Improvements in and relating to Expansion Joints and Couplings for Pipes, Stuffing-boxes, and other like Apparatus
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Oct., 1894-Accepted, 8th Dec., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Expansion Joints and Couplings for
Pipes, Stuffing-boxes, and other like Apparatus.
I, WILLIAM SANDERSON DAWSON, of 45 Hendon Road, Sunderland, in the
County of Durham, Ropemaker, 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:—
My invention relates to the construction of apparatus adapted mainly as an
expansion, or coupling joint for pipes, but the use of the said apparatus is not
confined to these purposes, as for example certain parts thereof may be employed
in connection with stuffing-boxes for piston, valve, or other rods.
In the accompanying two sheets of drawings, which form part of this Specification,
and in which similar letters of reference denote similar parts throughout;
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section, and
Fig. 2 is a cross-section through AA in Fig. 1 shewing two pipes connected by
a device which forms part of my improved apparatus.
in
Fig. 3. is an elevation of a jointed gland, or device, which may be used alone, or
combination with the apparatus shewn in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a similar view to Fig. 3, shewing the parts detached, and
Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively views of the separate halves, at right angles to
Figs. 3 and 4, shewing the joint faces.
Fig. 7 is a side elevation, partly in section, shewing two pipes connected by an
apparatus consisting of a combination of the devices shewn in 'the preceding
figures.
Fig. 8 is an elevation, partly in section, of an ordinary piston rod stuffing-box,
and the application thereto of the gland shewn in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, B, C are the ends of a couple of steam, water,
gas, or other pipes, which require to be connected. The apparatus, forming part
of my invention, shewn as employed for this purpose, consists of a tubular sleeve,
or clamp, formed in two halves D, D', exactly similar in shape. The inner surface
is recessed for the greater portion of its length, as shewn at E, while the ends are
bored, or made a fairly close fit to the external diameter of the pipes.
Each of the pieces D, D', is provided with two (or more) lugs F, F, having
holes for the reception of bolts H, H, to secure the apparatus on the pipes. If
preferred a hinge may be substituted for the lugs and bolt on one side.
Extending longitudinally nearly the whole length on one edge of each said piece
is a spigot or projecting strip J, and on the other edge a recess K, corresponding in
form, to receive the strip on the opposite piece. These said strips and recesses
ensure the two parts of the clamp coming into correct position with each other, and
also make a good joint.
Before applying the pieces D, D', to the pipes, the recesses E, E, are filled with
putty, lead, Indian rubber, or any other substance, or packing suitable for the
required joint. The said pieces are then placed in position and drawn together by
bolts H, H, and the joint is complete.
In cases where a joint of this description is applied to pipes subject to considerable
variations in temperature, as for instance, steam pipes, the ends F', F1, of the clamp
should not be in close contact with the pipes, in order that the said pipes may be
free to move longitudinally in the packing in the recess E, and a space, as shewn,
should be left between the ends of the pipes to permit of such movement.
The
apparatus, when so arranged, forms an effective expansion joint.
In the case of thin pipes, which would be too weak in themselves to withstand

page_text: the pressure of the clamp, a ferrule, or ferrules may be applied to their ends to
strengthen them, and the recess E provides accomodation for the reception of
such ferrule, or ferrules.
It also provides space for a socket, where the clamp is applied to pipes having a
spigot and socket joint.
The said apparatus, as well as forming a joint, may readily be applied to stop a
leak or fracture in any part of a pipe, and in both cases, as will be obvious, the
apparatus can be applied to the pipes without taking them apart, or interfering
with them in any way.
The apparatus, as above described, is constructed to form a joint or coupling for
two pipes only, but if it be required to connect three or four pipes in this manner,
it is only necessary in the case of three pipes to form the pieces D, D', with a side
branch, i.e. to make them in the form of a T piece, and in the case of four pipes, to
make them with two side branches, or in the form of a cross, the strips and recesses
and the lugs being modified as required to suit the circumstances of each case.
The device shewn in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 consists of a disc formed in two
parts M, M', with a central annular projection N, N¹. The joint between the two
parts is formed as follows. The said annular projection is cut nearly through in
two places P, on a diametral line, the disc is cut through in two places Q on a line
parallel to, and a short distance from the said diametral line, and these
divisions P and Q are joined by divisions R, R. These said divisions R, R, are
cut on the slope towards each other in two directions; in one direction as shewn
most clearly in Figs. 3 and 4, and in another direction as shewn most clearly in
Figs. 5 and 6, so that when the two halves are slid together they interlock firmly
and practically form one piece.
The central aperture S is of the diameter, or thereabouts, of the pipe or rod to
which the device is to be applied, and for certain purposes the annular
projection N, N' is recessed, as shewn at T.
In Fig. 7 the apparatus shewn in Figs. 1 and 2 is again represented as employed
to connect two pipes B and C, but in this instance it has combined with it two of
the jointed glands, or devices above described.
The recesses T therein are of such size as to pass over the ends of the sleeve D, D',
.suitable packing U being first placed within the said recesses, and the glands are
drawn together by bolts V, apertures W being formed in them to receive the said
bolts. Such an arrangement provides a stuffing-box joint at each end of the clamp
aforesaid, so that the apparatus forms an effective expansion joint. If preferred,
the recesses T may be omitted, recesses being formed in the ends of the pieces D, D',
to receive the projections N, N¹.
Fig. 8 represents the application of a modified form of the jointed device above
described to serve as a stuffing-box gland. X is part of a cylinder cover and Y the
pistou rod.
The gland M, M' is of practically similar construction to that shewn in Figs. 3,
4, 5 and 6, but is without the recess T. It is drawn into the stuffing box by the
ordinary studs and nuts Z.
A jointed gland of this description can be at once applied to a piston rod without
removing the cross head, as the two halves are merely placed on the rod and then
one slid into the other. By supplying spare glands of this construction to an engine,
a broken or damaged glaud can be removed and a new one fitted with very little
expenditure of time or labour.
The above examples are given as characteristic modes of applying my invention
in practice and as illustrative of its principles, but 1 do not confine myself
specifically thereto.
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 :-
1. In a pipe joint or coupling, a sleeve formed in two parts D, D¹, united by

page_text: lugs F and bolts H, or other suitable fastening devices, and having a recessed
portion E, strips J and recesses K, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
2. In a pipe joint or coupling, a disc formed in two parts M, M', with an annular
projection N, N', and joint faces P, Q, R so shaped that the said two parts inter-
lock with each other, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
3. In a pipe joint or coupling, in combination, a sleeve formed in two parts D, D',
united by lugs F and bolts H, or other suitable fastening devices and having a
recessed portion E, strips J and recesses K discs formed in two parts M, M', with
annular projections N, N', interlocking joint faces P, Q, R, recesses T and bolts V
connecting said discs, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
4. In a stuffing-box, a gland formed of a disc in two parts M, M', with an
annular projection N, N', and interlocking joint faces P, Q, R, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 27th day of October 1894.
AMBROSE MYALL,
2, Lancaster Place, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.