IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STEEL OR IRON INGOTS OF PREDETERMINED WEIGHT, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Walter Alfred Barlow, of 6, St. Paul's Churchyard,
London, Patent Agent and Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF STEEL OR IRON INGOTS OF PREDETERMINED WEIGHT,
AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR." A communication from abroad by Ferdinand
Moro, Engineer, of Kladno, near Prague, Bohemia.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Walter Alfred Barlow at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th April 1880.
WALTER ALFRED BARLOW, of 6, St. Paul's Churchyard, London, Patent Agent
and Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STEEL OR IRON INGOTS
OF PREDETERMINED WEIGHT, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR." A communication
from abroad by Ferdinand Moro, Engineer, of Kladno, near Prague, Bohemia.
This. Invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of steel and iron
ingots of predetermined weight, and in apparatus therefor. The process generally
employed hitherto to produce ingots from molten steel or iron for being further
worked up into finished ware, such as rails, axles, shect iron, and so forth, consisted
of pouring the molten metal either directly from the furnace or from a cauldron or
ladle, into the moulds up to a certain height indicated by a mark. According to
this procedure the weight of the ingots must necessarily vary considerably.
First. Because the exact determining of the volume of the moulds and the fixing
of the mark is uncertain on account of the different dimensions of cross section of
the moulds.
Second. Because the temperature of the metal to be poured is unequal, con-
sequently the expansion and after contraction of the ingot is not alike throughout.
Third. Because the filling of the moulds up to a mark placed on the inside is
difficult in any case, and
Fourth. Because in many cases where the molten metal bubbles it is impossible
to keep within this mark.
In consequence of those causes experience shows that ingots cast in the old
manner exhibit considerable differences in weight, so that hitherto it has been
necessary to make ingots (which are intended to produce finished ware of a certain

page_text: desired weight) originally much heavier than is requisite for further working, thus
causing a great waste of material in order not to run the risk of getting the finished
ware below the proper weight or dimensions, in which case the whole would bo
useless and waste.
To ensure a rational and correct procedure and in carrying out this Invention, it
has proved necessary to introduce an improvement which alters the old method, so
as to permit under all circumstances the production of ingots of exactly the desired
weight, and thus avoid the above mentioned disadvantages.
This improvement consists in connecting during the process of casting every
mould into molten steel or iron is to be cast with a weighing apparatus, which
while the pouring is going on permits of the ascertaining with certainty when
any desired weight-of-metal-has-been_run_into_the mould, so that the exact
moment may be determined at which to stop teeming, so as to obtain ingots of
exactly the desired weight.
This weighing apparatus is connected with the mould before or while casting
in such manner that while casting the mould only rests upon the apparatus, which at
the proper instant indicates the weight of metal run into the mould. Immediately
after finishing one casting the apparatus is removed and brought underneath
another mould. Also in case of any danger, such as the melting through of the
bottom of a mould, or of the cauldron, or the leaking of the latter, or the like, the
apparatus must be removed immediately, as in such cases it would be destroyed by
the hot metal flowing upon it. A spattering around of the metal though is of no
'consequence, as the apparatus as well as the inan attending to it are protected by a
shield. Any weighing arrangement-may-serve the purpose; for instance, hydraulic
cylinders in connection with a pressure gauge or a common lever balance, which by
some scale or mark will indicate the weight of the metal poured or the pressure
thereof, so that the same may be read off directly. This new process to produce
ingots having exactly a desired weight is principally of importance for the pro-
duction of such from molten steel or iron (Bessemer process and Siemens' Martin
process).
The apparatus suited for this purpose is described below, but the following
essential particulars must be present in any apparatus employed.
First. The weighing mechanism may be moved forward against and withdrawn
from the moulds. It is capable of being pushed forward when it is intended to
weigh an ingot, and withdrawn after the weighing has taken place, or in case of
danger for the apparatus (as above mentioned).
Second. The scale beams are lifted by a peculiar mechanisin whereby the mould
or moulds is or are raised vertically, and rests upon the scale beams only which
catch the mould either on the bottom or sides.
Third. In case the moulds are permanently placed in a pit, the whole weighing
apparatus is movable upon a track so that it can be run up properly in front of
each mould, and the entering of the scale beam may successively and with ease be
effected while casting.
In carrying out the Invention the moulds stand as usual upon the bottom plates,
and these upon U or saddle irons which are screwed into a ground plate common
to several moulds. In this manner there is sufficient room left below the moulds
to introduce the weighing apparatus. This consists of a lever balance whose frame
is by means of four plungers suspended in four hydraulic cylinders the latter being
carried by a plate which resembles a shovel, the handle of which is a bar formed
as a toothed rack guided in a frame, and can be moved back and forward by a
pinion. On the back of this rack are attached (one) a standard for the balance,
and (2) a small hydraulic pump.
The latter is connected with the before mentioned four small cylinders by means
of a copper pipe. The others parts of the balance are about the same as those of a
common lever balance and therefore need no further explanation.
The weighing is done in the following manner -
The moulds in Bessemer works generally stand in a circle described from the

page_text: point hole of the cauldron, but in Martin works they mostly stand in a straight
line, as the cauldron does not hang in a crane but is run along on a truck or trolley.
The apparatus is for both cases the same; in the first it moves on a circular track,
in the latter on a straight one. During the charge the balance is successively
brought in front of the moulds, pushed underneath them by means of rack and
pinion, whereby the slanting face of the shovel gets to rest against the slanting
bottom plate. With a few strokes of the pump the balance together with
mould is raised, when the conical shoulder on the bottom of the mould is easily
lifted off, and the height of the lift is limited by shoulders on the balance frame.
The weight of the empty moulds together with their plates is now noted in
succession. This preliminary weighing might be saved by making all moulds and
plates of the same weight, but still the former is to be preferred on account of
simplicity. After every weighing the valve on the pump is opened and the pressure
water let out, the balance withdrawn and moved on to the next mould, and so on.
To the weight thus noted the desired weight of the ingot to be cast is now added,
the sliding weight on the scale beam added to the corresponding total weight, and
the metal teemed until the beam rises and the balance tongue turns.
The withdrawing and moving forward of the weighing apparatus for the purpose
mentioned may instead of being by rack and pinion be done by hydraulic pressure.
The pressure water for the hydraulic cylinders may be led through fixed pipes, or
where the apparatus is movable, through flexible tubes. The division of the pressure
water and the regulating of the cylinders may be effected by either cocks, slides,
or valves. The application of a weighing apparatus of this kind is somewhat
different when the mould is stationary in the pit, or when they are placed upon
cars upon which they may be moved. In the first case the weighing apparatus
must be movable, so that the whole apparatus can be moved from one mould to
the other. This moving may be done by means of mechanism, or else by a work-
man alone. In the second case tho weighing apparatus may be stationary, but it
is advantageous to have it movable, so as to be independent of the irregularities in
the motion of the moulds.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Walter Alfred Barlow in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th
October 1880.
WALTER ALFRED BARLOW, of G, St. Paul's Churchyard, London, Patent Agent
and Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STEEL OR IRON INGOTS
OF PREDETERMINED WEIGHT, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR." A communication
from abroad by Ferdinand Moro, Engineer, of Kladno, near Prague, Bohemia.
This Invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of steel or iron ingots
-of-predetermined_weight,_and_in_apparatus therefor. The process generally
employed hitherto to produce ingots from molten steel or iron-for-being-further
worked up into finished ware, such as rails, axles, sheet iron, and so forth, consisted
in pouring the molten metal either directly from the furnace or from a caldron or
ladle into the moulds up to a certain height indicated by a mark.
According to this proceedure the weight of the ingots must necessarily vary
considerably; first, because the exact determining of the volume of the moulds and
the fixing of a mark is uncertain on account of the different dimensions of cross
section of the moulds.
Second. Because the temperature of the metal to be poured is unequal,
consequently the expansion and after contraction of the ingot is not alike
throughout.
Third. Because the filling of the moulds up to a mark placed on the inside is
difficult in any case, and
Fourth. Because in many cases where the molten metal bubbles it is impossiblo
to keep within such mark.
In consequence of these causes experience shows that ingots cast in the old
manner exhibit considerable differences in weight, so that hitherto it has been
necessary to make ingots (which are intended to produce finished ware of a certain
desired weight) originally much heavier than is requisite for further working, thus
causing a great waste of material, in order not to run the risk of getting the
finished ware below the proper weight or dimensions, in which case the whole
would be useless and waste.
To ensure a rational and correct procedure, and in carrying out this Invention,
it has proved necessary to introduce an improvement which alters the old method,
so as to permit under all circumstances the production of ingots of exactly the
desired weight, and thus avoid the above mentioned disadvantages.
This improvement consists in connecting during the process of casting every
mould into which molten steel or iron is to be cast with a weighing apparatus,
which while the pouring is going on permits of the ascertaining with certainty
when any desired weight of metal has been run into the mould, so that the exact
moment may be determined at which to stop teeming so as to obtain ingots of
exactly the desired weight.
This weighing apparatus is connected with the mould before or while casting in
such manner that whilst casting only that mould being filled rests upon the
apparatus, which at the proper instant indicates the weight of metal run into the
mould. Immediately after finishing one casting the apparatus is removed and
brought underneath another mould. Also in case of any danger, such as the
melting through of the bottom of a mould, or of the caldron, or the leaking of the
latter or the like, the apparatus must be removed immediately, as in such cases
it would be destroyed by the hot metal flowing upon it. A spattering around of
the metal is however of little consequence, as the apparatus as well as the man
attending to it are protected by a shield. Any weighing arrangement may serve
the purpose; for instance, by hydraulic cylinders in connection with a pressure
gauge or a common lever balance, which by some scale or mark will indicate the

page_text: weight of the metal poured or the pressure thereof, so that the same may be read
off directly. This new process to produce ingots having exactly a desired weight
is principally of importance for the production of such from molten steel or iron
(Bessemer process and Siemens' Martin process), and of course the apparatus
necessary to this process must in their detail be so constructed as to correspond
as nearly as possible to the respective existing arrangements. The apparatus best
suited for this purposo is described below and shown in the annexed Drawing,
but the following essential particulars must be present in any apparatus
employed
First. The weighing mechanism may be moved forward against and withdrawn
from the moulds. It is capable of being pushed forward when it is intended to
weigh an ingot and withdrawn after the weighing has taken place, or in case of
danger for the apparatus (as above mentioned).
Second. The scale beams are lifted by a peculiar mechanism whereby the mould
or moulds is or are raised vertically, and rests upon the scale beams only which
catch the mould either on the bottom or sides.
Third. In case the moulds are permanently placed in a pit, the whole weighing
apparatus is movable upon a track, so that it can be run up properly in front of
each mould, and the entering of the scale beam may successively and with ease be
effected whilst casting.
In carrying out the Invention the moulds stands as usual upon the bottom plates,
and these upon U or saddle irons, which are screwed on to a ground plate common
to several moulds. In this manner there is sufficient room left below the moulds
to introduce the weighing apparatus. This consists of a lever balance, whose frame
A is by means of four plungers suspended in four hydraulic cylinders B, the latter
being fastened upon the plate C which resembles a shovel, the handle of which as
it were is a bar formed as toothed rack guided in frame D, and capable of being
moved back and forward by a pinion E. On the back of this rack are screwed
fast (1) the standard F for the balance, and (2) a small hydraulic pump G. The
latter is connected with the before mentioned four small cylinders B by means of
a conduit copper pipe H. The other parts of the balance are about the same as
those of a common lever balance and therefore need no further explanation.
The weighing is done in the following manner :--
The moulds in Bessemer works generally stand in a circle (Fig. 6) described
from the pouring hole of the caldron, but in Martin works they mostly stand in
a straight line, as the cauldron does not hang in a crane but is run along on a truck
or trollic. The apparatus is for both cases substantially the same; in the first it
moves on a circular tract in the latter on a straight one.
During the charge the balance is successively brought in front of the moulds,
pushed underneath them by means of rack and pinion, whereby the slanting face
of the shovel C comes to rest against the slanting bottoin plate J.
With a few strokes of the pump the balance together with the mould is raised.
when the conical shoulder on the bottom K of the mould is easily lifted off, and
the height of the lift is limited by shoulders on the balance frame. The weight of
the empty moulds together with their plates is now noted in succession. This
preliminary weighing might be saved by making all moulds and plates of the same
weight, but still the former is to be preferred on account of simplicity. After
every weighing the valve on the pump is opened and the pressure water let out,
the balance withdrawn and moved on to the next mould, and so on.
To the weight thus noted the desired weight of the ingot to be cast is now
added, the sliding weight on the scale beam being added to the corresponding
total weight, and the metal teemed until the beam rises and the balance tongue
turns.
The withdrawing and moving forward of the weighing apparatus for the
purpose mentioned may, instead of being by rack and pinion, be done by bydraulic
pressure. The pressure water for the hydraulic cylinders may be led through fixed
pipes, or where the apparatus is movable through flexible tubes.

page_text: The division of the pressure water and regulating of the cylinders may be
effected by either cocks, slides, or valves.
Where it is not convenient to use hydraulic pressure for raising the apparatus,
any suitable lever arrangement may be substituted without any alteration in the
principle of the proceeding.
The application of a weighing apparatus of this kind is somewhat different when
the moulds are stationary in the pit, or when they are placed upon cars upon
which they may be moved. In the first case the weighing apparatus must be
movable, as, for example, shown in the Drawing, so that the whole weighing
apparatus can be moved from one mould to the other. This moving may be done
by means of mechanism or clsc by a workman alone. In the second case the
weighing apparatus.may_be_stationary, but it is advantageous to have it movable
so as to be independent of the irregularities in the motion of the moulds.
Having thus described the nature and particulars of the said Invention in such
wise that the same may be readily carried into practical effect, I claim,―
First. The proceeding by weight indicating apparatus to determine the weight
of ingots from molten steel or iron while being poured, thus getting ingots exactly
of any desired weight, substantially as herein described.
Second. The construction of a weighing apparatus for this purpose, whose
essential features are, (1), its mobility back and forward without interfering with
the other operations whilst casting; (2), the arrangement for lifting the mould and
for weighing while the casting is going on, all substantially as herein described
and shown in the annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof,-I;-the-said-Walter Alfred-Barlow,-have-hereunto set.my..
hand and seal, this Eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.