Improvements in and relating to Machines for Expanding and Beading the Ends of Boiler Flues.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 5th May, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Machines for Expanding and
Beading the Ends of Boiler Flues.
I, JOSEPH COLES, of Aspen, in the County of Pitkin, and State of Colorado,
United States of America, Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for improved flue expander and beader, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention contemplates certain new and useful improvements in flue
expanders and beaders, and has for its object the production of cheap, simple and
highly efficient means whereby the flue is braced or expanded on both sides of the
flue sheet, the extreme outer end of said flue being turned or beaded tight against
the outer surface of said flue sheet.
The invention comprises an expanding and beading machine having two
differential rollers, one being designed to give the initial expansion and beading to
the flue, and the other to complete the expansion and beading thereof, aided by
said initial roller.
The invention further comprises an expanding and beading machine having two
diametrically opposed differential rollers for successively and conjunctively acting
upon the end of a flue, and means for adjusting said rollers and holding them in
fixed relation to the end of such flue.
The invention further comprises an expanding and beading machine having
differential rollers for successively and conjunctively acting upon the end of a
flue for expanding and beading the same, arms supporting said rollers, and means
for sliding and adjusting said arms whereby said rollers are held up against
the flue.
The invention further comprises a mandrel for interiorly engaging and bracing
the end of a flue, composed of a series of members or segments yieldingly held
together and designed to be expanded by a tapered rod.
The invention further comprises a mandrel for interiorly supporting the end of
a flue and expanding the same at a point immediately back of the flue sheet, said
mandrel being composed of a series of members and having an exterior flange or
shoulder for forming a swell or corrugation in the flue.
The invention further comprises a mandrel for interiorly supporting the end of
a flue and forming a swell or corrugation therein, said mandrel consisting of a
series of members or segments having an exterior flange, interior squared and
circular openings, a guide located in said squared opening, and a tapered mandrel
rod for expanding said members or segments and working in a threaded opening in
said guide, whereby the members or segments of the mandrel are held expanded
during the operation of the expanding and beading rollers.
The invention further comprises the details of construction, combination and
arrangement of parts, substantially as hereinafter fully set forth and particularly
pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of my improved expander aud
beader, shown in connection with the end of a flue.
Figure 2 is an end view.
Figure 3 is a detail showing the two arms with their differential rollers placed
side by side.
Figure 4 is a view in perspective of the mandrel, with parts broken away.
modified form of mandrel

page_text: Figure 6 is a detail.
Figure 7 is a view in perspective of a second modified form of mandrel.
Referring to the drawing, A designates a casting having a central cylindrical
bore a and projecting ends a¹, a². The latter end is hexagonal or any polygonal
shape, to permit of the application thereto of a wrench or other suitable tool, not
shown. Adjoining the hexagonal end is a screw thread a³ on the periphery of the
casting. From the casting A at diametrically opposite points project ears a*,
which are arranged in pairs. In each pair are opposite coincident holes a³.
B, B', designate two arms having each a slot b. Through these slots project
pins which at their ends fit in holes a³ of ears at. These arms have forward
right angular ends 62 which overhang the end a¹ of casting A and in such over-
hanging ends are holes 63.
C, C are the differential beading and expanding rollers both of which are
provided at their inner and outer ends with short studs d, d', the former loosely
fitting in recesses d in the end a¹ of the casting, and the latter, or outer studs d¹,
in the holes 63 of arms B, B'. The arms being similar both rollers maintain the
same relative position with regard to the end of the flue. I term these rollers
"differential" because of the difference in their contours. The object of making
the rollers different from each other is to cause one roller to act first on the end
of a flue until the latter is expanded and beaded to a certain degree, when the
other roller will begin to act and in conjunction with the initially acting roller
will complete the beading of the flue. Hence the roller C is provided with an
inner inclined wall d² terminating in a circumferential groove d³, the outer wall d
of which is slightly concaved. The contour of the roller C¹ is the converse of
that of roller C, that is, the outer wall d' is inclined, and the inner wall dⓇ of the
groove d' is slightly concaved. Thus the inner inclined wall d² of roller C first
acts upon the end of the flue and as the latter is expanded and is engaged by the
central groove d³, the outer inclined wall d' of roller C¹ begins to act on the end
of the flue, and, aided by the initial roller C, effects the complete expansion and
beading of the end of the flue. The extent to which the flue is expanded is
regulated entirely by the inclination at which the rollers are held relatively to
the casting and end of a flue.
D is a ring or collar having a central threaded opening and designed to engage
with and work on the screw thread a³ of the casting. By moving this ring or
collar inward it will bear against the ends of the arms B, B¹ and cause the same to
move forward and effect the tilting of the rollers.
From the sides of casting A project short studs or posts E upon each of
which is supported a plate e, said plate having a hole near one end for said stud,
and curved at its outer end, as shown at e'. These plates serve as guides for the
operator in the application and operation of the mandrel and form a bearing against
the flue sheet during the formation of the inner swell on the flue. When the swell
is formed, the guides are turned to one side, out of the way. These guide-plates
can be held fast on the supporting studs by any suitable means, as, for instance, a
nute working on the upper end of the stud.
F is a mandrel designed to be located within the flue near the end thereof, and in
addition to bracing the end of the flue it is intended to circumferentially expand
the same immediately back of the flue-sheet and thus additionally bind the end of
the flue. The mandrel is composed of a series of members or segments of around
which is passed a yielding band or ring f¹. On the exterior of the mandrel is a
flange or swell f², while in its centre are a tapering circular opening f³, and a rear
square opening f* terminating at its inner end at a shoulder f³ located between
the square and circular openings.
Gis the mandrel rod, the main or body portion of which is made slightly
tapering; and at the termination of this taper the rod is provided with a screw-
thread g'. At the other end of the rod is a second screw thread 2 and adjoining
the latter is a squared head 9³. A square nut 94 is located in the opening f4 of the
mandrel and through its threaded opening is projected the inner end of the mandrel

page_text: rod, said nut forming a guide therefor. Hence by turning the latter the nut will
gradually be brought up against the shoulder f" and hold the segments of the
mandrel expanded. A binding nut 95 is located on the threaded portion g³ of
the mandrel rod.
In practice, the mandrel is first inserted into the flue and by forcing the tapered
rod inward the members or segments will be caused to expand and the flange on
the mandrel will effect the swelling or corrugation of the flue at a point immediately
back of the flue sheet. The operator then by turning the mandrel rod will bring
the nut g tight up against the shoulder and thus hold the segments separated.
The mandrel being properly positioned, the operator then applies a wrench, or
other suitable tool, to the squared end of the casting and also to the binding nut g³,
and effects the turning of said casting. The roller carrying arms are adjusted by
turning the ring or collar D. The roller C upon coming in contact with the end of
the flue will, by turning of the casting, expand the said end and give it a slight
outward curve or turn, while upon the roller C¹ coming in contact with the said end
of flue, the latter will be further beaded, and by the joint action of both rollers the
end of the flue will be forced tight against the flue-sheet. However, just as the
roller C is brought into play the operator gives the casting a slight reverse
movement and then turns ring or collar D so as to further move the rollers toward
the end of the flue. Then the previous movement is repeated and the final beading
accomplished.
The advantages of my invention are apparent to those skilled in the art to which
it appertains. It will be specially observed that by means of the mechanism.
employed the expansion and beading of the end of a flue can be readily accomplished
and that the operation is simple and the beading successfully effected. It will also
be observed that by forming a swell or corrugation in the flue immediately back of
the flue sheet a firmer and better connection is had; and this swell or corrugation
is formed by the mandrel which must necessarily be employed to give the flue the
proper support during the expanding and beading operation.
The advantage of employing differential rollers whereby the end of the flue will
be successively acted upon by the two rollers, is that the initial beading being
easier accomplished than the final_beading, less power is required in first turning
the casting when but a single roller is in contact with the flue.
When the flue has
thus been initially beaded the casting is given a movement in the reverse direction,
and the arms B further adjusted inward by the turning of the ring D, and thereby
both rollers are brought into engagement with the end of the flue. Some flues are
thicker than others and thus it is easier to start the beading with one roller than
with two, and the initially acting roller forms the gauge for the second, or
subsequent acting roller. Hence less power is required in starting the beading
operation and the parts can be readily re-adjusted to complete the beading.
While the foregoing is the preferred form of embodiment of my invention yet I
do not restrict myself thereto, for without departing from the spirit of my inven-
tion the construction and arrangement shown in Figure 5 may be employed. In
this form the mechanism for expanding and beading the projecting end of the flue
is the same as that above described, the principal change being in the form of
mandrel employed.
The mandrel H consists of a series of rollers h circularly arranged within a
cylinder h', said rollers fitting in openings in said cylinder and loosely held in
position by a ring H. Each roller has a central peripheral swell or flange h
corresponding to and serving the same purpose as the flange or swell f³ of
mandrel F. From the cylinder h¹ extends a sleeve which is projected through
the central bore of casing A, and upon its screw threaded end ³ are two binding
nuts h, h. The nut is loose on said thread, while the nut is rigidly held at
the point to which adjusted by a pin or key. The rigid nut is intended to hold
the loose nut at the proper gauge during the operation of expanding the mandrel
and thus prevent the expanding and beading mechanism from moving out of its
proper adjustment. The operation of this form of my invention is substantially the

page_text: same as that of the preferred form. The tapered mandrel rod is forced inward
between the rollers of the mandrel, causing the latter to form a swell or corrugation
on the flue immediately back of the flue-sheet. To the hexagonal end of the
casting and the loose binding nut a wrench is applied and the casting turned,
causing the rollers to successively and conjunctively act upon the end of the flue,
effecting the expansion and beading thereof. A nut is preferably screwed on the
inner end of the mandrel rod to prevent the accidental withdrawal thereof from
between the rollers.
In Figure 7 I have shown a second modified form of mandrel, the same being
used when it is desired to hold or bind the parts without forming an inner swell on
the flue. In this form the mandrel is composed of a series of members or segments i,
each having an inner threaded groove or recess i', said segments being yieldingly
held together by a band 2. On the outer surface of each segment is a fine screw-
thread designed to bite the inner surface of a flue. The mandrel rod employed
with this form of mandrel is substantially the same as that shown in Figure 1, the
threaded portion of said rod engaging the grooves of the segments and forcing.
them apart.
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 :-
:-
1. A flue expander and beader having differential rollers for successively and
conjunctively acting upon the end of a flue, as set forth.
2. A flue expander and beader having two differential rollers one of which gives
the initial expansion and beading to the end of the flue, and the other, in conjunction
with the former, completes the expansion and beading, as set forth.
3. A. flue expander and beader having differential rollers provided, one, with an
inner tapering wall and central groove, and, the other, with an outer tapering wall
and central groove, as set forth.
4. A flue expander and beader having differential rollers for successively and
conjunctively expanding and beading the end of a flue, and adjustable arms
controlling said rollers, as set forth.
5. A flue expander and beader having differential rollers for successively and
conjunctively expanding and beading the end of a flue, sliding arms controlling said
rollers and means for adjusting said arms, substantially as set forth.
6. The herein-described improved flue expander and beader, comprising the
casting, the arms loosely held to said casting, the rollers held by said arms, and
the adjustable ring or collar for moving said arms independently of the casting,
substantially as set forth.
7. The herein-described improved flue expander and beader, comprising the
casting having ears projecting therefrom and an external screw thread, the arms
loosely mounted between said ears, the rollers held by said arms, and the ring or
collar having a threaded opening and adjustable on said screw thread of the casting,
as set forth.
8. The herein-described improved flue expander and beader, comprising the
casting having apertured ears, and externally screw threaded, the arms having slots
therein, the cross-pins projected through said slots and supported by said ears, the
rollers having end studs, the inner ones of which fit in recesses in said casting while
the outer studs project into holes in said arms, and the ring or collar working in
said screw thread of the casting and designed to move said arms, substantially as
set forth.
9. A mandrel composed of a series of circularly arranged members designed to
bite or engage the inner surface of a flue, and a tapered mandrel rod for engaging
said members and forcing them outward into contact with the flue, as set forth, said
members being yieldingly held in fixed relation to. each other.
10. A mandrel having a series of circularly arranged members provided with a
peripheral flange or swell, and the tapered mandrel rod designed to directly engage

page_text: and force said members outward, substantially as set forth, said flange or swell
being designed to form an inner corrugation on the flue in the rear of the flue sheet,.
as stated.
11. The herein-described mandrel composed of a series of yielding members or
segments and having a central opening, the tapered mandrel rod for forcing said
members or segments apart, and the guide located in said opening engaged by
said mandrel rod for holding said members or segments expanded, as set forth.
12. The herein-described mandrel composed of a series of yielding members or
segments having a central opening and a peripheral flange or swell, the tapered
mandrel rod, and the adjustable guide located in said opening and engaged by
said mandrel rod for holding said members or segments expanded, as set forth.
13. The herein-described mandrel composed of a series of members or segments.
having a central squared and a circular opening, a nut located in said squared.
opening, and the tapered mandrel rod having a threaded portion for engaging said
nut and adjusting it so as to hold said members or segments expanded, as set.
forth.
14. The herein-described mandrel, composed of a series of members or segments.
having a peripheral flange or swell and a central squared and a circular opening, a
yielding ring or band encircling said members or segments, the nut located in said
squared opening and having a central threaded opening, and the tapered mandrel
rod for forcing said members or segments apart and having a screw thread engaging
said nut, substantially as set forth.
15. The combination with a mandrel, of an expanding and beading machine
having independently pivoted guides projecting therefrom and designed to bear
against said flue sheet while said mandrel is being operated, as and for the purpose
stated.
16. The combination with a.mandrel for forming an inner corrugation or swell
on a flue in rear of the flue sheet, of the casting carrying expanding and beading
rollers and having studs projecting therefrom, and the guide plates pivoted on said
studs and designed to bear against said flue sheet while said mandrel is being.
operated, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 13th day of February 18094
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.