IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH THE PRODUCTION AND APPLI- CATION OF HEAT, PRINCIPALLY FOR WELDING OR UNITING METALS, AND IN MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN.
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Seddon Sutherland, of Coombs Wood,
Halesowen, in the County of Worcester, Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH THE PRODUCTION AND APPLI-
CATION OF HEAT, PRINCIPALLY FOR WELDING OR UNITING METALS, AND IN
MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN.
"
Scaled the 14th July 1874, and dated the 20th May 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Seddon
Sutherland at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with.
his Petition, on the 20th May 1874.
I, WILLIAM SEDDON SUTHERLAND, of Coombs Wood, Halesowen, in.
the County of Worcester, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH THE PRO-
DUCTION AND APPLICATION OF HEAT, PRINCIPALLY FOR WELDING OR UNITING
METALS, AND IN MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in and connected with that
system of and means or apparatus for welding or uniting iron and
'

page_text: steel in connection with gaseous fuel, for which I obtained Her
Majesty's Letters Patent, No. 2487, of the year 1869, and No. 385, of
the year 1872, and consists―
For brevity the singular number will be used throughout, it being
obvious that the chambers, passages, and other parts of my Invention
can be varied in number and combination to suit circumstances.
First. As means for obtaining a durable and efficient gas producer,
I form the said producer of a metal cylinder lined with refractory and
non-conducting material, and widen the said producer, so as to provide
a broad annular opening to admit air to the fuel. I continue the said
producer beneath the air supply to form a chamber for the collection of
clinker and ash, which can be removed through suitable doors, and I
provide a hopper fitted with a cock, the plug of which has an opening
on one side only, so as to admit the fuel intermittently when the said
plug is caused to revolve by hand or other means.
.
Second. As means for stirring the fuel in the producer whilst gas is
being generated, I make use of a poker operating through a ball-and-
socket joint, air-tight or nearly so; to allow of withdrawal of the poker
when not in use it is arranged so as to slide in the ball.
Third. As means for converting carbonaceous fuel into gas with as
little expenditure of heat as possible, when the said fuel is burned with
a supply of air insufficient to produce carbonic acid, I cause the gaseous
products of combustion to travel upwards through the unburned fuel
in the producer, thence through tubes or passages surrounded by tubes
or passages supplying air to burning fuel in the producer, and finally
to the main. By causing the gaseous products to travel, as above
described, part of the heat is utilized in preparing fresh fuel for com-
bustion and the rest in heating the air which supports the combustion
before its entry into the producer. The gaseous products are thus
sufficiently cooled before delivery to the main, and the tarry and other
matter condensed. The air, which has been partly heated by its passage
in the annular space around the gas tubes or passages above described,
is still further heated, and radiation of heat from the producer prevented
by the tubes or passages conveying the air being continued so as to
form part of the producer, containing walls. To ensure that the air
shall travel equally along all the tubes or passages the supply ends open
into an annular space, into which the air is caused to enter tangentially.

page_text: Steam is in some cases mixed with the air before it enters the producer.
To prevent gas from the producer entering the air supply pipes when
air is cut off a self-acting check valve is placed in the air passage as
near as possible. to the producer.
Fourth. As means for ensuring thorough admixture of diffused liquid.
or of gaseous fuel and air before entering the mixing chamber, I make.
use of plates or diaphragms so disposed that the fuel and air enter the
said chamber in alternate thin parallel or converging layers, so as to
offer large diffusing surfaces.
Fifth. As means for obtaining a cheap and strong mixing chamber
I form the said chamber of a metal tube.
Sixth. As means for preventing the flame from travelling back from
the combustion chamber to the mixing chamber, I so proportion the.
area of the passage opening into the combustion chamber and tho
pressure of the mixed fuel and air as to obtain a greater forward velocity
of the said mixed fuel and air than the velocity of back travel of the
flame. For a mixture of coal gas and oxygen the velocity of the mixed_
fuel and air should not be less than 32 feet per second, whilst for
carbonic oxide and air a much lower velocity would be sufficient.
Seventh. As further means for preventing the back travel of the
flame, and also for preventing the accumulation of tarry matter and
dust in the passage before reaching the combustion chamber, I form
the mixing chamber and passage to combustion chamber, or part or
parts thereof, of thin heat-conducting material, or of water boxes, or I
force jets of cold water or air thereon, or I use a combination of any
of them.
Eighth. As further means for preventing the accumulation of tarry
matter, dust, and ash, and to protect the passage to the combustion
chamber as much as possible from heat, I rapidly expand or widen the
said passage near or in the combustion chamber, and form the expanded
or widened end of refractory and non-conducting material. The mixed
fuel and air passages should, as much as possible, be kept straight or
nearly so, and abrupt changes in direction or shape should be avoided..
Ninth. As means for mixing gascous or liquid fuel and air in the
combustion chamber, I admit the fuel through an opening and the air.
through another in thin streams, side by side, into a prolongation of the;

page_text: combustion chamber, so disposed and constructed as to cause the two
streams to thoroughly intermingle.
Tenth. As means for concentrating intensely heated gases upon any
desired object in allowing the combustion chamber mouth, or the
passage from the mixing chamber, to open into an enclosed or partly
enclosed space bounded by refractory and non-conducting material.
With apparatus arranged as above described under the tenth head,
the plate or other article or matter being operated upon, will be
intensely heated at one part, whilst the other parts are being gradually
heated, or one part of the space can be used for smelting or melting
purposes, whilst the metal will be kept molten in another part, at the
same time the waste heated gases can be carried off by flues to be
further utilized.
Eleventh. As means for allowing the burning gases to be brought
close to the welding hammer and anvil, I form the hammer and anvil
frames of water boxes, I use jets of cold water and air, and I
interpose non-conducting material.
Twelfth. As means for preventing the diffusion of obnoxious gases
into the atmosphere, I either operate on the tube, plate, or other article
or matter in an enclosed space, or I provide flues at one or both sides of
the said tube, plate, article, or matter, so disposed as to carry off the
said obnoxious gases.
Thirteenth. As means for carrying the tube, plate, or other form of
iron or steel into and out of the furnace, I make use of a horizontal
bar supported on rollers and provided with a vertical carrying arm at
one end. The said arm has fitted thereon an adjustable fork or clutch
provided with clamps to hold and support the end of the tube, plate,
or other form of iron or steel being operated upon. Longitudinal motion
is given to the said bar and accessories by suitable means.
Fourteenth. As means for reducing friction and to facilitate manipu
lation of the tube, plate, or other form to be welded, I rest the tube to
be operated upon on an adjustable supporting roller; I form the anvil
of two rollers, one of which rests on the tube, plate, or other form
over the supporting roller, the other being over the first, and under the
surfaces of the metal to be welded.

page_text: The anvil rollers above described are attached by suitable means to
the hearth carrying mandril described in the Specification of an Inven-
tion for which British Letters Patent, No. 2487, of the year 1869,
were granted to me. The mandril and anvil may be made adjustablo
vertically, laterally, longitudinally, and radially.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Seddon Sutherland in the Great Scal
Patent Office on the 20th November 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
SEDDON SUTHERLAND, of Coombs Wood, Halesowen, in the County of
Worcester, Engineer, send greeting..
.
.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Seddon Sutherland, Her special
licence, that I, the said William Seddon Sutherland, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Seddon
Sutherland, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention

page_text: for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH THE PRODUCTION AND APPLICATION
.OF HEAT, PRINCIPALLY FOR WELDING OR UNITING METALS, AND IN MEANS OR
APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said William Seddon Sutherland, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Seddon Sutherland, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the accom-
panying
of illustrative Drawings, and to the figures and
letters marked thereon, that is to say:
This Invention relates to improvements in and connected with that
system of and means or apparatus for welding or uniting iron or steel
in connection with gascous fuel, for which I obtained Her Majesty's
Letters Patent, No. 2487, of the year 1869, and No. 385, of the year
1872, and consists,―
For brevity the singular number will be used throughout, it being
obvious that the chambers, passages, and other parts of my Invention
can be varied in number and combination to suit circumstances.
First. As means for obtaining a durable and efficient gas producer I
form the said producer of a metal cylinder, lined with refractory and
non-conducting material, and widen the said producer so as to provide a
broad annular opening to admit air to the fuel. I continue the said
producer beneath the air supply to form a chamber for the collection of
clinker and ash, which can be removed through suitable doors, and I
provide a hopper fitted with a cock, the plug of which has an opening
on one side only so as to admit the fuel intermittently, when the said
plug is caused to revolve by hand or other means.
Second. As means for stirring the fuel in the producer whilst gas is
being generated I make use of a poker operated through a ball-and-
socket joint, air-tight, or nearly so. To allow of withdrawal of the poker
when not in use it is arranged so as to slide in the ball.

page_text: Third. As means for converting carbonaceous fuel into gas with as
little expenditure of heat as possible when the said fuel is burned with
a supply of air insufficient to produce carbonic acid I cause the gaseous
products of combustion to travel upwards through the unburned fuel in
the producer, thence through tubes or passages surrounded by tubes or
passages supplying air to burning fuel in the producer, and finally to the
main. By causing the gaseous products to travel as above described
part of the heat is utilized in preparing fresh fuel for combustion and
the rest in heating the air, which supports the combustion before its
entry into the producer. The gaseous products are thus sufficiently cooled
before delivery to the main and the tarry and other matter condensed.
The air which has been partly heated by its passage in the annular space
around the gas tubes or passages above described is still further heated and
radiation of heat from the producer prevented by the tubes or passages
conveying the air being continued so as to form part of the producer
containing walls. To ensure that the air shall travel equally along all
the tubes or passages the supply ends open into an annular space, into.
which the air is caused to enter tangentially. Steam is in some cases.
mixed with the air before it enters the producer. To prevent gas from
the producer entering the air supply pipes when air is cut off a self-
acting check valve is placed in the air passage as near as possible to the
producer.
Fourth. As means for ensuring thorough admixture of diffused liquid
or of gaseous fuel and air before entering the mixing chamber I make
use of plates or diaphragms so disposed that the fuel and air enter the
said chamber in alternate thin parallel or converging layers so as to offer
large diffusing surfaces.
Fifth. As means for obtaining a cheap and strong mixing chamber I
form the said chamber of a metal tube.
Sixth. As means for preventing the flame from travelling back from
the combustion chamber to the mixing chamber I so proportion the area
of the passage opening into the combustion chamber and the pressure of
the mixed fuel and air as to obtain a greater forward velocity of the said
mixed fuel and air than the velocity of back travel of the flame. For a
mixture of coal gas and oxygen the velocity of the mixed.fuel and
oxygen should not be less than 32 feet per second, whilst for carbonic
oxide and air a much lower velocity would be sufficient.
. [ >

page_text: Seventh. As further means for preventing the back travel of the flame
and also for preventing the accumulation of tarry matter and dust in the
passage before reaching the combustion chamber I form the mixing
chamber and passage to combustion chamber or part or parts thereof of
thin heat conducting.material or of water boxes, or I force jets of cold 5
water or air thereon, or I use a combination of any of them.
0
Eighth As further means for preventing the accumulation of tarry
matter, dust, and ash, and to protect the passage to the combustion
chamber as much as possible from heat I rapidly expand or widen the
said passage near or in the combustion chamber and form the expanded 1
or widened end of refractory and non-conducting material. The mixed
fuel and air passages should as much as possible be kept straight, or
nearly so, and abrupt changes in direction or shape should be avoided.
Ninth. As means for mixing gaseous or liquid fuel and air in the
combustion chamber I admit the fuel through one opening and the air. 1
through another in thin streams side by side into a prolongation of the
combustion chamber so disposed and constructed as to cause the two
streams to thoroughly intermingle.
Tenth. As means for concentrating intensely heated gases upon any
desired object I. allow the combustion chamber mouth or the passage 20
from the mixing chamber to open into an enclosed or partly enclosed-
space bounded by refractory and non-conducting material.
With apparatus arranged as above described under the tenth head, the
tube, plate, or other article or matter being operated upon will be
intensely heated at one part whilst the other parts are being gradually 2
heated, or one part of the space can be used for smelting or melting.
purposes, whilst the metal will be kept molten in another part at the
same time the waste heated gases can be carried off by flues to be further
utilized.
Eleventh. As means for allowing the burning gases to be brought 30
close to the welding hammer and anvil I form the hammer and anvil
frames of water boxes; I use jets of cold water and air, and I interpose
non-conducting material.
Twelfth. As means for preventing the diffusion of obnoxious gases.
into the atmosphere either operate on the tube, plate, or other article 3
or matter in an enclosed space, or I provide flues at one or both sides of,

page_text: the said tube, plate, article, or matter so disposed as to carry off the said
obnoxious gases.
Thirteenth. As means for carrying the tube, plate, or other form of
iron or steel into and out of the furnace I make use of a horizonal bar,
supported on rollers and, provided with a vertical carrying arm at one
end. The said arm has fitted thereon an adjustable fork or clutch pro-
vided with clamps to hold and support the end of the tube, plate, or
other form of iron or steel being operated upon. Longitudinal motion
is given to the said bar and accessories by suitable means.
Fourteenth. As means for reducing friction and to facilitate manipu-
lation of the tube, plate, or other form to be welded, I rest the tube to
be operated upon on an adjustable supporting roller. I form the anvil
of two rollers, one of which rests on the tube, plate, or other form over
the supporting roller, the other being over the first and under the
surfaces of the metal to be welded.
The anvil rollers above described are attached by suitable means to
the hearth carrying mandrill described in the Specification of an Inven-
tion for which British Letters Patent, No. 2487, of the year 1869, wero
granted to me. The mandril and anvil may be made adjustable vertically,
laterally, longitudinally; and radially.
When necessary additional supports and guiding rollers are used..
:
When the tube or other form being operated upon is in skelps or.
plates it is advantageous to join the corners before commencing to unite
them.
Hydraulic power is specially adapted for giving motion to the appli-:

page_text: producer constructed under my Invention, and illustrative of the first,
second, and third heads thereof.
The first head is illustrated by the gas producer 1 constructed of the
metal cylinder 2 lined with sand 3 and fire-brick 4. The said producer
is widened at 5 so as to form a broad annular opening to admit air to
the burning fuel in 1; 6, chamber beneath the annular opening 5 for
the collection of clinker and ash; 7, cleaning out doors; 8, fuel supply
hopper provided with a barrel 9 and plug 10. The plug 10 has an
opening 11 on one side, so that as such plug is caused to rotate by hand.
or power an intermittent supply of fuel is given to the producer; 1
12; operating lever.
The second head is illustrated by the poker 13, which can be moved
radially by means of the ball-and-socket joint 14, and vertically by
sliding through such joint. In some cases a stuffing box may be
substituted for the joint 14; 15, operating lever.
1
The third head is illustrated by the general arrangement of the air
and gas passages of the producer 1. The air for the combustion of the
fuel enters the annular chamber a tangentially through the check or
safety valve b, thence passes upwards through the pipes c into the
annular heating passages d, down through the tubes e formed in the 2
producer containing walls to the space 5, and finally up through the
burning fuel in the producer 1.
: The gases or products of combustion pass from the top of the producer
through the passages f into the descending pipes g, thence into the
annular chamber to the delivery pipe i. j, pipe for carrying off 2
surplus tar and water; k, cleaning out plugs; 7, pipe for admitting:
steam to the combustion, supporting air when necessary.
. The passages and tubes above described are made of metal or suitable
material. I prefer that the tubes, passages, and chambers should be of
cast or wrought iron. The arrows show the direction of the currents.
Fig. 4 is a view of apparatus constructed under my Invention, ·
illustrative of the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and tenth heads thereof.
The fifth head is illustrated by the mixing or diffusing chamber 16 of
metal, in which the gaseous fuel and air are thoroughly mixed or
diffused previous to being ignited,
3

page_text: The sixth head is illustrated by the passage 17, which connects the
mixing chamber and the combustion chamber. The passage 17 is here
shown as of about seven square inches in area, and the gas and air are
propelled or drawn therethrough with about one quarter of a pound
pressure to the square inch. I find that the above area of passage with
the said pressure of gas and air gives the fuel and air sufficient velocity.
to prevent the flame being carried back to the mixing chamber when
such passage is constructed as hereafter described under the seventh
head. It will be obvious that the area of the passage 17 and the pressure
of the air and gas may be varied.
The seventh head is illustrated by the copper tube 18 surrounded by
the water and casing 19, so forming a water box or tuyere. The pipes 20
feed the box or tuyere 19 with water, whilst ejecting such water on to
the copper tube 18 a waste water pipe is provided. In some cases air
may be used instead of water, and the temperature of the water may
vary. The object of the air or water box or tuyere is to keep the tube 18
at a sufficiently low temperature to prevent the flame of the ignited fuel
from travelling back to the mixing chamber.
The eighth head is illustrated by the expansion of the
passage 17 at
21 into the combustion chamber 22. The expanded part of the passage
is lined with fire-clay or refractory and non-conducting material.
The tenth head is illustrated by the opening 23 and fire-clay enclosed
furnace 24. The above form of opening allows of great concentration
of heat on any desired point. The dotted lines 25 show another
modification of opening, in which the heat is more diffused, the com-
bustion chamber being thus dispensed with. In some cases it is
necessary to heat the combustion chamber 22 or opening 25 before
admitting the fuel and air.
Fig. 5 illustrates the ninth head of my improvements. 26, fuel inlet;
27, air inlet; 28, mixing or diffusing and combustion chamber leading
into the furnace 24. The gaseous or liquid fuel and air meeting with
the curved pieces 30 in their onward course are driven into eddies, and
are thus caused to mix or become diffused, although not so perfectly as:
with the apparatus described under the fourth and fifth heads.
°
Sheet H.-Fig. 6 is a side view, Fig. 7, a front view; Fig. 8, a section
Sheet 11.—Fig. is a side view; Fig. 7, a front view; Fig. o, a section
through B, B; Fig. 9, a section through C, C; Fig. 10, a section:

page_text: through D, D; and Fig. 11, a plan view of the part E, all of apparatus
constructed under my Invention and illustrative more particularly of
the fourth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth heads
thereof.
The fourth head is illustrated by the plates or diaphragms 27, fitted so
that the fuel and air shall pass into the mixing chamber 16 in alternate
layers, as shown. The course of the fuel and air between the plates or
diaphragms 27 is determined by the pieces 32, 33, shown by the full and
dotted lines. It will be obvious that various modifications can be made
under this head of my Invention.
The tenth head is illustrated by the form of the opening 23 into the
furnace 24, so arranged that the heat is concentrated along the seam 34
of the tube 35, to be welded in such manner that the temperature
gradually increases from a low heat at Y to a welding heat at Z.
The eleventh head is illustrated by the water boxes 36 and non-
conducting material 37 forming the hammer frame. Jets of water and
air may also be used. The anvil may be made of water boxes, or non-
conducting material may be used as at 38.
The twelfth head is illustrated by the tube enclosing space or arch 39,
and flue 40 for carrying away obnoxious or waste gases.
The thirteenth head is illustrated by the horizontal bar 41, supported
on rollers 42, and provided with the vertical carrying arm 43, fitted with
the adjustable clutch 44, having tube holding clamps 45; 46, hydraulic
operating gear. Slides or their equivalents may be used instead of the
rollers above mentioned.
The fourteenth head is illustrated by Fig. 12. The tube to be operated
upon rests on the roller 47. The anvil is formed of the two rollers 48.
49, bracket connecting the rollers 48 to the hearth carrying mandril 50
hinged on the joint 51.
In all the foregoing views like letters denote the same parts.
Under the fifth head the metal mixing chamber should be of con-
siderable length to ensure proper diffusion. The currents of fuel and air
through the producer and various parts are obtained either by the draft
produced by an ordinary stack or other suitable means.
The parts of the Drawings not described are such as arc ordinarily
employed in furnaces and machinery, or are described in the Specifi-

page_text: cations of Inventions for which I obtained Her Majesty's Letters Patent,
No. 2487, of the year 1869, and No. 385, of the year 1872.
In some cases instead of using the producer above described I obtain
gas, preferably hot, from a producer of any ordinary construction.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, so that others
will be enabled to carry my improvements into effect, I claim,―
First. Constructing a gas producer, substantially as described and
illustrated under the first head for the purposes set forth.
Second. The apparatus or appliances, substantially as described and
illustrated under the second head, for the purpose set forth.
Third. The arrangement. and construction of tubes, passages, and
chambers, substantially as described and illustrated under the third head,
for the purpose set forth.
Fourth. The construction and arrangement of the apparatus, sub-
stantially as described and illustrated under head four, for the purpose
set forth.
Fifth. The chamber, as described and illustrated under head five, for
mixing the fuel and air before ignition.
Sixth. The construction and arrangement of parts, substantially as
described and illustrated under head six, for the purpose set forth.
:
Seventh. The construction of the passage 17, substantially as described
and illustrated under head seven, for the purposes set forth.
Eighth. The combination of passage 17 with the expanding opening 21,
substantially as described and illustrated under head cight, for the
purposes. set forth.
Ninth. The construction and arrangement of the apparatus or ap-
pliances, substantially as described and illustrated under head nine, for
the purpose set forth.
Tenth. The construction and arrangement of the parts 22, 23, 24,
and 25, substantially as described and illustrated under head ten, for the
purpose set forth.
Eleventh. Constructing the hammer and anvil frames, substantially
as described and illustrated under head cleven, for the purpose set
forth
}

page_text: Twelfth. The combination of the parts 39 and 40, substantially as
described and illustrated. under head twelve, for the purpose set forth.
Thirteenth. The construction and arrangement of the parts 41, 42, 43,
44, and 45, substantially as described and illustrated under head thirteen,
for the purpose set forth.
Fourteenth. The construction and arrangement of the parts 47, 48,
and 49, substantially as described and illustrated under head fourteen,
for the purposes set forth.
•. Fifteenth. The use of an clastic medium, substantially as described
under head fifteen, for the purpose set forth.
Sixteenth. The combination of the whole or part of the improvements
described and illustrated under the fifteen heads of the above Specifi-
cation.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Seddon Sutherland, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, the Eighteenth day of November
in the year of Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
four.
WILLIAM SEDDON SUTHERLAND. (L.S.)
In the presence of
JAMES JOHNSON,
Patent Office,
Clayton Square,
Liverpool.