CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METALLIC TUBES OR PIPES, AND THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS CONNECTED THERE WITH, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER LIKE PURPOSES
Year: 1851

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, AMÉDÉE
FRANÇOIS REMOND, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gentleman,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Her United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-sixth day of
February, in the fourteenth year of Her reign, and in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Amédée François Rémond,
iny exors, adñiors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Amédée
François Rémond, my exors, adfiors, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of
years therein expressed, should and might lawfully make, use, exercise, and
vend, within that part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
called England, Her Dominion of Wales, and the town of Berwick-on-
Tweed, an Invention, communicated to me by a foreigner residing abroad, of
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METALLIC TUBES OR PIPES, AND
THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS CONNECTED THERE WITH, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE
APPLICABLE TO OTHER LIKE PURPOSES;" in which said Letters Patent there is a
proviso requiring that I, the said Amédée François Rémond shall particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the Invention communicated to me,
and in what manner the same is to be performed and carried into effect, by
an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to be enrolled in Her said
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in
and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
annear

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Amédée François Rémond, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention
communicated to me, and the manner in which the same is to be performed
and carried into effect, as particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement in writing, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto
annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say :-
The Invention communicated to me relates, firstly, to a new and improved
method of making metallic tubes or pipes, whereby I am enabled to produce
the said tubes or pipes of considerable length without any longitudinal seam
or joint, of inore even bore and of sounder and better workmanship than have
hitherto been generally manufactured. There are various modes for the
production of metallic tubes or pipes, and the same being well understood it
will not here be necessary to allude to them severally.
For the better understanding, however, of the nature of the improvements
communicated to me, I shall briefly refer to the apparatus in common and
extensive use called a draw-bench: One of the purposes of the draw-bench is
to elongate the tube, the tube which it is required to elongate being in some
cases, threaded over a mandril entirely from end to end, and the whole being
firmly laid hold of by means of a suitable pair of claws or pincers, is drawn or
pulled through a matrix or die of such form and diinensions relatively to the.
maundril,as to reduce the said tube in thickness and extend it in length; the
operation is then again repeated until the requisite length and thickness-is-
arrived at. In other cases the tube and maundril, instead of being drawn.or
pulled through the matrix or die, is pushed or forced through from behind in
the following manner:-A metallic plate containing a sufficient quantity of
material, is forced by means of a blunt-ended ram or maundril, through a series
of holes of continually diminishing size, until it has assumed a cup-shaped
form, or that of a cylinder with one end closed, after which it is.extended by
pushing it in the same manner through suitable matrices or dies to any
amount of elongation required. It having been found, however, that at the
earlier stages of the process the metal was liable to become corrugated or
puckered, and that. great difficulty was in consequence encountered in
producing sound and homogeneous workmanship, this mode of operation was
ultimately abandoned. Now, I also employ the last-described, method of
producing metallic tubes or pipes, that is to say, I push or force them through
suitable matrices by applying power from behind, but in order to surmount
-the objection-before stated, I subject.the material to be converted into a
tubular form, to a distinct and previous operation, in order to reduce it to a
proper form and consistency for being elongated, and this part of the

page_text: Invention communicated to me consists in the combination of these two
operations; that is, in theelongation of the tube manufactured by this prepara-
tory process. The mode of operation which I employ is the following:-I
take a flat circular plate similar to Fig. 4, Drawing No. 2, and subject it to
the operation of a series of stampers or pressers, Fig 10, of gradually
increasing convexity, producing thereby the cup-shaped forms, Figs. 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, the plate undergoing any number of such operations, so as to result in
the last form, Fig. 9, which has its sides parallel. It will now be seen that if
a maundril be inserted in this cup-shaped piece, so that its end bears against
the bottom thereof, the whole is capable of being pushed through a matrix or
die in the manner before described, and the parallel part of the cup elongated,
and that a succession of such elongations may be made according to the
thickness or length of the tube required; and it will also be evident that the
tube resulting from the combination of these operations willbehomogeneous,
and without longitudinal seam or joint.
I would here remark that the inetal may be operated on in either.a hot or
cold state according to the nature of the metal, it being annealed if coldwhen
required; but in whatever manner the tube is elongated the peculiar and
distinctive feature of this part of the Invention communicated tone consists
in previously reducing the metal to a fit shape and consistence forthepurpose
of such elongation.
The Invention communicated to me relates, secondly, to certainmachinery
and apparatus for the purpose of carrying into effect the elongation of the
tubes previously prepared by the above-described process, or such other tubes
as have one end closed.
And in order that these improvements may be fully understood, I have
annexed Drawings hereto, to which I shall make particular reference;
Drawing No. 1, exhibits a combination of machinery, in which I employ the
agency of steam or other expansive fluid for pushing the maundril withitstube
thereon through the matrix or die.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of the apparatus, Fig. 2 a longitudinal section, and
Fig. 3 a plan; Fig. 4 being a cross section through the line A, B, and Fig. 5
a cross section through the line C, D, looking in the direction of the cylinder;
S is the steam cylinder into which steam is admitted from the steam
pipe s through the valve v, propelling thereby the piston P and the piston rod
P1 to which the maundril m is attached, and pushing the tube, which is
inserted over the end of the said maundril, through the matrix a. The whole
is mounted on a suitable frame firmly bound together by longitudinal stays
E, E, as will be readily understood, theend of thepiston rodbeingguidedbythe

page_text: cross head T sliding on the said stays, and the maundril being also guided by
a suitable number of moveable cross stays t. Supposing now the steam to
be entering the cylinder by the valve, while the opposite side of the piston
is open to the exhaust pipe s' through the valve, the manner of regulating
the motion of the piston and thereby the passage of the maundril and tube
through the die, is as follows:-A hand-wheel w, giving motion by a shaft h
and bevil wheels band to the worm. n, is mounted on an inclined plane L
resting upon the rack bar R. When the hand-wheel is turned it will be seen
that the worm working in the teeth of the rack bar will traverse the
inclined plane L from one end of the said rack bar to the other, in either
direction according to the direction in which the hand-wheel is turned. The
rack bar is connected by means of the bell cranks and , and rods k and k¹,
to the steam and exhaust valves and v', in such a manner that supposingthe
piston to advance while the inclined plane remains stationary on therack bar,
the roller r at the end of the cross-head T acting upon the inclined plane will
immediately depress the rack bar, and shutting thereby the steam valve vand
the exhaust valve will cause the machine to stop. This action will take
place at whatever point of the rack bar the inclined plane L may be situated,
the arrangement of the bell crank levers and being such that the motion
of the rack-bar will always be parallel to its original position, and the inclined
plane-it-will-be-observed is always kept in close contact with the roller r by
the weighty on the lever l. It will thus be seen that although the valves v
and may be open so as to cause the piston to move forward, the latter will
be immediately arrested on the roller mounting the inclined plane, so that
the traverse of the piston can only be obtained by means of the traverse of the
inclined plane through the medium of the hand-wheel-w,and according tothe
speed at which the said inclined plane is advanced, so will the piston also
follow, and the maundi il with its tube be pushed through the matrix. When
this latter operation is finished there is also another rack bar on the opposite
side of the machine, with an inclined plane similar to the one described, but
reversed, and connected with similar but reverse steam and exhaust valves for
the purpose of bringing the piston back and drawing the tubeoffthe maundril.
To effect this purpose, when the maundril is being drawn back after the tube
has passed entirely through the matrix, the small instrument shewn at Fig. 9
is inserted over the maundril between the end of the tube and the block
containing the matrix, so as to prevent the tube from following back with the
maundril, and thus cause it to be drawn off. The two inclined planes on their
respective rack bars are both actuated by the same hand wheel w, and their
relation to one another while in work is such that one is always up while the

page_text: other is down, according to the direction in which the hand wheel is turned;
and inasmuch it is necessary that either end of the shaft h should move up
and down along with the rack bars, it will be seen that provision is made for
this (Figs. 3 and 5) by suspending the shaft in brackets which have motion
round the centre of the worm shaft, so that when one end of the shaft is
depressed, the bevel wheels band bor band will roll round one another,
keeping at the same time in gear, the shaft being allowed to slide a little
lengthways on a proper key in the eye of one of the brackets. The relative
action of the two inclined planes will be more clearly understood on reference
to the Diagrams 6, 7, and 8. From these Figs. it will be made evident that if
it is required to go forward, the inclined planes must be moved to the right.
(Fig. 6), but when a reverse motion is required the inclined planes must be
worked to the left until they arrive at the position Fig. 7, when any further
movement will cause the piston to move back; Fig. 8 shews the neutral point
when all the valves are shut by reason of both rack bars being down. It will
also be understood from the same Figs. that if the piston in going forward
should from any accident, such as the end of the tube giving way, acquire a
dangerons degree of momentum, it cannot move very far before the rollers
cause the inclined planes to assume their proper position for going back, and
vice versa. When moreover the rollers are entirely free from the inclined
planes the piston will be stationary, inasmuch as all the valves will be open
and the steam blowing through. In Drawing No. 2 I have exhibited another
machine for the production of metallic tubes or pipes in which I employ the
agency of hydraulic power. Fig.1 is a vertical section thereof, Fig. 2 a side
elevation and part section, and Fig. 3 a plan of the bottom part.
A is a
hydraulic cylinder similar to those in common use for hydraulic presses, having
a piston P and piston rod P¹ with maundril attached in the same manneras
in the machine already described. The cylinder is supported by four pillars L,
on two or moreof which the cross head T slides for the purpose of steadying
the mandril. The bottom part of the machine is a block of metal to which
the pillars are made fast, and which also carries the matrix a. Connected
with the cylinder A and at any convenient distance therefrom are a set of
hydraulic pumps of dimensions and number suitable to the power required.
In the Drawingare shown there pumps h, h, h, of different diameters, capable
of being worked each separately or in combination as circumstances mayadinit
of, and set in motion by a cranked axle B and pullies D, for which latter may
be also substituted a steam engine crank, or any other mediumn for communi-
cating motive power. The pumps stand in a cistern Y, in which is a continual
supply of water, and communicate with the top and bottom of the cylinder A

page_text: bymeans of the pipes s and s', to which are affixed the cockst, t, t, so arranged
relatively to one another, that when the water in the pumps is free to be
forced into the top of the cylinder, the water in the under side of the same is
free to fall back into the cistern through the pipes, and vice versa. From
this description it will be readily understood that when one or more of the
pumps are set in motion s as to force water into the upper part of the cylinder,
the tube which is placed or the inaundril m will be pushed with great force
through the matrix a, and in like manner when water is pumped in the lower
part of the cylinder the mandril will be drawn up, and the tube may be inter-
cepted in the way above described, so as to become detached therefrom. The
two machines which I have just described are peculiarly applicable, the former
for the manufacture of boiler and other similar tubes, and the latter for the
manufacture of copper printing rollers, sliver cans, and other like articles of
large dimensions (Figs. 11, 12, and 13,) and it will be obvious, that they may
be modified according to convenience and the nature of the work to be
performed, as, for instance, the position of the cylinder and action of the piston
may be reversed relatively to the maundril in either machine; that is to say,
the piston rod may be connected with the maundril by means of cross heads
and links, in such a manner as to draw the maundril towards the cylinder, and
thus force the tube through the die. Instead of the ordinary die,also, pairs of
grooved rollers, placed together, as shewn in Figs. 14 and 15, (Drawing No.2,)
may be employed, so as to form a circular passage between their peripheries,
through which the maundril and tube may be forced; and it will be readily
understood that as the said maundril and tube pass between the said rollers
the latter will revolve in their bearings, and present a continually changing
surface of pressure. For any peculiar exterior form of tube, rollers having
grooves of a corresponding form may be employed, as, for example, for six-
sided tubes I use the form shewn at Fig. 16, and for taper tubes I use the
form shewn at Fig. 17; instead, inorcover, of a series of pairs of rollers a
series of grooves cut in one pair of rollers, or cylinders may be employed, such
rollers or cylinders being caused to traverse at right angles to the course of
the maundril in such a manner as to present successive grooves to the end of
the maundril for successive elongations of the tube, each successive groove
being smaller than the one immediately preceding. As in many cases
I prefer this latter mode of construction, I have illustrated the same in the
two machines exhibited in Drawing No. 3, which I shall now proceed to
describe. Fig. is an clevation and part section, and Fig. 2 a plau, of a
machine in which I employ the action of a screw for the elongation of tubes.
S is the screw, driven by the bevil wheel and pinion B and B on the same

page_text: shaft, with the latter of which is a fly wheel F and a winch handle H. For
the winch handle may also be substituted any suitable medium for com-
municating motive power, and instead of the bevel wheels any other kind of
gearing giving the same or more or less power, as may be required. The
screw S works in a nut in the cross part of the framing C, and has at its other
end a cross head T for steadying the maundril m, which is attached in the
usual manner. R, R, are the grooved rollers or cylinders, which traverse in
guides ncross the end of the framing by means of the screws, worked by the
handle h. It will thus be seen that when the tube has been pushed between
the rollers in one groove and brought back, the said rollers are moved forward
tillt he next smaller groove comes opposite the maundril when the operation
is repeated, and so on, till the tube is complete. Fig. 3 is also an elevation,
and Fig. 4 a plan of a machine, wherein the maundril is actuated by means of
a rack A; this is propelled by the pinion B, which is also driven by the train
of wheels B, C, O, and D, on the same shaft, with the latter of which are a
fast and loose pulley E and E', for which may be substituted any of the
ordinary means of communicating motive power, while, instead of the wheels
shewn, any kind of gearing may be employed adequate to the power required.
R, R, are also the grooved rollers traversing across the end of the frame in
the same manner as was described in reference to the foregoing machine, but
I have here shewn in ad Etion to the said rollers for the purpose of securing
to them a simultaneous and equal motion with the forward movement of the
maundril; that is to say, I first gear the rollers together by the spur wheels w
and w, and I then gear the one of them with the shaft of the pinion B by
means of the bevil wheels x, x, y, and y', so as to cause the periphery of the
rollers to move through the same space as the maundril in the same period of
time, and prevent thereby any tendency to slip. Now, although this machine,
as well as the one described immediately before, is designed particularly for
the manufacture of gun barrels, taper, and such other tubes as the grooved
rollers are particularly adapted for, yet it is evident that here also the ordinary
matrix may be employed, and the action of the machine in respect thereof
rendered precisely similar to that set forth in regard to the Drawings Nos. 1
and 2; and it is also evident that the machines may be otherwise variously
modified. A maundril may be employed of any shape in cross section,
provided it be parallel longitudinally, or gradually increasing in thickness from
the point upwards, namely, of such a form as to allow of the tube being drawn
off the same; but if it be required to make a tube of dissimilar configuration
longitudinally, as, for instance, a bottle shape or such as may have indentations
of any shape and number in its length, I use a maundril, either of lead or

page_text: other suitable metal or material in order to be able to melt the same out of
the tube when finished; or I force through the necessary matrices or grooved
rollers those parts of the tube where extension or compression are required
without the said tube containing any maundril whatever.
Having now described the nature of the Invention communicated t.. me,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would have it understood
that I claim as new and as the Invention communicated to me,-
First, the converting metal into a tubular or other similar form with one
end closed by stampers and dies, and elongating the same into tubes, as above
described.
Secondly, I claim the elongating hollow picces of metal with one end closed
into tubes by machinery acting directly on such closed end, as above
described.
Thirdly, I claim the manufacture of metal tubes by the means of grooved
rollers traversed and caused to move tangentially at a speed corresponding to
the speed of the maundril, as above described.
Now, the whole of this being to the best of my knowledge and belief new,
and never before practised in that part of IIer said Majesty's Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland called England, Her Dominion of Wales, and the
Town of Berwick-on-Tweed, I deliver this as my true and faithful Speci-
fication of the same.
In witness whereof, I, the said Amédée François Rémond, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of August, in the year
of our Land Qua thousand eight hundred and fifty and