Improvements in Water-tight Connections for Speaking and other Tubes or Pipes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 19th May, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 5th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 23rd Mar., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Water-tight Connections for Speaking and other
Tubes or Pipes.
I, HAHNEMANN ADOLPHUS CUTMORE of 18 Queen's Road, South Norwood,
County of Surrey, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
This invention has for its object to improve the means whereby speaking and
other tubes or pipes are fitted water-tight to and passed through partitions such as
water-tight compartments, decks, and the like, though the invention is applicable
to apparatus other than that provided on ships; as however the invention is
specially applicable for use on ships I have in the following Specification described
its application to ships.
A bulk-head or equivalent pipe connection as ordinarily constructed consists
practically of a double union or coupling secured by a flange and rivets or
equivalent to the bulk-head or partition so that one coupling presented at each
side of the partition. Each of these couplings comprises a nut or cap screwing on
the threaded end of the body or coupling and a liner or tail piece to which the
adjacent end of the pipe is soldered or otherwise secured, with which arrangement
the continuity of the pipe is broken.
According to my invention I dispense with the liners and do not divide the pipe
at the part where it passes through the partition or bulk head, connection but I
retain the body and nuts.
I sheath the pipe with indiarubber or other suitable material at the part where it
passes through the coupling, said sheathing fitting tightly against the exterior of
the pipe and interior of the coupling which latter when utilizing those of the usual
Admiralty type may be bored out for this purpose. The sheathing is preferably
of such length that it projects a short distance at each end beyond the coupling.
Beyond the ends of the sheathing I provide washers of metal or other suitable
material but preferably indiarubber which are adapted to be compressed between
the nuts and the ends of the sheathing or of the coupling, or both, and thereby
complete the joint. If the washers be non-compressible they may be coned so as
to press the rubber or other sleeve tightly upon the pipe; or the end of the sleeve
and the washers and nuts, any or all of them, may be coned for the same purpose.
In this manner the continuity of the pipe is maintained at the partitions so that
less resistance is presented to the passage of say the voice through it and moreover
the pipe is entirely supported in a flexible or non-metallic fitting capable of
absorbing vibrations which would otherwise be transmitted to the pipe. This
bulk-head piece also forms an improved water-tight connection in case of
accident.
In utilizing, in accordance with this invention, the bulk-head or equivalent
connections of the type now approved by the Admiralty I may reduce the size of
the openings through the nuts or screwed caps so that they may loosely fit over the
exterior of the pipe instead of over the liners as heretofore.
Dated this 10th day of May 1894.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Water-tight Connections for Speaking and other
Tubes or Pipes.
I, HAHNEMANN ADOLPHUS CUTMORE, of 18 Queens Road, South Norwood, in
the County of Surrey, England, Electrician, 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 to water-tight fittings for speaking and other tubes or
pipes where they extend through bulkheads, or partitions, decks, and the like, and
although I purpose describing the invention as applied to speaking tubes or voice
pipes. for use upon ships or vessels, I do not limit myself to its application as it may
be used with equal effect for steam pipes, and can be placed in any position where
a water-tight joint is required.
The usual type of water tight bulkhead pipe fitting or connection as adopted by
the Admiralty, consists practically of a double union or coupling secured by a
flange and bolts to the bulkhead or partition, so that one coupling is presented at
each side of the partition. Each of these couplings comprises a nut or collar which
screws on to the threaded end of the body of the coupling and retains a liner or
tail piece, to which the adjacent end of the pipe is soldered, it having been necessary
to divide the pipe at the part where it connects with the coupling. Thus the
continuity of the pipe is broken and a considerable amount of vibratory or other
sounds, which are inseperable from the bulkhead when the machinery is in motion,
are picked up in the pipe or tube causing the voice sounds which pass through the
tube to be weakened or confused.
Now my invention is designed to overcome this disadvantage by preventing all
extraneous sounds from being picked up or entering the voice pipe, at the same
time, preserve the continuity of the pipe.
But in order that my invention may be better understood reference is made to
the accompanying drawing which is to be taken as part of this Specification and
read therewith :-
The drawing represents a sectional view of a water-tight bulkhead pipe fitting or
piece, having a tubular body (A) flange (B) and two screw threaded collars (C)
and (C) one of which is shewn pressing the india rubber washer (D) into position,
whilst the other washer (E) is not shewn compressed. (F) is a portion of a voice
pipe or speaking tube, arranged in the bulkhead piece, and (G) is a jacket of india
rubber or other suitable material placed over the pipe (F) to fit tightly between it
and the inside of the body (A). Said jacket may slightly project say a
sixteenth of an inch (16") at each end beyond the body to allow for compression if
necessary.
(H) and (H) are conically shaped flanges formed upon the collars (C) and (C)
to act upon said flexible washers (D) and (E), and as these collars are tightened or
screwed up the flanges bind upon the washers and force them into correspondingly
shaped recesses (1) and (1) made in the ends of the body (A), in such a manner that
a perfect water-tight joint is formed.
The aperture in each of the flanged collars (C) and (C) is made larger than the
external diameter of the pipe, so that the pipe may not come in contact with any
metallic substance.
It will thus be seen that the continuity of the pipe is maintained at the partitions
so that less resistance is presented to the passage of say the voice, through it, and
moreover the pipe is entirely supported in a flexible or non-inetallic fitting which
prevents the vibratory sounds from the bulkhead, entering the pipe.
Where the invention is used for steam pipes it will of course be understood that

page_text: any flexible substance, for instance asbestos, may be substituted for india rubber
which would perish if used under these circumstances.
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 :-
Firstly. In water-tight connections or fittings for speaking and other tubes or
pipes, the combination and arrangement with the body (A) of the pipe jacket (G)
substantially as and for the purposes herein described and as illustrated in my
drawing.
Secondly. In water-tight connections or fittings for speaking and other tubes or
pipes the combination and arrangement with the body (A) of the washers (D)
and (E), and flanged collars (C) and (C) substantially as and for the purposes
herein described and as illustrated in my drawing.
Thirdly. In water-tight connections or fittings for speaking and other tubes or
pipes the combination and arrangement with the body (A) of the collars (C) and (C)
having conically shaped flanges (H) and (H) to act upon the washers (D) and (E)
and force them into the recesses (1) and (I) substantially as and for the purposes
herein described and as illustrated in my drawing.
Fourthly. The combination of the various parts mentioned, arranged to form a
water-tight bulkhead or equivalent fitting or piece whereby the continuity of the
speaking or other tube or pipe is maintained at the partitions substantially as and
for the purposes herein described and as illustrated in my drawing.
Deted this 5th day of Februar 1895
W. D. ROWLINGSON,
172, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.