Manufacturer
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Aug., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 7th Oct., 1887.
[Communicated from abroad by THE BABOOCK AND WILCOX COMPANY, of New York
City, in the United States of America, Steam Boiler Manufacturers.]
I, WALLACE FAIRWEATHER, C.E. of the firm of Cruikshank & Fairweather,
62 Saint Vincent Street, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Fellows of the Institute of Patent
Agents, 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 the construction of manifolds or tube headers for use in
connecting together the series of water tubes of sectional steam generators, and it
consists in certain novel features of construction as applied either to corrugated or
other shaped headers, whereby the same are manufactured from wrought metal
tubes.
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention figures 1 and 2 on
sheet 1 are end and front elevations respectively of a completed manifold; figures 3
and 4 similar views of the strap or periphery of the same; figures 5 and 6, 7 and 8
corresponding views respectively of the tube sheet, and the hand hole sheet; figure 9
an enlarged cross section of figure 2 on the line; and figure 10 a similarly
enlarged cross section on the line y --y. On sheet 2, figure 1, is a front elevation of
a completed header of a different form; figure 2 an end view of the same; figure 3 a
cross section on the line -- figure 1; figure 4 a front elevation partly in section of a
modified form of header; figure 5 a side view of figure 4; figure 6 a front elevation of
another modification of form; figure 7 a side view of figure 6; figure 8 a front elevation
of another modification of form, and figure 9 a side view thereof.
On sheet 3 corre-
sponding figures represent similar views of forms of headers corresponding to those
[ Price 8d.1

page_text: shown on sheet 2, the headers differing only as regards the manner in which the parts are
welded together. Figure 10 on this sheet is a cross section corresponding with figure 3,
showing a modified detail of construction. On sheet 4, figure 1 is a cross section of a
machine of special adaptation to welding flanged hand hole sheets into corrugated
headers the parts of the manifold being shown placed in position between the dies
preparatory to welding, the plane of the said section being that of the line y--y,
figure 2, which is a plan view of the machine corresponding in the position of the
several parts to figure 1; figures 3 and 4 are cross sectional views of detached parts
of the manifold prepared for welding; figure 5 is a plan view of a manifold as
completed by the operation of the machine the hand hole sheet being welded in place;
and figure 6 is a cross section of the same on the line -- looking toward the end
nearest to said line.
To
Referring to the figures on sheet 1 of the drawings the strap or periphery A, of
each of the several forms of manifolds illustrated is composed of a single piece formed
by bending a band or skelp into the required shape and joining the ends thereof,
preferably by welding, so as to form the continuous irregular side of the box or
manifold. The plates B and D are formed by cutting them from a plate of metal and
turning a flange around their peripheries. By preference this operation will be
performed by properly formed dies in a hydraulic press, in a manner well known in
the art. The holes in these plates may be punched either before or after flanging or
at the same operation, but by preference they are produced by punching after the
plate is flanged whereby they are not liable to distortion by the flanging process.
the interior inargins of the strap A, the plates B and D, having the required form to
fit said strap, and provided respectively with perforations & and d, are fixed in the
position more clearly shown by figures 9 and 10, and welded or riveted by means
of their outwardly projecting flanges ', ' to the said margins.
points between the perforations 6 and d, small perforations e are provided for
the reception of hollow stays, or stay bolts f, figures 9 and 10, which serve
as a means for stiffening and further securing the plates B and D in position.
The circular perforations d, in the plates D are for the reception of water tubes to be
fixed in series therein, by expanding the same, or by other well known process. The
hand hole perforations b, of the plates B, are in the present instance of circular form
and outwardly flanged so as to form an exterior seat for the hand hole plates, the
latter being held in place on the outside by means of interior yokes. The per-
forations in the end faces of the strap A, are provided for the reception of tube
connections at the ends of the manifold.
At suitable
Referring to the figures on sheet 2 of the drawings the periphery A, of the several
manifolds is formed in the manner above described with reference to the manifolds
illustrated on sheet 1. The plates B and D in the present instance after being fixed
in position as shown by figure 3 are welded about their edges to the margins of the
strap A, the plates being of sufficient thickness for the purpose. The perforations 6 of
the plates B, are oblong and suitably shaped for the introduction of the hand hole
plates opposite the tube perforations d. The end surfaces of the strap A, in figures 1,
2 and 3 are provided with perforations c for the reception of tube connections. The
manifolds shown by figures 4 to 9 inclusive are made to connect in series as indicated
by dotted lines, the adjacent sides thereof being connected by means of nipples f,
fixed into the perforations c.
At
Referring to sheet 3, figures 1, 2 and 3, the open box A, the sides of which
compose the exterior flange a is pressed or stamped from a single piece of metal into
the corrugated trough like form the ends a' being formed from the same piece.
the same operation or at a subsequent operation the back of the box A is perforated
with circular holes d for the reception of the water tubes. The ends a are also
perforated with circular openings c for the reception of tube connections. A separate
plate B formed in a similar manner having the flange b is perforated with oblong
openings e having a suitable shape for the introduction. of hand hole plates opposite
the tube perforations. The plate B, flanged at 6 to fit the interior of the flanges a, a
or sides of the box is welded or riveted in the position more clearly shown by figure 3,

page_text: the flange b projecting outward preferably. The plate B may also be made without
flanges and of sufficient thickness as in figure 10, to be welded in place by its edges,
presenting a flush exterior surface of the manifold. The manifolds shown by figures 4
to 9 inclusive are produced in a corresponding manner to that described with relation
to figures 1, 2 and 3, and the feature of figure 10 is likewise applicable. The dotted
lines indicate the relative position of adjacent duplicate manifolds which are connected
in series by means of nipples fixed into the perforations c.
The figures on sheet 4 of the drawings illustrate an improved method of welding
the margins of a flanged sheet or flat plate to the inner edges of a box aperture in the
process of forming a closed box the said method of welding being applicable in the
construction of manifolds of the forms above referred to.
The object sought is to bring the heated welding surfaces of the sheet margins and
the box aperture opposite one another to their proper adjustment before permitting
contact of the metal; and this part of the invention consists first, in preparing the
material by flaring out the edges of the box aperture so as to allow of the margins of
the sheet being placed in the correct, position without the two surfaces coming in
contact and making a premature weld, and second in applying pressure by any
suitable means so as to force the pieces in contact.
The flared shape given to the aperture of the box as shown in figures 1 and 2, is
imparted when the box is stamped out, and is made sufficient to admit the sheet, I, so
that the outer edges of the box and sheet flanges coincide while the two surfaces are
yet out of contact. In the absence of the flared shape given to the box aperture the
heated surfaces must necessarily be passed, while in welding contact, the full depth of
the sheet flange, which is found to produce a premature weld before the pieces have
reached their proper adjustment. By the present means the first contact occurs when
the dies A, B, C, D, close upon the work.
The several dies A, B, C, D, have their acting faces made perpendicular to the
surface of the bed plate, J, and of a height extending above the same, sufficient to
cover the bent or expanded portion of the box aperture.
In the present machine, the die A, is shown as a stationary die, fixed to, or
integral with the bed plate, acting as an abutment for the movable die, B, but the
die, A, may also be movable. The several movable dies B, C, and D, are actuated by
means of the hydraulic cylinders E, E, F, F, secured upon the sides of the bed
plate J, or they may be actuated by other suitable appliances.
The serpentine working faces of the dies A, and B, have a contour corresponding
to the finished exterior of the box rim, a, figure 5.
For the purpose of supporting the margins of the flanged sheet, I, a mandrel G
(figure 1) is secured to the bed plate, and has its edges made of a serpentine form
longitudinally corresponding to the form of the dies A, B, and made of a size to fit
between the backs of the flanges, c.
In the instance of heading with flat plate, the latter is sustained in position for
welding by placing or clamping it by any suitable means upon the plane surface of
the bed plate J, the mandrel G being dispensed with.
In the operation of the machine, the heated sheet, I, is pressed over the mandrel G ;
the box heated at its flanges is placed over the sheet, surrounding the margins of the
same so as to rest with its edges, a, upon the plane surface of the bed plate; and
pressure applied to the die plungers in the several cylinders E, F.
The several dies may be advanced simultaneously but the dies A and B are
preferably closed first so as to compress the irregular sides of the box flange, and the
dies C, D, subsequently closed so as to finish the ends and take up the surplus of
metal at these points after the box is gripped between the first set of dies.
The dies being withdrawn the work has the form shown in cross-section in figure 6;
the sides of the box being finished perfectly straight.
The method also applies to welding flanged sheets or flat plates into both open sides
of a box rim or strap formed into the desired contour of the box, and having its edges
flared on either side for the reception of the sheets.
It is to be understood that I do not confine myself to the particular devices for

page_text: practising the method taken for illustration herewith, nor to the particular application.
described, as the invention is applicable to welding wrought metal boxes without
restriction to form or use of the same.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed (as communicated to me) I declare
that what I claim is :-
1. The method of making wrought metal manifolds for water tube boilers, consisting
in, first, forming side plates with flanges around their periphery; second, bending a
strap into form corresponding to said periphery; and third, riveting or welding the
flanges of said plate to the edges of said strap, substantially as described with
reference to the figures on sheet 1 of the drawings.
2. The method of making wrought metal manifolds for water tube boilers, consisting
in first forming side plates with flanges around their periphery, and either at the
same or at a subsequent operation perforating the said plates; second; bending a strap
into form corresponding with said periphery; and third; riveting or welding the
flanges of said plates to the edges of said strap, substantially as described, with
reference to the figures on sheet 1 of the drawings.
3. A wrought metal manifold for water-tube boilers, having two of its sides formed
of flanged and perforated plates the same being riveted or welded to a plate or plates
forming the remaining sides, substantially as described, with reference to the figures
on sheet 1 of the drawings.
4. The method of making wrought metal manifolds for water tube boilers, consisting
in first punching from a plate two sides, and either at the same or a subsequent
operation, making perforations therein; second; forming a strap of proper shape to
surround said plates; and third; welding the said plates therein, substantially as
described, with reference to the figures on sheet 2 of the drawings.
5. The method of making wrought manifolds for water-tube boilers, consisting of
first bending a plate or bar into form for the periphery, and subsequently welding
therein top and bottom plates, substantially as described with reference to the figures
on sheet 2 of the drawings.
6. A wrought metal manifold for a water tube boiler of box form, having the
periphery, the top and the bottom made of separate pieces welded together, with one
side perforated for the reception of tubes and another side perforated for hand-holes,
substantially as specified with reference to the figures on sheet 2 of the drawings.
7. A wrought metal manifold for a water-tube boiler of box form, having the
periphery, the top and the bottom made of separate pieces, welded together and
perforated for the reception of tubes, substantially as specified, with reference to the
figures on sheet 2 of the drawings.
8. A wrought manifold for a water-tube boiler, of box form, having the periphery,
the top and the bottom made of separate pieces, welded together substantially as
specified with reference to the figures on sheet 2 of the drawings.
9. A wrought metal manifold for a water-tube boiler consisting of a strap bent into
shape to form the periphery, with perforated plates welded into the top and bottom
thereof, substantially as described, with reference to the figures on sheet 2 of the
drawings.
10. The method of making wrought metal manifolds for water-tube boilers, consisting
in pressing or stamping an open box from sheet metal, and then closing the remaining
side by welding or riveting a plate therein, substantially as described with reference
to the figures on sheet 3 of the drawings.
11. The method of making wrought metal manifolds for water-tube boilers consisting
in, first, pressing or stamping an open box from sheet metal, and either at the same
time or a subsequent operation perforating the same for the reception of tubes, and
then closing the remaining side by riveting or welding a plate therein, substantially
as described with reference to the figures on sheet 3 of the drawings.
12. The method of making wrought metal manifolds for water tube boilers, consisting
in pressing or stamping an open box from sheet metal, and either at the same time or

page_text: a subsequent operation perforating the same and then welding or riveting a perforated
plate therein, substantially as described with reference to the figures on sheet 3 of the
drawings.
13. Å wrought metal manifold for water-tube boilers, in box form, having three or
more of its sides made from one piece of metal, and one side fixed therein by welding
or riveting, substantially as described, with reference to the figures on sheet 3 of the
drawings.
14. The herein described method of welding wrought metal boxes, consisting of ;
first, enlarging the aperture of an open box by flaring the edges of the same outwardly;
second, introducing a sheet having dimensions to fit the normal size of said aperture;
and third, contracting the box edges against the sheet margins so as to weld the same
together at their point of first contact for the purposes set forth.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow,
Agents.