IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF COMPOSITE METAL PLATES
Year: 1884

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I JOSEPH WHITLEY of Hunslet Road Leeds in the County of York Founder
and Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF COMPOSITE METAL PLATES and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
Whereas metallic plates for shipbuilding and for other purposes have hitherto
been formed from ingot metal by the processes of forging or rolling or by both
combined my improvements consist in the formation of composite metallic plates
from long sheets by folding each sheet into two or more folds or by refolding
such folded plates. By this means I produce the requisite strength and thickness
together with an amount of flexibility hitherto unknown and for the following
reasons The strength of all metals whether in the cast or manufactured state
consists principally in the adhesive forces of their respective outer structures
blending with their densities and homogeneity hence a multiplicity of these
phenomena in a given thickness must of necessity create a greater total strength.
In forming large plates as before mentioned I introduce tie rivets intermediately
through the several divisions betwixt the side and end lines of the plates to give
greater stability to the general structure of the plates and the respective surfaces
of the sheets constituting the plates I coat with red lead or other suitable substances
for the purpose of preventing oxidization. I do not confine myself to this precise
mode of constructing composite plates as hereinbefore described as it is evident
that separate sheets rivetted or rolled together will form approximately the same
result. I use however by preference the folding process as it gives better results
and when required 1 rivet weld or fuse the edges up in both cases. When it is
required to produce exceedingly strong composite plates on the above principles I
then introduce thinner sheets whilst folding the principal portions of the plates and
in all cases I prefer to construct my sheets of steel or other metals or the compounds
of metals from material that has never been formed into an ingot or hammered in
the forge but which is formed by a patent process previously granted unto me
(No. 3742 of 18th September 1879) by which means the natural flexibility
homogeneity and tensile strength are each enhanced to a considerable degree.
The object of my improvement is to form plates stays girders and other material
for the building of ships and other structures of less weight and with greater
strength flexibility and bouyancy so that ships in collision will bulge but not open.
CD

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
First. The formation of composite metallic plates substantially as hereinbefore
described.
Second. The introduction of rivets in the formation of composite metallic plates
substantially as herein before described.
Third. The welding or fusing together of the edges of composite metallic plates
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fourth. The introduction of other sheets whilst the principal one is being
rolled or folded substantially as herein before described.
Fifth. The refolding of folded plates substantially as herein before described.
Sixth. The coating of the respective surfaces of the sheets constituting the
composite metallic plates with red lead or other substances substantially as
hereinbefore described.
Dated this first day of January 1884.