two or more faces, and they may be made and used in part geometrical
or rounded sections for special positions, as on board ship ventilation, against bulk-
heads and corners, as well as in complete sections of hexagon, pentagon, or other
polygonal sections, the essential features of this new construction of pipes and bends
being the absence of internal laps, fastenings, or projections, and the direction of all
butts or grooves or sectional forms, being constant along the line of motion whether
in straight lines or bends, thus giving the least possible obstruction or friction or
eddy of the fluids. In connection with this new or improved construction of pipe I
introduce a very simple and more perfect branch valve consisting of a plate, partly
flanged, hinged to a spindle at the back corner of the junction of branch to main,
controlled by a crank handle on the outer end of the spindle and so constructed that
when closed it shall not obstruct the free passage of main blast, but lie in a line with
it over and closely fitting the orifice of the branch at the tangential junction, and
when open shall direct the proper proportion of the blast into the branch.
ventilating purposes on board ship or close places where air requires to be distributed
or exhausted over a considerable surface for ventilating or cooling purposes with the
least possible draughts, this construction of service pipe also lends itself to having one
or more sides or part of a side or plate of the pipe formed of perforated sheets with
rows of round or other holes at equally divided intervals apart, and fitted with
corresponding perforated and divided plates outside or inside sliding over this
between the flanges, and shifted by a hand screw or lever for a short distance, to
For

page_text: For
regulate and give the full opening of all the holes, or any portion of the same.
forced ventilation and distribution of cold air in iron works or other hot places,
a form of expanding adjustable nozzle air spreader of similar polygonal structural
form to the piping, is used fitted on the end of each service pipe, to distribute the air
equally over a given space, or direct it in any direction at will by means of a trumpet
shaped funnel, with a fixed or adjustable cone fitted within the wide expanding end
nozzle, and having fixed or movable serrated lips, vanes, or fanners, at the edge of
the openings of the funnel and cone controlled by means of rods, levers, or screws,
to direct and distribute the currents of air outwards towards the parts to be cooled.
For forced ventilation in iron works or such other situations where the whole air
is subject to being overheated or vitiated, I introduce a jet or jets of water above
the lower bend of the main pipe and preferably pointing vertically-at the angles of
the pipe, so that the spray drops shall play vertically in the direction of the current
of air, and fall back through and against the blast, cooling and purifying the air,
the water escaping into traps formed for it so as not to obstruct the free passage of
the blast. The traps to be formed by substituting a plate of finely perforated sheet
metal on the lower face of the bends jacketed on the outside by a solid plate forming
a trap receptacle with proper outlets."
And in order that the nature of my said Invention and the manner of performing
or carrying it into effect or practice may be fully understood I have hereunto
appended an explanatory Sheet of Drawings in which the same reference letters
indicate the same or equivalent parts in all the figures where shown. Figures 1
and 5 show transverse sections of a hexagonal pipe formed of six strips of sheet metal,
the latter showing the joints closed or soldered, both in accordance with my
Invention. Figure 2 shows a diagram side elevation and section of a parallel bend or
knee pipe B either of sixty or-ninety degrees angle and length at the radial lines 1-2
and 13 as showing the mode of forming one side a from the flat sheet formed in like
manner. Figure 3 shows in corresponding elevation an equivalent bend C made
tapered or conoidally contracted, and Figure 4 shows a diagram elevation and half
section of a form of straight tapered branch or length of pipe A', all to a small scale as
constructed hexagonally in accordance with my invention out of flat sheets or strips of
sheet metal. Figure 6 shows sectional horizontal and vertical sections and a transverse
section respectively of a straight pipe A and a small bend 132 applied thereto, with a
hinged tangential valve b, 61, fitted in it. Figure 7 shows a sectional elevation and
transverse section on the line 1-1 of construction of three-way junction piece, one of
the members A being straight and the other A¹ curved to an angle of 60°. Figure 8
shows a transverse section of a straight pipe A, corresponding to Figures 1 and 5, and
showing the mode of forming the overlapping joint a and all at the longitudinal
flanges. And Figure 9 shows a transverse section of an hexagonal pipe formed of
two sheets or strips of sheet metal, each strip forming three sides of the pipe, with
an overlapping joint all at the two central flanges a. Figure 10 shows a section and
elevation of devices for one mode of coupling and jointing the end flanges of these
polygonal sheet metal pipes. Figures 11 to 14 show elevations, partly in section of
various constructions of fittings of trumpet branches or cowls E for spreading and
deflecting the outward currents in any direction desired. Figures 15 to 17 show
transverse sections of various forms and constructions of my sheet metal pipes.
suitable for fitting up against the sides or corners of walls or bulkheads or floors or
roofs. Figure 18 shows an end view and side section of an hexagonal end flanged
pipe showing one mode of forming the jointing flanges at the ends of such pipe.
Figures 19 and 20 show a sectional elevation and transverse section on the line 2-2
of a main hexagonal pipe A, having a bend B2 applied thereto and hinged valve bb¹
fitted to open and close a perforated slide valve 63 on the branch B2. Figure 21 shows
an end section of a pipe with means or devices for drawing off water therefrom.
Referring to these Drawings generally-This Invention comprises new forms of
construction, and improved methods of constructing, from, flat sheets or strips, metal
pipes A, a, of hexagonal or other polygonal section, in order that the interior or inner
surfaces shall be all smooth and without lap joints or other projections on the inside,

page_text: and that the sectional lines of construction shall be constant longitudinally and shall
continuously coincide with the natural lines of motion of the contents alike in the
straight lengths A, in the tapers D, and in the bends and curved branches B, C, leading
to and from these lengths, whatever are of the circle these latter may form, and so
that the thickness and strength of material forming the walls a of the pipe shall also
be constant in bends and tapers aswell as in straight lengths, because the sheet metal as
rolled need not be interfered with by hammering or otherwise, the only working
necessary being on the parts which go to form the flanges u', ', and so that the
stiffness of the whole construction may be greater than the ordinary pipes of equal
weight, because the flanges a',a,radiating from the centre at each angle of the section
as in Figures I and 5, act as ribs or girders, and so stiffen the structure longitudinally,
all as shown in the said Drawings, and as hereinafter described in reference to these.
Referring to Figure 1 of these Drawings, the pipe A is constructed out of six sheets
or strips of straight sheet metal a. flanged radially at their longitudinal edges af by
creasing or otherwise to form joints with each other, either in parallel straight
strips a, a, for straight pipes, or tapered for conical pipes as shown at D Figure 4, or
of strips a bent or curved for parallel bends and knees as shown at B in Figure 2
and cut as dotted in at 11, irrespective of the flanges a¹, or tapered for conical bends
or knees as shown at C in Figure 3. To construct bends or taper pipes, I require
each facet or flat side a of the pipe to be formed of separate strips or pieces of metal
as in Figure 2. Figures A to 4 A. and Figure 9 show that, in some cases, the strips
for straight parallel pipes may be made to form two, three, or more of the flat sides a.
Thus I carry out my invention by flanging at a the longitudinal seams of the pipes
externally so that no joint, rivet, or other fastening may obstruct the perfect smooth
surface of the interior, as shown in the several end or transverse sections, and by
forming the several sides as a of the bends in curves out of the flat by geometrical
projection as dotted in at B¹, B', in Figure 2, so that when compressed into shape and
joined together, they naturally form a perfectly symmetrical curved pipe, being a
proper are of a circle to any required angle upon any required radius without
contortion of section, and in order to taper either the straight pipes Figure 4, or
bends C Figure 3, or discharge or inlet cowls or trumpets D Figures 11 to 14 by
simply tapering the several strips a of each facet or side of the bends B, C, or by
forming junction pieces A, A', built as in the manner shown in Figure 7, joining the
pipes A, A, and so dividing the current by sharp true angles at 7, 7, at the point of
cleavage. Or otherwise by forming branch pipes or spur bends springing from one of
the flats of the pipe as at 12 in Figure 6, in true curves from the tangent end, and
in fitting upon these for air pipes close flat hinged valves b, b1, as in Figures (
and 19 and 20, which are therefore quite flush with the one side a of the main pipes
when closed, and when open form a projecting tangential continuation of the branch
pipe B to deflect the current therein, as indicated by the arrows in these Figures.
The flanged joints are by one arrangement formed by making one flange a³ of
each joint deeper than its fellow as at all in Figure 8, or the immediately contiguous
flange a', so that the former may be closed over the latter as indicated at a², and by
simple compression make the close joint suitable for air pipes either with or without
the use of solder, cement, or packing, but these joints may, however, in some cases be
rivetted, soldered, brazed, or secured in any other (convenient manner. When the
pipes are rivetted or brazed to withstand pressure as steam pipes, the flanges may be
made equal and simply fitted perfectly together as in Figures 1 and 5.
Straight pipes A may be constructed of separate pieces or strips of the sheet metal
for each facet or flat side a of the section as indicated at Figures 1, 5, and 8 or of any
less number as indicated at 1 A to 4 A, the unbroken angles being simply kneed, as
shown at a² in Figures 1A to 4A, or with corrugations at these parts as at A³ Figure 9,
and either creasedin dies or rolled bymachineryor closed bycompression or hammering.
For convenience of transport and packing I propose to use three or two plates to the
girth or perimeter, as indicated in Figures 1 A, and 3 A, and shown as packed in
Figures 22 and 23. The pipe may be built continuously or made in fixed lengths with
either socket or flanged ends, preferably the latter. The end flanged joints may be

page_text: formed and connected in the manner described for the longitudinal flanges, or they
may be specially formed for air pipes, by turning outwards the ends of each side of
the facet at right angles at a and fitting on a facing washer e cut out of sheet metal
as shown in Figure 18 the outer knee edges c¹ of which being folded over and clasped
behind the flange as shown at Figure 18 in the same manner as described for the
longitudinal flanges Figure 8; and the lengths of pipe A are or may be joined
together by means of my clasp or clip d made of strong sheet steel or other metal or
of castings formed to a grooved section to grip the respective finished flanges c² of
each end face of the pipes A, and simply kneed or jointed by hinges d'at the angles as
in Figure 10 or otherwise, so as to form a continuous band or gland around the pipe
adding to its strength and rigidity, and these clasps or clips d may be used for joining
round or other sections of pipes, as well as for the new forms shown in the Drawings.
By this means a length of piping A may be instantly removed for examination or
repair, and replaced without destruction of its parts or disturbance of any other portion
of the range of piping. When the pipes are formed by brazing longitudinally to resist
pressure, solid flanges may also be brazed on the end and the pipes connected by bolts
in the usual way as for round cast metal or lap welded pipes.
These pipes may also be made in various irregular angular forms for special
positions, as for ventilators on board ship against flat bulkheads as in Figures 15
and 17, or rectangular corners as in Figures 16, 16, and 17 the essential feature of
freedom from internal laps, fastenings, or projections, being retained, by having the
joints and flanges a' formed outside. For ventilating or cooling purposes where air
requires to be distributed or exhausted over considerable areas without creating
draughts, I propose to form one or more sides or parts of a flat side a of material
perforated at equally divided intervals apart and fitted with corresponding perforated
and divided sliding plates between the longitudinal flanges a¹, a¹, of the flat side so
that by a very slight movement the opening may be regulated simultaneously of all
the holes, or any part of them. A special application of this arrangement I make in
blast pipes to the service branches B2 for smithy fires as in Figures 19 and 20,
opening the same free to atmosphere between the closing hinged valve b, b¹, and the
tuyere nozzle for the escape of combustible gases from the fires when damped down
by the closing of the valve b, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 19. The sliding
plate 63 being so connected with the hinged spindle of the branch valve b as to
move and close the louvre holes in the side of the pipe when the valve
opened, and to open them to the outside when the valve is closed.
is
Another application of the perforated face at I introduce, as in Figure 21, to enable
air to be cooled within blast pipes A by water jets or simply for freeing pipes from
products of condensation. I form the lower plate or plates of the pipe of a finely
perforated sheet so as to present a sufficiently smooth surface to the blast and add an
external casing of solid plate e between the radiating flanges a¹, a', with an interspace
so that the liquid may be drained off by a siphon pipe el without allowing air to
escape nor water to be driven through the pipe further than desired.
In connection with this construction of pipe Figures 19 and 20, I introduce an
improved and very simple form of branch valve and current director combined, which
consists of a plate partly flanged and fitted to the orifice or junction of the
branch B2 with the pipe A so as to be quite flush with one side a of the main pipe A
when closed as a valve, and to form a tangential continuation of the branch pipe
when opened as a director. This is accomplished by hinging the plate upon a
spindle at at the back or upper corner of the branch to main controlled by a crank
handle on the spindle end outside.
For forced ventilation and distribution of cold air in iron works or other places
where the air is hot or vitiated, I form as shown in Figures 11 to 14, a nozzle or
spreading out trumpet E upon this construction of pipe A, on the end of each service
pipe in the same manner as an inverted taper piece Figure 12 with a fixed or
adjustable cone E¹ of similar form, Figure 13, fitted within the wide expanding
mouth E Figure 11 either fixed or on a screw spindle at El; and as in Figure 14,
the edges of the spreading trumpet E are or may be fitted with fixed serrated or

page_text: hinged or movable lips or vanes E2, corresponding to the several faces a of the
spreader E controlled by means of rods or levers or screws or springs to divert and
direct the current of air in the manner or way desired by closing them on the one
side and opening them on the other, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 14.
Subsidiary features of utility and advantage of this new construction of pipes, are
the ease with which perfectly symmetrical tapers, branches or bends can be formed
and fitted to straight pipes, and further by means of these symmetrical tapers used
as reducing pipes, initial velocity can be maintained with reduced volume, or velocity
increased on occasions, so as to conserve and utilize at the point of delivery the full
value of momentum imparted to an air blast as distinguished from its pressure.
Having now particularly destribed and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
First. The construction, or general arrangement and combination of the parts of
polygonal sheet metal pipes, straight or tapered, and their curved bends, joints, and
fittings, substantially as and for the purposes and advantages herein described, in
reference to and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Second. The forming of polygonal sheet metal pipes and their bends out of strips
of sheet metal with outward projecting longitudinal flanges and joints at their angles,
without projections of any kind on their inner surface, substantially as and for the
purposes and advantages herein described in reference to and shown in the accom-
panying Drawings.
Third. The making of the end flanges of polygonal sheet metal pipes by kneeing or
flanging out the end of each facet and attaching a disc ring of sheet metal thereto
buckled over the said kneed facet, substantially as and for the purposes and
advantages herein described in reference to and shown in the accompanying
Drawings.
Fourth. In sheet metal pipes, the connecting of the end flanged joints by clasps or
clips substantially as and in the manner herein described in reference to and shown in
Figure 10 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fifth. In polygonal sheet metal pipes the fitting of flat valves within the main
pipes opening and closing over the entrance to the branch pipes or bends, flush when
closed and tangential to the bends when open, substantially as and for the purposes
and advantages herein described in reference to and shown in the accompanying
Drawings.
Sixth. In sheet metal pipes the fitting of open trumpet mouths with or without
fixed or movable fluid distributing cones and vanes for deflecting the currents from
said trumpets, substantially as and for the purposes, and advantages herein described
in reference to and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Seventh. In sheet metal pipes, the fitting of valves consisting of sliding perforated
and divided plates for distributing air or other fluids and specially applicable for the
service of air to smithy and other fires, substantially as and in the manner and for
the advantages herein described in reference to and shown in the accompanying
Drawings.
Dated the 4th March 1890
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
96. Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.