IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF RAILWAY WHEELS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF RAILWAY WHEELS." A communication from abroad
by William Augustus Miles, of Copake Iron Works, in the County of Columbia,
and State of New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 11th August 1876, and dated the 27th June 1876.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Alexander Melville Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th June 1876.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF RAILWAY WHEELS."
A communication from abroad by William Augustus Miles, of Copake Iron Works,
in the County of Columbia, and State of New York, United States of America.
This Invention consists of a process of constructing railway wheels which is
essentially as follows:-First, making the tire and central portions separately;
second, heating these parts; third, introducing between them a stream of molten
metal; fourth, causing the same to flow continuously until the adjacent parts aro
fused so that they unite permanently when they cool.
The Invention also consists of a railway wheel consisting of three parts, the
central portion, the tire, and an intermediate metal portion uniting the two main
portions together, the whole forming an entirety, constituting a new wheel as an
article of manufacture.
In the Drawings Figures 1 and 1ª represent sectional elevations of the central
portion and tire as they lie in the mould;Figures 2 and 5, partial sectional cleva-
tions of the complete wheel; Figure 3, a plan view of a form of the intermediate
uniting portion adapted to resist the strain exerted when the brakes are applied
to the tire, to cause the same to turn upon the central portion; Figures 4 and 5,
modified form of the adjacent faces of the tire and central portion; Figure 6 is a
modified arrangement of the intermediate portion.
To enable others skilled in the art to make use of the Invention I will now
proceed to describe fully its construction and manner of operation.
A represents the tire, formed preferably of steel or other hard metal; B repre-
sents the central portion, formed preferably of softer metal, such as cast or wrought

page_text: iron; C represents the intermediate uniting metal which may be so introduced by
inlet sprue b and outlet d, so as to weld the adjacent faces of the independent parts
together, or to solder the same together; x represents an overhanging flange pro-
jecting from the central part, which is employed for the purpose of preventing the
sand with which the parts are covered during the welding process from falling into
the opening; represents a projection upon the metal C, which may be formed
in the process of casting by a depression in the sand, for the double purpose of
forming a perfect union, and also making a continuous key for locking the parts
together.
.
If desired, the adjacent faces of the central portion and tire may be formed with
corresponding recesses, as shown in Figure 3, or as shown in Figures 4 and 5, or
simply be arranged with an intermediate space, as shown in Figure 1, or the inter-
mediate uniting metal may be cast on the outer periphery of the central portion
and inner periphery of the tire, as in Figure 6.
0
It may be stated generally that the intermediate uniting metal may be of
such a character as to permit the tire when worn to be removed for the purpose of
introducing a new one, by melting at a lower heat than the other parts.
I am aware that wheels constructed in three metallic parts, the inner and outer
parts being cast on the intermediate part, are not new, and I therefore disclaim
such construction.
Having described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters
Patent is,-
1st. The described process of constructing railway wheels, consisting essentially,
first, in making the tire and central portions separately; second, heating these
parts; third, introducing between them a stream of molten metal; fourth, causing
the same to flow continuously until the adjacent parts are fused, substantially as
described.
2nd. As a new article of manufacture, a railway wheel consisting of three parts,
a central portion B, a tire A, and an intermediate metal welding portion C
uniting the main portions to form a single solid structure, substantially as
described.
3rd. A railway wheel having the tire A and body B with corresponding recesses
and an intermediate uniting metal filling recesses, substantially as described.
4th. A railway wheel in which the central portion is united to the rim by an
intermediate portion C cast upon the outer periphery of the centre portion, and
the inner periphery of the rim, and fused or welded thereto, substantially as
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of June, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.