Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1885

page_text: Apparatus therefor.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON Fel. Inst. P.A. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool in the County of Lancaster, and
323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer do hereby declare the
nature of the said invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN MAKING METAL PIPES AND THE
LIKE AND APPARATUS THEREFOR (a communication from abroad by Charles Kellogg
of Buffalo in the State of New York, United States of America Inventor,) to be
as follows:-
My invention relates to making seamless netal pipes, tubes, columns, boiler
shells, flues, and other hollow cylindrical articles of steel, iron or other metals.
Heretofore these articles have been made by rolling or casting. The rolled.
tubing etcetera, is made by passing a hollow ingot or pile through a train of
graduated rolls, over suitable mandrils or by reciprocating passes through an
universal mill over a mandril. The objections to cast tubing etcetera, are too well
known to need detailing here. The method of rolling by successive passes, through
a train of graduated rolls is objectionable because of the time and labor required
to reduce the ingot to a tube, and also because several heats are required which
increases the expense and risk of rolling; and furthermore it is impossible to
roll tubes over a limited diameter on account of the difficulty of preventing the
collapsing of the shell when heated and being transferred from the furnace to the
rolls; and the further difficulty of rolling the tube true. These difficulties it has
been found impossible to overcome. Rolling by reciprocating passes over double
anandrils in an universal mill while free from the objections of requiring a number
of heats is, on the other hand, inapplicable to rolling tubing etcetera, of very large
diameter, as the necessity of heating the whole ingot before commencing the rolling
renders it impossible to sustain the shell while passing through the mill. A further
objection to making the large tubing etcetera, by the methods heretofore practiced

page_text: ·
is that the heat from the mass of metal is so great that it is impossible for the
workman to operate the machinery efficiently.
The object of this invention is:
1st: To make tubes and other hollow cylindrical articles of the proper form and
size by one pass through the rolls and by rolling hollow ingots, piles or billets 5
longitudinally and circumferentially simultaneously.
2nd: To avoid heating the whole ingot pile or billet and transferring it from
the furnace to the rolls previous to rolling, and the consequent liability of the
same collapsing.
The invention therefore consists in forming a hollow ingot of steel or other
metal, by casting or in any other suitable manner or a hollow pile or billet of
metal and then rolling the said ingot pile or billet to condense the metal and
lengthen and true the ingot into a tube of the required diameter and thickness
between external and internal rolls working at right angles to each other and
simultaneously on the outside and inside surfaces respectively; second, in heating
the ingot, pile or billet preparatory to rolling immediately in front of the rolls, so
that it passes from the furnace to the rolls, and the unfinished portion remains in
the furnace until it passes to the rolls; third, in making seamless tubing by heating
the ingot as the rolling proceeds, and passing the heated portion between external
and internal rolls, operating against opposite surfaces of the ingot simultaneously
and at right angles to each other; the invention further consists in machinery for
performing the said operations, regulating the reduction of the walls of the ingot,
pile or billet, and feeding the ingot pile or billet and the finished tube to the rolls.
A two bigh rolling mill, composed of two semicircular rolls, supported in suitable
housings, and provided with adjusting screws, for guaging the pass between the
rolls in the usual manner is preferably used. The rolls are geared together by
spur gearing, and motion is communicated to the rolls from the power by a shaft,
geared with the spur wheel, worm on said shaft, and worm wheel on the end of the
trunnion of the lower roll.
The rolls are the external rolls and their function is to sustain the walls of the
ingot, pile or billet against the pressure and rolling action of the internal rolls
which will be described presently. They also assist in condensing the walls of the
tube or other cylinder, and keep the walls true.
The rolling of the interior of the ingot, pile or billet is effected by rolls in a
revolving mandril head which with the manner of operating the same will now
be described.
A standard or housing is placed in front of the rolling mill, and at such a
distance therefrom as to enable a tube or other cylinder to be rolled from the
ingot pile or billet to the required length. From the housing a hollow arm
extends at right angles towards the pass of the rolls, the axis of the said arm
In the standard and the
coinciding with the axis of the pass between the rolls.
arm is placed on suitable bearings, a hollow shaft one end whereof extends through
the standard and carries a spur wheel which gears with a driving spur wheel which
connects with the power.
The opposite end of the shaft extends out from the end of the arm next the rolls
and carries a mandril head which is thus held in the pass of the rolls. The entire
weight of the mandril head and its attachments is supported by the shaft and arm
which centers it perfectly in the pass aud prevents the mandril from bearing
upon the underside or walls of the ingot when rolling, whereby unevenness and
irregularity in rolling are prevented. The arm or housing does not interfere with
the rolling of the tube, as it is made in such a way that the tube as it passes the
rolls, can pass over the arm or housing. The mandril head has its face provided
with radial grooves, extending from the central polygonal opening or socket, to
the periphery. The number of grooves, in the mandril face corresponds to the
number of rolls, in the revolving mandril eight are preferred but there may be
more or less. The blocks for the rolls are placed in suitable boxes, in the said

page_text: blocks. The blocks have recesses or rabbits in their sides, and the boxes are held
to the blocks by straps, which are passed down over the boxes, and have their
ends seated in the recesses or rabbits where they are held by countersunk screws.
The bottoms of the blocks are inclined and provided with dovetailed grooves, the
blocks with the rolls are inserted in the radial grooves, where they are held by
a face plate bolted to the mandril. In the polygonal socket is inserted a wedge
shaped sleeve, having the same number of faces or sides as the socket and having
on the said faces or sides dovetailed projections, which engage the corresponding
grooves, in the roll blocks. The sleeve or wedge has a cylindrical hole through it
into which the end of the mandril shaft is passed which thus sustains the weight
of the wedge and mandril head and furnishes a bearing on which the said wedge
moves parallel to the axis of the mandril for a purpose which will be described
presently. A nut is laid across the wedge and fastened thereto by screw bolts.
A tubular rod engages the said nut, passes through the hollow shaft, and terminates
at the opposite end of the apparatus outside the spur wheel with a hand wheel.
The sleeve and blocks are firmly connected by means of the dovetailed projections
and grooves, but the connection is of such a nature that the sleeve can slide freely
in the socket in the mandril head to a limited extent. The movement of the sleeve
is produced by means of the rod, operated by the hand wheel, and engaging the
nut; the rod having no longitudinal movement, whereby when turned in one
direction the nut is screwed off, and carries the sleeve back, and when turned in
the opposite direction, the nut is screwed on, and the sleeve drawn into the socket.
The object of this construction is to move the blocks and with them the rolls
radially and thereby adjust the rolls a greater or less distance from the periphery
of the mandril head. By this construction and operation therefor the rolls are
made adjustable radially and thereby by increasing or diminishing the distance
of the rolls from the center of the head cause the same to reduce the walls of the
ingot, pile or billet more or less.
The rolls in the mandril are set slightly askew, so that they will move in spiral
lines, and a lead thereby given them which will greatly facilitate the operation
of rolling and reducing the metal. The rod should be hollow, (and for this purpose
it may be made of tubing) so as to serve as a water pipe to convey water to the
mandril head and distribute it through suitable branch pipes, to the bearings and
faces of the mandril rolls. The opposite end of the said rod, is to be connected
with the water supply pipes.
The feeding of the ingot pile or billet to the rolls is effected as follows:
On either side of the arm is a guide or slide way extending longitudinally from
near the standard, to the mandril end of the said arm. In the guide ways are
placed the ends of slides attached to sleeves, said sleeves running on the feeding
racks which will be presently described. Two sets of feeding attachments are
employed, one on the mandril arm or housing side of the rolls and the other on
the opposite side. The former takes hold of the end of the tube after it has passed
the rolls, and the latter pushes the ingot from the furnace and into the pass of the
rolls. The drawing feeding attachment has its sleeves on one end of the racks,
and the driving feeding attachment sleeves on the opposite end. The latter carry
grips, which are sufficiently long to push the ingot out of the furnace and to the
rolls. The former carry grips which take hold of the finished end of the tube as
soon as it passes the rolls.
The slides and grips have two movements, one harmonizing with the motion
of the rolls and mandril which may be called the feeding notion, and the other
independent of the motion of the other parts of the apparatus and by which they
are run back and forth to take hold of, release and clear the way for placing
the ingot pile or billet in position preparatory to rolling, and when the finished
tube is being removed from the machine.
The feeding motion of the slides and grips is produced by racks, one being placed
in each side of the apparatus and supported in the frame work thereof and gearing

page_text: with pinions, on the shafts of the lower roll. The slides and the grips on both
sides of the rolls are fastened to the sleeves respectively which are placed on the
racks which extend beyond the housings on both sides far enough to furnish a
connection and support for the sleeves. When the machine is in operation the
racks are moved by the pinions carrying the guides; and the gearing is such that
the grips are caused to move the ingot, pile or billet at a certain speed, so that the
feeding will not be too rapid. The pushing grips have a sliding connection, with
their sleeves, and they are raised to seize the ingot or lowered to avoid the tube
when run off by a crank and pinion engaging a rack on the grip plate.
To give the quick return motions to the grips the following mechanism is
employed. A part of the racks at each end is screw threaded, and it is at these
portions that the sleeves of the guides are placed. In the sleeves are slots in which
pinions are placed, the hubs whereof form the nuts which are screwed on the
threaded portions of the rack and thus serve as connections between the racks and
sleeves which prevent the sleeves and guides from sliding when the racks are in
motion, the threads serving as pawls and racks. These pinions engage secondary
pinions which are placed on shafts, the said shafts being separately mounted on
opposite sides of the housings of the mill and in separate standards. The hubs
of the pinions are provided with feathers which engage the grooves in the said
shafts and the ends of the said hubs are hung in stirrups or suspender plates,
suspended from the sleeves, collars being provided at the ends of the hub to
prevent the stirrups or plates from becoming detached or disconnected. The shafts
each have loose beveled pinions, on the ends which mesh with driving wheels,
which in turn are connected with the power in such a way as to operate in
harmony with each other. It will be observed that the shafts are geared for
reverse motion, suitable clutch mechanism being provided for the purpose of
throwing the shafts in and out of gear, and reversing the motion. The power
connections are of course separate from those by which the rolling is effected.
When the grips are to be adjusted or run back, the shafts are thrown in gear
with the power. By means of the groove and feather the pinions are revolved,
and these in turn operate their pinions, the hubs of which engaging the screws of
the racks, the sleeves, slides and grips are moved backward or forward as may be
desired, so as to carry to or from the rolls.
Check plates are placed between the horizontal external rolls, they make a close
joint with the flanges of the rolls and their faces or inner surfaces are dressed to
form a perfectly true circle with the semi-circular faces of the rolls. The purpose
of these face plates is to fill the space between the rolls on each side, and thus
by forming with the rolls a perfectly true circular pass, prevent the formation
of a fin on the sides of the tube, and also form an uniform unbroken bearing
surface for the exterior of the tube when the rolling is in progress.
The furnace for heating the ingot is designed to be mounted on trucks so as to
be moved to and from the apparatus readily. The furnace shell is made of sheet
metal lined with fire bricks and is divided into compartments by ribs, each com-
partment has separate gas and air connections, so that the gas and air can be shut
off from each compartment separately. The ingot pile or billet is placed in the
furnace and heated to rolling heat; or the compartments may be graded in
temperature, so that the ingot shall be exposed to the highest temperature only
when it reaches the compartiment next to the' rolls.
The operation of the invention is as follows:
The ingot pile or billet is placed in the furnace which is moved up in front of
the apparatus and heated; when it arrives at the proper heat for rolling, the
driving grips are moved up and caused to grip the end of the ingot and push the
ingot out of the furnace until the opposite end is in the nip of the external and
internal rolls which are in motion. The grips continue to push the ingot until the
end passes from between the rolls, when the finished end is caught by the drawing
grips, and the driving grips are released. When the ingot has passed entirely

page_text: through the rolls, the mandril is stopped, the external rolls are disconnected, by
ungearing the worm wheels, the external rolls are reversed and the drawing grips
are moved forward to push the finished tube back over the mandril (the rolls of
which have been retired to decrease the diameter and thereby permit the tube to
pass over the mandril readily) the external rolls draw the tube back until its end
having passed out is caught by the grips at the front and drawn onto a truck,
which is run up in the place of the furnace, and thence the tube is carried to the
finishing rolls.

page_text: Improvements in Making Metal Pipes and the like, and
Apparatus therefor.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, Fel. Inst. P.A of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, and
323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention (a communication from abroad by Charles Kellogg
of Buffalo in the State of New York, United States of America, Inventor) 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 making seamless metal pipes, tubes, columns, boiler
shells, flues, and other hollow cylindrical articles of steel, iron or other metals.
Heretofore these articles have been made by rolling or casting. The rolled
tubing etcetera is made by passing a hollow ingot or pile through a train of
graduated rolls, over suitable mandrels or by reciprocating passes through an
universal mill over a mandrel. The objections to cast tubing etcetera are too well
known to need detailing here. The method of rolling by successive passes, through
a train of graduated rolls is objectionable because of the time and labor required
to reduce the ingot to a tube, and also because several heats are required which
increases the expense and risk of rolling; and furthermore it is impossible to roll
tubes over a limited diameter on account of the difficulty of preventing the collapsing
of the shell when heated and being transferred from the furnace to the rolls; and
the further difficulty of rolling the tube true. These difficulties it has been found
impossible to overcome. Rolling by reciprocating passes over double mandrels in
an universal mill while free from the objections of requiring a number of heats is,
on the other hand, inapplicable to rolling, tubing etcetera, of a very large diameter,
as the necessity of heating the whole ingot before commencing the rolling renders
A further
it impossible to sustain the shell while passing through the mill.
objection to making the large tubing etcetera by the methods heretofore practiced
is that the heat from the mass of metal is so great that it is impossible for the
workman to operate the machinery efficiently.
The object of this invention is;
1st: To make tubes and other hollow cylindrical articles of the proper form and
size by one pass through the rolls and by rolling hollow ingots, piles or billets
longitudinally and circumferentially simultaneously.
2nd: To avoid heating the whole ingot pile or billet and transferring it from
the furnace to the rolls previous to rolling, and the consequent liability of the
same collapsing.
The invention therefore consists in forming a hollow ingot of steel or other
metal, by casting or in any other suitable manner or a hollow pile or billet of
metal and then rolling the said ingot, pile or billet to condense the metal and
lengthen and true the ingot into a tube of the required diameter and thickness
between external and internal rolls working at right angles to each other and simul
taneously on the outside and inside surfaces respectively; second, in heating the

page_text: agot, pile or billet preparatory to rolling immediately in front of the rolls, so that
passes from the furnace to the rolls, and the unfinished portion remains in the
urnace until it passes to the rolls; third: in making seamless tubing by heating
he ingot as the rolling proceeds, and passing the heated portion between external
nd internal rolls; operating against opposite surfaces of the ingot simultaneously
nd at right angles to each other the invention further consists in machinery for
erforming the said operations, regulating the reduction of the walls of the ingot,
ile or billet, and feeding the ingot pile, or billet and the finished tube to the rolls.
In the accompanying drawings:
fan rolling tubes nines and
Figures o anu
Figure 10 represents the furnace, transverse section.
Figure 11 represents a longitudinal section of the external rolls, the mandrel
head, a section of tubing in process of rolling, and a longitudinal section of tlie
heating furnace.
Referring to the drawings, A represents a two high rolling mill, composed of two
semi-circular rolls B, B¹, supported in suitable housings C and provided with
adjusting screws a for guaging the pass between the rolls in the usual manner.
The rolls are geared together by spur gearings b, b, and motion is communicated to
the rolls from the power by shaft C¹ geared with the spur wheel d, worin C", on
said shaft, and worm wheel C on the end of the trunnion of the lower roll.
The rolls B, B¹, are the external rolls and their function is to sustain the walls of
the ingot pile or billet against the pressure and rolling action of the internal rolls
which will be described presently. They also assist in condensing the walls of the
tube or other cylinder, and keep the walls true.
The rolling of the interior of the ingot, pile or billet is effected by rolls in a
revolving mandrel head which with the manner of operating the same will now be
described.
D is a standard or housing placed in front of the rolling mill A, and at such a
distance therefrom as to enable a tube or other cylinder to be rolled from the ingot
pile or billet to the required length. From the housing D, a hollow arm E extends
at right angles towards the pass of the rolls, the axis of the pass between the rolls.
In the standard and the arm is placed on suitable bearings, a hollow shaft F, one
end whereof extends through the standard and carries a spur wheel d which gears
with a driving spur wheel d³, which connects with the power.
The opposite end of shaft F, extends out from the end of the arm next the rolls
and carries a mandrel head G which is thus held in the pass of the rolls B, B¹, as
clearly shown in Figure 5. The entire weight of the mandrel head and its
attachments is supported by the shaft F, and arm E, which centres it perfectly
in the pass and prevents the mandrel from bearing upon the underside or walls of
the ingot when rolling, whereby unevenness and irregularity in rolling are
prevented. The arm or housing E does not interfere with the rolling of the
tube, as it is made in such a way that the tube as it passes the roll can pass over
the arm or housing. The mandrel head G has its face provided with radial
grooves e, extending from the central polygonal opening or socket f to the
periphery (see Figure 2) where a part of the face plate g is removed, exposing
the face of the mandrel. The number of grooves e in the mandrel face correspond
to the number of rolls I in the revolving mandrel 'eight are shown but the number

page_text: of rolls are not limited as there may more or less. H represents the blocks for
the rolls f, which are placed in suitable boxes H, in the said blocks. The blocks
have recesses or rabbits h, h, in their sides, and the boxes H₁, are held to the
blocks by straps i, which are passed down over the boxes, and have their ends
seated in the recesses or rabbits h, h, where they are held by countersunk screws
as shown and indicated in Figure 6, where an enlarged representation of the rolls I
and blocks is shown. The bottoms of the blocks H are inclined and provided
with dovetailed grooves j, the blocks H, with the rolls are inserted in the radial
grooves e, where they are held by a face plate.g, bolted to the mandrel. In the
polygonal socket f, is inserted a wedge shaped sleeve K, having the same number
of faces or sides as the socket end having on the said faces or sides dovetailed
projections j, which engage the corresponding grooves j, in the roll blocks H.
The sleeve or wedge has a cylindrical hole through it into which the end of
mandrel shaft or rod F, is passed which thus sustains the weight of the wedge
and mandrel head and furnishes a bearing on which the said wedge moves parallel
to the axis of the mandrel for a purpose which will be described presently.
A nút k, is laid across the wedge and fastened thereto by screw bolts. A tubular
rod 1, engages the said nut, passes through the hollow shaft F, and terminates at
the opposite end of the apparatus outside the spur wheel with a hand wheel l¹.
The sleeve and blocks H, are firmly connected by means of the dovetailed
projections and grooves, but the connection is of such a nature that the sleeve
can slide freely in the socket in the mandrel head to a limited extent. The
movement of the sleeve is produced by means of the rod 1, operated by the hand
wheel, and engaging the nut k, the rod having no longitudinal movement,
whereby when turned in one direction the nut is screwed off, and carries the sleeve
back, and when turned in the opposite direction, the nut is screwed on, and the
sleeve drawn into the socket. The object of this construction is to move the
blocks and with them the rolls L radially and thereby adjust the rolls a greater or
less distance from the periphery of the mandrel head. By this construction and
operation, therefore, the rolls I are made adjustable radially, and thereby by
increasing or diminishing the distance of the rolls from the centre of the head
cause the same to reduce the walls of the ingot, pile or billet more or less and
consequently make the walls of the tube of greater or less thickness. Furthermore
the radial adjustment permits of an easier entrance of the mandrel head and rolls
into the ingot, pile or billet at the commencement of the operation, where some
. difficulty might be encountered on account of irregularity in the inside surface of
the ingot, pile or billet, unequal expansion or other causes, which would interfere
with the quick introduction of the mandrel.
The rolls in the mandrel are set slightly askew, so that they will move in spiral
lines and a lead thereby given them which will greatly facilitate the operation of
rolling and reducing the metal. The rod L should be hollow, (and for this purpose
it may be made of tubing) so as to serve as a water pipe to convey water to the
mandrel head and distribute it through suitable branch pipes 11 to the bearings
and faces of the mandrel rolls I. The opposite end of the said rod 1, is to be
connected with the water supply pipes.
The feeding of the ingot, pile or billet to the rolls is effected by mechanism
which will now be described.
On either side of the arm is a guide or slide way I', extending longitudinally
from near the standard, to the mandrel end of the said arm.
In the guide ways
are placed the ends of slides m, (the slides on one side of the arm only being
shown as they are precisely alike in construction) which are attached to sleeves K¹,
said sleeves running on the feeding racks which will be presently described. Two
sets of feeding attachments are employed, one on the mandrel arm or housing side
of the rolls and the other on the opposite side. The former takes hold of the end
of the tube after it has passed the rolls, and the latter pushes the ingots from the
furnace and into the pass of the rolls. The drawing feeding attachment has its
sleeves K¹ on one end of the racks, and the driving feeding attachment sleeves K",

page_text: on the opposite end as clearly shown. The latter carry grips J, shown in detail in
Figure 9, which are sufficiently long to push the ingot out of the furnace and to
the rolls. The former carry grips J which take hold of the finished end of the
tube as soon as it passes the rolls.
The slides and grips have two movements, one harmonizing with the motion of
the rolls and mandrel which may be called the feeding motion, and the other
independent of the motion of the other parts of the apparatus and by which they⚫
are run back and forth to take hold of, release and clear the way for placing the
ingot, pile or billet in position preparatory to rolling, and when the finished tube
is being removed from the machine.
The feeding motion of the slides and grips is produced by racks M, one being
placed in each side of the apparatus and supported in the framework thereof and
gearing with pinion N, on the shafts of the lower roll. One of these pinions is
clearly shown in Figure 4, and also the rack M engaging it. The slides and the
grips on both sides of the rolls are fastened to the sleeves K¹, K", respectively
which are placed on the racks M, which extend beyond the housings on both sides
far enough to furnish a connection and support for the sleeves, as is more clearly
shown in Figure 1. When the machine is in operation, the racks are moved by
the pinions N, carrying the guides in the direction of the arrows: and the gearing
is such that the grips are caused to move the ingot, pile or billet at a certain
speed; so that the feeding will not be too rapid. The grip jaws may be operated,
and secured by any suitable mechanism. A link and pin are the devices for
fastening them to the tube or ingot as shown in Figures 8 and 9, but any other
means may be adopted. The pushing grips have a sliding connection U, with
their sleeves; and they are raised to seize the ingot or lowered to avoid the tube
when run off by a crank and pinion engaging a rack on the grip plate as shown.
To give the quick return motions to the grips the following mechanism is
employed. A part of the racks M at each end is screw threaded as at o, o¹, and it
is at these portions that the sleeves K', K", of the guides are placed. In the sleeves
are slots in which pinions P, P¹, the former in sleeve K', and the latter in sleeve K¹¹
are placed, the hubs whereof form the nuts which are screwed on the threaded
portions of the rack and thus serve as connections between the racks and sleeves
which prevent the sleeves and guides from sliding when the racks are in motion
the threads serving as pawls and racks. The pinions P, P₁, engage pinions Q, Q',
respectively which are placed on shafts R, R₁, the said shafts being separately
mounted on opposite sides of the housings of the mill and in separate standards as
shown. The hubs p, p, of the pinions Q, Q¹, are provided with feathers which
engage the grooves q, in the said shafts, and the ends of the said hubs are hung in
stirrups or suspender plates r, suspended from the sleeves, collars being provided at
the ends of the hub to prevent the stirrups or plates from becoming detached or
disconnected. The shafts R, R¹, each have beveled pinions on the ends which mesh
with driving wheels S, S¹, which in turn are connected with the power in such a
way as to operate in harmony with each other. It will be observed that the
shafts R, R are geared for reverse motion, suitable clutch mechanism being
provided for the purpose of throwing the shafts in and out of gear, and reversing
the motion The power connections are, of course, separate from those by which
the rolling is effected.
When the grips.are to be adjusted or run back the shafts R, R¹, are thrown in
gear with the power. By means of the groove and, feather the pinions Q, Q, are
revolved, and these in turn operate pinions P, P¹, the hubs of which engaging the
screws of the racks, sleeves, slides and grips are moved backward or forward as
may be desired, so as to carry to or from the rolls. The pinions Q, Q¹, it will be
readily seen are made to move with the pinions P, P¹, by the stirrups r, and
ungearing is thereby prevented.
·
S", S, are check plates placed between the horizontal external rolls B, Bu
they make a close joint with the flanges of the rolls and their faces or inner.
surfaces are dressed to form a perfectly true circle with the semi-circular faces of

page_text: the rolls B, B. The purpose of these face plates is to fill the space between the
rolls on each side, and thus by forming with the rolls a perfectly true circular pass,
prevent the formation of a fin on the sides of the tube, and also form an uniform,
unbroken bearing surface for the exterior of the tube when the rolling is in
progress.
The furnace for heating the ingot is shown in Figures 10, 11. It is designed to
be mounted on trucks so as to be moved to and from the apparatus readily. The
furnace shell is made of sheet metal lined with fire bricks and is divided into
compartments by ribs Teach compartment has separate gas and air connections t, t¹,
so that the gas and air can be shut, off from each compartment separately. The
ingot, pile or billet is placed in the furnace and heated to rolling heat; or the
compartments may be graded in temperature, so that the ingot shall be exposed to
the highest temperature only when reaches the compartment next to the rolls.
The operation of the invention is as follows:-
The ingot, pile or billet is placed in the furnace which is moved up in front of
the apparatus (see Figure 11) and heated; when it arrives at the proper heat. for
rolling, the driving grips are moved up and caused to grip the end of the ingot and
push the ingot out of the furnace until the opposite end is in the nip of the external
and internal rolls which are in motion. The grips continue to push the ingot until
the end passes from between the rolls, when the finished end is caught by the
drawing grips, and the driving grips are released. When the ingot has passed
entirely through the rolls, the mandrel is stopped, the external rolls are dis-
connected, by ungearing the worm wheels, the external rolls are reversed and the
drawing grips are moved forward to push the finished tube back over the mandrel
(the rolls of which have been retired to decrease the diameter and thereby permit
the tube to pass over the mandrel readily) the external rolls draw the tube back
until its end having passed out is caused by the grips at the front and drawn onto
a truck, which is run up in the place of the furnace and thence the tube is carried
to the finishing rolls.
The rolling action affects only the inside of the ingot, consequently the external
diameter remains the same, the internal diameter being increased by the amount of
the reduction, while the excess of metal goes. to increase the length of the tube.
The external rolls merely support the walls of the ingot against the rolling action
of the mandrel rolls.
The ingot pile or billet is cast or otherwise formed with the required external
diameter, but of less than the required internal diameter to allow for reduction.
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 process herein described of making seamless tubes and other hollow
cylindrical articles of steel and other metals, consisting in subjecting the ingot, pile
or billet from which the tube is to be formed to the simultaneous rolling action of
external and internal rolls acting upon the outside and inside surfaces of the ingot,
and at right angles to each other.
2. The process of manufacturing seamless tubes etcetera, consisting in forming a
hollow ingot and then rolling the inside surface of the same, by means of internal
rolls without increasing the external diameter of the tube or other article.
3. The process of making tubes etcetera, consisting in casting a hollow ingot of
the proper external diameter, but of less than the required internal diameter of the
tube and then forming the ingot into a tube by rolling its internal surface and
reducing the same and thereby increase the internal diameter.
4. The process herein described of making seamless tubes etcetera, consisting in
heating the ingot as it passes to the rolls.
5. The process described of making seamless tubes and similar articles, consisting
in casting an ingot hollow, heating the same as it passes to the rolls, and then
rolling the ingot into a tube by reducing the inside walls only..

page_text: 6. The combination of a series of revolving rolls connected with a suitable
mandrel head, and adapted to rotate against the internal walls of a hollow ingot
and reduce the same, supports for the mandrel and shaft and exterior rolls operating
against the exterior walls of the ingot, opposite the mandrel rolls.
7. The combination of a series of revolving rolls connected with a suitable
mandrel head, a mandrel shaft supported on a bollow arm, and standard or housing
and exterior rolls.
8. The combination of the exterior rolls B, B1, internal revolving rolls connected
with a suitable mandrel head, and check blocks S, S, placed between the flanges
of the exterior rolls.
9. The combination of the rolls f, mandrel head, wedge sleeve and the rod or tube
for operating the wedge sleeve and adjusting the rolls.
10. In combination with the devices for rolling the tube from the ingot the
feeding devices herein described consisting of racks, grips for drawing and driving
the tube and ingot, operated by the said racks.
11. The grips herein described having a movement with the racks and by means
of the same, and an independent movement whereby they may be run back and
forth independently of the racks.
12. The furnace herein described, for heating the ingot made in compartments,
each having a separate gas and air supply.
13. The combination of a system of rolls for rolling the exterior and interior
walls of the tube simultaneously, the grips for feeding the ingot to the rolls, and the
furnace for heating the ingot as it passes to the roll.