IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR FORCING, LIFTING, AND EXHAUSTING AERIFORM BODIES AND LIQUIDS, APPLICABLE TO BLAST FURNACES."
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Wesley Hackworth, of Darlington, in the
County of Durham, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR FORCING, LIFTING, AND EXHAUSTING AERIFORM
BODIES AND LIQUIDS, APPLICABLE TO BLAST FURNACES."
C
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Wesley Hackworth
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
ni
the 21st May 1857.
2
--
I, JOHN WESLEY HACKWORTH, of Darlington, in the County of Durham,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE
MENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR FORCING, LIFTING, AND. EXHAUSTING
AERIFORM BODIES AND LIQUIDS, APPLICABLE TO BLAST FURNACES," to be as follows,
that is to say:
>
This Invention relates, in the first place, to à form of direct-acting blow-
ing engine or machine, such as are used-for-working' blast furnaces for
simélting purposes.
:
=
Under one modification of this blowing-apparatus, it consists of a vertical
columnar framing, within which is disposed the actuating steam cylinder,
which is inverted, the piston rod working out through a stuffing box in the
lower end cover.

page_text: The piston rod is connected with the usual crank shaft, running in bearings
in the base of the framing. A piston rod also works out through a stuffing
box in the upper cover of the cylinder, this upper rod being connected to the
piston of the air-blowing cylinder, which thus has a vertical traverse given
to it. This blowing piston is fitted to the interior of the blowing cylinder,
which has also a vertical traverse instead of being stationary, as is usually
the case.
This blowing cylinder is closed at each end, but it has near each
end cover a ring of lateral openings in it. It is turned true exteriorly, and
is fitted into the correspondingly turned or bored surface of a species of
annular chamber or air-receiving duct, fixed stationary upon the top of the
columnlar framing, which duct has a branch passing to the blast furnaces.
The motion of the cylinder is derived from cranks on the shaft below, from
which two connecting rods pass upwards to the cylinders, being connected
thereto by means of short guide rods, which pass through the body of the air
piston by means of stuffing boxes. In this way the cylinder and piston
traverse vertically in a certain predetermined concert, and the blowing
compression of the air is produced in this manner: As the end of the air
cylinder emerges from the surrounding annular chamber, the ring of aper-
tures at that part being thus laid open to the atmosphere, air rushes into
the interior of the cylinder, so as to fill the portion between that end cover
and the corresponding side of the piston; then as that end of the cylinder
re-enters the surrounding chamber it shuts in the admitted air, and at the
appointed time, when the ring of apertures arrives opposite corresponding
parts in the interior of the surrounding chamber, the motion of the air
compresses the contained air and forces it out into the chamber, whence it
passes off to the blast furnaces. In the return stroke, both ends of the
cylinder and surrounding chamber being the same, the action is repeated,
and thus a steady forcing or blowing action is secured.
According to a simple modification of this arrangement, a similar result
is produced by forming the surrounding air-duct chamber in two sections,
an upper and a lower one. These two sections are connected by transverse
ducts, and they are both turned or faced to receive the turned blowing
cylinder, and each has its own separate ring of air ports.
In this arrangement the external air is taken into the blowing cylinder
at the central part between the two sections of the annular chamber, and
the forcing expulsion occurs as the cylinder works outwards up and down.
These blowing machines are intended to be worked either vertically or hori
zontally; but when worked vertically, as herein-before described, the weight of

page_text: the principal moving parts is balanced by using an air ram or other con-
trivance, operated upon the compressed air in the duct, so as to neutralizo
the gravity of the parts.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Wesley Hackworth in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 21st November 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
WESLEY HACKWORTH, of Darlington, in the County of Durham, Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twentieth year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and, successors, give and grant unto me, the said John
Wesley Hackworth, Her special license that I, the said John Wesley.
Hackworth, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said John Wesley. Hackworth, 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 "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR FORCING, LIFTING, AND EXHAUSTING
AERIFORM BODIES AND LIQUIDS, APPLICABLE TO BLAST FURNACES," upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that I, the said John Wesley Hackworth, 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 Wesley Hackworth, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement in writing, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
My said Invention relates to a form of direct-acting blowing engine or
machine, such as are used for working blast furnaces for smelting purposes.
Under one modification of this blowing apparatus, it consists of a vertical
:

page_text: columnar framing, within which is disposed the actuating steam cylinder, which
is inverted, the piston rod working out through a stuffing box in the lower end
cover. This piston rod is connected with the usual crank shaft, running in
bearings in the base of the framing. A piston rod also works out through a
stuffing box in the upper cover of the cylinder, this upper rod being connected
to the piston of the air-blowing cylinder, which thus has a vertical traverse
given to it. This blowing piston is fitted to the interior of the blowing
cylinder, which has also a vertical traverse instead of being stationary, as is
usually the case. This blowing cylinder is closed at each end, but it has near
each end cover a ring of lateral openings in it. It is turned true exteriorily,
and is fitted into the correspondingly turned or bored surface of a species of
annular chamber or air-receiving duct, fixed stationary upon the top of the
columnar framing, which duct has a branch passing to the blast furnaces. The
motion of the cylinder is derived from cranks. on the shaft below, from which
two connecting rods pass upwards to the cylinder, being connected thereto by
means of short guide rods, which pass through the body of the air piston by
means of stuffing boxes. In this way the cylinder and piston traverse vertically
in a certain predetermined concert, and the blowing compression of the air is
produced in this manner: As the end of the air cylinder emerges from the
surrounding annular chamber, the ring of apertures at that part being thus
laid open to the atmosphere, air rushes into the interior of the cylinder, so as
to fill the portion between that end cover and the corresponding side of the
piston; then as that end of the cylinder re-enters the surrounding chamber it
shuts in the admitted air, and at the appointed time, when the ring of apertures
arrives opposite corresponding ports in the interior of the surrounding chamber,
the motion of the air piston compresses the contained air and forces it out
into the chamber, whence it passes off to the blast furnaces. In the return
stroke, both ends of the cylinder and surrounding chamber being the same,
the action is repeated, and thus a steady forcing or flowing action is secured.
According to a simple modification of this arrangement, a similar result
is produced by forming the surrounding air-duct chamber in two sections,
an upper and a lower one. These two sections are connected by transverse
ducts, and they are both turned or faced to receive the turned blowing
cylinder, and each has its own separate ring of air ports.
In this arrangement the external air is taken into the blowing cylinder at
the central part between the two sections of the annular chamber, and the
forcing expulsion occurs as the cylinder works outwards up and down. These
blowing machines are intended to be worked either vertically or horizontally;
but when worked vertically, as herein-before described, the weight of the

page_text: principal moving parts is balanced by using an air ram or other contrivance,
operated upon by the compressed air in the duct, so as to neutralise the gravity
of the parts.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood I shall
now proceed to describe the several Figures on the explanatory Sheets of
Drawings, which I have hereunto appended for the purpose of showing
certain modifications under which my Invention may be judiciously carried
out in practice.
Figure 1, on Sheet 1 of my illustrative Drawings, is an elevation, partially
in section, of one modification of my improved direct-acting blowing engine;
Figure 2 is an elevation or end view, taken at right angles to Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a plan of the engine, corresponding to Figures 1 and 2.
Figures 1 to 6, on Sheet 2 of my Drawings, are a half sectional, and
half external elevations of modifications of my improved air cylinders.
Referring to the arrangement shown in Sheet 1 of my Drawings, the bed
plate A of the blowing engine is formed of one entire casting, of a rectangular
shape, with rounded corners, as shown in the plan, Figure 3. The bed plate
is made hollow, and has in it three openings, in which the main crank and
two fly wheels work respectively. The two lateral openings are divided from
the central one by duplex hollow cross bars B; these strengthening feathers
are made deeper at the central part, that is to say, they are curved downwards
from the under edge of the bed plate A to its centre, and then upwards to the
opposite edge of the bed plate. The upper sides of the stays B have semi-
octagonal openings made therein to receive the main carriage brasses, the
shaft being secured on the upper side with caps and brasses, .held down by
bolts in the usual manner. There are four columns C and D, arranged equi-
distant from each other on the base A, to which they are secured by bolts;
within these columns the actuating steam cylinder and other parts of the
engine are disposed. The columns D are cast with brackets E, to which the
motion stays are bolted. These columns have also two other brackets F, upon
which the steam cylinder G is fixed. The cylinder G is cast with an annular
casing or jacket to prevent the radiation of heat; the steam from the boiler
enters by the induction pipe H, and after doing its work in the cylinder passes
round the annular casing to the eduction pipe I. The passage of the steam
through the pipe H is controlled by a throttle valve, which is actuated by
means of the hand spanner J.. The piston K of the steam cylinder is fitted
with a rod, which works through the stuffing boxes in both the upper and
lower covers of the cylinder. Otherwise the piston may be furnished with
duplex rods, one working through the upper and the other through the lower

page_text: cover of the cylinder.
The lower end of the piston rod K is attached by the
connecting rod L to the main or centre crank of the shaft M, which runs
in the bearings fitted in the stays B. The upper end of the piston rod
K works through a stuffing box fitted into the under side of the air-
blowing cylinder N, its extremity being connected to the piston O working
therein. The air-blowing cylinder N, as well as its piston O, has a perpen-
dicular reciprocatory movement communicated to it. The cylinder N is closed
at its upper and lower ends by covers, the upper one being bolted thereto,
whilst the lower one forms a part of the cylinder itself, and near the junction
of each cover with the cylinder is a series of lateral openings or ports P,
through which the air passes into and out of each end of the cylinder. The
periphery of the cylinder N is turned in a lathe, and fitted to work truly in
the fixed annular chamber Q, through which the air is forced into the blast
pipe R.
The air chamber Q bolted by its flange to the four columns C
and D. It consists of an external casing, within which is a cylindrical guide
S, connected to the casing Q by radial feathers T. The internal surface of
the cylindrical guide or belt S is bored, so that the cylinder N may fit truly
therein, and having also upper and lower surfaces U, in which the cylinder
N works air-tight. The two metal surfaces may be made tight with a com-
position of black lead, if necessary. The cylinder N derives its motion from
the crank shaft M, near to the ends of which are keyed the fly wheels V.
On each end of the shaft M is a crank pin W, both at the same angle
as regards the main crank to which the connecting rods X are keyed.
The upper extremities of the rods X are connected to the lower ends of
the round rods X¹. These rods pass through the cylinder N, and are secured
at the top of its cover by nuts. The rods X pass through guides made
in a pair of brackets Y, which project from the columns C. The slots which
form these guides are made to fit the rods laterally, but long enough to allow
of their vibratory movement. The piston O of the air cylinder N is furnished
with two screw stuffing boxes Z, in which the rods X move air-tight. The
motion stays or guides a, for preserving the perpendicular motion of the piston
rod K, have their upper ends bolted to flanges cast on the stuffing box of the
steam cylinder G, whilst their lower ends are bolted to the transverse stay b,
The ends of the
its ends being secured to flanges F cast on the columns D.
box c, to which the piston rod is attached, move in the longitudinal groove or
opening formed by the guides a. To shew these parts more clearly, in Figure
2 on Sheet 1 the front fly wheel V is removed. The blocks which slide
between the guides, the cross pin for the main connecting rod, and the box
for receiving the end of the piston rod are all made in one piece of solid

page_text: malleable iron and casehardened. The slide valve is actuated by an eccen-
tric d on the main shaft M through the connecting rod e. When the engine
is put in motion by admitting steam to the cylinder G, the vertical recipro-
catory motion imparted to the air cylinder N alternately brings its upper and
lower series of lateral openings P beyond the outer edges of the rings U;
therefore, while the air cylinder is at its extreme traverse, either upwards or
downwards; the external air has free access to the interior of the cylinder
through the corresponding series of openings P. This communication with
the external air is cut off as the cylinder moves in the contrary direction, and
the openings are covered by the rings U. The air thus confined within the air
cylinder is compressed by the motion of the piston O, which moves in a con-
trary direction to that of the cylinder, and thus forces the compressed air
through the series of ports P and the annular opening in the inner surface
of the chamber Q, and thence into the blast pipe R. As the rings U alter-
nately close the ports P, and shut off both external and internal commu-
nication for the time being, and the air piston O is meanwhile compressing
the confined air, it is obvious that by increasing the depth of the rings U the
compression of the air will be increased in proportion. The air may thus be
raised from the ordinary atmospheric pressure to the predetermined working
pressure at which it is to be admitted to the blast furnace. Whilst, therefore,
one half cylinder full of air is being compressed and forced into the annular
chamber Q, the opposite end of the cylinder is receiving its charge of air
through its open ports, which are for the time outside the casing of the
chamber Q, preparatory to being compressed and forced in like manner; the
alternate filling and discharging of the two, portions of the air cylinder keeping
up a continuous and effective blast of air.
In Sheet 2 of my illustrative Drawings other modifications in the con-
struction of the air cylinders are shown.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 1, the annular case A, in which the
cylinder B works, consists of the two horizontal air ducts A, joined together
by the flanges of the vertical branch pipes C, from which a branch pipe D
leads for conveying the compressed air to the furnace. The pipes C may each
be fitted with a branch pipe D, according to the quantity of air to be con-
veyed to the furnace. The outer edges of the annular ducts A are bored out
to fit the air cylinder B, whilst its inner surfaces form stuffing boxes, in which
the spring or metal packing rings E are fitted.
In this arrangement the rings E are packed with tow, and a june ring F,
in the ordinary manner, thus forming a perfectly air-tight joint with the outer
surface of the cylinder B. The ports G of the air cylinder B open for the

page_text: admission of the external air when they pass to the inner side of the rings E.
In this arrangement the air is received into the cylinder between the two air
ducts, in contradistinction to above and below them, as in the modification
shown in Sheet 1 of my Drawings. Referring to the upper air duct A, the
air within the cylinder above the piston H is confined as the cylinder rises
within the ring E, and as the piston H moves upwards to the end of its
stroke the air is compressed and forced through the annular opening I into
the upper duct A. In the meantime the lower series of ports G. have
ascended beyond the lower ring E and the cylinder received its supply of
air, the downward motion of the cylinder and piston compressing the air
and forcing it into the pipe D, as before described.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 2, Sheet 2, the corresponding parts
are marked with similar letters of reference to Figure 1. In this modification
the gravity of the cylinder B is partially counterbalanced by a body of com-
pressed air, which is confined within the annular chamber J above the upper
air duct A. For this purpose the upper part of the cylinder B is made with
an external rim, forming a recess or annular chamber round its upper
extremity. The upper part K of the air duct A is also enlarged to correspond
to the cylinder, and both are bored or turned to fit each other accurately and
prevent the escape of air. The elasticity of the compressed air within the
chamber or annular recess J acts as a sort of spring to counterbalance the
weight of the cylinder B and the moving parts connected therewith. This
application of a body of compressed air to balance or partially balance the
weight of the cylinder may also be adapted to the single annular casing,
shown in Figures 1 and 2 of Sheet 1, and Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 of Sheet 2
of my Drawings. For this purpose an air cylinder is made at each side of
the annular casing; in each of these a piston works, the rods of which are
connected to the air cylinder; the compressed air acting upon the pistons
of the air cylinders will partially or wholly support the weight of the working
air cylinder.
In Figure 3, of Sheet 2 of my Drawings, the external casing A is shown
as made in two halves for the convenience of casting; these parts are bolted
together by external flanges. Each half of the casing A is cast with an
annular guide, connected to the casing by the radial feathers L; the guides
are bored out, so that the cylinder B may work truly therein.
Figures 4, 5, and 6, on Sheet 2 of my Drawings, are arrangements of the
single casing air-blowing cylinders. In these modifications the arrangement
of the air ducts are in each instance somewhat varied. In all these arrange-
ments the air cylinders B move in annular guides, connected to the casing A

page_text: by the radial feathers L, and the air is admitted to the cylinder when the
ports G pass beyond the upper and lower edges of the spring rings E, or
the surfaces of the casing, which are opposed to the cylinder B. In Figures
1, 3, and 4 the cylinders work in the packing rings E, but in Figures 2, 5,
and 6 the peripheries of the cylinders work in contact with the annular
surfaces of the casings A.
In the arrangements or modifications shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, on
Sheet 2, of my Drawings, the cylinder B is in each case fitted with a cover,
secured to the cylinder by bolts; but in Figures 4, 5, and 6 the lower cover
forms a part of the cylinder itself, the stuffing box through which the piston
rod works being fitted thereto in the usual way.
In the last modification, shown in Figure 6, the outer casing A is made
with deep annular surfaces, in which the cylinder works. This arrangement
admits of the air ducts being brought closer together, and this part of the
machine is thereby made more compact. With either of these modifications
of my improved blowing engine, which may be arranged either to work ver
tically or horizontally, a continuous current of air suttable for urging blast
furnaces may be conveniently and effectively maintained. Modifications
of this machinery may also be employed for forcing or lifting other
aeriform bodies and liquids in addition to the uses or applications herein-
before described.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I may observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict myself
to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to describe
or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without deviating from
the principles or main features of my Invention; but 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 general arrangement and construction of engines for forcing air
into blast furnaces in a continuous stream or current, as herein-before
described.
Second, the system or mode of constructing air-blowing or forcing engines,
in which a reciprocatory movement is communicated to the air cylinder,
which movement, together with that of the piston within the cylinder, com-
presses the air, and forces it into the annular casing of the cylinder, and
thence into the blast pipe.
Third, the system or mode of charging each half of the air cylinder with
air alternately by means of circumferential ports, which are open to the air

page_text: when they pass beyond either the edges of the annular casing or casings or
the packing rings fitted therein, as herein-before described.
Fourth, the system or mode of regulating the compression of the air, either
by the depth of the packing rings or by the annular surfaces in which the
cylinder moves, as herein-before described.
Fifth, the system or mode of counterbalancing either partially or wholly
the weight of the air cylinder and moving parts of the engine by means of
compressed air, as herein-before described.
Sixth, the system or mode of arranging and constructing the single or
double annular casings in which the air cylinder moves, as herein-before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Wesley Hackworth, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of November,
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
JOHN WESLEY HACKWORTH. (L.S.)