Improvements in Apparatus for Applying Hydraulic Pressure for Testing and other Purposes.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Oct., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 8th June, 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 24th Aug., 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Applying Hydraulic Pressure for
Testing and other Purposes.
We, FOLLETT HOLT of 3 Devonshire Terrace, Portland Place, London in the
county of Middlesex, Engineer, and HAROLD EGBERT BODLEY, of 7 Treherne Terrace,
Mortlake in the county of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in apparatus for applying hydraulic
pressure for testing and other purposes and has for its object to construct an apparatus
by which hydraulic pressure supplied by a main or other source may be applied to
pipes, tubes, castings and such like articles for testing or other purposes and increased
until the required pressure is obtained.
The apparatus consists of a frame or bed plate carrying two castings between which
the article to which pressure is to be applied is supported on suitable bearings.
Pressure is applied through one of these castings which is fixed to the frame the other
being capable of sliding motion in guides for adjustment against the pipe or article
for test.
The first casting aforesaid is of special construction and contains two hollow rams.
One of these (which we call the "jointing" ram) projects beyond the front end of the
casting. Its face and also the face of the corresponding abutting casting are made of
suitable form to receive the article for test and are fitted with cushions of lead, leather, or
other suitable yielding material to ensure watertight jointing. The other ram (which
we call the "testing" ram) works within the casting and has a hollow plunger which
slides in a suitable guide passing concentrically through the "jointing" ram aforesaid.
Both rams and plungers are fitted with suitable springs or equivalents to return them
to position after operation, and leather or other collars are provided to keep all joints
watertight.
Pressure is admitted to the rams by a supply pipe connected to the main or other
source of hydraulic pressure through a cock placed upon the casting, a separate
passage being formed therein leading to the base of the "jointing" ram.
Certain

page_text: passages are formed in the plug of the said cock adapted to admit and release
pressure substantially as follows:
"
During the first turning of the cock liquid is admitted to the "jointing" ram
forcing it forward and making watertight joints between its face and the article for
test and the face of the abutting casting. A slight further turning of the cock whilst
still allowing the pressure to act on the "jointing" ram admits pressure also to the
article for test. An automatic non return valve is fitted in the hollow plunger of the
testingram, and so arranged that when the pressure is equalized throughout the valve
will close. The closing of this valve without further turning of the cock admits full
pressure to the whole area of the "testing" ram, which pressure by means of the
plunger is imparted and applied to the liquid acting upon the article for test. The
cock is so arranged as to cut off the pressure if necessary at any instant, and thus
the pressure on the ram can be regulated as desired. When the test is completed
further turning of the cock brings escape passages therein coincident with the afore-
said pressure passages in the casting and testing" ram, and pressure is at once
released and flows to waste through a central passage in the plug.
Suitable air valves, and a pressure gauge are fixed when required.
The dimensions of the various parts are to be calculated for the pressure required
in relation to the pressure at command.
Dated this Twenty fifth day of October 1887.
J. C. CHAPMAN,
70, Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agent for Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Applying Hydraulic Pressure for
Testing and other Purposes.
We FOLLETT HOLT of 3 Devonshire Terrace, Portland Place, London in the
county of Middlesex, Engineer, and HAROLD EGBERT BODLEY, of Treherne Terrace,
Mortlake in the county of Surrey, 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 certain improvements in apparatus for applying hydraulic
pressure for testing and other purposes, and has for its object to construct an apparatus
by which hydraulic pressure supplied by a main or other source may be applied to
pipes, tubes, castings and such like articles for testing or other purposes and increased
until the required pressure is obtained.
The apparatus consists of a frame or bed plate carrying two castings between which
the article to which pressure is to be applied is supported on suitable bearings.
Pressure is applied through one of these castings which is fixed to the frame the other
being capable of sliding motion in guides for adjustment against the pipe or article
for test.
The first casting aforesaid is of special construction and contains two hollow rams.
One of these (which we call the "jointing" ram) projects beyond the front end of
the casting. Its face and also the face of the corresponding abutting casting are
made of suitable form to receive the article for test and are fitted with cushions of
lead leather or other suitable yielding material to ensure watertight jointing. The
other ram (which we call the "testing" ram) works within the casting and has a
hollow plunger which slides in a suitable guide passing concentrically through the
"jointing" ram aforesaid. Both rams and plungers are fitted with suitable springs or
equivalents to return them to position after operation and leather or other collars are
provided to keep all joints watertight.
Pressure is admitted to the rams by a supply pipe connected to the inain or other
source of hydraulic pressure through a cock placed upon the casting a separate passage
being formed therein leading to the base of the " jointing ram. Certain passages
are formed in the plug of the said cock adapted to admit and release pressure
substantially as follows:-
During the first turning of the cock liquid is admitted to the jointing ram forcing
it forward and making watertight joints between its face and the article for test and
the face of the abutting casting. A slight further turning of the cock whilst still
allowing the pressure to act on the jointing ram admits pressure also to the article for
test. An automatic non-return valve is fitted in the hollow plunger of the testing
ram and so arranged that when the pressure is equalized throughout the valve will
close. The closing of this valve without further turning of the cock admits full
pressure to the whole area of the "testing" ram, which pressure by means of the
plunger is imparted and applied to the liquid acting upon the article for test. The
cock is so arranged as to cut off the pressure if necessary at any instant and thus
the pressure on the ram can be regulated as desired.. When the test is completed

page_text: said pressure passages in the casting and "testing" ram, and pressure is at once
released and flows to waste through a central passage in the plug.
Suitable air valves and a pressure gauge are fixed when required.
The dimensions of the various parts are to be calculated for the pressure required in
relation to the pressure at command.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings as applied to the testing
of a tube and to the testing of bottles. Figure 1 is a side elevation of a complete
machine with a tube in position for testing, and figure 2 is a back end elevation
thereof Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section with lower part in elevation
showing all the essential parts of the machine: Figure 4 is a front end elevation
thereof, and Figure 5 is a front elevation of the abutting casting and bed. Figures 6
and 7 are cross sections at level of ports, t, and p, p, respectively of figure 3.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the figures.
Referring first to figures 1 to 7. A and B are two castings the former fixed to the
frame or bed plate A, the latter capable of adjustment by sliding motion and fixture
thereon by studs as illustrated in figures 1 and 3, or other convenient means.
Cis the tube for test and c c are bearings of suitable form either adjustable or not
as may be convenient.
D is the connection to casting A of the ordinary service main or other source of
pressure supply, and E is the operating and regulating cock and handle. The casting A
as illustrated in figure 3 is divided into two chambers a³ a separated by diaphragm a;
the ends may be bolted on for convenience of access.
R is the jointing ram adapted to reciprocate through any required distance in the
fore end chamber a² and having extended base and jointing face. For the purpose
of admitting fluid to hollow articles an aperture Z is formed in the face of ram R of
smaller size than the article, and the internal diameter of the ram is preferably greater
than the external size of the article, for the purposes hereinafter shown.
:
bis the corresponding jointing face of abuiting casting B, and bare jointing
cushions P is a passage formed in casting A leading to chamber a² at back of base
of ram R, and is a return spring to ram R.
Tis the testing ram also adapted to reciprocate through any required distance in
chamber a¹ of casting A, having a hollow plunger T₁ in open communication with
port t. This hollow plunger is fitted with an automatic non-return valve t³ pressed to
its seating by spring t, and works in guide a³ formed in-casting A which also serves
as an additional guide to jointing ram R.
2 is a spring return to ram T, ggg are collars for keeping all working parts water
tight.
The superficial area of rams R, T and also the dimensions of the corresponding and
co-operating parts are to be proportioned to the pressure required and the pressure
at command.
A pressure gauge
or may be fixed on ram R about the position marked G or in
other suitable position, and V is an air valve to abutting casting B.
The operating cock E is fixed to the front of the casting A preferably by a flange E¹
as illustrated, suitable ports being provided; its plug e is formed with an annular
space d intervening between it and the casing d and with a vertical central exhaust
passage X.
A channel p is formed leading from annular space d to make communication when
required with the end of passage P, and their is also a passage pl adapted to make
connection between P and X at a certain period. A channel is also formed
making communication between the annular space d and the interior of the hollow
plunger T of ram T and also a passage a to make connection between t and X.
These passages are arranged in different vertical planes of the cock plug as shown by
the sections 6 and 7.

page_text: When the machine is coupled to the supply at D water circulates in the space d
around the plug e but cannot gain admittance to the rams R T the ports p. t being
closed.
When a test is to be made the article C to be tested (in the supposed case a boiler
tube) is placed on the bearings e e as illustrated in figure 1.
The cycle of operations is then as follows:-The cock E is turned so that channel >
makes connection with passage P, water then first flows to the annular chamber a²
at the back of jointing ram R and forces it outwards making watertight joints
between itself the tube C and the abutting face b. Slight further turning of the
cock causes channel to come opposite the port of the hollow plunger T', and
water flows behind and through the centre of the testing ram T forcing open and
passing the spring non-return valve t³. When the tube is completely filled with
water any air escaping by valve V, and pressure on either side of the non return
valve becoming equalized, the non-return valve 3 automatically shuts and the
cumulative pressure due to the difference of area of ram T and the end of plunger T
then acting on the base of testing ram T is transmitted to and by the plunger T
to the water in front of the plunger and article C. When the dimensions of ram R
and aperture Z are proportioned as described in relation to the article C the greater
the internal pressure in the ram the tighter is the face joint and the less liability
to leakage. The tendency of the pressure is to make the ram T advance and should
their be any leakage of water or reduction of the substance in the article under
pressure due to the presence of air or increase of the cubic contents of the said
article under to its expansion under pressure the said ram will advance and compensate
therefor. When the required pressure is obtained as will be indicated by pressure
gauge G, re-turning of the cock will close the port t so that the required pressure may be
maintained if desired any length of time independently of the external pressure. in
the water main or other source of pressure. On completion of the test it is important
to reduce the high pressure of water in the article C before releasing the article
itself, therefore when the cock is further returned the release passage is brought
opposite to port t and thus part of the water is released before the pressure is taken off
the jointing ram: A slight further turning of the cock brings passage p¹ opposite
passage P which then releases the pressure from the back of the jointing ram R and
both rams are returned to normal position by the springs ² ².
It will be seen that there are thus practically only two movements required of the
cock E, first passing through a half turn making the joints, filling the article, and
cutting off the pressure if required; secondly releasing water first from the testing'
and then from the jointing ram, and finally returning to normal position.
In figures 8 and the invention is illustrated as applied to bottle testing:
Precisely similar arrangements are applicable, the abutting castings or resistance
pieces B and accessories only requiring modification and adaptation to their special
service as illustrated.
The same letters of reference being applicable further description of the figures 8
and 9 is not required.
The above described arrangement with modifications to suit the forms of special
articles as indicated is applicable to testing almost all kinds of hollow articles.
The invention however may also with facility be applied to crushing seeds and other
substances or pressing articles such as bales of cotton and other goods, also to bending
and other purposes.
When the apparatus is to be used for applying external pressure
the aperture Z in the jointing ram R is not required and the ram must be made solid
its function being to compress or firmly secure and hold the article in position between
its face and the corresponding abutting face.
The plunger of the testing ram will then act upon the water contained in and by
the ram R and the resultant pressure will be transmitted to and by the face of the
ram R to attain the above enumerated results. In such cases a longer stroke should
be given to the ram R and the stroke of both rams must be so proportioned that the
plunger of ram T will not strike the back of the face of ram R.

page_text: For heavy work it is advantageous to substitute for the return springs water
return power and this may be effected in any one of the well known manners.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is
1. An apparatus for applying hydraulic pressure for testing and other purposes
arranged to utilize any pressure at command first to secure an article in the required
position and ensure water tight jointing if required, and then to transmit the said
pressure and apply the resultant pressure to the said article substantially in the manner
setforth.
2. In an apparatus for applying hydraulic pressure the use of two rams such as R
and Tadapted to reciprocate in one casting, the one R having an aperture Z formed
in its face if required for the purpose specified, and the other T having a hollow
plunger fitted with an automatic non-return valve, and both adapted to be operated
by pressure admitted through suitable channels by means of a special cock intervening
between them and the pressure supply, substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated.
3. In an apparatus for applying hydraulic pressure the combination with two rams R
and T arranged and operating as specified of the special cock E constructed as and for
the purposes setforth.
4. In an apparatus such as is hereinbefore described for applying pressure to
hollow articles the construction of the ram R with an aperture in its face and means
for securing efficient jointing under high pressures between the article and the
apparatus substantially as setforth.
5. The construction and arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated by the drawings of apparatus for applying hydraulic pressure for testing
and other purposes.
Dated this 8th day of June 1888.
J. C. CHAPMAN, Fel. Inst. P.A.,
70, Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agent for Applicants.