US639332A - Machine for treating incandescent mantles. - Google Patents

Description

No. 639,332. Patented nec. I9, |899.

' J. H. ABERCROMBIE.

MACHINE FR TBEATING INCANDESCENT MANTLES.

(Applicaticn filed Jan. 3, 1899.)- (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 uNTTED STATES PATENT EEIcE.

JAMES n. ABERCROMBIE, or NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, AssieNOR TO nIMsELE AND ROBERT B. sYMINeTON, or sAME PLACE.

MACHIN FOR TREATING INCANDESCENT IVIANTLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 639,332, dated December 19d, 11899. Application filed January 3, 1899. berial No! 700,934. (No model.)

To tZZ whom zit may concern.-

Be it known that LJAMEs H. ABERCROMBIE, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing in Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Machines for Treating Incandescent Maut-les, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a io machine in which certain steps in the operation of manufacturing mantles of the Welsbach type may be successively performed, and thereby reduce the cost of manufacture by lessening the labor and handling during` and between the several steps.

In the usual process the material forming the mantle is knitted into the form of a contin nous tube or hose, which is carefully Washed and dried, out into proper lengths,

2o and saturated with the salts in solu tion. The excess is removed, and the mantle again dried. It is then gathered and served at the end to serve as the top and the incombustiblecord inserted to form a suspending-loop,or, if of the ring-topform, the wire or cord is attached and the mantle mounted on its support. In the next operation the fabric is ignited and burned olf,7 leaving the salts. The mantle is then shaped over a properly-adjusted Bun- 3o sen flame and afterward hardened at the same or a subsequent operation over a similar flame, properly conditioned. Then follows the dipping and trimming steps, after which the mantle is ready for service or to be carefully packed for future use.

In the present invention the operations up to the burning off may be as usual,-by hand or Otherwise. The burning oif,'shapin g, and hardening are performed automatically by 4o the machine with only the hand service re- 'quired in placing the mantle in position and removing it when completed.

The invention consists of a series of mantle-supporting devices mounted in a revolving frame or other carrier, each adapted to receive and hold a mantle and present it for treatment to a burner or other active agent. In the machine as I have carried it out a spider-frame having a series of radial arms is 5o mounted on a revolving vertical shaft, each arm carrying a vertical slide inwhich the mantle is mounted and which rests upon a suitably-faced Xed track which serves in raising and lowering the slides at the required points in their travel. A series of automatically-controlled burners are so placed relatively to the slides as to act upon the mantles and perform the required functions in the several steps.

The invention also consists in certain novel 6o details of construction and arrangements of parts to be hereinafter described.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and show the invention as I have carried it out. A Figure 1 is a vertical section through 'the machine, partly in elevation. Fig. 2f is agplan view, partly in horizontal section, and having certain portions broken away or omitted to more clearly show the construction. Fig. 3 7o is adiagram, on a smaller scale, showing the circular track governing the vertical movements of the slides developed in a plane. The remaining figures are on a larger scale and show portions detached. Fig. 4 is a plan 75 or top view of the burner and immediatelyadjacent parts. Fig. 5 is a corresponding elevation. Fig. Gisahorizontal section through the mantle-supporting device, and Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken on the line 7 7 in the 8o preceding figure.

Similar letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.

A is the circular base of the fixed framework, of cast-iron, on which are mountedfour equally-spaced uprights A', joined by a top plate A2 above to form a stilf and strong support for the revolving parts within.

A3 is a step located centrally on the base and bored to receive the vertical shaft B and 9o supporting the latter and its connections by means of a collar B', resting on the upper face, and is equipped with an annular trough or channel b for the reception of Oil or other lubricant. The shaft passes through and re-,95

volves in a boss A4 in the top plate and is provided With a Worm-Wheel B3, secured kto the sleeve B2 of the collar and receiving the required smooth and steady motion from a Worm G on a shaft C, driven by a motor. shown.)

D is a spider frame or carrier consisting of (Not roo a ceases a plate having a central hub D, by which it is secured to the shaft B and revolves with it. The radial arms D2 terminate each in an up'- right guide D2, having a cover-plate D4, inclosing a rectangular slide or bar F, arranged to rise and sink freely in the guide. There may be as many arms as the capacity of "the machine requires orits size will allow. l have for convenience shown twelve; but there may be a greater or less number. All, with their connections and adjacent parts, are similar, and therefore a detailed description of one will suffice.

Each slide F carries a short lateral stud F on the projecting lower end, equipped with a roller F2, resting upon the upper face of a continuous circular track E and held thereon by gravity, while allowing the slide to rise and sink in following the elevations and depressions therein. The track lies just within the uprights A and is supported by brackets A5, extendinginwardlytherefrom. Attheupper end of the slide is pivoted a transverse lever H, having a downward extension H', provided with a socket H2, consisting of a short tube having a deep notch h and cheeks 7L for receiving and holding the wire support M' of a mantle M. One arm H3 of the lever H carries a finger H4, shaped to lie upon a long circular track or cam-surface T, supported, like the-track E, below from the uprights A' and hold the lever H in the slightly tilted or inclined position while upon the high portion of the cam against the force of a tensile spring H5, which returns the lever to the vertical when the low portion of the cam is reached. H4i is a set-screw by which the uninclined position may be adjusted.

J is one of a series of Bunsen burners arranged to stand vertically between the arms D2 and revolving with the frame. Each is located near its slide and in such relation thereto as to act on the suspended mantle, as will be described. The burners may be of any ordinary or approved construction, and

each receives its supply of gas and air from a central annular casing I, surrounding the shaft and bolted to the under face of the spider-frame. The supply to each individual burner is controlled by valves K L in the pipes K and L, the stemsof which are provided with T- heads K2 L2, adapted to successively strike a series of pins A, properly placed in the table A7, forming part of the fixed frame, as the spider-frame revolves, and thus vary the volume of air and gas as required in conditioning the flame to the several operations. The annular casing I is peculiarly constructed. It is divided horizontally into two portions held together by suitable bolts and separated by the diaphragm l', each portion having an annular vertical partition I2 again dividing the space above and below the diaphragm and forming, with the latter, four annular chambers t', t2, i2, and

The lower end B4 of the shaft B is bored aX-' ially and by means of a coupling-joint N rcceives air under low pressure from a reservoir or blower (not shown) and delivers it through the pipe N2 to the annular chamber i4, from which radiate all the pipes L, supplying air to the several burners J. Gas is conveyed through a pipe O' and coupling O to the bored upper end B5 of the shaft, from which it iiows to an annular casing R, similar to the casing l below, but without the vertical partitions, the diaphragm R simply dividing the interior of the casing into two chambers r r2, the lowermost, r2, serving for gas,vwhich is received from the bore in the shaft through a lateral pipe O2, branching in each direction vertically, one branch leading to the chamber 'r2 and the other downward to the gas-chamber t', from which radiate the gas-pipes K'.

P is a heating-pipe located beneath each airpipe L and serving to increase the efficiency of the burner-dame by warming the air iiowing thereto. It receives its gas from the chamber t2, to which it is admitted through apertures 715 t6, formed in the upper partition I2 and in the diaphragm between the chambers z2 i2, as shown. Thus it will be seen that gas is contained in all the chambers of the casing l, excepting only I4, which contains air. To supply air to the upper chamber, a pipe S, communicating with the bore B4 at a point above the spider-frame, leads to the chamber o, passing through the lower chamber r2, the junction being sealed against the escape of gas by the washer S' and nut S2.

From the upper casing R radiate air and gas pipes V WV, supplying the several burners U, located above the burners J and controlled by the valves V W', operated by T-heads V2 W2 and contact-pins A2 on the under face of the top plate A2 in the same manner as those below.

The high portion t of the cam-surface T extends nearly the Whole circumference and serves to incline the socket and mantle-support sufciently to bring the mantle in axial line with the burner J and at the same time to swing the lower edge or skirt of the mantle clear of the support to insure against injury by contact against the latter, particularly during the burning-off step before the shrinking due to that operation has reduced the dimensions. The angle should be very slight to avoid any tendency to a permanent set7 or inclination of the mantle relatively to the support in the finished article.

To further -lessen the liability of contact between the skirt and support, I prefer to make the latter, as shown, with an offset M2' near the lower end as great as may be without interfering with the bu mer-chimney when the mantle is in use. This construction affords all the room that can be allowed and serves another' important function in that it offers convenient means for better securing the support laterally in the slide F against any tendency to turn in the socket H2 and notch h by its engagement between the cheeks h h before described.

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v The fragile character of the mantle after burning off requires thatall the movements shall be very steady, a condition attained by the worm-gear, and the transitions from the high to the low portions of the track E and cam-surface T should be carefully inclined and rounded and determined relatively to the size of the roller employed and the finger H4 to insure against slight shocks and vibrations.

When the burning off is done from below, using the lower burnerJ for all the steps, the operation is as follows: The attendant, supplied with mantles each on its respective support M', stands at the left of the machine, as seen in Figs. l and 2, at the donning and doffing portion of the cycle and places one in each socket H2 as it is presented, taking care that the offset M2 rests in the notch h and between the cheeks h. The slide thus loaded is at this period in the highest part of its travel, "the roller F2 lying upon the part e of the track E. It moves forward in this position in the direction indicated by the arrow until the roller reaches the incline e', where itgrad ually lowers the mantle over the burner J, which is at this time supplied with only sufficient gas 'to preserve ignition. The lowering continues until the upper part of the burner reaches the upper interior of the m antle. At this stage the roller lies in the low portion e2 of the track, and the T-heads of the valves K L are turned by striking the proper pins to turn on the supply and ignite the upper portion of the mantle. The valves are then again automatically turned by contact with a further set of pins to reduce the flame, and the roller reaching the ascent e3 lifts the mantle somewhat to allow free combustion and lessen the danger of contact and produce the proper relative position of mantle and burner for the succeeding shaping. The burning off thus initiated may continue through nearlylthree-fifths ofthe circuit,when the T-heads strike a set of pins to condition the fiame to a degree of intensity required for the moment-ary shaping process, which causes the mantle to fill out to the required form, and the roller immediately thereafter rides over a series of elevations and depressions e4 e5, which cause the mantle to rise and sink over the burner to produce an effect analogous to hand treatment in the hardening process, and at the same time the fiame is varied by a set of pins so located as to properly condition the burner-supply for this portion of the treatment, which. is finished as the roller reaches the incline c, and the flame is then reduced to the condition of simple ignition first described. The ascent of the roller raises the mantle clear of the burner, and it is removed,with its support, andan untreated one mounted in the vacant place. The operation is continuous, each mantle being preferably treated successively at all the steps in the cycle.

The upper burners U are intended to serve Y as an alternative device, their function being to ignite the mantle from above on the eX- terior instead of from Within, as before described, and are operated by pins AS in the top plate A2 to induce the required flame and again reduce it as soon as the mantle is fairly ignited. When this burner is used, the pins on the table A7, governing the supply to the burners J below, will be so placed that the latter will not be turned up until the shaping portion of the cycle is reached. The cam T serves also in this alternative arrangement, being so shaped as to tilt the socket and swing the mantle clear of its support and adjacent surfacesduringtheburning-off process. This is accomplished through the finger I-ll4 riding upon the high portion t of the cam and correspondingly tilting the arm H and socket H2 thereon, holding the latter in the inclined position until the burning off is accomplished and the finger reaches the low portion t of the cam. The mantle is then directly above the lower burner J and is treated thereby throughout the remaining steps, as before described.

It will be observed that the handwork of the attendant is reduced to the simple placing and removal of the supports and their mantles, and besides the saving in labor and time thus effected it is believed that greater uniformity in the appearance and in the structure of the mantle may be attained bythe usev of this invention.

Modifications may be made within wide limits without departing from the principle of the invention or sacrificing its advantages. The materials and forms may be varied indefinitely, and parts may be used without the whole. There may be a greater or less num ber of the arms D2, and the roller for each slide may be mounteddirectly in the lower part of the slide to ride upon a corresponding track. The arrangemant of the burners may be varied, and the socket receiving the support may be iXcd to the slide, dispensing with the lever H, or the cheeks h may be omitted from the socket and the support steadied by a pair of jaws near the top of the lever, adapted to clamp the support firmly at that point.

The overhead burners may be omitted, and it will be understood that the pins for all the sets of burners may be adjustable in position, and other means for controlling the burners automatically may b'e substituted.

A greater or less number of steps in the operation may be performed, and the operation itself may be Varied to conform to the methods favored by different manufacturers or other requirements.

Instead 4of the provisions for tilting the mantle the levermay be set to hold the socket at a predetermined inclination throughout the cycle. In such case the lever should be adjustable, so that it may be inclined to suit the requirements of a batch or run of mantles of the same style or size, and particularly IOO IIO

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to accommodate the ring-top form, in which the degree of swing is necessarily less than in the freer loop form.

Other forms of gearing may be substituted for the Worm-gear shown, or the shaft may be revolved at the desired slow rate of speed by a belt running on a pulley or otherwise.

When the top burner U is employed for the burning off, the cam T may be shortened to cover only that portion of the cycle.

Although I have described the mantle as supported on a vertically-moving slide, and thus presented to the burner, it Will be understood that any arrangement of parts that will produce the required changes in relative position of the mantle and burner in ay be substituted.

I claim- 1. In amachine for treating mantles, means for supporting the mantle in position for treatment, 4a burner for the mantle, means for bringing such mantle into relation with the burner, -and means for varying the flame of such burner in various steps in the treatment of the mantle, all combined substantially as herein specified.

2. In a machine for treating mantles, means for supporting the mantle, a burner, means for automatically bringing the mantle into relation with the burner, and means for varying the flame of the burner at different steps in the treatment of the mantle, all combined substantially as herein specified.

3. In a machine for treating mantles, means for supporting the mantle, a burner, means for bringing the mantle into relation with the burner, and means for automatically varying the flame of the burner at various steps in the treatment of the mantle, all combined substantially as herein specified.

4. In a machine for treating mantles, means `for supporting the mantle, a burner, means for automatically bringing the mantle into relation with the burner, and means for auf tomatically varying the flame of the burner at various steps in the treatment of the mantle, all combined substantially as herein specified.

5. In a machine for treating mantles, a mantle-carrying device mounted in a moving frame or carrier, a burner adapted to act on said mantle, means for bringing said device and burner into operative relation to each other and means for-controlling the supply to said burner by the movement of said frame, all combined and arranged to serve substantially as herein specified.

6. In a machine for treating mantles, a series of slides mounted in a moving frame or carrier with liberty to rise and sink therein, means for raising and lowering said slides, a series of burners each located near a slide and beneath the mantle carried thereon and adapted to act on said mantle, and means for automatically controlling the flames of said burners, all combined and arranged to serve substantially as and for the purposes herein specified.

7. In a machine for treating mantles, a re volving Vfrance or carrier, a series ofY slides mounted therein with liberty to rise and sink, a roller carried by each, a track upon which said rollers travel having elevations and depressions for raising and lowering said slides, a socket on each of the latter adapted to receive and hold a support carrying a mantle, and a series of burners carried in said frame and adapted to treat said mantles in successive steps in the manufacture, all combined and arranged to serve substantially as herein specified.

8. In a machine for treating mantles, a revolving frame, a series of vertically-moving slides carried therein,a roller carried by each, a track upon which said rollers travel having elevations and depressions for raising and lowering said slides, a socket on each of said slides adapted to receive and hold a support carrying a mantle, a series of burners carried in said frame each located near one of said slides, air and gas pipes and their controlling'- valves supplying air and gas to said burners, and pins mounted in the fixed framework in such relation to said valves as to be struck thereby and thus automatically regulate the supply of air and gas as required, all combined substantially as herein specified.

9. A revolving frame or carrier, a series of vertically-moving slides carried therein, a roller on each, a track upon which said rollers travel having elevations and depressions for raising and loweringsaid slides, a socket on each of the latter adapted to receive and hold a mantle-carrying support, a series of burners J located below said mantles, aseries of burners U located above said mantles, airpipes L and V and gas-pipes K and W, controlling-valves L, V and KQ W', and pins A(i and A8 set in the fixed framework for varying the positions of said valves and thereby regulate the supply of air and gas as required, all combined and arranged to serve substantially as herein specified.

l0. The shaft B hollowed at the ends B4 and B5, a series of burners J and their air and gas supply pipes L and K, a series of burners U and their air and gas supply pipes V and W both series carried by said shaft, the casing I having the diaphragm I' and partitions I2, the casing R having the diaphragm R', and the pipes N2, S and O2 leading from said hollow ends to said casings, all combined and arranged to serve substantially as herein specified.

1l. The shaft B hollowedat the ends B4 B5, a series of burners J and their air and gas supply pipes L, K carried by said shaft, the casing I and diaphragm I therein, and the pipes N2, O2 leading from said hollowed ends to said casing, all combined and arranged to serve substantially as herein speciiied.

12. The slide Fand socket H2 carried there- IOO IOS

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on having the notch h and cheeks h', in coinbination with a mantle-support M having the offset M2 adapted to be received and held in said socket, all substantially as herein specified. e

13. The slide F and tilting lever H carried thereon, the socket H2 on said lever adapted to receive and hold a mantle-support, and a finger H4 on said lever adapted to serve in tilting said lever relatively to said slide, all combined substantially as and for the purposes herein specilied.

14. In a machine for treating mantlcs, the frame D, the vertically moving slides F mounted therein, a track E upon which said slides are supported, a shaft B carrying said frame a lever H mounted on said slide and carrying a socket adapted to receive and hold a mantle-carrying support, a linger H4 on said lever and a cam T adapted to act on said iinger and thereby tilt said lever relatively to said slide, all combined and arranged to serve substantially as herein specied.

15. In a machine for treating mantles, a revolving frame a series of slides carried therein, a track supporting said slides, a tilting lever on each of the latter adapted to support a mantle, a linger on said lever, a cam acting on said ngers, and a series of burners oarried in said frame and automatically controlled by its movements, all combined and arranged to serve substantially as herein specified.

In testimony that l claim the invention above set forth I aflix my signature in pres- 35 ence of two witnesses.

J. H. ABERCROMBIE. Witnesses:

JOSEPH HART,

MICHAEL A. OLEARY.

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