IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO BOILERS, CONDENSERS, AND OTHER VESSELS OR APPARATUS, AND THE COATING, ALLOYING, OR COMBINATION OF METALS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE SAME, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Stokes Williams, of Riverton, New Jersey,
United States of America, now of 8 Southampton Buildings London, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO BOILERS, CONDENSERS,
AND OTHER VESSELS OR APPARATUS, AND THE COATING, ALLOYING, OR
COMBINATION OF METALS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE SAME, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Stokes Williams at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th February 1882.
JOSEPH STOKES WILLIAMS, of Riverton, New Jersey, United States of America,
now of 8, Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO
BOILERS, CONDENSERS, AND OTHER VESSELS OR APPARATUS, AND THE COATING,
ALLOYING, OR COMBINATION OF METALS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE SAME, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
My Invention has for its object the construction of ships boilers condensers,
batteries and other vessels or apparatus with the whole or portions of their surfaces
formed of inoxidizable or incorrodible metal or alloy.
The said Invention consists partly in alloying, combining, coating or covering
metal forming, or used in, the construction of steam boilers, condensers, or other
vessels or apparatus with other metals or alloys such as nickel, copper, aluminium,
zinc, tin, or other metals or a combination or alloy of the same obtained from a salt
or salts, oxide or oxides thereof, by a process of decomposition and recomposition,
that is to say, a salt or salts or oxide or oxides of nickel, aluminium, copper, zinc,
tin, manganese, or other metals to be caused to impregnate, combine with, alloy, or
cover, the inner or outer surface of the boiler, or both, as may be desired.
The surface of the boiler or the part to be coated and impregnated is first
subjected to the action of suitable chemical re-agents and then by, and during, the
process of recomposition I obtain a metal which is alloyed with, and deposited in,

page_text: the pores and on the surface of the boiler or vessel to be impregnated and coated.
The agents and reagents employed will usually be such as are known to, and used
by, chemists.
In order to coat, impregnate, and alloy the inner surface of the boiler or vessel, I
preferably cleanse the same by means of a concentrated solution of caustic potash
or otherwise, I then preferably introduce into such chamber a weak solution of
sulphuric acid. After the surface shall have been so treated such solution is
withdrawn, the chamber or surface is then washed or cleansed by the introduction
of water. The chamber is then dried and heated, preferably by the introduction of
heated air by means of a pipe connecting such boiler or with a furnace or generator
of heat. By this means the surfaces to be impregnated or alloyed become perfectly
dry and heated to a sufficient degree preferably about 150° centigrade. By
introducing the heated air at the upper portion of the boiler the metal can be kept
heated while the solution containing the metallic salts or oxides, or both, is being
introduced; the solution drives out the heated air and occupies the space previously
occupied by the same. The solution is preferably introduced or forced into the
boiler in a heated or boiling condition.
When the surface of the boiler to be coated shall be covered by the solution 1
apply heat to the boiler direct or otherwise so as to boil the said solution. The
surface with which such boiling solution is in contact immediately absorbs in its
dilated or open pores, the metal or alloy. The surface soon becomes coated, covered,
and thoroughly impregnated with such metal or alloy and thereby the surface so
treated is rendered inoxidizable. Furthermore all the tubes, sections, pieces or parts
of which the boiler has been constructed become thoroughly and firmly united or
alloyed with each other. In other words the coating or alloy fills up all the seams,
or interstices in the boiler and unites all parts as one.
It is obvious that I may employ the various salts or oxides of other metals for
the impregnation and coating of boilers, vessels, and chambers. The salt of nickel
and the salt of copper, or the oxides so treated will coat the surface of the boiler
and give a coating of an alloy of nickel and copper which will render the boiler
inoxidizable.
An alloy of aluminium and copper can be obtained as a coating for the boiler,
vessel, or chamber, by a similar process. The proportions may be varied. A thoroughly
inoxidizable alloy or coating will result from the proportions of one half ounce of
aluminium to two pounds of copper.
In order to bronze the surface of the boiler vessel or chamber, I treat the surface
to be coated with a solution composed of water, ten gallons, bichloride of tin, two
ounces, sulphate of copper, one ounce. The proportions of the different salts may
be varied without inconvenience.
The said solution is preferably heated to the boiling point; the surface, article,
or chamber to be coated should be clean and then immersed in or otherwise
subjected to, the boiling solution for one hour, more or less, according to the desired
thickness of the coating.
By such construction the boiler is not only rendered inoxidizable but the
strength of the same being increased in proportion to the thickness and strength
of the metal or alloy which is deposited upon the original form or surface of the
boiler.
In some cases, in order to coat the boiler, I employ the electro-plating process.
I fill such boiler with an electro bath containing the metal or metals which I wish
to deposit. I then complete the circuit through such bath and cause the deposition
of the metals upon the inner portions of the boiler, in other words by electro-
deposition, instead of from the salts or oxides by the process of decomposition and
recomposition as hereinbefore described.
In order to provide for the coating of the inner surface of the boiler I arrange
'that the terminals shall be in contact with the surface to be coated and preferably
at as many points as possible or convenient.
The boiler cau be readily bronzed by either process but by the said process of

page_text: decomposition and rocomposition a more perfect union is obtained with the original
metal of the boiler.
Under another method I provide the inner portions of a boiler with an inoxi-
dizable metal alloy or metallic coating by the reduction to the metallic state of
metals or alloys from their salts or oxides by exposing the surface to the fuines
which arise from the moistened salt or oxide such as the sulphate of copper of tin
or of zinc, that is to say, I place the salts or oxides within the boiler and prevent the
escape of the fumes. Pipes, tubes, or chainbers can be coated in a similar manner,
or when I desire to coat the entire surface of the metal vessel or apparatus I place
such vessel apparatus or piece within a tight chamber or space, I preferably construct
such chamber of material adapted to prevent the loss of the metal, in other words
the fumes will be employed solely or principally in coating the metallic vessel,
apparatus, or piece.
I sometimes arrange the salts or oxides as electrodes in an electric current and
volatilize the electrodes by the passage of electric sparks. I prefer to arrange these
electrodes in a small apparatus outside of the boiler or vessel, and to lead the fumes
therefrom by a pipe to the boiler or vessel; or the fumes can be generated within
the boiler, vessel or chamber; by keeping the said boiler or vessel heated the fumes
will better penetrate the pores of the metal. These processes and especially the
ones for obtaining the metallic coatings by the decomposition and recomposition of
metallic salts or oxides or from the fumes of metallic salts or oxides are applicable
for coating circulating pipes for water, or steam, gas-valves, pumps, and other
apparatus; when these latter processes are used a portion of the coating can be
removed to obtain a fitting joint or valve as the coating becomes alloyed with the
original form.
I also treat the steam or water pipes and valves and apparatus by these processes;
I thereby am enabled to prevent the oxidation of all parts of apparatus and the
possibility of the accumulation of rust and encrustation which causes much
inconvenience and risk under the ordinary construction of steam or heating
apparatus.
I obtain a metallic coating for boilers, vessels, chambers, pipes, hentors, and such
apparatus by the formation of a metallic alloy by decomposition and recomposition
in a metallic state from a metallic salt or salts in the presence of other metallic salt
or salts or by decomposition and recomposition of a inetallic oxide in the presence
of a metallic salt or salts and oxide or oxides in the presence of other metallic oxide
or oxides through the medium of electricity. The surface to be conted becomes the
base or support for the reconstitution of the metals from their salts or oxides or
both. I thereby obtain a perfect alloy, inoxidizable in accordance with the qualities
of the metals forming the alloy.
For instance the oxide of manganese or oxide of iron in varied proportions gives
an alloy useful for general application.
A bronze alloy, or coating can be obtained from the use of proto chloride of tin,
say, ounce oxide of copper say two ounces.
I can employ the oxides or salts of platinum, aluminium, nickel, and such like
metals in combination with the oxides or salts of other metals for instance copper,
zinc, tin, I am thereby enabled to obtain a practically indestructible alloy for
general application.
It will be understood that other metallic alloys can be obtained from their salts
or oxides or both for coating or impregnating metals, machinery, or parts thereof
and apparatus generally.
My Invention is also applicable to the following purposes, that is to say, I coat,
cover, or impregnate the surface of large bodies of metal in ships or vessels used in
navigation. I employ apparatus and means for the deposition of the metal or metal
alloy upon the surface of the metal of which the ship or apparatus is built through
the agency of electricity and the salt water in which it floats. That is to say I
employ a metal which is transmitted to and coats the surfaces of the ship which is
in contact with the salt water. I can employ such metal or metallic salt as will

page_text: be best suited to the purpose, or I can employ a combination of metallic salts or
oxides, or both, as hereinbefore referred to.
I arrange as one electrode or pole of the battery the metal or metallic salt inde-
pendent of the sides to be coated. It will be understood that the ships side can be
connected as the other pole of the battery; by these means the ships sides or
surfaces will represent and be a part of the battery and the metal will be deposited
upon its surface. Furthermore the metal deposited can be recovered from the
surface of tho ship at pleasure; for instance supposing zinc shall be the metallic
coating, by employing the ships sides which have been coated with another pole of
a battery, say iron, the zinc will leave the ships side and will be deposited upon the
iron. It will be understood that by these processes, vessels such as ships hulls,
boilers, or other apparatus can be coated and again cleansed without loss. Further-
more such arrangement renders practical the generation of electricity from such
floating battery, vessel, or ship, and by leading the electricity into a storage battery or
storage system coupled in series the ship can be lighted and heated, and the machinery
therein can be operated through the agency of electricity. It will be understood
that floating batteries may be constructed and operated in a similar manner for
generating and utilizing electricity through the medium of storage batteries, or the
electricity so generated can be carried away or utilized as desired.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Joseph Stokes Williams in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
4th August 1882.
JOSEPH STOKES WILLIAMS, of Riverton, New Jersey, United States of America,
now of 8, Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING
TO BOILERS, CONDENSERS, AND OTHER VESSELS OR APPARATUS, AND THE COATING,
ALLOYING, OR COMBINATION OF METALS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE SAME, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
My Invention relates to boilers, condensers, and other vessels or apparatus which
have the whole or portions of their surfaces formed of, or coated or impregnated
with, a metal, metals, or alloy, for protecting such surfaces against oxidation or
corrosion.
The said Invention consists partly in impregnating, combining, coating, or covering
the metal forming, or used in the construction of, steam-boilers, condensers, or other
vessels or apparatus, preferably formed of iron or steel, with a metal such as nickel,
aluminium, copper, zine, tin, manganese, lead, antimony, bismuth, or other inetals
or any combination or alloy of the same obtained from a salt or salts or an oxide
or oxides thereof by a process of decomposition and recomposition that is to say,
I employ a salt or salts or, oxide or oxides of nickel, aluminium, copper, zinc, tin,
manganese, lead, antimony, bismuth, or other metals, and the metal or alloy

page_text: obtained from the same will be caused to impregnate, combine with, coat, or cover,
either entirely or partially as may be desired, the internal surface, or both the
internal and external surfaces, of the boiler or other apparatus,
The surface of the boiler or other vessel, apparatus, or part to be coated or
impregnated, or both, is first subjected to the action of a suitable chemical agent or
agents; the solution, containing the salt or salts or oxide or oxides is then introduced,
and then, by and during the process of recomposition, I obtain a metal which is
combined with, and impregnates, the metal constituting the internal surface, or both
the internal and external surfaces of the aforesaid boiler, vessel, or apparatus, or is
deposited in the pores of such metal. The agents and reagents employed are such
as are well known to, and used by, chemists."
In order to coat the inner surface, or to impregnate the metal below the inner
surface of a boiler or vessel, I, in some cases, cleanse the said surface by means of a
concentrated solution of caustic potash or otherwise. I then usually introduce
into the said boiler or vessel, a weak solution of sulphuric acid. After the inner
surface of the boiler or vessel has been subjected to the action of the said solution
for a sufficient length of time, the latter is withdrawn and such surface is then
washed or cleansed by the introduction of water. The interior of the boiler or
vessel is then dried and heated, preferably by the introduction of heated air by
means of a pipe connecting the said boiler or vessel with a furnace or other
generator of heat. By these means the surfaces to be impregnated or coated are
dried and heated to the desired extent, say for instance to about 150° centigrade.
By introducing the heated air at the upper portion of the boiler the metal can be
kept hot by the inflow of such heated air during the time that the solution con-
taining the metallic salts or oxides, or both, is being introduced; this solution expels
or forces out the heated air from the said boiler or vessel and fills up the spaco
previously occupied by such air. The said solution is preferably introduced or
forced into the boiler or chamber in a heated or boiling condition.
When the surface of the boiler or other chamber or vessel to be coated is
covered by the solution I apply heat to the said boilor, chamber, or vessel, either
directly or otherwise, so as to maintain the said solution at a high temperature.
The metal of and below, tho surface with which such solution is in contact imme-
diately absorbs in its dilated or open pores the protective metal or alloy and soon
becomes coated or covered and thoroughly impregnated with such metal or alloy;
the surface of the said boiler, chamber, or vessel thus treated is thereby protected
against oxidation. Furthermore, not only the shell or walls, but all tubes, sections,
pieces, or parts which may be combined with, or are employed in, the construction
of the boiler, vessel, or other apparatus will be thoroughly and firmly united with
the shell of the said boiler, or other apparatus at the points where they join, or are
connected with, the interior surface of the latter. In other words, the metal coating
or alloy fills up all the seams, joints, or interstices in the interior of the boiler or
other vessel and unites all of the parts of the sume as securely, or nearly so as if
they were originally one structure.
It is obvious that I may employ salts or oxides of various metals for the
impregnation and coating of boilers or other chambers, vessels, or apparatus. For
instance, the salt of nickel, and the salt of copper, or the oxides of the same when
employed as above stated, will coat the internal surface of the boiler or other vessel
with an alloy which will protect the said surface. An alloy of aluminium and
copper can also be applied as a coating for the boiler, chamber, or other vessel by a
similar process. The proportions of the metallic salts or oxides may be varied
according to the metal being treated, or the result which it is desired to obtain, but
a very good coating may be obtained by employing in the solution for producing
the alloy; one half ounce of aluminium to every two pounds of copper.
In applying my Invention to the bronzing of the surface of a boiler or other
chamber or vessel, I treat the surface to be coated with a solution containing say,
ten gallons of water, two ounces of bichloride of tin, and one ounce of sulphate of
copper. The proportions of the different salts or oxides inny, however, be varied

page_text: within certain limits without departing from the principle of my Invention, and
the metallic alloy can be fixed or deposited by ebullition alone, or by the combined
processes of ebullition and electrolysis.
The said solution is, as above stated, preferably heated to the boiling point and
the surface of the article, vessel, or chamber to be coated, should be cleaned and then
immersed in, or otherwise subjected to, the boiling solution for a length of time
sufficient to ensure the desired depth of impregnation or thickness of coating.
By these means the boiler or other vessel is not only protected, but the strength
of the same is increased in proportion to the thickness and the tensile strength of
the metal or alloy which is deposited upon the surface of the said boiler or other
vessel.
In some cases I coat the boiler or other chamber or vessel entirely by electro-
lysis. In this case I fill the said boiler, chamber, or vessel with a metallic solution
containing the metal or metals which it is desired to deposit. I then complete an
electrical circuit through the said solution and thereby cause the deposition of the
metals upon the inner portions or surface of the boiler or other vessel; in other
words by such electro-deposition, instead of, or in combination with, the process of
decomposition and recomposition, as herein before described, I obtain the metallic
alloys as coatings or coverings of the surfaces of the boiler or other structure. In
order to provide for the coating, through the agency of electricity, of the inner
surface of the boiler or other vessel, I arrange the terminals in contact with the
surface to be coated, and preferably at as many points as are practicable or con-
venient. For instance, the terminals or conductors extending from one pole of
the generator, battery, or other source of electricity can terminate in or extend
around, and in contact with, the metal of which the boiler, vessel, or apparatus is
constituted, the other terminal conductor, or a series of them, extending from the
other pole of the said generator, battery, or other source of electricity terminating
in, or being combined with, the anode or a series of the same, which may be arranged
in close proximity to the surface to be coated, the coating obtained being as will be
readily understood, in accordance with the metal or metals in the solution. For
instance, I may employ a solution containing lead and copper in the desired
proportions and the alloy deposited will be composed of these metals. The
deposition of the metals can be accelerated by heating the solution containing
the same.
The intermittent application of heat to the solution, with or without the
process of electro-deposition, is beneficial in obtaining heavy coatings.
I further provide for coating or impregnating the inner portions of a boiler or
other vessel with a protecting metal or metallic alloy by the reduction of metallic
salts or oxides, or both, to a metallic state, by exposing the surface to be coated or
impregnated, to the fumes which are caused to arise from the moistened metallic
salt or oxide (or both) by the application of heat.
To effect the distribution of the metallic fumes within the boiler or other vessel,
chamber, or apparatus to be coated, and maintain the internal surface of the same at
the required degree of heat, I, in some cases, introduce in to the said boiler, vessel,
chamber, or apparatus, heated air or steam.
Tubes or chambers can be coated in a similar manner, or when I desire to coat
the entire surface of a metallic vessel, apparatus, or piece, I place the same within a
gas-tight chamber or space.
I sometimes arrange metallic salts or oxides as electrodes in an electric circuit
and volatilize such electrodes by the passage therethrough of an electric current, or
by sparks produced thereby. I can arrange these electrodes in a small apparatus
outside of the boiler or vessel, and lead the fuines from the said apparatus by a
pipe or channel to the interior of the boiler or other vessel or chamber; or the
fumes can be generated within the said boiler, vessel, or chamber. By keeping the
said boiler, vessel, or chamber heated the fumes will better penetrate or enter the
pores of the metal, and the deposit or impregnation will be more complete and
uniform than it would otherwise bo. These processes, and more especially those

page_text: relating to the production of metallic coatings by the decomposition and recom-
position of metallic salts or oxides, with or without the aid of electricity, or from
the fumes of metallic salts or oxides, are applicable for coating various kinds of
pipes or tubes such as water, steam, or gas pipes, and also for coating valves, pump,
barrels and other apparatus. I am thereby enabled to protect all, or any desired,
portions of the said pipes, valves, or other parts or apparatus, and to prevent, the
accumulation of rust, and encrustation which entail considerable inconvenience
and expense in the use of steam or heating apparatus as at present constructed.
In order to provide a metallic coating for boilers or other vessels or chambers,
pipes, heaters and other apparatus, I prefer to form a metallic alloy by the
decomposition and recomposition of a metallic salt or salts in the prosence of other
inetallic salt or salts, or by the decomposition and recomposition of a inetallic oxide
in the presence of a metallic salt or salts, and oxide or oxides, in the presence of
some other metallic oxide or oxides through the medium of electricity. The
surface to be coated becomes the base or support for the reconstitution of the
metals from their salts or oxides or both; I thereby obtain a metallic alloy
practically inoxidizable in accordance with the qualities of the metals forming the
said alloy.
For instance an oxide of lead and the sulphate of copper in varied proportions
constitute an alloy which is advantageous for general application.
A bronze alloy or coating can be obtained by the employment of say one half au
ounce of proto-chloride of tin to every two ounces of oxide of copper.
I can employ the oxides or salts of platinum, aluminium, nickel, antimony, or
other metals in combination with the oxides or salts of other metals, for instance
copper, zinc, tin, or lead; the anodes employed can be of such metal as may be
desired.
In order to obtain the metallic alloy entirely from the metallic solutions, carbon
is preferably connected with one conductor.
My Invention is also applicable for coating, covering, or impregnating the surface
or surfaces of large bodies of metals in ships or vessels used in navigation. For
this purpose I employ apparatus and means for the electro-deposition of a metal or
inetallic alloy upon the surface of the metal of which the ship or apparatus is built.
That is to say, I employ methods and means to cause the deposition of a metal or
metallic alloy so as to coat, cover, or impregnate the surface of a ship or other
floating vessel or battery. For this purpose I employ the metal of which the vessel
is composed as one electrode, and arrange the opposite electrodes or anodes in
suitable proximity to the part to be coated, for instance, I can arrange and connect
plates of zinc or other inetal in such a manner relatively to the metal of which the
ship or vessel is composed, as to provide for the deposition of the zinc or other
metal upon the surface of such vessel. In such case the salt water will
constitute the agent for rendering such combination an effective battery and
thereby provide for the deposition of the metal or metallic alloy and the
protection of the iron or steel of which the vessel is built. Or I can employ
metallic salts or oxides, or both, in solution as herein provided for and cause the
deposition of a metal or metallic alloy upon the surfaces to be protected.
It will be understood that the electric energy can be supplied from a generator
of electricity or from a primary or secondary battery or batteries, or any
combination of them to cause the deposition of the metal or alloy and furthermore
the metal deposited can be reclaimed, that is to say, by causing the reversal of the
current the surfaces of the vessel will be cleansed. This can be accomplished by
changing one electrode or set of electrodes and introducing others which will bec
connected with the metal of which the vessel is constructed, for instance an iron
electrode, or a series of them, may be substituted for the zinc or other metal
employed, or the current can be reversed from a generator or battery as before
stated, the result of which will be well understood.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that I make no claim to any structural peculiarity or

page_text: improvement in the formation of a steam-boiler or other vessel or apparatus, or to
any improvement relating thereto irrespective of the coating or impregnation of
the same by the modes, methods, or processes hereinafter described, but I claim,
First. The improvement in the manufacture of boilers or other vessels or
apparatus (which are formed, or partly formed, of iron or steel and which are to
contain liquids or gases) consisting in a metallic coating, covering, or artificial
surface (with more or less impregnation or penetration of the metal of which the
boiler or other vessel or apparatus is constructed) applied or imparted to the
surfaces or parts to be protected by, or according to, either or any of the methods or
processes hereinbefore specified.
Second. Impregnating, coating, or covering the inner portion, or both the inner
and outer portions, of a boiler, vessel, chamber, or other apparatus composed partly
or entirely of iron or steel, or both, with another metal or metallic alloy, by the
reduction to a metallic state of metals or alloys from their salts or oxides, or both,
by exposing the surface or surfaces to be impregnated, coated, or covered, to the
fumes which are caused to arise from the moistened metallic salt, salts, oxide, or
oxides, or any combination of them, through the agency of an electric current, or
otherwise, substantially as, and for the purpose, specified.
Third. Impregnating, coating, or covering metal tubes, bars, plates or pieces with
a metal or alloy, by subjecting them, when enclosed in a chamber, to the fumes
which are caused to arise from the moistened metallic salt, salts, oxide, or oxides, or
any combination of them, through the agency of an electric current or otherwise,
substantially as, and for the purpose, specific-l
Fourth. Impregnating, coating, or covering metal tubes, bars, plates, or pieces with
a metal or metallic alloy, obtained from a metallic salt, salts, oxide or oxides, or any
combination of thein, by a process of decomposition and recomposition through the
agency of clectricity, for the purposes specified.
Fifth. The method or process of applying or imparting to a metal ship or
vessel, a metallic coating substantially as set forth, and for the purpose specified.
Sixth. The method or process of cleansing the surface of a ship or vessel by a
current or currents of electricity, substantially as above set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Joseph Stokes Williams have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Fourth day of August in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.