Improvements in and Machinery or Apparatus for the Manufacture of Metallic Tubes and Plates for the Internal Fireboxes and Flues of Steam Boilers and for other Purposes.
Year: 1888

page_text: - Dat of Application, 19th June, 1833
Complete Specification Left, 19th Feb., 1859
Complete Specification Accepted, 27th Apr., 1839
Improvements in and Machinery or Apparatus for the Manufacture
of Metallic Tubes and Plates for the Internal Fireboxes and
Flues of Steam Boilers and for other Purposes.
I ROBERT EDWIN PEACOCK CRAVEN of 8 Seamer Street Armley Leeds in the
County of York Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to the manufacture of tubes suitable for the internal fire-
boxes and flues of steam boilers, and of plates to be used in the construction of such
articles, and for other purposes.
The tubes have circumferential ridges and grooves of such forms as to impart to
them a greater collapsing strain than tubes as heretofore constructed the said forms
of the ridges and. grooves being such as referred to in another provisional Specifica-
tion of mine bearing equal date herewith, namely:-flat ridges and semi-elliptical
grooves or semi elliptical ridges and flat bottomed grooves.
These forms I produce by a specially constructed machine or rolling Mill.
This mill comprises a pair of suitable housings in which are mounted a pair of
main rolls, one above the other, one or both of which may be driven.
These rolls may have either annular or helical ridges and grooves of suitable form.
I prefer annular ones.
The projections of one roll take into the grooves of the other roll having spaces
between them for the thickness of metal forming the tube.
The main top roll is carried in two bearings, one of which is of sufficient length to
maintain the roll in an overhanging position, whilst the other bearing of the said roll
is by suitable mechanism, capable of being removed from the journal such a distance
in the direction of its axis, as to admit of a tube being removed from the said roll or
of placing one thereon. The main bottom roll is mounted in bearings having a
vertical movement by which it is capable of approaching or retiring from the main
top roll by means of specially constructed bell crank levers, one arm or end of each
being provided with or forming a toothed sector, these are actuated by a worm and
other suitable gearing in connection with a reversing motor.

page_text: The other ends of the said bell crank levers are each furnished with links which are
in connection with the rising and falling bearings of the main bottom roll. For the
purpose of bending a plate whilst under treatment by the main rolls, a plain roll is
provided on each side of the said main rolls and these are mounted in bearings having
a rising and falling movement, and are capable of being moved either simultaneously
or separately as may be required and are caused to rise and fall by the reversing
motor above referred to.
In manufacturing tubes by the above described machine, I take a suitable plate
of metal of the requisite size and thickness which after being heated to a suitable degree,
the leading in or forward end is passed through the bight of the main rolls for about
six inches, the main bottom roll is then caused to approach the main top roll and to
commence forming the ridges and grooves in the plate, the rolls are then set in motion
and thus draw in the plate continuing the process of forming ridges and grooves.
Immediately the plate under treatment commences to pass through the rolls, the rear
plain bending roll is caused to rise to such a position as to bear against the plate and
turn it up into the tubular form, the forming of the ridges and grooves and the
operation of bending having thus taken place at the same time. When the plate has
advanced so far that its rear end is within a suitable distance of the bight of the
grooved or main rolls, their motion is arrested and the front plain bending roll is
caused to rise and press against the rear and yet plain part of the plate under treat-
ment and to bend the same until it meets the leading in end thereof either in a butt or
lap form as may be desired, after which the main bottom roll is caused to recede from
the main top roll and the removeable end bearing of the main top roll is also moved
backward as previously referred to, and the partially formed tube removed from the
said top roll which it now surrounds. The plain ends of the now partially formed
tube are next subjected to the welding operation which may be either in the butt or
lap form and as is usual when welding a plain tube, after which if the tube is required
to have ridges and grooves all round, it is reheated and again placed in the rolling
mill for the plain and welded part to have the ridges and grooves formed thereon. It
may now be finally removed from the rolling mill a finished tube so far as the ridges
and grooves are concerned. The above description refers to the formation of a tube
having flat ridges, but when the ridges are to have the semi-elliptical form the bending
rolls at the front and rear of the main rolls will require to be grooved to suit the
configuration of said ridges.
In forming ridges and grooves on straight plates whether for the construction of
tubes or for other purposes, it will be obvious that the process as above described will
be the same, with the exception of the use of the bending rolls, which in this case
may act as supporting rolls only, means being provided in all cases for guiding the
plates correctly and a receptacle for them at the rear of the main rolls.
Other kinds of corrugations can be produced in this machine according to the
configuration of the rolls.
Dated this Eighteenth day of June 1888.

page_text: Improvements in and Machinery or Apparatus for the Manufacture
of Metallic Tubes and Plates for the Internal Fire Boxes and
Flues of Steam Boilers and for other Purposes.
I, ROBERT EDWIN PEACOCK CRAVEN, of 8 Seamer Street, Armley Leeds in the
county of York 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 relates to the manufacture of tubes suitable for the internal fireboxes
and flues of steam boilers, and of plates to be used in the construction of such articles,
and for other purposes.
The tubes have circumferential ridges and grooves of such forms as to impart to
them a greater collapsing strain than tubes as heretofore constructed, the said forms of
the ridges and grooves being such as referred to in another provisional Specification
of mine bearing equal date herewith, namely,-flat ridges and semi-elliptical grooves,
or semi-elliptical ridges and flat bottomed grooves.
These forms i produce by a specially constructed machine or rolling Mill.
This Mill comprises a pair of suitable housings in which are mounted a pair of
main rolls, one above the other, one or both of which may be driven.
These rolls may have either annular or helical ridges and grooves of suitable form.
I prefer annular ones.
The projections of one roll take into the grooves of the other roll, having spaces
between them for the thickness of metal forming the tube.
a
The main top roll is carried in two bearings, one of which is of sufficient length to
maintain the roll in an overhanging position, whilst the other bearing of the said roll
is by suitable mechanism, capable of being removed from the journal such a distance
in the direction of its axis, as to admit of a tube being removed from the said roll or
of placing one thereon. The main bottom roll is mounted in bearings, having
vertical movement by which it is capable of approaching or retiring from the main
top roll, by means of specially constructed bell crank levers, one arm or end of each
being provided with or forming a toothed sector, these are actuated by a worm and
other suitable gearing in connection with a reversing motor.
The other end of the said bell crank levers are each furnished with links which are
in connection with the rising and falling bearings of the main bottom roll. For the
purpose of bending a plate whilst under treatment by the main rolls, a plain roll is
provided on each side of the said main rolls, and these are mounted in bearings
having a rising and falling movement, and are capable of being moved either
simultaneously or separately as may be required and are caused to rise and fall by the
reversing motor referred to.
In manufacturing tubes by the above described machine, I take a suitable plate of

page_text: metal of the requisite size and thickness which after being heated to a suitable degree,
the leading in or forward end is passed through the hight of the main rolls for about
six inches, the main bottom roll is then caused to approach the main top roll and to
commence forming the ridges and grooves in the plate, the rolls are then set in
motion and thus draw in the plate continuing the process of forming ridges and
grooves, immediately the plate under treatment commences to pass through the rolls,
the rear plain bending roll is caused to rise to such a position as to bear against the
plate and turn it up into the tubular form, the front plain bending roll may also be
raised to a suitable position, to assist in the bending operation, the forming of the ridges
and grooves and the operation of bending having thus taken place at the same time.
When the plate has advanced so far that its rear end is within a suitable distance of the
bight of the grooved or main rolls their motion is arrested and the front plain bending
roll is caused to rise and press against the rear and yet plain part of the plate under
treatment and to bend the same until it meets the leading in end thereof either in a
butt or lap form as may be desired, after which the main bottom roll is caused to recede
from the main top roll and the removeable end bearing of the main top roll is also
moved backward as previously referred to, and the partially formed tube removed from
the said top roll which it now surrounds. The plain ends of the now partially formed
tube are next subjected to the welding operation which may be either in the butt or
lap form and as is usual when welding a plain tube, after which if the tube is required
to have ridges and grooves all round, it is reheated and again placed in the rolling
mill for the plain and welded part to have the ridges and grooves formed thereon.
It may now be finally removed from the rolling mill a finished tube so far as the
ridges and grooves are concerned. The above description refers to the formation of
a tube having flat ridges, but when the ridges are to have the semi-elliptical form,
the bending rolls at the front and rear of the main rolls will require to be grooved to
suit the configuration of said ridges.
In forming ridges and grooves on straight plates whether for the construction of
tubes or for other purposes, it will be obvious that the process as above described will
be the same, with the exception of the use of the bending rolls, which in this case
may act as supporting rolls only, means being provided in all cases for guiding the
plates correctly and a receptacle for them at the rear of the main rolls.
Other kinds of corrugations can be produced in this machine according to the
configuration of the rolls.
In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1. Sheet 1. is a side elevation of a rolling mill
according to my invention.
Fig: 2. Sheet 2. is a plan view. Fig. 3. Sheet 3. is a transverse sectional elevation.
Fig. 4. is an end view of the housing with the moveable bearing for supporting the
overhanging end of the main top roll. Fig. 5. Sheet 4. is an end view of the
housing at the driving end of the rolls. Fig. 6. sheet 1. is a detail in longitudinal
sectional elevation of the mechanism for raising and lowering the main bottom roll.
The same numerals represents the same or similar parts in all the Figures.
1. 1. are the bed plates, and 3. are the housings mounted thereon and which
carry the main rolls, 4 is the main bottom roll, the upper main roll, this
roll is carried at its driving end in a long bearing 6, capable of supporting
the said roll in an overhanging position, while a tube is being removed
therefrom after having been bent to form and when the bearing 7, is moved back-
ward to the position indicated by dotted lines 7 a, upon the bed 8, by means of the
screw 9, and nut 10. The bearing 7, when the machine is in operation is carried by
a suitable projection 11. on the housing 2. to this projection on each side thereof is
fixed by means of bolts d, a plate 12, provided with a gib or projection a', these take
under a projecting lip on the part 11, of the housing 2, there are also gib-like projec-
tions at the top of the said plates 12, these projections 61, at their underside are
slightly undercut (that is, dovetail fashion which prevent lateral action on them when
the machine is in operation,) and take on to corresponding projections c¹, c¹ on the
bearing 7, in suchwise that when action takes place between the rolls 4, and 5. (which
tends to separate the rolls) these plates 12, as will be obvious prevent the bearing 7,

page_text: from rising off its seat on the projection 11, and thus keep the rolls 4, and 5, in
their proper relative position for performing their functions. In lieu of the plates 12,
the projection 11. may have cheeks, (representing the plates 12) cast thereon with
overhanging lips similar to those (¹) on the plates 12, under which the parts et e¹ of
the bearing 7, would take on sliding into position previous to the machine being put
into operation-The lower main roll 4, is mounted in adjustable bearings 13-13, and
caused to approach the top roll 5. by specially constructed bell crank levers 14-14,
each provided with a toothed sector 15-15, actuated by a worm 16, on the shaft 17,
on which is the worm wheel 18, actuated by the worm 19, on the shaft 20, the
gears 21, shaft 22, gears 23, and shaft 24, this receives its motion from a motor
shaft 25, capable of being engaged with or disengaged therefrom by means of the
wheels 26 and 27, or by other suitable mechanism. To the ends b, b, of the bell crank
levers are joined the links 28, 28, in connection with the sliding bearings 13. 13, the
fulcrums 29, 29, are carried in bearings 30. 30 in connection with the housings 2-
and 3, and are adjustable in said housings by packings at c. c.-31 and 32 are side
rolls in front and rear of the main rolls 4. and 5. and carried in bearings 33. capable
of rising and falling in suitable guides upon the housings 2 and 3. The said
moveable bearings 33. are actuated by cranks 34 on the shafts 35. 35. by means of
worm wheels 36. 36. thereon actuated by the worms 37. 37 on the shaft 38. gears 39,
shaft 40, gears 41 and 42, capable of being engaged or disengaged at pleasure with
each other and the motor shaft 25. as required.
The said side rolls 31 and 32 may be raised or lowered either simultaneously or
separately as desired by means of clutches 43. 43. connecting the worms 37. with the
shaft 38. the said worms being free thereon.
The end wise movement of the said clutches is effected by the rods 44. 44
levers 45. 45. shaft 46. 46. hand levers 47. 47. brought into convenient position for the
attendant.
The screw 9 for traversing the moveable bearing 7 of the main upper roll 5 is
actuated from the motor shaft 25. by the gears 48 and 49 engagable or disengagable
as required, pulleys 50. 51 and strap 52.
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. The construction of tubes with ridges and grooves, or with corrugations suitable
for the fireboxes and flues of steam boilers, by forming such ridges and grooves or
corrugations upon, and bending plates to a circular or tubular form at one and the
same time, and with plain parts thereon for afterwards welding or rivetting, and in the
case of welded tubes completing such ridges and grooves or corrugations on such
welded part, substantially as hereinabove set forth.
2. In a specially constructed Rolling Mill in which the ridges of one roll take into
the grooves of the other roll, mounting the top roll in two bearings, one of which is
capable of maintaining it in a horizontal position while removing a partially formed
tube therefrom and the other bearing moveable from its journal so as to admit of such
removal, effecting the axeal movement at pleasure of the said bearing in either
direction by means, such as a screw 9. nut 10, in combination with a reversible motor,
substantially as described and shown.
3. Causing the bottom main roll, 4. which is mounted in two bearings to approach
and recede from the top roll 5 as required, by means of mechanism comprising
links 28 in connection with the said moveable bearings 13. bell crank levers 14, with
toothed sectors 15, actuating in unison with each other, and worm 16. taking therein,
the whole actuated at pleasure by the reversible motor, referred to in. the preceeding
claim, substantially as described and shown.
4. Means for securing the moveable bearing 7. of the top roll 5 during the action
of the machine, such as the plates 12. or their equivalent substantially as described and
shown.

page_text: 5. The method of raising and lowering the side bending rolls 31 and 32 one of
which is located at each side of the main rolls 4 and 5, either simultaneously or
separately, by means of cranks 34. on shaft 35. worm wheels 36, worms 37 on
shaft 38, the whole actuated by the reversible motor referred to in the preceeding
claim, substantially as described and shown.
6. The use of clutches 43. in combination with suitable mechanism for engaging
or disengaging the same with or from the worms 37, for causing one or both of the
side rolls 31 and 32, to be put in use as may be required.
7. The improved Rolling Mill, constructed, arranged, and operating substantially
as hereinabove described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Nineteenth day of February 1889.
ROBERT EDWIN PEACOCK CRAVEN.