IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MECHANICAL PUDDLING OF IRON AND [Price 8d.
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 11th September 1873.
-
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention. for." IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MECHANICAL PUDDLING OF IRON AND
[Price 8d.]

page_text: IN THE APPARATUS OR MEANS EMPLOYED THEREIN, ALSO IN REGENERATIVE FURNACES
TO BE USED THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES WHERE GASEOUS FUEL IS
APPLICABLE," a communication to me from abroad by William Sellers,
of the City and County of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, and
George H. Sellers, of Wilmington, in the County of New Castle, State
of Delaware, both in the United States of America, to be as follows:-
66
The first part of this Invention relates to the mechanical puddling of
iron, and to the apparatus or means employed therein, and comprises,-
First. Improvements upon the Invention for which Letters Patent
No. 2612, were granted to John Henry Johnson, on behalf of the said
William Sellers, bearing date October 3rd 1871.
Secondly. Additional improvements as adjuncts of the said Invention.
And, Thirdly. A novel means for charging molten metal into the
puddling vessel and for removing the puddled ball therefrom, the first
head including an improved construction of the puddling vessel itself,
and improved devices in the mechanism for supporting and rotating the
puddling vessel and for traversing the frame, whilst the second head
includes a frame for adjusting the traversing frame and the vessel, a
transposable arrangement of parts, and a novel system of gearing for
imparting to the puddling vessel a more rapid rotation than heretofore.
The second part of this Invention relates to improvements in the pro-
duction, consumption, and application of gaseous fuel, and in the
application of heat regenerated therefrom, with special adaptations to the
process of puddling iron.
The puddling vessel like the one described in the Specification of the
said Letters Patent No. 2612, 1871, is open at one end only but with a
view to obtaining enlarged capacity without unduly enlarging its
diameter, it is made cylindrical with ends in the form of frustrums of
cones, thus reducing the terminal diameters to the size required for the
opening at one end and for the gearing attachment at the other, while to
avoid the destructive effects of expansion and contraction the cylinder is
made with its conical ends of wrought iron plate.
The outer ends of the conical frustrums are flanged or bent inwards
so as to form a plane annular surface, the inner edge of this surface
being turned off to make the openings at each end of the vessel of the
same internal diameter, so that the cylinder may be closed by the driving

page_text: gearing attachment at either end indifferently, the turned edge of the
plate fitting over a projection upon the main driving wheel for the pur-
poses of support, a construction which further enables the cylindrical
vessel to be driven by a gear wheel of smaller diameter. The rim of the.
driving wheel is attached to its hub by a spherically formed plate, having
circular openings through it which are closed by covers cemented into
place. A hollow projection is formed upon the hub and is accurately
turned to form a journal, which suppports this end of the vessel.
Attached to the rim of the driving wheel and parallel to the spherically
formed plate a second plate is provided which closes the end of the vessel,
the space thus enclosed between the two plates being of sufficient width
to admit of a water circulation, which can be maintained through an
upright pipe and horizontal plug. The hollow journal is bored out to
receive the horizontal plug which is turned upon its exterior to fit the
same. The plug is provided with two passages, the upper one is con-
nected at its outer end to the water supply pipe, and its inner end opens
into the space between the spherically formed plates, while the lower
passage is connected at its inner end to an upright outflow water pipe,
and its outer end opens into a basin secured to the stand or main
support. To the bottom of the said basin a pipe is attached, the outlet
for which is in an open vessel or basin cast with the step plate on which
the traversing frame herein-after described is swung or turned.
The rotatory puddling vessel is supported at its closed end upon a
traversing frame by a journal and stand or support, and at its open end
by a steel tire or ring resting upon two wheels, the journals of which are
in the traversing frame. This traversing frame is supported upon three
points viz., the pintle or vertical axis resting and vibrating in a step
bearing, and two wheels (the axles of which are placed radially to the
pintle) upon which it traverses about the said footstep bearing. The
journals of the said two wheels are placed in a box which is vertically
adjustable in the traversing frame, and the box is secured to the frame
by a formed projection upon its side fitting into a corresponding
formed groove in the frame, which permits a free vertical movement but
prevents any lateral motion. The vertical adjustment is regulated by a
screw passing through a projection from the wheel box and taking into
the traversing frame. The pintle is attached to the frame in precisely
the same manner, and these features of adjustment are made so exactly

page_text: alike that the positions of the pintle and wheel box are transposable for
a purpose that will be herein-after explained.
One of the said two wheels is supported in a reversible frame con-
⚫structed so that it may be placed either side up, and yet always have the
axle of the wheel radial to the pintle and at an angle to the frame; when
the pintle and wheel box are transposed and the frame turned the other
side up, the axle of the wheel will still be radial to the pintle in their
changed positions. The object of this arrangement is to admit of
swinging the puddling vessel to and from the flues either to the right or
left indifferently, as the construction and arrangement of the plant (of
which the puddling machine is an element) may require. The said
reversible supporting frame is maintained in its place by downward pro-
jecting cross girts on the traversing frame, and a radius bar, the use of
which will be presently described.
The vertical adjustment of the traversing frame is effected by inserting
packing pieces of suitable thickness between the upper side of the sup-
porting frame and the under side of the traversing frame, these pieces
being provided with jibs which project below the upper surface of the
supporting frame to maintain them in position.
Upon the ends of the supporting frame there are bolted two stands,
which serve to support an eccentric shaft carrying two wheels, which
revolve freely upon the eccentrics; the said shaft is partially rotated by
means of a lever handle, so as to cause the eccentrics to force the wheels
downwards upon the floor plates, relieving the radial wheel from the
weight of the puddling vessel and traversing frame. The eccentric shaft
being nearly tangential to the arc of vibration of the traversing frame it
is evident that when the weight is shifted from the radial wheel to the
other wheels the traversing frame will be locked, and prevented from
vibrating, so that when the ring round the mouth of the puddling vessel
is brought up to the corresponding ring, which encircles the flues by
depressing the before-mentioned lever handle, the traversing frame will
be locked in this position; and when the handle is raised the weight
will again be shifted to the radial wheel, and the traversing frame with
the puddling vessel may be swung away from the flues.
For the purpose of rotating the puddling vessel and vibrating the
frame a double cylinder reversible steam engine is provided. The
cylinder, crank shaft, bearings, and guides are cast with or securely

page_text: attached to a support, which is provided with a foot at each end, by
which it is bolted to the traversing frame; these feet, the bolts, and
their location in the feet are made so nearly alike that the position of
the engine upon the frame may be reversed or transposed.
The stand which supports the closed end of the puddling vessel is
widened on one side near its base to embrace a pinion upon the double.
crank shaft of the steam engine, and bearings are formed in this stand
on each side of the said pinion in line with the bearing upon the engine
frame, making three bearings for this shaft. The feet of the stand
through which it is bolted to the traversing frame, the bolts and their
position in the feet of the stand, are respectively made so nearly alike
that the position of the stand upon the frame may be reversed or
transposed.
Motion is communicated from the said pinion to a spur wheel, which
runs loosely upon an intermediate shaft, to which it can be clutched by
a sliding collar or clutch secured to the said shaft, the clutch engaging
with the hub of the spur wheel. On the end of the intermediate shaft
is a pinion, which gears into the spur wheel, herein-before described as
being secured to the closed end of the puddling vessel, thus completing
the train of wheels from the engine to the puddling vessel.
The spur
wheel which has been described as running loosely upon the inter-
mediate shaft, and gearing into the pinion on the crank shaft, also gears
into a spur wheel fastened securely upon a third shaft passing across
and through the sides of the supporting frame.
The vertical adjustment of the traversing frame is effected at its rear
end by inserting packing pieces between the supporting frame and the
traversing frame, but a variation of the distance between these two
frames would affect the gear wheels unless provision was made for a
lateral movement of the supporting frame proportionate to the vertical
movement of the traversing frame. This lateral movement is produced
by the radius bar before referred to, which is attached at one end of the
centre (vertically) of the supporting frame, and at the other to the
traversing frame.
Mounted upon the before-mentioned third shaft, and revolving freely
upon it, is a bevil wheel, which may be clutched to the said third shaft
by a conical friction clutch operated through a grooved collar and lever.
This bevel wheel gears with a second bevel wheel fastened to the before-

page_text: mentioned radial wheel, thus completing the train of wheels from the
engine to the radial wheel for effecting the traversing motion of the
frame.
The wheels are clutched to their respective shafts by means of a lever
shaft, which passes through and is supported by the traversing frame,
and is operated by a hand lever; it is provided with one set of arms,
which take into a groove in a sliding collar on the intermediate shaft
and one set which press against short levers hinged to the supporting
frame, which take into a groove in the hub of the friction clutch in the
bevel wheel. It will thus be seen that by pressing the hand lever in
one direction the engine will be coupled positively to the puddling vessel,
and by pressing it in the other direction it will be released from the
puddling vessel, and coupled by friction to the wheel for traversing the
frame, the latter movement continuing only so long as the operator
continues to hold the friction clutch in gear.
The reversing valve of the engine is operated through a balance wheel
immediately in front of the last-named hand lever, and a platform is
provided upon which the operator may stand, and be carried along with
the vessel in the most convenient position for controlling the rotation
of the puddling vessel or the vibration of the traversing frame. This
platform is bolted to the under side of the traversing frame, and
is transposably arranged like the details of mechanism previously
described, so that it may be attached in the same position upon either
side of the frame.
The water pipe which supplies the water space in the wheel attached
to the puddling vessel, the steam pipe to operate the engine, and the
exhaust pipe from the same are supported from the traversing frame,
and the latter allowed to vibrate, and to be vertically adjusted.
The supply of water and steam and the exhaust are taken into and
discharged from the system upon the traversing frame by short vertical
pipes, the axes of which are in the axes of the pintle, suitable packings
being provided for each to prevent leakage.
The pipes are supported by a stand, which is bolted to the traversing
frame, and the vertical pipes are maintained in their position against the
pressure of the steam and water by adjusting screws.
It is evident from this description that all the machinery of this
apparatus is so constructed and arranged that the same machine may be

page_text: readily set up and operated to swing the puddling vessel to and from the
flues either to the right or left indifferently, the driving mechanism
operating substantially the same in either case, an advantage of the
greatest value, as the direction in which the puddling vessel must open
may now be determined by its relation to the other machinery in con-
junction with which it operates instead of controlling, as heretofore, the
arrangement of such other machinery at whatever inconvenience unless
specially constructed for movement in the required direction.
The apparatus by means of which the puddling vessel is charged and
discharged consists substantially of 2 cranes united at the ends of
their respective jibs by an iron bar and wire rope, the end of this bar
intended to enter the puddling vessel projecting beyond the point at
which it is supported by the rope, and being formed into a fork united
across the ends of its prongs. This end of the bar can be elevated or
depressed by raising or lowering the rope by which it is suspended over
This
a pulley in the end of the crane jib next the puddling vessel.
crane nearest the puddling vessel is provided with hoisting apparatus
preferably water pressure. The other crane merely maintains the end
of the fork furthest from the puddling vessel in a horizontal plane. The
first crane is placed in the rear of the puddling vessel when this vessel
is closed against its flues, whilst the other crane is placed so that a
line drawn from the centre of one crane post to the other will be at
right angles to the axis of the puddling vessel when it is in the position
just described.
The support for the fork, where suspended from the rope, is such as to
permit the fork to turn freely about its axis in the present case by
means of a collar provided with a hook-and-eye attachment between it
and the end of the rope. The outer end of the fork is attached to the
end of the jib on the furthest crane by an universal joint, which will
permit the fork to turn upon its axis and to be raised or lowered, and
the said crane to be turned about its axis, this end of the fork remaining
under all circumstances in the same horizontal plane. This crane post
is provided with a support on its top, in which the bowl end of the fork
may be laid when it is detached from the rope. The fork, where
attached to the rope, is raised or lowered by admitting water under
pressure to one side or the other of a piston in a hydraulic cylinder, the
direction being determined by a valve operated through a lever and
vertical rod passing up through the centre of the crane post. The con-

page_text: nection between the said lever and the said vertical rod should be by an
universal joint which will permit the vertical rod to turn freely in the
end of the lever, and the lever to stand at an angle to the axis of the
vertical rod.
..
I
The upper end of the vertical rod is attached to a crank pin on the
end of a horizontal shaft, which passes through the centre of the jib,
and is provided with a handle on its outer end. The fork is to swing
against the lining of the puddling vessel alongside the puddled ball, and
on rotating the puddling vessel slightly the ball will be caused to roll
on to the fork, the fork moving laterally with the surface of the lining
against which it is resting. The operator being at the end of the
furthest crane jib will then move the handle, so as to raise the ball in
the vessel sufficiently to allow it to pass out. When in this position it
is sustained entirely by the two cranes, so that by pulling upon the end
of the furthest crane jib the ball can readily be withdrawn from the
vessel, the position of the crane being such as to maintain the fork
parallel with the axis of the puddling vessel during its withdrawal.
The before-mentioned handle is then moved, so as to lower the ball to
the height required for depositing it upon the truck by which it is to be
carried away, and by inserting a bar in an eye in the fork handle the
fork may be turned upon its axis, so as to discharge the ball. The fork
is then detached from the near crane to permit the use of this crane for
raising the ladle containing the molten metal for the next charge, the
raising and lowering being effected by moving the before-mentioned
handle, as already described.
-
It is evident that if the two cranes should be turned half way around
the fork will be moved laterally a distance equal to double the length of
the crane jibs; and one object in adopting a parallel motion with a
vertical axis of rotation is, that one such apparatus may be used for
two or more puddling vessels, for which the herein-before described
transposable system is specially available.
;
The object of the second part of this Invention is to combine three
conditions, which are deemed essential to the most advantageous use of
gaseous fuel, namely,-
First. A continuous production of the gas, subject to regulation as to
quantity

page_text: as to quantity.
And, Third. A constant regeneration of the waste heat resulting from
the continuous but regulated consumption of the gaseous fuel, and with
these essentials to apply the gaseous fuel intermittently, whilst the
heat generated by its continuous consumption shall be continuously
utilized, as herein-after exemplified, in its adaptation to a rotatory
puddling machine.
A further object is to economize the space required for the apparatus,
to restrict its cost, to improve the construction and arrangement of
various parts, and to enhance the facility of operation.
The puddling vessel is constructed and operated substantially as
herein-before described; but it is proposed to use in connection with
such a puddling vessel, or when desirable with vessels of other forms, a
moveable hood or recessed cover, as will be presently described.
The means by which a continuous production of the gas is main-
tained, and the quantity is regulated as required, consists of a single
producer having an arched top, the upper end of which abuts against,
the casing of two charging valves. Each of these valves comprises
three horizontal plates having rectangular openings through them corre-
sponding with each other. The upper and lower plates are fixed at such
a distance apart that the middle plate can traverse freely between them,
whilst it rests and slides upon the lower one. The openings through
these plates are of such size and relation to each other that when the
middle plate is in one position there will be a series of openings through
the plates to the interior of the producer, and when the middle plate is
in another position these openings will be closed by the intervention of
the planks or solid parts of the middle plate.
The upper and stationary plate serves to partially relieve the middle
or sliding plate from the pressure of coal upon it. The upper plate is
below the level of the floor over the arched top of the producer, and
the casing which surrounds it is raised upon the three sides above the
level of this floor, thus forming a box to receive and retain the coal
until it is required within the producer, to which it is admitted by
moving the middle plate, as previously described, by means of levers.

page_text: The coal falls upon inclined grates, which are separated by division
walls, the top of these walls extending a short distance above the top of
the grates for a purpose herein-after specified.
The
ash-pits are closed by doors, and a blast pipe in each ash-pit
supplies the air to support combustion. Each of these pipes has a valve
which should be closed (to prevent escape of air) when the door is
opened, and opened to admit air when the door is closed.
These blast pipes are connected with a blast chamber, to which air is
supplied from a blast box and pipe.
It is in connection with the operation of this blast that the ash-pit is
divided by the walls previously described, carrying them above the
surface of the grate bars sufficiently high to prevent the blast from
diverging laterally at any point where it might otherwise issue into an
adjoining ash-pit when the door is open. Any one of the pits may thus
be opened, its grate cleaned, and its ashes removed without affecting the
operation of the blast in the other two divisions, which will maintain
the continuous production of the gas.
The quantity of gas produced is regulated by controlling the blast in
the blast pipe by means of a valve operated from a hand lever through
a vertical shaft and a rod and bell-crank connection, the hand lever
being for convenience located near the door through which the interior
of the furnace can be examined.
In the arched top of the producer the ordinary spy holes are provided,
and in the back of this arched top are two openings, each of which is
provided with a slide, damper, or valve accessible through doors for that
purpose.
The first of the two openings leads directly into the chimney, and is
for the purpose of providing an escape for the impure gas or smoke
generated at first lighting the fires, and, also for creating a draught
through the producer until the fires are properly ignited. The valve in
this opening is then closed and the top covered with sand so as effectually
to prevent the escape of gas in that direction.
°
The second opening leads from the producer to one end of a dust
chamber. The damper or valve in this opening is closed, while the
damper in the first opening is open, and until the gas generated in the
producer is of the proper quality for combustion. When the damper in

page_text: the first opening is closed the damper in the second opening is opened,
and remains open so long as the fires are in proper condition.
The gas passes to the point of combustion from the producer through
the dust chamber to and through the uptake.
This dust chamber being of large dimensions the current through it
will be so slow as to permit the deposit therein of any ashes carried over
with the gas from the producer, and being located between the producer
and regenerator the temperature of the traversing gas will be rather
increased than diminished.
For the purpose of cleansing access to this chamber may be had
through a door provided for that purpose.
To examine the interior of the puddling vessel through the door
provided for that purpose it may be requisite for the moment to shut the
gas off entirely. This is accomplished by means of a hinged valve in
the uptake. The handle to operate this valve projects through the back
of the flue casing near the examining door, and to clean the uptake as
well as to sand the top of this valve an opening and cover on the top of
the
gas uptake are provided. This valve is sanded when it is desired to,
seal up the producer and prevent the formation of gas without putting
out the fire.
The means by which a continuous consumption of the gas is main-
tained and the quantity is regulated consists in combining with the
regulated production of gas previously described a continuous regulated
supply of air to a continuous regenerative system of chambers and
pipes, comprising four side chambers with a central chamber in the
middle, across which latter chamber pipes extend and communicate with
the side chambers.
;
The side chambers are provided with doors through which these
chambers and the regenerator tubes may be readily examined, and are
accessible for cleaning when necessary. The air passes to the point of
combustion over the said pipes and through the central chamber to and
through an uptake, taking up on its way the heat transmitted through
the pipes from the products of combustion as they pass on their way to.
the chimney.
As the air required to produce combustion is not sufficient to take up
all the available heat from the waste products of combustion the

page_text: remainder is utilized by conducting the waste products from the lower
right hand side chamber under and through a tubular boiler located in a
separate chamber between the last-named side chamber and the chimney,
the draught through which is regulated by a damper on the top of the
chimney.
The regulation of the air supply to the regenerative system is effected
by controlling the blast in the blast pipe, which control is exercised by
means of a valve operated from a hand lever connected with the valve
by means of a hollow vertical shaft and a rod and bell-crank connection,
as in the previously described air regulation to the gas producer.
As in the use of some fuels, it may be desirable to employ a heated
blast, regenerative blast pipes may be provided within the lower left-hand
side chamber and communicating with a blast chamber. These pipes
receive their supply of air from a blast box as a substitute for the first-
mentioned blast box connected with the before-mentioned blast chamber
as previously described.
In such case the ash-pit doors and grate bars may be dispensed with
as the coal should rest upon a hearth and the blast be delivered thro'
tuyeres supplied from the blast chamber, the cinder being fluxed and
allowed to flow out as in blast furnaces, and as is well understood.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the pure gas has been brought
from the producer through the dust chamber to the uptake, and at the
same time the heated air has been brought through the central chamber
to the air uptake, both the air and the gas being brought to these
respective points under pressure and otherwise in the best condition for
their admixture.
It is highly desirable to locate the point of combustion at or as nearly
as practicable at the mouth of the vessel in which the flame is to be
applied, and with this view the gas and air flues are arranged so that as
they approach the place of combustion the gas flue shall be over the air
flue, both opening in the face of a vertical wall. Below these openings
is situate the downtake opening in such relation to the gas and air flues
as to bring all three openings in the same vertical plane and within the
compass of the mouth of the puddling vessel.
Having brought the continuous and regulated production of the gas to
the point already described, and having also provided for the continuous

page_text: and regulated consumption of the gas, and again having provided for
the regeneration of the heat from the waste products and its extended
utilization, it will readily be perceived that with a furnace in which the
application of the gaseous fuel is constant the regeneration will necessarily
be like the production and consumption continuous; but desiring to
apply these conditions to the process of puddling iron in a rotary
puddling vessel, the inventors encountered the problem presented by the
necessarily continuous action of the apparatus and the necessarily inter-
mittent application of the fuel to such a vessel during the constantly
recurring intervals when it must be charged, discharged, or fixed."
The means by which the said continuous system is reconciled with
this intermittent application enables the inventors to keep the regene-
rator up to the temperature required for puddling, to hold in reserve for
consumption in the puddling vessel the maximum power of the gaseous
fuel, to economize this reserve power while maintaining it, and to
control, regulate, and direct it, as may be desired, the instrumentalities,.
moreover, being so compactly arranged that all these ends are rendered.
attainable within a restricted space.
:
The gas and air flues, the downtake, and the chimney are formed of
fire-brick, and are supported by cast-iron staves and through bolts, and
two of these staves are united with cross pieces forming a frame, to
which a ring is secured surrounding and enclosing the flues.
To connect the gas and air flues with the downtake during the
intervals when the puddler is removed, a recessed cover is provided lined
with fire-brick, which is in effect a supplemental furnace. Preferably
this cover is supported and turns upon its axis within a crane, which
swings on centres supported upon bars bolted to the supporting staves
around the flues previously described. Means of adjustment are pro-
vided at its points of support in order that it may fit with sufficient
accuracy against the said ring.
The cover is now swung against the ring, and the consumption and
regeneration continue and can be regulated the same as when the heat-
was being applied in the furnace. When the furnace is ready for use
again the cover is swung away from the ring, the rotatory, puddling
machine or furnace is replaced, and the application of the heat in the
puddling operation is renewed, the boiler continuing as during the
interval to absorb the wäste heat.
1'

page_text: While the means of supporting and moving the furnace and the cover
respectively towards and from the ring may be varied without departing
from this feature of the said Invention, yet the furnace and cover should
each be susceptible of being moved toward and from the ring, one
making way for the other, as already described, without any interference
between them in either movement
of their respective
positions.
or in
any
The top of the inside wall of the downtake next the puddling vessel
is carried up above the outlet. from the puddling vessel and protected
with a lining of puddling fix, so that in case the charge (which swells
in the preliminary stages of the puddling process) should overflow the
edge of the puddling vessel, the overflow will be prevented from descend-
ing the downtake. and to obtain still greater security against the entrance
of such overflow into the regenerative chamber the downtake is so located
with reference to the regenerative chamber that any overflow would
pass the opening into the regenerative chamber and fall to the bottom
of the downtake, whence it could flow over or be removed through an
under tap provided for this purpose in the outer wall of the downtake.
Although the provision just described, if properly made and main-
tained in good condition, will effectually prevent an overflow of cinder
into the throat of the downtake, yet in practical operation the condition
of the wall may be neglected, the cinder may cut its way through it to
the throat of the downtake and necessitate the rebuilding of the wall.
To guard against this contingency an opening is left in the brickwork
under the ring and under the mouth of the downtake, such opening.
extending to the back of the wall; the top of this opening is covered by
an iron plate, its front edge resting on the iron casting which supports
the ring, and its back edge upon the top of the wall, this plate forming a
bottom upon which the puddling
"
fix in the throat of the downtake
can be built up.
5
At either end of this plate two flues are provided communicating with
the last named opening and leading out to the top of the casing, enclosing
the air, gas, and downtake flues. By this arrangement a circulation of
air will be maintained against the under side of the plate which will keep
it sufficiently cool to chill any cinder that may find its way through the
lining of the mouth of the downtake previously described and effectually
stop its further progress.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 11th March 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HENRY JOHNSON, of 47; Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, send greeting.
:
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said John Henry Johnson, Her special
license that I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Henry Johnson,
my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MECHANICAL PUDDLING OF IRON AND IN THE APPARATUS OR MEANS EMPLOYED
THEREIN, ALSO IN REGENERATIVE FURNACES TO BE USED THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES WHERE GASEOUS FUEL IS APPLICABLE," a communication to me from
abroad by William Sellers of the City and County of Philadelphia, State
of Pennsylvania, and George H. Sellers, of Wilmington, in the County
of New Castle, State of Dalaware, both in the United States of America,
upon the conditions (amongst others) that I, the said John Henry
Johnson, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to
be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of
the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Henry Johnson, do, hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the accom-

page_text: is to say-
The first part of this Invention relates to the mechanical puddling of
iron and to the apparatus or means employed 'therein, and comprises,-
First. Improvements upon the Invention for which Letters Patent
No. 2612 were granted to the said William Sellers, bearing date
Third October, One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.
Secondly. Additional improvements as adjuncts of tlie said Invention.
And, Thirdly. A novel means for charging molten metal into the
puddling vessel and for removing the puddled ball therefrom, the first
head including an improved construction of the puddling vessel itself,
and improved devices in the mechanism for supporting and rotating the
puddling vessel and for traversing the frame, whilst the second head
includes a frame for adjusting the traversing frame and the vessel, a
transposable arrangement of parts, and a novel system of gearing for
imparting to the puddling vessel a more rapid rotation than heretofore.
The second part of this Invention relates to improvements in the
.production, consumption, and application of gaseous fuel, and in the
application of heat regenerated therefrom with special adaptations to the
process of puddling iron.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, I shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that
purpose shall refer to the several Figures on the annexed Sheets of
Drawings, the same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in
all the Figures.
Figure 1 (Sheet 1) of the accompanying Drawings is an end elevation
of the rotating puddling vessel and traversing frame with the operative
mechanism in connection therewith comprised under the first part of
this Invention; Figure 2 is a plan of the parts shewn in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the same.
Figure 4 is a plan of the step in which the pintle or spindle supporting
the traversing frame vibrates.
Figure 5 is a plan of the adjusting frame which supports the end of
the traversing frame with the operating mechanism; Figure 6 is a side

page_text: view of the parts shewn in Figure 5; Figure 7 is. an end view of the
same.
Figure 8 is a detail of a system of pipe joints in the axis of vibration
of the traversing frame.
Figure 9 is an elevation of the apparatus for charging molten metal
into the puddling vessel and for removing the puddled ball therefrom.
Figure 10 is a plan of the parts shewn in Figure 9; and Figure 11 is a
sectional elevation of a portion of the mechanism shewn in Figures ?
and 10.
The puddling vessel A (Figures 1, 2, and 3); like the one described in
the said Letters Patent No. 261271, is open at one end only, but with a
view to obtaining enlarged capacity without unduly enlarging its
diameter we make it cylindrical, with ends a, a, (Figures 2 and 3), in
the form of frustrums of cones, thus reducing the terminal diameters to
the size required for the opening at one end and for the gearing attach-
ment at the other, while to avoid the destructive effects of expansion
and contraction we make the cylinder with its conical ends of wrought-
iron plate.
The outer ends of the conical frustrums a, a, Figure 3, are flanged or
bent inwards so as to form a plane annular surface, the inner edge of this
surface being turned off to make the openings at each end of the vessel
in the course of its construction the same internal diameter, so that the
cylinder A may be closed by the driving gearing attachment, B,
Figures 1, 2, and 3, at either end indifferently, when completed the
turned edge of the plate fitting over a projection upon the gearing B,
Figure 3, for the purposes of support, a construction which further
enables us
to drive the cylindrical vessel by a gear wheel of smaller
diameter.
A heavy wrought-iron ring b, b, (Figure 3) of rectangular section is
fitted to the open end of the vessel against the plane annular surface
previously described, and is securely attached thereto; the outer surface
of this ring is turned off to receive a steel tire c,.c, (Figures 2 and 3)
The interior of the vessel A and frustrums a, a, are provided with
bars d, d, Figure 3, rivetted to the plate for holding the fix or
lining C (Figure 3) of the vessel in place, and a circular ring.d', d³, on
the gear wheel B performs the same office for the closed end of the
vessel. The rim of the spur wheel B is attached to its hub e (Figures 2
and 3) by a spherically formed plate ƒ (Figures 1, 2 and 3) having

page_text: circular openings 9, 9, (Figures 1 and 3) through it which are closed by
covers (Figure 3) cemented into place. A hollow projection e¹, Figure 3,
is formed upon the hub e and is accurately turned to form a journal
which supports this end of the vessel.
Attached to the rim of the wheel B (Figure 3) and parallel to the
plate we provide a second plate f¹ (Figure 3) which closes the end of
the vessel, the space thus enclosed between the two plates being of
sufficient width to admit of a water circulation which can be maintained
through the upright pipe h and horizontal plug h¹ (Figure 3). The
hollow journal e¹ (Figure 3) is bored out to receive the horizontal plug h¹
which is turned upon its exterior to fit the same. The outer end of the
plug his enlarged to form a collar fitting into a corresponding recess in
the journal e², so that packing may be inserted between this collar
and the bottom of the recess to prevent the egress of the water at that
point. The plug h¹ is provided with two passages. The upper passage
is connected at its outer end to the water pipe i (Figures 1 and 2) and
its inner end opens into the space between the plates f and f', while the
lower passage is connected at its inner end to the upright water pipe h,
and its outer end opens into the basin i¹ (see Figure 3). The basin ¹ is
secured to the stand D (Figure 3) and a screw j through the back of
this basin serves to sustain the plug h¹ against the water pressure. To
the bottom of the basin i¹ a pipe 2 is attached, the outlet for which is in
the open vessel i³ cast with the step plate E (Figure 4). The traverse
of the pipe over the vessel 23 (as the puddling vessel A and its
supporting frame are moved to and fro) is indicated by the curved
dotted line in the vessel 13, Figure 4. The pipe i, Figures 1 and 2, will
prevent the plug h¹ from turning as the gear wheel B revolves, so that
the pipe h will always maintain its vertical position in the water space
between the plates f and f¹, and when water is admitted through the
pipe i to this space it can only flow out through the pipe h and the plug h¹,
and only then when it rises above the upper end of the pipe h. The
hottest water being at the top will flow out as it is displaced by
colder water entering through the pipe i, thus maintaining a circulation
in the water space.
The tire c, c, is shrunk on the 'heavy wrought-iron
ring b, b, and is further secured in place by the ring F and through
bolts c¹, c¹, (Figures 2 and 3). The face of the ring F serves to make
a joint between the puddling vessel A and the gas, air, and downtake
flues encompassed by a corresponding ring.

page_text: The vessel A is supported at its closed end upon a traversing frame G
by the journal e¹ and stand D, and at its open end by the steel tire c, c,
resting upon the two wheels k, k, the journals of which are in the frame G.
The traversing frame G is supported upon three points, videlicet, the
pintle H resting and vibrating in the step bearing E (Figure 4), and
the two wheels I and I¹ (the axles of which are placed radially to the
pintle H), upon which it traverses about the step in the plate E. The
journals of the wheel I' are placed in a box 12, which is vertically
adjustable in the frame G, and the box is secured to the frame G by a
T formed projection upon its side fitting into a corresponding formed
groove in the frame, which permits a free vertical movement, but
prevents any lateral motion. The vertical adjustment is regulated by a
screw passing through a projection from the wheel box, and taking into
the frame G. The pintle H is attached to the frame G in precisely the
same manner, and these features of adjustment are made so exactly
alike that the positions of the pintle H and wheel box I³ are transposable
for a purpose that will be herein-after explained.
The wheel I is supported in a frame J, J, Figures 5, 6, and 7. The
frame J, J, is constructed so that it may be placed either side up, and
yet always have the axle of the wheel I radial to the pintle H, and at
an angle to the frame, as shewn in the Drawings, when the pintle H
and the wheel box I³ are transposed, and the frame J, J, turned the
other side up, the axle of the wheel I will still be radial to the pintle H
in their changed positions. The object of this arrangement is to admit
of swinging the vessel A to and from the flues either to the right or left
indifferently, as the construction and arrangement of the plant (of
which the puddling machine is an element) may require. The frame J, J,
is maintained in its place by the downward projecting cross girts 1, 1, of
the frame G (Figures 3, 5, and 7,) and the radius bar'm (Figure 6), the
use of which will be presently described.
The vertical adjustment of the frame G is effected by inserting
packing pieces of suitable thickness between the upper side of the
frame J, J, and the under side of the frame G, these pieces being
provided with jibs, which project below the upper surface of the
frame J, J, to maintain them in position.
Upon the ends of the frame J, J, we bolt two stands 1, 1 (Figures 1
and 7), which serve to support the eccentric shaft m¹, m³, carrying the

page_text: .
The
two wheels n, n, which revolve freely upon the eccentrics.
shafts-m', m', is partially rotated by means of the handle n', and when
brought to the position represented in Figures 1 and 7 of the Drawings
the eccentrics have forced the wheels n, n, downwards upon the floor
plates, relieving the radial wheel I from the weight of the puddling
vessel, and traversing frame. The shaft m', m¹, being nearly tangential
to the arc of vibration of the frame G it is evident that when the
weight is shifted from the radial wheel I to the wheels n, n, the frame G
will be locked and prevented from vibrating, so that when the ring F is
brought up to the corresponding ring, which encircles the flues, by
depressing the handle n¹ the frame G will be locked in this position,
and when the handle n¹ is raised the weight will again be shifted to the
radial wheel I, and the traversing frame G with the puddling vessel may
be swung away from the flues.
For the purpose of rotating the puddling vessel A and vibrating the
frame G we provide the double cylinder steam engine indicated by the
Letter L (Figures 1, 2, and 3), but as the construction of this engine
forms no part of our Invention it is unnecessary to describe it further
than as a steam engine of similar construction to those in common use
upon hoisting machines, and capable of being reversed by means of a
valve, which reverses the ports of the main valves. The cylinders, crank
shaft bearings, and guides are cast with or securely attached to a piece L'
(Figures 1, 2, and 3), which is provided with a foot at each end, by
which it is bolted to the frame G. These feet, the bolts, and their
location in the feet are made so nearly alike that the position of the
engine upon the frame G may be reversed or transposed.
The stand D, which supports the closed end of the puddling vessel, is
widened on one side near its base to embrace the pinion M upon the
double crank shaft of the steam engine, and bearings are formed in this
stand on each side of the pinion M in line with the bearing upon the
engine frame L', making three bearings for this shaft (Figures 1 and 2).
The feet of the stand D, through which it is bolted to the frame G, the
bolts and their position in the feet of the stand are respectively made
so nearly alike that the position of the stand upon the frame G may be
reversed or transposed.
Motion is communicated from the pinion M to the wheel N (Figures 1.

page_text: can be clutched by the sliding collar p carrying three pins sliding freely
through the roller p', which is secured to the shaft N': These pins take
into corresponding holes in the hub of the wheel N (Figures 2, 3, and 5).
On the end of the shaft N₁ is a pinion P, which gears into the wheel B,
thus completing the train of wheels from the engine to the puddling
vessel. The shaft N₁ is supported in bearings O and O', which are
secured to the cross girts 1, 1, of the frame G (Figures 1 and 7). The
bearing O' is made in two pieces divided horizontally, and by taking out
the lower piece the bearing may be lowered until the teeth of the
pinion P will come out of gear with the wheel B, so that this shaft and
these gears may be taken out and replaced, without removing the stand D
or lifting the puddling vessel from its supports. Two locations for the
bearings O and O' are provided upon the cross girts 1, 1, (see Figure 5).
These locations are one on each side of the centre line of the frame G
and equidistant from it, so that when the position of the engine and
the frame J, J, are reversed or transposed as provided for, the bearings O
and O¹ may be shifted, and the wheel N will still gear into the pinion M,
and the pinion P into the wheel B. The wheel N, which has been
described as running loosely upon the shaft N¹, and gearing into the
pinion M, also gears into the wheel R, fastened securely upon a. shaft
passing across and through the sides of the frame J, J, which at this
point is provided with hubs on each side to form a bearing for the shaft,
in which it can freely revolve (see Figures 3 and 5)..
The vertical adjustment of the traversing frame G is effected at its
rear end by inserting packing pieces between the frame J, J, and the
traversing, frame G, as previously described, but a variation of the
distance between these two frames would effect the gear wheels N and
R unless provision was made for a lateral movement of the frame J, J;
proportionate to the vertical movement of the traversing frame G. This
lateral movement is produced by the radius bar m (Figure 6), which is
attached at one end to the vertical centre of the frame J, J, and at the
other to the traversing frame G, the angle of the bar to the traversing
frame G being the same as a line drawn from the centre of the wheel N
to the centre of the wheel R, the length of the bar m being as nearly as
possible the same as the distance from centre to centre of these two
wheels.
•
1
Mounted upon this shaft and revolving freely upon it is the bevel
wheel S, which may be clutched to the shaft by a conical friction clutch

page_text: operated through a grooved collar and lever. The bevel wheel $ gears
with the bevel wheel S' fastened to the wheel I, thus completing the
train of wheels from the engine to the wheel I for effecting the traversing
motion of the frame G.
The wheels N and S are clutched to their respective shafts by means
of the lever shaft r, r, (Figure 6). This shaft passes through and is
supported by the frame G, and is operated by the hand lever ; it is
provided with one set of arms s, s, which take into the groove in the
sliding collar p on the shaft N', and one set s¹, s¹, which press against
short levers (Figure 6) hinged to the frame J, J, which take into
the groove in the hub of the friction clutch in the wheel S. The
arins s', s¹, do not take into this friction clutch in the wheel S directly
because, as has been previously described the distance of the frame
J, J, from the frame G is variable. The friction clutch is pressed out
from the wheel S by a spring placed between the clutch and the wheel,
and is forced into gear by the arms s', s¹, pressing against the short
levers s³, s³, previously described, and upon which they can slide to
accommodate the distance that may be established between the frames
J, J, and G. It will thus be seen that by pressing the hand lever ™ª
in one direction the engine will be coupled positively to the puddling
vessel, and by pressing it in the other direction it will be released from
the puddling vessel and coupled by friction to the wheel for traversing
the frame, the latter movement continuing only so long as the
operator continues to hold the friction clutch in gear.
The reversing valve of the engine is operated through the balance
wheel (Figure 2) immediately in front of the hand lever r¹ and a
platform is provided, upon which the operator may stand and be
carried along with the vessel in the most convenient position for
controlling the rotation of the puddling vessel or the vibration of the
traversing frame. The platform is bolted to the under side of the
frame G, and is transposably arranged like the details of mechanism
previously described, so that it may be attached in the same position
upon either side of the frame.
The water pipe i, which supplies the water space in the wheel B,
the steam pipe j¹ to operate the engine, and the exhaust pipe j³ from
the same, are exhibited in Figures 1 and 2, and the mode by which
they are supported from the frame G, and the latter allowed to vibrate
and to be vertically adjusted, is shown in Figure 8.

page_text: The supply of water and steam and the exhaust are taken into and
discharged from. the system upon the traversing frame by short vertical
pipes, the axes of which are in the axis of the pintle H, suitable packings
being provided for each to prevent leakage.
The pipes are supported by the stand K, which is bolted to the
frame G, and the vertical pipes j³ and j' are maintained in their position
against the pressure of the steam and water by adjusting screws as
shewn.
It is evident from this description that all the machinery of this
apparatus is so constructed and arranged that the same machine may
be readily set up and operated to swing the puddling vessel to and
from its flues either to the right or left indifferently, the driving
mechanism operating substantially the same in either case, an ad-
vantage of the greatest value, as the direction in which the puddling
vessel must open may now be determined by its relation to the other.
machinery in conjunction with which it operates, instead of controlling,
as heretofore, the arrangement of such other machinery at whatever
inconvenience, unless specially constructed for movement in the
required direction.
The apparatus by means of which the puddling vessel is charged and
discharged is exemplified by Figures 9, 10, and 11, and consists
substantially of two cranes T and T₁, united at the ends of their
respective jibs by an iron bar u and wire rope, the end of this bar,
intended to enter the puddling vessel, projecting beyond the point at
which it is supported by the rope, and being formed into a fork united
across the ends of its prongs. This end of the bar can be elevated or
depressed by raising or lowering the rope by which it is suspended
over a pulley in the end of the jib of the crane T next the puddling
vessel. This crane T, nearest the puddling vessel, is provided. with
hoisting apparatus, preferably water pressure. The other crane T¹
merely maintains the end of the fork u furthest from the puddling
vessel in a horizontal plane; the first crane T is placed in the rear of
the puddling vessel when this vessel is closed against its flues, whilst
the other crane T¹ is placed so that a line drawn from the centre of one
crane post to the other will be at right angles to the axis of the
puddling vessel when it is in the position just described.

page_text: The support for the fork u, where suspended from the rope, is such
as to permit the fork to turn freely about its axis in. the present case
by means of a collar provided with a hook and eye attachment between
it and the end of the rope. The outer end of the fork is attached to
the end of the jib on the crane T' by a universal joint, which will
permit the fork to turn upon its axis and to be raised or lowered, and
the crane T¹ to be turned about its axis, this end of the fork, remaining
under all circumstances in the same horizontal plane. The crane
post T is provided with a support u¹ on its top (Figures 9 and 11), in
which the bowl end of the fork u may be laid when it is detaclied from
the rope, as shewn by the dotted lines in Figures 9 and 10. The fork u,
where attached to the rope, is raised or lowered by admitting water
under pressure to one side or the other of a piston in the cylinder U
(Figures 9 and 10), the direction being determined by the valve v
(Figure 9) operated through a lever v' and vertical rod a passing up
through the centre of the crane post T¹. The connection between the
lever and the vertical rod v3 should be by a universal joint (Figure 11)
which will permit the vertical rod to turn freely in the end of the
lever, and the lever to stand at an angle to the axis of the vertical
rod.
The upper end of the rod is attached to a crank pin on the end of
the horizontal shaft ³ which passes through the centre of the jib, and
is provided with a handle o* on its outer end. The crane being in the
position shewn in the Drawings the fork u must be swung against the
lining of the puddling vessel alongside of the puddled ball, rotating
the puddling vessel A slightly will cause the ball to roll on to the fork u,.
the latter moving laterally with the surface of the lining against
which it is resting. The operator being at the end of the crane jib T¹.
will then move the handle 01, so as to raise the ball in the vessel
sufficiently to allow it to pass out; when in this position it is sustained
entirely by the two cranes T, T¹, so that by pulling upon the end of the
crane jib T¹ the ball can readily be withdrawn from the vessel A, the
position of the cranes T, T¹, being such as to maintain the fork parallel
with the axis of the puddling vessel during its withdrawal. The handle v
is then moved so as to lower the ball to the height required for
depositing it upon the truck by which it is to be carried away, and by
inserting a bar in the eye 75 of the fork handle the fork may be turned
upon its axis, so as to discharge the ball. The fork is then detached

page_text: from the crane T to permit the use of this crane for raising the ladle
containing the molten metal for the next charge, as shewn in dotted
lines (Figures 9 and 10), the raising and lowering being effected by
moving the handle v*, as already described.
It is evident that if the two cranes T, T', should be turned half way
around, the fork will be moved laterally a distance equal to double the
length of the crane jibs, and one object in adapting a parallel motion
with a vertical axis of rotation is, that we may, as we contemplate doing,
use one such apparatus for two or more puddling vessels for which our
transposable system is specially available.
It is not necessary that the hydraulic cylinder u should be placed
in the position described, nor even that it should be placed upon the
crane T at all, the details of such construction being common and well
understood; it will in all cases however be found advantageous that
the means for controlling the application of the power should be located
as we have described, so that the raising, lowering, and withdrawing
operations may all be performed from the same point in the apparatus.
Our experience in the practical operation of the apparatus for
puddling iron, described in the Specification of the said Patent, No.
2612, herein-before referred to, while demonstrating its advance-
ment of the art developed its susceptibility of further progress; and
first in respect to the open end vessel we found that inasmuch as the
flame could be readily delivered to the back of a vessel of greater
depth, and as great depth, while very desirable was incompatible with
the spherical form without a proportionate increase of diameter, which
would involve disadvantages not only in respect to economical con-
struction but to economical working we resorted to the cylindrical
form herein described and shewn, wherein we combine in an open
end puddling vessel an increase of capacity limited only by the depth
to which flame can be delivered to the back of the vessel without
enlarging its diameter. Again, in this same direction we discovered
that by increasing the speed at which the puddling vessel is rotated
during a portion of the process, we may increase its capacity limited
only by the necessity for overturning the metal during the process,
and by our ability to withdraw the puddled ball through the opening
in the mouth of the vessel after the operation is completed. It is
well known that during the earlier part of the puddling operation the

page_text: charge swells to a volume greatly in excess of that which it occupies
when first melted, or of its bulk in the later stages of the operation.
In a stationary puddling furnace the charge may be retained within
the furnace by building up the outlet during a portion of the operation,
or it may be, and usually is, reduced by "bleeding" (as the operation
of depriving it of a portion of its slag is technically termed) when its
volume is too great, but in a rotating vessel the outlet cannot be reduced
or closed during any part of the operation, and should the charge assume
a volume greater than the retaining capacity of the vessel, it must over-
flow, and will seek an outlet as it crosses the dividing line between the
rotating vessel and the stationary apparatus, in connection with which
it operates; in so doing a portion of the charge will flow into this outlet
producing not only greatly increased friction, but also a most destructive
action upon the apparatus itself.
The highest speed heretofore deemed requisite for the puddling vessel
has been simply sufficient to prevent the metal from balling until the
whole mass was thoroughly puddled, no provision for the swelling of
the charge had been made other than limiting its amount within what
the puddling vessel would contain when the bulk of the charge was
greatest, or else to permit it to flow into the stationary apparatus, in
connection with which the rotating vessel operates.
.
We discovered that by increasing the speed of the puddling vessel
during this stage of the process the charge will be spread over a larger
area in the vessel, and this overflow with its increased friction and
destructive action will be prevented; and in this instance we accomplish
these ends by means of the improved system of gearing herein-before
described, in conjunction with those features in the construction of the
vessel itself which prevent the transmission of heat to the journal upon
which the rear end of the puddling vessel is supported and turned.
This journal is thus maintained in a condition to operate with the
smallest amount of friction, and by reducing the temperature at this
point we have also the further advantage of enabling the "
fix"
withstand the action of the flame impinging directly upon it. We
however contemplate the application of this principle in enlarging the
area by increasing the speed in puddling vessels of other constructions,
and operated by different mechanism from that which we have shewn and
described as the best known to us, such applications being evidently
to

page_text: within the scope of this part of our Invention, which renders available
the maximum productive capacity of the vessel.
In the process of mechanical puddling it is extremely important to
transfer the puddled ball to the apparatus in which it is to be worked
with the least possible loss of heat, and all the appliances for this purpose
(whether the vessel or the flue is moved to afford access to the ball)
should be capable of easy and rapid manipulation; moreover after the
ball is formed any further rotation of the vessel would be 'only injurious
to the .fix without benefit to the iron, so that this rotation should be
promptly discontinued at the proper moment.
66
,,
We have contrived to meet these requirements, and our advance in
these respects comprises the herein-before described method of rotating
the vessel when charged by the same power, which when it is to be
charged or discharged separates it and the flues, and the method of
removing the puddled ball, and recharging the vessel with molten metal.
It is not enough that the separation of the vessel from the flues.
should be easily and rapidly effected, but it is equally essential to main-
tain with facility the relation of the vessel to its flues during the
puddling operation, and we have accomplished this in our herein-before
described method of transferring the weight from a moveable to a fixed
support.
Our experience with the puddling vessel open at one end only
satisfying us that its adaptability for different locations would be
enhanced by arranging the apparatus to swing either to the right or to
the left, we contrived to this end the herein-before described transposable
arrangement of parts by which we are enabled as constructors to make
all apparatus of any given capacity precisely alike, whereby the first
cost would be greatly diminished, and as users to operate the machines
in connection with other apparatus as the circumstances of the case may
dictate whilst the similarity of parts and the facility with which
duplicates could be supplied would not only reduce the first cost of the
parts but lessen the time required for their substitution, whereby
economy of maintenance would be secured moreover with two machines,
one right hand and one left; we found one charging and discharging
apparatus might be applied both without increasing its cost, and with a
special view to such use we have devised the herein-before described
charging and discharging apparatus.

page_text: We shall now proceed to describe the second part of our Invention,
the object of which is to combine three conditions which we deem
essential to the most advantageous use of gaseous fuel, namely,-

page_text: through them corresponding with each other; the upper and lower plates
are fixed at such a distance apart that the middle plate can traverse.
freely between them whilst it rests and slides upon the lower one. The
openings through these plates are of such size and relation to each
other that when the middle plate is in one position there will be a series
of openings through the plates to the interior of the producer, and when,
the middle plate is in another position these openings will be closed by
the intervention of the blanks or solid parts of the middle plate.
The upper and stationary plate serves to partially relieve the middle
or sliding plate from the pressure of coal upon it. The upper plate is
below the level of the floor over the arched top of the producer, and the
casing which surrounds it is raised upon three sides above the level of
this floor, thus forming a box to receive and retain the coal until it is
required within the producer, to which it is admitted by moving the
middle plate as previously described. This movement is effected by
means of levers b, b, shewn in Figure 2.
The coal falls upon inclined grates c, c, c, which we separate by
division walls d, d, the top of these walls extending a short distance
above the top of the grates for a purpose herein-after specified.
The ash-pits are closed by doors e, e, e, e, "Figures 2, 3, and 4, and a
blast pipe f, f, f, in each ash-pit supplies the air to support combustion;
each of these pipes has a valve g, Figure 3, which should be closed (to
prevent escape of air) when the door e is opened and opened (to admit
air) when the door e is closed. These blast pipes are connected with a
blast chamber h, Figure 3, to which air is supplied from the blast box
and pipe i, i, Figures 2 and 5.
It is in connection with the operation of this blast that we have
divided the ash-pit by the walls d, d, previously. described, carrying
them above the surface of the grate bars sufficiently high to prevent the
blast from diverging laterally at any point where it might otherwise
issue into an adjoining ash-pit when the door is open. We are thus
enabled to open any one of the pits, clean its grate, and remove its ashes
without affecting the operation of the blast in the other two divisions
which will maintain the continuous production of the gas.
The quantity of gas produced is regulated by controlling the blast in
the pipe i, which control is exercised by means of the valve i¹, Figure 2,
operated from the hand lever 3 (Figures 1 and 2) through a vertical

page_text: shaft, and a rod and bell-crank connection, the hand lever i³ being for
convenience located near the door N (Figure 5) through which the
interior of the furnace can be examined.
In the arched top of the producer the ordinary spy holes are provided,
and in the back of this arched top are two springs j and k (Figures 3,
4, and 6), each of which is provided with a slide damper or valve, shewn
in detail at Figure 6.
These valves are accessible through the doors j¹ and ¹ (Figure 6).
The opening leads directly into the chimney E, and is for the purpose
of providing an escape for the impure gases or smoke generated at first
lighting the fires, and also for creating a draught through the producer
until the fires are properly ignited. The valve in this opening is then
closed, and the top covered with sand so as effectually to prevent the
escape of gas in that direction.
The opening leads from the producer to one end of a dust chamber F
(Figures 3 and 4); the damper or valve in this. opening is closed while
the damper j is open, and until the gas generated in the producer is of
the proper quality for combustion. When the damper j is closed the
damper is opened, and remains open so long as the fires are in proper
condition.
The
gas passes to the point of combustion from the producer through
the dust chamber F to and through the uptake 1, (Figures 1, 3, 4,
and 5)..
This dust chamber being of large dimensions the current through it
will be so slow as to permit the deposit therein of any ashes carried over
with the gas from the producer, and being located between the producer
and regenerator the temperature of the traversing gas will be rather
increased than diminished.
For the purpose of cleansing access to this chamber may be had
through the door p (Figures 3 and 4).
To examine the interior of the puddling vessel through the door N
provided for that purpose, it may be requisite for the moment to shut
the gas off entirely; this is accomplished by means of the hinged
valve O in the uptake (Figure 3), the handle to operate this valve
projects through the back of the flue casing near the door N (Figure 5),
and to clean the uptake as well as to sand the top of the valve O, the

page_text: opening and cover O' on the top of the gas uptake is provided. The
valve O is sanded when it is desired to seal up the producer, and prevent
the formation of gas without putting out the fire.
The means by which we maintain a continuous consumption of the
gas and regulate the quantity consists in combining with the regulated
production of gas, previously described, a continuous regulated supply of
air to a continuous regeneration system of chambers and pipes comprising
the side chambers G, H, I, J, and a central chamber K across which
latter chamber the pipes m, m, m, m, extend and communicate with the
side chambers.
The chambers G, H, I, J, are provided with doors p', p³, (Figures 4
and 5) through which these chambers, and the regenerator tubes may
be readily examined and are accessible for cleaning when necessary.
The air passes to the point of combustion over the pipes m, m, and
through the chamber K to and through the uptake n (Figures 1, 3, 4,
and 5), taking up on its way the heat transmitted through the pipes m, m,
from the products of combustion as they pass on their way to the chimney
from the chamber G to the chamber H, from the chamber H to the
chamber I, and from the chamber I to the chamber J.
As the air required to produce combustion is not sufficient to take up
all the available heat from the waste products of combustion, we utilize
the remainder by conducting the waste products from the chamber J
under and through the tubular boiler L located in a chamber M,
Figure 4, between the chamber J and the chimney E, the draught
through which is regulated by a damper on the top of the chimney.
The regulation of the air supply to the regenerative system is effected
by controlling the blast in the pipe i, which control is exercised by
means of the valve (Figure 2), operated from a hand lever placed
under the hand lever and connected with the valve by means of a
hollow vertical shaft, and a rod and bell-crank connection as in the
previously described air regulation to the gas producer.
As in the use of some fuels it may be desirable to employ a heated
blast, we provide for use in such contingencies regenerative blast
pipes o, o, (Figures 3, 4, and 5) within the chamber I and com-
municating with the blast chamber h. The pipes o, o, receive their
supply of air from the blast box (shown in dotted lines in Figure 4),

page_text: as a substitute for the blast box i connected with the chamber has
previously described.
We contemplate in such case to dispense with the doors e, e, and
grate bars, as the coal should rest upon a hearth and the blast be
delivered through tuyeres supplied from the blast chamber h; the cinder
being fluxed and allowed to flow out as in blast furnaces, and as is well
understood.
From the foregoing it will be seen that we have brought the pure gas
from the producer through the chamber F to the uptake 1, and at the
same time have brought the heated air through the chamber K to the
uptake n, both the air and the gas being brought to these respective
points under pressure, and otherwise in the best condition for their
admixture.
We have found it highly desirable to locate the point of combustion
at or as nearly as practicable at the mouth of the vessel in which the
flame is to be applied, and with this view we have arranged the gas and
air flues and n, so that as they approach the place of combustion the
gas flue shall be over the air flue, both opening in the face of a vertical
wall (as shown in Figure 5). Below these openings we locate the down
take opening 9 (Figures 1, 3, 4, and 5), in such relation to the flues
and n, as to bring all three openings in the same vertical plane and
within the compass of the ring 7 (Figure 3). From this opening o̟ to
the chamber G the traverse of the waste products is shewn by the
arrows in Figure 5.
Having brought the continuous and regulated production of the gas to
the point already described, and having also provided for the continuous
and regulated consumption of the gas, and again having provided for the
regeneration of the heat from the waste products and its extended
-utilization, it will readily be perceived that with a furnace in which the
application of the gaseous fuel is constant the regeneration will
necessarily be, like the production and consumption, continuous. But
desiring to apply these conditions to the process of puddling iron in a
rotatory puddling vessel, we encountered the problem: presented by the
necessarily continuous action of the apparatus, and the necessarily inter-
mittent application of the fuel to such a vessel during the constantly
recurring intervals when it must be charged, discharged, or fixed.

page_text: The means by which we reconcile our continuous system with this
intermittent application enable us to keep the regenerator up to the
temperature required for puddling, to hold in reserve for consumption
in the puddling vessel the maximum power of the gaseous fuel to
economise this reserve power while maintaining it, and to control,
regulate, and direct it as may be desired. The instrumentalities more-
over being so compactly arranged that all these ends are rendered
attainable within a restricted space.
The gas and air flues, the down take, and the chimney are formed of
fire-brick, and are supported by cast-iron staves and through bolts as
shewn in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 5; and two of these staves are united
with cross pieces forming a frame to which the ring is secured (see
Figure 3).
66
The rotary puddling machine B is shown in position for charging;
discharging, or fixing "by the dotted lines (Figure 1), in which position
the ring with the openings 1, n, and q are exposed, as
Figure 3.,
seen in
To connect the gas and air flues with the down-take during the
intervals when the puddler is removed, we provide a recessed cover C
lined with fire-brick, which is in effect a supplemental furnace. Pre-
ferably this cover C is supported and turns upon its axis within the
crane y, which swings on centres supported upon bars z, z, bolted to
the supporting staves around the flues previously described. Means of
adjustment are provided at its points of support, in order that it may fit
with sufficient accuracy against the ring r.
We now swing the cover C against the ring r, and the consumption
and regeneration continue, and can be regulated the same as when the
heat was being applied in the furnace. When the furnace is ready for
use again the cover C is swung away from the ring r, the furnace B is
replaced, and the application of the heat in the puddling operation is
renewed, the boiler L continuing as during the interval to absorb the
waste heat.
While the means of supporting and moving the furnace and the cover
respectively towards and from the ring 7 may be varied without
departing from this feature of our Invention, yet the furnace and cover
should each be susceptible of being moved toward and from the ring

page_text: one making way for the other as already described without any inter-
ference between them in either movement, or in any of their respective
positions.
The top of the inside wall u of the down-take 9 next the puddling
vessel is carried up above the outlet from the puddling vessel, and
protected with a lining of puddling "fix," so that in case the charge
(which swells in the preliminary stages of the puddling process) should
overflow the edge of the puddling vessel the overflow will be prevented
from descending the down-take, and to attain still greater security
against the entrance of such overflow into the regenerative chamber the
'down-take is so located with reference to the regenerative chamber that
any overflow would pass the opening into the regenerative chamber and
fall to the bottom of the down-take, whence it could flow over or be
removed through the under tap a, provided for this purpose in the outer
wall w of the down-take.
Although the provision just described, if properly made and maintained
in good condition will effectually prevent an overflow of cinder into the
throat of the down-take, yet in practical operation the condition of the
wall u may be neglected, the cinder may cut its way through it to the
throat of the down-take, and necessitate the rebuilding of the wall u. To
guard against this contingency we leave an opening w¹ in the brickwork
under the ring r, and the mouth of the down-take extending to the back
of the wall u. The top of this opening is covered by an iron plates, its
front edge resting on the iron casting which supports the ring r, and its
back edge upon the top of the wall u, this plate forming a bottom
upon which the puddling "fix in the throat of the down-take can be
built up:
"
.
At either end of this plate we provide the flues t, t, communicating
with the opening w₁, and leading out to the top of the casing enclosing
the air, gas, and down-take flues (see Figures 1 and 5). By this
arrangement a circulation of air will be maintained against the under
side of the plate s, which will keep it sufficiently cool to chill any
cinder that may find its way through the lining of the mouth of the
down-take previously described, and effectually stop its further progress.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the
said Invention, and the männer in which the same is or may be used or

page_text: 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 peculiar arrangement of gearing in connection with a
rotary puddling vessel and motive power engine, substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated by the Drawings annexed, whereby such
vessel can be readily driven, at a greater speed than has hitherto been
accomplished, and the spreading of the charge during ebullition is
effected.
Second. The method substantially as herein-before set forth of
rotating the vessel when charged by the same power, which when it is
to be charged or discharged separates it from the flues.
Third. The method of locking the traversing frame when the puddling
vessel is against the flues, substantially as herein-before described.
Fourth. The transposable arrangement of parts so that the puddling.
vessel may be traversed to the right or left as required, substantially as
and for the purpose herein-before set forth.
Fifth. The construction and use of a rotatory cylindrical puddling
vessel open at one end only, substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described and illustrated by the Drawings annexed.
Sixth. The combination with a rotary puddling vessel of a water back,
substantially as and for the purposes herein-before described.
Seventh. The combination with a rotary puddling vessel and a water
back of a hollow journal through which the water is admitted and
discharged.
Eighth. The combination of the water back, the hollow journal, the
plug h, and pipe h, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Ninth. The combination of the rotary puddling vessel, the water back,
the hollow journal, the waste pipe ³, and basin 23, substantially as and
for the purposes herein-before described.
Tenth. The combination with the traversing frame G and the radial
wheel I of the supporting frame J, J, substantially as and for the purposes
described.

page_text: Eleventh. The application and use of the radius bar m for connecting
the supporting frame J, J, with the traversing frame G, substantially as
described.
Twelfth. The eccentric shaft m, m', and lever n', in combination with
the wheels n, n, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Thirteenth. The shaft N¹ common to the respective systems of gearing
for rotating the puddling vessel A, and for traversing the frame G, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes described.
Fourteenth. The combination of a rotary puddling vessel and tra-
versing frame, and a system of pipes jointed in the axis of vibration of
the frame, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Fifteenth. The combination with a rotary puddling vessel and the
traversing frame of the platform 7², substantially as and for the purpose
described.
Sixteenth. The combination with a rotary puddling vessel of a dis-
charging fork, swinging about 2 centres in a line parallel to the axis of
the puddling vessel, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Seventeenth. The combination with a rotary puddling vessel of a dis-
charging fork, swinging about two centres, one end moving only in a
horizontal plane, the other having both a vertical and horizontal move-
ment, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Eighteenth. The combination with a rotary puddling vessel of a dis-
charging fork, having a flexible support at one end and a universal joint
at the other, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Nineteenth. The combination with a rotary puddling vessel of a
discharging fork, having a flexible support at one end and a universal
joint support at the other, when these supports are so arranged and
constructed that the fork may be turned upon its axis, substantially as
and for the purpose described.
Twentieth. The controlling the various movements of the fork from
one and the same point by the handle v*, and its connections arranged or
disposed substantially as herein-before described and illustrated by the
Drawings annexed.
Twenty-first. A gas producer having independent ash-pits, substan-
tially as and for the purpose specified.

page_text: Twenty-second. The combination with a gas producer of separated
ash-pits and blast pipes, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Twenty-third. The combination with a gas producer having separated
ash-pits and blast pipes of the valve g, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
Twenty-fourth. The combination of a gas producer having separated
ash-pits and blast pipes, with a continuous heat regenerative system,
through which the air to support the combustion of the gas is supplied
under pressure, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Twenty-fifth. The combination of a furnace and a cover or supple-
mental furnace, one taking the place of the other, substantially as and
for the purposes herein described.
Twenty-sixth. The combination of a gas producer, a furnace, a cover,
or supplemental furnace, and a heat regenerator, substantially as and
for the purposes herein-before set forth.
Twenty-seventh. The combination of a gas producer, a furnace in
which the gas is intermittently applied, and a cover or supplemental
furnace in which it is intermittently consumed, substantially as and for
the purpose herein-before described.
Twenty-eighth. The combination of the producer, the furnace (or the
cover), the regenerator, and the boiler, substantially as and for the
purposes herein-before described.
Twenty-ninth. The employment of a dust chamber interposed between
the producer and regenerator, when. constructed and operating substan-
tially as and for the purpose herein-before described and illustrated by
the Drawings annexed.
Thirtieth. The combination of the producer, the gas uptake, and the
dust chamber, substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described
and illustrated by the Drawings annexed.
Thirty-first. Mounting the supplemental furnace or cover C upon two
axes, the one being beyond the said cover, and the other passing through
it, as herein-before described.

page_text: ratus, through which the air is supplied which supports the combustion
in the gas producer, substantially as herein-before described.
4
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to
this my Specification set my hand and seal, this Eleventh day of
March, One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.S.)