IM- PROVEMENTS IN TUBE STOPPERS FOR STOPPING THE ENDS OF SPLIT OR LEAKY TUBES IN STEAM Boilers and Staying the Tube Plates
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Mace and John Brewster, both of
Sunderland, in the County of Durham, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN TUBE STOPPERS FOR STOPPING THE ENDS OF SPLIT OR LEAKY
TUBES IN STEAM Boilers and Staying the Tube Plates,'
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles, Mace and
John Brewster at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 6th November 1875.
We, CHARLES MACE and JOHN BREWSTER, both of Sunderland, in the
County of Durham, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention .
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TUBE STOPPERS FOR STOPPING THE ENDS OF SPLIT OR
LEAKY TUBES IN STEAM BOILERS AND STAYING THE TUBE PLATES," to be as
follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in tube stoppers for
stopping the. ends of split or leaky tubes in steam boilers and staying
the tube plates. For this purpose we form a tube stopper of a rod of
somewhat greater length than the boiler tubes. At one end of the rod

page_text: is a conical enlargement terminating with a head of larger diameter
than the base of the cone, but which can yet pass freely through the
boiler tubes. In rear of the head is carried a jointed washer of larger
diameter than the tubes, and formed by preference of four segments of
a circle jointed together so as when in use as a washer to form a circle
of larger diameter than the tubes, or so that it may be collapsed into
an oval form and in this form be passed through them.
In order that the washer may be passed through a tube requiring to
be stopped a shoulder is formed on one side of the rod just in rear of the
cone before mentioned. When the headed end of the tube stopper is
being passed through a tube the jointed washer is prevented by this
shoulder from moving back along the rod, and the washer is carried
along through the tube just in rear of the head. The rod near each of
its ends has small arms radiating from it which may carry rollers to run
upon the interior of the tube and keep. the rod centrally within it.
When the head of the rod and the jointed washer in rear of it have
been passed through the tube and beyond its end a half turn is given to
the rod, a fin or web upon the opposite side of the rod to the shoulder
before mentioned then lifts up the washer and brings it to a proper level
to come against the tube end. The washer having thus been brought
into position for being drawn against the end of the tube the rod is
drawn backwards by turning a nut screwing on to its opposite end;.
this nut bears against a washer interposed between it and the end of the
tube. As the rod is drawn back the cone in rear of the head opens out
the washer and brings it to a circular form, the head then forces it
against the end of the tube, whilst the opposite end of the tube is at the
same time closed by the washer pressed up to it by the nut before
mentioned.

page_text: .
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in
the thirty-ninth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto us, the said Charles Mace and John
Brewster, Her special license that we, the said Charles Mace and John
Brewster, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as we, the said Charles Mace and John Brewster, our 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 for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN TUBE STOPPERS FOR STOPPING THE ENDS OF SPLIT OR LEAKY TUBES IN
STEAM BOILERS AND STAYING THE TUBE PLATES," upon the condition (amongst
others) that we, the said Charles Mace and John Brewster, our execu-
tors 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 we, the said Charles Mace and John Brewster,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, that is to
say :-
This Invention has for its object improvements in tube stoppers for
stopping the ends of split or leaky tubes in steam boilers and staying the
tube plates without the necessity of drawing the fires or blowing down.
boilers when under steam when the crack or leak is at the back end or
in the combustion chamber. For this purpose we form a tube stopper
of a rod of somewhat greater length than the boiler tubes. At one end
of the rod is a conical enlargement terminating with a head of larger
diameter than the base of the cone, but which can yet pass freely
through the boiler tubes. In rear of the head is carried a jointed.
washer of larger diameter than the tubes, and formed by preference of
four segments of a circle, jointed together so as when in use as a washer

page_text: to form a circle of larger diameter than the tubes, or so that it may be
collapsed into an oval form and in this form be passed through them.
On the face of the washer is a packing ring of india-rubber or other
suitable material.
In order that the washer may be passed through a tube requiring to
be stopped a shoulder is formed on one side of the rod just in rear of
the cone before mentioned. When the headed end of the tube stopper
is being passed through a tube the jointed washer is prevented by this
shoulder from moving back along the rod, and the washer is carried
along through the tube just in rear of the head. The rod near each of
its ends has small arms radiating from it which may carry rollers to
run upon the interior of the tube and keep the rod centrally within it.
When the head of the rod and the jointed washer in rear of it have
been passed through the tube and beyond its end a half turn is given to
the rod, a fin or web upon the opposite side of the rod to the shoulder
before mentioned then lifts up the washer and brings it to a proper
level to come against the tube end. The washer having thus been
brought into position for being drawn against the end of the tube the
rod is drawn backwards by turning a nut screwing on to its opposite
end; this nut bears against a washer interposed between it and the end
of the tube. As the rod is drawn back the cone in rear of the head
opens out the washer and brings it to a circular form, the head then
forces it against the end of the tube whilst the opposite end of the tube
is at the same time closed by the washer pressed up to it by the nut

page_text: washer A at the back end and plain washer E to come against front end
of tube.
Figure 5 shews a boiler tube D in section and the tube stay being
passed through it.
Figure 6 shews the tube stay with the jointed washer A passed
through the tube and clear of its back end.
Figure 7 shews the tube stay turned half way round to cause the fin
or web F to lift the washer A into position ready to be drawn against
the tube end.
Figure 8 shews the apparatus fixed as when in use, the central rod C
of the tube stay having been drawn back by turning the nut G at its
front end, whereby the conc H is caused to bring the washer A to a
circular form and the head I to press the washer against the back end
of the tube, whilst at the same time the front end of the tube is closed
by the washer E. By this means both ends of the tube are effectually
closed and further leakage is prevented.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention, and the manner
of performing the same, we would have it understood that we claim as
our improvements in tube stoppers for stopping the ends of split or
leaky tubes in steam boilers and staying the tube plates,―
First. The combination of a jointed metallic washer with a tube stay
or rod, substantially as herein-before described.
Second. The combined arrangement of apparatus, substantially as
herein-before described, for stopping the ends of split or leaky tubes in
steam boilers and staying the tube plates.
In witness whereof, we, the said Charles Mace and John Brewster,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this First day of May,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-six.
CHARLES MACE.
JOHN BREWSTER.
May 1, 1876.
(L.S.)
(L.S.)