AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR CLEANING OR SCOURING METAL TUBES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
A
& Co., Patent Agents; Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR CLEANING OR SCOURING METAL TUBES."
communication from abroad by William C. Allison, of Philadelphia, Penn-
sylvania. United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th September 1879.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR CLEANING OR
SCOURING METAL TUBES." [A communication from abroad by William C. Allison,
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America.]
This Invention has for its object the cleaning and scouring and removal of
imperfections and roughness from the interior of metal tubes.
It comprises a distributor directing the scouring material into the tube to be
cleansed or scoured, and reciprocating within the same so as to scour its interior by
the agitation and attrition of said material.
It also comprises rotating the tube to be cleansed or scoured while the distributor
is within the same, so that every portion of the inner face of the tube is subjected
to the action of the scouring material.

page_text: '
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
4th March 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR CLEANING OR
SCOURING METAL TUBES." A communication from abroad by William C. Allison,
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
This Invention has for its object the cleaning and scouring and removal of
imperfections and roughness from the interior of metal tubes.
It comprises a distributor for directing the scouring material into the tube to be
cleansed or scoured, and reciprocating within the same so as to scour its interior by
the agitation and attrition of such material.
It also comprises the rotating of the tube to be cleansed or scoured while the
distributor is within the same, so that every portion of the inner face of the tube is
subjected to the action of the scouring material.
The said Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawing in which,―
Figure 1 is a plan or top view of apparatus embodying this Invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical section on the line x, x, Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a vertical section on the line y, y, Figure 2.
Figure 4 shews a portion of the same detached.
Similar letters indicate same parts throughout the Drawing.
A represents a table or trough which is properly supported; at one end thereof is
mounted a hollow bearing or collar B having on its periphery a ratchet C with
which engages a pawl D depending from a crank arm E pivoted to one end of a
connecting arm F, whose other end is pivotted to a lever G suitably mounted on
the frame work or support a, said lever being operated by an excentric H or other
mechanism on a shaft H' supported on hangers, and receiving power in any proper
manner.
To the lower end of the lever G is pivotted a horizontally arranged pipe J which
passes freely through the hollow bearing B, and projects into the space of the
trough A. Secured to and communicating with said pipe is a fountain K which
is provided with a valve L so as to close and open communication with said pipe J,
the fountain being adapted to receive sand or other scouring material and
distribute it to the pipe.
The end of the bearing or collar B on the side opposite to the fountain K is
screw threaded for engagement with the threads of the tube to be cleansed, or is
provided with clamping mechanism for attaching the tube to said bearing.
The pipe J is perforated preferably at its lower portion, and the end within the
trough A is closed by a plug or stopper, but is free for the passage of the tube to be
scoured.
The operation is as follows:-The tube is slipped over the pipe or distributor J
and secured to the bearing or collar B, and is otherwise supported on the trough A.
Sand or other scouring material is placed in the fountain K, and the valve L is
duly opened.
Power is communicated to the shaft H¹ whereby as the lever G is operated
reciprocating motion is imparted to the tube J and the bearing or collar B is
rotated, thus rotating the tube to be scoured.
The scouring material is distributed from the fountain into and through the
pipe J by agitation due to the reciprocations of the pipe, and escapes through the
perforations thereof into the tube. As the latter is rotated and a portion of its
inner surface is constantly subjected to the attrition of the scouring material due to
the rubbing movements of the pipe, it is evident that said surface will be scoured,

page_text: and inperfections and roughness removed. When the operation is completed the
tube is released and withdrawn, and the scouring material therein is poured into
the trough A, whence it may be collected and returned to the fountain.
The pipe J may be operated by a cam or eccentric in one direction and a spring
in the other direction, and blows may be imparted to it to increase the agitation of
the scouring material.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
-
.
First. A pipe for directing scouring material into a tube to be cleansed and
reciprocating therein, whereby the interior of the tube is scoured by the agitation
of the said material, substantially as set forth.
Second. The tube rotating mechanism in combination with mechanism which
distributes and agitates the scouring material, substantially as set forth.
Third. A perforated pipe in combination with suitable means for reciprocating it
within the tube to be scoured, the said pipe being adapted to receive and discharge
the scouring material during its reciprocation.
Fourth. A perforated pipe in combination with suitable means for reciprocating
it within the tube to be scoured, and with means for rotating the said tube, the
said perforated pipe being adapted to receive and discharge the scouring material
during its reciprocation.
Fifth. The reciprocating pipe with a supply fountain and discharge outlets,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Sixth. The hollow rotary bearing or collar and reciprocating pipe, combined and
operating substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Seventh. The trough tube rotator and receprocating distributing pipe, combined
and operating substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
WM RORT LAKE 1701
WM RORT LAKE
(L.B.)