Improvements in Rotary or Oscillating Joints for Steam Heating Pipes and the like.
Year: 1892

page_text: Improvements in Rotary or Oscillating Joints for Steam Heating
Pipes and the like.
We, JOHN BRAINERD MORGAN, of Webster Street, Rockland, Plymouth
County, Manufacturer, and HORATIO ADAMS, of 40 Water Street Boston,
Accountant, both of the State of Massachusetts, one of the United States of
America, 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 "steam joints" and it has for its object to construct a
device adapted to convey dry steam or heated air, gas, or the like from a stationary
or non-rotating supply to a rotating or partially rotating pipe or shaft, and thereby
provide a joint with a solid face and a raised seat integral with the sides, which
shall be substantially steam tight, with the minimum amount of friction between
the packing in concentric chambers and the rotating and stationary parts of the
same, direct and return conduits operating concentrically, the return conduit
incasing or surrounding the direct conduit.
One advantage of this construction, which will appear hereinafter, is, that the
direct steam being as it were, inclosed or incased by the return steam, is protected
to a high degree against condensation by radiation of heat therefrom, in its passage
through the joint. The water in the pipes having been previously returned to the
boiler, the steam by my improved joint is kept hotter, and consequently acts quicker
and with better results than is the case with the commonly employed means, in the
use of rubber pipe where motion' is required and where the steam is so exposed as
to cause condensation.
To these ends our invention consists in the improvements which we will now
proceed to describe.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the steam compound joint, embodying
our improvement showing the necessary pipes connected thereto as being
.broken off.
Figure 2 represents a side elevation of the same.
Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the same.
Figure 4 is an horizontal sectional view on the line 4, 4, of Figure 3 hereinafter
described.
Figure 5 is a perspective view partly in section drawn to a smaller scale showing
the manner of connecting the pipes to the rotary shaft or pipe, and the manner of
supporting the device.
Figure 6 is a side view partly in section showing one way of joining or connecting
the device so that two or more may be operated together at right angles. to each
other, or otherwise arranged to deliver steam to shafts or pipes of a machine in
different directions or to other joints.
Figures 7 and 8 are perspective detailed views hereinafter described.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all of the views of
the drawings.
a represents an annular shell or casing, provided with reservoirs b, 6. The
reservoir 6 communicates with the annular steam chamber 26 and is adapted to
receive steam from a pipe c, which is the direct inlet or inductive pipe and the
reservoir b, communicates with the annular steam chamber 62, and a pipe c', which
is the outlet or return pipe which disposes of the steam after it has been reduced in
temperature by use. The chambers 62 and 26 provide means whereby the
Pi Q77

page_text: :
pipes ¹¹ may communicate with the chambers 6', 6 no matter what may be the
position of said pipes.
d is a ring having on its under side a downwardly projecting annular flange di
(Fig. 7) which flange is adapted to fit in though not so as to touch the bottom of
an annular groove e formed in the casing a, as shown in Figure 3. Said flange is
adapted to fit in the groove e, with a working fit, so that it may move therein
freely, as will be fully explained hereinafter. The space between the bottom of
the groove e, and the bottom of the flange d', constitutes the annular steam
chamber 62.
f represents an annular flange formed integral with the face 59, of the casing a,
the upper edge of said flange entering an annular groove f¹, in a cover g, upon
which flange said cover may be adjusted (though not so that the flange shall touch
the bottom of the groove), with a working fit, as is also the fit of the cover in the
upper end of the casing a. h represents a ring having a flange on its under side,
(Fig. 8) which flange h¹, fits in the groove. i, in the solid face 59, of the casing a,
the space between the bottom of the groove i, and bottom of the flange ',
forming the annular steam chamber 26. The flange h', is provided with an opening.
or port, which communicates with the annular chamber 26, and a series of ports
and opening j, in the chamber 6, of the solid face 59, of the casing, in order to
allow the steam to be admitted from said chamber ¹ to the chamber 26, and the
port and through the said port to a pipe ¹ the bottom end of which is suitably
secured to the disc h, as seen most clearly in Figure 3, the object of which we will
hereinafter explain.
k represents a port or passage formed through the flange d' of the ring d (Fig. 3)
which port.communicates with the chamber 62 and reservoir b, and registers with a
pipe. in like manner, as port and pipe herein before described.
The casing a is provided with a lug formed on one side. thereof which may be
employed to secure said casing to any suitable support, and to serve as a means of
support for a spring ", which spring is adapted to exert a sufficient pressures upon
the cover g as shown most clearly in Figure 1.
The upper end of the lug 1, is provided with a projection m, upon which the
outer end of spring 1, is adapted to rest, the inner end of the same bearing upon a
projection m', formed on the centre of the cover g, the pressure of the spring being
regulated by a screw n passing through said spring and screwed into the lug l.
o represents a sleeve (Figs. 3 and 4) formed integral with the solid face 59, of
the casing a, and central thereon, which sleeve extends vertically through the
cover 9, and into the projection m', formed thereon, and of represents a screw loosely
fitted in said sleeve and secured at its upper end to the projection m² by a screw
threaded connection and provided with a head p, on its bottom end, the arrange-
ment being such that said bolt acts as a retainer of the cover in case an undue
pressure of steam should accidentally be brought to bear against the under side of
flange.h, in the chamber 26, sufficient to cause the latter to be raised from its seat
and overcome the pressure of spring A.
::
The bottom of the casing a; is provided with a stuffing box and packing nut by
which the packing may be pressed against the screw to secure it normally in the
position shown, and exert a pressure approximately to that of the weight of the
cover g so that the bearing of the latter may be maintained upon its seat as will be
understood by reference to Figure 3:
The spaces q, between the flanges of the rings are filled-with suitable packing of
such nature that will ensure non-leakage of steam, and at the same time allow of the
free rotation of said rings and cover g..
We have shown in Figure 5 a construction preferably to be used in connection
with a continuously rotating shaft r, the said shaft being supported independently
of the device, and being hollow with a partition (or it may be an inner pipe)
through its centre, the construction being such that the steam may enter the shaft
through pipe and leave the same through pipe k' so that any desired degree of
heat may be obtained according to the quantity of steam admitted.

page_text: 5
with
The bottom of pipe or shaft r, is provided with a chambers in which is a coiled
spring s the bottom end of which bears upon the projection m', of the cover
sufficient force to form a tight joint.
9,
The casing a in this instance rests upon a support t, which may be adjustable
vertically, so as to regulate the tension of said spring upon the cover, as will be
understood by reference to the above mentioned figure.
2"
:
The hollow shaft is provided with a slot u, at its bottom where it encircles the
projection m', through which extends a pin ¹, secured to the projection m¹ the
arrangement being such that motion may be communicated to the cover g, from
the shaft without straining the pipes j¹ k¹.
In the arrangement of the spring as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, it is intended
that the amount of rotation of the cover shall be limited, or oscillating in character,
as when attached to certain classes of machines whose shafts make only a partial
revolution as in laundry or shoe machines, and the like requiring to be heated while
in motion.
A
In Figure 6 we have shown the casings a, al as connected together at right
angles to each other, the object being to accommodate the device to machines having
shafts at different angles to which it is necessary to apply steam. In this instance
we form a flange or cylinder r, upon one side of the casing a, into which we fit a
piston, suitably provided with packing wo said piston ¹ is secured to a projection w',
formed on the bottom of the casing a¹ and surrounded by an annular nut x.
spring is interposed between the piston and bottom of the cylinder, so that the
piston may bear against the nut sufficiently to prevent slack therebetween, and
form a connection whereby the casing a', may rotate. Or if required, the piston
may be forced against the spring by the nut as the said piston and casing may be
held stationary.
The steam, liquid, air or other gas required to supply the casing a¹ is passed into
the latter from the reservoir b' in the casing a through port y cored out in the
casting and entering the space between the piston and bottom of the cylinder v,
passes into the casing a, through the piston by a passage y' forced in the
latter.
"
The operation as a whole is as follows:-
In the construction shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 in which the movement of the
cover is limited as hereinafter described the connection of pipes j¹¹ being made
with a shaft in the manner shown in Figure 5, the steam or other heating agent is
admitted through the pipe c into the reservoir and passes in the direction of the
arrows (Figure 3) through the port j, and port into the pipe by which pipe it
is conducted to the object to be heated, or it may be another joint, after which it
returns through pipe and down into the reservoir band out through the pipe c¹
which conducts it back to the source of supply or other point.
The pipes jk being connected to the shaft at a short distance above the
projection in act to communicate the rotation of the shaft to the cover, and the
rings d and the flanges h'd' of which extending in the grooves are by the rotating,
or oscillating movement worn to a uniform bearing, and kept practically tight by
their own movement, as is also the case with the flange f bearing in the groove f¹
in the cover g.
Further features of the invention (some of which have however, been before
mentioned) may be enumerated as follows:-
51 designates the packing between the cover and ring d; 52 the condensing
retarder or cavity to catch the water that would otherwise be forced through the
joints; 58 raised seat on solid face; 53 packing embracing raised seat 58; 59 solid
face of casing a above the chamber bb; o screw to act with, or independent of
the spring 65 holes for wrench or spanner in cover g 66; and 67 spaces to allow
of adjustment; and 64 pipe for escape of waste or condensed steam.
;
It is to be noted that either the casing or cover may be made movable, one or the
other remaining stationary, or both may be made movable, and that the movement
may be oscillatory, rotary or of other nature.

page_text: The invention is not, of course, confined to use with steam, since it is obvious
that it may be employed in the use of air or other gas, or fluid to which it may be
adapted.
By the construction shown, we are enabled to provide a joint which is cheap and
durable; one of the principal advantages of which is that it keeps itself tight
by its own motion, and is susceptible of being kept hot enough by the means
provided for the circulation that there is no condensation of steam therein which is
a great advantage in this device.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. A joint comprising in its construction a casing provided with the concentric
chambers and 62, 26, movable covers to the latter chambers ports communicating
between the chambers b, 62 and 61, 26, supply, or inflow pipes communicating with
the chambers 6', 26, and return. pipes communicating with the chambers 6. 62 as
set forth.
2. A steam joint comprising in its construction a casing provided with concentric
chambers b b and 62, 26, movable covers to the latter chambers ports communicating
between the chambers 662 and 6126, supply inflow pipes communicating with the
chambers b¹ 26, return pipes communicating with the chambers 5 62 and flanges and
packing separating the said pipes between the base of the said casing and the cover
to the chambers 62 26 as set forth.
3. A steam joint comprising in its construction a casing provided with the con-
centric chambers 6 61, and 62 26, and having the annular flange f, between the
chambers 62 26, the ring d¹ having the flauge d, forming a cover for the chamber 62
the ring h, having the flange ¹ forming a cover for the chamber 26, the movable
cover g, provided with a groove into which the flange f extends, ports
communicating between the chambers 662 and 6' 26, supply pipes communicating
with the chambers b 62 as set forth.
}
4. A steam joint comprising in its construction a casing provided with the con-
centric chambers 6, 6½ and 62, 26, and having the annular flange f between the
chambers 62, 26, the ring d, having the flange d' forming a cover for the chamber 62
the ring h, having the flange forming a cover for the chamber 26, the movable
cover 9, provided with a groove into which the flange f extends, ports
communicating between the chambers 662 and 61 62 supply pipes communicating
with the chambers b¹ 26 and return pipes communicating with the chambers 61 62
and packing interposed between said casing, cover, rings pipes, and flanges as
set forth.
5. A steam joint comprising in its construction a casing provided with concentric
chambers or reservoirs 66 and concentric packing chambers and having a solid
face 59 and a raised seat, and provided also with chambers 62 26, ports communi-
cating between the reservoirs 6 6' and steam chamber 62 26, the interior rings dh
provided respectively with the flanges d' h¹ extending into the steam chambers 62 26,
and provided with ports, a movable cover provided with direct and return pipes
communicating with the ports in the flanges d' as set forth.
6. A steam joint comprising in its construction a casing provided with chambers
or reservoirs 6 61 and flange f and having a solid face 59, and a raised seat, and
provided also with the steam chambers 62 26, ports communicating between the
reservoirs 66' and steam chambers 62 26, the interior rings d h, provided respectively
with flanges d'extending into the chambers 62, 26, and provided with ports,
a movable cover, provided with an annular groove into which the flange f
extends, and having direct and return pipes communicating with the ports in the
flanges d¹¹ and a spring bearing on the cover as set forth.
7. A steam joint comprising in its construction a casing a
concentric chambers or reservoirs 66 and annular flange f, and having a solid
provided with
face 59 integral with a raised seat and provided also with the annular steam

page_text: chambers 62 26 ports communicating between the reservoirs bb¹ and steam cham-
bers 62 26, the interior rings d extending into the chambers 62 26 and provided
with ports, a movable cover, provided with an annular groove f¹ into which the
flange extends, and having direct and return pipes communicating with the ports
in the flanges d' h', packing on opposite sides of the flanges, discs and pipes and a
spring bearing on the movable cover as set forth.
8. A steam joint comprising in its construction a casing provided with one or
more concentric reservoirs 6 6¹ solid face 59 integral with a raised seat, annular
chambers 62 and ports communicating between the reservoirs and steam
chambers 62 the sleeve o at the centre, the flanges d, h provided respectively with
the flange projections d¹¹ extending into the annular chambers 62, and provided
with ports communicating with the ports leading from the supplies or reservoirs b b 1
to the steam chambers 62, a ring adapted to turn on the sleeve o a groove 52 in the
outer casing with drip attached, packing between the face 59, and ring, a spring
bearing comprising the rotary disc, and packing with spring and screw of and
coupling for connecting joints in either direction, as set forth.
Dated this 1st day of November 1892.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.