Improvements in connection with and relating to Tube Expanders.
Year: 1895

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in connection with and relating to Tube Expanders.
I, FRIEDRIK THOMAS, of Daldorf, near Gröningen in the German Empire
Manufacturer 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 :-
My invention relates to improvements in that type of expanders known as
"roller tube expanders," in which the expanding surface of the stock, consists of
two or more parallel rollers suitably seated therein, so as to revolve when brought
in contact with the inner surface of the tube, when the stock is rotated, the said
rollers being forced outwardly by the insertion between them of a tapered mandrel,
the object of my said invention being to provide certain additions to such a tube
expander, as will permit the tubes of locomotive and other horizontal boilers to be
expanded during work, or in other words without having to first stop the engine
and cool the boiler as hitherto, and which further provides that by operating upon
the tubes while these are hot, a saving of time is gained and far less force or power
is needed, in effecting such expansion than would be necessary if these were cold.
Referring to the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation, while Fig. 2 is
a plan view of a complete tube expander constructed according to my invention
Fig. 3 being a section upon the line A. B.
For the purposes of my invention I employ a tube expander consisting of a
stock A provided with two or more rollers B, arranged within the periphery of A
in any of the well known ways, and between which, when in their normal position,
a sufficient space is left to permit the passage of a suitable portion of the thin end
of a tapered mandrel C.
I carry my invention into effect by screwing rivetting or otherwise connecting to
the said stock A, a head D having a central opening or aperture to permit the
passage of the tapered mandrel C, and to the said head D is screwed, rivetted, or
otherwise connected, or cast or otherwise formed integrally therewith, two or more
wings such as E E¹, which collectively, form a guage representing the extent to
which the tube may be expanded, and against which the outer surface of the tube
abuts when so expanded, which ensures that all the tubes operated upon by the
same expander may be expanded to a like diameter.
Upon the small end of the mandrel C is fitted an internally tapered cup F,
retained in position thereon by the means of a set screw, screw bolt, or its equivalent G,
and from the solid end of F extends an eye or ring H, which receives the
stud J, of a rod K, of any suitable length, most convenient according to the length
of the tubes, and upon K is fixed or formed integrally therewith a guide ring or
circular shoulder L, which may be at any suitable distance from the free
end of K.
"
In practice the rod K would be disengaged from the ring or eye H, and the
stud Jend of this would be inserted into the smoke box end of the tube to be
operated upon, and pushed thereinto until the said stud end protrudes into the fire
box, when by the means of tongs M, having a pair of arms N and N' with turned
up ends 00¹ which engage with either side of the tapered mandrel C, and a pin
or stud P which engages with a hole R in the said mandrel, the expander and its
accessories may be lifted into and passed across the fire box, until the ring H is
caused to engage with the stud J of the rod K, as shewn in the drawings, when,
by imparting a slight pulling force upon the free end of K, the expander may be

page_text: pulled into the fire box end of the tube when the tongs M may be removed, and by
continuing and increasing such pulling force, the tapered mandrel would be pulled
farther into the stock A, when its larger diameter would force outwardly the
rollers B, and so expand the tube to the limit of the guage E E', and the
necessary rotation of the said stock and its rollers would be effected by the rotation
of the rod K.
It will thus be understood that the said expansion of the tube may be effected
while the boiler is at work, or at least without withdrawing the fire, and by again
applying the tongs M and exercising a like operation of the parts in reverse order
to that described, the apparatus may be withdrawn.
I wish it understood that the whole of the parts constituting my invention may
be produced by casting, welding or otherwise, from any suitable metal or combination
of metals most adaptable for the purpose.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. As a means for expanding the tubes of locomotive and other boilers while
the same are in use, the construction and use of the several parts constituting my
invention and the application of same to any type of roller expander, connected
thereto and operating in combination therewith substantially as herein described
and shewn.
2nd. In combination with a roller tube expander such as A B, having a tapered
mandrel C, the construction and use of, and fixation thereto, of a head D, having
two or more wings such as E E¹. The socket F fixed by means such as G, upon
the small end of the mandrel C, said socket having a ring or eye H, engaging
with a stud J of a rod K, provided with a guide ring or shoulder L. The tongs M
having arms NO and N₁ O' and pin P for engaging with a hole R in the
mandrel C, the whole connected combined and operating substantially as and for
the purposes herein described and shewn.
Dated this 23rd day of August 1895.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
1 Broad Street Buildings, Liverpool Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.