IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF METALLIC TUBES SUITABLE FOR THE FIRE BOXES, FLUES AND SHELLS OF STEAM BOILERS OR OTHER SIMILAR STRUCTURES, PIPES, INNER TUBES AND OUTER CASINGS FOR ORDNANCE, AND OTHER ANALOGOUS ARTICLES
Year: 1885

page_text: I, SAMSON Fox, of the Leeds Forge, New Wortley, Leeds, in the County of
York, Engineer and Ironmaster, do hereby declare the nature of said invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF
METALLIC TUBES SUITABLE FOR THE FIRE BOXES, FLUES AND SHELLS OF STEAM
BOILERS OR OTHER SIMILAR STRUCTURES, PIPES, INNER TUBES AND OUTER CASINGS
FOR ORDNANCE, AND OTHER ANALOGOUS ARTICLES" to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in machinery or apparatus for the
manufacture of metallic tubes, suitable for the fire boxes, flues, and shells of steam
boilers and other similar structures, pipes inner tubes and outer casings. for
ordnance and other analogous articles.
The object of this invention as regards such tubes above referred to which have
heretofore been made by bending plate metal to the desired form and welding and
rivetting the joint and also as regards other tubes and analogous articles which
have been made by the ordinary method of casting or forging in various ways, is
to manufacture such articles in a more expeditious and reliable manner, and with-
out joint, and consists in an operation I will call "squirting" by which metal such
as mild steel, while in a molten state is by pressure on its surface, caused to rise
into a suitably prepared mould. This may be done either by a dead weight or
other pressure. When making tubes or other articles of cylindrical form I use a
vertically constructed mould comprising the following parts, viz:-A base or
foundation, the upper surface of which is of a concave shape, elliptical or otherwise
so as to cause an easy flow of the metal in the upward direction when pressure is
brought to bear upon it, upon the said base is erected and securely fixed thereto a
metallic cylinder which may be in one or more parts, the interior of which in some
cases has a covering of refractory material, and corresponds with the external
shape of the required tube or other article, the height of said cylinder being the
same as the proposed length of the tube or article required to be produced. In
the centre of the concave recess of the base part, I 6x a metallic pin, extending
upwards a suitable distance, and which enters a corresponding opening in the
centre of a ram and serves to guide it into a concentric position with the interior
of the metallic cylinder above referred to, an annular space between the interior of
the said cylinder and the exterior of the ram representing the tube or article to be
1

page_text: produced. The said ram is of metal and is provided at the bottom with a projecting
end, this end may be a separate part attached to the body and has a convex
configuration corresponding with the concave recess in the base, the upper part of
said ram is provided with an adjustable collar, the external diameter of which is
the same as the projecting end at the bottom, these represent the internal diameter
of tube to be produced, the body of the ram between the projecting end and the
adjustable collar has a covering of yielding material such as hayband, (to allow for
the yielding of a tube or other object in cooling,) upon which is a covering of
refractory material of the same diameter as the projecting end and adjustable
collar.
After heating the mould or matrix, and the ram to a suitable degree, the mode
of operation is as follows:-The ram is suspended, guided, and held in position by
any suitable means, such a distance above the other part of the mould or matrix,
as to permit of the latter being supplied with a sufficient quantity of molten inetal
as will form the required object, the ram is then lowered into position, the convex
end comes into contact with the surface of the metal, and the ram being allowed to
continue its descent, and by its excessive weight or other pressure which may be
brought to bear upon it causes the molten metal to flow or to be squirted upward
into the mould or matrix and the required object is produced, which after removal
from the mould may be subjected to either plain or corrugating rolls or both.
some cases in addition to the ram being covered with yielding material to allow of
cooling of the article produced, without fracture, it is sometimes made in such wise
as to be collapsable.
In
When it is desired to produce a tube or other object (such for instance as a
locomotive fire box,) with corrugated surfaces, I form the mould or matrix with
corrugations therein, and with a pool or reservoir outside and near the bottom of
said inould or matrix, and after such pool has been supplied with the necessary
quantity of molten metal I cause a ram provided with a gland or ring thereon in
such wise that on the descent of the ram into the said pool, such gland or ring may
come into contact with the top of the pool, and being secured thereto will prevent
molten metal escaping up the side of the ram as it passes through the said gland
in its continued descent in the pool whereby it squirts or causes the molten metal
to ascend into the mould or matrix as in the previously described operation in
which the ram descended directly into the mould, and thus to produce the object
desired.
In making such articles as previously referred to, whether plain or with corru-
gations, I sometimes construct the internal part of the mould hollow for the
admission of a ram in suchwise that molten metal shall not rise in any considerable
quantity within such hollow part around the ram, the molten metal being introduced
into the base of the mould whilst the ram is elevated by any suitable means for
such purpose, such molten metal is squirted up into the mould as previously
described.
The guide pin in the base of the mould may in this case be dispensed with.
Further In some cases I construct the mould in suchwise that it is self-
contained and may be bodily removed from a base part while the molten metal is
introduced, the mould being afterwards replaced; the bottom part of this base is
capable of movement upwards by hydraulic or other pressure, thus elevating the
metal and causing it to be squirted upwards into the mould.

page_text: I, SAMSON Fox, of the Leeds Forge, New Wortley, Leeds, in the County of York,
Engineer and Ironmaster, 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 :-
Such tubes or casings have heretofore usually been made by bending plate metal
to the desired form and welding or rivetting the joint or by the ordinary method of
casting or forging in various ways and my invention has for object to manufacture
them in a more expeditious and reliable manner and without joint. .
For this purpose I produce the tubes or casings as hereinafter described by an
operation I will call "squirting," according to which, metal such as mild steel,
while in a molten state is by pressure on its surface, caused to rise into a suitably
prepared mould.
This may be done either by a dead weight or other pressure.
When making
tubes or like articles of hollow cylindrical form I use a vertical mould, constructed
with a base or foundation, the upper surface of which is of a concave shape,
(elliptical or otherwise) so as to cause an easy flow of the metal in the upward
direction when pressure is brought to bear upon it; upon this base is securely fixed
a metallic cylinder that may be in one or more parts; the interior of this cylinder
which in some cases has a covering of refractory material, corresponds with the
external shape of the tube or like article to be produced, and the height of the
cylinder is equal to the intended length of the said article. Within the cylinder is
a ram and in the centre of the concave recess of the base is fixed a metallic pin,
extending upwards a suitable distance, and which enters a corresponding opening
in the centre of the ram and serves to guide and maintain it concentric with the
interior of the cylinder so that there is an annular space between the interior of
the cylinder and the exterior of the ram, which space corresponds to the configura-
tion of the intended tube or article to be produced.
The ram is of metal and at the lower end is enlarged so as to form an annular
projection; this enlarged lower end may be (or not) a separate part attached to the
body, and has a convex configuration corresponding to the concave recess in the
base; the upper part of the ram is provided with an adjustable collar the external
diameter of which is the same as that of the projecting lower end which diameter
is the same as the internal diameter of the tube to be produced. Around the body
of the ram between the projecting lower end and the adjustable collar there is a
covering of yielding material such as hay band, to allow of the yielding of a tube o̟r.

page_text: like article in cooling and upon the yielding material there is a covering of refrac-
tory material having the same external diameter as the projecting lower end and
adjustable collar. Before introducing metal to form a tube or casing, the mould or
matrix, and the ram are heated to a suitable degree then the mode of operation is
as follows:-The ram is suspended, guided and held in position by any suitable
means such a distance above the top of the mould or matrix, as to permit of the
introduction of a sufficient quantity of molten metal to form the required article,
after introduction of the molten metal, the ram is lowered so that its convex end
comes into contact with the surface of the molten metal, the ram is allowed or
caused by its own weight or otherwise to continue its descent and thus cause the
molten metal to flow or be squirted upward into the annular mould or matrix to
form the required tube or casing, which after having become sufficiently cooled is
removed from the mould and may be subjected to the action of either plain or
corrugated rolls or both.
In addition to the use around the ram of yielding material to allow of cooling
of the article produced, without fracture, the ram can sometimes be made in such-
wise as to be collapsible.
When it is desired to produce a tube or other like article (such for instance as a
locomotive fire-box) with corrugated surfaces I forin the mould or matrix to produce
the corrugations and provide a pool or reservoir outside and near the bottom of
the mould or matrix, and after the reservoir has been supplied with the necessary
quantity of molten metal, I cause a ram provided with a gland or ring, to press
thereon in such wise, during the descent of the ram, the gland or ring may come
into contact with the top of the reservoir and being secured thereto will prevent
molten metal escaping past the ram as it works through the gland. By its
continued descent into the pool, the ram squirts or causes the molten metal to
ascend into the mould or matrix as in the previously described arrangement in
which the ram descended directly into the mould and thus is produced the required
tubular article.
In making such articles as previously referred to, whether plain or with corruga-
tions I sometimes make the internal part of the mould hollow for the admission of
a ram in suchwise that molten metal shall not rise in any considerable quantity
within such hollow part around the ram, the molten metal being introduced into
the base of the mould whilst the ram is elevated by any means for such purpose, in
this case also the molten metal is squirted up into the mould as previously described.
The guide pin in the base of the mould may in this arrangement be dispensed
with.
In some cases I construct the mould in such wise that it is self contained and
may be bodily removed from a base part while the molten metal is introduced the
mould being afterwards replaced, the bottom part of this base is capable of move-
ment upwards by hydraulic or other pressure, thus elevating the metal and causing
it to be squirted upwards into the mould.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1, Sheet 1, is a plan. Fig. 2, a sectional
elevation, and Fig. 3, an outside view or elevation of a machine or apparatus for
the manufacture of weldless metallic tubes such as previously referred to, a, is the
metallic base, having a recess or cavity a¹, for the reception of molten metal such
as mild steel from which the intended article is to be produced, b, is a metallic
cylinder, mould or matrix, constructed in sections and fixed securely to the base a,
by the staples c, and cotters d, or otherwise, and is adjusted in a concentric position
with the recess a³, of the base, by means of an annular V projection 61, taking
into a corresponding groove a³, in said base, c¹, is a central pin fixed in the
base a, it projects upwards some distance above the molten metal in the recess a¹,
and serves to guide the bottom end of a ram d', as it descends into the cylinder,
mould or matrix b, the upper part being guided by the external parts b'. The end
of this ram d is formed of convex shape corresponding to that of the recess in the
base, 'so as to direct the upward flow of the molten metal as the ram descends upon'
it, into-the-annular space e, between the periphery of the ram and the interior of the

page_text: cylinder or mould, and thus to produce the desired tube. The configuration of the
end of the rain d', is such that by fitting into the recess a¹, it will expel (as nearly
as possible) the whole of the molten metal from the recess a¹, into the mould or
matrix, ff, are vertical grooves in the body of the ram for the escape of such gas
as may be generated by the action of the hot metal upon the material forming the
outside of the ram, g, g, is the covering of yielding material such as hayband, with
a conting of refractory material as previously referred to.
Fig. 4, shews a modification in the construction of the ram d³, its convex end d³,
being in this case a separate part, secured to the body of the ram by the bolt h,
which also holds on the upper plate and guiding parts 62, this arrangement
facilitates the replacing of the convex end d³, when it becomes worn out, as well
as the removal of a tube from the ram when cooled down.
The other parts of this apparatus are similar to those in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, and are
lettered accordingly.-Fig. 5, Sheet 2, shews in plan, Fig. 6, in sectional elevation
Fig. 7, in sectional plan on the line 1, 2, and Fig. 8, in elevation, a modified
arrangement of apparatus wherein a separate reservoir is employed for the recep-
tion of the molten metal.-The matrix or mould with its core though they may
be formed to produce plain tubes are shewn as adapted to the manufacture of
corrugated tubes.
Both the outside cylinder or mould, and the core are made in sections to admit
of their being more readily assembled as well as to facilitate their removal from the
articles made in the mould. i, is the base upon which the mould or matrix j, is
secured in a manner similar to that described with reference to b, in Figs. 1, 2, 3.
c, is the core having a separate metallic convex end c¹, as previously described with
reference to d² Fig. 4, both the convex end and the top c³, are secured by the
bolt events c' and 7, being provided for the escape of air and gas. The
cylinder and core are shewn provided with refractory material g, and with corru-
gations thereon, k, is the pool or reservoir, A, is a double acting hydraulic press,
the ram l, of which, descending and pressing upon the molton metal causes it to
ascend or to be squirted into the mould or matrix as indicated by the arrow m.
The ram , is provided with a gland n, through which it passes, the joint between
it and the reservoir being of asbestos and such as to prevent the escape of metal
around the ram.-Fig. 9, Sheet 3, shews in sectional elevation a modification of the
invention. In this arrangement the base o, is provided with a recess or pool into
which molten metal is poured. The core p, (into which the ram q, is fitted) is made
hollow and is lowered gradually; its bottom presses upon and enters the fluid
metal and forces or squirts it upward into the matrix or mould formed by the
interior surface of the outer part b, and the hollow core p, as indicated by the
arrows 7. T.
The outside part b, as well as the core p, may be lined and covered or otherwise
with refractory material as previously referred to.
Fig. 10, shews in sectional elevation an arrangement wherein the base s, has fixed
to its underside a hydraulic or other press t, the ram u, of this press is continued
upward, its upper part being of suitable size to fit or take into the bore of the said
bases, The base is of such capacity that it will contain sufficient molten metal for
the formation of the required article.
The upper surface of the ram u, is protected by refractory material v.
On the top of the said base 8, is fitted the matrix or mould which is capable of
removal therefrom while the molten metal is being poured into the base, after which
it is replaced and the ram u, caused to ascend and squirt the fluid metal into the
said matrix to produce the article required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would have it under-
stood that no general claim is made to the manufacture of metallic tubes or
analogous articles by squirting or forcing molten metal through a die or dies by
pressure, after such metal has become partially solidified, as I am aware such a

page_text: process has been adopted in the manufacture of lead or composition pipes, and rod
lead for making bullets, but what I do claim is
1. The use in the manufacture of metallic tubes or tubular articles such as
hereinabove referred to, comprising a cylinder or matrix having a cavity or reser-
voir for molten metal in its bottom or base and containing a suitably guided rain
with an elastic surface, the arrangement being such that between the inner surface
of the cylinder or matrix and the elastic surface of the ram there is formed an
annular space corresponding to the form of the tubular article to be produced, and
into which annular space molten metal from the cavity or reservoir is squirted or
forced by pressure of the descending ram (or by additional pressure) upon the
surface of the molten metal as hereinabove described.
2. Apparatus for the manufacture of metallic tubes or tubular articles such
as bereinabove referred to, constructed, arranged and operating as described with
reference respectively to and shewn in Figs. 1, to 3, inclusive, and in Fig. 4 of the
drawings annexed.
3. Apparatus for the manufacture of metallic tubes or tubular articles such as
hereinabove referred to, comprising an annular mould of the required form with
fixed centre, a reservoir for molten metal, and a plunger to force molten metal from
a reservoir into the annular mould, the arrangement being substantially such as
described with reference to Figs. 5, to 8 inclusive of the drawings annexed.
4. Apparatus for the manufacture of metallic tubes or tubular articles such as
hereinabove referred to, constructed arranged and operating substantially as
described with reference to Fig. 9, of the drawings annexed.
5. Apparatus for the manufacture of metallic tubes or tubular articles such as
hereinabove referred to, comprising a mould of the required form and below it a
reservoir with a movable bed or bottom for molten metal, the arrangement being
such that the bed or bottom can by a hydraulic press or equivalent means be moved
upward so as to squirt or force molten metal from the reservoir into the mould as
described above.