IMPROVED FURNACE FOR PUDDLING IRON AND STEEL, AND SIMILAR OPERA- TIONS
Year: 1876

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, &
A.N
Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
IMPROVED FURNACE FOR PUDDLING IRON AND STEEL, AND SIMILAR OPERA-
TIONS." A communication from abroad by Ernest Mennessier, of Paris, France,
Engineer.
Sealed the 9th September 1876, and dated the 21st March 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lako at the
Oflice of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st March 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED FURNACE FOR PUDDLING IRON
AND STEEL, AND SIMILAR OPERATIONS." A communication.
The said Invention relates to a furnace with an oscillatory hearth, and consisting
of a hollow cylinder whose jacket is formed partly of a metallic casing (of cast or
sheet metal), and partly of a vaulting of refractory brick. This vaulting has a door
or number of doors, according to the length and the dimensions of the furnaces, and
according to the required extent of its oscillation.
To enable this description to be fully understood I have represented in the accom-
panying Drawing an example only of my furnace with an oscillating hearth.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of this furnace with its vault provided with four
doors, two opposite the other two; these doors are in different positions, one being
in its extreme position and the other in its medium position. Figure 2 is a longi-
tudinal section of the same. Figure 3 is a side elevation of the same, the hollow
cylinder being in its extreme position. Figure 4 is a. vertical tranverse section of
the same, the cylinder being in its medium position.
In all these Figures the same letters indicate the same parts.
The cylinder a has a circular opening b at each extremity, one serving for the
admission of the flame from the fire-place c and the other for its exit. The fire-place
e may be a grating with a natural draught or a blast. I may use for the heating of
this hearth either the "Ponsard' or the "Siemens" inethod. In the latter case
the two openings of the cylinder are equal, the introduction of the flaming gases
and their exit taking place alternately at one side and the other.
"
The movable apparatus is carried by rollers d (there are 6 shewn in the Drawing,
but their number may be varied). These rollers are fitted on a movable carriage c,

page_text: and support the oscillating cylinder by the intermediation of flanges, which form
projections, and may serve at the same time as flanges for the junction of the divers
parts of the apparatus. The said rollers may be set up or down by means of the
screws to allow the apparatus to be truly centred.
The oscillating motion is imparted to the furnace by two connecting rods
g acting upon two axes placed near its extremities. This oscillation is to the extent
of 90° in the accompanying Drawing, but its extent may be increased to 180°. In
this case it is not possible to have doors opposite each other. The number will be
reduced to one, or to a number situated in the same generating line. The other
extremities of the said connecting rods are connected either by a crank or by a
rectilinearly moving rod, or by other suitable means.
To obtain an oscillation of 180° for instance, which will be very difficult with a
direct acting connecting rod, I may adapt to each extremity of the cylinder a
toothed segment, gearing with sectors of larger radius actuated by the connecting
rods. The lining of the hearth will be made in the ordinary manner with scoria,
rich ores, iron scale, or burnt scrap iron.
The cast-iron or other materials to be treated are introduced into the furnace in a
solid or liquid condition, as in ordinary apparatus. The addition of the scoria and
reagents ordinarily employed is made at the desired moment.
If it is desired to obtain "Martin" steel a few oscillating movements given from
time to time to the apparatus are sufficient for mixing the materials, and renew their
surfaces in such manner that the temperature remains the same in all parts of the
pool.
If I puddle for iron or for steel a slow continuous oscillating movement produces
a puddling sufficiently energetic to effect decarburization. The bloom obtained in
the form of a roll having the length of the hearth may be divided and removed by
the doors in the vault of the furnace. By reason of these doors there need be no
derangement of the furnace during the working, and the carriage supporting the
movable cylinder is only intended to remove this apparatus in case of important
repairs.
The discharge of the scoria is effected by the holes j made through the jacket of
the cylinder; these holes serve also for the escape of the steel in a liquid condition.
Figures 5 and 6 show modifications of the said furnace; Figure 5 is an end view
of the modified furnace, and Figure 6 is a longitudinal section of the same in the
line Y, Y, Figure 6.
These modifications are as follows, that is to say :-
First. The orifice serving for the introduction of the flame of the fire-place instead
of having a circular form is longer in the horizontal than in the vertical direction (the
horizontal line X, X, and the vertical line Y, Y, being taken in the medium position
of the furnace), in such a manner as to form a surface of flame of greater width
than length acting very advantageously upon the material under treatment. This
form may be elliptical or with sides as desired; it is shown in the Drawings
by A, B, C, D, E, F. It is necessary that the openings A, H, C, D, J, F, which is
formed in the corresponding wall of the fire-place should have a diameter equal to
the largest dimension of the opening of the furnace, at least within the limits of
its oscillation, so that the flame may always be introduced by the full section of
the movable opening. All that I have said with regard to the orifice of intro-
duction is applicable to the discharge orifice.
Secondly. I adapt to each extremity of the furnace a movable ring M, M, which
may be readily caused to form a joint with the fixed part of the apparatus, in such a
manner as to prevent the entrance of air.
The
Thirdly. I place at each extremity of the furnace a double jacket L, L, for a
current of air, the same being formed with sheet iron or cast iron. Its object is to
prevent the rapid corrosion of the orifices and vertical portions of the hearth.
remainder of the jacket, principally the cylindrical surface, is sprinkled by jets of
water, arranged to have a great cooling effect upon the points where there is the
greatest tendency of the hearth to intense corrosion. I may have fixed jets and

page_text: movable jets fed by tuyeres following the movement of the furnace, combined in
such a manner as to produce the best result.
Fourthly. The brick vault instead of being cylindrical throughout the entire
length of the furnace is greatly depressed toward the middle, as shown in Figure 6,
to force the flaine downward upon the hearth, and also to diminish as much as
possible its ineffective capacity. The longitudinal section of this vault is indicated
by N, O, P, Q, R, S, but this form is not absolutely necessary, and may be varied
within certain limits. The contour may be rounded.
Fifthly. Instead of actuating the furnace directly by the horizontal connecting
rod I employ two fly wheels T keyed upon the same shaft, placed above the furnace,
and carrying the pendant connecting rods U, U. Moreover, I obtain greater stability
for a given distance apart of the rollers, and this arrangement has above all the
advantage of completely freeing the edges of the furnace.
Sixthly. The extent of the oscillating movement, instead of remaining always the
same, varies with the different phases of the operation or with the nature of these
operations. For this purpose the crank plate which communicates the oscillating
movement to the fly wheel shaft, and consequently to the furnace, carries a piece
sliding in a groove and fixed upon a screw, which regulates its distance from the
centre of the plate. Therefore I can in a few seconds set the said piece in a position
corresponding to the desired degree of oscillation. This capability of reversing,
more or less, is very useful in facilitating the extraction of the blooms, and for the
repairing of the hearth, of which all the portions, even to those which touch the
door sills, may be successively brought to the lowest point. The watching of the
operation is effected as easily as in any ordinary furnace, and the labour is reduced
to the charging of the apparatus and the division and extraction of the products
obtained.
I wish it understood that I may always place in continuation of the furnace, if
the same is heated by an ordinary grating or hearth for the preliminary heating of
the cast metal and a steam boiler for utilizing the waste heat.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st
September 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED FURNACE FOR PUDDLING IRON
AND STEEL, AND SIMILAR OPERATIONS." A cominunication from abroad by Ernest
Mennessier, of Paris, France, Engineer.
The said Invention relates to a furnace consisting of a hollow cylinder, whose
jacket is formed partly of a metallic casing (of cast or sheet metal), and partly of a
vaulting of refractory brick. This vaulting has a door or number of doors,
according to the length and the dimensions of the furnace, and according to the
required extent of its oscillation.
To enable this description to be fully understood I have represented in the
accompanying Drawings one example only of my furnace with an oscillating
hearth.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of this furnace with its vault provided with four
doors, two opposite the other two; these doors are in different positions, one being
in its extreme position, and the other in its medium position; Figure 2 is a
longitudinal section of the same; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the same, the
hollow cylinder being in its extreme position; Figure 4 is a vertical transverse
section of the same, the cylinder being in its medium position.
In all these Figures the same letters indicate the same parts.
The cylinder a has a circular opening b at each extremity, one serving for the

page_text: admission of the flame from the fire-place c, and the other for its exit. The fire-
place c may be a grating with a natural draught or a blast. I may use for the
heating of this hearth either the "Ponsard" or the "Siemens" method. In the
latter case the two openings of the cylinder are equal, the introduction of
the flaming gases and their exit taking place alternately at one side and the other.
The moveable apparatus is carried by rollers d (there are G shewn in the
Drawing, but their number may be varied). These rollers are fitted on a moveable
carriage c, and support the oscillating cylinder by the intermediation of Hanges,
which form projections, and may serve at the same time as flanges for the junction
of the divers parts of the apparatus. The said rollers may be set up or down by
means of the screws to allow the apparatus to be truly centred.
The oscillating motion is imparted to the furnace by two connecting rods y
acting upon two axes placed near its extremities. This oscillation is to the extent
of 90° in the accompanying Drawings, but its extent may be increased to 180°.
In this case it is not possible to have doors opposite each other. The number will
be reduced to one, or to a number situated in the same generating line. The other
extremities of the said connecting rods are connected either by a crank or by a
rectilinearly moving rod, or by other suitable means.
To obtain an oscillation of 180° for instance, which will be very difficult with a
direct-acting connecting rod, I may adapt to cach extremity of the cylinder a
toothed segment gearing with sectors of larger radius actuated by the connecting
rods. The lining of the hearth will be made in the ordinary manner with scoria,
rich ores, iron scale, or burnt scrap iron.
The cast-iron or other materials to be treated are introduced into the furnace in
a solid or liquid condition, as in ordinary apparatus. The addition of the scoria
and reagents ordinarily employed is made at the desired moment.
If it is desired to obtain "Martin" steel a few oscillating movements given from
time to time to the apparatus are sufficient for mixing the materials, and renew
their surfaces in such manner that the temperature remains the same in all parts of
the pool.
If I puddle for iron or for steel a slow continuous oscillatory movement produces
a puddling sufficiently energetic to effect the decarburation. The bloom obtained
in the form of a roll having the length of the hearth may be divided and removed
by the doors in the vault of the furnace. By reason of these doors there need be
no derangement of the furnace during the working, and the carriage supporting
the moveable cylinder is only intended to remove this apparatus in case of important
repairs.
The discharge of the scoria is effected by the holes j made through the jacket of
the cylinder. These holes serve also for the escape of the steel in a liquid
condition.
Figures 5 and 6 shew modifications of the said furnace. Figure 5 is an end
view of the modified furnace, and Figure 6 is a longitudinal section of the same on
the line Y, Y, Figure 5.
These modifications are as follows, that is to say :-
First. The orifice serving for the introduction of the flame of the fire-place
instead of having a circular form is longer in the horizontal than in the vertical
direction (the horizontal line X and the vertical line Y, Y, being taken in the
medium position of the furnace) in such a manner as to form a surface of flame of
greater width than height, acting very advantageously upon the material under
treatment. This form may be elliptical or with sides, as desired; it is shown in
the Drawing by A, B, C, D, E, F. It is necessary that the opening A, H, C, D, J, F,
which is formed in the corresponding wall of the fire-place should have a diameter
equal to the largest dimension of the opening of the furnace, at least within the
limits of its oscillation, so that the flaine may always be introduced by the full
section of the movable opening. All that I have said with regard to the orifice of
introduction is applicable to the discharge orifice.
Secondly. I adapt to each extremity of the furnace a moveable ring M, M, which

page_text: may be readily caused to form a joint with the fixed part of the apparatus in such
a manner as to prevent the entrance of air.
Thirdly. I place at each extremity of the furnace a double jacket L, L, for a
current of air, the same being formed of sheet iron or cast iron. Its object is to
prevent the rapid corrosion of the orifices and vertical portions of the hearth. The
remainder of the jacket, principally the cylindrical surface, is sprinkled by jets of
water arranged to have a great cooling effect upon the points where there is the
greatest tendency of the hearth to intense corrosion. may have fixed jets, and
moveable jets fed by tuyeres following the movement of the furnace combined in
such a manner as to produce the best result.
Fourthly. The brick vault instead of being cylindrical throughout the entire
length of the furnace is greatly depressed toward the middle, as shewn in Figure 6,
to force the flame downward upon the hearth and also to diminish as much as
possible its ineffective capacity. The longitudinal section of this vault is indicated
by N, O, P, Q, R, S, but this form is not absolutely necessary, and may be varied
within certain limits; the contour may be rounded.
Fifthly. Instead of actuating the furnace directly by the horizontal connecting
rod I employ two rocking levers T keyed upon the same shaft placed above the
furnace, and carrying the pendent connecting rods U, U. Moreover, I obtain
greater stability for a given distance apart of the rollers, and this arrangement has
above all the advantage of completely freeing the edges of the furnace.
Sixthly. The extent of the oscillating movement instead of remaining always
the same varies with the different phases of the operation, or with the nature of
these operations. For this purpose the crank plate which communicates the
oscillating movement to the rocking lever shaft, and consequently to the furnace,
carries a piece sliding in a groove, and fixed upon a screw, which regulates its
distance from the centre of the plate. Therefore I can in a few seconds set the
said piece in a position corresponding to the desired degree of oscillation. This
capability of reversing more or less is very useful in facilitating the extraction of
the blooms and for the repairing of the hearth, of which all the portions, even to
those which touch the door sills, may be successively brought to the lowest point.
The capability of obtaining variable degrees of oscillation greatly facilitates tho
different operations for which this oscillating furnace may be utilized. The
watching of the operation is effected as easily as in an ordinary furnace, and the
labour is reduced to the charging of the apparatus and the division and extraction
of the products obtained. These furnaces may be used for any desired quantity of
metal; it is only a question of dimensions.
I wish it understood that I may always place in continuation of the furnace, if
the same is heated by an ordinary grating, a hearth for the preliminary heating of
the cast metal, and a steam boiler for utilizing the waste heat.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that I claim,-
First. The substitution of an oscillating movement for the continuous rotary
movement applied to other apparatus, and the arrangement at the upper part of
the oscillating cylinder of one or a number of doors, by means of which the
division of the bloom and the extraction of the various fragments resulting
therefrom may be easily effected, as above specified.
Second. The orifices for the entrance and exit of the flames at each end of the
furnace, as shewn in Figure 5 of the Drawing, made wide in proportion to their
height, so as to form a sheet of flame of greater width than height to act moro
effectively upon the matters under treatment. as above set forth.
Third. The adaptation at each end of the furnace of a moveable ring or hoop
connected with the fixed parts, as shewn in Figure 6, in such a manner as to
prevent the entrance of air, as above described.
Fourth. The vault of the furnace contracted towards the middle, as shewn in
Figure 6, for the purpose of forcing the flames to descend upon the hearth, and

page_text: also to diminish as much as possible its useless capacity or dimensions, as above set
forth.
Fifth. The means for controlling the oscillating movement of the furnace con-
sisting of two rocking arms or levers keyed on the same axle above the furnace,
and pendent connecting rods, as shewn in Figure 5, permitting the complete freeing
of the edges of the furnace, as above specified.
Sixth. The employment of a piece sliding in a groove on the crank plate, which
communicates the oscillating movement to the rocking lever shaft, thus permitting
the extent of the oscillation of the furnace to be varied at will according to the
different phases of the operation, and also permitting the furnace to be turned over
far enough to facilitate the extraction of the blooms, as above specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.