Improvements in Apparatus for Shaping Sheet Iron, or Steel, or Copper into Vessels of Various Forms.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Dec.. 1888
Complete Specification Left, 20th Sept. 1389-Accepted, 30th Nov.. 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Shaping Sheet Iron, or Steel, or
Copper into Vessels of Various Forms.
We, WILLIAM CRAWFORD, Tinsmith, JAMES CRAWFORD, Tinsmith, and WILLIAM
WHITSON CRAWFORD, Clerk, of 49 Arlington Street, Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be as follows,
that is to say :-
Our said Invention relates to the mode of shaping sheet iron or steel or copper.
described in the Specification of Letters Patent, No. 14728 of 1887, granted to two
of us; and our present object is to modify and improve the apparatus so as to make
it more convenient in use and more effective and expeditious in operation.
The shaping of the metal consisted, according to the Specification herein before
referred to, in operating by means of dies and shaping blocks combined with parts for
holding the outer parts of the metal sheet and with direct appliances for heating the
sheet in the shaping machine.
In carrying out the present Invention according to one modification we employ
movable segmental fuel boxes of peculiar form and provided with air blasts. When
the dies and shaping and holding blocks are in action the fuel boxes are in outer
positions, but when the sheet is to be heated the fuel boxes are moved inwards and
then the bottom lip or side of each fuel-box mouth enters under the sheet and the
upper lip or side enters over the sheet, and the issuing flames or fire gases act in a
very direct and forcible manner on both sides of the sheet. The sheet is raised
sufficiently above the lower holding block either by the central die or plunger
or by a number of studs projected upwards from recesses in the lower holding
block.
According to a second modification an annular chamber lined with firebrick is
constructed so as to encircle the sheet and with the top and bottom extending inwards
some distance above and below the sheet. Inlets for combustible gas and air are
provided in the circumferential part of the chamber and a number of inclined partitions
are formed round the outer part of the chamber for the purpose of directing the jets
or streams of ignited gas in directions inclined to radii so as to form a vortex with
the view of equalizing the action and rendering it more effective by preventing the
streams from proceeding directly to the outlets.
In both the first and second modifications outlets are provided for the fire
gases both above and below the sheet as near the central die or plunger as can be
managed.
In a third modification the firebrick chamber is made with partitions as in the
second modification, the partitions being however radial or inclined as may be found
best, but the spaces or passages between the partitions are alternately inlets and
outlets. The ignited gases are to be projected inwards with sufficient force to penetrate
as far towards the centre as may be necessary for the effective heating of the metal
sheet. The adjacent inlet and outlet passages may be made long enough for the
outgoing gases to give up heat to the entering gas and air and thereby
economise gas.
In a fourth modification whilst the outlets are at the circumferential parts of the
firebrick chamber inlets for the ignited gases are provided above and below the metal
sheet as near the central parts as can be conveniently managed.
In some cases instead of completely shaping a vessel, such for example as a cylinder
with a closed end, with one shaping die or plunger and a cooperating shaping
block, the vessel may be shaped of successive graduated forms with corresponding
dies and shaping blocks either in separate machines, or which can be interchanged in
a single machine.

page_text: The valvular mechanism controlling the movements of the hydraulic cylinders and
the supply of combustible gas and air, and the appliances for moving the fuel boxes
when used, or other parts, are all connected in any convenient way to handles or levers
arranged near together in a place from which all the actions of the machine can be
observed by a single controlling operator.
Dated this Twenty-first day of December 1888.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicants' Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Shaping Sheet Iron, or Steel, or
Copper into Vessels of Various Forms.
We, WILLIAM CRAWFORD, Tinsmith, JAMES CRAWFORD, Tinsmith, and WILLIAM
WHITSON CRAWFORD, Clerk, of 49 Arlington Street, Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, 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, that is to say :-
Our said Invention relates to the mode of shaping sheet iron, or steel, or copper
described in the Specification of Letters Patent, No. 14728 of 1887 granted to two of
us and our present object is to modify and improve the apparatus so as to make it
more convenient in use and more effective and expeditious in operation.
The shaping of the metal consisted, according to the Specification hereinbefore
referred to, in operating by means of dies and shaping blocks combined with parts
for holding the outer parts of the metal sheet, and with direct appliances for heating
the sheet, in the shaping machine.
Our improved apparatus or arrangements are shown on two accompanying sheets of
explanatory drawings, figure, 1, on sheet, 1, being a sectional elevation, and figure, 2,
a sectional plan showing one modification, and figure, 3, being a sectional elevation,
and figure, 4, a section plan showing a second modification, whilst figures, 5, 6, and 7,
on sheet, 2, show another modification. In these drawings the same reference numerals
are used to mark the same or like parts wherever they are repeated.
In carrying out the present Invention according to one modification we employ
apparatus such as is shown in figures, 1, and 2. An upper die, 10, fixed to the ram
of an inverted hydraulic press, 11, is moved downwards to act on the sheet or plate, 12,
which it forces through a central shaping opening in a block, 13, which is stationary
during the shaping operation. For heating the sheet or plate, 12, we employ movable
segmental fuel boxes, 14, of the peculiar form shown in the drawings and
provided with air blasts. These fuel boxes, 14, which rest and are movable on rails
on the table, 15, are made of iron and lined with firebrick. Coke or other suitable
solid fuel is to be placed in the outer deeper parts of the fuel boxes which have
gratings at their bottoms; and the air blasts are injected through nozzles entering
holes in the outer walls of the fuel boxes the nozzles being fixed in air-supply pipes, 16.
When the die, 10, and shaping block, 13, are in action the fuel boxes, 14, are in
outer positions such as those in which two of them are shown in figure, 2, but when
the sheet, 12, is to be heated the fuel boxes are moved inwards, and then the bottom
lip or side of each fuel-box mouth enters under the sheet, and the upper lip or side
enters over the sheet and the issuing flames or fire gases act in a very direct and
forcible manner on both sides of the sheet. The sheet, 12, is raised sufficiently
above the lower holding block, 13, either by a central die or ring, 17, or by a number
of studs projected upwards from recesses in the lower holding block.
According to a second modification shown in figures, 3, and 4, an annular chamber
made in segments, 18, and lined with firebrick is constructed so as to encircle the
sheet, 12, and with the top and bottom extending inwards some distance above and
below the sheet. Inlets for hydrogen or other suitable combustible gas and for oxygen
or air are provided in the circumferential parts of the chamber segments; 18, and a

page_text: number of inclined partitions, 19, are formed round the outer part of the chamber for
the purpose of directing the jets or streams of ignited gas in directions inclined to
radii, so as to form a vortex with the view of equalising the action and rendering it
more effective by preventing the streams from proceeding directly to the outlets. The
air-supply pipe, 16, for each segment, 18, is made with jet nozzles projecting into the
gas-supply pipe, 20, and these nozzles are directed towards or into nozzles which are on
the inner side of the latter pipe and project into the orifices in the circumferential
part of the firebrick chamber. The air is supplied under pressure and carries the gas
with it through the inner nozzles.
In both the first and second modifications outlets are provided for the firo
gases both above and below the sheet as near the central die or plunger, 10, aš
can be managed.
In a third modification, which will be easily understood without an additional
drawing, the firebrick chamber is made with partitions as in the second modification,
the partitions being, however, radial or inclined as may be found best, but the spaces
or passages between the partitions are made alternately inlets and outlets. The ignited
gases are to be projected inwards with sufficient force to penetrate as far towards the
centre as may be necessary for the effective heating of the metal sheet, 12. The
aljacent inlet and outlet passages may be made long enough for the outgoing gases to
give up heat to the entering gas and air, and thereby economise gas. In this case one
pipe supplying the gas or air in each inlet passage should extend some distance
inwards to place the point of ignition so far inwards that the gas and air may be heated
before reaching it.
In a fourth modification whilst the outlets are placed at the circumferential
parts of the firebrick chamber, inlets for the ignited gases are provided above and
below the metal sheet, 12, as near the central parts as can be conveniently
managed.
Whilst the segmental fuel boxes, 14, or fire chambers, 18, are in their outer positions
their inner parts may be closed or partly closed by plates or firebrick slabs; and the
heating action may be maintained in them so as to get the inner firebrick lining into
a highly heated condition, and so that when the segmental fuel boxes or fire chambers
are moved in to heat a metal sheet, 12, they may speedily heat that sheet sufficiently
with little or no further supply of heat.
In some cases instead of completely shaping a vessel such for example as a cylinder
with a closed end, with one shaping die or plunger and a cooperating shaping block,
the vessel may be shaped of successive graduated forms with corresponding dies and
shaping blocks, either in separate machines, or which can be interchanged in a singlo
machine.
Figure, 5, shows in section three successive forms imparted in transforming a flat
sheet into a long cylinder with a closed end, the form, 21, of largest diameter and
least length being first formed, next a form, 22, of smaller diameter and greater
length and lastly the longest form, 23. Figures, 6, and 7, show, in horizontal and
vertical section, the modification of the parts used in transforming the first form, 21,
to the second, 22. Surrounding the die or plunger, 10, and other parts there is
placed a heating chamber, 24, of iron lined with firebrick which is made in halves
hinged together, and is fitted with inlet pipes, 16, 20, for air and gas which are directed
inwards through orifices in the sides of the chamber. The part of the side of the
first-formed vessel above the part where the change of form is being effected is
prevented from being overheated and from being distorted in shape, by a hollow
ring, 25, placed between it and the die or plunger, 10, this ring being supported
by rods, 26, two of which are tubes for the passage of water to keep the
ring cool.
The valvular mechanism controlling the movements of the hydraulic cylinders and
the supply of combustible gas and air, and the appliances for moving the fuel boxes
when used, or other parts, are all connected in any convenient way to handles or
levers arranged near together in a place from which all the actions of the machine can
be observed by a single controlling operator.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our sam inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In apparatus for shaping metal vessels of various forms by means of dies,
shaping blocks, and hydraulic cylinders, the combination therewith of fuel boxes for
heating the metal sheet or plate operated on, such fuel boxes being arranged or con-
structed and applied substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures, 1,
and, 2, of the accompanying drawings.
2. In apparatus for shaping metal vessels of various forms by means of dies,
shaping blocks, and hydraulic cylinders, the combination therewith of heating
chainbers in which combustible gas is ignited such chambers being arranged or
constructed and applied substantially in any of the modes hereinbefore described.
3. Shaping metal vessels by producing successive graduated forms in the manner
and by means of apparatus substantially such as are herein before described with
reference to figures, 5, 6, and 7, of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Nineteenth day of September 1889.
EDMUND HUNT,
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicants Agent.