Improvements in and Apparatus for use in the Manufacture of Flanged Flues for Boilers.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, ora mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 4th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 6th Jan., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Apparatus for use in the Manufacture of Flanged
Flues for Boilers.
We, FRANCIS LAWRENCE LANE, Engineer, and THE LEEDS FORGE COMPANY,
LIMITED, both of Leeds Forge, Leeds, in the County of York, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
It is usual to make boiler flues with a tube plate flange whose direction is
at right angles to the axis of the flue, and with reverse flanges at the two
opposite edges of the tube plate flange, these reverse flanges merging into the
wall of the circular or approximately circular portion of the flue. Although
it has been attempted, in the manufacture of such flues, to produce the reverse
flanges by machinery, yet, so far as we are aware, the results of such attempts
have not been satisfactory, and, in practice, it is usual to form the said flanges
by hand, which is a tedious and expensive operation, involving several re-heat-
ings, and considerable time and labour.
99
Now, according to this invention, having bent and welded the metal into
the form of a flue, and, (if desired) corrugated it, and having formed the tube
plate flange by bending an appropriately-shaped end portion or prolongation of
the flue wall into a plane at right angles, or approximately so, to the longitudinal
axis of the flue (whether in the ordinary or any convenient manner) the forma-
tion of the reverse flanges is effected by heating the metal to a suitable tempera-
ture, and operating upon it by means of flanging dies actuated by hydraulic
or other power, whilst the tube plate flange is held by and between the adjacent
surfaces of two bodies such as a presser or flange holder and a bed or table one
or both of which can by hydraulic or other power be moved towards or from
the other and one of which is or may be adapted to constitute or to support
a "former between which and the flanging dies the reverse flanges are formed.
In one construction of apparatus according to this invention for producing
reverse flanges by the above described method the bed or table constituting or
provided with the "former" has arranged near it ways or guides on which the
presser or flange holder and the flanging dies can be caused to travel and there
is or may be also a central block or retainer of circular or approximately circular
form over which can be placed that end of the flue at which the tube plate flange
is formed. This central block or retainer, when used, is intended to retain or aid
in retaining the end of the flue in a suitable position for the reverse flanging
operation. In some cases this central block or retainer is made adjustable as
to its diameter or width, within certain limits, so that before or if necessary
after the end of the flue has been placed in position the central block or
retainer can be expanded radially so as to touch the inner surface of the wall
of the flue. But the central block is not in all cases required and other means
may be substituted. The flanging dies are mounted each on a block or carriage
able to travel on an inclined way or ways, and connected by suitable rods and
crossheads to the plungers of hydraulic rams, or to equivalent actuating contri-

page_text: vances, the arrangement being such that the connecting rods can oscillate to
the necessary extent in relation to the rams or their equivalents, and can, after
the flue has been secured in position, operate the flanging dies, so as, between
them and the bed, table or former, to form the reverse flanges, whilst the metal
is in a sufficiently-heated condition. It is preferred to effect the formation of
the reverse flanges at one heat where practicable.
The presser or flange holder is or may be in like manner arranged to travel
on an inclined way, and actuated by hydraulic or other power. The inclined
ways are or may be adjustable towards and away from the axis of the flue and
capable of being secured in the required positions. The inclined ways of the
flanging dies can be set with their faces at any desired angle to that or those
of the inclined way or ways on which the presser or flange holder travels,
thereby enabling flues to be formed with reverse flanges either parallel, approxi-
mately parallel or divergent. For this purpose the said inclined ways are in one
arrangement formed with vertical backs which are partly circular in plan and
which bed against suitably formed standards to which they are secured by tee
bolts extending therefrom into corresponding grooves in the inclined ways, or
otherwise; the ways may be formed at the back with worm segments engaged
by worms carried by the standards whereby they can be turned as required.
Other means of adjustment may be employed.
Apparatus differing in construction from that above indicated may be employed
for producing the reverse flanges substantially in the manner set forth.
Dated this 3rd day of Verch 1800
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.
Improvements in and Apparatus for use in the Manufacture of Flanged
Flues for Boilers.
We, FRANCIS LAWRENCE LANE, Engineer, and THE LEEDS FORGE COMPANY,
LIMITED, both of Leeds Forge, Leeds, in the County of York, 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:-
It is usual to make boiler flues with a tube-plate flange whose direction is at
right angles to the axis of the flue, and with reverse flanges at the two opposite
edges of the tube-plate flange, these reverse flanges merging into the wall of
the circular or approximately circular portion of the flue.
Although it has been attempted, in the manufacture of such flues, to produce
the reverse flanges by machinery, yet, so far as we are aware, the results of
such attempts have not been satisfactory, and, in practice, it is usual to form
the said flanges by hand, which is a tedious and expensive operation, involving
several re-heatings and considerable time and labour.
Now, according to this invention, the metal is bent and welded into the form
of a flue, and (if desired) corrugated, the tube-plate flange is formed by bending
an appropriately-shaped end portion or prolongation of the flue wall into a
plane at right angles, or approximately so, to the longitudinal axis of the flue
(whether in the ordinary or any convenient manner), and the formation of the
reverse flanges is effected by heating the metal to a suitable temperature and
operating upon it by means of flanging dies actuated by hydraulic or other

page_text: the plungers of hydraulic rams 7, or with equivalent actuating contrivances,
the arrangement being such that the connecting rods can oscillate to the
necessary extent in relation to the rams or their equivalents, and can, after the
flue has been secured in position, operate the flanging dies, so as, between them
and the former to form the reverse flanges, whilst the metal is in a sufficiently
heated condition (say, for example, about from 900° to 1000° Fahr.): in the
example, there are in each case three rods i, two of them connecting together
two crossheads, the lower of which is pivoted to the plunger k, whilst the third
rod connects the carriage h to the upper cross head j, in which it can swivel.
It is preferred to effect the formation of the reverse flanges at one heat, where
practicable.
The presser or flange holder may be in like manner arranged to travel on an
inclined way or ways, and actuated by hydraulic or other power; in the example,
the presser or flange holder f is mounted on a block or carriage h that travels
in an inclined way e and is connected to the plunger k of a hydraulic ram by
means of two rods i, which are pivoted to the block or carriage h and to the
crosshead pivoted to the plunger k. The inclined ways are adjustable
towards and away from the axis of the flue m and are capable of being secured
in the positions required for treating tubes of different diameters; in the
example, the ways e are for this purpose mounted on the parts n of the bed c,
each of which parts is formed with T-shaped grooves to receive the heads
of bolts p, whose stems pass up through holes in the castings s and carrying
the inclined ways e and are secured by means of nuts, packing pieces 9 being
introduced between the castings sand and the abutments (not shown in
Fig. 4) formed on the parts of the bed c. In the example the inclined ways e
for the block or carriage of the presser or flange holder f are integral with
the corresponding castings. The inclined ways e of the flanging dies g can be set
with their faces at any desired angles to that or those of the inclined way or
ways on which the presser or flange holder f travels, thereby enabling flues
to be formed with reverse flanges either parallel, approximately parallel, or
divergent. In some cases, the former for each reverse flange may be made
adjustable for the same purpose the inclined ways e of the flanging dies g are,
in the example, formed with vertical backs. which are partly circular in plan
(see Fig. 4) and which bed against suitably formed standards t, to which the
inclined ways are secured by T-bolts which pass through the standards, have
their heads in suitable horizontal grooves formed in the backs of the inclined
ways, and are fastened by nuts; the ways may, as shown, be formed at their
backs with worm segments u, engaged by worms carried by the standards t,
whereby the inclined ways e can be turned as required. Other means of adjust-
ment may be employed.
The shape of the presser or flange holder will depend on circumstances. In
Fig. it is shown of a form suitable for the reverse flanging of a “wing” or
outer flue in Fig. 9 it is represented of a shape suitable for use in the case
of a central flue.
The shapes of the " former", and of the flanging dies q will vary according
to the precise forms of the return flanges to be produced. The "former"
might be made integral with the bed c. Other means might be employed to
actuate the presser or flange holder and the flanging dies. They might, for
example, be worked by steam power or by screws, but the hydraulic arrangement
of which an example is shown is deemed preferable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we desire to have
it clearly understood that we know it has been proposed to heat a furnace or flue
to a suitable temperature, partly flange it (to suit tube or other plate), place it
in a vertical position upon and around blocks arranged upon a bed plate the
outside configuration of such blocks corresponding to the inside form and radii

page_text: of the wing or reverse flange of flue; then to bring up to the outside of the bottom
or unflanged part of the flue by hydraulic or other power a horizontal ram
carrying a laminated spring or other suitable appliance in order to bind the
said outside of the bottom or unflanged part of the flue up against the said
blocks, for the purpose of holding it securely in position for being operated upon,
the partly flanged portions being at the same time placed immediately under a
vertical steam or other power hammer or hammers which it has been proposed
should by a number of sharp blows or pressure (preferably on swages) bend the
wing portion of flue over radial blocks, a horizontal or inclined hydraulic or
other power ram being proposed to be simultaneously brought into operation to
hold the swages and to set up the flanges to the required radii and contour;
such an arrangement however differs essentially from the present invention and
is not claimed by us; but we declare that what we claim is :-
1. The manufacture of flanged corrugated or other flues for boilers in the
improved manner hereinabove described, according to which the metal is bent
and welded into the form of a flue, the tube plate flange is formed by bending
an appropriately shaped end portion or prolongation of the flue wall into a plane
at right angles, or approximately so, to the longitudinal axis of the flue, and
the reverse flanges are formed by heating the metal to a suitable temperature,
and operating upon it whilst hot by means of flanging dies actuated by hydraulic
or other power whilst the tube plate flange is itself firmly held with a tight
grip (as in a vice) substantially as set forth.
2. In apparatus for producing reverse flanges on the tube plate flanges of
boiler flues, the provision in combination with the reverse flange forming devices
and their actuating mechanism of means for firmly holding the tube plate flange
of a flue being operated upon with a tight grip (as in a vice) during the process
of forming the reverse flanges as described.
3. Apparatus for producing reverse flanges on flues, in which the flanging
dies are mounted on inclined ways connected by suitable rods and crossheads
with the plungers of hydraulic rams or with equivalent actuating contrivances,
the arrangement being such that the connecting rods can oscillate to the necessary
extent in relation to the rams or their equivalents, substantially as set forth.
4. Apparatus for producing reverse flanges on flues in which the flanging
dies are connected with hydraulic rams or their equivalents and are mounted
on ways that can be adjusted both towards and from the axis of the flue and
also so
as to enable flues to be formed with reverse flanges either parallel,
approximately parallel, or divergent, substantially as set forth.
5. For producing reverse flanges on flues apparatus constructed, arranged,
and operating substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and
shown in Figs. 2 to 8 inclusive of the accompanying drawings or modified
according to Fig. 9 thereof.
6. The manufacture in the improved manner by the means hereinabove
described of flues (corrugated or not) having tube flanges reversely flanged as
set forth.