Improvements in Hydraulic Riveting Machines.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Aug., 1894-Accepted, 17th Nov., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
AND WILCOX COMPANY,
of New York City, in the United States of America, Steam Boiler
Manufacturers.]
[Communicated from abroad by THE BABCOCK
Improvements in Hydraulic Riveting Machines.
I, WALLACE FAIRWEATHER, C.E., of 62 Saint Vincent Street, in the
City of Glasgow, Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated
to me, to be particularly described, and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
The invention is applicable for riveting drums or other structures within which a
long reach is required to perform the work.
The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein the reach may be
practically unlimited in range and the required compression effected without strain
on the interior support.
The invention consists in an apparatus baving a series of hydraulic plungers
aligned so as to form when extended a continuous abutting connection from one
exterior support to and through the work to another exterior support. The
interior support is thereby relieved of the function of resisting the working strains,
and may, therefore, be projected from its fastening point to any desired distance to
suit the longest drum.
The invention also embodies certain various novel details of construction; and in
order to enable others skilled in the art to which said invention appertains to
understand and use the same, I will proceed to describe its construction, explain its
operation, and point out in the appended claims its novel characteristics.
Referring to the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of an apparatus embodying my invention.
Figure 2 a plan view of Figure 1, partly taken in section on the line y, y.
Figure 3 a horizontal section showing the construction of each of the exterior
rams on an enlarged scale.
Figure 4 an end view of Figure 3.
Figure 5 a detail sectional view pertaining to Figure 3.
Figure 6 a horizontal sectional view showing the hydraulic ram interior to the
work in detail; and
Figure 7 an end view of Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a sectional side elevation taken on the line x-x, Figure 9 showing a
modification of the machine.
Figure 9 a plan view, the head of the drum being in section according to the
line
y-y, Figure 8.
Figure 10 a sectional view of one of the hydraulic cylinders.
Figure 11 an enlarged horizontal section showing the interior construction of the
actuating mechanism of the punches, and also the substitution of a proportionately
smaller sized drum than that shown in the preceding figures.
Figure 12 is a longitudinal section on an enlarged scale, showing a modification
of a punch and abutment mechanism, in a position prior to acting on a rivet.
Figure 13 is a section of the same showing the parts in another position.
Figure 14 is a section of the same showing the parts in still another position.
Figure 15 is a plan view of another modification; and
Figure 16 is a section on the lines x-x¹, of Figure 15.
framework of the apparatus.

page_text: comprising a shell which is placed within a foundation of masonry B, extending for
convenience below the level of the floor C.
Upon the shell or main frame A are mounted the standards D, E, carrying the
external hydraulic cylinders F, G, secured at fixed distances apart by means of
cross beams M, N, and tie rods 32, Figure 2.
In the base of the shell A, a bed plate H is provided, upon which the interior
idle support is mounted, supporting the internal hydraulic cylinder J.
The standard I may be of any suitable length, and the shell A of any suitable
depth and diameter such as necessary or convenient for the reception of the work K
having the intended dimensions.
Pipes 20, 23, for operating the plunger of the internal hydraulic cylinder J, are
arranged to pass down into the shell A, and upward along the sides of the column I,
giving clearance to the work as seen in Figure 1.
°
Referring to Figures and 2 and also to Figures 3 and 6, the pipes indicated
by 20 supplied with a constant minimum pressure, extend to the various parts of
the apparatus to operate the retracting plungers 2, 2, and 3, 3, which counteract the
working plungers 4, 5, to release them from the work after each operation.
The pipes 23 extend from a source of variable maximum pressure to the several
working plungers 4, 5.
The pipes 20 may be connected to the constant pressure pipes of an apparatus
for automatically intensifying and equalizing pressure and the pressure pipes 23
may be connected to the delivery pipe of a compressor and controlled by means of
a suitable distributing valve adapted to alternately charge and exhaust such pipes 23
at each operation.
Referring to the detail views, Figures 3 to 7, inclusive, the several
plungers 2, 3, 4, 5, are provided with suitable hydraulic packings. The working
plungers 4 and 5 are each provided with cross-heads 6 to which the retracting
plungers 2, 2, 3, 3, are connected.
The riveting rams, 7, 8, and 9, 10, are removable and interchangeable for others
of different lengths; such being selected as will complete when in working position
a continuous abutting connection from the one exterior support D to and through
the work K to the other exterior support E; the diameter of the drum K or
dimension of other work determining the selection.
In the event of error in the selection of any of the plungers 7, 8, 9, 10, means are
provided for permitting the escape of the working pressure from cylinders F, G,
or J. This consists in packing plugs 11, provided to each ram, which project
through each cylinder or its working plunger, and are exposed to the pressure
within. In event of any of the rams being too short and failing to make abutting
connection preparatory to the operation of the machine, such ram is forced out
until its plug 11 allows an escape opening for the working pressure to find its exit,
thus avoiding lateral strain upon the column I or other cause of injury to the
apparatus.
As seen in Figure 7 the cylinder J is secured in a hollow block 30, by means of
bolts 31.
The cylinders F, G, are made integral with or supported in yokes M, N,
connected together by tie rods 32, at a sufficient distance apart to clear the work.
Thus, the standards D, E, are free from strain, and as is the case with the
column I, serve solely to support the hydraulic punch-plungers 4 and 5, and
performing the work, while the system of pipes 20 communicate with the
retracting pistons 2, 2, and 3, 3, and are supplied with constant minimum pressure.
Referring to the modification represented at Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11:-
A represents the external structure or framework of the apparatus which
extends into the pit B. The interior column I for supporting the interior punch 7
and the abutting parts interior to the work K, is mounted upon the base H, of the
framework A, A, while the standards D, E, of the framework support the movable
frame M, N, that carries the abutment F¹.
The frame-heads M, N, are united together by tie rods 32, 32, which are

page_text: end wise movable in the supports D, D, E, E. The tie rods 32 are screw threaded
in order to provide for securing the adjustment thereon of the head M, relatively
to the head N. This adjustment of the head M is produced by means of hydraulic
cylinders 50, containing pistons attached to the rods 51. When the head M is slid
to the desired position, passing freely over the threaded rods 32, the nuts 54 which
are the only parts threaded to said rods 32 are turned until they abut upon the
head M securing its adjustment firmly with reference to the head Ň.
The heads M and N when relatively adjusted are free to move together by the
sliding of their tie rods through the supporting bearings D, D, E, E.
The riveting punch 8 is mounted upon a plunger 5. The pistons 3 are attached
to the punch 8, and the plunger 5, by means of the cross-head 6'. The supporting
part E of the frame A is provided with an adjusting standard E', against which
the extensions of the pistons 3, 3, may abut. Thus, when the plunger 5 and its
punch 8 are retracted into the cylinder G, containing such plunger, the
frame M, N, is pushed bodily away from said adjusting standard E¹, so that the
abutment F shall release and clear the work. The extensions of the pistons 3, 3,
and their relation to the standard E', are so adjusted that their abutment shall
occur after the punch & has retracted a sufficient distance from the rivet heads in
the work to clear the same, as seen in Figure 11.
In order to provide for the permanent water connection of the pipe 23, with the
cylinder G, irrespective of the movements of the frame M, N, the part 24 of the
said pipe is telescoped into the part 23, through a suitable packing as indicated in
Figure 11.
The riveting punch 7 interior to the work is mounted in a plunger 4, within
the cylinder J, whereby it is advanced by the introduction of water through
the inlet 23. The punch 7 is retracted by means of its cross-head 6 and the
retracting pistons 2, 2, attached thereto, actuated by pressure from the system of
pipes 20.
When the work is of large diameter, as in Figures 8 and 9, an intermediate
abutting piece 9 is inserted between the cylinder J, and the work in line with the
abutment F. The piece 9 is provided with a suitable yoke 9¹ as indicated, which
serves as a brace for holding it in position upon the column I.
When the work is of small diameter, as in Figure 11, the back of the cylinder J,
which is provided with a suitable groove 60, is permitted to abut directly on the
work. Various pieces 9, may be interchanged or substituted to fit the sizes of the
work.
The hydraulic connections for operating the several cylinder plungers and
pistons hereinbefore described, may be attached in various suitable or well known
ways and provided with valves for controlling the admission of fluid under
pressure.
For convenience the system of pipes 23 extend from a source of variable
maximum pressure for advancing the punch-plungers 4 and 5 and performing the
work, while the system of pipes 20 communicate with the retracting pistons 2; 2,
and 3, 3, and are supplied with constant minimum pressure.
The pipes 20 may be connected to the constant pressure pipes of an apparatus
for hydraulically intensifying and equalizing pressure, and the pressure pipes 23,
may be connected to the delivery pipe of a compressor controlled by means of a
suitable distributing valve adapted to alternately charge and exhaust such pipes 23
at each operation.
The pipes 23 communicate also with the lesser area of the pistons 52 in the
cylinders 50, to draw the frame M, N, up to the work, while the pipes 20 com-
municate constant minimum pressure to the greater area of said pistons 52 for
retiring said frame to the position in Figure 10. The pipes 23 which communicate
with the cylinders 50 are designed to be controlled by independent valves.
Referring now to the modification shown in Figures 12, 13, and 14, in which I
employ in connection with the interior punch an abutment or support, movable in
advance of the movement of the punch; 7 designates the punch mounted in the

page_text: plunger 4, movable within the cylinder J. The cylinder J, has an extension J¹,
movable in a cylinder J2, mounted on the standard I. From the forward end of the
cylinder J, an abutment J³ extends and surrounds the punch 7. In this example
the punch 7 is normally retracted within the abutment J³ and the operation is as
follows: The water pressure is first admitted to the interior of the cylinder J
and acting upon the inner end of the extension J¹ forces the cylinder J, the
plunger 4 and the punch 7, to the position shown in Figure 13, with the
abutment J tightly closed against the inner side of the work. Now, by
admitting water pressure to the chamber J and thus acting on the plunger 4,
the punch 7 will be forced forward to the position shown in Figure 14 and heading
the rivet.
It is obvious that this movable abutment may be applied to the exterior punch
if desired.
Referring now to the modification shown in Figures 15 and 16, a fixed frame is
shown, comprising crossheads 56, and tie rods 57. In this example the riveting
mechanism or punches may be the same, and operated in the same mauner
as heretofore described. This example comprises a movable abutment arranged
in line with the riveting mechanism, and it is shown as a punch 58, supported by
one of the cross-heads 56, and constructed and actuated in a similar manner to the
punch 8.
In this example I provide lateral supports for the work. These lateral supports
are adjustable longitudinally of the machine, and to and from the work, for the
purpose of adapting them to work of various sizes, for instance, for the support
laterally of small or large cylinders during the process of riveting. These lateral
supports are constructed and operated as follows: 59 designates a cylindric block
mounted on the tie rod 57 so as to have a movement longitudinally of said rod, and
also to have a swinging movement relatively to the rod. 60 is a bar seated in a
channel in the inner side of the block 59 and movable outwards and inwards
relatively to the block. This bar 60 has a bail 61 attached to it, and adapted to
engage the outer side of the work operated upon, as shown in Figure 15. This
bail 61 is removable from the bar 60 so that another may be substituted for it, to
accommodate the lateral abutment to a cylinder, or work of smaller cross-section,
as shown in dotted lines in Figure 15.
A lateral adjustment of this lateral abutment, or support, is made through the
medium of screw-bolts 62, engaging tapped holes in the bar 60, and extended
through a portion of the block 59 in such manner as to rotate in the block, but
baving no longitudinal movement relatively to the block. The outer ends of the
screw rods 62 are provided with a bevelled gear 63 meshing with the bevelled
gear 64 connected to a sleeve 65 mounted on a rod 66 having bearings in
outwardly extending lugs of the block 59. The rod 66 is fixed as to longitudinal
movement, but the block 59 and the sleeve 65 are movable longitudinally of the
rod. To impart a rotary movement to the sleeve 65 with the rod 66 the rod
may be longitudinally channeled, and the sleeve provided with a feather to extend
into this channel.
I
To impart a simultaneous adjustment to the lateral abutments or supports,
employ a shaft 68, mounted in bearings secured to the frame of the machine, aud
having bevelled gears 69 engaging with bevelled gears 70 on the rods 66. The
shaft 68 may be rotated by means of a crank 71. As the shaft 68 is located below
the horizontal plane of the lateral abutments, or supports, the rods 66, are provided
with universal joints 72.
The blocks 59 may be moved longitudinally of the tie-rods 57 by hand power.
As the work is lifted from the machine in the usual manner, the lateral
abutments or supports may be deflected upwards, as shown in dotted lines at the
right-hand end of Figure 16, by turning the blocks 59 on the tie-rods 57. After
the removal of the work, the said lateral supports will be automatically returned to
their normal or horizontal position by means of the weighted arm, or counter-
balance 73, extending from the lower side of the blocks 59.

page_text: I have termed these devices last described as lateral abutments, or supports,
because they operate at substantially right angles to the operation of the riveting
mechanism and the aligned support or abutment.
The frame heads N, N, or external supports, may be permanently connected at a
given distance apart as in Figure 15, or made adjustable with reference to one
another as in Figure 9, and provided with means for retaining them at a given
distance during the performance of the work; and said supports may be supported
in a proper working position by obvious other means than that shown; and
the riveting mechanism 8 and 7 and the resisting mechanism comprising the
parts J or 9 or F' or 58 or any or all of them, abut in a continuous series from
one said external support M to and through the hollow work to the other said
external support N.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, (as communicated to me),
I declare that what I claim is:-
:-
1. In a hydraulic riveting machine, the combination of a series of external and
internal hydraulic cylinders and rams connected therewith in axial line when in
working position, to operate simultaneously on both sides of the work and form a
continuous abutting connection from one fixed support to and through the work to
another fixed support.
on each
2. The combination in a hydraulic riveting machine of two external fixed
supports, an internal support, a terminal hydraulic cylinder and ram
external support, also an intermediate hydraulic cylinder and ram on the idle
support, said riveting rams operating and abutting in continuous series from one
said support to the other.
3. A riveting machine composed of external supports and an internal support,
with hydraulic cylinders and riveting rams arranged in axial line on the respective
supports, the internal support being projected to any desired distance within the
work.
4. A riveting machine, constructed with opposing punches, and adapted
respectively for operation on a rivet at the outside and inside of a drum or shell,
hydraulic rams operating said punches, an abutment piece adapted for insertion
between one side of the drum or shell and the interior punch, and an exterior
abutment opposing the interior abutment piece, substantially as described, and for
the purposes set forth.
5. A riveting machine, constructed with a supporting frame, two supports
exterior to the work connected together and movable on said frame, one support
carrying a riveting punch, the other carrying an abutment, said punch and
abutment adapted for operation at opposite exterior sides of the work, and means
for supporting the interior sides of the work, substantially as described.
6. The combination in a riveting machine of a supporting frame, two supports at
opposite sides of the work connected together and movably mounted on said frame,
a riveting punch movably mounted on one of said supports, and means for advancing
or retracting the opposite support toward or from the work by the advancing or
retracting movements respectively of said punch.
7. A riveting machine constructed with a supporting frame, to supports exterior
to the work connected together one support carrying a riveting punch, the other
carrying an abutment, said punch and abutment being adapted for operation
at opposite sides of the work, means for supporting the interior sides of the
work, and the adjustable lateral supports, or abutments, substantially as specified.
8. The combination with riveting mechanism, substantially such as described,
and a frame comprising tie-rods, of the abutments or supports, movable longi-
tudinally on said tie-reds, and mechanism for adjusting said abutments or supports,
laterally, substantially as specified.
9. The combination with riveting mechanism, substantially such as described,
and a frame comprising tie-rods, of the abutments or supports, having a longitudinal

page_text: or swinging movement relatively to said tie-rods, and mechanism for causing a
lateral adjustment of said abutments or supports, substantially as specified.
10. The combination with riveting mechanism, substantially such as described,
and a frame comprising tie-rods, of the lateral abutments or supports, having a
longitudinal and swinging movement relatively to said tie-rods, and a counter-
balance for returning said abutments or supports, to a normal or horizontal position,
substantially as specified.
Dated this 13th day of August 1894.
WCE. FAIRWEATHER,
62, Saint Vincent Street, Glasgow.