Improvements in the Manufacture of Tubes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 26th July, 1894-Accepted, 1st Sept., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Tubes.
I, FREDERICK HUGGINS, of the Firm of William Huggins & Sons, of Britannia
Tube Works, Glover Street, in the City of Birmingham, Tube Manufacturer, 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 relates to improvements in the manufacture of close jointed iron
or steel tubes, my object being to produce such tubes at low cost with their adjoining
edges in closer contact and with a finish or an appearance superior to the tubes
produced by the ordinary processes of manufacture.
In order that my invention and the method of carrying the same into effect may
be the more readily understood I append hereunto three sheets of explanatory
drawings to be hereinafter referred to.
Figure 1 is a side elevation, and Figure 2 a plan, of my improved machine for
the manufacture of close jointed tubes.
Figure 3 illustrates to a larger scale, the bevelling rolls to be hereinafter
described; whilst
Figure 4 represents a section of a complete tube as made by my improved
process.
The same reference letters in the different figures indicate the same parts.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2 the heated strip of metal such as A after with-
drawal from a furnace is passed between the rolls B B¹, which form or roll it into
a semi-circular or trough section, and carry it forward to the bevelling rolls C C¹.
The upper roll C has its working periphery of such a width that it may enter
between the flanges of the lower grooved roll C', and is provided with bevel edges
as illustrated in the enlarged view Figure 3. As the semi-circular strip of hot metal
passes between the two rolls C C₁, its edges are impressed and bevelled by the bevel
edges of the upper roll C.
The semi-circular or like strip passes from the bevelling rolls through a trumpet
shaped die D in which it is formed into a complete tube, and finally passes through
the finishing rolls E E¹ which carry the tube strip completely through the machine
after its outer end has passed between the rolls B B', and also improves the shape
and appearance of the finished tube.
I thus combine and arrange appliances for simultaneously effecting rolling,
bevelling, drawing, and finishing processes for the production from
strip of
metal at the one heat of the complete tube, having its adjacent bevelled edges
pressed into close contact with each other, as illustrated in the enlarged section at
Figure 4.
Although I preferably employ a die such as D I sometimes dispense with the use
of a die and employ guides for the purpose of directing the strip, as it leaves the
bevelling rolls, into the finishing rolls, and I thus produce the tube entirely by
rolling processes.
The two pairs of rolls B B' and E E' are mounted on shafts driven by suitable
gearing from the driving shaft F, which receives its motion direct from a steam,
gas, or other motive power engine, or from a line shafting transmitting the power
from such engine. I preferably mount the bevelling rolls C C' upon shafts having
no geared connections with the driving shaft, the rolls being revolved by the
passage of the tube strip between them. All the rolls with their shafts are
mounted in suitable housings or bearings, adjusting screws such as G being provided

page_text: for the purpose of adjusting the upper rolls at the required distance from the lower
rolls.
I sometimes bevel the edges of a semi-circular or like strip, in rolls such as
illustrated at Figure 3, mounted upon a separate machine or framing and driven by
suitable gearing. After such independent bevelling process, the strip is formed
into a close jointed tube by passing it through a die and finishing rolls, or through
finishing rolls alone, as hereinbefore described.
I do not limit the application of my invention to the production of tubes of any
particular diameter, or from any special thickness of iron or steel strip, neither do
I confine myself to the precise arrangement of rolls and other parts as illustrated
in the accompanying drawings. I sometimes gear or connect the bevelling rolls to
the driving shaft of the machine, and I make various modifications in the design
and general arrangement of my improved tube manufacturing machine without
departing from the essential features of my invention.
Having now particularly described 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 :-
1. The improved process for the manufacture of close jointed iron or steel tubes,
consisting in the bevelling of the edges of the metal strip simultaneously with its
formation into a tube, substantially as and for the purposes herein before described
and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. Manufacturing close jointed iron or steel tubes from a bevelled semi-circular
or like strip, the said strip being bevelled while in the semi-circular or trough form
by rolls substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
3. In machinery for the manufacture of close jointed iron and steel tubes, the
use of the bevelling rolls for the purpose of bevelling the edges of the metal
strip substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
4. In machinery for the manufacture of close jointed iron and steel tubes the
combination of the tube forming and finishing rolls and appliances, with rolls
suitably constructed and arranged for bevelling the edges of the metal strip,
substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.