Improvements in the Production of Steel (and other Metal) Wire, Plates, Rods, Bars, and Rails, and in Apparatus Connected therewith.
Year: 1884

page_text: Improvements in the Production of Steel (and other Metal) Wire,
Plates, Rods, Bars, and Rails, and in Apparatus Connected
therewith.
I CARL MARIA PIELSTICKER, of N° 5 Sydney Terrace, Kilburn, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF STEEL (AND OTHER METAL) Wire,
PLATES, RODS, BARS AND RAILS AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in the production of steel (and other metal) wire, plates
rods, bars, rails of any desired section, direct from the molten metal, by casting
them under or without compression continually in a mould, open at both ends, and
drawing or moving them out continually after or while solidifying during their
passage through such mould.
In carrying out this Invention we employ a cylinder say 4ft 6in high and 2ft 6in
diameter or larger capable of holding after lining with refractory material, about
one ton of molten metal or more.
The cylinder rests by means of a surrounding flange on the supporting brick
work, and is constructed by preference of steel plates, one inch in thickness, capable
of sustaining extreme pressures closed at the bottom by a plate and at the top by
another plate both of which are securely bolted on to the shell of the cylinder.
The whole of the inside of the latter is lined with basic or acid refractory
material say 8 inches in thickness; the bottom plate being lined separately so as to
enable its easy removal together with the refractory lining, for the purpose of
making necessary repairs inside the cylinder.
The top plate carries a manhole and a small pipe connects the inside of the
cylinder with a steam boiler or a gas holder, containing a gas, by preference fluid
carbonic acid or steam under pressure.
Near the bottom lining there is another manhole, opposite this manhole there is
a circular opening through the shell of the outer cylinder and its lining say
8 inches in diameter, into which fits horizontally an iron cylinder about 24 inches
Dini arr

page_text: long and 8 inches diameter, securely connected with the shell of the vertical
cylinder and projecting about 4 inches into its refractory lining.
Instead of only one horizontal cylinder two or more inay issue radially from the
shell of the vertical cylinder.
Into the horizontal cylinder fits closely a second cylinder constructed of wrought
or cast iron, about 20 inches long and 7 inches in diameter, securely closed at both
ends by means of wrought or cast iron plates.
Through the centre of this inner cylinder and through the end plates passes a
steel or bronze tube slightly conical by enlarging towards the outer opening and of
such section as the article to be manufactured is to represent in its finished state;
for instance if round wire is to be produced we prefer a diameter of 3/8 of an inch,
while the thickness of the metal of this tubo is not to exceed 1, of an inch. This
tube is to be well polished inside or it may be lined inside with a non metallic
hard and incombustible material, and is securely connected with the closing end
plates of the inner cylinder.
Before inserting the inner cylinder containing the tube into the larger horizontal
cylinder a quantity of refractory material which may be acid basic or carbonaceous
in a moist state is firmly rammed into the inside end of the outer cylinder or
instead of ramming in moist material, a ready burnt refractory piece accurately
fitting may be introduced.
The inner cylinder or cooler containing the tube is then inserted and finally a
plate closes the outside opening of the outer cylinder all but an opening in the
centre, corresponding with the tube and which plate keeps the insido cylinder in
position. A metal pipe capable of furnishing one gallon of cold water per second,
passes through the cover or front closing plate of the horizontal cylinder into the
inside of the inner cylinder, while a similar pipe reaching near to the back closing
plate is to carry off the heated water.
In carrying out our Invention we insert a wire rod or bar into the aforesaid
tube of the same section and completely filling it, penetrating through the refractory
material at the inner end of the horizontal cylinder and projecting a few inches
into the inside of the vertical cylinder.
The inside of the vertical cylinder is then brought to an elevated temperature,
approaching in the case of steel a white heat, by filling this cylinder through its
top manhole with coke and applying an air blast at the manhole near the bottom,
or by applying a gas and air blast instead of the coke, at the latter point. Ashes
and cinders are afterwards removed through the lower manhole, and the latter is
then securely closed.
Cold water is now continually admitted at into the inner cylinder by one tube
and drawn off at the same end by another.
The molten steel, or other metal, is then poured into the vertical cylinder through
the manhole at the top, and when sufficiently filled, the latter is securely closed.
The hydrostatic pressure of the molten metal itself, contained in the vertical
cylinder, would be sufficient to cause the metal to enter the tube in the horizontal
cylinder continually; in order however to ensure a steady passage of the metal
through the tube without danger of breaking off the continuity of the metal in the
same and further in order also to prevent the gases occluded in the molten metal
from issuing and forming a defective product, dry steam or a suitable gas, by
preference carbonic acid, is admitted under considerable pressure into the inside of
the vertical cylinder at the top.
On giving the wire, rod, or otherwise, inserted into the horizontal tube, a
forward motion by means of a pair of rolls, or otherwise, the molten metal enters
this tube and in passing through it, becomes solidified.
In manufacturing for instance steel wire by this process, we prefer to compress
the red hot metal from 3/8 of an inch for instance as it issues from the tube
aforesaid, down to ½ of an inch, by means of a pair of rolls, the wire being finally
wound round a drum, or by causing the drum to revolve the metal wire is drawn

page_text: out of the tube and by passing it through the intervening rolls the latter are made
to rotate and the wire or rod is thus compressed.
A speed of 4ft Gin per second we find the most desirable one in producing wire.
In case the section of the bar, as it issues from the tube should represent that of
a rail, the pair of rolls, through which the bar passes, carries in such case the same
section, only somewhat reduced.
Heavier castings, such as rails, can be produced by this process with even greater
facility than wire, or light bars and rods. Instead of using a pair of rolls and a
drum, as in the case of wire, we prefer to use in this case, as also in the production
of bars of more complicated section, which it would be difficult or impossible to
pass through rolls, any simple and well known device for drawing the solidified bar
out of the tube.
We also find it desirable in manufacturing heavier bars or rails for instance after
the tube is filled with new metal to stop the forward movement of the solidified
metal for a moment, in order to allow the metal which has entered this tube to
sufficiently solidify, and then move it forward again a piece corresponding to the
length of the tube, or after solidifying inside the tube the solidified portion may be.
first moved a few inches towards the inside of the vertical cylinder in order to
clear the entrance into the tube of any metal which may have become partly
solidified, and then move forward again its full length.
Dated this Second day of January 1884.

page_text: "
I CARL MARIA PIELSTICKER, of 5 Sydney Terrace, Kilburn, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF STEEL (AND OTHER METAL) WIRE,
PLATES, RODS, BARS AND RAILS AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
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 Sheet of Drawing and to the Figures and letters of reference marked
thereon :-
This Invention consists in the production of steel (and other metal) wire, plates,
rods, bars, rails of any desired section, direct from the molten metal, by casting
them continually in a mould, open at both ends, and drawing or moving them out
continually after or while solidifying during their passage through such mould.
In carrying out this Invention we employ a cylinder A say 4' 6" high and
2' 6" diameter, or larger, capable of holding, after lining with refractory material,.
about one ton of molten metal or more.
The cylinder rests by means of the surrounding flange L, on the supporting
brickwork, and is constructed by preference of steel plates say one inch in thickness,
closed at the bottom by a plate T, and at the top by a plate F, both of which are
securely bolted on to the shell of the cylinder.
The whole of the inside of the latter is lined with basic or acid refractory
material D, say 8 inches in thickness, the bottom plate T, being lined separately so
as to enable its easy removal together with the refractory lining for the purpose
of making necessary repairs inside the cylinder.
The top plate F, carries a manhole H.
Near the bottom lining there is a manhole K. Opposite this manhole there is
an opening through the shell of the cylinder A, and the lining D, say 8" in
diameter, into which fits horizontally a hollow iron cylinder B, about 24" long
and 8" diameter, securely connected with the shell of the vertical cylinder A.
Instead of only one horizontal cylinder B, two or more may issue radially from
the shell of the vertical cylinder A.
Into the cylinder B, fits closely a second hollow cylinder C, constructed of
wrought or cast iron, about 20" long 7" in diameter, securely closed at both ends
by means of wrought or cast iron plates.
Through the centre of this cylinder and through the end plates passes a steel or
bronze tube d, which may be cylindrical or slightly conical by enlarging towards
the outer opening and of the same or similar section as the article to be
manufactured is to represent in its finished state; for instance if heavy round wire
is to be produced we prefer a diameter of 3/8 of an inch, while the thickness of the
metal of this tube is not to exceed 1/8 of an inch. This tube is to be well polished
inside, or it may be lined inside with a non metallic hard and incombustible
material, and is securely connected with the closing end plates of the cylinder C.
Before inserting the cylinder C, containing the tube d, into the larger cylinder B,
a quantity of refractory material, which may be acid basic or carbonaceous M, in a
moist state is firmly rammed into the inside end of the cylinder B, or instead of
ramming in moist material a ready burnt refractory piece accurately fitting may
be introduced.
The cooler c, containing the tube d, is then inserted and finally a plate E, closes
the outside opening of the cylinder B, all but an opening in the centre, corre-
sponding with the tube d, and which plate keeps the inside cylinder C, in position.
A metal pipe X, capable of furnishing one gallon of cold water per second, passes

page_text: through the cover E into the inside of the cylinder C, while a similar pipe y
reaching near to the back closing plate is to carry off the heated water.
In carrying out our Invention we insert a wire, rod, or bar into the tube , of
the same section and completely filling it, penetrating through the refractory
material M, and projecting a few inches into the inside of the cylinder A.
The inside of the cylinder A, is then brought to an elevated temperature,
approaching in the case of steel a white heat, by filling the cylinder A, through the
manhole H with coke or charcoal and applying an air blast at K, or by applying a
gas and air blast, instead of the coke, at the latter point. Ashes and cinders are
afterwards removed through the manhole K, and the latter is then securely closed.
Cold water is now continually admitted at X and drawn off at y.
The outer end of the wire, plate, rod, bar or rail inserted into the tube d, is then
drawn forward, the molten metal contained in the cylinder A, follows the removal
of the inserted rod (which word for the sake of shortness we intend to use
throughout this Specification instead of mentioning again all the other articles) and
in passing through the tube d, becomes solidified. The solidified and still red hot
metal is then passed through one or more pair of rolls N, placed at suitable angles,
which draw out the metal as a continuous rod until the contents of the cylinder
are exhausted, the rolls at the same time compressing and shaping the finished
article. Instead of using one or more pair of rolls, any other well known device
for moving forward the solidified metal may be employed. In manufacturing for
instance steel wire by this process we prefer to compress the red hot metal from
3/8 of an inch as it issues for instance from the tube d, down to 1 of an inch, by
means of the rolls N, the wire being finally wound round a drum S, or by causing
the drum S, to revolve the metal wire is drawn out of the tube d, and by passing
it through the intervening rolls, the latter are made to rotate and the wire or rod
is thus compressed.
When the manufacture of rails or of bars of similar sections or shape is intended,
the grooves in the rolls through which the bars pass are to be of corresponding
shape or section.
Heavier castings, such as rails, can be produced by this process with even greater
facility than wire, or light bars and rods. Instead of using rolls, or rolls in
combination with a drum, as in the case of wire, we prefer to use in such case, as
also in the production of bars of more complicated section, which it would be
difficult or impossible to pass through rolls, any device for drawing the solidified
bar out of the tube d, the latter representing in such case accurately the shape or
section of the article which it is intended to make.
We also find it desirable in manufacturing heavier bars or rails for instance, after
the tube d is filled with new metal, to stop the forward movement of the solidified
metal for a moment in order to allow the metal which has entered the tube d, to
sufficiently solidify, and then move it forward again a piece corresponding to the
length of the tube d; or after solidyfying inside the tube d, the solidified portion
may be first moved a few inches towards the inside of the cylinder A, in order to
clear the entrance into the tube d, of any metal which may have become partly
solidified and then move forward again its full length. Tubes or pipes may be
made by this process by inserting a refractory core the whole length into the
cooling tube, representing the inside diameter of the tube or pipe to be made.
In dealing with molten steel containing a considerable quantity of gas which
may render the finished article defective on account of blowholes, it may be
desirable to connect the interior of the closed cylinder A, by means of a pipe G, with
a gas holder containing for instance compressed carbonic acid, which by exerting
a pressure on the contents of the cylinder A, prevents the blowholes from forming.
Instead of using a vertical cylinder a horizontal cylinder may be used or any
other suitable metallurgical furnace, as for instance the furnace used in the "open
hearth Siemens Martin process" in which the molten metal may be kept for
any length of time in a molten condition and in which the metal may previously
have been produced.
"
or
"

page_text: Instead of employing the tube d, cooled by circulating water or other fluid
around it in certain cases, as in the production of wire, a heavy and solid steel or
iron block perforated in the direction of its axis may be used, the molten metal
passing through it becoming solidified by the heat absorbing action of the
surrounding mass of metal.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
First: The continuous casting of steel (or other metal) wire, rods, bars, plates,
rails of any desired section by passing the metal in the fluid state in at the one end
of a cooling tube, and by drawing out the solidified casting at the other end by
means of rolls or other mechanical means, substantially as herein before described.
Second The hereinbefore described apparatus consisting in the combination of
the cylinder A, with the cooling tube d the rolls N and drum S by which the
molten metal contained in A, is drawn out as a continuous rod through the cooling
tube d by means of the rolls N, alone, or combined with the drum S.
Third A device for the continuous casting of metal rods, which consists in the
combination of a cooling tube with a cylindrical vessel or receptacle of any other
form into which the molten metal has been transferred from a furnace "Bessemer
converter," or other smelting apparatus, and a pair of rolls or other mechanical
means for drawing out the solidified portion from the cooling tube, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
Fourth A device for the continuous casting of metal rods, which consists in the
combination of a cooling tube with the metallurgical furnace itself, in which the
metal to be cast into rods has been manufactured or smelted, and a pair of rolls or.
other mechanical means for drawing out the solidified portion from the cooling
tube, as before described.
Fifth A device for the continuous casting of metal rods, which consists of one
or more pair of rolls placed at suitable angles, drawing forward the solidified metal
issuing from the cooling tube and simultaneously compressing and shaping it, as
hereinbefore described.
Sixth A device for the continuous casting of wire and light rods and bands of
metal, which consists of a revolving drum drawing the solidified metal issuing from
the cooling tube between one or more pair of rolls, placed at suitable angles, the
latter receiving rotary motion by the passing wire, rod or band of metal, sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described.
:
Seventh A device for the continuous casting of metal rods, consisting of a tube
of any desired section open at both ends, cooled by water or other fluid circulating
around it to a sufficient extent as to abstract the heat of the molten metal passing
through it and of solidyfying the latter, as before described.
Eighth A device for the continuous casting of metal rods, consisting of a solid
heavy steel or iron block perforated in the direction of its axis, the molten metal
in passing through the latter becoming solidified by the heat absorbing action of
the surrounding mass of metal, as hereinbefore described.
Ninth A device for preventing blowholes from forming in rods produced by the
above described process of continuous casting, which consists in a pipe connecting
the receptacle containing the molten metal with a receptacle containing compressed
gas, as above described.
ד