IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN THE CASTING OF IRON
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Robinson of Widnes in the County of Lancaster
Iron founder and Joseph Robinson of the same place Chemist, for an
Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN THE CASTING
OF IRON
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Robinson and
Joseph Robinson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
21st June 1883.
THOMAS ROBINSON, of Widnes in the county of Lancaster Iron founder and
JOSEPH ROBINSON of the same place Chemist, "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
TO BE USED IN THE CASTING OF IRON
The invention relates first to fixed, and second to portable apparatus for receiving
molten iron from a cupola or furnace and delivering it to ladles or moulds, the
object being to so construct the said apparatus that molten iron in its passage from
the furnace to the moulds shall to a very large extent be freed from scum scorin or
like objectionable matter contained therein. A further object of the construction
is to facilitate the treatment of the molten metal with chemical reagents for the
removal of phosphorus, sulphur and the like in a more efficient and uniform
manner than has hitherto been possible
Under the first part we provide a tank or well constructed in any usual way for
containing molten iron, with an inlet way or passage of considerable depth opening
into the said well or tank at or near the bottom thereof and with an outlet way
capable (if desired) of being opened and closed also at or near the bottom of the
said tank or well. In some cases we so arrange the tank that its contents can be
discharged by tilting. Or again we allow the molten metal to flow from the tank
over the brim or away by a spout.
The molten iron is run to the tank or well through the inlet way above
mentioned and the scum scoria or like objectionable matter is caused to remain in the
said inlet way whilst only the liquid and purified iron finds its way into the tank
or well to be thence run into the moulds. If the iron contains phosphorus, sulphur
or other substance removable by chemical means the suitable reagent for effecting
the removal is filled into the inlet way and the molten iron on its way to the tank

page_text: is thus brought into intimate contact with the said reagents and the removal of the
impurities is effected. The reagents to be used are lime, limestone, alkalies,
carbonates, nitrates and such other substances as are known to effect the desired
object.
Under the second part. We construct a U shaped vessel of iron or other suitable
material lined with refractory material and attach such vessel to the mould in such
manner that the molten metal brought direct from the cupola or furnace or by
means of a ladle or in any other suitable way shall in the process of pouring pass
through the said U shaped vessel into the mould. The said U shaped vessel is in
fact a vessel interposed between the supply and the mould and may be variously
21
.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Thomas Robinson and Joseph Robinson in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 21st December 1883.
THOMAS ROBINSON of Widnes in the County of Lancaster Iron Founder and
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
JOSEPH ROBINSON of the same place Chemist.
TO BE USED IN THE CASTING OF IRON
"
The invention relates, first to fixed and second to portable apparatus for receiving
molten iron from a cupola or furnace and delivering it to ladles or moulds; the
object being to so construct the said apparatus that molten iron in its passage from
the furnace to the moulds shall to a very large extent be freed from scum scoria or
like objectionable matter contained therein. A further object of the construction
is to facilitate the treatment of the molten metal with chemical reagents for the
removal of phosphorus sulphur and the like in a more efficient and uniform mannor
than has hitherto been possible.
Under the first part we provide a tank or well constructed in any usual way for
containing molten iron, with an inlet way or passage of considerable depth opening
into the said well or tank at or near the bottom thereof and with an outlet way
capable (if desired) of being opened and closed also at or near the bottom of the
said tank or well. In some cases we so arrange the tank that its contents can be
discharged by tilting. Or again we allow the molten metal to flow from the tank
over the brim or away by a spout.
The molten iron is run to the tank or well through the inlet way above
mentioned and the scum scoria or like objectionable matter is caused to remain in
the said inlet way whilst only the liquid and purified iron finds its way into the
tank or well to be thence run into the moulds. If the iron contains phosphorus
sulphur or other substance removable by chemical means the suitable reagent for
effecting the removal is filled into the inlet way and the molten iron on its way to
the tank is thus brought into intimate contact with the said reagents and the
removal of the impurities is effected. The reagents to be used are lime, limestone,
alkalies, carbonates nitrates and such other substances as are known to effect the
desired object.
Under the second part. We construct a U shaped vessel of iron or other suitable
material lined with refractory material and attach such vessel to the mould in such
manner that the molten metal brought direct from the cupola or furnace or by
means of a ladle or in any other suitable way shall in the process of pouring pass
through the said U shaped vessel into the mould. The said U shaped vessel is in
fact a vessel interposed between the supply and the mould and may be variously
affixed.
In all the views the same letters denote like parts.
Fig 1 is a vertical section of apparatus under the first part of our invention.
A well or tank is constructed with a cast iron or other shell a lined with fire brick
or suitable refractory material b, or the said well or tank is made of refractory
material only and is provided with an inlet way or passage c also of iron lined
with fire brick or suitable refractory material. The said inlet way opens into the
well or tank at the bottom and a tap hole d is also made at the bottom of the well
or tank through which the molten metal is run into ladles or moulds, tap holes
may also be made for running off the slag. e cupola, f shoot from cupula to inlet
way or passage c. The inlet way or passage not only serves to retain any
impurities and prevent them from entering the well or tank but it also serves to

page_text: contain the chemicals herein before mentioned or other substances such as wrought
iron through which the molten metal must flow and by which it may be acted on
in its passage to the well or tank. It is advantageous to place a fire clay or like
skinner over the shoot f to prevent as much scum as possible from flowing into
the inlet way or passage c
Fig 2 is a vertical section of a modification of apparatus under the first part of
our invention. Here the well or tank is made with a roof g from which a pipe or
- pipes his or are led to the cupola e so that the furnace gases may be burned on the
top of the metal and keep it hot until required. This construction is admirably
adapted for use when it is desired to add wrought iron to the metal for increasing.
the strength of the cast iron or for other purposes.
Fig 3 is a vertical section of apparatus under the first part of our invention
showing a shoot-f-specially constructed for thie-use-of-a-skimmer-This-form-
of shoot may be used with the apparatus shown in figs 1 and 2.
Fig 4 is a vertical section of a well or tank under our invention in which the
_molten metal instead of being discharged through a tap hole or tap holes is
discharged by the spout jover the brim. This is effected by supporting the vessel
on trunnions & carried in bearings.
Fig 5 is a vertical section of apparatus under the second part of our invention.
is a Ushaped vessel of metal lined with refractory material and attached to the
mould m. The molten metal is obtained from a well or tank such as herein before
described or otherwise and is poured by means of a ladle down the leg n of the
vessel and flows up through the leg o and over the spout pinto the mould, scum
and impurities are intercepted by the division piece q.
It will be understood that the shapes of the wells or tanks and the number and
-position of tap holes may be varied.
"
Having now described and particularized the nature of the said invention in
such manner that others will be enabled to carry our improvements into effect we
claim
First. Apparatus constructed substantially as setforth under the first part for
the purposes specified
Second. In apparatus to be used in the casting of iron the combination of a well
or. tank and inlet way or passage substantially as setforth.
Third. In apparatus to be used in the casting of iron the combination of a well
or tank inlet way or passage and tapping holes substantially as setforth..
Fourth. Apparatus constructed substantially as setforth under the second part.
Fifth. In apparatus to be used in the casting of iron the combination of n
U shaped vessel and mould substantially as setforth
In Witness Whereof we the said Thomas Robinson and Joseph Robinson have
hereunto set our hands and seals this twentieth day of December in the year of
-Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
JAMES JOHNSON
Patent Office
4 Clayton Square
Liverpool.
Witness.
THUMAD RUDINDON
(L.S.)
JOSEPH ROBINSON (L.S.)