Improvements in and in connection with Fixing Tubes in Boilers. Coils, and the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Sept., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 2nd June, 1896-Accepted, 4th July, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and in connection with Fixing Tubes in Boilers.
Coils, and the like.
I, THOMAS GOODE MESSENGER of 20 Burton Street, Loughborough in the
County of Leicester, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
My invention may be described as
(1.) A method of connecting any one side or end with any other side or end
water-space of the iron boilers and coils now generally used for heating greenhouses
and other buildings with hot water, or any two parts of one continuous water-space,
by means of one or more tubes in such a way that these tubes shall form an integral
part of the said boiler or coil, and
-
(2.) A method of connecting, disconnecting and re-connecting as required the
tubes of any tubular boiler without removing the boiler from its position.
The following is a description of how these objects are attained:
Upon the inner plates of each of the water-spaces to be connected and upon the
outer plate of one of them I form sockets of the desired size and number. The
sockets in one of the inner plates and those in the outer plate of the other water-
space are formed with a flange at their outer ends projecting inwards to serve as
a shoulder against which the jointing material hereafter referred to can be
compressed. The sockets in the remaining inner plate are "straight-bore
throughout.
"
I then place tubes of the requisite material size and length extending from any
one socket in one of the inner plates to any one socket in the other inner plate and
upon the external circumference of these tubes and at a short distance from each
of their ends I form a fillet or collar to serve as a shoulder against which the
jointing material can be compressed.
Finally I form to each tube a combined tubular compressing ring and cover,
with provision in same for the screwed end of a bridge bolt to pass through and
sufficiently long to allow the back end of the said ring to just enter the "straight
bore "socket of the inner plate when the front end has just entered the socket of
the outer plate of the same water-space or part thereof. In these tubular rings
I further form apertures through which the water may circulate between the tubes
and the water-spaces.
By the above described arrangement and combination an annular space is formed
at each point of connection between the tube and the water-spaces, each annular
space having one fixed and one moveable side, its inner and outer surfaces being
both rigid. In these annular spaces place india-rubber rings, asbestos or other
joint-forming material and then screw down the nut on the bridge bolt passing
through the tubular compressing ring before mentioned. This has the effect of
contracting all the annular spaces at the same time thus compressing the joint
forming material and making a water or steam tight joint at each of the said points
of connection.
If under any circumstance it is found desirable to make the two tube joints
separately from the lid or cover joint, I effect this by making the compressing
tube or ring separate from the lid or cover and forcing it down by means of two
set screws or their equivalent passing through the bridge of the bridge bolt, & then
screwing down the lid or cover as before described.

page_text: If the chambered water-spaces are separate castings or parts I secure them at
the proper distance apart by means of tie rods through or outside of tubes in the
way usually employed & then compress the joints as before described.
Dated this 5th day of September 1895.
Improvements in and in connection with Fixing Tubes in Boilers,
Coils, and the like.
I, THOMAS GOODE MESSENGER of 20 Burton Street, Loughborough, in the
County of Leicester, Engineer 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:-
This invention relates more especially to a method of fixing tubes in cast iron
boilers and coils so much used for heating greenhouses and other buildings with
hot water. It is also designed to facilitate the removal of a defective or damaged
tube, and replace it with a new one similar in every respect to the original, in a
short space of time, without the removal of the boiler itself or any component
part thereof, except the particular tube affected and its attachments.
For the better understanding of my invention I will describe it (1) the provision
of a clear opening through both plates of front end or side chambered water-space,
in order to introduce the tubes and connections into their desired position, thus
(by one or any desired number of tubes) connect one side or end with any other
side or end chambered or hollow water-space of boilers, coils or the like above
referred to, or any two parts of one continuous water-space by means of one or
more tubes in such a way that these tubes shall form an integral part of the said
boiler or coil &c. (2) a method of connecting, disconnecting or reconnecting each
individual tube fixed according to my invention, without it being necessary to
interfere with any other part of boiler, coil &c. of which they form a component
part. (3) a method of constructing one end of tic-rods or bolts (when such are
required) with their attachments in such a way that they may be attached or
detached on removal of cover. The following is a description, with reference to
the accompanying drawings, how these objects are attained. Fig. 1 is a longitudinal
section shewing one tube as fixed according to my invention, illustrating how by
repeating it any number can be grouped together. Fig. 2 is an alternative modified
method equivalent to Fig. 1 differing slightly in detail but retaining the leading
features to obtain similar results. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of one end of
the tie-rod or bolt and its attachment.
Upon the inner plate J, J' of each of the chambered water-spaces A, A¹ to be
connected and upon the outer plate K of water-space A I form the requisite number
of inverted or other recesses or sockets F1, F2, F, the clear opening through front
water-space A. to be such as to allow the tube with its fillets &c. to freely pass
through into recess F³ on back water-space, F1 and Fs being formed with steps or
shoulders projecting inwards, to serve as an abutment against which the jointing
material can be compressed F2 being straight bore having no such projection.
I then place tubes B constructed of cast or wrought iron, steel, or any required
material of the desired size, the length of the tubes to be governed by the
distauce A is fixed from A', and upon the external circumference of these tubes,
and at a short distance from each of their ends I cast, screw or otherwise fix a
fillet or collar to serve as a shoulder against which or by which the jointing
material can be compressed, care being taken to so place the said fillets as to ensure
the jointing material being kept in position while being compressed.

page_text: To each tube I employ a combined tubular compressing ring & cover D, G,
(or these may be in separate parts if desired,) with provision in said cover for
the screwed end of a bridged bolt C, to pass through, making it water-tight in
the usual way at F and the said ring D of the proper length for ensuring it
entering socket F2 previous to G entering socket F. In the side of tubular
ring DI form apertures E through two of which the cross head of bridged
bolts C pass in order to engage with under side of socket F¹, and thus become
rigid to facilitate the forcing forward by nut L, of all parts left free to move, and
through these as well as corresponding apertures or their equivalent water may
freely circulate between tubes and chambered water-spaces indicated by arrows
Fig. 1, thus becoming, (as well as compressing ring), means of communication.
between tubes B and water-spaces A, A. By the above described arrangement
and combination of parts annular spaces or recesses F, F1, F2, F³, are formed at
each point of connection, into which recesses the tubes &c. are introduced, previously
placing upon the ends thereof and likewise upon the tubular compressings elastic
jointing rings H, H, H, of india-rubber, asbestos or other suitable and usually
employed material, and which elastic rings are thus brought between the resisting
and compressing shoulders or fillets. When the several parts above described
are placed in position the nut L on bridged bolt is screwed down, which has the
effect of contracting the annular recesses, and at the same time compressing the
joint-forming material H, H, H, H, and making each point of connection steam
or water-tight. On each side of interior of tubes B, I prefer to cast or fix projecting
lugs or cross-bar shewn M Fig. 1 so as to greatly facilitate the removal of a
fractured or damaged tube in order to replace it with a new one, and they also serve
for receiving a purposely made tool that may be used for compressing H in F³
(if thought desirable under some circumstances) previous to placing on cover G.
Fig. 2 is an alternative method of obtaining similar results to Fig. 1, in this
case I make the two tube joints F2, F3, Fig. 1 separate from the cover G, this
I effect by making the compressing tube or ring D, separate from cover, G, and
force it down by means of two set screws O, O, Fig. 2 or their equivalent, passing
through bridge of bridged or T bolt C, as before described, thus making the
joints H, H, H2, H3, by two operations instead of one. It may sometimes, under
special circumstances be advantageous to adopt this or equivalent slight modifications
in detail while retaining the leading features and requirements for carrying out
the object of this invention as before described.
At
When the chambered water-spaces A, A', are separate parts, it becomes necessary
to counteract the pressure brought to bear in compressing jointing material, this
I effect by substituting one or more straight tie-rods or bolts for bridged bolt C
and screwed in the same manner at the end passing through cover G, the length
of which tie-rod is governed by the length of tubes B, employed in each case.
the extreme end of straight rod, which occupies or passes through the interior of
tube BI provide a loop or eye or its equivalent and in the interior of water-
space AI fix to plate K¹, opposite the centre of the tube it is intended the
straight tie-rod should occupy, a hook or equivalent attachment, to receive the
loop or its equivalent on tic-rod, in order to ensure the loop or eye on tie-rod
engaging with hook or other attachment, I provide guides to tie-rod or an
equivalent arrangement, dotted view P Fig. 1 and section Fig. 3 will shew the
arrangement as above described. The number of these tie-rods employed is
governed in great measure by the size and form of boiler, coil &c. into which they
are introduced, my object in this arrangement is to release the tie-rod from hook
attachment upon having access to it by only removing cover G.
A very important advantage is secured over the methods hitherto employed,
(when first fixed or subsequently) in being able to fix each tube separate and
independent of any other, as it gives entire control, great facility and absolute
certainty of every joint being perfectly sound though there may be inequalities and
variations in the castings. Another great advantage is that in case of a tube
becoming damaged it would only be necessary for a short space of time to be

page_text: occupied by an unskilled workman in replacing a new tube and restore the boiler
to its original condition, the removal of G & D only being required to give access
to the tubes, and by the same means all the tubes can be cleaned which tends to
economise the fuel and prevents boiler being damaged by the fire.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
First. The use of a clear opening through both plates of front end or side of
chambered or hollow water-space for the admission of and fixing of each tube
separately in boilers, coils and the like, used for heating purposes, as herein before
described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Second. The configuration and mode of applying compressing and combination
of parts as herein before described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Third. The use of lugs or cross-bar, cast or fixed inside of tubes to facilitate
the extraction of a damaged tube as before described.
Fourth. The use of hook & loop attachment for long tie-rods passing through
tubes, as herein before described and illustrated by accompanying drawings.
Dated this 1st day of June One thousand eight hundred and ninety-six.
THOMAS GOODE MESSENGER.