IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STEEL."
Year: 1880

page_text: "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Hampton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th December 1880.
THOMAS HAMPTON, of Sheffield, in the County of York, Manufacturer.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STEEL."
My Invention relates to the manufacture of steel, and more particularly to what
is known as crucible cast steel, and has for its object increasing the power of
production with economy of time and material, and it consists chiefly in melting
the raw material in a cupola or air furnace, running the molten metal in a suitable
converter, preferably a Bessemer converter, and afterwards transferring such molten
metal into prepared crucibles for the purpose of refining and recarbonising.
In carrying out my Invention I propose to use the best brands of Swedish or
hematite pig iron, or a mixture of such pig iron, and to melt the same in a cupola
or air furnace. I then run such metal into a Bessemer or other suitable converter,
for the purpose of purifying and decarbonising the metal. The purified metal may
now be transferred directly, or by means of an intermediate ladle or other suitable
means, and while in a molten state, into the crucible, which should have been
previously heated and otherwise prepared for its reception, and where it undergoes
the process of refining and recarbonising, and afterwards it is cast into ingots.
If desirable, the molten metal may be wholly or partially recarbonised while
it is in the converter or in the ladle, and before it is transferred to the crucible.
Thus, by my process, the crucibles are not used for melting down the cold metal
as heretofore, but for receiving the metal when already in a molten state, for the
purpose before described, and it will be obvious that a great saving of time will
thus be effected, and that a much larger quantity of steel can be turned out of the
same crucible than has hitherto been done; also as the weight and quality of the
steel contained in each crucible can be more accurately determined than when raw
mixed material or scrap is used, it follows that the desired quality or temper
of the finished steel can be produced with a degree of certainty hitherto impossible.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Hampton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th
June 1881.
THOMAS HAMPTON, of Sheffield, in the County of York.
THE MANUFACTURE OF STEEL."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
My Invention relates to the manufacture of what is generally known as crucible
cast steel, and has for its object increasing the power of production of such
steel, combined with economy of time and of the working plant, and it consists
chiefly in melting the raw material in a cupola or air furnace, then running
the molten metal into a suitable converter, preferably a Bessemer converter, or
the metal may be run direct to the converter from the blast furnace, and after-
wards transferring such molten and purified metals into prepared crucibles for the
purpose of refining and recarbonising the same.
In carrying out my Invention I propose to use the best brands of Swedish or
hematite pig iron, or a mixture of such pig iron, and to melt the same in a cupola
or air furnace. I then run such metal into a Bessemer or other suitable converter,
or if desirable the iron may be run direct from the blast furnace into such converter,
for the purpose of purifying and decarbonising the metal.
The purified metal is now transferred directly or by the aid of a ladle or other
similar contrivance, and while in a fluid state, into the crucibles, which should have
been previously heated or otherwise prepared for its reception, and where it then
undergoes the process of refining and recarbonising, and is afterwards cast into
ingots.
If desirable, the molten metal may be wholly or partially recarbonised while it is
in the converter or in the ladle, and before it is transferred to the crucible.
Thus, by my improved process, the crucibles are not used for melting down the
cold metal as heretofore, but for receiving the metal when it is already in a molten
and fluid state, for the purpose herein before described, and it will therefore be
obvious that a great saving of time will be effected, and that a much larger quantity
of steel can be turned out of the same crucibles than has heretofore been
possible. The weight and quality of the steel contained in each crucible can also
be more accurately determined than when raw mixed material or scrap is is used,
and it therefore follows that the desired quality or temper of the finished steel can
be produced with a degree of certainty which has hitherto been impossible. My
improved process has also the special advantage of thoroughly eliminating silicon
from the molten metal previous to it being transferred to the crucibles, a matter of
the utmost importance in the manufacture of steel.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention of improvements in the manufacture of steel, and the manner in which
it may be 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 hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is,―
The manufacture of crucible cast steel, by running the prepared molten metal
from a suitable converter, directly or indirectly into crucibles for the purposes, and
substantially in the manner as hereinbefore set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Hampton, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Ninth day of June, in the year of our Lord 1881.