Improvements in or connected with Tube Stoppers for Steam Generators and other purposes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Nov., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 6th Aug., 1891-Accepted, 12th Sept., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Tube Stoppers for Steam
Generators and other purposes.
1, ASPLAN BELDAM, of 77 Gracechurch Street, in the County of London,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-
The object of this invention is to provide a simple and practical tube stopper
entirely of metal, easy of insertion into the tube to be stopped, and readily
expanded and tightened therein, and dispensing with the use of rubber or other
soft or flexible material which deteriorates by keeping.
According to my invention, I use soft metal packing pieces that will stand a high
temperature; these packing pieces may be in the form of discs or rings, and they
are made somewhat smaller in diameter than the tube to which they are to be
applied, and have a set, or bend, in their centre to permit them to be expanded by
the application of pressure. These packing pieces are carried on a central rod
between metal blocks or plates, having inclined planes, also on said rod, and of
smaller diameter than the tube.
The packing pieces and the metal blocks are arranged at each end of the rod
which is of length to suit the tube, and the inner front and back blocks are
separated by a loose metal tube. The outer portion of the outside back block is
hollowed out so as to provide a cutting edge so that when the stopper is driven
into or through the tube it cuts its way through any accumulated salt or dirt which
may be lodged in the tube. The outside front block is made of size to cover the
projecting end of the tube and is provided with a groove into which such projecting
end fits.
The ends of the rod which carries the blocks or plates and the soft metal
packing pieces, are provided with means such as screw nuts for drawing together
the several blocks or plates and so pressing out the soft metal packing pieces
against the inner surface of the tube.
When the stopper is inserted into a tube, pressure is applied to the soft metal
packing pieces by drawing the blocks or plates together by means of the screw
nut; the inclined surfaces of the blocks coming against the packing pieces flatten
them and squeeze them out against the tube, thus forming a joint or packing.
Dated this 5th day of November 1890.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Tube Stoppers for Steam
Generators and other purposes.
I, ASPLAN BELDAM, of 77, Gracechurch Street, in the County of London,
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 :-
The object of this invention is to provide a simple and practical tube stopper
entirely of metal, easy of insertion into the tube to be stopped, and readily
expanded and tightened therein, and dispensing with the use of rubber or other
soft or flexible material which deteriorates by keeping.
According to my invention, I use soft metal packing pieces that will stand a
high temperature; these packing pieces may be in the form of discs or rings, and

page_text: they are made somewhat smaller in diameter than the tube to which they are to be
applied, and have a set, or bend, in their centre to permit them to be expanded by
the application of pressure. These packing pieces are carried on a central rod
between metal blocks or plates, having inclined planes, also on said rod, and of
smaller diameter than the tube.
The packing pieces and the metal blocks are arranged at each end of the rod
which is of length to suit the tube, and the inner front and back blocks are
separated by a loose metal tube. The outer portion of the outside back block is
hollowed out so as to provide a cutting edge so that when the stopper is driven into
or through the tube it cuts its way through any accumulated salt or dirt which
may be lodged in the tube. The outside front block is made of size to cover the
projecting end of the tube and is provided with a groove into which such projecting
end fits.
The ends of the rod which carries the blocks or plates, and the soft metal
packing pieces, are provided with means such as screw nuts for drawing together
the several blocks or plates and so pressing out the soft metal packing pieces against
the inner surface of the tube.
When the stopper is inserted into a tube, pressure is applied to the soft metal
packing pieces by drawing the blocks or plates together by means of the screw
nut; the inclined surface of the blocks coming against the packing pieces flatten
them and squeeze them out against the tube, thus forming a joint or packing.
Having thus generally described the object nature and purposes of the inven-
tion, I will now proceed to describe it with reference to the annexed sheet of
drawings, in the figures of which the same parts are designated by the same
letters, and they correspond with those used in the following explanation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 illustrates in sectional elevation a tube stopper according to this inven
tion placed in a tube and before it is screwed up.
Figure 2 shews one end of the tube stopper after it is screwed up.
Figure 3 shews a modified form of the tube stopper.
With reference to the drawings, A designates the tube of a steam generator, or
other tube, extending between the tube plates, B, C. a, are the soft metal
packing pieces made in the form of discs having a set or bend in their centre and
a globe shaped periphery and somewhat less in diameter than the tube A. so as to
pass easily therein. bare cones or blocks, carried with the discs a on the central
rod d, and also of less diameter than the tube A. e is a loose ferrule or distance
tube or piece to keep apart the inner cones b. is a disc which is made fast on the
end of the rod d by the screw nut h¹ and has its edge hollowed out to provide a
cutting edge to cut through any salt or dirt which may be in the tube. The
outside front disc a' is made of size to cover the projecting end of the tube A. and
is provided with a groove a² into which such projecting end fits. i is a nut on the
outer end of the rod d which is screwed for some distance to allow for drawing
together the several blocks or cones and so by the inclined surfaces of the blocks b
pressing out the soft metal packing pieces a against the inner surface of the tube A
as shewn in Figure 2.
According to my invention one or more of the discs a and cones & may be used
at each end of the stopper. For example, in Figure 1 the stopper is provided
with two discs a, whilst in Figure 3 it has only one at each end.
To a stop burst tube by means of a tube stopper according to my invention, the
disc is introduced into the tube from the front or smoke box end, and the stopper
passed through the tube, the disc h clearing the way through the tube and thus
allowing the stopper to enter freely. When the stopper fairly in the tube, the
nut i is screwed up and the discs a are forced out and against the inner surface of
the tube after the manner shewn in Figure 2, and a perfectly steam tight joint is
made at each end.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In or for tube stoppers for steam generators and other purposes, soft metal
discs or rings adapted to be employed within the tube to be stopped substantially
as described and be pressed or squeezed outwards onto the interior surface of the
tube by metal blocks or tools.
2. The tube stopper comprising the block or blocks 6 constructed as set forth
and soft metal discs a, arranged and adapted to be used in connection with the
ferrule tube e and rod and means for operating same, constructed as set forth with
reference to the drawings.
3. The particular form or construction of soft metal discs or rings a with
enlarged peripheral rim set forth with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 5th day of August 1891.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.