Improvements in and relating to the Manufacture of Flanged Pipes and Tubes.
Year: 1895

page_text: . Date of Application, 6th June, 1395-Accepted, 6th July, 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Manufacture of Flanged Pipes
and Tubes.
J, JOHN SYMINGTON, of Union Tube Works, Coatbridge, in the County of
Lanark, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement in writing, reference being made to the accom-
panying sheet of drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon:-
My invention has reference to and comprises improvements in the mode of, and
appliances for, forming the end flanges of pipes and tubes, whether to be secured
together directly or by loose ring coupling flanges placed on the pipes as spigot
and faucet joints, that is having an annular rim on the face of the one flange and
a corresponding annular recess around the face of the other flange, as also other
forms of flanges, all in a more simple and expeditious manner by pressure while
in a hot state, than by the ordinary mode of turning them in a lathe.
The improvements of my invention, which consist more especially in an improved
construction of mandrel, may be carried into practice by using an hydraulic machine
of ordinary construction such as is used for swelling out boiler tubes, or for rough
forming the end flanges of pipes and tubes out of their solid metal while in a hot
state.
And in order that my said invention may be properly understood I have hereunto
appended a sheet of explanatory drawings in which the same reference letters are
used to indicate the same parts in all the figures where shewn.
Figure 1 is a side elevation and Figure 2 is a plan, both partially broken away,
of the machine about to be described.
Figure 3 and 4 are elevations in section, to an enlarged scale, of the mandrel as
operating on a pipe within the matrix to form a faucet and spigot shaped flange
respectively.
Figure 5 is a front elevation corresponding to Figures 3 and 4.
Figure 6 illustrates the construction of the mandrel in three parts, and
Figure 7 shows a section of a completed joint.
As illustrated by the drawings, a convenient form of machine consists of a strong
upright frame A, firmly secured on a strong foundation, carrying at a convenient
height an hydraulic ram B working downwards and carrying the upper C of a pair
of " cresses " C D forming when closed a matrix which receives and securely holds
the end of the tube E to be operated on, while the other end of the tube E is supported
on and against an adjustable crossbar F carried on two horizontal strong side
bars G one of their ends being secured at each side to the framing A of the
hydraulic machine, and their other or outer ends to a standard frame not shewn
in the drawings. In this machine fitted with "cresses " C, D, of suitable formation,
a tube E having the end flange e either formed on it out of its solid metal or
welded thereto is placed in position, one end which has been highly heated in a
furnace resting within, and against the shoulders c, d, of the matrix formed by the
cresses " C, D, closed one on the other by the downward action of the upright
hydraulic ram B is operated on by a mandrel H H' of the improved construction
to be described.
$6
A strong short metal stem or "bolster" J is secured to the outer end of the
plunger of a horizontal hydraulic ram I by screwing it on as shown in Figure 3,
or otherwise, and the outer part of this "bolster" J is formed as a spindle screwed

page_text: at its outer end, and of smaller diameter to carry the mandrel H H¹. This
mandrel H H' consists of two main parts, the first H being in one or more pieces
with a central opening to allow it to be placed in position on the said screwed
spindle j, and this part H forms the die to shape either the annular rim e' as shown
in Figure 4 or the annular recess 2 as shown in Figure 3 on the end flange of the
tube according to its formation. The other and outer part of the mandrel forms
a short cylinder H' of a size to fit the tube, into the end of which it is made to
enter, and is formed preferably in three, or it might be more parts or sections, h h² h²
as shown more particularly in Figure 6. One section h forming the middle part
is narrow but of a length equal to the full diameter of the tube to be operated on
and has a central opening to receive the screwed spindle j on to which it is firmly
secured by a nut j¹ screwed on to the end of the spindle j.
To complete the cylinder the other two parts h¹ h², or it might be more sections
are slipped on to the central section h and are held in position by dovetailed joints.
One of these mandrels having its die part H formed with an annular rim as shown
in Figure 4 being placed in position is forced into and against the hot end of the
pipe held in the matrix, by the action of the horizontal ram I and forms the spigot
rim e' of the pipe flange. When the mandrel H H is withdrawn by the return
action of the horizontal ram I, the spindle j of the "bolster" J withdraws only
the centre section of the front cylindrical part of the mandrel which is secured
to it, leaving the other sections ¹² within the pipe to be afterwards removed, and
thus obviate the probable damage to the pipe flange which would ensue on with-
drawing the mandrel all in one piece from the pipe end which is tightly compressed
on to it. To form the faucet recess on the other end of the tube the die part of
the mandrel is formed of appropriate shape as shown in Figure
and the process
repeated on the other end of the tube.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is,
First. In machines for forming or shaping the end flanges of pipes and tubes
by pressure the use of mandrels formed in sections all substantially as and for the
purposes herein described and by way of example illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
Second. The combination with machines for forming or shaping the end flanges
of pipes and tubes of mandrels formed in sections and having dovetailed joints all
substantially as herein described and by way of example illustrated by the accom-
panying drawings.
Dated the 5th Lune 1905
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
96 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.