IMPROVEMENTS IN WORKING INGOTS OF STEEL AND IN HYDRAULIC APPARATUS TO BE USED FOR THIS AND OTHER PURPOSES.
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Benjamin Walker at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th December 1883.
BENJAMIN WALKER of Leeds in the County of York Civil Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN WORKING INGOTS OF STEEL AND IN HYDRAULIC APPARATUS
TO BE USED FOR THIS AND OTHER PURPOSES.'
"
This Invention has for its object improvements in working ingots of steel and in
hydraulic apparatus to be used for this and other purposes.
In working a steel ingot to reduce it into a sheet I take the steel ingot as it is
delivered from the mould and carry it forward upon rollers to an apparatus
consisting of two hydraulic cylinders placed horizontally and with their rams
opposed. I place the ingot between the rams and compress it between them in the
direction of the length of the ingot. I then conduct the ingot forward between
mill rolls and roll it in the direction of its length. After this treatment I usually
divide the ingot into two parts which are reheated and cross-rolled to the .
dimensions required.
For forging metals I employ an inverted hydraulic press supported by four
columns from a massive bed or base. The columns serve as guides for the cross
head of the ram which carries the upper swage block or tup.
To force down the ram I employ powerful engines pumping directly into the
cylinder of the press; these engines are started when the pressure is to be applied
and they are controlled to regulate it as required.
When forging metals by means of hydraulic pressure considerable inconvenience
has been experienced from the elasticity of the water or fluid in the hydraulic
cylinder. I avoid this inconvenience to a great extent by employing a second ram
to replace the bottom or the closed end of the cylinder and I provide means for
setting this second ram with its end close to that of the first ram when this has
been brought to the position required so as to limit as far as possible the space
in the cylinder left to receive the water or liquid.
At the upper or outer end of the second ram I provide a screw thread engaging
with a corresponding nut of larger diameter on the head of the press.
I make this nut in four or other number of parts which can be separated when
it is desired to free the ram. The ram when so liberated descends by its own

page_text: weight until it abuts upon the end of the first working ram and the parts of the
nut being then closed together hold it in position.
This second abutment ram can be raised again when required by rotating the
nut by means of a worm and wheel or in any other convenient manner.
By the use of this arrangement I am able whatever, be the thickness of the
work, and the position in which the lower ram is required to operate, to apply the
pressure required with but a small quantity of liquid within the cylinder of the
press.
In like manner a second ram which is adjustable and serves as an abutment may
be employed with advantage in other hydraulic presses in which the ram is required
to traverse through a considerable range.
I arrange four small cylinders around the hydraulic cylinder of the forging press;
they contain pistons and rods from the pistons descend to the cross head of the
These small cylinders are in constant communication with an accumulator
which applies pressure beneath the pistons sufficient to support the weight of the
ram and crosshead.
ram.
Upon the base of the press I provide a moveable anvil block. I mount it upon
small wheels from which it is supported by springs so that it can be readily moved
into position under the press.
When the pressure is applied the springs at once yield and the anvil block, then s
rests firmly and solidly upon the base of the press.
The anvil block is made in parts of which one or more may be removed to vary
the height. By this means the press is adjusted to the thickness of the work
which it has to receive.
For the purpose of forging tyres or steel hoops I employ a set of four presses 2
set radially upon a central horizontal spindle or mandril. This spindle or mandril
receives upon it the steel ring which requires to be forged. The rams which are
armed with tools of suitable contour move radially inwards and compress the hoop
simultaneously on four sides. This pressure is rapidly repeated the core bar with
the ring upon it revolving at the same time. In this way every part of the ring
is equally exposed to pressure. By this means without materially altering the
diameter of the ring it is extended in the direction of the axis.
When the hoop has been sufficiently worked in this manner it is taken to a tyre
rolling machine and finished.