IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CONVERTING VESSELS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MAL- LEABLE IRON AND STEEL, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THEIR CONSTRUCTION
Year: 1876

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to John Collins, of Bolton, in the County of Lancaster,
Analytical and Consulting Chemist, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF CONVERTING VESSELS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MAL-
LEABLE IRON AND STEEL, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THEIR
CONSTRUCTION."
Sealed the 4th April 1876, and dated the 20th January 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Collins at the Oflice of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th January 1876.
JOHN COLLINS, of Bolton, in the County of Lancaster, Analytical and Consulting
Chemist. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CONVERTING VESSELS FOR
THE PRODUCTION OF MALLEABLE IRON AND STEEL, AND. IN THE APPARATUS
EMPLOYED IN THEIR CONSTRUCTION."
My Invention relates to the "bottoms" of the converters used in the Bessemer
process for the conversion of cast iron into malleable iron and steel, and has for its
object constructing the bottom in such a manner as to render the wear and tear
in use more uniform, to reduce the cost, and prolong the "life" of the bottom,"
whilst saving the time expended in frequent renewals. In order to effect these
objects I dispense with the use of previously prepared fire-clay tuyeres, and form a
homogeneous bottom with the tuyeres in one therewith, and I employ a more highly
and uniformly refractory mixture as a material, and further adopt an improved
method of preparing the bottom.
In carrying out my Invention I select a highly silicious rock, such for example as
that used in the manufacture of the best silica bricks, and grind the same to a
uniform coarseness adapted for the purpose. This rock, which is known as a mill-
stone grit or gannister, should contain not less than, say, 92% of silica.
I prefer
the "lychreda" rock for the purpose.
I
o
prepare a moulding box corresponding in internal size and shape to the bottom,
& capable of resisting a pressure of, say, at least 2 tons to the square inch without
fracture. This box is provided with a loose botton plate, and I prepare a top plate
to fit inside the box, which latter plate is furnished with taper studs of the diameter
and number required by the special circumstances of the blowing to be effected by
the vessel, that is to say, corresponding to the tuyere holes to be produced. The
studs are made of a taper sufficient to clear well, and are also forned with a slight
twist or spiral in their length. The length is such as to pass through the bottom in
Prias 21

page_text: the direction of its thickness, and to leave a margin. I then fill the box so prepared
with the mixture or material above described, and fit on the lid, and subject, the
whole to the action of a powerful hydraulic press (applying a pressure of, say, not
less than 2 tons to the square inch), and I immediately impart a slight turn to the
studs by suitable mechanical means while the mixture is under the said pressure.
I then remove the pressure, withdraw the studs and the box, and subsequently stove
the bottom for a period, of say, not less than 48 hours, after which the bottom is
ready for use.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Collins in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th July 1876. 1
JOHN COLLINS, of Bolton, in the County of Lancaster, Analytical and Consulting
Chemist. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CONVERTING VESSELS FOR
THE PRODUCTION OF MALLEABLE IRON AND STEEL, AND IN THE APPARATUS
EMPLOYED IN THEIR CONSTRUCTION."
"
My said Invention relates to the "bottoms" of the converters used in the 1
Bessemer process for the conversion of cast iron into malleable iron and steel, and
has for its object constructing the bottom in such a manner as to render the wear
and tear in use more uniform, to reduce the cost, and prolong the "life" of the
bottom," whilst saving the time expended in frequent renewals. In order to effect
these objects I dispense with the use of previously prepared fire-clay tuyeres, and 2
form a homogeneous bottom with the buyeres in one therewith, and I employ a more
highly and uniformly refractory mixture as a material, and further adopt an
improved method of preparing the bottom.
I
In carrying out my Invention I select a highly silicious rock, such for example
as that used in the manufacture of the best silica. bricks, and grind the same to a 2
uniform coarseness adapted for the purpose. This rock, which is known as a mill-
stone grit or gannister, should contain not less than, say, 92% of silica.
prefer the "lychreda" rock for the purpose. To this rock ground as aforesaid
I add by preference, say, from 3 to 12 per cent. of well selected and washed fire-
clay. Imould the before-mentioned mixture or material in the manner and by
the means herein after described; reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings
hereunto annexed.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings represents a vertical section of a box and
appliances employed for moulding the bottom in carrying out my Invention;
Figure 2 is a horizontal section of the same; and Figure 3 is a vertical section
drawn to an enlarged scale of a portion of the apparatus shewn in Figure 1.
Figure 4 represents a vertical section of the bottom, with the tuyere holes formed
therein.
A is a moulding box composed of segments fitted and keyed together, which box
corresponds in internal size and shape to the bottom to be produced, and should be
made of sufficient strength to resist a pressure of, say, 3 tons per square inch
without fracture. This box is fitted with a loose bottom plate B provided with
holes a, a, for a purpose herein-after explained, and I employ a top plate C to fit
inside the box A, which latter plate is furnished with taper studs b, b, of the
diameter and number required by the special circumstances of the blowing to be
effected by the vessel, that is to say, corresponding to the tuyere holes to be pro-
duced. The studs b are made of a taper sufficient to clear well, and are also formed
with a slight twist or spiral in their length, as shewn at c. They are also made of
sufficient length to pass through the bottom in the direction of its thickness, and to
extend beyond the same, entering the holes a, a, in the plate B. I then fill the
box A so prepared with the mixture or material above described, as shewn at D,
and fit on the lid C, and subject the whole to the action of a powerful hydraulic
press (applying a pressure of, say, 3 tons to the square inch), and I simulta-

page_text: neously impart a slight turn to the studs b, b, by means of inclined projections &
provided on the holes a, a, and corresponding to inclined grooves c, e, formed in the
studs, as shewn in Figure 3, or by other suitable mechanical devices while the
material or mixture is under the said pressure. I then remove the pressure, and
withdraw the box, and separate the latter and its plates for the removal of the
bottom, which will be of the form shewn in Figure 4, the holes b', 6', constituting
the tuyeres. I subsequently stove the bottom for a period of, say, not less than
48 hours, after which it will be ready for usc.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I
would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,-
First. The employment in a converting vessel of a homogeneous bottom, with the
tuyeres in one therewith, substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described.
Second. The employment in the production of the "bottoms" of apparatus and
means substantially as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Collins, have to this my Specification set
my hand and seal, the Thirteenth day of July, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy six
JOHN COLLINS. (L.S.)