Improvements in Apparatus for Working or Welding Metals Electrically, and in the Method of Effecting the same.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Aug., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 4th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 25th Oct., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Working or Welding Metals
Electrically, and in the Method of Effecting the same.
A communication from abroad by CHARLES LEWIS COFFIN, of Detroit, in the County
of Wayne, State of Michigan, United States of America, Chemist.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both
in the County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention consists in improvements in apparatus for working or welding
metals electrically and in the method of effecting such working or welding.
The principle of the invention consists in bringing the edges or ends of two
articles, which are to be welded, in contact or nearly so, clasping the edges to be
welded between conductors, connecting one of the articles to be welded with one
pole of a generator of electricity, connecting the clasp which embraces the edges to
be welded with the other pole of a generator and passing a heating current through
the circuit thus formed. Where an article has simply to be heated at a given point
before being worked, the point to be heated is clasped between the conductors afore-
said, and the article connected at a suitable point with one pole of the generator, the
other pole being connected before with the clasp or its equivalent, such as a simple
conducting block upon which the article is laid.
The apparatus may be constructed in a variety of ways of which the following will
serve as illustrations, the first described apparatus being more particularly adapted for
welding metals.
A bench or table is provided supported on suitable legs. Upon this two standards
are secured, on the top of each of which is fastened a clamp, clasp or its equivalent,
insulated from the standard by insulating material. An insulated arm rises from
each standard and projects over the clamp being provided with a head through which
is tapped a screw shaft, the lower end of which is swivelled into the upper plate or
block of the clamp. Or the screw shaft may be swivelled in a block sliding in the
head, and said head may then be connected with the upper plate of the clamp, instead
of carrying the screw shaft down to the plate.
A third standard is secured to the table between the two clamp standards afore- .
said and carries a sliding head insulated from the standard by suitable insulating...
material. A suitable conductor, (usually a bar of metal or a block of carbon) is
attached to and moves with the last mentioned sliding head. A foot lever is pivoted
on a shaft, and connected with the sliding head by a pitman, by means of which the
head may be raised or lowered. A fourth standard rises from the table behind the
standards aforesaid and projects forwards over the last named standard. There is
also a sliding head on the end of this standard and insulated from it. A conductor
is also secured to and moves with the latter head. A bent lever or its equivalent may
also be mounted on the standard by means of which the head can be raised and lowered,
and said lever may be provided with a spring, (if desired) by which the head is
kept normally raised. The two inetal rods which are to be welded together are
clamped in the clamps aforesaid with their adjacent ends between the conductors of
the two sliding heads aforesaid. For the purpose of forcing the rods together, the
upper part of one of the clamp standards is made to slide on the standard, and a
screw shaft provided with a crank is swivelled through the end of a projecting arm
on standard, and tapped into the movable part of said standard, whereby the said
bart, carrying with it the clamp and rod, may be moved. One of the clamps (or one
of the rods itself) is connected by an electrical conductor with one pole of a generator
0_1.

page_text: of electricity. An electrical conductor connects the two sliding heads or standards
Nos. 3 and 4 or the conductors thereon with the other pole of said generator, the
said electric conductor being divided into two branches which lead to each of said
heads or to the conductors thereon.
For the purpose of equalising the flow of the current through the two branches
of the conductor aforesaid there may be inserted in one or both of said branches a
resistance coil of any known construction, by which the resistance of said branches of
conductor may be equalised so that each will get an equal amount of current.
The operation of this apparatus is as follows:-
The rods to be welded being clamped in the clamps their ends are brought in
contact, or practically so, and then the two sliding heads on the central standards
(Nos. 3 and 4) are moved by their respective levers so as to bring the conductors
thereon in contact with the ends of said rods. The current is now turned on, and
supposing the clamp conductor to be connected with the positive pole of the generator,
the current passes through said conductor and its clamp and through one rod and
then divides, passing out through the two sliding head conductors and off through
the branches of the electrical conductor to the other pole of the generator. This
generates heat at the point of contact of the rods with sliding head conductors,
bringing the ends of rods to a welding heat, when they are pressed together by
means of the screw shaft on the clamp standard aforesaid to form the weld.
It is evident that the sliding heads with their conductors may be used one as an
anvil and the other as a hammer, to hammer the ends of said rods while being
welded, and the said conductors may be pressed tightly against said rods and thus
wholly or partially prevent the formation of a burr on the ends of said rods while
being welded. The weld may be finished in any known
way.
When an article has simply to be heated in a given point (or even in some cases
when two articles have to be welded) it may be found advisable to connect only one
of the sliding heads or its conductor with the electric generator, the heating effect.
being localised at the required point by one or more electro magnets, which are
placed around or in suitable connection with one or both of said heads or conductors.
In the following description of other various forms of the invention as set forth
above, the apparatus will be described as constructed in accordance with this latter
modification, but it must be clearly understood that the structural details of the
apparatus may be varied considerably without departing from the scope of the
invention.
A table is provided upon which is mounted a standard carrying a clamp worked,
say, by an eccentric. An electro magnet on said table carries an anvil which is the
equivalent of the conductor and of the lower sliding head aforesaid and is preferably
a conductor of high resistance, such as carbon. A second standard secured to the
table, but insulated from the rest of the apparatus, carries a vertically movable block
also operated by an eccentric, and carrying a conductor preferably of carbon, the
object being to adjust the latter conductor to make contact with the piece of metal
under treatment which is supported on the anvil aforesaid. The movable conductor
aforesaid is connected by a conductor with one pole of a generator, and the article to
be heated is connected through the aforesaid clamp by a second conductor with the
other pole of said generator.
The operation of this mechanism is as follows:-
The parts being arranged as described, a heating current is passed through the
conductors leading to the generator. The said current traverses the articles to be
heated and the movable conductor which rests against it, and at the point of contact
between said article and conductor it is subjected to the influence of the electro
magnet aforesaid by which the passage of the current is at this point retarded, and
the heating effect of the current is thus localised at the point of contact between the
movable conductor and the article.
In another arrangement, the article is held in an insulated clamp and the point
which it is desired to heat rests on the anvil, the latter being carried by the electro
magnet. The clamp is connected by a conductor with one pole of a generator, and

page_text: the anvil is connected by a second conductor with the other pole of said generator.
In this arrangement the heating effect of the current passing through said conductors
and the article is localised at the point of contact between the article and the
anvil.
In another arrangement the movable head referred to in the second apparatus
mentioned, is carried on an extension from one end of the electro magnet, the article
to be heated or the two articles to be welded being placed in position between the
conductor on the movable head and the anvil. One pole of the generator is connected
to the movable head and the other to the article to be heated or to one of the articles
to be welded.
In another arrangement the upper conductor is carried on the end of the core of.
the second electro magnet which corresponds with the upper movable head aforesaid,
and the operation is the same in each of the apparatus.
Dated this 25th day of August 1800
+
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Working or Welding Metals
Electrically, and in the Method of Effecting the same.
A communication from abroad by CHARLES LEWIS COFFIN, of Detroit, in the County
of Wayne, State of Michigan, United States of America, Chemist.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool and 6, Bank Street, Manchester both
in the County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Civil Engineer 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 consists in improvements in apparatus for working or welding
metals electrically and in the method of effecting such working or welding.
The principle of the invention consists in bringing the edges or ends of two articles,
which are to be welded, in contact or nearly so, clasping the edges to be welded
between conductors, connecting one of the articles to be welded with one pole of a
generator of electricity, connecting the clasp which embraces the edges to be welded
with the other pole of a generator and passing a heating current through the circuit.
thus formed. Where an article has simply to be heated at a given point before being
worked, the point to be heated is clasped between the conductors aforesaid, and the
article connected at a suitable point with one pole of the generator, the other pole
being connected before with the clasp or its equivalent, such as a simple conducting
block upon which the article is laid.
The apparatus may be constructed in a variety of ways of which the following will
serve as illustrations, the first described apparatus being more particularly adapted for
welding metals.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a machine constructed in accordance with this
invention and adapted for use in welding.
Figures 2, 3, and 5, illustrate a modified form of apparatus more especially but
not exclusively applicable for use in simply heating an article (such as a rod of metal)
at any desired point.
Figure 4 illustrates a modified apparatus applicable for heating two pieces of metal
for welding.
Referring to Figure 1,
A bench or table A is provided supported on suitable legs. Upon this two
tandards B B are secured, on the top of each of which is fastened a clamp C or a
:

page_text: clasp or its equivalent, insulated from the standard by insulating material 1. An
insulated arm D rises from each standard B and projects over the clamp C being
provided with a head E through which is tapped a screw shaft G, the lower end of
which is swivelled into the upper plate or block of the clamp C. Or the screw shaft
may be swivelled in a block F sliding in the head E, and said head may then be
connected with the upper plate of the clamp C, instead of carrying the screw shaft G
down to the plate.
A third standard H is secured to the table A between the two clamp standards BB
aforesaid and carries a sliding head J insulated from the standard by suitable
insulating material I. A suitable conductor K (usually a bar of metal or a block of
carbon) is attached to and moves with the said sliding head J. A foot lever P is
pivoted on a shaft R and connected with the sliding head J by a pitman Q, by means
of which the head may be raised or lowered. A fourth standard H¹ rises from the
table A behind a line connecting said clamp standards B B aforesaid and projects
forwards over the standard H. There is also a sliding head J' on the end of this
standard Hand insulated from it. A conductor K₁ is also secured to and moves
with the latter head. A bent lever S or its equivalent pivoted at U may also be
mounted on the standard H¹, by means of which the head J¹ can be raised and
lowered, and said lever may be provided with a spring T (if desired) by which the
head is kept normally raised. The two metal rods Z, Z, which are to be welded
together, are clamped in the clamps CC aforesaid with their adjacent ends between
the conductors KK of the two sliding heads J J' aforesaid. For the purpose of
forcing the rods Z Z together, the upper part of one of the clamp standards B, shown
at V, is made to slide on the standard, and a screw shaft X provided with a crank is
swivelled through the end of a projecting arm W on standard B, and tapped into the
movable part of said standard, whereby the said part, carrying with it the clamp C
and rod Z, may be moved. One of the clamps C (or one of the rods Z itself) is con-
nected by an electrical conductor M with one pole of a generator of electricity. An
electrical conductor I connects the two sliding heads JJ on standards H H or the
conductors K K¹ thereon with the other pole of said generator, the said electric
conductor being divided into two branches which lead to each of said heads J J¹ or
to the conductors thereon.
For the purpose of equalising the flow of the current through the two branches of
the conductor L aforesaid, there may be inserted, in one or both of said branches, a
resistance coil O of any known construction, by which the resistance of said branches
of conductor L may be equalised so that each will get an equal amount of current.
The operation of this apparatus is as follows:-
The rods Z Z to be welded being clamped in the clamps CC their ends are
brought in contact, or practically so, and then the two sliding heads J J' on the
central standards H H are moved by their respective levers P and S so as to bring
the conductors K K' thereon in contact with the ends of said rods Z Z. The current
is now turned on, and supposing the clamp conductor M to be connected with the
positive pole of the generator, the current passes through said conductor and its
clamp and through one rod Z and then divides, passing out through the two sliding
head conductors K K' and off through the branches of the electrical conductor L to
the other pole of the generator. This generates heat at the point of contact of the
rods Z Z with sliding head conductors K K¹, bringing the ends of said rods to a
welding heat, when they are pressed together by means of the screw: shaft X on the
clamp standard B aforesaid to form the weld.
It is evident that the sliding heads J J' with their conductors K K' may be used
one as an anvil and the other as a hammer, to hammer the ends of said rods Z Z while
being welded, and the said conductors K K¹ may be pressed tightly against said rods
and thus wholly or partially prevent the formation of a burr on the ends of said rods
while being welded. The weld may be finished in any known way.
When an article has simply to be heated in a given point (or even in some cases
when two articles have to be welded) it may be found advisable to connect only one
of the sliding heads or its conductor with the electric generator, the heating effect

page_text: being localised at the required point by one or more electro magnets, which are
placed around or in suitable connection with one or both of said heads or conductors.
In the following description of other various forms of the invention as set forth
above, the apparatus will be described as constructed in accordance with this latter
3 modification, but it must be clearly understood that the structural details of the
apparatus may be varied considerably without departing from the scope of the
invention.
Referring now more especially to Figure 2 :-
A table A is provided upon which is mounted a standard B carrying a clamp C
worked, say, by an eccentric G. An electro magnet A' on said table A carries an
anvil K which is the equivalent of the conductor K, Figure 1, and of the lower
sliding head J aforesaid and is preferably a conductor of high resistance, such as
carbon. A second standard H secured to the table A, but insulated from the rest of
the apparatus, carries a vertically movable block J¹ also operated by an eccentric S,
and carrying a conductor K' preferably of carbon, the object being to adjust the
latter conductor to make contact with the piece of metal Z under treatment which is
supported on the anvil K aforesaid. The movable conductor aforesaid is connected
by a conductor L with one pole of a generator, and the article Z to be heated is
connected through the aforesaid clamp C by a second conductor M with the other
pole of said generator.
The operation of this mechanism is as follows:-
:-
The parts heing arranged as described and shewn, a heating current is passed
through the conductors L M leading to the generator. The said current traverses the
articles Z to be heated and the movable conductor K' which rests against it, and at
the point of contact between said article and conductor it is subjected to the influence
of the electro magnet A¹ aforesaid by which the passage of the current is at this point
retarded, and the heating effect of the current is thus localised at the point of contact
between the movable conductor and the article.
As shown in Figure 3 in another arrangement, the article Z is held in an insulated
clamp C and the point which it is desired to heat rests on the anvil K, the latter
being carried by the electro magnet A'. The clamp C is connected by a conductor L
with one pole of a generator, and the anvil K is connected by a second conductor M
with the other pole of said generator. In this arrangement the heating effect of the
current passing through said conductors and the article Z is localised at the point of
contact between the article and the anvil.
In another arrangement, see Figure 4, the movable head J', referred to in the
second apparatus mentioned, is carried on an extension H¹ from one end of the electro
magnet A', the article Z to be heated or the two articles Z Z to be welded being
placed in position between the conductor K³ on the movable head J' and the anvil K.
One pole of the generator is connected to the movable head and the other to the
article to be heated or to one of the articles to be welded.
Referring to Figure 5, in another arrangement the upper conductor K¹ is carried
on the end of the core of the second electro magnet which corresponds with the upper
movable head Jaforesaid, and the operation is the same in each of the apparatus.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The berein described method of working metals electrically, consisting in
bringing the edges to be welded in proximity to each other, embracing said edges
between conductors connected with one pole of a generator of electricity, connecting
one of the articles to be welded to the other pole of said generator, and passing a
heating current of electricity through said article and the embracing conductor.
2. The herein described method of heating metals electrically, consisting in con-
necting the article to be heated with one pole of a generator, bringing the part to be
heated in contact with a conductor connected with the other pole of a generator,

page_text: passing a heating current through said article and said conductor, and localizing the
heating effect of the current by a magnet.
3. An apparatus for the electrical working of metals consisting of two clamps
mounted on suitable supports and insulated therefrom, conductors adapted to clasp
the adjacent edges of the articles to be welded, a connection from one pole of a
generator of electricity to one of the articles to be welded, and a connection from
the other pole of said generator to the enclosing clasp, substantially as shown and
described.
4. In an apparatus for electrically working metals, the combination with the rods Z
held in suitable supports, of the two movable conductors K K' connected with one
pole of a generator of electricity, means for moving said conductors, and a connection
from the other pole of said generator to one of the rods Z, substantially as shown and
described.
5. In an apparatus for electrically working metals, the combination with the rods Z
held in suitable support, and one of them connected with one pole of a generator of
electricity of the movable insulated heads J J', each carrying conductors K K' both
being connected with the other pole of said generator, means for actuating said
heads J J and a resistance coil in one of the connections from said movable heads J J¹
to the generator, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 3rd day of September 1890.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.