AN IMPROVED PROCESS OF CASTING STEEL
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake;
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention
of "AN IMPROVED PROCESS OF CASTING STEEL." A communication from
abroad by William A. Sweet, of Syracuse, New York, United States of
America
Sealed the 1st July 1879, and dated the 9th April 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th April 1879.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED PROCESS OF CASTING STEEL."
[A communication from abroad by William A. Sweet, of Syracuse, New York,
United States of America.]
This Invention relates to an improved process of casting steel ingots, and is
designed to provide means for producing such ingots of a more perfect, dense, and
homogeneous character throughout than has heretofore been practicable by any
method now in use; moreover, by the said improved process the deep central
hollow or "piping" caused by shrinkage in cooling in the usual manner is nearly
obliterated, and the cast ingot is thereby materially improved.
The process I employ for melting and pouring the fluid steel into the ingot
mould is somewhat similar to that heretofore practised, but instead of leaving the
steel to shrink from the centro in cooling, by which a "piping" more or less deep is
formed, and thus producing a serious imperfection in the cast steel ingot, I obviate
this defect by heaping over the top of the mould a sufficient quantity of ignited
charcoal or other carbonaceous combustible, or any efficient slag or flux in a highly
heated state. I thus properly keep up the temperature so as to cause the melted
metal to flow in and fill up the centre as the shrinkage takes place in cooling, in
such a manner as to make the ingot solid and homogeneous throughout, excepting
a very small space. at the top, thus increasing the quality and quantity of the ingot,
and reducing the loss by defective casting.
For the best results I prefer to use finely powdered charcoal heated intensely,
but I also find by theory and practice that other substances may be substituted,
and good results be thereby obtained. I may use other kinds of fuel, fluxes, or
analogous materials highly heated that will prevent oxidation, which, together with
tl eir properties, are well known to the metallurgist, the purpose being to keep the
metal sufficiently fluid to fill up the centre shrinkage and prevent "piping."
It may be found desirable to place a small quantity of highly heated carbonaceous
material in the bottom of the mould and pour the melted steel through it, and after
the carbon is placed upon the moulds over the molten steel therein, it is preferable
to pour a small quantity of melted steel through it as a finish.

page_text: "
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th
October 1879.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED PROCESS OF CASTING STEEL."
A communication from abroad by William A. Sweet, of Syracuse, New York,
United States of America.
"
This Invention relates to a method or process of producing steel ingots of a more
perfect, dense, and homogeneous character throughout than has heretofore been
practicable by any known method, and without the deep central hollow or
"piping" caused by shrinkage in cooling in the usual manner, the cast ingot being
thereby materially improved. The process I employ for melting and pouring the
fluid steel into the ingot mould is somewhat similar to that heretofore practiced,
but instead of leaving the steel to shrink from the centre in cooling, by which a
'piping' more or less deep is formed and a serious imperfection in the cast steel
ingot thus produced. I obviate this defect by heaping over the top of the mould a
sufficient quantity of ignited charcoal or other carbonaceous combustible, or any
efficient slag or flux in a highly heated state that will properly keep up the
temperature so as to cause the melted metal to flow in and fill up the centre as the
shrinkage takes place in cooling. In this manner I make the ingot solid and
homogeneous throughout, excepting a very small space at the top, thus increasing
the quality and quantity of the ingot, and reducing the loss occasioned by defective
casting in the methods heretofore employed. The best results may be attained by
the use of finely powdered charcoal heated intensely, but other substances may be
substituted and good results thereby obtained, that is to say, I may use any suitable
kinds of fuel, fluxes, or analogous materials, highly heated, which will prevent
oxidation, and which are well known to metallurgists, the purpose being to keep
the metal sufficiently fluid to fill up the centre and prevent ""piping."
It may be found desirable to place a small quantity of highly heated carbonaceous
material in the bottom of the mould and pour the melted steel through it, and after
the carbon is placed upon the moulds over the molten steel therein, it is desirable
to pour a small quantity of melted steel through it as a finish.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim the employment of carbonaceous material, slag, or flux, or the equi-
valent thereof, in casting steel ingots, substantially in the manner and for the
purposes herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
WM. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)