IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS AND MEANS FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF PRESSURE TO HYDRAULIC MACHINE TOOLS TO FACILITATE THEIR APPLICATION TO THE WORK ON WHICH THEY ARE TO BE APPLIED."
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Ralph Hart Tweddell, James Platt, and John Fielding, of
"
the Atlas Work, Gloucester, Engineers, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS AND MEANS FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF PRESSURE TO HYDRAULIC
MACHINE TOOLS TO FACILITATE THEIR APPLICATION TO THE WORK ON WHICH
THEY ARE TO BE APPLIED."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ralph Hart Tweddell, James
Platt, and John Fielding at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
19th September 1876.
RALPH HART TWEDDELL, JAMES PLATT, and JOHN FIELDING, of the Atlas Works,
Gloucester, Engineers. " IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS AND MEANS FOR THE
TRANSMISSION OF PRESSURE TO HYDRAULIC MACHINE TOOLS TO FACILITATE THEIR
APPLICATION TO THE WORK ON WHICH THEY ARE TO BE APPLIED."
Hitherto in all the applications of hydraulic pressure for the working of portable
or movable machine tools when the pressure per square inch is too high to allow of
the use of a flexible tube such as can be made of gutta percha or similar substances
the necessary flexibility has been obtained by means of joints, swivels, sockets, and
others. Their use is attended with many objections, owing to leakage under high
pressures, and to prevent this they have to be so tightened up that they become
practically a rigid connection. This system also requires a considerable amount of
room for the joints and lengths of pipe to work in, and in crowded situations, or as
when the machines are to be worked on bridges or ships this is often not to be
obtained.
Our improvements overcome these defects and enable us by means of the com-
bination of a sliding sleeve and pipes to move the machine; they are connected to
the whole length of the jib of a crane or a travelling gautry or main to which it is
applied, and this also without having to disconnect a single coupling or change the
point of suspension of the machine.
Preferably the principle on which we work is as follows:-Supposing, for
example, the hydraulic main connected in the usual manner to a pipe laid along the
jibs of a swing crane or on the bed of a travelling gautry in any suitable position
on either, the length of this pipe will represent about the length of travel of the

page_text: machine to which it has to supply the pressure; this pipe is surrounded for rather
more than half of its length by a larger pipe or sleeve free to slide along it; this
sleeve is packed at each end by stuffing boxes, and an opening to it being made on
the small pipe it is clear that the pressure of water is in the larger pipe or sleeve
also, and it can be travelled along any distance the position of the openings will
allow;
thus any connections made to this sleeve may be considered as made to the
pipe or main. But so far we can only obtain a travel for any machine connected to
this sleeve of its own length, unless we change the point of suspension of the
machine from one end of the sleeve to the other, which involves breaking a joint
also; but by attaching to one end of the sleeve itself two pipes which together are
rather longer than its own length, we can command a travel of double the length of
the sleeve, and practically the whole length of the crane, jib, or gautry, to which
the pipe is attached. The sleeve and pipes are preferably quite distinct from the
carriage or runner carrying the machine, to which it supplies pressure, and this
carriage or runner is traversed by suitable gearing, or when necessary by hydraulic
pressure also.
•
This combination of a hydraulic sleeve and the two jointed pipes attached, the
one end of them to the sleeve end the other to the machine to be worked, and the
placing of suitable stops and gear for moving this combination along any hydraulic
main or pipe to which they are applied enables us to cover any area of work to be
done, and in such machines as portable hydraulic rivetting machines and others this
is essential to their economical adaption and application to the work to be rivetted
or executed.
The same arrangements are applicable to all fluids (air or gas) and swivelled
and other couplings in connection with the appliances can be employed where
necessary.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Ralph Hart Tweddell, James Platt, and John Fielding in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 17th March 1877.
RALPH HART TWEDDELL, JAMES PLATT, and JOHN FIELDING, of the Atlas Works,
Gloucester, Engineers. " IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS AND MEANS FOR THE
TRANSMISSION OF PRESSURE TO HYDRAULIC MACHINE TOOLS TO FACILITATE THEIR
APPLICATION TO THE WORK ON WHICH THEY ARE TO BE APPLIED."
Hitherto in all the applications of hydraulic pressure for the working of portable
or movable machine tools when the pressure per square inch is too high to allow of
the use of a flexible tube such as can be made of gutta percha or similar substances
the necessary flexibility has been obtained by means of joints, swivels, sockets, and
the like. Their use is attended with many objections owing to leakage under high
pressure, and to prevent this they have to be so tightened up that they become
practically a rigid connection. This system also requires a considerable amount of
room for the joints and lengths of pipe to work in, and in crowded situations, or as
when the machines are to be worked on bridges or ships this is often not to be
obtained.
Our improvements overcome these defects and enable us by means of the com-
bination of a sliding sleeve and pipes to move the machine; they are connected to
the whole length of the jib of a crane or a travelling gautry or main to which it is
applied, and this also without having to disconnect a single coupling or change the
point of suspension of the machine.
Preferably the principle on which we work is as follows:-Supposing, for
example, the hydraulic main connected in the usual manner to a pipe laid along the
jib of a swing crane or on the bed of a travelling gautry in any suitable position
on either, the length of this pipe will represent about the length of travel of the

page_text: machine to which it has to supply the pressure; this pipe is surrounded for rather
more than half of its length by a larger pipe or sleeve free to slide along it; this
sleeve is packed at each end by stuffing boxes, and an opening to it being made on
the small pipe it is clear that the pressure of water is in the larger pipe or sleeve
also, and it can be travelled along any distance the position of the openings will
allow; thus any connections made to this sleeve may be considered as made to the
pipe or main. But so far we can only obtain a travel for any machine connected to
this sleeve of its own length, unless we change the point of suspension of the
machine from one end of the sleeve to the other, which involves breaking a joint
also; but by attaching to one end of the sleeve itself two pipes which together are
rather longer than its own length we can command a travel of double the length of
the sleeve, and practically the whole length of the crane, jib, or gautry to which
the pipe is attached. The sleeve and pipes are preferably quite distinct from the
carriage or runner carrying the machine, to which it supplies pressure, and this
carriage or runner is traversed by suitable gearing, or when necessary by hydraulic
pressure also.
This combination of hydraulic sleeve and the two jointed pipes attached, the
one end of them to the sleeve and the other to the machine to be worked, and the
placing of suitable stops and gear for moving this combination along any hydraulic
main or pipe to which they are applied enables us to cover any area of work to bo
done, and in such machines as portable hydraulic rivetting machines and others this
is essential to their economical adoption and application to the work to be rivetted
or executed.
The same arrangements are applicable to all fluids (air or gas), and swivelled,
and other couplings in connection with the appliances can be employed if necessary.
Our Invention will be clearly understood by the annexed Drawings, in which
Figure 1 represents an ordinary jib crane attached to a wall, but the system of
pipes about to be described is equally applicable to a pillar crane or an overhead
traveller, or in such cases as when rivetting or other machine is on a movable frame
or carriage the same arrangement of pipes is preferably laid on the ground and
attached to the main or to other connection prepared for it.
The water to be conveyed to the rivetter or other tool at the end of the crane,
Figure 3, is conveyed in the first place by a suitable pipe to a swivel joint "a,”
described in detail in Figures 5 and 6, the water passing through the pipe "b" attached
to a suitable bracket "c." A swivel joint at "d" connects the pipes b and c to
each other, and similarly a swivel joint connects " e to "g" this pipe "g" is con-
nected to the travelling carriage "h" by a double swivel "¿," and from the further
branch of this the bent copper pipe "k" leads to the rivetter, or any other machine
to which it is desired to transmit the water pressure.
"
It will be seen that the plate c being on the near side of the crane jib the
carriage is free to pass it, and thus to reach the inner end of the jib, the pipe "e
again is between " C and pipe "g," and thus pipe "g" can pass under and cross pipe
e "when the carriage has passed c on its way to the inner end of the jib; when
the height above the crane is not sufficient the pipes can be arranged in the same
way below the jib, and can also be arranged horizontally, the weight of the pipes
being balanced or otherwise taken up.
Figure 1 shews a general plan of a crane; Figures 2 and 4, details of the same,
a being the swivel connected to the main, the pressure pipe b is brought down to
coupling c, this connects pipe "b" to the fixed tube d which is connected and closed
at its far end at e.
It may be mentioned here that practically d, d, may be a solid rod or bar at the
outer end or half of the jib, so long as the sleeve X never uncovers the inner end
half, in which there is pressure transmitted through the pipe b. The sliding sleeve X
which encircles d is packed at each end, and any pressure which may exist in d
also has admittance to sleeve, and through the openings g the pipe h also is subject
to this constant pressure, since it is connected to the sleeve X at i by a swivel joint

page_text: through which the water passes into h, thence by similar arrangements, as in
Figure 1, to the carriage k, and thence to the machine, being driven by the pressure
BO conveyed. The swivel joint L is carried in a frame which it will be seen fits
loosely on the sleeve X, and is free to move along the sleeve X until it abuts against
either of the collars M, M.
The following is the mode of working-Referring to Figures 1 and 2 we will
assume it is wished to move the carriage and with it the machine suspended to it
to the inner end of the crane jib by means of suitable rack gear and sprocket wheel
(shown in the Drawings but not requiring any description); we run the carriage
inwards, the carriage carrying with it the swivel joint L and its projecting lug,
which is free to move along the sleeve X until it comes to the inner collar M¹
formed on the swivel joint i; when in this position the pipes h, h¹, are nearly vertical
and the carriage can get no further on account of M'. Suppose that the rivetter or
other tool is required to be run out to the extreme end e of the jib the carriage k is
travelled along until in position shewn in Figure 1; when it arrives there the body
of the swivel L comes up against the collar M on the sleeve, and the sleeve X being
free to move is carried along to the end of the jib by the traveller; since the swivel
i forms part of the sleeve it and the pipes h, 1, travel with it, thus the carriage can
travel the whole length of the jib without uncoupling a joint. After the sleeve has
been taken to the outer end of the jib it is pushed back to the inner end by the
carriage block L coming up against the shoulder M. on the swivel i.
The arrangement of carriage shewn on Figures 3 and 4 is that preferred by us,
but we do not confine ourselves to that special form. The pipes may be. placed
underneath the jib or horizontally or on the sleeve, and its inner tube may be laid
on the ground and there fixed while the machine tool itself is travelled.
Figures 5 and 6 shew forms of swivel joints; Figure 5 is packed with hemp and
Figure 6 with cup leathers.
Figures 7 and 8 shew other combinations; it is clear that the position of the
openings and the outlets may be varied to suit the different positions in which they
are placed.
In the case of Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8, the two unions are kept together by means
of suitable nuts and check nuts in the ordinary manner.
Figures 9 and 10 shew a novel method of keeping the two castings together by
means of a small forging or steel casting something in the shape of a
"bear,"
having on the one end a conical point working into a small recess for it and on the
other a screw with a conical end which admits of adjustment.
When this arrangement is not convenient, as in Figure 10, one end of the "bear"
embraces one of the castings by a screwed hoop or other suitable fastening.
Figures 11 and 12 shew the hydraulic suspending shackle between the rivetter,
as in the example, Figure 3, and the connecting pipe k or N in Figure 1 or 4. O is
the link to attach to the pulley blocks; P, the swivel with a screwed end to connect
to the nut on pipes on K, Figure 3, or N, Figures 1 and 4; the brass casting Q is
free to revolve on this swivel P, while it carries the machine also, and by means of its
outlet R allows the pressure into the pipe S, Figure 3; Q can either be attached to
an ordinary block or suspending gear, as in Figure 3 at T, or as in Figures 11 and 12,
by a sort of gimball gear to block U, in which slides a.plain bar V with set screws X,
or the bar may be in the form of a quadrant or otherwise and slide through the
block U.
And having now described the nature and object of our said Invention, we do not
confine ourselves to the exact details of the arrangements herein-before described
and shown, as they may be varied without departing from the Invention, but what
we do claim is, the combination of parts as described and substantially as shown in
the annexed Drawings for the transmission of high-pressure water, steam, or air
from the main or any fixed point to any moving point at the end of a crane,
traveller, or other moving body, and to so arrange the same that the greatest
possible area may be covered by the machine tool or other apparatus supplied by

page_text: said liquid or fluid without, necessitating the disconnecting or making of any joints,
as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Ralph Hart Tweddell, for myself and on behalf
of the said James Platt and John Fielding, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Third day of March One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
seven.
RALPH H. TWEDDELL. (L.S.)