Improvements in Machinery for Bending Ships' Keel Plates and other Plates by Hydraulic Power.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Oct., 1886.
Complete Left, 28th July, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 9th Sept., 1887
Improvements in Machinery for Bending Ships' Keel Plates and
other Plates by Hydraulic Power.
I, HUGH SMITH, Engineer, Possil Engine Works, Possil Road, Glasgow, in the
County of Lanark, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR BENDING SHIPS KEEL PLATES, AND OTHER PLATES, BY
HYDRAULIC POWER, to be as follows:-
It consists of a Hydraulic Machine or Appliance; first, for fixing the plate to be
bent by means of any number of hydraulic cylinders for actuating a moveable beam
direct against a fixed beam with the plate between the two beams. Or, second, the
moveable beam to be made of a wedge shape and the hydraulic cylinders for working
it to be placed horizontally, one at each end respectively, the one actuating the
wedge so as to fix the plate and the other so as to relieve it. A long gib may be fitted
to wedge having joggles at ends catching the top beam and provision being made for
fixing the plate between the gib and the top beam. The plate to be bent by means of
two or more hydraulic cylinders actuating a roller against the overhung part of the
plate, first, at an angle to the plate, such, that when bending the plate, the bending
moment of the plate continues as nearly as possible the same throughout the operation
as can be got from a fixed cylinder. Or, second, the hydraulic cylinders may be
fitted with gudgeons, and the ends of rams to which the roller is attached to be guided
by means of a slide-block at such a curve that the bending moment of the plate
continues the same throughout the operation of bending the plate. My invention
also includes the attachment of ends of rams to roller by means of swivel joints
whereby one end of roller may be brought against the plate in advance of the other
for the purpose of bending the plate to suit the rake of the ship, each cylinder or set
of cylinders being provided with valves for regulating the motion of roller.
1
DO
of October 1886
HUGH SMITH,
Possil Engine Works, Glasgow.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Bending Ships' Keel Plates and
other Plates by Hydraulic Power.
I, HUGH SMITH, of the firm of Hugh Smith & Coy., Engineers, Glasgow, in the
County of Lanark, 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 :-
My Invention relates to improved means of applying hydraulic power to bend iron
or steel plates either when heated or cold and either for the keels or other parts of
ships, or for any structural iron work.
Figures 1 and 2 represents a front and end elevation of a machine for this purpose.
The plate P is placed in position as shown in drawing, figures 1 and 2, and it is then
held fast by the fluid pressure acting either on vice ram V which actuates wedge
blocks W, or by means of direct-acting rams concealed in main casting M. When
the plate is held fast I then admit fluid pressure to cylinders C. C 1. which acting on
their respective rams cause the roller R. to move up and bend the plate to any desired
angle. The cylinders C. C1. oscilate in trunions, and the motion of the rams,
cylinders and roller is guided by the links L. The length of link and the various
centres are arranged so that the bending moment of the plate is the same during the
entire operation of bending the plate to an angle of 90 degrees. In order to allow
for any desired streak or twist in a plate, I arrange the valves so that the fluid pressure
may be admitted to any one of the cylinders, the other cylinders remaining stationary,
and the ends of rams are fitted with universal bushes to allow of the canting of roller.
After the plate has been bent as desired, the bending rams are released from the fluid
pressure and opened to the exhaust water tank. The back stroke is performed by
causing the fluid pressure to act on the rams B and B 1. by admitting it to the
cylinders D and D 1. The plate is then released by causing the fluid pressure to act
on the ram V. 1. and releasing the ram V from the fluid pressure. I may fit this
machine with two or more cylinders. The ends of links L are fitted to screws S
passing through the body of machine with nuts N on the back, and by working these
nuts the roller is moved out and in and the bending moment of the plate is altered
to suit the various thicknesses of plates.
Figures 3 and 4 in accompanying plans represents a machine similar to that shown
at figures 1 and 2, but having the bending cylinders, C. C.1. C 2. C 3., fixed, and
placed at an angle such as to give the bending moment of the plate throughout the
operation as nearly uniform as possible with fixed cylinders. The plate to be bent is
held as described in connection with figures 1 and 2. This machine is shown with
four cylinders, but may be made with two cylinders. To allow for the streak or twist,
the valves are arranged so that the fluid pressure may be admitted either to cylinders C.
and C1. at one time, or to cylinders C2. and C3. at one time. The ram heads are
fitted with universal bushes to allow of the canting of roller. The back stroke and
the releasing is worked as described in connection with figures 1 and 2,

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:
1st. The arrangement of parts as described in figures 1 and 2, which causes the
bending moment of the plate to be uniform during the operation of bending.
2nd. The arrangement for holding fast the plate by means of wedge blocks as
herein before described.
3rd. The arrangement for adjusting the leverage or overhang of roller on plate to
suit the various thicknesses of plates as herein before described in connection with
figures 1 and 2.
4th. The placing and fixing of the bending cylinders and rams at an angle such as
will give the most uniform bending moment during the operation as described in
connection with figures 3 and 4.
5th. The applying of universal bushes to ram heads to allow of the roller canting
for bending plates having a streak or twist.
6th. The general arrangement of machine, and the placing or distributing of the
cylinders along the roller, so as to divide the strain on roller, all as shown on the
accompanying plans.
Dated this the Twenty seventh day of July 1887