IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PNEUMATIC SUBAQUEOUS TUBES FOR PASSENGER m TUT
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to David Cowan, of Hungerford Street, Strand, in the
County, of Middlesex, Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PNEUMATIC SUBAQUEOUS TUBES FOR PASSENGER
m
TUT
"
Sealed the 6th May 1862, and dated the 9th November 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said David Cowan at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th
November 1861.
I, DAVID COWAN, of Hungerford Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PNEUMATIC SUBAQUEOUS TUBES FOR PASSENGER OR
GOODS TRAFFIC, AND IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE THEREOF," to be as
follows:-
This Invention consists in constructing subaqueous tubes of solid or of
hollow staves, or of a combination of solid and hollow staves, of any size or
length, and made of iron, wood, or other suitable material, or combination
of materials. These staves are held together by a continuous iron band,
wrapped spirally round the tube so formed, or by hoops of iron shrunk on.
The machinery for the manufacture of the tubes is constructed as follows:-
The staves are placed or arranged upon a mandril or mandrils, or other
similar apparatus of the shape and near the size of the tubes. Passing round

page_text: the staves thus arranged is a ring of iron having friction rollers within its
interior circumference which compress the staves and squeeze them well
together; another ring of iron, through which the tubes also pass, is made to
rotate by an endless screw which drives a wheel fixed to the said ring. This
rotating ring of iron guides and laps round the tube spirally one or more coils
of iron bands, and a guide fixed to the ring enters between the coils of the
bands of iron as they are thus lapped round. The coils lapped thus on the
tube form a screw, and the guide having only a rotatory motion, the tube
receives a longitudinal motion, and is thus thrust forward as it is completed.
The tube may be projected into the water as it is manufactured, and if the
staves are made hollow it will float, and by the admission or withdrawal of
water from the same it can be raised or lowered.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said David Cowan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th May
1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, DAVID
COWAN, of Hungerford Street, Strand, Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fifth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
David Cowan, Her special licence that I, the said David Cowan, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said David Cowan, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and
Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PNEU-
.MATIC SUBAQUEOUS TUBES FOR THE PASSENGER OR GOODS TRAFFIC, AND IN MACHINERY
FOR THE MANUFACTURE THEREOF," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said David Cowan, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing, under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said David Cowan, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed; to be particularly.described. and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This Invention consists in constructing subagneous tubes of solid or of
hollow staves, or of a combination of solid and. hollow. staves, of any size and
length, and made of iron, wood, and other suitable material, or combination of
materials. These staves are held together by a continuous iron band, wrapped
spirally round the tube so formed, or, if preferred, by hoops of iron, shrunk on.
The staves, or a portion of the staves forming the tube being hollow, or
forming a hollow section, the tube can be regulated or weighted, to the specific
gravity of the water in which it is submerged, to remain at any desired level,
by the admission of water within the staves, and by substracting water the
tube can be made to rise.
The machinery for the manufacture of the tubes is constructed as follows:-
The staves are placed and arranged upon a mandril, each one: breaking joint
with the other; the mandril being of the form and nearly of the size of the
tube; the staves have only to be placed thereon in manner similar to bricks
on building an arch. Encircling the staves thus arranged is a ring carrying.
a series of rollers within its interior circumference for the purpose of pressing
the staves firmly together. Immediately behind this ring is another which
revolves round the tube, and laps spirally round it one or more bands of iron,
and it is driven by means of one or more endless screws and screw wheels;
this ring is permitted to move only in the direction of its circumference, that,
is to rotate, all lateral motion being prevented by suitable bearings or abut-
ments, and a projection fixed to the said ring is in contact with the edge of
the iron as it is wound on the tube; this projection not only keeps the coils,
well together, but thrusts the tube forward, as the iron band acts as. the thread:
of a screw.
And that the Invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to describe
the Drawings hereunto annexed, and forming part of this Specification..
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS..
Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of the tube, and the machinery for the
manufacture thereof, and also the mode of projecting the same into the water;.
Fig. 2 represents a cross section of the tube and machinery, shewing the
mode of rotating the ring which lays on the iron band; Fig. 3 represents
two elevations, one of each side the ring, for compressing the staves; Fig. 4.
represents an enlarged view of. tube, and mode of lapping on the iron bands;.

page_text: Fig. 5 represents the mode of projecting the tube by the thrust on the bands
of iron; Fig. 6 represents a stay ring for holding the tube in its position in
the water. In each of the above Figures the same letters of reference indicate
like parts.
:
The staves for the construction of the tube are made of the shape shewn in
Figs. 4, A, A, being two of them; to insure the joints being water tight, a
groove is made in the flanges of each as at B, B, in which a bar of lead or other
suitable material is inserted. The mode of arranging these staves is shewn in
Fig. 1, in which A, A, are the staves, and C is the mandril, round which they
are placed. They are then pressed forcibly together by the rollers E,. E, in
the ring D, the pressure exerted by which can be regulated in the following
manner-F (see Fig. 3) is the rim of a wheel which can be made to rotate on
a neck, or, if preferred, on friction rollers attached to the ring D; and it is in
gear with a series of pinions G, on the studs of which are endless screws,
which are in gear with the worm wheels H, on the other side of the ring D.
On the worm wheel shafts are cut screws, which work in the frames
carrying the rollers; therefore, when a rotatory motion is imparted to the
wheel rim F, to the right or left, the rollers are thrust inwards, or drawn
outwards accordingly, the roller frames being held steady by the grooves, in
which they slide immediately the staves have passed through the compressing
rollers; they are bound firmly together by a continuous band of iron, which is
lapped spirally round them by the revolving ring J. The outer circumference
of this ring forms a worm wheel, which is driven by the two worms or endless
screws K, K, which receive motion from any suitable motive power; the
ring J is supported and revolves within a series of friction rollers attached to
the frame L, and the thrust received by the force exerted in projecting the
tube is distributed on a face plate fastened to the frame L. The rotation of
this ring projects the tube by means of the guide piece V, which presses against
the iron band, and as it is wound round spirally the tube is thrust forward...
Supposing the machinery ready to work and manufacture the tube as
berein-before described, the following preliminary arrangements may then
be made, viz.-A wall M, or other suitable breast work being formed on the
border of the sea and behind this breast a dock or pit being made sufficiently
large to allow the machinery to be placed and to work therein, as shewn in
the perspective view, Fig. 1, the construction of the tube is then commenced,
by laying, in the first instance, on the mandril a number of staves varying in
length so as to form break joints, and afterwards a regular series of staves of
equal length, which are fastened to the head pieces N; and as the circum-
ference is covered, the compressing ring or collar is then applied, and the.
.

page_text: hooping and projecting or propelling rings being brought to bear, the con-
struction and forward progression of the tube through the water are simul-
taneous operations. R represents a ring of retarding rollers to impede the
forward motion of the tube when the ring J is lapping round the iron band,
until the tube is long enough to pass into the water, when it is assumed
sufficient pressure is obtained without its further use. The tube passes
through a suitable opening made at or near the bottom of the sea wall or
breast work. Fixed to the opening is an elastic collar, which clasps the tube
and keeps the joint water tight. The head-piece N, is fitted with a number of
strong glass lenses, so that by means of an electric or other strong light, the
bottom of the channel and all around can be seen from within the head.
The tube is stayed and secured as it is projected into the water by guide
rings S, Fig. 6, which are lowered from a vessel on the surface of the water,
and anchored as shewn in the Drawing; and a communication being made
between the vessel and the interior of the tube by telegraph wires, it will
readily be understood that by means of the glass lenses the workman inside
can see the relative positions of tube and rings, and telegraph the same to the
parties in the vessel.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the means I
adopt in carrying the same into practical effect, I would have it understood
that I do not claim the separate mechanical parts, nor do I confine myself to
the precise details as shewn and described, so long as the principal of my
Invention be retained substantially as herein-before explained.
In witness whereof, I, the said David Cowan, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and sixty-two.
Witness,
THOMAS MACSWENEY.
DAVID COWAN. (L.S.)

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to David Cowan, of Hungerford Street, Strand, in the
County of Middlesex, Manufacturer, for the Invention of " IMPROVE
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PNEUMATIC SUBAQUEOUS TUBES FOR PASSENGER
OR GOODS TRAFFIC, AND IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE THEBEOP."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said David Cowan at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th
November 1861.
I, DAVID COWAN, of Hungerford Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE.
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUOTION OF PNEUMATIC SUBAQUEOUS TUBES FOR PASSENGER OR
GOODS TRAFFIC, AND IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE THEREOF," to be as
follows:-
This Invention consists in constructing subaqueous tubes of solid or of
hollow staves, or of a combination of solid and hollow staves, of any size or
length, and made of iron, wood, or other suitable material, or combination
of materials. These staves are held together by a continuous iron band,
wrapped spirally round the tube so formed, or by hoops of iron shrunk on.
The machinery for the manufacture of the tubes is constructed as follows:-
The staves are placed or arranged upon a mandril or mandrils, or other
similar apparatus of the shape and near the size of the tubes. Passing round
[Price 8d.1

page_text: the staves thus arranged is a ring of iron having friction rollers within its
interior circumference which compress the staves and squeeze them well
together another ring of iron, through which the tubes also pass, is made to
rotate by an endless screw which drives a wheel fixed to the said ring. This
rotating ring of iron guides and laps round the tube spirally one or more coils
of iron bands, and a guide fixed to the ring enters between the coils of the
bands of iron as they are thus lapped round. The coils lapped thus on the
tube form a screw, and the guide having only a rotatory motion, the tube
receives a longitudinal motion, and is thus thrust forward as it is completed.
The tube may be projected into the water as it is manufactured, and if the
staves are made hollow it will float, and by the admission or withdrawal of
water from the same it can be raised or lowered..
1
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said David Cowan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th May
1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, DAVID
COWAN, of Hungerford Street, Strand, Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fifth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
David Cowan, Her special licence that I, the said David Cowan, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said David Cowan, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and
Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PNEU.
MATIC SUBAQUEOUS TUBES FOR THE PASSENGER OR GOODS TRAFFIC, AND IN MACHINERY
FOR THE MANUFACTURE THEREOF," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said David Cowan, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing, under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said David Cowan, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement ;-
This Invention consists in constructing subagneous tubes of solid or of
hollow staves, or of a combination of solid and hollow staves, of any size and
length, and made of iron, wood, and other suitable material, or combination of
materials. These staves are held together by a continuous iron band, wrapped
spirally round the tube so formed, or, if preferred, by hoops of iron, shrunk on.
The staves, or a portion of the staves forming the tube being hollow, or
forming a hollow section, the tube can be regulated or weighted to the specific
gravity of the water in which it is submerged, to remain at any desired level;
by the admission of water within the staves, and by substracting water the
tube can be made to rise.
The machinery for the manufacture of the tubes is constructed as follows:-
The staves are placed and arranged upon a mantril, each one breaking joint
with the other; the mandril being of the form and nearly of the size of the
tube, the staves have only to be placed thereon in manner similar to bricks
on building an arch. Encircling the staves thus arranged is a ring carrying
a series of rollers within its interior circumference for the purpose of pressing
the staves firmly together. Immediately behind this ring is another which
revolves round the tube, and laps spirally round it one or more bands of iron,
and it is driven by means of one or more endless screws and screw wheels;
this ring is permitted to move only in the direction of its circumference, that
is to rotate, all lateral motion being prevented by suitable bearings or abut-
ments, and a projection fixed to the said ring is in contact with the edge of
the iron as it is wound on the tube; this projection not only keeps the coils
well together, but thrusts the tube forward, as the iron band acts as the thread
of a screw.
And that the Invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to describe
the Drawings hereunto annexed, and forming part of this Specification.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of the tube, and the machinery for the
manufacture thereof, and also the mode of projecting the same into the water;
Fig. 2 represents a cross section of the tube and machinery, shewing the
mode of rotating the ring which lays on the iron band; Fig. 3 represents
two elevations, one of each side the ring, for compressing the staves; Fig. 4
represents an enlarged view of tube, and mode of tapping on the iron bands;

page_text: Fig. 5 represents the mode of projecting the tube by the thrust on the bands
of iron; Fig. 6 represents a stay ring for holding the tube in its position in
the water. In each of the above Figures the same letters of reference indicate
like parts.
The staves for the construction of the tube are made of the shape shewn in
Figs. 4, A, A, being two of them; to insure the joints being water tight, a
groove is made in the flanges of each as at B, B, in which a bar of lead or other
suitable material is inserted. The mode of arranging these staves is shewn in
Fig. 1, in which A, A, are the staves, and C is the mandril, round which they
are placed. They are then pressed forcibly together by the rollers E, E, in
the ring D, the pressure exerted by which can be regulated in the following
manner F (see Fig. 3) is the rim of a wheel which can be made to rotate on
a neck, or, if preferred, on friction rollers attached to the ring D; and it is in
gear with a series of pinions G, on the studs of which are endless screws,
which are in gear with the worm wheels H, on the other side of the ring D.
On the worm wheel shafts are cut screws, which work in the frames
carrying the rollers; therefore, when a rotatory motion is imparted to the
wheel rim F, to the right or left, the rollers are thrust inwards, or drawn
outwards accordingly, the roller frames being held steady by the grooves, in
which they slide immediately the staves have passed through the compressing
rollers; they are bound firmly together by a continuous band of iron, which is
lapped spirally round them by the revolving ring J. The outer circumference
of this ring forms a worm wheel, which is driven by the two worms or endless
screws K, K, which receive motion from any suitable motive power; the
ring J is supported and revolves within a series of friction rollers attached to
the frame L, and the thrust received by the force exerted in projecting the
tube is distributed on a face plate fastened to the frame L. The rotation of
this ring projects the tube by means of the guide piece V, which presses against
the iron band, and as it is wound round spirally the tube is thrust forward.
Supposing the machinery ready to work and manufacture the tube as
herein-before described, the following preliminary arrangements may then
be made, viz.-A wall M, or other suitable breastwork being formed on the
border of the sea and behind this breast a dock or pit being made sufficiently
large to allow the machinery to be placed and to work therein, as shewn in
the perspective view, Fig. 1, the construction of the tube is then commenced,
by laying, in the first instance, on the mandril a number of staves varying in
length so as to form break joints, and afterwards a regular series of staves of
equal length, which are fastened to the head pieces N; and as the circum-
ference is covered, the compressing ring or collar is then applied, and the

page_text: hooping and projecting or propelling rings being brought to bear, the con-
struction and forward progression of the tube through the water are simul-
taneous operations. R represents a ring of retarding rollers to impede the
forward motion of the tube when the ring J is lapping round the iron band,
until the tube is long enough to pass into the water, when it is assumed
sufficient pressure is obtained without its further use. The tube passes
through a suitable opening made at or near the bottom of the sea wall or
breast work. Fixed to the opening is an elastic collar, which clasps the tube
and keeps the joint water tight. The head-piece N, is fitted with a number of
strong glass lenses, so that by means of an electric or other strong light, the
bottom of the channel and all around can be seen from within the head..
The tube is stayed and secured as it is projected into the water by guide
rings S, Fig. 6, which are lowered from a vessel on the surface of the water,
and anchored as shewn in the Drawing; and a communication being made
between the vessel and the interior of the tube by telegraph wires, it will
readily be understood that by means of the glass lenses the workman inside
can see the relative positions of tube and rings, and telegraph the same to the
parties in the vessel.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the means I
adopt in carrying the same into practical effect, I would have it understood
that I do not claim the separate mechanical parts, nor do I confine myself to
the precise details as shewn and described, so long as the principal of my
Invention be retained substantially as herein-before explained.
In witness whereof, I, the said David Cowan, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand.
eight hundred and sixty-two.
Witness,
THOMAS MACSWENEY.
DAVID COWAN. (L.S.)