US404786A - Steam-pipe coupling - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 2 Shets- She et 1. r

v P. HANSON. I

STEAM PIPE COUPLING.

No. 404.786. Patented June 4, 1889.

witnesses F Inventor (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Shet 2.

F. HANSON. STEAM PIPE COUPLING.

No.'404, 786. Patented June 4, 1889.

witnesses UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREEMAN HANSON, OF'HOLLIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES B. HARMON, OF BIDDEFORD, MAINE.

STEAM-PIPE COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 404,786, dated June 4;, 1889.

Application filed January '7, 1888. $erial No. 266,253. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FREEMAN HANSON, residing at Hollis, in the county of York and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam-Pipe Couplings; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will en able others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Figure 1 shows a side view of my newlyorganized coupling for uniting sections of steam-heating pipes. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section in the vertical plane of the line a; a; of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional detail in same plane of one-half of the coupling, considerably enlarged, to fully illustrate the construction. Figs. 4 and 5 are top and bottom plans, respectively, of a valve. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of the valve in the plane of the line '3; y of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a detail of a stop-cock for regulating the passage of steam through the coupling.

In the several figures of the drawings the same reference-letters point out corresponding parts.

This invention has relation to improve ments in couplings for steam-heating pipes and the like, and it has been designed with special reference to the furnishing of a new and improved coupling for bringing into union the ends of sections of steam-heating pipes on railroad-coaches, which shall be simple in construction, easy of operation, and in every Way well calculated to thoroughly perform the work for which it has been designed.

To this end the invention consists of the arrangements, combinations, and constructions of the various mechanical parts hereinafter specifically set out, while such as are believed to be new are pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, A A represent standing parts provided at their ends with corrugations b or other convenient means for connecting the part A to the end of a hose. The standing parts are designed to be permanently connected with the steam-piping. Each part A has a bore 0 running from end to end. They are also provided at their ends with screw-threading to facilitate union Withcertain valve-cylinders to be hereinafter set out.

D D represent stop-cocks fitting into proper chambers c at or near the centers of the parts A. Each stop-cock D' is pierced by an orifice f, corresponding as near as possible to the dimensions of the bore 0, which permits the free passage through of steam and the like until the valve is closed against such passage by giving it a quarter-turn by means. of the lever or handle g, attached to the proj ecting stem h. At its lower end the plug ofthe stop-cock D is provided with a supplementary orifice f, opening into the bore 0, and extending thence to and through the bottom of the plug. The orifice f is designed for the purpose of draining away from the bore C any accumulation of fluidsuch as condensed steam-or for letting off steam. The orifices f and f are relatively at right angles to each other. WVhen the plug of the stop cook or valve D is so placed with reference to the part A that the orifice f corresponds with the bore 0, the orifice f is closed. 'WVhen the plug is closed against the passage of steam, the orifice f opens directly into the bore 0, and permits any accumulation of fluid to drain away.

H H are what I call valve-cylinders, be-

cause they contain and carry certain stopvalves for controlling the passage of steam through the coupling. These cylinders are provided at one end with internal screwthreading to engage with the ex ernal screwthreading on the ends of the standing parts A. The opposite end of each cylinder has a square face pierced by a central orifice 0. Between the central orifice and the outer periphery of the cylinder is an annular groove to receive and hold a rubber packing R. 011 the inside there is a projecting rim 19, completely surrounding the opening 0. At or about the central point the chamber or bore of the cylinder changes its diameter for the purpose of providing a shoulder 8.

Within the cylinders H H are placed stop valves, constructed as shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6 of the details-namely, having a central spindle j, surrounded near its central point by a beveled collar 7:, from the periphery of which project radial arms m. The base of each collar 7.: is provided with an annular rim q, just corresponding to the diameter of the rim 1), against which it is to fit. \Vhen a stepvalve is in its true position in the cylinder, the arms on project to and closely fit against the interior wall of the cylinder, so that the valve is possessed of a sliding motion back and forth between the limits of contact of the arms on with the shoulder s and the rim q with the rim 2). Between the points of the arms m it is obvious there will be open places, the function of which will be explained later. To keep the stop-valve well centered, the rear end finds a convenient seat in a cross-piece I, set in the standing part A acr ss the bore C.

U is a spiral springsurrounding the central spindlej between the cross-piece 2' and the top face of the beveled collar 7s. The spring U is for the purpose of actuating the valve to accomplish automatic closing.

Fig. 1 of the drawings shows the coupling in full union. Referring to this figure, it will be seen that the squared faces of the valve cylinders II II are in close contact. The operation of bringing the parts to the position indicated is as follows: Assuming the cylinders H. ll firmly attached to the ends of sections of steam-heating pipes through the medium of the standing parts A A and their connections, the operator takes a valve-cylinder in each hand and places the squared ends in contact, care being observed to put the ends of the spindles j in exact correspondence. Pressure is then exerted until the rubber packing R R comes into contact. For look ing the cylinders firmly together, so as to form a steam-tight joint, I have inaugurated the following system of invention: Each cylinder has 011 its outer periphery a projecting inclined plane V, and on the side opposite said plane V each cylinder is further provided with projecting ears or lugs \V, to which are pi votally connected latching-rods Y, with angular indentations a, coinciding in general form with the projecting inclined planes V. b b are other lugs, respectively at the end of each part, to which are pivoted cam-levers L, provided at or about their pivoting-point with side cams E, which are to receive and engage with projecting lips Z at the extremities of the latching-rods Y. It will be observed that each latching-rod is so arranged that its angularindentation a shall engage with the inclined plane V, set in the periphery of the cylinder lI opposite to the cylinder to which the rod is pivoted. As soon as the squared faces are in contact the operator forces the angular indentations a over the inclined planes V so far as hand-pressure will permit. This effort by reason of the overlappin of the latching-rods obviously tends to draw the squared ends of the valve-cylinders closely together. To make this contact certain and ei'iect a perfect steam-tight union,

additional pressure of a mechanical nature is necessary. This the operator attains by turning the cam-lever L, catching the lip Z under the rounded point 0 of the cam E, and throwing the lever over and against the lip of the latch, and forcing the indentation a well over the incline V till the latch shall rest upon the cylinders with the cam-lever fiat upon it, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. WVhen both latches are thus locked, the union be tween the parts is a steam-tight one, and will so remain without danger of being broken till the latches are released by reversing the levers, catching the lips Z under the cams E at the points d and tripping the latches.

Having thus fully elaborated the mechanical construction of my invention, I will now take up the discussion of its application and uses.

As hereinbefore set out, the object of this invention is to furnish a mechanical means for coupling together such lengths of pipes or hose as are commonly employed in a scheme of heating railway-coaches by steam. In applying it to the successful performance of its objects my design is that a standing part A, with its connected valve-cylinder ll, shall remain constant on the pipes at each end of a coach, so that when the train is made up a speedy connection can be made from coach to coach, as above specified.

The use a'hd practice of my invention are very simple. To illustrate, let a railwaytrain equipped for steam heating be provided with my coupling. The steam enters the first standing part- A, passes through the bore of the same (and the perforated stopcock plug) into the chamber within the connected valve-cylinder II, through the open spaces between the radial arm m, and thence by way of the ports 0 0 into the opposite valve-cylinder H, then around the beveled collar between the arms m, through the chamher and standing part, and continues circulating through the pipes to the next coupling, and so on in turn till the steam is carried the length of the train.

The advantages of my invention are many. The passage of the steam through the pipes can be arrested any point by means of the stop-cock D, and" any accumulation of fluid resulting from condensation, &c., can be easily disposed of by bringing the orifice f into the line of the bore 0. The same operation constitutes the orifice f a convenient means for expelling air or letting 01f steam. Further, no especial appliance required to close or cover the port 0 in the half of the coupling attached to the rear end of the last car in the train. That office is performed by the recoil of the spiral springU, which thrusts the annular rim g on the base of the collar is hard against the rim 1), surrounding the port 0. It is obvious, too, that the pressure of steam against the face of the collar 7i; will re-enforce the pressure of the sprin g. Again,

by my invention coaches can be uncoupled and coupled when under a full pressure of steam. The operator can give the stop-cock plugs a quarter-turn, shut off the steam, and then manipulate the couplings as he may desire without subjecting himself to any danger from escaping steam.

WVha-t I claim as my invention, and desire to make secure to myself by Letters Patent, 1s

1. In a pipe-coupling, the cylinders H H, each screw-threaded at its outer end and connected thereby with the part A, and each having on opposite sides projecting lug W and latching-rod Y, hinged thereto, and an inclined plane V, and lugs bv and cam-lever L, pivoted thereto, substantially as described.

2. In a pipe-coupling, the two cylinders H H, each screw-threaded at the end and provided with locking-latches and levers, as described, for securing them together and internally with stop 8 and rim p, and movably within it a spring-actuated central valve-stem j, centrally surrounded by the beveled collar is,

having radial arms 1% and the rim q, and centered in cross-piece t, substantially as described.

3. In a pipe-coupling, the combination of the part A, screw-threaded, as described, at

each end, and having the cock or valve D, with the cylinder H, screw-threaded at one end to engage with the part A, and having within it a spring-actuated valve and externally on one side an incline and a cam-lever and on the other side a latching-rod, substantially as described.

4. A pipe-coupling each part of which is composed of the following elements, viz: a screw-threaded end for attachment to the pipe,a drip-valve in said end, a cylinder connected with said end by screw-threads and having externally means for looking it to the opposite part, said means consisting of an incline and cam-lever on one side and on the opposite side a latching-rod and internally a central spring-actuated stop-valve adapted to be opened when the two parts of the coupling are united, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FREEMAN HANSON.

WVitnesses:

FRED O. RoLLINs, HERBERT G. BRIGGS.

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