Year: 1899

page_text: I, Alfred Julius Boult, of 111, Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
M.I.M.E., do hereby declare the nature of this invention, a communication to
me from abroad by Gamaliel Cyrus St. John of 2, Cortlandt Street, in the City
of New York, Borough of Manhattan, Greater New York, and State of New
York, United States of America, Vice-President and Treasurer of The New York
Steam Company, to be as follows:
This invention relates to, boiler tube cleaners or scrapers.
The object is, in a rapid, economical, thoroughly effective, and non-injurious
manner, to remove soot, scale, and other accumulation from the interior surfaces
of boiler-tubes, and, at the same operation, to polish such surfaces.
The agencies combined to produce the above results are two: A plurality of
direct or positive-acting, cutters, the axes of which are fixed with relation to the
cutter head actuating-arbor, or spindle, whereby they have positive action; and
a plurality of indirect, or resultant-acting, cutters, the axes of which are shifting
with relation to the cutter-head actuating-arbor, whereby these cutters are adapted
for five operative movements, namely, a bodily-rotary movement about the axis of
the actuating-arbor, a radial movement from the force of centrifugal action, the
cutters being projected laterally and contacting with the surfaces of the boiler-
tubes, giving impact, a return movement from the impact, a rotary movement
about their own axes, and a tangential movement from the loose rolling of the
cutters on their axes, as they are carried in a circular path about the actuating-
arbor, giving a dragging action, the combined movements being like those of
a cold or stone-cutter's chisel, as usually moved from the impact of a hammer,
giving a chipping action, and the force of action of these cutters--that is to say,
the degree of their action, being directly proportional to and governed by the
speed at which the cutter-head is driven.
Briefly stated, the tube-cleaner characterized by my invention comprises two
co-acting mechanisms, namely, the cutter or cleaner-head, and the driving
mechanism therefor. The cleaner-head consists of a live spindle or arbor, carrying
two sets of cutters.-the positive-acting cutters and the resultant-acting cutters.
The positive-acting cutters are located at the entering- or front end of the cutter-
head, and are adapted for removing the bulk of soot or scale from the boiler-
tubes, while the resultant-acting cutters are adapted for removing any deposit
left by the positive-acting cutters, and polishing the insides of the tubes. The
positive acting cutters may be constructed in any manner to produce the desired
results, and, in this instance. I designate but two kind of cutters which may
be employed. The first or preferred embodiment consists of a plurality of conical

page_text: rose-cutters, the axes of which are fixed with relation to the cutter-head actuat-
ing-arbor, the cutters being mounted upon their axes in such manner as to have
rotary motion thereabout, but no eccentric or tangential movement with relation
to the actuating-arbor. The second or modified embodiment of the invention
consists of an assemblage of ordinary three-arm rotary cutters having chisel-
cutting points; the diameters of the succeedings cutters being gradually increased
from the entering-point of the cutter-head towards its rear, in accordance with
the pitch of the cone-shaped portion, so that rapid and effective cutting away of
the accumulation within the tube may be effected. These two forms of cuiters
are fixed with relation to the actuating-arbor, and revolve therewith, and are
positive in action-that is to say, they do not have any movement upon indepen-
dent axes of their own.
The resultant-acting cutters are mounted upon dead spindles, and are adapted
for both rotary and radial reciprocatory movements thereon, the latter movement
being caused by the force of centrifugal action when the cutter-head is being
revolved. These latter cutters are not positive in their action, that is to say,
they do not present such resistance to being moved upon their axes as would
tend to injure or cut away the boiler-tube; but, by reason of the rapidity with
which the cutter-head is rotated, when in use, the centrifugal force with which
they are projected will be sufficient to cause them to accomplish the function for
which they are designed.
The cutter, as a whole, is built on a taper from its entering-end to a point about
two-thirds, more or less, of its entire length, and is then straight, or has its sides
parallel with the axis of the actuating-arbor for the remainder of its length. The
positive-acting cutters are thus caused to do all the heavy work, and the resultant-
acting cutters only take off the last scale and polish the tubes. By thus making
the rear portion of the cutter-head straight, and but slightly smaller in diameter
than the tube, the positive-acting cutters can never come into actual contact with
the metal of the tube.
Back of the resultant-acting cutters is arranged a guide, which is secured to
the arbor in any suitable manner, between the point of attachment of the driving-
shaft to the arbor and the cutter-head. The function of this guide is to give
greater length to the cutter-head and also to afford a bearing, in order to relieve
friction and strain on the disks at the rear portion of the cutter-head, which
disks hold the cutters in operative position; and this guide also serves to keep
the cutter-head from tipping forward, and thus causes it to move in a true
direction.
to
The driving-means for the cutter-head consists of a flexible shaft connected, at
one end, with the cutter-head and, at the opposite end, to suitable driving-
mechanism, as a steam-engine, although it is to be understood that, in lieu of a
steam-engine an electric motor, or other engine, may be emploved. The flexible
shaft and engine are suspended from an overhead support, which may be either
a solid bar, or a cable, preferably the latter, it it will yield
the vibrations of the engine, and thereby prevent destructive racking of the
building in which the mechanism may be located. It is to be understood,
however, that the same yielding or resilient result may be obtained by employing
a rigid bar in lieu of the cable, and by having the supports for the engine spring-
controlled. The flexible shaft for driving the cutter-head may be supported in
any suitable manner from the cable, the hangers or supports employed being
provided with trolleys for running upon the cable, so that the cutter-head may
he moved to and from the boiler with readiness and ease. The engine-hangers
or supports are also provided with trolleys or grooved sheaves for running on the
cable, so that, in use, the engine may be moved back and forth with the cutter-
head.
In order to supply steam to the engine while being moved in the operations of
the cutter-head, jointed steam-pipes may be employed, the upper joints of which

page_text: Doult & Improvements in or recuving to Diter-vue viewers or scrapers.
may be supported by the trolleys from the cables, or, in lieu of these steam-pipes,
an ordinary steam-hose may be employed for the same purpose. The advantage of
this mechanism for driving the cutter-head resides in the fact that it can be
moved the entire length of a tube to be cleaned with facility and that, being
supported overhead, it will, at all times, be in position for use, and yet be out
of the way.
Dulihi. 10th low of Tau 1800
Improvements in or relating to Boiler-tube Cleaners or Scrapers,
A communication from GAMALIEL CYRUS ST. JOHN, of 2, Cortlandt Street, in the
City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, Greater New York, and State
of New York, one of the United States of America, President of The New
York Steam Company.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 111, Hatton Garden, Holborn Circus, in the County
of Middlesex, M.I.M.E., Chartered Patent Agent 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:-
The object is, in a rapid, economical, thoroughly effective, and non-injurious
manner, to remove soot, scale, and other accumulations from the interior surfaces
of boiler-tubes, and, at the same operation, to polish such surfaces.
The agencies combined to produce the above results are two: A plurality of
direct or positive-acting entering cutters, the axes of which are fixed with relation
to the cutter-head actuating-arbor or spindle, whereby they have positive action;
and a plurality of indirect or resultant-acting finishing cutters, the axes of which
are shifting with relation to the cutter-head actuating-arbor, whereby these
cutters are adapted for five operative movements, namely a bodily rotary move-
ment about the axis of the actuating-arbor, a radial movement from the force of
centrifugal action, the cutters being projected laterally and contacting with the
surfaces of the boiler-tubes, giving impact, a return movement from the impact,
a rotary movement about their own axes, and a tangential movement from the loose
rolling of the cutters on their axes, as they are carried in a circular path about
the actuating-arbor, causing a dragging action, the combined movements being
like those of a cold or stone-cutter's chisel as usually moved under the impact of a
hammer, giving a chipping action, and the force of action of these cutters, that
is to say, the degree of their action, being directly proportional to and governed
by the speed at which the cutter-head is driven.
Briefly stated, the tube-cleaner characterized by my invention comprises two
co-acting mechanisms, namely, the cutter or cleaner- head, and the driving-
mechanism therefor. The cleaner-head comprises a live spindle or arbor, carrying
two sets of cutters,--the positive-acting cutters and the resultant-acting cutters.
The positive-acting cutters are located at the entering or front end of the cutter-
head, and are adapted for removing the bulk of soot or scale from the boiler-tubes,
while the resultant-acting cutters are adapted for removing any deposit left by
the positive-acting cutters, and polishing the insides of the tubes. The positive-
acting cutters may be constructed in any manner to produce the desired results,
be
and, in this instance, I have shown two different kinds of cutters which may

page_text: employed. The first, or preferred, embodiment consists of an assemblage of
conical rose-cutters, the axes of which are fixed with relation to the cutter-head
actuating-arbor, the cutters being mounted upon their axes in such manner as to
have rotary movement thereon, but no eccentric or tangential movement with
relation to the actuating-arbor. The second embodiment consists of an assemblage
of ordinary armed, rotary cutters rigidly fixed to the arbor and having chisel-
cutting points, the diameters of the succeeding cutters being increased from the
entering-point of the cutter-head toward its rear, in accordance with the pitch
of the cone-shaped portion; so that rapid and effective cutting away of the
accumulation within the tube may be effected.
The resultant-acting cutters are mounted in sets or series upon dead spindles,
and are adapted for both rotary and radial reciprocatory movements thereon, the
latter movement being caused by the force of centrifugal action when the cutter-
head is being revolved. These latter cutters, as their name indicates, are not
positive in their action, that is to say, they do not present such resistance to
movement upon their axes as would tend to injure or cut away the boiler-tube;
but, by reason of the rapidity with which the cutter-head is rotated, when in use,
the centrifugal force with which they are projected will be sufficient to cause them
to accomplish the function for which they are designed.
By the described manner of mounting the resultant-acting cutters, each cutter
of one or of the whole of the sets or series of cutters is adapted for rotation and
lateral projection independently of every other cutter, that is to say, when the
cutter-head is under rotation, centrifugal force will tend to project every set or
series of these cutters outward to the limit of the arc in which they are designed
to move; yet, under impact, one or more cutters of any series may occupy a plane
out of peripheral alinement with the remaining cutters of the same or any other
series, so that it will be seen that each cutter of every series may work in a
different plane; or each succeeding cutter of a series of cutters, starting from the
entering end of the cutter-head, may cut in a path larger than the preceding
cutter of the same or a different series of cutters or any individual cutter of a
series of cutters will yield independently of the remaining cutters of the same
series, should an obstruction be encountered which will not yield to the action of
such particular cutter.
The cutter, as a whole, is built on a taper from its entering end to a point about
two-thirds more or less, of its entire length, and is then straight or has its sides
parallel with the axis of the actuating-arbor for the remainder of its length. The
positive-acting cutters are thus caused to do all the heavy work, and the resultant-
acting cutters only take off the last scale and polish the tubes. By thus making
the rear portion of the cutter-head straight, and but slightly smaller in diameter
than the tube, the positive-acting cutters can never come into actual contact with
the metal of the tube.
Back of the resultant-acting cutters is arranged a guide, which is secured
to the arbor in any suitable manner, between the point of attachment of the
driving-shaft to the arbor and the cutter-head. The function of this guide is to
give greater length to the cutter-head and also to afford a bearing, in order to
relieve friction and strain on the disks at the rear portion of the cutter-head,
which disks hold the cutters in operative position: and this guide also serves to
keep the cutter-head from tipping forward and thus causes it to move in a true
direction, and also prevents the positive-acting cutters from coming into actual
contact with the boiler-tubes.
The driving-means for the cutter-head consists of a flexible shaft connected at
one end with the cutter-head and at the opposite end to suitable driving-
mechanism, in this instance a steam-engine, although it is to be understood that,
in lieu of a steam-engine, an electric motor, or other engine, may be employed.
The flexible shaft and engine are suspended from an overhead support, which may
be either a solid bar, or a cable, preferably the latter, as it will yield to the

page_text: vibrations of the engine and thereby prevent destructive racking of the motor or
engine and also the building in which the mechanism may be located.
It is to be understood, however, that the same yielding or resilient results may
be obtained by employing a rigid bar in lieu of the cable and by having the
supports for the engine spring-seated. The flexible shaft for driving the cutter-
head may be supported in any suitable manner from the cable, the hangers or
supports employed being provided with trolleys for running upon the cable, so that
the cutter-head may be moved to and from the boiler with readiness and ease.
engine-hangers or supports are also provided with trolleys or grooved sheaves for
running on the cable, so that, in use, the engine may be moved back and forth
with the cutter-head.
The
In order to supply steam to the engine while being moved in the operation of the
cutter-head, jointed steam-pipes may be employed, the upper joints of which will
be supported by trolleys from the cables, or, in lieu of these steam-pipes, an
ordinary steam-hose may be employed, for the same purpose. The great advantage
of this simple mechanism for driving the cutter-head resides in the fact that
it can be moved the entire length of a tube to be cleaned with facility, and that,
being supported overhead, it will, at all times, be in position for use, and yet be
out of the way.
Further and more specific details of construction will be hereinafter described
and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which
like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts:
Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, partly in section, displaying the apparatus,
as a whole, in operative relation with a boiler;
Figure 2 is a detail view of a modified form of hanger for the engine:
Figure 3 is a view in plan, partly in section, of one form of cutter-head,
displaying the entering-point provided with conical rose-cutters, and showing the
first series of resultant-acting cutters as tapered toward the entering-point:
Figure 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the first series of resultant-acting
cutters as mounted upon spindles occupying a plane at an angle to the actuating-
arbor:
Figure is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the entering end of the cutter-
head provided with positive-acting, rotary cutters.
Figure 6 is a view in elevation, displaying all the parts of the cutter-head
assembled;
Figure 7 is a detail view of the entering-point shown in Fig. 8:
Figure 8 is a similar view of the entering-point shown in Fig. 5: and
Figure 9 is a detail view of one of the plates in which are held the spindles
supporting the resultant-acting cutters.
Figure 10 is a detail view of the cutter-head guide.
Referring to the drawings, A designates the cutter-head, the same comprising an
arbor or live spindle A2, upon which, at suitable distances apart, are placed
disks, each disk being cut away on diametrically-opposite sides to form semi-
circular recesses, the function of which will be described further on. Each disk
has an opening in its center, provided with a key-way, in which fits a key a on
the arbor, and by means of this key the disks are held in place against turning
independently of the arbor.
The cutter-head, when set up, forms a structure having two general outlines, to
wit, one portion, the rear portion in use, having the outline of a
regular right cylinder, and the other portion the outline of a frustrum of a
cone with parallel base and top. The disks on the cylinder-shaped portion of the
cutter-head are provided, near their peripheries, with openings, in which are
fitted dead spindles, which latter occupy a plane parallel with that of the
arbor on which the disks are placed. The disks, at the cone-shaped portion of
the cutter-head, are also provided with openings a³, through which pass dead

page_text: spindles at, which latter may lie in a plane either parallel with, or at an
angle to, the actuating-arbor, according to whether the resultant-acting cutters
on a spindle are of the same size throughout, or whether they gradually taper
toward the entering point,--as, in the latter instance, the spindle would lie parallel
with the arbor as shown in Fig. 3; and, in the former instance, would occupy
a plane at an angle thereto, as shown in Fig. 4. The disks are held separated,
at proper distances apart, by thimbles or collars a³. As shown in Fig. 3 and other
figures, each spindle is of a length to span five of the disks at the rear
portion of the cutter-head (although they may be made to span only three, or a
greater number than five, if desired), but will only have bearing, when spanning
five of the disks, in three of these disks, as the cut-away portion of every
alternate disk will come opposite a spindle, the ends of the spindles being reduced
to fit snugly within the openings a in the disks, thus to present shoulders, by
which the disks will be held at the requisite distance apart when the parts of the
head are assembled.
Upon each of these spindles a is placed a series of serrated cutters a", con-
stituting the resultant-acting cutters, the function which they perform being
supplemental to the positive-acting cutters, the cutters being held separated
from contact with each other by washers a. The openings in the cutters a",
through which the spindles pass, are of greater diameter than the spindles, so
that, when the cutter-head is rapidly revolved, the cutters will, by centrifugal
force, be projected outward beyond the perimeters of the disks and thus in
position to contact with the scale and inner wall of the tubing.
The loose character of the assemblage of the cutters with relation to the
spindles is such that the impact between the cutters and the scale on the tube
will cause the said cutters, as a series, or independently of each other, to recede or
rebound, and then rapidly again to advance, the latter motion being due to centri-
fugal action, so that there will be a direct impact and a dragging or scraping
action on the part of the points of the cutters with relation to the tube, and, at
the same time, a rotary motion will be imparted to these cutters, so that, in
effect, the frictional contact between these cutters and the tube is so slight that,
while, in reality, it will be sufficient thoroughly to remove the remaining scale
from the tube and, at the same time, to polish it, yet it will not operate with
any appreciable degree of rapidity to wear away the cutters, or inside of the tube.
As shown in this instance, there are nine of these disks a, and, insteal of having
the spindles a extend the length of the cutter-head, they may only extend a
portion of the length, as stated, the reduced ends of the spindles toward the
front of the cutter-head being only of sufficient length to fill one-half of the length
of the openings a in the center disk w, the remaining length of these openings
being occupied by the reduced ends of like spindles extending to the front of the
cutter-head.
As shown in Fig. 3, the front series of resultant-acting cutters taper toward
the entering end of the cutter-head to present the frustrum of a cone referred to;
while, in Fig. 4, the spindles carrying these front series of cutters are set at an
angle with relation to the shaft A2, thus effecting the same result.
At the entering end of the cutter-head are located the positive-acting or primary
cutters, which, as shown in Fig. 3, consist of a plurality of cone-shaped rose-
cutters, which are mounted between and project beyond the peripheries of
separating disks A³ a sufficient distance for thorough and effective operation in
use. As shown in Fig. 3, but two of these cutters are mounted between each
pair of disks A³: but it is to be understood that I may employ any other desired
number of cutters and any other desired number of disks, and that these cutters
may taper from the front or entering end of the head toward the right cylinder
portion thereof.
The cutters are held in position between the disks A' by bolts a", which are
housed between the disks and are held by having their ends reduced to present
pintles for engaging openings, in the said disks A, provided for the purpose. The

page_text: openings in the rose-cutters through which these bolts pass are only enough
larger than the bolts to permit the cutters to whirl on the bolts when the arbor
or live spindle is being rotated, but never to have an eccentric or tangential
motion.
The advantage in this form of a positive-acting cutter is that it acts upon the
scale and material to be cut away in the same manner as emery-wheel truers,
while the frictional resistance presented to rotation of the cutters upon their
respective spindles or bolts will be such as to operate effectively to dislodge and
remove any scale; and, by causing the cutters to have an independent movement
of their own about their axes or bolts, rapid wearing away of the cutters will
be obviated, as when the cutting-points are suddenly or forcibly presented to the
accumulation to be removed, so that one set of cutters will last for a very long
time without need of repair.
Instead of employing the conical rose-cutters just described, I may, as shown in
Fig. 6, employ positive-acting, rotary cutters, that is to say, cutters that are
fixed with relation to the actuating-arbor, by the key a³ and revolve therewith.
These cutters 10 may be of the ordinary form of rotary cutter and may be provided
with any number of arms, as two, three, four, or any other desired number, in this
instance three being shown, the ends of the arms having chisel-cutting points.
These latter cutters may as a whole, be of the same transverse diameter; but, by
preference, they gradually increase in transverse diameter from the entering-point
of the cutter-head rearward, and also in cross-diameter, so that the cut of the
chisel-edges is gradually increased from the front to the rear, thus, by gradations,
cutting away scale or obstructions within their reach and, relieving the toothed or
serrated resultant-acting cutters from undue frictional contact with obstructions,
and consequent wear.
At the rear of the resultant-acting cutters is arranged a guide A4, the same being
held upon the rear portion of the actuating-arbor by bolts ". This guide is,
in cross-section, fluted, as shown in Fig. 10, and is of a size to fit snugly within the
tube, and operates to give greater length to the cutter-head and also to afford a
bearing to relieve the disks a from undue friction. This guide also keeps the
tube-cleaner from tipping forward, thereby preventing the positive-acting cutters
from coming into actual contact with the tube, and also guides it in the proper
direction. The guide may be constructed of any suitable material, preferably
of brass, and, by reason of its fluted periphery, it may be easily moved within
a tube.
When all the parts of the cutter-head are assembled, as shown in Fig. 3, and other
figures, they are held from separation by a nut 12 turned on the end of the arbor.
It will be seen that a single nut keeps all the parts of the cutter-heal in operative
relation with each other, and that, to separate the parts, it will only be necessary
to remove this nut. The advantage of this construction is that it obviates the
employment of a multiplicity of locking devices, such as are usually employed, and
thereby reduces the danger of derangement of the parts to a minimum.
As a
As a means for operating the cutter-head, I employ a flexible shaft 5,--that is to
say, an ordinary coiled spring inclosed in a suitable casing. This shaft is secured,
at one end, to the actuating-arbor of the cutter-head and, at its opposite end, to
the drive-shaft of an engine A6. The shaft and engine are suspended from an
overhead support A7, which may be a wire cable, as shown, or a rigid bar.
means for suspending the engine from a cable, a hanger Aª is employed, the upper
portion of which carries trolleys running on the cable, and the lower portion being
secured, in any way, to the frame of the engine. When the cable is employed,
which will be yielding in character, the hanger will be a rigid structure; but,
where it is desired to use a solid track or bar, the trolleys of the hanger will
he spring-seated, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the same resilient result will be
attained in this case as where a yielding cable is employed.
The shaft is supported by hangers A, the upper portions of which carry
trolleys running on the support, and the lower portion of these hangers are

page_text: connected by a trough A, in which the flexible shaft rests, and, by this arrange-
ment, the cutter-head and with it the engine may be moved to and from the
tubes of a boiler with readiness and ease, and without the output of a great
amount of exertion.
As a means for supplying steam to the engine, I may employ a series of jointed
steam-pipes A supported by trolleys from the cable, as shown, or, in lieu of these
jointed pipes, I may employ an ordinary steam-hose supported by overhead
trolleys, or otherwise.
All of the parts of this shaft-operating mechanism, that is to say, the engine
and the steam-pipes connecting therewith, are adapted for ready movement on
the cable, so that an operator will be enabled to move the engine back and forth
in the operation of the device, as may be requisite, without great labor and loss
of time. In this instance, I have shown a steam-engine for driving the shaft;
but it is to be understood that, if preferred, any other form of motor may be
employed, as, for instance, an electric motor, or a gasoline-engine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A boiler-tube cleaner comprising a driving-arbor, fixed spindles approxi-
mately parallel to the arbor or axis of motion or rotation, and rollers carried
on the said spindles, the openings in the rollers being of greater diameter than
the spindles, whereby under the force of centrifugal action, incident to rotation,
the said rollers may be projected laterally from their spindles together, or in
independently of each other, substantially as described.
2. A boiler-tube cleaner comprising a driving-arbor, fixed spindles approxi-
mately parallel to the arbor, and cutters carried on said spindles, the openings in
the cutters being of greater diameter than the spindles, substantially as described.
3. A boiler-tube cleaner or scraper comprising a cutter-head carrying sets of
cutters, the axes of which are shiftable with relation to their spindles or supports,
the cutters being adapted in series, or each cutter of a series of cutters indepen-
dently of the cutters of the same or of any other series, to be projected laterally
beyond the periphery of the cutter-head, substantially as described.
4. A boiler-tube cleaner or scraper comprising a cutter-head carrying positive-
acting entering-cutters, the axes of which are fixed with relation to the actuating-
arbor, and sets of resultant-acting, finishing cutters, the axes of which are
shiftable with relation to the said arbor, the latter cutters being adapted in sets,
or independently of each other, to be projected laterally beyond the periphery
of the cutter-head, substantially as described.
5. A boiler-tube cleaner or scraper comprising a cutter-head carrying positive-
acting, entering-cutters and centrifugally-controlled finishing-cutters, the latter
cutters being adapted in series, or independently of each other, to be projected
laterally beyond the periphery of the cutter-head, substantially as described.
6. A boiler-tube cleaner or scraper comprising a cutter-head carrying entering-
cutters, the cutting edges of which are fixed in relation with, and lie in a plane
at an angle to, the axis of the cutter-head, and finishing-cutters revolving about
shifting axes, the latter cutters being adapted in series, or independently of each
other, to be projected laterally beyond the periphery of the cutter-head, sub-
stantially as described.
7. A boiler-tube cleaner or scraper comprising a cutter-head carrying entering
cutters, the cutting edges of which are in fixed relation with, and lie in a plane
at an angle to, the axis of the cutter-head, finishing-cutters revolving about shift-
ing axes, the latter cutters being adapted in series, or independently of each other,
to be projected laterally beyond the periphery of the cutter-head, and a guide for
holding the cutter-head in proper position with relation to a boiler-tube, sub-
stantially as described.
8. A boiler-tube cleaner or scraper comprising a cutter-head carrying entering

page_text: rose-cutters, and toothed finishing-cutters arranged back of the rose-cutters, the
axial openings of the finishing-cutters being of greater diameter than their sup-
porting-spindles, whereby these latter cutters are adapted in series, or indepen-
dently of each other, to be projected laterally beyond the periphery of the cutter-
head, substantially as described.
9. A boiler-tube cleaner or scraper comprising a cutter-head carrying entering
rose-cutters, the cutting edges of which lie in a plane at an angle to the axis of
the head, and toothed finishing cutters arranged back of the rose-cutters, the
axial openings of the finishing-cutters being of greater diameter than their
supporting spindles, whereby these latter cutters are adapted in series, or indepen-
dently of each other, to be projected laterally beyond the periphery of the cutter-
head, substantially as described.
10. A boiler-tube cleaner or scraper comprising a cutter-head carrying entering
rose-cutters, toothed finishing cutters arranged back of the rose-cutters, the axial
openings in the finishing-cutters being of greater diameter than their supporting-
spindles, whereby these latter cutters are adapted in series, or independently of
each other, to be projected laterally beyond the periphery of the cutter-head, and
a guide arranged back of the finishing-cutters, substantially as described.
11. A boiler-tube cleaner or scraper comprising a cutter-head carrying entering
rose-cutters, the cutting edges of which lie in a plane at an angle to the axis of
the head, toothed finishing-cutters arranged back of the rose-cutters, the axial
openings of the finishing-cutters being of greater diameter than their supporting-
spindles, whereby these latter cutters are adapted in series, or independently of
each other, to be projected laterally beyond the periphery of the cutter-head, and
a guide arranged back of the finishing-cutters, substantially as described.
12. A boiler-tube cleaner or scraper comprising a head carrying a plurality of
positive-motion cutters, the axes of which are fixed with relation to the cutter-
actuating arbor, whereby they have positive action, and a plurality of finishing-
cutters, the axes of which are shifting with relation to the cutter-actuating arbor,
whereby these cutters are adapted for five operative movements, namely, a bodily-
rotary movement about the axis of the actuating-arbor, a radial movement from
the force of centrifugal action, the cutters being projected laterally and contacting
with the surfaces of the boiler-tubes, giving impact, a return movement from the
impact, a rotary movement about their own axes, and a tangential movement from
the loose rolling of the cutters on their axes, as they are carried in a circular
path about the actuating-arbor, giving a dragging action, the combined move-
ments giving a chipping action, the force of which is directly proportional to and
governed by the speed at which the cutter-head is driven, substantially as
described.
13. A boiler-tube cleaner and scraper comprising a head carrying a series of
disks, the disks on alternately-opposite sides throughout the series being cut away
to form recesses, dead spindles supported by the disks, finishing-cutters mounted
on the spindles, said cutters being free to have a reciprocatory, radial movement
independently of their spindles, conical, rose-cutters at the entering end of the
head, means for holding the parts assembled, and a guide at the rear end of the
cutter-head, substantially as described.
14. The combination with a boiler-tube cleaner or scraper, of a flexible shaft,
an overhead support arranged contiguous to the boiler, a hanger adapted to be
moved on the support, an engine or motor suspended from the hanger and con-
nected with the shaft, and means movable to and from the boiler for supporting
the said shaft, substantially as described.
15. The combination with a boiler-tube cleaner or scraper, of a flexible shaft,
an overhead support arranged contiguous to the boiler, a hanger provided with
trolleys to run on the support, an engine or motor suspended from the hanger and
connected with the shaft, wheeled supports arranged in front of the engine, and
means carried by the latter supports for supporting the shaft, substantially as
described.

page_text: 16. The combination with a boiler-tube cleaner or scraper, of a flexible shaft,
an overhead support arranged contiguous to the boiler, a hanger provided with
spring-seated trolleys running on the support, an engine suspended from the
hanger and connecting with the shaft, wheeled supports arranged in front of the
engine and carrying, at their lower ends, a trough for supporting the shaft, and
a steam-supply pipe also supported from the trolleys at the rear of the engine,
substantially as described.
Dated this 13th der of October 1800