IMPROVEMENTS IN TRANSMITTING AND APPLYING POWER FOR PUNCHING RIVETTING AND LIKE WORK AND, IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS THEREFOR
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Andrew Higginson of Liverpool in the County of
Lancaster Engineer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRANSMITTING
AND APPLYING POWER FOR PUNCHING RIVETTING AND LIKE WORK AND, IN
THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS THEREFOR
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Andrew Higginson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st May 1883.
ANDREW HIGGINSON of Liverpool in the county of Lancaster Engineer
IMPROVEMENTS IN TRANSMITTING AND APPLYING POWER FOR PUNCHING RIVETTING
AND LIKE WORK AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS THEREFOR
'
The invention relates to transmitting the power developed by a steam engine of
other motor having continuous motion and applying it at the required times to
actuate machinery or apparatus for punching, rivetting, shearing and bending
metals or otherwise acting intermittently on materials where great power is
required to act during short intervals of time.
The main objects are to do an increased quantity of work with a given power
and to simplify and cheapen the construction of the apparatus and to render the
same more durable
Under the first part of my invention the power developed by a steam or gas
engine or other suitable motor is transmitted from the said engine or motor to the
punching, rivetting or like machine by means of a continuous column of water
caused to circulate freely with the exception of frictional resistance through an
endless way or passage by means of a pump or pumps driven by the said engine
or motor and provided with a fly wheel or wheels: and the power is applied at
the required times by the interposition in the column of liquid of any suitable
obstruction such as a valve which resists the onward flow of the liquid and causes
it to act on a piston or plunger so as to utilize the energy stored up in the fly
wheel or fly wheels of the pump or pumps
Under the second part of my invention simple machinery or apparatus for

page_text: carrying the first part. into effect consists of a steam engine or other suitable
motor actuating one or more pumps which draw water from a tank and force it
through a length of pipe past or through the cylinder of a hydraulic rivetting
machine of any suitable construction and back to the tank. A valve is provided
for destroying the continuity of the column of liquid and causing it to act on a
piston or plunger working in the said cylinder. As soon as the work is done the
A
valve is opened and the liquid is again allowed to circulate freely as before.
spring or the equivalent causes the piston or plunger to return to its original
position.
Under the third part of my invention the punching or like machine to be
actuated as above set forth is provided with a cylinder and piston and the piston
is formed or made with an opening therethrough fitted with a valve. The said
valve is closed by a spring and is fitted with a lever or equivalent mechanism so
arranged that the said valve is opened when the piston reaches either end of the
cylinder. A second valve is provided for diverting the current of liquid into or
from either end of the said cylinder
Under the fourth part. A passage or way is provided communicating with each
end of the cylinder of rivetting or or like machines under my invention and is fitted
with a valve which said valve is moved by means of tappets or their equivalents
before the piston reaches either end of the cylinder.
Under the fifth part two or more cylinders are fitted to or formed with one
frame for the purpose of punching shearing and rivetting in the one machine. In
this case the construction of apparatus described under the third and fourth heads
are employed and the piston rods are continued through the backs of the cylinders
so that each cylinder and piston can be worked independently.
Under the sixth head. I connect two or more machines constructed as set forth
under the third, fourth, and fifth heads to one circulating column of liquid and
fit each machine with a safety valve regulated to such pressure as is required to do
the work.
The frames and general parts of the punching, rivetting or other machines may
be of any usual construction and the engine or motor and pumps may be of any
suitable make
Amongst other advantages arising from my improvements are the following
(a) reduced wear and tear as there is practically no pressure in the pumps, pipes,
cylinders, or connections except when the work is being done, (b) there is little or
no waste of power by leakage, (c) no accumulator is required, (d) the parts may be
comparatively small as a greater pressure of water can be used, (e) each machine
can be worked independently at any pressure up to the maximum to which the
pumps are loaded.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Andrew Higginson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
30th November 1883.
ANDREW HIGGINSON of Liverpool in the County Lancaster, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TRANSMITTING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER FOR PUNCHING
RIVETTING AND LIKE. WORK."
The invention relates to transmitting the power developed by a steam engine
or other motor having continuous motion and applying it at the required times to
actuate machinery or apparatus for punching rivetting shearing and bending metals
or otherwise acting intermittently on materials where great power is required to
act during short intervals of time.
The main objects are to do an increased quantity of work with a given power
and to simplify and cheapen the construction of the apparatus and to render the
same more durable.
Under the first part of my invention power developed by a steam or gas engine
or other suitable motor is stored or accumulated in a rapidly revolving fly wheel
and is transmitted to the punching, rivetting or like machine by means of a column
of water to which continuous motion is imparted by means of a pump or pumps
driven or receiving motion from the fly wheel shaft. The power is applied by the
interposition in the column of liquid of any suitable obstruction such as a valve
which resists the onward flow of the said liquid and causes it to act on a piston or
plunger and utilize the energy stored up in the fly wheel or fly wheels.
Under the second part of my invention simple machinery or apparatus for,
carrying the first part into effect consists of a steam engine or other suitable motor
actuating one or more pumps which draw water from a tank and force it through
a length of pipe past or through the cylinder of a hydraulic rivetting machine of
any suitable construction and back to the tank. A valve is provided for destroying
the continuity of the column of liquid and causing it to act on a piston or plunger
working in the said cylinder. As soon as the work is done the valve is opened
and the liquid is again allowed to circulate freely as before. A spring or the
equivalent causes the piston or plunger to return to its original position.
Under the third part of my invention the punching or like machine to be
actuated as above setforth is provided with a cylinder and piston and the piston
is formed or made with an opening therethrough fitted with a valve. The said
valve is closed by a spring and is fitted with a lever or equivalent mechanism so
arranged that the said valve is opened when the piston reaches either end of the
cylinder. A second valve is provided for diverting the current of liquid into or
from either end of the said cylinder.
Under the fourth part. A passage or way is provided communicating with each
end of the cylinder of rivetting or like machines under my invention and is fitted
with a valve which said valve is moved by means of tappets or their equivalents
before the piston reaches either end of the cylinder.
Under the fifth part. Two or more cylinders are fitted to or formed with one
frame for the purpose of punching shearing and rivetting in the one machine. In
this case the construction of apparatus described under the third and fourth heads
are employed and the piston rods are continued through the backs of the cylinders
so that each cylinder and piston can be worked independently.
Under the sixth part. I connect two or more machines constructed as setforth
under the third, fourth, and fifth heads to one circulating column of liquid, and

page_text: suitable make and the ny wheel may be caused to revolve more rapidly than THO
pump shaft.
Amongst other advantages arising from my improvements are the following
(a) reduced wear and teare as there is practically no pressure in the pumps pipes
cylinders or connections except when the work is being done (b) there is little or
no waste of power by leakage (c) no accumulator is required (d) the parts may be
comparatively small as a greater pressure of water can be used, (e) each machine
can be worked independently at any pressure up to the maximum to which the
pumps are loaded.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig 1 is a vertical section of my improved machinery or apparatus in the
simplest form setforth in the second part, a is a trough or tank bed or foundation,
b standards bolted or secured thereto. (c) crank shaft carried by bearings in the
said standards, d flywheel secured to the crank shaft, e connecting rod, f plunger,
g pump barrel.
Two or three pumps operated by the same shaft may be used
with advantage, h suction way and valve. i delivery way and valve, j safety and
pressure regulating valve. Motion is given to the crank shaft fly wheel and pumps
by means of an engine coupled to the said crank shaft either directly or through
belting or gearing. k outflow circulation pipe leading from the delivery way into
the cylinder behind the piston n, m inflow circulation pipe leading from the said
cylinder behind the piston n to the trough a. o stop valve, p helical spring
surrounding the piston rod within the cylinder for maintaining the piston at the
back of the cylinder. q cylinder cover, r rivet die secured to the piston rod s.
t rivet die secured to the frame u carrying the cylinder . A punch and punching
die or other tools may be used in place of the rivet dies above mentioned.
The action is as follows: A column of water or liquid is caused to circulate from
the trough or tank a through the ways hi pipe k cylinder past the valve o and
through the pipe m back to the tank a: When it is required to bring the piston
into action for the purpose of rivetting the valve o is turned by means of a suitable
lever or handle o' so as to close the pipe m and prevent the passage of water to
the tank a. The column of water or liquid propelled through the pipe k by the
momentum of the flywheel enters the cylinder and forces forward the piston n
until the dier comes against the rivet and forms the head. The valve o is then
turned so as to open a way for the passage of water through the pipe m. the circu-
lation of the water or liquid continues as before the reaction of the spring p causes
the piston n to return to its original position in readiness to act on another rivet.
If through carelessness inattention or other cause the valve o is not opened at the
proper time water or liquid escapes through the valve j and so relieves the pressure
in the cylinder pipe k and pump g should it tend to become too great.
Fig 2 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of the modification of
apparatus setforth under the third part in which a valve is used to automatically
divert the motion of the column of water from the piston when the work is effected
whether the valve o be opened at the proper time or not and so prevent waste
of power through water being forced past the valve j In this modification the
pipes and m both communicate directly with the valve o instead of being
connected to the cylinder and pipes v and v₁ are led-one to each end of the said
cylinder, wis a valve projecting through and closing an orifice through the piston
and X is a lever and spring for opening and closing the valve at the desired
times. r and t are here shown as punching tools and the pump as receiving motion
through a pulley and belt.

page_text: The action is as follows:-When not in use the valve o is in the position shown
and the column of water or fluid circulates from the pump through the pipe k past
the valve o and back through the pipe m to the trough or tank a the pipes & v¹
and both ends of the cylinder are filled with water or fluid. The back of the
piston being of larger area than the front its natural position is at the front end of
the cylinder unless held back by a spring or in the manner described in connection
with fig 3. When it is desired to punch a hole the valve o is moved into the
position shown by the dotted lines and the column of water or fluid flows through
the pipes k v into the front of the cylinder and forces the piston towards the back;
the water or fluid at the back of the piston flows by the pipes vm to the tank or
trough a when the piston reaches the limit of its stroke the tail of the lever w
strikes against the cylinder cover and opens the valve x allowing the column of
water to continue its motion through the orifice in the piston. When the plate to
be punched has been placed in position the valve o is turned at right angles to the
direction shown by the dotted lines and the water or liquid is caused to flow
through the pipes kv at the back of the piston and force it forward until the hole
is punched the water or fluid in front of the piston flows through the pipes v'm to
the tank or trough a when the hole is punched the valve o is turned back to its
original position as shown in the drawings and the water or liquid circulates
through the pipes km without flowing through the cylinder. Should the attendant
neglect to turn the valve o into the proper position after the hole has been punched
the piston travels forward until the valve w strikes against the front of the cylinder
and is opened, the water then passes through the orifice in the piston so opened
and the circulation of the column is continued through the piston and pipes vim to
the tank or trough a thus any undue strain or waste of power is avoided.
Fig 3 is a view of a modification of machinery or apparatus under the fourth
part in which the pumps are shown driven by an engine acting directly on the
crank shaft c and in which the automatic circulation of the column of water or
liquid at each end of the stroke is obtained in the following manner, A rod 1 and
tappets 2 are attached to the piston rods by the arm 3. The said tappets 2 are
adjustable on the rod 1 and act on the lever or handle o¹ which gives motion to
the valves o so as to move them into position at each end of the stroke and allow
the column of water to circulate directly through the pipes k m. In order that
the apparatus may in its normal condition be in position for punching, rivetting or
doing equivalent work the piston rod s is continued through the cylinder cover
at 8 and is of slightly greater diameter at the back than in the front of the piston
so that the area of the piston acted upon by the water in the front of the cylinder
is greater than that at the back.
Fig 4 shows machines for punching shearing and rivetting metals connected to
one circulating system of pipes. The column of water flowing past the several
valves o o os through the pipes kkk² and back from the last valve n' through the
pipe m to the tank or trough a pipes v v¹ v² v³ ³ lead from the valves n n¹ n²
respectively to the cylinders l. 1. 1. The pistons are provided with automatic
circulation valve appliances, operating substantially in the manner described under
figs 2 and 3 or any equivalent thereof and the piston areas of the pistons at the
back are less than in front. With machinery, or apparatus constructed and
arranged as herein last setforth any one machine may be used without the circu-
lation of the column of water being interrupted and provided the energy stored in
the fly wheel is sufficient two or more machines may be in action at once.
Having now described and illustrated my said invention in such manner that
others will be enabled to carry the said improvements into effect. I claim :-
First. Transmitting power stored or accumulated in a fly wheel by means of a
constantly moving column of liquid set in motion by means of pumps or rams in
connection with the fly wheel shaft.
Second. Transmitting the power or energy stored in a fly wheel or fly wheels
and applying it to give motion to a piston or pistons by means of the circulation of
a continuous column of water.

page_text: Third. The combination of a tank or trough a, fy wheel d, pump g, circulating
pipes ; m, cylinder, l, piston. n, spring p and valve o
J
Fourth. The combination of a tank or trough a flywheel d, pump g, circulating
pipes p'm, valve o pipes vv cylinder l, piston n and valve w.
Fifth: The combination of a tank or trough a flywheel d. pump g circulating
pipes km valve o, handle o¹ pipes vv, cylinder 7 piston n and tappet gear 1. 2. 3.
Sixth. The combination of a tank or trough a, fly wheel d pump g, circulating
pipes k k¹ k² k³, valves o¹ o¹ o³, pipes v v¹ v³ v³ v v³ vo v7 and cylinders llll.
In Witness Whereof I the said Andrew Higginson have hereunto set my hand
and seal this twenty ninth day of November in the year of Our Lord, one
thousand eight hundred and eighty three
JAMES JOHNSON
. ( · Patent Office
"
4 Clayton Sqr
Liverpool
ANDREW HIGGINSON (L.S.)