Year: 1885

page_text: that can be tightened up while in use if required, and that can be more easily
applied than ordinary tube stoppers.
It is best described by aid of the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of tube stopper in position in tube.
Figure 2 section on line x y.
Figure 3 joint shown in bent position.
In these A B are two rods a little longer than the tube to be stopped. They are
linked together by eyes a b as shown, and are depicted broken in two places so as
to get the drawing into the sheet.
The object of having two or more rods linked together is that for long tubes the
space in front of the smoke-box is not wide enough to admit of full length. The
usual plan in such cases is to make the rod in several lengths screwed into each
other or connected by tubular nuts. I however much prefer this novel plan of
mine of hinging the rods and adding tubes and washer as hereinafter described.
C is a tube made large enough for a and b to be comfortably inside, and is cut
away at d to enable the apparatus to bend as hereafter described. D is a washer
pressing against tube C. e bottom of tube C and formed in one with it. FG two
tubes each also shown broken in two in the drawing, bearing against D or e at one
end and discs H H¹ respectively at the other end, and loosely enclosing rod A
or B. H H two perforated discs sliding loosely on rods A and B respectively.
IP spherically curved cylinder of lead placed in notches ii in discs H H¹ and
nut J or disc L respectively, these lead cylinders are just large enough in diameter
to enter the tube. This latter is shown at K in the drawing, and is shown broken
like other long parts to get it into the sheet.
J nut preferably canted or squared at end and having cylindrical flange grooved
ati as set forth. It is screwed on to the end of rod A K tube to be stopped.
k tube plates. L disc similar to H (but unperforated) and grooved to receive
cylinder I. M annular flanged washer fitting over L and so sized that when it
comes against the tube plate round the outside of the tube, and the apparatus
screwed up the centre of the cylinder L¹ shall come opposite the centre of the tube
plate section. The lengths of the tubes F G are also so arranged that when I'
comes opposite the centre of its tube plate I shall (if all is screwed up) be opposite

page_text: its tube plate centre as shown. N nut on rod B pressing against L and used to
screw all up tight. P square (or as the case may be) hexagonal thimble fitted
loosely to and placed over the nut N and slightly longer, a nut for tightening up
the thimble P against flanged washer M. R squared end of screwed rod B.
The mode of action is as follows:-
The parts being put together outside of the tube but otherwise as set forth in
the drawing, the nut N is gently turned so as to take up the slack, and the
apparatus previously adjusted as to length, thrust into the tube, the rods being
first if necessary held at the joint as in Figure 3 till the first half of the apparatus
has advanced into the tube sufficiently to allow the remaining portion being held
in line. The tube C is then turned round to lock the joint. The apparatus is then
shoved into the tube till the flanged washer M comes against the tube plate. The
thimble P and with it nut N are now turned till the lead cylinders I and I¹ are
squeezed out sufficiently to stop all leakage. The steam entering at the perforations
in II help the outward bending of the lead.
It will be seen that the parts LH Ge C D F and H all sliding freely on the
rods A B any pressure brought on L by nut N is transferred practically equally
throughout these parts, and is equally exerted on both cylinders I l¹ causing both
to bend outward, and tighten in the tube. S is a tube of india-rubber preferably
inserted in the cylinders I I' surrounding the stem A or B and abutting on J
and H or H¹ and L so as to prevent all escape of steam along the rods.
In describing my apparatus, I do not bind myself to the exact details herein set
forth, as I am well aware that other alloys or metals or even other elastic materials
can be substituted for lead, but I prefer lead as being unchanged by steam heat
contact with products of combustion etcetera, and the mechanical details can be
greatly varied, for instance, the parts P M and Q could be dispensed with and yet
with care the apparatus be used with effect, but the cap M is very desirable as it
regulates precisely the point at which the closure of the tube is effected, and ensures
it being done exactly at the tube plate the best place.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1st. The tube stopper as a whole substantially as herein described and shown.
2nd. The application of an arched yielding cylinder I of lead or its equivalent
metal or alloy as the stopping medium in conjunction with discs forming abut-
ments to the arch the inner ones preferably perforated, and a screw rod or rods and
washers or their equivalent, substantially as described.
3rd. The combination of the bulged cylinder II the discs J H H¹ L and the
tube or tubes F G with the screwing up device, substantially as and for the
purposes described.
0
4th. In combination with the parts set forth in claim 2 the rubber or other
waterproof and stiff though elastic tube S for the purposes described.
5th. The joint set forth in Figures 1 and 2 substantially as and for the purposes
described.
Dand thin wrth 1
L
1008