Year: 1888

page_text: 1, FRANCIS SALES THOMAS, of Bellegrove Park, Welling, in the County of
Kent, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows: :-
This invention relates to improvements in the construction and connection of pipes
for heating, horticultural, and refrigerating purposes, and its objects are three, viz. ;
the reduction of the internal capacity of the pipe combined with increased exterior
surface, as well as an easy and cheap method of connecting the lengths of pipe
together, and the power of utilising them to carry external water when desired.
In applying my invention I adopt a section of pipe having at four opposite points
of an imaginary circle four semi-circular or angular projections, every part of the
surface thereof being composed of lines so designed that when the pipe is fixed in
its vertical position that is to say with the apex of one of its projections vertical no
water will lie on any part of its external surface.
The projections or angles are so proportioned as to be of advantage in combining
increased exterior surface of pipe, and more diminished internal capacity than exists
in a pipe of the ordinary circular pattern of similar size. If found necessary, in
order to increase this surface for heating pipes I add lugs or ribs fixed or cast longi-
tudinally on the same, either on the top of the said projections or angles, or in the
hollows between them, or in or on both of them at the same time.
At one end of each length of pipe I enlarge the bore sufficiently, so as to form a
socket capable of receiving the end of a similar pipe, and I allow sufficient space over
and beyond the size of the pipe to admit of packing the joint with either india-rubber
rings, yarn, or asbestos, this socket joint being applicable to any other section of fancy
metal pipes.
The external surface of the socket becomes in the case of my pipes nearly the shape
of four semi-circles or four acute angles when put together, so that no water need lie
on its surface. At the other end of the pipe I cast a small bead so as to butt
close up against the shoulder in the socket and so form a stop for the packing
material

page_text: By the foregoing improvements I obtain the following advantages;
1. The facility with which the lengths can be made and joined together.
2. No impediment to rapid circulation of water.
3. For refrigerating, a greater cooling surface and consequently a shorter exposure
to refrigerating media.
4. For heating purposes, great economy of fuel and water owing to diminished area
of contents as compared with ordinary pipes, also larger heating surface.
5. The special convenience that while in Vineries and Orchid houses requiring a
moist atmosphere my pipes can be fixed with the apexes of two of the projections
horizontal and the hollow between them utilised as an open trough for water, yet for
Blooming-Houses or where syringing is resorted to they can be so fixed with one apex
or projection vertical that no water can lodge on them.
6. That houses can be heated with these pipes in much less time than with ordinary
circular pipes.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pipes and Sockets for Heating and Refrigerating
Purposes.
I, FRANCIS SALES THOMAS, of Bellegrove Park Welling, in the County of
Kent, Civil Engineer, 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 construction and connection of
pipes for heating horticultural and refrigerating purposes and its objects are three
namely, (1st) The reduction of the internal capacity of the pipe combined with
increased exterior surface as well, (2) An easy and cheap method of connecting the
lengths of pipe together, and (3) The power of utilising them to carry external water
when desired.
In applying my invention I adopt a section of pipe having at four opposite points
of an imaginary circle four semicircular or angular longitudinal projections every
part of the surface thereof being composed of lines so designed that where the pipe
is fixed in its vertical position, that is to say with one of its projections vertical no
water will remain on any part of its external surface.
The projections and depressions are so proportioned as to be of advantage in
combining increased surface on exterior of pipe, with more diminished internal
capacity than exists in a pipe of the ordinary circular pattern having equal cubical
contents. If found necessary in order to increase the surface for heating or
refrigerating pipes I add lugs or ribs fixed to or cast longitudinally on the same,
either on the top of the said angular or other projections or in the hollows between
them or in or on both of them at the same time. At one end of each length of pipe
I enlarge the bore sufficiently to form a socket capable of receiving the end of a
similar pipe and allow sufficient space over and beyond the size of the pipe to admit
of packing the joint with either india-rubber rings, yarn, or asbestos.
This socket joint is applicable to any other section of fancy metal pipes.
The external surface of the socket becomes in the case of my pipes of the form
herein defined nearly the shape of four semi-circles or four acute angles when put
together so that no water need lie on its surface. At the other end of the pipe I
cast a small bead so as to butt close up against the shoulder in the socket and so form
a stop for the packing material.
In lieu of socket joints flanges can be used when preferred, and a joint formed in
this way is shewn in the drawings.
The flanges are packed with india-rubber asbestos, or other packing in the usual
By the foregoing improvements I obtain the following advantages.―
way.
1. The facility and cheapness with which the lengths can be made and joined
together.
2. No impediment to rapid circulation of water.

page_text: 3. For refrigerating greater cooling surface and consequently a shorter exposure to
refrigerating media.
4. For heating purposes great economy of fuel and water owing to diminished
area of contents, as compared with ordinary pipes, also larger heating surface.
5. The special convenience that while in Vineries and orchid houses requiring a
moist atmosphere my pipes can be fixed with two apexes horizontal and the hollow
between them utilised as an open trough for water; yet for blooming houses or where
syringing is resorted to they can be so fixed with one apex or projection vertical, that
no water can lodge on them.
6. That houses can be heated with these pipes in much less time than with
ordinary circular pipes. My improved pipes are especially suited for tubular or
other boilers as used for heating or refrigerating by water air or other media, for
heating or cooling purposes, by circulation or otherwise.
In the accompanying drawings-
Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of my improved pipe.
""
2 shows an end elevation of same.
3 shows a side elevation of pipe and socket.
" 4 shows an end elevation of the socket.
"
"
"
5 shows a side elevation of my improved pipe fitted with a flange joint.
6 shows an end elevation of same.
A is the interior of the pipe.
B is the shoulder at end of socket.
Cis the metal forming the socket.
D is the metal forming the pipe.
E is an exterior raised moulding or bead for additional strength.
F is the flange.
G is a slot to receive bolt.
H is the bolt.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that wha
I claim is,
(1) In pipes or tubular boilers for heating horticultural and refrigerating purposes
metal pipes of a modified cross or star shaped section, having four angular o
semicircular, longitudinal depressions with corresponding ribs or elevations, and
sockets of similar shape for connecting the same as herein described and set forth.
(2) In modified cross or star section pipes the use of flanges with holes or slots
for bolts and nuts as herein described and set forth.
Dated this 19th day of October 1888.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, E.C.,
Patent Agent.