CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MACHINERY AND PROCESS OF MAKING METALLIC ROLLERS, PIPES, CYLINDERS, AND CERTAIN OTHER ARTICLES
Year: 1824

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
GETHEN, of Henry Street, Pentonville, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman,
send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King George the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Fifteenth day of April, in the fifth year of His reign, did,
for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Thomas Gethen, His especial licence that I, the said Thomas Gethen, my
exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas Gethen, my
exors, admors, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times during the term of years therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England,
Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also in His said Majesty's
Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MACHINERY AND PROCESS OF MAKING METALLIC ROLLERS, PIPES, CYLINDERS,
AND CERTAIN OTHER ARTICLES;" in which said Letters Patent there is contained
a proviso obliging me, the said Thomas Gethen, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of
my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, and
to cause the same to be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
in part recited Letters Patent, (reference being thereunto had), will more
fully and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Thomas Gethen, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly described and
ascertained in and by the Drawing hereunto annexed, and the following
description thereof (that is to say):-
My Improvements in the Machinery and Process of Making Metallic
Rollers, Pipes, Cylinders, and certain other Articles, consists,―
First, in causing the moulds in which such articles are cast to travel, so
that the fluid metal discharged from the runner of the stationary melting pot
may be enabled, by the progressive movement of the mould, to produce a more
extended length of casting than can be effected by the ordinary mode of running
the metal, or in causing the fountain or reservoir of fluid metal to travel over
or against the mould, so that the metal may flow as aforesaid. And,
Secondly, in the particular construction and adaptation of a core (when
hollow articles are to be cast), with a porous coating, and certain channels for
conducting off the steam and other vapour from the mould, which porous
coating and air channels may also be advantageously employed in or upon the
moulds or surfaces in casting other articles which are not hollow, as will be
further described.
By this construction of machinery and process of operation I am enabled
to cast metallic bodies in greater length and substances than has been
heretofore done, and at the same time produce a much more sound and
compact adhesion of the particles of the metal than has ever been effected by
any of the known processes of casting. In order to render my process
evident I have, in the accompanying Drawings, exhibited an apparatus for
casting of metallic pipes of considerable length.
Fig. 1 shews a side view of the apparatus, consisting of a standard A, with
a series of guide rollers B, B, B, against which the mould frame C, C, moves
in a vertical direction. D is a travelling furnace in which the melting pot is
placed, and from whence the fluid metal is permitted to flow at the lip. This
furnace runs upon an iron railway E, E, and is brought up to the mould by a
rack and pinion.
Fig. 2 is a section taken perpendicularly through the parts of the apparatus
shewn in the preceding Figure, by which the interior, both of the mould and
of the furnace with the melting pot, will be seen. C, C, is the frame as afore-
said, in which the mould is enclosed. F, F, is the mould, consisting of two
straight bars of cast iron (one of them being removed to show the interior).
In each of these bars is a hollow or semi-cylindrical groove intended to form
the external part of the pipe, in the middle of which a straight rod G is

page_text: 1
placed as a core, and is held in its position by guide H. I is a pinion
turned by a winch, which, by taking into the rack of the frame C, raises or
depresses the mould. The process of casting is commenced when the frame
with the mould is at its highest situation, and the pipe is gradually produced
as the mould descends.
Fig. 3 is a cross section of the mould and the core. The two bars F, F,
constituting the mould are brought close together in the back part, but in front
an opening or channel is left of a wedge form extending the whole length of
the mould through which the fluid metal runs into the mould. A plug is
introduced into the bottom of the mould to prevent the metal flowing out, and
a stop or face plate K is pressed against the front of the mould for the purpose
of preventing the escape of the metal through the wedge-formed channel, as
will be further explained. Supposing the lower end of the mould to have
been raised up, as at Fig. 2, within a few inches of the top of the face plate
or stop K, the furnace is then brought forward, and the lip of the melting
pot placed close to the face of the moulds. The plug which closes the
aperture at the lip of the melting pot is then withdrawn, and the fluid metal
allowed to run through the wedge-formed channel into the mould. The mould
and its frame are now made to descend gradually by means of the pinion I
and rack at the back of the frame C, and during the descent the fluid metal
continues to run into the mould, where it congeals into a solid state and casts
the pipe, the flowing of the metal and the progress of the mould being continued
until the upper end of the mould is brought on a level with the top of the face
plate or stop, by which a length of pipe is produced equal to the length of the
mould, whatever that may be. The guide H is a ferrule fitting the inside of
the mould, and through which the core slides; a small arm extending from the
ferrule passes through the wedge-formed channel, and is held by a hook and
rod affixed to the standard, or may be secured in any other way. This guide
is intended to be stationary at a few inches above the flow of the metal for the
purpose of keeping the core in the center as the mould descends. The core is
in this instance a cylindrical rod extending the whole length of the mould, and
having one or more grooves cut along it for the purpose of channels to conduct
off the steam or vapour from the interior of the casting. This core is to be
covered with paper, or some other porous substance, which will allow the air
and steam to pass through and thereby escape along the grooves in the core.
One side of the mould is fixed to the frame by screws, and the other side is
held against it by weighted levers L, L, L, with friction rollers at their
extremities, shewn more particularly in the front view, Fig. 4. The stop or
face plate K is supported by a pin resting on a bracket M, and is pressed

page_text: against the face of the mould by a series of weighted levers N, N, N, with
friction rollers at their extremities, part of which are reversed in order to
allow the furnace and melting pot to be brought close up to the mould. The
weight of these pressing levers N, N, N, is taken off the face plate by lines
and chains O, 0, 0, which are acted upon by a handle P, and the weight of
the pressing levers L, L, L, is drawn off the mould by the rod Q. 1 have
here described an apparatus for casting metallic pipes or tubes; but I do
not mean to confine my process to that particular object, as a variety of
other articles may be cast with extended surfaces upon the above principles
(viz), that of causing the moulds to travel while the melting pot and
face plate or stop remain stationary, or the pot containing the fluid
metal and the face plate or stop to travel, the mould being stationary;
and as the apparatus for casting divers kinds of articles must neces-
sarily vary, it is impossible for me to describe every variation of form
which such circumstances may require. The moulds are made of metal,
or any other substance or composition of substances which will be sufficiently
strong to hold or contain the metal. The shape or form which is
intended to be given to a casting is cut, bored, or otherwise formed in the
moulds. It will generally be found necessary to make the moulds in two or
more parts.
Where it is necessary to introduce one, two, or more cores or
substances, so as to make or form the castings with any or certain parts of
them hollow, or where it is desired to have or make one, two, or more holes
through their whole length, the core or substance, or if more than one of these
cores or substances be required, it or they are to be placed in the moulds in
the manner usually adopted in such cases, excepting that where from its length
it will not of its own strength or firmness maintain a steady or fixed position.
The mode of guiding or regulating it or them, as explained, is to be applied
from the outside of the mould. To the inside a groove or channel is formed
sufficiently wide to admit a quantity of metal being poured or otherwise let in
to fill that cavity or hollow part of the moulds which is to give the required
shape to the metal under the operation of casting; the groove or channel is to
extend the whole length of the moulds, unless from particular circumstances it
may be found unnecessary to extend it entirely to that whole length; or that
part or side of the moulds from which the groove, channel, or communication
to the inside or cavity is made, an equal smooth face or surface is worked upon,
which the stop is applied (as herein-after described). The core or substance
which is to form the hole or hollow part in the casting may be made of any
material or substance which is sufficiently strong or firm to bear the force or
pressure of the metal which may be poured or otherwise caused to flow upon

page_text: or against it. In those cases where the nature of the metal which is to make
or form the casting will admit of metallic or other hard cores or substances
being used or introduced, I adopt the following mode of making and using
them:-The required shape or form being first of all given to them, I make
one, two, or more small grooves or channels in or upon them, which grooves or
channels run or extend from those parts of the said cores or substances,
towards which the melted metal will (upon its being poured or otherwise let
into the moulds) immediately run or press to those parts towards which it may
he most convenient or prudent to direct them, in order to allow all smoke,
vapour, or foul air to escape through or along them in. the manner herein
explained. These cores or substances are then covered with paper or some
vegetable, mineral, or animal or other substance or composition which will
suffer or allow all smoke, vapour, or foul air which may be present at the
commencement of the operation, or caused or created by the process of
casting, to strike or penetrate into, and also to pass through and have free
vent or egress along the grooves or channels in the cores or substances before.
mentioned and explained. Whenever a long casting may require a small or
weak core of a considerable length I use the following method to fix or keep
that core in its proper place or position:-It has already been observed that
from the outside of the moulds to the inside or cavity of that mould a wedge-
formed groove or channel is made, which extends the whole length of the
moulds. Through this groove or channel I pass a small pin or rod of iron,
brass, or any other substance which is strong enough for the purpose, which
pin or rod is fixed to or may press against, under, or above a guide, which
guide is made of iron, brass, or any other substance, and of such size and
thickness that it will exactly fill up the space between the core and moulds;
thus, when the metal is poured or let into the moulds, by sliding this guide at
the same rate or speed at which the metal fills or rises in the moulds, so as
keep it (the guide) at a short distance above or before the melted metal, it
will have the power of keeping the core at a regular distance from the moulds.
This mode applies to cores which are made of a regular size and thickness;
but where from their being made taper, or in an irregular shape, such a plan
cannot be adopted, I fix guides of different sizes and thicknesses, which are
moved in a manner similar to the above before the melted metal is allowed to
reach or touch them. Where circumstances will permit I introduce a long
rod or other similar contrivance from one end of the moulds, which passes
between the core and the moulds, and by being attached or pressed against
the guide, affords an opportunity of regulating the guide or guides. As it is
necessary to apply against the smooth face or surface of the moulds before

page_text: mentioned some substance that will prevent the metal running out of the
groove or channel before described as being made in the moulds, I adopt the
following method :-I work to a smooth face or surface a plate, which I call
the stop, of iron, brass, or any other metallic body, or instead of a metallic
body I use any other material or substance which would have the effect of
stopping the metal in the manner described. This plate or substance should
be rather wider than that groove or channel which is made in the moulds, as
above mentioned, so that by its (the stop) being forced or pressed by the
levers against that smooth face or surface which is worked upon the moulds
as before said, the melted or fused metal is prevented from running out of the
moulds. Whenever it is necessary to stop the metal from running out of the
mould with any material or substance which is of that weak or frangible
nature which will not admit of the pressure necessary to keep it close to the
face of the moulds, or when the friction caused by the motion of the moulds
will present any obstacle to the keeping of the moulds, and stop to a close
joint, I make the stop or stops in short lengths, which are applied against
the face of the moulds in regular succession above each other, beginning to
place them at a few inches below the lip of the vessel which contains the
melted metal, and continuing to lay or place them against the moulds as fast
as the motion of the moulds will permit. Although, in order to give a correct
idea of the principle by which a casting may be continued to any length or
diniensions of the moulds, core, &c. which may be used, I have represented
the moulds as moving before the vessel, stop, and those other parts which are
necessary to work them, yet I often find it more convenient to fix the moulds
in a firm and steady position, and to pass or move the vessel containing the
melted metal, and also at the same time to pass or move the stop with the
levers attached or belonging to it (which levers and stop would in this case be
fixed or attached to the vessel itself, or to a frame upon which the vessel is
supported and carried), before the smooth face or surface of the moulds, which
latter method is exactly similar in principle to that before described; and not-
withstanding the Drawings hereunto annexed exhibit the moulds, frame, &c.
as being placed in a perpendicular position, I do not confine myself to any
particular position at which I am to place them, but on the contrary I claim
the privilege of placing them in that manner which will afford me an oppor-
tunity of casting with the greatest facility. I also use or apply the same mode
of carrying off the air, smoke, vapour, &c., as before described, in moulds
which do not require to be moved during the process of casting as for
instance. Whenever the length of the moulds is not more than that distance to
which the melted metal under the process of casting will flow or run in a sound

page_text: and perfect state, I introduce the metal at any part or parts of the moulds at
which it may be convenient, and when necessary I regulate the core (which
is made in the manner already described) by the guide, which is moved
above or before the melted metal by means of a rod or some similar con-
trivance being attached to it, and introduced between the moulds and the core.
I also adopt the same principle of carrying off the vapour or air in castings
where cores are not necessary by forming small grooves or channels in the
mould itself, and covering the surfaces of the mould with paper or other porous
material (as above said), by which means the vapour or air will be allowed to
pass through the porous material and escape along the channels, in a similar
manner and for the same purpose as already described in speaking of the
cores.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Gethen, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and twenty-four
THOMAS GETHEN. (L.s.)
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Fifteenth day of October, in
the year of our Lord 1824, the aforesaid Thomas Gethen came before our
said Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
T
TL