Improved Means and Apparatus for Joining Together Tubes or Tubular Bodies."
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Feb., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 18th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 24th Dec., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
"Improved Means and Apparatus for Joining Together Tubes or
Tubular Bodies.""
I, WALTER CLAUDE JOHNSON, of 14 Union Court, Old Broad Street, in the City
of London, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
According to my invention I effect the joining together of two tubes or tubular
bodies by forming one or more recesses roughnesses or file surfaces on the inner
surface of the end portion of the one tube, and after introducing the end of the
other tube therein subjecting the latter internally to strong mechanical pressure
so as to expand it firmly against the inner surface of the outer tube and conse-
quently also into the recesses of the latter.
I support the outer tubular body against the internal pressure to which it is
subjected, by means of abutment surfaces pressed against it by hydraulic
pressure.
Various mechanical devices may be employed for carrying out my invention.
Thus according to one arrangement I employ a bar or mandril carrying two or
more excentric rollers which may either be so arranged that when the bar is
inserted into the inner tube until the said rollers are situated opposite the recesses
or grooves, and then turning the bar round the excentric rollers are thereby
caused to turn on their axes and consequently to exercise an outward pressure
upon the inner tube, whereby this is expanded into the recesses of the outer tube.
Or instead of making the rollers excentric, they may bear against excentric or
cam shaped surfaces on the bar or mandril, so that when this is turned it will
force the rollers outwards so as to expand the tube at the same time carrying
them round with it.
According to another arrangement, the bar or mandril and rollers may be so
arranged that the latter are made to press the inner tube outward into the recesses
of the outer tube by a longitudinal or by a screwing motion. For which purpose
the mandril may be actuated by a suitable machine so as to receive both a longi-
tudinal and a reciprocating rotary motion at the same time.
This may be effected according to one arrangement by dividing the bar or
mandril longitudinally into two separate parts formed as folding wedges, so that
by causing them to slide upon each other the rollers would be forced away
from each other, SO as to exercise the requisite pressure upon the
inner tube, and the compound bar together with the rollers may then
have either a rectilinear motion or a screwing motion imparted to them in the
tube, so as to cause the inner tube to be bulged into either straight or helical
grooves in the outer tube.
In the latter case as, also in the cases where the inner tube is bulged into
circular grooves into outer tubes, I prefer at the same time also to bulge the inner
tube into a longitudinal groove so as to prevent any turning of the one part
relatively to the other.

page_text: The longitudinal bulging may be effected by a bar or mandril carrying rollers
having their axes at right angles to the axis of the tube the rollers being pressed
outwards at the same time that a reciprocatory motion is imparted to the bar
or mandril..
According to another modification of the above arrangement, the divided mandril
may consist of a central tapering stem having a screw thread, screwing into a
correspondingly tapered screw thread formed in an outer sleeve which carries
the pressing rollers and which is divided longitudinally into two or more separate
parts, which are consequently forced outwards on screwing in the central stem.
According to another arrangement, I fit upon a bar or mandril two opposite
sliding sleeves, the facing ends of which are formed as a series of curved wedge
shaped prongs, the prongs of the one sleeve being made to engage between those
of the other sleeve, so that on the two sleeves being moved forcibly towards each
other by a screwing action, the prongs of the sleeves would be forced outward,
and thereby be made to bulge the inner tube into the recesses of the outer tube.
Or there may be only a single sleeve with curved prongs, the inner surfaces of
which bear upon a coned surface on the bar or mandril, so that on moving the
sleeve longitudinally relatively to the cone, or vice versa, the prongs will be forced
outwards as before.
For supporting the outer tube externally when subjected to the said internal
pressure, I employ hydraulic pressure, for which purpose according to one arrange-
ment I surround the part of the tube which is subjected to the pressure to a
strong longitudinally divided mould or matrix, the parts of which are moved
away from each other to allow of the introduction of the tube, and are then
brought together and held by hydraulic pressure, which may be applied directly.
by forming or fixing the one part of the mould on the plunger of a hydraulic
cylinder while the other part is fixed. Or according to another arrangement the
two parts of the mould are made to open on pivots and are provided with lever-
like extensions which are brought together. by hydraulic pressure or by a wedging.
or cam action for closing the mould on the tube.
According to another arrangement I leave both the tubes smooth i.e. without
forming recesses therein, and effect the necessary keying together thereof by
interposing between the inner and outer tubes a piece or pieces of metal of a
_harder nature than that of the tubes and having either recesses, roughnesses, holes
or projections on both sides, so that on exerting pressure either outwardly on the
inner tube, or inwardly on the outer one, the metal of the two tubes would be
impressed into the recesses, &c. of the interposed sleeve of harder metal.
It will be evident that the interposed metal may take any form whereby the
keying action of both tubes will be effected, thus it may consist of one or more
rings, strips, flutings, or of gauze, wire, &c.
The arrangement would have the advantage that there is no weakening of the
one or other tube by forming recesses in the thickness thereof.
The necessary compression of the tubes can be effected either by
mechanical means such as above alluded to applied either to the outer or to the
inner tube or by hydraulic pressure exerted either on a suitable die surrounding
the external tube, a supporting mandril being in that case inserted into the inner
tube, or hydraulic pressure may be exerted directly upon the inner surface of the
inner tube, in a similar manner to that described in the specification to Crowder's
Patent No 22721.95.
Doted this 18th day of Tab 1907

page_text: 66
Improved Means and Apparatus for Joining Together Tubes or
Tubular Bodies."
I, WALTER CLAUDE JOHNSON, of 14 Union Court, Old Broad Street, in the City
of London, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
-
According to my invention I effect the joining together of two tubes or tubular.
bodies by forming one or more recesses, roughnesses or file surfaces on the inner
surface of the end portion of the one tube, and, after introducing the end of the
other tube therein, subjecting the latter internally to strong mechanical pressure
so as to expand it firmly against the inner surface of the outer tube and conse
quently also into the recesses of the latter.
I support the outer tubular body against the internal pressure to which it is
subjected by means of abutment surfaces pressed against it by hydraulic
pressure.
Various mechanical devices may be employed for carrying out my invention.
Thus according to one arrangement I employ a bar or mandril carrying two or
more eccentric rollers which may either be so arranged that when the bar is
inserted into the inner tube until the said rollers are situated opposite the recesses
or grooves, and then turning the bar round, the eccentric rollers are thereby
caused to turn on their axes and consequently to exercise an outward pressure
upon the inner tube, whereby this is expanded into the recesses of the outer tube.
Or instead of making the rollers eccentric, they may bear against eccentric or
cam shaped surfaces on the bar or mandril, so that when this is turned it will
force the rollers outwards so as to expand the tube at the same time carrying
them round with it.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing shews a longitudinal and cross section
of one arrangement for operating in the above described manner.
For expanding the tube T into the recesses s of the socket or external tube S,
I introduce into the tube a mandril C sliding freely therein, and having a central
spindle A around which are arranged one or more cam-shaped rollers B situated
in chambers formed in the mandril. The exact position of the expander in the
tube for bringing the rollers B opposite the recesses s is insured by a collar D
adjustably secured in any desired position on the mandril, the mandril being
inserted into the tube until the collar comes in contact with the end of the
socket S.
On then turning the spindle A by its handle it effects the rotation of the cam
rollers, thereby causing these to force the sides of the tube T into the recesses s
of the socket or outer tube S.
The surfaces of the rollers that come in contact with the spindle may be fluted
or ribbed and engage with a similar ribbed surface upon the spindle A, as shewn.
According to another arrangement, the bar or mandril and rollers may be so
arranged that the latter are made to press the inner tube outward into the recesses
of the outer tube by a longitudinal or by a screwing motion: For which purpose
the mandril may be actuated by a suitable machine so as to receive both a longi-
tudinal and a reciprocating rotary motion at the same time.
This may be effected according to one arrangement by dividing the bar or
mandril longitudinally into two separate parts formed as folding wedges, so that
by causing them to slide upon each other the rollers would be forced away

page_text: from each other, 80 as to exercise the requisite pressure upon the
inner tube, and the compound bar together with the rollers may then
have either a rectilinear motion or a screwing motion imparted to them in the
tube, so as to cause the inner tube to be bulged into either straight or helical
grooves in the outer tube.
Figure 2 shews a longitudinal and transverse section of an arrangement for
operating in this manner.
A is, as before, a spindle passing through a mandril C, the spindle having in
this case a conical enlargement against which bear one or more rollers B arranged
in chambers in the mandril. The mandril has an outward extension formed
with a screw-thread c, on which is screwed a nut E provided with a handle E¹
the mandril being also provided with a handle F.
The outer end of the spindle A has a screw thread on which is screwed a finger
nut G, which is preferably made to bear upon the end of the mandril with a ball
bearing H. The expander is passed into the tube T so as to bring the rollers B
in position opposite the helical recess s formed in the socket or outer tube S, the
position being determined by the adjustment of the nut E which bears against
the end of the socket or tube S.
On then turning the nut G on the coned spindle A, this is drawn outwards,
thereby causing the rollers B to force the sides of the tube outwards, into the
recess or groove s. At the same time, the mandril C is turned by means of the
handle F so as to turn the rollers as they move outwards, and as the nut E is held
stationary during such rotation, it follows that the mandril and consequently the
rollers B travel in a helical path which corresponds to that of the helical recess
or groove into which the tube T is being expanded.
In the above described mode of operating, as also in the cases where the inner
tube is bulged into circular grooves in an outer tube, I prefer at the same time
also to bulge the inner tube into a longitudinal groove so as to prevent any turning
of the one part relatively to the other.
The longitudinal bulging may be effected by a bar or mandril carrying rollers
having their axes at right angles to the axis of the tube the rollers. being pressed
outwards at the same time that a reciprocatory motion is imparted to the bar
or mandril.
Figure 3 shews a longitudinal and cross section of such an arrangement. The
spindle A in this case screws into a wedge A', so that by turning the spindle the
wedge is made to force outward four checks A2 against which the rollers B bear.
The mandrel C can slide in a sleeve C' which is of a diameter to fit freely
into the tube -T. The mandril has a screw threaded extension on
which is screwed a nut E with handles E', turning in an annular
recess in the sleeve C¹. D is an adjustable collar on C¹ for determining the
position of the expander in the tube T.
The expander being introduced into the tube so that the rollers are opposite the
recesses s in the socket or outer tube S, the spindle A is first rotated so as to
cause the rollers to bulge the tube T into the recesses s and the nut E is then
rotated so as to cause the mandril and the rollers to traverse longitudinally in
either direction, the sleeve C and collar D remaining stationary.
According to another modification of the above arrangement, the divided mandril
may consist of a central tapering stem having a screw thread, screwing into a
correspondingly tapered screw thread formed in an outer sleeve which carries
the pressing rollers and which is divided longitudinally into two or more separate
parts, which are consequently forced outwards on screwing in the central stem.
According to another arrangement, I fit upon a bar or mandril two opposite
sliding sleeves, the facing ends of which are formed as a series of curved wedge-
shaped prongs, the prongs of the one sleeve being made to engage between those
of the other sleeve so that on the two sleeves being moved forcibly towards each
other by a screwing action, the prongs of the sleeves would be forced outward
and thereby be made to bulge the inner tube into the recesses of the outer tube.

page_text: Or there may be only a single sleeve with curved prongs, the inner surfaces of
which bear upon a coned surface on the bar or mandril, so that on moving the
sleeve longitudinally relatively to the cone, or vice versa, the prongs will be forced
outwards as before.
Figure 4 shews a longitudinal and cross section of an arrangement of the last
described kind.
The expander consists in this case of a central coned spindle A free to slide
in a sleeve C at one end of which are arranged prong-shaped dies C2 with external
projections B corresponding with recesses & formed in the socket S. At the
other end of the sleeve C is a hand nut E free to revolve but not to separate itself
from the sleeve. This nut engages with a thread on the spindle A.
D is an
adjustable collar which may be locked in position on the sleeve C.
The expander being passed into the tube, so that the projections on dies or
prongs C are brought in position with the corresponding recesses s in the tube
socket, which is insured by the adjustable collar bearing against end of tube,
then on turning hand nut E the dies or prongs are forced outwards, so that the
projections thereof carry with them part of tube into the recesses of the socket.
By turning the hand nut in reverse direction the spindle cone is forced out of the
die and the divisions or prongs of the die withdraw by spring action, leaving tube
securely attached to the socket.
For supporting the outer tube externally when subjected to the said internal
pressure, I employ bydraulic pressure for which purpose according to one arrange-
ment I surround the part of the tube which is subjected to the pressure by a
strong longitudinally divided mould or matrix, the parts of which are moved
away from each other to allow of the introduction of the tube and are then
brought together and held by hydraulic pressure, which may be applied directly
by forming or fixing the one part of the mould on the plunger of a hydraulic
cylinder while the other part is fixed. Or according to another arrangement the
two parts of the mould are made to open on pivots and are provided with lever-
like extensions which are brought together by hydraulic pressure or by a wedging
or cam action for closing the mould on the tube.
Figure 5 shews two tubes joined together by expanding portions of the inner
one into suitable recesses formed in the outer one. This may be done with similar
tools to those described.
According to another arrangement I leave both the tubes smooth i.e. without
forming recesses therein, and effect the necessary keying together thereof by
interposing between the inner and outer tubes a piece or pieces of metal of a
harder nature than that of the tubes and having either recesses, roughnesses, holes
or projections on both sides, so that on exerting pressure either outwardly on the
inner tube or inwardly on the outer one, the metal of the two tubes would be
impressed into the recesses, &c: of the interposed sleeve of harder metal.
It will be evident that the interposed metal may take any form whereby the
keying action of both tubes will be effected, thus it may consist of one or more
rings, strips, flutings, or of gauze, wire, &c.
Figure 6 shews tubes joined together by placing between the lapping portions
of the two tubes a spiral of hard steel wire; then by expanding the inner tube or
contracting the outer one until the surfaces of tubes come in contact, the wire is
imbedded in the surfaces, thus securely jointing the tubes together.
The arrangement would have the advantage that there is no weakening of the
one or other tube by forming comparatively deep recesses in the thickness thereof.
The necessary compression of the tubes can in this case be effected either by
mechanical means, such as above alluded to, applied either to the outer or to the
inner tube, or by hydraulic pressure exerted either on a suitable die surrounding
the external tube, a supporting mandril being in that case inserted into the inner
tube, or hydraulic pressure may be exerted directly upon the inner surface of the
inner tube in a similar manner to that described in the specification to Crowdens
Patent No. 22721 of 1895.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
-
1. Effecting the joining together of tubes or tubular bodies by forming one
or more recesses or roughnesses on the inner surface of the one tube and, after
inserting the other tube therein, subjecting the latter to strong internal pressure
by means of mechanical expanding apparatus so as to expand the tube firmly into
or against the recesses or roughnesses of the outer tube, this being externally
supported against such pressure by means of suitable abutment devices substan-
tially as described.
2. Effecting the joining together of tubes or tubular bodies that are inserted
one within the other, by interposing pieces of hard metal between the innet surface
of the outer tube and the outer surface of the inner tube, and then subjecting
either the interior of the inner tube or the exterior of the outer tube, or both
combined, to either mechanical or fluid pressure, so as, in bringing the said sur-
faces forcibly into close contact, to cause the said pieces of hard metal to be im-
bedded in the metal of both tubes, substantially as described.
3. For joining tubes together in the manner referred to in the first and second
claims, the construction and use of tube expanding apparatus arranged and
operating substantially as herein described with reference to the drawing.
Dated this 18th day of November 1897.
ABEL & IMRAY
Agents for the Applicant.