Improvements in and relating to Metallic Vessels for Containing and Supplying Fluids under Pressure for Various Purposes.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Sept., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 29th June, 1889--Accepted, 17th Aug., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION. .
Improvements in and relating to Metallic Vessels for Containing
and Supplying Fluids under Pressure for Various Purposes.
I, JOSEPH SINCLAIR FAIRFAX, of 433 Strand, London, in the County of Middlesex,
Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention pertains to metallic vessels adapted to contain and supply fluids under
pressure for transportation, fire extinguishing, heating, illuminating, motive power,
alimentary, and analogous purposes. The vessels are light, strong, easily and cheaply
made, and may be used, not only for storage and supply purposes, but also to perform
structural functions.
The vessels are made from tubes of any suitable malleable or ductile motal or alloy
of the required diameter and both ends reduced to a small diameter to suit the
valves or other connections required for their various purposes. Usually tubes
employed for similar purposes have one or both ends welded, riveted, or screwed on,
or are drawn from a disc plate of metal, one end of the resulting vessel being solid,
(and slightly rounded outwards), the other drawn down into a bottle neck shape.
The latter form is exceedingly strong and effective for certain purposes; but is
expensive and heavy.
My method of manufacture is to take a welded or solid drawn tube-as ordinarily
made-and reduce the diameter at the ends by suitable pressure; sometimes employing
heat in the operation. Before, during, or after the reducing stage of the process,
sometimes stub up or swell the ends in order to give increased thickness where
requisite, and to cause the metal to flow under pressure and manipulation to the
desired form. For alimentary and other purposes I may entirely close one end and
turn it inwardly to form a base to stand upon; like an ordinary glass bottle or siphon.
The sides may be corrugated. In the case of very ductile metals, or where heat is
used, the closing in or reduction of the end diameters may be done by a spinning
or analogous process.
The vessels are provided with suitable valves for their respective purposes, and ball
or other form of automatic valves may be used. It is desirable
use safety valves
to prevent an excess of pressure, and these may be independent or combined with the
other valves or connections used. Other automatic valves, such as regulating and
fusible valves or connections are adapted to be used for motive power or fire
extinguishing purposes respectively; or for analogous employment. The interior
of the vessels may be plated or otherwise coated against corrosion or action of the
contained fluids; and I may provide means for agitating the contents.
These vessels being light, strong, and in a very portable form are well adapted
for the many purposes indicated above. But in addition to this, their tubular form
adapts them for vehicle framing and other structural purposes, whether moveable or
fixed, while serving at the same time for storage purposes. In this way they will
be combined with other tubes or parts serving to form them into the structure
required; and some of the connections can be so disposed as to strengthen the vessel
against the internal pressure.
As examples of the uses proposed for these vessels, and of the contents, I may
mention metallic siphon vessels adapted to contain aerated liquids, and to supply the
same therefrom, in the same manner as the ordinary glass vessels now used for this
purpose. Compressed gas or gases for metallurgical, heating, and illuminating
purposes. Compressed air combined or not with oil or other liquids for motive
power.engines or furnaces. Carbonic acid gas in liquid or gaseous form, or combined
with a liquid adapted for extinguishing fires and other uses. Compressed coal or

page_text: other gas, for the lighting of carriages, vessels, marine lights, and acronautical
purposes. The tubular framing of vehicles, vessels, piers and the like afford examples
of structural use combined with fluids,under pressure within for the purpose of lighting,
heating, and motive power.
Dated this 27th day of September 1888
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Metallic Vessels for Containing
and Supplying Fluids under Pressure for Various Purposes.
I, JOSEPH SINCLAIR FAIRFAX, of 433, Strand, London in the County of Middlesex,
Consulting 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:-
My invention pertains to metallic vessels adapted to contain and supply fluids under
pressure for transportation, fire extinguishing, heating, illuminating, motive power,
alimentary and analogous purposes. The vessels are light, strong, easily and cheaply
made and may be used, not only for storage and supply purposes, but also to
perform structural functions.
The vessels are made from tubes of any suitable malleable or ductile metal or alloy
of the required diameter, and usually, both ends are reduced to a smaller diameter,
to suit the valves or other connections required for their purposes. The vessels
hitherto employed for similar purposes have one or both ends welded in, riveted or
screwed on, without reducing the general diameter; or are drawn from a disc plate
of metal; one end of the resulting vessel being solid and rounded outwardly, while
the other is drawn down while hot into a bottle neck shape. The latter form is
extremely strong and useful for certain purposes, but is expensive, heavy, and thicker
than is required where the strain is the least.
My method of manufacturing the vessels is to take a tube of the required metal
and length, and to reduce the diameter at the ends by suitable pressure; sometimes
employing heat in the operation, when the nature of the metal or alloy requires it.
Before, during, or after, the reducing stage of the process, I sometimes stub up or
swell the ends in order to give increased thickness where requisite, and to allow for the
flow of metal under pressure and manipulation, to the desired form and thickness.
For alimentary and other purposes, I may entirely close one end and turn it inwardly
to form a base to stand upon, and reduce the other to a bottle neck form; like 'an
ordinary glass bottle or siphon. The sides may be corrugated or fluted. In the
case of very ductile metals; or where heat is employed, the closing in or reduction
of the diameter at the ends may be done by a spinning or analogous process.
The vessels are provided, when required, with valves suitable for their respective pur-
poses; and automatic or ball valves may be used. It is desirable to employ safety valves to
prevent an excess of pressure, and these may be independent or combined with the
other valves or connections used. Other kinds of automatic valves, such as regulating
and fusible valves or connections are adapted to be used for motive power or fire
extinguishing purposes respectively; or for analogous employment. The interior of
the vessels may be plated or otherwise coated against corrosion or the action of the
contained fluids, should the metal employed require this protection; and I may provide
means for agitating the contents.
These vessels being light, strong, and in a very portable form, are well adapted for
the many purposes indicated above. But in addition to this, their tubular form is
available for the framing of vehicles and other structural purposes (both movable or
fixed), while serving also, for storage purposes. In this way they will be combined
with other tubes, parts, or connections adapted to unite them into the structure
required; while some of the connections may be arranged or disposed so as to strengthen
the vessel against internal pressure.

page_text: As examples of the uses proposed for these vessels and of their contents, I may
mention metallic siphon vessels adapted to contain and supply aërated liquids,
similar to the ordinary glass vessels now used; but of greater capacity than is practical
with glass. Also, compressed gas or gases for metallurgical, heating, inhaling,
illuminating, signalling, or aeronautical purposes. Also compressed air, with or
without oil, or other liquids or gases for motive power engines or furnaces. Also,
vessels containing carbonic acid gas, for fire extinguishing or other purposes; and
air vessels for pumps. The tubular framing of road and railway vehicles, piers, and
the like, afford examples of structural use combined with fluids under pressure within
the same for lighting, heating and motive power purposes.
"
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a required length
of tube, as ordinarily made, and Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same. Fig. 3 is
also a transverse section of a tube, after longitudinal flutings have been made by
indenting the same by suitable rollers or dies. Fig. 4 is a partial section of one end
of Fig. 1, after pressure has been applied to contract the end inwardly. In the case
of refractory metals such as steel, it is desirable to apply heat to facilitate this
operation, although it may be performed cold. Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are further stages in
the operation described for Fig. 4. Fig. 8 represents the same, after the end has
been closed in sufficiently, and the metal upset or thickened around the orifice
left. This orifice is then tapped or screwed for the purpose of closing that end by a
plug, or to adapt it to receive a suitable valve or connection. In Fig. 9, the end
is also thickened and formed with a small flange or collar for similar purposes.
In Fig. 10, the metal at the end is spun (or otherwise formed) inwardly, and plugged
or used with a valve. In Fig. 11, the end is also turned inwardly, and the small
orifice in the centre is closed with a rivet. Fig. 12 is likewise formed, and may be
closed, in the same manner as in the last figure. From Fig. 4 to Fig. 12 inclusive,
the diagrams may be taken to indicate one end of various kinds of vessels, while
Figs. 13 to 16 may indicate the other end. In these latter several stages are indicated
in the operation of forming this end into a bottle neck shape, which is closed in
Fig. 16 by a suitable screw cap. Fig. 17 represents a completed vessel, in which.
the orifice in the bottom is closed by a flanged disc placed inside, and welded or
brazed to the turned in end. This is done before drawing down or forming the neck
of the vessel.
In Fig. 18, the vessel is drawn down into a neck shape at each end, and adapted to be
closed at one end by an outside screw cap, and at the other by a valve or connection.
This form of vessel is useful for many purposes, such as the air vessels of pumps, for
aërating liquids, storage vessels for compressed nitrous oxide, oxygen, or other gases,
for oil to be used in heating or lighting, with or without compressed air; and the
like.
In Figs. 19 and 20, the orifice of the vessel, a is reinforced by a thimble brazed
or welded to the neck of the vessel, and in the latter figure a nut c is secured tight
upon the thimble which is afterwards closed by the screw cap d.
Fig. 21 is a vertical section (with a portion in elevation) of a metallic siphon vessel,
and Fig. 22 is a transverse section of the central part thereof, showing that the sides
are fluted, although the vessel may be made round, corrugated, or with flattened
facets. The fluting serves not only to strengthen and ornament the vessel, but affords
a better grasp for the fingers, especially where large sized vessels are used. As
ordinarily made in glass, siphons have the metal tops adapted to screw upon the out-
side of the neck of the vessel, but in this case, it is shown upon the inside of the
neck. The neck is stubbed up, or upset to give increased thickness for the screw,
but it may be reinforced by a thimble inside (as already explained) or a ferule or cap
upon the outside, or both. The bottom end is closed in to form a base to stand upon,
the central orifice being closed by a disc of metal e, spun or formed to fit and cover
the opening, and securely brazed, welded or otherwise to make a closed end. This is
conveniently done before the diameter of the neck or upper end is reduced. Should
there be any sediment in the bottle, the slight rise of the disc e above the general
level, will tend to keep the same from entering the draw off tube f.. A slightly

page_text: modified base, with its closing disc e, is also shown in Fig. 23. The draw off valve
of siphon vessels is well known, and need not be described.
Fig. 24 is a modified draw off valve, which may be used for a siphon. In this case,
the upper part of the draw off tube f is closed by a ball valve g, and a swivelling cap h
upon the screw down spindle i, secures the ball valve g in position against internal
pressure when screwed down tight upon it. If the cap is allowed a small amount of
play, with a spring behind it, the valve g will lift and act as a safety valve to relieve
undue pressure. The spindle i being adjustable, the maximum pressure may be easily
varied.
h
Fig. 25 represents a valve, provided with a burner, and adapted to be used with a
vessel for containing a combustible illuminating or heating gas. A nozzle j is screwed
into the neck of the vessel a, and adapted to receive a valve k'and its casing 1, in which
is screwed a suitable burner m for the gas. The pressure of the compressed gas in
the vessel a is adapted to lift the valve & off its seat, against the pressure of a spring n,
and the amount of pressure is indicated upon a scale o by a pointer. If the pressure
is excessive, the valve is adapted to cut off the supply to the burner, within certain
limits, and, if the pressure is not sufficient, the spring returns to its seat. The valve k
thus acts as a regulating valve and partly as a safety valve, but to close the valve
entirely, and also to prevent it rising too high, the screw p is used. This is arranged
to bear upon the top of the spindle of the valve k, and by a suitable adjustment of
the screw p a fairly uniform pressure may be maintained from time to time, for the
burner, until the gas is practically exhausted. With a special burner, the same general
arrangement may be made use of with hydro-carbons, and both may be applied in a
portable form, for out door lighting.
Fig. 26 is a form of valve that may be used for the automatic extinguishing of fire.
A ball valve y is attached to a copper tubular stem which is fastened to the cap s
of the valve casing 1; the latter being screwed to the vessel a. The vessel is
filled with compressed carbonic acid gas, and is suspended (for example), just under
the deck, in the hold of a vessel. Should fire break out, the copper tube expands
more rapidly than the casing which is composed of a metal conducting heat or
expanding to a lesser degree than the copper. The outer end of the tube
fixed, the ball valve q opens inwardly and allows the gas to escape through perforations
upon the side of the casing 1, or through a pipe with suitable connections to a required
point. The valve or the caps may be of an easily fusible alloy, or both may be
arranged to fuse at a desired temperature, and blow entirely out.
being
Figs. 27, 28 and 29 indicate several forms of tools or appliances for use in reducing
the diameter or shaping the ends of the vessels by pressure. Rollers of various
forms, indicated by t are pressed against the walls of the tube a (usually whilst
.revolving in a lathe) in the required direction. If heat is applied, it is conveniently
done by one or more gas jets acted upon by a blow pipe, and a part of the tube a
already shaped, or not required to change its form, may be cooled by a jet of water,
the heated portion being then more readily formed as required.
Fig. 30 represents several vessels a, a, joined together by communicating con-
nections a, a, and braces a³, for the purpose of forming a structural framing or
combination for various purposes, the vessels a being adapted to contain fluids under
pressure, with suitable inlet and outlet valves.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A metallic vessel made by cutting off a desired length of cylindrical tubing,
reducing each end thereof to a smaller diameter, and adapting the same to receive
a valve, plug, cap or suitable connection; substantially as and for the purpose
described.
2. A metallic vessel made by cutting off a desired length of cylindrical tubing,
reducing one end to a smaller diameter, and turning in, closing, and adapting the
other end to form a base; substantially as described..

page_text: 3. A metallic siphon vessel made by closing in and forming a base of one end of a
piece of cylindrical tubing, reducing the diameter of the other end, and combining
therewith a suitable draw off valve; substantially as described.
4. A metallic siphon vessel formed from a thin tube, fluted or corrugated upon
its walls, combined with a suitable supply or controlling valve, and plated or other-
wise adapted upon the inside to avoid contamination of its contents; substantially as
described.
5. A metallic vessel formed from a suitable length of cylindrical tubing, having
one or both ends spun down or reduced in diameter under the influence of heat,
and adapted to contain and supply fluids under pressure, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
6. A metallic vessel formed from a suitable length of cylindrical tubing, having one
end closed, and the other reduced in diameter, and controlled by a suitable valve
adapted to supply gas, hydro-carbons, or other fluids stored in the said vessel,
substantially as and for the purpose herein described.
7. The combination of two or more fluid storing vessels made from cylindrical
tubing reduced in diameter at their ends, with suitable connections forming com-
municating passages between the said vessels, and the whole adapted as a framework
or supporting structure; substantially as and for the purpose described.
8. The combination of reinforcing thimbles, discs, or plates with the reduced or
closed in end or ends of a metallic vessel formed of cylindrical tubing; substantially
as and for the purpose herein described.
Dated this 20th day of June 1880