An Improved Tube Stopper for Marine or other Boilers.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Sept., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 12th June, 1890-Accepted, 9th Aug., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Tube Stopper for Marine or other Boilers.
I, SAMUEL ALBERT JOHNSON of 13 East India Road Poplar, E. in the County of
Middlesex, Marine Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to produce a perfectly reliable, effective and quickly
acting tube stopper especially where very high pressure of steam is used without
danger or difficulty or lowering the pressure; and is a further improvement on a
Patent No. 6821 applied for and granted to me dated the 25th April 1884 for "An
Improved Tube Stopper for Marine and other Boilers."
I provide a rod or bar of iron of suitable length and proportion according to the
length and diameter of the tube to be acted upon and form or shape a screwed
thread to a suitable extent at both ends of the same, having at the front or leading end
a metal washer or disc curved or rounded at its outer portion and into which the
screwed portion of the rod takes. 1 then fit a loose metal washer or disc upon the
said rod or bar and immediately behind the said metal washer or disc, fix a nut against
the same, so as to limit the distance of the traverse or play permitted to the said
loose metal washer or disc. The inner faces of the fixed and movable metal washers
or discs are formed by preference of a wedge or conical shape in section tapering
to a certain extent toward their centres and between the same on the said rod or bar I
insert a loose flexible ring of a similar wedge or conically tapered section to that
of the metal washers or discs so as to fit in between same and be acted upon by them
when the stopper is in action within the tube to be stopped. The loose flexible ring
referred to would be made of suitable material and of such proportion and form as to
be capable of withstanding the greatest amount of heat and pressure and of elastically
expanding outwardly under compression.
At a suitable distance on the other end of the said horizontal rod or bar I provide
two other similar conically shaped metal washers or discs but both of which are loose
upon the rod or bar and having likewise a loose flexible elastic ring of a like conically
tapered form inserted between the faces of same, and I provide a nut before and
behind each of these loose conically shaped metal washers or discs on the horizontal
rod or bar helping to keep them in position and the screwed portion of the said
horizontal rod or bar is capable of working into the said nuts when acted upon.
A rim or flange of increased diameter is given to the outer portion of one of the
said metal washers or discs so as to form a cap over the mouth of the tube at the front
or smoke box end which serves to regulate and act as a stop, and the curved or conical
form given to the metal washer at the fore end, assists in the passage of the stopper
when being forced into the length of the tube toward the combustion chamber end and
is so guided into position. I provide and interpose between the faces of the conically
or wedge shaped metal dises or washers, and in the hollow portion of the flexible or
expanding ring, a small ring or washer of suitable material also capable of assisting in
causing the main flexible ring to be well expanded within the tube.
Upon a stopper of the description herein described being got into position within a
leaky or burst tube the pressure of steam and water is then exerted or given off
onto and between the faces of the two inner movable washers or discs causing them to
be driven apart and to act in opposite directions and they in turn are caused to bear
under pressure as against the tapered conical flexible rings placed between them and
by their wedge forin and action cause the said tapered conical flexible rings to expand
outwardly and their peripheries to fit tightly and securely within the tube at each end
and the greater the combined pressure of steam and water the more secure the tube is
automatically sealed.

page_text: At the extreme end of the horizontal rod or bar I form the same with a square end
which when acted upon by a spanner (or otherwise) enables the rod to be employed in
being screwed and further tightening up and expanding the flexible rings which in
the case of a leaky tube may necessitate especially under low pressure.
Dated this 13th day of September 1889.
S. A. JOHNSON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Tube Stopper for Marine or other Boilers.
I, SAMUEL ALBERT JOHNSON of 13 East India Road E. Marine 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, and accompanying drawing :-
By this Invention as in common with all other attempts and proposals to properly
secure and stop leaky tubes in marine and other boilers, especially where very high
pressure of steam is used, I propose to do so in a more simple, safe, instantaneous and
effective manner; and is a further improvement on a Patent applied for and granted
to me dated the 25th April 1884 and numbered 6821 for "An Improved Tube Stopper
for Marine or other Boilers."
On
I take or provide in the first instance a rod or bar of iron or other metal of suitable
length and proportion according to the length and diameter of the tube to be acted upon
and form or shape a screw thereon to a suitable extent at both ends of the same.
each end of this rod are fitted two circular metal washers of a diameter to suit
the interior of the tube. These washers are so formed as to be capable of freely
moving longitudinally on the said rod, and are formed with bevilled faces looking
toward each other. Between these washers and separate from them is placed a
broad and flat outer surfaced circular ring of specially prepared material, either of
India rubber or other suitable elastic material, of about the same diameter as the
boiler tube (internally), and of a section to suit or correspond with the wedge form or
conical or bevilled faces of the movable washers. The said loose elastic or flexible
rings just referred to are so formed as to be capable when under pressure of expanding
outwardly or circumferentially within the tube to be stopped.
Between and separate from these washers at each end, are other washers having
inner bevilled or wedge formed faces, and nuts are screwed on the rod for the purpose
of adjusting the conical or bevilled faced metal washers ready for action on the elastic
ring interposed between them at each end of the stopper. At the front or leading
end of the said horizontal rod or bar I form a metal washer or disc curved or rounded
at its outer portion and into which the screwed portion of the rod takes. A rim or
flange of increased diameter is given to the outer portion of one of the said metal
washers or discs so as to form a cap over the mouth of the tube at the front or smoke
box end, which serves to regulate and acts as a stop, and the curved or conical form
given to the metal washer at the fore end assists in the passage of the stopper when
being forced into the length of the tube to be operated upon and toward the combus-
tion chamber end, and is so gauged into position. The nuts referred to are placed
before and behind each of these loose conically or wedge shaped metal washers or
discs, helping to keep them in position and the screwed portion of the said horizontal
rod or bar is capable of working into the said nuts when acted upon.
Upon a stopper of the description berein described being got into position within a
leaky or burst tube the pressure of steam and water is then exerted or given off onto
and between the back surfaces of the two inner movable washers or discs, causing them
to be driven apart or asunder, and to act in opposite directions, and they in turn are
caused to bear under pressure as against the tapered conical or wedge faced flexible
rings placed between them and by the wedge form and action of the inner faces of the
bevilled washers or discs (looking toward each other, cause the said tapered conical
flexible rings to expand outwardly and circumferentially, so that their peripheries fit
tightly within, and close or seal the tube at each end, and the greater the combined

page_text: pressure of steam and water the more secure the tube is automatically closed or
sealed.
At the extreme end of the horizontal rod or bar I form the same with a square end
which when acted upon by a spanner suitably formed for the purpose or otherwise,
enables the rod so engaged to act and tighten up and expand the flexible rings
interposed between the said conical or bevilled faced metal washers.
The action is as follows, viz. :-When a tube is found to leak, the stopper is at once
inserted up to the shoulder, which is formed on the outer or front metal washer, which
regulates the distance of insertion. The two ends of the stopper are then instantaneously
closed by the escaping steam or water from the leak, acting on the back of the two
inner adjustable metal washers, bringing them to bear on the elastic rings between
the washers and thus thoroughly sealing or closing up the leaky tube. The greater
the pressure from a leaky tube when so acted upon according to my method, the more
effective is the closing up of each end of the tube secured. Nothing more is then
necessary to be done as its action is then automatic and instantaneous and where very
high pressure steam is employed, stoppers so constructed on my plan will be found in
practice to be the most simple, effective and free from danger to the attendants.
After the stoppers have done their work, and when the boiler pressure is removed, in
port or in dock, release action would be given by the aid of a spanner applied to the
horizontal bar or rod and the closing up elastic rings released and the entire apparatus
can be withdrawn so as to permit of a sound tube being fitted and replaced for the
defective one.
In the accompanying Drawing
Figure 1, exhibits the front end of a boiler tube, with a section of the stopper at that
part.
Figure 2, shews the back end of same, the stopper at that part being in elevation,
and in both figures the same letters of reference, refer to like or corresponding parts.
A, B, C, D, are the four circular adjustable metal washers with inner bevilled or
conical tapered faces. The washer A, Figure 1, has a circular projection or shoulder A',
to regulate the insertion of the stopper into its proper position within the tube.
E and F, are the broad faced conically tapered elastic rings of India rubber or other
like or suitable material, (as shewn in section and elevation Figs. 1 and 2) which close
up the tube ends, caused when acted upon by the metal washers A, B, C, D.
G, H, I, are the nuts on the screwed portions of the rod J, acting on the washer D.
K is the square outer end of rod J, for turning it by means of a spanner when
necessary. L, is a circular elastic ring gripping on the rod between the washers
and prevents any escape of pressure from the tube. M, is the front tube plate of the
boiler and N, is the back tube plate of same.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of
my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is,
First. The method or means for mechanically and automatically stopping leaky
or burst boiler tubes in high or low pressure boilers in manner described."
Second. "In the employment at each end of a rod or bar, of two circular metal
washers, capable of freely working on the said rod or bar longitudinally and having
bevilled, tapered or other like or suitable form of faces looking toward each other
and between which are interposed a loose elastic flexible or other ring at each end of
the rod or bar, which when acted upon in the first instance are caused to expand out-
wardly or circumferentially within the tube at both ends, and the pressure of steam or
water within a burst or leaky tube will exert itself to automatically aid in securing
the desired effect and securely cause the tube to be stopped or sealed."
300
S. A. JOHNSON.