Improvements in the Mode of and Means for Securing Tubes in Steam Generators.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Feb., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 20th Nov., 1893-Accepted, 20th Jan., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Mode of and Means for Securing Tubes in
Steam Generators.
I, JOHN FAIRBAIRN of 176 Saint James' Street, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Brass
Founder do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:―
This invention has for its object to dispense with the ordinary method of
expanding the ends of tubes in the tube plates of tubular steam generators and
to provide an improved ferrule by which the tube is firmly secured in position
whilst at the same time it can be readily withdrawn when required. The ferrule
has at its outward end a hexagonal or nut-shaped part for the application of a
turning key or wrench and at the base of the said part the ferrule has a projecting
flange the edge of which is turned to fit a recess or seat made in the tube plate.
The inner surface of the flange and the bottom of the recess or seat are both
preferably faced so as to fit tightly upon each other. From the inner face of
the flange there extend two sleeves with an annular space between them into
which the end of the tube to be secured is entered. The outer circumference of
the inner sleeve and the inner circumference of the outer sleeve respectively fit
the inner and outer diameter of the tube and between the end of the tube and the
end of the annular recess between the sleeves a space is left to contain a soft
metal ring or washer. The outer circumference of the outer sleeve and the hole
through the tube plate are threaded with corresponding screw threads so that
by the application of a wrench or key to the hexagonal or nut shaped end of the
hollow ferrule it is screwed up into position to hold the tube firmly in place the
soft metal or other ring or washer in the annular space preventing leakage at
the end of the tube.
101 1
GOOL
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Mode of and Means for Securing Tubes in
Steam Generators.
I, JOHN FAIRBAIRN of 176 Saint James Street, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Brass
Founder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention has for its object to dispense with the ordinary method of
expanding the ends of tubes in the tube plates of tubular steam generators and to
provide an improved ferrule by which the tube is firmly secured in position whilst
at the same time it can be readily withdrawn when required. The improved ferrule,
which is illustrated in end elevation by Figure 1 and in vertical section as applied
to both ends of a tube by Figure 2 of the annexed drawings, has at its outward
end a hexagonal or nut-shaped part a for the application of a turning key or
wrench and at the base of the said part the ferrule has a projecting flange b the
inner surface of which is turned to fit tightly against the outer surface of the tube
plate cor to fit into a recess made therein. From the flange the body of the
ferrule is threaded and screwed into the tube plate and at its inner end it has an
TD 1

page_text: annular recess d into which the end of the tube e to be secured is entered.
Between the end of the tube e and the inner end of the annular recess d a space is
left to contain a soft. metal ring or washer f firmly in place the said ring or
washer when the ferrule is screwed into position preventing leakage at the ends
of the tube.
Under a modification shewn by Figures 3, 4 and 5 and which is also applicable
to condenser tubes, the flange & may be dispensed with, the outer end of the
ferrule when screwed home being flush with the face of the tube plate cand
having formed in it a key seat of polygonal form.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
A. ferrule for securing tubes steam and water tight constructed and applied
substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the appended drawings.
Dated this 18th day of November 1893.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents.