IMPROVEMENTS IN PUDDLING AND OTHER FURNACES EMPLOYED FOR MELTING, BOILING, OR HEATING IRON, AND IN APPLIANCES CONNECTED THEREWITH."
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jeremiah Head, of Newport Rolling Mills,
Middlesbrough, in the County of York, Engineer, for the Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PUDDLING AND OTHER FURNACES EMPLOYED
FOR MELTING, BOILING, OR HEATING IRON, AND IN APPLIANCES CONNECTED
THEREWITH."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jeremiah Head at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
20th March 1871.
I, JEREMIAH HEAD, of Newport Rolling Mills, Middlesbrough, in
the County of York, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PUDDLING AND OTHER FURNACES EM-
PLOYED FOR MELTING, BOILING, OR HEATING IRON, AND IN APPLIANCES CONNECTED
THEREWITH," to be as follows:-
:-
This Invention relates partly to improvements on the Invention for
which Letters Patent were granted to John Allcock Jones, Richard
Howson, and John Gjers, bearing date the 14th of August 1867,
No: 2337, and consists in the application and use to and in the heating
of a mixture of air and steam to be used in puddling and other furnaces

page_text: for melting, boiling, or heating iron, of stove or heating pipes of a
rectangular section, strengthened internally by cross partitions, and
secured to the stove box upon which they stand by means of an
improved joint herein described.
This improved joint is formed as follows:-The stove box has a
projection standing upwards for each stove pipe, the projection corre
sponding in size with the same, and having an exactly similar horizontal
section, except that it need not of necessity have more than one cross
web or partition, and that one in or about the middle of its length.
The height of the projection from the box I prefer to be about 4 inches.
The face of this projection and the end of the stove pipe I prefer to
plane or otherwise fit to a level surface, it being of great importance
that the centre web of the stove pipe should be jointed perfectly to the
centre web of the projection on the stove box. I secure this object
by cutting a small V groove in the face of cach, so that when the pipe
is set upon the projection a small square channel could be seen right
through. Into this channel (before the pipe is in position) I introduce
a copper wire rather larger in section than the channel, the weight of
the pipe when in position forcing this wire into the channel forms a
perfect joint between the centre web of the stove pipe and that of the
box. The stove pipe is then fixed by slipping over the pipe, so as to
lie round the joint a rectangular ring or band of cast iron somewhat
larger than the pipe and about twice as broad as the projection on the
box is deep. The space between this and the pipe is filled with metal
borings and acid, forming a rust joint. When the stove pipe is burnt
out and a new one must be substituted it is only necessary to break-
the cast-iron ring and the pipe is free for removal at once. At that
part of the furnace where the heated blast is to, be introduced in order
to mingle with the gases I cause the said blast to pass through a culvert
constructed of perforated fire-bricks, which themselves constitute a
portion of the crown of the furnace, thus dispensing with the cast-iron
tuyere box and cast-iron tuyeres. In order to adjust the relative pro-
portions of the heated blast delivered through the crown of the furnace
and into the ash-pit respectively I introduce a valve which enables
the blast to be wholly or partially shut off from the tuyeres, whilst a
proportionately increased supply is sent in through the ash-pit.
My improvements in appliances connected with furnaces for puddling,
melting, boiling, or heating iron consist of a peculiar non-conducting

page_text: screen for protecting the puddler or attendant from the heat radiated
from the hot plates encasing such furnaces. This screen is formed of
two or more parallel metal plates kept apart by distance pieces, and
including a space or interval between them, which space may be filled
in with powdered coke, powdered gypsum, or other good non-conducting.
material, or it may contain atmospheric air alone.
I further propose to obviate the great inconvenience and distress to
which the puddler is subjected, owing to the high temperature of the
metal foot plate upon which he usually stands by making such foot
plate from the cover of a cold water tank, through which I prefer to
carry on a constant flow of water, the cold water entering at one end
and the warm water flowing off by a discharge pipe at the opposite end.
In order to ensure the rapid conduction of heat from the floor or foot
plate I propose to form the said plate which constitutes the lid of the
tank with a number of deep brackets, webs, or stays on the under side,
which by being immersed in the water of the tank will expose a
sufficient surface for the conduction of heat from the plate into the
water, thus keeping the foot plate at all times at a very moderate
heat.
▸ SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Jeremiah Head in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 20th September 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JEREMIAH
HEAD, of Newport Rolling Mills, Middlesborough, in the County of
York, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of March, in the year
of our Lord. One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the
34th year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Jeremiah Head, Her special license
that I, the said Jeremiah Head, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Jeremiah Head, 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

page_text: vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PUDDLING AND OTHER FURNACES EMPLOYED FOR MELTING, BOILING, OR HEATING
IRON, AND IN APPLIANCES CONNECTED THEREWITH" upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Jeremiah Hoad, 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 Jeremiah Head, 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, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
My said Invention relates partly to improvements on the Invention
for which Letters Patent were granted to John Allcock Jones, Richard
Howson, and John Gjers, bearing date the Fourteenth of August 1867,
No. 2337, and consists in the application and use to and in the heating
of a mixture of air and steam to be used in puddling and other furnaces
for melting, boiling, or heating iron, of stove or heating pipes of a
rectangular section, strengthened internally by cross partitions, and
secured to the stove box upon which they stand by means of an
improved joint, herein-after described.
This improved joint is formed as follows: -The stove box has a pro.
jection standing upwards for each stove pipe, the projection corresponding
in size with the same, and having an exactly similar horizontal section,
except that it need not of necessity have more than one cross web or
partition, and that one in or about the middle of its length. The height
of the projection from the box I prefer to be about four and a half
inches. The face of this projection and the end of the stove pipe I
prefer to plane or otherwise fit to a level surface, it being of great
importance that the centre web of the stove pipe should be jointed
perfectly to the centre web of the projection on the stove box. I secure
this object by cutting a small V groove in the face of each, so that
when the pipe is set upon the projection a small square channel could
be seen right through. Into this channel (before the pipe is in position)

page_text: I introduce a copper wire; rather larger in section than the channel, the
weight of the pipe when in position forcing this wire into the channel
forms a perfect joint between the centre web of the stove pipe and that
of the box. The stove pipe is then fixed by slipping over the pipe, so
5 as to lie round the joint a rectangular ring or band of cast iron, some-
what larger than the pipe and about twice as broad as the projection on
the box is deep. The space between this and the pipe is filled with
imetal borings and acid, forming a rust joint. When the stove pipe is
burned out and a new one must be substituted, it is only necessary to
break the cast-iron ring, and the pipe is free for removal at once. At
that part of the furnace where the heated blast is to be introduced in
order to mingle with the gases, I cause the said blast to pass through
a culvert constructed of perforated fire-bricks, which themselves con-
stitute a portion of the crown of the furnace; thus dispensing with the
cast-iron tuyere box and cast-iron tuyeres: In order to adjust the
relative proportions of the heated blast delivered through the crown
of the furnace and into the ash-pit respectively, I introduce a valve
which enables the blast to be wholly or partially shut off from the
tiyeres, whilst a proportionately increased supply is sent in througli
the ash-pit:
My improvements in appliances connected with furnaces for puddling;.
melting, boiling, or heating iron, consists of a peculiar non-conducting
screen for protecting the puddler or attendant from the heat radiated
from the hot plates encasing such furnaces: This screen is formed of
two or more parallel metal plates kept apart by distance pieces, and
including a space or interval between them, which space may be filled
in with powdered coke; powdered gypsum; or other good non-conducting
material; or it may contain atmospheric air alone.
I further propose to obviate the great inconvenience and distress to
which the puddler is subjected, owing to the high temperature of the-
metal foot plate upon which he usually stands, by making such foot
plate form the cover of a cold water tank, through which I prefer to
carry on a constant flow of water, the cold water entering at one end;
and the warm water flowing off by a discharge pipe at the opposite end: ·
In order to insure the rapid conduction of heat from the floor or foot.
plate I propose to form the said plate which constitutes the lid of the
tank with a number of deep brackets, webs, or stays, on the under
side, which by being immersed in the water of the tank will expose
aj

page_text: sufficient surface for the conduction of heat from the plate into the
water, thus keeping the foot plate at all times at a very moderate
temperature.
And in order that my 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 two Sheets of Drawings,
the same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the
corresponding Figures.
Figure 1 (Sheet 1) of my Drawings represents a longitudinal vertical,
section of a puddling furnace heated by a hot blast composed of a
mixture of steam and hot air, as set forth in the Specification of the
said Patent herein-before mentioned, and fitted with certain of my
present improvements; Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section of the
same taken through the heating chamber and chimney; Figure 3 is a
sectional plan, taken partly through the body of the furnace, and partly
through the heating chamber; Figure 4 is a transverse vertical section
taken through the fire-bars of the furnace; and Figure 5 is an enlarged
sectional view of the peculiar joint between the rectangular stove or
heating pipe and the stove box.
A is the furnace; B, the puddling hearth; C, the flue along which
the heated gases pass, either direct to the chimney D when the damper E
is open, or through the lateral openings F, F, so as to pass along each
side of the stove or heating pipe G on their way to the chimney when
the damper E is shut, as shewn in Figure 1. In lieu of making this
heating pipe G of a circular section, I make it of a rectangular section,
as shewn clearly in Figure 3, and strengthen it internally where requisite
by forming a number of intermediate transverse partitions a, a, therein.
This heating pipe is secured to a corresponding projecting mouth piece H
on the stove box H by a peculiar joint (shewn more clearly in Figure 5),
which can be readily unmade to enable the pipe G to be removed and
replaced by a new one when worn out. In Figure 5 H represents the
projection or mouthpiece, and H¹ a portion of the stove box, whilst G
represents a portion of the heating pipe which is connected or jointed
thereto, the junction surfaces of the projecting mouth Hand of the
stove or heating pipe G are to be made perfectly true, as is well under-
stood in making a good joint, and as it is essential that the main central
web or partition of the stove pipe G should form a perfect joint with
the central web or partition of the projection on the stove box, I make
E

page_text: a V groove in the surface of each, and introduce a length of copper
wire c therein of a larger section than the transverse area of the two
V grooves combined. The weight of the stove pipe G forces this wire
into the grooves and ensures a perfect joint; I is a ring or collar of cast
iron of about twice the height of the projection on the stove box, and
resting upon a small flange or ledge d on the bottom of the projection.
This collar is passed down over the top of the pipe G after the pipe has
been properly adjusted in its place, a cavity or space being left all round
between the collar I and the sides of the pipe and projection, which
space I fill in with metal borings and acid, so as to form a rust joint,
as herein-before described. This joint, although perfectly tight, can be
unmade with the greatest facility by simply breaking the cast-metal
ring I, when the pipe G will be free to be removed.
The hot blast is introduced into the upper part of the furnace through
a series of peculiarly constructed perforated bricks K of fire-clay, shewn
detached on a large scale at Figures 6 and 7, these bricks being built
into the crown or roof of the furnace, as shewn clearly in Figures 1
and 4, in lieu of using a metal tuyere box. and tuyeres, as heretofore.
The larger transverse perforation or opening e in each brick forms when
a number of such bricks are properly laid side by side, as in Figure 4,
the tuyere box or chamber L, from which branch the several tuyeres or
contracted orifices f, f, formed by other perforations at right angles to
the opening c, as shewn in the enlarged sections Figures 6 and 7. Each
of these perforations f extends completely through the brick for the
facility of removing any obstruction which may occur therein, and when
in use the upper end of each of the said perforations f is closed by a
cast-iron plug or stopper g. The blast is conveyed from the stove box or
heater to the ascending and descending flues M, M¹, formed in the
brickwork of the furnace by the pipe N, which opens into both flues
alike, so as to direct a portion of the blast through the tuyeres in the
roof of the furnace and the remainder into the ash-pit, but in order to
afford facility for shutting-off the blast either wholly or partially from
the tuyeres ff, and to direct a proportionably increased supply into the
ash-pit, I have introduced the sliding valve or damper O, which is easily
worked by a handle from the front of the furnace, and closes morc or
less the inlet to the ascending flue or passage M. I prefer to strain the
steam employed for producing the blast, for which purpose I place, as
shewn in Figure S, above the nozzle or orifice h, from which the jet of

page_text: steam issues, a cylindrical chamber which acts as a straining box, it
being constructed in two parts with a horizontal flanged joint, and
having stretched across it and held between the said flanges a diaphragm
or diaphragms % of fine wire gauze. By this means I am enabled to
intercept any small solid particles which might be brought by the steam,
and consequently I can use a very small orifice in the steam nozzle
without fear of its becoming stopped up.
Figures 9 and 10 (Sheet 2) represent a side elevation and corresponding
plan of an ordinary puddling furnace provided with my non-conducting
protecting screens.and cold water circulating foot plate. The screens P, P,
which may be either fixed or moveable, are composed of two or more
metal plates put together, so as to leave an intervening space or spaces
between them, which space or spaces is or are filled with any good non-
conducting material, such as I have herein-before mentioned, or may
contain air alone. In the latter case the air rises as it becomes heated,
and is replaced from below by cooler air. The foot plate Q forms the
cover to a tank R containing water at rest or in a state of constant
circulation, the cold water entering by the pipe 7, and the warm water
flowing off by the pipe m into the ash-pit or elsewhere; ", n, are deep
brackets, webs, or stays cast on the under side of the foot plate for the
purpose of exposing a sufficiently large surface for the conduction of
heat from the plate.
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 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 application and use to and in the heating of a mixture of
air and steam, to be employed in puddling and other furnaces for
melting, boiling, or heating iron, of stove or heating pipes of a rect-
angular section with or without internal strengthening cross partitions,
substantially as herein-before described.
Secondly. The peculiar mode of joining or connecting the said rectan-
gular sectioned stove or heating pipes to the stove box, as hercin-before
described and illustrated by Figure 5 of my Drawings.
Thirdly. The application and use to and in furnaces, wherein a heated
mixture of air and steam is passed partly through orifices in the roof; of.

page_text: specially perforated bricks built into the roof of the furnace, and forming
a fire-brick tuyere box and tuyeres, as herein-before described.
Fourthly. The application and use of the valve or damper O for the
purpose of cutting off either wholly or partially the blast from the
tuyeres whilst passing a proportionally increased supply to the ash-pit,
substantially as herein-before described.
Fifthly. The application and use to and with puddling and other like
furnaces of non-conducting screens composed of double or multiple
sheets or plates of metal, having the intervening space or spaces between
them filled in with non-conducting material or with air alone, sub-
stantially as herein-before described.
Sixthly. The application and use to and with puddling and other like
furnaces of foot plates kept cool by being partially immersed in a tank
made to contain water either at rest or gradually flowing through it,
substantially as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jeremiah Head, have to this my
Specification, set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of
September one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.