Improvements in the Method of Grinding Ball and Socket Joints, Valve Seatings, and other Surfaces or Bodies, and in Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Nov., 1891
Complete Specification Left; 21st July, 1892-Accepted, 27th Aug., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of Grinding Ball and Socket Joints,
Valve Seatings, and other Surfaces or Bodies, and in Apparatus
therefor.
We WILLDRED ELLDRED PLUMMER Manager, and WILLIAM MARSDEN
KERMODE, Secretary, both of Soho Works, Thornton Road, Bradford, in the
County of York do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
This invention embodies a combination of a rotary motion with a rocking motion
and is intended to impart to the surfaces to be ground a movement similar to that
which may take place between them when in use after being ground, and also
apparatus employed in arriving at such results.
To secure these results we usually cause one of the bodies to rotate either by
fixing it to a circular table, plate, chuck or equivalent means secured to the end of
a revolving shaft or spindle or by other suitable and well known means.
The
The other body is connected to a similar rotating spindle or means of rotation,
the axis of revolution of which, coincides with that of the first spindle.
second body does not however rotate in a similar manner to the first body but by
means of a cam or eccentric plate the rotary motion is converted into a rocking
motion each part of the spherical surface of the second body being gently and
evenly worked up and down the surface to which it is being ground.
The manner in which this is done will be better understood by an explanation
of one modification of our invention, wherein it is intended to grind together a ball
ring and socket, the former representing a narrow section of a sphere cut by two
closely adjacent parallel planes, passing say midway between the centre of the
sphere and its surface. The ball ring and socket are turned in the lathe so as to
correspond approximately. The socket is attached to a horizontal plate or like
part (which is keyed or otherwise fastened to the top end of a vertical revolving
shaft) and is set true with the axis of rotation. The ball ring is then connected
rigidly to a short bar by means of two plates bolted together, one of such plates
having a boss for the reception of the bar. The other end of this bar sits
loosely in a hole drilled in a plate fitted to the bottom of another rotating shaft
set truly vertical over the lower one, above alluded to. The centre of the hole in
the plate does not coincide with the axis of the shaft, and therefore when the
shaft rotates the hole describes a circle, and the top end of the bar which sits
loosely in the hole is therefore carried round in an orbit. This bar is prevented
from revolving by means of a pin fitted rigidly to it or by means of a pivot which
can be adjusted to remain at any part of the bar and either work in corre-
spondingly adjustable bearings or against a bar or bars placed so as to catch and
arrest the pin or pivot alluded to. It will therefore be seen that each part of the
surface of the ball ring is moved up and down on its socket in a greater or less
degree according as the hole in which the top of the bar sets, is farther from or
nearer to the axis of rotation. We may therefore have any convenient number of
holes in the plate, and use whichever may be most applicable to size of work in
hand.
We may also arrange to rotate the top spindle in the opposite direction to
the bottom spindle, or rotate both in the same direction. We may have both
spindles fitted with clutches or other arrangement for throwing them in or out of
gear, so that the work may be stopped for examination and for application of
grinding materials. We may also attach the ball ring rigidly to the horizontal
plate at the top of the lower shaft, and so rotate it, whilst the socket in which
the ball is to work may be connected to the short bar and receive a rocking

page_text: motion from the eccentric hole in plate at foot of top shaft, in a similar manner to
that last described, the action being similar but the articles are reversed.
may
In some cases the formation of the articles required to be ground will not admit
of the use of the single bar herein before alluded to as working from hole in plate
attached to one shaft, and we may then make use of two or more bars, fitting
rigidly in the chuck or other appliance which holds one of the articles to be
ground. The other extremities of these bars are also connected and then be
attached to a short bar and worked from eccentric hole as previously described,
or we may connect the extremities of the bars by an iron plate or casting in which
a circular hollow is turned to receive a cam or eccentric plate attached to the top
spindle, and from the motion of the cam in its prepared seat a rocking movement
is communicated to one of the articles being ground, similar to that set up by the
short bar and eccentric hole in the first instance.
When the spindles are set vertically we may cause the body attached to the top
spindle to rotate and set up a rocking motion in the article fixed to the bottom
plate by having the latter fitted with a ball joint so arranged as to prevent the
table rotating but leaving it free to be canted in an oblique plane by means of a
roller or other suitable apparatus which we cause to travel round the under side
of the plate, preferably near its periphery, and thus each part of the periphery is
elevated or depressed according to position of roller.
Or instead of having the lower table stationary, we may rotate it from the
botion spindle, and have the underside of the plate made with an evenly undulating
or corrugated surface, the corrugations radiating from the centre of the table.
When the spindle is revolved the undulations on plate have to pass over two fixed
rollers placed on diametrically opposite sides of the plate and so arranged that
when a high part is passing over one roller a low part is passing over the other
roller, thus combining a rocking and rotating motion.
The invention herein set forth may be employed in the grinding of spherical
seatings in valves, and for other similar purposes. It is apparent that one body
may be rotated and the other rocked, or one body may be at rest and a rocking and
rotating movement set up in the other body.
Dated the 9th day of November 1891.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of Grinding Ball and Socket Joints,
Valve Seatings, and other Surfaces or Bodies, and in Apparatus
therefor.
1, WILLDRED ELLDRED PLUMMER, Manager, and WILLIAM MARSDEN
KERMODE Secretary, both of Soho Works, Thornton Road, Bradford, in the
County of York, 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 embodies a means of producing a rocking motion and a rotary
motion between the spherical surfaces to be ground together, thus imparting to
such surfaces a relative motion similar to that which may take place between
them when in working position after being ground. It is intended that the surfaces,
when ground together, shall so coincide, as to prevent the passage of steam, or
water, between such surfaces, thus forming a steam-tight joint.
To secure these results we usually cause one of the bodies, having a spherical
surface, to rotate, either by fixing it to a circular table, plate, chuck, or equivalent
means secured to the end of a revolving shaft or spindle, or by other suitable and
well known means. The other body is secured to a similar rotating spindle or

page_text: means of rotation, the axis of revolution of which, coincides with that of the first
spindle.
The second body does not however rotate in a similar manner to the first body,
but by means of a cam, or plate, the rotary motion is converted into a rocking
motion, each part of the spherical surface of the second body being gently and
evenly worked up and down the surface to which it is being ground.
We may also set up a rocking and rotating motion in one body and allow the
other body to rotate also, or remain at rest.
Referring to the accompanying sheet of drawings, Figure 1 shows one modifica-
tion of our invention, wherein A and B represent the two rotating spindles. The
article C is secured to the table D which is fixed to and rotates with the spindle A.
At the base of spindle B we place a disc plate E which may form part of the
spindle, or be separate from same and held in position by any suitable means.
Holes F are drilled or otherwise made in the disc plate E at various distances
from the centre of rotation. G represents one of the bodies being dealt with, its
convex surface being in position for grinding to the concave surface of the body C.
The body G is secured rigidly to a short spindle H, the upper extremity of which
enters and loosely rides in one of the holes F in disc plate E. The spindle H is
fitted with one, or more, arms J which may be fixed permanently to the bar, or
made so as to be adjustable to any point on it. When grinding the surfaces
together a rotating motion is set up in the spindle A and this causes the body C
to revolve steadily; a revolving motion is also communicated to the shaft B causing
the plate E to rotate. This constrains that extremity of the spindle H which
enters the hole F in disc plate E to travel in a circular path, and as H is prevented
from rotating by the arms J impinging against the fixed bars K it will be seen
that each part of the spherical surface of the body G is alternately elevated and
depressed against its prepared socket in the body C, and this movement will be
greater, or less according as the hole F is farther from, or nearer to the axis of
rotation.
The arm, or arms J may be made to fit into holes in the bar K, or in any other
conveniently placed bar.
We may also remove the bars K when grinding, and use the arrangement
without them.
We may rotate the spindles A. & B. in the same, or in opposite directions, and
we may fit these spindles with any suitable clutch or other arrangement for throwing
them in and out of gear.
Figure 2 shows another modification of our invention wherein the positions of
the articles are reversed. The body having the convex surface being held rigid,
whilst the socket is worked over its surface in the manner previously described, the
socket C receiving a motion similar to that which was communicated to the
body G in Figure 1. L shews in section an arrangement for holding the socket
ring.
Figure 3 shows a modification of our invention to meet cases where the shape of
the article being dealt with does not permit of the use of arrangements already
described.
The article bearing the ball surface is attached to the plate D as in Figure 2
and the socket ring is held in the chuck L or other appliance. This chuck is
fitted with two or more bars H which are rigidly fastened to the plate N. This
plate is provided with a circular groove into which works a cam or eccentric plate O
secured to the rotating spindle B. When B revolves, the cam working in the
groove in plate N, communicates to the socket ring C a movement similar to that
obtained by arrangements previously described.
Instead of the eccentric O we may employ a short bar attached to N and working
in the holes provided in disc plate secured to spindle B.
Figure 4 shews another modification of our invention, wherein the article
attached to the top spindle B rotates, and the rocking motion is communicated to
the body secured to the lower spindle.
•

page_text: The plate D is fitted with a universal joint P permitting it to rock in any desired
direction, and this joint is attached to the stationary bar A which passes through
the centre of the hollow spindle Q. The spindle Q revolves and carries with it
the collar R which has one or more longitudinal radial arms, whereto are fixed the
perpendicular arms S bearing a small roller at their upper ends. S is made in two
parts so that it can be lengthened or shortened as desired. and the position of the
arms S upon the arms of the collar R. We may also arrange for the radial arms
of the collar R to have a longitudinal slot, and the perpendicular arms S to be
made in a similar manner to the arms T shown in Figure 5.
When the spindle Q revolves, the arms S. travel round the under surface of the
plate D and the arms being arranged at different lengths and so as to cant the plate,
each point on the surface of the latter is alternately elevated and depressed,
according to the position of the perpendicular arms. Hence a rocking motion is
communicated to the body resting on the plate D and the other body which is
rotated from the spindle B is allowed a certain amount of freedom, so that whilst
rotating it accomodates itself to the spherical surface of the article secured to the
plate D and the surfaces are worked together in the manner already referred to.
In Figure 5 another arrangement of the invention is shewn, wherein the table D
is made with its underside corrugated, the corrugations radiating from the centre
of the table. When the spindle A is revolved, the undulations on the lower surface
of the plate have to pass over two, or more fixed rollers T, which may be placed
on diametrically opposite sides of the plate, and so arranged that when a high part
is passing over one roller a low part is passing over the opposite roller, thus com-
bining a rocking and rotating motion. The plate with lowerside corrugated is
connected to the rotating spindle A by means of a universal joint.
The body working in connection with spindle B may be at rest or may rotate, as
desired.
The arrangements shewn in Figures 4 & 5 may be reversed and the device now
shewn attached to the bottom spindle, be attached to the top one.
Figure 6 embodies a modification of our invention wherein the disc plate E is
attached to the rotating spindle A. The bar H is connected to the plate D and
has a hole W through which passes the fixed bar U held in position by arms V.
The hole is made sufficiently large to allow a certain amount of freedom to the
bar H when rocking. This arrangement of having a fixed arresting arm, passing
through a bole in the bar connected with the chuck or plate securing one of the
bodies, can be applied to either upper or lower spindle.
The invention herein set forth may be employed in the grinding of spherical
seatings in valves, and for other similar purposes. It is apparent that one body
may be rotated and the other rocked, or one body may be at rest and a rocking and
rotating motion set up in the other body.
We wish it to be distinctly understood that we do not confine ourselves to the
exact details shewn in the drawings, as such may be altered to suit requirements of
the work to be performed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
In a machine for grinding spherical sui faces or other similar bodies together:
1. The arrangement or combination and use of parts thereof whereby a rotary
motion is set up in one body and a rocking motion in the other so as to form a
steam and water-tight joint between such surfaces substantially as and for the
purpose hereinbefore shewn and described.
2. The arrangement or combination of parts and their use whereby a rocking
and rotating motion is set up in one body, the other body rotating or remaining at
rest as may be desired, substantially as shown and described.
3. The combination of the rotating disc plate E, fitted with holes F, the bar or
bars H, fitted with means of securing the body to be ground and with fixed or

page_text: adjustable arm or arms J, and the arresting bar or bars K fitted with or without
holes to suit the arm or arms J. and so placed as to prevent the rotation of H
substantially as and for the purpose set forth and shewn in the drawings.
4. The combination of the rotating disc-plate E, having eccentric holes F with
the bar or bars H fitted with means of securing the body to be ground substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
5. The combination of the rotating disc plate E, having eccentric holes F, the
bar or bars H fitted with fixed or adjustable arm or arms J, the bar or bars K and
the arrangement L for holding body to be ground substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
6. The combination of the cam or eccentric O, fitted to the rotating shaft B, the
plate N, having groove to fit cam O, the bar or bars H, having adjustable or fixed
arm or arms J and the device L for securing the article to be ground substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
7. The combination of the plate D, having universal joint P, the rotating shaft Q
fitted with radial arms R, and the adjustable arms S bearing roller to run against
plate D substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
8. The combination of the rotating plate D having its underside made with
radial corrugations, and fitted with universal joint P, connected to rotating shaft A,
and the adjustable bar or bars T having rollers for plate D to travel over sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.
9. The combination of the rotating disc plate E fitted with holes F, the bar H
having hole W for arresting bar and fitted to the plate D to which is secured the
body to be ground and the arresting bar U passing through the hole W and held
firmly in position.
10. The method of and arrangements and combination of parts cooperating
together to effect the grinding of the parts of ball and socket joints, valve seatings
and other surfaces or bodies substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated the 21st day of July 1892.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicants.