Seams of Steam Boilers or similar Vessels
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 9th June, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 11th Mar, 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 27th Apr., 1889
Seams of Steam Boilers or similar Vessels.
We, WILLIAM KEEN, of South Shields, in the County of Durham, Boiler Maker,
and REYNOLD HENRY NEWTON ALLEYNE, of Leeds Old Foundry, Leeds in the
County of York, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows
Our invention relates to improvements in caulking the seams of steam boilers and
similar vessels, requiring to be made steam or water tight against internal or external
pressure and to machinery or apparatus by which such caulking may be effected
6
"
Caulking the seams of boilers, as at present effected by a heavy hammer applied to
a caulking chisel, is very costly; requiring skilled workmen, under strict superin-
tendence; is slow in execution & uncertain in results, as to uniformity of work; and
the plate, adjoining the "landing-edge "of the plate or "butt-strap," is frequently
injured and disfigured by being indented by the caulking tool, whilst the caulking of
one landing-edge sometimes starts and opens the caulking of that previously
caulked According to this invention the caulking is effected by a revolving disc-
shaped tool the edge at the periphery of which is so shaped as to compress the
material at the landing-edge of the plate or "butt-strap" (forming the seam) forming
a groove by pressing the material of the "landing edge" or "butt-strap" against the
adjoining plate with a uniform and controllable pressure. In caulking circumferential
seams the work will usually (as we prefer) be caused to travel, the tool being stationary,
but in caulking the longitudinal seams, the work will (preferably) be stationary and
the tool travel, or both the work and the tool may travel.
Machinery for effecting caulking according to our invention may be arranged as to
details in various forms The caulking tool should be capable of operating upon either
side of a landing-edge" or of a butt-strap." In any position it may have to
assume it should be able to be forced against the edge to be caulked with a pressure
sufficient to effect the caulking, and it should be capable of being instantly withdrawn
fiom operation when required; and there should be provision for moving the tool, or
the work being caulked, or both as may be required by the form of the seam. The
D037

page_text: caulking tool is carried in a carriage so as to be capable of being applied to the seam
to be caulked in the various directions required by the work being done and of
1. Being pressed into close contact in the direction of its axis or withdrawn out
of contact
2. Operating on the seam to be caulked, with a constant and sufficient pressure to
effect the caulking, either in an upward, a downward, or a lateral direction, relatively
to the caulking edge
3. Being presented to the caulking edge at an angle if required.
These conditions may be fulfilled by various mechanical combinations nut we will
describe the manner in which we propose to effect them with a caulking tool actuated
by hydraulic pressure which we consider will be generally found most suitable,
though steam, compressed air, or other pressure may be made available.
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The caulking tool is carried and revolves upon the projecting end of a holder
working in the outer end of a hydraulic cylinder which is formed with "trunnions
working in bearings in a ring concentric with the centre of the cylinder and which
can be revolved in a bearing formed in the tool carriage in which it is inserted and
secured. The inner end of the tool holder fits onto the outer end of the ram of the
hydraulic cylinder which works through packing leathers or glands and the
inner end of which forms the piston, packed with leather cups, a small annular
space being left between the ram and the cylinder. Means are provided, by suitable
cocks or valves and pipes, by which water may be admitted under pressure, either
behind the piston to force the tool outward, or into the annular space in front of the
piston to withdraw it. The upward, downward or lateral pressure required to be
given to the tool against the "caulking edge" is effected by another ram working in
a second hydraulic cylinder which may conveniently form an extension of the first
Provision is made by a suitable cock or valve for admitting water under pressure
behind this ram only or letting it escape when required. The projecting end of this
ram carries a crosshead from which a pair of links lead to the longer arms of a bell
crank lever, the shorter aim of which is connected at its outer end, by a link, to
the end of the hydraulic cylinder, most remote from the caulking tool. The bell
crank lever has its fulcrum in the end of a triangular frame the legs of which are
attached to brackets cast on the revolving ring in which are the "trunnion" bearings.
Thus it will be seen the ring which carries the "trunnions," the hydraulic cylinders
with their rams, the links to bell crank, the bell cranks and their triangular fulcrum
frame can all be revolved, upon the axis of the cylinders and of the caulking tool,
through an entire circle or any portion thereof, the effect being that the caulking tool
is caused to operate upward, downward, laterally or at any angle, to suit the seam
being caulked, and according to the position into which the bell crank is turned; the
pressure on the ram being transmitted to the tool through the cross head, links and
bell crank and through the lever formed by the two hydraulic cylinders and the tool
holder working in the capped bearings in revolving ring upon the "trunnions"
formed upon the first named hydraulic cylinder.
The operations of the accumulator pressure in either cylinder are entirely under
the control of the attendant by valves or cocks which act instantly to admit, shut off
and release the water.
The work to be caulked, as in case of a boiler shell, may be caused to revolve on
its axis on a table as in some boiler drilling and rivetting machines the caulking tool
in its adjustable carriage being fixed at the proper position to operate upon any of
the circumferential seams, or the caulking tool in its adjustable carriage may be
arranged to travel vertically or horizontally or in any required direction to suit the
contour and form of the seam to be caulked by screw worm or other gearing con-
trolled automatically or by the hand of the workman.
Dated thin ሰ
1
P T

page_text: Seams of Steam Boilers or similar Vessels.
We, WILLIAM KEEN, of South Shields in the County of Durham, Boiler Maker and
REYNOLD HENRY NEWTON ALLEYNE, of Leeds Old Foundry, Leeds, in the County of
York, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of said invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
Our invention relates to improvements in caulking the seams of steam boilers and
similar vessels, requiring to be made steam or water tight, against internal or external
pressure and to machinery or apparatus by which such caulking may be effected.
Caulking the seams of boilers as at piesent effected by a heavy hammer applied to a
caulking chisel is very costly, requiring skilled workmen under strict superintendence,
is slow in execution and uncertain in results as to uniformity of work and the plate
adjoining the landing edge of the plate or "butt-strap" is frequently injured and dis-
figured by being indented by the caulking tool whilst the caulking of one landing
edge sometimes starts and opens the caulking of that previously caulked According
to this invention the caulking is effected by a revolving disc shaped tool the edge at
the periphery of which is so shaped as to compress the material at the landing edge
the
of the plate or "butt strap" (torming the seam) forming a groove by pressing
material of the landing edge or "butt-strap" against the adjoining plate with a uniform
and controllable pressure. In caulking the circumferential seams the work will usually
(as we prefer) be caused to travel the tool being stationery, but in caulking the longi-
tudinal seams the work will (preferably) he stationery, and the tool travel or both the
work and the tool may travel.
"
Machiney for effecting canlking according to our invention may be arranged as to
details in various forms. The caulking tool should be capable of operating upon either
side of a landing edge or of a "butt-strap In any position it may have to assume
it should be able to be forced against the edge to be caulked with a pressure sufficient
to effect the caulking; and it should be capable of being instantly withdrawn from
operation, when required; and there should be provision for moving the tool, or the
work being caulked, or both as may be required by the form of the seam
caulking tool is carried in a carriage so as to be capable of being applied to the
seam to be caulked in the various directions required by the work being done and of
1. Being pressed into close contact in the direction of its axis or withdrawn out
of contact.
The
2. Operating on the seam to be caulked, with a constant and sufficient pressure to-
effect the caulking either in an upward or downward or a lateral direction relatively to
the caulking edge.
3. Being presented to the caulking edge at an angle if required.
These conditions may be fulfilled by various mechanical combinatious, but we will
describe the manner in which we propose to effect them, with a caulking tool actuated

page_text: by hydraulic pressure, which we consider will be generally found most suitable though
steam compressed air or other pressure may be made available.
The caulking tool is carried and revolves upon the projecting end of a holder,
working in the oute. edge of a hydraulic cylinder which is formed with trunnions
working in bearings in a ring concentric with the centre of the cylinder and which
can be revolved in a bearing formed in the tool carriage in which it is inserted and
secured The inner end of the tool-holder fits into the outer end of the ram of the
aydraulic cylinder which works through packing leathers or glands and the inner
end of which forms the piston packed with leather caps a small annular space
being left between the ram and the cylinder. Means are provided by suitable cocks
or valves and pipes by which water may be admitted under pressure either behind the
piston to force the tool outward, or into the annular space in front of the piston to
withdraw it The upward, downward o. lateral pressure required to be given to
the tool against the caulking edge is effected by another am working in a second
hydraulic cylinder which may conveniently form an extension of the first.
Provisio is made by a suitable cock or valve for admitting water under pressure
behind this am only, or letting it escape when required The projecting end of this
ram carries a crosshead from which a pair of links lead to the longer arms of a bell
crank level the shorter arm of which is connected at its ou er end, by a lak, to
the ond of the hydraulic cylinder, most remote from the caulking tool.
"
The bell crank lever has its fulcrum in the end of a triangular frame the legs of
which are attached to brackets on the revolving ing in which are the "trunnion
beatings.
Thus it will be seen the ing which carries the "tunnions,' the hydraulic cylinders
with their iams, the links to bell crank, the bell cranks and their triangular fulcium
frame can be revolved, upon the axis of the cylinders and of the caulking tool,
through an entire circle or any portion thereof, the effect being that the caulking
tool is caused to operate upward, downward, laterally or at any angle to suit the
seam being caulked, and according to the position into which the bell crank is turned
the pressure on the ram being transmitted to the tool through the cross head links
and bell crank and through the lever formed by the two hydraulic cylinders and the
tool holder working in the capped beatings in revolving ring upon the "trunnions"
formed upon the first named hydraulic cylinder.
The operations of the accumulator pressure in either cylinder are entirely under the
control of the attendant by valves on cocks which act instantly to admit shut off and
release the water.
The work to be caulked, as in case of a boiler shell, may be caused to revolve on its
axis on a table as in some boiler drilling and rivetting machines the caulking tool in
its adjustable carriage fixed at the proper position to operate upon any of the circum-
ferential seams or the caulking tool in its adjust ble carriage may be arranged to travel
vertically or horizontally or in any required direction to suit the contour and form of
the seam to be caulked by screw woim or other gearing controlled automatically or by
the hand of the workman.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
On the accompanying 2 sheets of Drawings wo illustrate our

page_text: Referring to Fig. 11 is the revolving table carried upon rollers running on a
circular track and operated by a worm rack and pinion driven by the shaft 2 from the
belt cone 3 the boiler shell being fixed in position by the adjustable clamps 4 and
presenting the upper edge of the circumferential seam 5 to be caulked.
The caulking machine comprises the bedplate 6 carrying a vertical standard 7
adjustable upon the bedplate to suit the diameter of the boiler shell by means of a handle
on spindle of worm 8 working into a worm wheel 9 which revolves a pinion working
into a toothed rack inside the bedplate The saddle 10, carrying the caulking tool 11
with its operating mechanism in the trunnion ring 12, moves vertically upon the guide
flanges 13 of the vertical standard 7 by the screw 14, working in a screwed nut in
the saddle, and revolved in either direction by bevil wheels 15, 1. from the belt.
sheaves 16, 16 by open and crossed belts which run on the loose sheave 16" when the
saddle is to be stationary.
When vertical seams are being caulked the saddle, carrying the caulking tool,
travels upon the screw the extent of the seam, the required travel being regulated
automatically by the adjustable tappets 17, 17ª on the rod 18 the saddle, on its
upward and downward movement, coming in contact with one or other tappet which
it causes to revolve the rod to an extent sufficient to actuate a pair of bevil
wheels 19, 19 and by intervening mechanism to cause the weighted lever 20 to
reverse the screw 14 by shifting the belts on the sheaves by means of the sliding
fork 21
The attendant can arrest the travel of the saddle causing it to stop and if required
to reverse its motion, by a lever handle 18 see Fig. 1 which rotates the tappet rod 18
and changes the belts.
Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3 (sheet 2) 10 is the saddle carried upon the guide
flanges 13 of the vertical standard 7. 12 is the trunnion ring which carries the
hydraulic cylinder 22 by the trunnions 23. 11 is the caulking tool running on the
end of the holder 24 which is fixed on the piston rod 25 working through the
packing 26 the enlarged end forming the piston 27 which is packed with cupped
feathers. A prolongation of the cylinder divided by the diaphragm 28 forms the 2nd
cylinder 22 in which is a ram 29 projecting through a stuffing box 30 and having a
head to the horns of which are attached links 31 connected to the ends of arm 32
forming with the short arms 33, a bell crank lever the fulcrum 34 of which is in the
end of a triangular frame the legs 35, 35ª of which are attached to the trunnion
ring 12. A link 36 connects the short arm of the bell crank lever to the outer end of
the 2nd cylinder.
Thus the whole of the mechanism which actuates the caulking tool revolves with the
trunnion ring through any part of or through an entire circle and the pipes, through
which water is admitted to the cylinders and escapes from them, shewn on Fig. 1
(sheet 1), are so fitted with junctions that they revolve also.
Water being admitted by the attendant through the master cock 37 Fig. 1 (sheet 1)
behind the piston 25 forces the caulking tool against the boiler shell above the edge of
seam to be caulked and at the same time water is admitted behind the ram 29 in the
2nd cylinder the result being, through the operation of the bell crank lever and its
connections, acting upon the extreme end of this cylinder through the trunnions, that
the edge of the caulking tool is forced down against the inner edge of the overlapping
plate or butt strap and, the boiler shell revolving the circumferential seam is caulked.
When the edge of the circumferential seam faces downward the cylinders with the
whole of the attached mechanism are turned round in the saddle a half circle when the
pressure forces the edge of the caulking tool upward. When the vertical seams are to
be caulked the cylinders, with the whole of the attached mechanism, are turned round
in the saddle a quarter circle so as to present the edge of the caulking tool to the edge
of the seam and, the boiler shell being now fixed the saddle is caused to travel verti-
cally upon the screw, which is now set in motion, the required length of seam being
caulked and the motion of the saddle with the caulking tool is reversed automatically
by the tappets The caulking tool can be instantly withdrawn from contact with the
seam, when necessary as when coming to an interfering seam or a chamfered or

page_text: thinned corner, by the attendant admitting water into the annula space between the
piston rod and the cylinder and discharging the water behind the piston by the
master cock.
The edge of the caulking tool can be presented to the edge of seam at an angle by
altering the point of attachment of the links, from head of ram, with the longer
arms of the bell crank lever in which holes are provided to allow this to be done.
Although we have illustrated our invention, as to the machinery for effecting
caulking of seams, as applied to boilers of large diameter, relatively to their length,
revolving on a horizontal table round their vertical axis it will be evident that the
principle of caulking seams by a revolving disc shaped tool may be applied by various
modifications of the same actuating machinery as, for instance, in boilers or similar
vessels of considerable length, relatively to their diameter, they may be caused to
revolve round their horizontal axis when the circumferential seams are being caulked
and the standard canying the tool saddle may have a movement in the direction of the
axis by a screw or other gearing to caulk the horizontal seams without any vertical
movement of the saddle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my Sald
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1st. For caulking the seams of Boilers and simular vessels requiring to be made tight
against internal or external pressure the use of a tool the periphery of which, revolving
against the inner edge of the seam under adequate pressure, will indent such inner edge
and set up the material against the adjacent plate and so make a perfectly close and
tight joint
2nd. For the purpose of applying such a tool mechanism by which the tool, moving
in a circle on its axis, can be actuated by pressure in the cylinders and presented to
the seam to be caulked so as to operate downward, upward or laterally and, if required,
at an angle to the edge of the seam, so as to caulk seams in any position relatively to
the tool saddle substantially as described and shown
3rd. The machinery for so operating a revolving tool as to fulfil the specified
conditions comprising the various parts combined and operating substantially as
described and shown.